Why Working Harder Won’t Get You Promoted with Patty Azzarello | 427

Women are often told that working harder is the key to getting ahead. Deliver exceptional results, say yes to every opportunity, support the team, and eventually someone will notice. But for many women, that strategy doesn't lead to promotions—it leads to becoming indispensable in the very role they're trying to outgrow. In this episode of This Is Woman's Work, Nicole Kalil sits down with Patty Azzarello—author, speaker, business advisor, and former Fortune 500 executive—to unpack the unwritten rules that shape career advancement. Drawing from her own journey from awkward introvert to CEO before the age of 40, Patty shares the lessons she learned about visibility, executive presence, influence, and why competence alone is rarely enough to build a successful career. In This Episode, Nicole and Patty Discuss: Why being excellent at your job can actually keep you stuck in it. The hidden career rules that no one teaches—but everyone is expected to know. The difference between being busy, being valuable, and being visible. Why women often take on "office housework" that doesn't advance their careers. How to identify the work that creates the greatest value for the business. Practical strategies for saying no without damaging relationships. Why executive presence is often poorly defined—and how to build it authentically. How bringing humanity to leadership creates greater influence than trying to be impressive. Why visibility matters just as much as performance when it comes to promotions. Simple ways to build relationships with senior leaders and decision-makers. The power of asking for help as a leadership skill. Why waiting until you feel ready often keeps you from your biggest opportunities. How healthy conflict strengthens leadership and decision-making. The career cost of constantly taking care of everyone else. This conversation is a wake-up call for anyone who has been told that hard work alone is enough. Patty offers a refreshing, practical perspective on what actually drives career growth—and how to start making those shifts today.  Thank you to our sponsors! Don't wait to teach your kids real-world money skills! Start your risk-free Greenlight trial today at Greenlight.com/TIWW.  Go to https://CovePure.com/tiww to get $250 off. Thanks to CovePure for sponsoring this episode! Connect with Patty: Website: https://pattyazzarello.com/  LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pattyazzarello   IG: https://www.instagram.com/pazzarello777/  Related Podcast Episodes: 162 / Compensation Myths with Kelli Thompson Leadership Unblocked (The Hidden Beliefs Sabotaging Your Ability To Lead) with Muriel M. Wilkins | 367 Why Work Feels Broken (And How Attunement Can Fix It) with Nidhi Tewari | 406 Share the Love: If you found this episode insightful, please share it with a friend, tag us on social media, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform! 🔗 Subscribe & Review:Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices