Shows
Influence & Impact for LeadersEp 200: Retaining your best people with Helen BeedhamIn this episode I’m joined by leadership expert, speaker and author Helen Beedham to explore what really keeps people in organisations.Helen returns to the podcast to talk about her new book, People Glue, and the research behind it. We dig into how to create a working environment where people feel able to do their best work, stay engaged, and choose to stay — even when other options are available.In this episode, we explore:What People Glue really meansThe paradox at the heart of retention: why giving people more freedom often makes them more...
2026-02-1643 min
Influence & Impact for LeadersEp 199: Ask Better Questions with Joe LalleyIn this episode, I’m joined by Joe Lalley, author of Question to Learn, to explore why questions are one of the most underrated — and misused — leadership tools. We talk about curiosity, influence, and what really happens when leaders feel they’re supposed to have all the answers. In this conversation, we explore: Why most of us stop asking good questions as our careers progress The subtle ways workplace culture rewards answers and punishes curiosity The different motives behind questions — and why some shut people down How questions can build influence without needing certainty What leade...
2026-02-0232 min
Influence & Impact for LeadersEp 198: Increase Your Self-Awareness with Dr Julia CardenSelf-awareness is often listed as a core leadership skill — but how many leaders truly understand what it involves, and how many are unintentionally overestimating it? In this episode of Influence & Impact, I am joined by Dr Julia Carden, former Royal Navy officer, leadership coach, and author of You Are Not As Self-Aware As You Think You Are. Drawing on her PhD research and years of coaching senior leaders, Julia shares why self-awareness is harder — and more confronting — than most people expect. Together, we explore how self-awareness goes far beyond surface-level feedback, why it...
2026-01-1931 min
Influence & Impact for LeadersEp 197: Making work meaningful with Angela RixonMany people find themselves in roles that look great on paper but feel misaligned or unfulfilling in reality. In this week’s episode I’m joined by Angela Rixon, founder of The Centre for Meaningful Work and author of Meaning Over Purpose to explore what meaningful work really is, why so many of us lack it, and how both individuals and leaders can create more meaning at work day-to-day. Angela shares the five pillars of meaningful work—from autonomy to impact—and we dive into simple, practical steps you can take if you’ve fallen out of lov...
2026-01-0537 min
Influence & Impact for LeadersEp 196: Creating Psychological Safety in Your TeamPsychological safety is the foundation of every high-performing team—yet many leaders unintentionally undermine it without realising. This week my Impactful Teams Co-Founder Lara Cullen and I explore psychological safety, why comfort isn’t the goal, and the small (but powerful) leadership behaviours that create a culture where people feel safe to contribute, challenge and innovate. 💡 We talk about: What psychological safety really means The difference between psychological safety and trust Why mistakes aren’t a bad thing What destroys psychological safety Why comfort isn’t the goal This is Influence & Impact f...
2025-12-0137 min
Influence & Impact for LeadersEp 195: Leading like a woman with Julia MiddletonIn this episode, I talk with Julia Middleton, founder of Women Emerging, about how women everywhere are redefining what it means to lead. Julia shares how her global “expeditions” help women discover their own authentic way of leading and introduces her Four E’s framework — Essence, Elements, Expression, and Energy. We explore why traditional models of leadership don’t always fit women, how to lead in alignment with who you are, and the courage it takes to lead your way in systems not designed for you. 💡 We talk about: Why many women don’t r...
2025-11-1737 min
Influence & Impact for LeadersEp 194: Gen Z at work: Busting the snowflake myth with Alex AthertonThere are a lot of misunderstandings about Gen Z in the workplace and in this episode we aim to clear some of those up and equip you to lead intergenerational teams successfully. My guest Alex Atherton—former head teacher turned leadership coach and author of The Snowflake Myth—is here to challenge the “snowflake” stereotype and get practical about leading Gen Z. We explore what’s really driving Gen Z at work and how to recruit, onboard, and set expectations without lowering the bar. We also talk about how to get intergenerationa...
2025-11-0344 min
Influence & Impact for LeadersEp 193: Four steps to reduce overwhelm at workDo you ever feel like your to-do list is controlling you instead of the other way around? As a leader, overwhelm can sneak up fast—and it can take a toll on your confidence, focus, and impact. In this episode we’re diving into practical strategies to help you pause, regain clarity, and take control of your day. You’ll learn four key steps that can shift your mindset, streamline your priorities, and help you feel more grounded—even when the pressure is on. Whether you’re juggling multiple projects, managing a team, or jus...
2025-10-2023 min
Influence & Impact for LeadersEp 191: How to have hard conversations, featuring Alice Driscoll and Louise van HaarstConflict at work doesn’t have to be scary. In this episode of Influence & Impact for Leaders, I talk with Alice Driscoll and Louise Van Haarst, authors of Smart Conflict, about why avoiding tough conversations harms teams — and how to do them better. You’ll hear the difference between task and relational conflict, learn their 5R model (Reflection, Regulation, Readiness, Response, Repair) and pick up quick, practical tips you can use to calm my nerves, land your message and repair relationships. Alice Driscoll and Louise van Haarst are the founders of The Power...
2025-09-2247 min
Influence & Impact for LeadersEp 190: The Leadership Trap: Doing instead of LeadingIn this episode, I’m delving into the common pitfall of many leaders - getting stuck in the weeds of daily tasks and acting operationally instead of strategically. If your calendar is packed with tasks your team should be able to handle, you might be trapped in an operational role rather than leading effectively. Discover how to rise above the day-to-day grind, lead strategically, and drive impact without burning out. This is Influence & Impact for Leaders, the podcast that helps leaders like you increase your impact and build a happy and high-performing team. Each episode deli...
2025-09-0824 min
Influence & Impact for LeadersEp 189: Leading Change with Eleanor TweddellIn this episode, I’m joined once again by the brilliant Eleanor Tweddell, coach and change consultant and author of the new book Another Door Opens. You might remember her from an earlier episode where we talked about her first book on redundancy. This time, we’re diving into her fresh take on navigating change—one that acknowledges how messy and human it really is. Eleanor introduces us to her five-step Change Mastery model, a practical and powerful framework designed to help leaders process change themselves before they try to lead others through it. We explore...
2025-08-2540 min
Influence & Impact for LeadersEp 187 - Leading Impactful Teams with Lara CullenIn this episode, I’m excited to introduce my brand new co-host, Lara Cullen, as we launch a new series within the podcast: Impactful Teams. We’re diving into what really makes a team impactful - not just in terms of performance, but in how aligned, influential, and sustainable their success is. Lara and I share our brand-new Impactful Teams framework to help teams grow their impact. We talk about why psychological safety, emotional intelligence, and shared purpose are essential ingredients, and why even high-performing teams can still have hidden challenges holding t...
2025-07-2837 min
Influence & Impact for LeadersEp 185 - When You Don’t Fit the Leadership MouldAre you a leader who’s ever been told you’re too nice, too collaborative, too emotional, or just too different to fit into senior leadership? Or perhaps you’ve never been told that but at some level you sense that you don’t fit the typical leadership mould. In this episode, I’m flipping the script on outdated leadership expectations and exploring how your difference is actually your strength. What You’ll Learn: What “the leadership mould” really is — and who it was built for The hidden cost of trying to fit into a leade...
2025-06-3014 min
Influence & Impact for LeadersEp 185: When You Don’t Fit the Leadership MouldAre you a leader who’s ever been told you’re too nice, too collaborative, too emotional, or just too different to fit into senior leadership? Or perhaps you’ve never been told that but at some level you sense that you don’t fit the typical leadership mould. In this episode, I’m flipping the script on outdated leadership expectations and exploring how your difference is actually your strength. What You’ll Learn: What “the leadership mould” really is — and who it was built for The hidden cost of trying to fit into a leade...
2025-06-3000 min
Influence & Impact for LeadersEp 184 – You don't need to have all the answers when you are a leaderWhen we think of a confident leader, we might imagine someone who always knows the right thing to do straight away or who has all the answers. And then we feel bad because we like to think things through before responding, or we don't always know the answer. Some of us can spend a fair bit of time negatively comparing ourselves to this fictional and seemingly perfect leader! That mental energy could be going somewhere far more productive so in this mini episode I want to unpick the myth that a good leader always has the ans...
2025-06-1610 min
Influence & Impact for LeadersEp 183 – One simple question you can ask when you are feeling overwhelmedWork can be a lot sometimes! How often do you find yourself feeling overwhelmed by all the things you need to do and how much work it’s going to take to do them properly? It’s making me stressed just thinking about it! In this mini episode, I’m going to share with you a simple but truly effective way to dial back that overwhelm and make things simpler for yourself. This is Influence & Impact for Leaders with Carla Miller, the podcast that helps leaders like you increase your impact and build a happy a...
2025-06-1607 min
Influence & Impact for LeadersEp 182 – Why Influence and Impact for Leaders is more important than everThe Influence & Impact podcast is back after a 3 month break and it has had a refresh. This mini episode shares what’s staying the same, what’s changing and why. This is Influence & Impact for Leaders with Carla Miller, the podcast that helps leaders like you increase your impact and build a happy and high performing team. Each episode delivers focused, actionable insights you can implement immediately, to be better at your job without working harder. Stay in Touch: If you're tuning in on Apple Podcasts, click follow so you never miss an upd...
2025-06-1610 min
Influence & Impact for LeadersEp 182 – Why Influence and Impact for Leaders is more important than everThe Influence & Impact podcast is back after a 3 month break and it has had a refresh. This mini episode shares what’s staying the same, what’s changing and why. This is Influence & Impact for Leaders with Carla Miller, the podcast that helps leaders like you increase your impact and build a happy...
2025-06-1600 min
Influence & Impact for LeadersEp 181 – How to make hard decisions with Sarah Miller Many leaders struggle with making tough decisions and dealing with their aftermath. In this episode Sarah Miller, CEO at leading global ethics consultancy Principia, shares how ethics can provide a set of resources and tools to use within...
2025-02-1700 min
Influence & Impact for LeadersEp 181 – How to make hard decisions with Sarah Miller Many leaders struggle with making tough decisions and dealing with their aftermath. In this episode Sarah Miller, CEO at leading global ethics consultancy Principia, shares how ethics can provide a set of resources and tools to use within decision-making, guiding how we lead as individuals from our own place of values, but probably more critically, how we engage with others who bring their own sets of values. In our conversation we discuss… How to weigh different perspectives and ‘effectively deliberate’ The ‘transparency and fairness tests’ you can apply to decisions
2025-02-1748 minPersonal developmentEp 181 – How to make hard decisions with Sarah Miller Many leaders struggle with making tough decisions and dealing with their aftermath. In this episode Sarah Miller, CEO at leading global ethics consultancy Principia, shares how ethics can provide a set of resources and tools to use within...
2025-02-1700 minInfluence & Impact for female leadersEp 181 – How to make hard decisions with Sarah Miller Many leaders struggle with making tough decisions and dealing with their aftermath. In this episode Sarah Miller, CEO at leading global ethics consultancy Principia, shares how ethics can provide a set of resources and tools to use within...
2025-02-1700 minInfluence & Impact for female leadersEp 181 – How to make hard decisions with Sarah Miller Many leaders struggle with making tough decisions and dealing with their aftermath. In this episode Sarah Miller, CEO at leading global ethics consultancy Principia, shares how ethics can provide a set of resources and tools to use within...
2025-02-1700 min
Influence & Impact for LeadersEp 178 – Starting 2025 positively In today's episode, we reflect back on 2024 and get you thinking about what you want from 2025. This is a great way to bring 2024 to a close and be intentional about 2025 so grab your favourite notebook, a cosy blanket, and a warm drink, and dive into this reflective episode to set the tone for a brilliant 2025. My name’s Carla Miller, leadership coach, author and trainer. And this is the Influence & Impact podcast for women leaders, helping you confidently navigate the ups and downs of leadership and feel less alone on your journey as a leader. In fortnightly episod...
2025-01-0613 min
Influence & Impact for LeadersEp 177 – Are you an overthinker? Some of my most popular episodes have been on overthinking and worry and I know from personal experience how much it can hold you back and impact your self-esteem. So I jumped at the chance to interview Nicole Freeman, who coaches many senior professionals around overthinking. In this episode you’ll hear more about… How overthinking is linked to avoiding our feelings The 3 key fears that come up for many of us The signs that you may be overthinking Practical steps you can take to deal with o...
2024-12-1642 min
Influence & Impact for LeadersEp 176 – What to do when you care too much as a leader This episode was prompted by a request from one of the members of my Women Leading community who asked how she could build more personal resilience around the impact of decisions she was making at work and be a little more “Teflon coated”. Perhaps you relate – you need to make tough decisions as a leader but you take things to heart, you care about people and their wellbeing and sometimes the decisions you make can have significant impact on others. Or perhaps you are the person who is implementing the decisions that others h...
2024-12-0220 min
Influence & Impact for LeadersEp 175 – Getting Your Voice Heard at Work I’ve got another episode where I am a guest for you, this time I’m talking about how to get your voice heard at work with Aoife O’Brien on her Happier at Work podcast. One of the key issues we discussed was the challenge of being interrupted in meetings, particularly for women. I provide strategies for managing interruptions and finding opportunities to speak up, including utilising allies and the powerful strategy of amplification. In this episode you’ll hear more about… The impact of gender bias on confidence. ...
2024-11-1846 min
Influence & Impact for LeadersEp 174 – How to be a coach-like manager with Jude Sclater We all know we should be coaching our teams but it’s hard to know how to do that without going on a coaching for managers course. Until now! In this week’s episode I interview Jude Sclater about her book ‘Think Like a Coach’ which is a wonderfully practical step by step guide that any manager can use to become a coach-like manager. Jude simplifies coaching for us, defining it as giving someone your attention while they think out loud and emphasizes the importance of listening and asking questions We discuss… - Jude’s 3 princi...
2024-11-0445 min
Influence & Impact for LeadersEp 173 – How to be a more Influential Leader This week’s episode is a little different in that I am the guest and you get to hear me being interviewed for once! In this episode I recorded for Lucy Gernon’s 360 LeadHERship podcast you’ll hear… The story of my career and how and why I became a coach My top tips on making the right first impression on a new line manager or senior stakeholder How to hold your own and build your influence with the key stakeholders in your organisation Some of my top tips for b...
2024-10-2141 min
Influence & Impact for LeadersEp 172 – How to Navigate Perimenopause with Emma Thomas Whilst some women sail through perimenopause, lots of us struggle with symptoms including brain fog, sleep issues, hot flushes and anxiety. Those symptoms can impede our ability to work, impact our confidence and cause an alarming number of women to leave their jobs. I explore this with my guest Emma Thomas, founder of Managing the Menopause and host of the Middling Along podcast. We discuss: Why employers should care about supporting women through this transition What managers can do to be supportive of colleagues struggling with perimeno...
2024-10-0741 min
Influence & Impact for LeadersEp 171 – How to clear your Emotional Overdraft with Andy BrownWhen I was sent a book called The Emotional Overdraft I instinctively knew that this was a topic that was going to resonate with me personally and you as listeners to this podcast. An emotional overdraft is when you as a leader habitually overcome your employer’s challenges at the cost of our own physical and mental health. Sound familiar? I am seeing this happening a LOT at the moment with the women within my Women Leading community so I was excited to dive into the topic with the book’s author A...
2024-09-2355 min
Influence & Impact for LeadersEp 170 – Stop Worrying What Other People Think of YouDo you worry about what other people think of you? Perhaps it stops you contributing in meetings for fear of judgement from others. Or keeps you awake replaying conversations in your head feeling like you said something wrong. Or it means when you’ve got something challenging to say you water it down to the point where you’re barely making a point anymore. If any of that sounds familiar then keep listening because in this short episode I’m going to give you some insig...
2024-09-0919 minInfluence & Impact for LeadersEp 168 – Breaking Free from People-Pleasing Patterns Think you might be a people pleaser? Perhaps you’ve got poor boundaries with others, really want to be liked or need a lot of external validation to feel that you’re good enough to be in your role? In this solo episode I’m going to share some of the signs that you’re a people pleaser, what it’s costing you and 4 practical strategies you can use to break free from your people pleasing patterns and start prioritising your own needs. This is the second in a series of 3 podcasts this s...
2024-08-1220 minInfluence & Impact for LeadersEp 167 – Elevate your executive presence with Lucy GernonWhat is executive presence? Why does it matter? And what can we do to increase our executive presence? These are the questions I explored in a fantastic chat with fellow women’s leadership coach Lucy Gernon in this week’s podcast episode. We also discussed… How the concept of executive presence has evolved over the past 10 years Where confidence comes from and how Lucy defines it Lucy’s fantastic DO IT model for making decisions without second-guessing yourself How to confidently talk about your achievements How to deal with praise Why we don’...
2024-07-2946 minInfluence & Impact for LeadersEp 166 – Are you overcommitting? Do you find yourself overpromising and creating unnecessary stress for yourself? Or putting in lots more effort than anyone expects, or needs you to? How about saying yes when you’ve got no capacity to get more work done or jumping into help when no-one has asked you to? If any of those resonate it sounds like you may be overcommitting - constantly trying to show how much value you add, by going above and beyond when it isn’t needed. In this episode I’m going to… break down the ways we o...
2024-07-1527 min
Influence & Impact for LeadersEp 164 – 6 strategies for reducing email overwhelm with Fay WallisDoes just looking at your inbox create a rush of overwhelm? You’re not alone in that, the average person receives 121 work emails every single day! In this episode, my guest, career and executive coach Fay Wallis shares 6 practical strategies you can use to reduce your email overwhelm. We discuss: Why grouping emails by sender is insightful The problems with using your email inbox as a to-do list and what to do instead When to hit unsubscribe How to ‘unsubscribe’ from internal emails Using tools like email templates and schedule send Prioritising deep work Se...
2024-06-1748 min
Women in the workplaceEp 164 – 6 strategies for reducing email overwhelm with Fay WallisDoes just looking at your inbox create a rush of overwhelm? You’re not alone in that, the average person receives 121 work emails every single day!
In this episode, my guest, career and executive coach Fay Wallis shares 6 practical strategies you can use to reduce your email overwhelm. We discuss:
Why grouping emails by sender is insightful
The problems with using your email inbox as a to-do list and what to do instead
When to hit unsubscribe
How to ‘unsubscribe’ from internal emails
Using tools like email templates and schedule send
Prioritising deep work
Setting email boundari...
2024-06-1700 minInfluence & Impact for LeadersEp 163 – Reducing drama in your team with Rebekah Whitaker If you’ve noticed unhelpful patterns of behaviours playing out in your team or if you’ve got a tense relationship with a colleague then this week’s episode can provide insight into what’s causing those patterns. My guest, leadership coach and podcast host Rebekah Whitaker shares why we get pulled into the ‘drama triangle’ and what we can learn from Transactional Analysis to understand ourselves and our relationships with others better. Transactional Analysis is new to me so it was really interesting to understand the ‘drama triangle’ and reflect on how it plays out in th...
2024-06-0337 minInfluence & Impact for LeadersEp 161 – How to Navigate and Improve Difficult Relationships at Work with Jennifer McCannaIn this week’s episode leadership coach Jennifer McCanna and I are answering your questions about dealing with difficult relationships in the workplace. We discuss… How to stop harsh feedback from impacting your confidence How to talk to your line manager when you’re struggling to work with a colleague Your expectations of your line manager and what to do when they aren’t being met Jen’s ‘What Next Wheel’ – a tool that helps you respond rather than react in tricky influencing situations This is the Influence & Impact podcast for women leaders, helping...
2024-05-0656 minInfluence & Impact for LeadersEp 160 – The secret to building a happy team with Richard ClarkeAs leaders we’d all like to have happy teams but how do we create the right environment to achieve that? I interview Richard Clarke, creator of the popular Happy Teams substack newsletter, about his experience building a company centred on team happiness and the work he does helping companies create happier teams. We discuss… What makes people happy at work The 5 factors that influence team happiness Who is responsible for your team’s happiness Richard Clarke is the founder and ex-CEO of Secret Source, an IT company based in Spain. In 2014 he had a theor...
2024-04-2237 minInfluence & Impact for LeadersEp 159 – When Being the Problem Solver Becomes a Problem It feels good to be able to solve the problems people bring to you. It makes you feel needed and helpful and you can tangibly see the value you’re adding. But it comes at a cost which could be holding back your career and hindering the growth of your team members In this episode I’m going to share… Why being the problem solver could be holding you back in your career How to elevate your level of working and empower your team How to analyse why your team are relying on y...
2024-04-0831 minInfluence & Impact for LeadersEp 158 - Is Your Workplace Toxic with Aoife O'Brien In this episode, I’m talking to Happiness at Work expert Aoife O’Brien about the red flags in toxic workplaces that you need to be aware of. We look at: How we identify a toxic work environment How to establish if it is generally toxic for everyone or just toxic for you What to do if you feel stuck in a toxic environment How to make sure the next workplace you move to is much healthier Aoife O’Brien founded Happier at Work to solve the pr...
2024-03-2544 min
Women in the workplaceEp 158 – Is Your Workplace Toxic with Aoife O’BrienIn this episode, I’m talking to Happiness at Work expert Aoife O’Brien about the red flags in toxic workplaces that you need to be aware of.
We look at:
How we identify a toxic work environment
How to establish if it is generally toxic for everyone or just toxic for you
What to do if you feel stuck in a toxic environment
How to make sure the next workplace you move to is much healthier
Aoife O’Brien founded Happier at Work to solve the proble...
2024-03-2500 minInfluence & Impact for LeadersEp 157 – Asking Your Employer to Invest in You Have you thought about getting a coach or joining a course but immediately dismissed it because your organization has no budget? Have you considered asking your employer to invest in you but felt too awkward about it to actually make the ask? Do you feel bad booking yourself onto training because it would be taking training budget away from your team? If so, in this episode I am going to… Help you shift your mindset so you feel more comfortable asking your employer to invest in you Share how the leader...
2024-03-1124 minInfluence & Impact for LeadersEp 156 – How to Create a Coaching Culture in Your Team Would you like to create a team culture that allows everyone to thrive? And would you like to add coaching to your toolkit as a manager? This week on the Influence & Impact podcast I’m joined by Jo Wright, author of ‘No More Sh*t Managers: Seven Steps to a Coaching Culture’ who’ll be talking about how to create a coaching culture within your team or organisation and why coaching conversations between managers and direct reports make so much difference. We cover: How to create space for quality conversations wh...
2024-02-2642 min
Influence & Impact for LeadersEp 154 – Overcome your public speaking anxiety with Olivia JamesDo you experience anxiety or nerves when you have to present at an important meeting or give a talk? Why is it that public speaking creates such a strong reaction in many of us? And how do we overcome those nerves to be able to perform at our best? My guest today Olivia James is a Harley Street performance specialist and therapist. She treats professional confidence issues, public speaking anxiety and trauma. As well as uncovering why we feel so anxious Oliva and I discuss some specific strategies you can use ahead of a...
2024-02-0541 minInfluence & Impact for LeadersEp 153 - What to do when you’re put on the spot at work There’s nothing worse than that moment in a meeting where you’re put on the spot and your mind goes blank. Or your boss asks you a question you weren't expecting! The seconds seem to last for hours, panic sets in and you often end up either making up something you later regret or mumbling something vague and apologetic. It doesn’t have to be that way. Join me in this episode as I share with you… How to shift your mindset and take the pressure off those situations, allowing you to perform bet...
2024-01-2921 minInfluence & Impact for LeadersEp 152 - Is it time to quit your job?Have you been considering leaving your job? Maybe you’re not happy at work these days, perhaps you’ve lost your motivation, or you could just be feeling the desire for something new in 2024. It’s a big decision and one many people struggle to make. How do you know when the time is right? How do you avoid making the wrong decision? And how do you build the courage to quit when you know you’re too unhappy to stay? If you’ve got some of those thoughts whirring round in your head then thi...
2024-01-1531 minInfluence & Impact for LeadersEp 138 - A simple shift that makes it easier to navigate internal politics I remember a period of time when I felt a lot of frustration at work. Frustrated with decisions being made, with an obstructive colleague I had to work with and with my inability to influence change. It turns out I was not alone. A recent report from Gallup shared that 19% of Brits feel angry frequently at work and 38% report feeling stressed a lot of the time. In this week’s episode I share one simple shift I made that makes it easier to navigate internal politics. So if you’d like to become a better leader...
2023-06-2524 minInfluence & Impact for LeadersEp 136 - Becoming more resilient with Lara Cullen How do you react under extreme stress? Do you find yourself over-functioning or under-functioning? This is just one of the areas I explore with author and coach Lara Cullen on our episode on resilience this week. We also discuss… - Lara’s definition of resilience and why we both hate the term ‘mental toughness’ - The qualities of resilient people - How you can use energy, mindset and strategies to become more resilient - How understanding resilience can make us better leaders Lara’s Bio: Lara Cullen is a sought-after executive coach, traine...
2023-05-2847 minInfluence & Impact for LeadersEp 129 – Embracing Equity this International Women’s DayI’ve republished the most shared episode of last year for International Women’s Day 2023 and I’d encourage you to share it with your colleagues, whatever their gender. Men can be really powerful allies for gender equality in the workplace. This episode shares some practical ways men can support the women they work with. Listen for: Why gender equality matters in the workplace The different stages of allyship What men can do as colleagues to promote gender equality in their organisation How managers and leaders can reduce gender inequity Ways men can support women at home to positively impact...
2023-03-0544 minInfluence & Impact for LeadersEp 123 - 5 Practical Strategies You Can Use To Worry LessIs your worry taking up too much of your mental and emotional energy, causing you to doubt yourself and stopping you from being your best in life? You are not alone and I’m here to help you worry less in this super practical episode! Listen for: Effective strategies for shifting your attention away from worrying thoughts How to distinguish between productive and unproductive worries Two ways to turn your overthinking into a positive superpower This episode is part 2 of my series on worry so if you missed it, listen to part 1 “Taki...
2022-12-1832 minInfluence & Impact for LeadersEp 120 - Developing Your Career with Fay WallisAre you ready to progress to that next level in your career, expand your skills or make the move to a new role and organisation? There are many ways you can develop your career and this week’s episode is your guide on how to do that. I speak to Fay Wallis who is a career coach, the founder of Bright Sky Career Coaching and the host of the 5-star rated podcast - HR Coffee Time. Listen for: Fay’s top tip for a CV that gets noticed The three Es model for...
2022-11-2741 minInfluence & Impact for LeadersEp 117 - Are you asking for what you want?How good are you at asking for what you want or what you need? It could be flexible work hours, a pay rise, resources for your team, professional development or even just for help when you need it. Many women struggle to ask for what they want and are often more comfortable putting other people’s needs ahead of their own. In this week’s episode, I share how to get clear on your wants and needs, know that you deserve whatever it is that you're asking for and some top tips for making that ask.
2022-10-2328 minInfluence & Impact for LeadersEp 116 - Creating time in your week to think re-released episode - Carla MillerIf you’re like me, life has been incredibly busy lately. As we come out of the slower summer, autumn greets us with an increasing list of projects, commitments and to dos in both work and life. I thought it would be the perfect time to re-release this episode about creating the time and space in your day to think. I share how you can redesign your working day to create some breathing space, where you can think strategically and do the things that are important to you - rather than being constantly available to ev...
2022-10-1624 minInfluence & Impact for LeadersEp 115 - How To Give Feedback WellGiving honest and direct feedback is an essential part of being an effective leader. Honest feedback says that you care about a person's development, you care about the work that they do and you want to help them improve because you value them. In this week’s episode, I share why feedback is so important, why psychological safety is foundational to a positive and constructive feedback environment, and the five key elements to giving constructive criticism to a team member. HELPFUL LINKS Authority Magazine Article - Giving Feedback; How To Be Honest Without Be...
2022-10-0928 minInfluence & Impact for LeadersEp 107 - 5 podcasts that changed my lifeI love listening to podcasts and find them a source of inspiration for my work and life. This week, I'm sharing 5 of my favourite non-leadership podcasts, an impactful episode and some of the lessons I've learnt from them. Beyond Busy hosted by Graham Allcott Episode: How To Stop Trying To Do Everything with Oliver Burkeman (7 January 21) Listen here: https://www.grahamallcott.com/podcast Feel Better, Live More hosted by Dr Rangan Chatterjee Episode 269: How To Eat Your Way To Better Health by Dr Rupy Akjila...
2022-08-1446 minInfluence & Impact for LeadersEp 105 - Prioritising Wellbeing in the Workplace with Claire WarnerA positive workplace improves teamwork, raises morale, increases productivity, job satisfaction and performance, and reduces stress in employees. So how can organisations start to put people first over productivity? In this episode, I speak to Claire Warner, a former charity Fundraising Director & Senior Leader, turned workplace culture and wellbeing strategist. We discuss: Claire’s story from breast cancer survivor to a workplace wellbeing advocate and consultant How to instigate cultural and organisational change to better support employee wellbeing Why leaders should focus on the cause of diminishing wellbeing, not just treat the symptoms The im...
2022-07-3144 minInfluence & Impact for LeadersEp 98 - From CIA To CEO with Rupal PatelIn this week’s episode I speak to Rupal Patel, a CEO, business consultant, coach and former CIA Intelligence Analyst. Rupal’s high-octane career has taken her from jungles and war zones to corporate boardrooms and international stages. We discuss her inspirational career journey so far and Rupal shares how her experiences at the CIA translate to practical leadership tools, including profiling, tactical ignorance and a personal energy map. We also talk about being influential as woman, person of colour and young leader in a male-dominated environment. MORE ABOUT RUPAL Af...
2022-06-1241 minInfluence & Impact for LeadersEp 97 - Closing The Gender Pay Gap with Michelle GyimahGender and ethnicity pay gaps are a very real issue in the UK and worldwide – so how do we change that? This week’s episode is part two of my interview Michelle Gyimah, the Director of Equality Pays, a gender and ethnicity equality consultancy dedicated to closing workplace pay gaps. We discuss what organisations need to know about tackling the gender and ethnicity pay gaps and how they can take action to make the changes that are needed. In part one, we talked about how to ask for a pay rise or negotiate a hig...
2022-06-0528 minInfluence & Impact for LeadersEp 96 - Negotiating Your Salary with Michelle GyimahEver wished you knew how to ask for a pay rise? Or negotiate a higher salary when you start a new role? We don’t talk about money enough and that’s exactly what I’m talking to Michelle Gyimah about in this episode. Michelle Gyimah is the Director of Equality Pays, a gender and ethnicity equality consultancy dedicated to closing workplace pay gaps. We’ve recorded two episodes together – this one is all about what you can do to close your own pay gap. Then in episode 97 (released on Monday 6 June) we’ll be focusing on how...
2022-05-2939 minInfluence & Impact for LeadersEp 94 - What I wish every woman knewIn this episode, I’m talking about some impactful things that I wish every woman knew. If I had known these a long time ago, my leadership journey would have been easier. As you listen, I encourage you to reflect on my words for your own life. I hope they make a transformational difference for you. To help, I’ve noted down the key points for you to come back to or write down for yourself. You are not broken. Bias is real and it creates imposter feelings. It’s normal to have imposter feelin...
2022-05-1524 minInfluence & Impact for LeadersEp 93 - Succeeding in a Male-Dominated Environment with Sandra FrancisAre you a woman working in a technical or male-dominated environment (or both!)? If so, this week’s episode is for you. I talk to Sandra Francis, an accredited coach who helps technical leaders to become confident and inspiring leaders. Sandra spent 25 years working in challenging technical environments and was often the solo female voice amongst the leadership. We discuss: Sandra’s career experiences in both technical and male-dominated environments How to lead and support teams and senior leadership through organisational change Ways technical leaders can be more people-centric in their team management Being heard...
2022-04-2437 minInfluence & Impact for LeadersEp (2 - Let's Talk About ConfidenceConfidence at work is something many women struggle with. I believe that a lack of confidence is having a very tangible impact on women and that their talent is being overlooked and underappreciated because of it. I also think gender bias causes many of our confidence issues. In this week’s episode, I share the personal insights of my Be Bolder clients on how confidence affects them at work and how you can support women in your team who struggle with confidence. Listen for: The different ways lack of confidence can show up at wo...
2022-04-1740 minInfluence & Impact for LeadersEp 91 - Grief and the Workplace with Lizzie PickeringGrief can be felt for many reasons – death, loss of identity, the end of a relationship, a diagnosis or the loss of a job – and will affect everyone in their working life. However, it’s often still a taboo topic in the workplace. Lizzie Pickering is encouraging organisations to open the conversation and offer thoughtful grief support for their employees. Lizzie is a grief investigator, consultant and author and guides people in not only surviving grief, but also how to live the best possible life with grief. We discuss: Lizzie’s own experience of grief and her journey to becom...
2022-04-1051 minInfluence & Impact for LeadersEp 84 Breaking the BiasThis episode is inspired by the International Women’s Day 2022 theme #BreaktheBias and I’m talking about how men can be really powerful allies for gender equality in the workplace. I would love you to share this episode with your male colleagues and the men in your life as well as listen to it yourself. Men are so important to helping the women that they work with be recognised and valued at work. This episode is about encouraging this and sharing some practical ways men can support the women they work with. Listen for:
2022-02-2047 minInfluence & Impact for LeadersEp 81 - How to Stress Less at Work - Tahirih Mclaren-BrownThis week it’s a podcast takeover! Tahirih Mclaren-Brown takes over the mic to talk about ways that you can stress less at work. Having awareness of how you experience stress and strategies to ease those feelings can transform the way you approach work, help you to handle challenges and feel calmer each day. Tahirih shares: What happens in our bodies and minds when we get stressed Your stress cycle and how to complete it Creating your own stress game plan A guided meditation for calming your body and mind Reducing stress is...
2022-01-3041 minInfluence & Impact for LeadersEp 80 - What Every Leader Needs to Know About Intersectionality with Tala Hassoun“It is the responsibility of each one of us to learn and understand how people have different experiences in their lives” In this week’s episode, I interview Tala Hassoun - an international development and humanitarian expert, and gender, diversity and inclusion lead facilitator. We discuss: What intersectionality is and why it matters in the workplace Tala’s own experiences as a migrant to the UK, woman of colour and young leader How leaders can best support people who face additional barriers because of their identities Creating a safe environment to learn about intersectionality, share ex...
2022-01-2336 minInfluence & Impact for LeadersEp 79 - 6 Ways to Increase Your Visibility at WorkIf you want to develop your career, it’s important to be able to communicate your strengths and successes to others, and be visible to key stakeholders within your organisation. Does the thought of doing this make you feel uncomfortable? Many women feel the same. However, a lack of visibility could be holding you back from reaching your career goals and getting the recognition you deserve for the brilliant work you do. In this episode I share: Why visibility is essential for influencing and making an impact in your role How to ov...
2022-01-1638 minInfluence & Impact for LeadersEp 78 - How We Make Influencing Harder For OurselvesAre you getting in your own way when it comes to influencing? When we're trying to influence, we often make it about other people and believe that they’re the problem. However, the way we are showing up greatly impacts our ability to influence effectively. In this episode, I share the common ways you might trip yourself up and how to adjust your approach for a more positive result. Listen for: How to recognise when you’re reacting and what has triggered it Using the 90 second rule as a tool for responding Iden...
2022-01-0929 minInfluence & Impact for LeadersEp 77 - Set Your Intention for 2022Happy New Year! In this short and sweet episode, I’m helping you to reflect on 2021 and set your intentions for 2022. Get yourself a pen or paper, write down the questions I share and create some quiet time to answer them. I would love to hear your reflections and intentions. Send me a message on LinkedIn or Instagram, or email me at: hello@carlamiller.co.uk WORK WITH CARLA As well as coaching women leaders to have more influence, make more impact and be kinder to themselves in my programme Influence & Im...
2022-01-0315 minInfluence & Impact for LeadersEp 76 - Dealing with Difficult People featuring Liz KislikMost of us will encounter plenty of difficult colleagues or workplace conflicts in our career. With so many types of personalities, working styles and goals, it seems inevitable. As a leader, you need to approach conflict in a way that considers yourself, your team and the goals of your organisation. In this week’s episode, Liz Kislik, a management consultant and executive coach, shares with us just how we can do that. We discuss: Helpful approaches for dealing with a colleague you find difficult How to identify when conflict becomes a business pr...
2021-12-121h 03Influence & Impact for LeadersEp 75 - Are You A People Pleaser?Many women in my community struggle with people pleasing and in this week’s episode, I’m diving into what people pleasing is, how to identify it and how to put your own needs first. A general definition of a people pleaser is a person who has the emotional need to please others, often at the expense of their own needs or desires. In this episode, I share: Four key signs that you’re a people pleaser A description of my “Likeable Lucy” persona to help you identify how people pleasing may be impacting your leade...
2021-12-0528 minInfluence & Impact for LeadersEp 74 - Is the CV dead? with Khyati SundaramAre the standard hiring practices we use fair and do they truly give us the best candidates for each role? Khyati Sundaram’s answer to this is no and she says it’s time to leave CVs and biased hiring practices behind. Khyati is the CEO of Applied, an all-in-one hiring platform that uses behavioural science-backed techniques for fair and de-biased hiring. We discuss: Why CVs are no longer fit for purpose The importance of gender-neutral language to attracting women applicants How unconscious bias negatively impacts recruitment Why skills-based interviews are the way forward The...
2021-11-2850 minInfluence & Impact for LeadersWhy we're not aiming for work-life balance with Jessica Chivers - Ep 73Many of us will take extended leave during our careers. It could be maternity or shared parental leave, sickness or sabbatical, family caregiving or just a much-needed career break. Unfortunately, the reality is that extended leave can result in feelings of isolation, being left behind, starting again on the back foot or having to downgrade our careers. Jessica Chivers, coaching psychologist and founder of The Talent Keeper Specialists, wants to make sure everyone feels connected, cared for and confident during extended leave and the transition back to work. In this episode we discussed:
2021-11-2152 minInfluence & Impact for LeadersEp 70 - Women with Influence Interview with Mylene SylvestreWomen with Influence is my new LinkedIn Live series where I interview inspirational and influential women leaders on their career journey so far. This podcast episode is a recording of our first Women with Influence interview with Mylene Sylvestre. Mylene is the Publishing Director at Guardian News & Media and co-Founder of the Women of Colour Global Network (WOCGN). I loved talking to Mylene and she shared exactly how she went about sponsoring and advocating for the women in her team – I wish every leader would listen to what she has to say and take note....
2021-10-3141 minInfluence & Impact for LeadersEp 69 - Strategic Speaking for Results with Elizabeth BachmanUsing your voice and presence strategically can help you be heard and have more influence in your organisation. In this week’s episode, I interview Elizabeth Bachman, a Professional Speaker, Executive Career Coach and Presentation Skills Trainer. Elizabeth is passionate about getting more smart women into positions of authority, helping them do really good jobs and get more women's voices heard in the world. We discuss: Elizabeth’s presenting tips from her experience as an Opera Director Valuing the unique strengths and multi-focused approach women bring to the workplace What the glass cliff is and...
2021-10-2438 min
Influence & Impact for LeadersEp 68 - When You and Your Boss Don’t Get OnTension between managers and their direct reports isn't unusual but it can make work feel difficult and uncomfortable. This tension usually comes down to different leadership styles, communication styles, priorities or personalities. In this week’s podcast, I share: The most common reasons tensions occur and practical tips to defuse them Why we should value different leadership styles The types of communication styles using the Insights Profile How you can apply these insights to yourself as a line manager I hope you find these tips helpful, particularly when it comes to managing an...
2021-10-1737 minInfluence & Impact for LeadersEp 59 – Being Kinder to YourselfOne of the most powerful ways to live a happier life is learning how to be kinder to yourself and love yourself more. As women, we often struggle with accepting ourselves and being confident and secure in who we are. Being kinder to yourself not only makes your relationship with yourself a better one, it also improves how you show up as a leader. In this episode I discuss: Why accepting and loving yourself is essential for your happiness How I’ve learnt to be kinder to myself and how I practice it Eight wa...
2021-08-0837 minInfluence & Impact for LeadersEp 58 - The Challenges we Face as Women in the WorkplaceAs a coach for women leaders, I focus on how as women we can take control of our careers. But I’ve never addressed on the podcast why we even need women’s leadership coaches and women’s leadership programmes. The playing field that women operate on in the workplace is shockingly unlevel. It’s time to acknowledge that and collectively take steps to change it. I discuss: The dynamics of the current working environment and how it wasn’t designed with women in mind The true extent of the disadvantages we face from...
2021-08-0142 minInfluence & Impact for LeadersEp 47 – Fertility and the WorkplaceThis week on the podcast I interview Cat Strawbridge, a fertility advocate and host of the Finally Pregnant Podcast, and Frankie Hockham, Fertility Network UK volunteer on infertility, pregnancy loss and childlessness. Infertility is a disease that affects 1 in 6 couples, the majority of whom are in the workforce, however it is not an issue that is talked about or well supported in organisations in the UK. We discussed: Our personal experiences with fertility treatments, loss and pregnancy while working How you can communicate your fertility situation to your manager or employer
2021-05-091h 11Influence & Impact for LeadersEp 30 Talking Redundancy and Resilience with Eleanor TweddellIn this episode of the Influence & Impact podcast for female leaders I'm chatting to Eleanor Tweddell, author of the book "Why Losing Your Job Could Be the Best Thing That Ever Happened To You". We talk about how to thrive when you've been made redundant, from dealing with those initial emotions to making decisions about your next steps. We also discuss how leaders who are making colleagues redundant can handle it with kindness. Redundancy is one of life's big events and Eleanor has done a wonderful job of taking her experiences and creating a toolkit others can use...
2021-01-101h 09Influence & Impact for LeadersEp 29 Productivity, Leadership & Kindness with Graham AllcottIn this week's episode of the Influence & Impact podcast for female leaders I'm chatting to Graham Allcott, author of How To Be A Productivity Ninja. We talk about how we as leaders can make more space for the things that matter and what our teams need from us whilst working remotely. We dive into what it means to lead well in this "new normal" and the power of doing less rather than more. And we explore the role that kindness plays in leadership and how being more human as a leader is a strength. I really enjoyed this...
2021-01-0352 minInfluence & Impact for LeadersEp 28 - How to be Less Humble with Stef Sword WilliamsIf you are more comfortable talking about your team's achievements than your own, then this episode of the Influence & Impact podcast for female leaders is a must listen! I am joined by Stef Sword-Williams, TEDx speaker and author of F*ck being Humble. Stef is on a mission to change the way the world views self-promotion and encourage people to be unapologetically proud of their achievements. I wish I had read her book 20 years ago and, in this episode, we talk about the fear of sounding stupid, how to get paid what you are worth and how t...
2020-12-131h 03Influence & Impact for LeadersEp 27 - Taking Control of Your CareerGone are the days when we could rely on our line manager to recognise our potential and plan for our career development. In fact, I think that was always a bit of a myth anyway with the majority of workplaces. But 2020 has shown us that the only person who has the headspace to think about your career development is you. So, today’s episode of the Influence & Impact podcast is going to help you do just that. Whether you are happy in your role or thinking of moving on, it is a good idea to know what your...
2020-12-0619 minInfluence & Impact for LeadersEp 26 - How to be a Social Leader with Damian CorbetIn this week’s episode of the Influence & Impact podcast for female leaders I am talking to Damian Corbet, author of The Social CEO about how social media can make you a stronger leader. We cover what it means to be a Social Leader, why as leaders we should be engaging in social media and how we can avoid some of the pitfalls. We talk about having an authentic and credible voice online and reflect on this new era of transparent and open leadership. We also explore how you can build your personal brand and grow your netw...
2020-11-2946 minInfluence & Impact for LeadersEp 25 - How to disagree with people more senior than youThere are these unspoken rules about the world of work that most of us buy into without questioning. One of those rules is that we don’t say no to our line manager or disagree with senior stakeholders. As a result, people end up frustrated, overworked, and demotivated because they’ve never learnt how to challenge the thinking of senior stakeholders without challenging their authority. They’ve never learnt how to speak truth to power. In this episode of the Influence & Impact for Female Leaders podcast I will be sharing 9 practical strategies to help you to disagree with some...
2020-11-2227 minInfluence & Impact for LeadersEp 24 - Creating Habits for SuccessSo much of what we do in life and at work is habitual. As author James Clear says, “the quality of our lives depends on the quality of our habits”. But habits can be hard to form and hard to break as they sit within the subconscious part of our brain. In this episode of the Influence & Impact for Female Leaders podcast I’ll be teaching you how to can create new habits and break unhelpful old habits to take control of your daily life and prime it for success. I’ll also be sharing my top hab...
2020-11-1523 minInfluence & Impact for LeadersBeing Your Authentic Self as a LeaderOne of the things that female leaders struggle with the most is feeling a disconnect between their idea of what a leader should be and who they are. In fact, many women avoid stepping into leadership roles because they don’t consider themselves to be leaders - when they’re actually doing a great job! I’m a huge fan of leading like a human. In this episode I’ll be sharing how you can develop a leadership style that feels authentic to you AND is also powerful. If you haven’t done so already, please leav...
2020-11-0819 minInfluence & Impact for LeadersCreating Time in Your Week to ThinkWe are working at a time when we are constantly bombarded with things that need our attention. Countless emails arriving in our inbox before we’ve had time to deal with yesterday’s emails, in back to back meetings all day barely stopping to grab some lunch, calls from senior colleagues with another new task or project for our to do lists. So, we get through it by diligently ticking things off our to do list and hoping that by the end of the week that to do list is a bit smaller (spoiler alert: it never is). ...
2020-11-0120 minInfluence & Impact for LeadersHandling Negative Feedback Like A ProEven the most confident of female leaders can struggle to deal with negative or critical feedback. When we are working really hard and doing our best such feedback can at best be demotivating and at worst really knock our confidence. Many of us also let the words (and the stories we tell ourselves about those words) whirr around in our head for hours, if not days. But it is possible to hear negative feedback without it sending you into a spiral of self-doubt. In this episode I’m going to share some ways you can become more resil...
2020-10-2524 minInfluence & Impact for LeadersPreparing to Step Up to the Next Level of LeadershipAre you thinking about stepping up to the next level of leadership? Perhaps the possibility of a promotion has been raised by your line manager. Maybe you’re finding yourself wishing you were the one making decisions rather than having to deal with the fallout from them. Or perhaps you’re feeling ready to step out of your comfort zone and develop your career. Whatever is motivating you, you’re going to find this podcast episode really valuable. I’ll be sharing why each new level you reach requires a new way of leading. I’ll help you avo...
2020-10-1820 minInfluence & Impact for LeadersHow Successful Leaders ThinkI’m going to come right out and say it - mindset is the secret superpower of successful leaders. Too many leadership books and books focus on the strategies and tactics of leadership without ever addressing the fact that you can have all the strategies in the world but if you don’t have the right mindset you’ll never be able to action them effectively. In this episode I am going to share with you how those successful leaders think differently so you too can improve every meeting you attend and make more impact at work. I...
2020-10-1820 minInfluence & Impact for LeadersHow to Leave Bullying Bosses in the PastIf you’ve ever had a bullying boss or a manager who really knocked your confidence, then you’ll know that the impact of that doesn’t disappear when you leave that job. It can leave you full of self-doubt in your next role and make you super sensitive so that you see criticism and negative feedback in every statement your new boss makes. In today’s episode of Influence & Impact for female leaders you’re going to learn how to leave that bullying boss firmly in the past. If you enjoy this episode and it inspired...
2020-10-1822 min
Influence & Impact for LeadersTackling anxiety at workMany managers and leaders suffer from anxiety. In this episode Carla shares the powerful approach she used to end her anxiety for good and takes you through an exercise you can use when you feel anxious.
2019-04-2318 min
Influence & Impact for LeadersHard work is not the answerIf you're working really hard and still not getting the results that you want then it is time for a rethink. In this episode Carla shares an alternative approach to being an effective leader.
2019-01-2911 min
Influence & Impact for LeadersStarting the New Year RightIn this episode Carla helps you to bring a close to 2018 with a reflection exercise and to set your intention for 2019 with a method much simpler and more effective than New Year's Resolutions.
2019-01-0117 min
Influence & Impact for LeadersLet's talk innovationIn this episode Carla interviews Lucy Gower, author of the best-selling book "The Innovation Workout" about all the role of mindset in successful innovation. If you want your team to innovate you won't want to miss this episode. Find out more about Lucy here
2018-11-0625 min
Influence & Impact for LeadersBody WisdomIn this episode Carla shares 3 ways that you can tune in to a valuable stream of information that is available to you as a leader - your body wisdom.
2018-10-2311 min
Influence & Impact for Leaders3 tips for increasing your authorityIn this episode, I share three practical tips to give you more authority as a leader, and the story of my disastrous start as a leader. I'm Carla Miller a leadership coach and founder of the Leadership Skills Lab - the online leadership coaching programme.
2018-09-0410 min