I'm Muriel Wilkins, and this is Coaching Real Leaders, part of the HBR podcast Network.

I'm a longtime executive coach who works with highly successful leaders who've hit a bump in the road.

My job is to help them get over that bump by clarifying their goals and figuring

out a way to reach them so that hopefully they can lead with a little more ease. I typically

work with clients over the course of several months, but on this show, we have a one-time

coaching meeting focusing on a specific leadership challenge they're facing.

Today's guest is someone will call Sophie to protect her confidentiality.

Sophie's been with her current organization for over two decades.

She's loved the work and the people and has gained positive career traction. It's a great company. I have

been so supported, gotten so many great opportunities. They have really always been there to support

me with various challenges. There's a loyalty aspect. I also have a lot of credibility with key

stakeholders. So they know that they can call me when they have concerns.

I'm trusted.

But at the same time, if I put on my enterprise hat, it's really smart to keep me where I am.

Because few have my depth and breadth in terms of experience across multiple markets and different levels of hierarchy,

that I'm able to pivot and find solutions and move things forward quickly.

After moving around quite a bit and working in different parts of the world for the company,

she wanted to settle in one particular country for the long term.

In order to do that, she took a position outside of her finance leadership role,

a job leading a strategically important project for her company,

where she's been making great strides.

Now, she's ready to move back to her finance routes,

...