Career & Leadership Real Talk

Whether you're stepping into a new job or transitioning within the same organisation, induction meetings play a crucial role in setting the stage for your success. This week we are talking about how to make the most of them to understand your role, build key relationships, and avoid common pitfalls in your first 90 days. 00:00 Introduction to Induction Meetings 01:10 The Importance of Effective In...

In this episode, we delve into the topic of communicating with impact, inspired by Tara Mohr's book 'Playing Big'. We identify common habits that diminish communication effectiveness, and as ever, offer practical strategies to overcome these habits (and strike a balance between assertiveness and approachability). 00:00 Introduction to Communicating with Impact 00:50 Common Communication Pitfalls 0...

Do you struggle with confidence in yourself as a leader or manager? This week, we unpack common confidence myths that we see getting in the way for our 1:1 clients. Discover how to shift your mindset and overcome them with our alternative mindsets to adopt Key points from this episode • Why you don't need to feel confident before taking action • How to handle criticism and negative feedback withou...

Are you tired of leaving interviews feeling like you didn't showcase your best self? In this episode, we share our essential tips and strategies to prepare for interviews effectively and boost your confidence. Whether you're facing in-person or virtual interviews, these insights will help you stand out from other candidates and increase your chances of landing that dream job. Key points from this...

In this episode, we're talking through the topic being direct without being perceived as difficult in the workplace. Drawing from our own experiences as two pretty direct people, we discuss how to build strong relationships and communicate effectively without trying to be fluffy or go against your direct nature Key points from this episode The importance of listening and curiosity in direct commun...

In this episode, we delve into the age-old career dilemma: should you pursue a specialist or generalist path? Whether you're at a career crossroads or simply curious about your options, we explore the definitions, advantages, and strategies for both paths. Join us as we unpack this complex topic, drawing from our extensive experience in career coaching to provide insights that can help shape your...

In this episode, we dive into the importance of speaking up and being heard in meetings, especially as ambitious leaders in management roles. We discuss the frustrations that can arise when you feel like your contributions aren't being valued and explore strategies to ensure your voice carries the weight it deserves. Join us as we consider the barriers that hold people back and share practical tip...

In this insightful episode, we are joined by the brilliant Laura Chamberlain, an award-winning marketer, career strategist, coach, and professor of marketing at the University of Warwick. Laura shares her expertise on how cultivating curiosity can be a game-changer for your career growth and development. Discover practical tips and strategies to harness the power of curiosity and unlock more of yo...

Are you looking to take your team's performance to the next level? In this episode, we share an overview of the Catalyst Five Cs framework - a powerful, practical model for supporting team development. We walk you through each of the Five Cs, explaining what they are and how they can combine to support increased team performance Key points from this episode: Why clarity is the basis for ensuring g...

In this episode, we dive into the essential do's and don'ts of creating an effective recruitment process. Drawing from our experience as in house and agency recruiters as well as working with clients to support recruitment, we share our insights and practical tips to help if you're a hiring manager who's just expected to know how to design a great recruitment process! Key themes: The importance of...

In this episode, we discuss the challenges many leaders face when it comes to setting boundaries and saying no at work. We explore why it can feel so difficult to say no, even when you know you should, and share practical tips and insights on how to get more comfortable with it. If you've ever struggled with being a people-pleaser or found yourself drowning in "can you just" requests, this episode...

In this episode, we delve into the intricacies of proposing a new team structure as a manager. Drawing from real-life scenarios, we explore the key considerations, pitfalls to avoid, and best practices to adopt. Whether it's navigating growth, mergers, or downsizing, proposing a new team structure demands careful planning and insight. Key points from this episode Why you need to think longer term...

If you've ever been asked to write or update a job description without any training, this week's episode is for you. We discuss how to approach it, what to include and what you need to do before you start writing Key points from this episode Why you should think of a job description as a marketing asset, not just an internal document How to define what you actually need from the role Striking the...

Are you feeling overwhelmed by an endless barrage of meetings that leave you with little time to actually get work done? In this episode, we dive into the issue of excessive meeting time, sharing practical strategies to help you regain control of your schedule. Key points from this episode Understand the typical meeting time expectations based on your role and level Recognise the signs that you're...

At some point in your career there's a good chance someone will tell you that you need to be more strategic. Whether they can actually articulate what they mean is another matter If you've been given that feedback but you're not sure where to start, this week's episode breaks down how to demonstrate to others that you have the ability to think strategically Key points from this episode Defining 'b...

When you want to progress and create more opportunities for yourself in your career, it's often tempting to work harder and try to distinguish yourself by being a top performer. But performance is only a part of what creates career success (and it's probably a smaller part than you might think). This week we're talking about the different elements that contribute to career success and how you can...

If you've ever worried about how to prepare for a presentation at interview, this episode is for you. We're covering some of the common mistakes people make as well as how to make sure you prepare without it taking you hours or risking you offering free consultancy Key points from this episode Understanding the purpose of presentations: why they're used and how understanding that makes preparation...

As a leader, the demands on your time and attention can be overwhelming. When you’re managing a team, juggling multiple projects, and every action from every meeting seems to have your name against it, it's easy to lose sight of the bigger picture. This is where the practice of regular quarterly planning and review can be a game-changer, helping you stay focused, keep your eyes on the real priorit...

If you've ever been told you're 'too nice', 'need to speak up more' or that you're 'not tough enough' then this week's episode is for you We discuss the need to be more assertive, and share practical ways you can show up in that way without trying to be something you're not. Key points from this episode Why you need to be perceived as assertive and what that means How to communicate more assertive...

A lack of clarity can be hard work. You want to lead well, you want to give clear vision and direction to your team. But what if you don't have that for yourself? How can you handle ambiguity and still be the leader you want to be? This week we're exploring why clarity is so important and how to create it when you and your team need it Key points from this episode The importance of clarity in lead...

The idea of making mistakes and screwing things up is normally pretty grim. No one wants to be that person. But equally, none of us are perfect. So making mistakes is to be expected This week we're discussing why making mistakes is not the disaster it might feel like, and also what you can do to recover quickly (and avoid your confidence being knocked) when it does Key points from this episode Why...

The hidden jobs market is a topic that's often shrouded in secrecy - people talk about it, but no one seems to dish the dirt on how to access it This week we're discussing what it is, what that means for you and sharing our tips for making it work when you want to progress in your career Key points from this episode What the hidden jobs market is Why it exists Why the hidden jobs market matters mo...

Personal brand is one of those concepts that can feel strange - what is it and how the hell do you create one when you're an ambitious manager or leader? In this episode we explore what personal brand is, why it's important to your leadership career and share our tips on how to create one Key points from this episode Defining personal brand Why your personal brand matters in your leadership career...

Who do you most look to for development in your role? If it's your boss, you're not alone. But in today's episode we discuss why relying on your manager to be the one to develop you is not the best strategy - and what you can do instead to take ownership of your own development Key points from this episode Why you shouldn't rely on your manager to develop you (even if they're a great boss) The rea...

Conflict at work can be tough to deal with, whether you're involved in it or trying to avoid the negative impact it can have when others around you are in conflict This week, we unick the different types of conflict that can come up and share our thoughts on how to manage it well Key points from this episode Why conflict can be a good thing The causes of conflict Where to start when you need to re...