Welcome back to The Power of Owning Your Career Podcast! In this special encore episode, host Simone Morris revisits a powerful conversation with Bhavna Bartholf, a trailblazing leader who spent over two decades at Microsoft and is now Executive Vice President of Commercial Sales and Strategy at another top organization.

Bhavna takes us on an inspiring journey from her upbringing in India, where she came from a family of doctors but chose to forge her own path, to her impressive rise in tech leadership. She opens up about the challenges of staying with one organization for over 20 years, the pivotal moments that shaped her, and the importance of taking the driver’s seat in your career. Bhavna shares illuminating insights on self-advocacy, knowing your worth, and overcoming the internal and external barriers that keep us from confidently pursuing what we deserve—especially as women in the workforce.

Get ready for actionable takeaways, game-changing mindset shifts, and a reminder of your power. Whether feeling stuck or looking to level up your career ownership journey, this episode contains wisdom and inspiration you won’t want to miss.

Let’s dive in!

Episode TimeStamp:

00:00 Top Career Podcast Honors/Bhavana Bartholf Introduction 03:27 "Bhavana Bartholf: Career Growth Insights" 07:18 Driven by Purposeful Giving 11:40 Unexpected Career Start at Microsoft 15:53 Career Growth During Pandemic Reorganization 19:23 "The Power of Saying No" 21:30 Cultivating Confidence and Self-Advocacy 25:01 Rediscovering Purpose Through Self-Reflection 29:21 "Secrets to Self-Advocacy Revealed" 31:31 Overcoming Fear Through Preparation 33:53 Forge Your Own Path 37:50 "Gratitude for Bhavana's Impact"

Resources:

52 Tips for Owning Your Career Book by Simone E. Morris Self-assessment tools (for understanding strengths, motivators, and drivers) TEDx Talk by Bhavana Bartholf (on self-advocacy and career ownership) LinkedIn (as a platform for connection and career networking)

Connect with our guest, Bhavana Bartholf, at

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bhavanabartholf/.

Connect with the show's host, Simone E. Morris, at https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonemorris/.

To apply to be a guest or recommend guests for the show, visit

bit.ly/pooycshowguest.

✴️ Get More Support for Your Career:

🟢 Get Simone's Book, The Power of Owning Your Career (https://bit.ly/3xlYyl6)

🟢 Get Simone's Book, 52 Tips for Owning Your Career (https://bit.ly/43JTV03)

🟢 Get Simone's Book, Achievement Unlocked: Strategies to Set Goals and Manifest Them (https://bit.ly/3TD8rlD)

🟢 Book a complimentary coaching exploration call with Simone at https://www.careerbreakthroughcall.com