62: Redefining Success: How High-Achieving Women Can Uncover Hidden Victories

In this mini-episode, Sharon Ehrlich explores the concept of hidden victories. She shares a coaching experience with a high-achieving client who felt unsuccessful despite notable accomplishments and challenges listeners to redefine success by recognizing often-overlooked achievements and personal growth.

The episode encourages listeners to focus on the journey rather than just the destination, embrace setbacks as learning opportunities, and celebrate the person they've become.

Click here to read the full transcript of this episode.
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Sharon Ehrlich is a leadership strategist who turns stalled teams and overwhelmed leaders into high-impact performers, one conversation, one workshop, one coaching session at a time.

Through bespoke, problem-solving workshops, she helps organizations tackle real-world challenges—misaligned priorities, fractured communication, low morale—and leaves them with a clear roadmap to stronger trust, sharper decision-making, and sustained innovation.

Working 1:1 with executives, Sharon’s coaching blends deep listening with targeted feedback, so leaders refine their communication style, build resilience in uncertainty, and craft a strategic vision that sticks. Her clients report immediate shifts like teams collaborating more openly, projects hitting targets faster, and cultures becoming more inclusive and energized.

Whether you’re navigating a hybrid work maze, seeking fresh ideas to spark creativity, or aiming to align leadership around a shared purpose, Sharon’s insight-packed podcast episodes offer quick, actionable strategies you can put to work today.

Curious to see how she can help you solve your toughest leadership or team challenge? Explore current and past episodes at LivingWhileLeading.com or connect with Sharon on LinkedIn to start the conversation.

Transcript

62: Redefining Success: How High-Achieving Women Can Uncover Hidden Victories

During a recent coaching session, I sat across from a high-achieving client who had a year many would envy. She had secured a promotion, led a challenging project, and even significantly expanded her professional network. 

Yet, as we reflected on her year, she appeared deflated and remarked, "I didn’t achieve everything I set out to do." She reasoned that she focused on one missed goal as if it defined her entire year.
 
 

At that moment, I asked her a simple question: "What victories have you overlooked because you’re too focused on the final destination?"
 

Her silence spoke volumes. As we unpacked her year together, she began to see the success in the process—her growth as a leader, the relationships she nurtured, and the skills she sharpened along the way. 

She realized her journey was filled with milestones just as meaningful as the ultimate goal.

In this episode, I challenge you to rethink how you define success as 2024 comes to a close. 

Because the ultimate prize isn’t just the goal; it’s the person you become along the way. Stay tuned. You won’t want to miss this one.

Find the full transcript and other resources for women leaders at www.livingwhileleading.com/62.

Unveiling Your Hidden Victories: The Success Behind Every Challenge

How many unnoticed victories have you earned this year? Think about it for a moment. You tend to feel disappointed when the outcome doesn't match your expectations, but in reality, every step of your journey is filled with hidden gems.

Let's break down what you often overlook:

1. Experiences Gained: Every challenge you faced this year has taught you something valuable.

2. Lessons Learned: Each setback was a setup for a comeback.

3. Personal Growth: You've grown through what you've gone through.

Don’t forget the process shapes, molds, and ultimately defines who you are.

Reframing Setbacks: How Failure Fuels Personal Development

Looking back on 2024, I encourage you to shift your perspective. Instead of focusing solely on results, consider that each setback you experienced prepared you for future success.

Interestingly, this perspective aligns with recent research on personal development. A study published in Psychological Science suggests that failures can foster growth by forcing us to reevaluate our strategies, beliefs, and goals. This research underscores the importance of embracing successes and setbacks as valuable learning experiences.

Atomic Habits: The Power of Small Wins in Leadership Transformation

I want to leave you with this thought—when you reflect on your journey with this mindset, you'll realize you've achieved more than you ever imagined.

James Clear, author of the bestselling book "Atomic Habits," emphasizes the power of small, incremental changes over time. He argues that these 'atomic' (or small) habits can lead to significant personal growth and transformation. 

This aligns perfectly with today’s podcast about recognizing and celebrating those small, often unnoticed victories.

Mapping Your Journey: Discovering Success Beyond the Final Goal

I challenge you to take a few minutes after listening to this podcast to reflect on your path this year. Ask yourself: What hidden victories have I discovered along my journey? You might be surprised by how much you've accomplished.

Success isn't just about achieving the goal; it's about your growth during the journey. Every experience, lesson, and small step forward shapes you into the leader you're meant to be.

As you head into the new year, carry this perspective with you. Celebrate your hidden victories, embrace the process, and keep leading while living your best life.

Continue to discover the hidden gems; the ultimate prize is the journey itself.

Remember, you’re the solution to claiming what’s important to you!