Stand Out, Speak Up, Move Up: Jenny Wood’s Blueprint for Rising in the Ranks

Jenny Wood, former Google executive, leadership coach, and author of Wild Courage, joins us to talk about what it really takes to grow your career, whether you're in the early stages or navigating a mid-career reset. With her candid approach, Jenny shares how to apply your experience and find your courage.

In this episode, we cover practical, no-nonsense strategies for standing out at work, communicating with your boss, building a network that actually supports you, and tapping into the kind of courage that deepens with age. If you've ever felt overlooked, underestimated, or simply ready for more—this conversation is for you.

 

Careers: Looking for career clarity, inspiration, or a reset? Check out our other caereer related podcasts  💖

• Kathy Caprino, author of The Most Powerful You, breaks down the 7 power gaps holding back 98% of women and 90% of men—and how to close them.
• Lauren McGoodwin, founder of Career Contessa, talks about entitlement in the workplace and why chasing the “perfect job” can lead us astray.
• Julian Guthrie shares the untold story of the first female venture capitalists in Silicon Valley—and how they changed the game.
• Courtney Martin challenges traditional definitions of success and offers a more honest, human vision of achievement.
• Joan Barnes, founder of Gymboree, opens up about resilience, entrepreneurship, and recovering from bulimia while building a beloved brand.
• Jane Boulware reflects on her journey from Iowa farm life to an executive role at Microsoft—and what early retirement really looks like.

Topics Discussed:

• 03:33 - Jenny Wood shares her story about tapping into wild courage in to meet her husband in the NY Subway
• 06:39 - Go after what you want and get it
• 12:24 - "Woo with you" is a technique used by introverts to influence others
• 15:11 - What do you think are the most important traits for success
• 18:18 - The biggest leap in Silicon Valley is moving from middle manager to executive
• 23:43 - You have to have courage to reach up to your boss's boss
• 26:57 - Brutal is the power of no to protect your time, energy and priorities
• 33:08 - How AI could affect middle managers
• 34:37 - Which AI tools Jenny is using and how she is using them
• 44:25 - For moms who left the workforce to raise kids, how do they get back
• 51:08 - You show up as an introvert on Myers Briggs, but nobody believes it
• 55:40 - What the entrepreneurial path feels like for Jenny
• 58:53 - Jenny's current revenue stream is 70% keynote speaking and 10% newsletter sponsorship

 

Jenny Wood
[jennywood.com](https://jennywood.com)

Wild Courage
[Wild Courage Book](https://jennywood.com/wild-courage)

ChatGPT
[OpenAI ChatGPT](https://openai.com/chatgpt)

ConvertKit
[ConvertKit](https://convertkit.com)