Be the Leader You Were Meant to Be
Let’s talk about what it truly takes to rise to the next level of leadership without overworking, over-proving, or pretending to be someone you're not.
a few of my favorite appearances
Podcast Interviews
value for your audience
Things I love to talk about...
I bring practical insight, strategic tools, and mindset shifts to every conversation. These are a few of the topics that deeply resonate with ambitious women professionals:
From Overlooked to Unstoppable: What really holds women back from leadership roles and how to break through
The Right Role Exists: How to find the career path that fits your strengths and goals instead of fitting yourself into someone else’s mold
Authentic Networking That Works: How to create real opportunities through connection, even if you are not an extrovert
The Invisible Rules of Promotion: How to navigate office politics and get buy-in for your next move
Stop Over-Proving, Start Leading: The internal shifts women must make to lead with authority and calm
Strategic Influence Without Burnout: How to lead, delegate, and empower without doing it all yourself
Your Identity Changes Before Your Title Does: Why mindset and self-perception are the true first steps to leadership
These conversations are tailored to your audience’s needs. Whether they are actively job-seeking or navigating a complex leadership transition, I provide frameworks that help them think differently and act strategically.
a few featured articles
How Women Can Rise Without Burning Out
Meet Maya Sharfi
We were lucky to catch up with Maya Sharfi recently and have shared our conversation below.
In Her Own Words: Maya Sharfi breaks the overworking cycle
We measure success by many metrics: more money, a bigger portfolio, better title, nicer house, you name it. Maya Sharfi learned that chasing a moving target can be destructive and she encourages other women to learn from her experience...
Beating Burnout: Maya Sharfi Of Build Yourself On The 5 Things You Should Do If You Are Experiencing Work Burnout
Millions of Americans are returning back to work after being home during the pandemic. While this has been exciting for many, some are feeling burned out by their work. What do you do if you are feeling burned out by your work? How do you reverse it?
Real-World Impact
What others say about me
Since completing Maya’s coaching program, I got a leadership promotion, joined a local board of directors that connects to my personal as well as professional interests, and I’m doing more projects that align with my overall career goals and satisfaction. I now feel like I’m being seen for my strengths, which was my goal in the first place!
Maya provides clarity by helping you see new possibilities you would otherwise miss when imagining the path forward in your career. She has a way of organizing a wealth of critical information about your values, skills, and interests into a “North Star” with a step-by-step way forward.
I was unhappy in my work, even though I had worked hard to get there. My work with Maya allowed me to chart a path for myself and write my own job description for a leadership position. I feel so fulfilled knowing that I charted my course and I’m in a role that is perfectly aligned with my own expectations for my career. I love what I am doing today and where it could take me.
Maya’s program helped me realize the sorts of work that I really enjoy – strategic, higher-level work, more experimental, more creative, and more cross-functional. With that understanding, I was able to switch to a new role where I have more ownership over my projects, and work more cross-functionally and strategically. It ticked all the boxes I was looking for.
I felt like I was really stuck on my trajectory for a while. I had some ideas but I didn’t know how to put them together into a 5 to 10 year plan. After listening to the last group coaching call, I finally had that aha moment of what I wanted my trajectory end point to be. Now I have a clear path with steps to get there.
Thanks to our work together, I really understand myself and how to tell my story. It’s what I attribute to getting me into my new role where I feel trusted and empowered. I have a team that is very very smart and capable, who are making me better every day. I’m being set up for success and my CEO is aligned not just from a work but a values perspective. I feel great, and am showing up to all areas of my life with lightness and an energy.
areas of expertise
From Uncertainty to Strategic Clarity
Ambitious women often reach a moment in their careers where things feel unclear. Whether they are stuck in a role that no longer fits, unsure of how to grow, or navigating new leadership responsibilities, they are facing complexity without a roadmap.
I help women cut through that fog. Together, we clarify what they truly want, identify the right next role or leadership move, and build a practical plan to get there. With the right tools and a strong leadership identity, they move forward with confidence and purpose.
Lead in a Way That Feels Like You
You do not need to fit yourself into someone else's version of leadership to be effective. I help women lead in ways that feel authentic, powerful, and sustainable.
We focus on building leadership from the inside out. That means aligning your values with your actions, learning how to delegate and influence without overworking, and becoming visible in ways that feel natural to you. Real leadership is not about proving yourself. It is about owning your power and leading with clarity and conviction.
Unlock the Power That Is Already in You
You do not need to become someone else to lead at the next level. The clarity, confidence, and capacity you are looking for are already within you. Sometimes, you just need help accessing it.
I guide women to unpack the mental clutter that holds them back so they can see what is actually true: they are ready now. When you understand what drives you, how you think, and what makes you uniquely powerful, you unlock your next level. That is when leadership becomes not only possible, but deeply fulfilling.
question ideas to ask
Tap Into My Expertise
What do you see as the biggest barrier keeping high-performing women from moving into their next-level role?
How can a woman tell if she’s in the wrong role, or just in the wrong environment?
What do most women get wrong about networking, and how do you teach authentic networking that actually leads to opportunities?
Why do so many women over-prove themselves at work, and how can they stop?
What’s the leadership identity shift, and why is it essential before someone gets promoted or steps into a bigger role?
What’s your take on burnout, and why do you say that purpose misalignment is often the real cause?
You work with a lot of women in innovation, nonprofits, and mission-driven work. What unique challenges do they face, and how do they overcome them?
Can you walk us through your 5-pillar Level Up framework and how it helps women land roles that finally feel like a fit?
about me
Meet Maya Sharfi
Career and Leadership Coach for Ambitious Women
I help high-achieving women move into senior leadership roles, negotiate five-figure salary increases, and build careers that are both powerful and sustainable. My clients are often incredibly driven, yet they feel stalled in their career growth. Whether they are unsure how to move up, burned out from over-proving themselves, or ready to lead with more influence and less overwhelm, I help them find clarity and step into their next level.
As the founder of Build Yourself, I have coached women across industries to land promotions, transition into executive leadership, and lead with confidence, without losing themselves in the process. My method blends career strategy, mindset work, and authentic networking to help women grow into leadership roles that truly fit who they are.
On your podcast, I can speak to what holds women back from stepping into their next-level roles, how to build influence without burning out, and why clarity and identity are foundational to leadership growth. I offer practical, actionable insights that help listeners navigate their careers with more confidence and less second-guessing.
If your audience is filled with ambitious professionals who want to grow their careers on their terms, I would love to bring real-world strategies, thoughtful conversation, and a fresh lens on leadership to your show.
Follow Me
Let’s Help Your Listeners Lead With Clarity, Confidence, and Impact
Copyright 2026 | Maya Sharfi | Terms & Conditions