Turning Stagnation into Opportunity | Empowering Women in Leadership

Guest:Cynthia Bentzen MercerExecutive Coach | Bestselling Author | Former Corporate Leader Turned EntrepreneurHost:Melissa AarskaugExecutive Connect: https://www.executiveconnectpodcast.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExecutiveConnectEpisode Overview:Feeling stuck doesn’t have to mean staying stuck. In this episode of Executive Connect, Melissa Aarskaug sits down with Cynthia Bentzen Mercer to talk about what it really takes to turn corporate burnout into a bold new chapter. Cynthia shares how she went from feeling restless in her career to becoming a bestselling author and coach, helping women step into leadership with clarity and purpose. They cover everything from mentorship and building your network to why flexibility is more than just a buzzword—it’s a retention strategy. Whether you're navigating a plateau or plotting your next move, this conversation is packed with insight.Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction to Career Restlessness03:12 – Transforming Restlessness into Opportunity06:04 – Overcoming Stagnation and Setting Goals09:04 – The Importance of Mentorship and Allyship11:50 – Transitioning from Corporate to Entrepreneurship15:09 – Challenges of Building a Network18:01 – Strategies for Retaining Female Talent19:51 – Creating a Flexible Work Environment22:59 – Balancing Work and Family Life26:09 – Final Thoughts and AdviceConnect With Us:Podcast Website: https://www.executiveconnectpodcast.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExecutiveConnectSocial:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-aarskaug/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@melissa_aarskaugX: https://x.com/melissaaarskaug