Become the Leader You Aspire to Be: My Journey and Tips for You (YGT??#73)
Katharina Engelhardt ??
Career & Leadership Coaching for Women ?? Realise your potential for more success, more joy, more money ?? Senior Director Strategy @ adidas
Hello and happy Sunday,
Welcome to another. YOU GOT THIS! Newsletter.
Are You Taking Work Too Personally?
Work can bring so much meaning and connection to our lives—but sometimes, especially when deadlines pile up or big projects launch, it can feel like too much. So, what can you do? I’ve learned that by aligning my focus with my values—like prioritizing my family—I can get back to what truly matters and find a healthier balance.
One approach that’s helped? Practicing a little distance from my feelings. When emotions run high, I tell myself, “I’m noticing this feeling, but I don’t have to become it.” This creates just enough space to handle challenges calmly and stay resilient.
When stress starts to build, I pause, take a breath (or grab a cup of tea), and jot down what’s swirling in my mind. This clears my head and lets me focus on solutions instead of getting bogged down in stress.
And finally, I often ask myself, “What can I learn from this?” It’s amazing how that simple shift transforms setbacks into lessons and keeps me grounded on my path forward.
In today’s edition of my newsletter, I′ll write about these three topics:
??24 Days of Career & Leadership Inspiration
?? My latest learning: Preparing for the End-of-Year Crunch
?? Career Inspiration: Be Ready When the Headhunter Calls
?? Female Leadership: Always a New Chance: The Journey to Becoming the Leader I Want to Be
Stay courageous!
Best Regards, Katharina
P.S.: My coaching slots around the new year are booking up fast. It’s the perfect time to start planning, resetting, and preparing for what’s next. If you’re ready to dive deeper, check out my offerings and feel free to reach out. We’ll work on the strategies that will propel you forward!
?? 24 Days of Career & Leadership Inspiration for FREE ??
Sign-ups are now open! I’m so excited to share this with you! ??
The sign-up page for my Career & Leadership Advent Calendar is now live! Starting December 1st, I’ll be sharing 24 tips to bring calmness, clarity, and purpose to your career journey—all for FREE.
Each day, you’ll receive a 5-minute boost of practical insights to help you set clear goals, strengthen resilience, and connect more deeply with your leadership vision. Imagine wrapping up the year with renewed focus and entering 2025 with intention and confidence!
Ready to join? Just click here and secure your spot in this year’s advent calendar.
Want to go through it with a friend or colleague?
Great idea! Forward this email to anyone who might enjoy a little daily career inspiration to help them end the year with clarity and purpose.
Get ready to dedicate just a few minutes each day to focus on you, your goals, and what 2025 could bring. I’m thrilled to help guide you in creating a foundation for a fulfilling, intentional year ahead.
?? Sign up here to receive all 24 days of inspiration!
Got specific goals you’d like to focus on? Drop me a note. I’d love to know what’s on your mind as we embark on this journey together.
?? My latest learning: Preparing for the End-of-Year Crunch
As Halloween passes, I often feel like I’m being pulled at top speed toward the new year, balancing work deadlines with the bustle of holiday festivities. This year, I’m making an effort to reclaim some balance. Rather than letting the season sweep me along, I want to proactively prioritize my time and ensure I enjoy every moment—without burning myself out. Here are some strategies I’m using that you might find helpful too:
1.????? Establish routines for major events—and outsource where you can. Over the years, I’ve found that routines make all the difference. For instance, I’ve decided to get “goose to go” from a restaurant rather than prepare Christmas dinner myself, freeing up time for what truly matters.
2.????? Track where your time is going and check if it aligns with your goals. Year-end gatherings can easily take over my schedule, so I plan key Q4 meetings early—ideally in November. That way, my team and I can celebrate the new year in January with a fresh start.
3.????? Use a visual system to stay aligned with your vision. Since I’m a visual person, I color-code my activities to reflect my big goals. It gives me a quick snapshot of my progress and keeps me on track. If I see too many “uncolored” activities, I know it’s time to refocus.
4.????? Prioritize the moments that mean the most. One of my favorite holiday traditions is going with my family to a nearby city for a cozy day of last-minute Christmas shopping, a nice dinner, and a visit to the Advent market. We always buy a small handmade festive angel for our collection, honoring both the holiday spirit and our family’s name.
5.????? Align each commitment with your vision. My best advice: Before saying “yes” to any activity, ask yourself if it aligns with your vision. If not, either change it to fit, delegate it, or let it go. You’re not just a bystander in your own life- you get to choose how you experience it.
As we enter the holiday season, remember that balance doesn’t have to mean stress. Make conscious choices, enjoy the season, and celebrate your accomplishments. Here’s to a meaningful and fulfilling end to the year!
?? Career Inspiration: Be Ready When the Headhunter Calls
“Can you speak freely right now?” It’s a question many of us have heard from headhunters, and while it can be thrilling, it’s often accompanied by a jolt of nerves. This is the moment when preparation and clarity become your best allies. Having been on both sides of the call, here’s what I’ve learned about making these conversations count—because you don’t want to miss a great opportunity just because you’re caught off guard (as I once did!).
In today’s dynamic job market, headhunters are valuable allies, connecting top talent with the right opportunities. Yet success lies in how you handle that first interaction. Here are five key tips to turn that initial call into a career-shaping moment.
1. Keep Your Resume Updated and Ready Consider your resume your professional calling card. It should reflect who you are right now and be ready to go. An updated resume not only signals your readiness but shows that you’re actively engaged in your career growth. Keeping it current prevents any last-minute scramble and allows you to step confidently into any new opportunity.
2. Perfect Your Elevator Pitch An impactful, well-prepared pitch is essential. Think of it as a quick, compelling introduction that captures your unique value. Practice conveying your story in a way that feels natural but highlights what makes you stand out. It’s a powerful tool to make a lasting impression in those first few seconds.
3. Prioritize Clear and Open Communication One thing headhunters value most is honesty. Be transparent about your goals and expectations from the beginning. This open communication fosters trust and paves the way for a collaborative relationship. If a position isn’t quite right for you, communicate that clearly.
4. Know Your Career Goals Before the call, take time to clarify your professional ambitions. What are you hoping to achieve in your next role? The more aligned you are with your goals, the easier it will be to articulate them in the conversation. Being clear on what you’re looking for signals confidence and helps ensure a strong match.
5. Consistency is Key From salary expectations to career motivations, maintain consistency in what you share. This prevents confusion and demonstrates reliability—a trait both headhunters and potential employers value.
A Few Pitfalls to Avoid:
In conversations with headhunters, embrace honesty and openness—they’re qualities that build trust. Whether discussing your skills, career goals, or preferences, this transparency is the foundation of a successful working relationship.
And remember: A strong first impression is just the beginning. Clear goals and a practiced elevator pitch will set you apart and help you move confidently through the process.
If you’re ready to take the next step in your career journey, be proactive and stay prepared. Start now by updating your LinkedIn profile or reflecting on your goals. Let’s make sure that when opportunity knocks, you’re not only prepared - you’re inspired to answer. If you need support, I am there for you! Via your career stories, I will prepare you to be head hunter ready!
If you want to learn more, reach out to me for a discovery call. ????Here is a link to book a FREE 30-minute clarity session with me, and let’s start creating a perspective for your life.
?? Female Leadership: Always a New Chance: The Journey to Becoming the Leader I Want to Be
My bookshelf is filled with leadership books. I regularly moderate webinars, subscribe to multiple leadership newsletters, and even write my own, You Got This. When it comes to theory, I’ve got the bases covered.
But as anyone deeply involved in leadership knows, absolute mastery lies not just in knowing but in doing. And that’s where the challenge begins – even for me.
Take this example: I know I should listen intently, and I genuinely try. But sometimes, I catch myself interrupting, dominating the conversation, or glancing at chat messages during online meetings. And when issues arise, I often jump straight into “fix-it” mode instead of asking, “What’s your proposal?”
And yes, even though I know better, I sometimes get pulled into office gossip instead of focusing purely on constructive dialogue. These moments remind me that we’re all human – and that every leader, no matter how experienced, is on a daily journey of growth.
What Helps Me:
It’s all about small, mindful steps. Something as simple as a cold glass of water in meetings, for example – refreshes, brings me back to the moment, and gives me a second to reflect before responding. This and other little practices help me stay grounded and engaged. My team knows I’m working on these habits, and it’s inspiring to see how they feel encouraged to focus on their growth, too.
Making the Most of Everyday Opportunities:
Every day offers a fresh chance to be the leader I aspire to be. I can:
Personal growth is like learning the piano or sticking to a workout routine—it takes regular practice and patience. To anyone working on these “small” yet impactful habits, my advice is to be patient with yourself and know that lasting change happens step by step.
The journey is worth it. Becoming the leader we envision, bit by bit every day, inspires not only us but also those who trust and believe in us. This is exactly how I designed my leadership course MOVE UP! There is a monthly coaching module with a 1:1 session, a training session, a team call, and further deep-dive bonus information. ????Here is a link to book a discovery session with me to see if this program suits you.
??Change starts with you
Nothing will change unless you change something! It's up to you!
The alternative: Keep doing what you're doing...
I wish you a great week; enjoy life, and remember to SHOW UP!
If you say what you want, you increase the chance of being heard! ??
Have a great day, and remember, it is the one who gives up and does not reach success.
And now I wish you all the best and talk soon!
Best Regards, Katharina
??How you can work with me:
Leadership Training: In my course MOVE UP! You can recognize and strengthen your leadership. Join the course ??here .
Amazing Career Coaching: Join the 16-week 1:1 AMAZING CAREER coaching program. Please reply to this mail that you want to join or book a call with me ?? here to learn more.
Need help getting anywhere on your own? Then why not book a free virtual coffee break ?? with me, and we'll find out whether and how I can help you further? ???? Here is a link to book a discovery session with me
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PS: This newsletter is written by a human. English is not my native language. So,?I'll make mistakes. And tech bugs ?? crawl in?once in a while.?So, if you see any of these, please let me know. I′m always happy to improve!