What happens when you build the career you always wanted — and still feel burnt out?
In this powerful episode, consultant and coach Alex Coward shares her journey from high-flying operations leader to helping founders and teams build healthier businesses and lives. We unpack why “working hard” isn’t the same as “working well,” and how most people are still chasing freedom by chaining themselves to their desk.
Expect real-world tools for:
Setting boundaries without guilt
Reframing hustle culture
Understanding your DISC profile
Becoming a better leader (without burning out)
And the three questions you should ask before you work late again
If you’ve ever wondered, “Is it worth it?” — this one’s for you.
00:00 – 67% quit because of a bad boss
00:34 – Meet Alex: career journey & military upbringing
02:00 – The 7-million-pound office she never returned to
05:10 – Why perfect CVs don’t matter anymore
06:50 – “We’ve always done it this way” is not a strategy
07:41 – The post-2020 shift: identity, autonomy & balance
09:46 – Hybrid work, productivity & social connection
13:00 – Why founders are their own bottleneck
16:25 – Letting go: the first step to business growth
17:28 – The trust shift: motivation without micromanagement
19:15 – 82% of managers have had zero training
20:38 – The problem with managing from a script
23:36 – From conflict to collaboration: learning how people work
26:57 – What your DISC profile reveals about you
31:18 – Work should fund your life, not replace it
34:51 – When hustle meets heartbreak: the wake-up call
36:13 – Boundaries, selfishness & shutting your laptop
40:52 – The 3 questions to ask before working late
41:50 – A powerful tip to finish work on time
43:38 – Final thoughts & closing
https://youtu.be/GB-GE3oDrtg
