This Wasn't My Plan

Ashlee Hayes
  • 4.8 (8)
  • Careers
  • Updated Weekly

This Wasn’t My Plan is the career podcast for high-achievers who’ve checked all the boxes (and done all the right things!) but still feel something’s missing. Hosted by Career Strategist and Performance Consultant and Advisor, RX Ashlee, it’s your no-BS roadmap to redefining success on your terms. Whether you’re pivoting, scaling your business, or ready for work that works for you, this show delivers sharp strategy, smart scripts, and real talk. No fluff, no filler, just focused guidance to help you lead, own your voice, and win with intention.

  1. 1d ago

    Learning How to Give Feedback That Builds Trust

    Episode 37: Learning How to Give Feedback That Builds Trust In this episode, Ashlee breaks down one of the most underrated and undertaught leadership skills — how to give feedback that actually builds trust instead of destroying it. She explains why avoidance is not kindness, why delayed feedback creates defensiveness, and what leaders must do to deliver clear, calm, consistent feedback that moves people forward. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN * Why feedback is not about criticizing someone — it is about helping them see themselves objectively * How avoidance disguised as kindness is actually holding your team back from growing * Why inconsistency and passive aggression destroy trust faster than any direct conversation ever could * The difference between feedback delivered with emotional intensity and feedback delivered with clarity and calm * Why small corrections create momentum and delayed corrections create defensiveness Most leaders avoid feedback because they do not want to make things uncomfortable. But what Ashlee has learned after coaching thousands of high performers is that avoidance is not kindness, it is the thing holding everyone back. High performers crave clarity. They want to know where they stand. They want direction. And when leaders withhold honest feedback, they are not protecting the relationship, they are quietly eroding the trust that makes great work possible. In this episode, Ashlee gives leaders a clear, repeatable framework for delivering feedback that is calm, specific, and timely, and explains why the ability to regulate your own emotions in those moments is the single most important factor in whether the feedback lands or falls apart. KEY MOMENTS * (02:00) Why feedback is not criticism, it is the gift of objectivity * (05:30) How implied expectations and hinted feedback destroy clarity and trust * (09:15) Two real examples of what unhelpful vs. helpful feedback actually sounds like * (13:30) Why emotional regulation is the most important factor in delivering feedback well * (17:00) Why small corrections create momentum and delayed corrections create defensiveness CALL TO ACTION If you are leading a team and want to improve clarity, decision-making, and execution, learn more about Ashlee's leadership workshops here: 🔗 https://www.rxashlee.com/executive-team-workshops ABOUT ASHLEE Ashlee is a leadership strategist and executive workshop facilitator who helps teams communicate with clarity so decisions move forward and performance improves. She works with founders, operators, and leadership teams to build simple, repeatable systems that strengthen alignment, ownership, and execution under pressure. Connect with Ashlee * Follow Ashlee on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleeklevenshayes/ * Follow Ashlee on IG: https://www.instagram.com/rxashleehayes/ * Learn more about Ashlee's workshops: https://www.rxashlee.com/executive-team-workshops KEYWORDS leadership communication, giving feedback, team trust, organizational clarity, emotional regulation, team performance

  2. 3d ago

    From the Lakers to Bestseller Lists: How Jake Kelfer Turned Books Into a Business

    Guest Episode 3: From the Lakers to Bestseller Lists: How Jake Kelfer Turned Books Into a Business Ashlee talks with Jake Kelfer, founder of Big Idea to Bestseller, about what it really takes to write a book, build a business around your expertise, and stop waiting until you feel "qualified enough" to share your message. Jake wrote his first book at 23 while working for the LA Lakers, and has since built one of the most focused publishing companies helping entrepreneurs and executives do the same. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN Why you don't need an extraordinary accomplishment to write a bookHow Jake went from courtside at the Lakers to founding a publishing companyWhy imposter syndrome is the biggest thing stopping people from writing their bookHow AI is changing the book writing process, and where it falls shortWhy mastering the fundamentals is the fastest path to the life you want Most people think they need to climb a corporate ladder or hit a milestone before they're qualified to write a book. Jake wrote his first at 23 with one year of experience, and it became an Amazon bestseller. Ashlee and Jake unpack why the book is never really about the book. It's about the transformation on the other side. ABOUT JAKE KELFER Jake Kelfer is the founder of Big Idea to Bestseller, a professional publishing company helping entrepreneurs, executives, and thought leaders write, publish, launch, and market nonfiction books. He's written four books of his own, including his latest, Big Idea to Bestseller, and has helped authors land speaking gigs, consulting clients, and five figure deals before their books even hit shelves. Connect with Jake: Website: https://bigideatobestseller.comBook: https://bit.ly/3TMsZf8Social: @jakekelfer KEY MOMENTS (03:00) Working courtside during Kobe Bryant's final season(07:00) Why Jake wrote his first book at 23 with one year of experience(14:00) The biggest things that stop people from writing books(22:00) How the pandemic forced a pivot that became Big Idea to Bestseller(37:00) Why unwavering self-belief is the real differentiator CALL TO ACTION Thinking about writing a book? 🔗 https://bigideatobestseller.com Leading a team and want better clarity and execution? 🔗 https://www.rxashlee.com/executive-team-workshops ABOUT ASHLEE Ashlee is a leadership strategist and executive workshop facilitator who helps teams communicate with clarity so decisions move forward and performance improves. She works with founders, operators, and leadership teams to build simple, repeatable systems that strengthen alignment and execution under pressure. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleeklevenshayes/IG: https://www.instagram.com/rxashleehayes/Workshops: https://www.rxashlee.com/executive-team-workshops

  3. Jul 22

    The #1 Way to Build Trust on Your Team Is NOT with More Time

    Episode 36: The #1 Way to Build Trust on Your Team Is NOT with More Time In this episode, Ashlee challenges one of the biggest myths in leadership, that trust just takes time. Inspired by a conversation with a client who had been waiting a decade for her team to trust each other, Ashlee breaks down exactly what actually builds trust inside organizations, why inconsistent communication destroys it faster than anything else, and what leaders must do differently starting today. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN * Why trust is not built with time, and what it is actually built with * How predictable leadership behavior is the single fastest way to install trust on a team * Why inconsistent communication destroys trust faster than almost any other leadership failure * What high performers actually need from their leaders, and why it is not motivation or morale * The one communication habit that closes loops and builds trust after every single conversation Ashlee has watched teams work together for over 15 years and still operate like suspicious roommates sharing a kitchen. She has also watched brand new teams build deep trust in less than a quarter. The difference is never time. It is always communication. Specifically, clarity, consistency, predictability, and emotional regulation. When leaders say one thing and do another, when feedback is given to one person and withheld from another, when meetings end without decisions or owners or next steps, trust erodes. Quietly. Expensively. And over time, the best people leave. In this episode, Ashlee defines trust the RX Ashlee way: predictable leadership behavior in service of a shared goal. And she gives leaders a clear, repeatable framework for building it starting with their very next conversation. KEY MOMENTS * (02:00) The client conversation that sparked this episode, 10 years on the same team, still no trust * (05:30) Why trust is not built with time, and what actually installs it inside organizations * (09:15) How inconsistent communication destroys trust faster than anything else a leader can do * (13:30) What high performers actually need, and why ambiguity drives them out * (17:00) The three communication habits that close loops and build trust after every conversation CALL TO ACTION If you are leading a team and want to improve clarity, decision-making, and execution, learn more about Ashlee's leadership workshops here: 🔗 https://www.rxashlee.com/executive-team-workshops ABOUT ASHLEE Ashlee is a leadership strategist and executive workshop facilitator who helps teams communicate with clarity so decisions move forward and performance improves. She works with founders, operators, and leadership teams to build simple, repeatable systems that strengthen alignment, ownership, and execution under pressure. Connect with Ashlee * Follow Ashlee on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleeklevenshayes/ * Follow Ashlee on IG: https://www.instagram.com/rxashleehayes/ * Learn more about Ashlee's workshops: https://www.rxashlee.com/executive-team-workshops KEYWORDS leadership communication, team trust, organizational clarity, team performance, executive leadership, decision-making

  4. Jul 20

    Dress for the Leader You're Becoming: How Amanda Weil Uses Style to Transform Confidence & Presence

    Guest Episode 2: Dress for the Leader You're Becoming: How Amanda Weil Uses Style to Transform Confidence and Presence In this episode, Ashlee welcomes Amanda Weil - stylist, soul coach, and founder of Amanda Weil Style, for a conversation that goes far beyond clothing. Together, they explore how personal style becomes a mirror for identity, confidence, and leadership, and why the way we show up externally often reflects the stories we believe internally. Amanda shares her journey from a successful corporate career at Yahoo and Sony Pictures to building a business rooted in purpose, helping high-performing leaders use style as a catalyst for self-trust, alignment, and transformation. This conversation is about far more than what you wear. It's about having the courage to release the version of yourself you've outgrown so you can step fully into the leader you're becoming. Most people think style is about looking better. Amanda Weil believes it's about becoming more yourself. For more than a decade, Amanda has helped entrepreneurs, executives, and leaders uncover the gap between how they see themselves and how they show up in the world. In this conversation, Amanda and Ashlee discuss career reinvention, personal growth, leadership, self-expression, and the courage it takes to build a life that feels deeply aligned, not just successful. ABOUT AMANDA WEIL Amanda Weil is a personal stylist, soul coach, and founder of Amanda Weil Style. For over a decade, she has helped entrepreneurs, executives, and leadership teams use personal style as a tool for confidence, clarity, and transformation. Her work blends intuitive coaching, emotional healing, future-self alignment, and intentional styling to help clients lead from a place of authenticity and self-trust. Amanda works with clients one-on-one, leads international Style & Soul retreats, and partners with organizations to help leaders strengthen executive presence through authentic self-expression. Connect with Amanda Website: https://www.amandaweilstyle.com Instagram: @amandaweilstyle KEY MOMENTS (02:00) Leaving Yahoo and Sony Pictures to build a purpose-driven business (08:00) The leadership program that changed the trajectory of Amanda's life (15:00) What happened when she told her family she was leaving corporate (23:00) Why style reveals more about identity than most people realize (35:00) The Paris retreat, an unexpected injury, and learning to surrender control (45:00) How leaders can intentionally build confidence and executive presence from the inside out ABOUT ASHLEE Ashlee Hayes is a leadership strategist, executive advisor, and workshop facilitator who helps founders, CEOs, and leadership teams communicate with clarity so decisions move faster, teams stay aligned, and businesses perform at a higher level. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleeklevenshayes/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rxashleehayes/ Workshops: https://www.rxashlee.com/executive-team-workshops

  5. Jul 15

    How the Best Leaders Speak Under Pressure

    Episode 35: How the Best Leaders Speak Under Pressure In this episode, Ashlee breaks down one of her most important topics — how leaders communicate when the stakes are high. She explains why pressure does not create communication breakdowns, it only exposes them, and what leaders must do to stay clear, regulated, and trusted when everything around them feels uncertain. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN Why anyone can communicate well in low stakes situations — and what pressure actually reveals about your leadershipThe most common communication patterns people default to under stress — and how to recognize yoursWhy emotional volatility destroys trust faster than almost anything else a leader can doHow predictable communication becomes one of the fastest ways to build psychological safety on a teamThe one thing you can start doing right now to become a stronger communicator under pressure Leadership is not tested during calm waters. It is tested during big losses, fast decisions, difficult conversations, and moments of uncertainty. And what Ashlee has seen across thousands of high stakes conversations is that most people do not rise to the occasion under pressure — they default to their patterns. Over talking. Shutting down. Getting defensive. Escalating. Avoiding entirely. In this episode, Ashlee makes the case for why communication under pressure is one of the most defining skills of modern leadership — and gives leaders a clear framework for staying regulated, reducing ambiguity, and creating the kind of predictability that teams will follow anywhere. KEY MOMENTS (02:00) Why pressure reveals communication habits — not talent or intelligence(05:30) The most common ways leaders default under stress and what each pattern costs the team(09:15) Why emotional volatility destroys trust and clarity faster than any other leadership failure(13:30) How predictable communication creates psychological safety and builds team trust(17:00) The one thing leaders can start doing right now to strengthen communication under pressure CALL TO ACTION If you're leading a team and want to improve clarity, decision-making, and execution, learn more about Ashlee's leadership workshops here: 🔗 https://www.rxashlee.com/executive-team-workshops ABOUT ASHLEE Ashlee is a leadership strategist and executive workshop facilitator who helps teams communicate with clarity so decisions move forward and performance improves. She works with founders, operators, and leadership teams to build simple, repeatable systems that strengthen alignment, ownership, and execution under pressure. Connect with Ashlee Follow Ashlee on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleeklevenshayes/Follow Ashlee on IG: https://www.instagram.com/rxashleehayes/Learn more about Ashlee's workshops: https://www.rxashlee.com/executive-team-workshops KEYWORDS leadership communication, communication under pressure, emotional regulation, team performance, executive leadership, organizational clarity

  6. Jul 13

    Say Less, Mean More: How Chris Cozzolino Built a LinkedIn Marketing Empire Through Communication

    Guest Episode 1: Say Less, Mean More: How Chris Cozzolino Built a LinkedIn Marketing Empire Through Communication In the very first guest episode of This Wasn't My Plan, Ashlee sits down with entrepreneur Chris Cozzolino, founder of Uptown Creation, to explore the communication principles behind building a successful business. Chris's path wasn't conventional. From selling virtual currency in World of Warcraft as a kid to starting pharmacy school and ultimately building one of the leading LinkedIn marketing agencies for B2B companies, his career has been shaped by curiosity, experimentation, and an obsession with clear communication. At the center of this conversation is a simple idea: The people who communicate with the most clarity often create the biggest opportunities. Whether you're leading a team, growing a business, or building your personal brand, this episode will challenge the way you think about communication, marketing, and leadership. In This Episode You'll Learn -Why clarity consistently outperforms cleverness in communication and marketing -How Chris transitioned from pharmacy school to entrepreneurship, and what he learned along the way -Why great communicators always think about the audience before choosing their words -How understanding the marketing funnel makes you a better communicator, leader, and salesperson -Why saying "no" to good opportunities creates space for great ones -The role consistency plays in building trust, credibility, and long-term business growth Great communication isn't about saying more. It's about helping the other person understand exactly what matters. Chris shares how that philosophy has shaped every stage of his business, and why simplifying your message is often the fastest path to better results. Key Moments (2:00) Chris shares how his career evolved from pharmacy school to entrepreneurship. (6:00) The story of selling virtual currency in World of Warcraft and discovering entrepreneurship at just 12 years old. (17:00) What it actually takes to stand out on LinkedIn today. (25:00) The difference between authenticity and clarity—and why both matter. (40:00) Why hiring, developing people, and building systems become the foundation for sustainable growth. About Chris Cozzolino Chris Cozzolino is the founder of Uptown Creation, a LinkedIn marketing agency that helps B2B companies generate revenue through outbound messaging and organic content. Over the past decade, he has helped founders and executive teams build scalable growth strategies while becoming one of the most respected voices in LinkedIn marketing. Connect with Chris Website: https://uptowncreation.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chriscozzolino/ About Ashlee Ashlee Hayes is a leadership strategist, executive advisor, and workshop facilitator who helps leaders communicate with clarity so teams align, decisions move forward, and performance improves. Connect with Ashlee LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleeklevenshayes/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rxashleehayes/ Leadership Workshops: https://www.rxashlee.com/executive-team-workshops

  7. Jul 8

    High-Performing Teams Recap Everything

    Episode 34: High Performing Teams Recap Everything In this episode, Ashlee breaks down one of the most underrated communication habits in leadership — the recap. She explains why the absence of closing loops is responsible for more organizational dysfunction than most leaders realize, and why this single habit, installed consistently, can clean up an enormous amount of chaos inside any team. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN * Why weak teams assume and high performing teams recap — and what that difference costs organizations * How humans processing information differently makes recapping a non-negotiable leadership discipline * Why the absence of a recap promotes duplicated work, missed deadlines, resentment, and more meetings * The difference between micromanaging that controls and clarity that supports * Why people follow communication norms far more than rules or policies written on paper Most organizational chaos doesn't start with a bad hire or a broken process. It starts with a conversation that ended without confirmation. Someone thought they owned it. Someone thought it was already decided. Someone thought they were waiting on someone else. And nobody recapped. In this episode, Ashlee makes the case for why the recap is not a nice-to-have leadership skill — it is operational infrastructure. And the leader who fails to close loops sets the communication standard for the entire organization. KEY MOMENTS * (01:30) Why the assumption is where organizational chaos begins and grows * (04:45) The phrases high performing teams use to close every conversation * (08:00) Why recapping is not micromanaging — and why that distinction matters * (11:15) How the leader sets the communication behavioral standard for the entire team * (14:00) Why people follow communication norms more than rules or policies CALL TO ACTION If you're leading a team and want to improve clarity, decision-making, and execution, learn more about Ashlee's leadership workshops here: 🔗 https://www.rxashlee.com/executive-team-workshops ABOUT ASHLEE Ashlee is a leadership strategist and executive workshop facilitator who helps teams communicate with clarity so decisions move forward and performance improves. She works with founders, operators, and leadership teams to build simple, repeatable systems that strengthen alignment, ownership, and execution under pressure. Connect with Ashlee * Follow Ashlee on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleeklevenshayes/ * Follow Ashlee on IG: https://www.instagram.com/rxashleehayes/ * Learn more about Ashlee's workshops: https://www.rxashlee.com/executive-team-workshops KEYWORDS leadership communication, team alignment, organizational clarity, decision-making, team performance, executive leadership

  8. Jul 1

    Why Decisions Stall (And What It Is Costing You!)

    Episode 33: Why Decisions Stall (And What It Is Costing You!) In this episode, Ashlee breaks down why most organizations think they have a people and productivity problem — when what they actually have is a decision-making problem. She explains how a leader's inability to make confident, clear decisions creates a ripple effect that stalls teams, burns out top performers, and quietly bleeds momentum across the entire organization. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN * Why stalled decisions are almost never a people problem — and what they actually are * How unclear communication creates decision fatigue across every level of a team * The difference between strong leaders who reduce cognitive load and weak communicators who increase it * Why high-performing teams move faster — and it has nothing to do with working harder * The four questions every leader should ask before walking into any meeting or conversation Most leaders assume stalled execution is a productivity problem. But the real issue is almost always upstream — a leader who struggles to make confident decisions, communicate them clearly, and close conversations with enough structure for teams to move. Unclear communication creates decision fatigue. And decision fatigue creates the exact symptoms most organizations misdiagnose as people problems: disengagement, resentment, burnout, and turnover. In this episode, Ashlee draws on her work with executive teams and thousands of interview prep clients to show why clarity is the highest-performing leadership skill — and what leaders must do to build it deliberately. KEY MOMENTS * (02:00) Why most organizations misdiagnose stalled execution as a people problem * (05:30) The interview prep pattern that reveals how unclear communication kills decisions * (09:15) How unclear communication creates decision fatigue — and what that costs teams * (13:30) The strongest operational habit Ashlee teaches leaders: pause when the objective is unclear * (17:00) The four questions every leader must answer before any meeting or conversation closes CALL TO ACTION If your organization is struggling with stalled decisions, unclear ownership, or communication bottlenecks, this is exactly the work Ashlee does with executive teams and leaders across the country. Learn more about Ashlee's leadership workshops here: 🔗 https://www.rxashlee.com/executive-team-workshops ABOUT ASHLEE Ashlee is a leadership strategist and executive workshop facilitator who helps teams communicate with clarity so decisions move forward and performance improves. She works with founders, operators, and leadership teams to build simple, repeatable systems that strengthen alignment, ownership, and execution under pressure. Connect with Ashlee * Follow Ashlee on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleeklevenshayes/ * Follow Ashlee on IG: https://www.instagram.com/rxashleehayes/ * Learn more about Ashlee's workshops: https://www.rxashlee.com/executive-team-workshops KEYWORDS leadership communication, decision-making, organizational clarity, team performance, executive leadership, team alignment

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4.8
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

This Wasn’t My Plan is the career podcast for high-achievers who’ve checked all the boxes (and done all the right things!) but still feel something’s missing. Hosted by Career Strategist and Performance Consultant and Advisor, RX Ashlee, it’s your no-BS roadmap to redefining success on your terms. Whether you’re pivoting, scaling your business, or ready for work that works for you, this show delivers sharp strategy, smart scripts, and real talk. No fluff, no filler, just focused guidance to help you lead, own your voice, and win with intention.

Information

  • Creator
    Ashlee Hayes
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    43
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Ashlee Hayes
  • Show Website
    This Wasn't My Plan