Welcome to the very first episode of The Climb, a podcast designed to empower women of color in their career journeys. I am Felicia Smith, your host, and I am thrilled to embark on this journey with you.

In this episode, I introduce myself and share my own career experiences spanning over 17 years. I reflect on the challenges I faced and the lack of guidance and mentorship from women of color executives. This led me to create this podcast as a platform to share insights and strategies for women of color to thrive and excel in their careers.

Throughout the series, we will delve into various topics such as work-life balance, knowing when it's time to move on, and navigating the political landscape of the workforce. We will also feature interviews with accomplished women of color executives to inspire and motivate our listeners.

Join us every Wednesday, starting June 19th, as we empower women of color to climb higher and thrive. Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn at Join The Climb to continue the conversation and get ready to ascend with The Climb podcast.

I am excited to embark on this journey with you, and I hope that together, we can break barriers and reach new heights in our careers. Thank you for tuning in, and let's start climbing!

Welcome to the inaugural episode of The Climb podcast! I am Felicia Smith, your host and the founder of The Climb, a platform dedicated to empowering women of color in their journey towards leadership roles. In this episode, we delve into the crucial topic of the pitfalls of solely relying on your work as your ticket to success.

I kick off the episode by sharing my personal motivation behind creating this podcast - the lack of real and relevant conversations about how women of color navigate the workforce successfully. I address the common question of why women of color should aspire to leadership roles and emphasize the importance of their unique perspectives and contributions in executive positions.

We then dive into the main topic of the episode - the danger of thinking your work alone will lead to promotions and managerial positions. Drawing from a case study published in the Harvard Business Review, we explore the story of Sarah, a high-performing employee who kept getting passed over for promotions due to a lack of personal connections with her colleagues.

I introduce the concept of political capital, emphasizing the importance of building relationships, likability, and technical competency in the workplace. I stress the significance of measured connections and authenticity in fostering genuine relationships that can propel one's career forward.

In the segment "Another Rung Mended Inclined," we discuss the broken rung phenomenon hindering women of color from climbing the corporate ladder. By practicing measured connections and showcasing authenticity, individuals can mend these broken rungs and pave the way for career advancement.

I conclude the episode by highlighting the power of connection and the necessity of mastering political capital to achieve leadership positions. I express my passion for addressing these critical issues and tease upcoming episodes that will delve deeper into unspoken rules and strategies for success.

Join me, Felicia Smith, on this enlightening journey as we navigate the complexities of the workplace and empower women of color to ascend to leadership roles. Thank you for tuning in to The Climb podcast - see you next time!

It's Felicia Smith, your host of The Climb Podcast. In this episode, we delved into the taboo topic of knowing when it's time to leave a job or stay put. We explored the signs that indicate you may have overstayed your welcome in a particular role.

• 00:00:00 - Introduction to The Climb Podcast
• 00:02:23 - Somebody Should Have Told Me
• 00:07:20 - Truth Is: Signs You've Stayed Too Long in a Job
• 00:11:08 - Sponsorship Message: The Climb Incorporated
• 00:12:04 - Signs You've Stayed Too Long: Toxic Work Environment
• 00:20:36 - The Broken Rung: Insights for Career Advancement

We kicked off the episode by discussing the discomfort of transitioning from a job you love to progress in your career. I shared personal experiences of leaving assignments I adored because I knew it was time to move on for growth and new opportunities. It's tough to leave a comfortable space, but sometimes it's necessary for personal and professional development.

Moving on, we highlighted key indicators that suggest you may have stayed too long in a job. We discussed the importance of recognizing toxic work environments, feeling underutilized or underappreciated, compromising your values, lacking growth opportunities, and desiring a different experience for personal and professional growth.

In the segment "Truth Is," we emphasized the importance of not following money but rather following your passion, skills, and talents. Trusting your gut instinct and being open to pivoting if needed were also key takeaways to navigate career transitions effectively.

We also touched on the concept of the "broken rung" in the corporate ladder for women of color and provided insights to mend this barrier, encouraging listeners to trust their instincts and pursue opportunities aligned with their values and aspirations.

As we wrapped up the episode, I urged listeners to reflect on their current career situation and assess if they are in an environment where they can thrive. It's essential to trust your intuition and seek opportunities that align with your passion and skills to continue climbing towards your career goals.

Join me next week as we continue exploring unspoken rules and essential insights to propel your career forward. Keep climbing and thriving, sis. See you in the next episode!