Unstuck & Unstoppable is the go-to podcast for ambitious female leaders ready to amplify their impact, boost their income, and achieve career success on their own terms—without burning out or compromising their values. Hosted by Sarah Archer, a leadership coach and career strategist dedicated to empowering women in leadership, this show provides the tools, strategies, and inspiration you need to thrive in your career.
Whether you’re looking to overcome imposter syndrome, enhance your leadership skills, or create a sustainable path to success, each episode will offer actionable insights, expert interviews, and real-life stories to help you take your career to the next level.
It’s time to stop playing small, unlock your full potential, and create the impact you’re destined for. Tune in weekly to discover how you can lead boldly, live fully, and succeed with confidence and integrity.
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Episode 3 Three steps to kickstart your leadership job search
Episode 3
Tuesday, November 26, 2024 • Duration 14:36
Sarah shares practical strategies to help you get unstuck and take the first steps toward securing your next leadership role.
Sarah outlines three foundational steps to kickstart your leadership job search, focusing on motivation, clarity, and mindset. Whether you’re aiming for your first leadership role or planning a move to the next level, these actionable insights will set you on the path to success.
Episode Show Notes
[00:00] Introduction
Meet Sarah Archer and her mission to help female leaders thrive.
Overview of the episode’s focus: taking action on your leadership job search.
[01:10] Step 1: Set a Goal with a Timeline
Define a specific date for when you want to be in your new role.
Plan backwards to allocate time for your job search.
Identify "pull motivators" that inspire you to move forward.
[04:30] Step 2: Define Your Ideal Role
Clarify the elements of your next role: success factors, culture fit, stretch opportunities, and pay.
How to narrow down non-negotiables to streamline your search.
Using role criteria to make objective decisions during the offer stage.
[09:15] Step 3: Manage Mindset Wobbles
Overcome self-doubt and inner criticism that can hinder progress.
Tap into your inner coach to remind yourself of your strengths and achievements.
Strategies for staying motivated and confident throughout the job search process.
[12:30] Recap and Closing Thoughts
Summary of the three steps: setting a timeline, defining your ideal role, and managing your mindset.
Invitation to connect for personalized coaching support.
If you found this episode of Unstuck & Unstoppable helpful, please do rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
If you're kind enough to leave a review, please do let Sarah know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at: sarah@careertreecoaching.co.uk
Episode 2: How to stop feeling like an imposter at work
Episode 2
Tuesday, November 26, 2024 • Duration 19:29
Today Sarah dives into the common but often unspoken experience of imposter feelings at work. If you've ever felt like a fraud or doubted your achievements, you're not alone—and this episode will help you kickstart the process of overcoming those thoughts.
Episode Show Notes:
[00:00] Introduction
Meet your host, Sarah Archer, leadership coach and career strategist.
Overview of the episode: imposter feelings and their impact.
[01:15] What Are Imposter Feelings?
Statistics: 70% of adults experience imposter feelings at some point.
Triggering situations: new roles, promotions, or stepping out of comfort zones.
[04:20] The Disconnect Between Perception and Reality
Telltale signs of imposter feelings: doubting accomplishments and fearing exposure.
The role of internalized rules and harsh self-judgment.
[07:00] Roots of Imposter Feelings
Potential origins: childhood, early career experiences, or authority fears.
Sarah shares her personal story of overcoming imposter feelings.
[10:10] The Brain’s Coping Mechanisms
Strategies like perfectionism, avoidance, and overworking to manage feelings of exposure.
The exhausting impact on confidence, career growth, and mental energy.
[13:00] Breaking the Pattern
Understanding imposter feelings as a psychological pattern, not a permanent state.
Levels of change: environment, capabilities, beliefs, and identity.
Episode 1 How to not hate networking
Episode 1
Tuesday, November 26, 2024 • Duration 16:54
Welcome to the first episode of Unstuck and Unstoppable! In this episode, Sarah Archer dives into a topic many ambitious female leaders grapple with—networking. Love it or hate it, networking is essential for building relationships, advancing your career, and unlocking new opportunities. Sarah shares actionable tips to make networking more enjoyable and meaningful by shifting your mindset, setting clear goals, and navigating those awkward moments.
Show Notes
[00:00:00] Introduction
Sarah introduces Unstuck and Unstoppable, a podcast for ambitious female leaders looking to create more impact, income, and influence without burning out. She outlines the themes of confidence, purpose-driven leadership, and career success.
[00:02:00] The Networking Dilemma
Why so many of us dread networking and how our mindset—promotion or prevention—shapes our experience. Sarah shares her personal evolution from a prevention to a promotion mindset.
[00:05:00] Tip 1: Define Your "Why" for Networking
Learn how understanding your purpose can make networking more meaningful, whether it's learning, making connections, raising your profile, or simply being curious.
[00:08:00] Tip 2: Find the Right Networking Group
Sarah discusses the importance of finding a group that aligns with your personality and goals. Experimentation is key to discovering the right fit.
[00:10:00] Tip 3: Have Strategies for What You Dislike
Practical advice to handle awkward moments, from starting conversations to gracefully exiting ones that aren't working for you.
[00:13:00] Tip 4: Set Mini Goals
Boost your confidence and sense of achievement by setting small, actionable goals for each networking event.
Welcome to the Unstuck & Unstoppable podcast (trailer)
Tuesday, November 26, 2024 • Duration 02:02
Welcome to the trailer of the Unstuck & Unstoppable podcast; a weekly career show for ambitious women. It's packed full of tips and strategies to help you thrive on your leadership career journey. Join Sarah Archer, an experienced leadership coach and career strategist as she explains what you can expect from the podcast.
Sarah tackles a vital topic: negotiating your worth - whether it's asking for a payrise or negotiating a better salary at job offer stage. Sarah delves into the importance of preparing both practically and mentally for salary negotiations, sharing actionable strategies to help you confidently advocate for the pay you deserve.
Episode Show notes
[01:00] The Importance of Understanding Your Motivation
Explore why you’re considering a pay increase:
Are you unhappy in your role?
Do your responsibilities warrant a higher salary?
Is it about fairness, recognition, or financial goals?
[5:00] Doing Your Research
Learn where to gather salary data, including:
Glassdoor and industry job postings.
Conversations with industry professionals and HR contacts.
Membership organizations and gender pay reports.
[09:00] Preparing a Strong Business Case
Outline your desired salary and back it up with:
A summary of your contributions and achievements.
Responses to potential objections.
Evidence from salary benchmarking.
[14:00] Timing & Building Relationships
Why timing is crucial: post-project success or organizational shifts can be opportune moments.
The role of your boss as an ally in the negotiation process.
[17:00] The Emotional Aspect of Negotiations
Strategies to manage anxiety and rejection.
Shifting your mindset to view the negotiation as part of long-term career development.
[17:30] The Pension Pay Gap and Future Planning
Episode 5 Stay or Go? When to quit your job
Episode 5
Friday, December 13, 2024 • Duration 14:08
Sarah tackles a dilemma that most professionals face at some point in their careers: Should I stay in my job, or is it time to leave? She explores the red flags that signal it’s time to move on, how to assess whether your dissatisfaction is fixable, and how to make a robust decision that aligns with your values and goals. Sarah also shares a step-by-step diagnostic to help you gain clarity and confidence in your next career move.
Whether you’re feeling stuck, plateauing, or just unsure about your next step, this episode is packed with practical advice to guide you.
Episode Show Notes:
[00:00:00] Introduction:
Welcome to Unstuck and Unstoppable. Sarah introduces the show and today’s topic, sharing why the decision to stay or leave a job is so challenging.
[00:02:00] Clear Indicators It’s Time to Leave:
Toxic work environments, mental health impacts, and lack of change or growth opportunities.
[00:03:00] Subtler Signs of Dissatisfaction:
Boredom, plateauing, or feeling stuck despite great perks or pay.
[00:04:00] Diagnostic Questions to Gain Clarity:
How to evaluate what’s wrong with your job and whether it can be fixed.
[00:05:30] Assessing Growth Opportunities:
Looking internally for new challenges, projects, or lateral moves within your organization.
[00:06:30] Pros and Cons of Leaving vs. Staying:
Weighing the benefits and trade-offs of each option.
[00:07:30] Energy and Values Check-In:
How energy levels and values alignment impact your career satisfaction and decision-making.
Episode 7 Career Change Made Simple: Should You Shift, Pivot, or Leap?
Episode 7
Friday, December 27, 2024 • Duration 12:54
In this episode, Sarah delves into the concept of career change, exploring three different pathways—shift, pivot, or leap. She shares practical strategies, real-life client examples, and personal experiences to help you understand which type of change might be right for you.
Episode Shownotes:
[00:00:00] Intro: Welcome to the podcast, its purpose, and Sarah's mission to help ambitious female leaders thrive while staying true to their values.
[00:02:00] Why Career Change Happens: Common reasons people consider career change, including boredom, misalignment of values, or feeling stuck.
[00:04:00] Overcoming Career Change Fears: Addressing the fears that arise during career change, such as uncertainty, fear of judgment, and loss of identity.
[00:05:00] Degrees of Career Change: Breaking down career change into three pathways: shift, pivot, or leap.
[00:06:00] Shift: Examples of staying within your current career while making meaningful changes, such as a teacher moving into leadership or a marketer transitioning sectors.
[00:08:00] Pivot: Stories of professionals using existing skills to move into new but related roles, such as a marketing manager becoming an employee engagement manager.
[00:09:00] Leap: Transformational career changes, like a communications director retraining as a speech and language therapist.
[00:10:00] Sarah’s Career Journey: Personal examples of shifts, pivots, and leaps in Sarah’s career, from HR to career coaching.
[00:11:00] Emotional vs. Practical Aspects of Change: The importance of mindset, confidence, and motivation in making a successful career transition.
[00:12:00] Final Thoughts: Encouragement to take action, explore free resources, and connect with Sarah for guidance on career changes.
Episode 6 How to boost your leadership confidence
Episode 6
Friday, December 20, 2024 • Duration 17:33
In this episode, Sarah tackles a common challenge: maintaining and boosting leadership confidence amidst high expectations, decision-making pressures, and self-doubt. Tune in for actionable strategies, real-life examples, and tips to help you build a strong inner foundation for sustainable confidence and success.
Show Notes
[00:00:00]Introduction
Overview of the podcast's mission and goals, and the importance of addressing leadership confidence.
[00:01:00]Why Leadership Confidence Wobbles
The pressures of leadership roles, including expectations from various stakeholders.
How new challenges and decision-making responsibilities impact confidence.
The influence of role models and past experiences on leadership style and self-perception.
[00:04:00]Common Challenges for Female Leaders
People-pleasing tendencies and imposter syndrome.
Comparing yourself to seemingly confident peers.
Recognizing that confidence wobbles are universal and temporary.
[00:05:30]The Foundation of Leadership Confidence
The importance of inner work to develop a resilient core of self-belief.
How inner confidence impacts external trust and decision-making.
Leadership confidence as a "muscle" that needs regular attention.
[00:07:00]Working on Beliefs and Narratives
How unconscious beliefs formed early in life shape leadership confidence.
Examples of clients who redefined their narratives to embrace their authentic selves.
Practical steps to identify and reframe limiting beliefs.
[00:11:30]
Episode 10 How to Avoid Leadership Burnout
Episode 10
Friday, January 17, 2025 • Duration 16:28
In this episode, Sarah Archer explores the critical issue of Leadership Burnout. Sarah shares insights into what burnout looks like, why it happens, and why women in leadership roles are particularly at risk. She discusses the pressures of isolation, unrealistic expectations, multitasking, and work-life imbalance, as well as how traits like perfectionism and people-pleasing can exacerbate the problem. Sarah offers practical strategies to prevent burnout, including setting boundaries, building routines, and prioritizing self-care.
Show Notes
[00:01:30] Why Talk About Burnout? – Insights into burnout's prevalence among female leaders and its consequences.
[00:03:00] Leadership Challenges – The additional pressures leaders face in times of change and high performance demands.
[00:04:30] Burnout Statistics – McKinsey research highlights burnout's higher prevalence among women in management.
[00:05:30] Defining Burnout – Symptoms, causes, and its definition by the World Health Organization.
[00:07:00] Causes of Leadership Burnout – Isolation, lack of support, unrealistic workloads, multitasking, and power stress.
[00:09:00] Recognizing Burnout Indicators – Personal signs and triggers to watch for.
[00:10:30] Practical Tips to Prevent Burnout:
Creating routines to reduce decision fatigue.
Setting boundaries around work and emotions.
Prioritizing self-care, sleep, and joy.
Understanding capacity and the importance of check-ins.
[00:14:30] Final Thoughts – Key takeaways and an invitation to connect and explore more resources.
Remember: shine brightly, lead boldly, and be unstoppable.
Useful Links
Episode 9 How to Stop Being A Perfectionist At Work
Episode 9
Friday, January 10, 2025 • Duration 18:16
In today’s episode, Sarah tackles a common challenge faced by high achievers: perfectionism. We explore why perfectionism can be a double-edged sword, the stress and anxiety it causes, and how you can overcome it without compromising on quality. She shares actionable insights, including a 7-step approach to embracing the concept of “good enough,” designed to help you reclaim your time, reduce stress, and achieve sustainable success.
Show Notes
[00:00:00] Introduction
Why tackling perfectionism is crucial for female leaders.
[00:02:00] The Downside of Perfectionism
Perfectionism’s connection to imposter syndrome and stress.
How it impacts performance, well-being, and relationships.
[00:05:00] Personal Story: My Struggles with Perfectionism
Balancing motherhood and a senior HR role.
The transformative power of the “good enough” concept.
[00:07:30] Case Study: Breaking the Cycle
A perfectionist architect’s journey to embracing good enough.
[00:08:00] The 7-Step Approach to Good Enough
Identify Two Tasks to Experiment On
Focus on low-impact tasks.
Define Good Enough for Yourself
Consider time and impact trade-offs.
Give Yourself Permission to Experiment
Use affirmations to reframe perfectionist tendencies.
Focus on the Benefits
Reclaim time for personal priorities like family or self-care.
[15:30] Real-Life Transformation: Sally’s Story
A client’s journey from imposter feelings to confidence in a new leadership role.
The importance of embedding new thinking patterns.
[17:30] Actionable Strategy: Identify and Reframe Your Rules
Unearthing unhelpful rules with prompts:
“If I were really smart, I would…”
“I know I’ll be competent when…”
“I should always…”
Reframing rules as if advising a friend.
[18:50] Final Thoughts and Next Steps
Take time to identify unconscious rules and seek support if needed.
Resources and coaching opportunities available on Sarah’s website.
If you found this episode of Unstuck & Unstoppable helpful, please do rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
If you're kind enough to leave a review, please do let Sarah know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at: sarah@careertreecoaching.co.uk
[00:15:00] Tip 5: Follow Up Effectively
Networking doesn't end when the event is over. Sarah highlights the importance of maintaining meaningful connections through follow-ups and collaborations.
[00:16:00] Final Thoughts and Closing
Sarah recaps the key points, encourages listeners to adopt a promotion mindset, and invites them to be strategic about networking as part of their leadership journey.
If you found this episode of Unstuck & Unstoppable helpful, please do rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
If you're kind enough to leave a review, please do let Sarah know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at: sarah@careertreecoaching.co.uk, and let Sarah know how your negotiation journey goes. Remember, you’re unstoppable!
[00:09:00] Conversations to Have:
Talking to your boss, HR, mentors, or coaches to explore options and gain perspective.
[00:10:00] Setting a Deadline for Decision-Making:
Avoiding indecision by setting a firm timeline for your next steps.
[00:11:00] Preparing for Your Next Move:
Defining criteria for your next role, whether internal or external, and making time for your search or preparation.
[00:12:30] Sarah’s Final Takeaway:
“No decision is ever wrong; it’s simply the decision you made at the time.”
Remember: Shine brightly. Lead boldly. Be unstoppable.
If you found this episode of Unstuck & Unstoppable helpful, please do rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
If you're kind enough to leave a review, please do let Sarah know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at: sarah@careertreecoaching.co.uk
If you found this episode of Unstuck & Unstoppable helpful, please do rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
If you're kind enough to leave a review, please do let Sarah know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at: sarah@careertreecoaching.co.uk
The Role of Triggers and Stories
Identifying emotional triggers and their connection to deep-seated beliefs.
Examining the stories we tell ourselves about success and failure.
[00:13:00]Amplifying Your Leadership Brand
Understanding your unique leadership strengths.
The transformative power of redefining your leadership brand through reflection.
[00:15:00]Key Takeaways
Acknowledging when and why confidence wobbles occur.
Practical actions: seeking support, recognizing triggers, and exploring your leadership narrative.
The importance of continuous growth in leadership identity.
[00:16:30]Invitation for Support
Opportunities for listeners to explore confidence coaching.
How to access additional resources on the CareerTree Coaching website.
[00:17:00]Closing Remarks
Encouragement to lead boldly, embrace your unique identity, and unlock your potential.
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who could benefit.
If you found this episode of Unstuck & Unstoppable helpful, please do rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don’t Forget to Subscribe!
If you're kind enough to leave a review, please do let Sarah know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at: sarah@careertreecoaching.co.uk
If you found this episode of Unstuck & Unstoppable helpful, please do rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
If you're kind enough to leave a review, please do let Sarah know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at: sarah@careertreecoaching.co.uk
Monitor Your Progress
Reflect on outcomes and celebrate success.
Engage Support
Seek feedback and accountability from peers or managers.
Address Underlying Beliefs
Work with a coach or therapist to reframe limiting beliefs.
[00:17:00] Recap and Final Thoughts
Quick summary of the seven steps.
Encouragement to embrace imperfection and unlock your potential.
Thank you for listening—remember, you’re capable of more than you know. Shine brightly, lead boldly, and unlock your extraordinary potential. Be unstoppable.
If you found this episode of Unstuck & Unstoppable helpful, please do rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
If you're kind enough to leave a review, please do let Sarah know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at: sarah@careertreecoaching.co.uk
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