Senior Director of Marketing, Insights & Comms Hilary Fischer-Groban, has built her career leading through change — from helping legacy brands reinvent themselves to steering culture-defining start-ups through their next chapter.

Known for her clarity, humor, and composure under pressure, she believes leadership isn’t about having all the answers, it’s about connecting the dots, explaining the why, and creating the kind of trust that helps people move forward even when things feel uncertain.

In this episode, Hilary breaks down what it really means to lead on the “glass cliff” — those high-stakes moments when women are asked to fix what’s broken. She shares the signs to look for before you say yes, how to set yourself up for success once you’re in the role, and how to navigate the pressure without losing your clarity or sense of self.

In today's episode:

• Why Hilary believes leadership starts with explaining the why, not just the what, and how clarity builds confidence in teams

• How she brings levity into leadership, by taking herself lightly and creating space for others to exhale during high-pressure moments

• The “glass cliff” — why women are often chosen to lead through crisis, and how she’s learned to navigate those roles without internalizing systemic failure

• How she defines failure not as the moment itself, but by how long it lingers in your mind and how much it impacts your relationships

• The emotional toll of leadership and the importance of separating self-worth from business outcomes — what it takes to regain calm and confidence when things go wrong

• Why maintaining balance — physical, emotional — is critical to build long term resilience

• Why she no longer believes in “do what you love,” and how she’s redefining success in a way that actually feels sustainable.

A sharp, funny, and refreshingly honest take on what it really feels like to lead on the glass cliff — and how to make it out the other side.

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Stay Connected with Alanna (Host) & Hilary (Guest)

• Alanna Lynch Instagram: @meliorfuturi
• Alanna Lynch Linkedin: alannalynch
• (FAIL)UP Instagram : @failupbymeliorfuturi
• Hilary Fischer-Groban Instagram: @hilaryfg
• Hilary Fischer-Groban Linkedin: Hilary Fischer-Groban

If this conversation left you wanting to think bigger, feel braver, and influence change in your own organization, head to melior-futuri.com to explore our executive and leadership coaching programs, available internationally.

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