From Invisible to Influential: How Sophie Hirst, Workbaby CEO, Is Rewriting Early Career Rules

The Grey Areas Podcast with Kelsey Donlon

Welcome back to The Grey Areas Podcast! This week, we’re joined by Sophie Hirst, career coach, viral TikTok creator, and founder of WorkBaby. From magician’s assistant to Google exec, Sophie has done it all, and now she’s helping Gen Z navigate work with clarity, confidence, and influence.

In this episode, we dig into how to communicate like a leader, build credibility before the title, and manage up without the cringe. Sophie shares powerful mindset shifts, practical templates, and the career truths no one teaches but everyone needs.

Highlights include:
2:43 – The two versions of Sophie’s résumé: Why your career doesn’t need to make sense, but your story does.
4:38 – The five early-career cornerstones behind WorkBaby and how to shortcut success without burnout.
8:47 – “You’re not special—and you’re very special”: The paradox mindset that builds resilience and growth.
15:29 – Communicate like the 1%: How “How We Work” sessions and bottom-line-first emails build instant credibility.
31:45 – Managing up made simple: Sophie’s 3-part framework to think ahead, get in your manager’s head, and close the loop.
46:50 – Influencing without authority: From strategic tone to individual connection, how to lead before you’re in charge.
59:45 – Cubicle Confession: Sophie’s advice on how to get noticed without faking it if you’ve ever felt overlooked at work

This episode is packed with tactical tools and honest insights to help you lead yourself and others, no matter your title.

Sophie’s Links:
Website: www.workbaby.com
Instagram: @sophworkbaby
TikTok: @soph.workbaby

Kelsey's Links For You:
Website
Grey Areas Instagram
Kelsey's Instagram
LinkedIn
TikTok