Leading Without a Handbook — Limor Bergman-Gross

Show notes

Limor Bergman-Gross is an executive leadership coach, speaker, and host of the podcast From a Woman to a Leader. A former director of engineering with over 20 years in tech, Limor helps women in tech and leadership move from being overlooked to becoming visible, influential, and confident leaders. Through coaching, speaking, and her podcast, she supports leaders in strengthening executive presence, strategic influence, self-advocacy, and authentic leadership — without trying to become someone they are not.

In today's episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to become visible, build strategic influence, and lead with confidence — even without a roadmap.

Limor and I discuss:

• What drove Limor's biggest career transitions [02:25]
• How hiring a coach helped her break through to the director level [03:44]
• What made her leave corporate and start her own business [04:29]
• The mindset shift required to run your own business [05:29]
• Why doing great work isn't always enough to get noticed [08:40]
• How people-pleasing holds women back from being seen as leaders [11:00]
• Why negotiation is a skill everyone needs — not just business owners [12:22]
• How to navigate independence without institutional structure [14:27]
• What it looks like when a client gives themselves permission to lead [18:21]

Learn more about Limor at:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/limorbergman/

https://limorbergman.substack.com/

https://limorbergman.com/podcast/

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About Smashing the Plateau

Smashing the Plateau is a podcast for experienced independent leaders who have left corporate roles to build sustainable, expertise-based businesses.

Each episode features a thoughtful, experience-driven conversation about what changes when you no longer have the infrastructure of an organization behind you.

We explore judgment, decision-making under uncertainty, growth plateaus, identity shifts, and the role of trusted thinking partners in sustaining long-term success.

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About Smashing the Plateau

Smashing the Plateau features candid conversations with experienced professionals who are building businesses around their expertise and creating greater control over their work and their lives.

Each episode explores the decisions, challenges, and opportunities that come with independent work, drawing on the experiences and perspectives of people who have navigated them firsthand.

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