In this episode, Amanda Natividad, VP of Marketing at SparkToro, talks about some of the low points in her career, the toughest feedback she’s ever received, how she navigates burnout, and how she’s been able to find her authentic voice as a leader.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

1. When Amanda was told ““Wow. Rand opened up a lot of doors for you!”

2. Amanda’s boss said it was obvious when she didn’t know what she was doing

3. When Amanda was told “You’re too junior” and “You’re too direct”

Things to listen for:

[06:34] When Amanda was told “Wow. Rand must have opened up a lot of doors for you”

[15:39] During the pandemic, she was furloughed from her job at Liftopia

[19:01] Amanda felt powerless in her personal and professional life…

[27:29] Being told “It’s so obvious you don’t know what you’re doing” by a manager

[31:11] Seeing feedback as positive and her co-workers wanting to help

[32:38] Being told “You’re too junior” and “You’re too direct”

[39:34] “I don’t know” shows maturity and awareness on a personal level

[45:57] The skills she wishes she worked on earlier

Resources:

- Connect with Amanda on LinkedIn

- Check out SparkToro

- Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn

- Work with Andrew

- Learn more about Appcues

In this episode, Collin Crowell, VP of North America at Kameleoon opens up about one of his most humbling experiences at work that led him to reevaluate his identity, he shares insights into receiving tough feedback and how he used that to fuel his drive, and also shares his strategic approach to building successful teams.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

1. When Collin was told by readers that the titles he was in charge of were pieces of shit

2. The moment when self doubt creeped in for Collin because everyone was touting their success and great ideas on LinkedIn

3. When Collin worked his ass off for a company and was told by his favorite boss to ‘slow down’

Things to listen for:

[03:04] Being known as the “odd ball”

[04:08] The big leap moving from the US to alone in China

[08:25] Being told he worked at a ‘piece of shit’

[13:00] Flipping the switch to ‘I want to kick ass and take names’

[16:41] Knowing he lost before he even got in the game

[24:10] Major FOMO on LinkedIn

[34:05] Being told by his boss to slow down… and it was his favorite piece of feedback

[37:45] Most crucial advice to everyone

Resources:

- Connect with Liz on LinkedIn

- Check out Stage 2 Capital

- Subscribe to Dear Stage 2 on Substack

- Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn

- Work with Andrew

- Learn more about Appcues

In this episode, Liz Christo, Investor and GTM Advisor for Stage 2 Capital, unravels her highs and lows in her workforce journey. From getting told “you’re too ruthlessly execution focussed” to having to dramatically change her working style, Liz’s story unpacks the power of feedback, why you should develop a culture of support, and the significance of vulnerability.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

1. When Liz fought so hard to have a global org and ended up burning out and feeling stretched too thin

2. When Liz received the hardest piece of feedback, twice…

3. The story when Liz was not able to get companies to follow through, even when they were in complete agreement on what needed to happen

Things to listen for:

[07:33] Why Liz was described as “great at the “USA Crossword puzzle”

[09:19] Her biggest work burnout moment

[14:46] Not taking care of herself and the impact on her work

[18:53] Getting a new job and it testing her values and culture list

[28:28] Getting told everything that was negative about working with her

[36:34] Addressing feedback and making changes

[38:22] Her biggest imposter syndrome moment

Resources:

- Connect with Liz on LinkedIn

- Check out Stage 2 Capital

- Subscribe to Dear Stage 2 on Substack

- Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn

- Work with Andrew

- Learn more about Appcues