Leaders Pathway

Ever feel like office gossip travels at the speed of light while the real decision-makers stay hidden behind closed doors? In this episode of Rumor Has It, we pull back the curtain on office politics and show you how to read the room like a pro.

You’ll learn how to spot the 4 key political players in your organization, uncover the hidden currents that shape decisions, and gain strategies ...

Burnout isn’t about working too hard—it’s about being out of alignment. In the final episode of the Escape Burnout and Reclaim Your Life series, Velma shows leaders how to stop chasing the myth of work/life balance and start living and leading in alignment with their values, energy, and goals.

You’ll discover:

• Why “balance” leaves leaders exhausted and stressed

• How ali...

Burnout isn’t just about long hours or heavy workloads—it’s about living without a clear sense of purpose. In this episode of Escape Burnout, we dive into Shift #6: Define Your Purpose, the turning point that transforms exhaustion into energy and confusion into clarity.

You’ll hear the real story of Harold, a leader who traded burnout for balance by rediscovering his love for canvas painting. More than a...

Feeling stretched too thin? In Escape Burnout #5: Focus on What Matters Most, Velma Knowles reveals how to cut the noise, lead with clarity, and channel your energy into the work that truly moves the needle. Discover the exact steps Harold used to ditch distractions, set boundaries, and reclaim his time — without sacrificing relationships or results. Backed by research and real-life success, this episode will help you...

You’re not burned out because you don’t care. You’re burned out because you keep saying yes when your soul is screaming no.

In this episode of the Escape Burnout & Reclaim Your Life series, we dive into Shift #4: Protect Your Non-Negotiables—and how to set boundaries that stick (without guilt, apology, or burnout).

You’ll meet Harold again—our high-performing exec who looked successful ...

Feeling burned out, even though you’re “successful”?

In Episode 3 of our Escape Burnout and Reclaim Your Life series, Velma unpacks why burnout often stems from living out of alignment with your values — and how to reconnect with what truly matters. Discover the subtle signs of misalignment, hear Harold’s story, and get a free Values Assessment to help you lead with clarity, purpose, and energy again.

Burn Bright Without Burning Out: Protect Your Energy, Reclaim Your Leadership

You don’t have a time problem—you have an energy problem.

In this episode, discover Shift #2 of escaping burnout and leading with clarity: Protect Your Energy.

We’re talking about the hidden energy crisis that’s draining high-performing leaders—and what to do about it.

From decision fat...

Welcome back to Leaders Pathway with Velma, where ambitious leaders learn to grow. In the first episode of our series, "The Integrated Leader: Seven Shifts to Help You Escape Burnout and Reclaim Your Life," Velma discusses the myth of work-life balance and introduces the concept of work-life integration. Learn how Harold, a driven VP, faced a wake-up call when his health started to falter, leading him to reprioritize his life b...

Words are powerful — especially when you’re leading people through pressure, problems, and big expectations. In this final episode of the How Leaders Connect series, Velma shares a personal story about a team member named Janet, a looming deadline, and the surprising way trust is really built on teams.

You’ll discover why speaking life isn’t just about being positive — it’s about being present, clear, an...

Ready to transform how you lead and connect? 

In this episode of Leaders Pathway, Velma reveals the often-overlooked secret to great leadership: genuine human connection. If you’re tired of polished presentations falling flat or feeling disconnected from your team, this episode is for you.

You’ll hear the powerful story of Robert — a brilliant, strategic leader who struggled with public spe...

If you’ve ever felt burned out, overwhelmed, or like you’re carrying too much on your own—this episode is for you.

In this powerful episode of Leaders Pathway, Velma shares a deeply personal story about a sudden interruption that changed everything—a concussion caused by a head-on collision with steel.

What followed was more than just physical stillness. It became a sacred pause that revealed four profound lessons eve...

What do you do when someone spills your secret...before you've had the chance to speak your truth?

That's exactly what happened to Leslie - a beloved, non-nonsense leader known for her compassion and integrity - when her boss found out she was planning to leave... from someone outside the company. 

In this episode, Velma walks you through a career moment that could've shattered trust - and how consistent authenticity turned it into...

Struggling to lead a team member who shuts down, pushes back, or seems impossible to reach? You’re not alone—and this episode delivers the breakthrough you’ve been craving.

In this high-impact episode of Leaders Pathway, Velma Knowles doesn’t hand out fluff—she delivers a laser-focused painkiller for one of leadership’s most emotionally draining challenges: disconnection.

Struggling to connect with someone at work? You’re not alone.

Whether you’re leading a team, managing up, or collaborating with colleagues, better workplace relationships start with one simple but powerful shift: finding common ground.

In this episode, I share a personal story—how a migraine patch, of all things, helped me build a meaningful connection with someone I once av...

Join Velma as she reveals her greatest leadership challenge and how overcoming communication struggles transformed her career. Learn how you can identify and tackle your communication blindspots, enhancing both your leadership and personal growth.

Grab your free resource: Reveal Your Communication Blind Spots here: https://www.leaderspathway.com/resources

#leadershipblindspots #communicationskills #leadershipchallenges #ove...

What You’re Not Saying Might Be the Key to Your Next Breakthrough.

In this short, personal episode, I’m asking just one honest question:

👉 What’s the biggest struggle you’re facing right now?

No fluff. No filters. Just a real check-in to help me understand how I can support you with future content, tools, and encouragement.

💌 Email me directly at velma@leadersp...

In this episode of Leaders Pathway, host Velma Knowles explores the barriers we often place on ourselves, preventing us from seizing new career opportunities.

Velma shares her personal story from 2013, where a downsizing event challenged her identity and forced her to redefine her value beyond job titles.

She emphasizes that true leadership is about influence and self-worth, not merely holding positions or receiving applause.

Velma...

Welcome to the Leaders Pathway podcast with your host, Velma Knowles. In this episode, experienced leader Velma shares her personal journey of feeling stuck in her career and underappreciated at work. She reveals the transformative steps she took to overcome these challenges and offers practical advice to help you do the same.

Explore three key actions from Velma's signature seven-step system designed to expand your influence, deep...

Join host Velma Knowles in "Leaders Pathway," where she explores the transformative power of self-empowerment in leadership. Discover why great leaders focus on developing others, not just climbing the corporate ladder. Dive into Velma's insightful story about Marcus, a leader who coaches rather than controls, tapping into the hidden potential of his team.

Learn practical strategies to empower those around you by coaching, spotting...