Beyond the Title: Nicole Muscatello on What Career Growth Really Means

What does career growth really look like, and does moving up the corporate ladder always mean moving into the next title? On this episode of The Femme Forward, Nicole Muscatello, SVP of Client Partnerships at Zeta Global, joins Amanda Glen Smith to talk about navigating career transitions, taking risks, building high-performing teams, and becoming a more effective leader.Nicole shares how she approached a major career decision after maternity leave, why she believes there are different kinds of fear, and why some fear is worth running toward. She also explains why career growth doesn’t have to be linear and why professionals shouldn’t feel pressured to pursue management if it isn’t the right path for them.The conversation also explores Nicole’s approach to leadership and team building, including the player-coach model, delegation, hiring for culture and potential, and creating an environment where people feel supported while being held to high standards. She discusses how leaders can approach difficult performance conversations with clarity, kindness and transparency, and why strong leadership means giving people the tools and confidence to succeed.Whether you’re an emerging professional looking to advance your career, a woman navigating leadership in advertising and ad tech, or an experienced manager building a high-performing team, this episode of The Femme Forward offers practical perspectives on career development, leadership and finding your own definition of success.