How to Handle Career Rejection (And Why It Might Be Redirecting You) | Sarah Murrow | Allianz Trade

In this episode of Make Minutes Matter, Karen Gilhooly continues her conversation with Sarah Murrow, President & CEO of Allianz Trade Americas, diving into a more personal side of her story. Part 1 explored the landscape (https://youtu.be/Omz0Gv9Wd6w). Part 2 focuses on the journey. Sarah reflects on her career, starting with a cold rejection from Allianz Trade (then Euler Hermes) in 2003, to receiving a life-changing Friday afternoon phone call in 2016 that uprooted her family and took them to Paris. What unfolded between those moments, and everything that followed is a powerful lesson in how embracing intentional discomfort can lead to a career most people only dream of. Karen and Sarah candidly discuss topics leaders rarely voice aloud: the self-doubt that accompanied a global role she didn't feel prepared for, the complex decision to ask her spouse to become a stay-at-home dad for their two daughters in a foreign country, the resistance she encountered while advocating for equal paternity and maternity leave in the UK, and the deeply emotional moments they shared while reflecting on the unwavering support of their husbands, their true partners in every sense. This episode also delves into rejection as an opportunity, how missed promotions can redirect you toward the right path, and what it really means to show commitment to a company before they've fully committed to you. Sarah offers straightforward yet profound advice for early-career professionals: every day, challenge yourself to step into discomfort. Growth doesn't occur during easy moments. It comes from the ones you willingly face head-on. This is a must-listen for anyone who's ever faced rejection and wrestled with whether to move on or try again. Because sometimes the path forward is clear, and other times it requires persistence and resourcefulness. Don't forget to subscribe to Make Minutes Matter for more inspiring conversations about leadership, reinvention, and making every moment count. Dive deeper and check out Karen Gilhooly's book, The Three Bucket Leader: https://a.co/d/08vuNA9 This show is produced by Rainbow Creative (https://www.rainbowcreative.co) with Matthew "MoJo" Jones as Executive Producer and Nathan Wheatley as Editor. For sponsorship opportunities, email [email protected] 00:00 Introduction – "How Do You Have It All?" 03:10 Getting Rejected & Coming Back Stronger 07:00 Karen's Similar Rejection Story at Citi 12:00 When Rejection Is Actually a Gift 14:30 Moving to Paris – A Bold International Move 18:00 London Years: Growth, COVID & the UK CEO Role 23:30 Implementing Equal Paternity Leave in the UK 27:30 The Stay-at-Home Spouse & Shifting Family Roles 32:00 Role Modeling Equality for the Next Generation 36:00 Advice for Young Professionals: Get in the Growth Zone 42:00 Making Minutes Matter at Home – Board Games & Family Time 44:30 Closing Thoughts & Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices