Explore every episode of the podcast Unstuck & Unstoppable

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	Title	Pub. Date	Duration
	(Day 5) The 7 Day Career Reset Sprint - GET VISIBLE	29 sept. 2026	00:04:45
Being brilliant at your job isn’t always enough. If the right people don’t know what you’re capable of, opportunities can pass you by. Day 5 is about rethinking visibility. It isn’t about showing off or constantly promoting yourself. It’s about making sure the people who need to know about your contribution, strengths and ambitions actually know about them. Chapters 00:00 Welcome to Day 5 00:35 Why visibility matters 01:00 Visibility isn’t showing off 01:30 Who knows what you’re capable of? 02:00 Your relationship network 02:30 Who do you need to reconnect with? 03:00 Who do you need to get to know? 03:30 Your Day 5 action 04:00 Your Power Hour opportunity 04:30 Tomorrow: What’s your next move? Coaching question Who needs to know more about what I’m capable of? Key thought Careers aren’t built entirely through qualifications and hard work. They’re built through relationships, reputation, contribution and visibility. Useful Links Sign Up For The 7 Day Career Reset Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Rate & Review the Podcast 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
	(Day 4) The 7 Day Career Reset Sprint - BE HONEST	28 sept. 2026	00:04:12
You’ve thought about where you are, what you’ve achieved and what you might want next. Today, it’s time to look at what could be holding you back. Some barriers are genuinely external, but sometimes the biggest blocker is an internal one: a belief, fear, habit or story that’s stopping you from taking action. This episode helps you identify your biggest career blocker and find one small step to start creating movement. Chapters 00:00 Welcome to Day 4 00:35 What’s really getting in your way? 01:00 Look beneath the obvious answer 01:30 The career blockers we don’t always recognise 02:00 What would you do if the obstacle disappeared? 02:30 What’s stopping you taking that first step? 03:00 Confidence doesn’t always come before action 03:30 Your Day 4 action 04:00 Tomorrow: Getting visible Coaching question What would I do if the thing I’m worried about wasn’t holding me back? Key thought You don’t have to feel completely ready to take the next step. Sometimes confidence comes because you take action. Useful Links Join The 7 Day Career Reset Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Rate & Review the Podcast 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
	(Day 3) The 7 Day Career Reset Sprint - DREAM	27 sept. 2026	00:04:38
Day 3 of the 7-Day Career Reset is about one of the biggest questions in your career: What do you actually want? Not what you think you should want, what other people expect, or what seems like the obvious next step. This episode helps you step back from job titles and expectations and explore how you want your next career chapter to feel. Chapters 00:00 Welcome to Day 3 00:35 What do you actually want? 01:00 Start with how you want your career to feel 01:30 More of / less of 02:00 Imagine your career three years from now 02:45 Your career and the life it enables 03:00 You don't need to have all the answers 03:30 Your Day 3 action 04:00 Your coaching question 04:15 Tomorrow: What's getting in your way? Coaching question: If I stopped worrying about what other people expected of me, what would I choose? Key thought You don't need to know exactly what your next job is. You just need to start getting clearer about the direction you want to move in. Useful Links Join the & Day Career Reset Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Rate & Review the Podcast 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
	(Day 2) The 7 Day Career Reset Sprint - LOOK BACK	26 sept. 2026	00:05:19
When you’re thinking about your next career move, it’s very easy to focus on what you haven’t achieved yet. The promotion you haven’t got. The experience you don’t have. The skills you think you still need to develop. But what if one of the best ways to build confidence about your future is to take a proper look at what you’ve already done? In Day 2 of the 7-Day Career Reset, Sarah helps you look backwards so you can recognise the achievements, strengths and capabilities you may be taking for granted. Because your past successes contain evidence about what you’re capable of next. 👉Join The 7 Day Career Reset for free: careertreecoaching.co.uk/7-day-career-reset Chapters 00:00 – Welcome to Day 2 Why today is about looking backwards before you start thinking about what’s next. 00:45 – Why we overlook what we’ve achieved The tendency to focus on the promotion, role or skills we haven’t achieved yet. 01:30 – What are you proud of? A coaching exercise to identify something you’ve achieved over the last 6–12 months. 02:00 – Your achievements are evidence of your capabilities How everyday achievements can reveal strengths such as resilience, leadership, communication and adaptability. 02:40 – The deeper question to ask “What did I have to be, do or learn to make that happen?” 03:00 – Where else could you use those strengths? How your past successes can contain clues about your future career. 03:30 – Build your Achievement Bank Sarah introduces the practical exercise in the Career Clarity Planner. 04:00 – What if you struggle to recognise your achievements? A different way to identify your strengths by looking at yourself through someone else’s eyes. 04:40 – Build your next chapter from evidence, not self-doubt Sarah’s final thought for Day 2 before looking ahead to what you really want. 05:00 – Tomorrow: What do you actually want? A thought to take with you Don’t build your next career chapter from a belief that you’re not enough. Build it from the evidence of what you’ve already shown you’re capable of. Useful Links Join the 7 Day Career Reset Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Rate & Review the Podcast 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
	(Day 1) The 7 Day Career Reset Sprint - PAUSE	25 sept. 2026	00:07:48
Welcome to Day 1 of the 7-Day Career Reset. Before you can decide where you want your career to go, you need to get honest about where you are right now. This first episode is about pressing pause, stepping away from the day-to-day and taking an honest look at what’s working, what isn’t, and what you may have become so used to that you’ve stopped questioning it. There’s nothing to fix today. This is simply about taking stock. 👉Join The 7 Day Career Reset for free: careertreecoaching.co.uk/7-day-career-reset Chapters 00:00 Welcome to the 7-Day Career Reset 01:00 What to expect over the next seven days 02:00 Why today is about pressing pause 03:00 How do you actually feel about your career? 04:00 What’s working well? 05:00 What’s not working? 05:30 What have you stopped questioning? 06:00 Score your career out of 10 06:30 What’s stopping the score being higher? 07:00 Your Day 1 action 07:30 Tomorrow: Recognise what you’ve already achieved Coaching question How do I actually feel about my career right now? Key thought You can’t intentionally create a career you love if you never stop to ask yourself whether the career you have is working for you. Give yourself permission to pause. Useful Links Join The & Day Career Reset Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Rate & Review the Podcast 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 97 Is Your Career Happening by Accident? How to Take Back Control	18 sept. 2026	00:17:00
Have you ever looked at your career and thought, “How did I actually end up here?” You’ve worked hard, progressed and taken opportunities, but perhaps your career has been shaped more by what happened around you than by what you deliberately chose. In this episode, Sarah explores five signs that your career may have become reactive rather than intentional, and shares three simple ways to start taking back control. You’ll discover why being successful at your job isn’t the same as actively managing your career, why your definition of success needs to evolve, and why you don’t need to have all the answers before you start exploring what could come next. Sarah also introduces her free 7-Day Career Reset, starting 25 September, designed to help you step back, get clearer about what you want and create a practical 90-day career plan. In this episode Why successful careers can still happen somewhat by accident The danger of letting the next opportunity set your career agenda Why your definition of career success can change over time Why waiting to feel completely ready can keep you stuck The difference between doing a great job and managing your career Why being too busy to think about your career can become a career problem Three ways to take back more control of your career How the 7-Day Career Reset can help you create space to think about what’s next Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome to Unstuck & Unstoppable 01:30 – How did I end up here? Why a successful career can still leave you questioning whether you’re on the right path. 03:00 – Sign 1: Your career is driven by the next opportunity What happens when promotions, recruiters and organisational changes are setting the agenda. 04:00 – Taking control through clarity Why knowing what you want makes it easier to recognise the right opportunities and say no to the wrong ones. 04:40 – Sign 2: You’re measuring success by someone else’s scorecard Why job title, salary and responsibility aren't necessarily the things that define career success for you now. 06:00 – Your career success criteria can change How your priorities can evolve as your career and life change. 07:30 – Sign 3: You’re waiting to feel ready Why waiting for more confidence, experience, clarity or time can lead to procrastination. 09:00 – Sign 4: You’re great at your job, but not at managing your career The difference between delivering brilliantly in your role and actively looking after your visibility, relationships, reputation and ambitions. 10:30 – Sign 5: You’re too busy to think about your career Why there will always be something competing for your attention and why you need to create space for career thinking. 11:45 – Three ways to take back control Make time for regular career thinking, get curious about what success means to you now, and create space before your next big career decision. 13:30 – Introducing the 7-Day Career Reset What’s included in Sarah’s free seven-day reset, starting 25 September. 15:00 – From career reflection to a 90-day plan How the Reset can help you move from thinking about your career to taking practical action. 16:00 – Final thoughts A reminder not to let your career simply drift and happen by accident. Join the 7-Day Career Reset on 25 September. Over seven days, you’ll get short coaching emails, a Career Clarity Planner and optional five-minute podcast coaching sessions to help you step back, get clearer about what you want and create a practical 90-day plan. It takes just 10–15 minutes a day. Find the link in the show notes and join Sarah and hundreds of other women taking some time to put their careers back on the agenda. Useful Links Sign Up for The 7 Day Career Reset Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes Book a Free 121 Clarity Call Join The Love What You Do Facebook Group Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Rate & Review the Podcast 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 96 Become A Career CEO: 5 Steps to Take Charge of Your Career	11 sept. 2026	00:13:44
What if you treated your career like a business - and yourself as the CEO? It’s easy to become reactive in your career, especially when the day job is demanding. But if you want a career that continues to work for you, you need to take the lead. In this episode, Sarah shares five practical ways to become the CEO of your career - from creating a clear vision and building your career capital to making decisions and regularly reviewing your direction. In this episode, she covers: Why you need a career vision that goes beyond job title, salary and status Why your career is ultimately your responsibility The five areas of career capital you need to invest in How to stop endlessly considering options and start making decisions The Stay, Grow or Go concept for career decision making Why you should have a regular Career CEO meeting with yourself How small, intentional decisions can keep your career moving in the right direction Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome to Unstuck & Unstoppable 01:25 – What would you do differently if you were the CEO of your career? 02:35 – Step 1: Have a vision for your career 04:30 – Step 2: Stop waiting for someone else to manage your career 06:15 – Step 3: Invest in your career capital 08:15 – Step 4: Make decisions instead of endlessly considering options 09:40 – Stay, Grow or Go 10:00 – Step 5: Schedule a regular Career CEO meeting 11:00 – Introducing the Seven Day Career Reset 12:00 – What would you stop, start or make time for? 12:45 – Final thoughts A question for you If you were the CEO of your career, what is the one thing you would do differently now? What would you stop? What would you start? And what would you make time for? If you’re ready to take a more intentional approach to your career, join me for the Seven Day Career Reset - seven short coaching sessions designed to help you get clearer about your career future and create a 90-day plan. And remember: you don’t have to make one huge decision to change your career. You can start by making one small, intentional decision today. Useful Links Join The 7 Day Career Reset Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes Book a Free 121 Clarity Call Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Rate & Review the Podcast 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 95 Menopause, Burnout or Your Career? How to Work Out What's Going On.	04 sept. 2026	00:34:23
What happens when menopause, burnout, career dissatisfaction, and a loss of confidence all start to feel like the same thing? In this episode, Sarah talks to Debbie Taylor, the Messy Life Coach, about why menopause is much more than a health and wellbeing issue. It can affect how women experience their careers, confidence, identity and performance at work. Debbie shares her own experience of perimenopause, workplace challenges, and ultimately leaving a role when she didn't feel supported. She explains why she believes menopause can be a catalyst for reflection and change – and how women can use this stage of life to reconsider what really matters to them. They also explore what managers and organisations can do to create more supportive, menopause-friendly workplaces where women don't feel that leaving is their only option. In this episode, you'll discover: Why menopause can be a career and leadership issue, not just a health issue How to tell the difference between menopause symptoms, burnout, stress and career dissatisfaction Why brain fog, poor sleep and anxiety can have such a big impact on confidence at work How menopause can challenge your identity when so much of your self-worth has been tied to your career What managers need to understand about supporting women experiencing menopause How to have more effective conversations about workplace adjustments Why values, boundaries, and self-reflection become particularly important during midlife How journaling can help Debbie's Menopause Dashboard for understanding what's really going on Her EMBERS framework for helping organisations become more menopause-ready Why creating the right workplace culture can help talented women stay and thrive Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction and Debbie's career journey Debbie shares her 25-year leadership and management career and explains how her own experience of menopause, long COVID, fatigue and brain fog ultimately led her to become the Messy Life Coach. 01:00 – When health challenges collide with work Debbie explains what happened when increasing stress led her to request a reasonable adjustment at work – and why the response ultimately led her to resign. 03:00 – Why menopause is a career and leadership issue Debbie explains why she sees menopause as much more than a health and wellbeing issue, and introduces the idea of the "double life" many women are living. 05:00 – The tangled knot: menopause, burnout or career dissatisfaction? Why it can be so difficult to understand what's really happening when symptoms develop gradually and affect confidence, energy and how you feel about work. 06:00 – What happens during perimenopause? Debbie discusses hormonal changes, chronic stress and the impact of modern lifestyles on the way women experience perimenopause. 08:00 – The impact of stress and nervous system overload Why the demands of work, family and caring responsibilities can leave women with very little space to rest, reflect and work out what they actually need. 10:00 – The workplace symptoms managers might notice Sleep disruption, anxiety, depleted energy, memory problems, brain fog and changes in performance – and why these can easily be misunderstood. 13:00 – Why workplaces need more human conversations Debbie explains why managers can struggle to know what to say and why creating a culture where people can simply ask, "Are you okay?" matters. 14:00 – When your workplace culture isn't menopause-friendly Sarah and Debbie explore the challenge women face when they don't feel safe being open about what they're experiencing. 15:00 – Menopause policies, workplace support and legislation Debbie explains why women should understand what menopause support their organisation provides and how HR can be an important starting point. 18:00 – How to ask your manager for what you need Practical advice on being specific about the adjustments and support that would make a difference. 20:00 – "Got meno" and the case for more compassionate workplaces Why we need to stop expecting employees to perform at their peak every single day and create cultures where people can be human. 21:00 – When menopause affects your confidence How poor sleep, anxiety and brain fog can knock confidence – and why this can sometimes lead women to question their careers. 22:00 – Using menopause as an opportunity for reflection Debbie shares how reconnecting with her values helped her understand what was and wasn't working in her life and career. 23:00 – Too many tabs open: clearing mental bandwidth Practical ideas including journaling, getting things out of your head and creating more space for your brain to function. 24:00 – What actually nourishes you? Why midlife can be an opportunity to let go of things that drain your energy and reconnect with the things that matter. 25:00 – Boundaries and filling your own cup Why you can't keep pouring from an empty cup – and why boundaries are essential if you want to create space to look after yourself. 26:00 – Debbie's Menopause Dashboard An introduction to Debbie's seven-dial dashboard for understanding symptoms, sleep, bandwidth, nutrition and how much like yourself you feel. 27:00 – The EMBERS framework for organisations Debbie explains how she helps businesses become more menopause-ready and create cultures that help women stay, thrive and progress. 29:00 – Where to find Debbie Taylor Find out more about Debbie, her work, masterclasses and the No BS Menopause Club. A few things to reflect on after listening Are you experiencing symptoms that you've been attributing solely to stress, burnout or getting older? Has your confidence at work changed – and could there be more going on underneath it? What does your current career and lifestyle give you energy for, and what drains you? Are you living in line with your values? What do you need to ask for at work to make things more sustainable? Where might you need stronger boundaries? A note from Sarah If this episode has made you question whether what you're experiencing is menopause, burnout, career dissatisfaction – or a mixture of all three – don't feel that you have to work it all out at once. Sometimes the first step is simply to pause, pay attention and get curious about what's really going on. Useful Links Episode 89 Learning to Set Boundaries will Change the Way You Live and Work Connect with Debbie on LinkedIn The Messy Life Coach Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes Book a Free 121 Clarity Call Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Rate & Review the Podcast 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 94 Rerun \| How to boost your leadership confidence	28 août 2026	00:17:21
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] 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. Useful Links Episode 89 Learning to Set Boundaries Will Change the Way You Live and Work. Episode 88 Stop People Pleasing and be Your Full Self at Work with Sophie Jane Lee Episode 2: How to stop feeling like an imposter at work Watch the LinkedIn Live Recording Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes Book a Free 121 Clarity Call Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Rate & Review the Podcast 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 Remember, you are unstoppable!
	Episode 93 Rerun \| How to stop feeling like an imposter at work	21 août 2026	00:19:27
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. [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. Useful Links Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes Book a Free 121 Clarity Call Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Rate & Review the Podcast 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 92 Rerun \| How to be successful in your next job interview	14 août 2026	00:18:56
This episode focuses on mastering your mindset to increase your chances of success in job interviews. From mindset tips to practical strategies, Sarah provides the tools you need to ace your next interview and achieve your career aspirations. Show Notes [00:00:00] Welcome and Introduction [00:02:00] The Growing Complexity of Interviews Insights into why interviews are becoming more extensive and the commitment required from candidates. [00:03:00] Overcoming Negative Mindsets Learn how to shift your mindset from dread to confidence for interview success. [00:05:00] Harnessing Positive Experiences Reflect on past successful interviews to boost confidence and frame your preparation. [00:06:00] Reframing Nerves as Excitement Transform feelings of anxiety into excitement and embrace the opportunity to connect and showcase your skills. [00:09:00] Gaining Perspective Put interviews into context: they’re an opportunity to assess fit and not the sole determinant of your career. [00:11:00] Seeing Interviewers as Allies View your interviewers as potential colleagues who want you to succeed rather than as adversaries. [00:13:00] Power of Affirmations Discover how affirmations can rewire your brain to foster confidence and positivity. [00:15:00] Visualization Techniques Learn to use evidence-based visualization to rehearse and enhance your interview performance. [00:17:00] Final Encouragement and Resources Sarah shares additional resources and closes with an inspiring reminder of your potential. Remember, you are capable of more than you know. Shine brightly, lead boldly, and unlock the extraordinary potential within you. Be unstoppable! Useful Links Watch the episode on LinkedIn Live Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes Book a Free 121 Clarity Call Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Rate & Review the Podcast 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 91 ReRun \| Stay or Go? When to quit your job	07 août 2026	00:14:02
In this episode 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. [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. Useful Links Stay or Go LinkedIn Live Recording Episode 7 Career Change Made Simple Episode 15 How to have a career conversation with your boss Episode 18 Why having a mentor will boost your career Episode 35 How to Fast track your promotion Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes Book a Free 121 Clarity Call Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Rate & Review the Podcast 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 90 What is Enough? Success, rest and redefining what you really want	31 juil. 2026	00:16:45
Are you constantly asking yourself, "What's next?" The next promotion, pay rise or leadership opportunity? What if, instead of chasing more, you paused to ask a different question: What is enough? In this episode, Sarah explores how ambitious women can redefine success on their own terms. We'll look at the hidden cost of constantly moving the goalposts, why many of us inherit other people's definitions of success, and how to create success criteria that reflect what's truly important to you in this season of your life and career. If you've ever felt guilty for resting, struggled to celebrate your achievements, or questioned whether you're striving for goals that no longer feel aligned, this episode is for you. In this episode, you'll discover: Why "enough" is a question more successful women need to ask themselves. How inherited beliefs about success influence our careers. The hidden costs of constantly striving for more. Why ambition isn't the problem – unconscious ambition is. Practical ways to define your own success criteria. Two powerful coaching questions to help you decide what enough looks like for you. Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome to Unstuck and Unstoppable 01:35 – Why asking "What is enough?" matters 03:00 – Have you ever stopped to define success for yourself? 04:00 – Why success often becomes a moving target 04:45 – How we inherit our definitions of success 06:10 – The success criteria many women unconsciously adopt 07:00 – The hidden costs of never reaching "enough" 07:45 – Why this isn't about having less ambition 08:00 – Rest, guilt and constantly moving the goalposts 09:00 – What has your ambition given you – and what has it cost you? 09:40 – Identifying your personal success criteria 10:45 – Looking for clues in the lives of others 11:45 – My four personal success criteria 13:40 – Two coaching questions to define what enough looks like for you 15:00 – Designing the next season of your career and life 15:40 – How Sarah can help you create a career and life that's right for you Key Coaching Questions Take a few moments to reflect on these questions after listening: If no one else's expectations mattered, what would "enough" look like for this season of your life and career? Imagine yourself at 80 years old, looking back on your life. What would tell you that you had lived a good life and achieved enough? Useful Links Episode 77 Rethinking rest: What high performers need beyond time off Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes Book a Free 121 Clarity Call Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Rate & Review the Podcast 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 89 Learning to Set Boundaries Will Change the Way You Live and Work.	24 juil. 2026	00:20:53
Do you struggle to say no, even when you're overwhelmed? If you're constantly putting other people's needs before your own, taking on too much or feeling guilty whenever you try to protect your time, this episode is for you. Sarah explores why setting boundaries feels so difficult, especially for ambitious women in leadership. She explains how people pleasing is often a nervous system response rather than simply "being nice", and shares practical tools to help you communicate boundaries with confidence, maintain them consistently and create more space for the work and life that matters most. You'll learn four simple ways to express a boundary, discover the different areas where boundaries may be missing in your life, and understand how listening to your body's "embodied yes" can help you make decisions that align with your values. Small boundaries build self-trust, and self-trust changes everything. In this episode you'll discover: Why people pleasing is rooted in nervous system safety What healthy boundaries really are (and what they aren't) The four simple ways to communicate a boundary How to confidently say no without over-explaining The 3R method for holding boundaries when they're challenged The eight areas of life where boundaries matter most How to recognise your body's "embodied yes" Why boundaries are an essential leadership skill for preventing burnout Timestamps 00:00 Welcome and why boundaries matter 02:00 Why people pleasing makes boundaries feel unsafe 04:20 What healthy boundaries really are 06:20 The four simple ways to set a boundary: 10:45 How to make your boundaries stick with the 3R Ladder: 13:30 The eight types of boundaries 16:00 Listening to your body 18:10 Why small boundaries build self-trust 19:20 Your challenge for the week Useful Links Episode 88 Stop People Pleasing and Be Your Full Self at Work (with Sophie Jane Lee) Episode 19 How to Be More Assertive at Work Sophie Jane Lee's book Beyond Palatable: A Manifesto for Unapologetic Women Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes Book a Free 121 Clarity Call Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Rate & Review the Podcast 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 88 Stop People Pleasing and be Your Full Self at Work with Sophie Jane Lee	17 juil. 2026	00:36:33
What if confidence isn't the thing you're missing? So many successful women have spent their lives being capable, dependable and high-achieving, yet still find themselves holding back at work and in life. They say yes when they mean no, struggle to set boundaries and worry about being seen as too much, too ambitious or too full of themselves. In this powerful conversation, Sarah is joined by author, speaker and founder of Electric Peach, Sophie Jane Lee, to explore the hidden ways women abandon themselves in pursuit of being more palatable to others. Drawing on the themes of her book Beyond Palatable: A Manifesto for Unapologetic Women, Sophie shares why the stories we tell ourselves shape the lives we create and why becoming unstuck isn't about fixing yourself – it's about becoming more fully yourself. Together they discuss self-abandonment, visibility, boundaries, people pleasing and why doing the inner work matters if we want to stop shrinking ourselves and step into our brilliance. In this episode you'll discover: • What self-abandonment looks like at work and in everyday life • Why successful women struggle to own their value and take up space • The connection between our nervous system, safety and visibility • How unconscious stories shape our careers, relationships and confidence • Why boundaries feel so uncomfortable and how to navigate the guilt that comes with saying no • Practical ways to build self-awareness and create space for reflection • Why being 'full of yourself' is something we should aspire to rather than avoid Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction 01:00 - Sophie's career journey and why she wrote Beyond Palatable 03:00 - Why women shrink themselves and make themselves smaller 04:00 - Understanding self-abandonment and the nervous system 06:30 - What self-abandonment looks like in the workplace 08:15 - The triad of oppression and the systems women navigate 13:45 - Are we making progress as women? 16:00 - Visibility, confidence and becoming 'full of yourself' 19:00 - Why there isn't a quick fix for confidence and self-worth 22:00 - Creating space for reflection and doing the inner work 26:15 - Setting boundaries and managing the guilt of saying no 30:00 - The stories we tell ourselves and how they shape our lives 32:30 - Sophie's final message for women who want to stop shrinking themselves Connect with Sophie Jane Lee Website: beyondpalatable.com Website: electricpeach.co.uk Instagram: @beyondpalatable LinkedIn: Sophie Jane Lee Useful Links Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes Book a Free 121 Clarity Call Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Rate & Review the Podcast If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review and share it with another woman who needs the reminder that she doesn't have to become somebody else to succeed – she simply needs permission to become more fully herself. 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 Remember, you don't have to stay stuck. You can become Unstuck & Unstoppable.
	Leading your Way: Sarah Holey on Confidence, Influence & Authentic Leadership	10 juil. 2026	00:23:55
Have you ever felt like you needed to become a different person to succeed as a leader? In this episode Sarah is joined by senior HR leader Sarah Holey, who shares her inspiring journey from retail shop floor assistant to leading international people functions across Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and APAC. Together, we explore what it really takes to grow into senior leadership without losing yourself along the way. Sarah speaks openly about navigating self-doubt, moving from being the expert to becoming a beginner again, building credibility in a new organisation, and discovering that her collaborative leadership style wasn't something to change - it was one of her greatest strengths. If you're stepping into a bigger leadership role, managing challenging stakeholders, or wondering whether your leadership style is "enough", this conversation will leave you feeling reassured, empowered and inspired. In this episode we discuss: Sarah's unexpected journey from studying textiles to becoming an international HR leader Why working on the shop floor shaped her leadership philosophy The confidence challenges that came with moving from one market to leading across 16 countries Learning to stop expecting yourself to know everything Why senior leadership can feel surprisingly lonely The value of proactive coaching before starting a new role Building trust and credibility with new stakeholders Why you don't need to copy louder leadership styles to earn respect The power of leading with your values What authentic leadership really looks like in practice Sarah's advice for women stepping into leadership for the first time Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to Sarah Holey and today's topic 02:00 From textiles graduate to international HR leader 06:00 Career turning points and moving into global leadership 07:00 From expert to beginner: rebuilding confidence in a bigger role 09:20 Why Sarah invested in coaching before starting a new job 11:00 The hidden loneliness of senior leadership 12:00 Leaving a successful role and overcoming imposter syndrome 14:10 Leading senior stakeholders with confidence 15:30 Why authentic leadership is more powerful than trying to fit in 16:30 Speaking up without being the loudest voice in the room 17:15 Leadership values and avoiding burnout 18:45 Why coaching isn't just for people in crisis 19:45 What it was like to work with Sarah Archer 20:45 Defining authentic leadership 21:30 What 'Unstuck & Unstoppable' means to Sarah Memorable Quotes"Curiosity will take you much further than being the expert.""I don't need to match someone else's leadership style to earn their respect.""There is such power in being the last person to speak in the room.""What gets you here won't necessarily get you there." Useful Links Connect with Sarah Holey on LinkedIn Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes Book a Free 121 Clarity Call Join The Love What You Do Facebook Group Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Rate & Review the Podcast 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 86 A Career Crossroads: What does it look like, feel like and what to do next	03 juil. 2026	00:19:45
You're successful on paper. Capable, still showing up, still the person colleagues message when something needs sorting. And yet - something's shifted, and you can't quite name what. In this episode, Sarah unpacks the career crossroads: that disorienting in-between space where what used to fit no longer does, and what's next hasn't taken shape yet. Whether it's shown up through redundancy, burnout recovery, hitting a milestone, or being offered a promotion that should feel exciting but doesn't - the internal experience underneath is strikingly similar. Sarah breaks down the six patterns that keep ambitious women stuck at the crossroads longer than they need to be (hint: it's rarely about effort), and walks through the first, most important step forward - one that has nothing to do with having a plan. If you've ever felt quietly unsettled despite "having it all," or caught yourself hesitating at an opportunity you'd have said yes to in a heartbeat five years ago, this episode will help you understand exactly what's going on - and what to do about it. Timestamps [00:00:00] Welcome to Unstuck and Unstoppable [00:01:36] What is a career crossroads? The four different triggers [00:05:38] The common thread underneath: your relationship to your next step has changed [00:06:00] Naming it: why this is a liminal space, not a crisis [00:06:30] What it actually feels like day to day - redundancy, burnout, milestones, promotions [00:10:13] Why nothing's "wrong" but it still feels hard to move through [00:10:30] The six patterns that keep you stuck at the crossroads [00:13:46] The real first step: space and perspective, not a perfect plan [00:14:00] How to start - naming what's changed, separating urgency from clarity [00:14:50] Giving yourself permission not to decide immediately [00:16:30] Exploring options without commitment [00:17:30] Why an outside perspective (or a coach) can shortcut the stuck phase [00:19:00] Wrap up and where to find more resources Useful Links Episode 84 The Sign There is More for You in Your Career (even if you can't see it yet) Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes Book a Free 121 Clarity Call Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Rate & Review the Podcast 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 85 How to Get Unstuck In your Career: Kate Dunstone's journey from Marketing Manager to Director	26 juin 2026	00:29:57
In this episode, Sarah is joined by former client Kate Dunstone, who shares her inspiring career journey from a long and successful career in higher education marketing to a senior leadership role in a completely new sector. After 17 years at the University of Portsmouth, Kate knew she was ready for something more aligned with her values, interests and long-term ambitions. In this conversation, she shares what it was really like to leave the security of a role and organisation she’d known for years, how she built the confidence to change sector, and how coaching helped her step into a more strategic, senior role with greater flexibility. If you’re wondering whether it’s too late to change direction, whether your skills will transfer to a new sector, or whether you’re really ready for a bigger role, this episode will give you both practical ideas and a confidence boost. In this episode, we cover: Kate’s career journey from course administrator to senior marketing leader What made her realise she’d outgrown higher education after 17 years How she built the confidence to change sector and go for a more senior role The role coaching played in clarifying her direction and helping her take action Why a trustee role helped strengthen her CV and support her sector move How she negotiated a role with more flexibility and better fit for her life What helped her move from Head of Marketing to Director Why empathy and emotion can be leadership strengths rather than weaknesses What being “unstuck and unstoppable” means to Kate Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction to Kate and her career journey 01:50 – Kate’s current role as Director of Membership, Marketing and Digital 03:35 – Starting out in higher education and moving into marketing 06:20 – Growing into leadership and becoming more strategic 08:15 – Confidence, career progression and balancing ambition with motherhood 10:45 – Why Kate decided to get coaching support 13:00 – How coaching helped with clarity, confidence, CV and LinkedIn 15:00 – Taking on a trustee role to support a sector change 17:20 – Landing the Head of Marketing and Communications role at the college 20:05 – Going for the Director role and backing herself to step up 22:40 – What Kate wishes she’d known earlier in her career 23:35 – Reframing emotion and empathy as leadership strengths 25:10 – Kate’s experience of coaching and what helped most 27:10 – What “unstuck and unstoppable” means to Kate 28:20 – Why networking, visibility and LinkedIn still matter even when you’re not job searching Key takeaways from this episode Kate’s story is such a good reminder that getting unstuck isn’t always about making a dramatic leap. Sometimes it’s about paying attention to what no longer fits, getting honest about what you really want, and taking the next step before you feel 100% ready. It’s also a powerful example of how career change doesn’t mean starting again. Kate took years of leadership, marketing and stakeholder experience and repositioned it into a new sector that felt much more meaningful and aligned. And perhaps most importantly, this conversation highlights that qualities many women dismiss in themselves - like emotion, empathy and sensitivity - can become some of their greatest strengths as leaders. Useful Links Connect with Kate on LinkedIn Episode 61 How to Create a Personal Board for Your Leadership Career Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes Book a Free 121 Clarity Call Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Rate & Review the Podcast 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 84 The Sign There is More For You in Your Career (even if you can't see it yet!)	19 juin 2026	00:16:20
Have you ever found yourself wondering, "Is this really it?" From the outside, everything looks successful. You're performing well, earning good money, and progressing in your career. Yet something feels different. Not wrong exactly, but no longer quite right. In this solo episode, Sarah explores the often-overlooked signs that you've outgrown your current role, even when you can't yet see what comes next. She shares insights from her work with senior professional women who are navigating career transitions, questioning their direction, and searching for greater meaning, purpose and fulfilment. If you've been feeling disconnected, restless or drawn towards something different, this episode will help you understand what's really happening beneath the surface and why uncertainty may be a sign of growth rather than a problem to solve. In This Episode You'll Discover Why successful women often struggle to recognise when they've outgrown a role The hidden reasons career clarity can feel so elusive How your professional identity can lag behind your personal growth Four subtle signs there may be more for you in your career Why uncertainty is often a natural part of career evolution A simple reflection exercise to help you reconnect with what matters most Timestamps 00:00 Welcome and introduction to the podcast 01:45 Why so many successful women ask, "Is there more for me?" 03:00 The feeling of success without fulfilment 04:05 Sarah's personal story of leaving corporate HR for the voluntary sector 05:00 The LinkedIn profile test: when your career story no longer feels like you 05:40 Why you can't see what's next yet 05:50 Reason 1: You're too close to your current identity 06:30 Reason 2: Your career identity hasn't caught up with your personal growth 07:20 Reason 3: External success can mask internal change 08:20 The awareness phase that comes before clarity 08:45 Sign #1: Feeling disconnected from your current identity and work 09:50 Sign #2: Being drawn to different careers, lifestyles or choices 10:50 Sign #3: Inconsistent motivation and what it might be telling you 11:45 Sign #4: Asking questions without having answers yet 12:30 Expansion versus exhaustion: understanding the difference 13:15 Why uncertainty is not a problem to solve immediately 13:40 A simple daily exercise to help uncover what's changing 14:35 Trusting the process of career transition and growth 15:00 How coaching can help you gain clarity and confidence 15:45 Final reflections and closing thoughts Useful Links Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes Book a Free 121 Clarity Call Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Rate & Review the Podcast 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 Remember "You don't have to know what's next. You just have to trust that something is shifting, and that shift is giving you valuable information about what matters most."
	Episode 83 From Operational HR to People Director - the Power of Authenticity with Helen Cook	12 juin 2026	00:29:23
What does authentic leadership really look like in practice? In this episode Sarah sits down with former client Helen Cook, an experienced People Director, to discuss her career journey from hospitality into HR leadership, the lessons she's learned about confidence and career progression, and how coaching helped her gain clarity at an important point in her career. Helen shares a refreshingly honest perspective on leadership, including navigating self-doubt, balancing ambition with family life, and staying true to yourself in senior roles. This is a thoughtful conversation for anyone who wants to lead with confidence without feeling they need to become someone they're not. In This Episode Finding a career that aligns with your strengths and values Building a successful career in HR and people leadership Navigating self-doubt and imposter syndrome Leading authentically rather than copying others Balancing career ambitions with family responsibilities Lessons learned from stepping into senior leadership roles Why leadership isn't a race The value of coaching during career transitions Developing confidence and self-awareness as a leader What it means to be unstuck and unstoppable Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction to Helen and her career journey 02:15 – From hospitality into HR: finding the right career path 04:30 – Key career turning points and leadership progression 07:00 – Discovering a leadership style that feels authentic 09:45 – Navigating self-doubt and imposter syndrome 12:20 – Balancing leadership responsibilities and family life 14:50 – Why leadership isn't a race 17:10 – The challenges of stepping into senior leadership 19:40 – Reaching a career crossroads and seeking coaching 22:15 – What coaching helped Helen uncover 24:30 – Building confidence and trusting yourself 27:00 – Lessons learned from leading people through change 29:45 – Advice for others considering coaching 32:15 – What being unstuck and unstoppable means to Helen 33:30 – Final reflections and key takeaways Useful Links Connect with Helen on LInkedIn Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes Book a Free 121 Clarity Call Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Rate & Review the Podcast 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 82 Stop Waiting For Permission To Lead With Natalie Nielson	05 juin 2026	00:27:10
How many opportunities have you delayed because you were waiting for permission? In this episode Sarah talks to Natalie Nielson, Programme Director at Barclays Corporate, to explore the leadership lessons that have shaped her career and helped her thrive in complex, high-pressure environments. Natalie shares how she learned to stop waiting for someone else to tell her she was ready, navigate the inner voice of self-doubt, and develop a leadership style grounded in trust, authenticity and reflection. We also discuss the coaching journey we undertook together following her promotion into a senior leadership role, and the powerful mindset shifts that helped her become more confident, influential and intentional in her career. If you've ever questioned your readiness for the next step, struggled with visibility, or found yourself getting in your own way, this episode will leave you with practical insights and plenty of encouragement. In This Episode Why waiting for permission can hold your career back How to get out of your own way and quiet self-doubt The relationship between confidence and experience Navigating the transition into senior leadership Why reflection is an underrated leadership superpower The importance of asking for help and building support networks Creating trust and meaning within teams Developing an authentic leadership style Learning from role models and increasing your influence Reflection before reaction as a leadership habit What it really means to be unstuck and unstoppable Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction to the episode and Natalie Nielson 03:45 – Natalie's role as Programme Director and leading complex transformation 05:00 – The leadership challenge of waiting for permission 06:00 – Why confidence is a by-product of experience 06:40 – Getting out of your own way and managing self-doubt 08:30 – Why senior leaders still experience uncertainty 09:30 – The promotion that led Natalie to seek coaching 10:45 – Stepping into a new leadership identity 11:00 – Reflection as a leadership superpower 12:00 – Why asking for help is underrated 13:00 – Building trust, meaning and connection within teams 14:00 – Creating a high-performance culture through authentic leadership 15:00 – Aligning leadership with personal values 16:00 – Why your identity is bigger than your job title 16:45 – Possibility, potential and opening unexpected doors 17:20 – What Natalie wishes she'd known earlier in her career 18:30 – Managing worry and learning through experience 19:00 – Building visibility and influence at senior levels 19:45 – Learning from role models and observing successful leaders 21:00 – The importance of practice and confidence building 21:30 – Advice for anyone considering coaching 22:30 – Natalie's experience of coaching 23:30 – A leadership habit Natalie swears by: Reflection before reaction 24:15 – What being unstuck and unstoppable means to Natalie 25:00 – Key takeaways and closing reflections Useful Links Episode 40 How to Get Your Voice Heard in the Leadership Space Connect with Natalie on LinkedIn Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes Book a Free 121 Clarity Call Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Rate & Review the Podcast 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 81 Why Smart Successful Women Stay Stuck in Careers They've Outgrown	29 mai 2026	00:15:56
In this episode, Sarah explores a career experience many ambitious women silently struggle with: looking successful on the outside while feeling disconnected, exhausted, or emotionally flat on the inside. If you’ve ever wondered, “Is this really it?” despite having the title, salary, or career others admire, this episode will help you understand why smart, capable women often stay stuck in roles they’ve outgrown - and what to do about it. This episode is for you if: You feel successful externally but unfulfilled internally Your work no longer feels meaningful or energising You’re questioning your next career move but don’t know where to start You’re stuck between security and wanting something more Time Stamps[00:00] Introduction to Unstuck and Unstoppable[01:35] Why this topic matters The hidden experience of feeling disconnected from a career that looks successful on paper. [02:15] Sarah’s personal experience as an HR Director Why reaching a senior leadership role didn’t bring the fulfilment she expected. [03:00] Signs you may have outgrown your role Common indicators including: Emotional flatness Chronic overthinking Loss of confidence Sunday dread Feeling underutilised Burnout and exhaustion Fantasising about escape [04:40] Burnout, exhaustion, and the need for different types of rest Sarah references Episode 77 and explains how high performers often need more than just time off. [05:25] Why smart women stay stuck in careers too long The deeper reasons women struggle to move on, including: Identity attachment Responsibility to others Fear of regret Financial pressure Perfectionism Waiting for certainty Loyalty Confidence erosion Fear of disappointing others [09:10] Why clarity comes through action Why you do not need to have everything figured out before making a move. [09:50] The 3 levels of career change Sarah explains: The Shift The Pivot The Leap Including real client examples of successful career transitions. [11:40] Practical ways to regain clarity Questions and exercises to help you explore what needs to change: Notice your energy patterns Reconnect with your values Explore possibilities without pressure Have career conversations Increase confidence and visibility Consider what kind of life and work you want now [14:15] Final thoughts and encouragement Outgrowing your role does not mean you’ve failed - it means you’ve changed. [14:35] How to work with Sarah Information about booking a free career clarity call with Sarah. Useful Links Episode 77 Rethinking Rest - What High Performers Need Beyond Time Off Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes Book a Free 121 Clarity Call Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Rate & Review the Podcast 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 80 Reinventing Your Career: From Comfortable to Courageous with Sarah Warrington	20 mai 2026	00:23:52
What happens when your career looks successful on paper… but no longer feels aligned? In this episode, Sarah is joined by Sarah Warrington, Head of Marketing at a private higher education institution, who shares her honest and inspiring career journey - from leaving accountancy after just 18 months, to building a meaningful leadership career in higher education marketing. We explore the realities of career progression, navigating values misalignment, asking for what you really want, and why compassionate leadership can be a powerful advantage rather than a weakness. Sarah also opens up about the coaching process that helped her gain clarity, confidence and the courage to make a career move while protecting the flexibility and family balance that mattered most to her. This episode is full of reassurance and practical insight for anyone feeling stuck, professionally unfulfilled, or ready to redefine success on their own terms. In This Episode We Discuss Knowing when a career path no longer fits Leaving a “safe” profession early in your career Building a meaningful career in higher education marketing The importance of values alignment at work Why visibility and asking for opportunities matters Negotiating flexible working successfully Career coaching and building confidence Managing your inner critic Compassionate leadership and emotional intelligence Leadership in fast-paced startup environments Balancing ambitious work with family, wellbeing and personal growth Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction to Sarah Warrington and her current role 01:00 – Leaving accountancy and finding the right career path 02:00 – Moving through higher education roles and discovering marketing 03:15 – Stepping into leadership for the first time 04:10 – The challenge of asking for progression and opportunities 05:40 – Why working hard alone doesn’t guarantee promotion 06:10 – Feeling stuck and discovering coaching 07:20 – Realising something was no longer aligned 08:10 – The fear of losing flexibility and work-life balance 09:10 – How coaching created clarity and self-awareness 10:10 – Managing the inner critic and building confidence 11:15 – Trying new things, networking and exploring possibilities 12:00 – “Rejection is redirection” and navigating the job search 12:45 – Negotiating compressed hours in a new role 13:10 – Discovering compassionate leadership as a strength 14:20 – Leadership in a startup-style environment 15:40 – Balancing leadership, family and wellbeing 16:30 – Why hobbies and volunteering create perspective and energy 17:20 – Sarah’s reflections on the impact of coaching 18:20 – What “unstuck and unstoppable” means to Sarah Useful Links Connect with Sarah Warrington on LinkedIn Flexible Working People FaceBook Group Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes Book a Free 121 Clarity Call Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Rate & Review the Podcast 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 79 From Marketing Expert to Global Leader with Maria Norowzian	15 mai 2026	00:26:34
What really changes when you step into senior leadership? In this honest and insightful conversation, Sarah speaks with Maria Norowzian, Group & UK Hospitality Director at ATG Entertainment, about the realities of career growth, leadership transitions and learning to lead beyond your technical expertise. Maria shares her journey from starting out in marketing at McDonald’s in Australia to leading innovation and hospitality strategy for one of the world’s largest theatre companies. Together, they explore the steep learning curves that come with ambitious career progression, the mindset shifts required at senior level, and why leadership is far more about influence, relationships and vision than having all the answers. This episode is packed with valuable insights for managers, heads of department and aspiring senior leaders navigating growth, confidence and career progression. In This Episode We Discuss: Moving from functional expert to strategic leader The leap from “Head Of” to Director level leadership Why curiosity and growth mindset accelerate career success Learning through mistakes, failure and discomfort Building confidence in a bigger leadership role Leading teams and managing cross-functional relationships How coaching supports leadership growth The importance of vision, calm and clarity in leadership Ambition, hard work and finding flow in your career Creating success and freedom on your own terms Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction to Maria and her role at ATG Entertainment 01:00 – Maria’s early career journey and passion for marketing 03:00 – Why steep learning curves drive career growth 04:00 – The transition into leadership and building teams 06:00 – Why moving from Head Of to Director felt so different 07:00 – Leadership mindset shifts and learning through mistakes 08:00 – Expanding beyond marketing into commercial leadership 10:00 – Why Maria sought coaching support 11:00 – Transferable skills, confidence and navigating fear 13:00 – Leadership blind spots and executive presence 14:00 – Maria’s definition of great leadership 15:00 – Career advice for ambitious professionals 17:00 – Working hard, ambition and finding flow 18:00 – The value of coaching for leaders 20:00 – What “Unstuck and Unstoppable” means to Maria Useful Links Connect with Maria on LinkedIn Your First 100 Days by Niamh O'Keeffe Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes Book a Free 121 Clarity Call Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Rate & Review the Podcast 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 78 Navigating Toxic Stakeholders and Difficult Bosses	08 mai 2026	00:15:31
In this episode, Sarah explores how toxic stakeholders and difficult bosses can quietly erode confidence, visibility, and influence at work. She shares personal experiences, client stories, and practical strategies to help ambitious female leaders navigate challenging workplace dynamics without shrinking themselves or losing credibility. Timestamps [00:00] Welcome & Introduction Sarah introduces the episode and explains why navigating difficult bosses and toxic stakeholders is a critical leadership skill. [01:20] Why This Topic Matters How workplace dynamics can quietly impact confidence, credibility, and career progression. [02:15] The Confidence Impact of Difficult Stakeholders Why toxic interactions linger long after meetings end and can lead to overthinking and self-doubt. [03:40] Sarah’s Personal Leadership Story Sarah shares her experience working with an unpredictable CEO and how it affected her confidence and behaviour. [05:00] The Hidden Behaviour Changes Leaders Make How high-performing leaders unconsciously shrink themselves through hypervigilance, over-preparing, and holding back. [06:10] The 3 Types of Toxic Stakeholders The Controller The Political Operator The Inconsistent Leader [07:40] Client Coaching Story A real-life example of how one senior leader regained her confidence and influence by changing the dynamic. [09:45] The Turning Point Why managing the relationship differently matters more than trying to “handle” the person better. [10:05] Strategy 1: Stop Personalising It How separating yourself from the behaviour creates clarity and emotional distance. [10:55] Strategy 2: Understand the Dynamic Learning what drives difficult behaviour so you can respond strategically. [11:35] Strategy 3: Change How You Show Up Practical ways to communicate with more calmness, clarity, and authority. [12:20] Strategy 4: Decide Your Boundaries Knowing when to address behaviour, escalate concerns, or leave an unhealthy environment. [13:20] Leadership Reflection Exercise Sarah shares one powerful question to help you notice where you may be adapting yourself to manage others. [13:55] Final Thoughts Why strong leadership is about staying intentional and grounded in difficult dynamics — not becoming harder or more aggressive. [14:35] Closing & Resources Where to connect with Sarah and access additional career and leadership resources. Useful Links Episode 76 How To Position Yourself For Promotion In The Next 6 Months Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes Book a Free 121 Clarity Call Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Rate & Review the Podcast 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 77 Rethinking Rest: What High Performers Need Beyond Time Off	01 mai 2026	00:16:27
Are you doing everything “right”- sleeping, exercising, pushing through your workload yet still feeling drained? In this episode, Sarah challenges the way we think about rest. For high-performing female leaders, exhaustion isn’t always about doing too much - it’s often about recovering in the wrong way. You’ll learn why traditional ideas of rest fall short, and how to restore your energy more effectively using seven powerful (and often overlooked) types of rest. What You’ll Learn Why sleep alone isn’t enough to restore your energy The hidden reason high performers still feel exhausted The 7 types of rest and how to recognise what you’re missing Simple, practical ways to build recovery into your working day Why rest isn’t a reward - it’s essential maintenance for performance Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome to Unstuck and Unstoppable 01:00 – Why rest needs a rethink for high performers 02:00 – Energy check: where are you right now? 03:00 – The real problem: under-rested, not burned out 03:30 – Default habits: pushing through, scrolling, switching off 05:00 – Why high performers struggle with recovery 05:30 – Mental rest: calming an overactive mind 06:30 – Physical rest: micro-recovery during the day 07:30 – Emotional rest: managing the invisible load 08:30 – Reflection: which type of rest are you missing? 09:00 – Social rest: balancing interaction and energy 10:00 – Sensory rest: reducing constant stimulation 11:30 – Creative rest: bringing in new input 12:30 – Spiritual rest: reconnecting with meaning and values 13:00 – Personal example: using values to shift energy 14:00 – Why rest is not a reward but maintenance 14:30 – Client story: rebuilding energy after promotion 15:00 – How to choose the one type of rest to focus on 15:30 – Final thoughts and next steps Key Takeaway You don’t need to push harder - you need to recover better. When you identify the right type of rest your body and mind need, everything from your energy to your confidence and performance becomes easier. Want more ideas for each type of rest? Send Sarah a message for her free guide Request the Emotions Wheel to help you better identify and process how you feel Useful Links Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes Book a Free 121 Clarity Call Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Rate & Review the Podcast 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 76 How to Position Yourself For Promotion in the Next 6 Months	24 avr. 2026	00:11:33
In this episode, Sarah challenges a common belief about promotion: that it’s purely based on performance. Drawing on her experience in HR leadership and executive coaching, she reveals why promotions are often blocked by hesitation, not capability, and what you can do to change how decision-makers see you. If you’re aiming for your next senior role, this episode will show you exactly how to position yourself so that promotion feels like the obvious next step. What You’ll Learn Why performance alone doesn’t get you promoted The real reason senior leaders hesitate in promotion decisions The 4 key signals that show you’re ready for the next level How to shift perception in the next 6 months A simple but powerful communication shift that changes how you’re seen Timestamps [00:00:00] Introduction to the podcast and who it’s for [00:01:00] A powerful mindset shift: imagining the promotion discussion happening without you [00:02:00] Why promotions are blocked by hesitation - not performance [00:03:00] The hidden gap: “certainty of perception” [00:04:00] Case study: why Client B got promoted over Client A [00:05:00] Overview of the 4 signals that get you promoted [00:05:30] Signal 1: Thinking beyond your function [00:06:30] Signal 2: Handling ambiguity and pressure [00:07:30] Signal 3: Stepping out of the operational “weeds” [00:08:00] Signal 4: Already operating at the next level [00:09:00] Why making your ambition visible matters [00:09:45] The risk of silence: being seen as “content” where you are [00:10:00] One strategic shift: stop reporting, start interpreting [00:10:30] Final takeaway: promotion is about perception, not just performance Key Takeaway You don’t get promoted because you’ve done a great job—you get promoted when people can already see you operating at the next level. Your role is to remove any doubt that you’re ready. Useful Links Book a Free 121 Clarity Call Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Rate & Review the Podcast 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 75 How to Work Effectively with Executive Recruiters	17 avr. 2026	00:12:27
In this episode, Sarah breaks down how executive recruiters actually operate - and why the typical “send your CV and wait” approach doesn’t work at a senior level. If you’re aiming for leadership roles, you’ll learn how to position yourself strategically, build strong recruiter relationships, and stand out as a credible, low-risk candidate. What You’ll Learn The biggest misconception about executive recruiters How recruiters assess senior candidates Why positioning matters more than your CV 5 practical ways to work with recruiters effectively How to make recruiters a powerful part of your job search strategy Timestamps [00:00] Welcome & podcast introduction [01:00] Global reach milestone + episode overview [02:00] Client story: feeling stuck and overlooked by recruiters [03:00] The biggest misconception about recruiters [04:00] Why a passive job search strategy fails [05:00] Case study: shifting positioning and strategy [06:00] How executive recruiters actually think [07:00] What makes you “easy to place” [07:30] 5 practical strategies to work with recruiters [07:30] 1. Be specific about what you want [08:00] 2. Lead with value, not your CV [08:30] 3. Build relationships, not transactions [09:00] 4. Prepare properly for recruiter conversations [09:30] 5. Don’t rely on recruiters alone [10:00] The mindset shift: recruiters are part of your strategy [11:00] Final thoughts + how to get support Key Takeaway Recruiters don’t find you a job - you position yourself so they can confidently place you. When you get clear, strategic, and visible, they become valuable allies rather than a frustrating dead end. Useful Links Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes Book a Free 121 Clarity Call Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Rate & Review the Podcast 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 74 What is Strategic Hope And How to Create it.	10 avr. 2026	00:17:53
In this episode, Sarah explores the powerful concept of strategic hope and why it is a critical leadership skill for ambitious female leaders who want to prevent burnout and create real momentum in their careers. Many high-performing women find themselves working hard while quietly hoping something changes - hoping for recognition, hoping for opportunities, hoping for better leadership or culture. But hope, in its most powerful form, isn’t wishful thinking. Drawing on the work of positive psychologist C.R. Snyder, Sarah introduces Hope Theory and explains how hope is actually a practical leadership strategy built on three key elements: goals, pathways, and agency. If you’ve been feeling stuck, flat, or unsure about your next step, this episode will help you shift from passive wishing to actively designing your future. What You’ll Learn The difference between passive hope and strategic hope Why high-performing female leaders lose hope in their careers The link between hope, motivation, and burnout prevention The three essential skills that build strategic hope How to create clear goals, practical pathways, and real agency Reflection questions to help you start designing your next move Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction to Unstuck and Unstoppable and episode overview 01:30 – Why hope is the focus of this episode 02:00 – Passive hope vs strategic hope in female leadership 03:30 – Introduction to Hope Theory and C.R. Snyder’s research 04:30 – Reflection: Where are you hoping for change instead of designing it? 05:00 – Why female leaders lose strategic hope: 05:10 – Effort without progress and declining energy 05:45 – Immovable systems and limited pathways 07:00 – Over-responsibility and burnout risk 08:15 – The three strategic hope skills: 08:30 – Skill 1: Clarity and defining your goal Getting specific about what you want next in your career 10:45 – Skill 2: Creating pathways and designing your strategy Examples of pathways (networking, visibility, role design, internal and external opportunities) Planning for obstacles and contingencies 13:00 – Skill 3: Building agency through small actions Evidence-building and confidence through action 14:15 – Hope amplifiers Why power: connecting to meaning and purpose We power: support, accountability, and social connection 15:30 – Three reflection questions to build strategic hope 16:30 – Moving from wishing to designing your career 17:00 – Coaching support and closing message Reflection Questions from This Episode What am I currently wishing would change in my career? What goal sits behind that wish? What is one pathway I could start this week? Useful Links Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes Book a Free 121 Clarity Call Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Rate & Review the Podcast 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 73 Navigating the Unwritten Rules of Leadership To Get Ahead in Your Career	03 avr. 2026	00:15:41
Have you ever felt like you're doing everything right in your leadership role - delivering results, working hard, supporting your team - yet still being overlooked for promotion? In this episode, Sarah lifts the lid on the unwritten rules of leadership that shape career progression at senior levels. Many ambitious female leaders are told that hard work and strong performance will naturally lead to advancement but in reality, leadership decisions are often influenced by visibility, relationships, strategic thinking, and perception. Through a powerful coaching story and practical reflection questions, this episode explores why brilliant women sometimes get passed over and, more importantly, what they can do differently to position themselves for the leadership roles they deserve. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why working hard isn’t always enough to get promoted The hidden leadership dynamics many organisations don’t talk about The 4 unwritten rules that shape career advancement How visibility, relationships, and perception influence leadership decisions Practical actions you can take this week to position yourself for your next role Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome to Unstuck & Unstoppable 01:00 – Episode introduction: The leadership rules nobody talks about 02:00 – Coaching story: “It feels like there’s a game being played and nobody told me the rules” A real-life example of a senior female leader being overlooked for promotion. 03:30 – The myth of hard work leading to promotion Why performance alone doesn’t guarantee career advancement. 05:00 – Leadership advancement is about more than delivery Understanding the gap between doing a great job and being seen as ready for senior leadership. The 4 Unwritten Rules of Leadership 05:45 – Rule 1: Visibility matters more than effort Why leaders can’t promote what they can’t see and how to create strategic visibility. Reflection question: Where might you be working hard but staying invisible? 08:00 – Rule 2: Relationships shape opportunities The importance of networks, sponsors, and trust in career progression. Reflection question: Who are the key people who need to know and trust you? 10:00 – Rule 3: Strategic thinking gets rewarded Moving from operational excellence to future-focused leadership thinking. Reflection question: Are you spending most of your time delivering or thinking about the future? 11:45 – Rule 4: Perception drives promotion How executive presence and leadership perception influence decisions. Reflection question: How do senior leaders currently perceive you? 13:00 – One practical action to take this week Choose one conversation with a senior leader to increase visibility, influence, or strategic contribution. 14:00 – Key takeaway: Understand the system and position yourself within it Visibility, relationships, strategic thinking, and perception are the keys to leadership advancement. 14:30 – How to get support and access free resources Information on coaching support and additional resources. Useful Links Episode 66 Strengthening Your Strategic Thinking Episode 31 How to Develop Executive Presence Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes Book a Free 121 Clarity Call Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Rate & Review the Podcast 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 Shine brightly. Lead boldly. Be unstoppable.
	Episode 72 How The Power of Weak Ties Can Open Doors in Your Career	27 mars 2026	00:08:43
In this episode Sarah explores the powerful but often overlooked role of weak ties in career growth and job searching. If you're an ambitious woman looking to advance your career, increase your visibility, or access new opportunities, this episode will change how you think about networking. Sarah explains why the people you barely know may be the ones who open the biggest doors, and shares practical strategies to help you build and leverage these connections in a way that feels natural and authentic. What You’ll Learn in This Episode What weak ties are and why they matter in your career Why most job opportunities come from people outside your inner circle How weak ties increase visibility and career mobility Simple and practical ways to build and maintain weak ties A quick exercise to start leveraging your network this week Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome to Unstuck & Unstoppable 02:00 – What Are Weak Ties? Understanding second and third-order connections and why acquaintances matter in career growth. 03:00 – Why Weak Ties Open More Doors How weak ties access different networks and opportunities that your inner circle may not see. 04:00 – The Spiderweb Analogy A powerful visual explanation of how networks work and where opportunities really come from. 05:00 – Research and Career Mobility Why people who leverage weak ties find jobs faster and access hidden opportunities. 05:30 – How to Leverage Weak Ties (Practical Steps) Intentional outreach during job search and asking for advice or connections. 05:50 – Using Introductions Strategically Getting insider information and increasing your chances in recruitment processes. 06:00 – Maintaining Light Contact Simple ways to stay visible through LinkedIn and quick check-ins. 06:30 – Networking Coffee Conversations How short, informal conversations can strengthen weak ties. 07:00 – A Simple Networking Exercise Identify one or two weak ties and reach out this week. 07:30 – Weak Ties as Part of Your Visibility Strategy Why career growth is about who knows you and what you can do. 08:00 – Final Thoughts and Encouragement Nurturing weak ties to open unexpected career doors. Useful Links Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes Book a Free 121 Clarity Call Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Rate & Review the Podcast 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 Your next career opportunity may not come from your closest contacts - it may come from someone you’ve only spoken to once. Nurture your weak ties and watch new doors open.
	Episode 71 Have you stayed in your current role for too long?	20 mars 2026	00:15:40
Have you been in your role for five years or more? Are you there because you love it… or because you feel a bit stuck? In this episode, Sarah unpacks the difference between healthy staying and career stagnation, the subtle signs you might be stuck (even if things look “fine” on the surface), and practical steps to help you regain momentum, confidence, and clarity in your career. If you’ve been questioning your next move or avoiding the question altogether - this episode will give you a powerful reset. Show Notes [00:00:00] Welcome & Podcast Overview [00:01:00] Why This Topic Matters A real client story sparks the question: are you staying because you’re thriving or stuck? [00:02:00] The Big Question: Why Have You Stayed? Exploring the difference between loving your role and feeling unable to leave. [00:02:30] What “Healthy Staying” Looks Like Ongoing learning and development Expanding influence and impact Increasing responsibility and stretch Feeling energised and engaged at work [00:04:00] When Staying Becomes Stagnation Repetitive work with no growth Lack of progression opportunities Declining confidence Comfort replacing challenge [00:06:00] The Hidden Risk of Being Too Comfortable Why growth requires “optimal anxiety” (not stress, but not stagnation either). [00:07:00] 5 Signs You Might Be Stuck Your learning curve has flattened You’ve stopped advocating for yourself You’re known for what you used to do You feel invisible or overlooked You keep saying “maybe next year” [00:08:30] Why We Stay Too Long Comfort and security Eroded confidence “Golden handcuffs” (salary, flexibility, benefits) The busyness trap Identity lock (“this is just what I do”) [00:10:30] The Real Cost of Staying Stuck How stagnation shrinks your confidence, identity, and sense of possibility. [00:11:00] 3 Ways to Get Unstuck 1. Run a Career Audit: Ask yourself: What am I learning? What impact am I having? Where am I growing? 2. Expand Before You Exit Seek stretch projects Increase your visibility Redesign aspects of your role 3. Explore New Possibilities Internal moves or secondments New environments or industries Reimagining your career direction [00:13:30] A Personal Turning Point Why staying in the same type of senior role no longer felt inspiring and what that revealed. [00:14:00] The Wake-Up Call Question “If nothing changed in your role for the next 3 years, would you feel excited or quietly disappointed?” [00:14:30] Reflection & Next Steps Encouragement to pause, reflect, journal, and seek support if needed. [00:15:00] Closing Thoughts You don’t need to blow up your career - but you do need to wake it up. Resources & Next Steps t Explore the Strategic Visibility episode for practical ways to raise your profile Reach out for coaching support if you’re ready to move from stuck to unstoppable Useful Links Take the Career Clarity Audit for personalised insight Episode 47 How to get noticed in your career Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes Book a Free 121 Clarity Call Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Rate & Review the Podcast 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 70 How to Change Your Inner Critic's Story	13 mars 2026	00:15:07
In this episode, Sarah explores why the inner critic exists and how it often tries to protect us from perceived risks like rejection, failure, or judgement. The challenge is that while it may have good intentions, it can also keep us stuck, holding back from the opportunities we truly want. Sarah shares three practical strategies to help you quieten your inner critic and strengthen your inner coach so you can move forward with more confidence and self-trust. Show Notes 00:00 – Welcome to Unstuck and Unstoppable 01:17 – Episode introduction: The inner critic Why this topic comes up frequently in coaching sessions and how it affects confidence, career progression, and leadership. 02:15 – What the inner critic sounds like Common thoughts that trigger self-doubt and prevent action. 03:20 – Why we actually have an inner critic Understanding the brain’s role in protecting us from physical and emotional risk. 05:00 – How limiting beliefs fuel the inner critic Where these beliefs come from and how they become ammunition for self-doubt. 06:10 – Your inner narrative and the story you tell yourself How unconscious scripts shape what you believe is possible for you. 07:10 – Strategy 1: Notice and rewrite the narrative Becoming aware of the story you’re telling yourself and consciously editing it. 08:05 – Flipping the script Using the perspective of how you would speak to a friend to create a more empowering narrative. 08:40 – Strategy 2: Evidence-based reframing Using real achievements and experiences to challenge the inner critic. 09:25 – Client example: Recovering confidence after burnout How reframing helped a client rebuild trust in herself and pursue leadership again. 11:20 – Strategy 3: Create distance from your inner critic Naming and externalising the inner critic to reduce its power. 12:20 – Real client example: Visualising and managing the inner critic How one creative technique dramatically quietened a client’s inner critic. 13:10 – Strengthening your inner coach Why self-trust is essential for leadership growth. 14:05 – Reflection exercise for listeners A simple question to help you challenge your inner critic this week. Useful Links Episode 51: How to Change Your Inner Critic into Your Inner Coach Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes Book a Free 121 Clarity Call Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Your inner critic isn’t trying to sabotage you - it’s trying to protect you. But when you learn how to rewrite the story it’s telling and strengthen your inner coach, you create the confidence and self-trust needed to step into bigger opportunities. Rate & Review the Podcast 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 69 Influence Blockers -What's Really Holding Back Your Impact as a Leader	06 mars 2026	00:13:42
If you’re working hard but not getting the traction, visibility or progression you want, this episode will help you understand why. Sarah breaks down the four core Influence Blockers she sees repeatedly in senior female leaders - the hidden patterns that quietly limit confidence, authority, and advancement. Once you can spot your blocker, you can shift it. Timestamps [00:00] Welcome to Unstuck and Unstoppabl- [02:00] Why Hard Work Isn’t Enough The unconscious patterns that hold capable women back. [03:30] The Four Influence Blockers Overview An introduction to the four key categories. [04:00] Blocker 1: Internal Confidence & Identity Second-guessing yourself, overthinking meetings, still feeling the need to prove your capability - and how this shrinks your influence. [06:00] Blocker 2: Communication & Presence Softening your message, over-explaining, speaking late in meetings, and why executive presence determines how much weight your words carry. [07:00] Blocker 3: Strategic Positioning Staying operational instead of visible at a strategic level. Why being excellent at delivery doesn’t automatically position you for promotion. (Referenced: Episode 66 on strengthening strategic thinking.) [08:30] Blocker 4: Environment & Power Dynamics Navigating dominant personalities, organisational politics, and male-dominated cultures - and how your response shapes your influence. [10:00] The Real Cost of Not Addressing Your Blocker Staying stuck, being overlooked, watching less capable peers move ahead - and the damage self-doubt can cause. [11:30] Your Action Step Identify your primary blocker and decide what action you’ll take to shift the pattern. [12:30] How to Get Support How coaching can accelerate your influence and position you for the next level. Key Takeaway Influence blockers aren’t capability gaps - they’re patterns. And patterns can be changed. If you’re ready to stop playing small and start positioning yourself as the leader you already are, this episode will give you the clarity to begin. Useful Links Episode 66 Strengthening Your Strategic Thinking: From Operational to Big Picture Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes Book a Free 121 Clarity Call Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Rate & Review the Podcast 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 68 Stuck or Ready For More? How to Choose Your Next Leadership Role	27 févr. 2026	00:12:38
In this episode, Sarah shares a practical four-part framework to help you decide your next leadership move when you’re feeling stuck, flat, or ready for more. If you’re successful on paper but something feels off, this episode will help you turn that restlessness into useful data and make a thoughtful, aligned career decision instead of drifting or making a reactive move. Whether your next step is redesigning your current role or moving on, Sarah walks you through how to reconnect with your energy, ambition, strengths, and the realities of the market so you can move forward with clarity and confidence. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why feeling restless in your role is not a problem, but valuable information The biggest mistake leaders make when choosing their next role How to avoid career drift and make intentional career decisions A simple four-step framework to evaluate your next leadership move How to use your energy, successes, ambition, and market insight as decision tools Why your next move might be within your current organisation, not outside it Show Notes [00:00] Introduction to the podcast and Sarah’s mission [01:00] Why even successful leaders feel stuck The reality of self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and losing alignment in senior roles. [01:40] Episode focus: Choosing your next leadership move Who this episode is for and why clarity matters before making a move. [02:40] The danger of reacting instead of reflecting How overwhelm and gratitude guilt keep leaders stuck or lead to poor decisions. [04:00] Restlessness is data, not failure Why your dissatisfaction is a signal to explore, not suppress. [05:00] Framework Part 1: Internal Signals – Your Energy Identifying what energises you, what drains you, and what that reveals. [06:30] Framework Part 2: Experiential Proof – Your Success Patterns Looking at your proudest moments and what they tell you about your strengths and direction. [08:00] Framework Part 3: Ambition – What You Really Want Clarifying your desired impact, challenge, growth, and learning. [08:50] Framework Part 4: Market Reality – What’s Available Understanding how your skills and experience align with real opportunities. [09:40] Your next move might be where you are How to assess whether to reshape your current role instead of leaving. [10:15] Connecting the dots to make the right decision Using the framework as criteria to evaluate future opportunities. [11:00] How to access Sarah’s leadership clarity framework How to request the tool and get support applying it. Useful Links Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes Book a Free 121 Clarity Call Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Rate & Review the Podcast 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 67 How to Find More Meaning in your Leadership career	20 févr. 2026	00:15:12
What happens when you’ve achieved the senior role, the title, the salary… and yet something still feels flat? In this episode, Sarah explores why meaning can quietly disappear as your leadership career progresses and why this isn’t a sign you’ve failed, but a signal worth paying attention to. She shares the powerful difference between achievement and fulfillment, introduces a simple but profound framework to help you reconnect with what truly matters, and explains why you don’t necessarily need to change your career to feel more meaning again. If you’ve ever found yourself thinking, “Is this it?” or wondering why your work no longer energises you in the way it once did, this episode will help you pause, reflect, and take practical steps to redesign how you lead so your career feels meaningful again. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why career success doesn’t automatically lead to fulfillment How the “hedonic treadmill” keeps high achievers chasing the next milestone The four essential lenses that create meaning in leadership Why senior leaders often have more agency than they realise Practical questions and small actions to help you reconnect with purpose now Show Notes 01:00 – Why meaning matters more as you become more senior How career progression can sometimes lead to unexpected feelings of flatness or disconnection. 02:00 – The warning signs that meaning may be missing Recognising the thoughts and emotions that signal it’s time to pause and reflect. 03:00 – The hedonic treadmill explained Why promotions, pay rises, and achievements create only temporary satisfaction and keep you chasing more. 05:00 – How your definition of success evolves over time Why what motivated you earlier in your career may no longer be enough. 06:00 – Common struggles senior leaders share about meaning “I’m so busy I don’t have time to think.” “I’m not sure I’m on the right path.” “I can’t remember the last time I felt excited by my career.” 07:00 – Introducing Eudaimonic Wellbeing The deeper form of fulfillment that comes from purpose, values, and alignment. 07:45 – The Four Lenses of Meaning Framework The four key areas that determine how meaningful your leadership career feels: Impact Alignment Agency Growth 08:15 – Lens 1: Impact Understanding the real difference your work makes and how reframing your impact can change everything. 09:30 – Lens 2: Alignment The importance of using your strengths and working in line with your values. 10:00 – Lens 3: Agency Why having choice, autonomy, and influence is essential for meaningful leadership. 10:45 – Lens 4: Growth Why development and challenge still matter, even at the most senior levels. 11:15 – Three powerful reflection questions Simple questions to help you identify what’s missing and what needs to change. 12:00 – Small actions that can quickly restore meaning Why you don’t need to blow up your career to feel fulfilled again. 13:00 – How senior leaders can recraft their role Using your leverage to redesign your work, relationships, and focus. 14:00 – Success and fulfillment are not mutually exclusive How you can create a leadership career that delivers both. Meaning doesn’t disappear overnight. It fades when impact, alignment, agency, or growth are missing. Useful Links Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes Book a Free 121 Clarity Call Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Rate & Review the Podcast 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 66 Strengthening Your Strategic Thinking: From Operational to Big Picture	13 févr. 2026	00:16:45
In this episode, Sarah unpacks what strategic thinking really means and how to move from an operational comfort zone to big-picture influence. If you’ve ever been told to “be more strategic” and wondered what that actually looks like in practice, this episode breaks it down into practical, doable shifts. You’ll learn how to create space for strategic thinking, ask better questions, and position yourself as a leader who shapes direction - not just delivers results. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why strategic thinking can feel uncomfortable (especially if you’ve built your reputation on delivery) The real difference between operational and strategic leadership How mindset blocks may be holding you back Three practical shifts to strengthen your strategic capability How to signal your strategic value in senior conversations A powerful reflection question to move you into action this month Show Notes [01:00] Why strategic thinking feels hard - and why it matters for your career [03:00] The cost of staying in operational comfort [04:00] What strategic thinking actually means (the “where” vs the “how”) [06:00] Radical responsibility and thinking beyond your function [07:00] Shift #1: Move from task thinking to outcome thinking [08:00] Linking everyday work to bigger organisational purpose [08:30] Shift #2: Create space for strategic thinking [09:00] Practical tools: SWOT and PESTLE frameworks [09:45] Engaging diverse perspectives to avoid groupthink [10:00] 10-minute CEO check-ins - thinking like a strategic leader [11:00] Getting comfortable saying no to operational pull [11:30] Shift #3: Ask better strategic questions [12:00] Big-picture questions that elevate your presence in meetings [13:00] The career benefits of being seen as strategic [13:30] Client case study: Reframing efficiency as strategic strength [15:00] Reflection: Where do you want to be more strategic this month? Key Takeaway Strategic thinking isn’t about having all the answers or being the loudest voice in the room. It’s about asking better questions, spotting patterns, and connecting today’s actions to tomorrow’s outcomes. If you want more influence, credibility, and progression - it starts with shifting how you think and how you show up. Useful Links Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes Book a Free 121 Clarity Call Join The Love What You Do Facebook Group Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Rate & Review the Podcast 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 65 How to Delegate More Effectively as a Leader	06 févr. 2026	00:17:23
In this practical episode, Sarah explores why so many capable leaders struggle to delegate, what it’s really costing you when you don’t, and how to shift your mindset so delegation becomes a leadership strength rather than a stress point. Drawing on real client examples and her own experience as a senior leader, Sarah breaks down common delegation blocks (from perfectionism to fear of losing control), explains the difference between dumping, delegating and developing, and shares simple, effective tools you can use immediately to delegate with more confidence and impact. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck in the weeds, or worried about how delegation affects your reputation and progression, this episode will help you lead more strategically while growing your team’s capability. Show Notes [01:00] Why delegation is such a common struggle for leaders [02:00] What gets in the way of delegating (perfectionism, time, guilt and control) [04:00] Identifying your personal delegation blocks [05:00] The real costs of not delegating: burnout, bottlenecks and missed development [06:00] Client example: why delegation affects how strategic you’re perceived to be [08:00] Reframing delegation as leadership and capability-building [09:00] The three types of delegation: dumping, delegating and developing [11:00] How to tell if you’re setting someone up to succeed [12:00] A simple four-step approach to delegating well [13:00] Tools to identify what you can delegate [13:30] Start / Stop / Delegate method [14:00] Eisenhower Matrix: urgent vs important [15:00] Auditing your workload and matching tasks to team strengths Useful Links Episode 9 How to Stop Being a Perfectionist at Work Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes Book a Free 121 Clarity Call Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Rate & Review the Podcast 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 64 Stop Feeling Frazzled & Restore Your Balance As A Leader	30 janv. 2026	00:15:33
Are you constantly exhausted, overwhelmed, and running on empty as a leader? In this episode, Sarah explores why so many ambitious women find themselves stuck in survival mode and shares a simple but powerful tool to help you restore balance, manage your energy, and avoid burnout. Using the Four Rooms of Life framework, Sarah walks you through a practical exercise to help you understand where your energy is going, what’s missing, and how to rebalance your life without adding yet another thing to your to-do list. What you’ll learn in this episode Why burnout is often about energy imbalance, not weakness The Four Rooms of Life: Physical, Mental, Emotional, and Spiritual How to identify which “room” you’re spending most of your time in Simple, realistic ways to “air” neglected rooms without overwhelm How habit stacking can help you nourish yourself more easily Why thriving (not just surviving) makes you a better leader - and a happier human Timestamps [01:00] Why burnout is showing up so frequently for senior women [02:00] From surviving to thriving: why balance matters [03:00] A real client story: when life feels like an elastic band about to snap [04:00] Introducing the Four Rooms of Life framework [05:00] The Physical Room: doing, busyness, and exhaustion [07:00] The Mental Room: learning, stimulation, and inspiration [08:00] The Emotional Room: connection, creativity, and feelings [09:00] The Spiritual Room: meaning, values, purpose, and awe [10:00] The simple 4-quadrant exercise you can do today [11:00] How one client reduced overwhelm and reclaimed energy [12:00] Habit stacking: nourishing yourself without adding more to do [13:00] Practical examples you can apply immediately [14:00] How to revisit the exercise whenever you feel out of balance [15:00] Final reflections, next steps, and resources Take action Tonight, grab a piece of paper and divide it into four quadrants: Physical, Mental, Emotional, and Spiritual. Notice where your time and energy are really going and where you might need to gently reconnect. Small changes, done consistently, can make a powerful difference. Useful Links 4 Rooms of Life Blog Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes Book a Free 121 Clarity Call Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Rate & Review the Podcast 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 63 How to Bring Your Whole Self to Work & Be an Authentic Leader	23 janv. 2026	00:15:06
In this episode Sarah explores what it really means to bring your whole self to work and why authentic leadership matters more than ever in today’s uncertain and demanding world. Many female leaders feel pressure to appear strong, controlled, and “together” at all times, often at the expense of their own energy and wellbeing. Sarah challenges the outdated leadership model that equates vulnerability with weakness and instead shares evidence-based insights on how authenticity, empathy, and values-led leadership build trust, credibility, and high performance. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why authenticity at work builds trust, loyalty, and engagement How vulnerability (done well) strengthens your leadership credibility The link between empathy, better decisions, and high performance How authenticity shapes your leadership brand What to do when your values don’t align with your organisation’s culture Show Notes [01:00] Why authentic leadership feels challenging in uncertain times [02:30] The cost of wearing a “mask” at work [03:40] Why authenticity matters and what the research says [04:40] Vulnerability, trust, and connection at work [06:00] Why female leaders often struggle to show vulnerability [06:45] Case study: Creating a compassionate, high-performing culture [08:00] Takeaway #1: Vulnerability builds connection (and how to do it well) [09:45] Takeaway #2: Empathy strengthens credibility [10:45] Pairing empathy with data-driven decision making [11:45] Takeaway #3: Authenticity as the foundation of your leadership brand [12:45] When your values don’t align with your organisation [13:30] One small way to bring more of your true self to work this week Final Reflection What is one small way you could bring more of your true self to work this week? Whether it’s sharing a story, listening more deeply, or consciously leading with one of your values, even small shifts can make a powerful difference. Useful Links Global Leadership Forecast 2023 research Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes Book a Free 121 Clarity Call Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Rate & Review the Podcast 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 62 The Confidence gap - Practical ways to own your achievements at work	16 janv. 2026	00:17:02
In this episode, Sarah explores the confidence gap many women experience at work and why, despite equal competence, women are often less likely than men to back themselves, speak up about achievements, or go for opportunities. Drawing on compelling research from leadership, psychology, and neuroscience, Sarah explains why confidence shows up differently for women – and, crucially, what you can do about it. She shares three practical, immediately actionable techniques to help you own your achievements, increase your visibility, and build genuine, sustainable confidence at work. If you’ve ever played down your success, waited to be noticed, or felt uncomfortable talking about your impact, this episode is for you. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why confidence is just as important as competence for career success The research behind the confidence gap between men and women How socialisation, brain wiring, and hormones influence confidence Why “fake it till you make it” doesn’t really work Three practical ways to start owning your achievements with confidence Show Notes [01:00] Why confidence matters for leadership and career progression [02:00] Why confidence shows up again and again in client work [03:00] Introducing the confidence gap: playing down achievements and waiting to be recognised [04:00] Research insights: how women and men differ in confidence at work [05:00] Salary negotiations, career expectations, and why women ask for less [06:00] Why women only apply for roles when they meet 100% of the criteria [07:00] The neuroscience of confidence: emotional memory, risk, and rumination [08:00] How brain wiring and threat-scanning impact confidence and risk-taking [09:00] Confidence vs competence – and why belief drives action [10:00] Technique 1: Reframing self-promotion as sharing value and leading well [11:00] A real-life example of reframing visibility without ego [12:00] Technique 2: Building an evidence bank to strengthen self-belief [13:00] How an evidence bank helps silence your inner critic [14:00] Technique 3: Using confident language that doesn’t dilute your impact [15:00] Noticing and replacing confidence-eroding phrases [16:00] Final reflections, next steps, and how Sarah can support you further Useful Links Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes Book a Free 121 Clarity Call Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Research on Gender and Salary Negotiation Research by Institute of Leadership & Management Rate & Review the Podcast 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 Remember: you’re capable of more than you know. Shine brightly. Lead boldly. Be unstoppable. ✨
	Episode 61 How to create a Personal Board for your leadership career	09 janv. 2026	00:17:57
In this first episode of 2026, Sarah introduces the powerful (and often overlooked) concept of a personal board for your leadership career. Drawing on the idea of organisational boards, Sarah explains how having the right people around you can help you make better career decisions, gain perspective, build influence, and stay motivated as a leader. You’ll learn about the different roles a personal board can play, how to identify who is already supporting you (often unconsciously), where the gaps might be, and how to intentionally build stronger, more strategic support around your career and leadership journey. In this episode, you’ll learn: What a personal board is and why it matters for female leaders The three key categories of a personal board The 12 different roles people can play in supporting your career How one person can fulfil multiple roles How to identify gaps in your current support network Practical steps to start building or strengthening your personal board How to approach people in a way that feels reciprocal and authentic Why paying it forward is part of sustainable leadership success Timestamps [00:00] Welcome to Unstuck and Unstoppable and the purpose of the podcast [01:35] Episode 61 introduction and New Year reflections [02:00] Why creating a personal board can transform your career [03:00] What a personal board is (and how it mirrors organisational boards) [04:00] Overview of the personal board framework and key principles [05:00] The three categories of a personal board [05:30] Information roles: Inspirer, Expert, Navigator [07:00] Power and influence roles: Connector, Sponsor, Unlocker, Influencer [09:00] Development and support roles: Challenger, Improver, Cheerleader/Anchor [11:00] Real-life examples from Sarah’s leadership career [12:00] Becoming more intentional about who supports you [13:00] Identifying gaps in your personal board [14:00] Who to consider when building your board (beyond line managers) [15:00] How to approach people and make it mutually beneficial [15:45] Paying it forward and supporting others in their careers [16:30] Practical action to take this week [17:00] Final reflections and episode close Take action After listening, write down three people who already support your career or could play a role on your personal board. Reach out to one of them this week to reconnect, say thank you, or start a more intentional conversation. Useful Links Who is in your Personal Boardroom? By Zella King & Amanda Scott Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes Book a Free 121 Clarity Call Join The Love What You Do Facebook Group Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Rate & Review the Podcast 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 60 Design Your Leadership journey for 2026	02 janv. 2026	00:15:54
In this first episode of the New Year, Sarah invites you to step back from the day-to-day demands of work and intentionally design your leadership journey for the year ahead. Whether you’re listening in January or later in the year, this episode will help you move out of “autopilot mode” and into conscious, values-led career decision-making. Sarah shares practical reflections, coaching insights, and powerful questions to help you clarify what you want for your career – not just what you want at work. If you’ve ever felt stuck, unsure about what’s next, or driven more by others’ agendas than your own, this episode is for you. Show Notes [00:00] Welcome to Unstuck and Unstoppable [01:45] Episode 60: Designing your leadership journey for 2026 Why this is the perfect time to set intentions for your career (and why you can do this at any time of year). [02:45] The danger of running your career on autopilot How slipping into “unconscious mode” can leave you at the whim of organisational decisions, other people’s careers, or knee-jerk reactions. [03:45] The benefits of being intentional about your career How clarity, purpose, authenticity, self-leadership, and alignment support sustainable career success. [05:00] A real-life example of unconscious career decision-making A coaching conversation that highlights why stepping back before making a move matters. [06:30] How to become more intentional: 3 key areas to focus on [06:45] 1. Increase your self-awareness Understanding your why, what drives you, and how your work connects to your values. [07:30] Discovering your “why” Why it can feel hard to articulate – and how values, energy, and enjoyment offer clues. [08:30] What do you love, and what don’t you love? Using simple reflection to identify what to increase, reduce, delegate, or change in your role. [09:45] 2. Develop your career success criteria Why success is more than job title and pay – and how to define success on your own terms. [11:00] Sarah shares her own career success criteria Examples including impact, financial freedom, challenge, learning, and flexibility – and how these guide decision-making. [13:00] 3. Answering the “what next?” question How clarity on your why and success criteria makes future career decisions easier and more confident. [14:00] Creating a plan and checking in with yourself Staying intentional through regular reflection and adjustment. [14:45] Final reflections and encouragement Why it’s never too late to choose intentionality in your career. [15:00] How to get support Invitation to reach out for coaching and explore free resources. Being intentional about your career isn’t about having everything figured out. It’s about choosing to lead yourself with clarity, purpose, and courage. ✨ Shine brightly. Lead boldly. Be unstoppable. Useful Links Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes Book a Free 121 Clarity Call Join The Love What You Do Facebook Group Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Rate & Review the Podcast 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 59 Career Happiness Chceck In: Are you leading the life you want to live?	27 déc. 2025	00:12:49
In this reflective end-of-year episode, Sarah guides you through a powerful Career Happiness Check-In to help you understand whether your work is truly giving you what you need. Using the Career Happiness Wheel, she walks you step-by-step through assessing where you're thriving, where you’re feeling stuck, and what small, practical actions can move the dial toward more joy, purpose, and fulfillment at work. If you’ve been feeling flat, disconnected, or simply unsure about your next step, this episode will help you reconnect with what matters and take back a sense of agency in your career. Show Notes 00:00 — Welcome to Unstuck and Unstoppable 02:00 — Why doing a career happiness check-in matters 02:30 — Work takes up 92,000 hours - why it deserves attention 03:00 — The importance of awareness: Are you actually happy at work? 03:30 — Why high-achieving women rarely pause to reflect 03:50 — Overview of today’s framework + three actions to take 04:00 — Three signs it might be time for a shift 04:15 — Sign 1: Successful on paper but feeling flat 04:40 — Episode 58 on Success Fatigue (referenced) 04:55 — Sign 2: You’ve outgrown your role or organization 05:15 — Sign 3: You’re putting everyone else first 05:45 — Introducing the Career Happiness Wheel 06:00 — How to create and label your wheel 06:30 — Possible segment labels: challenge, culture, learning, expertise, recognition, values, balance, team, progression 07:00 — Scoring each segment and shading your wheel 07:45 — Using the visual to spot areas of strength and areas needing attention 08:00 — Taking a macro view: What do you want your wheel to look like in 6–12 months? 08:30 — Choosing one area and breaking it down: example - work-life balance 09:00 — Practical questions to improve balance (boundaries, support, deadlines, delegation) 09:40 — Three actions to take this week 09:50 — Action 1: One small action that energizes you 10:20 — Action 2: Have one honest conversation 10:50 — Action 3: Book 30 minutes of monthly “career thinking” time 11:20 — Revisit your wheel every 3 months to track progress 11:50 — Why this exercise matters: You deserve meaningful, joyful work 12:15 — Invitation to share your Career Happiness Wheel outcomes 12:40 — Where to find resources and how to connect Useful Links Episode 58 What to do if you're experiencing success fatigue Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes Book a Free 121 Clarity Call Join The Love What You Do Facebook Group Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Rate & Review the Podcast 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 58 What to do if you are experiencing success fatigue?	19 déc. 2025	00:17:18
In this episode, Sarah explores a topic many high-achieving women experience but rarely talk about: Success Fatigue. If you’ve reached a point in your career where things look great on paper but inside you feel flat, disconnected, or wonder “Is this it?” - this episode will help you understand what’s going on and what to do next. You’ll learn what success fatigue really is, how to tell it apart from burnout or boredom, the deeper causes behind it, and three practical steps to regain meaning, motivation, and clarity in your career. In This Episode You’ll Learn: What success fatigue is and isn’t Why high achievers are particularly vulnerable to it The four common causes that trigger this feeling How to reconnect with meaning and energy in your work How to redefine success for the next stage of your career Practical tools like job crafting to shift things without drastic change Show Notes 00:00 — Introduction 01:00 — Today’s Topic: Success Fatigue Why this topic matters for female leaders. 02:00 — What Is Success Fatigue? How it feels, why it’s not burnout or boredom, and common signs. 03:00 — Emotional & Mental Fatigue That “Is this it?” feeling and the sense of flatness after achieving big goals. 04:00 — Signs You Might Be Experiencing It Disengagement, cynicism, lack of excitement, going through the motions. 05:00 — Four Core Causes Success by default Emotional depletion The goal treadmill & hedonic treadmill Misaligned values 09:00 — Normalising the Experience Why this isn’t a failure -it’s a sign of growth. 10:00 — Step 1: Pause & Acknowledge How to understand what’s really going on without gaslighting yourself. 11:00 — Step 2: Reconnect With Meaning What “meaningful work” actually means and how to identify your personal sources of meaning. 12:00 — Job Crafting Tools Task, relationship and mindset crafting to reshape your current role. 14:00 — Step 3: Redefine Your Success Criteria Updating your definition of success so it reflects your life now, not who you were 10–20 years ago. 15:00 — Recalibrating Your Career Why small shifts not big leaps are often enough. 16:00 — Using Success Fatigue as a Wake-Up Call How reflection can set you up for the next phase of your career. 16:30 — How Coaching Can Help An invitation to connect if you want support navigating this transition. Useful Links Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes Book a Free 121 Clarity Call Join The Love What You Do Facebook Group Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Rate & Review the Podcast 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 You’re not stuck - you’re evolving. Success fatigue isn’t a dead end; it’s a sign you’re ready for a new, more aligned chapter.
	Episode 56 Are you a self-compassionate leader?	05 déc. 2025	00:14:32
In this episode Sarah explores one of the most overlooked yet transformational leadership skills: self-compassion. So many ambitious women lead with empathy for others but are relentlessly hard on themselves. Sarah breaks down why self-compassion isn’t soft or indulgent - it’s a strategic leadership advantage. If you’ve ever felt “not good enough,” replayed mistakes, or pushed yourself to burnout levels, this episode will help you shift into a kinder, more effective, and more sustainable leadership style. What You’ll Learn What self-compassion really is (and isn’t) The three pillars of self-compassion How your inner critic gets in the way of leadership effectiveness Simple techniques to create a more compassionate internal dialogue How self-compassion improves team performance, resilience, and confidence A weekly practice to start becoming a more self-compassionate leader Show Notes 01:00 – Why Feeling “Stuck” Happens at Every Level Normalising self-doubt and imposter feelings — even for senior leaders. 02:00 – Today’s Topic: Are You a Self-Compassionate Leader? Why self-compassion matters and how it affects leadership performance. 02:30 – How High-Achieving Women Talk to Themselves Common phrases Sarah hears from clients and the toll this negative self-talk takes. 03:00 – A Client Story: The Compassionate Leader Who Was Brutal with Herself A powerful example from a senior tech leader who created a safe, high-performing team — but silently battled her inner critic. 04:00 – Consequences of an Unmanaged Inner Critic Burnout, indecision, perfectionism, and career self-sabotage. 04:45 – Why We Don’t Notice Our Inner Critic Understanding how long-held thought patterns become automatic. 05:00 – Why We Don’t Need to “Eliminate” the Inner Critic Its protective role — and why the goal is to develop an inner coach instead. 05:40 – Introducing a Self-Compassion Practice How compassion builds the foundation for managing fear-based self-talk. 06:00 – The Research: Why Self-Compassion Is a Strength Resilience, emotional intelligence, stress reduction — and why kindness is strategic. 06:40 – The Three Pillars of Self-Compassion Self-kindness over self-judgment Common humanity over isolation Mindfulness over over-identification 07:20 – How Over-Identification Fuels Rumination Why noticing your thoughts is more powerful than believing them. 08:00 – Technique 1: Awareness & Noticing Your Inner Critic How to identify triggers and write down the language you use with yourself. 09:00 – Technique 2: What Would You Say to a Friend? Reframing your self-talk with compassion and perspective. 09:40 – Technique 3: Reframing Critical Thoughts Turning “I failed” into “I’m learning” — without damaging your sense of self. 10:30 – Technique 4: A Micro Self-Compassion Check-In A moment to breathe, acknowledge difficulty, and ask: What do I need right now? 11:00 – Using Tone & Touch to Soothe the Nervous System How gentle tone, a self-hug, or hand-stroking can reduce stress. 12:00 – Bringing It All Together A summary of the steps and how to blend them into daily leadership. 12:40 – Weekly Reflection Questions Where does your inner critic show up? What triggers it? What’s one act of self-compassion you can choose this week? 13:00 – Closing Thoughts Self-compassion as a leadership superpower and a way to role model healthier leadership. Useful Links Kristin Neff's Self Compassion Test Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes Book a Free 121 Clarity Call Join The Love What You Do Facebook Group Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Rate & Review the Podcast 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 55 How to Increase Your Visibility As A Leader Using LinkedIn	28 nov. 2025	00:19:37
In this episode, Sarah dives into one of the biggest challenges many female leaders face: visibility. Whether you want to create more impact in your organisation, develop your personal leadership brand, or open the door to new opportunities, LinkedIn is a powerful tool to help you get seen, heard and recognised. Sarah breaks down how to use LinkedIn with confidence and authenticity, offering practical tips, mindset shifts and real-life client examples to make visibility feel achievable-not awkward. If you’re ready to elevate your leadership presence online, this episode will give you a clear pathway to start. Show Notes 01:00 – The Purpose of Today’s Episode Why visibility matters for leaders and why LinkedIn is one of the most effective platforms to build your leadership presence. 02:00 – Why Visibility Feels Hard How conditioning around humility, not wanting to “show off,” and fear of judgement holds many women back. 03:00 – Visibility Beyond Job Searching Why LinkedIn shouldn’t only be used when job hunting-and how it supports long-term career strategy, influence and recognition. 04:00 – Client Success Story How a senior marketing manager used her leadership brand and consistent LinkedIn engagement to grow her confidence, get noticed internally and step into a Head of Department role. 05:00 – Starting with Your Personal Leadership Brand Understanding who you are as a leader, what you stand for and how you want to be known. 07:00 – Using Your Voice on LinkedIn How to share insights, lessons learned and thought leadership—beyond simply posting achievements. 08:00 – Telling Your Leadership Story Making your experience useful to others, choosing what to share and linking it to your values. 09:00 – Communicating Your Passions & Strengths Highlighting topics that matter to you-such as inclusion, wellbeing, innovation and positioning yourself as the “go-to” person. 10:00 – Noticing Resistance & Mindset Barriers Why caring about visibility can feel uncomfortable, and how to recognise mindset blocks that may need reframing. 11:00 – A Key Question to Ask Yourself “If someone landed on your LinkedIn profile today, would they know what kind of leader you are?” 12:00 – Practical LinkedIn Profile Optimisation Auditing your banner, photo, headline, About section and recommendations to ensure they reflect your leadership brand. 14:00 – Posting & Engagement Strategy Starting from your current comfort level—whether that’s liking, commenting or posting—and stretching gradually. 15:00 – Being Strategic With Your Network Connecting intentionally with peers, industry leaders and potential future hiring managers. 16:00 – What to Post Using visuals, carousels, shared content and storytelling to create engagement and spark conversation. 17:00 – Engagement as a Two-Way Street Replying to comments, uplifting others, tagging people and sharing others’ work to build visibility and community. 18:00 – Your Weekly Action Choosing one small, doable action to increase your visibility this week. 19:00 – Closing Thoughts & Resources A reminder that visibility isn’t about showing off-it’s about sharing your impact authentically and helping others. Plus, access to free resources and a call to subscribe, review and share. Useful Links Episode on Personal Leadership Branding Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes Book a Free 121 Clarity Call Join The Love What You Do Facebook Group Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Rate & Review the Podcast 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 54 The Hidden Ways Imposter Syndrome Shows Up For Successful Women	21 nov. 2025	00:18:01
In this episode Sarah explores the subtle yet powerful ways imposter feelings show up for high-achieving women-often without them realising. From overthinking to perfectionism to holding back in meetings, Sarah breaks down eight common patterns she sees in her clients and shares a simple but effective mindset tool you can start using today. If imposter feelings have been draining your confidence, energy, or ambition, this episode will help you recognise the signs and take your first steps toward breaking free. Show Notes [00:00:00] – Welcome to Unstuck and Unstoppable [00:01:00] – Why Imposter Feelings Matter The hidden ways imposter feelings show up for successful women. Inspired by a recent LinkedIn poll, she highlights overthinking and self-doubt as the two most common manifestations. [00:02:00] – Awareness Is Step One Imposter feelings are sneaky, often long-established patterns. Sarah explains why becoming aware of how they show up is crucial before you can change them. [00:02:30] – Webinar Announcement Sarah invites listeners to her upcoming webinar: How to Break Free From Imposter Syndrome and Shine as a Leader (25th November). [00:03:00] – Imposter Feelings in Practice Sarah shares how imposter feelings affected her early leadership career-leading to over-preparation, comparison, anxiety, and eventually burnout. [00:04:00] – What Imposter Feelings Really Are She reframes “imposter syndrome” as “imposter feelings” and describes them as a psychological pattern-not a personal flaw. Patterns can be changed. [00:05:30] – The 8 Hidden Ways Imposter Feelings Show Up Sarah introduces eight subtle but common behaviours driven by imposter feelings. The 8 Hidden Ways Imposter Feelings Show Up 1. [00:06:00] Over-Preparation / Perfectionism Feeling you must deliver perfectly, leading to burnout, procrastination, and risk-aversion. 2. [00:07:00] Downplaying Achievements Attributing success to luck or others, which diminishes your visibility and value in the eyes of others. 3. [00:07:30] Holding Back Opinions Staying silent in meetings to avoid being wrong-reducing influence and visibility. 4. [00:08:00] Avoiding Visibility Turning down opportunities that stretch you, limiting growth and career progression. 5. [00:09:00] Over-Apologising Using apologetic language unnecessarily, which can reduce perceived confidence. 6. [00:09:30] Comparisonitis Measuring your success against others rather than your own criteria, distracting from your own growth. 7. [00:10:00] Second-Guessing & Overthinking Overthinking minor or major decisions, causing procrastination, missed opportunities, and decision fatigue. 8. [00:11:00] Taking On Too Much Saying yes to everything or micromanaging to “prove yourself,” often resulting in burnout and appearing less strategic. [00:12:30] – The Fear of Changing What “Works” Sarah acknowledges the fear many women have: If I stop doing these behaviours, will I still be successful? She explains why the answer is yes and how letting go can unlock more effective leadership. [00:13:00] – Mini Mindset Exercise: Naming Your Inner Critic Sarah shares a practical technique for bringing the unconscious “imposter voice” into awareness: Name your inner critic to separate it from your identity. Identify its triggers. Present evidence to counter its claims. Use self-reassurance in the moment. She shares a client story about how naming her inner critic (“Diana”) helped her shift her thinking and confidence in real time during a meeting. [00:17:00] – Final Thoughts Imposter feelings are invisible and draining but they are changeable. With awareness and intentional action, you can break free and step into leadership with confidence and clarity. Useful Links Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes Book a Free 121 Clarity Call Join The Love What You Do Facebook Group Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Rate & Review the Podcast 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 53 How to Stop Sabotaging Your Leadership Career	14 nov. 2025	00:11:25
If you’ve ever found yourself holding back from going for that promotion, doubting your readiness for the next level, or replaying “what if” fears in your mind, this episode is for you. Sarah shares practical strategies, neuroscience-based insights, and mindset tools to help you stop getting in your own way so you can move forward in your leadership career with confidence and purpose. Whether you’re ready to make a bold career move or simply want to stop second-guessing yourself, this episode will help you understand what’s behind your fears and how to take empowering action. Show Notes [00:00:00] – Welcome to Unstuck and Unstoppable [00:01:00] – Why Self-Sabotage Happens Sarah opens up about her own experiences with self-sabotage and how fear often lies at the root of it. [00:02:00] – Recognising Self-Sabotage in Your Career What it looks like when you’re getting in your own way - procrastination, overthinking, and talking yourself out of opportunities. [00:03:00] – The Four Core Fears Behind Self-Sabotage Fear of change, failure, making the wrong decision, and fear of what others might think. [00:04:00] – How Fear Keeps You Stuck The exhausting mental cycle of wanting change but feeling paralysed by fear. [00:05:00] – Early Beliefs and Conditioning How messages from childhood, school, and early career shape your beliefs about what’s possible. [00:06:00] – The Power of Other People’s Opinions How the need to please, meet expectations, or avoid judgment can hold you back from taking bold steps. [00:06:45] – The Role of Circumstances and Security Why financial or family responsibilities can heighten your fears about making a change. [00:07:00] – Step 1: Understand Your Fears How unpacking where your fears come from helps you manage and move through them. [00:07:20] – Step 2: Visualise a Positive Future Learn how to “direct a new movie” in your mind and why your brain responds powerfully to positive visualisation. [00:09:00] – Step 3: Turn Your Vision Into a Plan How to translate your positive vision into small, concrete actions that build confidence and reduce fear. [00:10:00] – Step 4: Take Action and Build Momentum Why taking even small steps forward helps you feel more in control and less afraid. [00:10:30] – Step 5: Surround Yourself with Positivity The importance of connecting with people who have a growth mindset and believe in what’s possible. [00:11:00] – Final Reflections and Invitation Sarah wraps up with encouragement to take action and invites listeners to reach out for support if they’re ready to stop self-sabotaging and step into leadership with confidence. Useful Links Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes Book a Free 121 Clarity Call Join The Love What You Do Facebook Group Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Rate & Review the Podcast 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 52 How to Boost Your Leadership Confidence	07 nov. 2025	00:17:26
In this episode, Sarah dives into one of the biggest challenges leaders face: leadership confidence. Whether you’re leading a team, presenting to the board, or navigating new territory in your role, confidence wobbles are completely normal. Sarah shares practical tools and mindset shifts to help you strengthen your inner confidence “core,” reframe limiting beliefs, and build an authentic leadership identity that inspires trust and impact. Show Notes [00:00:00] Welcome and Introduction [00:02:00] The Pressure of Leadership Leaders face constant expectations from all directions - team, boss, board, and clients. This pressure, coupled with people-pleasing tendencies or imposter feelings, can shake your confidence. [00:04:30] Normalising the “Confidence Wobble” Everyone, even the most confident leader, experiences self-doubt. Understand why these wobbles happen and why they’re a natural part of leadership growth. [00:05:30] The Importance of Inner Work Lasting leadership confidence starts within. Understand how it's comparable to building your physical core strength - once your inner foundation is strong, everything else becomes easier. [00:06:30] What Is “Inner Work”? Confidence grows when you understand your beliefs and stories about who you are as a leader. A client example of a Head of HR who discovered that being “too professional” was limiting her authenticity and connection at work. [00:08:30] Understanding Limiting Beliefs Many of our beliefs were shaped early in life or career. Understand how to spot them, why they persist, and how to reframe them to create new, empowering beliefs. [00:09:30] Spotting Your Triggers If something or someone keeps triggering you, it’s a clue to an underlying belief. Hear the story of a Head of Marketing who uncovered a belief about not being “sharp enough” and how awareness led to growth. [00:11:00] Rewriting Your Leadership Narrative Notice the stories you tell yourself - both positive and negative. Bringing these narratives into awareness allows you to rewrite them in a more confident, compassionate way. [00:12:30] Sarah’s Own Experience Sarah shares her personal journey of self-doubt as an HR Director and how doing her own inner work helped her lead with resilience and authenticity. [00:13:00] The Leadership Brand Exercise Through her Ambition Plan programme, Sarah helps clients explore their leadership brand - what they’re known for and what makes them unique. One client’s lightbulb moment revealed how her “challenging” style was actually her greatest strength. [00:14:30] Owning Your Leadership Identity Authenticity, self-awareness, and amplifying your unique strengths build trust and make you a more effective, confident leader. [00:15:00] Practical Takeaways Notice when and why your confidence feels wobbly. Identify what’s triggering you and what belief might be behind it. Pay attention to your inner narrative — and consciously reshape it. Reflect on your leadership brand: what makes you unique? Recognise that a confidence dip might mean you’re growing as a leader. [00:16:30] Closing Reflections Confidence work takes courage, but you don’t have to do it alone. Sarah invites listeners to reach out for coaching support and explore her free resources. Final Inspiration “Remember, you’re capable of more than you know. Shine brightly. Lead boldly. And unlock the extraordinary potential within you. Be unstoppable.” Useful Links Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes Book a Free 121 Clarity Call Join The Love What You Do Facebook Group Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Rate & Review the Podcast 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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