Welcome back to The Executive Coach Podcast, where we help high achievers move beyond box-ticking busyness and into careers that feel spacious, fulfilling, and exciting to wake up to.

In today’s episode, I’m diving into a bold but essential truth:

Senior-level promotions aren’t earned - they’re negotiated.

This insight struck a nerve when I first shared it on social media, and for good reason. If you’ve been working tirelessly, delivering results, and still feel overlooked this episode is for you.

I share behind-the-scenes stories from my own career and from recent client breakthroughs to show how promotions really happen at the top.

We’ll explore:

Why relying on merit alone can stall your progress

The role of strategic sponsorship and visibility

How executive presence is often code for "playing the game"

Why trust, timing, and negotiation matter more than you think

The questions you must ask if you're not advancing

You’ll also hear the hard-won lessons that helped me and my clients, move into senior leadership by design, not default.

💡 If you’ve ever felt like you're doing everything right and still being passed over, this episode will shift your mindset and your strategy.

👉 Unwritten Rules of Career Success Program can be found here https://www.mayagudka.com/unwritten-rules – Learn how to build influence, identify sponsors, and make your promotion inevitable.

Do you ever feel like you’re working hard, doing all the right things, even exceeding expectations and yet, somehow, you still feel behind?

Maybe colleagues are being promoted, someone just landed a board role, or LinkedIn is buzzing with achievements that make you question your own progress. You’re not underperforming… but something still feels off.

In this episode, Maya Gudka breaks down:

✨ 3 hidden reasons high achievers feel behind

✨ Why not having a personal vision leaves you vulnerable to comparison

✨ How being strategically bad at some things is the key to growth

✨ Practical questions to help you reset and refocus on your path

This is not about hustling harder or fixing yourself overnight, it’s an invitation to prune back, clarify your vision, and create success that feels expansive and meaningful.

💡 Want to take this further?

Check out Maya’s Vision Unblocked here

https://www.mayagudka.com/vision-unblocked

Maya Gudka shares how to reset your morning routine for success—without the guilt, the 12-step rituals, or the 5AM alarms.✨ Whether your mornings start with a school run, Zoom call, or you’re just wondering where your coffee mug went—this is for you.

You’ll learn:

✅ The only two things your morning really needs (backed by science)

❌ The one habit you can drop—and even benefit more by doing it later

☀️ Why daylight and gentle movement are non-negotiables for your energy

🧠 How to tap into your "deep work" brain before distractions set in

☕ A surprising tip to pair your morning coffee with productivity

📓 Why reflective journaling might actually belong in the evening

This is not about doing more—it’s about doing what works. Maya also shares how she’s personally adjusting her own mornings for better flow (even with a busy family life!).🟡

Ready to reclaim your mornings with clarity and calm?

Check out Maya's Vision Unblocked program – a 3-day audio micro-course designed for busy professionals ready to reconnect with their long-term goals: https://www.mayagudka.com/vision-unblocked