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How Leaders Select Talent, or, How to Get Promoted to Leadership
Updated: Oct 7
An Episode of The Wingwomen Podcast | Hosted by Valerie Mocker (CEO of Wingwomen) with Sabrina Albrecht (Chief People Officer) & Sebastian Holmer (Senior Talent Acquisition Leader).
About Wingwomen
50% of the women who go through our talent development program - the Confidence Academy - get promoted within 24 months.
In The Wingwomen Podcast, our CEO Valerie Mocker sits down with fellow executives to share what it really takes to build confidence,
advance your career, and create organizations where women rise.
And what to do when you worry "what if I'm not enough?".
Build Your Workplace Confidence
Have you ever wondered what it really takes to be considered for leadership or executive-level positions?
How do executives and leaders choose who gets promoted?
And how can organizations get more women into leadership effectively?
In this episode of The Wingwomen Podcast, our CEO Valerie Mocker is joined by Chief People Officer Sabrina Albrecht and senior talent acquisition expert Sebastian Holmer.
Together, they pull back the curtain on executive selection, workplace visibility, and how to position yourself for your next career step.
5 Practical Takeaways
1. Raise your hand—even if you don't meet 100% of the requirements
If you meet 70–80% of a leadership role's requirements and are open to learning, put yourself forward. Don’t assume that every gap rules you out. Focus on explaining what you already bring to the table, and present a clear plan for how you will close any remaining skills gap & weaknesses.
2. Make your work and personal impact visible
Keep a regular record of your achievements, including measurable business results and meaningful feedback. Share your progress clearly with your manager and colleagues. In interviews, describe your specific contribution: explain your exact role, the actions you took, and the impact they had, rather than relying only on "we."
3. Make your career story easy to understand
Your career path does not need to follow a perfectly straight line. Prepare a concise explanation of how your unique experience connects directly to the leadership role you want. Everyone has unique experiences! When looking outside your organization, use clear terminology and relevant keywords on your LinkedIn profile so executive recruiters and talent leaders can quickly grasp your expertise.
4. Build a network around the work you want to do next
Focus on quality relationships rather than collecting contacts. Connect with people who understand your field, internal HR leaders or headhunters who can offer thoughtful advice. When reaching out, be specific about what you want to learn, how much of their time you need - and offer your help in return.
5. Treat interviews as a two-way strategic conversation
Prepare to have an answer in four key areas: your strengths, your transferable skills and achievements, your development areas (what you still need to learn), and your expectations (salary, what you look for in a role and employer). Remember that an interview is also your opportunity to evaluate whether the organization's culture and leadership team are right for you.
Key chapters
00:00 — Why getting to the next level can feel difficult
Valerie introduces the confidence questions that often come up when women want to take on more responsibility in their organization.
07:46 — Confidence and understanding your impact
We discuss overcoming self-doubt and practical ways to reflect on and present your career achievements.
15:25 — What candidates worry about behind the scenes
Why the internal question “Am I good enough?” holds talented people back, and how to build the confidence to make a career move.
19:05 — How leadership hiring really works
An insider look at how executive hiring teams define a role, evaluate candidate readiness, and assess overall fit.
22:02 — Looking beyond the “perfect” candidate
Why decision-makers value transferable experience and how to position yourself effectively as a "step-up" candidate.
29:30 — Getting noticed for senior roles
Practical advice on building strategic workplace visibility, expanding your internal footprint, and planning your career progression.
38:03 — LinkedIn, mentors, and professional "Wingwomen and Wingman" relationships
How to approach networking naturally, optimize your profile for recruiters, and build relationships with key decision-makers.
45:58 — Talking about your strengths and achievements
Why explaining your personal contribution and business results matters in interviews—and how to do it clearly without hesitating.
49:10 — Confidence in interviews
How to discuss salary expectations with confidence, negotiate your value, and avoid unnecessary justifications.
54:00 — Discussing experience gaps, children, and career choices
How to explain perceived weaknesses or career breaks with confidence, flag up family commitments, and ask for flexibility.
61:57 — Choosing what matters to YOU at this stage of your life
How to evaluate organizational fit and balance professional ambition with your personal life priorities.
Meet our speakers
Valerie Mocker — Host & Wingwoman
Valerie is the CEO of Wingwomen and an experienced Vice-Chair on supervisory boards.
She helps companies increase their share of female leaders at all levels by sending their hidden female talent through our 6-week coaching program, the Confidence Academy.
Valerie loves to stay active—including paddling on the rivers of Oxford with her young sons and husband.
Sabrina Albrecht — Guest & Wingwoman
Sabrina is an experienced Chief People Officer who has hired hundreds of leaders across global organizations.
She shares her insights on how women can navigate workplace dynamics and how organizations must plan and hire to secure top female talent.
Sabrina is also a mother who speaks candidly about flexible working and balancing her executive responsibilities with family life.
Sebastian Holmer — Guest & Wingman
Sebastian is a senior talent acquisition expert with years of executive search and headhunting experience.
He shares practical advice on how hiring teams evaluate candidates and how job seekers can stand out for senior roles.
Sebastian is also a dad who famously organizes the books in his office according to strict "Vatican order."
Connect with them on LinkedIn:
