Shows
Career & Leadership Real TalkEp 135 - Building Positive Resilience: Proactive Strategies for Busy Leaders with Professor Laura ChamberlainThink resilience is about weathering storms and bouncing back from adversity? Think again. This week Jacqui speaks to Professor Laura Chamberlain, author of "Brilliantly Bouncy: Discover Positive Resilience," who completely reframes how we think about building resilience in our professional lives. Laura shares why waiting until crisis hits to think about resilience is like trying to build strength in the middle of a workout - it's far better to create your reserves beforehand.Key points from this episodeWhy resilience is like a dimmer switch, not an on/off buttonThe danger of wearing resilience...2025-06-2337 min
Career & Leadership Real TalkEp 101 - How to be Strategic When The Business Isn'tIn this episode, we tackle the challenge of being strategic when the business itself isn't. We explore the common scenario many leaders face: trying to make strategic decisions and contributions in an environment lacking clear direction or communication. Join us as we discuss the frustrations this can cause and share practical strategiesKey points from this episodeScenarios where businesses may lack clear strategy or communicationThe emotional and practical impacts of working in a strategically unclear environmentHow to create clarity for yourself when the business direction is unclearTechniques for managing up and influencing strategic conversations2024-09-3026 min
Career & Leadership Real TalkEp 100 - Sharing the Career & Leadership Real Talk StoryCelebrating 100 Episodes: Reflections and Top PicksJoin us for this special milestone episode as we celebrate our 100th podcast episode! We reflect on our journey, the feedback we've received, and the behind-the-scenes efforts that go into making each episode. Discover the story behind how our podcast started almost by accident and listen as we share our top five favorite episodes, packed with invaluable career advice and personal anecdotes. 00:00 Welcome to the 100th Episode Celebration!01:19 The Story Behind Our Podcast Journey02:18 From Internal Resource to Public Podcast2024-09-2328 min
Career & Leadership Real TalkEp 99 - Rethinking Your CV for Senior RolesEver wonder why your CV isn't landing you those senior role interviews? In this episode, we tackle the common pitfalls that even the most experienced professionals fall into when crafting their CVs.We've all been there - agonising over every word, wondering if we're selling ourselves short or coming across as too boastful. But what if the secret to a standout CV isn't what you think it is?Join us as we unpack six (sometimes surprising) questions you should be asking yourself about your CV before you submit it. Key points from this...2024-09-1623 min
Career & Leadership Real TalkEp 98 - How to Develop Executive PresenceThis week, we break down what it takes to develop executive presence, an invaluable skill for leaders. It often seems a nebulous concept, with lots of emphasis but very little actual advice on how to develop itWe're discussing the components that make up executive presence, why developing executive presence isn't just for senior leaders and the importance of self-awareness and actionable feedback Key Points From This Episode00:00 Introduction and Listener's Request00:44 Defining Executive Presence03:27 The Importance of Developing Executive Presence Early05:56 Key Components of Executive Presence2024-09-0924 min
Career & Leadership Real TalkEp 97 - Performance Management Made SimplePerformance management isn't always easy. Too often, it comes about in the form of formal processes that feel unwieldy, tiring and uncomfortableThe BECKS framework is one we have used and shared forever. Not only does it simplify performance management and make it easier, it's incredibly versatile and allows for increasing performance in rising stars and new hires rather than being focused on people underperforming Key points from this episode00:00 Introduction to Performance Management00:36 Introducing the BECKS Framework02:39 Behavior and Environment05:13 Clarity of Expectation08:33 Knowledge and S...2024-09-0223 min
Career & Leadership Real TalkEp 96 - How to Deal With Disappointment During a Job SearchIf you've ever had a job search that didn't result in an offer from the first job you applied for, you'll know the all too familiar sting and the way your confidence is shaken In this episode, we're talking about the range of challenging emotions that come up during a prolonged job search and offering our advice on how best to handle disappointment.Key Points in This Episode00:00 Introduction to Dealing with Job Search Disappointment00:29 Common Emotions During Job Search01:57 Real-Life Job Search Struggles04:28 Taking Control of Your...2024-08-2625 min
Career & Leadership Real TalkEp 95 - 5 Steps to Making the Most of Working with an Executive CoachWhether you fund coaching yourself or are offered coaching by your employer, coaching is a big investment in terms of time, energy and commitment as well as financiallySo how can you make the most of that investment and ensure coaching is enjoyable, helpful and worthwhile rather than just another meeting in your diary? This week we're sharing 5 things that can make all the differenceWhether you’re just starting or have been in coaching for a while, this episode is packed with practical advice and tips.Key points from this episode...2024-08-1928 min
Career & Leadership Real TalkEp 94 - Conquer Email Overload: 7 Tips for LeadersIn this week's episode, we're discussing email overload and sharing practical strategies to regain control. We know just how frustrating it can be to have an overflowing inbox, but with some discipline and strategies around organising yourself, creating a consistent team email culture and writing emails well it can at least get easierKey points from this episode00:00 Introduction to Email Overload00:58 Personal Organisation Tips01:22 Batch Processing Emails03:53 Managing Email Notifications05:05 Implementing a Triage System06:51 Strategic Non-Involvement12:41 Shaping Email Culture16:32...2024-08-1226 min
Career & Leadership Real TalkEp 92 - 5 Strategies to Make the Most of Induction MeetingsWhether you're stepping into a new job or transitioning within the same organisation, induction meetings play a crucial role in setting the stage for your success. This week we are talking about how to make the most of them to understand your role, build key relationships, and avoid common pitfalls in your first 90 days. 00:00 Introduction to Induction Meetings01:10 The Importance of Effective Inductions02:34 Setting Up for Success06:39 Managing Overwhelm and Information Overload11:32 Five Strategies for Successful Induction Meetings19:32 Building Relationships and Gaining Knowledge25:56...2024-07-2932 min
Career & Leadership Real TalkEp 91 - Communicating with ImpactIn this episode, we delve into the topic of communicating with impact, inspired by Tara Mohr's book 'Playing Big'. We identify common habits that diminish communication effectiveness, and as ever, offer practical strategies to overcome these habits (and strike a balance between assertiveness and approachability). 00:00 Introduction to Communicating with Impact00:50 Common Communication Pitfalls03:41 Hedging Words and Their Impact06:53 The Unnecessary Apology09:11 Using Disclaimers18:43 Questions Instead of Statements22:55 Practical Takeaways for Effective CommunicationUseful LinksJoin The Catalyst Career Club...2024-07-2228 min
Career & Leadership Real TalkEp 90 - 6 Confidence Myths that Hold Leaders BackDo you struggle with confidence in yourself as a leader or manager? This week, we unpack common confidence myths that we see getting in the way for our 1:1 clients.Discover how to shift your mindset and overcome them with our alternative mindsets to adoptKey points from this episode• Why you don't need to feel confident before taking action• How to handle criticism and negative feedback without letting it destroy your confidence• Why failures and mistakes don't have to dent your confidence• The myth that confidence means always h...2024-07-1534 min
Career & Leadership Real TalkEp 89 - Ace Your Next Job Interview: How to Prepare Like a ProAre you tired of leaving interviews feeling like you didn't showcase your best self? In this episode, we share our essential tips and strategies to prepare for interviews effectively and boost your confidence. Whether you're facing in-person or virtual interviews, these insights will help you stand out from other candidates and increase your chances of landing that dream job.Key points from this episode:How to identify key competencies for a role and prepare relevant stories to demonstrate your skillsTips for practising your interview responses ahead of the interviewStrategies for building rapport and managing...2024-07-0830 min
Career & Leadership Real TalkEp 88 - How to be Direct Without Being Perceived as DifficultIn this episode, we're talking through the topic being direct without being perceived as difficult in the workplace. Drawing from our own experiences as two pretty direct people, we discuss how to build strong relationships and communicate effectively without trying to be fluffy or go against your direct natureKey points from this episodeThe importance of listening and curiosity in direct communicationAdapting your communication style to different situations and personalitiesThe role of empathy and relationship-building in being direct without being difficultBalancing directness with other complementary skills and traitsUseful LinksJoin...2024-07-0122 min
Career & Leadership Real TalkEp 87 - Specialist or Generalist Career Path - Which is Right for YouIn this episode, we delve into the age-old career dilemma: should you pursue a specialist or generalist path? Whether you're at a career crossroads or simply curious about your options, we explore the definitions, advantages, and strategies for both paths. Join us as we unpack this complex topic, drawing from our extensive experience in career coaching to provide insights that can help shape your professional future.Key points from this episodeDiscover the key differences between specialist and generalist career paths and how to identify which suits you bestHow organisational size can impact your...2024-06-2425 min
Career & Leadership Real TalkEp 85 - Cultivating Curiosity: An Overlooked Skill for Career Progression with Professor Laura ChamberlainIn this insightful episode, we are joined by the brilliant Laura Chamberlain, an award-winning marketer, career strategist, coach, and professor of marketing at the University of Warwick. Laura shares her expertise on how cultivating curiosity can be a game-changer for your career growth and development. Discover practical tips and strategies to harness the power of curiosity and unlock more of your full potential.Key points from this episodeUnderstanding curiosity as a skill and how to develop it purposefullyOvercoming barriers to curiosity in the workplace and beyondCreating the right conditions and habits to nurture...2024-06-1033 min
Career & Leadership Real TalkEp 84 - From Good to Great: A Practical Model for Developing High Performing TeamsAre you looking to take your team's performance to the next level? In this episode, we share an overview of the Catalyst Five Cs framework - a powerful, practical model for supporting team development.We walk you through each of the Five Cs, explaining what they are and how they can combine to support increased team performanceKey points from this episode:Why clarity is the basis for ensuring goals and priorities can be metBuilding team competence and how it differs from individual skill and experience developmentWhy capacity is not just impacted by headcount...2024-06-0322 min
Career & Leadership Real TalkEp 83 - The Do's and Don'ts of Designing a Great Recruitment ProcessIn this episode, we dive into the essential do's and don'ts of creating an effective recruitment process. Drawing from our experience as in house and agency recruiters as well as working with clients to support recruitment, we share our insights and practical tips to help if you're a hiring manager who's just expected to know how to design a great recruitment process! Key themes:The importance of being clear on what / who you want as a candidate before you start recruitment Why timely feedback is so important How to design interview processes that allow candidates to...2024-05-2733 min
Career & Leadership Real TalkEp 82 - Setting Boundaries: A Leader's Guide to Saying No Without Burning BridgesIn this episode, we discuss the challenges many leaders face when it comes to setting boundaries and saying no at work. We explore why it can feel so difficult to say no, even when you know you should, and share practical tips and insights on how to get more comfortable with it. If you've ever struggled with being a people-pleaser or found yourself drowning in "can you just" requests, this episode is for you.Key points from this episodeWhy many of us are wired to avoid saying no, even at our own expenseHow to start...2024-05-2020 minCareer & Leadership Real TalkEp 81 - Key Considerations for Proposing a New Team Structure as a ManagerIn this episode, we delve into the intricacies of proposing a new team structure as a manager. Drawing from real-life scenarios, we explore the key considerations, pitfalls to avoid, and best practices to adopt. Whether it's navigating growth, mergers, or downsizing, proposing a new team structure demands careful planning and insight.Key points from this episodeWhy you need to think longer term before creating a structureHow to assess the current situation before starting to planThe importance of balancing generalisation and specialisation with roles in the structurePitfalls to avoidWhy the work isn't over when you get...2024-05-1323 min
Career & Leadership Real TalkEp 80 - How to Write a Brilliant Job DescriptionIf you've ever been asked to write or update a job description without any training, this week's episode is for you. We discuss how to approach it, what to include and what you need to do before you start writingKey points from this episodeWhy you should think of a job description as a marketing asset, not just an internal documentHow to define what you actually need from the roleStriking the balance between what's essential and what's desirableWhy simple, conversational language is so important to crafting a great job descriptionUseful Links2024-05-0631 min
Career & Leadership Real TalkEp 79 - Reduce Meeting Overload: 4 Ways to Cut Down on Unnecessary MeetingsAre you feeling overwhelmed by an endless barrage of meetings that leave you with little time to actually get work done? In this episode, we dive into the issue of excessive meeting time, sharing practical strategies to help you regain control of your schedule. Key points from this episodeUnderstand the typical meeting time expectations based on your role and levelRecognise the signs that you're spending too much time in meetingsThe 4 D's framework: Ditch, Decline, Design, and Drive meeting culture improvementTips for designing effective meetings with clear purposes and outcomesHow to influence and drive positive change...2024-04-2932 min
Career & Leadership Real TalkEp 78 - How to Show You Can Think StrategicallyAt some point in your career there's a good chance someone will tell you that you need to be more strategic. Whether they can actually articulate what they mean is another matterIf you've been given that feedback but you're not sure where to start, this week's episode breaks down how to demonstrate to others that you have the ability to think strategicallyKey points from this episodeDefining 'being strategic' - the difference between strategic thinking and strategic planningWorking out whether you need to develop your strategic thinking ability, demonstrate it better or...2024-04-2230 min
Career & Leadership Real TalkEp 77 - Using Personal Brand to Unlock Career SuccessWhen you want to progress and create more opportunities for yourself in your career, it's often tempting to work harder and try to distinguish yourself by being a top performer. But performance is only a part of what creates career success (and it's probably a smaller part than you might think). This week we're talking about the different elements that contribute to career success and how you can use that to your advantage Key points from this episodeIntroducing PIE Theory and what it means for career successHow personal brand creates the perception of...2024-04-1529 min
Career & Leadership Real TalkEp 76 - Nail Your Interview Presentation & Land The JobIf you've ever worried about how to prepare for a presentation at interview, this episode is for you. We're covering some of the common mistakes people make as well as how to make sure you prepare without it taking you hours or risking you offering free consultancyKey points from this episodeUnderstanding the purpose of presentations: why they're used and how understanding that makes preparation easierCommon mistakes to AvoidHow to prepare so you can deliver with confidenceBalancing showcasing how you can add value with avoiding the risk of giving away free consultancy2024-04-0835 min
Career & Leadership Real TalkEp 75 - Quarterly Planning & Review - A Career Game ChangerAs a leader, the demands on your time and attention can be overwhelming. When you’re managing a team, juggling multiple projects, and every action from every meeting seems to have your name against it, it's easy to lose sight of the bigger picture. This is where the practice of regular quarterly planning and review can be a game-changer, helping you stay focused, keep your eyes on the real priorities and ultimately deliver more in your roleKey points from this episodeWhy Quarterly planning and review can be a career game changer if you commit to...2024-04-0132 min
Career & Leadership Real TalkEp 74 - How to be More Assertive Without Being a D*ckIf you've ever been told you're 'too nice', 'need to speak up more' or that you're 'not tough enough' then this week's episode is for youWe discuss the need to be more assertive, and share practical ways you can show up in that way without trying to be something you're not. Key points from this episodeWhy you need to be perceived as assertive and what that meansHow to communicate more assertivelyThe value of self assurance in becoming more assertiveBehaving assertively at work Useful LinksConnect with Pam on...2024-03-2533 min
Career & Leadership Real TalkEp 73 - How to Lead When Clarity is LackingA lack of clarity can be hard work. You want to lead well, you want to give clear vision and direction to your team. But what if you don't have that for yourself? How can you handle ambiguity and still be the leader you want to be? This week we're exploring why clarity is so important and how to create it when you and your team need itKey points from this episodeThe importance of clarity in leadershipSpotting the signs that mean creating clarity might need to be a priorityTemporary vs ongoing ambiguity...2024-03-1835 min
Career & Leadership Real TalkEp 72 - What to Do When You Screw Up at WorkThe idea of making mistakes and screwing things up is normally pretty grim. No one wants to be that person. But equally, none of us are perfect. So making mistakes is to be expectedThis week we're discussing why making mistakes is not the disaster it might feel like, and also what you can do to recover quickly (and avoid your confidence being knocked) when it does Key points from this episodeWhy normalising making mistakes is so importantHow making mistakes can be a good thing Practical tips for the times when you make...2024-03-1129 min
Career & Leadership Real TalkEp 71 - The Hidden Jobs MarketThe hidden jobs market is a topic that's often shrouded in secrecy - people talk about it, but no one seems to dish the dirt on how to access itThis week we're discussing what it is, what that means for you and sharing our tips for making it work when you want to progress in your careerKey points from this episodeWhat the hidden jobs market isWhy it existsWhy the hidden jobs market matters more the more senior you are in your careerPractical tips for accessing the hidden jobs market...2024-03-0430 minCareer & Leadership Real TalkEp 70 - Establishing Your Personal Brand as a LeaderPersonal brand is one of those concepts that can feel strange - what is it and how the hell do you create one when you're an ambitious manager or leader? In this episode we explore what personal brand is, why it's important to your leadership career and share our tips on how to create oneKey points from this episodeDefining personal brandWhy your personal brand matters in your leadership careerHow to intentionally create a personal brand that feels right for you and creates career opportunitiesUseful LinksConnect with...2024-02-2627 minCareer & Leadership Real TalkEp 69 - Why You Shouldn't Rely on Your Boss to Develop YouWho do you most look to for development in your role? If it's your boss, you're not alone. But in today's episode we discuss why relying on your manager to be the one to develop you is not the best strategy - and what you can do instead to take ownership of your own developmentKey points from this episodeWhy you shouldn't rely on your manager to develop you (even if they're a great boss) The reasons your manager might not be able to develop you in the ways that are most valuable for your...2024-02-1933 minCareer & Leadership Real TalkEp 68 - The 4 Types of Conflict at WorkConflict at work can be tough to deal with, whether you're involved in it or trying to avoid the negative impact it can have when others around you are in conflictThis week, we unick the different types of conflict that can come up and share our thoughts on how to manage it wellKey points from this episodeWhy conflict can be a good thingThe causes of conflictWhere to start when you need to resolve conflictUseful LinksConnect with Pam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelalangancoaching/ 2024-02-1231 minCareer & Leadership Real TalkEp 67 - The Difference Between Confidence and Self BeliefIn this week's episode, we delve into the distinction between confidence and self belief. We talk about why it matters and share practical insights to improve both. Key points from this episodeCommon situations that impact confidence and self beliefWhy self belief matters more than confidence4 reflection questions to help build self belief Useful LinksConnect with Pam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelalangancoaching/ Connect with Jacqui on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqui-jagger/ Follow the Catalyst Careers LinkedIn page for career tips and advice2024-02-0524 min