The Fulfilled Leader with Jean Balfour

In this inspiring episode, Jean Balfour welcomes Sas Petherick, an internationally renowned coach and expert in healing self-doubt. Sas shares her remarkable journey from a fast-paced corporate career in London to becoming a leading voice in helping people build self-belief.  With over a decade of coaching experience, a master's degree from Oxford, and groundbreaking research published in the...

In this insightful episode of Making Sense of Work, Jean Balfour is joined by Dr. Saba Hasanie , Managing Director and Senior Partner of OSC Leadership Development. Dr. Saba introduces Biographical Dimensions of Leadership using BDMM© – Level One , a framework designed to explore unconscious behavioral patterns rooted in the past that may hinder growth and development in coaching.  With over 20 co...

In this special episode of Making Sense of Work , released in honor of World Mental Health Day, Jean Balfour shares a deeply personal and reflective narrative on her journey with emotional wellbeing and resilience.  From the challenges of her early years as a young teacher through subsequent phases of depression and burnout, Jean speaks candidly about the ongoing process of managing her mental and...

In this episode of Making Sense of Work , Jean Balfour is joined by Katie Hasson, the dynamic leader of the Ignite program at Standard Chartered Bank. Katie shares her inspiring journey from a tax accountant to leading a team of over 230 internal coaches across 35 countries. The Ignite program, deeply aligned with diversity and inclusion goals, empowers women, local talent, and people with disabil...

Curiosity isn't just a trait; it's a transformative power that can revolutionize our lives. In this episode of "Making Sense of Work," I share my personal journey of how curiosity led me to uncover my own thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations.  By embracing curiosity, we can shift our perspectives and explore new opportunities, finding more magic and hope in our everyday ex...

Episode Summary: In this episode of Making Sense of Work , Jean Balfour welcomes Ellie Scarf, founder and CEO of Lucent Global and the Impact Coach Collective. Ellie shares her journey from law to executive coaching and her insights on building a successful coaching business. They discuss the transition from corporate roles to coaching, the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship, and practical...

Have you ever wondered how your life could change if you spent just a little time dreaming about your perfect day? On this episode of Making Sense of Work, I invite you to join me on a transformative journey where I'll share my experiences of visualizing my ideal day and how it provided clarity and direction in my career. You'll discover why it's crucial to dream without limits and...

Join us for an inspiring chat with Betsy Kimmel, our incredible PCC-level alumni and coach! Betsy takes us on her exciting journey, from tackling coaching projects in high-pressure environments to starting her own yoga practice.  Her work is all about inclusivity, making sure everyone from leaders to drivers benefits from her coaching. Betsy also emphasises the importance of setting personal bound...

In this episode, we dive deep into the complexities of office dynamics and explore the Drama Triangle, a powerful psychological model developed by Dr. Stephen Karpman. Join Jean Balfour as she uncovers the roles of the Villain, Victim, and Hero that often play out in workplace interactions, leading to unproductive and toxic environments. Jean Balfour shares practical strategies for recognising and...

Have you ever paid attention to your breathing during times of stress? Most likely, we don't, yet it's a powerful tool we can harness to maintain calmness within ourselves. Meet our special guest Céline Fontaine as she shares how conscious breathing impacts creativity, mindfulness, and well-being. Discover how controlled breathing enhances leadership and personal development, inviting yo...

Imagine finding a sense of calm and ease amid the chaos of your workday; I believe it's not just a fantasy but a tangible goal. In this episode I share how the philosophies in Beth Kempton's "Kokoro" and Nancy Klein's "Time to Think," introduce how leaders and professionals can reclaim tranquility in their our hectic lives. I look at society's traditional de...

Ever feel like you're just going through the motions at work, weighed down by stress and dissatisfaction? This is part 2 of the neuroscience of misery at work and it’s your invitation to discover how you can turn misery all around. We're not just talking about the everyday gripes of excessive workloads or lackluster recognition; we're diving into the science that shows our brains ar...

Ever feel like you're just going through the motions at work, weighed down by stress and dissatisfaction? This episode is your invitation to discover the neuroscience that explains why—and how you can turn it all around. We're not just talking about the everyday gripes of excessive workloads or lackluster recognition; we're diving into the science that shows our brains are directly...

Today’s episode is inspired by Marianne Williamson and Gay Hendricks. Jean Balfour shares insights and experiences on overcoming self-imposed limitations to embrace our true potential. Join us as we navigate the zones of incompetence, competence, excellence, and ultimately, genius, uncovering how to push ourselves out of our limiting beliefs of what we can't do! Recommended book reading: The...

In today’s episode, Jean Balfour shares her own experiences of feeling overwhelmed, and  shares insights on identifying, understanding, and overcoming the chaos that comes with being overwhelmed.  From uncovering the root causes to implementing practical strategies, we'll embark on a journey towards reclaiming energy and joy in our daily work. Tune in for tips, stories, and inspiration to nav...

In today’s episode, we explore how being fully present with another person is not just a skill, but a critical gift that fosters genuine connection. Join Jean Balfour as she shares the journey of how we can master this skill, how we can be aware of our own pitfalls and together, we'll uncover practical strategies and insights to enhance our ability to truly hear and understand others. To down...

Welcome to  Season 3 on "Making Sense of Work"  Today’s episode is drawing inspiration from the impactful Netflix film, "Nyad." The documentary encapsulates the awe-inspiring story of Diana Nyad, who, at the remarkable age of 64, achieved the extraordinary feat of swimming from Cuba to Florida. Jean reflects on Nyad's resilience and tenacity, drawing parallels to personal...

Picture this: I started the year with a grand plan—a visionary roadmap for my business and a commitment to its growth. Little did I know, the universe had a different script in mind. The first half of the year threw some serious challenges my way.  By the year's end, we not only weathered the storm but exceeded our initial expectations. However, let me be real with you—2023 was no walk in the...

Have you ever taken a moment to reflect on your career values? It's a practice that often gets overlooked amid the hustle of our daily lives. However, these values serve as the underlying motivation for our actions and reactions, influencing our experiences both professionally and personally.  In this podcast, Jean Balfour explores the importance of recognizing and embracing our values, offer...

Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is the ability to understand and manage emotions effectively. It is no longer considered a soft skill—it's a critical competency for us all - both individual contributors and leaders. Higher EQ has been shown to improve job performance significantly including higher sales, increased productivity and reduced stress.  In this podcast Jean Balfour shares practical str...

Frequently, significant events like birthdays can indeed lead us to contemplate what we haven't achieved, our past mistakes, and our regrets. And they occasionally pull us into negative thoughts. Today's episode of "Making Sense of Work," is a special one. I discuss how we can leverage significant life milestones as chances for celebration and gratitude, while also acknowledgin...

How good are you at influencing others?  In this episode of Making Sense of Work, we'll explore the fundamental principles of influence and why it's essential in various aspects of life, from personal relationships to professional success. We'll discuss a three step strategy and seven ways you can influence effectively. To read the full blog, head over to https://baileybalfour.com/h...

For many years, I've held the belief that we shape our own work situations and experiences.  And by that, I mean the story we tell ourselves or the actions we take. True empowerment comes from assuming personal responsibility, examining our role, and understanding how we contribute to the way we perceive and navigate what's happening around us.  In this episode, join me as I share ways w...

Navigating difficult conversations can be hard, but when done right, can be powerful and life changing.  In this episode of Making sense of Work, master certified coach Jean Balfour shares with us how to tackle those difficult conversations with a coaching mindset. Learn techniques to offer constructive feedback in an empathetic and thoughtful manner. Connect with Jean Balfour on LinkedIn Connect...

Over the years, I've had the privilege of coaching countless individuals on their journey to success, and I've witnessed some incredible transformations.  Whether you're eyeing that next big promotion or simply want to level up your career game, here are 5 tips you should consider applying in your role today. Podcast recommendations Ep. #8 Nine Ways to be Politically Savvy at Work E...