Optimising Leader Brilliance: Enabling Calm, Confident, Strategic Leadership

In this episode of Optimising Leader Brilliance, leadership coach Estelle Read unpacks the essential final piece of personal effectiveness: stress management. Discover what stress really is by understanding your nervous system’s gas and brake model, uncover hidden childhood triggers fueling your stress, and explore DISC-based stress triggers tailored to your personality type. Delve into the five t...

In this episode of Optimising Leader Brilliance, leadership coach Estelle Read takes you deeper into time optimization by teaching how to align your diary with your natural energy levels, beat procrastination through accountability, and protect your time to boost productivity without burning out. Drawing from personal experience and practical strategies like time blocking, mono-tasking, and energy...

In this episode of Optimising Leader Brilliance, leadership coach Estelle Read dives into time optimization—sharing the one word that can save you hours every week, practical systems to cut overwhelm, and why blending time management with assertiveness can dramatically reduce stress. Drawing on personal stories and proven frameworks like the rocks, pebbles, and sand metaphor, Estelle guides you th...

Unlock the power of assertive communication to reduce stress, protect your time, and build stronger relationships—at work and beyond. In this episode of Optimising Leader Brilliance, leadership coach Estelle Read guides you through balancing passive and aggressive communication with confident assertiveness. Learn the PAC model of communication, explore how past experiences shape your style, and di...

Explore executive presence and creative leadership through a unique lens with Simone Jenkinson, a master of movement and community-driven creativity. In this episode, Simone shares how breathwork, meditation, and mindful movement can cut through corporate noise, help regulate your nervous system, and empower you to lead with calm clarity. Drawing on decades of experience directing global productio...

Join Estelle Read and special guest Asterios Drosos, Food and Beverage Director at Sani/Ikos Group, as they explore leadership lessons inspired by hospitality. Drawing from powerful life stories, including Asterios’s experience of staying calm during a storm and his lifelong commitment to kindness and service, this episode reveals how empathy, patience, and leading by example create magical guest...

On this episode of Optimising Leader Brilliance, EstelleRead sits down with Steve Pendleton, leadership and personal development expert at Network Rail and author of  The Flip: Turning Issue into Opportunity . Discover how shifting your mindset from problem-focused to opportunity-driven can transform leadership challenges into paths for growth. Steve shares practical strategies to pause, gain clar...

Join Estelle Read on the Optimising Leader Brilliance podcast for calm, confident, and strategic leadership insights. In this episode, Selma Delic shares her inspiring journey from marketing manager to operations partner, revealing how embracing diverse perspectives and turning difference into strength can enable brilliant, high-performing leadership. Learn science-backed strategies and mindset sh...

I sit down with Davina Ripton, a change managementconsultant and leadership coach, to explore why so many organisational change initiatives fail — and what leaders can do differently to make change stick. We unpack the psychology of resistance, the illusion of control, and why designing change like a customer experience is the key to sustainable transformation. If you lead people through change, t...

Dr. Lisa Riegel — neuroscience expert, leadership strategistand author shares brain science insights and practical strategies for leaders to regain calm, confident control under stress. Discover stress management techniques and how understanding your brain’s wiring can transform leadership,communication, and team performance. Learn how to lead strategically with self-awareness and sustainable impa...

Today we’re tackling a topic that can have damaging effects on both our personal and organisational wellbeing: narcissism. Joining us is Ginny Priem—a Master Certified Life Coach, keynote speaker, and the #1 bestselling author of  You’reMy Favorite  and her latest hit,  UNSUBSCRIBE . This new bookis for leaders, professionals, and people-pleasers who have mastered doing more, giving more, and hold...

In this inspiring episode, we dive deep into leadershiplessons with Sam Bagshaw, an influencer whose journey to 1 million followers highlights how calm, confident, and strategic leadership can enable brilliance despite personal challenges. Sam defies odds — including his stammer — to exemplify how authentic leadership embraces challenges and fosters growth for oneself and others.   Join us as Sam...

Are you the "rock" that everyone else relies onwhile you're secretly struggling?  In this episode, we explore the "Be Strong" pattern and why  hyper-independence  isoften a survival response to childhood patterns that demand emotional stoicism. Learn why suppressed emotions manifest as physical pain - like frozen shoulders and chronic fatigue - and how to reclaim your resil...

Are you stuck in analysis paralysis?  In this episode, we explore how perfectionism fuels Imposter Syndrome and reveal my proprietary  LAR Method  to break the cycle once and for all. Learn why the pursuit of perfection is holding your career back and how to use the  "10% Strategy"  to reclaim your time, energy, and authenticity. As part of our miniseries on Transactional Analysis drivers, I’m div...

Did you know your brain processes a 'social rejection'exactly like physical pain? That's why saying 'no' to your boss feels like a survival threat. Today, I'm showing you how to re-wire that response. In this miniseries episode, I explore the Please Me Patternand why people-pleasing behaviour keeps you trapped in cycles of overcommitment, resentment, and burnout. I share th...

Do you catch yourself rushing through tasks or finishingother people's sentences?  In this episode, we explore why your brain equates speed with safety and how the  "Hurry Up" habit  is quietly sabotaging your productivity, relationships, and mental health. As part of our miniseries on Adrienne Lee’s “DrowningPerson” model (Transactional Analysis), I’m sharing my personal journey fro...

Are you stuck in a cycle of relentless effort but feel likeyou're never doing enough? In this episode, we explore how the  "Try Hard" habit  fuels chronic overworking, perfectionism, and burnout. Discover the exact childhood messages driving your need toprove your worth today and learn how this unconscious pattern, (part of Adrienne Lee’s “Drowning Person” model in Transactional Anal...

Irini Tzortzoglou is a UK MasterChef winner, author, olive oil and honey sommelier, and retreat host. In this episode, she shares her unlikely leap from the banking world to culinaryexcellence - and the mindset shifts that made it possible. You’ll learn how to recognize your sacred gifts, overcome limiting beliefs, and build a life aligned with purpose, even under high pressure.   What you’ll lear...

Yesterday I auditioned for TEDx and honestly, it didn't goas planned. I'm sharing what happened because the best learning comes from moments like these. In this episode, I walk you through my TOP ACT method - a powerful tool I use personally and with clients to process failure, silence imposter syndrome, and transform disappointment into growth. This isn't about perfection; it's ab...

If you’ve followed me a while, you will know that I’ve gonefrom not being able to climb the stairs to climbing Wainrights for fun, (well, sometimes fun – sometimes the hills are hell). I burnt out and got ME from overdoing life and work. Theoverdoing came from not feeling good enough and the urge to prove my worth. But when is enough, enough? The bar just keeps rising. This is an interactive episo...

My next guest’s work reshaped my understanding ofpersonality, why we are the way we are, and what birth order has to do with it. Dr. Linda Blair is a Chartered clinical psychologist, writer, speaker, and broadcaster who has authored five self-help books. She’s also appeared ontelevision programs such as The One Show, The Vanessa Show, and Child of Our Time. We dive into family dynamics, birth orde...

Do you wake up tired, feel less sharp than you used to, orhave aches and pains? Explore the critical connection between brain health,chronic pain, and the aging process in this eye-opening episode featuring neurologist Dr. Fawad Mian. Discover how "inflammaging," a slow, chronic inflammation associated with aging, silently impacts your brain and body, contributing to symptoms like brain...

In this episode, I unpack the real reasons we self-sabotageand introduce the science-backed CLEAR framework - designed to counteract it and help you break through barriers to your biggest goals in 2026. Whether you’re setting personal milestones or leading a team, you’ll find actionableinsights to help you and your team shine brighter.   This recording was longer than usual 😂, because there’s lot...

How’re those New Year’s resolutions going? Most peoplegive up their New Year's resolutions by the   second Friday inJanuary , a day dubbed "Quitter's Day," with studies showing over 80% abandoning goals by mid-January due to unrealistic expectations and waning motivation. If you want to understand why we self-sabotage and masterthe steps to stop it , these two episodes are for yo...

In this episode, I reflect on the highlights of Season 4,sharing the most inspiring moments and lessons from my brave guests. We explore the mindsets, habits, and stories that can help you lead an even better work-life. After recording each episode, there was always a takeaway that made me reflect or take action - like doing my first wild water swim with my guest Philippa Hardy , a triathlon coach...