Debbie Jenkins was my book coach, so it seemed fitting that I interviewed her for Series 2 of Leader Insider Secrets, which focuses on the topics covered in my book, Inner Brilliance · Outer Shine: 10 Antidotes to Imposter Syndrome, Workaholism and Stress.

Without Debs, my book would never have got published. She is one of the best businesswomen I know. Full of fun, ideas and chaos! We talk about chaos a lot on this episode and how you can turn clever thoughts into assets.

Debs has run businesses and led people for a long time. She had beanbags in chillout rooms before they were even a thing at Google – this is how her mind works. Always ahead of the curve. Originally an electronics engineer, but since then has run a marketing company, written many books, and coached lots of authors.

Here’s what we cover:

· How to use chaos effectively – it needs constraints.

· Being polymathic. I’d never heard of the word until this episode.

· How she is recovering from control freakery which stems from being the oldest child of four. This led to always feeling responsible, stepping forward and getting things done. However, it got exhausting.

· How imposter syndrome keeps her humble and on her toes.

· What ‘4 am Dave brain’ is and how she deals with it.

· How a story which her headmaster told her each year, became a burden initially, but then inspired change. She learnt not to compare herself with others.

We laughed a lot on this episode like two naughty school girls, as I suspected we would.

You can connect with Debs on most social media platforms @debsjenkins. You can find out more about the work that Debs does at: https://theassetpath.com/ or https://debbiejenkins.com/

You can connect with me Estelle Read, book a free 30 minute discovery session, get free resources or order my book Inner Brilliance · Outer Shine: 10 Antidotes to Imposter Syndrome, Workaholism and Stress here.

Thank you for listening to Leader Insider Secrets. You can help this podcast grow by leaving an honest review.

Also, if you want to get future episodes remember to hit subscribe.

Andrew Bridge, Managing Partner of Fisher German (FG) really embodies what it means to be a great, modern leader. FG employs over 600 employees and is 60-person partnership. This is no mean feat when it comes to creating alignment, because it’s like having 60 business owners!

Andrew is purpose driven. He recognises how his organisation can make a difference to the survival of the human race through their services.

He genuinely thinks highly of his team (he says they are amazing) and very much achieves results through them. 

What’s evident about Andrew’s success is his mindset. Always seeing the opportunity in challenges but also continually growing and helping his team to be the best they can be.

We talk about the things that contribute towards both his and FG’s success:

How a big part of leadership involves talking to people and listening.

How taking time to think and reflect enables him to be focused on what he’s going to achieve each day.

How, since lockdown he is more conscious of what a good day or meeting looks like and the outcomes which are necessary.

That profitability comes from your people being happy and enjoying what they're doing and your clients being happy and content with the service.

He reads a lot! His favourite book is Legacy. He also has my book on his bedside cabinet, which he kindly endorsed. The business subscribes to Audible and they have a book club so that people can share their learning. 

How imposter syndrome creates fear and self-doubt, which exists in everybody, but that having the right level of support around you helps.

How you must appreciate that some things are outside of your control and that worrying about them isn’t going to make any difference.

How he sees himself as a guardian who is ensuring they are all working together as one team moving in the right direction.

How he felt that at school he was always chasing his tail and wasn’t academic, so instead learnt how to communicate and convince people effectively. He loves standing up in front of people and being able to talk without a script!

How he has been constantly trying to prove himself to make those people around him proud – in particular his mum and dad. 

He recognises that he’s not perfect and never will be, but if he can make himself a little bit better than he was yesterday, then that's progress.

How he’s developing a culture where it is a safe place to fail, which is easier to say, but a lot more difficult to create. This is not because they deliberately set out to fail. It’s about doing something different next time [when things go wrong], but also being able to express yourself without fear, so that you reach your boosted potential.

When he thinks about success, he thinks about his Dad.

Andrew is a great person and would love you to connect with him. He’d like you to realise that leaders are normal people, who want other people to be able to talk to them; relate to them.

You can connect with Andrew Bridge on LinkedIn. You can find out more about Fisher German here.

You can connect with me Estelle Read, book a free 30 minute discovery session, get free resources or order my book Inner Brilliance · Outer Shine: 10 Antidotes to Imposter Syndrome, Workaholism and Stress.

Thank you for listening to Leader Insider Secrets. You can help this podcast grow by leaving an honest review. 

Also, if you want to get future episodes remember to hit subscribe.  

Do you sometimes shoulder the burden of everyone else's problems, take charge and responsibility to resolve them? Do you care, passionately about other people, especially during periods of change and adjustment? Or maybe you help others at the drop of a hat. These are all great qualities. 

Have you heard the phrase, 'Any strength overdone can become a weakness'? We can be our own worst enemy sometimes by overdoing these strengths, which ultimately damage our performance, effectiveness and resilience. This was me a few weeks ago, whilst dealing with some difficult news. 

I share 8 lessons from a sh*t storm, which I unintentionally created and how we can bring these strengths back into to balance and ensure we look after ourselves, as well as the rest of the world / workforce / family.

I recorded this podcast as a tribute to my Dad on a significant day. A day on which everything could change direction in a second. 

You can connect, find out more or book a free 30 minute discovery session here: https://linktr.ee/EstelleAtBeee

Chrissie Spencer is the Director of Marketing & Communications for the UK & Europe at DDC, who provide customer experience solutions and business processing services.

Chrissie also ran her own marketing agency for many years and so gave interesting insights to both corporate and entrepreneurial business-life.

If you’re in need of your spirits lifting, this is a great episode to listen to, as Chrissie’s laughter and positive way of looking at work and life transmits over the digital airwaves.

We cover lots of ground in 60 minutes:

• How imposter syndrome can drive success.
• The power of having a community of people around you, which raise her up when she thinks she can’t do something.
• We talk about ‘putting your big girl pants on’. She has overcome lots of challenges over the years and has done so with strength and grace. She rarely moans.
• Why she doesn’t really get stressed.
• The positives that have come out of COVID and how her business has adapted.
• The impact of a positive culture at work and how her company lives up to its values.
• The phrases and self-talk she uses to navigate a successful and happy work-life.

Chrissie is intelligent, funny, warm, creative and a pragmatist, which make her a brilliant leader and business women.

Hear ‘dare to be a different’ accountant Francesca Tricarico Managing Director of Future Cloud Accounting talk about how:

· She increased her LinkedIn followers from 3.5k to 23k in 2020 – and she’s not done yet!

· She grew her business to a team of 6 people without a website.

· Sometimes she questions whether she’s ‘too brave’.

· Her body ‘is better now, than before I had two kids’. Fran shares a key mindset shift and her passion for weightlifting.

· She loves to help people and their businesses grow by making things simpler and easier for her clients. Her ‘fire’ to support others comes from having been through a lot herself and her frustrations as a kid. 

· She used to try and ‘fit in’ with the crowd, but then created her own path.

· Her regimented routines have enabled success.

· She uses her inner dialogue positively.

Fran is a strong woman both mentally and physically and leaves you with the impression that she will achieve whatever she envisions. You can follow Fran here: Francesca Tricarico MAAT | LinkedIn

I chat with Caitrina Oakes, Managing Director of Vetoquinol UK & Ireland. From veterinary nursing to leading a global animal-health leader, Caitrina shares her values-driven approach to leadership, routines that support focus, and the power of exercise to reset the mind.

She reveals how a trust-first culture and candid conversations drive performance, plus the impact of a Management Excellence Programme on team effectiveness and retention.

What You Will Learn:

💡 Self-awareness and leveraging your unique leadership identity

💡 Stress management through exercise and disciplined planning

💡 Building honesty and accountability to boost morale and results

Tune in to gain practical leadership insights, explore Caitrina’s journey, and discover how to lead with clarity, courage, and compassion.

Here’s to your shining!

Estelle Read

Bestselling Author, Coach & Speaker

Timestamps:

(00:00) Welcome & Introduction by Estelle Read

(01:04) Meet Katrina Oakes: Journey from Veterinary Nurse to Managing Director

(05:30) The Importance of Values and Upbringing in Leadership

(12:00) Daily Routines: Exercise as a Reset Button

(18:45) Navigating Stress and Difficult Conversations

(27:00) The Management Excellence Programme: A Case Study

(36:00) Building a Culture of Trust and Open Communication

(45:30) Embracing Uniqueness: Understanding Your Leadership Identity

(52:00) Final Thoughts & How to Connect

⭐Help Us Keep Growing & Going:

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe wherever you listen or watch, leave a review or share it with someone who might benefit. Thank you ❤️.

⭐Listen or Watch on YouTube:

Listen on your favourite podcast platform here: https://estelleread.com/podcast/ orwatch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EstelleRead/podcasts

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⭐Access Resources or Book a Free Discovery Call:

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⭐ Work with Estelle Read:

Find out more about our coaching programmes:

🌟The Resilient Leader Programme: SHINE: https://estelleread.com/the-shine-coaching-programme/

🌟The Optimised Leader Programme: NEXT LEVEL: https://estelleread.com/next-level-leadership-programme/

⭐Buy Estelle Read’s Bestselling Book :

Inner Brilliance, Outer Shine: 10 Antidotes to Imposter Syndrome, Workaholism and Stress: https://amzn.eu/d/67dE4CH

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⭐Disclaimer:

This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. Please consult a qualified professional for specific advice.