2024 was a year of immense challenges, transformation, and growth. In this deeply personal episode of Build Your Brave Career, I reflect on the losses, lessons, and connections that defined my year—and how they’re shaping my approach to 2025.
I also share two key updates for 2025:
What’s Inside This Episode:
Questions to Reflect On:
To submit your question for me to answer on an upcoming episode, send me an email at Nicole@TrickSteinbach.com
You can be a woman in tech and enjoy your career. When you build the skill of bravery, you will stress less, work less, and then earn more. Check out the following resources designed to help you thrive in your career:
Join my mailing list for more insights, opportunities, and inspiration
Do you ever feel stuck while pursuing your career goals? In this episode, I dive into a common lie we face as women in tech: the implicit or explicit responsibility to make your growth easy for everyone else.
Many ambitious women in tech find themselves at a crossroads—a point where pursuing their career goals seems daunting and when met with resistance, often leads to a withdrawal from growth.
Through a representative client story about asking the tough questions, facing discomfort head-on, and making powerful decisions for her career trajectory, you'll learn:
To submit your question for me to answer on an upcoming episode, send me an email at Nicole@TrickSteinbach.com
You can be a woman in tech and enjoy your career. When you build the skill of bravery, you will stress less, work less, and then earn more. Check out the following resources designed to help you thrive in your career:
Join my mailing list for more insights, opportunities, and inspiration
You are always on the job market. Always. Understanding and practicing is a cornerstone of building a brave career. Whether you’re thriving in your current role, facing uncertainty, or anything in between, this episode will equip you with the mindset and strategies to stay ready for any opportunity or challenge.
Drawing from listener feedback on episode 126, we’re revisiting this topic with a clearer structure and actionable insights, including:
Tune in to discover how small, steady actions can make a big impact on your career resilience, growth, and joy.
Resources Mentioned:
To submit your question for me to answer on an upcoming episode, send me an email at Nicole@TrickSteinbach.com
You can be a woman in tech and enjoy your career. When you build the skill of bravery, you will stress less, work less, and then earn more. Check out the following resources designed to help you thrive in your career:
Join my mailing list for more insights, opportunities, and inspiration
What would change if you chose to see adversities not as tests, but as confirmation of your decisions, values, and goals? This episode will help you explore an option for shifting your perception so that you stress less, work less, and then earn more as a woman in tech.
I share two specific stories and one call to action to help you challenge the idea of adversity as a "test" so that you can decide if you want to shift towards perceiving adversity as an opportunity to be confirmed.
1. A personal story
2. A client’s story
Key Takeaways:
To submit your question for me to answer on an upcoming episode, send me an email at Nicole@TrickSteinbach.com
You can be a woman in tech and enjoy your career. When you build the skill of bravery, you will stress less, work less, and then earn more. Check out the following resources designed to help you thrive in your career:
Join my mailing list for more insights, opportunities, and inspiration
Mahua Chakuvati, Sales & HR Tech Leader, dives deep into her unique definition of bravery, sharing how core values like acceptance, humility, gratitude, and honesty have propelled her forward in a remarkable career spanning sales, business applications, operations, and people management.
Listen in for unique value definitions and how Mahua puts them into action:
Ignoring the call to define your own values, your unique definition, and how you put them into action can lead to a growing cycles of stress, dissatisfaction, and overwork. Particularly in situations that increase your risk of adopting negative behaviors that don't align with who you want to be in your career and life.
Connect with Mahua Chakuvati on LinkedIn.
Related podcast episodes:
To submit your question for me to answer on an upcoming episode, send me an email at Nicole@TrickSteinbach.com
You can be a woman in tech and enjoy your career. When you build the skill of bravery, you will stress less, work less, and then earn more. Check out the following resources designed to help you thrive in your career:
Join my mailing list for more insights, opportunities, and inspiration
We're diving into a brave, empowering topic: the strength and freedom that come with choosing to allow others to disliked you. Yes, you heard that right! As women in tech, we're often conditioned to seek approval and avoid conflict, but embracing the reality that not everyone will like us is a powerful step for our careers.
In this episode, I share examples, including a personal story, to illustrate how being disliked can actually be a sign you're on the right career grwoth track. This episode is designed to challenge you and inspire self-reflection on your values and the company you keep.
Take a few minutes after listening to identify who you wouldn't want to praise you because their values don't align with yours. Write it down and keep it handy for those moments of self-doubt.
To submit your question for me to answer on an upcoming episode, send me an email at Nicole@TrickSteinbach.com
You can be a woman in tech and enjoy your career. When you build the skill of bravery, you will stress less, work less, and then earn more. Check out the following resources designed to help you thrive in your career:
Join my mailing list for more insights, opportunities, and inspiration
Kim Bennett, CEO of AtlasGuru.com joins to share a range of powerful insights relevant to those who aim to build a strengths-based career.
Kim shares her journey from a comfortable corporate job in digital marketing to becoming an entrepreneur. We discuss the long road to entrepreneurship, the challenges of leaving a secure position, and the rewarding experiences of leading a strengths-focused, tech-driven business. Kim emphasizes the importance of understanding and leveraging one's strengths to make impactful career choices.
We also delve into the value of tools like the Strengths Finder, the power of clarity, momentum, and accountability, and how brave decisions can shape a fulfilling career. Plus, Kim reveals her remarkable brave role model – Martha Stewart – and the profound influence Martha has had on her professional path.
Learn more about Atlasguru.com
Connect with Kim Bennett, CEO of Atlasguru.com
To submit your question for me to answer on an upcoming episode, send me an email at Nicole@TrickSteinbach.com
You can be a woman in tech and enjoy your career. When you build the skill of bravery, you will stress less, work less, and then earn more. Check out the following resources designed to help you thrive in your career:
Join my mailing list for more insights, opportunities, and inspiration
Can you love your colleagues enough to let them experience the consequences of their behavior?
Women in tech are great at solving problems. But sometimes we leap in to protect others from their errors and shoulder burdens that aren’t ours. It slows down our careers and increases our stress.
This episode unpacks how stepping back, setting boundaries, and trusting others to handle their responsibilities empowers not just your colleagues but also yourself. You’ll hear real-world strategies to navigate these situations with courage, kindness, and clarity.
Key Takeaways:
To submit your question for me to answer on an upcoming episode, send me an email at Nicole@TrickSteinbach.com
You can be a woman in tech and enjoy your career. When you build the skill of bravery, you will stress less, work less, and then earn more. Check out the following resources designed to help you thrive in your career:
Join my mailing list for more insights, opportunities, and inspiration
You matter.
Especially during difficult events:
This week I address the emotional fallout after the most recent US elections. This is a dedicated brave space for women in tech who are grappling with emotions ranging from sadness to anger, fear, and betrayal. Wherever you are, know that your feelings are valid and that you matter.
I share some of two of the quotes helping me through this time:
I also share a small slice of how my family's past drives my commitment to making brave choices for a better future.
This episode is a powerful reminder to embrace your inherent worth, your right to feel, and your right to take up space in the world.
Remember: you matter.
Call to Action: If you found this episode valuable, please share the Build Your Brave Career podcast with a friend.
You can be a woman in tech and enjoy your career. When you build the skill of bravery, you will stress less, work less, and then earn more. Check out the following resources designed to help you thrive in your career:
Join my mailing list for more insights, opportunities, and inspiration
Bravery doesn’t have to be hard. In fact, bravery in your career as a woman in tech can be simple, nurturing, collaborative, and even easy.
For women in tech who often feel that being brave at work means facing monumental stress, this episode will give you a fresh and empowering perspective.
Through two unique client stories, I illustrate how bravery may start in moments of discomfort but end with greater confidence, ease, and more personal and professional growth.
Bravery can include speaking up in meetings, asking more questions, setting boundaries, and expecting you get the respect, visibility, and pay you deserve.
This episode serves as a guide for you to redefine bravery in a modern, holistic way, and taking action that brings you closer to your goals and dreams.
To submit your question for me to answer on an upcoming episode, send me an email at Nicole@TrickSteinbach.com
You can be a woman in tech and enjoy your career. When you build the skill of bravery, you will stress less, work less, and then earn more. Check out the following resources designed to help you thrive in your career:
Join my mailing list for more insights, opportunities, and inspiration
Let’s explore the profound impact fairy tales have had on our professional lives, especially as women in tech. Most of us have grown up with stories of women waiting for their Prince Charming or Knight in Shining Armor. While most of us have shed this mentality in our personal lives, its residual effects can still hold us back in our careers as we wait for the perfect boss, recruiter, mentor, or sponsor.
I delve into my own experience of waiting for a "professional prince charming" which led to a stagnating project and career slow down. As you listen reflect on your own career: are you waiting for someone to notice you, promote you, or solve your problems?
The key takeaway is that you are in control of your professional journey. Whether it’s setting boundaries, investing in yourself, or creating opportunities, it's up to you to stop waiting and start taking decisive action.
To submit your question for me to answer on an upcoming episode, send me an email at Nicole@TrickSteinbach.com
You can be a woman in tech and enjoy your career. When you build the skill of bravery, you will stress less, work less, and then earn more. Check out the following resources designed to help you thrive in your career:
Check out my website
Join my mailing list for more insights, opportunities, and inspiration
In this groundbreaking episode I dive deep into the dynamics of the glass ceiling and the glass floor, specifically focusing on how men in tech can play a pivotal role in fostering inclusive workplaces. With detailed statistics and compelling arguments, I highlight why inclusive cultures are essential for financial growth, innovation, and overall business success.
I unpack the metaphors of the glass ceiling and glass floor, exploring how systemic barriers impact career advancement for underrepresented groups. Through five actionable strategies, I guide men on how to leverage their positions of power to break these barriers, creating a more equitable tech industry.
For all my women in tech, this episode is also for you. It is a gift and call to action ll to stop self-blame and recognize the invisible systems you navigate. Learn what you can do to advocate for yourself and others.
20 stats for why inclusive leadership matters for the business and your career:
1. Higher Financial Performance: Companies with more women in leadership positions are 25% more likely to have above-average profitability. (McKinsey, 2020)
2. Increased Innovation: Diverse companies are 1.7 times more likely to be innovation leaders in their industry. (Josh Bersin Research, 2020)
3. Greater Revenue from Innovation: Firms with inclusive teams are 45% more likely to report improved market share and capture new markets. (Center for Talent Innovation, 2013)
4. Better Decision-Making: Inclusive teams make better business decisions up to 87% of the time. (Cloverpop, 2017)
5. Improved Team Performance: Diverse teams outperform individual decision-makers 66% of the time. (Cloverpop, 2017)
6. Higher Employee Retention: Inclusive workplaces have a 50% lower employee turnover rate than less inclusive companies. (Deloitte, 2017)
7. Higher Return on Equity (ROE): Companies in the top quartile for gender diversity on executive teams were 21% more likely to experience above-average profitability. (McKinsey, 2020)
8. Enhanced Company Reputation: 67% of job seekers consider diversity an important factor when evaluating companies and job offers. (Glassdoor, 2020)
9. Increased Employee Engagement: Companies with higher diversity scores have 2.3 times higher employee engagement levels. (Gartner, 2018)
10. Reduced Turnover Costs: Replacing an employee costs 33% of their annual salary; inclusivity reduces turnover, leading to substantial cost savings. (Work Institute, 2021)
11. Faster Problem Solving: Diverse teams solve problems faster than cognitively similar people. (Harvard Business Review, 2016)
12. Better Customer Understanding: Companies with more diverse management teams have 19% higher revenue due to innovation. (BCG, 2018)
13. Market Performance: Ethnically diverse companies are 36% more likely to outperform competitors in market share. (McKinsey, 2020)
14. Increased Workforce Productivity: Inclusive companies are 1.4 times more likely to outperform less inclusive organizations in terms of productivity. (Deloitte, 2017)
15. Reduced Absenteeism: Inclusive cultures see absenteeism rates drop by 75%. (Deloitte, 2017)
16. Lower Legal Risks: Companies that foster inclusivity face fewer discrimination claims and lower associated costs. (EEOC, 2020)
17. More Competitive Talent Pool: 78% of companies that prioritize diversity attract top talent more easily. (PwC, 2017)
18. Improved Company Sustainability: Firms with more diverse boards of directors are more likely to prioritize sustainability and environmental goals. (Harvard Business Review, 2019)
19. Higher Customer Loyalty: Diverse teams are better equipped to understand and cater to a broader customer base, leading to increased customer loyalty. (Gartner, 2018)
20. Better Performance During Crises: During the COVID-19 pandemic, companies with more women in leadership roles outperformed their peers. (Fortune, 2020)
To submit your question for me to answer on an upcoming episode, send me an email at Nicole@TrickSteinbach.com
You can be a woman in tech and enjoy your career. When you build the skill of bravery, you will stress less, work less, and then earn more. Check out the following resources designed to help you thrive in your career:
Join my mailing list for more insights, opportunities, and inspiration
Listen in for strategies to deal with inappropriate, confidence-undermining questions in the workplace. These strategies, phrases, and mindset can be used for any behavior that crosses professional norms, strengthens the patriarchy, and permits misogyny to grow.
Listener question: “When I call off sick, one of the men consistently asks me if I am pregnant. I want it to stop. What can I do?”
What You'll Learn:
Facing down misogyny in the workplace is not easy. You will most likely feel anxious or may also face pushback.
Please continue to remind yourself that temporary discomfort will pass—and it is nothing compared to the lifelong regret of allowing disrespect to go unchecked.
You are not alone. Your bravery matters—not just for you, but for all of us.
When we as women in tech choose to be brave together, we reshape the tech industry for everyone.
To submit your question for an upcoming episode, send me an email at Nicole@TrickSteinbach.com
You can be a woman in tech and enjoy your career. When you build the skill of bravery, you will stress less, work less, and then earn more. Check out the following resources designed to help you thrive in your career:
Join my mailing list for more insights, opportunities, and inspiration
Listener question: My colleague doesn’t trust my skill. What do I do?
Many women in tech face the drama: dealing with colleagues who don’t trust your skills. If you’ve ever felt sidelined in meetings, excluded from important emails, or observed others taking over your responsibilities, this episode is for you.
In this episode, we cover the important internal work you must undertake to address disrespectful colleagues.
Then I offer practical advice for how to get specific about when and how you are being undermined so that you can evaluate the situations objectively.
I also guide you through initiating crucial conversations with your colleague, setting clear expectations, and confronting the situation head-on.
Conflict is necessary for growth and better working relationships, and I provide strategies to navigate these difficult discussions effectively.
Remember, as women in tech, we often face unique challenges, but by confronting these issues proactively, we can build the careers we deserve.
Mentioned episode:
How People Pleasing Can Hurt Your Career and How to Fix It
To submit your question for me to answer on an upcoming episode, send me an email at Nicole@TrickSteinbach.com
You can be a woman in tech and enjoy your career. When you build the skill of bravery, you will stress less, work less, and then earn more. Check out the following resources designed to help you thrive in your career:
Join my mailing list for more insights, opportunities, and inspiration
Connection with me on LinkedIn
If you are an established woman in tech who is creating results and making an impact at work so your workload and stress just keep growing but promotions and salary bumps remain a distant dream, it is time for change.
Listen, we all know the tech industry has dramatically changed. It's time your career approach did too.
You don't need cookie-cutter programs or dusty advice from outdated playbooks, because what works for tech bros, won't work for you. You need individualized, bespoke support to build your brave career. One that reflects who you are as a woman in tech.
I invite you to explore career coaching with me. Get all the details, including prices and client results, at TrickSteinbach.com.
You can stress less, work less, and earn more. You've already earned it. Let's make it happen.
Listener question: I know I'm a direct person, but I'm being told I'm aggressive. How do I know the difference?
I have personal experience with this topic in two different different ways and suggestions of how to navigate them:
To submit your question for me to answer on an upcoming episode, send me an email at Nicole@TrickSteinbach.com
You can be a woman in tech and enjoy your career. When you build the skill of bravery, you will stress less, work less, and then earn more. Check out the following resources designed to help you thrive in your career:
Join my mailing list for more insights, opportunities, and inspiration
Listener question: I have been waiting for a promotion. I am ready. What do I do now?
Let’s discuss how to not just wait for a promotion but to actively communicate and advocate for yourself.
First, you need to tell our boss directly that you want a promotion, ask them if they support you, and then listen carefully to their response.
Then, you must create a specific plan based on your goals, your manager’s response, and the form of brave career you are building.
To submit your question for me to answer on an upcoming episode, send me an email at Nicole@TrickSteinbach.com
You can be a woman in tech and enjoy your career. When you build the skill of bravery, you will stress less, work less, and then earn more. Check out the following resources designed to help you thrive in your career:
Check out my website
Join my mailing list for more insights, opportunities, and inspiration
Connection with me on LinkedIn
If you are an established woman in tech who is creating results and making an impact at work so your workload and stress just keep growing but promotions and salary bumps remain a distant dream, it is time for change.
Listen, we all know the tech industry has dramatically changed. It's time your career approach did too.
You don't need cookie-cutter programs or dusty advice from outdated playbooks, because what works for tech bros, won't work for you. You need individualized, bespoke support to build your brave career. One that reflects who you are as a woman in tech.
I invite you to explore career coaching with me. Get all the details, including prices and client results, at TrickSteinbach.com.
You can stress less, work less, and earn more. You've already earned it. Let's make it happen.
Listener Question: Is it ethical for me to accept a job that's one or two layers below the job I had before all of the layoffs when so many other people are also struggling to land a job?
Let’s tackle a listener's question about the ethics of accepting a job below their previous level during these mass layoffs.
First, I share why my answer is a strong, unequivocal “YES.” Then I share additional insights from a variety of women across the tech industry.
Key takeaways:
To submit your question for me to answer on an upcoming episode, send me an email at Nicole@TrickSteinbach.com
You can be a woman in tech and enjoy your career. When you build the skill of bravery, you will stress less, work less, and then earn more. Check out the following resources designed to help you thrive in your career:
Join my mailing list for more insights, opportunities, and inspiration
Connection with me on LinkedIn
If you are an established woman in tech who is creating results and making an impact at work so your workload and stress just keep growing but promotions and salary bumps remain a distant dream, it is time for change.
Listen, we all know the tech industry has dramatically changed. It's time your career approach did too.
You don't need cookie-cutter programs or dusty advice from outdated playbooks, because what works for tech bros, won't work for you. You need individualized, bespoke support to build your brave career. One that reflects who you are as a woman in tech.
I invite you to explore career coaching with me. Get all the details, including prices and client results, at TrickSteinbach.com.
You can stress less, work less, and earn more. You've already earned it. Let's make it happen.
Listener Question: I'm in a "safe job" but this "safe job" is so boring. What do I do?
Let’s work through a career dilemma: feeling bored at a "safe" job right in a time of mass lay-offs. In this episode I share actionable strategies to navigate boredom and rediscover engagement in your career.
To submit your question for me to answer on an upcoming episode, send me an email at Nicole@TrickSteinbach.com
You can be a woman in tech and enjoy your career. When you build the skill of bravery, you will stress less, work less, and then earn more. Check out the following resources designed to help you thrive in your career:
Join my mailing list for more insights, opportunities, and inspiration
Connection with me on LinkedIn
If you are an established woman in tech who is creating results and making an impact at work so your workload and stress just keep growing but promotions and salary bumps remain a distant dream, it is time for change.
Listen, we all know the tech industry has dramatically changed. It's time your career approach did too.
You don't need cookie-cutter programs or dusty advice from outdated playbooks, because what works for tech bros, won't work for you. You need individualized, bespoke support to build your brave career. One that reflects who you are as a woman in tech.
I invite you to explore career coaching with me. Get all the details, including prices and client results, at TrickSteinbach.com.
You can stress less, work less, and earn more. You've already earned it. Let's make it happen.
We dive into an often-overlooked aspect of building a successful career: embracing positive emotions. Many women in tech find it challenging to celebrate achievements or feel joy without spiraling into anxiety or fear.
I unravel this misunderstanding of bravery and highlight the importance of experiencing the full range of emotions in your career journey through the Build Your Brave Framework and a specific client example.
If you often find yourself consumed by doubt or fear after a success, this episode offers the insights and tools you need to practice feeling positive emotions without discomfort.
To submit your question for me to answer on an upcoming episode, send me an email at Nicole@TrickSteinbach.com
You can be a woman in tech and enjoy your career. When you build the skill of bravery, you will stress less, work less, and then earn more. Check out the following resources designed to help you thrive in your career:
Join my mailing list for more insights, opportunities, and inspiration
Connection with me on LinkedIn
If you are an established woman in tech who is creating results and making an impact at work so your workload and stress just keep growing but promotions and salary bumps remain a distant dream, it is time for change.
Listen, we all know the tech industry has dramatically changed. It's time your career approach did too.
You don't need cookie-cutter programs or dusty advice from outdated playbooks, because what works for tech bros, won't work for you. You need individualized, bespoke support to build your brave career. One that reflects who you are as a woman in tech.
I invite you to explore career coaching with me. Get all the details, including prices and client results, at TrickSteinbach.com.
You can stress less, work less, and earn more. You've already earned it. Let's make it happen.
This is an important, timely, and short message just for my US audience, particularly if you have the right to vote in the United States
Call to action: join us at Women in Tech for Harris.
US Election Day is November 5, 2024. This election is about so much more than politics. It's about our industry’s future as well as our careers and lives as women in tech.
Many important topics are on our ballots:
I urge you to reflect on the policies, the candidates, and your own dreams, goals, experiences, and what you want from your brave career as a woman in tech.
This is our opportunity and it is our time. Our votes. Our voices.
I welcome you to join Women in Tech for Harris.
