Explore every episode of the podcast The Lighting Fires Podcast
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
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| S2 EP2: Caterpillar Soup: The Transformation of an Authentic Leader | 26 Nov 2025 | 00:48:41 | |
Host: Julie Williams, MSc - Executive Coach & Founder of Lighting Fires Guest: Lucy Guest- Social Media Strategist and Brand Communication Specialist.
Episode Overview In this episode of The Lighting Fires Podcast, supported by Henley Business School, Julie sits down with Social Media Strategist and Brand Communication Specialist, Lucy Guest to explore the transformational coaching journey they experienced together. Their conversation dives into what it really means to lead with confidence and authenticity, make brave decisions even when they may be unpopular, and navigate complex power dynamics within organisations. Along the way, they take some wonderfully unexpected detours, from sharks and caterpillars to medieval languages, Shakespeare, and Dungeons & Dragons, using metaphor and creativity to illuminate the realities of modern leadership. Lucy shares the practical exercises and coaching techniques that helped her shift perspective, build self-belief, and step into an authentic leadership style that aligns with her values. This is a colourful, honest, and insightful conversation about growth, identity, and becoming the leader you were meant to be.
What You'll Learn in This Episode
Julie's Top Coaching Takeaways Respond, don't react Detach from the need to be liked Zoom out to gain perspective Celebrate authenticity Learn from mistakes- they're essential
Resources Mentioned
Interested in a career in coaching? Find out about the Professional Be sure to mention the Lighting Fires Podcast if you do contact Henley Business School. Connect with Julie Website: www.lightingfires.co.uk Enjoyed this episode? Please leave a 5 star rating and review- it helps more people find these real-world leadership stories and coaching insights. | |||
| S2 EP1: Vision, Vibes & Very Good Logos. Celebrating the creative process and the emotional journey behind it | 12 Nov 2025 | 00:47:14 | |
Host: Julie Williams, MSc - Executive Coach & Founder of Lighting Fires Guest: Ian Guppy - Creative Director, Feelgood Creative, a branding and website design agency Episode Overview In the opening episode of Series 2 of The Lighting Fires Podcast, supported by Henley Business School, Julie reconnects with long-time friend, client, and creative collaborator Ian Guppy. As the Creative Director of Feelgood Creative, Ian has led the agency through exciting growth and transformation. At a pivotal point in that journey, he turned to Julie for coaching support to clarify his vision and set a new strategic direction. Together, they explore how coaching helped Ian shift from "future box" thinking to taking meaningful action in the present. Ian opens up about the challenges of leading a creative business, building a team, and recognising the true value of his own expertise. They also dive into the powerful impact of self-awareness tools like Belbin Team Roles and Myers-Briggs, which helped Ian better understand not only his own working style, but also how to bring out the best in others. This episode is full of practical insights for founders, creatives, and solo entrepreneurs- especially around mindset, team dynamics, and evolving your business model to align with your strengths. What You'll Learn in This Episode
Resources Mentioned
Interested in a career in coaching? Find out about the Professional Be sure to mention the Lighting Fires Podcast if you do contact Henley Business School. Connect with Julie Website: www.lightingfires.co.uk Enjoyed this episode? Please leave a 5 star rating and review- it helps more people find these real-world leadership stories and coaching insights.
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| S1 EP6: Lighting Fires Podcast – Navigating Identity, Grief & Values with Hannah | 22 Jul 2025 | 00:39:47 | |
Host: Julie Williams, MSc – Executive Coach and Founder of Lighting Fires Episode Overview: In this deeply honest episode of The Lighting Fires Podcast, supported by Henley Business School, Executive Coach Julie Williams talks with Hannah about the challenging journey of navigating shifting identity through profound loss and life changes. Hannah shares her experience of moving beyond the roles she once defined herself by; Hannah the copper, Hannah the mum, Hannah the carer, and finding ways to remember who she is when everything else feels unsettled. They explore how creativity became a vital lifeline amid personal turmoil, and how reconnecting with core values empowered Hannah to make courageous choices, including stepping away from a stressful work environment during the toughest period of her life. This episode offers powerful reflections on grief, not only for those we lose, but also for futures we had imagined, and how values can guide us toward new beginnings. Key Topics in This Episode:
Julie's Top Coaching Tips from this Episode:
Interested in a career in coaching? Find out about the Professional Be sure to mention the Lighting Fires Podcast if you do contact Henley Business School.
Connect with Julie Williams: Website: www.lightingfires.co.uk If you found this episode helpful, please leave a 5 star rating and review to help others find these real stories and coaching insights. Artwork by Ian Guppy | |||
| S1 EP5: Reinventing a Business with Clarity, Confidence & Courage with Joe & Charlie Jones | 08 Jul 2025 | 00:34:49 | |
Host: Julie Williams, MSc – Executive Coach and Founder of Lighting Fires
In this episode of The Lighting Fires Podcast, Supported by Henley Business School, Executive Coach Julie Williams speaks with Joe and Charlie Jones, brothers and co-founders of the financial recruitment company Refreshing, about how coaching helped them transform their business, rebuild clarity, and rediscover their purpose. They share insights about shifting their leadership model, rebranding their business, and massively reducing overheads without losing momentum. With humour, honesty, and real-life examples, they reflect on the power of creating space for strategic thinking and making bold decisions which align with who they really are. Key Topics in This Episode:
"Before coaching, we were just doing fine—but it was more confusing. Coaching gave us the clarity and confidence to restructure, rebrand, and move forward with purpose."
Julie's Top Coaching Tips from this Episode:
Interested in a career in coaching? Find out about the Professional Be sure to mention the Lighting Fires Podcast if you do contact Henley Business School. Connect with Julie Williams:
Enjoyed this episode? Please leave a 5 star rating and review — it helps more people find these real-world leadership stories and coaching insights. Artwork by Ian Guppy | |||
| S1 EP4: From Conflict Avoidance to Confident, Authentic Leadership with Annie Willmot | 24 Jun 2025 | 00:42:49 | |
Host: Julie Williams, MSc – Executive Coach and Founder of Lighting Fires
Episode Overview: In this inspiring episode of The Lighting Fires Podcast, supported by Henley Business School, Julie Williams speaks with Annie Willmot about her personal and professional journey from conflict-avoidant team member to confident, values-led leader. As Deputy CEO of Reading Students' Union, Annie opens up about the challenges of people-pleasing, avoiding difficult conversations, and learning to embrace her own leadership style. Expect a very honest conversation, as honest conversations are very much part of Annie's approach to everything. Through executive coaching, Annie discovered how to approach conflict with clarity, communicate with confidence, and lead with compassion. She shares how coaching, combined with tools like Myers-Briggs, helped her understand her strengths, navigate uncertainty, and build trust in her voice as a leader.
What You'll Learn in This Episode:
Annie's Personal Reflection Questions:
Annie's Coaching Metaphor: "Before coaching, it felt like a grey sky with the sun peeking through. Through coaching, the clouds moved away—revealing the sun that had been there all along."
Julie's Top Coaching Tips:
Resources Mentioned:
Interested in a career in coaching? Find out about the Professional Be sure to mention the Lighting Fires Podcast if you do contact Henley Business School.
Connect with Julie Williams:
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a five star rating and review to help others discover these powerful coaching stories. Artwork by Ian Guppy
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| S1 EP3: Leading with Heart – Imposter Syndrome, Burnout & Brave Leadership with Lorraine Briffitt | 10 Jun 2025 | 00:41:23 | |
In this episode of The Lighting Fires Podcast, supported by Henley Business School, Executive Coach Julie Williams talks with Lorraine Briffitt, CEO of Connect Reading, about what it really takes to lead with authenticity in today's world. Lorraine opens up about her journey through imposter syndrome, burnout, and leading complex organisational change. She shares the emotional toll of a restructure that didn't go to plan, and how coaching helped her separate her self-worth from her job title, rebuild confidence, and reconnect with her core values. Together, Lorraine and Julie explore the power of executive coaching in helping leaders navigate self-doubt, manage team dynamics, and make space for more reflective, compassionate leadership. Key Topics in This Episode:
Interested in a career in coaching? Find out about the Professional Be sure to mention the Lighting Fires Podcast if you do contact Henley Business School. Connect with Julie:
Enjoyed this episode? Please leave a 5 star rating to help more people find these honest and inspiring leadership conversations. Artwork by Ian Guppy
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| S1 EP2: Leadership, Confidence & Coaching – A Business Growth Conversation with Mark Schmull | 27 May 2025 | 00:40:40 | |
In this episode of The Lighting Fires Podcast, supported by Henley Business School, Executive Coach Julie Williams talks with Mark Schmull, Managing Director of Arrow Planning, about his coaching journey through the Ignite Your Business programme and how it transformed his approach to leadership, team-building, and business growth. Mark shares how executive coaching helped him build greater self-awareness, tackle imposter syndrome, and grow a team culture based on trust, communication, and purpose. He opens up about the realities of running a business, the power of mentorship, and learning to lead with calm, confidence, and intention. Whether you're an entrepreneur, team leader, or business owner, this conversation offers honest insight into what it really takes to lead a growing company. Topics We Cover:
Julie's Coaching Tips:
Book Recommendation: Who Is in Your Personal Boardroom? by Amanda Scott – A practical tool to help you identify the key people who can support your leadership journey. Useful Links:
Interested in a career in coaching? Find out about the Professional Be sure to mention the Lighting Fires Podcast if you do contact Henley Business School.
If this episode resonated with you, please leave a 5* rating or share it with a colleague. Your support helps more leaders discover these inspiring coaching stories. Artwork by Ian Guppy | |||
| S1 EP1: Finding Purpose and Leading Authentically – A Coaching Conversation with Pete Wharton | 04 May 2025 | 00:49:05 | |
In this episode of The Lighting Fires Podcast, supported by Henley Business School, Executive Coach Julie Williams sits down with Pete Wharton, Managing Director of Wharton Natural Infrastructure Consultants, and winner of Professional Forester of the Year. Pete shares his coaching journey and how it helped him rediscover his purpose, lead with clarity, and reconnect with his values as a business leader. From climbing trees in Ipswich to building one of the UK's leading environmental consultancies, Pete opens up about navigating leadership challenges, imposter syndrome, and the importance of bringing more of yourself into your work. This episode is a powerful reflection on how executive coaching can unlock personal growth, authentic leadership, and a renewed sense of direction. Topics We Cover:
Interested in a career in coaching? Find out about the Professional Be sure to mention the Lighting Fires Podcast if you do contact Henley Business School. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5* rating and share it with someone on their own coaching journey. Your support helps others discover these powerful conversations about leadership, purpose, and growth.
Artwork by Ian Guppy
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| Imposter Syndrome: Taking Your Seat at the Table | 03 Dec 2025 | 00:18:31 | |
Imposter Syndrome: Taking Your Seat at the Table Episode Description Host: Julie Williams MSc — Executive Coach & Founder of Lighting Fires Episode Overview In this special Lighting Fires mini-episode, supported by Henley Business School, Julie explores one of the most common topics that comes up in coaching conversations: imposter syndrome, or more accurately, imposter phenomenon. Drawing on research from Clance and Imes in the 1970s, Julie unpacks why even the most capable, high-achieving people often struggle to internalise their success and feel they belong. Featuring powerful reflections from previous guests Lorraine Briffitt and Mark Schmull, this episode explores what imposter syndrome feels like in real life, how it shows up in leadership, and the practical steps you can take to challenge the inner critic and step confidently into the rooms you deserve to be in. This honest and encouraging episode is for anyone who has ever worried about not being "good enough," questioned whether they deserve an opportunity, or wondered when they're going to be "found out." What You'll Learn in This Episode
Julie's Top Coaching Takeaways Say it out loud Look for evidence Use NLP tools Write down your achievements Confidence comes from doing You belong if you're in the room Resources Mentioned
Interested in a career in coaching? Find out about the Professional Be sure to mention the Lighting Fires Podcast if you do contact Henley Business School. Connect with Julie Website: lightingfires.co.uk If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a five star rating and review, it helps more listeners find these real-world leadership tools and stories.
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| S2 EP3: To Plan or Not to Plan? That Is the Question... | 10 Dec 2025 | 00:47:34 | |
Host: Julie Williams MSc- Executive Coach & Founder of Lighting Fires In this episode of The Lighting Fires Podcast, supported by Henley Business School, Julie sits down with Alex Weller, founder of Above Digital, whose career spans more than 30 years of evolving brands and building digital experiences, from early work with Universal Music and PepsiCo to today's bespoke websites and branding projects. Alex describes himself as someone who never liked planning, and for a long time avoided it. Yet through coaching, reflection, and a shift in mindset, he discovered how simple planning, can be transformative. Their conversation explores the tension between wanting freedom and needing structure, why business owners often resist planning, and how Alex found a way of doing it that finally worked for him. Julie and Alex talk about:
Alex reflects on the pivotal realisation that even when plans feel "pie in the sky," writing things down gives you something valuable to look back on, a narrative of your business that helps you make sense of where you've been and where you want to go next. Julie also shares coaching insights on finding focus, noticing what's working, creating space to think, and building a plan that feels motivating rather than overwhelming. Whether you love planning, avoid it, or feel stuck somewhere in between, this conversation offers fresh perspective on how to steer your business with more clarity, confidence, and ease. Interested in a career in coaching? Find out about the Professional Be sure to mention the Lighting Fires Podcast if you do contact Henley Business School. Connect with Julie Website: lightingfires.co.uk If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a five star rating and review, it helps more listeners find these real-world leadership tools and stories.
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| S2 EP4: Stepping Into the Boardroom: Imposter Syndrome, Delegation and Finding Your Leadership Voice | 21 Jan 2026 | 00:34:21 | |
Host: Julie Williams MSc – Executive Coach & Founder of Lighting Fires
After a short pause over the festive period, and an unexpected bout of illness, The Lighting Fires Podcast, supported by Henley Business School, is back with a thoughtful and honest conversation about leadership, confidence and growth.
In this episode, Julie is joined by Sarah Ciccolallo, Chief Operating Officer at Red Whale, who reflects on her journey from marketing manager to board director, and the coaching work that supported her through that transition.
Sarah speaks openly about experiencing imposter syndrome after stepping into her first board-level role, and how coaching helped her build confidence, shift her mindset, and develop new ways of leading.
Together, Julie and Sarah explore the practical tools, conversations and reflections that helped Sarah move from doing everything herself to creating space for strategic thinking and stronger delegation.
This episode also touches on the importance of understanding how you work, having honest conversations, and decluttering not just your inbox, but your diary and mental load too, a particularly timely theme at this point in the year.
Julie and Sarah talk about:
This is a warm, insightful conversation for anyone stepping into greater responsibility, navigating self-doubt, or looking to lead with more clarity and confidence.
Resources Mentioned in This Episode
Henley Business School Interested in a career in coaching? Find out about the Professional Certificate in Executive Coaching at Henley Business School here. Be sure to mention the Lighting Fires Podcast if you do contact Henley Business School.
Connect with Julie Website: lightingfires.co.uk
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| S2 EP5: Building, Ending and Beginning Again | 04 Feb 2026 | 00:45:55 | |
Host: Julie Williams MSc – Executive Coach & Founder of Lighting Fires In this episode of The Lighting Fires Podcast, supported by Henley Business School, Julie is joined by Greg Owen, Lead Product Designer at the LEGO Group, for a thoughtful and honest conversation about transitions, endings, and what it really takes to thrive at work. Greg reflects on his journey from professional ice hockey into design, entrepreneurship and leadership, and a significant chapter in his career: co-founding the digital design studio Daughter, growing it over seven years, and ultimately making the decision to bring the business to a close. Julie and Greg revisit the period when Julie was coaching Greg and his business partners, exploring what was happening beneath the surface at the time, what the coaching revealed, and how that work helped Greg gain clarity about his strengths, energy and what he needed in order to do his best work. This episode offers a rare and refreshing perspective on leadership and entrepreneurship, not through stories of scaling and success alone, but through the reality of recognising when something has run its course and navigating that ending with authenticity and integrity. Julie and Greg talk about:
Greg also reflects on how his background in elite sport shaped his mindset around endings, competition and change, and how coaching techniques continue to influence his work in design and leadership today. This episode will resonate with business owners, leaders and creatives who are facing change, questioning what's next, or grappling with decisions that don't come with easy answers. Resources & Tools Mentioned
Henley Business School Interested in a career in coaching? Find out about the Professional Certificate in Executive Coaching at Henley Business School here. Be sure to mention the Lighting Fires Podcast if you do contact Henley Business School. Connect with Julie Website: lightingfires.co.uk If you found this episode helpful, please leave a five-star rating and review – it helps more listeners find these real-world leadership stories and insights. | |||
| S2 EP6: Finding Calm in the Chaos: Confidence, Leadership and Late ADHD Diagnosis | 18 Feb 2026 | 00:43:06 | |
Host: Julie Williams MSc- Executive Coach & Founder of Lighting Fires In this episode of The Lighting Fires Podcast, supported by Henley Business School, Julie is joined by Rachael Burns to reflect on the coaching they did together when Rachael stepped into her first senior leadership role. Rachael shares her unconventional route into finance, leaving school at 16, starting out as a hairdresser, and building a successful career without going to university, before talking candidly about the challenges she faced when she took on a large, experienced team during a period of significant organisational change. Together, Julie and Rachael explore what it really takes to grow into leadership: building confidence, finding your own authentic style, learning how to give honest and constructive feedback, and staying calm when everything around you feels chaotic. The conversation also looks back with new insight on Rachael's later ADHD diagnosis, and how understanding neurodiversity can shape coaching, leadership and support in the workplace. Julie and Rachael talk about:
This episode will resonate with leaders stepping into bigger roles, anyone navigating change, and coaches or managers wanting to better understand how different people experience work, pressure and growth. Resources & Tools Mentioned in This Episode
Henley Business School Interested in a career in coaching? Find out about the Professional Certificate in Executive Coaching (or the MSc in Executive Coaching) at Henley Business School here. Be sure to mention the Lighting Fires Podcast if you do contact Henley Business School. Connect with Julie Website: lightingfires.co.uk If you found this episode helpful, please leave a five-star rating and review- it helps more listeners find these real-world leadership stories and coaching insights. | |||
| S3 EP1: Accidental Manager to Confident Leader with Steve Jones | 29 Apr 2026 | 00:30:10 | |
Host: Julie Williams MSc – Executive Coach & Founder of Lighting Fires In the opening episode of Series 3 of The Lighting Fires Podcast, supported by Henley Business School, Julie is joined by Steve Jones for an honest and insightful conversation about leadership, confidence, self-awareness and the power of coaching. Steve shares the experiences that shaped his resilient outlook on life, from a challenging childhood to building a successful international career in the fast-paced live events industry. He reflects on stepping into leadership without a traditional management pathway, navigating team conflict during the pandemic, and the self-doubt that can come with increased responsibility. Together, Julie and Steve explore how coaching helped Steve better understand himself, recognise his strengths, and grow into a more confident and authentic leader. Julie and Steve discuss:
This episode is a powerful reminder that leadership doesn't require perfection or having all the answers. Often, it begins with understanding yourself. If you're interested in developing your coaching skills, Julie highly recommends the Professional Certificate in Executive Coaching at Henley Business School, a programme grounded in research, with a strong focus on practical application and real-world impact. To find out more, visit Henley Business School. Resources Mentioned
Connect with Julie Website: lightingfires.co.uk If you found this episode helpful, please leave a five-star rating and review, it helps more listeners discover these real-world leadership stories and coaching insights. Artwork by Ian Guppy | Music by Penguin Music via Pixabay | Produced by Perri Hurley | |||
| Confidence and Identity: What Coaching Can Do For You | 15 Apr 2026 | 00:24:23 | |
Host: Julie Williams MSc- Executive Coach & Founder of Lighting Fires In this bonus episode of The Lighting Fires Podcast, supported by Henley Business School, Julie is joined by Katie Denyer. Katie is also an executive coach, a supervisor, and a tutor on the Professional Certificate in Executive Coaching at Henley Business School. Together, they explore what coaching really looks like in practice, unpacking some of the most common themes that have come up across the series so far. From identity and confidence to limiting beliefs and career change, this episode offers a deeper insight into how coaching helps people better understand themselves and move forward with clarity. Julie and Katie discuss:
This conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at the coaching process, with practical ideas and reflections you can apply to your own life. If you're interested in working with Julie on these topics contact her julie@lightingfires.co.uk or on LinkedIn. And if you're interested in developing your coaching skills, Julie highly recommends the Professional Certificate in Executive Coaching at Henley Business School - a programme grounded in research, with a strong focus on practical application and real-world impact. To find out more, visit Henley Business School.
Previous Episodes Mentioned: S1 EP1: Finding Purpose and Leading Authentically – A Coaching Conversation with Pete Wharton S1 EP6: Lighting Fires Podcast – Navigating Identity, Grief & Values with Hannah
Connect with Julie Website: lightingfires.co.uk If you found this episode helpful, please leave a five-star rating and review- it helps more listeners find these real-world leadership stories and coaching insights. Artwork by Ian Guppy Music by Penguin Music via Pixabay Produced by Perri Hurley | |||
| S3 EP3: Han Solo or Princess Leia- Leadership, AI and Adaptability with Rory McLaren. | 27 May 2026 | 00:36:28 | |
Host: Julie Williams MSc - Executive Coach & Founder of Lighting Fires In this episode of The Lighting Fires Podcast, supported by Henley Business School, Julie is joined by Rory McLaren for a thoughtful and wide-ranging conversation about leadership, adaptability, confidence and learning how to navigate change. Rory shares his journey from growing up in a remote ex-mining village in Scotland to becoming a Chief Technology Officer and co-founder of a successful startup, before transitioning into leadership within a much larger global corporate environment following an acquisition. Together, Julie and Rory explore the culture shock of moving from a fast-paced startup into a complex international organisation, and how coaching helped Rory develop the tools, confidence and self-awareness to lead more effectively. Julie and Rory discuss:
Rory also reflects on his shift from "Han Solo" leadership, reactive and firefighting, to a calmer, more intentional and strategic "Princess Leia" approach. This episode is a fascinating conversation about leadership in modern organisations, the power of curiosity, and why human connection and adaptability will remain essential in a rapidly changing world. If you're interested in working with Julie please contact her at julie@lightingfires.co.uk, or Julie Williams MSc. (nee Walls) | LinkedIn or through her website here. And if you're interested in developing your coaching skills, Julie highly recommends the Professional Certificate in Executive Coaching at Henley Business School, a programme grounded in research, with a strong focus on practical application and real-world impact. To find out more, visit Henley Business School. Resources Mentioned· Myers-Briggs personality frameworks · Insights Discovery personality frameworks Connect with Julie Website: lightingfires.co.uk If you found this episode helpful, please leave a five-star rating and review, it helps more listeners discover these real-world leadership stories and coaching insights. Artwork by Ian Guppy | Music by Penguin Music via Pixabay | Produced by Perri Hurley | |||
| S3 EP2: Career change, confidence and knowing when It's time to leave - with Kate Gräfe | 13 May 2026 | 00:39:50 | |
Host: Julie Williams MSc - Executive Coach & Founder of Lighting Fires In this episode of The Lighting Fires Podcast, supported by Henley Business School, Julie is joined by Kate Gräfe for an honest and reflective conversation about career change, confidence, self-awareness and creating a working life that genuinely fits. After nearly two decades working in procurement and supply chain leadership within local government, Kate reached a crossroads. Following the pandemic, she began questioning whether the career path she had followed for years still aligned with who she was and how she wanted to live and work. Together, Julie and Kate explore the coaching journey that helped Kate redefine success on her own terms, challenge self-limiting beliefs, and transition into a role focused on sustainability and social value. Julie and Kate discuss:
Kate also reflects on the surprising realisation that came through personality profiling work during coaching, and how understanding where she gets her energy from helped shape the next stage of her career and life. This episode is a thoughtful and relatable conversation for anyone questioning their next step, navigating a career transition, or wondering whether there might be another way forward. If you're interested in working with Julie please contact her at julie@lightingfires.co.uk, or Julie Williams MSc. (nee Walls) | LinkedIn or through her website here. And if you're interested in developing your coaching skills, Julie highly recommends the Professional Certificate in Executive Coaching at Henley Business School, a programme grounded in research, with a strong focus on practical application and real-world impact. To find out more, visit Henley Business School. Resources Mentioned
Connect with Julie Website: lightingfires.co.uk If you found this episode helpful, please leave a five-star rating and review, it helps more listeners discover these real-world leadership stories and coaching insights. Artwork by Ian Guppy | Music by Penguin Music via Pixabay | Produced by Perri Hurley
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