Maya Grossman's Linkedin Analytics

I used to work late. Now I work smart. And in 2017 it made me a VP. The old me thought more hours meant faster promotions. She was stuck for 7 years. Executive me knows what it really takes. 5 lessons from two VP roles I wish I knew sooner: 1. Stop trying to outwork everyone. Burnout happens when you believe the only way up is more hours. But the higher you climb, the less value your time holds. VP roles aren’t earned by squeezing extra hours—they’re earned by creating impact. 2. Know your value proposition. Get clear on what you bring to the table, and why it matters. And then get comfortable with sharing it. If you don't advocate for yourself no one will. 3. Build visibility with intention. Your work doesn’t speak for itself at this level. You have to speak for yourself. — Share wins consistently — Highlight results in strategic ways — Position my work in the context of company goals Visibility isn’t bragging. It’s alignment. 4. Sell your future, not just your past. Past achievements won't get you promoted. It's your future value that opens doors. Show your stakeholders what's in it for them. 5. Know the difference between being helpful and being essential. Stop saying yes to everything. Instead, focus on becoming essential to the company’s biggest priorities. Following even half of these steps made my path to VP faster and smoother. Let me show you the exact steps in my upcoming masterclass. Grab a seat here: https://lnkd.in/g-bgMJjA What surprised you the most about this list?

Blending in builds comfort. Standing out builds careers. I've heard this bad advice so many times: - Work hard - Be patient - Deliver more value - Eventually, you’ll get noticed I tried it, and all I got was frustration. I was overlooked for executive roles because I didn’t realize this sooner: If you’re not selling yourself, you’re selling yourself short. Once I became comfortable with self promotion I went from overlooked to VP. Now I teach all of my clients: Always be selling yourself (ABS) Selling yourself doesn't have to be big or loud. One simple way to do it: Start every one-on-one with a win. Most of us dive straight into challenges. But when you lead with a win, two things happen: 1) You set a positive tone. Your manager starts seeing you as a solution-oriented leader. 2) You normalize self-advocacy. The more you share your wins, the easier it gets. So go ahead and flip the script. I know a lot of us high achievers have a strong resistance to self-advocacy. You need to push through that resistance and create the habit of selling yourself. Because after a while, it will become second nature and 10x your career growth. If you’re not selling yourself, you’re selling yourself short. Let's change that: https://lnkd.in/g-bgMJjA

Always saying yes? Always running on empty? That used to be me. Full calendar. A million emails I start "real work" at 5 pm. And yet, despite all this effort, I wasn't making a lot of progress. Sound familiar? It too me a while but I learned that setting boundaries isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity. This is one of the topics I discussed with my friend and career coach Prashha Dutra. I shared insights from 20 years in corporate and going from burnt out to VP. Including the time I fell asleep on the wheel Because I worked 24/7 to prove myself. If you find yourself working hard and not getting the recognition you deserve... This interview may be a game changer. It was raw and honest. You'll hear about my failures And what the journey really looked like. My highlights: - Use comparison strategically - Act like a CEO, not an employee - Networking is key to leadership - Balance quantity vs. quality at work - Promote yourself to create opportunities - Build relationships inside your company and out Watch the full interview here: https://lnkd.in/gYeE6Yi4

Your "beginner strategy" is killing your growth. Here's the uncomfortable truth: A few strategic conversations with the right stakeholders will get you more social proof than years of hard work. You do need a strong track record. But proving you're executive material? That happens once you start engaging with decision-makers. Because once you have the right conversations, you’ll see exactly: → The real skills leaders value (vs. what you think matters) → The gaps in your positioning that need refining → What actually makes leadership take you seriously This is why I tell every high achiever: Your executive reputation is built through conversations, not before. So: Stop waiting for your work to "speak for itself." Start speaking with senior leaders. Adjust as you go. But what do I say to them? In the beginning, you sell them you! You make it easy for them to see your impact and potential. Spend time with them one-on-one Understand their needs Add value Do the uncomfortable stuff. The more you engage with key decision-makers... The more social proof you build—and the faster you rise. That’s how you move from hard worker to obvious leader. Need some help? Join my upcoming masterclass: https://lnkd.in/g-bgMJjA

I was afraid to say no. What if it would make me look difficult? Like I wasn’t a team player. Like I wasn’t leadership material. So I said yes—even when I shouldn't have. — Yes to staying late. — Yes to projects that weren’t mine. — Yes to meetings that drained my time. I thought I was proving my value. That being available meant being indispensable. But here’s what I learned the hard way: VPs aren’t the ones who say yes to everything. They’re the ones who say yes to the right things. And more importantly? They know when to say no. So I made a shift. I stopped filling the gaps for everyone else. I prioritized work that made an impact. I started protecting my time. And the result? I didn't lose respect. I gained credibility. And got the promotion. Saying no didn’t hurt my career—it accelerated it. So here’s my challenge for you: What’s one thing you’ll say ‘no’ to this week to protect your energy, your focus, and your future promotion? Drop it in the comment below.

The old me thought more hours meant more value. Every late night felt like proof I was VP material. So I worked more. Stayed later. Took on extra projects. Made myself indispensable. And it worked—kind of. I became the go-to problem solver. My boss relied on me. My team appreciated me. I was seen as "critical." But my promotion? Stuck. Delayed. Always "maybe next year." Then, I noticed something strange. Actual executives didn’t seem to: Work the longest hours. Say yes to every request. Be in every meeting. They moved differently. They set strategy. Made decisions that mattered. Controlled the narrative. And one day, they got tapped for the next level. That’s when it hit me. I had been operating like a high performer instead of an executive. You see, high performers do the work. Executives define the work. Read that again. Know it. So I stopped proving my value with hours. And I started proving it with impact: Owning high-level strategy Communicating like an executive Positioning myself as the obvious next VP It made my contributions visible, my leadership undeniable, and most important: Made me impossible to overlook for promotion. So, nail this. Focus on proving you're already operating at the next level. And they’ll take notice. Want some help? I'm kicking off a 5-week challenge to help you become VP-Ready. I'll share the details tomorrow.

Very few professionals make it to VP level. And the reason why might surprise you. It’s not because: They’re not smart enough. They’re not hardworking enough. They don’t have an MBA. It’s because they don’t realize one brutal truth: The skills that got them to mid-management… Won’t get them to the executive table. Instead, they get stuck. In mid-management hell. Where the harder they work, the more work they get… But not the promotion. Where they keep hearing, “You’re not ready” While watching colleagues—who seem to work half as hard—get the VP title. I know this because I lived it. 17 rejections in a row. Each one making me question if I’d ever make it. Until I cracked the code. Once I figured out what actually mattered at the executive level… I went from stuck Director to VP. Twice. And since then, I’ve helped hundreds of professionals do the same. The problem is… The longer you make these mistakes, the more you believe you just can't do it. When in reality? You just don’t have the right strategy. So I packaged the exact strategies that made me a VP… And turned them into a 5-week challenge. (so you can take action with me, instead of just reading) How to self-promote (without the ick). How to build executive presence. How to master strategic visibility How to network at the highest level. How to think and act like a VP If you want to take action and actually make progress towards becoming VP-ready this year… Comment “VP-Ready” below, and I’ll send you the invitation to join the challenge for free. And be sure to follow along tomorrow. Where we’ll tackle the single biggest mindset shift that separates managers from executives. You won’t want to miss this.

11 years without a promotion and then, this happens: This is how one of my clients broke out of a decade long career plateau. (And it wasn't by working harder) Imagine this: You've been working for the same company for a decade. You get good reviews. Grow your scope. But... No one offered you a promotion. You see others get promoted over you. So you ask about a promotion and hear: "You're not ready" After 10 years of doing good work you start wondering: Am I the problem? Maybe I'll never get there? You want to be recognized But you don't want to change employers. But nothing worked... So you sign up to work with a coach. Learn the value of self promotion. Start showing up differently. Focus on visibility. And then... Your manager gets on board. They can see the change. Then, leadership notices you. Stakeholders like your ideas. The CEO mentions you. And after 11 years of hoping And making no progress... Like magic - you get the promotion. One strategy. Changed everything. This is what happened to Rafael this January. And this is what will happen to you when stop hoping And instead, position yourself as the obvious choice. This is your reminder: You already have what it takes. You just need to make THEM see it. I'm sharing my strategic visibility formula in my free masterclass. Grab your spot: https://lnkd.in/g-bgMJjA

When I first set my sights on VP, I avoided self-promotion. I thought my hard work would speak for itself. I believed that if I just delivered results, leadership would notice. So I took on the toughest projects. Made sure everything ran smoothly. Handled problems before they escalated. I thought impact alone got you promoted. And my work was recognized. I got great feedback. People valued my contributions. But my promotion? It wasn’t happening. It’s simple: my work wasn’t being seen the right way. I was proving I could execute, not that I could lead at the next level. It's an important lesson to learn because: It’s not about working the hardest. It’s about being positioned as the obvious choice. So, I shifted my approach. I started communicating my impact like an executive would. Framing my contributions as strategic wins, not just hard work. Positioning myself as the leader they needed, not just the worker they relied on. But you can’t just work hard and hope for a promotion. So once leadership saw my results, I made sure they knew how I drove them. My visibility skyrocketed. Selling yourself is THE way. You don’t just do the work. You make sure the right people see it. (And recognize you as VP material.) When you position yourself correctly, the right leaders: See you as a strategic asset Recognize your leadership potential Champion you for promotion They begin to trust you to lead at the next level. Join the 5-week challenge here: https://lnkd.in/gzAwA2dE

I used to think networking was for losers. The smooth talkers. The ones who didn’t actually do anything. And I was proud of not being one of them. Proud that my work spoke for itself. Proud that I didn’t have to play office politics. I kept my head down. Focused on results. Believed that if I delivered, I’d be rewarded. Then I watched people with half my expertise get promoted. Again. And again. And again. That’s when it hit me. It wasn’t just about the work. It was about who knew about the work. It was about relationships. It was about being seen by the right people at the right time. So I changed my approach. I built connections with senior leaders. I learned how to position my value. I made sure the right people saw my impact. And suddenly—promotions came faster. Not because I worked harder. But because I was known. 0 extra hours. No burnout. No sucking up. Just strategic visibility. The right stakeholders. At the right time. With the right type of value. The lesson? Relationships create leverage. Master this, and you’ll be the obvious choice for VP. You can start with the free 5-week VP-Ready Challenge here: https://lnkd.in/gzAwA2dE

Every VP I know mastered this one skill. It takes them from overlooked to promoted. They made themselves visible. Not by being the loudest. Not by playing office politics. Not by taking credit for others' work. But by strategically promoting themselves. Because like it or not— Every Director, VP, and C-suite executive got there because leadership saw their potential before they had the title. And the ones who didn’t? Stayed stuck. Got passed over. Heard, “We just don’t have the budget for promotions right now.” Because hard work doesn’t speak for itself. Your actions, your words, your presence— They’re already selling a story about you. The real question is: Are you telling the right story? Great self-promotion isn’t about being flashy. It’s about making sure leadership sees you as the leader you already are. One of my favorite ways to do this? Create “mini promotion” moments in everyday situations. Start your 1:1s with a win Don't be the last to speak Introduce yourself with a strategic story Inside my new 5-Week VP-Ready Challenge, I’ll show you exactly how to do this. So you become the obvious choice for promotion in months, not years. Join for free here: https://lnkd.in/gzAwA2dE

4 of my clients were promoted this past month. They all had one thing in common: They stopped waiting. For the perfect time For permission To feel ready They took control of their career and made it happen. They also put in weeks and months of work that made it possible. And I'm not talking about working more hours. I mean working on themselves. Confidence Executive presence Marketing themselves Its the frustrating work that most of us avoid. Because we can't see the results immediately. But when you stick with it... You break a 10 year career plateau (Director --> Sr. Director) You turn layoffs into a promotion (Director --> VP) You stand out in a crowded space (Sr. Manager --> Director) You create a dream role in your dream industry (Director --> VP) 2 major lessons to share: The biggest obstacle isn't talent or skill. It's the fake limitations we create in our head. The first transformation is internal. You have to believe in yourself first. And then it's about taking action. Instead of waiting for your future to magically happen to you You create it. Simple. But not easy. And that is why I love being a coach. I can spot potential from a mile away, and I get to help you see it too. Because my clients all had what it takes. They just needed someone to remind them who they are. ❤️

You can have a fancy title & be miserable. Most people have it backwards. Tolerate a job for 5 days every week To live your life on the weekend We convince ourselves it's a necessary evil, because that is what society tell us. But it makes no sense to spend two thirds of your life compromising. The real flex in corporate? Living your dream life. Instead of: — Taking what you can get — Following the 'normal' path — Living for 'one day' You can: — Make your dreams a reality — Design a career that fulfills YOU — Live your best life NOW It may sound too good to be true... But all it takes is a mindset shift, and a better strategy. That’s exactly what I teach in my free masterclass. https://lnkd.in/g-bgMJjA

I’m a former VP. The mental shifts that got me here: No more people pleasing No more self doubt No more staying small No more compromising No more fear of failure (bring it on!) No more believing other people’s opinions I stopped listening to the voice that said: You're not good enough You're not ready You'll never.... And instead kept asking: What would I do if I had the confidence? And did that instead. Over time my habits changed. From immediately doubting myself. To immediately believing in myself. I changed the default setting to "Confidence". It changed how I saw myself And it changed how leadership saw me When I believed in myself, they believed in me. What beliefs are holding you back? Let me show you how to grow your confidence: https://lnkd.in/g-bgMJjA

Swapping "I'm sorry" with "Thanks for letting me know" isn't executive presence. Sure, communication matters. But saying the words isn't enough. I wish I knew this sooner: Executive presence isn't a costume you wear. It's who you become. You don’t need to: — Plan everything you say — Memorize 101 power words — Tone down your personality to fit an outdated executive mold You need to build on top of your strengths And communicate your potential. The reason I know this? I did it the other way. Tried to act like a tough b*tch (180 of who I really am) And all I got was frustration. I spent all my energy pretending, and had nothing left to actually lead with. After I hit rock bottom (literally lying on the floor) I had an epiphany: If this is what senior leadership is all about—I don’t want it. So I decided to figure out how to develop executive presence differently. How to be me—and still become a VP. Turns out, being a corporate rebel pays off. Once I stopped faking it And leaned into my own strengths Everything fell into place. — Two VP roles — Happy teams — Powerful relationships — A high six-figure salary Was I the typical VP? Probably not. My 'presence' wasn't the right fit for every company. But I found where I could thrive. — No jargon — Jeans and t-shirts — Grabbing coffee for my team when I grabbed mine While also: — Growing my impact — Holding people accountable — Moving the business forward What I realized is this: Executive presence isn’t fake—it’s authentic. And when you do it right, it doesn’t drain you—it empowers you to be your best self. Join my 5-week challenge, and I'll teach you my version of executive presence. https://lnkd.in/gzAwA2dE

Let’s talk about who really gets promoted to executive roles. It’s not always the hardest worker. It’s not the person who’s been there the longest, either. According to Harvard Business Review: People who advocate for themselves And build a strong network Are up to 70% more likely to get promoted. At the executive level, promotions aren’t just about how much you do. They’re about how well you’re seen. If you’re spending all your time getting tasks done, here’s the hard truth: You’re missing the bigger picture. VP promotions don’t go to the busiest person in the room. They go to the person who knows how to: Make their contributions visible. Build relationships with the right leaders. Sell their value to decision-makers. No MBA. No 80-hour weeks. It's all about strategic visibility. It's not about being the loudest in the room. It’s about being the clearest. It’s not about doing more. It’s about making sure what you’re already doing gets noticed. Making the right people see you as: A trusted leader Big-picture thinker Impactful thought partner And that is how you become the obvious choice. I can show you how: https://lnkd.in/g-bgMJjA

My client became a VP in just 3 months. After taking a full year off. She had every reason to doubt herself: — A long gap on her resume — A network that had gone quiet — A job market that felt impossible At first, she wanted to compromise. Stay at the same level (after being a Director for 5+ years) Take a "safe" job (Instead of stepping into her dream industry) But instead: She reached out to her coach. She took control of her career. And made it happen. And it wasn’t by working harder. It was by working on herself. — Rebuilding self-belief — Marketing her value — Going all in on networking The result? In 3 months she went from: Director → VP Insecure → I'm the sh*t Compromise → Live the dream Level up after a sabbatical - Yes. Enter dream industry - Yes. Negotiate great comp - Yes. Do what you love - Yes. That last one is the best one. To quote her: "I just got an offer and it’s a VP role... I'm floored, flattered... everything you have said is becoming a reality.“ So here is your lesson: Don't disqualify yourself before even trying. You probably have what it takes, you just need the right strategy. (And a coach who believes in you) And that is what I'm here for. *** We're kicking off a 5-Week challenge to make you VP-Ready in March! Join us here: https://lnkd.in/gzAwA2dE

Not advocating for yourself is the loudest message about your value. It's not humble. It’s self-sabotage. Real confidence isn’t loud; It’s refusing to let silence define your worth. I used to keep myself small out of fear that I won't be liked... But that's not the way to go through life. Let's change that. 3 self promotion myths holding you back: → Self-promotion is bragging. Why it’s not true: Bragging is self-centered, but self-promotion highlights how your skills or results benefit others. Easy fix: Frame your achievements as value for others. → If I’m good, my work will speak for itself. Why it’s not true: In a noisy world, even great work needs a voice to be seen. People don’t notice value unless it’s pointed out. Easy fix: Advocate for yourself, or someone less qualified might take the spotlight instead. → Self-promotion will make people dislike me. Why it’s not true: Confidence, when authentic, builds trust and connection—it’s overconfidence or insincerity that pushes people away. Easy fix: Focus on solving others’ problems as you promote yourself, and people will respect your authenticity. What other myths would you add?

Being a workhorse didn’t grow my career. It built my cage. I thought I had cracked the code to moving up. Always delivering. Saying yes to every project Being the reliable fix-it person It worked well! Until it didn't. I was getting praise but also: More administrative work (not strategic) More urgent work (but not important) And no promotion in sight I was told repeatedly that I was "helpful" But helpful didn't get me promoted. I built myself into a cage. When you’re seen as the “get sh*t done” person... They need you where you are, NOT where you want to go. I finally realized: It doesn’t matter how hard you work If you don’t turn your hard work into promotions. (and putting in more hours won't do it) In 2013, I struggled to level up. But by 2017 I was a VP. I went from being the get sh*t done person To becoming Executive Material I’m giving away my proven strategy in a free masterclass: — How to develop executive presence that commands the C-suite — How to develop unshakable confidence needed for VP leadership — How to build a strategic visibility with key stakeholders — How to sell yourself as the natural VP choice Grab your spot here: https://lnkd.in/g-bgMJjA And get ready for results like these: 1) Shauna: Director to VP, 3 months 2) Heloise: Director to C-level, 5 months 4) Katie: $75K raise in 7 months 3) Daniel: Director to Sr. Director, 3 months See you there!

I could not become a VP until I stopped doing these 4 things: 1) Relying ONLY on hard work Hard work is table stakes but it won’t get you promoted. Executives need visibility, not just effort. Focus on building influence and showing strategic impact across teams. 2) FOSY – Fear of selling yourself So many talented professionals don’t advance because they hesitate to self-promote. Ask yourself, who’s going to advocate for you if you don’t? Learn to highlight your strengths, impact, and leadership potential confidently. 3) Lack of strategy Executive promotions don't happen by mistake. Less than 9% of people make it. If you don’t have a promotion roadmap, how will you reach VP? Build a clear strategy for up-leveling your skills and navigating office politics. 4) Hiding your true presence To level up, you need to own your executive presence. Old patterns like playing it safe or being “behind the scenes” will hold you back. You don't need to be Steve Jobs, but you can break old patterns and refine your presence. There's a strategy behind stepping into executive roles. It took me 17 rejections to figure it out, but you can learn it in one day. https://lnkd.in/g-bgMJjA