Stuck in Middle Management? How to Level Up, Get Promoted, and Lead at the Next Level with Kristen Johnson episode artwork

EPISODE · Jan 28, 2026 · 37 MIN

Stuck in Middle Management? How to Level Up, Get Promoted, and Lead at the Next Level with Kristen Johnson

from Work Unscripted · host Marlo Lyons

What needs to change for you to level up as a leader, and why do so many high performers get stuck right before promotion? In this episode of Work Unscripted, Marlo Lyons sits down with executive coach Kristen Johnson.Kristen has worked with middle management inside some of the world’s most recognizable organizations—including PayPal, Google, Amazon, Sephora, Chase, and Cisco—giving her a rare, inside look at what truly separates managers from enterprise-level leaders.Together, they break down:Why middle managers experience burnout at staggering ratesThe mindset shift required to move from execution to influenceHow to stop over-controlling and start developing leaders beneath youWhat actually gets you promoted (and what quietly holds you back)How to align values, boundaries, and ambition without blowing up your careerWhy career advancement requires intentional communication, not silent hustleThis episode is a must-listen for managers, senior leaders, and high performers who want to level up their careers, pursue promotion with clarity, and lead with impact instead of exhaustion.If you’re ready to stop doing everything and start leading intentionally, this conversation will change how you think about your next move. Connect with Marlo Website | LinkedIn | Instagram  -----------Work Unscripted is produced by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co. 

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Jan 28, 2026

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What needs to change for you to level up as a leader, and why do so many high performers get stuck right before promotion? In this episode of Work Unscripted, Marlo Lyons sits down with executive coach Kristen Johnson. Kristen has worked with middle management inside some of the world’s most recognizable organizations—including PayPal, Google, Amazon, Sephora, Chase, and Cisco—giving her a rare, inside look at what truly separates managers from enterprise-level leaders. Together, they break d...

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Stuck in Middle Management? How to Level Up, Get Promoted, and Lead at the Next Level with Kristen Johnson

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