What if the biggest barrier to career advancement isn't your technical skills, it's how you navigate workplace transitions and speak up in rooms where you're "the only"?

In this episode of Engineer Your Success, Dr. James Bryant talks with Ashley Rudolph, performance coach and former tech VP, about the unique challenges high achievers face during career transitions. From leading through layoffs to overcoming "the only" syndrome, Ashley shares why execution matters more than planning when it comes to real career transformation.

You'll discover why "Ashley excels at excellence" became her defining moment, how to adapt when environments aren't built for you, and what it really takes to turn transitions into opportunities. Whether you're eyeing a promotion or navigating workplace challenges, this episode will help you lead with confidence through uncertainty.

Key Moments in the Episode

00:00 – Leadership Under Pressure: Ashley's critical decision-making moment during team layoffs and the type of leader she chose to become

01:32 – Defining High Performers: The "Ashley excels at excellence" origin story and what drives people to continuously push for better

02:57 – Tech Executive Journey: How Ashley grew from individual contributor to VP in 5 years and the mistakes she learned from

04:09 – Navigating Career Transitions: Leading through uncertainty and preparing your team for their next chapters

09:27 – "Being the Only" Concept: Why it's different from imposter syndrome and how to thrive in rooms not designed for you

10:33 – The Left-Handed Analogy: Adapting to environments built for others without giving up on your goals

11:51 – Three Dimensions of Transformation: Ashley's proven coaching methodology that focuses on real change, not just planning

16:29 – Role Reversal Interview: What high achievers really struggle with—worthiness and self-sabotage patterns

19:41 – Purpose and Calling: Why both coaches continue doing this work and the impact on their clients' lives

Key Insights & Takeaways

• High performers are driven by an internal need to continuously excel
• "Being the only" in a room creates unique challenges beyond typical imposter syndrome
• Most coaching fails at execution—focus on daily actions, not just strategies
• True leadership is revealed in how you handle crisis situations
• Even technical professionals with strong expertise struggle with feelings of worthiness

🧠 Notable Quotes

"I'm willing to do the hard things and I'm willing to have the hard conversations—I'm just not someone that runs away from the scary things." — Ashley Rudolph

"People pay me for the change. They don't pay me for presentation, they don't pay me for a plan." — Ashley Rudolph

👤 Guest Information

Ashley Rudolph – Performance Coach & Former Tech Executive
Founder of Work with Ashley R | Specializes in high achiever career transitions
🌐 workwithashleyr.com
📧 newsletter.workwithashleyr.com
💼 LinkedIn: Ashley Rudolph (with a pH - like Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer)

About Engineer Your Success

Engineer Your Success equips technical professionals and business owners to become confident, purpose-driven leaders who thrive at work and at home.

Through executive coaching, business consulting, and strategic content solutions, we help you:

• Lead with clarity and communicate with impact
• Build aligned systems that support your values
• Avoid burnout while achieving professional success
• Transform from technical expert to influential leader

🔗 Connect With Us

Learn more at engineeryoursuccessnow.com
Follow Dr. James Bryant | https://sleek.bio/jbryant

What if the biggest barrier to becoming a better leader isn’t your technical ability—it’s how you communicate?

In this episode of Engineer Your Success, Dr. James Bryant talks with Susan Young, communications trainer for AEC professionals, about why engineers often struggle to connect—and how to fix it. From public speaking to emails to deep listening, Susan shares battle-tested strategies to help you speak with clarity, confidence, and connection.

You’ll hear why "you are the message," how to stop burying the lead, and what it really takes to lead others through words, presence, and mindset. Whether you're presenting to stakeholders or writing that all-important follow-up email, this episode will help you make every word count.

00:00 – You Are the Message: Why communication starts with human connection, not slides or scripts.

01:00 – Confidence, Communication, and Career Growth: Susan shares her journey from radio news to keynote speaking and how engineers can build confidence too.

05:00 – The Real Reason Engineers Struggle to Communicate: What we’re not taught in school, and how to stop letting fear or personality labels get in the way.

10:00 – Writing and Speaking with Impact: From email tips to AI support, how to make every word count and lead with clarity.

15:00 – Deep Listening & Presence: What “silent listening” means and how to stay anchored during conversations.

20:00 – Let the Conversation Flow: How staying unscripted helps build trust, connection, and authentic leadership.

Susan Young
Communications Strategist & Trainer for AEC Professionals
Creator of the Top Tier Communicator Program

🌐 aecamplify.com

• Confidence is a learned skill—communication can be trained like any other

• Stop hiding behind “I’m just an introvert” and start building presence

• Clarity in writing starts with knowing the point you’re trying to make

• Your audience is rooting for you—they want you to succeed

• “Silent listening” helps you become a trusted advisor, not just another vendor

• You don’t need to memorize a script to communicate effectively—just be real

• Don’t bury the lead. Make your point. Make every word count.

“Nobody came for your PowerPoint slides. In the end, you are the message.” — Susan Young

“Make your point. Maybe it’s the Jersey in me, but I say: Cut the crap. What are you trying to say?” — Susan Young

Engineer Your Success equips technical professionals and business owners to become confident, purpose-driven leaders who thrive at work and at home.

Through a blend of executive coaching, business consulting, and strategic content solutions, we help you:

• Lead with clarity
• Communicate with impact
• Build aligned systems that support your values
• Avoid burnout and thrive in every area of life

Learn more at engineeryoursuccessnow.com

Follow Dr. James Bryant | https://sleek.bio/jbryant

What if your biggest challenge with AI adoption isn’t technology it’s people?

In this episode of Engineer Your Success, Dr. James Bryant talks with Karrie Sullivan, founder of Culminate Strategy Group, about what it really takes to lead teams through transformation. Karrie shares how she combines psychology, data, and AI to help organizations navigate change with less resistance and more clarity.

You’ll hear real-world examples of how emotional intelligence (EQ) can accelerate adoption, build stronger teams, and reduce the emotional drama that derails strategic initiatives. Whether you're managing a project, leading an M&A, or simply trying to help your team thrive, this episode offers insights you won’t want to miss

⏱️ Key Moments in the Episode

00:00 – 02:00 – Introduction

02:00 – 07:00 – Karrie’s journey from marketing to transformation and AI consulting

07:00 – 13:00 – How data-driven EQ helps teams adopt change more effectively

13:00 – 17:00 – Case study: M&A roadblocks, seller’s remorse, and emotional drama

17:00 – 23:00 – Leading engineers: Learning styles, trust, and team dynamics

23:00 – 30:00 – Risk-taking, burnout, and redefining success at work and at home

30:00 – 38:00 – Coaching frameworks, impostor syndrome, and self-worth

38:00 – 42:00 – Final thoughts, continuous growth, and how to connect with Karrie

👤 Guest Information

Karrie Sullivan
Founder of Culminate Strategy Group
Expert in AI-driven change management and team psychology

• 💼 Connect with Karrie on LinkedIn
• 🌐 https://culminatestrategy.com/
• 📘 Upcoming ebook: Hacking the Change Curve

💡 Key Insights & Takeaways

• AI adoption is as much about mindset as it is about systems
• Emotional intelligence is a practical leadership skill—not a soft skill
• Belonging and psychological safety accelerate team transformation
• You can segment your team’s learning preferences using data
• “Should” is one of the most dangerous words in the workplace
• True success includes how you show up at home, not just at work

🧠 Notable Quotes

“EQ isn’t about hugging employees. It’s about solving complex problems while letting go of fear, guilt, and shame.” — Karrie Sullivan

“You create that little bit of need to belong… and magic just happens. Adoption just happens.” — Karrie Sullivan

Engineer Your Success equips technical professionals and business owners to become confident, purpose-driven leaders who thrive at work and at home.

Through a blend of executive coaching, business consulting, and strategic content solutions, we help you:

• Lead with clarity
• Communicate with impact
• Build aligned systems that support your values
• Avoid burnout and thrive in every area of life

Learn more at engineeryoursuccessnow.com

Follow Dr. James Bryant | https://sleek.bio/jbryant