IDEAS
For forward-thinking leaders
CLIENT STORY: From Doubt to Decisiveness—How Amy Reclaimed Her Confidence in Leadership
Amy had been with her company for over 20 years, steadily climbing the ranks and taking on increasing responsibility. However, in recent years, the pace of change had accelerated dramatically. Promotions came quickly, bringing higher stakes and more exposure. What had once felt like a steady career path suddenly became a whirlwind of decisions, expectations, and visibility.
Name: Amy
Position: Senior Director
Challenge: Navigating rapid promotions and organizational changes while maintaining confidence and decisiveness.
Result: Clarity in decision-making, a renewed sense of confidence, and a well-balanced approach to leadership.
“When all else fails, I go back to my values. This program helped me solidify those, and now I make decisions with confidence, knowing they align with what truly matters to me. It’s changed the way I lead, the way I show up, and the way I trust myself.”
Before Working with Sara…
Amy had been with her company for over 20 years, steadily climbing the ranks and taking on increasing responsibility. However, in recent years, the pace of change had accelerated dramatically. Promotions came quickly, bringing higher stakes and more exposure. What had once felt like a steady career path suddenly became a whirlwind of decisions, expectations, and visibility.
“I was used to being decisive,” Amy recalls. “But last year, I found myself doubting everything—from my career choices to everyday decisions. It was overwhelming.”
Adding to the pressure was the knowledge that every move she made was being watched. Her team looked to her for guidance, colleagues measured her responses, and leadership expected her to perform seamlessly. The weight of it all became exhausting.
Amy’s Key Insights
Confidence doesn’t come from external success. Despite promotions and accolades, Amy struggled internally with self-doubt and pressure.
Decisiveness requires a foundation. Without a clear internal compass, every decision felt monumental. Learning to lean on her values provided the clarity she needed.
The power of a support system. The community aspect of the program became an unexpected source of strength, offering validation, shared experiences, and new perspectives.
The Breakthrough Moment
Amy vividly remembers the moment her newfound clarity solidified. A leadership opportunity arose that would require significant travel, and for the first time, she didn’t wrestle with the decision.
“I went back to my values,” she explains. “Balance was one of them. When I thought about being away from my family 50% of the time, it was clear that this wasn’t the right move for me.”
Her decision was validated in an unexpected way when her son, upon hearing about the opportunity, responded: “I’m glad you didn’t take it, Mom. We only have four years left together at home, and if you were gone half the time, that would only be two.” That moment reinforced that she had made the right choice. And we got a little emotional reflecting on that.
The Lasting Impact
Through the program, Amy gained:
A clear decision-making framework based on her core values.
The ability to navigate high-pressure situations with confidence.
Tools to maintain her energy and focus, including building sustainable habits like daily walks that have become essential for her clarity and creativity.
She also experienced an unexpected mindset shift: “I thought I didn’t have time for something like this, but it actually saved me time. Instead of agonizing over decisions, I trust myself and move forward.”
What Should Others Know About Working with Sara?
Amy emphasizes that the program isn’t about adding another task to an already packed schedule—it’s about integrating powerful insights into your daily life.
“The program isn’t just about career advancement; it’s about learning how to lead yourself first. Once you do that, everything else becomes easier. The way I show up for my team, my family, and myself has completely changed.”
What’s Next for Amy?
Amy is focused on applying what she’s learned, continuing to refine her leadership approach, and maintaining the balance she has worked so hard to achieve.
“I’m looking forward to turning up the dial on my presence—not by working harder, but by being even more intentional with how I lead.”
Her biggest takeaway? Confidence isn’t something you wait for. It’s something you build by knowing yourself, trusting yourself, and leading from within.
Want to become an influential leader and get promoted without being someone you’re not? Find out more about working together on this here.
My 2024 Annual Review & What’s Next (Better Late Than Never)
Every year, I take a step back to reflect—not just on what I accomplished, but on what I learned, what felt good, and what I want to carry forward into the next year. The theme that emerged was BREAKTHROUGH. This word perfectly captures both my coaching program and how this year felt—pushing through uncertainty, stepping more fully into my voice, and finding a new level of confidence in myself and my work.
Every year, I take a step back to reflect—not just on what I accomplished, but on what I learned, what felt good, and what I want to carry forward into the next year.
2023 was about growth.
2024? The theme that emerged was BREAKTHROUGH.
This word perfectly captures both my coaching program and how this year felt—pushing through uncertainty, stepping more fully into my voice, and finding a new level of confidence in myself and my work.
Here’s what stood out:
What Went Well
My life and business are far from perfect, but I had so many moments where I had to pinch myself—this is the life I built. My kids are at an amazing stage where they still want to hang out with us, but they’re also more independent. I get to set my own schedule and be my own boss. I’m home when they get home from school, but I also contribute financially to our family.
I remember 10 years ago envisioning a life like this, but I had no idea how I’d create it. And yet, here I am.
The journey has been anything but smooth—so many bumps, setbacks, and really big lows. But having a year like this reminds me that it was all worth it because it led me here. At least for now (teenage years are coming)!
Here are a few highlights -
✅ Travel & Experiences: St. Lucia, Sunriver (Oregon), and Wisconsin
✅ Meaningful Work: Led an in-person team-building session at Pfizer and coached incredible leaders
✅ Family, Friends & Traditions: Celebrated the 4th of July, Swingfest, Halloween, hosted a Murder Mystery night and had great family visits (my oldest brother got married!)
✅ Beach Life in the Neighborhood: Someday, I’ll marvel at how we got to call this beachside haven home, sharing it with such an incredible community
✅ Business Growth: Launched my group program (Breakthrough), refined my messaging, built confidence, stayed focused, and hit my goals
✅ Personal Wins: Became a dog mom! Ranger joined our family, and I learned a lot about training him
✅ Dance Mom Life: Watching my daughter grow in dance is one of my greatest joys (stress and all!), and the friendships I've built with fellow dance moms make it even more special
✅ Hockey Mom Life: This year brought big changes in hockey, but my son rose above them and made incredible progress. And just like in dance, the hockey moms have been an absolute blessing!
✅ Health Progress: My back pain improved—though there’s still work to do
✅ Furniture Restoration: I even tackled some furniture projects with my dad. I don’t have much time for it, but when he visits, I share my vision, and he brings it to life. We started a project this year that’s still in the works—finishing it is on the 2025 agenda!
✅ Most importantly: I truly enjoyed my work.
What Didn’t Go So Well (And What I Learned)
We can’t have everything—and that’s okay. These are officially on my 2025 focus list:
❌ Health goals weren’t fully met. I got so close but didn’t fully hit my goal. The missing piece? Mindset. Even as a coach, this work is tough to do for myself.
❌ I didn’t “do more stuff” as much as I thought I would. And maybe that’s okay. But already this year, I’ve started a monthly friend lunch and even spontaneously hosted a reality TV watch party (my cousin, Lauren O’Brien, is on Love is Blind!).
❌ Back pain is still a work in progress. I made progress but still have work to do—hello, posture!
❌ We lost our cat of 15 years, Porter. I didn’t expect to feel such deep grief over him, but I did. I have so much more empathy for people when they lose pets now.
A clip from a tribute from my husband wrote says it best:
He was the best worst decision we ever made.
We rescued him in 2010. He was full-grown, which meant he was born in 2008 or 2009—though we later learned he was forged in the depths of hell.
At first, he was terrible. Mean. Bit everyone. Clawed everything. Then, over time, he changed. He became an adventurous, loving, and wildly protective cat who walked the kids to the bus stop and even came on beach walks with us. He was there before we got married, before kids and fancy houses and careers. He helped us grow up. We thought he’d live forever. But we had to do a very hard thing and say goodbye to him.
RIP, Porter. You were one of a kind.
What’s Next for 2025?
This year, I’m leaning into ease and intuition.
✨ Doing what feels right instead of what I think I “should” do
✨ Owning what makes me unique—energy-driven leadership, personal leadership, mindfulness—because others may be looking for exactly that
✨ Talking about what’s actually important in my marketing, not just what the algorithm wants
✨ Taking time off when I need it
✨ Focusing on my mindset and how it shapes my habits in both health and productivity
✨ Making my podcast more conversational instead of worrying about saying the “right” things
✨ Ensuring my Lunch & Learns and workshops include meaningful mindset shifts, not just action steps
✨ PUSHING THE BUTTON on things I’ve been delaying—like completing my Career Transition Certification and applying for an ICF accreditation (I just need to do it!)
There’s one big lesson I’ve learned this past year—and honestly, I keep learning it. Life moves in phases, ebbs and flows, unpredictable rhythms. Sometimes I resist it. I want stability, predictability, a clear path forward. But I see now that there’s a time for structure, systems, and strategy—and a time to lean into intuition, trust, and ease. It sounds simple, even obvious. But it’s not easy. It’s hard to trust yourself when you wish someone would just hand you the answers. It’s hard to relax into a creative lull when deadlines are looming. Acceptance isn’t always comfortable. But it’s what makes everything feel more doable, more natural—learning to move with the rhythm of life instead of fighting it.
So in 2025, I’m not forcing my way forward. I’m leading in a way that feels aligned, sustainable, and energizing.
And I have a feeling that’s exactly what my clients need, too.
What’s your focus for this year? Shoot me an email at sara@sarakobrien.com and let me know!
CLIENT STORY: How Emotional Triggers Were Stalling Katie’s Career—And How She Broke Through
Katie, a senior leader who recently finished my Breakthrough Program, was doing all the “right” things to advance her career, but something still felt off. Turns out, it wasn’t about what she was doing. It was about the emotional triggers running in the background—subconscious reactions that shaped how others perceived her leadership presence. And once she uncovered them? Everything changed.
Have you ever walked out of a meeting replaying a moment where you got defensive, over-explained, or completely shut down? You know it wasn’t a huge deal, but something about it felt bigger than it should have.
Katie, a senior leader in customer operations, was no stranger to this. She was doing all the “right” things to advance—taking on big projects, speaking up in meetings, and advocating for herself. But despite her efforts, something still felt off. She wasn’t getting the traction she expected, and feedback like “You need more executive presence” wasn’t helping her understand why.
The Hidden Roadblock: Emotional Triggers
When Katie joined my Breakthrough Program, she rated her leadership confidence at a 2 out of 10. Not because she lacked skills—she was highly capable—but because her emotional reactions were shaping how others perceived her.
Emotional triggers are those knee-jerk responses that feel bigger than the moment calls for. They might show up as:
🔹 Getting defensive when challenged
🔹 Over-explaining to prove credibility
🔹 Shutting down in high-pressure situations
None of these reactions reflect actual ability, but they do impact how others see you. And when you’re in a leadership role, perception is everything.
The Shift That Changed Everything
Through our work together, Katie identified the patterns driving these reactions. She realized they weren’t about the situation in front of her—they were about old, deeply ingrained beliefs about how she should show up as a leader.
Once she uncovered those patterns, everything changed. She:
✔️ Stopped reacting and started leading with intention
✔️ Developed a calm, confident executive presence
✔️ Strengthened relationships with her team and peers
✔️ Landed a well-earned promotion
By the end of the program, Katie rated her confidence at a 7+—a huge shift in just a few months.
Why Career Strategies Alone Aren’t Enough
Many high-achievers believe career success comes from doing more—learning new skills, taking on bigger challenges, or perfecting their external presence. But as Katie’s story shows, real growth happens when you address what’s happening internally.
Promotions don’t happen just because of what you do—they happen because of who you are as a leader. And that starts with understanding and shifting the unconscious patterns that hold you back.
If you’ve been feeling stuck despite doing all the right things, it might not be about strategy at all. It might be about what’s running in the background.
Want to explore this for yourself? Let’s talk. Shoot me an email with the word Triggers, and I’ll send you a few questions to see if we’re a good fit to work together.
Listen and subscribe on your favorite platform here:
***Unlock your authentic leadership potential with the BREAKTHROUGH coaching program—designed to help ambitious women lead with confidence, clarity, and impact; visit saraobriencoaching.com/breakthrough to get started.
Free Guide: 2-Second Confidence Shift for High-Stakes Meetings:
Visit saraobriencoaching.com to Download the Guide today.
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Keywords:
Keywords: Recognized at work, career growth, leadership confidence, professional success, burnout recovery, work-life balance, visibility at work, career advancement, leadership mindset
Timestamps:
1:52 – What are emotional triggers?
5:31 – Katie: The confidence myth that kept her stuck
9:22 – Katie: Trust in yourself is one of the biggest components of confidence
12:33 – How Katie got the promotion
17:54 – Myth: “Just tell me what to do”
21:39 – Next steps for getting recognized at work
Music Credit:Track Title: Over YouArtist: AtchSource: YouTubeLicense: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)
Music Credit:
Track Title: Over You
Artist: Atch
Source: YouTube
License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)
Energy-Driven Leadership: The 7 Levels That Define Your Influence
Energy-driven leadership is the missing link for high-achieving leaders who want to lead with confidence, resilience, and impact—without burnout. Leadership isn’t just about strategy; it's about how you show up, react under stress, and manage your energy.
Energy-driven leadership is the missing link for high-achieving leaders who want to lead with confidence, resilience, and impact—without burnout. Leadership isn’t just about strategy; it's about how you show up, react under stress, and manage your energy.
Subscribe to Lead Easy and listen to this episode as I break down the science-backed framework of energy-driven leadership and how it helps mid-to-senior leaders overcome stress patterns, lead authentically, and sustain long-term success. You'll learn:
The two types of leadership energy—catabolic and anabolic
How to spot and shift unhelpful leadership habits
Simple shifts to lead with more clarity, confidence, and ease
Don’t let hidden leadership habits hold you back. Subscribe now and listen to Energy-Driven Leadership: The 7 Levels That Define Your Influence. Then, email me at sara@sarakobrien.com to explore how this framework applies to your leadership journey.
Resources Mentioned:
FREE 15 Minute Leadership Strategy Call:
Book today tinyurl.com/FREE-15-Min-Strategy-Call
Listen and subscribe on your favorite platform here:
***Unlock your authentic leadership potential with the BREAKTHROUGH coaching program—designed to help ambitious women lead with confidence, clarity, and impact; visit saraobriencoaching.com/breakthrough to get started.
Free Guide: 2-Second Confidence Shift for High-Stakes Meetings:
Visit saraobriencoaching.com to Download the Guide today.
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Keywords:
Energy-driven leadership, Leadership burnout, Executive coaching, Women in leadership, Career growth, Professional development, Authentic leadership, Confidence at work, Leadership transformation, Resilient leadership
Timestamps:
0:39 – What is energy-driven leadership?
1:06 – The science behind energy-driven leadership
2:28 – The difference between catabolic and anabolic energy
6:43 – Energy-driven leadership in everyday life
8:49 – Identifying your default leadership energy under stress
18:16 – Energy Leadership Assessment (ELI)
Music Credit:
Track Title: Over You
Artist: Atch
Source: YouTube
License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)
Why Women Leaders Hit Career Walls & How to Overcome It – Breakthrough Coaching, Part 1
Many experienced women leaders in sales and marketing face hidden challenges that can stall career growth. This episode of Lead Easy kicks off a two-part series where I dive into the barriers that often arise for women with a decade or more in their fields.
Hit a career wall? Tired of putting in the work without seeing promotions or recognition? You’re not alone.
Many experienced women leaders in sales and marketing face hidden challenges that can stall career growth. This episode of Lead Easy kicks off a two-part series where I dive into the barriers that often arise for women with a decade or more in their fields.
We’ll explore:
1. what’s holding you back,
2. why once-effective strategies may no longer deliver results,
3. and how my Breakthrough Coaching Program empowers driven professionals to reclaim confidence, authority, and the joy they deserve.
If you’re ready to stop chasing the dangling carrot of promotion, this episode is your starting point to break through, align, and finally feel recognized.
Resources Mentioned:
FREE 15 Minute Leadership Strategy Call:
Book today tinyurl.com/FREE-15-Min-Strategy-Call
Listen and subscribe on your favorite platform here:
***Unlock your authentic leadership potential with the BREAKTHROUGH coaching program—designed to help ambitious women lead with confidence, clarity, and impact; visit saraobriencoaching.com/breakthrough to get started.
Free Guide: 2-Second Confidence Shift for High-Stakes Meetings:
Visit saraobriencoaching.com to Download the Guide today.
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Timestamps:
0:00 – Overcoming Career Walls as a Woman in Leadership
1:30 – Reasons Behind Career Stagnation for Women Leaders
4:15 – Identifying Hidden Barriers Blocking Your Career Progress
6:23 – Success Stories from the Breakthrough Coaching Program
8:25 – How to Start Your Own Career Breakthrough Journey
Music Credit:
Track Title: Over You
Artist: Atch
Source: YouTube
License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)