Ask Me Anything: Career Anxiety, Leadership Skills, and Executive Growth

Let’s be honest—no executive has it all figured out. Over years of working with leaders across industries, I’ve seen the same late-night questions surface again and again: Am I really ready for the next step? Am I just good at faking confidence? What if my “authentic self” isn’t what leadership needs right now? If you’re wrestling with these doubts, you’re not alone.

Here’s what I’m hearing from the field:

Career anxiety is universal at the top. Even Fortune 500 VPs admit they feel like their success is accidental, and that someone’s about to find out.

The “golden handcuffs” are real. Getting comfortable in a role that once challenged you can quietly stall your growth. If you’re only stretching within your comfort zone, you’re moving backward.

Major leaps happen in clusters. Our DEX AI data shows executives tend to make significant jumps in years 3-5, 8-10, and 12-15 of their careers. Miss those windows, and it gets harder to break out.

International experience pays off. Leaders who’ve worked across borders, especially in complex markets, command up to 40% higher compensation—and develop the cognitive flexibility needed for today’s uncertainty.

AI isn’t a threat—it’s a multiplier. The best executives are using AI to amplify their strengths, not replace themselves.

My advice? Don’t wait to feel “ready.” The most successful leaders I know stepped up when they still doubted themselves. Growth means discomfort. If you’re not a little bit scared, you’re not pushing hard enough.

What’s the career question keeping you up at night? Drop it in the comments. Let’s have the honest conversation most executives wish they could.

Martina Mazzoni, Principal, The Council & Senior Consultant, LYC Partners