Maya Rodriguez
134 posts
Maya writes about careers and professional development for WMN Magazine. She covers leadership, skill building, career strategy, and the durable capabilities that create long-term success.
Supervisor, Manager, Director, Leader: Why Knowing the Difference Changes Everything
Most organizations promote people without ever explaining what their new role actually requires. Here's the real difference between a supervisor, manager, director, and leader — and why confusing them is costing teams their best people.
Why Decentering Work Is the Most Important Thing You Can Do for Your Life Right Now
Decentering work isn't about checking out — it's about refusing to let your job be the organizing principle of your entire life. Here's why it matters, and exactly how to do it.
Remote Negotiation: How to Ask for Full-Time WFH in 2026
Master the conversation with your manager about full-time remote work. Learn the proven framework, negotiation points, and what to do if they say no.
Nobody Tells You That Staying Too Long in One Role Has a Career Cost. Here It Is.
The financial cost of staying too long in one role is real—but the career stagnation is worse. Here's what research says about the best time to move.
The Skill That Will Separate Mid-Career Women From Everyone Else Over the Next Five Years
Strategic thinking is the single best predictor of advancement into leadership. Here's why women don't develop it early — and how to build it right now.
Your Team Is Burned Out and Under-Resourced. Here Are 7 Things You Can Do Right Now — For Free.
Headcount increase denied. Budget frozen. And your team is running on fumes. While you work on the long-term fix, here are seven zero-cost ways to protect your people right now.
How to Build a Team That Doesn’t Fall Apart When You’re Not in the Room
Great leaders build teams that function independently. Here are the systems, clarity, and autonomy structures that create resilience when you're unavailable.
The Double Bind Is Real: Why Women Are Penalized for the Same Leadership Behaviors Men Are Praised For
You're assertive. Direct. A man does the same thing and he's a strong leader. You do it and you're seen as aggressive. The double bind is real — and it's costing women professionally and personally.
What New Managers Wish Someone Had Told Them in the First 90 Days
The first 90 days as a new manager set the tone for everything that follows. Here are the 6 mistakes that kill your credibility—and how to avoid them.
The Backlash Effect: Why Women’s Negotiation Tactics Need to Be Different
Women negotiate as often as men, yet the gender pay gap persists. Here's why traditional negotiation tactics don't work the same way for women—and what actually does.