UNSHAKEABLE HER: Real-World Leadership, Influence and Promotion for Ambitious Women.

In this engaging conversation, Jon McLeod shares insights on reputation management, the importance of treating people well, and the nuances of building a strong personal and professional reputation. He discusses the challenges of navigating career paths, the impact of generational differences on work ethic, and the significance of learning from mistakes. The dialogue emphasises the value of self-awareness, effective communication, and the necessity of seeking feedback in both personal and professional contexts. Jon also provides practical advice for managing crises and the art of delivering sincere apologies, ultimately encouraging listeners to enjoy their work and maintain a positive outlook.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Treat everyone well, not for transactional benefit.
• Reputation is contingent on actions aligning with words.
• You can't talk your way out of a bad reputation.
• Take care of your reputation like an organ of the body.
• Don't rush to action in a crisis; reflective pause is key.
• A well-handled failure can boost your credibility.
• 80% of success is showing up; attend optional events.
• Seek feedback, even though it's difficult.
• Be honest about your mistakes and learn from them.
• Build your circle of support as you progress in your career.

SOUND BITES

"Be honest about your mistakes."
"80% of success is showing up."
"Have a good time all the time."

RESOURCES

Your Bold Moves brief

The Big Conversation Guide for teams

Our blog develops the ideas further here

Connect with Jon here

Connect with Caroline here

New episodes are released every Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings.

Stuck, simmering, or onto something juicy? I want to hear it. Drop me a line at [email protected] - I read them all.

And here is the Spotify Playlist to accompany UnShakeable Her.

Unshakeable Her is the podcast for women in leadership who are ready to build real influence, earn the promotion they deserve, and lead with confidence in systems that weren't built for them. Each episode tackles the challenges that shape leadership from the inside out, including imposter syndrome, resilience, credibility, boundaries, conflict, and feedback, while unpacking how pressure, workplace politics, strategic thinking, decision-making, and visibility affect the way ambitious women grow, lead, and get promoted without losing themselves in the process.

In this episode, Caroline Esterson explores the intricacies of workplace motivation, focusing on how different mental filters and needs shape our behaviours and interactions. By examining theories from nlp, Dan Pink and Tony Robbins, she provides insights into understanding personal and others' motivations, offering practical strategies for navigating workplace dynamics and enhancing career growth.

TAKEAWAYS

• Understanding different motivations can improve workplace dynamics.
• NLP meta programs are filters that shape our thinking.
• Dan Pink identifies purpose, autonomy, and mastery as key motivators.
• Tony Robbins outlines six human needs that drive behaviour.
• Recognising filters can help in managing conflicts at work.
• Framing ideas in a way that resonates with others is crucial.
• Decoding oneself and others can lead to better collaboration.
• Balancing motivation diets is essential for career satisfaction.
• Flexibility in understanding wiring can enhance team effectiveness.

SOUND BITES

"We're decoding this wiring today."
"We all share six human needs."
"Understanding is your key."
 

RESOURCES

What drives you, Quiz?

BOLD MOVES BRIEF

BIG CONVERSATION STARTER

More on nlp metaprogrammes

A summary of Dan Pink's Drive from RSA Animate

Tony Robbins Blog on the 6 human needs

Connect with Caroline here

New episodes are released every Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings.

Stuck, simmering, or onto something juicy? I want to hear it. Drop me a line at [email protected] - I read them all.

And here is the Spotify Playlist to accompany UnShakeable Her.

Unshakeable Her is the podcast for women in leadership who are ready to build real influence, earn the promotion they deserve, and lead with confidence in systems that weren't built for them. Each episode tackles the challenges that shape leadership from the inside out, including imposter syndrome, resilience, credibility, boundaries, conflict, and feedback, while unpacking how pressure, workplace politics, strategic thinking, decision-making, and visibility affect the way ambitious women grow, lead, and get promoted without losing themselves in the process.

Join us for Part 2 of this insightful conversation with Paul Dawson, CEO if Agena Group, in which he shares insights on transitioning from corporate to private equity, delivering public sector services, and the value of understanding your role in the workplace. He emphasises the importance of being comfortable with discomfort and provides practical advice for personal and professional growth.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Leadership Insights: Explore Paul's approach to personal and team leadership, focusing on creating a culture of continuous growth and empowerment. 
• Career Transitions: Learn about Paul's move from corporate to private equity, highlighting the significance of knowing when to embrace change. 
• The Three P's Framework: Paul shares his guiding principle of prioritising people, product, and profit in decision-making.
• Culture is crucial in organisations.
• Focus on the value of the service provided

Connect with Caroline here

Connect with Paul here

Agena Group website

CALL TO ACTION

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us on your favourite podcast platform. 

Share it with anyone who might benefit from Paul's story and insights. 

Remember, even the smallest move can lead to big career changes.

New episodes are released every Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings.

Stuck, simmering, or onto something juicy? I want to hear it. Drop me a line at [email protected] - I read them all.

And here is the Spotify Playlist to accompany UnShakeable Her.

Unshakeable Her is the podcast for women in leadership who are ready to build real influence, earn the promotion they deserve, and lead with confidence in systems that weren't built for them. Each episode tackles the challenges that shape leadership from the inside out, including imposter syndrome, resilience, credibility, boundaries, conflict, and feedback, while unpacking how pressure, workplace politics, strategic thinking, decision-making, and visibility affect the way ambitious women grow, lead, and get promoted without losing themselves in the process.

In this conversation, Paul Dawson reflects on his early career experiences, the challenges faced in management, and the importance of mentorship and continuous learning. He discusses overcoming prejudice, navigating stress, and the significance of organisational culture.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Despite being average in GCSEs it didn't stop Paul from carving out an incredible career
• Apprenticeship led to an unexpected career path.
• No regrets about career decisions made.
• Importance of mentorship and learning from others.
• Facing prejudice in early management roles.
• Mental health challenges due to work stress.
• Embracing discomfort leads to growth.

Connect with Caroline here

Connect with Paul here

Agena Group website

CALL TO ACTION

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us on your favourite podcast platform. 

Share it with anyone who might benefit from Paul's story and insights. 

Remember, even the smallest move can lead to big career changes.

New episodes are released every Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings.

Stuck, simmering, or onto something juicy? I want to hear it. Drop me a line at [email protected] - I read them all.

And here is the Spotify Playlist to accompany UnShakeable Her.

Unshakeable Her is the podcast for women in leadership who are ready to build real influence, earn the promotion they deserve, and lead with confidence in systems that weren't built for them. Each episode tackles the challenges that shape leadership from the inside out, including imposter syndrome, resilience, credibility, boundaries, conflict, and feedback, while unpacking how pressure, workplace politics, strategic thinking, decision-making, and visibility affect the way ambitious women grow, lead, and get promoted without losing themselves in the process.

Join Caroline Esterson as she delves into the subtle yet impactful world of unconscious bias and its effects on workplace dynamics. Discover how everyday actions can undermine psychological safety and learn strategies to rise above these challenges.

KEY POINTS

Unconscious bias and its influence on workplace interactions. The role of gossip and blame as social contagions. Strategies to foster psychological safety and collaboration. Real-life scenarios illustrating above and below the line behaviors. The importance of mindset in overcoming bias and fostering innovation.

SOUNDBITES

"Bias isn't always loud or intentional. It's those mental shortcuts your brain runs without asking you first." 

"Belonging that's built on gossip is cheap. Belonging that's built on honesty, well, that's the kind of crew I want to fly with."

#BiasAwareness #PsychologicalSafety #WorkplaceCulture

NEXT EPISODE TEASER

Tune in next week as Paul Dawson shares his journey from scraping through GCSEs to becoming a CEO, proving that success is not a straight line.

RESOURCES 

• Grab your: 
  • Safe to Speak checklist here
  • Bold Moves Brief here
  • Big Conversation Starter here
• Read more about it here
• CONNECT WITH GARY  HERE
• CONNECT WITH CAROLINE HERE

New episodes are released every Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings.

Stuck, simmering, or onto something juicy? I want to hear it. Drop me a line at [email protected] - I read them all.

And here is the Spotify Playlist to accompany UnShakeable Her.

Unshakeable Her is the podcast for women in leadership who are ready to build real influence, earn the promotion they deserve, and lead with confidence in systems that weren't built for them. Each episode tackles the challenges that shape leadership from the inside out, including imposter syndrome, resilience, credibility, boundaries, conflict, and feedback, while unpacking how pressure, workplace politics, strategic thinking, decision-making, and visibility affect the way ambitious women grow, lead, and get promoted without losing themselves in the process.

In this episode, Caroline Esterson and Gary Keogh delve into the concept of psychological safety in the workplace, exploring its importance, the barriers to achieving it, and the roles individuals and leaders play in fostering an environment where everyone feels safe to speak up. They discuss personal experiences, the significance of inclusion, and practical tips for creating a psychologically safe workplace. The conversation emphasises the need for curiosity, humility, and vulnerability, and highlights the importance of measuring psychological safety to drive meaningful change.

TAKEAWAYS

• Psychological safety is crucial for open communication in teams.
• Leaders play a significant role, but everyone contributes to creating safety.
• Curiosity and humility are essential traits for fostering psychological safety.
• Two in five people feel unsafe to speak up in teams.
• Mistakes should be viewed as learning opportunities, not failures.
• Inclusion is vital for team dynamics and individual contributions.
• Measuring psychological safety can provide insights into team health.
• Creating an environment for open conversations enhances team performance.
• Empowerment and accountability can coexist in a compassionate workplace.

Small actions can lead to significant changes in workplace culture.

SOUND BITES

"We all have a role to play."
"Two in five people don't feel safe to speak up."
"You can measure psychological safety."

RESOURCES 

• Grab your: 
  • Safe to Speak checklist here
  • Bold Moves Brief here
  • Big Conversation Starter here
• Read more about it here
• CONNECT WITH GARY  HERE
• CONNECT WITH CAROLINE HERE

New episodes are released every Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings.

Stuck, simmering, or onto something juicy? I want to hear it. Drop me a line at [email protected] - I read them all.

And here is the Spotify Playlist to accompany UnShakeable Her.

Unshakeable Her is the podcast for women in leadership who are ready to build real influence, earn the promotion they deserve, and lead with confidence in systems that weren't built for them. Each episode tackles the challenges that shape leadership from the inside out, including imposter syndrome, resilience, credibility, boundaries, conflict, and feedback, while unpacking how pressure, workplace politics, strategic thinking, decision-making, and visibility affect the way ambitious women grow, lead, and get promoted without losing themselves in the process.

Join Caroline Esterson as she tackles the crippling effects of perfectionism in the workplace. 

This episode features career strategist, therapeutic counsellor and coach, Chris Mooney, who shares insights on overcoming fear and embracing progress. Learn actionable strategies to boost your career momentum by prioritising progress over perfection. Discover why "practice makes progress" is the key to success, and get ready for next week's deep dive into psychological safety with expert Gary Keogh. Don't miss out on transforming your career with these powerful insights!

Key Takeaways

• Don't wait for the perfect moment to act.
• Perfectionism can disguise itself as diligence.
• Fear of judgment and failure often holds us back.
• Progress is more important than polish.
• Ask better questions to unlock momentum.
• Sharing ideas early can ignite collaboration.
• Celebrate effort, not just completion.
• Practice makes progress, not perfection.
• Embrace your flaws as part of growth.

Sound bites

"Embrace your flaw-som-ness."
"Practice makes progress."
"You just need more courage."

RESOURCES

• Grab your Perfectionist Recovery Kit and Team Tool right here
• Read more about it here
• Connect with Caroline on LinkedIn 
• Connect with Chris on LinkedIn 

New episodes are released every Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings.

Stuck, simmering, or onto something juicy? I want to hear it. Drop me a line at [email protected] - I read them all.

And here is the Spotify Playlist to accompany UnShakeable Her.

Unshakeable Her is the podcast for women in leadership who are ready to build real influence, earn the promotion they deserve, and lead with confidence in systems that weren't built for them. Each episode tackles the challenges that shape leadership from the inside out, including imposter syndrome, resilience, credibility, boundaries, conflict, and feedback, while unpacking how pressure, workplace politics, strategic thinking, decision-making, and visibility affect the way ambitious women grow, lead, and get promoted without losing themselves in the process.

In this episode, Caroline emphasises the critical role of reflection in career development. She discusses how strategic self-reflection can lead to significant improvements in performance and personal growth. She introduces you to four types of reflection: 

1. Pre-reflection, 
2. Daily reset, 
3. Growth reflection, and 
4. Future-facing reflection, 

Each one serves a unique purpose in enhancing intentionality and effectiveness in professional settings. She encourages listeners to adopt these practices to foster a habit of reflection that can lead to meaningful career advancements.


Key Takeaways

• Most people don't reflect; they just react and repeat.
• Reflection is essential for career growth and insight.
• 15 minutes of daily reflection can improve performance by 23%.
• Reflection can be simple and fit into daily life.
• Creating a habit of reflection can lead to significant changes.
• Reflection is about upgrading, not dwelling on the past.

Sound bites

"Reflection is your key."
"What did I learn this week?"
"Debug it, don't dwell."

Useful links

Download your Reflection Cheat Sheet right here

Connect with Caroline on LinkedIn

New episodes are released every Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings.

Stuck, simmering, or onto something juicy? I want to hear it. Drop me a line at [email protected] - I read them all.

And here is the Spotify Playlist to accompany UnShakeable Her.

Unshakeable Her is the podcast for women in leadership who are ready to build real influence, earn the promotion they deserve, and lead with confidence in systems that weren't built for them. Each episode tackles the challenges that shape leadership from the inside out, including imposter syndrome, resilience, credibility, boundaries, conflict, and feedback, while unpacking how pressure, workplace politics, strategic thinking, decision-making, and visibility affect the way ambitious women grow, lead, and get promoted without losing themselves in the process.

Join Caroline Esterson in this reflective episode as she revisits the highlights of the past 10 episodes. From the importance of intentional visibility to embracing curiosity and taking messy action, Caroline shares key insights and listener stories that showcase how small moves can lead to significant career shifts. 

Discover actionable tools and resources designed to help you turn insights into action. 

Key Takeaways

• Reflection is crucial for personal and professional growth.
• Hard work alone is insufficient for career advancement.
• Intentionality and visibility are key to success.
• Tools and resources can help translate insights into action.
• Small moves can lead to significant changes in career paths.
• Building psychological safety fosters honest conversations.
• Personal stories can inspire and guide others in their journeys.
• Learning occurs on multiple levels: content, process, and reaction.
• Celebrating progress is essential for motivation and continued growth.

New episodes are released every Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings.

Stuck, simmering, or onto something juicy? I want to hear it. Drop me a line at [email protected] - I read them all.

And here is the Spotify Playlist to accompany UnShakeable Her.

Unshakeable Her is the podcast for women in leadership who are ready to build real influence, earn the promotion they deserve, and lead with confidence in systems that weren't built for them. Each episode tackles the challenges that shape leadership from the inside out, including imposter syndrome, resilience, credibility, boundaries, conflict, and feedback, while unpacking how pressure, workplace politics, strategic thinking, decision-making, and visibility affect the way ambitious women grow, lead, and get promoted without losing themselves in the process.

In this episode, Caroline shines a spotlight on drift - the quiet career killer that shows up when you’re doing the tasks but losing direction.  She challenges listeners to cut through the noise and embrace intentionality in their careers. Whether you're mid-pivot or feeling stuck, Caroline offers practical advice on making deliberate choices that can transform your professional journey. Discover the concept of the "two millimetre difference" and learn how small, intentional shifts can lead to significant outcomes. 

Tune in for a mix of cheeky games, career insights, and actionable strategies to help you stand out and build a career you're proud of. Don't miss this mic-drop moment as we wrap up the season with a call to action: make your next move, no matter how small, with purpose.

Key Concepts Covered:

• Burnout isn't a weakness. It's a signal that your current strategy is unsustainable.
• Clarity comes from movement, not more overthinking or 3 am job board spirals.
• The 2mm Difference: Small, intentional shifts that radically alter your career trajectory
• Intentionality over effort. It's not how much you do; it’s how you do it that gets noticed.
• Micro-choices build macro momentum. Stop aiming for the leap. Start with the tilt.

Listen Now If You:

• Feel like you’re working hard but going nowhere
• Are constantly overwhelmed and thinking of quitting
• Want to rebuild focus, energy, and career direction without a full reset
• Need a bold nudge to stop drifting and start deciding

RESOURCES

BOLD MOVES BRIEF

BIG CONVERSATION STARTER

Explore the 2mm Difference concept

Connect with Caroline here

If this episode lit a spark, share it with a teammate, post your own 2mm move using #IntentionalAF, or leave a review that helps this podcast reach someone else who needs it.

You are Intentional.
Now go prove it.

New episodes are released every Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings.

Stuck, simmering, or onto something juicy? I want to hear it. Drop me a line at [email protected] - I read them all.

And here is the Spotify Playlist to accompany UnShakeable Her.

Unshakeable Her is the podcast for women in leadership who are ready to build real influence, earn the promotion they deserve, and lead with confidence in systems that weren't built for them. Each episode tackles the challenges that shape leadership from the inside out, including imposter syndrome, resilience, credibility, boundaries, conflict, and feedback, while unpacking how pressure, workplace politics, strategic thinking, decision-making, and visibility affect the way ambitious women grow, lead, and get promoted without losing themselves in the process.