The Climb: Leadership Development and Confident Leader Podcast

Ranked among the Global Top 1.5% of podcasts, The CLIMB Leadership Development & Confident Leader Podcast helps aspiring leaders, accidental managers, and executives build the confidence to lead with impact. Hosted by Rahul Karan Sharma, Leadership Advisor to Staffing CEO's, each episode features CEOs, founders, executive coaches, and bestselling authors sharing practical insights on leadership, executive presence, decision-making, AI, workplace culture, and high-performing teams. Your title may open the door. Your leadership determines whether people follow. Welcome to The CLIMB.

The Climb: Leadership Development and Confident Leader Podcast is a business podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 72 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts The Climb: Leadership Development and Confident Leader Podcast, a business show with 72 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #10

  Why High Performers Burn Out and How to Lead With More Confidence

  Aug 18, 202634 minS5

  What if burnout isn't simply caused by working too hard—but by spending too much time working out of alignment with who you are? In this episode of The CLIMB Leadership Development & Confident Leader Podcast , host Rahul Karan Sharma sits down with Debbie Sodergren , founder and CEO of UP Vibrations LLC and creator of Harmonic Sovereignty, to explore confidence, burnout, boundaries, and sustainable leadership. Debbie challenges the familiar advice to “fake it till you make it,” arguing that sustainable confidence isn't something leaders perform for others. It develops when their priorities, decisions, work, and personal well-being become better aligned. Together, Rahul and Debbie explore why successful leaders can appear highly accomplished on the outside while quietly becoming depleted on the inside and what leaders can do before burnout takes over. Key Highlights from the episode 00:00 – Can confidence come from alignment instead of performance? 01:46 – Debbie Sodergren's leadership journey 03:08 – High performers, alignment and burnout 04:21 – Why “fake it till you make it” can become dangerous 05:44 – Finding your most productive working hours 07:25 – Rethinking hustle, work and success 11:06 – Hidden signs successful leaders may be struggling 14:19 – Priorities, presence and preventing burnout 15:36 – How to recognize when someone may need support 17:55 – Understanding your strengths and knowing when to delegate 20:11 – Learning to say no and protect your priorities 23:43 – Why successful leaders still struggle with self-confidence 24:17 – The fear of taking your foot off the career accelerator 25:30 – Why you can't do everything alone 27:18 – Why mentors, coaches and accountability matter 29:53 – How to connect and work with Debbie 30:44 – Rapid Fire Round 31:17 – Rahul's biggest leadership takeaways About our Guest- Debbie Sodergren She is the founder and CEO of UP Vibrations LLC and creator of Harmonic Sovereignty . With decades of experience in energy work and executive wellness, Debbie works with high-achieving entrepreneurs and leaders to help them explore alignment, well-being, confidence, and sustainable success. Learn more about Debbie Sodergren and Harmonic Sovereignty: ⁠https://harmonicsovereignty.com⁠ About our Host- Rahul Karan Sharma He is a Leadership Advisor to Staffing CEOs, Organizational Development Strategist, Forbes Coaches Council member, and creator of the CLIMB Framework™. Rahul helps leaders and organizations identify the leadership gaps that slow growth, strengthen leadership capability, and build more confident, high-performing teams. Through The CLIMB Leadership Development & Confident Leader Podcast , Rahul brings together executives, entrepreneurs, psychologists, authors, coaches, and thought leaders to explore the human side of leadership in an increasingly complex workplace. Ranked among the Global Top 1.5% of podcasts , The CLIMB explores leadership development, confident leadership, executive presence, mindset, career growth, organizational development, and the human capabilities leaders need to succeed in the AI era. The goal is simple: Help professionals move from Invisible → Influencer. Learn more about Rahul Karan Sharma and The CLIMB Podcast: Rahul Karan Sharma https://www.rahulkaransharma.com ️ The CLIMB Podcast https://www.rahulkaransharma.com/the-climb-podcast If this conversation gave you a new perspective on confidence, burnout, or leadership, subscribe, share the episode, and tell us your biggest takeaway in the comments. #LeadershipDevelopment #ConfidentLeadership #LeadershipBurnout #ExecutiveLeadership #LeadershipMindset #HighPerformers #BurnoutPrevention #LeadershipConfidence #TheCLIMBPodcast #RahulKaranSharma

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  Episode #9

  Discover How to Build Confident Teams Through Improvisation, Trust and Collaboration.

  Aug 11, 202636 minS5

  What if the biggest barrier to innovation isn't a lack of talent—but a fear of speaking up? In this episode, Rahul Karan Sharma sits down with speaker, performer, and leadership expert Mark DeCarlo to explore how leaders can create cultures where people feel safe to contribute, collaborate, and innovate. What You'll Learn in This Episode Most organizations don't have a talent problem—they have a psychological safety problem. People hesitate to share ideas because they're afraid of being judged, criticized, or failing. Over time, that fear creates silos, reduces collaboration, and limits innovation. In this episode, Mark DeCarlo shares how the principles of improvisation can transform leadership. Drawing from decades in entertainment and corporate consulting, he explains why great leaders don't always have the best answers—they create environments where the best ideas emerge. You'll discover: Why fear destroys collaboration and innovation How improvisation helps leaders become better listeners and decision-makers The power of "Yes, And" in building stronger teams Why leaders should encourage "bad ideas" How psychological safety drives creativity and engagement Why empowering others strengthens—not weakens—leadership Practical ways to build confident, high-performing teams Whether you lead a small team or an entire organization, this conversation will challenge how you think about confidence, creativity, and leadership. The CLIMB Framework™ Insight This conversation directly supports: C – Cultivate Your Mindset Confidence grows when leaders replace fear with curiosity. Innovation begins when people know it's safe to contribute. M – Magnify Your Impact The most effective leaders don't need to be the smartest person in the room. They create environments where every voice has the opportunity to make the team better. Chapters 00:00 – Why talented leaders still hesitate 01:31 – From Second City to corporate leadership 04:28 – Why failure fuels innovation 06:41 – Why teams become silos 10:40 – The leadership lesson behind the Moon landing 13:38 – The power of "Yes, And" 16:56 – Creating psychological safety at work 18:05 – Why empowering others makes leaders stronger 21:23 – Confidence, vulnerability & imposter syndrome 27:49 – Building happier, more creative organizations 29:35 – Rapid Fire Round About our Guest Mark DeCarlo Mark DeCarlo is a keynote speaker, performer, television host, and improvisation expert who helps organizations build stronger leaders through the principles of improv. Combining decades of entertainment experience with corporate consulting, Mark teaches leaders how to improve collaboration, communication, creativity, and team performance. Connect with Mark: Website: https://www.markdecarlospeaker.com/ About our host Rahul Karan Sharma Rahul Karan Sharma is a Leadership Advisor to Staffing CEOs, Forbes Coaches Council member, keynote speaker, and creator of the CLIMB Framework™. Through consulting, executive coaching, and The CLIMB Podcast , Rahul helps leaders build confidence, strengthen leadership capability, and create organizations where people thrive. Connect with Rahul: Website: https://rahulkaransharma.com LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/rahulkaransharma If You Enjoyed This Episode Like this video Share your biggest takeaway in the comments Subscribe for weekly conversations on leadership, confidence, AI, and career growth. #Leadership #ConfidentLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #PsychologicalSafety #Teamwork #Innovation #LeadershipMindset #ExecutiveLeadership #CommunicationSkills #TheCLIMBPodcast

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  Episode #8

  Why Career Growth Is No Longer Linear (And What to Do Instead)

  Aug 4, 202630 minS5

  If you're waiting for the next promotion to validate your potential, you're playing by rules that no longer exist. In this episode of The CLIMB Leadership Development & Confident Leader Podcast , Rahul Karan Sharma sits down with executive coach and Work Rewritten founder Sam Alvita to explore why career success today is built on adaptability—not job titles. As artificial intelligence reshapes industries and careers become increasingly non-linear, professionals need more than technical expertise. They need confidence, clarity, and the ability to continuously reinvent themselves. Sam shares practical insights on navigating career transitions, overcoming imposter syndrome, building internal confidence, and creating multiple career pathways instead of depending on a single promotion ladder. If you're an emerging leader, experienced executive, or someone preparing for what's next, this conversation will help you think differently about long-term career growth. What You'll Learn • Why the traditional career ladder is no longer enough • How to build a future-proof career in an AI-driven workplace • The difference between confidence built on titles and confidence built on capability • Why adaptability is becoming today's most valuable leadership skill • How to overcome imposter syndrome during career transitions • The Trail Map Method for designing multiple career paths • Why executive coaching is an investment—not a weakness • Practical leadership lessons for navigating uncertainty CLIMB™ Framework Insight This episode highlights two pillars of the CLIMB™ Framework : Confident leaders stop defining themselves by titles and begin building confidence through continuous learning, adaptability, and self-awareness. Career growth accelerates when you focus on transferable strengths, solve meaningful problems, and remain open to new opportunities instead of following a rigid career path. C – Cultivate Your MindsetL – Leverage Your StrengthsChapters 00:00 Why the traditional career ladder is changing 01:59 Sam's unconventional career journey 03:36 Why career advice from the past no longer works 05:38 The danger of tying confidence to your job title 07:41 Capability over permission 09:07 The Trail Map Method 13:21 Understanding imposter syndrome 16:32 Confidence follows action 17:40 Why executive coaching matters 21:40 Choosing the right coach 24:02 Resources from Work Rewritten 25:04 Rapid Fire Round About our Guest Sam Alvita Sam Alvita is the founder of Work Rewritten , an executive coach, behavioral science practitioner, and creative contributor to MasterClass . She helps professionals and organizations build resilient careers, navigate change, and develop the confidence to thrive in an evolving world of work. Connect with Sam Alvita Website: ⁠https://www.workrewritten.com⁠ About our Host Rahul Karan SharmaRahul Karan Sharma is a Leadership Advisor to Staffing CEOs , Organizational Development Strategist, Forbes Coaches Council member, keynote speaker, and creator of the CLIMB™ Framework . Through executive coaching, consulting, and The CLIMB Podcast, Rahul helps professionals build confident leadership, strengthen executive presence, and lead with greater clarity in an AI-driven workplace. Connect with Rahul Karan Sharma Website: https://www.rahulkaransharma.com ️ The CLIMB Podcast: https://www.rahulkaransharma.com/the-climb-podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahulkaransharma Subscribe If you're passionate about leadership development, executive presence, career growth, organizational development, and building confident leaders, subscribe for new conversations every week featuring CEOs, executives, psychologists, authors, researchers, and leadership experts from around the world. Leadership starts with self-awareness. Growth begins with one conversation. #ConfidentLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #LeadershipMindset #CareerAdvancement #LeadershipClarity #WorkRewritten #CareerPivots

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  Episode #7

  AI Won't Replace Leaders. It Will Expose Them.

  Jul 28, 202638 minS5

  Will AI replace leaders—or simply reveal who is leading well? AI is changing the workplace faster than ever, but the biggest challenge isn't the technology. It's how leaders respond to it. In this episode of The CLIMB Leadership Development & Confident Leader Podcast , Rahul Karan Sharma sits down with technology executive, entrepreneur, and AI innovator Stephanie Sylvestre to explore how leaders can confidently navigate the AI era without losing the human side of leadership. Stephanie shares practical insights on leading through uncertainty, building high-performing teams, making better hiring decisions, and using AI as a tool to amplify people—not replace them. If you're a leader wondering how AI will impact your career, your team, or your organization, this conversation offers practical strategies to lead with greater confidence. ✔ Why AI exposes leadership gaps instead of creating them ✔ How great leaders balance technology with humanity ✔ When accountability helps people grow ✔ Why "I don't know" can be one of a leader's strongest responses ✔ How to evaluate AI beyond simple ROI metrics ✔ Practical ways to introduce AI into your organization ✔ Why leadership is becoming more human—not less AI doesn't replace great leaders. It amplifies how they think, communicate, and lead. The organizations that succeed won't be those with the most AI tools. They'll be the ones with leaders who know how to combine technology with trust, judgment, and human connection. 00:00 – Leading in the Age of AI 02:12 – Stephanie's Leadership Journey 03:29 – Why Great Leaders Make People Uncomfortable 04:11 – Unlocking Human Potential 05:20 – Vision Over Micromanagement 08:06 – Investing in Great Talent 08:49 – Hiring Fewer, Better People 10:37 – Accountability and Tough Leadership Decisions 12:34 – AI Is a Leadership Challenge, Not a Technology Challenge 13:30 – Why Tactical Leaders Fear AI 15:47 – How AI Reveals Hidden Work 17:45 – Measuring AI Success Beyond ROI 18:50 – Productivity vs. Presence 23:22 – Building an AI Strategy 25:12 – Practical AI Applications 28:25 – Five Steps to Implement AI Successfully 31:36 – Rapid Fire Round About our Guest Stephanie Sylvestre is a technology executive, entrepreneur, and founder of AvatarBuddy. She helps organizations adopt AI in practical, human-centered ways that improve productivity while strengthening leadership, culture, and collaboration. Website - Avatar Buddy Homepage - Avatar Buddy Linkedin- Stephanie Sylvestre | LinkedIn About our Host Rahul Karan Sharma is a Leadership Advisor, Forbes Coaches Council Member, keynote speaker, and creator of the CLIMB Framework™ . Through consulting, coaching, and The CLIMB Leadership Development & Confident Leader Podcast , Rahul helps professionals move from Invisible to Influencer by building confident leaders and high-performing teams. Website: www.rahulkaransharma.com New episodes featuring CEOs, founders, psychologists, executive coaches, and global leadership experts. #Leadership #LeadershipDevelopment #ArtificialIntelligence #AILeadership #FutureOfWork #ExecutiveLeadership #LeadershipPodcast #TheCLIMBPodcast #RahulKaranSharma

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  Episode #6

  The Be. Do. Have. Formula for Extraordinary Leadership

  Jul 21, 202632 minS5

  Can you achieve extraordinary success without sacrificing yourself along the way? Many leaders spend years chasing the next promotion, bigger goals, and greater achievements—only to realize they've lost sight of why they started. In this episode of The CLIMB Leadership Development & Confident Leader Podcast , Rahul Karan Sharma sits down with internationally recognized executive coach and bestselling author Robert White to explore what it truly means to live and lead an extraordinary life. From growing up in poverty to building businesses across Asia, surviving three heart attacks, and coaching leaders around the world, Robert shares the lessons that transformed his approach to leadership, purpose, and personal growth. If you've ever felt stuck in constant achievement mode, this conversation will challenge how you define success. ✔ Why achievement doesn't always lead to fulfillment ✔ The powerful Be → Do → Have leadership formula ✔ How awareness shapes every leadership decision ✔ Why communication is the foundation of influence ✔ Moving beyond a victim mindset ✔ Building a purpose-driven career ✔ How extraordinary leaders think differently Success isn't built by doing more. It's built by becoming more intentional about who you are. 00:00 – Why Leaders Live on Autopilot 02:34 – Growing Up in Poverty 06:53 – Lessons from Being Fired at Fourteen 09:17 – Conquering the Fear of Public Speaking 10:45 – Three Heart Attacks That Changed Everything 12:54 – Building Global Businesses 14:19 – Starting Again in Japan 15:24 – Why Culture Matters 17:48 – Leadership Lessons from China 18:50 – The Be → Do → Have Formula 21:14 – Awareness, Responsibility & Communication 23:08 – Becoming a More Influential Leader 25:13 – Living an Extraordinary Life 27:27 – Rapid Fire Round About our Guest Robert White is an internationally recognized executive coach, entrepreneur, and bestselling author of Living an Extraordinary Life . Over four decades, he has helped more than 1.3 million people across Asia and North America build purpose-driven leadership, resilient organizations, and extraordinary lives. https://www.extraordinarypeople.com About our Host Rahul Karan Sharma is a Leadership Advisor to Staffing CEO's, Forbes Coaches Council Member, keynote speaker, and creator of the CLIMB Framework™. Through consulting, coaching, and The CLIMB Podcast, Rahul helps professionals move from Invisible to Influencer by building confident leaders and high-performing teams. www.rahulkaransharma.com #ConfidentLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #LeadershipMindset #LeadershipStrategies #CareerAdvancement #HumanLeadership #MindsetShifts #LeadershipClarity

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