Bring your Zeal to the Workplace, featuring Cynthia Bentzen-Mercer

What’s your next move? Cynthia Bentzen-Mercer joins this week’s episode of The Seismic Shift to help mid-career professionals, especially women, become more intentional about their career paths. In today’s conversation with Michelle, Cynthia shares her journey from corporate leadership to executive coaching, highlighting some key shifts in the modern workplace.

Drawing from over 30 years in corporate leadership, Cynthia walks us through her insights on overcoming workplace biases, advocating for oneself, and creating opportunities for advancement. Together Cynthia and Michelle emphasize the power of connection, energy management, and setting boundaries to ensure women actively shape their professional futures rather than waiting to be noticed.

Towards the end of their conversation Cynthia also introduces the concept of "zeal"—bringing energy and intentionality to personal and professional growth. If you’re ready to stop waiting and start actively shaping your career, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you move forward with confidence.

Check out Cynthia’s book—Now, Near, Next here: https://www.amazon.com/Now-Near-Next-Professional-Serendipity/dp/1637558937. 


CHAPTERS:
00:00 The Power of Intentionality
02:08 Cynthia’s Journey from Corporate Leadership to Coaching
06:09 The Hidden Risks of Remote Work for Women
10:10 Why Intentional Connection is Crucial
16:38 Energy Management and Finding Your Strengths
19:56 The Importance of Self-Advocacy
24:08 Setting Boundaries and Prioritizing Yourself
31:27 Three Steps to Advance Your Career

Special thanks to our friend Brian Wayy for the theme music this season!
Track Title: My Hearts On Fire 

What is The Seismic Shift with Michelle K. Johnston?

Welcome to Seismic Shift - a leadership podcast that focuses on connection. I’m your host, Michelle K. Johnston: management professor, executive coach, and leadership expert. I believe that today’s leaders need more than power and control to get the best from their teams; they need connection. Through interviews with some of today’s top business leaders, we are going to explore how leaders' ability to connect with themselves, their teams, and their organizations defines their ultimate success or failure. This podcast runs in close parallel to my new book, The Seismic Shift in Leadership, where you can find even more insights from me and the brilliant leaders I interviewed this season. So let's set our sights on connection and get ready to take on the daunting, yet exciting, challenge of this Seismic Shift.