Here’s a little truth from the top. For many ambitious women, climbing the leadership ladder is more than chasing a title or a pay raise. In this episode of “Don’t Let the Smile Fool You,” we dive beneath the surface with Lucy Quist, trailblazing CEO and advocate for women’s leadership, as she opens up about what really happens when you get to the top.

So here’s the story. You work hard, you plan, you sacrifice, and everyone’s proud of your successes. But what happens when you hit your career peak and realize something’s missing? Is it enough to have a great job on paper, or do you want your journey to matter—to create significance and real impact beyond yourself?

Lucy takes us through the breaking point when she stepped away from her CEO role and set out to reinvent herself. Whether you’re a woman in a high-powered job, wrestling with fear, or questioning your next move, you’ll find insights that speak to your reality. We explore the hidden costs of leadership—family dynamics, health, and the pressure to always move forward. We also get practical on financial freedom, building support systems, the power of intentional planning, and how faith plays a role (but isn’t the only answer).

This conversation isn’t just theory. Lucy shares her own lessons: why emotion doesn’t work at the negotiating table, how to manage fear, the importance of strategy in every area of your life—not just your career—and why community matters. We unpack the founding of the Executive Women Network and the Bold New Normal, and what it truly takes for women to support women at the highest level.

Thinking about making a pivot, struggling with imposter syndrome, or striving for significance in your work? This episode gives you practical advice and honest stories so you don’t have to pretend everything is perfect under that smile. It’s time to reframe success, take control, and show up for yourself and others.

00:00 Welcome: What’s beneath the smile in leadership?

01:05 What significance means beyond success

04:34 Why ambitious women walk away from senior roles

06:09 Reinvention: How Lucy spent her year out

10:14 Managing fear and finding joy again

14:15 The role of financial freedom in career choices

18:43 Practical steps when you can’t quit yet

20:31 The importance (and limits) of faith in making changes

25:43 Impact of leadership on marriage, family, and self

33:26 Navigating partner expectations as your career grows

36:43 Why outsourcing is essential—not a failure

38:12 Building a strategy for your life, not just your career

39:22 Executive Women Network: Closing the women’s support gap

47:09 The Bold New Normal: From book to movement

52:33 Parting advice for current and next generation leaders

If you’re facing career crossroads, feeling pressure to keep it all together, or want to build a life of significance, this episode is for you. Take notes—not just for your job, but for your whole life.

Connect with Lucy Quist:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-quist-123556/

Website: www.lucyquist.com

Connect with Uche:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ucheofodile

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uche_ofodile

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ucheofodile/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ucheofodileofficial/