Off The Beaten Track- Redefining Career Success with Elizabeth Brauer

Welcome to another episode of Frustrated and Exhausted! This week, we’re joined by Elizabeth Brauer, Head of HR at 1IO, for a heartfelt and honest conversation about stepping away from the traditional career path and redefining what success really means.Episode Highlights:Early Career Crossroads:Elizabeth shares how, at just 18, an unexpected life event led her away from the “expected” pathway (college → university → job) and into an unconventional—and ultimately fulfilling—career.Ambition and Pressure:Elizabeth reflects on the pressures (real and imagined!) she felt as a young mum, her innate ambition, and how that drive evolved from trying to prove herself to a more personal, meaningful ambition.Success Isn’t Linear:We discuss the myth of the “career ladder” and why progression often looks more like a “net”—expanding in unexpected directions and enriched by life experiences outside of work.Life Lessons in Growth:Elizabeth opens up about early failures, “timing errors,” and bravely admitting when she didn’t know something. She shares the power of vulnerability and how it’s shaped her as a leader.Work, Rest, and Burnout:Burnout and the “workaholic badge of honour”—why it’s not sustainable, and why true success often means working less and living more.Personalized Success:Advice for anyone stuck in a high-achieving rut: take a pause, check in with yourself, and make sure your goals serve you—not some imaginary audience.Career Myths to Ditch:Elizabeth’s one piece of advice to ban forever: Stop glorifying “always being on.” Quality over quantity—embrace downtime![00:01:41] – Elizabeth describes becoming a young mum and how it forced her off the traditional path.[00:03:30]– Elizabeth shares how she sought careers that fit her life, returning to college, and studying psychology.[00:06:33] – Elizabeth reflects on proving herself and how her definition of success evolved.[00:08:06] – Ruth and Elizabeth explore healthy vs. unhealthy ambition.[00:10:40]– Elizabeth discusses what’s wrong in how we approach career progression, especially for women.[00:12:04] – Net/ladder metaphor and the value of lateral experience.[00:12:20] – Discussion on how broad experience can act as support/catch you.[00:15:32] – Ruth and Elizabeth discuss the dangers of hyper-focus on work.[00:16:03] – On supporting different work styles (quiet contributors, etc).[00:16:46] – Learning from mistakes and the value of reflection.[00:17:57] – Ruth asks about career risks that paid off or didn’t.[00:20:30] – Admitting you need help and learning to take slower steps.[00:21:51] – Elizabeth describes the vulnerability of asking for help and the support she received.[00:22:01] – Vulnerability as a strength in leadership.[00:23:30]– Importance of people connection over just policy/process.[00:24:46] – Startup burnout, reassessing success, and discovering the cost of “doing it all.”[00:29:45] – Importance of checking in with yourself.[00:31:02] – Elizabeth: Ban always being “on,” glorifying workaholism.[00:31:39] – Value of rest and switching off.Like what you hear? Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and leave us a review. If this episode made you think, challenged, or reassured you, let us know!Contact Linkedin Elizabeth brauer Connect with Ruth:Instagram LinkedIn Website