Ep 5: How to Understand and Navigate Leadership as a Major Career Shift w/Amanda Rice

In this episode of the HEARTset Leadership Podcast, Lisa Virtue sits down with seasoned sales leader and career coach Amanda Rice to explore the pivotal concept that stepping into leadership is not just a promotion—it's a fundamental career change.Drawing from over fifteen years of experience leading sales teams in the tech and software industry, Amanda Rice shares her journey from entry-level cold-calling to Vice President of Sales, and her transition into career coaching. Together, Lisa Virtue and Amanda Rice unpack why the leap from individual contributor to manager is a transformational step requiring new mindsets, skills, and motivations.Key themes include:Leadership Is a Career Change: Amanda Rice explains that moving into management requires shifting from personal quota achievement to empowering an entire team, managing relationships, and aligning with new measures of success. It’s a shift in responsibility, daily structure, and motivation that goes beyond just climbing the next rung on the ladder.Success in the Managerial Track: The discussion highlights the critical personal and organizational changes that accompany leadership roles—time management, team dynamics, delegation, and the move from individual wins to collective victories.Building High-Performing, Collaborative Teams: Amanda Rice offers actionable advice for emerging leaders on understanding team members’ strengths and motivations, fostering a culture of sharing, and driving results through collaboration rather than competition.Practical Pathways: The conversation covers the five key steps to preparing for a career change into leadership: performing in your current role, communicating with your manager, establishing relationships with decision-makers, shadowing leaders, and taking on stretch projects.Modern Challenges in Leadership: The episode addresses the nuances of navigating layoffs, the impact of AI in sales, and the increasing need for growth mindsets and adaptability in today’s business environment.This episode equips aspiring and current leaders with candid insights and tools for viewing leadership through the lens of transformation, not just advancement. Whether you’re considering management, looking to skill up, or striving to become a more impactful leader, you’ll find inspiration and strategy here.Tune in to learn why the path to leadership is a deliberate career pivot—and discover how to set yourself up for sustained success on this distinctive leadership journey.Show notes can be found at: https://heartsetstudio.com/podcast