About this Episode
What if becoming a better leader has less to do with having all the answers and more to do with asking better questions?
In this episode, Ashley sits down with Lauren Uranker, Global Head of Talent at Goldman Sachs, to talk about leadership, career growth, developing people, financial confidence, and why the most effective leaders understand how to bring out the best in others.
Lauren's career has been anything but linear. From human resources to financial planning, sales, relationship management, and now global talent leadership, she has built a career around understanding people, navigating change, and recognizing opportunities for growth. Along the way, she has learned that leadership is not about being the smartest person in the room. It is about listening, asking thoughtful questions, building trust, and creating an environment where others can succeed.
Together, Ashley and Lauren explore what it takes to grow as a leader, why great managers have an outsized impact on employee engagement, and how organizations can help talented people continue developing throughout their careers.
They also discuss practical financial planning advice for women, the lessons basketball and chess teach us about strategy and resilience, building credibility through preparation, and why success becomes less about individual accomplishments and more about the opportunities we create for others.
This episode is for anyone navigating a career transition, stepping into leadership, building a team, seeking greater financial confidence, or learning how to use their influence to make a meaningful difference.
They talk about
Lauren's unconventional career journey and the pivotal decisions that shaped her leadership
Why mentors, mistakes, and unexpected opportunities are essential to professional growth
The importance of asking better questions instead of always having the answers
Why listening is one of the most powerful skills a leader can develop
Moving from individual achievement to helping others succeed
Goldman Sachs' talent philosophy of helping the best get better
How continuous feedback, development, and clear expectations strengthen teams
Why managers play such an important role in employee engagement
Keeping employees connected to their work during periods of change
Practical ways women can start building financial confidence and independence
Setting short-, medium-, and long-term financial goals
What basketball teaches us about teamwork, resilience, and motivating people differently
How chess develops strategic thinking, adaptability, and the ability to make trade-offs
Why preparation and authenticity are essential to building credibility
The value of having interests and experiences beyond your professional role
How Lauren's definition of success has evolved throughout her career
Show Notes
Your Career Does Not Have to Be Linear: Lauren's professional journey has taken her through human resources, financial planning, sales, relationship management, and talent leadership. Each experience gave her a different perspective on people and business. She encourages others to remain open to unexpected opportunities, learn from mistakes, and seek guidance from mentors when navigating important career decisions.
Great Leaders Ask Better Questions: Leadership is not about knowing everything. Lauren believes effective leaders listen carefully, ask thoughtful questions, and pay attention to what people may not be saying. As responsibilities grow, success becomes less about individual execution and more about setting direction, empowering others, and helping teams perform at their best.
The Best Get Better: At Goldman Sachs, Lauren helps lead a talent strategy centered on continuous development. From new employees to managing directors, the goal is to create opportunities for people to strengthen their skills, receive meaningful feedback, and grow as leaders. Clear expectations, accessible learning, and strong managers all play an important role.
Engagement Starts With Connection: People want to understand how their work contributes to something bigger. Lauren emphasizes the importance of transparency, regular coaching, and helping employees see the value of their contributions, particularly during periods of organizational change. Strong relationships between managers and employees can make a meaningful difference.
Financial Confidence Starts Small: Financial planning does not have to be overwhelming. Lauren encourages women to begin with achievable goals, whether that means building savings, managing spending, or planning for the future. Tools like the 50/20/30 budgeting framework can provide a starting point, but the most important step is getting involved, asking questions, and developing consistent financial habits.
What Sports and Chess Teach Us About Leadership: Lauren's experience with basketball taught her that success is collective and that different people need different kinds of motivation. Chess reinforces the importance of thinking ahead, evaluating trade-offs, and making decisions with long-term goals in mind. Both sports demonstrate why resilience, preparation, and adaptability matter in leadership.
Credibility Begins Before You Enter the Room: Building meaningful relationships starts with preparation, curiosity, and understanding what matters to other people. Lauren believes credibility grows when you show up informed, listen genuinely, and allow others to see who you are beyond your professional title. Having diverse interests and perspectives can make those relationships stronger and more authentic.
Redefining Success: Earlier in a career, success may be measured by personal accomplishments or advancement. For Lauren, it has increasingly become about helping others grow, developing future leaders, and leaving things better than she found them. Purpose, positive influence, and the ability to navigate complexity are all part of that evolving definition.
Unleashing Your Inner Queen: For Lauren, unleashing your inner queen means recognizing the agency you already have and being willing to use it. Like the queen in chess, whose movement creates extraordinary possibilities, we all have opportunities to make decisions, embrace challenges, and influence the people around us. The goal is not simply to use that power for personal success, but to create opportunities for others along the way.
Guest Appearing in This Episode
Lauren Uranker: Global Head of Talent at Goldman Sachs, where she focuses on talent development, leadership growth, and helping people reach their potential across the organization. Her career spans human resources, financial planning, sales, and relationship management, giving her a broad perspective on leadership, business, and the importance of understanding people. Drawing on her professional experiences and lessons from sports, Lauren brings a thoughtful approach to building strong teams, developing future leaders, and creating opportunities for others to succeed.
Know someone navigating a career transition, stepping into leadership, building a team, seeking greater financial confidence, or learning how to make a meaningful impact? Share this episode. It is a conversation about leadership, personal growth, mentorship, strategy, resilience, and using your influence to create opportunities for yourself and others.
