Shows
Making Sense of Work with Jean BalfourEp. #97 A Tech Consultant’s Journey to Becoming a Bestselling Novelist - Danny DaganGuest: Danny Dagan – Author of The GameEpisode Summary:In this episode, I sit down with Danny Dagan, author of The Game, a gripping thriller that has just hit the shelves to glowing reviews. Danny’s journey to publication was anything but overnight—The Game is his seventh novel, following years of writing, rejection, and relentless persistence.We dive deep into the discipline of writing, the mindset needed to keep going despite setbacks, and the surprising role of delusional self-belief in long-term success. Danny also shares how his corporate and le...2025-03-1234 minMaking Sense of Work with Jean BalfourEp. #96 The Power of Pivoting: Punita Lal on Careers, Boards & CreativityIn this inspiring episode of Making Sense of Work, I sit down with the incredible Punita Lal, a distinguished business leader, board director, and executive coach. With a career spanning over 35 years in leadership, strategy, and marketing, Punita has held executive roles at PepsiCo and Coca-Cola and now serves on multiple global corporate boards, including DBS Bank and Carlsberg.Punita shares her zigzag career journey, from her early days in advertising to leading teams in multinational corporations, navigating boardrooms, and eventually embracing coaching. She reflects on the power...2025-02-1942 minMaking Sense of Work with Jean BalfourEp. #95 Harnessing Accountability: Your Catalyst for Personal and Professional GrowthIn this episode of Making Sense of Work, Jean Balfour explores the role of accountability in helping us achieve our goals—both in our personal and professional lives. Initially uncertain about the topic, Jean embarked on a journey of discovery, engaging with her LinkedIn and Instagram communities to understand how others view accountability. The results were surprising: the vast majority found it motivating and helpful.Through personal reflections, expert insights, and practical frameworks, Jean delves into why accountability matters, how it differs from responsibility, and how we can frame it to be a positive force. She also sh...2025-01-3127 minMaking Sense of Work with Jean BalfourEp. #94 Becoming a Relational LeaderRelational leadership is a transformative concept focusing on building trust and connection within teams, especially crucial in our tech-driven work environments. Leaders are encouraged to foster relationships, create open communication, and support team members to navigate the complexities of modern work effectively.In this episode, join Jean Balfour as she shares the meaning of being a relational leader. • Explore the essence of relational leadership • The vital role of trust and communication in leadership • Balancing task focus and relational engagement • Real-world examples illustrating the need for relational practices • The power of informal connection...2025-01-1323 minMaking Sense of Work with Jean BalfourEp. #93 Healing Self-Doubt with Sas PetherickIn this inspiring episode, Jean Balfour welcomes Sas Petherick, an internationally renowned coach and expert in healing self-doubt. Sas shares her remarkable journey from a fast-paced corporate career in London to becoming a leading voice in helping people build self-belief. With over a decade of coaching experience, a master's degree from Oxford, and groundbreaking research published in the International Journal of Coaching and Mentoring, Sas brings unparalleled expertise to the conversation.Sas's trauma-informed, evidence-based coaching methodology has supported countless women in transforming their professional and personal lives. She's also the host of the Courage and S...2024-11-2543 minMaking Sense of Work with Jean BalfourEp. #92 The Impact of Our Early Lives on Our Leadership: Dr. Saba HasanieIn this insightful episode of Making Sense of Work, Jean Balfour is joined by Dr. Saba Hasanie, Managing Director and Senior Partner of OSC Leadership Development. Dr. Saba introduces Biographical Dimensions of Leadership using BDMM© – Level One, a framework designed to explore unconscious behavioral patterns rooted in the past that may hinder growth and development in coaching. With over 20 coaching and psychology certifications, a doctorate in coaching psychology, and her involvement with the prestigious Forbes Coaches Council, Saba brings a wealth of experience in executive coaching, leadership development, and coac...2024-10-2444 minMaking Sense of Work with Jean BalfourEp. #91. Beyond Resilience: Navigating Mental Wellbeing at WorkIn this special episode of Making Sense of Work, released in honor of World Mental Health Day, Jean Balfour shares a deeply personal and reflective narrative on her journey with emotional wellbeing and resilience. From the challenges of her early years as a young teacher through subsequent phases of depression and burnout, Jean speaks candidly about the ongoing process of managing her mental and emotional health.Jean emphasizes the vital connection between personal wellbeing and professional effectiveness. With vulnerability and insight, she highlights the importance of creating safe spaces at work, the role of leaders in supporting t...2024-10-0924 minMaking Sense of Work with Jean BalfourEp. #90 Impact of Coaching in Organisations: Insights from Katie Hasson of Standard Chartered BankIn this episode of Making Sense of Work, Jean Balfour is joined by Katie Hasson, the dynamic leader of the Ignite program at Standard Chartered Bank. Katie shares her inspiring journey from a tax accountant to leading a team of over 230 internal coaches across 35 countries. The Ignite program, deeply aligned with diversity and inclusion goals, empowers women, local talent, and people with disabilities to reach leadership positions through coaching.Katie reveals how her personal experiences led her to discover coaching and ultimately spearhead the Ignite program, which has transformed the careers of many within the organization. She...2024-08-2332 minMaking Sense of Work with Jean BalfourEp. #89 Curiosity: Your Key to Creativity, Growth, and Well-BeingCuriosity isn't just a trait; it's a transformative power that can revolutionize our lives. In this episode of "Making Sense of Work," I share my personal journey of how curiosity led me to uncover my own thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations. By embracing curiosity, we can shift our perspectives and explore new opportunities, finding more magic and hope in our everyday experiences.Key Topics: Harnessing curiosity as a transformative tool for personal growthOvercoming self-doubt and persistent pain through curiosityUnderstanding the emotional roots of discomfortShifting the brain from fear to creativity with curiosityEnhancing well-being by forming new ne...2024-08-1622 minMaking Sense of Work with Jean BalfourEp. #88 The Work of Building a Thriving Coaching Business with Ellie ScarfEpisode Summary: In this episode of Making Sense of Work, Jean Balfour welcomes Ellie Scarf, founder and CEO of Lucent Global and the Impact Coach Collective. Ellie shares her journey from law to executive coaching and her insights on building a successful coaching business. They discuss the transition from corporate roles to coaching, the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship, and practical advice for coaches pursuing ICF accreditation at all stages of their business journey.Key Topics:Ellie's Professional Journey:Transition from law to human-centered roles in learning, development, and organizational...2024-07-3046 minMaking Sense of Work with Jean BalfourEp #87 Career Coaching Series: Visualise Your Ideal DayHave you ever wondered how your life could change if you spent just a little time dreaming about your perfect day? On this episode of Making Sense of Work, I invite you to join me on a transformative journey where I'll share my experiences of visualizing my ideal day and how it provided clarity and direction in my career.You'll discover why it's crucial to dream without limits and how guided visualisation can turn your ideal day into reality. Together, we'll engage in a detailed exercise to imagine every parts of your perfect day—from you...2024-07-1819 minMaking Sense of Work with Jean BalfourEp. #86 Yoga, Coaching & the UN: Finding Purpose in Bangladesh with Betsy KimmelJoin us for an inspiring chat with Betsy Kimmel, our incredible PCC-level alumni and coach! Betsy takes us on her exciting journey, from tackling coaching projects in high-pressure environments to starting her own yoga practice. Her work is all about inclusivity, making sure everyone from leaders to drivers benefits from her coaching. Betsy also emphasises the importance of setting personal boundaries to avoid burnout and shares heartwarming stories of leaders who have successfully reclaimed their personal time. Don't miss out on this uplifting conversation!Meet Betsy Kimmel Betsy has over 25 years of experience in...2024-07-0240 minMaking Sense of Work with Jean BalfourEp. #85 Breaking Free from Office Drama: Drama Triangle InsightsIn this episode, we dive deep into the complexities of office dynamics and explore the Drama Triangle, a powerful psychological model developed by Dr. Stephen Karpman. Join Jean Balfour as she uncovers the roles of the Villain, Victim, and Hero that often play out in workplace interactions, leading to unproductive and toxic environments.Jean Balfour shares practical strategies for recognising and disrupting these patterns. Learn how to transform your office culture by promoting healthier communication, fostering accountability, and building a supportive work environment.Tune in to discover how you can break free from the cycle...2024-06-1425 min
Making Sense of Work with Jean BalfourEp. #84 Transformative Breathwork with Céline FontaineHave you ever paid attention to your breathing during times of stress? Most likely, we don't, yet it's a powerful tool we can harness to maintain calmness within ourselves. Meet our special guest Céline Fontaine as she shares how conscious breathing impacts creativity, mindfulness, and well-being. Discover how controlled breathing enhances leadership and personal development, inviting you to experience its transformative power firsthand. From practical methods to integrating breathwork into daily work routines, Céline Fontaine guides you toward a more present and focused self. Meet Céline FontaineCéline Font...2024-05-1435 min
Making Sense of Work with Jean BalfourEp. #83. Finding Ease Amidst the Hustle at WorkImagine finding a sense of calm and ease amid the chaos of your workday; I believe it's not just a fantasy but a tangible goal. In this episode I share how the philosophies in Beth Kempton's "Kokoro" and Nancy Klein's "Time to Think," introduce how leaders and professionals can reclaim tranquility in their our hectic lives. I look at society's traditional definitions of ease and how they often clash with our rushed existence, revealing that there's more to work than just ticking boxes and beating deadlines. We can embrace coaching's potential to foster...2024-05-0922 min
Making Sense of Work with Jean BalfourEp. #82 The Neuroscience of Misery at Work - Part 2Ever feel like you're just going through the motions at work, weighed down by stress and dissatisfaction? This is part 2 of the neuroscience of misery at work and it’s your invitation to discover how you can turn misery all around. We're not just talking about the everyday gripes of excessive workloads or lackluster recognition; we're diving into the science that shows our brains are directly wired to our work experiences. Join me, Jean Balfour as I share steps you can take you mitigate misery and how you can perform in your most creative and productive zone when you do...2024-04-1824 min
Making Sense of Work with Jean BalfourEp. #81 The Neuroscience of Misery at Work - Part 1Ever feel like you're just going through the motions at work, weighed down by stress and dissatisfaction? This episode is your invitation to discover the neuroscience that explains why—and how you can turn it all around. We're not just talking about the everyday gripes of excessive workloads or lackluster recognition; we're diving into the science that shows our brains are directly wired to our work experiences. Join me, Jean Balfour, as we pull back the curtain on common workplace woes and shed light on global studies that reveal the widespread nature of these issues, especially among younger workers an...2024-04-0425 min
Making Sense of Work with Jean BalfourEp. #80 Breaking into Your Zone of GeniusToday’s episode is inspired by Marianne Williamson and Gay Hendricks. Jean Balfour shares insights and experiences on overcoming self-imposed limitations to embrace our true potential. Join us as we navigate the zones of incompetence, competence, excellence, and ultimately, genius, uncovering how to push ourselves out of our limiting beliefs of what we can't do!Recommended book reading: The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next LevelExperience an Introduction to our Coach Training Programmes with our Free Taster Course: https://courses.baileybalfour.com/course/coach-training-introductionSign up...2024-03-1321 min
Making Sense of Work with Jean BalfourEp. #79 Navigating Overwhelm: From Chaos to ClarityIn today’s episode, Jean Balfour shares her own experiences of feeling overwhelmed, and shares insights on identifying, understanding, and overcoming the chaos that comes with being overwhelmed. From uncovering the root causes to implementing practical strategies, we'll embark on a journey towards reclaiming energy and joy in our daily work. Tune in for tips, stories, and inspiration to navigate the feeling of overwhelm and emerge stronger in your everyday and work life! You can download the guidebook here: https://baileybalfour.com/10-root-causes-of-feeling-overwhelmed/Sign up to Jean's blog here : https://jeanbalfour.subs...2024-02-2921 min
Making Sense of Work with Jean BalfourEp. #78 The Key to Unlocking Deeper Trust in RelationshipsIn today’s episode, we explore how being fully present with another person is not just a skill, but a critical gift that fosters genuine connection. Join Jean Balfour as she shares the journey of how we can master this skill, how we can be aware of our own pitfalls and together, we'll uncover practical strategies and insights to enhance our ability to truly hear and understand others.To download our guidebook mentioned in this episode, click here: https://baileybalfour.com/blog-listening-and-presence/Experience an Introduction to our Coach Training Programmes with our Free Taster Course: ht...2024-02-1422 min
Making Sense of Work with Jean BalfourEp. #77 Persisting Through Challenges: Lessons from Netflix's Nyad's SwimWelcome to Season 3 on "Making Sense of Work" Today’s episode is drawing inspiration from the impactful Netflix film, "Nyad." The documentary encapsulates the awe-inspiring story of Diana Nyad, who, at the remarkable age of 64, achieved the extraordinary feat of swimming from Cuba to Florida.Jean reflects on Nyad's resilience and tenacity, drawing parallels to personal challenges and contemplating the profound impact of persistence on individual aspirations.Drawing from personal experiences, she shares insights into overcoming low confidence and the enduring efforts required to construct a foundation of self-belief.Acknowledging the meri...2024-01-2621 min
Making Sense of Work with Jean BalfourEp. #76 Endings and BeginningsPicture this: I started the year with a grand plan—a visionary roadmap for my business and a commitment to its growth. Little did I know, the universe had a different script in mind. The first half of the year threw some serious challenges my way. By the year's end, we not only weathered the storm but exceeded our initial expectations. However, let me be real with you—2023 was no walk in the park. In this episode, I talk about how the struggles forced me to dig deep into my own resilience, revoking my goals and accepting redir...2023-12-1913 min
Making Sense of Work with Jean BalfourEp. #75 Values: The North Star of Your CareerHave you ever taken a moment to reflect on your career values? It's a practice that often gets overlooked amid the hustle of our daily lives. However, these values serve as the underlying motivation for our actions and reactions, influencing our experiences both professionally and personally. In this podcast, Jean Balfour explores the importance of recognizing and embracing our values, offering practical insights and tools to help you identify and harmonize with them. Download the career values handout here: https://baileybalfour.com/download-our-career-values-handout/You can also read more here: https://baileybalfour.com/va...2023-11-1415 min
Making Sense of Work with Jean Balfour#Ep. 74 How to Develop Emotional IntelligenceEmotional Intelligence (EQ) is the ability to understand and manage emotions effectively. It is no longer considered a soft skill—it's a critical competency for us all - both individual contributors and leaders. Higher EQ has been shown to improve job performance significantly including higher sales, increased productivity and reduced stress. In this podcast Jean Balfour shares practical strategies to help you:Understand why being emotionally intelligent is critical Learn the 4 components of emotional intelligenceDevelop strategies for building emotional intelligenceDownload Guidebook for strategies to build your self-management skills: https://baileybalfour.com/download-your-guidebook-to-building-self-management-skills/To r...2023-11-0226 min
Making Sense of Work with Jean BalfourEp. #73 Marking Life's Important MilestonesFrequently, significant events like birthdays can indeed lead us to contemplate what we haven't achieved, our past mistakes, and our regrets. And they occasionally pull us into negative thoughts.Today's episode of "Making Sense of Work," is a special one. I discuss how we can leverage significant life milestones as chances for celebration and gratitude, while also acknowledging both the positive and challenging moments that contribute to our legacy.You can also download our free coaching prompters so you can reflect on your life's journey along with me: https://baileybalfour.com/marking-lifes-important-milestones/Experience a...2023-10-1315 min