Why You’re Stuck at Director (It’s Not What You Think)

August 24, 2026

I was stuck as a director for five years. And the whole time, I was already doing the VP job. Reporting to the CEO, running the function, on the senior leadership team, no VP above me. I kept waiting for the title to follow.

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Episode Summary

I was stuck as a director for five years. And the whole time, I was already doing the VP job.

Reporting to the CEO, running the function, on the senior leadership team, no VP above me. I kept waiting for the title to follow. It never did. If you're in that waiting place, here's what I wish someone had told me sooner: it's not because you're not good enough, not because you're not working hard enough, and not because you need another certification. It's a perception problem, not a talent problem. And the good news is that perception is fixable once you can see it. Want help spotting which gap is yours? I'm running a free masterclass on September 8th: morewomenpromoted.com/masterclass

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

  • Why being stuck at director is almost always a perception problem, not a talent or qualifications one
  • The most common gap I see: doing strategic work but only communicating execution, and how to flip it
  • Why flawless execution can quietly typecast you as "she handles things" instead of "she's our next VP"
  • How VP promotions actually get decided, and why your manager's advocacy alone leaves you exposed
  • The stakeholder-mapping move that gets the right leaders talking about you in rooms you're not in
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.