Stop Trying to Reinvent the Wheel – It’s Holding You Back

August 31, 2026

Have you ever gotten advice that was completely wrong for your situation, from someone who genuinely wanted to help? That disconnect isn't random. It usually means you asked the right person the wrong question, or the wrong person entirely.

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Episode Summary

I spent years trying to figure out leadership on my own, then more years asking the wrong people for help. Here's what changed everything, and how you can start building your own circle: morewomenpromoted.com/masterclass

Have you ever gotten advice that was completely wrong for your situation, from someone who genuinely wanted to help? That disconnect isn't random. It usually means you asked the right person the wrong question, or the wrong person entirely.

I used to believe that once I made it to director, I was supposed to have all the answers. So when I got stuck, I either tried to solve it alone, or I asked whoever happened to be successful, whether or not their life looked anything like mine. Both mistakes kept me spinning my wheels for years.

In this episode, I break down the two advice mistakes that quietly stall careers, and the exact process I now use to find people who can actually help.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

  • Why asking for help gets harder the higher you climb, and what it's actually costing you
  • The difference between getting bad advice and getting no advice at all (and why bad advice can set you back further)
  • How to spot when you're asking someone who simply doesn't share your context, even if they're smart and successful
  • The 3-step process I use to find the right people before I even need them
  • What the research says about why women with strong peer networks are more likely to reach senior leadership
RESOURCES MENTIONED

Join my FREE Masterclass on September 8th: The 3 Things Keeping You Stuck from VP and How to Fix Them: morewomenpromoted.com/masterclass

Join me live in Ottawa, Canada, on October 23rd. Save your seat at owntheroomsummit.com.

Not sure if you're ready for VP? Take the free assessment and find out at morewomenpromoted.com/quiz

 

…LET’S CONTINUE THE CONVO!

Curious what it’s like to work together? Send me a DM on LinkedIn or Instagram (Katy McFee) and tell me what you are working toward and we can take it from there.

Remember, there’s room for all of us at the table.

Hi, I’m Katy McFee
A former VP and EVP who knows how hard it is to break into executive leadership. After years of feeling stuck, I figured it out and now, as a certified executive coach, I help other women do the same. I’ve supported hundreds in landing the promotions they deserve with strategies that make success achievable, without the years of trial and error.