Coaching Real Leaders: "Coming Soon: Season 11"

Host: Muriel Wilkins (Harvard Business Review)
Date: February 16, 2026

Overview:

The teaser for Season 11 of Coaching Real Leaders announces the podcast's return with enhanced frequency and new content formats. Host Muriel Wilkins previews the themes of career advancement, navigating professional ruts, and addressing leadership challenges through real-life coaching conversations. Notably, Season 11 will span the entire year with bi-monthly episodes and introduce the new listener Q&A segment "Ask Muriel Anything."

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Season 11 Format and Frequency

• Year-Long Run: For the first time, episodes will air throughout the year, eliminating seasonal breaks.
  • Muriel Wilkins: "Not only are we back for season 11, but we are running it for the whole year... You'll get a new episode twice a month, all year long." [00:09]
• Content Expansion: Continued focus on authentic coaching sessions featuring high-performing leaders tackling genuine obstacles.

Themes and Challenges to Be Addressed

• Overcoming Limiting Beliefs: Expect deep dives into common cognitive and emotional barriers that hinder progression.

  • Muriel Wilkins: "From uncovering a belief that holds you back, to figuring out a path to the C suite, to recovering from a major career mistake." [00:02]

• Career Fulfillment vs. Business Metrics: Real-life struggles balancing passion and job expectations.

  • Podcast Guest 2: "It feels like at the end of the day, everyone just cares about the sales numbers and for me, that doesn't fill my cup." [00:36]

• Professional Visibility: Strategies for building influence and navigating organizational politics.

  • Podcast Guest 3: "I think in order to get the visibility into the reasons behind decisions that I am wanting to get, I probably need to make myself a little more visible and accessible to the other leaders in the organization." [00:43]

• Pursuing Happiness Amidst Career Choices: The importance of emotional well-being in professional decisions.

  • Podcast Guest 1: "I want to manage the implications to be as happy as I can. When I try to look at all the cards on the table, I know one thing's for sure. I'm not happy and I don't want to not be happy." [00:57]

New Content Segment: Ask Muriel Anything

• Listener Q&A: Introduction of interactive episodes where Muriel addresses questions sourced from the audience.
  • Muriel Wilkins: "I'll be dropping a new type of episode into your podcast feed called Ask Muriel Anything. This is where we'll tackle questions that come in from listeners like you." [01:10]

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On season longevity and access:

  • Muriel Wilkins [00:09]:
    "Not only are we back for season 11, but we are running it for the whole year. That's right, no more waiting between seasons. You'll get a new episode twice a month, all year long."

• On seeking meaning beyond metrics:

  • Podcast Guest 2 [00:36]:
    "It feels like at the end of the day, everyone just cares about the sales numbers and for me, that doesn't fill my cup."

• On organizational visibility:

  • Podcast Guest 3 [00:43]:
    "I probably need to make myself a little more visible and accessible to the other leaders in the organization."

• On prioritizing happiness:

  • Podcast Guest 1 [00:57]:
    "When I try to look at all the cards on the table, I know one thing's for sure. I'm not happy and I don't want to not be happy."

• On new listener interaction:

  • Muriel Wilkins [01:10]:
    "This is where we'll tackle questions that come in from listeners like you."

• Season opener reminder:

  • Muriel Wilkins [01:21]:
    "Be ready on March 2 for the season opener. You won't want to miss it."

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:02: Introduction to major themes and Season 11's new format
• 00:36: Guest comments on sales-driven culture vs. personal fulfillment
• 00:43: Guest discusses need for greater visibility in leadership
• 00:57: Guest reflects on dissatisfaction and desire for happiness
• 01:10: Muriel announces "Ask Muriel Anything" interactive segment
• 01:21: Season 11 premiere announcement

Tone and Takeaways

Muriel Wilkins maintains a supportive and insightful tone, promising transparency in real-life coaching while also inviting listeners to engage more actively than ever. The preview makes clear that Season 11 will address both the tactical and deeply personal aspects of leadership, offering accessible guidance and relatable stories for all career stages.

Summary:
Coaching Real Leaders returns with richer, year-round content, mixing real coaching conversations with the launch of "Ask Muriel Anything." Leaders navigating complex workplaces, seeking happiness, or wanting to advance without sacrificing authenticity will find both inspiration and practical advice in the upcoming season.