Earlier today on January 13, 2026, LinkedIn published an article The 2026 job market: What to know about hiring, confidence and opportunity.

The data is mixed: U.S. job growth is sluggish and many job seekers are feeling stuck where they are but not prepared for the job hunt.

Plus, with a bulk of the growth in the economy happening in the AI infrastructure space, a forward-thinking professional can't help but wonder, "Will I be replaced by AI?"

I'm answering this question head-on in this episode. I talk about what AI is excellent for and what it can't do, and what it means for smart leaders planning ahead.

What you'll learn:

00:00 – AI cannot fully replace human coaching and the value of human insight
01:30 – A quick case study on uncovering human blind spots and parlaying them to build generative intelligence
07:30 – The 2026 job market challenges and the push for AI-integrated skills
12:00 – Importance of discerning wisdom and cognitive agility for future career success
16:30 – Doubling down on humanity and bridge-building as a competitive edge
18:30 – Reflective questions for listeners about uncertainty and growth through human conversations

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• Book a free hour-long consultation with me. You'll leave with your custom blueprint to confidence, and we'll ensure it's a slam-dunk fit for you before you commit to working with me 1:1.
• Connect with me on LinkedIn
• Email me at jamie@jamieleecoach.com

Are you a high-performance leader feeling "allergic" to the slow, constrained pace of your current office? In this episode, I share the "Ferrari on a Golf Course" metaphor—a perspective shift that has been a game-changer for my 1:1 executive coaching clients.

As we enter the Year of the Fire Horse in 2026, it’s time to stop trying to "fix" your engine and start finding the right track.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The "Shush" Factor: Why high-achieving women are often told to "tone it down" and how to handle it.
• The Fire Horse Connection: Why 2026 is the year to embrace your capacity, ideas, and intensity rather than apologize for it.
• The Difference Between Identity and Environment: How to stop blaming yourself for the "bumpy ride" caused by a misaligned workplace.
• Real-World Success Stories: How two leaders (one in entrepreneurship and one in a corporate reorg) moved from being undervalued to being fully utilized, promoted and better paid.
• Three Truths for the Misaligned Leader: A framework to help you decide your next "Risky Conversation."

Key Quotes:

• "A Ferrari doesn’t need to be fixed; it needs a track."
• "The bumpy ride isn't your fault; it's the grass."
• "Everything worthwhile is on the other side of a risky conversation."

Resources Mentioned:

• Book a free 1:1 coaching consultation with Jamie HERE

Text me your thoughts on this episode!

Enjoy the show?

• Don't miss an episode, listen and subscribe via Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
• Leave me a review in Apple Podcasts.

Connect with me

• Book a free hour-long consultation with me. You'll leave with your custom blueprint to confidence, and we'll ensure it's a slam-dunk fit for you before you commit to working with me 1:1.
• Connect with me on LinkedIn
• Email me at jamie@jamieleecoach.com

In this episode, I talk with Neelam Patel, who left a 22-year tech executive career to follow her passions for poetry, dance, and performance. We dive into the risks and rewards of creative self-advocacy, how joy and anger can guide personal transformation, and what it really means to rebuild a life around authenticity. If you’ve ever felt the pull between convention and creativity, this conversation will inspire you to reclaim your own voice.

Featured in this episode:

• Neelam's Instagram account @dancewithneelam
• Neelam's website: tailoredpoetry.com
• Neelam's book: Burning It Down: Dancing Through the Rubble
• Jamie's 1:1 executive coaching practice: https://www.jamieleecoach.com/apply

Timestamps:

1. [00:00] — Introduction and Neelam’s background: Jamie Lee opens the episode, introduces Neelam Patel, and they discuss Neelam’s journey from tech executive to poet and artist.
2. [04:21] — Tech career and personal transformation: Neelam describes how improv and creative pursuits influenced her growth (and promotions) in the tech world.
3. [10:47] — Risky conversations and work-life negotiation: Neelam shares stories of honest, risky conversations at work, including advocating for her creative needs.
4. [34:36] — Anger as an ally: Neelam and Jamie discuss the power of anger, addressing repression, shame, and channeling anger into advocacy.
5. [48:04] — Life after “burning it down” and current work: Neelam gives an update on her creative career, including her dance residency and ways listeners can connect with her (Instagram, website).

Text me your thoughts on this episode!

Enjoy the show?

• Don't miss an episode, listen and subscribe via Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
• Leave me a review in Apple Podcasts.

Connect with me

• Book a free hour-long consultation with me. You'll leave with your custom blueprint to confidence, and we'll ensure it's a slam-dunk fit for you before you commit to working with me 1:1.
• Connect with me on LinkedIn
• Email me at jamie@jamieleecoach.com