Welcome back to Your Path to Career Success — the podcast that helps you build the skills, confidence and strategies to thrive in your career.

In this final episode of Season 8, we’re talking about something that can feel both exciting and overwhelming: creating a 3-year career strategy that gives you clarity and direction, without locking you into a rigid plan.

Instead of feeling weighed down by “perfect planning,” you’ll learn how to use your strategy like a compass - guiding you forward with purpose while still leaving space for growth, pivots and new opportunities.

🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
• Why a 3-year career strategy matters and how it’s different from a rigid plan
• How to create a vision that feels inspiring and motivating
• Practical steps to set flexible milestones that support your growth
• How to review and adapt your plan so it evolves with you
• Real-life stories and tips to keep your strategy energised and adaptable

You’ll walk away with tools to map out your next three years in a way that’s flexible, motivating and aligned with who you are becoming so you can grow with confidence, not pressure.

✨ Season Wrap-Up
That’s a wrap for Season 8! Thank you so much for tuning in, following along, and sharing this journey with me. We’ll be back on 17th September with Season 9 — a brand-new series focused on new and aspiring leaders, exploring how to grow your leadership career with clarity, confidence, and purpose.

What Next?
Thanks for being part of Season 8 of Your Path To Career Success — where ambition meets inner clarity.
🦉 Ready to take your career to the next level? Book a free discovery call to explore how my 3-month Unlock Your Career Potential coaching programme or ad-hoc 1-2-1 support can support your growth.
🦉 Found this helpful? Subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a colleague who could use a boost of encouragement.
🦉 You can book 1-2-1 support with me here: https://calendly.com/thecareerowl
🦉 Follow me on LinkedIn for more behind-the-scenes tips, mindset shifts, and leadership insights.

Recommended Resources
To go deeper into creating a career strategy that works for you:
• Toolkit: Career Pathway Toolkit — a self-guided resource for mapping out your next steps
• Book: Designing Your Life by Bill Burnett & Dave Evans — for building a career path that’s flexible and fulfilling
• Book: Atomic Habits by James Clear — for making small, consistent shifts that build long-term success
• Tool: Vision boards, journals, or digital trackers — to help you visualise and adapt your progress

Until 17th September — keep dreaming big, stay adaptable, and remember: your career is your journey. You’ve got this. 💛

I would love to know what you think of the episode

Welcome back to Your Path to Career Success — the podcast that helps you build the skills, confidence, and strategies to thrive in your career.

In this just over 13-minute episode, we’re diving into a quiet but powerful career blocker: perfectionism. Whether you’re triple-checking every email, endlessly polishing projects, or waiting until you feel “ready” before making your next move, perfectionism isn’t helping you, it’s holding you back.

The truth? Perfection doesn’t create better results. It creates procrastination, missed opportunities, and a constant cycle of self-doubt. In this episode, I will share real stories, practical tips and mindset shifts to help you trade perfection for progress and start showing up with confidence.

🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
• The difference between striving for excellence and getting trapped in perfectionism
• The sneaky signs perfectionism is slowing down your career (even if you’re high-achieving)
• Why “done and imperfect” beats “perfect and unseen” every time
• Five practical strategies to break free from perfectionism and take bold, imperfect action
• How to build momentum and confidence by celebrating progress, not just outcomes

You’ll walk away with tools to set boundaries on your time, practice self-compassion and let go of the myth of “perfect.” Because the reality is this: you don’t need to be flawless to be powerful. You need to be consistent, courageous and willing to take messy action.

So if perfectionism has been stealing your time, energy, and opportunities, this episode is your reminder that progress comes from starting — not from waiting until everything is perfect.

What Next?
Thanks so much for tuning in to Your Path To Career Success — where ambition meets inner clarity.
🦉 Ready to take your career to the next level? Book a free discovery call to explore how my 3-month Unlock Your Career Potential coaching programme or ad-hoc 1-2-1 support can support your growth.
🦉 Found this helpful? Subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a colleague who might need this reminder.
🦉 You can book 1-2-1 support with me here: https://calendly.com/thecareerowl
🦉 Follow me on LinkedIn for more behind-the-scenes tips, mindset shifts, and leadership insights.

Recommended Resources
To help you go deeper into releasing perfectionism and building momentum:
• Book: The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown — for embracing courage, compassion, and authenticity
• Book: Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done by Jon Acuff — for practical strategies to complete what you start
• Tool: Use time-boxing or a Pomodoro timer to set healthy boundaries on tasks
• Practice: Keep a “progress journal” to capture small daily wins and build confidence

Until next time, aim for progress, not perfection. Keep showing up, take messy action, and trust that it’s all adding up. You’ve got this. 💛

I would love to know what you think of the episode

Welcome back to Your Path to Career Success — the podcast that helps you build the skills, confidence, and strategies to thrive in your career.

In this just over 8-minute episode, we’re talking about that Sunday feeling — the unease, the mental noise, and the pressure that creeps in just as the weekend winds down. Whether it’s low-key dread or a full-blown anxiety spiral by 6pm, you’re not alone. But what if Sundays didn’t have to feel like that?

This episode is your permission slip to reclaim your Sundays — not as a countdown to chaos, but as a reset button for the week ahead.

🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
• Why Sunday anxiety is so common — and what it’s really about
• The mindset shift that turns Sundays from stressful to sacred
• Simple Sunday rituals that recharge your body and your brain
• How to use light planning to welcome Monday with calm, not panic
• Tools for emotional regulation — from nature walks to digital boundaries
• Affirmations and intentional practices to help you close the weekend with peace

You’ll walk away with gentle mindset shifts, realistic tools, and Sunday rituals to help you protect your energy, feel grounded, and rise into the week with confidence — not overwhelm.

So if you’ve ever felt like Sunday was slipping through your fingers (or stealing your joy), this episode is here to help you press pause, reset your nervous system, and start the new week on your terms.

What Next?
Thanks so much for tuning in to Your Path To Career Success — where ambition meets inner clarity.

🦉 Ready to take your career to the next level? Book a free discovery call to explore how my 3-month Unlock Your Career Potential coaching programme or ad-hoc 1-2-1 support can support your growth.

🦉 Found this helpful? Subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a colleague who might need a pause more than a push.
🦉  You can book 1-2-1 support with me here: https://calendly.com/thecareerowl
🦉 Follow me on LinkedIn for more behind-the-scenes tips, mindset shifts, and leadership insights.

Recommended Resources
To help you go deeper into creating a calm and intentional start to your week:

• Book: Stillness is the Key by Ryan Holiday — for cultivating peace in a busy life
• Book: Stolen Focus by Johann Hari — for understanding why attention feels so elusive
• Apps: Insight Timer, Calm, or Headspace — for guided meditations and mindfulness moments
• Tool: Use Do Not Disturb mode and social media limits to protect your downtime
• Sunday Ritual Idea: Start a “coffee + quiet” morning or an evening gratitude journaling habit

Until next time — be kind to your future self, protect your peace, and walk into Monday with clarity.

You’ve got this. 💛

I would love to know what you think of the episode

Welcome back to Your Path to Career Success — the podcast that helps you build the skills, confidence, and strategies to thrive in your career.

In this just under 8-minute episode, I explore something we’re all battling — the noise. Not just the pings, emails, and social media scrolls, but the internal noise too: overthinking, self-doubt, comparison, and the pressure to be constantly "on."

Whether you’re in a leadership role, job seeking, or just trying to get through the week without your brain melting — this episode is for you.

🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why our world makes it hard to focus — and why that’s not your fault
• The difference between productive quiet and avoidance
• How to tune out external distractions and reclaim your attention
• Tools to calm internal noise — from the inner critic to imposter syndrome
• Daily rituals and mindset shifts to protect your energy, your peace, and your leadership potential

You’ll walk away with mindset resets, practical strategies, and scripts to help you feel more grounded, focused, and in control — even when everything around (and within) feels chaotic.

So if your mind’s been spinning and your to-do list feels louder than your intuition, this one’s your permission slip to breathe, pause, and lead from a place of quiet strength.

What Next?
Thanks so much for tuning in to Your Path To Career Success — where ambition meets inner clarity.

🦉 Ready to take your career to the next level? Book a free discovery call to explore how my 3-month Unlock Your Career Potential coaching programme or ad-hoc 1-2-1 support can support your growth.

🦉 Found this helpful? Subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a colleague who might need a pause more than a push.
 🦉 You can book 1-2-1 support with me here: https://calendly.com/thecareerowl
🦉 Follow me on LinkedIn for more behind-the-scenes tips, mindset shifts, and leadership insights.

Recommended Resources

To help you go deeper into protecting your peace and sharpening your focus, here are some resources mentioned or inspired by this episode:

• Book: Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention by Johann Hari — an eye-opening look at the systemic and personal factors that hijack our attention.
• Book: Stillness is the Key by Ryan Holiday — a powerful guide to finding peace and clarity in a noisy world.
• App: Insight Timer or Headspace — for guided meditations, breathwork, and moment-to-moment calm.
• Tool: Use the “Focus” mode or “Do Not Disturb” features on your phone and calendar to create protected focus blocks daily.
• LinkedIn Tip: Unfollow accounts that spark comparison, and follow people who bring calm, insight, and direction.

I would love to know what you think of the episode

Welcome back to Your Path to Career Success — the podcast that helps you build the skills, confidence, and strategies to thrive in your career.

In this 11-minute episode, I explore a surprising challenge many high performers face: feeling “too good” at your current role. It sounds like a dream, right? But mastering your job without new challenges can lead to boredom, stagnation and uncertainty about how to progress.

🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• What it really means to be “too good” at your job — and how it can quietly stall your career
• The early signs that you’ve outgrown your current role and how to spot them before burnout hits
• Practical strategies to reignite growth and take control of your career path — no permission required
• How to leverage your strengths, seek feedback, and build a network that supports your next move
• Mindset tips to embrace discomfort and grow with confidence

I share stories, real examples, quotes, and actionable tips that will help you get unstuck, redefine your role, and move forward with clarity and purpose.

If you’re feeling boxed in by comfort or unsure how to push for what’s next, this episode is for you.

What Next?
Thanks for tuning in to Your Path To Career Success — where your ambition meets actionable advice!

🦉 Ready to take your career to the next level? Book a free discovery call to explore how my 3-month Unlock Your Career Potential coaching programme or ad-hoc 1-2-1 support can support your growth.
🦉 If this episode inspired you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who’s ready to lead.
🦉 Book 1-2-1 coaching with me here: https://calendly.com/thecareerowl
🦉 Follow me on LinkedIn for more career insights and leadership tips.

🧰 Recommended Resources
 
 

Here are a few tools and books to help you dive deeper into getting unstuck and growing your career:

• Book: Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel H. Pink — for understanding motivation beyond comfort zones.
• Book: Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck — to explore growth mindset principles and how to embrace challenges.
• Networking Tip: Use LinkedIn’s “Find Alumni” feature to connect with professionals from your university or industry to expand your network.

I would love to know what you think of the episode

Welcome back to Your Path to Career Success — the podcast that helps you build the skills, confidence, and strategy to thrive in your career.

In this 9-minute episode, I open up about something we all face but rarely talk about — public failure. Whether it’s freezing in a boardroom, sending that dreaded reply-all, or stumbling during a presentation, these moments feel awful because they challenge not just our competence, but our identity.

🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• What public failure in leadership really means — and why it feels so personal
• How to shift from toxic self-blame to healthy accountability
• Practical tools for staying grounded and credible when things go wrong
• Ways to rebuild trust and reputation without losing yourself in the process

I share real stories — including some of my own — and offer scripts, mental resets, and leadership tools you can use in the moment and after the fact. Because leadership isn’t about perfection — it’s about how we rise when things go sideways.

If you’ve ever walked away from a meeting thinking, “Well… that didn’t go well,” this episode is for you.

I hope this episode reminds you that you are more than your worst moment, and leadership isn’t about getting it right every time — it’s about showing up with courage when things don’t go as planned.

🎯 What Next?

A big thank you for tuning in to Your Path To Career Success – where your ambition meets actionable advice!
🦉 Ready to upgrade your CV or LinkedIn for leadership roles? Book a free discovery call and explore how my Unlock Your Career Potential coaching programme can support your next step.
🦉 If this episode helped you shift your mindset, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who’s ready to lead.
🦉 You can book 1-2-1 support with me here: https://calendly.com/thecareerowl
🦉 Follow me on LinkedIn for even more leadership career tips and CV transformation insights.

🧰 Recommended Resources

Here are a few resources I mentioned (or were inspired by this episode) to help you deepen your reflection and resilience:

📚 Books & Articles

• "Dare to Lead" by Brené Brown – A masterclass in leading with courage, vulnerability, and integrity.
• "The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership" by Jim Dethmer, Diana Chapman & Kaley Warner Klemp – Brilliant for shifting out of blame and into ownership.
• "Man’s Search for Meaning" by Viktor E. Frankl – For finding power in pause and purpose during difficult moments.

📝 Tools You Can Use

• The Reset Framework
   
  1. Pause
•  
  1. Process
•  
  1. Plan
      (Great for responding to difficult moments with clarity and calm.)
•  
• “Lessons from Hard Days” Journal Prompts
  Reflect on:
  • What did I learn?
  • What surprised me about myself?
  • What would I say to a friend in my shoes?
• The Bounce-Back Bank
  Keep a folder of kind words, praise, and wins. Visit it when your inner critic gets loud.

I would love to know what you think of the episode

Welcome back to Your Path to Career Success — the podcast that helps you build the skills, confidence, and strategy to thrive in your career.

In this 12-minute episode, I’m exploring the often misunderstood world of leadership politics — not the backstabbing kind, but the real, human dynamics of power, influence, and alliances.

🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

·       What leadership “politics” actually means (and why avoiding it can hold you back)

·       The 5 types of leadership power — and how to use yours responsibly

·       How to build strategic alliances while staying authentic

·       What ethical influence looks like in the grey areas of leadership

·       Practical ways to grow your political awareness without compromising your values

Expect relatable examples, lightbulb leadership quotes, and reflection prompts to help you lead with both savvy and integrity.

🎯 Weekly Challenge: Identify one moment this week to be more politically aware and ethically influential.

If you’ve ever thought “I’m not political,” this episode is your roadmap to navigating leadership with purpose, power, and principle.

🎯 What Next?

A big thank you for tuning in to Your Path To Career Success – where your ambition meets actionable advice!
🦉 Ready to upgrade your CV or LinkedIn for leadership roles? Book a free discovery call and explore how my Unlock Your Career Potential coaching programme can support your next step.
🦉 If this episode helped you shift your mindset, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who’s ready to lead.
🦉 You can book 1-2-1 support with me here: https://calendly.com/thecareerowl
🦉 Follow me on LinkedIn for even more leadership career tips and CV transformation insights.

Useful Resources

·       “Political Savvy: Systematic Approaches to Leadership Behind the Scenes” by Joel R. DeLuca

A practical guide to understanding and navigating organisational politics.

·       “The 48 Laws of Power” by Robert Greene (with caution)

Read with a critical eye — useful to understand how others may approach power, but focus on using these insights ethically.

·       “Leaders Eat Last” by Simon Sinek

A human-centric view of leadership, influence, and trust-building.

·       “Dare to Lead” by Brené Brown

On vulnerability, values, and courageous leadership — essential for navigating grey areas with integrity.

Reflection & Journaling Prompts (as discussed in the episode):

• Where have I seen politics play out in my current or past role?
• Who influences decisions informally in my organisation?
• What values am I unwilling to compromise on, even under pressure?
• Where can I proactively invest in relationships before I “need” them?

I would love to know what you think of the episode

Welcome back to Your Path to Career Success — the podcast that helps you build the skills, confidence, and strategy to thrive in your career.

In this 17-minute episode, I’m diving into something that many of us hear about but don’t always fully understand: executive presence.

 You know that “it factor” people talk about—the ability to walk into a room and instantly command attention? That’s executive presence. And here’s the thing: it’s not just for CEOs or people at the top of the ladder. You can build it too, no matter where you are in your career.

🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• What executive presence really is—and why it matters at every career level
• The core traits that make people stand out as credible, confident leaders
• Practical strategies to help you develop presence in both in-person and virtual settings
• Communication tips to help you speak with clarity, calm, and confidence
• My own reflections on navigating leadership and visibility
• And a few powerful mindset shifts and quotes to inspire your journey

I share the five key elements of executive presence you can start building today—like grounded confidence, clear communication, active listening, staying composed under pressure, and above all, showing up with authenticity. Plus, I offer real-world tips for how to project presence in hybrid and remote environments—because yes, you can lead with impact on Zoom too.

Whether you’re stepping into your first leadership role or looking to sharpen how you show up at the top table, this episode is packed with tools to help you lead with intention and influence.

🎯 What Next?

A big thank you for tuning in to Your Path To Career Success – where your ambition meets actionable advice!
🦉 Ready to upgrade your CV or LinkedIn for leadership roles? Book a free discovery call and explore how my Unlock Your Career Potential coaching programme can support your next step.
🦉 If this episode helped you shift your mindset, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who’s ready to lead.
🦉 You can book 1-2-1 support with me here: https://calendly.com/thecareerowl
🦉 Follow me on LinkedIn for even more leadership career tips and CV transformation insights.

Useful Resources

·       The Confidence Code by Katty Kay and Claire Shipman – a brilliant book on how confidence is built and what holds us back

·       Executive Presence by Sylvia Ann Hewlett – a must-read for understanding the three key pillars of presence

·       Amy Cuddy’s TED Talk: “Your Body Language May Shape Who You Are” – powerful insights on non-verbal confidence and posture

·       "How Women Rise" by Sally Helgesen and Marshall Goldsmith – excellent for identifying habits that may be holding you back

I would love to know what you think of the episode

Welcome back to Your Path to Career Success — the podcast that helps you build the skills, confidence, and strategy to thrive in your career.

In this 18-minute episode, we’re diving into one of the most underrated leadership superpowers -  finance fluency. Whether you’re leading people, projects, or pitching ideas to senior stakeholders, understanding the numbers behind your decisions is what sets high-potential leaders apart.

This isn’t about spreadsheets or accountancy exams - it’s about knowing how to use financial insights to lead with credibility, influence decision-makers, and position yourself for your next promotion.

Because here’s the truth: you don’t have to love numbers, but you do need to know how to speak their language if you want a seat at the decision-making table.

🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The Mindset Shift Every Leader Needs Around Finance – Move beyond “numbers aren’t my thing” and learn how to frame financials as storytelling tools for influence and impact.
• Five Essential Finance Skills for Non-Finance Leaders – From understanding a P&L and forecasting, to making persuasive business cases, Kathryn breaks down the must-know finance skills that drive leadership success.
• The Most Common Mistakes Leaders Make Around Finance – Avoid falling into the trap of deferring to others, focusing on the wrong KPIs, or presenting data without context.
• How to Present Numbers Strategically (Not Just Accurately) – Discover how to talk about money in a way that gets buy-in - whether you're asking for headcount, budget, or backing for your big idea.
• Why Finance Fluency Makes You Promotion-Ready – Learn how being commercially aware elevates your leadership value and signals that you’re ready for bigger responsibilities.

🎯 What Next?

Thanks for joining me on Your Path to Career Success — where your ambition meets actionable advice!

🦉 Ready to show up as a commercially-savvy leader in your CV, interviews, or next step up? Book a free discovery call and explore how my Unlock Your Career Potential coaching programme can help you build the skills that get you promoted.
🦉 Loved this episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a colleague who’s ready to lead with confidence.
🦉 Want personalised support to build commercial credibility? Book 1-2-1 coaching here: https://calendly.com/thecareerowl
🦉 Follow me on LinkedIn for even more leadership career tips and CV transformation insights.

Useful Resources

🎧 Further Listening & Reading
• Finance for Non-Financial Managers by Gene Siciliano — a must-read for emerging leaders.
• Coaching for Leaders podcast — search for episodes on decision-making and commercial thinking.
• Article: The HBR Guide to Finance Basics for Managers — a go-to for grasping the essentials.

📌 Coaching Tools You Might Love
• Unlock Your Career Potential Coaching Programme — Tailored support to help you speak the language of leadership and land your next opportunity.

 Stay tuned for the next episode in Season 8, where we’ll continue giving you the tools to lead with purpose, influence, and clarity — without the overwhelm.

I would love to know what you think of the episode

Welcome back to Your Path to Career Success — the podcast that helps you build the skills, confidence, and strategy to thrive in your career.

In this just over 15-minute episode, we’re tackling a challenge that many new leaders face — communicating with senior stakeholders in a way that builds trust, influence, and credibility. Whether you’ve just stepped into leadership or you’re preparing for the next big step, this episode will help you speak the language of strategy, stay calm under pressure, and lead conversations with clarity and confidence.

Because the truth is, when it comes to senior leaders, it’s not just what you say — it’s how clearly and purposefully you say it. And that’s a skill you can build.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• 🧠 The Key Mindset Shift New Leaders Must Make – Move from information-giver to strategic partner by understanding how senior stakeholders think and what they care about most.
• 📣 Five Proven Strategies for Impactful Communication – Learn how to prepare, lead with the headline, focus on outcomes, bring solutions, and stay composed — even when the pressure is on.
• ⚠️ Mistakes to Avoid When Speaking Up – From overloading with detail to going in without a clear ask, discover the common pitfalls that can undermine your credibility (and how to avoid them).
• 💬 Why Listening Is Just as Powerful as Speaking – Unlock the power of active listening to better understand your stakeholders’ goals, KPIs, and priorities — so you can speak directly to what matters.
• 🚀 How to Build Influence Through Clarity, Relevance, and Confidence – Because strategic communication isn’t about saying more — it’s about saying the right things in the right way.

What Next?
A big thank you for tuning in to Your Path To Career Success – where your ambition meets actionable advice!
🦉 Ready to upgrade your CV or LinkedIn for leadership roles? Book a free discovery call and explore how my Unlock Your Career Potential coaching programme can support your next step.
🦉 If this episode helped you shift your mindset, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who’s ready to lead.
🦉 You can book 1-2-1 support with me here: https://calendly.com/thecareerowl
🦉 Follow me on LinkedIn for even more leadership career tips and CV transformation insights.

Useful Resources
🎧 Further Listening & Reading
• Crucial Conversations by Patterson, Grenny et al. — A classic read on high-stakes communication.
• Coaching for Leaders podcast — Especially episodes on executive presence and communication.
• Article: How to Speak So Executives Will Listen — Harvard Business Review.

🧠 Coaching Tools You Might Love
• The Unlock Your Career Potential Coaching Programme — Personalised support to build communication confidence and leadership credibility.

Stay tuned for more episodes to help you unlock your full leadership potential — without the overwhelm.

I would love to know what you think of the episode