Influence & Impact for Leaders

Listen to find out about a big change to the podcast, the reasons behind it and Carla’s career update. Don’t forget… I’ll still be coaching women leaders . I’ll still be running leadership and management training . I’ll still be delivering keynotes and Be Bolder programmes . My Impactful Teams partnership with Lara Cullen continues. Sign up for my newsletter here. And if you’re not already followi...

What does it really mean to “be more strategic”? And why are so many talented leaders told they need this skill - without being shown how to develop it? In this episode I’m joined by Charlie Curson, strategy consultant, leadership coach, and author of Be More Strategic . Together, we unpack why strategy so often feels intimidating, how it’s different from planning, and how leaders can build the co...

In this episode I’m joined by leadership expert, speaker and author Helen Beedham to explore what really keeps people in organisations. Helen returns to the podcast to talk about her new book, People Glue , and the research behind it. We dig into how to create a working environment where people feel able to do their best work, stay engaged, and choose to stay — even when other options are availabl...

In this episode, I’m joined by Joe Lalley , author of Question to Learn , to explore why questions are one of the most underrated — and misused — leadership tools. We talk about curiosity, influence, and what really happens when leaders feel they’re supposed to have all the answers. In this conversation, we explore: Why most of us stop asking good questions as our careers progress The subtle ways...

Self-awareness is often listed as a core leadership skill — but how many leaders truly understand what it involves, and how many are unintentionally overestimating it? In this episode of Influence & Impact , I am joined by Dr Julia Carden, former Royal Navy officer, leadership coach, and author of You Are Not As Self-Aware As You Think You Are . Drawing on her PhD research and years of coachin...

Many people find themselves in roles that look great on paper but feel misaligned or unfulfilling in reality. In this week’s episode I’m joined by Angela Rixon, founder of The Centre for Meaningful Work and author of Meaning Over Purpose to explore what meaningful work really is, why so many of us lack it, and how both individuals and leaders can create more meaning at work day-to-day. Angela shar...

Psychological safety is the foundation of every high-performing team—yet many leaders unintentionally undermine it without realising. This week my Impactful Teams Co-Founder Lara Cullen and I explore psychological safety, why comfort isn’t the goal, and the small (but powerful) leadership behaviours that create a culture where people feel safe to contribute, challenge and innovate.    💡...

In this episode, I talk with Julia Middleton , founder of Women Emerging , about how women everywhere are redefining what it means to lead. Julia shares how her global “expeditions” help women discover their own authentic way of leading and introduces her Four E’s framework — Essence, Elements, Expression, and Energy .    We explore why traditional models of leadership don’t always fit w...

There are a lot of misunderstandings about Gen Z in the workplace and in this episode we aim to clear some of those up and equip you to lead intergenerational teams successfully.    My guest Alex Atherton—former head teacher turned leadership coach and author of The Snowflake Myth—is here to challenge the “snowflake” stereotype and get practical about leading Gen Z.     We...

Do you ever feel like your to-do list is controlling you instead of the other way around? As a leader, overwhelm can sneak up fast—and it can take a toll on your confidence, focus, and impact.    In this episode we’re diving into practical strategies to help you pause, regain clarity, and take control of your day. You’ll learn four key steps that can shift your mindset, streamline your p...

If you’ve ever found yourself dreading a meeting with your boss or wondering how to navigate a tricky relationship with them, you’re not alone. In this episode of Influence & Impact for Leaders, I’m joined again by the brilliant Jennifer McCanna – accredited coach, podcast host of My Emotional Work Life, and expert on navigating the emotional highs and lows of work.    Together, we e...

Conflict at work doesn’t have to be scary. In this episode of Influence & Impact for Leaders, I talk with Alice Driscoll and Louise Van Haarst, authors of Smart Conflict, about why avoiding tough conversations harms teams — and how to do them better.    You’ll hear the difference between task and relational conflict, learn their 5R model (Reflection, Regulation, Readiness, Response,...

In this episode, I’m delving into the common pitfall of many leaders - getting stuck in the weeds of daily tasks and acting operationally instead of strategically. If your calendar is packed with tasks your team should be able to handle, you might be trapped in an operational role rather than leading effectively. Discover how to rise above the day-to-day grind, lead strategically, and drive impact...

In this episode, I’m joined once again by the brilliant Eleanor Tweddell, coach and change consultant and author of the new book Another Door Opens. You might remember her from an earlier episode where we talked about her first book on redundancy. This time, we’re diving into her fresh take on navigating change—one that acknowledges how messy and human it really is.    Eleanor introduces...

Ever been in a meeting where you’re sharing an idea and suddenly someone pushes back? Maybe they say, “I don’t see how that would work,” or hit you with a question you weren’t expecting.    Your heart skips a beat. You’re thinking, “Uh… how do I respond without sounding defensive or totally thrown?”     If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. In this episode, I’m sharing pra...

In this episode, I’m excited to introduce my brand new co-host, Lara Cullen, as we launch a new series within the podcast: Impactful Teams .     We’re diving into what really makes a team impactful - not just in terms of performance, but in how aligned, influential, and sustainable their success is.    Lara and I share our brand-new Impactful Teams framework to help teams...

Have you just landed a new leadership role? Congratulations – now what?  In this episode, I’m walking you through exactly how to set yourself up for success in your first 90 days and beyond. I’ve been a new senior leader multiple times myself, supported countless coaching clients through the transition, and even placed senior leaders when I ran a recruitment agency – so this is one of my favo...

Are you a leader who’s ever been told you’re too nice , too collaborative , too emotional , or just too different to fit into senior leadership?  Or perhaps you’ve never been told that but at some level you sense that you don’t fit the typical leadership mould.     In this episode, I’m flipping the script on outdated leadership expectations and exploring how your difference is...

When we think of a confident leader, we might imagine someone who always knows the right thing to do straight away or who has all the answers.  And then we feel bad because we like to think things through before responding, or we don't always know the answer.      Some of us can spend a fair bit of time negatively comparing ourselves to this fictional and seemingly perfect leader! T...

Work can be a lot sometimes!  How often do you find yourself feeling overwhelmed by all the things you need to do and how much work it’s going to take to do them properly? It’s making me stressed just thinking about it!      In this mini episode, I’m going to share with you a simple but truly effective way to dial back that overwhelm and make things simpler for yourself.  ...

The Influence & Impact podcast is back after a 3 month break and it has had a refresh.  This mini episode shares what’s staying the same, what’s changing and why.    This is Influence & Impact for Leaders with Carla Miller, the podcast that helps leaders like you increase your impact and build a happy and high performing team. Each episode delivers focused, actionable insigh...

  Many leaders struggle with making tough decisions and dealing with their aftermath. In this episode Sarah Miller, CEO at leading global ethics consultancy Principia, shares how ethics can provide a set of resources and tools to use within decision-making, guiding how we lead as individuals from our own place of values, but probably more critically, how we engage with others who bring their own s...

  Self-awareness as a leader is easier said than done since we all have blind spots.  One way to improve the quality of our working relationships is to get our micro-interactions right.  When I came across Sarah Langslow’s book ‘Do Sweat the Small Stuff’ I immediately recognised it as an invaluable guide to any leader looking to lead in a positive and people-focused way so I’m excited to share thi...

  Workplaces and meetings are not set up to get the best out of introverts so it’s no wonder that many people who identify as introverts can experience self doubt at work even in leadership roles.    Sarah Manley built a highly successful career in marketing as a deep introvert but was growing tired of being ‘always on’ and visible and increasingly felt like she was in the wrong place.  It ate at...

  In today's episode, we reflect back on 2024 and get you thinking about what you want from 2025. This is a great way to bring 2024 to a close and be intentional about 2025 so grab your favourite notebook, a cosy blanket, and a warm drink, and dive into this reflective episode to set the tone for a brilliant 2025.  My name’s Carla Miller, leadership coach, author and trainer. And this is the Influ...