Episode 336: Stop Arguing for Your Limitations w/ Sonal Bahl

Sonal Bahl has spent nearly two decades in HR leadership at companies like GE and PwC. She's reviewed more than 250,000 resumes, interviewed thousands of candidates, and seen firsthand why talented professionals sometimes struggle to advance their careers, recognize their value, and land the opportunities they're looking for.

In this conversation with Steve Mellor, Sonal gets into the parts of career growth that don't always show up on a resume: the self-doubt that keeps people from pursuing bigger roles, the discomfort of putting yourself out there, and the challenge of recognizing your own experience. She shares practical insights on career transitions, networking, salary negotiation, and positioning yourself for new leadership opportunities.

One idea that stands out is Sonal's approach to “gold mining”: looking back at difficult moments in your life and career to find evidence of what you've already overcome. It's a reminder that professional confidence doesn't always come from acquiring something new. Sometimes it comes from recognizing what you've already done.

For anyone navigating a career change, considering their next professional move, or looking to take the next step in their career, this is a conversation worth hearing.

In this episode, you'll hear about:
– Why experienced professionals often underestimate their own value and hesitate to pursue bigger opportunities
– How to approach networking and career transitions by creating opportunities rather than waiting for them
– Sonal's “gold mining” approach to finding confidence in the challenges you've already overcome
– Why you should lead salary negotiations with your strengths, not your limitations
– How small acts of discomfort can build momentum and open the door to professional growth
– Why your sense of worth shouldn't depend on someone else's approval or validation

Listen now and ask yourself: What experiences from my past could remind me of what I'm capable of?

About the guest:
Sonal Bahl is a former global HR leader, career strategist, podcaster, and founder of Supercharge, where she helps senior professionals close the gap between the results they deliver and how they are positioned, perceived, and paid. With nearly two decades in HR leadership across companies, including GE and PwC, and experience screening 250,000+ resumes and conducting 5,000+ interviews across multiple continents, Sonal brings a practical behind-the-scenes perspective on why high performers still get stuck and how they can reposition themselves for better-fit, better-paid, higher-level roles.

Connect with Sonal Bahl:
Website: https://www.superchargeyourself.com/  
Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ready-for-more/id1536817985  
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonalbahl/ 

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Connect with Steve Mellor

Stay connected and keep growing with Steve:

Connect with GrowthReady

Join the community and keep your growth journey going:

—-

This podcast was produced on Riverside and released via …