Episode 79 From Marketing Expert to Global Leader with Maria Norowzian
What really changes when you step into senior leadership?
In this honest and insightful conversation, Sarah speaks with Maria Norowzian, Group & UK Hospitality Director at ATG Entertainment, about the realities of career growth, leadership transitions and learning to lead beyond your technical expertise.
Maria shares her journey from starting out in marketing at McDonald’s in Australia to leading innovation and hospitality strategy for one of the world’s largest theatre companies. Together, they explore the steep learning curves that come with ambitious career progression, the mindset shifts required at senior level, and why leadership is far more about influence, relationships and vision than having all the answers.
This episode is packed with valuable insights for managers, heads of department and aspiring senior leaders navigating growth, confidence and career progression.
In This Episode We Discuss:
- Moving from functional expert to strategic leader
- The leap from “Head Of” to Director level leadership
- Why curiosity and growth mindset accelerate career success
- Learning through mistakes, failure and discomfort
- Building confidence in a bigger leadership role
- Leading teams and managing cross-functional relationships
- How coaching supports leadership growth
- The importance of vision, calm and clarity in leadership
- Ambition, hard work and finding flow in your career
- Creating success and freedom on your own terms
Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction to Maria and her role at ATG Entertainment
01:00 – Maria’s early career journey and passion for marketing
03:00 – Why steep learning curves drive career growth
04:00 – The transition into leadership and building teams
06:00 – Why moving from Head Of to Director felt so different
07:00 – Leadership mindset shifts and learning through mistakes
08:00 – Expanding beyond marketing into commercial leadership
10:00 – Why Maria sought coaching support
11:00 – Transferable skills, confidence and navigating fear
13:00 – Leadership blind spots and executive presence
14:00 – Maria’s definition of great leadership
15:00 – Career advice for ambitious professionals
17:00 – Working hard, ambition and finding flow
18:00 – The value of coaching for leaders
20:00 – What “Unstuck and Unstoppable” means to Maria
Useful Links
Connect with Maria on LinkedIn
Your First 100 Days by Niamh O'Keeffe
Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration
Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes
Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn
Rate & Review the Podcast
If you found this episode of Unstuck & Unstoppable helpful, please do rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
If you're kind enough to leave a review, please do let Sarah know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at: sarah@careertreecoaching.co.uk
