Maya Grossman 💪 Career Success Coach

Maya Grossman

I teach high achievers how to break through to executive roles, level up and earn high 6-figures.
My goal is to empower 1,000,000 people to design the career of their dreams.
Why?
Because we deserve to love our jobs, grow and earn our worth. And you can have it all!

CEO, Maya Grossman Group

LinkedIn

Nano Tips On How To Become the CEO of Your Career
In this free course, I'll guide you through how to build an extraordinary career. 
We'll cover topics like:

• 6 ways to get ahead of the career game
• Focusing on outcomes NOT outputs
• The fastest way to grow your career
• How to expand your role by taking on more responsibility
• How to make an impact in your first 30 days
• How to get feedback to grow faster
• How to create your own career opportunities
• How to ditch your limiting beliefs 
• How to become a career athlete

If you go through this course you'll learn how to become the CEO of your own career! 
Take 11 minutes to change the trajectory of your career!

LinkedIn Learning Instructor

Canvas

Joined to build the marketing team, grew qualified pipeline 3x Q/Q, doubled ARR Y/Y, helped secure Series C at $400M valuation.

• Built the marketing team including the recruitment of key departmental leaders.
• Built out demand generation function and process from the ground up, grew qualified pipeline 3x Q/Q.
• Helped double ARR Y/Y (and grow to eight figures) with 25% coming from marketing. 
• Developed a new brand strategy to lead the company's move up market.
• Repositioned the company to become thought leaders and category owners for Diversity Recruiting. 
• Increase brand awareness with thought leadership and features on Forbes, TechCrunch, Fortune, and 50+ more.
• Helped secure a $50M Series C funding round.

Vice President Marketing

Google

Advised Google Launchpad team on building their brand and positioning their offer in the market with differentiated messaging

• Led product marketing including customer development, competitive analysis, positioning, and branding
• Developed go-to-market strategy for North America and Europe expansion
• Advised on marketing programs and launch campaigns
• Advised the entire leadership bench on team management, effective communication, and cross-functional collaboration.

Strategic Advisor, Product Marketing 

Colu

Colu is a VC backed startup ($40M) with a mission to build the future of local mobile payments.

• Executive leadership with full responsibility for branding, positioning, product marketing, demand gen, go-to-market and sales enablement. Hired and led a team of six that drove a 10x growth in SMB customer base
👉 Planned and executed multi-channel launch campaigns for new features 
👉 Developed integrated marketing campaigns for multiple customer segments: 
Improved conversion 0.3% --> 7% & reduced acquisition costs by 15%
• Conceived a viral referral program that accounted for 30% of new users (best-performing acquisition channel)
• Increased retention beyond the industry benchmark (5% to 15%) by developing a new onboarding process & introducing marketing automation
• Empowered the company’s move upmarket by developing a new go-to-market strategy and developing sales enablement programs. Enabled sales to secure the first six-figure deal


Winner: 2018 startup of the year award.

The Brief, A Podcast About Marketing

Co-Founder

Microsoft

• Positioned Microsoft’s accelerator program as the market leader and drove thousands of applications per year by developing a meticulously thought out branding and positioning strategy
• Drove Microsoft tools adoption among accelerator startups by leading the development of
engaging case studies and educational content ranging from blog posts to podcasts and videos
• Secured high-profile keynotes, op-eds and drove new partnerships with VCs and enterprise partners through an always-on thought leadership strategy. Featured on The New York Times, CNBC, Forbes, TechCrunch, VentureBeat. Keynotes at MWC & Web Summit.
• Engaged with thousands of potential applicants by developing an extensive video testimonial program (50+ videos) for sales enablement
• Managed internal communications, leading cross-company collaborations with various Microsoft groups.
• Designed sales training for field marketing team
• 2x Accelerator of the Year award winner

Head of Global Product Marketing, Microsoft For Startups

SodaStream International, Ltd.

Joined the company’s headquarters to develop and lead the global digital marketing strategy used in 46 countries. Crafted a strategy to promote SodaStream's products online by understanding the current market environment and developing digital programs to drive customer awareness and consideration.
• Owned all digital aspects of product launch campaigns in North America, UK, Australia, Germany, and Japan.
• Managed demand generation, including content, social media, and paid advertising campaigns, to drive consumer awareness and adoption. Managed more than $1M in media, mostly in the US market.
• Led the development of a new e-commerce product, generating 40% growth in sales YoY.

Head of Digital Marketing

Blonde 2.0

Blonde 2.0 is an award-winning PR and digital agency, with offices in Israel and North America.

• Built and led a strong PR and communications team to support the company’s growth: grew the team from 5 to 25; delivered 10x revenue growth
• Planned and oversaw execution of product launch and go-to-market campaigns for more than 30 clients, including HP, Microsoft, Viber, Yotpo and Mobli
• Built a goal-oriented framework and initiated an ongoing reporting process
• Created systems to hold the team accountable to revenue and customer satisfaction metrics

Executive Director, PR and Communications

ABT is an international travel agency (IL/NYC/LON/HKG) catering to the needs of business travelers.

As one of the first marketers, I initiated the company’s digital marketing strategy 
Built & managed inbound and outbound communications including email, blog & social media 
Worked with the business development team to generate marketing-driven leads.

Previous roles:
Department Head
Travel agent
Travel agent assistant
Customer support representative

Marketing Manager

I will make you VP | Executive Coach and Corporate Rebel | 2x VP Marketing | Ex Google, Microsoft | Best-Selling Author

Hey, I'm Maya 👋
At the age of 27 I hit rock bottom - I completely burnt out trying to overwork my way into a promotion. 
Fast forward 15 years and I gained 10 promotions, worked for companies like Microsoft and Google, landed two VP roles at hyper growth startups, earned high six figures and actually enjoyed my 9-5.

What changed?
I stopped letting my career happen to me, and instead started managing it like a business.
I learned what it really takes to break through to executive roles, stopped making the mistakes that were holding me back, and developed the executive skills that got me noticed.

Today I am an executive career coach and my goal is to help you demystify what it takes to break through to executive roles, and build the bridge between where you are today, and where you want to be in your wildest dreams.

I want to save you the time, effort, and headache of figuring it out on your own and give you the playbook for achieving anything you want in your career.

My mission? To empower 1,000,000 high achievers to build the career of their dreams.


My brag list:

→ International best-selling author. Ranked  #1 new release for career books on Amazon.

→ 150,000+ followers across platforms, 70M views for my daily career advice
 
→ LinkedIn instructor (34,000 + learners, 4.7/5)

→ Named top 50 rising experts (US) and top 12 in Austin in 2023

→ Coached hundreds of high achievers to success on their terms​


If you are ready to level up in your career:

JOIN MY WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: Become VP Ready in 10 Minutes Per Week

Win the corporate game in 2025. Join 50,000+ high achievers receiving weekly actionable guides and proven strategies to level up into executive roles in months not years. 

www.mayagrossman.com/email


SUCCESS BUILDERS: BECOME THE OBVIOUS VP - 3-MONTHS GROUP COACHING PROGRAM

The exact steps to level up from Director to VP in months not years, without an MBA or working 80/h weeks

www.mayagrossman.com/SB


PRIVATE 1:1 COACHING

For senior executives who want to become first time VPs, or crush their first VP role.
I only offer 5 spots quarterly, and they require a 6-months commitment.

DM me for details.

Founder, Maya Grossman Consulting

My business just crossed 7 figures.
Not in 4 weeks.
In 4 years.

And I want to say that out loud because the internet has completely warped people’s expectations of what growth should look like.

When I left corporate, 
I was earning less that I did in my VP roles.
That was true in year 1 and year 2...

and honestly, even year 3…

It was humbling.
It was uncomfortable.
It was the price of starting over and becoming a learner again.

But here’s what nobody tells you.
Every skill you build in that “dip” becomes the reason you rise later.

This year?

I earned more than I ever made in any corporate job.
And now the business will keep compounding.

One of the best things I learned from Alex Hormozi is to think on a long enough time horizon.
Years, not weeks or months.

You don’t plant a seed and panic when it doesn’t sprout by Tuesday.

Same with careers.
Same with entrepreneurship.
Same with reinvention.

The good news is that there is a massive upside.
Once you develop new skills, capabilities and even an identity
You become an expert again.

Only this time the payback is bigger.
And you design it on your terms.

This was the year I’ve earned the most, but worked the least.
So if you’re in the messy middle right now, don’t quit.

You’re not behind.
You’re building.

Skills compound.
Visibility compounds.
Opportunity compounds.
Confidence compounds.

A year from now, you’ll be grateful you didn’t tap out.
Four years from now, you might not even recognize your life.

Keep going.
Improve a little.
Grow a little.

Stay in the game long enough for the work to kick in.
That’s how real transformations happen.

P.S. I wrote this check to myself at the beginning of this year.
Got there before December :-)

li_at

JSESSIONID

Talks about #careercoaching, #peakperformance, #leadershipadvice, #successfulcareer, and #executivecoaching

You’re aiming for a VP role...

But still showing up like a manager.

Here’s the disconnect:

At the individual contributor level, effort = progress.

At the executive level? Signals = progress.

Where most professionals get stuck:

1️⃣ They work harder

→ But VPs aren’t chosen for output.

→ They’re chosen for decisions, influence, and leverage.

2️⃣ They wait for recognition

→ ICs can hope their work speaks for itself.

→ Executives get promoted because others already see them as leaders.

3️⃣ They think results are enough

→ Truth: Execution is assumed.

→ What matters is whether you can operate at the next level.

The fix isn’t more work.

It’s shifting how you show up.

If your promotion feels “stalled” but you’re not sure why…

Start asking yourself:

Am I sending IC signals or VP signals?

The promotion isn’t waiting for your effort. It’s waiting for your signals. Learn how to send the right ones → https://lnkd.in/gG8GnY4Y

You’re aiming for a VP role

Promotions don’t go to the most qualified person.

They go to the person who looks most ready for what’s next.

After reviewing dozens of promotion cases, I noticed five subtle habits that quietly kill people’s chances:

(Even when they’re doing great work)


1. Doing Your Work in Silence
 
 ↳ Hard work that no one sees doesn’t exist

 ↳ Silence creates an information gap leaders fill with assumptions

 ↳ Share wins as lessons, not bragging: “Here’s what worked and why”

 
2. Ignoring Relationships
 
 ↳ Promotions are political, advocacy drives advancement
 
 ↳ No advocates = no promotion conversation
 
 ↳ Build a power map, start insight chats, add value
 

3. Staying Invisible Outside Your Team
 
 ↳ Strong managers get stuck, enterprise thinkers get promoted
 
 ↳ If your impact stops at your team, execs can’t see you as a peer
 
 ↳ Join cross-functional projects, present at leadership forums

 
4. Over-Explaining Instead of Being Concise
 
 ↳ Execs don’t want the process, they want the point
 
 ↳ Too much detail = tactical, not strategic
 
 ↳ Use BLUF: Bottom Line Up Front
 

5. Sending Low-Level Updates
 
 ↳ “We ran 3 campaigns” = execution
 
 ↳ “We’re on track to exceed Q4 targets” = executive
 
 ↳ Translate tasks into outcomes
 

The truth about promotions:
They’re not just about performance.
They’re about perception.


If you’ve been stuck at the same level, this might be why.

Be honest: Which one have you caught yourself doing recently?

⬇️ Drop the number in the comments.

Quiet excellence is beautiful, but it’s also a trap.


Linda Raynier CPA, CA talks about this in her new book The Quiet Achiever, and honestly, I see it play out with Directors every week.

You work hard.
You deliver.
You stay humble.

You think the results should speak for themselves.

The problem is... results don’t talk.

People do.

And the people deciding promotions only know the impact they see, not the impact you hope they somehow absorb through osmosis.

This is why so many high performers stay stuck one level below where they should be.

If you want to be VP-ready, take the lesson Linda nails in her book:

Make your excellence visible in a way that feels strategic, not showy.

That looks like:

• Turning great work into insights leaders can act on
• Translating your wins into business outcomes
• Sharing progress in a way that helps leaders make better decisions
• Making it easy for them to retell your impact in closed-door rooms

This isn’t bragging.

This is making your value clear.

Executives don’t promote the quietest achiever.

They promote the clearest one.

I loved Linda’s book and I think you will too! 
It speaks directly to high performers who don’t want to shout, but still want to rise.

If that sounds like you, The Quiet Achiever is worth picking up.

Author, “The Quiet Achiever” (Wiley) | Keynote Speaker | Leadership & Communication Coach | Corporate Trainer | Helping Quiet Professionals Express Inner Confidence | 2.6M+ LinkedIn Learners | 998K+ YouTube

I was a top performer.

Then my boss broke my spirit with one sentence.

It happened 18 months into my role at the company
After leading a profitable multi-million dollar project

I was presenting my strategy for the quarter when he said:
I don’t think you have what it takes.

I was actually lost for words
And I’m never quiet.

And at first I didn’t see it.
I thought: I messed up
That strategy wasn’t good enough.
I’ll try harder.

But...
Nothing I did from that point on wasn’t good enough.
But the real damage?
I started doubting myself.

It took 6 months to finally realize:
This manager’s behavior was straight up sabotage.

- Dismissing my ideas
- Asking to review every piece of work
- Speaking over me when others are around
- Ignoring my input even when I have data

It seems obvious now 
But it was hard to see it then
My self-esteem was at rock bottom
Because of one person’s opinion.

Here’s how I broke free (and what I teach my clients):
You can’t let one person’s opinion dictate your future.
So just like you do in anything else in life - get a second opinion.

I went back to old managers and asked for feedback.
Spoke with colleagues and other leaders at the company.
The evidence was overwhelming…
I was a star
But I was burning too bright for one person.

So… I left.
Took my incompetence elsewhere and:

Became an award winning marketer
Landed 2 VP roles
Started a successful business

Imagine where I would be now if I had listened to that voice?

So my advice if you are in a similar situation?
Get a second and third opinion.
Prove to yourself you are not the problem.
And find another place to grow.

Your future self would thank you.

One person’s opinion doesn’t define you. Learn how to own your value and lead with confidence → https://lnkd.in/gG8GnY4Y

I used to think self-promotion was the scary part.

But that wasn’t it.

The truth?

I was terrified I’d speak up and still be passed over.

Because if I put myself out there and got rejected,

It would feel like confirmation:

Maybe I’m not ready.

Maybe I’m not good enough.

So I did what most high performers do.

I kept my head down, worked hard and waited to be noticed.

And when the promotion didn’t come, I told myself:

"Just work harder. Just be patient."

But deep down, I knew I was hiding.

Avoiding the moment of truth.

Because if I didn’t ask...

I couldn’t be rejected.

And if I wasn’t rejected…

I could still hold onto the hope that maybe I was good enough.

Eventually, I realized something that changed everything:

Fear doesn’t protect you. It guarantees you’ll stay stuck.

The only way to actually know if you’re ready…

Is to make the ask.

Have the conversation.

Put yourself in the room.

Because when you advocate for yourself — one of two things happens:

1. You get a yes
2. Or you get real, tangible feedback you can act on

Either way, you’re further ahead than before.

Advocating for yourself is the test.

Not just of your readiness, but of your willingness to lead.

It’s how you shape perception.

Attract support.

Build momentum.

The real risk isn’t what if I’m not chosen?

The real risk is staying invisible just to avoid finding out.

If you’ve been playing it safe and hiding… ask yourself:

What’s one way you could advocate for yourself this month?

Want some help? Start here: https://lnkd.in/gG8GnY4Y

You can’t get promoted by burning out.

When I first started aiming for bigger roles, I thought staying busy was the answer.

If I could just:
→ Stay ahead of every request
→ Say yes to everything
→ Prove I could handle anything

...then someone would finally see I was ready.

And for a while, it felt like progress.

My calendar was full.
My team leaned on me.
I was the person who got things done.

On the surface? It looked like momentum.
But behind the scenes?
I was running on fumes.

And the worst part?
The opportunities weren’t coming.

It felt like I was doing everything right
But somehow, still being passed over.

Here’s what I didn’t realize at the time:

You can be the most capable person in the room
And still not be seen as leadership material.

Because getting promoted isn’t about staying busy.
It’s about being seen as ready.

That looks more like:
→ Creating space to think ahead
→ Letting go of tasks so you can lead
→ Making smart decisions without over explaining

I had to learn (the hard way) that burnout wasn’t a sign I was close.
It was a sign I was off track.

When you're burned out, you lose your edge.
You get reactive, not strategic.
And you create the wrong perception.
Struggling instead of in control.

And if you don’t shift out of that?
You will burn out.
And have nothing to show for.

Yes. Results matter.
But people also need to see you as someone who can lead at the next level.

Bottom line:
If you are aiming for bigger roles, don't make my mistake.

If you’re doing “all the right things” but still not moving up?

Ask yourself:

Is this really about doing more?
Or is it time to show up differently?

You can start here: https://lnkd.in/gG8GnY4Y

If you are uncomfortable speaking up in meetings...
I hear you. I used to be you.

I would listen to all the executives 
Wait for an opening or something smart to add...
And then lose the courage and stay quiet.

Oh, I also beat myself up afterwards for chickening out.

But the thing is, I needed to be vocal in those meetings.
These are the daily moments where reputation is created.

Because not speaking? 
It sent a message.
"I have nothing to say"

And that doesn't paint a picture of a leader.

Meetings are where reputations are made.
Use them to show strategic clarity.

Use this formula the next time you want to speak, but not sure what to say:

Here is the problem I'm working on
Here is what we've learned
This is what I recommend

This structure says: I don't just execute. I lead.
And it gives you an easy structure to follow.


Try it at your next leadership meetings and you'll see you are not as comfortable as you thought you'll be.

What helps you speak up when there are senior people in the room?

I used to think my career was stalled because I wasn’t doing enough.

So I pushed harder:

→ More projects
→ Longer hours
→ Extra responsibilities

But nothing changed.

Leadership still saw me as “reliable,” not ready.

That’s when I realized

I didn’t have a performance problem.
I had a perception problem.

Here’s what that looked like:

→ My results spoke, but not in leadership language
→ My wins were noticed, but not remembered
→ My effort was praised, but not rewarded

That’s the perception gap.

And the longer it goes unnoticed, the more invisible you become.

Everything shifted when I started closing that gap:

→ Speaking like a decision-maker, not just a doer
→ Framing my wins around strategy, not effort
→ Showing up like a leader before I had the title

That’s when people started advocating for me.

That’s when promotions followed.

If you’ve ever felt stuck even though you’re doing everything “right”

It’s not about working harder.
It’s about being seen differently.

That’s what I’ll teach you inside my free masterclass:
How to break out of the high performer → low reward cycle.

Hard work builds results. 
Visibility builds careers. 
Learn how to get both: 

https://lnkd.in/gG8GnY4Y

High Performers Stay Stuck for Years

These 3 habits scream you’re not ready for VP
Even if you’re crushing your goals:

1. Saying yes to everything.
 Executives aren’t measured on how much they take on. They’re measured on what they prioritise. If you can’t say no, you look like a doer, not a leader.
 
2. Chasing perfection. 
 At VP level, speed and clarity beat perfection. Leaders are rewarded for moving the business forward, not polishing decks at 11pm.
 
3. Avoiding delegation.
 If you’re still hoarding tasks, you’re signalling you can’t operate at scale. Executives are trusted with *scope* — and that means multiplying impact through others.

I made all three mistakes.

And they nearly cost me my promotion.

The truth?

Self-sabotage at this level doesn’t look like failure.

It looks like overwork.

It looks like doing “too much.”

It looks like playing small while convincing yourself you’re playing big.

When I finally broke those patterns, I went from “reliable Director” to “obvious VP.”

So ask yourself today:

Which of these habits are you still holding onto?

Because doing them better won’t get you promoted.

Dropping them will.

Let me show you how: https://lnkd.in/gG8GnY4Y

Too many high achievers in tech get this wrong:
(and it’s costing them the next promotion)

They believe their performance is the key to becoming executives.

So they double down on doing more:

→ They take on stretch projects

→ They support cross-functional teams

→ They do everything their manager asks

They basically work around the clock...

But the promotion doesn’t come.

Because… your work only accounts for 10% of the promotion criteria.

According to the PIE theory of success this is what actually drives career growth:

→ 10% = Performance — how well you do your job

→ 30% = Image — how others perceive your leadership potential

→ 60% = Exposure — who knows about your work and connects it to business impact

In other words:

Doing the work is only 10% of what gets you promoted.

That means if you’re spending all your time executing—

You’re missing the 90% that actually moves the needle.

So what can you do instead?
You can’t drop everything you are doing and just work on your image.
But you can start shifting your focus.

Be more selective with what you say yes to.
Delegate, automate or eliminate work that isn’t critical.
Start allocating time for visibility and relationship building.

Over time you’ll shift the balance.
Here’s your benchmark:

At the Director level aim for:

→ 50% on execution

→ 50% on visibility, perception, and strategy

By the time you're aiming for VP:

→ Spend 80% leading across teams, shaping direction, and being seen as a peer to execs

→ Only 20% in the weeds

Bottom line:
This is what builds executive presence.

That’s what gets you promoted.

If you’re ready to stop hoping they’ll notice—and start positioning yourself to lead join my free masterclass: https://lnkd.in/gG8GnY4Y

Quiet excellence sounds respectable.

Until your louder, less-skilled colleague gets the job, the deal, the raise.

When I was a Director, I thought working harder would fix everything.
Heads down. Crushing it. 
Delivering results that made other teams look slow.

But promotions? Crickets.

Opportunities? Always one step away.

And slowly, the truth started to sting.

Being the best kept secret never pays the bills.

Not in business.

Not in your career.

And definitely not in a world that rewards visibility.

I used to think self-promotion was bragging.

That being good *should* be enough.

But then I realized: It’s not just about being the best.

It’s about being seen.

You can’t help more people if they don’t know you exist.

You can’t lead if no one knows you’re ready.

You can’t grow if no one knows your name.

So here’s what I know now:

The work matters.

But the *story* about the work? That’s what opens doors.

Because in a noisy world, being brilliant *and* invisible is a losing strategy.

Visibility isn’t vanity.

It’s leverage.

And that’s what gets you paid.

Not sure where to start?
Here is your blueprint: https://lnkd.in/gG8GnY4Y

For a long time, I thought executive presence was all about what you said.

The right words.

The perfect pitch.

The confident answer.

But the truth?

Presence happens before you speak.

It’s in how you show up.

How you carry yourself.

How the room feels when you enter.

→ Your posture.

→ Your eye contact.

→ Your ability to listen without jumping in.

These non-verbal cues?

They speak louder than any title ever could.

I’ve seen people lead a room just by standing still.

Command attention without raising their voice.

Earn respect before saying a word.

Because executive presence isn’t about being the loudest.

It’s about being the clearest.

So if you’re working on your leadership

Don’t just focus on what you say.

Start with what you show:

✔️ Stand tall.

✔️ Hold the room.

✔️ Own your energy.

✔️ Lead with intention.

You don’t need more words to lead.

You need more presence.

The room feels your energy before it hears your words. Learn to lead with both in this 25-minute masterclass: https://lnkd.in/gG8GnY4Y

I got a VP role without a VP title on my resume.

And no, I didn’t “fake it till I made it.”

I didn’t wait my turn.

And I definitely didn’t get it by applying cold to a job board.

Here’s what actually worked:

I got clear on exactly what I wanted:
Not just “more responsibility,” but the actual title, the scope, and the kind of company where it made sense.

(I knew I had better odds at a startup than a Fortune 100.)

Then I built credibility before I needed it:

→ Wrote for publications

→ Spoke at events

→ Launched a podcast

→ Made my name visible in my niche

Instead of applying online, I started conversations.

Because I knew the moment someone saw “Director” on a resume, I’d get filtered out.

So I skipped the filter entirely.

But what I needed before all the tactics?
I had to believe I could operate at the VP level before anyone else would.

That came from talking to real VPs.

Noticing how they spoke.

What they did.

And realizing I wasn’t far off.
I could hold my own in those rooms.

So I went for it.

Found a company that was willing to bet on me.

And then I worked by b*tt off to prove they made the right decision. 

Here’s my biggest lesson:
You don’t have to wait to wait for the title.

You just need to start positioning yourself for the opportunity you want.

I’m curious: What’s the next role you’re ready for—on the inside—even if your title doesn’t show it yet?

I walk through this full strategy step-by-step in a short 25-minute masterclass: 
https://lnkd.in/gG8GnY4Y

How I landed a VP role… when my title said Director

I used to think executive presence was something you either had... or you didn’t.

I believed:
→ If I just keep proving myself, it will happen.
→ If I deliver perfectly, someone will notice.
→ If I’m reliable enough, I’ll be seen as a leader.

But here’s the truth:
That mindset kept me invisible.

Because executive presence isn’t built on harder work.
It’s built on the small, daily habits that change how leaders see you.

Here are 5 micro-habits that shift you from being seen as a reliable doer → to being noticed as VP-ready:

→ Turn updates into strategic highlights connect execution to business impact.
→ Speak first in meetings open with context or perspective to set the tone.
→ Follow recognition with reflection show what made success possible (and repeatable).
→ Ask better questions influence the room by shifting conversations.
→ Narrate your leadership explain the why behind your priorities and decisions.

Executive presence isn’t about charisma.
It’s about practicing these small habits until people no longer see you as the executor… but as the leader shaping the bigger picture.

Because careers don’t scale on hard work alone.
They scale when you learn to lead out loud.

You already have the skills. Now it’s time to be seen as a leader. Start here → https://lnkd.in/gG8GnY4Y

Executive Presence isn’t about charisma

"I just need to keep showing up and they'll notice."

The lie I told myself - every week for 18 months.

60-hour weeks. Zero guidance. Feeling invisible.

Here's what a year and a half of overworking taught me:

Hard work doesn't get you promoted.

It just makes you the “dependable one”.

And some days, it quietly burns you out.

No one said it out loud but:

You don’t get noticed for extra effort.
You get relied on.

You don’t get credit for fixing fires.
You get assigned new ones.

You don’t get promoted for loyalty.
You get labeled “not ready yet.”

My reality looked like this:
60-hour weeks
Always on top of everything
But it became the norm, so no reward
So I tried harder
Felt frustrated when no one noticed.

I ate lunch at 4 p.m. because I forgot.

Stayed glued to my desk for 9 hours straight.

Took "quick calls" during dinner.

Updated decks at 11 p.m. - just in case they needed it by morning.

I told myself this was part of earning it.

But deep down, I knew I was stuck.

And nothing changed until I learned what really mattered.

Here's my 4-part Executive Reset Framework:

Positioning Over People-Pleasing
→ Built an executive story around outcomes, not effort
→ Learned to speak in metrics, not tasks

Strategy Over Sacrifice
→ Aligned my work to business goals
→ Stopped saying yes to everything

Visibility Over Volume
→ Shared impact in leadership's language
→ Positioned myself for the room I wanted to be in

Promotion Over Perfection
→ Prepped for the process before it started
→ Understood what decision-makers really look for

The result?

After 17 rejections, I finally got the promotion.
And I worked less, not more.
As a VP I fell into the same trap... but this time bounced back faster.
I worked my butt off, but I focused on the right things.
And I disconnected over the weekend
And took time off (after 4 years without PTO)

You don't earn executive roles by being helpful.

You earn them by being high-impact.

So tell me - how long have you been working hard and waiting to be noticed?

___

Here's my full VP promotion blueprint so you can stop hustling and start positioning: https://lnkd.in/gG8GnY4Y

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard this:

“You’re not quite ready yet. Let’s revisit in six months.”

I used to accept it.

I thought: okay, they’ll see me next time.

But here’s the risk:

Six months turns into a year.

A year turns into “We went with someone else.”

And suddenly, you’re the reliable Director... forever.

What most people don’t realize is that “not ready” is usually code for:

- We don’t see you at that level yet.
- We’re not convinced you can handle the weight of the role.
- You haven’t shifted perception from doer to leader.

That has little to do with your performance
And everything to do with how you position yourself.

Because in corporate, perception is reality.
How people see you, is how they will treat you.
If they see a strong executer - they’ll give you more work
If they see a strategic leader - they’ll give you more responsibility

Here’s how I changed the story:

I pretended I was already a VP and showed up like one 

I got sponsors who could vouch for me in rooms I’m not in

And I communicated the way my leadership team wanted to listen

So if you’ve been told “not yet” …

The last thing you should do it wait.
Doing more of the things that didn’t get you promoted won’t change the outcome.
Upgrading your positioning will.

Don’t wait for permission. Learn how to shift perception and position yourself for VP in just 25 minutes: https://lnkd.in/gG8GnY4Y

You don’t get stuck at Director because you lack ambition.

You get stuck because you’ve outgrown the rules that got you there.

At a certain level, hard work stops being enough.

Visibility, strategy, and leadership presence take over.

If you’re doing everything “right” and still not breaking through this is why.

Here are 7 career shifts I see professionals make when they step into VP roles:

 1. Stop Waiting for Timing
If your career plan depends on your boss noticing you, you’re outsourcing your growth.

 2. Build Strategic Visibility
Hard work alone doesn’t get promotions. Being *seen* by the right people does.

 3. Learn Executive Presence
It’s not about more hours. It’s about how you communicate, make decisions, and influence.

 4. Master the Promotion Playbook
Promotions aren’t randomthey follow patterns. Learn the system, don’t guess.

 5. Break the “Get Sh*t Done” Trap
Reliability won’t get you to VP. Strategy and influence will.

 6. Shift from Employee to Leader Mindset
Stop thinking like a task owner. Start acting like a decision maker.

 7. Advocate for Yourself
If you don’t tell your story, someone else will and it won’t serve you.

You don’t need to work harder.

You need to shift how you think, show up, and lead.

If you’re ready to make these shifts, watch the 25-minute masterclass that walks you through exactly how: https://lnkd.in/gG8GnY4Y

When I was passed over for the 3rd time, I told myself a story:

“Maybe I’m not cut out for VP.”

That story felt safe.

It explained away my disappointment.

But it was also the most dangerous thing I could believe.

Because here’s the truth:

Most people who get passed over aren’t lacking capability.

They’re lacking visibility.

I wasn’t missing skills.

I was missing the perception shift that turns “strong Director” into “obvious VP.”

So I stopped playing the part of the dependable workhorse.

And I started acting like the leader they couldn’t afford to overlook:

- I mapped the promotion criteria nobody talks about.
- I asked senior leaders for direct feedback.
- I learned how to share my wins in a way that made my impact undeniable.

That’s when the narrative flipped.

The same leaders who once said “not yet” started saying:

“We can’t afford to lose her. She’s our next VP.”

Here’s the real lesson:

If you’ve been overlooked, it’s not because you’re not ready.

It’s because they don’t see you as ready.

And if you don’t control that story — someone else will.

👉 If you’re still waiting for your work to “speak for itself,” how many more promotions are you willing to watch pass you by?

Let’s change that. Start here: https://lnkd.in/gG8GnY4Y

My path to VP wasn’t linear.

I didn’t check all the boxes.

I wasn’t tapped on the shoulder.

And I definitely wasn’t the “perfect candidate” on paper.

Here’s what it looked like instead:

Skipped for promotion twice.

17 rejections to be a Director.

A sideways move into a role that felt like a step back.

For a while, I thought every detour meant I was falling behind.

But looking back, those “setbacks” were actually the experiences that set me apart:

- The rejections taught me what companies really value at the executive level.
- The sideways move gave me skills no one else on my team had.
- The “not yets” forced me to build resilience I’d need as a VP.

That’s when it clicked:

The fastest path to the top is almost never straight up.

It’s the zigzags that give you leverage when the right door finally opens.

Here’s the lesson:

Linear is safe.

Linear is predictable.

But linear is also a myth.

You don’t have to stay perfectly on track.

You just need to turn moves into momentum.

👉 So if your career isn’t following a perfect line, stop beating yourself up. 
The “messy middle” might be the very thing that gets you to VP.

(That role that felt junior?
It got me into Microsoft, positioned me as an industry expert and then...
Got me my first VP role)

If you’re in the messy middle, this 25-minute masterclass will help you turn every move into momentum: https://lnkd.in/gG8GnY4Y

Angela Snyder

Founder & Digital Content Manager

Nonprofit Tech Shop

Nonprofit Tech Shop is an extension of Digital Reach, created to help mission-driven organizations maximize their impact through smarter technology, automation, and data-driven strategies.

Creative Director

SkillPop

Register for my first class here: https://www.skillpop.com/classes/13372

Instructor - LinkedIn for Beginners

Digital Reach Online Solutions

• Oversees the development, production, and final approval of all content and creative assets—including ads, blogs, ebooks, landing pages, and print materials—to ensure consistency and excellence.
• Leads the creative team in executing marketing and branding campaigns that drive innovative and impactful results for clients.
• Plans, coordinates, and manages all company events, conferences, webinars, and HubSpot User Group (HUG) virtual events, handling logistics, promotion, and execution.
• Owns the event budget, overseeing purchases for swag, booth materials, catering, and venue costs while ensuring cost-effective planning.
• Manages relationships with vendors, freelancers, and agencies for creative and event-related work, ensuring alignment with company goals and quality standards.

Initially reported to the co-founder, currently reporting to Head of Client Delivery and Strategy.

Influence by Verbatim

• Partners with brands to increase their visibility and credibility through compelling sponsored content.
• Fosters an engaged community by responding to all comments and messages; analyzes engagement metrics.

Content Creator

Illume

• Wrote LinkedIn content for entrepreneurs and CEOs, effectively communicating their expertise and insights. 
• Crafted brand messaging and copywriting strategies tailored to clients' personal brand and thought leadership goals.

Copywriter

Canopy

Role was eliminated due to company restructuring.

• Developed personalized outreach for email and LinkedIn, achieving a 33% response rate.
• Collaborated with stakeholders to understand customer needs and create slide decks, blog posts, and 1-pagers.
• Analyzed intent signals, website visitors, and email engagement to identify high-potential accounts within our ICP.
• Conducted market research to identify growth opportunities and industry gaps, leading to targeted campaigns.
• Utilized ZoomInfo and Salesforce CRM to analyze data, campaign performance, and prospect behavior.

Reported to the Head of Marketing.

Account Marketing Strategist

• Increased company's LinkedIn following by 47% in first 30 days and 186% in 6 months, resulting in increased brand awareness.
• Secured 21 guest appearances for 6 colleagues on 17 different podcasts in 6 months, positioning them as thought leaders.
• Nominated company for an industry award and secured the win; wrote and published press release.
• Increased company's visibility through storytelling; ensured alignment with brand voice and business goals.
• Developed a strong employer brand that reflected the company’s values, mission, and culture.
• Created the social media strategy, managed company profiles, and maintained a social calendar.

Initially reported to the co-founder/CTO, then to the Head of People.

Social Influencer

Anne Arundel County Public Schools

Returned to AACPS after living abroad for 2 years. Left teaching and broke into tech in the fall of 2022.

Educator & Curriculum Developer

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Lead

Amsterdam Social Kickball League

• Increased paid membership by 615% in less than 12 weeks through organic social media and word-of-mouth.
• Coordinated more than 40 large-scale events, effectively leading to the recruitment of 300+ active participants.
• Developed and executed social media and email marketing campaigns, managed email lists and subscribers.

Founder & Head of Digital Content

Florencius B.V.

• Achieved an 88% rise in enrollment through strategic marketing and engagement initiatives.
• Designed and implemented lead-generation initiatives, events, and partnerships to attract prospective families.
• Acted as a brand ambassador; fostered community relations through active participation and hosting of events.

Social Media & Events

• Established school and instructed first and only international class in 2018.
• Launched new international wing at a second location in 2019.
• Improved client retention, evidenced by an 83% renewal rate, leading to increased revenue growth and profitability.
• Facilitated onboarding for all new families, collaborating with HR to streamline lead-to-enrollment transitions.

Lead International Educator 

In August 2018, I took a leave of absence and moved abroad.

Instructional Team Lead

Educator

I drive engagement and growth through content, relationships, and branding | GTM | Digital marketer | Content creator | Community builder | Storyteller | Personal brand strategist | World traveler and obsessed dog mom 🐶

Hi, I'm Angela!👋🏻 I’ve been a writer for as long as I could hold a pencil. I’m happiest when I'm building relationships, empowering others, and cuddling with my dog. I’ve explored 33 countries so far and am always looking forward to my next adventure!✈️

Before pivoting into tech, I was an elementary educator for 8 years. I even established an international school in Europe! Living and working abroad really strengthened my confidence, empathy, and self-awareness.🌎

I’m a self-starter with a growth mindset and can-do attitude. I believe everything is “figureoutable”. I enjoy being creative and taking risks. My love of writing, personal branding, and community building led me to marketing. 

I’ve worked at 2 startups: one in education and one in B2B SaaS. Though I’ve worn many hats, at my core I’m a storyteller and brand strategist who believes in relationship-led growth.🤝

As a lifelong learner, I’m always eager to tackle new challenges and add new tools to my tool belt! My greatest strengths are communication, collaboration, adaptability, and perseverance. I strive to have a positive impact on the lives of others and to leave the world a better place than I found it.✨

💻Tech stack: Salesforce, HubSpot, ZoomInfo, Notion, Slack, Teamwork, ClickUp, Figma, WordPress, Contentful, Canva, Loom, Google Suite, Microsoft 365, Zoom, LinkedIn Navigator, Lucidchart

Areas: Account-Based Marketing (ABM), Content Marketing, Product Marketing, Email Marketing, Lead Generation, Sales Enablement

• Develops and executes strategic account marketing plans to drive client acquisition and revenue.
• Creates personalized and relevant messaging for outbound LinkedIn and email sequences.
• Collaborates with the revenue team to align marketing initiatives with account-based sales strategies.
• Builds and maintains strong relationships with key stakeholders and prospective clients.

I saw a post this week basically saying people should accept every LinkedIn connection request they get.😳

Their argument was it “takes 0.3 seconds and costs nothing”.

And I totally get where that sentiment comes from.

But here’s something a lot of people don’t know: LinkedIn has a 30,000 connection limit.
 Once you hit it, that’s it.
No more connections. No exceptions.

If I accepted every single invite I received, I would have reached the limit a good year or two ago.

Here’s why I’m selective (and why it’s okay if you are too):

→ I want a network that’s meaningful. A network where people engage, support, collaborate, comment, share, and learn from each other.

→ If I connect with hundreds of random, irrelevant profiles that never interact or aren’t aligned with anything I do, those spots are now gone. And they could’ve gone to people who would’ve genuinely benefited from being here (and vice versa).

It’s not about being “exclusive.” It’s not about thinking you’re better than anyone else.
 It’s about treating your LinkedIn network like the limited resource it actually is.

You only get 30k of these little slots. Make them count.🎯

So no, you don’t have to accept every invite.
In fact, I urge you NOT to.
 Curate your space. Protect the quality of your network.
 Say “no” when something or someone doesn’t align.

Because LinkedIn works best when connections are intentional, not random.

So, how do you decide who to accept on LinkedIn?👀

Helping you build authority + influence on LinkedIn✨ Content creator, ghostwriter, personal brand strategist | Solopreneur sharing insights on personal branding & LinkedIn growth | World traveler & obsessed dog mom🐾

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Yesterday, my amazing father turned 70 years old. My sister and I drove down to Savannah to surprise him.🥰

And last night, my mom pulled off the surprise party of the year! He had NO idea.

My sister and I read him this poem:

“Tonight we’re celebrating seventy years of you,
Our favorite guy, we’re grateful for all you do

You're one of nine, and it's a motley crew,
Smack in the middle, of course you're the glue

From caddying on the golf course to selling at USG,
Solving crosswords in the man cave is where you like to be

From Disney to Wildwood and The Great White's big thrill,
So many memories made, we're collecting them still

You’re happiest with Gina, your partner for life,
Thirty-eight years strong — best friend and wife

You're "Poppy" to Elle Jae, who loves you so much,
Golf cart rides and belly rubs — she can't get enough

We appreciate your handyman skills and financial advice,
Knowing you are always there to help is really nice

Whether you're golfing, bowling, or singing "Maggie May",
You're the life of the party in every single way

You’ve taught us humor, hard work, loyalty, and grace,
And most importantly, family always comes in first place

We hit the jackpot having you as our dad,
You're the best role model we could ever have

We’re lucky beyond measure, and blessed each year,
Happy 70th, Dad — we’re so glad you’re here!”❤️

SOOO grateful for my dad, the greatest guy I know. He always supports me and my endeavors. And I’m grateful that being my own boss means I can show up for the people who mean everything to me, wherever and whenever.🥹

Today was my 4th live speaking event since launching my own business 11 weeks ago!🎙️

I sat on an "Inside the Interview" panel and had so much fun talking about personal branding and leveraging LinkedIn to stand out and attract opportunities.

One of the biggest takeaways I shared: the interview starts wayyy before you walk into the room.🚶🏻‍♀️

Recruiters and hiring managers are checking your LinkedIn profile, forming opinions, and deciding if you're the right fit before you ever say a word.

Your online presence is part of your interview now.

Whether you want a job, client, investor, or partner — make sure your LinkedIn profile is working FOR you, 24/7!

An interview is a moment in time. Your personal brand is forever. Your presence here shouldn’t be an afterthought.

Big thanks to the UNC Charlotte Career Center for having me and to the students who showed up with great questions!🙌🏻

Yesterday, a founder and CEO posted something on LinkedIn that I couldn’t disagree more with.
...Did you see it too?🤯

They shared 5 LinkedIn actions that will “instantly disqualify candidates”.

And I sincerely hope they only posted it to get a rise out of people and boost engagement.

Because if this is actually how a founder and CEO thinks? We’re all doomed.

I won’t share all five. Three of them were just “eh.”

But here are the two that made my skin crawl: 1️⃣ Using perfect grammar in your posts 2️⃣ Having the “Open to Work” banner turned on

They went on to say two people with similar backgrounds applied to their company.
 One had the “Open to Work” banner on and wrote well on LinkedIn. The other had a three-line bio (which, I guess, we’re supposed to assume had grammar mistakes?).😅

The second person supposedly got the interview.

They ended their post by saying your LinkedIn profile isn’t a resume (true) and that hiring managers want stories and proof you’re a real person doing real work (also true).

But having good grammar and the courage to put yourself out there as a jobseeker has nothing to do with any of that.

It blew my mind that I could agree with this person on some things and disagree so strongly on others.

So if you’re job searching right now, pleaseee don’t let posts like that make you feel small.

Take every hot take with a grain of salt (or in this case, a bucket full!).🧂

There’s nothing wrong with writing well. And there’s absolutely NOTHING wrong with being “Open to Work.” 

You’re allowed to show up as yourself and still be taken seriously. In fact, that’s what LinkedIn is all about.

And honestly, if a founder’s first instinct is to judge someone for using correct grammar or being transparent about their job search, that says a lot more about THEM than it does about you.🙄

*steps off soapbox*

Three and a half years ago, I was burnt out and ready for a change. I had NO IDEA LinkedIn would change my life.🤯
 I was an elementary school teacher. 8 years and 2 degrees under my belt.

I had zero tech experience and no network outside of education. I didn't know what my options were.

So I did the only thing I could think of: I started showing up on LinkedIn.

I was still teaching full-time. Working with kids all day, then coming home and posting on LinkedIn at night.✍️

I shared my thoughts on education and the job market. I wrote about my life, my dog, and how I lived abroad and established an international school. I talked about resigning but not knowing what was next. 

I was honest, consistent, and genuinely myself. I didn't hold back or worry about what others would think of me.🤷🏻‍♀️

And slowly, things started to happen:
→ I built a network of 15K+ people in 6 months → Founders and hiring managers started reaching out → People I'd never met were messaging me about opportunities → I landed 3 inbound job offers within 100 days of leaving teaching

10 months after I started showing up on LinkedIn, I started a new career in tech and marketing. I nearly doubled my salary and went from in-person to remote.

But leveraging LinkedIn led to SO👏MUCH👏MORE👏 than a new career. 
Freelance clients. Podcast features. Speaking gigs. Paid brand partnerships.  And now? I run my own business helping founders, entrepreneurs, and execs build the same kind of personal brand that changed everything for me.

I'm not where I am because I'm special (though my mom might tell you that). I'm here because I showed up consistently, shared my story, and built real relationships.

I was myself.💁🏻‍♀️

So if you're thinking about building your personal brand but don't know where to start — trust me, I've been there.

And I can help you figure it out.

You don’t need to post every single day to build authority. Consistency > frequency.

Instead, focus on:
 ✔️ Sharing practical insights your audience can actually use
 ✔️ Engaging with other people’s posts and adding value where you can
 ✔️ Showing your personality and telling your story

The right content, shared consistently, will get you noticed WAY more than daily posts that feel forced. Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable.

Don’t post for the sake of posting.🙅🏻‍♀️
It shouldn’t be a box to check each day.

On LinkedIn, you can’t (and shouldn’t) write for “everyone”.
You’re writing for your target audience. Your “people”.

So keep your unique value at the forefront.
Your skills, your experiences, your perspectives.

Your story.📖

YOU are the differentiator. 
Lean into that. Own it.💪🏻

You’ve got this!!!

———
👋🏻 Hey, I’m Angela! I help leaders use LinkedIn strategically to expand reach, build authority, and grow their business.📈

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The Battle

Maya Grossman

Angela Snyder

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Performance ScoreMaya Grossman's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreAngela Snyder's LinkedIn Performance

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taplio

The Battle

Maya Grossman

Angela Snyder

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Engagements

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Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Maya Grossman's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreAngela Snyder's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreMaya Grossman's LinkedIn Performance