What happens when you go from being a big fish in a small pond to a tiny minnow in one of the UK's biggest retailers? And what do you do when opportunity arrives disguised as discomfort?

This week on Coach Class, I caught up with former Asda colleague Phil Wilkinson (or "Wilko" to those who shared the Asda House years). Phil's career journey has taken him from the trading floor at Asda to leading digital commerce and omnichannel experience across Europe for some of the world's biggest brands, but this conversation is less about job titles and more about the people and moments that shape us.

Phil reflects on the leaders who left their mark, from Phil Briggs encouraging individuality and innovation, to Jane Franklin's unwavering support and Graham "Big G" Chadwick's ability to bring people together and create trust.

The conversation explores:

• Going from a "small fish in a big pond" and learning to find your place
• Why leadership isn't always about being the technical expert in the room
• The power of credibility, trust and relationships
• The uncomfortable reality of impostor syndrome
• Moving from Asda after 13 years to relocate to Ireland and join Kellogg's
• The emotional "change curve" — excitement, doubt and the inevitable "What have I done?" moment
• Why embracing change often creates the biggest opportunities for growth
• Authenticity, vulnerability and building trust as a leader

One of the strongest messages from Phil is that we often wait until we feel fully qualified before stepping forward, when in reality growth usually starts before confidence arrives.

As Phil puts it: "You don't need to be perfect. You need to be authentic. You need to be yourself."

Listen now and subscribe to Coach Class for more conversations about leadership, careers and the moments that shape us.

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