What if the thing holding you back in your career isn’t a fact, but a story you’ve been telling yourself?

In this episode, Kelly sits down with leadership coach, speaker, and former Google leader Barbara Boselli to explore how the narratives we create about ourselves can quietly shape, and sometimes limit, our careers.

From growing up in Brazil and navigating cultural transitions in the U.S., to building a successful corporate career, leaving Google to focus on family, and eventually launching her own leadership consulting practice, Barbara shares a deeply reflective journey of growth, self-awareness, and reinvention.

Together, Kelly and Barbara unpack the difference between facts and stories, how emotional intelligence and mindfulness transform leadership, and why “step two is the enemy of step one” when it comes to meaningful career change. This conversation is a powerful reminder that self-awareness is the foundation of courageous leadership, and that redefining success often starts from within.

Key Topics & Takeaways

The difference between facts and the stories we tell ourselves
How cultural norms shape leadership and self-advocacy
Transitioning from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship
Emotional intelligence as a core leadership skill
Mindfulness, self-awareness, and reframing limiting beliefs
Why you don’t need the full plan to take the first step
Navigating identity shifts during career pivots
Finding purpose, passion, and fulfillment through service

Chapters / Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction
00:23 – Barbara Boselli bio
01:32 – Growing up in Brazil and early career influences
03:02 – Cultural transitions and working in the U.S.
05:08 – First roles at L’Oréal and Vale
06:40 – Choosing an MBA and career reinvention
07:58 – Joining Google and working in strategy & operations
09:51 – Discovering a passion for people development
11:58 – Emotional intelligence, mindfulness, and leadership
13:52 – Leaving Google and identity shifts
15:36 – Spiritual psychology and reframing success
18:45 – Navigating motherhood and career uncertainty
21:00 – “Step two is the enemy of step one”
22:55 – Building Be Now Consulting
24:22 – Fact vs. story and limiting beliefs
28:04 – Self-awareness as a leadership superpower
29:53 – Community, collaboration, and entrepreneurship
31:36 – Advice to her 20-year-old self
32:28 – Career in three words
33:10 – Where to find Barbara

Guest Resources

Website: bnowconsulting.com
LinkedIn: Barbara Boselli

Topics Discussed

leadership development, emotional intelligence, mindfulness at work, self-awareness, career pivots, women in leadership, entrepreneurship, limiting beliefs, personal growth, fact vs story, executive coaching, purpose-driven work, Career Slay Podcast

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Please consider subscribing, leaving a rating, and sharing to help us #slaythefearincareer. And if you're looking for one-on-one career coaching, connect with Kelly:

Website: careerslay.com
LinkedIn: Kelly Poquiz Burke
Instagram: @careerslay