Career Contessa

AI is transforming the way work gets done—but great leadership still comes down to people. In this episode of The Career Contessa Podcast, Lauren McGoodwin welcomes back Julie Zhuo, author of The Making of a Manager and co-founder of Sundial, to discuss how managers can lead effectively in the AI era, beyond productivity metrics and tools. You'll learn:
Why AI-driven productivity doesn’t equal team success—and what leaders should focus on instead
The leadership skills that become more valuable (not less) in an AI-powered workplace
How managers can maintain trust, purpose, and meaningful work as AI reshapes roles

Show Notes
Weekly Newsletter Sign-Up: http://bit.ly/37hqtQW

Guest Resources:
Website: https://www.juliezhuo.com/
Book: https://www.juliezhuo.com/book/manager.html
Substack: https://lg.substack.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-zhuo/
X: https://x.com/joulee

Career Contessa Resources
Book 1:1 career coaching session: https://www.careercontessa.com/hire-a-mentor/
Take an online course: https://www.careercontessa.com/education/
Get your personalized salary report: https://www.careercontessa.com/the-salary-project/
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why do we instantly “click” with some coworkers and struggle with others? Journalist and bestselling author Kate Murphy discusses the emerging science of interpersonal synchrony—how our brains, bodies, and behavior subconsciously sync with the people around us.
You’ll learn:
• What interpersonal synchrony is and why it matters for your career
• How technology is changing the way we connect, collaborate, and build trust
• Practical strategies to create stronger relationships and more cohesive teams at work

Show Notes
Weekly Newsletter Sign-Up: http://bit.ly/37hqtQW

Guest Resources:
Book: https://www.amazon.com/Why-We-Click-Interpersonal-Synchrony/dp/1250352452
Website: https://www.journalistkatemurphy.com/

Career Contessa Resources
Book 1:1 career coaching session: https://www.careercontessa.com/hire-a-mentor/
Take an online course: https://www.careercontessa.com/education/
Get your personalized salary report: https://www.careercontessa.com/the-salary-project/

Sponsor
Stop waiting and start selling with Shopify. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at shopify.com/careercontessa.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If you’ve ever started the year with big career goals—only to lose steam by spring—this episode is for you. Career coach Michelle Schafer shares her quarterly career playbook: a simple, structured approach to keep your professional growth on track all year long. Learn how to break your goals into manageable chunks, build momentum each quarter, and stay accountable to your future self.
You’ll learn:
How to create a quarterly framework that keeps your career goals realistic and sustainable
The right way to initiate career development conversations with your manager
Simple ways to stay visible, build new skills, and celebrate progress—without burning out

Show Notes
Weekly Newsletter Sign-Up: http://bit.ly/37hqtQW

Guest Resources:
Self-marketing episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/creative-techniques-to-master-self-marketing-how-to/id1434354911?i=1000706486616
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleschafercoaching/
Website: https://mschafercoaching.ca/
Free offer #1: A free chapter from my book - sign up here: https://mschafercoaching.ca/cultivatingcareergrowth/
Order my book Cultivating Career Growth: Navigating Transitions with Purpose here:
https://mschafercoaching.ca/cultivatingcareergrowth/
Free offer #2: Download the reflection tool Career Focus Framework here: https://mschafercoaching.ca/gain-clarity-and-confidence-in-your-job-search/
Email me here: [email protected]
Book a complimentary 30 min discovery call with me here: https://calendly.com/coaching-with-michelle-schafer

Career Contessa Resources
Book 1:1 career coaching session: https://www.careercontessa.com/hire-a-mentor/
Take an online course: https://www.careercontessa.com/education/
Get your personalized salary report: https://www.careercontessa.com/the-salary-project/
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Before you set another career goal, hit pause — it’s time for a career audit. Career coach and product marketing pro Saniya Waghray Tyagi shares how to reflect on the past year, clarify what’s working (and what’s not), and set intentional goals that align your energy, environment, and ambitions for 2026.
You’ll learn:
The five key areas to evaluate in your career audit — and how to spot when you’re overdue for one.
How to turn reflection into action using Saniya’s “power of three” goal-setting method.
Simple tools to make your audit feel doable — including the “Skill-Based Smile File.”

Show Notes
Weekly Newsletter Sign-Up: http://bit.ly/37hqtQW

Guest Resources:
Work 1:1 with Saniya: https://www.careercontessa.com/hire-a-mentor/profile/Saniya-WaghrayTyagi/32470/
Amanda Goetz - ‘Life’s a Game’ blog
https://amandagoetz.kit.com/posts/life-s-a-game-your-2024-game-plan?ref=life-creators.club
And how to evolve at the 6-month mark: https://x.com/AmandaMGoetz/status/1774770294810452031
Expect to Win by Carla Harris: https://www.amazon.com/Expect-Win-Strategies-Thriving-Workplace/dp/0452295904/
‘The First 90 Days’ - Michael D Watkins: https://www.amazon.com/First-90-Days-Strategies-Expanded/dp/1422188612/

Career Contessa Resources
Book 1:1 career coaching session: https://www.careercontessa.com/hire-a-mentor/
Take an online course: https://www.careercontessa.com/education/
Get your personalized salary report: https://www.careercontessa.com/the-salary-project/

Sponsor
Stop waiting and start selling with Shopify. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at shopify.com/careercontessa.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, Lauren and Marnie break down three major workplace predictions for 2026, drawing from leading reports by Indeed, Forbes, and McKinsey. After a quick lookback on 2025, Lauren and Marnie dive deep into what’s ahead for the new year as it relates to job searching and larger workplace cultural shifts.
You’ll Learn:
Why the 2026 job market may feel familiar and how to job search accordingly
Why values alignment is becoming a top priority for employees
How AI will reshape expectations for leadership as it relates to transparency

Show Notes
Weekly Newsletter Sign-Up: http://bit.ly/37hqtQW
Follow Career Contessa: http://bit.ly/2TMH2QP
2025 Workplace Predictions Episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/3-in-30-work-predictions-for-2025/id1434354911?i=1000680665545
Prediction 1 - Indeed Article: https://www.hiringlab.org/2025/11/20/indeed-2026-us-jobs-hiring-trends-report
Prediction 2 - Forbes Article: https://www.forbes.com/sites/janicegassam/2025/11/16/5-trends-that-will-shape-workplace-culture-in-2026/
Prediction 3 - McKinsey Article: https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/tech-and-ai/our-insights/superagency-in-the-workplace-empowering-people-to-unlock-ais-full-potential-at-work
Recommended Online Assessment: https://www.careerfitter.com/free_test/careerbuilder?afid=2218
Follow Marnie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marnielemonik/
Follow Lauren on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenmcgoodwin/

Resources
Marnie’s Instagram Reel on Negotiation: https://www.instagram.com/p/C_O1iZrurJt/
Marnie’s Interview Prep eBook: https://www.marnielemonik.com/store/p/ebook-how-to-shine-in-your-next-job-interview
10% Discount Code: CCPOD
Marnie’s Resume Template: https://www.marnielemonik.com/store/p/template-marnies-resume-with-written-examples
The Job Search Dashboard: https://careercontessa.teachable.com/p/the-job-search-dashboard-notion-template?affcode=70732_cx6_j5wn
CareerFitter Online Assessment:
https://www.careerfitter.com/free_test/careerbuilder?afid=2218

Career Contessa Resources
Book 1:1 career coaching session: https://www.careercontessa.com/hire-a-mentor/
Take an online course: https://www.careercontessa.com/education/
Get your personalized salary report: https://www.careercontessa.com/the-salary-project/
Browse open jobs: https://www.careercontessa.com/jobs/

Sponsor:
Stop waiting and start selling with Shopify. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at shopify.com/careercontessa.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.