UNSHAKEABLE HER: Get Promoted by Building Leadership, Influence and Confidence (For Women Done Being Overlooked)

In this engaging conversation, Nash Vracas shares her inspiring journey from winning awards in the automotive industry to her experiences in Olympic sports and charitable work. She discusses the importance of recognition, overcoming imposter syndrome, and the value of taking opportunities. Nash emphasises the significance of discipline, time management, and the lessons learned from failures. She a...

In this episode, Caroline expands the conversation on the career flywheel, turning focus to two critical and often overlooked power moves: Find Your Friends and Be Seen. While many professionals focus on the tangible aspects of work like spotting problems, solving them, and delivering results, careers rarely accelerate without visibility and connection. Caroline explores why hard work alone doesn’...

In this episode, Caroline Esterson explores how to apply insights from the previous conversation with Declan Allen into actionable steps for career development. She introduces the concept of the career flywheel, emphasising the importance of adding value over merely being busy, spotting and solving workplace issues, and creating space for deep work. Practical moves are suggested to enhance product...

In this conversation, Declan Allen (MD, Horiba Mira) shares his journey from engineer to managing director, discussing the importance of focusing on the present, building strong relationships, and the value of diversity in teams.  He reflects on his early career experiences, the transition to leadership, and the lessons learned from mistakes. Declan emphasises the need for adaptability in the ever...

In this episode, Caroline Esterson discusses the importance of meaningful learning experiences, emphasising that true learning goes beyond quick fixes and superficial knowledge.  She shares insights from her work and draws inspiration from "Limitless" with Chris Hemsworth, illustrating how reframing their roles can lead to significant personal and professional growth. The conversation de...

Christine Reynolds, Talent and Performance Director at Dothings.io, delves into the art of receiving feedback, exploring its crucial role in personal growth and professional development. Discover how mastering feedback can transform criticism into opportunities for high performance. Takeaways Receiving feedback is essential for personal growth and improvement. Feedback, though sometimes painful, i...

In this engaging conversation, Jon McLeod shares insights on reputation management, the importance of treating people well, and the nuances of building a strong personal and professional reputation. He discusses the challenges of navigating career paths, the impact of generational differences on work ethic, and the significance of learning from mistakes. The dialogue emphasises the value of self-a...

In this episode, Caroline Esterson explores the intricacies of workplace motivation, focusing on how different mental filters and needs shape our behaviours and interactions. By examining theories from nlp, Dan Pink and Tony Robbins, she provides insights into understanding personal and others' motivations, offering practical strategies for navigating workplace dynamics and enhancing career g...

In this conversation, Paul Dawson reflects on his early career experiences, the challenges faced in management, and the importance of mentorship and continuous learning. He discusses overcoming prejudice, navigating stress, and the significance of organisational culture. KEY TAKEAWAYS Despite being average in GCSEs it didn't stop Paul from carving out an incredible career Apprenticeship led t...

Join us for Part 2 of this insightful conversation with Paul Dawson, CEO if Agena Group, in which he shares insights on transitioning from corporate to private equity, delivering public sector services, and the value of understanding your role in the workplace. He emphasises the importance of being comfortable with discomfort and provides practical advice for personal and professional growth. KEY...

Join Caroline Esterson as she delves into the subtle yet impactful world of unconscious bias and its effects on workplace dynamics. Discover how everyday actions can undermine psychological safety and learn strategies to rise above these challenges. KEY POINTS Unconscious bias and its influence on workplace interactions. The role of gossip and blame as social contagions. Strategies to foster psych...

In this episode, Caroline Esterson and Gary Keogh delve into the concept of psychological safety in the workplace, exploring its importance, the barriers to achieving it, and the roles individuals and leaders play in fostering an environment where everyone feels safe to speak up. They discuss personal experiences, the significance of inclusion, and practical tips for creating a psychologically saf...

Join Caroline Esterson as she tackles the crippling effects of perfectionism in the workplace.  This episode features career strategist, therapeutic counsellor and coach, Chris Mooney, who shares insights on overcoming fear and embracing progress. Learn actionable strategies to boost your career momentum by prioritising progress over perfection. Discover why "practice makes progress" is...

In this episode, Caroline emphasises the critical role of reflection in career development. She discusses how strategic self-reflection can lead to significant improvements in performance and personal growth. She introduces you to four types of reflection:  Pre-reflection,  Daily reset,  Growth reflection, and  Future-facing reflection,  Each one serves a unique purpose in enhancing intentionality...

Join Caroline Esterson in this reflective episode as she revisits the highlights of the past 10 episodes. From the importance of intentional visibility to embracing curiosity and taking messy action, Caroline shares key insights and listener stories that showcase how small moves can lead to significant career shifts.  Discover actionable tools and resources designed to help you turn insights into...

In this episode, Caroline shines a spotlight on drift - the quiet career killer that shows up when you’re doing the tasks but losing direction.  She challenges listeners to cut through the noise and embrace intentionality in their careers. Whether you're mid-pivot or feeling stuck, Caroline offers practical advice on making deliberate choices that can transform your professional journey. Disc...

Ever smiled through a team meeting while mentally planning your escape to a remote cottage in Wales? Or replied “No worries!” to a Friday 5pm request while quietly Googling “how to become a llama farmer”? This episode is not about pretending everything’s fine. It’s about real optimism - the kind that doesn’t require vision boards, scented candles, or toxic positivity. Just one honest check-in, one...

Ever spent hours watching webinars, highlighting your notes, colour-coding your to-do list… and still felt stuck? That’s planning disguised as progress, and it’s one of the sneakiest ways we stall our careers. In this episode, we call out perfectionism for the joy-thieving con it is, and champion messy, scrappy, unpolished action that actually gets results. Caroline spills some of her most cringe-...

Ever had that “who let me in here?” moment? Yeah. Welcome to the club no one applied to join. In this episode of Little Moves, Big Careers , Caroline Esterson dives into the messy middle of imposter syndrome: where self-doubt isn’t a flaw, it’s feedback that you’re stretching. No toxic positivity. No “just be confident” nonsense. Just straight talk about: Why imposter thoughts hit hardest right be...

The boldest careers aren’t built on perfect plans; they’re built by people who stay curious . Strategically. Unapologetically. And often, just a little cheekily. In this episode of Little Moves, Big Careers , Caro unpacks why curiosity beats confidence every time and how to use it as your secret career edge. You’ll hear:  A story about 208 seconds that proves calm curiosity saves the day  A listen...

In this episode of Little Moves, Big Careers , Caroline Esterson gets gloriously real about the messy truth of career paths, emphasising that success is not linear, no matter what the old-school career ladder crowd wants you to believe. Instead, we’re talking zigzag moves, surprise sliding doors moments, and the wild power of zigging when you're told to zag. Caroline takes aim at the myth of...

Ever feel like you’re doing everything right but still getting overlooked? Spoiler: it’s not your effort, it’s your radar. In this episode of Little Moves, Big Careers , Caro shows you how to stop missing the moments that matter and start training your brain to spot the real career-shifters. You’ll discover: Why big opportunities rarely come with bold font or a calendar invite How to notice patter...

Ever had that sinking feeling that the real meeting happened before the meeting? Or that someone less capable got the nod while you’re still “being patient”? Welcome to The Club; no badges, no invites, just power. In this episode of Little Moves, Big Careers , Caroline Esterson lifts the velvet rope on how influence really works at work. You’ll learn how unspoken rules, subtle loyalties, and quiet...

If you've ever felt like your manager was more “in the way” than “in your corner,” this one’s for you. You'll learn how to handle difficult managers to help your career flourish. In this sharp-tongued but clear-eyed bonus episode, Caroline takes you on a safari through the modern workplace zoo, spotting typical leadership characters like The Deflector , The Bouncer , The Squirrel , The C...

Are you a high-performing woman in corporate leadership who keeps delivering, keeps proving yourself, and still wonders why promotion and influence feel just out of reach? In this episode, Caroline Esterson challenges one of the biggest workplace myths women are still being sold: that doing a good job is enough. For women navigating corporate leadership, promotion is rarely about effort alone. It...