From Global Corporate Luxury to Entrepreneur: Navigating Career Transitions, Leadership, and Embracing Change

In this episode, we explore the power of self-awareness, leadership, and embracing change with Maria Kelly—an executive and career coach who made the bold move from a high-powered corporate role at Sotheby’s to building her own business in Barcelona. Maria shares the challenges and rewards of stepping into the unknown, adapting her leadership style, and finding balance between guiding others and leading herself.

About Maria Kelly

With over two decades of experience in international auctions at Sotheby’s, Maria Kelly has mastered the art of navigating complex business environments and driving results. As a bilingual, globally-minded executive coach, Maria helps leaders and entrepreneurs create fulfilling careers and successful businesses without compromising their values or well-being. Based in Barcelona, she’s also a co-founder of a business association for English-speaking professionals and an active Toastmasters member.

Join us to hear Maria’s inspiring story and her advice on how to embrace new opportunities and lead with confidence.

Key Points Covered:

1. Embracing New Adventures

Maria shares how she and her husband left their established life in London for a fresh start in Barcelona. She explains how letting go of the familiar helped her discover new possibilities, build resilience, and take a leap of faith to create the life she truly wanted.

2. Self-Leadership vs. Team Leadership

Moving from a corporate role with large teams to running her own business meant Maria had to strengthen her self-leadership. No longer able to delegate tasks, she’s learned the power of self-discipline, structure, and finding the motivation to keep pushing forward as a solo entrepreneur.

3. Learning from Cultural Differences in Leadership

With experience working internationally, Maria shares insights into different leadership styles. She found American work culture to be solution-focused and resilient, while some European environments were more risk-averse. This cultural awareness helped her shape her own adaptable leadership style.

4. Navigating Resistance to Change

Maria talks about introducing new ideas, like online auctions, at Sotheby’s. By starting with small buy-in from key individuals and supporting her team through the change, she successfully pushed innovation forward, even in a traditionally conservative industry.

5. Authentic Communication and Difficult Conversations

In her coaching, Maria helps leaders learn consultative, trust-building conversations—skills that help with both team leadership and sales. She emphasizes the importance of listening, collaboration, and handling challenging discussions in a way that builds mutual respect and growth.

6. Expanding into Career and Small Business Coaching

Since starting her business, Maria’s work has expanded to include career coaching and consulting for small businesses. She helps clients with everything from gaining career clarity to navigating team dynamics and scaling operations, offering her support wherever they need it most.

Connect with Maria Kelly

Website: www.askmariakelly.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/askmariakelly/

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