Corporate Therapy: Executive Coaching with Lucy Paulise

#13 High-Functioning ADHD At Work: The Strength Nobody Talks About

To the outside world, you have it completely together. You have the packed calendar, the consistent promotions, and the flawless presentations. People look at you and see a typical high achiever. But internally, there is a quiet, exhausting storm. In this bite-sized episode of Corporate Therapy, host Lucy Paulise pulls back the curtain on the reality of high-functioning ADHD in a workplace built for linear minds. We break down the actual brain chemistry behind the "dopamine deficit," explain why you unconsciously wait until the absolute last minute to shift your engine into panic mode, and confront the hidden cost of masking your struggles: severe executive burnout. Stop trying to force your non-linear mind into a rigid corporate box. Tune in to learn why you aren't lazy, how your brain actually operates, and get a practical 5-minute tool—the 45/15 Rule—to start leading with clarity instead of running on empty. Links mentioned in this episode: * Read Lucy's latest column on High-Functioning ADHD on Forbes: https://www.forbes.com/sites/lucianapaulise/2026/05/21/high-functioning-adhd-at-work-the-strength-nobody-talks-about/ * Explore my Timebox book https://www.lucypaulise.com/timebox/ * Connect or book a career strategy session: lucypaulise.com

#12 How to Turn Your Greatest Weakness Into Purpose and Direction

Have you ever woken up at 3:00 AM on a Sunday with a knot in your stomach, dreading the Monday ahead? Most leaders spend their entire careers trying to hide their flaws, striving to appear as "finished products." In this episode, executive coach Lucy Paulise breaks the myth of "focusing only on your strengths." Through her Curious Leadership framework, Lucy explains why your leadership gaps aren't a threat to your authority—they are the compass pointing toward your deepest purpose. In this episode, you’ll discover: * Why avoiding your weaknesses or pretending they don't exist is draining your energy and stalling your career. * How to transform Sunday anxiety into a strategic competitive advantage. * The 3 mental shifts to move from a "perfect expert" to a high-growth leader. As Lucy says: "Weaknesses exist so that you can wake up with a purpose on Sunday morning." Don’t hide from them; learn from them. 🌐 Read the full article: Dive deeper into this topic and explore more strategies on my blog: lucypaulise.com [http://lucypaulise.com] 🚀 Take your leadership to the next level:Are you ready to stop overcompensating and start leading with curiosity? Join my Curious Leadership executive coaching program. https://www.lucypaulise.com/executive-coaching/ [https://www.lucypaulise.com/executive-coaching/] ✨ Work with me: Book your 1-on-1 Fit Call today to see if my framework is the right match for your career goals: https://calendly.com/lucypaulise/coaching-fit-and-direction [https://www.google.com/search?q=http://lucypaulise.com/coaching] 📸 Let’s connect on Instagram: Follow me for daily tips, behind-the-scenes insights, and leadership reflections: https://www.instagram.com/lucypaulisecoach/https://www.instagram.com/lucypaulisecoach/ [https://www.instagram.com/lucypaulisecoach/] 🔗 Links & Resources:https://www.forbes.com/sites/lucianapaulise/2026/04/27/3-ways-to-turn-your-leadership-gaps-into-your-purpose-driven-advantage/ [https://www.forbes.com/sites/lucianapaulise/2026/04/27/3-ways-to-turn-your-leadership-gaps-into-your-purpose-driven-advantage/]

#11 The 50% Rule: Why Active Surrender is Your New Power Move

Are you white-knuckling your way through the work week? For high achievers, giving 120% often feels like the only path to success. But what if that intensity is actually the very thing killing your deals, draining your team, and leading you straight to burnout? In this episode of Corporate Therapy, executive coach Lucy Paulise explores the counterintuitive power of the 50% Rule. Learn why "over-functioning" creates a repellent energy and how mastering the art of Active Surrender can make you more magnetic, influential, and effective. Lucy breaks down: * The Over-Functioning Trap: Why doing 90% of the heavy lifting demoralizes those around you. * The "Strategic Vacuum": How to use silence and curiosity to invite collaboration and buy-in. * Your Inner Temperature: A practical mindset shift to maintain emotional steadiness, no matter how "stormy" the environment. * The Quick Audit: Three red flags that show you're forcing it, and how to pivot back to flow. Stop trying to engineer the "Yes" and start leading with intention. This week, try the 50% challenge and see who moves to meet you at the line. Connect with Lucy: * Book a 1-on-1 Coaching Session: https://www.lucypaulise.com/book-a-coaching-session-with-lucy-paulise/ [https://www.lucypaulise.com/book-a-coaching-session-with-lucy-paulise/] * Visit the Website: www.lucypaulise.com [http://www.lucypaulise.com/] Read More on Forbes & More: * The 50% Rule: Why Active Surrender Is The Ultimate Career Power Move https://www.forbes.com/sites/lucianapaulise/2026/03/31/the-50-rule-why-active-surrender-is-the-ultimate-career-power-move/ [https://www.forbes.com/sites/lucianapaulise/2026/03/31/the-50-rule-why-active-surrender-is-the-ultimate-career-power-move/] * How to stop people-pleasing https://www.lucypaulise.com/how-to-stop-people-pleasing-at-work-and-set-boundaries/https://www.lucypaulise.com/how-to-stop-people-pleasing-at-work-and-set-boundaries/ [https://www.lucypaulise.com/how-to-stop-people-pleasing-at-work-and-set-boundaries/]

#10 Stop People-Pleasing: The Leadership Boundary High Achievers Need

Why do so many high achievers struggle to say no? In this episode of Corporate Therapy, executive coach and Forbes contributor Lucy Paulise explores one of the most common patterns she sees in high-performing professionals—people-pleasing disguised as dedication. Many leaders become known as the reliable problem-solver: the one who steps in, says yes, and keeps everything running smoothly. But over time, constantly prioritizing others’ needs can quietly lead to exhaustion, resentment, and burnout. Lucy explains why people-pleasing is often a learned survival strategy rooted in early experiences and how it can show up in leadership, especially for women navigating pressure, expectations, ADHD, or trauma. Drawing from her Curious Leadership Framework, Lucy shares practical tools to help leaders break the pattern, including: * The ABCD method of self-talk to pause automatic “yes” responses * The Three Brains check-in to evaluate decisions with your head, heart, and gut * The 4Cs Strategy Loop to set boundaries with clarity and confidence If you’re a leader who feels responsible for everything—or struggles to protect your time—this episode will help you replace people-pleasing with clear, sustainable boundaries. Because you don’t shine by doing everything. Featured Resources & Links: 📖 Read the Full Forbes Article:  https://www.forbes.com/sites/lucianapaulise/2026/03/10/how-to-stop-people-pleasing-at-work-and-lead-with-authentic-authority/ 🛠️ Access the Corporate Therapy Library: Get free worksheets, EQ assessments, and the "Timebox" starter kit at  https://www.lucypaulise.com/my-corporate-therapy-library/ 🤝 Work With Lucy: Book a 1-on-1 coaching session to find your internal anchor:  https://www.lucypaulise.com/book-a-coaching-session-with-lucy-paulise/ 🌐 Visit the Website:  www.lucypaulise.comYou shine by focusing on what truly matters. This week, try it.

# 9 The Paradox of Performance: How Detaching from the Outcome helps you achieve it

Have you ever noticed that your best work happens when you aren’t thinking about the 'finish line'? When we finally stop worrying about the promotion, we often find the flow that earns it. In this episode of Corporate Therapy, Lucy Paulise explores the "Paradox of the Loose Grip" through the lens of Alysa Liu’s historic 2026 Olympic Gold medal win. After a 24-year drought for U.S. women’s figure skating, Liu didn't win by "trying harder"—she won by returning to the ice with a mindset of Art over Medals. Lucy breaks down why "Outcome Obsession" kills creativity and how you can build an Internal Anchor to stay grounded when the stakes are highest. You will learn: * The biology of the "Performance Trap" and the Yerkes-Dodson curve. * Why "Ambition" and "Attachment" are not the same thing. * The ABCD of Self-Talk: A simple framework to regulate your nervous system in real-time. * How to replace fear-based decisions with Curious Leadership. Featured Resources & Links: 📖 Read the Full Forbes Article: https://www.lucypaulise.com/the-paradox-of-performance-why-detaching-from-the-outcome-helps-you-achieve-it/ [https://www.forbes.com/sites/lucianapaulise/] 🛠️ Access the Corporate Therapy Library: Get free worksheets, EQ assessments, and the "Timebox" starter kit at https://www.lucypaulise.com/free-corporate-therapy-library-access/ [https://www.lucypaulise.com/my-corporate-therapy-library/] 🤝 Work With Lucy: Book a 1-on-1 coaching session to find your internal anchor: https://www.lucypaulise.com/book-a-coaching-session-with-lucy-paulise/ [https://www.lucypaulise.com/career-coaching/] 🌐 Visit the Website: www.lucypaulise.com [https://www.lucypaulise.com] If this episode resonated, please share it with a high achiever who needs a "loose grip" this week. As always... try it.