Career & Leadership Real Talk

In this episode, we share our own redundancy experiences (between us we've been through it 5-6 times!) and pack in all the practical advice we wish we'd had when facing it for the first time. If you're at risk of redundancy, you might be feeling a whole mix of emotions right now - from shock and fear to anger and uncertainty. We get it, and we're here to help you navigate this with practical steps...

In this episode, we tackle those subtle habits that could be holding back your leadership impact. Drawing from real coaching conversations, we explore five common patterns that leaders often don't realise are undermining their authority and career progression. Join us as we share practical strategies to identify and overcome these hidden habits, helping you to step more fully into your leadership...

In this episode, we tackle the challenges of online meetings with expert facilitator Steph Vidal-Hall. If you've ever sat through endless virtual meetings wondering if they could be better (spoiler: they definitely can), this episode is for you. Building on our popular episode about in-person meetings, we explore what makes online meetings different and how to make them genuinely effective. Whethe...

In this episode, we tackle a critical leadership challenge: the habit of constantly giving advice rather than developing your team through coaching. We explore the concept of 'The Advice Trap' and why so many leaders find themselves stuck in the role of problem-solver rather than developer. Join us as we share practical strategies to shift from fixing to leading, including insights from Michael Bu...

In this episode, we tackle one of the biggest career myths out there - that changing careers means taking a pay cut. We explore how proper planning (not just jumping ship!) can help you make a successful transition. As career coaches, we see fantastic professionals staying stuck because they think career change isn't possible for them. Join us as we share practical strategies that have helped our...

Join us for the last episode of the year where we take the real talk to a whole new level, sharing our answers to some of the questions included in the Career Reflection Guide for 2024! Useful Links Join The Catalyst Career Club for 50k+ Leaders Connect with Pam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelalangan/ Connect with Jacqui on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqui-jagger/ Intere...

Leading a team of experts when you're not the technical expert yourself can be daunting. In this week's episode, we explore how to make that transition from being the expert yourself to leading a team of experts effectively. We dive into why it's natural to feel vulnerable in this situation and share practical strategies to help you embrace your leadership role while letting your experts shine Key...

In this episode, we're joined by researcher and podcast host Aoife O'Brien to explore imposter syndrome - one of the most common challenges facing leaders at all levels. Drawing on her extensive research, Aoife reveals five distinct imposter identities and shares practical strategies for recognizing and managing imposter syndrome. Whether you're experiencing it now or supporting team members who m...

In this episode, we break down what to expect at each stage of the interview process for senior roles, from initial screening to final rounds. Having supported countless job search & outplacement clients through successful job searches, we share insider knowledge on how recruiters and hiring managers think at each stage and what they're really looking for. Key points from this episode Understa...

In this episode, we tackle the often misunderstood topic of mentoring and how to make it work for your career development. We explore why the traditional view of mentoring might be limiting your growth and share practical steps for finding and approaching potential mentors. Key points from this episode Common misconceptions about what mentoring looks like and how it can work Why you don't need to...

In this episode, we tackle one of the biggest challenges leaders face: implementing culture change without losing your team (or your sanity) along the way. If you've ever been tasked with driving change or found yourself wondering why culture initiatives seem to fizzle out, this conversation is a must-listen. Our guest expert Paula Brockwell, an occupational psychologist who specialises in shaping...

In this episode, we tackle the often-misunderstood topic of emotional intelligence (EQ) and provide practical ways to develop it as a leader. We explore how EQ differs from personality traits and share actionable strategies to enhance your emotional awareness and leadership effectiveness. Key points from this episode Understanding the difference between personality traits and emotional intelligenc...

If you've ever been tasked with facilitating a session to generate ideas and get people into a creative headspace you might well have wondered where to start - that was the situation one listener was in So today we're sharing an approach that can help with making sure you get people contributing whilst also enjoying themselves within an idea generation session Key points from this episode 00:00&nb...

Struggling with the ins and outs of job hunting and career growth? In this episode, we're tackling some real questions that have come up for our listeners and clients lately - the kind of stuff that's probably on your mind too if you're looking to level up your career. 00:00 Introduction to This Week's Episode 00:47 Should You Send a Thank You Note After an Interview? 05:37 Applying...

In this episode, we're joined by special guest Katy Walton, an expert in learning and development. We explore the crucial topic of how leaders can stand out by effectively developing others. Katy shares invaluable insights on the benefits of investing in your team's growth and practical strategies to overcome common barriers to development. Key points from this episode: The immediate benefits of d...

If you're at a point in your career where you're asking yourself "Is this it?" or if you know you've got more to give but aren't sure how to tap into that potential, this episode is for you. We're sharing our process from working with clients to create career clarity. Whether you're considering a job change, eyeing a promotion, or just want to feel more purposeful in your current role, we'll share...

In this episode, we tackle the challenge of being strategic when the business itself isn't. We explore the common scenario many leaders face: trying to make strategic decisions and contributions in an environment lacking clear direction or communication. Join us as we discuss the frustrations this can cause and share practical strategies Key points from this episode Scenarios where businesses may...

Celebrating 100 Episodes: Reflections and Top Picks Join us for this special milestone episode as we celebrate our 100th podcast episode! We reflect on our journey, the feedback we've received, and the behind-the-scenes efforts that go into making each episode. Discover the story behind how our podcast started almost by accident and listen as we share our top five favorite episodes, packed with in...

Ever wonder why your CV isn't landing you those senior role interviews? In this episode, we tackle the common pitfalls that even the most experienced professionals fall into when crafting their CVs. We've all been there - agonising over every word, wondering if we're selling ourselves short or coming across as too boastful. But what if the secret to a standout CV isn't what you think it is? Join u...

This week, we break down what it takes to develop executive presence, an invaluable skill for leaders. It often seems a nebulous concept, with lots of emphasis but very little actual advice on how to develop it We're discussing the components that make up executive presence, why developing executive presence isn't just for senior leaders and the importance of self-awareness and actionable feedback...

Performance management isn't always easy. Too often, it comes about in the form of formal processes that feel unwieldy, tiring and uncomfortable The BECKS framework is one we have used and shared forever. Not only does it simplify performance management and make it easier, it's incredibly versatile and allows for increasing performance in rising stars and new hires rather than being focused on peo...

If you've ever had a job search that didn't result in an offer from the first job you applied for, you'll know the all too familiar sting and the way your confidence is shaken In this episode, we're talking about the range of challenging emotions that come up during a prolonged job search and offering our advice on how best to handle disappointment. Key Points in This Episode 00:00 Introducti...

Whether you fund coaching yourself or are offered coaching by your employer, coaching is a big investment in terms of time, energy and commitment as well as financially So how can you make the most of that investment and ensure coaching is enjoyable, helpful and worthwhile rather than just another meeting in your diary? This week we're sharing 5 things that can make all the difference Whether you’...

In this week's episode, we're discussing email overload and sharing practical strategies to regain control. We know just how frustrating it can be to have an overflowing inbox, but with some discipline and strategies around organising yourself, creating a consistent team email culture and writing emails well it can at least get easier Key points from this episode 00:00 Introduction to Email O...

Understanding and evaluating your competencies are crucial for leadership success, and this week we're sharing our framework that provides a structured approach to self-assessment and development. You can also download your copy of the framework here Key points from this episode 00:00 Introduction to Leadership Assessment 00:18 The Importance of Self-Assessment in Leadership 01:46 Introducing the...