Ever felt like you wanted to walk away but there was something holding you back? Almost like if you were frozen? In this episode, I chat with Carla Matero, who has navigated a fascinating career journey from academia to government to her own consulting practice. We dive into the challenge of staying too long in situations that don’t serve us and the importance of recognizing when it’s time to move on.Carla’s story highlights how fear and obligation can hold us back, eroding our confidence and well-being. She shares insights on the signs it’s time to leave and strategies for rebuilding confidence. We also discuss the impact of empathy and self-awareness in leadership roles, and how curiosity can lead to unexpected and rewarding career paths. Whether you’re considering a career change or reevaluating your current path, Carla’s journey offers valuable lessons and actionable advice.About Carla Matero:Carla Matero is Founder & CEO of Honor Bound LLC, a premier strategic advisory firm that pioneers tailored, progressive growth strategies for a diverse set of clients fostering equity and excellence in leadership, team development, and infrastructure design. Her work has focused on creating collaborative efforts across sectors for transformative and innovative outcomes in the arts, academia, private corporations, social justice campaigns, nonprofits, and the government. She has held senior leadership positions at Columbia University, Girl Scouts of the USA (HQ), City of New York, and government relations firm Kasirer. At Columbia, Carla played an instrumental role in launching its global centers, building an international series of fora to explore the inherent mandates of free press and speech, and collaborating on a $5 billion development campaign. As Executive Director of New York City’s Mayor’s Office of Special Projects and Community Events, she created initiatives that built sustainable partnerships and community engagement. Carla was a 2021 City & State Honoree - “The leaders who made New York” and a 2023 Public Relations Power Player for amNY Metro and Politics NY. Carla is a US-UK Fulbright Commissioner and serves on the boards of LearningSpring School and Dancing Classrooms. She holds an MS in Strategic Communications from Columbia University and an MFA from Penn State University.Key Lessons:* Understanding the signs that it’s time to move on from a job.* The impact of staying too long in a detrimental work environment.* Strategies for rebuilding confidence after a career transition.* Embracing uncertainty and using it as a growth opportunity.* The importance of self-awareness and empathy in leadership roles.Episode Notes:* 0:07 – Introduction.* 2:02 – Insights into Carla’s early aspirations and how her performing arts background influenced her career transitions.* 5:00 – How life events like Hurricane Katrina can catalyze career changes and shift priorities.* 12:09 – The importance of global free speech and press, and lessons learned from working with international leaders.* 20:11 – Change management challenges at the Girl Scouts and how to navigate large-scale organizational shifts.* 27:07 – Lessons from transitioning from government to corporate roles, and the importance of continuous learning.* 33:12 – Reflections on the emotional toll of staying too long in the wrong job and recognizing when it’s time to move on.* 37:23 – Practical strategies for rebuilding confidence, including the use of meditation and therapy.* 42:33 – How to navigate career regrets and the power of maintaining curiosity and openness to new opportunities.* 45:09 – The significance of women supporting women, fostering meaningful networks, and closing the pay gap.* 46:50 – Showcasing experience of non-linear career paths.* 48:36 – Embracing opportunities you couldn’t have imagined.* 56:11 – Final thoughts on embracing change and staying true to your core values. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get ac