Ever feel like office gossip travels at the speed of light while the real decision-makers stay hidden behind closed doors? In this episode of Rumor Has It, we pull back the curtain on office politics and show you how to read the room like a pro.

You’ll learn how to spot the 4 key political players in your organization, uncover the hidden currents that shape decisions, and gain strategies to build influence—without losing your integrity. Think of it as your insider map to navigating office politics with confidence, clarity, and a little bit of savvy.

Stop wondering what’s really going on in the hallway meetings, and start leading with purpose, power, and perspective.

👉 Tune in and transform the rumor mill into your secret advantage.

visit: www.LeadersPathway.com for more tools and strategies to become the most valuable leader in the room.

Burnout isn’t about working too hard—it’s about being out of alignment. In the final episode of the Escape Burnout and Reclaim Your Life series, Velma shows leaders how to stop chasing the myth of work/life balance and start living and leading in alignment with their values, energy, and goals.

You’ll discover:

• Why “balance” leaves leaders exhausted and stressed

• How alignment transforms work, life, and leadership performance

• Practical steps to integrate the six burnout-to-breakthrough shifts into your daily life

• Harold’s story: from near burnout to leading a high-performing, engaged team

This episode is for leaders, executives, and high performers ready to reclaim energy, focus, and purpose—without slowing down.

🎧 Listen now to learn how to stop surviving and start thriving, and how to apply the FUEL System™ for sustainable leadership.

#Burnoutrecovery

#leadershipalignment

#worklifeintegration

#executivecoaching

#careerburnout

#stressmanagement

Burnout isn’t just about long hours or heavy workloads—it’s about living without a clear sense of purpose. In this episode of Escape Burnout, we dive into Shift #6: Define Your Purpose, the turning point that transforms exhaustion into energy and confusion into clarity.

You’ll hear the real story of Harold, a leader who traded burnout for balance by rediscovering his love for canvas painting. More than a hobby, it reconnected him to who he was outside of work and reminded him why his life mattered beyond deadlines and job titles.

We’ll unpack the 3 powerful actions Harold took to redefine his purpose—and how you can apply them to your own life today.

If you’ve ever felt like your work is running your life—or wondered if you’re made for more—this episode will help you draw the line, reclaim your spark, and live on-purpose again.

Get more purpose in your life, visit: www.LeadersPathway.com

#escapeburnout #burnoutrecoverystrategies #howtodefineyourpurpose #findbalanceinlifeandwork #howtorecoverfromburnout

Feeling stretched too thin? In Escape Burnout #5: Focus on What Matters Most, Velma Knowles reveals how to cut the noise, lead with clarity, and channel your energy into the work that truly moves the needle. Discover the exact steps Harold used to ditch distractions, set boundaries, and reclaim his time — without sacrificing relationships or results. Backed by research and real-life success, this episode will help you protect your priorities, boost productivity, and keep burnout at bay.

🎯 Free Resource: Get your Values Assessment and find out what really matters most in your leadership and life. Email velma@leaderspathway.com to request your free copy today.

#Leadershipburnoutrecovery

#Timemanagementforleaders

#Howtoprioritizewhatmattersmost

#Preventburnoutintheworkplace

You’re not burned out because you don’t care. You’re burned out because you keep saying yes when your soul is screaming no.

In this episode of the Escape Burnout & Reclaim Your Life series, we dive into Shift #4: Protect Your Non-Negotiables—and how to set boundaries that stick (without guilt, apology, or burnout).

You’ll meet Harold again—our high-performing exec who looked successful on the outside but was unraveling inside. This time, we find out how his daughter’s question made him finally draw the line…

🛑 You’ll learn:

• The 3 boundary-setting moves Harold made to reclaim his calendar—and his peace

• How to say “no” with clarity, kindness, and confidence

• Why burnout is not a time problem… it’s a boundary problem

Want help protecting your non-negotiables?

🎁 Email velma@velmaknowles.com with subject line “Boundaries” and I’ll send you a calendar link to book your free 35-minute clarity coaching call. No fluff. Just next steps.

Bonus... when you do, I'll give you my 5 Scripts that Say No (without sounding like a jerk).

Your life’s too valuable to spend it running on empty.

Let’s fix that.

#burnout #work-life balance #leadershipburnout #settingboundaries #emotionalexhaustion #howtosayno #timemanagement #executivecoaching #leadership podcast #reclaimyourlife #boundariesinleadership #VelmaKnowles

Feeling burned out, even though you’re “successful”?

In Episode 3 of our Escape Burnout and Reclaim Your Life series, Velma unpacks why burnout often stems from living out of alignment with your values — and how to reconnect with what truly matters. Discover the subtle signs of misalignment, hear Harold’s story, and get a free Values Assessment to help you lead with clarity, purpose, and energy again.

🎧 Listen now to reclaim the version of you that success forgot.

📩 Want the free assessment? Email Velma at velma@velmaknowles.com with “Values” in the subject line — no fluff, no judgment, all clarity.

Burn Bright Without Burning Out: Protect Your Energy, Reclaim Your Leadership

You don’t have a time problem—you have an energy problem.

In this episode, discover Shift #2 of escaping burnout and leading with clarity: Protect Your Energy.

We’re talking about the hidden energy crisis that’s draining high-performing leaders—and what to do about it.

From decision fatigue to soul-sucking meetings and screen-fueled insomnia, today’s leaders are burning out faster than ever.

You’ll hear the story of Harold, an executive who looked successful on the outside but was running on fumes.

Learn the 3 powerful energy shifts that helped him reclaim his focus, restore his presence, and lead with renewed confidence.

🔥 Inside this episode:

✔️ Why energy—not time—is your most valuable leadership asset

✔️ The neuroscience behind mental fatigue and performance drops

✔️ How to schedule energy (not just tasks) using performance cycles

✔️ Sleep, screens, and rituals that refuel your mind and body

✔️ Recharge moments that restore clarity and boost productivity

✨ Ready to stop feeling exhausted and start showing up as your best self—at work and at home?

🎯 Grab your FREE 35-minute Clarity Call at LeadersPathway.com

Zero cost. No fluff. Just personalized coaching to help you reset, refuel, and reclaim what matters most.

Welcome back to Leaders Pathway with Velma, where ambitious leaders learn to grow. In the first episode of our series, "The Integrated Leader: Seven Shifts to Help You Escape Burnout and Reclaim Your Life," Velma discusses the myth of work-life balance and introduces the concept of work-life integration. Learn how Harold, a driven VP, faced a wake-up call when his health started to falter, leading him to reprioritize his life by focusing on what truly matters.

Explore Harold's three strategies to align his personal and professional life: reclaiming time, reconnecting with values, and designing a holistic life dashboard. Discover how to shift from chasing balance to achieving alignment, ensuring leadership that inspires not just professional success but a whole, intentional life.

Join us as we kick off this transformative journey, and find out how to start prioritizing what truly matters in your life.

Don't miss out on the powerful tool offered by Velma to assess your happiness and begin your own journey towards integrated living.

Email: velma@leaderspathway.com for your Wheel of Life Assessment and you pay $0. Dollars for this instant tool to help you bring more happiness into your work and life.