How often have we been told that success, especially in leadership, starts with “just being yourself”? In his latest book, Don’t Be Yourself: Why Authenticity Is Overrated (and What to Do Instead), renowned psychologist Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic challenges this deeply rooted belief. Drawing on decades of research, he argues that our cultural obsession with authenticity is often misguided and can actually limit individual and organizational effectiveness. The science, he suggests, points to a more nuanced truth: progress comes from adaptability, self-awareness, and attention to how others experience us.

In this edition of Disrupt Your Career Author Chat, we speak with Tomas about his book, exploring why authenticity is misunderstood, how leaders really develop, and what it takes to evolve beyond our current selves in today’s complex workplaces.

Order Tomas‘book Don't Be Yourself: Why Authenticity Is Overrated (and What to Do Instead)

Tomas' personal website

Tomas’ LinkedIn profile

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In this episode, we speak with Michael Stanford about his journey from business schools to global leadership consulting, reflecting on the pivotal transitions that shaped his professional identity. Drawing on his doctoral research and his book Leadership Transition: How Leaders Turn Chaos into Growth, he explains why leadership transitions often feel like a “torture of the soul” and why tactical checklists fall short. Michael introduces a compass-based framework grounded in post-traumatic growth, helping leaders navigate chaos, reframe assumptions, and create conditions for sustainable leadership and personal growth.

Michael Stanford is a facilitator, researcher, author, and leadership coach specializing in leadership transitions. He has over thirty years of experience in leadership development, including nearly two decades at IMD and five years at Korn Ferry. He works with leaders, teams, and organizations to help them navigate the personal and professional challenges of transition. His work draws on doctoral research into post-traumatic growth and narrative psychology, supporting leaders in turning periods of disruption into meaningful development and sustainable growth.

Links from the episode:

Michael’s book ‘Leadership Transition: How leaders turn chaos into growth’

Michael’s LinkedIn profile

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As we wrap up 2025, it’s the perfect moment to pause, reflect, and draw insights from some of the most inspiring conversations we’ve had this year on the Disrupt Your Career podcast.

Throughout the year, we had the privilege of speaking with executives, thought leaders, authors, and coaches who generously shared their experiences of experimentation, resilience, reinvention, and purpose driven career choices: Celeste Warren, Stéphanie Daudier, Navid Nazemian, Bridget Farrands & Ian Hardie, Naeema Pasha, Elizabeth Lotardo, Julia Milner, Neil Courtis, Irina Cozma, Peter Attfield, Sheila Buswell, and Michelle Prince.

In this special “Best Of” year end episode, we revisit a powerful quote from each guest, highlighting their most insightful ideas on building careers that are not only successful but also sustainable, meaningful, and aligned with one’s values. These curated moments offer key takeaways and practical advice to help you reflect on your own career journey and consider your next steps with greater clarity.

Tune in to hear expert wisdom and discover fresh inspiration to design the career you truly want in 2026 and beyond.

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In this episode, we speak with Navid Nazemian, executive coach and author of Mastering Executive Transitions. Navid shares insights from his career across seven industries and hundreds of C-suite clients, revealing why nearly 40% of executives fail in their first 18 months. He explains his Double Diamond framework for successful transitions, highlights the critical role of culture, politics, and soft skills, and explores gender gaps in executive support. Navid also discusses emerging trends and his new coaching and eLearning initiatives.

Navid Nazemian, PCC, speaks on executive transitions with authority grounded in research and complemented by demonstrated real-world experience. Working with C-level coaching clients worldwide, Navid distills key insights, guidance, and strategies for maximizing leadership impact in his book Mastering Executive Transitions. He has been recognized as HR’s Most Influential Practitioner by HR Magazine, Coach of the Year by CEO Today, and received the Outstanding Leadership Award from Education 2.0 in 2022.

Links from the episode:

Navid’s executive coaching homepage

Navid’s book ‘Mastering Executive Transitions’

Navid’s LinkedIn profile

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Visit our homepage at https://disrupt-your-career.com
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Many professionals work hard, deliver strong results, and uphold high standards—yet still feel their career progression slipping further out of reach. Traditional advice like “let your work speak for itself” or “play the game” often traps people between burnout and becoming someone they don’t want to be. But this cycle can be broken, allowing you to advance with clarity, integrity, and confidence.

In this edition of Author Chat, Disrupt Your Career speaks with May Busch, Founder of Career Mastery™, speaker, executive coach, and former COO of Morgan Stanley Europe, about her book ‘Visible: How to Advance Your Career Without Playing Politics, Selling Your Soul, or Working Yourself into the Ground’ (Summit Press Publishers, October 2025). In her book, May explores the hidden capabilities senior leaders look for when deciding who progresses and who plateaus, offering practical guidance on navigating office politics without compromising your values, building strategic relationships authentically, and developing the presence to command attention—all while taking ownership of your career at every stage.

Order May’s book ‘Visible: How to Advance Your Career Without Playing Politics, Selling Your Soul, or Working Yourself into the Ground’

May’s personal website

May’s LinkedIn profile

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Visit our homepage at https://disrupt-your-career.com
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In a world where many leaders struggle to be seen and heard, Dr. Sheila Gujrathi offers a fresh approach. The Mirror Effect provides a practical roadmap for women and marginalized professionals to reclaim their power, navigate challenging environments, and thrive authentically.

In this edition of Author Chat, Disrupt Your Career speaks with Sheila about her debut book, exploring her three-part framework—know yourself, understand your environment, and set yourself up for success—to help leaders build clarity, resilience, and meaningful impact.

Order Sheila’s book The Mirror Effect: A Transformative Approach to Growth for the Next Generation of Female Leaders

Sheila’s TEDx Talk ‘Shattering the glass ceiling by finding the right mirrors’

Marianne Williamson’s poem ‘Our Deepest Fear’

Sheila’s personal website

Sheila’s LinkedIn profile

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In this episode, we talk with Celeste Warren, Global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion leader about her unconventional path from journalism to HR leadership and her impact as Merck’s Chief Diversity Officer. She shares candid insights on challenges faced, lessons learned from allies, and why equity is essential for thriving organizations. We also explore her new book, The Truth About Equity, her thoughts on the future of DEI, and her vision for workplaces where inclusivity and equity drive collective success.

Celeste R. Warren is the author of “The Truth About Equity” and a Global HR and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leader with nearly 40 years of experience in major global corporations. Throughout her career, she has championed DEI, elevating the importance of understanding diverse cultures, perspectives, and beliefs within corporate strategies. Her visionary approach reshaped Merck's culture and influenced the broader business landscape, empowering organizations worldwide to embrace inclusivity as a cornerstone of success.

Links from the episode:

Celeste’s Website: https://crwdiversity.com/

Celeste’s book The Truth About Equity

Celeste’s LinkedIn profile

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Visit our homepage at https://disrupt-your-career.com
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In this episode, Bridget Farrands and Ian Hardie open up about the twists and turns of their career and leadership transitions. Bridget reflects on stepping out of the corporate fast lane into a portfolio of advisory and board roles, while Ian shares lessons from moving across industries, countries, and cultures into top executive positions. Bridget also talks about her book Lost in Transition, which introduces a three-phase framework—Arriving, Surviving, and Thriving—to help leaders navigate new roles. Together, they discuss earning trust in unfamiliar territory, balancing humility with decisiveness, staying resilient through uncertainty, and shaping a meaningful “next chapter.”

Bridget Farrands is a consultant, coach and author specializing in transition and identity. She works internationally with leaders and teams to create thriving workplaces, drawing on over 20 years’ consulting experience across sectors. Co-author of Leadership Transitions, she helps executives navigate the personal and organizational challenges of new roles. Ian Hardie is an advisor, consultant and executive coach who helps leaders and organizations create impactful learning and growth experiences. Formerly with Sephora, LVMH and London Business School, he now works internationally, drawing on decades of experience in talent development. He also chairs Wave for Change, a social inclusion charity.

Links from the episode:

Bridget’s book ‘Lost in Transition’

Bridget’s coaching and consulting homepage

Bridget’s LinkedIn profile

Ian’s LinkedIn profile

Thanks for listening!
Visit our homepage at https://disrupt-your-career.com
If you like the podcast, please take a moment to rate it and leave a review in Apple Podcast