The Visibility Factor

Susan M. Barber
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Welcome to the Visibility Factor podcast with Susan M. Barber – a show where business leaders and anyone seeking ways to raise their visibility can come to learn how to take action in their own authentic way.

  1. 3d ago

    225. Great Leaders Push People Before They're Ready

    225. Great Leaders Push People Before They're Ready   One of the most common mistakes leaders make is waiting until someone feels "ready" before giving them a bigger opportunity. In this episode, Sue challenges that thinking and explores why growth often happens because of uncomfortable opportunities—not after them. Drawing from her own leadership experiences and leadership development research, she explains why stretch assignments, executive exposure, and visibility opportunities are some of the most powerful tools leaders have for developing future leaders. Sue shares practical ways leaders can help team members build confidence through action, gain valuable experience, and develop the skills needed to thrive in today's constantly changing business environment. She also discusses why confidence is often the result of taking action rather than the prerequisite for it. If you want to create stronger leaders, build a deeper leadership bench, and help your team realize their full potential, this episode offers actionable strategies you can begin using immediately   Key Takeaways Most people never feel completely ready for their next leadership opportunity. Growth often happens because of challenging experiences, not before them. Leadership development is driven more by experience than formal training. Stretch assignments accelerate learning, adaptability, and confidence. Visibility opportunities help employees build influence, credibility, and leadership presence. Confidence is typically the result of action, not the prerequisite for it. Leaders who overprotect high-potential employees may unintentionally limit their growth. Executive exposure provides valuable opportunities to learn, observe, and develop. Coaching and feedback after stretch opportunities help reinforce learning. Great leaders don't just evaluate readiness—they actively develop it. Sometimes the most important thing a leader can do is believe in someone's potential before they believe in it themselves.   Connect with Susan M. Barber If this episode resonated with you, share it with another leader navigating change inside their organization. You can also connect with Susan M. Barber for coaching, leadership development, speaking engagements, and visibility strategy work focused on helping leaders become more influential, trusted, and impactful inside organizations. https://susanmbarber.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanbarbercoaching/

    16 min

  2. Jun 18

    224. Becoming the Leader You Want to Be

    224. Becoming the Leader You Want to Be   What does it really mean to become the leader you want to be? Many leaders step into leadership roles believing they need to have all the answers, solve every problem, and stay involved in every detail. In this episode, Sue challenges those assumptions and shares the leadership lessons she learned throughout her own journey. Drawing from her experience leading teams and large-scale programs, Sue explores the mindset shifts that help leaders move from individual contributor to influential leader. She discusses how limiting beliefs, self-doubt, and comparison can keep leaders playing small, while self-trust, advocacy, and stepping into uncomfortable moments can accelerate growth and visibility. If you've ever questioned whether you're ready for greater leadership responsibility or struggled to let go of doing everything yourself, this episode offers practical insights to help you lead with more confidence and clarity.   Key Takeaways Leadership Doesn't Require Perfection Challenge the Limiting Beliefs Holding You Back Advocate for Yourself and Your Team Leadership Moments Often Arrive Unexpectedly Trust Yourself More Than You Think Stop Managing Every Detail Leadership Is an Ongoing Evolution Sometimes Leadership Means Stepping Up Before Anyone Asks You to The Leader You Want to Become Starts With the Choices You Make Today Connect with Susan M. Barber If this episode resonated with you, share it with another leader navigating change inside their organization. You can also connect with Susan M. Barber for coaching, leadership development, speaking engagements, and visibility strategy work focused on helping leaders become more influential, trusted, and impactful inside organizations. https://susanmbarber.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanbarbercoaching/

    14 min

  3. Jun 11

    223. You Can't Be What You Don't See (with Amy Henningfield)

    223. You Can't Be What You Don't See (with Amy Henningfield)   In this inspiring episode of The Visibility Factor Podcast, Susan sits down with Amy Henningfield, Director of Workforce Development at Superior Construction, to discuss her remarkable career journey from single mother and entry-level clerk to influential leader in the construction industry. Amy shares how she unexpectedly found her passion in construction, the lessons she's learned navigating a traditionally male-dominated field, and why helping women become more visible and confident has become a central part of her mission. Together, Sue and Amy explore the importance of representation, mentorship, leadership development, and creating environments where women feel supported, empowered, and ready to grow.   Key Takeaways How Amy transitioned from an entry-level role to Director of Workforce Development Why visibility matters, especially in male-dominated industries The role mentorship and sponsorship play in career growth How Superior Women in Construction (SWIC) was created and the impact it's making Why representation matters: "You can't be what you don't see" How organizations can better support women in leadership development The importance of creating safe environments for people to speak up and grow Strategies for overcoming self-doubt and impostor syndrome Why leaders should stop waiting until they feel "ready" How workforce development is shaping the future of the construction industry   Book Recommendations from Amy Becoming by Michelle Obama and Let Them by Mel Robbins   Connect with Amy Henningfield Amy Henningfield - LinkedIn https://www.amyhenningfield.com/ https://www.superiorconstruction.com/our-company/superior-women-in-construction-swic/   Connect with Susan M. Barber If this episode resonated with you, share it with another leader navigating change inside their organization. You can also connect with Susan M. Barber for coaching, leadership development, speaking engagements, and visibility strategy work focused on helping leaders become more influential, trusted, and impactful inside organizations. https://susanmbarber.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanbarbercoaching/

    45 min

  4. Jun 4

    222. The Power of a Leadership Reset

    222. The Power of a Leadership Reset   What happens when a team loses momentum, motivation fades, or old ways of working no longer serve the business? In this episode, Sue shares two real-world coaching scenarios that highlight the importance of recognizing when a team needs a reset. Whether you're leading a team through a long-term initiative that's lost energy or navigating a leadership transition that requires new ways of working, a thoughtful reset can create clarity, trust, collaboration, and renewed commitment. Sue explores practical ways leaders can bring teams back together, reconnect people to purpose, and create an environment where trust, curiosity, and shared success can thrive.   Episode Highlights Why team motivation often fades over time—and how leaders can restore it The critical role purpose and "why" play in sustaining engagement How leadership transitions create opportunities to redefine team culture Why breaking down silos leads to stronger collaboration and better decision-making The value of using Start, Stop, Continue conversations to reset team dynamics How vulnerability helps leaders build trust during periods of change Why great leaders operate in the "gray" instead of assuming they have all the answers How standing for each other's success creates stronger leadership teams Ways to recognize when your team is stuck and needs a reset conversation How team resets can become powerful visibility and leadership opportunities   Connect with Susan M. Barber If this episode resonated with you, share it with another leader navigating change inside their organization. You can also connect with Susan M. Barber for coaching, leadership development, speaking engagements, and visibility strategy work focused on helping leaders become more influential, trusted, and impactful inside organizations. https://susanmbarber.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanbarbercoaching/

    10 min

  5. May 28

    221. Leading Through Difficult Performance Conversations

    221. Leading Through Difficult Performance Conversations   In this episode of The Visibility Factor Podcast, Susan M. Barber shares real-world leadership scenarios she has been discussing with coaching clients as mid-year reviews approach. She breaks down how leaders can have more transparent, strategic, and growth-focused conversations with team members about promotion readiness, performance expectations, and development opportunities. Sue explains why time in role alone does not determine readiness for advancement and why consistency, demonstrated competencies, and visibility matter more than assumptions or tenure. She also discusses how leaders can support employees by clearly identifying gaps, creating development opportunities, and delivering honest feedback in a way that builds trust rather than discouragement. This episode is especially valuable for new leaders, people managers, and anyone navigating difficult performance conversations with their teams.   Episode Highlights Why many employees mistakenly equate tenure with promotion readiness The importance of demonstrating competencies consistently How to remove subjectivity from performance conversations What leaders should do when previous managers created unrealistic expectations Ways to help employees gain visibility with senior leadership Why promoting someone too early can ultimately hurt their confidence and success How transparency strengthens trust and development   Top of Form Bottom of Form Connect with Susan M. Barber If this episode resonated with you, share it with another leader navigating change inside their organization. You can also connect with Susan M. Barber for coaching, leadership development, speaking engagements, and visibility strategy work focused on helping leaders become more influential, trusted, and impactful inside organizations. https://susanmbarber.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanbarbercoaching/

    10 min

  6. May 21

    220. Breaking Free from the Habit of Solving Everyone Else’s Problems (with Leah Marone)

    220. Breaking Free from the Habit of Solving Everyone Else’s Problems (with Leah Marone) In this episode of The Visibility Factor Podcast, Susan M. Barber sits down with psychotherapist, speaker, and author Leah Marone to discuss the hidden cost of constantly helping, fixing, and rescuing everyone around us. Leah shares insights from her book, Serial Fixer: Break Free from the Habit of Solving Other People’s Problems, and explains how high achievers, leaders, parents, and compassionate professionals often become trapped in cycles of over-functioning, burnout, resentment, and emotional exhaustion. Together, Susan and Leah unpack the difference between helping and fixing, why boundaries feel so difficult, and how many people unknowingly tie their self-worth to being needed. They also explore how emotional intelligence can sometimes lead us to overextend ourselves and why slowing down, becoming present, and asking better questions can transform our relationships and leadership.   Key Takeaways The difference between helping and fixing - and why many leaders confuse the two Why resentment is often a sign that boundaries are missing The hidden connection between self-worth and being “needed” How “serial fixing” shows up at work, at home, and in leadership The three common serial fixer types Why control can sometimes disguise itself as compassion The importance of slowing down instead of reacting immediately How toxic work environments can bait people into over-functioning The power of asking: “Tell me more” Why presence is one of the most overlooked forms of self-care How internal “bodyguards” like the inner critic and inner pleaser try to keep us safe   Book Recommendation from Leah The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho   Connect with Leah Marone Leah Marone Website Leah Marone on LinkedIn   Connect with Susan M. Barber If this episode resonated with you, share it with another leader navigating change inside their organization. You can also connect with Susan M. Barber for coaching, leadership development, speaking engagements, and visibility strategy work focused on helping leaders become more influential, trusted, and impactful inside organizations. https://susanmbarber.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanbarbercoaching/

    45 min

  7. May 14

    219. Learning Cultures Create Better Business Outcomes (with Lori Benton)

    219. Learning Cultures Create Better Business Outcomes (with Lori Benton)   In this episode of The Visibility Factor podcast, Susan sits down with Lori Benton, Senior Vice President of Learning, Culture & Engagement, leadership coach, and former Chief Academic Officer, for a powerful conversation about leadership development, culture strategy, coaching, and the human side of organizational growth.  Lori shares her unique career journey from chemistry teacher and educational leader into corporate leadership and explains how her background in education shaped her philosophy around learning, engagement, psychological safety, and leadership development. Together, Susan and Lori explore why culture and business strategy cannot be separated, how organizations can better support high-potential leaders, and why coaching should be viewed as growth, not punishment.   Key Topics Discussed Why culture strategy and business strategy must align The difference between training and true learning Creating psychological safety for teams Why organizations lose talent when they fail to invest in people The role of coaching in leadership growth Building collaborative cultures instead of competitive ones Learning and culture are inseparable Training is not the same as learning Leadership growth starts with self-awareness Visibility is about impact, not self-promotion Coaching should be developmental, not punitive Great leaders focus on people, not just performance Book Recommendation: Together Is Better by Simon Sinek Connect with Lori: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lori-benton-8047a22b8/   Connect with Susan M. Barber If this episode resonated with you, share it with another leader navigating change inside their organization. You can also connect with Susan M. Barber for coaching, leadership development, speaking engagements, and visibility strategy work focused on helping leaders become more influential, trusted, and impactful inside organizations. https://susanmbarber.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanbarbercoaching/

    42 min

  8. May 7

    218. AI May Change Roles—But It Won’t Replace Leaders

    218. AI May Change Roles—But It Won’t Replace Leaders As organizations move faster to integrate AI into the workplace, many leaders are asking an important question: Will AI eventually replace leadership roles? In this episode of The Visibility Factor Podcast, Susan M. Barber explores what AI may change inside organizations and what it cannot replace. Inspired by recent conversations and articles discussing companies like Meta and Block shifting away from traditional middle management structures toward AI-enabled operating models, Sue shares her perspective on what this means for leaders today. While AI can automate tasks, increase speed, support analysis, and improve efficiency, leadership is fundamentally human work. This episode explores: Why leadership is more than productivity The difference between task execution and decision-making How visibility, influence, and clarity become even more important in AI-enabled organizations Why trust, relationships, and communication still drive performance What organizations risk overlooking when they focus only on efficiency Why companies that outperform will invest in leadership capability, not just technology The growing pressure on organizations to “do more with less” Why engagement, not automation alone drives productivity The role leaders play in navigating complexity and human dynamics How AI may expose leadership gaps already present inside organizations Why hierarchy may matter less in the future, but influence will matter more AI may change how work gets done, but it does not replace the need for strong, visible, thoughtful leadership.   Related Articles and Research https://susanmbarber.substack.com/p/the-illusion-of-productivity-in-the   Connect with Susan M. Barber If this episode resonated with you, share it with another leader navigating change inside their organization. You can also connect with Susan M. Barber for coaching, leadership development, speaking engagements, and visibility strategy work focused on helping leaders become more influential, trusted, and impactful inside organizations. https://susanmbarber.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanbarbercoaching/

    10 min
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About

Welcome to the Visibility Factor podcast with Susan M. Barber – a show where business leaders and anyone seeking ways to raise their visibility can come to learn how to take action in their own authentic way.

Information

  • Creator
    Susan M. Barber
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    226
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Susan M. Barber Coaching & Consulting LLC
  • Show Website
    The Visibility Factor

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