S3 E9 – Juliet & Susan "Unplugged": Working With Your Future Self

In another "Unplugged" episode, we step away from guest interviews to explore a leadership concept we return to often in our work and in our own lives: the idea of your future self.

Sparked by a New York Times article—and an unexpectedly revealing conversation about parking strategies—we reflect on how small, present-day decisions can shape who we become as leaders over time. From doing the hard thing first to navigating career transitions, we talk candidly about exit strategies that aren’t necessarily about retirement, but about growth, relevance, and staying engaged.

We share personal stories from our executive careers, touching on when frustration starts to outweigh joy at work, the importance of curiosity and continuous learning, and why building real bench strength matters. We also explore how values and self-reflection serve as a steady compass—especially in uncertain or changing environments.

Along the way, we dig into ageism, staying energized later in your career, and why investing in yourself (including learning new tools like AI) is an essential part of leadership today.

This episode is a thoughtful, honest reminder to pause and ask: what would your future self want you to do today?

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——— Connect with Your Hosts ———

Email Juliet: JulietClothier@gmail.com
Follow her on socials: LinkedIn / Instagram
Her website is www.JulietClothier.com

Email Susan: Susan@SusanASutherland.com
Follow her on socials: LinkedIn / Instagram
Her website is www.SusanASutherland.com

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