Maya Grossman's Linkedin Analytics

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. Here are 3 unexpected ways to do it: 1) Start every one-on-one with a win → Most people jump straight into problems. → But when you lead with a win, you build confidence and reframe how you're seen. 2) Use ‘FYI emails’ strategically → Send a short update to your manager’s boss after a big win. Keep it tight and cc your manager. → It builds visibility and signals executive-level communication. 3) Name-drop yourself in meetings → “This connects to the stakeholder map I built last quarter...” → It reinforces your value—without ever sounding like a pitch. Most of us think we have to stay humble and let our work speak. But if your value isn’t visible, it doesn’t exist. 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 becomes second nature—and 10x’s your career growth. Don't know how to sell yourself for executive roles? Let's change that: https://lnkd.in/grCCCHp3

Shauna 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 — Self doubt: Am I good enough? — 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. Watch the full interview + grab the worksheet to follow Shauna's strategy: https://lnkd.in/g7CjcrKF

Beginner advice doesn't make you VP. But this will: By 2025, success will belong to those who have leverage. Here’s how: 1. Think Like an Entrepreneur The corporate ladder is shrinking. By 2025, middle management roles will drop by 20%. You’re no longer competing for a role—you’re competing for relevance. Start managing your career like a business: — Invest in product development (you) — Gain strategic visibility (marketing) — Sell yourself daily (sales) Top executives don’t wait to get picked. They design opportunities. 2. Build a Personal Brand Ever wonder why some colleagues always get noticed? It’s not just their work. It’s how they position themselves. A brand makes you the go-to choice for VP. Without it? You risk blending in with the crowd Losing opportunities to those who stand out. In 2025, executives with recognizable brands won’t just compete—they’ll dominate. 3. Master Strategic Visibility At the VP level, it’s not just what you know—it’s who knows about you. Quiet competence isn’t humble. It makes you invisible. You need to make sure your wins are known by the people who matter. If you don’t own your narrative, someone else will. The corporate world is evolving fast. Adapt to the new game, and you’ll rise to the top.

My career changed when I started asking myself one question: What would a VP do? Not if I got the job. Not once I felt “qualified.” But today. Right now. Because after 17 rejections, something had to shift. I’d been tweaking résumés. Practicing interview answers. Researching companies like it was a final exam. And still—no. No after no after no. Until I realized: I was trying to get the title before becoming the person. And that’s backwards. So I flipped the script. I stopped asking how to “break in.” And started asking how to show up like I already belonged. I made decisions like a VP would. Led meetings like a VP would. Took ownership like a VP would—even when no one was watching. And slowly, things changed. Not just in how others saw me. But in how I saw myself. And eventually—I got the role. Not because of a perfect résumé. But because I stopped waiting to be chosen. I gotta be honest. It’s not fake it till you make it. It’s be it until they notice. That’s what actually works.

My false beliefs held me back 3+ years. Not a bad manager. Not a lack of talent. Just... beliefs. I thought: → I need to wait my turn → I have to be good at everything → The best person always gets the job → Only extroverts become execs → Hard work = promotion → Someone will tell me when I’m ready But no one ever did. So I stayed stuck. Over-performing but overlooked. Second-guessing myself while watching others get promoted. Until I realized: These weren’t facts. They were just stories I’d been telling myself. And the second I dropped them—everything shifted. I stopped waiting. Started leading. Stopped shrinking. Started showing up like someone already in the room. I didn’t need to be the best to be a VP. I just needed to believe I was ready—and act like it. If you are stuck in mid management. Look inside first. A lot of the obstacles in your way are self inflicted. You don't lack the skills. You just need to delete these false beliefs If you’re stuck in mid-management… Start here: https://lnkd.in/grCCCHp3

“Executive leader” can sound a little... out of reach. Something that is reserved only for: → Fortune 100 founders → Harvard MBAs → People who say “leverage” unironically But I see it as an opportunity: In a world of reactive managers and professional people-pleasers… Being a clear, calm, and strategic presence is rare—and deeply needed. That’s why to me, being an executive leader isn’t about the title. It’s about having the courage: To make decisions that won’t please everyone To ask hard questions no one else will To lead with conviction—even in chaos If you’ve ever mentored without being asked Spoke up when it was uncomfortable Or owned the outcome even when it wasn’t great... You’re already an executive leader. Now it’s time to position it for everyone else to see. --- I’m curious: Do you already lead like a VP—just without the title? What’s holding you back from being seen that way?

Avoiding self promotion doesn’t make you humble. It just tells everyone else you have nothing to say. I used to keep myself small out of fear that I won't be liked... But that's a form of self sabotage. Real confidence isn’t about being loud; It’s refusing to let silence define your worth. 3 self promotion myths holding you back: → Talking about your work is bragging. Why that’s false: Bragging is self-centered, but self promotion highlights how your skills or results benefit others. Quick shift: Show how your success helps the team, project, or business win. → Great work will eventually get noticed. Why that’s false: Great work is everywhere. The difference-maker? Who speaks up. Who’s remembered. Quick shift: Name your wins. Advocate for your value or someone else will define it for you. → Self-promotion turns people off. Why that’s false: People are turned off by arrogance, not honesty. Authentic confidence is magnetic. Quick shift: Speak from service. Connect your impact to what others care about. Self-promotion isn’t ego. It’s ownership. Take control of your narrative: https://lnkd.in/grCCCHp3

I used to be the get sh*t done employee. You know the one. The person leadership could always count on. The go-to when something had to get done fast. I wore that badge with pride... until I didn’t. Because while I was busy being the reliable workhorse, I kept getting handed the wrong kind of work: ↳ Tasks others pushed back on ↳ Urgent but never strategic ↳ Administrative overload I was helpful. Always available. Always delivering. But being helpful didn’t get me promoted. It got me stuck. My time and energy were going into work that didn’t move the business forward. And definitely didn’t move me forward. I wish someone told me the truth: The same traits that make you dependable can also make you stuck. In 2013, I struggled to level up. But by 2017 I was a VP. What changed? Not my talent. Not my hours. My strategy changed. I stopped being the “doer.” I started being seen as a decision-maker. Now I teach that exact transformation inside my free masterclass: Unlock Your VP Promotion. Inside, I’ll show you: → How to develop executive presence that commands attention → How to sell yourself as the obvious next VP → How to build a promotion process you control (no more “waiting to be tapped”) → How to step into leadership with unshakable confidence It worked for me. And it’s working for them: Jessica: Director → VP in 6 months Heloise: Director → C-level in 5 months Daniel: Director → Sr. Director in 3 months Katie: $75K raise in 7 months Grab one of the last spots and join. us on Monday: https://lnkd.in/grCCCHp3

Here’s a truth bomb: The skills that got you to mid-management won’t get you to the executive table. Yet, most professionals don’t realize this until they get stuck. You work harder, take on more projects, overdeliver... And still hear: "You're not ready" Meanwhile, colleagues who seem to do half the work are getting promoted to VP. I lived this cycle. 17 rejections in a row before I cracked the code. It’s not about working harder. It’s about developing the right skills Connecting with the right people Learning how to sell yourself Once I figured out what truly matters at the executive level, I went from being stuck at Director to VP (twice!) and I’ve helped hundreds do the same. If you’re stuck, consider this: There is nothing wrong with you. You just have the wrong strategy. And that is easy to fix. Let me show you how: https://lnkd.in/grCCCHp3

Executive presence isn’t fluff. It’s a filter. It’s how leaders decide who’s “ready” and who’s not. When I first heard the phrase “executive presence,” I rolled my eyes. It sounded like one of those vague buzzwords. What people say to explain why someone was promoted over them. But the more time I spent around real decision-makers The more I realized... It’s not just about the work you do. It’s how you: - Handle pressure - Frame your insights - Make others feel when you’re in the room Presence is what makes people say: → “They’ve got it.” → “We should bring them in.” → “They’re already operating at the next level.” And the good news? It’s not a personality trait. It’s a skill. One that you can build, practice, and refine. This is how you stop waiting for someone to notice you—and start being seen as the one to watch. Let's make you VP-Ready: https://lnkd.in/grCCCHp3 (P.S. Yes, I played with the image generator in GPT. Meet Mini Maya)

Working harder won’t get you promoted. Fixing your real mistakes will. Most high achievers in tech are burning out trying to prove themselves... But they’re still passed over. They try to fix everything at once: → More projects → More hours → More certifications But here’s the truth: Your career won’t move past your biggest constraint. And if you don’t name it, you’ll stay stuck. Here are the 3 most common mistakes I see: You’re known as the get-it-done person – You’re seen as reliable, not strategic – Hard work ≠ executive material You’re flying under the radar – You think humility will win people over – But you’re invisible to decision-makers You don’t know how to sell yourself – You rely on your work to “speak for itself” – That’s not how promotions work at this level Most professionals think like doers. But if you want to level up, you need to think like an executive. Optimize for ROI, not hours. Your constraint isn’t effort. It’s impact. Here’s how to shift: → Focus on promotable work → Build visibility with the right people → Position yourself like a strategic leader The biggest mistake? Assuming promotions are a reward for hard work. They’re not. They’re a response to how well you influence the perception of your value. When you fix the right mistake, everything changes. So the question is: What’s the real reason you haven’t been promoted yet? Unlock your VP Promotion in months not years https://lnkd.in/grCCCHp3

7 of my clients were promoted this past quarter. They all followed this one strategy: They didn’t work longer hours. They didn't kiss up. What made the difference? They positioned themselves for the next level. In other words: They learned how to sell themselves. Some with their company. Some leveled up with a new job. Here’s what It actually looks like: Turn everyday conversations into mini sales pitches. Build relationships with sponsors who can vouch for you. Tie your work directly to the company’s biggest goals. And you can do all of that without being loud—or burning out. I want to explain why this is so damn important. (Because I want you to do it even though it's uncomfortable) People see you where you are right now. If you’re a manager, they see a manager. If you’re a director, they see a director. And unless something shifts, that’s where they’ll keep you. To get promoted, you need to shift their perception. Grow your presence. Increase your impact. Speak at a higher level. When you do that, they stop seeing the “you now” and start seeing the “you next.” You can keep working harder and hope someone notices. Or you can position yourself for the next level and get there faster. Yes, even in this economy. Yes, even when it means getting a new job. Same effort. Totally different outcome. DM me VP is you want do the same.

3 people you need in your network if you want your name to come up for promotion Most mid-career pros focus 100% on their manager. → Weekly check-ins → Performance reviews → Overdelivering on projects But the truth is: Your manager alone can't get you promoted to executive roles. Here’s why: Promotions happen in rooms you're not in — Key stakeholders weigh in on who’s ready — Senior leaders discuss your impact — One “no” derails the whole process Which means you need advocates in that room. You need people who will say: “She’s ready.” “He’s operating like a VP already.” “They’ve earned the shot.” These people are called sponsors. Sponsors do what hard work alone can’t — They have access to decision-makers — They shape how you are perceived — They build buzz behind closed doors That’s how promotions actually happen. Because in the exec world: People promote people Social proof wins over hard work Want to sell yourself on autopilot? Build relationships with key stakeholders Get clear on who you need in your corner Be seen as someone they can champion Performance gets you respect. Visibility gets you a seat at the table. Do you have sponsors in your network?

When I first set my sights on VP, I made one critical mistake: I avoided self-promotion. I thought it was enough to just do great work. That results would speak for themselves. That if I kept delivering, someone would notice. So I said yes to the hardest projects. Made sure nothing fell through the cracks. Kept everything running so smoothly, it looked easy. And in return? I got glowing feedback. Leaders appreciated my reliability. They thanked me for making their lives easier. But the promotion? It never came. Because here’s what I didn’t understand back then: I was being seen as someone who could execute flawlessly. Not as someone who could lead at the next level. I wasn’t invisible—but I was misinterpreted. I had to learn the hard way: It’s not enough to do the work. You have to frame it in a way leadership understands. So I made the shift: — I started connecting my results to business priorities — I communicated like an exec, not just a top performer — I made it easy for leadership to see me as a strategic asset And the difference was immediate. Same projects. Same impact. But now... I was being seen differently. Because the truth is: You don’t get promoted for being the hardest worker. You get promoted for proving your potential. So if you’re still avoiding self-promotion? Stop. It’s not bragging. It’s positioning. And if you want VP, you need to be seen as the obvious choice. Learn how to position yourself for VP roles in my upcoming masterclass: https://lnkd.in/grCCCHp3

“Maya... I’ve been building relationships across teams. Volunteering for visibility. But no one’s advocating for me. What am I doing wrong?” A Director shared this with me. Exhausted. Discouraged. She wasn’t invisible. She wasn’t unqualified. She was just... tired of playing “the team player” without the payoff. Maybe you feel that too? So here’s what I told her (and what I’m telling you): You don’t need more visibility. You need strategic visibility. The right people to see the right things. Let’s walk through it together: 1) WHO “But I’m getting to know people!” Cool. But... do any of them have power? Like, decision-making, room-you’re-not-in kind of power? Because no one gets promoted just because they’re well-liked. That’s great for culture. But promotions don’t live there. They live with the people who influence compensation, headcount, and scope. So instead of just networking across... Start networking up. Make sure leaders know what you do—and what you want next. 2) WHAT “My work should speak for itself… right?” Uhhh… not if no one is speaking about it in the right rooms. I worked with a senior marketer. Brilliant. Trusted. Quietly doing the work of a Director. But her VP had no clue. We worked on a simple line she could use in every 1:1: “Here’s what I owned, what it unlocked, and what I want to lead next.” Three months later, her name came up for a new team lead role. Ask yourself: Who knows what you’re doing and what you're aiming for? If you can’t name 2–3 senior leaders… start now. Sponsorship doesn’t happen by accident. 3) HOW “I’m adding value but no one’s vouching for me.” You’re delivering, but are you directing the narrative? Too many high performers assume their output is enough. But leaders remember impact, not spreadsheets. → “I don’t want to sound political” → “I don’t want to be pushy” → “What if it looks like I’m trying too hard?” I get it. But if you want to move up, people need to know what you’ve done and where you're going. Start by saying: — “I’d love your perspective on where I should grow to lead at the next level.” — “Here’s what I’ve learned owning this initiative—and how I’d scale it at org-level.” That’s how sponsors are born. Not through random networking. But through aligned ambition + clear signals. Your company doesn’t just need to see your work. They need to know where you belong next. Make them say: “We need to find a bigger role for them.” And if you’re ready to build real sponsorship—not just surface-level visibility— DM “VP” and I’ll help you build the path to VP from inside the org you’re in. We don’t just show up. We get seen in the right rooms.

The reward for being indispensable... is being stuck. You’re too valuable to promote. Too busy to be seen. If you want to move up, stop being the person they can’t live without. And become the one they can’t afford to overlook. That lesson changed my career. For years, I thought I was doing everything right: Always delivering Saying yes to every request Jumping in to fix what others dropped I was the go-to person. The “she’ll get it done” person. And I got praise for it. A lot of it. But I also got so much crap. More admin work (not strategic) More urgent chaos (not important) But...no promotion in sight That’s when I realized I needed to make what I now call The Executive Shift. It’s the moment you stop trying to earn your next role through effort And start showing up with Presence, strategy, and influence. Not: “What else can I take on?” But: “What am I choosing to lead?” Not: “How fast can I deliver?” But: “What long-term impact am I creating?” In 2013, I was stuck in the workhorse zone. By 2017, I was a VP. The shift didn’t happen overnight. It started the moment I realized being great at your job is not the same as being seen as a leader. If you’re feeling overlooked right now, this might be your moment too. Are you making the Executive Shift? 50,000+ professionals read my weekly newsletter to become VP-Ready. Get instant access: https://lnkd.in/gkW-XAer

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.” Here's what you might be missing. 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 Small moments, big shift. That’s how you build the perception of readiness. Inside my free masterclass I’ll show you exactly how to do this. So you become the obvious choice for promotion in months, not years. https://lnkd.in/grCCCHp3

6 words of the best advice if you've been passed over for promotion: Don’t hope for visibility. Create it. A few years ago, I noticed a frustrating pattern: The people getting promoted weren’t always the best performers. They were just the most seen. “I’ve been heads down. My work should speak for itself.” That was my mantra. Until I watched peers leapfrog me. People I outperformed. It happened again. And again. Every time I heard: “We’ve decided to go with someone who’s been showing more strategic leadership.” Even though I was already doing the work. If you’ve ever had that sinking feeling... You know what I mean. When someone else gets tapped. And your calendar is still full of stretch work with no upward movement. So here’s the truth I learned the hard way: You don’t get promoted for what you do. You get promoted for what they see you doing. If you’re quietly waiting for your value to be recognized—bad sign. You will lose whenever this is the dynamic: “We’ll circle back when leadership reopens promotion discussions.” Sound familiar? Now you might be thinking: “Damn… this is me. I’ve been in the running three times. Still overlooked.” So what do you do instead? Follow this rule: Don’t hope for visibility. Create it. When I work with clients gunning for Director and VP roles, this is the shift we make: We stop asking: “Why didn’t they pick me?” And we start asking: “How do I position myself as the obvious choice?” Two examples: Example 1 You hear: “We’re not opening new leadership roles right now.” Instead of waiting until maybe next quarter, try: “Totally understand. In the meantime, would it be helpful if I took on a short-term lead for X project? I’d love to show how I handle cross-functional strategy while staying aligned with the team.” Now you're not waiting. You're demonstrating. Example 2 You hear: “We’re exploring a few internal candidates.” Instead of going quiet, say: “I know this is competitive, and I want to be direct—I’ve been driving results at this level, and I’d love the chance to share how I’d scale that as a formal leader.” Too bold? Maybe. But now you're not invisible. You're in the conversation. See the shift? If you’re waiting, you’re behind the scenes. If you’re positioning, you're already on stage. Big difference. Bottom line: You’ll get passed over 8 out of 10 times if you’re relying on work alone. If that hit a nerve... DM or comment 'VP'. I'll show you how to shift your strategy from being the best-kept secret to the obvious next leader.

I'm turning 44 today. Here is how I got here: 16, I Got my first job at Burger King 18, Enlisted to serve in the IDF 20, Jumped out of a plane while traveling in south America 21, Got my first real job as a Travel Agent 24, Started college, while working full time 28, Pivoted my career and got my first Marketing role 29, Met the love of my life. Decided to marry him after date no. 3 32, Convinced the team at SodaStream to hire me for a senior role 32, Started my MBA, while working full time 33, Leveled up by taking a job at Microsoft 35, Left Microsoft to take a startup job, became VP 37, Quit my job and moved half way across the world with no plans 37, Restarted my career journey, got a job working for Google 39, Published my book. It became a best-seller. 39, Started another VP role, making my biggest career dream a reality 40, Realized it wasn't enough anymore... quit my job 40, Started my own business 40, A week before my 41st birthday, bought a house and moved to Austin 41, Tested lots of things in my business. Found my niche 42, Doubled my business while working less hours and feeling content 43, Hired a team and stepped up as CEO. Took more vacations than ever 44, ? There is no "right" career journey. Only what is right for you. Don't let anyone hold you back and tell you to "dream smaller" or be less ambitious. Small dreams lead to small outcomes and you deserve to have anything you want. Your career journey is YOUR career journey. Give yourself permission to pursue your dreams. After all, that's what we are here to do, right? Thanks for coming along for the ride! (P.S. 40 is the best decade by far!!)

One of the simplest changes I ever made Completely shifted how leadership saw me. No title change. No extra hours. Just one mental switch: I stopped waiting for permission. Most people think they need the role before they can act like a leader. So they stay in “mid-manager” mode. They wait to be tapped. But that’s the wrong order. Here’s what I did instead: I acted like I already had the title. → I made decisions like a VP would → I communicated like I belonged in the room → I approached every conversation with strategic intent And slowly, perception shifted. Because the truth is— You don’t get the title and then become an executive. You start leading like one, and that’s how you earn it. But first, you have to let go of the old identity: “I’m just a manager.” “That’s above my pay grade.” “I can’t challenge someone more senior.” Sound familiar? If you can’t picture yourself in the next role Why would anyone else? So here’s the mindset shift that changed everything for me: I gave myself the promotion. And every day, I asked: What would I do if I were already VP? And then—I did that. Your actions are telling a story. Make sure they’re telling the right one. If you’re not sure what that looks like... Join my free masterclass where I’ll walk you through the 3 steps that make you VP-ready in months, not years. https://lnkd.in/grCCCHp3