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#216: Alistair Gordon is the founder of Expertunity, and a world-renowned authority on subject matter experts.  He explains why talented specialists get stuck doing low level work, the skills specialists need to advance their career, and the options specialists have for career progression. 

What you’ll learn

• [02:05] The signs that you’re hitting a ceiling in your career. 
• [04:58] Why some high-level workers get stuck doing low-level work. 
• [08:30] The options specialists have for career progression. 
• [13:11] The skills specialists need to build to advance their career. 
• [15:21] How enterprise skills enable specialists to add more value. 
• [17:37] The most important enterprise skills to learn. 
• [20:48] How to justify spending time on non-essential tasks. 
• [23:50] Why technical experts aren’t good at training. 
• [25:35] How specialists can develop their stakeholder engagement skills. 
• [29:20] How to move from low-level tasks to an understanding of the higher aims. 
• [32:20] Why you should ask for the reasoning behind the tasks you’re asked to do. 
• [35:20] The power of asking the right questions. 
• [36:50] The restraints specialists have placed on them. 
• [44:42] How specialists can make others understand the value of their work. 

Resources mentioned in this episode
Please note that some of these are affiliate links and we may get a commission in the event that you make a purchase.  This helps us to cover our expenses and is at no additional cost to you.

• Eisenhower Grid
• Putting Stories To Work, Shawn Callahan
• Emotional Intelligence 2.0, Travis Bradberry and Jean Greaves

For the show notes for this episode, including a full transcript and links to all the resources mentioned, visit:

https://changeworklife.com/breaking-the-technical-ceiling-how-an-expert-can-go-from-specialist-to-strategist/

Re-assessing your career?  Know you need a change but don't really know where to start?  Check out these two exercises to start the journey of working out what career is right for you!

Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? Send us a text message!

#216: Dr. Elaine Smith is a clinical psychologist with over 15 years’ experience working in mental health.  She explains the neurological benefits of disconnecting from work, how long it takes to relax, and why people find it difficult to disconnect from work.

What you’ll learn

• [02:05] The benefits of fully disconnecting from work when you’re on holiday. 
• [04:40] What to do if you’re thinking about work when on holiday. 
• [08:35] How being on holiday can affect how you feel. 
• [10:15] The importance of a work-life balance. 
• [11:50] Ways to reduce the stress around holiday planning. 
• [13:42] How long it takes to relax properly. 
• [15:47] How to get ready for a holiday. 
• [17:36] When to start preparing at work for an upcoming holiday. 
• [18:50] How to deal with the expectation that you’ll work on holiday. 
• [27:26] What you should write an out-of-office message. 
• [29:45] How people respond to seeing you’re not available. 
• [32:31] Why people find it difficult to disconnect from work. 
• [34:16] Techniques to reduce the amount of time you spend on your phone. 
• [37:08] The ways smartphones affect our attention and the value of being bored. 
• [38:50] How to resist the temptation to spend time on your phone. 
• [41:20] How to make your return to work less stressful. 
• [45:45] Introducing progressive muscle relaxation.

Resources mentioned in this episode
Please note that some of these are affiliate links and we may get a commission in the event that you make a purchase.  This helps us to cover our expenses and is at no additional cost to you.

• Beat Annual Leave Anxiety course
• ScreenZen
• Progressive Muscle Relaxation

For the show notes for this episode, including a full transcript and links to all the resources mentioned, visit:

https://changeworklife.com/beating-holiday-anxiety-how-to-take-time-off-without-taking-work-with-you/

Re-assessing your career?  Know you need a change but don't really know where to start?  Check out these two exercises to start the journey of working out what career is right for you!

Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? Send us a text message!

#215: Graeme Jordan is a job application, CV and interview consultant.  He explains what you should include in your CV, common mistakes people make when applying for jobs, and how employers screen job applications.

What you’ll learn

• [01:42] What role the CV plays in 2025. 
• [03:25] How to get jobs that aren’t advertised to the general public. 
• [07:08] What happens to your CV when you send it to an employer. 
• [09:29] How employers use AI to screen CVs. 
• [11:09] The different stages of review a CV goes through. 
• [15:09] Common problems with the recruitment process. 
• [19:21] What the application tracking system is and how it works. 
• [23:06] How to improve your CV. 
• [25:11] The type of jobs you should apply for. 
• [25:43] What criteria to include in a job application. 
• [28:28] What to include in your CV and how to keep it relevant. 
• [30:37] How much you need to tailor your CV to each job. 
• [33:30] Why you shouldn’t use the ‘easy apply’ feature. 
• [36:14] How to format your CV and how long it should be. 
• [38:16] What to include in a cover letter. 
• [42:23] The sales skills you need to get a job. 
• [44:30] Marketing techniques you can use to improve your CV. 
• [51:52] How you should respond to a personality test in a job application. 

Resources mentioned in this episode
Please note that some of these are affiliate links and we may get a commission in the event that you make a purchase.  This helps us to cover our expenses and is at no additional cost to you.

• Surrounded By Idiots, Thomas Erikson
• Change Work Life Coaching

For the show notes for this episode, including a full transcript and links to all the resources mentioned, visit:

https://changeworklife.com/how-to-write-a-cv-in-the-age-of-ai-and-automation/

Re-assessing your career?  Know you need a change but don't really know where to start?  Check out these two exercises to start the journey of working out what career is right for you!

Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? Send us a text message!

#214: Brian Trzaskos has over 30 years of experience as a physical therapist and movement educator, and is a recognised expert in training health and wellness leaders.  He explains the benefits of somatic coaching, how subconscious behaviours control you, and how to control the sensations in your body. 

What you’ll learn

• [01:42] What somatic coaching involves. 
• [03:51] The interconnection of the mind and body. 
• [04:58] The bodily functions that the brain controls unconsciously. 
• [06:20] The different areas somatic coaching encompasses. 
• [08:43] The difference between emotions and sensations. 
• [10:09] Why you need to address the subconscious. 
• [12:00] How to address the subconscious behaviours that are holding you back. 
• [14:00] The different stages of altering your sensory state. 
• [15:45] How to use somatic practices to overcome public speaking anxiety. 
• [20:30] How to change and control the sensations in your body. 
• [23:23] The sensory base involved with public speaking and how to change how you feel when talking in public. 
• [27:35] The unconscious sensory information we experience throughout the day. 
• [28:49] The benefits of body scanning and how to redirect your attention to change your experience. 
• [30:24] How to recenter yourself when you’re feeling overwhelmed. 
• [32:14] How to identify what state you’re in. 
• [34:33] Actionable techniques to alter an undesirable sensation you’re experiencing.

Resources mentioned in this episode
Please note that some of these are affiliate links and we may get a commission in the event that you make a purchase.  This helps us to cover our expenses and is at no additional cost to you.

• Quote: “What you cannot find inside of your own body you will never find elsewhere.”

For the show notes for this episode, including a full transcript and links to all the resources mentioned, visit:

https://changeworklife.com/using-sensation-to-keep-yourself-calm/

Re-assessing your career?  Know you need a change but don't really know where to start?  Check out these two exercises to start the journey of working out what career is right for you!

Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? Send us a text message!

#213: Kathy Oneto is a life-work strategist, author and founder of Sustainable Ambition.  She explains what makes an ambition sustainable, the different influences that drive ambitions, and the difficulty of predicting what will make us happy. 

What you’ll learn

• [01:50] The difference between traditional ambition and sustainable ambition. 
• [03:33] What unsustainable ambition looks like. 
• [05:24] The difference between a challenging ambition and a misplaced ambition. 
• [07:28] The different influences that drive ambitions. 
• [11:17] How to avoid shiny object syndrome. 
• [13:23] The physical signs your ambitions are misaligned with your self. 
• [16:12] Affective forecasting and how to react when you start questioning your ambitions. 
• [18:25] The four different motivators for following ambitions.
• [21:28] The distinction between doing what you love and loving what you do. 
• [23:41] How to gain clarity on what you want to do with your life. 
• [26:00] How to identify what sparks your curiosity.  
• [28:55] How to apply your ambitions to your life. 
• [31:12] How to balance your responsibilities and ambitions. 
• [34:04] How much time it takes to achieve an ambition. 
• [36:27] Actionable steps to identify your ambitions. 

Resources mentioned in this episode
Please note that some of these are affiliate links and we may get a commission in the event that you make a purchase.  This helps us to cover our expenses and is at no additional cost to you.

• Affective Forecasting, Timothy Wilson and Daniel Gilbert
• Conscious Business, Fred Kofman
• Working Identity, Herminia Ibarra
• Squiggly Careers podcast
• “Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.”, Mark Twain
• Change Work Life coaching

For the show notes for this episode, including a full transcript and links to all the resources mentioned, visit:

https://changeworklife.com/ambition-that-lasts-pursuing-success-without-losing-yourself/

Re-assessing your career?  Know you need a change but don't really know where to start?  Check out these two exercises to start the journey of working out what career is right for you!

Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? Send us a text message!

#212: Steven Puri is the Founder and CEO of The Sukha Company where he helps millions of people find their focus, achieve more and have a healthy work life.  He explains the type of environment people are most productive in, how to train your brain to be more productive, and the mindset people working from home should have. 

What you’ll learn

• [02:04] How Steven went from working in Hollywood to building computer software. 
• [06:56] The business aspect of the entertainment industry. 
• [09:18] The benefits of working remotely. 
• [10:36] The problems of working remotely. 
• [12:14] How AI can improve your productivity.
• [15:20] The type of work that can effectively be done remotely.
• [18:10] How to train your brain to be productive when working from home. 
• [21:25] How to create a productive working space at home. 
• [23:18] The type of music that helps you get into a flow state. 
• [25:26] The type of physical space you need to be productive. 
• [26:40] The mindset you should have when working from home. 
• [32:45] How to maximise how productive you are. 
• [38:09] The importance of intentionality and the dangers of dopamine. 
• [39:35] How to use time boxing to manage your time. 
• [42:17] What to do if you find yourself wasting too much time. 
• [45:11] Actionable steps to be more productive.

Resources mentioned in this episode
Please note that some of these are affiliate links and we may get a commission in the event that you make a purchase.  This helps us to cover our expenses and is at no additional cost to you.

• Deep Work, Cal Newport
• Atomic Habits, James Clear
• Flow, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
• Controlling Your Dopamine For Motivation, Focus & Satisfaction, Andrew Huberman
• Predictably Irrational, Dan Ariely
• The Lessons of History, Will and Ariel Durant

For the show notes for this episode, including a full transcript and links to all the resources mentioned, visit:

https://changeworklife.com/mastering-focus-boosting-productivity-in-your-home-office/

Re-assessing your career?  Know you need a change but don't really know where to start?  Check out these two exercises to start the journey of working out what career is right for you!

Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? Send us a text message!

#211: Rachael Edmondson-Clarke is a speaker, trainer and coach who helps people connect to their true selves, at work and in life.  She explains why being authentic at work is so important, how to know what’s authentic for you, and practical steps to uncover your authentic self. 

What you’ll learn

• [01:55] Why authenticity is so important in the workplace. 
• [03:27] How to know what’s authentic for you. 
• [05:23] Signs you’re not being authentic. 
• [6:57] What happens when you act authentically. 
• [10:15] What can happen when you work isn’t aligned with your self. 
• [12:35] Warning signs that your work isn’t a good fit for you. 
• [15:20] Practical steps to uncover your authentic self. 
• [18:00] How to assess areas of your life that you want to improve. 
• [24:16] The different things people value. 
• [28:35] The effect of negative language patterns. 
• [30:09] How to separate social pressure and self actualisation. 
• [33:25] How to be appropriately authentic in the workplace. 
• [41:28] The type of self awareness you need to act appropriately at work. 

Resources mentioned in this episode
Please note that some of these are affiliate links and we may get a commission in the event that you make a purchase.  This helps us to cover our expenses and is at no additional cost to you.

• Values Elicitation Demonstration
• The Trust Triangle

For the show notes for this episode, including a full transcript and links to all the resources mentioned, visit:

https://changeworklife.com/the-balance-of-being-genuine-authenticity-at-work/

Re-assessing your career?  Know you need a change but don't really know where to start?  Check out these two exercises to start the journey of working out what career is right for you!

Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? Send us a text message!

#210: Jack Bonehill is a tax advisor and host of The Tax Professionals Podcast.  He explains why he started a podcast about tax, how his employer responded to his podcast, and the benefits he’s gained through podcasting. 

What you’ll learn

• [02:52] Trying to make money with YouTube videos. 
• [03:47] Why Jack made a podcast about tax. 
• [05:31] How to overcome imposter syndrome. 
• [06:18] The personality behind wanting to start a side hustle. 
• [08:25] What makes challenge attractive. 
• [09:37] The pros and cons of wanting to be a high achiever.
• [11:49] How Jack stays motivated. 
• [12:24] The challenges that arise when you quickly progress in your career. 
• [13:46] The problem with assessing someone based solely on their experience. 
• [15:30] How to get better at what you do in your workplace. 
• [18:15] The issues with businesses that only focus on profit. 
• [19:57] How to retain your identity as you become more senior. 
• [23:10] Why it’s beneficial to be open and transparent. 
• [26:55] How different generations view work culture differently. 
• [29:05] The old-fashioned nature of the tax advice industry. 
• [31:50] The benefits of hosting a podcast. 
• [35:42] How colleagues and employers respond to you running a side hustle. 
• [41:32] The unique nature of LinkedIn and how to use it to win work. 
• [44:49] Why explore coaching. 
• [46:57] The most surprising aspect of coaching. 
• [48:42] The results Jack got from coaching.

Resources mentioned in this episode
Please note that some of these are affiliate links and we may get a commission in the event that you make a purchase.  This helps us to cover our expenses and is at no additional cost to you.

• Smart Passive Income
• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Steven Covey
• Storyworthy, Matthew Dicks
• Change Work Life coaching

For the show notes for this episode, including a full transcript and links to all the resources mentioned, visit:

https://changeworklife.com/doing-things-differently-working-a-traditional-career-in-a-non-traditional-way/

Re-assessing your career?  Know you need a change but don't really know where to start?  Check out these two exercises to start the journey of working out what career is right for you!

Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? Send us a text message!

#209: Tom Preston and Luciana Nuñez are both highly experienced executive coaches and authors of the book Coaching Power.  They explain the different aspects of leadership, why leaders need to be coaches, and the results leaders see when they start coaching. 

What you’ll learn

• [03:52] The different aspects of leadership. 
• [07:23] The importance of having purpose within your work. 
• [08:13] What coaching really means. 
• [09:50] Common misconceptions leaders have about coaching. 
• [12:32] The collaborative aspect of coaching. 
• [14:21] The similarities of sports coaching and business coaching. 
• [21:00] Why coaching and leadership should be synonymous. 
• [22:40] The challenges of being a good coach. 
• [24:10] Why leaders should incorporate coaching into their leadership style. 
• [26:30] The results leaders see when they start coaching. 
• [30:36] How to introduce coaching into your leadership style. 
• [34:19] How to know which “gear” to choose in your interactions with colleagues. 
• [36:55] How to build confidence in your role. 
• [41:30] What you can do to incorporate coaching into the way you work. 

Resources mentioned in this episode
Please note that some of these are affiliate links and we may get a commission in the event that you make a purchase.  This helps us to cover our expenses and is at no additional cost to you.

• Coaching Power, Tom Preston and Luciana Nunez

For the show notes for this episode, including a full transcript and links to all the resources mentioned, visit:

https://changeworklife.com/why-every-leader-needs-to-be-a-coach/

Re-assessing your career?  Know you need a change but don't really know where to start?  Check out these two exercises to start the journey of working out what career is right for you!

Questions? Comments? Episode suggestions? Send us a text message!

#208: Joanne Merrick is the founder of The Leadership Recipe and has over 25 years of global experience in helping individuals and organisations thrive.  She explains the different types of management, what you need to consider before moving to a managerial position, and the skills managers need to have.

What you’ll learn

• [02:14] The importance of understanding what a managerial role entails. 
• [04:29] Do you have to become a manager to climb the corporate ladder? 
• [06:11] Different types of management. 
• [07:01] The types of tools and systems that can be managed. 
• [09:14] The role of a manager in achieving company cohesion. 
• [10:40] Common misconceptions people have about management positions. 
• [13:36] The difference between leadership and management. 
• [17:31] How to operate between paradigms. 
• [18:44] What you need to consider before moving to a managerial position. 
• [20:20] The reasons people want to become a manager. 
• [23:30] The mindset managers need to have and the realities of a management role. 
• [24:59] The most important skills managers need to have. 
• [27:26] The emotional intelligence you need as a manager. 
• [29:35] How to improve your management skills. 
• [32:58] How to put yourself forward for a management position. 
• [34:33] How to divide your time as a line manager. 
• [40:57] How managers can get the best out of their team. 
• [43:10] How to manage the shift in relationship dynamics when you move from being someone’s colleague to being their boss.

Resources mentioned in this episode
Please note that some of these are affiliate links and we may get a commission in the event that you make a purchase.  This helps us to cover our expenses and is at no additional cost to you.

• Carol Dweck
• Harvard Business Review
• LinkedIn Learning
• The Leadership Pipeline, Ram Charan
• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey
• The Let Them Theory, Mel Robbins
• Change Work Life Coaching

For the show notes for this episode, including a full transcript and links to all the resources mentioned, visit:

https://changeworklife.com/should-you-become-a-line-manager-how-to-decide-if-its-right-for-you/

Re-assessing your career?  Know you need a change but don't really know where to start?  Check out these two exercises to start the journey of working out what career is right for you!