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A: That’s a lot of questions at once! But I’ll try to hit on the key points. Firstly, I can’t believe it’s been six years. Our incorporation date is tomorrow — September 24th — so almost exactly six years since we officially started this adventure. In the early years, we spent a lot of time intentionally iterating on our group coaching methodology. We then worked with individuals looking to invest in their personal and professional growth. Over the past two years, we’ve shifted our focus to supporting organizations that want to invest in the growth and connectivity of their leaders.
So, while it’s been six years, there have been distinct chapters in building Medley. The first chapter was, “What do we want to create?” The second was about delivering a transformative group coaching experience. The third, especially in the last year, has been about figuring out how to scale and impact as many people as possible by partnering with organizations.
I’m deeply grateful for the chance to build this company with you and support people in thinking differently about leadership and careers. That’s where we are — continuing to grow and evolve.
A: One major takeaway is that change is the new normal. Things have been shifting quickly, starting with the pandemic, and continuing with organizations navigating hybrid work, a new generation — Gen Z — entering the workforce with different expectations, and the divisiveness we see in the U.S. and globally around political and social issues. This rapidly changing landscape is fundamentally altering how leaders need to show up for their people.
What’s exciting is that companies are recognizing the importance of investing in their leaders. CHROs and Chief People Officers are partnering with CEOs to drive business transformation, and that transformation requires making people a core part of the strategy. How we grow and connect our leaders has to shift along with everything else. We’ve seen that our group format is really well-suited for this type of growth, and that’s been rewarding.
A: We like to call them “essential human skills.” The first is self-awareness — understanding how you show up and impact others. At Medley, we talk about this as authentic leadership. The second is interpersonal skills, the ability to understand, read, and connect with people. This is critical in every role, especially as you become a leader and have to mobilize others to action.
You and I have talked about this before — how, in your career, you’ve said you weren’t the best salesperson but were good at listening to people and solving their problems. That’s a great example of leadership in action. It’s about understanding what motivates others and aligning those motivations to achieve shared goals.
The third bucket is inclusive leadership — being able to work with different types of people. And the last is dynamic leadership. Because the world is changing so quickly, leaders need to be adaptable and respond to different viewpoints. That’s essential for success today.
A: This has been one of my biggest areas of growth over the past six years. When we first started Medley, sitting with change and uncertainty was really difficult for me. But as we’ve encountered unexpected challenges — like launching Medley as an in-person coaching community just a month before the pandemic hit — I’ve had to build confidence in my ability to respond to whatever comes my way.
I realized that, even in the face of things beyond my control, I still have agency. I can take action, adapt, and keep moving forward. That mindset shift has been key for me — understanding that there’s always something I can do, even if I don’t have all the answers.
A: It was a combination of both. Experiencing challenges firsthand helped build my confidence. You can’t predict every challenge — like the pandemic or Silicon Valley Bank collapsing just as we were starting a fundraising process — but going through those experiences makes you stronger.
The second thing that has helped is being intentional about my growth. I surround myself with people I can learn from and grow with, whether it’s in formal settings, like working with a coach or therapist, or more informal ones, like learning from my husband, who’s also an entrepreneur, or from you, my co-founder and mom!
Surrounding yourself with people who push you to grow is essential.
A: Yes, I’m about to experience a whole new level of boundary testing! But I’ve learned that balance isn’t about every day being 50-50. That’s unrealistic and stressful. Balance ebbs and flows over days, weeks, months, and even years. There are times when I need to lean into work, and other times when I need to prioritize family or personal time.
I’ve also had to accept that the to-do list is never-ending. If I don’t create sustainable boundaries, I’ll burn out, and that’s not good for anyone. This is something I’ve learned from you, Mom — you always prioritize relationships and recharging, and I’ve tried to adopt that mindset as well.
A: AI is going to change the way people work across industries, but it won’t replace the need for human connection and leadership.
As jobs shift, the role of leaders will also shift. Essential human skills — self-awareness, interpersonal skills, and the ability to connect — are going to become even more important as AI takes on more routine tasks.
I believe that AI has the potential to enhance how we communicate and invest in relationships, but it won’t replace the nuanced, complex conversations that need to happen between humans. I feel optimistic about the opportunities AI can unlock, but I’m also focused on how we at Medley continue to help leaders develop the skills that will remain critical, no matter how much technology advances.
A: Thank you, and thank you to everyone who tuned in today. I’m grateful for this conversation and excited for what’s ahead!
