Most of us approach year-end reviews with a deep sigh and a pile of paperwork. But what if you could turn that annual ritual into one of the most valuable career tools you have?

In this episode of Unspoken Career Truths, hosts Cara Wood and Lauren Livak Gilbert unpack how to prepare, what to track, and how to use your review conversations to set yourself up for next-level growth. You’ll leave with practical strategies to approach your review with confidence, clarity, and a growth mindset.

Projects can go awry for all kinds of reasons - but one of the most frustrating ways to fail is scope creep. The expansion of a project or role beyond the initial goals and definitions. In this episode of Unspoken Career Truths, hosts Cara Wood and Lauren Livak Gilbert talk about what it is, why it happens and how to communicate these issues so your projects stay reasonable and meet their targets.

When you've got a big decision on the horizon it can feel overwhleming. Whether it's a career move, a relationship choice, or a personal goal, the weight of the decision-making process can be overwhelming.

In this episode of Unspoken Career Truths, hosts Cara Wood and Lauren Livak Gilbert break down how to approach these moments, and how to employ the right framework to get an outcome you can be confident in.

Is following your passion the golden ticket to success?

It’s time for another debate of commonly held wisdom! In this episode of Unspoken Career Truths, hosts Cara Wood and Lauren Livak Gilbert talk about the realities of pursuing what you love versus choosing a stable or well trod path.

If you don’t know your value, it’s hard to expect others to recognize or reward it. In this episode of Unspoken Career Truths, hosts Cara Wood and Lauren Livak Gilbert dive into practical ways to identify, track, and communicate your worth at work. From documenting your impact and asking for feedback to benchmarking your role against the market, you’ll learn strategies to overcome imposter syndrome and step into your career with confidence. Perfect for anyone preparing for a promotion, salary negotiation, or simply looking to own their impact.

Giving feedback is tricky—done wrong, it stings; done right, it sparks growth.n this episode of Unspoken Career Truths, hosts Cara Wood and Lauren Livak Gilbert break down how to move past vague notes and ego-driven critiques to deliver feedback that empowers.

From practical tactics (mirror, don’t weaponize) to a simple framework—Context, Observations, Results, Expectations—they’ll show you how to be clear, constructive, and motivating. If you’ve ever wondered how to make your feedback land without crushing confidence, this conversation is for you.

Getting feedback can feel personal — but it’s actually one of the fastest ways to grow. In this episode of Unspoken Career Truths, hosts Cara Wood and Lauren Livak Gilbert unpack how to stay grounded when feedback stings, what to do in the moment, and how to turn critique into clarity.

Does measuring something really guarantee better results? In this Wisdom Under Fire episode of Unspoken Career Truths, hosts Cara Wood and Lauren Livak Gilbert unpack the famous phrase “what gets measured gets managed.” They explore where it came from, why it matters, and how to apply it in today’s workplace. From defining success early to quantifying the unquantifiable and tracking your own wins, you’ll learn practical ways to make sure your impact doesn’t go unnoticed.