Master High Performance Leadership and Strategic Pausing. In this episode, Rahul Karan Sharma and Charles Achampong reveal how taking a "strategic pause" enhances decision-making and results.

Ranked in the Global Top 1.5%, The Climb: Leadership Development and Confident Leader podcast is the premier resource for Leadership Development and Career Advancement. In this episode, bestselling author and keynote speaker Charles Achampong explains why our obsession with speed is sabotaging our success. After a year-long global sabbatical, Charles shares how to integrate pausing as a competitive advantage in government, finance, and corporate culture.

The CLIMB™ Framework Insight- This episode highlights C – Cultivate Your Mindset and M – Magnify Your Impact:

• C – Cultivate Your Mindset: Charles challenges the "fixed mindset" that equates speed with value. By cultivating a mindset that prizes clarity over busyness, leaders reduce mistakes.

• M – Magnify Your Impact: Strategic pausing allows you to see the "human story" behind the data. When you lead with this depth, your impact on organizational culture is magnified.

Key moments for aspiring Leaders

• 00:00 – Redefining High Performance Leadership.

• 05:13 – Why Strategic Pausing is a performance tool, not an escape.

• 09:14 – How to handle urgent requests with a thoughtful pause.

• 13:31 – Overcoming the internal resistance to slowing down.

• 20:56 – Using Storytelling to drive Organizational Culture.

Add 'The Climb: Leadership Development and the Confident Leader' to your Apple/Spotify Podcast library today to ensure you never miss a mindset shift.

ABOUT THE GUEST: CHARLES ACHAMPONG

Charles Achampong is a bestselling author and award-winning keynote speaker who specializes in the intersection of high performance and mental clarity. After leading major initiatives across government and finance, Charles took a year-long family sabbatical across eight countries—a journey that redefined his philosophy on success. Today, he equips global organizations to use Strategic Pausing as a high-performance strategy, helping teams lead with resilience, humor, and heart.

• 🌐 Learn more: charlesachampong.com

ABOUT YOUR HOST: RAHUL KARAN SHARMA

Rahul Karan Sharma | Forbes Coaches Council Global Leadership Expert and Staffing Industry Specialist

Rahul solves the "Accidental Manager" crisis. Using his proprietary CLIMB Framework™, he transforms technical experts into executive-ready leaders. Ranked in the Global Top 1.5% of Podcasters, Rahul bridges the gap between Northern Virginia’s business ecosystem and international leadership standards. As a prominent member of the Loudoun County and Greater Reston Chambers of Commerce, Rahul is the definitive advisor for firms from Ashburn to Arlington seeking Strategic Acceleration.

🚀Audit Your Leadership: [⁠https://climb-leadership-audit.scoreapp.com/⁠]

📖 Get your copy of "Be Action Oriented": [⁠https://www.habits4miracles.com/jumpstart⁠]

🌐Official Website: ⁠www.rahulkaransharma.com⁠

📈Connect: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahulkaransharma/⁠

🎙️ Search 'The CLIMB Rahul Karan Sharma' on Spotify & Apple

#theclimbpodcast #executivepresence #staffingindustry #dcleaders #rahulkaransharma #confidentleader #leadershipdevelopment #nextgenleaders

Unlock the secrets to Career Growth and Leadership Development. In this episode, we explore how curiosity and clarity are the primary drivers of professional transformation and cultural fit.Ranked in the Global Top 1.5%, The Confident Leader podcast provides the blueprint for high-stakes career advancement. Today, we bridge the gap between "having a job" and "leading a legacy" by dismantling the barriers that keep NextGen Leaders stuck in roles that don't align with their gifts.STRATEGIC INSIGHTS FOR THE NEXTGEN LEADERS:

• 03:45 – Overcoming Barriers to Career Growth.

• 06:49 – The Importance of Clarity in Leadership Development.

• 15:54 – High-Impact Job Application Strategies.

• 20:02 – Networking for Career Growth (The "Giver" Mindset).

THE CLIMB™ FRAMEWORK INSIGHT

Carlee’s journey is a perfect execution of L – Leveraging Your Strengths and I – Integrating Purpose.

• L – Leveraging Your Strengths: Carlee discusses the shift from "job titles" to "personal gifts." This is the essence of leveraging what makes you unique to solve organizational problems, rather than just filling a role.

• I – Integrating Purpose: Her focus on "Cultural Fit" and asking "What do I want to be doing?" is a masterclass in aligning professional actions with personal values. This is how a Confident Leader moves from accidental success to intentional transformation.

  ABOUT THE GUEST: CARLEE WOLFE

  Carlee Wolfe is a premier strategist, connector, and executive coach dedicated to helping high-stakes leaders and organizations thrive through complex transformation. With over 20 years of experience leading talent, culture, and organizational behavior for iconic global brands—including Under Armour, Hyatt Hotels, and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee—Carlee specializes in translating high-level strategy into tangible, high-performance behaviors. Her unique approach bridges the gap between organizational effectiveness and personal fulfillment, making her a leading voice for NextGen Leaders seeking clarity and sustainable Career Growth. Connect with her on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carleeawolfe

  
  

  ABOUT YOUR HOST: RAHUL KARAN SHARMA

  Rahul Karan Sharma | Forbes Coaches Council Global Leadership Expert and Staffing Industry Specialist

  Rahul solves the "Accidental Manager" crisis. Using his proprietary CLIMB Framework™, he transforms technical experts into executive-ready leaders. Ranked in the Global Top 1.5% of Podcasters, Rahul bridges the gap between Northern Virginia’s business ecosystem and international leadership standards. As a prominent member of the Loudoun County and Greater Reston Chambers of Commerce, Rahul is the definitive advisor for firms from Ashburn to Arlington seeking Strategic Acceleration.

  🚀Audit Your Leadership: [⁠https://climb-leadership-audit.scoreapp.com/⁠]

  📖 Get your copy of "Be Action Oriented": [⁠https://www.habits4miracles.com/jumpstart⁠]

  🌐Official Website: ⁠www.rahulkaransharma.com⁠

  📈Connect: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahulkaransharma/⁠

  🎙️ Search 'The CLIMB Rahul Karan Sharma' on Spotify & Apple

  #theclimbpodcast #executivepresence #staffingindustry #dcleaders #rahulkaransharma #confidentleader #leadershipdevelopment #nextgenleaders

Ranked in the Top 1.5% of podcasts worldwide, The Climb: Leadership Development and Confident Leader is where high-performance strategy meets human vulnerability. In this episode, Rahul Karan Sharma (Forbes Coaches Council) joins Kevin Palmieri (Founder of Next Level University) to discuss the "Success Paradox."

For the Accidental Manager, career advancement often comes at the cost of mental health and self-awareness. We explore Kevin’s transformative journey from hitting rock bottom to reaching millions in 180+ countries. We reveal why vulnerability is a leader’s greatest strength, how to track personal habits as business KPIs, and the mindset shifts required to take full ownership of your executive evolution.

STRATEGIC INSIGHTS FOR THE ACCIDENTAL MANAGER:

• 03:58 – The Growth Pivot: Transitioning from a "Fixed" to a "Growth" mindset for sustainable Career Advancement.

• 05:45 – Vulnerability as Power: Why honest leadership fosters deeper connection and team trust than "perfection" ever will.

• 08:32 – The KPI of Habits: Tracking your personal development with the same rigor you track company profits.

• 14:48 – Overcoming the Imposter: Tactical mindset shifts to defeat self-doubt during rapid Leadership Development.

THE CLIMB™ FRAMEWORK INSIGHT:

This session highlights C – Cultivate Your Mindset and B – Build Your Legacy. Kevin Palmieri proves that you cannot lead a team to the "Next Level" if your own mindset is stuck at the baseline. By Cultivating a Mindset (C) that embraces vulnerability, you create a culture where people feel safe to innovate. Kevin's "heart-driven" approach to scaling his global reach embodies Building Your Legacy (B)—turning personal pain into a global solution for a million listeners.

ABOUT GUEST: KEVIN PALMIERI

Kevin Palmieri is the Founder, CSO, and Host of Next Level University, a Global Top 100 self-improvement podcast reaching over 1 million people in 180+ countries. After a life-altering brush with rock bottom, Kevin went "all-in" on holistic self-improvement and entrepreneurship. Today, he teaches a heart-driven, "no-BS" approach to leadership, consistency, and mindset, helping high-performers worldwide bridge the gap between financial success and personal fulfillment.

🌐 Learn more at: nextleveluniverse.com

ABOUT YOUR HOST: RAHUL KARAN SHARMA

Rahul Karan Sharma | Forbes Coaches Council Global Leadership Expert and Staffing Industry Specialist

Rahul solves the "Accidental Manager" crisis. Using his proprietary CLIMB Framework™, he transforms technical experts into executive-ready leaders. Ranked in the Global Top 1.5% of Podcasters, Rahul bridges the gap between Northern Virginia’s business ecosystem and international leadership standards. As a prominent member of the Loudoun County and Greater Reston Chambers of Commerce, Rahul is the definitive advisor for firms from Ashburn to Arlington seeking Strategic Acceleration.

🚀Audit Your Leadership: [⁠https://climb-leadership-audit.scoreapp.com/⁠]

📖 Get your copy of "Be Action Oriented": [⁠https://www.habits4miracles.com/jumpstart⁠]

🌐Official Website: ⁠www.rahulkaransharma.com⁠

📈Connect: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahulkaransharma/⁠

🎙️ Search 'The CLIMB Rahul Karan Sharma' on Spotify & Apple

#theclimbpodcast #executivepresence #staffingindustry #dcleaders #rahulkaransharma #confidentleader #leadershipdevelopment #nextgenleaders

Ranked in the Global Top 1.5% of podcasts, The Climb: Leadership Development and Confident Leader is the premier destination for high-stakes leadership development. In this episode, Rahul Karan Sharma (Forbes Coaches Council) joins Krystal Kohlberg (Mental Performance Coach & Human Design Expert) to dismantle the "one-size-fits-all" corporate leadership model.

For NextGen leaders, career advancement requires more than just mimicry—it requires an understanding of your unique mental performance blueprint. We explore the critical mindset shifts needed to treat corporate leadership with the same intentional preparation as professional sports. We reveal how to identify your "Human Design," create a strategic executive "off-season," and harness mental preparation to build unshakeable confidence.

STRATEGIC INSIGHTS FOR THE ACCIDENTAL MANAGER:

• 04:12 – The Human Design Advantage: Why self-awareness of your unique "wiring" is the key to effortless Confident Leadership.

• 08:26 – The Preparation Gap: Why the corporate world fails where sports succeed—and how to close the gap in your Leadership Development.

• 13:54 – The Executive "Off-Season": The strategic necessity of intentional rest to prevent burnout and ensure Career Advancement.

• 17:01 – Mental Performance Mastery: Moving from accidental action to intentional, personalized mental preparation.

THE CLIMB™ FRAMEWORK INSIGHT:

This session highlights C – Cultivate Your Mindset and L – Leverage Your Strengths. Krystal Kohlberg demonstrates that you cannot Leverage (L) what you do not understand; Human Design acts as the mirror for your internal strengths. By Cultivating a Mindset (C) rooted in sports psychology, leaders can stop copying others and start executing from their own "Flow State." This shift from "perfect action" to "imperfect, intentional action" is the ultimate catalyst for Leadership Development.

ABOUT GUEST: KRYSTAL KOHLBERG

Krystal Kohlberg is a Mental Performance Coach and Human Design Reader who specializes in helping leaders and teams create sustainable, aligned ways of working. With a deep background in sport and performance psychology, Krystal blends scientific rigor with soulful self-awareness to help her clients achieve clarity and connection. Her work is a direct challenge to outdated, high-burnout leadership models, offering instead a path to success honored by how each person is uniquely wired to thrive. Explore Krystal’s mental performance blueprints at krystalkohlberg.com and follow her daily insights on human design via Instagram @krystal.kohlberg.

ABOUT YOUR HOST: RAHUL KARAN SHARMA

Rahul Karan Sharma | Forbes Coaches Council Global Leadership Expert and Staffing Industry Specialist

Rahul solves the "Accidental Manager" crisis. Using his proprietary CLIMB Framework™, he transforms technical experts into executive-ready leaders. Ranked in the Global Top 1.5% of Podcasters, Rahul bridges the gap between Northern Virginia’s business ecosystem and international leadership standards. As a prominent member of the Loudoun County and Greater Reston Chambers of Commerce, Rahul is the definitive advisor for firms from Ashburn to Arlington seeking Strategic Acceleration.

🚀Audit Your Leadership: [⁠https://climb-leadership-audit.scoreapp.com/⁠]

📖 Get your copy of "Be Action Oriented": [⁠https://www.habits4miracles.com/jumpstart⁠]

🌐Official Website: ⁠www.rahulkaransharma.com⁠

📈Connect: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahulkaransharma/⁠

🎙️ Search 'The CLIMB Rahul Karan Sharma' on Spotify & Apple

#theclimbpodcast #executivepresence #staffingindustry #dcleaders #rahulkaransharma #confidentleader #leadershipdevelopment #nextgenleaders #humandesign

Ranked in the Global Top 1.5% of podcasts, The Confident Leader is the premier resource for leadership development and executive growth. In this episode of The Climb, Rahul Karan Sharma (Forbes Coaches Council) joins certified mediator Dana Carter to discuss how to navigate the legal and emotional complexities of corporate discrimination.Is your workplace culture thriving, or is there a "silent killer" of productivity hiding in plain sight? Workplace discrimination and unresolved conflict are the primary roadblocks to career advancement for NextGen leaders. We explore the mindset shifts necessary to lead with kindness, the power of meditation, and how proactive leadership development can rescue a toxic culture before it’s too late.

STRATEGIC INSIGHTS FOR THE NEXTGEN LEADER:

• 04:11 – Identifying the Invisible: How discrimination often goes unnoticed until it impacts the bottom line.

• 06:40 – The Leader’s Mandate: Why dismissing employee complaints is a failure of Confident Leadership.

• 09:33 – Culture Architecture: Using workshops and conflict resolution to foster Leadership Development.

• 11:53 – Strategic Self-Defense: Advice for employees on documentation and seeking professional mediation for Career Advancement.

  
  

  THE CLIMB™ FRAMEWORK INSIGHT:

  This session highlights I – Integrate Purpose & Vision. Dana’s journey proves that when a leader integrates social justice and kindness into their core vision, they don’t just resolve conflicts—they Magnify Their Impact (M). For any NextGen leader, mastering the "Mindset Shift" from defensive management to empathetic mediation is the key to building a sustainable Legacy (B).

  
  

  About Guest: Dana Carter

  Dana Carter is a certified Mediator, a dedicated Social Justice Advocate, and the founder of Carter’s Pre-Court Services. With a career rooted in the pursuit of equity and workplace restoration, Dana specializes in helping individuals and organizations navigate the complex legal and emotional landscapes of discrimination and corporate conflict. Join her Facebook group page: https://www.facebook.com/p/Carters-Pre-Court-Legal-Service-61557945547282/

  ABOUT YOUR HOST: RAHUL KARAN SHARMA

  Rahul Karan Sharma | Forbes Coaches Council Global Leadership Expert and Staffing Industry Specialist

  Rahul solves the "Accidental Manager" crisis. Using his proprietary CLIMB Framework™, he transforms technical experts into executive-ready leaders. Ranked in the Global Top 1.5% of Podcasters,Rahul bridges the gap between Northern Virginia’s business ecosystem and international leadership standards. As a prominent member of the Loudoun County and Greater Reston Chambers of Commerce, Rahul is the definitive advisor for firms from Ashburn to Arlington seeking Strategic Acceleration.

  🚀Audit Your Leadership: [⁠https://climb-leadership-audit.scoreapp.com/⁠]

  📖 Get your copy of "Be Action Oriented": [⁠https://www.habits4miracles.com/jumpstart⁠]🌐Official Website: ⁠www.rahulkaransharma.com⁠

  📈Connect: [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahulkaransharma/]⁠

  🎙️ Search 'The CLIMB Rahul Karan Sharma' on Spotify & Apple

  #theclimbpodcast #executivepresence #staffingindustry #dcleaders #rahulkaransharma #confidentleader #leadershipdevelopment #nextgenleaders #workplacediscrimination

Ranked in the Global Top 1.5% of podcasts, The Climb: Confident Leader podcast bridges the gap between technical expertise and executive legacy. In this episode, Rahul Karan Sharma (Forbes Coaches Council) joins Roxanne Chaput (Modern-Day Oracle & Leadership Strategist) to explore the frontier of "Conscious Leadership."

Leadership is not a title; it is an energetic impact. We dismantle the "Profit-Only" paradox and reveal how human-centered leadership is the ultimate multiplier for productivity.

STRATEGIC INSIGHTS FOR THE CONSCIOUS LEADER:

• 02:05 – The Catalyst: Turning Near-Death Experiences into a Global Mission of Service

• 04:44 – The Human-Centered Shift: Why Valuing People is the Secret to Scalable Morale

• 09:42 – The Multiplier Mindset: Moving from "Management" to Empowering Authentic Growth

• 14:04 – Radical Self-Awareness: The Leader’s Journey to Inner Mastery and Accountability

• 19:54 – The Path to Healing: Overcoming Perfectionism to Reclaim Your Leadership Worth

THE CLIMB™ FRAMEWORK INSIGHT:

This session is a masterclass in C – Cultivate Your Mindset and I – Integrate Purpose & Vision. Roxanne highlights that perfectionism is often a "Worth Gap" that hinders a leader's ability to Leverage Strengths (L). By doing the inner work to heal and cultivate a conscious mindset, leaders can Integrate Purpose (I) that goes beyond quarterly earnings to create a lasting Legacy (B) of sovereign liberty and human reunification.

About Guest: Roxanne Chaput

Roxanne Chaput is a globally renowned leader in conscious leadership and an embodied oracle for change agents and disruptive heart leaders. She specializes in guiding intentional path-cutters to birth universal liberty and human reunification through her work. Roxanne is dedicated to returning humanity to a state of sovereign fulfillment through land-based and elemental creational kingdoms.

• 🌐 Learn more about her work: theilluminationretreat.com

ABOUT YOUR HOST: RAHUL KARAN SHARMA

Rahul Karan Sharma | Forbes Coaches Council Global Leadership Expert and Staffing Industry Specialist

Rahul solves the "Accidental Manager" crisis. Using his proprietary CLIMB Framework™, he transforms technical experts into executive-ready leaders. Ranked in the Global Top 1.5% of Podcasters,Rahul bridges the gap between Northern Virginia’s business ecosystem and international leadership standards. As a prominent member of the Loudoun County and Greater Reston Chambers of Commerce, Rahul is the definitive advisor for firms from Ashburn to Arlington seeking Strategic Acceleration.

🚀Audit Your Leadership: [⁠https://climb-leadership-audit.scoreapp.com/⁠]

📖 Get your copy of "Be Action Oriented": [⁠https://www.habits4miracles.com/jumpstart⁠]

🌐Official Website: ⁠www.rahulkaransharma.com⁠

📈Connect: [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahulkaransharma/]⁠

🎙️ Search 'The CLIMB Rahul Karan Sharma' on Spotify and Apple

#theclimbpodcast #executivepresence #staffingindustry #dcleaders #rahulkaransharma #confidentleader #leadershipdevelopment #nextgenleaders #ConsciousLeadership #HumanCentered

Ranked in the Global Top 1.5%, The CLIMB: Confident Leader Podcast is the definitive global strategy for mastering Executive Presence and cross-border leadership. In this episode, Rahul Karan Sharma (Forbes Coaches Council) joins Racquel Maye David to dissect Media Visibility and the mindset shifts required for high-stakes leadership in the DC Metro area and for global executives scaling their influence.

How do you transition from being "invisible" in corporate finance to a "Media Queen" commanding international visibility?

🧠 In this episode, we explore the Breaking Barriers Framework. For leaders in Washington D.C. and global markets, the challenge of 2026 is moving beyond traditional management into Empowered Visibility.

KEY TAKEAWAYS FOR GLOBAL LEADERS:

00:00 – The Global Blueprint for Visibility: Introducing Racquel Maye David

01:42 – Solving the "Invisible Executive" Crisis: Racquel’s Leadership Journey

04:25 – Beyond Passive Learning: Why Implementation is the Only Metric for Success

09:03 – The Reciprocity Hack: Leveraging Volunteering for Rapid Skill Acquisition

12:36 – Breaking Barriers: Shifting Perspectives to Scale Influence Across Borders

19:13 – Financial Freedom for Leaders: Diversifying Income and Betting on Yourself

27:06 – Strategy Session: How to Measure Success in the Global 0.1%

THE CLIMB FRAMEWORK™ INSIGHT:

This episode provides a masterclass in Leveraging Strengths (L) to Magnify Impact (M). Rahul and Racquel discuss why Global Executive Presence requires a strategic inventory of your unique "Warrior" traits. You cannot Magnify your Impact (M) if your leadership brand remains hidden or underutilized. True authority is born when you stop trying to fix weaknesses and instead Leverage your Strengths (L) to step onto the global stage and command visibility.ABOUT OUR GUEST: RACQUEL MAYE DAVID

Visionary TV Producer, Founder of Evolving Eve & Media Queen

Racquel Maye David is a transformative force in the media industry, specializing in the intersection of Leadership, Visibility, and Empowerment. As the founder of Evolving Eve and producer of the hit show Breaking Barriers, Racquel has mastered the art of transitioning from a structured corporate career in finance to a high-impact media empire. She is a dedicated mentor who teaches entrepreneurs how to bet on themselves, diversify their income, and implement knowledge for sustainable success.

🌐 Connect with Racquel: https://www.evolvedlifenow.com/

ABOUT YOUR HOST: RAHUL KARAN SHARMA

Rahul Karan Sharma | Forbes Coaches Council Global Leadership Expert and Staffing Industry Specialist

Rahul solves the "Accidental Manager" crisis. Using his proprietary CLIMB Framework™, he transforms technical experts into executive-ready leaders. Ranked in the Global Top 1.5% of Podcasters,Rahul bridges the gap between Northern Virginia’s business ecosystem and international leadership standards. As a prominent member of the Loudoun County and Greater Reston Chambers of Commerce, Rahul is the definitive advisor for firms from Ashburn to Arlington seeking Strategic Acceleration.

🚀Audit Your Leadership: [https://climb-leadership-audit.scoreapp.com/]

📖 Get your copy of "Be Action Oriented": [https://www.habits4miracles.com/jumpstart]🌐Official Website: www.rahulkaransharma.com

📈Connect: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahulkaransharma/]

🎙️ Search 'The CLIMB Rahul Karan Sharma' on Spotify & Apple

#TheClimbPodcast #ExecutivePresence #StaffingIndustry #DCLeaders #RahulKaranSharma #confidentleader #leadershipdevelopment #nextgenleader