Work Unscripted

Marlo Lyons
  • 5.0 (16)
  • CAREERS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Work Unscripted with Marlo Lyons offers a candid exploration into the realities of career advancement and leadership. Hosted by Marlo Lyons, executive career coach and former HR exec, this podcast brings unfiltered insights on work, leadership, and finding your path. Episodes feature in-depth discussions with industry leaders who share real stories and practical tools, and honest insights from Marlo. Work Unscripted is your guide to thriving in the professional world. 

  1. 1D AGO

    What If Leadership Isn’t About Influence? Rethinking Leadership with Dr. Jacob Kashiwagi

    What if leadership isn’t about influence at all? In this episode of Work Unscripted, host Marlo Lyons sits down with researcher and leadership expert Dr. Jacob Kashiwagi to explore a radically different leadership philosophy: “no influence leadership.” Instead of persuading, motivating, or trying to change people, Dr. Kashiwagi argues that great leaders focus on something much simpler and much harder: understanding people and aligning them in the right roles to succeed. Their conversation challenges some of our more traditional ideas about leadership development and raises important questions for today’s workplace: Can leadership actually be taught?Why do some leaders succeed in one organization but fail in another?What do Gen Z employees really want from work?Why are so many corporate decisions based on belief instead of data?Marlo and Dr. Kashiwagi also explore how authenticity, deep listening, and humility are becoming critical leadership skills in an era shaped by AI, automation, and rapid organizational change. For leaders, managers, and HR professionals navigating culture shifts, workforce expectations, and performance challenges, this episode offers a powerful reframing: Leadership isn’t about influencing or controlling people. It’s about understanding them. Connect with Marlo Website | LinkedIn | Instagram ----------- Work Unscripted is produced by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.

    48 min

  2. MAR 4

    Cracking the Code: I Got Promoted, Now What? How to Succeed in Your New Leadership Role

    Congratulations, you’ve been promoted! New title. Bigger paycheck. Maybe even that LinkedIn “I got promoted” announcement. Now what? In this episode of Work Unscripted, Marlo Lyons cracks the code on what really happens after a promotion and why the fastest way to fail in your new role is to keep doing your old job. Because a promotion isn’t a reward. It’s a reset. Whether you’re early in your career navigating your first leadership role, a mid-career professional struggling to let go of being “the expert,” or a senior leader trying to scale impact instead of staying busy, this episode unpacks the real shifts required to succeed and create long-term career growth You’ll learn: What must change immediately after you’ve been promotedWhy your expertise can become your biggest liabilityHow to transition from doing the work to leading the workHow to stop being indispensable and start building scalable impactThe mindset shifts required for sustainable leadership successIf you’ve ever wondered how to succeed in your first 90 days after a promotion, how to step into a new leadership role with confidence, or how to avoid common promotion mistakes, this conversation is for you.  Because the real question isn’t “Was I ready?”  It’s: Are you willing to let go of who you were good at being so you can become the leader your new role requires? Connect with Marlo Website | LinkedIn | Instagram ----------- Work Unscripted is produced by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.

    6 min

  3. FEB 25

    Why Self-Selling Is a Leadership Skill (And How to Master It) with Chardét Ryel

    If the phrase “sell yourself” makes you cringe… this episode is for you. In this episode, executive coach Marlo Lyons sits down with visibility strategist Chardét Ryel to unpack a skill most professionals avoid but desperately need: authentic self-promotion. Whether you’re pursuing a promotion, navigating a job search, building a business, or stepping into greater leadership visibility, you are pitching yourself every single day. The problem? Most people either overperform, underplay, or completely misunderstand how to communicate their value. You’ll learn: Why self-selling is a leadership skill (not an ego exercise)How to drop performative leadership and communicate with authenticityThe role of emotional intelligence and empathy in effective pitchingWhy podcast visibility can accelerate career advancementIf you’ve ever felt uncomfortable advocating for yourself or unsure how to talk about your strengths without sounding rehearsed, this conversation will shift your mindset. Because leadership visibility isn’t about being louder. It’s about being clearer. Connect with Marlo Website | LinkedIn | Instagram ----------- Work Unscripted is produced by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.

    44 min

  4. FEB 18

    Cracking the Code: What Your Boss Really Means – How to Handle Confusing Workplace Feedback

    Have you ever received feedback at work that made you question your entire career? In this episode of Work Unscripted, Marlo Lyons cracks the code on five cryptic feedback phrases that derail high performers and shows you exactly how to translate them into actionable career growth. This is your guide to: Developing emotional intelligence and empathy in the workplaceTurning vague performance review comments into clear next stepsImproving stakeholder alignment, collaboration, and executive presencePositioning yourself for promotion and leadership advancementFeedback isn’t always clear. But with curiosity, self-awareness, and strategic reframing, it becomes one of your most powerful career tools. If you’ve ever left a performance review confused, frustrated, or second-guessing yourself, this episode is your translation guide. Because sometimes you just need to decode the corporate riddles. Connect with Marlo Website | LinkedIn | Instagram ----------- Work Unscripted is produced by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.

    9 min

  5. FEB 11

    How to Land a Board Seat: Naomi Kent on The Mindset, Strategy, and Long Game Most Executives Miss

    Board seats aren’t reserved for a lucky few, but they are reserved for leaders who understand the game. In this episode of Work Unscripted, executive coach Marlo Lyons sits down with board career expert and co-author Naomi Kent to unpack their new book, Wanted: A Board Career, and break down what it really takes to build a meaningful, strategic board portfolio. This is not a job search. And treating it like one is the biggest mistake executives make. Together, Marlo and Naomi walk through the three phases every successful board career requires: Discovery: clarifying your “why,” your values, and your long-term board visionPreparation: crafting a board-ready brand, narrative, LinkedIn profile, and pitchExecution: building relationships and trust over time (not chasing openings)They also tackle common myths about board service, the difference between nonprofit, private, and public boards, and why board readiness is about judgment, governance, and mindset. Whether you’re an executive in transition, a senior leader thinking about your next chapter, or simply curious about board service as a purposeful career move, this conversation will help you think differently — and more strategically — about your path to the boardroom. Want to learn more? Marlo dives much deeper into the board journey in her new book, Wanted → A Board Career, a step-by-step guide to becoming board-ready and landing a board seat. Order the book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4tfMWbF Connect with Marlo Website | LinkedIn | Instagram ----------- Work Unscripted is produced by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.

    47 min

  6. FEB 4

    Cracking the Code: From Executive to Strategic Leader to Board Member

    Most executives think they’re one promotion away from the C-suite and C-suite leaders think they're one step away from a board seat. They’re not.  They’re one mindset shift away and most never make it. In reality, moving up the corporate ladder into the C-suite or onto a board requires an entirely different way of thinking. In this Cracking the Code mini episode of Work Unscripted, Marlo Lyons breaks down the critical mindset shift required to move from executive operator to strategic leader to board-ready advisor. You’ll learn why strong execution alone doesn’t translate to C-suite and boardroom influence, how boards evaluate judgment over résumés, and the key behaviors that separate enterprise thinkers from functional leaders. This episode is especially relevant for senior leaders, C-suite executives, and high-performing professionals considering board service, governance roles, or long-term leadership legacy. Want to learn more? Marlo dives much deeper into the board journey in her new book, Wanted → A Board Career, a step-by-step guide to becoming board-ready and landing a board seat. Pre-order the book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4tfMWbF Connect with Marlo Website | LinkedIn | Instagram ----------- Work Unscripted is produced by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.

    6 min

  7. JAN 28

    Stuck in Middle Management? How to Level Up, Get Promoted, and Lead at the Next Level with Kristen Johnson

    What needs to change for you to level up as a leader, and why do so many high performers get stuck right before promotion? In this episode of Work Unscripted, Marlo Lyons sits down with executive coach Kristen Johnson. Kristen has worked with middle management inside some of the world’s most recognizable organizations—including PayPal, Google, Amazon, Sephora, Chase, and Cisco—giving her a rare, inside look at what truly separates managers from enterprise-level leaders. Together, they break down: Why middle managers experience burnout at staggering ratesThe mindset shift required to move from execution to influenceHow to stop over-controlling and start developing leaders beneath youWhat actually gets you promoted (and what quietly holds you back)How to align values, boundaries, and ambition without blowing up your careerWhy career advancement requires intentional communication, not silent hustleThis episode is a must-listen for managers, senior leaders, and high performers who want to level up their careers, pursue promotion with clarity, and lead with impact instead of exhaustion. If you’re ready to stop doing everything and start leading intentionally, this conversation will change how you think about your next move.  Connect with Marlo Website | LinkedIn | Instagram ----------- Work Unscripted is produced by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.

    38 min

  8. JAN 21

    Cracking the Code: The Power of Vulnerability at Work (and How It Builds Trust)

    What if the very thing you’re hiding at work is actually the key to becoming a stronger, more trusted leader? In this Cracking the Code mini-episode of Work Unscripted, Marlo Lyons breaks down how to show vulnerability and credibility at the same time that builds authority and influence. Because vulnerability in leadership doesn’t mean oversharing, emotional dumping, or losing control. It means leading with authenticity and competence. In this quick, practical episode, you’ll learn: How vulnerability builds trust at work (and when it backfires)The difference between vulnerability vs. oversharing in leadershipThree simple ways to demonstrate vulnerability while maintaining credibilityHow to admit what you don’t know without undermining your authorityWhy modeling boundaries is a powerful leadership skillThis episode is perfect for leaders, managers, and high performers who want to build trust, lead with confidence, and influence others, without sacrificing professionalism. Short. Insightful. Real. That’s Cracking the Code. Connect with Marlo Website | LinkedIn | Instagram ----------- Work Unscripted is produced by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.

    7 min
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Trailer

5
out of 5
16 Ratings

About

Work Unscripted with Marlo Lyons offers a candid exploration into the realities of career advancement and leadership. Hosted by Marlo Lyons, executive career coach and former HR exec, this podcast brings unfiltered insights on work, leadership, and finding your path. Episodes feature in-depth discussions with industry leaders who share real stories and practical tools, and honest insights from Marlo. Work Unscripted is your guide to thriving in the professional world. 

Information

  • Creator
    Marlo Lyons
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    39
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Work Unscripted
  • Show Website
    Work Unscripted

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