S8 Ep1: The CV Shift That Takes You from Operational to Leader

Welcome back to Your Path to Career Success — the podcast that helps you build the skills, confidence, and strategies to thrive in your career.

We’re kicking off Season 8 with an episode that could completely change how you position yourself for leadership roles — starting with your CV.

If you’re feeling stuck in an “operational” box, even though you know you’re ready for more, this just over 16-minute episode will show you how to stop underselling your experience and start showcasing your leadership potential — on paper and beyond.

Because the truth is, leadership isn’t just about what you do — it’s about the difference you make. 

And your CV needs to reflect that if you want to be seen (and hired) as a leader.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
• Why listing responsibilities isn’t enough to get you noticed at leadership level
• The mindset shift that turns operational tasks into strategic impact
• 3 CV transformation tips to move from doer to decision-maker
• How to speak in outcomes, not activities — and why that’s key to standing out
• The one question every hiring manager is secretly asking (and how to answer it)

This episode is packed with real-life examples, rewording strategies, and a step-by-step approach to help you stop writing job descriptions — and start telling your leadership story.

What next?
A big thank you for tuning in to Your Path To Career Success – where your ambition meets actionable advice!
🦉 Ready to upgrade your CV or LinkedIn for leadership roles? Book a free discovery call and explore how my Unlock Your Career Potential coaching programme can support your next step.
🦉 If this episode helped you shift your mindset, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who’s ready to lead.
🦉 You can book 1-2-1 support with me here: https://calendly.com/thecareerowl
🦉 Follow me on LinkedIn for even more leadership career tips and CV transformation insights.

Stay tuned — this season is all about stepping up and standing out in your leadership journey.

Useful Resources:
🎧 Further Listening & Reading
• Book: What Got You Here Won’t Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith — A must-read for anyone preparing to lead at a higher level
• Podcast: The Next Big Idea — Great episodes on mindset and reinvention
• Article: How to Write a CV That Positions You as a Leader – Coming soon on my LinkedIn!

🧠 Coaching Tools You Might Love
• Unlock Your Career Potential — My 1-2-1 coaching programme for professionals ready to transition into senior roles with clarity, confidence, and a leadership brand that gets noticed.

Transcript

"The CV Shift That Takes You from Operational to Leader"

Hello and welcome back to Your Path To Career Success — the podcast that helps you build the skills, confidence, and strategies to thrive in your career.

I’m your host, Kathryn — and if you’re tuning in because you’re stepping into leadership, or already leading and trying to grow without losing yourself in the process — you’re in the right place.

I’m so excited to welcome you to Season 8!

We’re kicking things off today with an episode that could quite literally change the game for you — and for your next leadership opportunity.

If you’ve been feeling like you’re stuck in an “operational” box, even though you know you’re ready for more — this one’s for you. Because today, we’re talking about the crucial CV shift that takes you from being seen as the ‘doer’ to being recognised as the ‘leader.’

In this episode, I’ll share with you:
• Why simply listing your responsibilities isn’t enough at leadership level
• The mindset shift that helps you move from operational to outcome-focused language
• And 3 practical tips to transform your CV so it reflects your true leadership impact — not just what you did, but why it mattered

This isn’t just about getting your CV noticed. It’s about reshaping the way you tell your professional story — turning everyday responsibilities into leadership achievements, and positioning yourself as someone who doesn’t just get the job done, but drives strategy, inspires others, and makes a lasting impact.

So, if you’re tired of underselling your potential and want to step fully into the value you really bring — not just what your job title says — then stay with me. Because by the end of this episode, you’ll have practical, actionable ways to elevate your CV and shift the spotlight firmly onto your leadership journey.

Before we jump in, grab your favourite beverage, find a comfy spot, and get ready to map out your leadership path with those lightbulb moments.

Section 1: Why This Shift Matters

“Leaders aren’t hired to do tasks. They’re hired to deliver results.”

That’s not just a saying — it’s a shift in mindset. One that separates managers from leaders and high performers from high potentials.

Far too often, I see experienced professionals underselling themselves by listing out duties instead of demonstrating impact. It’s like reading someone’s job description, not their legacy.

Here’s how to flip the script.

Tip 1: Trade Tasks for Transformation

Instead of listing what you were responsible for, describe the difference you made. Ask yourself:

• What changed because of me?
• What measurable result did I drive?
• What was better after I got involved?

Weak:
“Managed a team of five.”
Strong:
“Led a team of five to exceed regional sales targets by 20% within six months.”

Leadership lens: You're not just managing people — you're inspiring performance, delivering outcomes, and aligning efforts to strategic goals.

Tip 2: Speak the Language of Results

Leaders are hired to create movement. Progress. Value. Numbers often speak louder than narratives.

Try this formula:
Action → How → Outcome

Example:
“Streamlined daily workflows (action) by introducing automation tools (how), reducing operational costs by £50,000 annually (outcome).”

Tip 3: Don’t Just Do — Influence

Think beyond direct tasks. Consider how you influenced culture, performance, systems, or strategic direction.

Example:
“Championed a wellbeing initiative across three departments, resulting in a 40% drop in absenteeism and a measurable boost in employee satisfaction scores.”

Leadership isn’t only about bottom lines. It's also about the ripple effect you create across the organisation.

Tip 4: Use Language that Elevates

Start with verbs that imply leadership, strategy, or impact:

• Drove
• Accelerated
• Transformed
• Optimised
• Influenced

Avoid: “Responsible for…” — it tells me you were assigned a task.
Use: “Delivered…” or “Achieved…” — it shows you got results.

Tip 5: Remember This Quote

“What got you here won’t get you there.” – Marshall Goldsmith

Doing your job well gets you noticed. Articulating your impact gets you promoted.

Think of your CV, your LinkedIn profile, or your interview examples as more than a list. They are evidence of your leadership potential and readiness for more.

Bonus Insight: Think Like the Hiring Manager

Ask yourself:

“If I were hiring someone for this role, what would I need them to have already achieved — not just done?”

Hiring managers aren’t reading to be impressed. They’re reading to eliminate. Stand out by showing them you already think and deliver like a leader.

Section 2: The Leadership Mindset Shift

“Leaders talk in outcomes, not activities.”

This shift isn’t just about how you write your CV — it’s about how you see yourself as a leader. And how others see you too.

Leadership isn't a title. It’s a mindset. It’s about showing that you don’t just take action — you deliver value.  Something I touched on in my recent podcast episode S7 Ep4: The CEO Mindset – Thinking and Acting Like a Senior Leader

Here’s how to develop and demonstrate the leadership mindset in everything you do.

Tip 1: Redefine What You’re “Responsible For”

Many people get stuck in describing the duties of a role. Leaders describe the difference they made.

Example – Before:
"Responsible for the day-to-day management of the customer service team."

Example – After:
"Transformed customer service operations, leading a team of 12 to improve customer satisfaction scores from 78% to 92% over 18 months."

Reflection question:

“How was the business or team better because of me?”

That one shift helped Sarah land her first Head of Department role. Same experience. New lens.

Tip 2: Speak Like a Leader, Think Like a Strategist

Leaders measure progress. They don’t say “I worked hard.”
 
 

They say:

• “I improved X by Y.”
• “I reduced Z by X%.”
• “I delivered A in half the expected time.”

Example:
Instead of “Planned and delivered team meetings” →
“Introduced structured monthly team reviews that reduced missed deadlines by 30% within three months.”

Tip 3: Track Your Wins – Even the Small Ones

If you don’t measure it, you can’t showcase it.

“Leaders are learners and measurers. They don’t leave their impact up to interpretation.”

Start a simple ‘Leadership Wins Log’ in your Notes app, journal, or a spreadsheet. Track:

• Performance improvements
• Targets exceeded
• Feedback received
• Efficiencies gained
• Team growth milestones

This will fuel your CV, performance reviews, interviews — and your confidence.

Tip 4: Get Comfortable Taking Credit

This one can feel uncomfortable, especially for introverted leaders or team-first thinkers. But leadership visibility isn’t bragging — it’s clarity.

Try this reframing:
You’re not saying, “Look how great I am.”
You’re saying, “Here’s what I’ve proven I can deliver, so you can trust me to do it again.”

Quote to remember:

“Don’t confuse humility with invisibility.” – Unknown

Tip 5: Practice Outcome-First Thinking

Whenever you reflect on your work — or prepare for an interview or performance conversation — start here:

Ask yourself:

• What did I deliver?
• How did I move the needle?
• Where did I add measurable value?
• What would not have happened if I wasn’t there?

These questions retrain your brain to think like a leader. And when you do, others start to see you that way too.

Bonus: Your Mindset Is Your Message

The way you talk about your work reveals how you think about your value. Whether it’s on your CV, LinkedIn profile, or in meetings — the leadership mindset is your edge.

And remember:

“Leadership is not about titles, positions or flowcharts. It is about one life influencing another.” – John C. Maxwell

You don’t need to wait for the job title to start showing up like a leader. You start now — by thinking in impact, speaking in results, and leading with clarity.

Section 3: 3 Practical Tips to Make the Shift

“You can’t manage what you don’t measure — and you can’t promote what you don’t articulate.”

If you're ready to shift from describing tasks to showcasing leadership, these three steps will get you there. They're simple, actionable, and make an immediate difference in how you're perceived — on paper and in person.

✅ Tip 1: Audit Your CV Like a Hiring Manager

Ask yourself:

“Is this a duty, or is it an achievement?”

Go line by line through your CV or LinkedIn profile and challenge every bullet point. If it reads like something copied from a job description, rewrite it.

Before:
“Responsible for planning monthly team meetings.”
After:
“Introduced structured monthly planning sessions, resulting in 25% fewer project delays within two quarters.”

Pro tip:
Print it out. Grab a highlighter. Mark every bullet that only shows a task. Those are your opportunities to elevate.

Quote to consider:

“Don’t just show what you did. Show why it mattered.” – Every great hiring manager ever

🔢 Tip 2: Add Numbers (And Not Just the Obvious Ones)

Quantifying results builds instant credibility. But don’t limit yourself to revenue or profit.

Think more broadly:

• Time saved
• Customer satisfaction scores
• Staff retention or turnover
• Efficiency improvements
• Employee engagement increases
• Reduction in errors or complaints
• Growth in followers, reach, or engagement

Examples:
✅ “Reduced complaint resolution time from 72 to 24 hours by implementing a triage system.”
✅ “Improved onboarding satisfaction scores from 6.2 to 8.4/10 within six months.”
✅ “Saved £15,000 annually by renegotiating supplier contracts.”

Remember:

“What gets measured gets remembered.”
 And remembered = hired.

💥 Tip 3: Use the Action + Result Formula

Start strong. Lead with a verb. Then tell us what happened because of your leadership.

Formula:
Action → What you did
Result → What it led to

Example:
“Revamped internal reporting process, enabling department heads to make faster decisions — resulting in a 15% improvement in project delivery speed.”

Need help getting started? Use verbs like:

• Introduced
• Led
• Launched
• Transformed
• Reduced
• Delivered
• Increased
• Resolved

💼 Bonus: Build Your Brag File

Don’t wait until you’re job-hunting or prepping for a performance review to remember your wins.

Start a simple brag file — a Google Doc, Notes app, or even a voice memo folder. Log:

• Praise from a colleague
• Metrics from a project
• Moments when you solved a tricky issue
• Team milestones achieved under your leadership

Why it matters:
You won’t remember everything when it’s time to update your CV. But your brag file will.

Quote worth repeating:

“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” – Robert Collier
Capture those small wins. They add up to a big impact.

This shift isn’t about exaggerating — it’s about elevating. You already have the experience. Now it’s time to communicate it like a leader.

Section 4: Your Next Step — and How I Can Help

“You don’t rise to the level of your potential. You rise to the level of how well you communicate it.”

By now, you might be thinking:
 “Ok, I get it — I need to stop listing tasks and start showing impact… but how do I actually do that without second-guessing myself?”

You're not alone. I work with talented professionals every week who know they've delivered real results — they just struggle to articulate them with clarity, confidence, and leadership-level polish.

So if that’s you, here are two simple next steps to keep the momentum going:

💡 1. Grab My Free Guide

"Get Your CV Noticed: 5 Tips to Land Your Next Leadership Role"

This isn’t generic advice — it’s a practical guide specifically designed for experienced professionals stepping into (or up within) leadership.

Inside you’ll find out how to:

​🎯Highlight your leadership qualities and strategic impact on business outcomes
 ​🎯Build a personal brand that inspires confidence in recruiters and hiring managers
 ​🎯Showcase measurable results that prove your ability to deliver
 ​🎯Craft a polished, leadership-focused CV that stands out and lands you interviews

👉 It’s free. It’s actionable. And it’s waiting for you in the show notes.

👥 2. Get 1:1 Support — Tailored to You

If you're ready to go deeper — to stop guessing and start presenting your career story with clarity and purpose — let’s work together.

I offer:

• Bespoke CV and LinkedIn branding sessions for leaders and aspiring leaders
• Support in turning responsibilities into results
• Guidance on positioning yourself for progression (whether internal or external)
• And the confidence boost of knowing your leadership story hits the mark

Just remember You don’t have to navigate this alone.

And even Olympic athletes have coaches.
 And if you're aiming for your next big leadership leap, the right support can make all the difference.

🎯 Book a free consultation — no pressure, just a chat to see what you need and whether I’m the right person to help. You’ll find the link in the notes.

Section 5: A Word of Encouragement

Before we wrap up, I just want to say this:

I know shifting from “doer” to “leader” can feel uncomfortable.
 
 

We’re often taught to be modest, to “just do the work” and not shout about it.

But leadership is about stepping into your impact.
 
 

It’s not bragging — it’s owning your results, your contribution, and your growth.

So as we kick off Season 8, I challenge you:
 Go back to your CV. Look at your LinkedIn. Reflect on your last performance review.
 
 

Ask yourself: Am I showing up as someone who does tasks — or as someone who delivers results?

Leadership starts with how you see and sell your value.
And you’ve got this.

You’ve already done the work.
 
 

Now it’s time to showcase it in a way that gets you noticed — and promoted.

[Outro: Season Teaser + CTA]

If today’s episode has sparked ideas or given you that nudge you needed, make sure you’re following the show because this season, we’re diving deep into even more leadership essentials — from communicating with senior stakeholders, to building your executive presence, and even mastering the numbers that get leaders promoted.

Grab your free CV guide, book that 1-2-1 session if you’re ready, and stay tuned — because Season 8 is all about helping you step confidently into your next leadership role.

Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you next time on Your Path To Career Success!