Katie's Leadership Lounge

In this episode of The Leadership Lounge, host Katie addresses healthcare leaders who feel stuck and overwhelmed by the pressures of their roles. She emphasises that leadership is an attitude, not a title, and encourages listeners to try something different to break free from feeling stuck, whether it's a small change like altering their breakfast or a big life change. Katie highlights the importa...

In this episode of The Leadership Lounge, Katie explores the analogy of birds flying in V formation to draw lessons on leadership and teamwork in healthcare. She explains how the V formation reduces wind resistance, allowing birds to conserve energy and fly longer distances, symbolising how teamwork enhances efficiency and endurance. The formation also facilitates visibility and communication, ena...

Leadership isn’t about controlling everything; it’s about focusing on what matters. In this episode, I’m talking about how choosing your attitude and attending to the ‘boring magic’ can transform both your day and your team’s culture. With practical examples, it’s how pausing to check in, practising self-compassion, and noticing small wins help you step out of firefighting mode and into a more sus...

Summary In this episode of The Leadership Lounge, I discuss navigating new job opportunities and career changes for healthcare leaders. I’ve got three steps that come up in all the conversations I have: first, reassessing your core values and strengths to clarify what matters most and what unique skills you bring; second, envisioning your future self and career goals to set a meaningful direction;...

Summary As healthcare leaders, you know the value of consistency, the daily showing up, the small steps, the 1% progress that adds up over time. But what if there are moments when those steady steps aren’t enough? This week I’m thinking about the tension between incremental growth and bold, transformative leaps. I’m listening to 10X is Easier than 2X and having my thinking challenged. Which is a g...

In the whirlwind of healthcare leadership, it can feel impossible to pause long enough to see the bigger picture. That’s where tools like SWOT and SOAR come in. In this episode of Katie’s Leadership Lounge , I’m looking at this classic framework, uncovering history, and showing how they can help leaders challenge assumptions, uncover blind spots, and move from firefighting to focused action. Wheth...

Leading in healthcare isn’t a sprint with a clear endpoint, and there are moments when you can’t do everything and be everywhere, so you get to choose. These moments are about what really matters. Being clear on what that is for you is essential if you want to lead well. In this reflective episode, I’m sharing what pausing, noticing, and being truly present can do for your leadership. You create a...

Links and Resources 5 qualities of high-impact healthcare leaders Personal Values Workbook Understanding Your Strengths Daria Williamson Insight Are you in need of an opposite world? Build your network Why you need your own square squad

Starting with one idea, I found myself going in circles. With so much bad stuff going on in the world, who am I to talk about anything? Not to mention my ideas for sustainable leadership in healthcare. So I started with that, and came full circle, from Bittersweet to the Stockdale Paradox and a whole lot more in between. Links and Resources Bittersweet The Stockdale Paradox from Good to Great What...

Links and Resources Gratitude when you don’t think there is time for anything more The Healthy Mind Platter Reflection over Rumination 5 qualities of high-impact healthcare leaders What’s a catio, and are the cats OK? Meet the cats on Instagram See what I’m sharing on LinkedIn and come and say hello While you’re there, check out Melissa Crawford

This episode is for anyone who has ever left a team, a job, or a role, or supported someone else through it. I’m reflecting on what it means to lead through endings, personally and professionally, with the help of Tuckman’s Adjourning stage and Bridges’ Transition Model. I share what I’ve learned (and am still learning) about letting go, closure, grief, uncertainty, and grace. It’s the wrap-up to...

With only two weeks till my big move, the period of Matarki and Midwinter has created a space of pause for me. So this week, I’m sharing a calm, reflective episode as this is a natural moment to reflect and take stock. Links and Resources Take this time to reflect on your values Consider your purpose Gratitude when you don’t think you have time for gratitude Complete Gratitude Workbook 5 qualities...

What is the type of leader you want to be, and are your habits supporting that idea? In this episode, we look at the difference between routines and habits and why that distinction matters for healthcare leaders under pressure. Drawing on practical examples and experience (including how a one-minute action can spark major change), I’m talking about how habits form the backbone of leadership identi...

Habit 3 of the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is Putting First Things First. This means moving out of always being in crisis mode and considering planning, prevention, relationship building and recreation. This is the zone of effectiveness, and to move there more often will take courage, real conversations and a personal challenge where you ask what zone you prefer working in. I ask, why does...

As a slightly lost and overwhelmed charge nurse, I knew I wanted to be effective. I also knew that the skills I had learnt in the clinical setting needed to be expanded. Picking up a second-hand copy of the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People got me started. Taking me from chaos to clarity and giving me confidence to make the impact I wanted to make. The 7 Habits gives you a framework to build fro...

Summary Joy: the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune Joy in work is not a flaky, soft, fluffy thing to add on when you have the time or money to do so. Joy in work should be a right for everyone who is committing themselves to the work and leadership in healthcare. It connects us with meaning and purpose, and that’s just the first course. Its measure starts with engagement and s...

If feeling feelings is part of being human and our emotions are data, not direction, how does the healthcare leader respond in the emotionally charged workplace that is healthcare?  This episode, I’m tapping into the experts and sharing the ideas that help you manage your emotions - the wanted and the not-so-wanted in the work setting. We’re factoring in the specific healthcare challenges and...

This episode isn’t polished (like it ever is), it’s personal. In this week’s episode, I’m sharing what many leaders are too scared to say out loud—what it’s like to be accused of bullying, and what it feels like to be on the receiving end. These real-life stories are a wake-up call to pay attention to what’s said, unsaid, and misunderstood in our teams. Bullying in healthcare leadership doesn’t al...

Summary As Star Wars fans celebrate May the 4th, we’re kicking off season 4, reflecting on the stories that shape us. Star Wars was a big childhood influence that I’ve carried with me into my work and my leadership. Knowing ‘ I’m no Jedi but I know the force ’ is about saying that I don’t have all the answers, but I know these conversations matter. And along the way, I’ll have a few things to shar...

Wrapping up season 3 with planning ahead tips in a mini-mid-week episode because I completely forgot it was Easter. Links and Resources 5 qualities of high-impact healthcare leaders Get started, get simplified and organise your work life The digital declutter you didn’t know you needed Two things I know about getting things done I don’t want to keep fighting fires What’s a topic you want the loung...

Healthcare is stretched, but your mindset is still a choice. This episode isn’t about pretending things aren’t tough—it’s about the power of noticing how you think, and choosing to lead with clarity and impact anyway. We explore the Abundance Mindset and how it supports stronger, more intentional leadership—even in stretched systems. Links and Resources 5 qualities of high-impact healthcare leader...

Behind every episode of The Leadership Lounge is a deeper reason for showing up. Hitting the 50-episode mark felt like the right time to pause and reflect—not just on the podcast, but on the leadership journey itself. Every leadership journey starts somewhere—but what keeps it going? In this episode, I share three key reflections that have shaped both the podcast and my own leadership: getting cle...

Every day, healthcare teams work together—but are they cooperating or collaborating? And does it matter? In this episode, we explore the key differences, when to use each approach, and why shared purpose is the glue that makes both work. Breaking down silos and strengthening connections between leaders and teams is critical to delivering better patient outcomes and creating healthier workplace cul...

If you are leading leaders, this episode is packed with insights and practical strategies to help you create a solid foundation—one that ensures your new team leaders can handle the fast pace of leadership with confidence and clarity. Plus, check out the show notes for a free Appreciative Feedback mini-course to help embed these practices into your leadership approach. Links and Resources 5 qualit...

What if kindness wasn’t just a personal trait but a powerful force for transforming healthcare? I dive into Intelligent Kindness, a concept that shifts kindness from being seen as ‘soft’ to a strategic approach for stronger teams, better patient care, and a healthier system. From tackling self-doubt to building trust and therapeutic alliances, this episode offers a fresh perspective on why kindnes...