256. The Power of a Careerquake — Turning Loss into Leadership with Uma Thana Balasingam

Welcome back to Girl, Take the Lead! — the podcast where we share real, raw, and remarkable stories that inspire us to lead with courage and heart.Today’s guest is Uma Thana Balasingam (Gen X) — a powerhouse global tech executive turned founder, movement builder, and podcast host. Uma grew up in Malaysia, put herself through university, and rose from engineer to Vice President of Sales for global tech companies, leading more than 800 people across 48 markets and managing over $1 billion in revenue.Now, Uma is building her second career by launching companies and movements at the intersection of leadership, reinvention, and media. As founder of The ELEVATE Group, she’s architecting a future where five million women rise with her. Her hit podcast, RAW with UMA, amplifies raw, real voices across Asia Pacific — bridging strategy and soul, and inspiring women everywhere to rethink what’s possible.In this openhearted conversation, Uma shares what it’s like to experience what she calls a “careerquake” — that seismic professional shift that shakes your identity and calls you to reinvent. Together, we explore how grief and growth coexist, how sponsorship accelerates careers, and how to find belonging again when everything changes.✨ In this episode, we cover:What a careerquake really means — and how it can spark reinvention instead of regretThe emotional journey of leaving a beloved role: love, grief, and belongingHow to reframe career breaks as growth chapters, not gapsWhy workplace politics aren’t a dirty word — and how to play with integrityThe two currencies that drive careers: performance and relationshipsHow sponsorship (not just mentorship) accelerates opportunityThe leadership lessons from an inclusive boss who amplified women’s voicesThe story behind RAW with UMA — and why she’s tackling the “hard things”Uma’s powerful message to her 20-something self about colorism, courage, and challenging norms⏱️ Episode Highlights00:00 – Welcome & introduction to Uma Thana Balasingam00:59 – Defining the “careerquake” and how it reshaped her sense of identity02:28 – From love to grief: what leaving behind success really feels like05:39 – Why workplace politics aren’t a dirty word — and how power truly flows09:28 – The inclusive boss who modeled how to amplify women’s voices11:22 – How to confidently reframe career breaks in interviews17:01 – The origin of Lean In Singapore and Uma’s Walk the Talk sponsorship platform23:11 – The backstory of RAW with UMA — turning eulogies into empowerment28:44 – Uma’s message to her 20-something self: challenge everything30:42 – Her favorite pick from the GTTL shop — and the birth of the “Careerquake” card💡 Key TakeawaysCareerquakes are breakthroughs, not breakdowns. Every shake-up reveals who you truly are.Where there is love, there is grief. Transitions are emotional because they matter.Belonging fuels leadership. Losing it can invite you to rediscover it within.Workplace politics are simply the unwritten rules of power — learn them, don’t fear them.Career breaks build resilience and perspective; own your story with confidence.Sponsorship is the hidden accelerator for women’s advancement.Challenge everything. Growth begins with asking bold questions, not having all the answers.✨ Connect with Uma Thana Balasingam 🌐 Website & Courses: linktr.ee/elevateasia 📧 Email: [email protected]🎙️ Podcast: RAW with UMA (on YouTube and all major platforms)💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/umathana📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uma__raw/📘 Facebook: facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564066752294💌 Store HighlightUma inspired a new "Careerquake" card for our Girl, Take the Lead! Card & Gift Shop. Explore this and more guest-inspired cards here: girltaketheleadpod.com/shop📬 Connect with Yo, Your Host🌐 Website: girltaketheleadpod.com📸 Instagram: @yocanny💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/yocanny📘 Facebook: facebook.com/yolanda.canny