From Micro Failures to Success – McKinsey & Co’s Lareina Yee on Succeeding After Setback

Lately, we’ve been talking to some of the most incredible women in Tech about some of the most non-incredible moments in their careers – stories of setbacks, mistakes that felt unrecoverable, and outcomes that seemed like failures.  We’ve been doing this because we want all of you in our community to know you’re not alone – this happens to all of us. We truly believe that you can learn some of the most important lessons from the times you think things went irrevocably wrong.

But what about when you feel like the career ladder has just broken beneath you despite doing great work? Why does it sometimes seem like the only option is to leave the tech field behind instead of finding new ways forward?

In this episode, Brenda sits down with Lareina Yee — senior partner at McKinsey, co-author of “The Broken Rung,” and champion for women in tech — to talk about setbacks, resilience, and the real strategies that help women move forward during those crucial forks in their career paths.

Lareina gets real about micro-failures, the power of honest feedback, and why bold career moves matter. Plus, why building your own “board of directors” can be a game-changer, and how to pack a “round trip ticket” for your career — no matter how long you plan to step away.

Whether you’re navigating your own broken rung, considering a big leap, or just need a reminder that you’re not alone, Brenda and Lareina have you covered with practical advice, actionable insights, and the support to keep climbing, no matter how high on the ladder you are.

For more, check out Lareina on…

LinkedIn – /lareinayee

And you can find out more about The Broken Rung, and order your own copy, here.

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At AnitaB.org, our mission is to enable and equip women technologists with the tools, resources, and knowledge they need to thrive. Through innovative programs and initiatives, we empower women to chart new paths, better prepared to lead, advance, and achieve equitable compensation. Because when women succeed, they uplift their communities and redefine success on their terms, both professionally and personally.

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Our guests contribute to this podcast in their personal capacity. The views expressed in this interview are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology or its employees (“AnitaB.org”). AnitaB.org is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of the information provided in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute legal or other professional advice or services.

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B The Way Forward Is…

Hosted and Executive Produced by Brenda Darden Wilkerson.

Produced by Avi Glijansky

Associate Produced by Kelli Kyle

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Creative Director for AnitaB.org is Deandra Coleman

Executive Produced by Dominique Ferrari, Stacey Book, and Avi Glijansky for Frequency Machine 

Photo of Brenda Darden Wilkerson by Mandisa Media Productions

For more ways to be the way forward, visit AnitaB.org