208. Play Bigger at Work

If you've ever felt unsure about your role or stuck in a cycle of doubt, this episode of The Visibility Factor offers a practical and empowering perspective: treat your work environment as a playground. This simple reframing can help you experiment, be bolder, and regain your confidence, all while showing up more fully in your career.

In this episode:

• How doubt triggers smallness and disengagement, and how to shift out of it
• The concept of the workplace as a playground for safe experimentation
• Practical ways to implement the playground mindset in your career
• Success stories of clients using this mindset to elevate their roles
• The importance of mindset shifts for long-term growth and visibility
• Actionable ideas from chapter six of the Visibility Factor book
• How to measure progress and adjust your playground strategies
• The role of confidence and boldness in career advancement
• Ways to connect your mindset to real-world opportunities

The Visibility Factor (check chapter six for actionable ideas)

Link to Order Your Journey to Visibility Workbook

Thank you for listening to The Visibility Factor Podcast!   

• Check out my website to order my book and view the  videos/resources for The Visibility Factor book and Your Journey to Visibility Workbook.
• As always, I encourage you to reach out! You can email me at hello@susanmbarber.com.
• You can also find me on social media everywhere –Facebook, LinkedIn, and of course on The Visibility Factor Podcast! I look forward to connecting with you!    

If you liked The Visibility Factor Podcast, I would be so grateful if you could subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts! It helps the podcast get in front of more people who can learn how to be visible too!     

207. Invisible Divides in the Workplace (with Ivonne Furneaux)

In this episode of The Visibility Factor podcast, Susan’s guest is Ivonne Furneaux. She is a keynote speaker, workplace strategist and founder of emPower Up Consulting, where she helps organizations lead through change and close the invisible gaps that undermine trust, engagement and performance. With more than 20 years of experience inside complex, global organizations—including Target, UnitedHealth Group, WeightWatchers, OfficeMax and Anywhere Real Estate—Ivonne has led enterprise communications, employee experience, culture, change and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion during periods of transformation, uncertainty and growth. Grounded in both lived experience and formal training, Ivonne brings a human-centered approach to culture and communication. Using her proprietary “Ghost Gaps” concept and 4I Framework, she equips leaders and employees alike with actionable strategies to build more connected, engaged workplaces and careers.

• Ivonne Furneaux has a diverse background in corporate communications and DEI.
• The concept of 'ghost gaps' highlights invisible divides in the workplace.
• Workplace identity significantly impacts employee engagement and experience.
• Visibility in the workplace is crucial for connection and engagement.
• Organizational culture is shaped by the actions of all employees, not just leadership.
• The 4I framework can help organizations address ghost gaps effectively.
• Earning buy-in for change requires appealing to both hearts and minds.
• Sponsorship is more impactful than mentorship for career advancement.
• Transparency in communication builds trust within organizations.
• Investing in employees at all levels fosters loyalty and engagement.

The book that Ivonne recommends is Fantasticland by Mike Bockoven

Article that Ivonne wrote: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/invisible-workplace-divides-sabotaging-employee-ivonne-furneaux-qhkhc

Follow Ivonne on social media:

Website: https://ivonnefurneaux.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivonnefurneaux/

YouTube: @IvonneFurneaux Instagram: @ivonneinreallife

Link to Order Your Journey to Visibility Workbook

Thank you for listening to The Visibility Factor Podcast!   

• Check out my website to order my book and view the  videos/resources for The Visibility Factor book and Your Journey to Visibility Workbook.
• As always, I encourage you to reach out! You can email me at hello@susanmbarber.com.
• You can also find me on social media everywhere –Facebook, LinkedIn, and of course on The Visibility Factor Podcast! I look forward to connecting with you!    

If you liked The Visibility Factor Podcast, I would be so grateful if you could subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts! It helps the podcast get in front of more people who can learn how to be visible too!     

206. Finding a Career That Brings you Joy (with Monica Lebron)

In this episode of the Visibility Factor podcast, host Sue Barber interviews Monica Lebron, who shares her inspiring journey through college athletics, her decision to take a sabbatical, and her passion for writing and coaching. Raised in San Jose, CA, Lebron played softball at Yale University where her intercollegiate athletics career also began as a student worker. She went on to attend Ohio University for her MBA and Master's in Sport Administration and Tulane University for her PhD. Lebron spent 27 years working in college athletics on various Division I campuses before embarking upon her now 2-year sabbatical. Throughout her time away, she has continued to consult within the collegiate athletics space while also coaching and mentoring others along their own career journeys. She also began writing and is in pursuit of her first book deal in 2026. She loves pouring into others and helping them get where they are trying to go.

Takeaways

• Monica Lebron's journey in college athletics began unexpectedly.
• She discovered her passion for athletics while working as an assistant.
• Internships played a crucial role in her career development.
• Taking a sabbatical allowed her to reflect and grow personally.
• Monica emphasizes the importance of mentorship in her career.
• She is passionate about writing and has drafted multiple books.
• Monica aims to help others navigate their career transitions.
• She believes in the power of positivity and optimism in leadership.
• Monica's experiences have shaped her desire to coach and mentor others.

The book that Monica recommends is Who Better Than You? by Will Packer

Other resources mentioned: https://Ajharper.com

Follow Monica on social media:

TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@coach.lebron?_r=1&_t=ZT-93D0jCxJUJZ

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monica-lebron-5a7325358?

Link to Order Your Journey to Visibility Workbook

Thank you for listening to The Visibility Factor Podcast!   

• Check out my website to order my book and view the  videos/resources for The Visibility Factor book and Your Journey to Visibility Workbook.
• As always, I encourage you to reach out! You can email me at hello@susanmbarber.com.
• You can also find me on social media everywhere –Facebook, LinkedIn, and of course on The Visibility Factor Podcast! I look forward to connecting with you!    

 If you liked The Visibility Factor Podcast, I would be so grateful if you could subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts! It helps the podcast get in front of more people who can learn how to be visible too!