What really changes when you step into senior leadership?

In this honest and insightful conversation, Sarah speaks with Maria Norowzian, Group & UK Hospitality Director at ATG Entertainment, about the realities of career growth, leadership transitions and learning to lead beyond your technical expertise.

Maria shares her journey from starting out in marketing at McDonald’s in Australia to leading innovation and hospitality strategy for one of the world’s largest theatre companies. Together, they explore the steep learning curves that come with ambitious career progression, the mindset shifts required at senior level, and why leadership is far more about influence, relationships and vision than having all the answers.

This episode is packed with valuable insights for managers, heads of department and aspiring senior leaders navigating growth, confidence and career progression.

In This Episode We Discuss:

Moving from functional expert to strategic leader
The leap from “Head Of” to Director level leadership
Why curiosity and growth mindset accelerate career success
Learning through mistakes, failure and discomfort
Building confidence in a bigger leadership role
Leading teams and managing cross-functional relationships
How coaching supports leadership growth
The importance of vision, calm and clarity in leadership
Ambition, hard work and finding flow in your career
Creating success and freedom on your own terms

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction to Maria and her role at ATG Entertainment

01:00 – Maria’s early career journey and passion for marketing

03:00 – Why steep learning curves drive career growth

04:00 – The transition into leadership and building teams

06:00 – Why moving from Head Of to Director felt so different

07:00 – Leadership mindset shifts and learning through mistakes

08:00 – Expanding beyond marketing into commercial leadership

10:00 – Why Maria sought coaching support

11:00 – Transferable skills, confidence and navigating fear

13:00 – Leadership blind spots and executive presence

14:00 – Maria’s definition of great leadership

15:00 – Career advice for ambitious professionals

17:00 – Working hard, ambition and finding flow

18:00 – The value of coaching for leaders

20:00 – What “Unstuck and Unstoppable” means to Maria

Useful Links

Connect with Maria on LinkedIn

Your First 100 Days by Niamh O'Keeffe

Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes

Book a Free 121 Clarity Call

Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn

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If you're kind enough to leave a review, please do let Sarah know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at: sarah@careertreecoaching.co.uk