#LeadershipGrowth #CareerTransitions #NewManagers #CareerAdvice #LeadershipDevelopment #ExecutiveCoaching #WomenInLeadership #CareerClarity #DecisionMaking #WorkplaceLeadership #ManagerTraining #ProfessionalGrowth #LeadershipTips #CareerPivot #PodcastClip Most career regret starts with one bad assumption: that you have to choose between money, learning, and meaning. Becky Farone shows why the best leaders stop overthinking long enough to get honest about what they actually want, then use curiosity, not certainty, to move forward. Becky is an executive leadership coach, founder of Fireworks Coaching, and strategic advisor with more than 30 years across Microsoft, Nike, Starbucks, Kaiser, and MIT Sloan. In this conversation, she and host Pradeep unpack the career moments that shape confidence, the hidden cost of staying stuck in the wrong role, and why so many high-performing people second-guess themselves exactly when they need clarity most. Summary In this episode, Pradeep and Becky explore how people make better career decisions by understanding what they truly want from work. They discuss the difference between a job, income, and a learning opportunity, why “I don’t know” can be a powerful leadership answer, and how small experiments can reduce fear and uncertainty. The conversation also touches on leadership growth, values alignment, and the challenges of being promoted without the training or support to succeed. Takeaways “I don’t know” can be a strength when it leads to better decisions.Small, low-risk experiments can help clarify big career choices.Job satisfaction depends on more than salary — learning and meaning matter too.New managers often need more training and support than they receive.Values mismatches can lead to burnout, resentment, and self-doubt.The right mentor or environment can change the direction of a career. About the Guest Becky Farone is an executive leadership coach, founder of Fireworks Coaching, and strategic advisor with over 30 years of experience in leadership and organizational development. Her career includes work with Microsoft, Nike, Starbucks, Kaiser, and MIT Sloan, where she has helped leaders and teams build clarity, confidence, and better decision-making habits. If you’re a student, new manager, analytical leader, or anyone standing at a crossroads, this episode is for you. It’s a grounded, energizing conversation about trusting yourself, asking for what you need, and building a career that fits who you are, not just what looks impressive from the outside.
