In this episode, we welcome career coach Kim Holland who shares insights on navigating career transitions. We explore the common triggers that lead people to question "Is this it?" in their careers, how to find the courage (rather than confidence) to make changes, and practical steps to move forward when you know you need a change but aren't sure where to start.

Key points from this episode

• The personal and professional triggers that prompt us to ask "Is this it?" about our careers
• Why redefining your markers of success is essential when your priorities shift
• The difference between courage and confidence when making career changes
• The biggest mistake professionals make when approaching career transitions
• Practical exercises to gain clarity when you're feeling stuck or uncertain

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

01:00 Kim's Background and Career Transition Story

03:52 Common Triggers for Career Reassessment

07:00 Redefining Your Markers of Success

09:45 Overcoming Fear of Change and Taking First Steps

13:00 Managing Identity Shifts During Career Changes

14:45 The Biggest Mistake People Make When Changing Careers

17:00 Building Courage Rather Than Confidence

22:20 One Action to Take This Week to Start Your Career Reassessment

24:00 Where to Find Kim and Free Career MOT Workbook

Links

Connect with Kim on LinkedIn

Download Kim's Free Career MOT

Mentioned in this episode:

Catalyst Career Club for £50k+ Leaders & Managers

Moving up the career ladder needs an inside edge - strategies that allow you to unlock your full potential and position yourself as a true leadership talent. And that's exactly what the Catalyst Career Club for 50k+ Leaders provides. No fluff, no corporate jargon. Just a down to earth, purposeful injection of oomph for your career from Pamela & Jacqui Use the code PODCAST to get your first month for £1 https://www.pamelalangan.com/catalystcareerclub

In this episode, we explore why people react strongly in workplace situations and what you can do about it. Through a real coaching example, we unpack the science behind emotional responses at work and share practical strategies for managing both your own reactions and those of others.

Whether you're dealing with a challenging boss or leading a team through change, this episode gives you tools to better understand and handle workplace reactions.

Key points from this episode

• The hidden drivers behind unexpected emotional responses at work
• How to decode reactions that seem disproportionate or surprising
• Understanding the five key needs that influence workplace behavior
• Practical strategies for managing reactions in yourself and others
• Tips for creating win-win solutions in challenging situations

00:00 Introduction and overview

01:00 Real coaching scenario exploring workplace reactions

04:00 Framework for understanding workplace reactions

09:00 Practical application and examples

12:00 Steps for managing reactions effectively

14:00 Remote work example and implications

16:00 Signs of unmet needs in teams

18:00 Case study resolution and key takeaways

Useful Links

Join The Catalyst Career Club for 50k+ Leaders

Connect with Pam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelalangan/

Connect with Jacqui on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqui-jagger/

Interested in working with us?

Get in touch about career or leadership development, outplacement workshops or recruitment support via the Catalyst Careers website

Mentioned in this episode:

Catalyst Career Club for £50k+ Leaders & Managers

Moving up the career ladder needs an inside edge - strategies that allow you to unlock your full potential and position yourself as a true leadership talent. And that's exactly what the Catalyst Career Club for 50k+ Leaders provides. No fluff, no corporate jargon. Just a down to earth, purposeful injection of oomph for your career from Pamela & Jacqui Use the code PODCAST to get your first month for £1 https://www.pamelalangan.com/catalystcareerclub

In this episode, we tackle the crucial leadership challenge of identifying and addressing team disengagement. We explore five key warning signs that your team might not be fully engaged, from subtle changes in meeting participation to increasing isolation in hybrid environments.

Join us as we share practical strategies for not only spotting these signs early but also taking effective action to rebuild engagement.

Key points from this episode

• Understanding the early warning signs of team disengagement and why seeing multiple small signs matters more than any single red flag
• How to distinguish between surface-level agreement and genuine team buy-in during decision making
• Practical approaches to exploring engagement issues without making common leadership mistakes
• The importance of balancing your responsibility to spot issues with involving the team in creating solutions
• Simple but effective frameworks for starting conversations about engagement and improvement

00:00 Introduction and Overview of Team Engagement Warning Signs

00:55 First Warning Sign: Caution or Selective Participation in Meetings

03:00 Second Warning Sign: Apathy in Decision Making

03:52 Third Warning Sign: Problem-Focused Discussions

05:20 Fourth Warning Sign: Self-Censoring at Key Moments

06:38 Fifth Warning Sign: Increasing Isolation

08:45 How to Start Addressing Engagement Issues

11:00 Key Questions to Ask Your Team

14:00 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Taking Over a New Team

18:45 Practical Solutions: The "What's Working Well/Even Better If" Framework

21:00 Building Relationships Without Getting Too Personal

23:00 Using the Effort-Impact Matrix

25:00 Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways

Useful Links

Join The Catalyst Career Club for 50k+ Leaders

Connect with Pam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelalangan/

Connect with Jacqui on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqui-jagger/

Follow the Catalyst Careers LinkedIn page for career tips and advice

Interested in working with us?

Get in touch about career or leadership development, outplacement workshops or recruitment support via the Catalyst Careers website

Mentioned in this episode:

Catalyst Career Club for £50k+ Leaders & Managers

Moving up the career ladder needs an inside edge - strategies that allow you to unlock your full potential and position yourself as a true leadership talent. And that's exactly what the Catalyst Career Club for 50k+ Leaders provides. No fluff, no corporate jargon. Just a down to earth, purposeful injection of oomph for your career from Pamela & Jacqui Use the code PODCAST to get your first month for £1 https://www.pamelalangan.com/catalystcareerclub

In this episode, we dive into how to transform your one-to-one meetings from basic status updates into powerful leadership tools. We explore why many managers struggle with these crucial conversations and share seven specific questions that can help you get more value from your one-to-ones, whether they're weekly check-ins or strategic career discussions.

Key points from this episode

• The three distinct types of one-to-ones and why you shouldn't combine them
• Why consistent one-to-ones are crucial for team engagement and retention
• How to avoid the common trap of turning every one-to-one into an operational update
• Questions that help unlock deeper conversations about career development
• Practical tips for managing meeting frequency and scheduling

00:00 Introduction and Why One-to-Ones Matter

03:00 Common Challenges with One-to-Ones

05:00 Different Types of One-to-One Conversations

11:00 Strategic Career Conversations vs Regular Check-ins

17:00 Seven Transformative Questions for One-to-Ones

20:00 Using Questions for Development Reviews

24:00 Tailoring Meeting Frequency to Individual Needs

28:00 Long-term Career Development Questions

30:00 Conclusion and Call to Action

Useful Links

Join The Catalyst Career Club for 50k+ Leaders

Connect with Pam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelalangan/

Connect with Jacqui on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqui-jagger/

Follow the Catalyst Careers LinkedIn page for career tips and advice

Interested in working with us?

Get in touch about career or leadership development, outplacement workshops or recruitment support via the Catalyst Careers website

Mentioned in this episode:

Catalyst Career Club for £50k+ Leaders & Managers

Moving up the career ladder needs an inside edge - strategies that allow you to unlock your full potential and position yourself as a true leadership talent. And that's exactly what the Catalyst Career Club for 50k+ Leaders provides. No fluff, no corporate jargon. Just a down to earth, purposeful injection of oomph for your career from Pamela & Jacqui Use the code PODCAST to get your first month for £1 https://www.pamelalangan.com/catalystcareerclub

In this episode, we share our own redundancy experiences (between us we've been through it 5-6 times!) and pack in all the practical advice we wish we'd had when facing it for the first time.

If you're at risk of redundancy, you might be feeling a whole mix of emotions right now - from shock and fear to anger and uncertainty. We get it, and we're here to help you navigate this with practical steps that will help you take control of your situation and potentially turn this into an opportunity for positive change.

Key points from this episode

• How to handle the emotional impact of redundancy whilst taking practical first steps to protect your interests
• Essential documentation to gather and review, including often-overlooked elements in your contract
• Financial considerations and calculations to help reduce stress and create a realistic timeline
• A structured approach to preparing for job search that avoids common panic-driven mistakes

Why this could be an opportunity to reassess your career direction and aim higher

00:00 Introduction and Topic Overview

01:00 The Emotional Impact of Redundancy

03:00 First Practical Steps to Take

05:00 Understanding Your Contract and Rights

08:00 Professional Support Options Available

10:00 Financial Assessment and Planning

13:00 Career Documentation and Preparation

16:00 CV Updates and Job Search Strategy

21:00 Building Your Support Network

24:00 Self-Care and Maintaining Wellbeing

28:00 Final Advice and Resources

Useful Links

Job Search Podcast Episodes Playlist

Connect with Pam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelalangan/

Connect with Jacqui on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqui-jagger/

Redundancy Checklist: www.pamelalangan.com/redundancychecklist

Career Map Exercise: www.pamelalangan.com/careermap

Interested in working with us?

Get in touch about career or leadership development, outplacement workshops or recruitment support via the Catalyst Careers website

Enjoyed this Episode?

If you enjoyed this episode, please take the time to rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

In this episode, we tackle those subtle habits that could be holding back your leadership impact. Drawing from real coaching conversations, we explore five common patterns that leaders often don't realise are undermining their authority and career progression.

Join us as we share practical strategies to identify and overcome these hidden habits, helping you to step more fully into your leadership potential.

Key points from this episode

• The "I'll just check" syndrome - undermining your authority through excessive validation
• The quick win trap - getting stuck in the tactical at the expense of strategic impact
• The always available signal - creating unsustainable expectations
• The visibility void - limiting your influence by staying in your comfort zone
• The communication mismatch - missing the mark by not adapting your style

00:00 Introduction and Topic Overview

01:00 The "I'll Just Check" Syndrome

05:00 The Quick Win Trap

08:00 The Always Available Signal

12:00 The Visibility Void

17:00 The Communication Mismatch

Useful Links

Join The Catalyst Career Club for 50k+ Leaders

Connect with Pam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelalangan/

Connect with Jacqui on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqui-jagger/

Interested in working with us?

Get in touch about career or leadership development, outplacement workshops or recruitment support via the Catalyst Careers website

Mentioned in this episode:

Catalyst Career Club for £50k+ Leaders & Managers

Moving up the career ladder needs an inside edge - strategies that allow you to unlock your full potential and position yourself as a true leadership talent. And that's exactly what the Catalyst Career Club for 50k+ Leaders provides. No fluff, no corporate jargon. Just a down to earth, purposeful injection of oomph for your career from Pamela & Jacqui Use the code PODCAST to get your first month for £1 https://www.pamelalangan.com/catalystcareerclub

In this episode, we tackle the challenges of online meetings with expert facilitator Steph Vidal-Hall. If you've ever sat through endless virtual meetings wondering if they could be better (spoiler: they definitely can), this episode is for you.

Building on our popular episode about in-person meetings, we explore what makes online meetings different and how to make them genuinely effective. Whether you're leading meetings or participating in them, you'll get practical strategies you can implement immediately.

Key points from this episode

• Why some meetings should never be online (and how to tell which ones)
• The three core responsibilities of an online meeting host
• How to create an environment where everyone feels comfortable contributing
• Practical techniques for equalising the space and ensuring all voices are heard
• The importance of having cameras on and how to address it professionally

00:00 Introduction and Welcome to Steph

02:00 What meetings should (and shouldn't) be online

04:00 Core responsibilities as an online meeting host

08:00 The minimum viable meeting concept

13:00 Creating an equal space for contribution

20:00 Using rounds effectively in meetings

27:00 Ground rules and the camera-on conversation

36:00 How to close meetings effectively

Useful Links

Join The Catalyst Career Club for 50k+ Leaders

Connect with Steph on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephvidalhall/

Steph's Website: https://stephvidalhall.co.uk/

Download Steph's guide to using rounds in online meetings

Interested in working with us?

Get in touch about career or leadership development, outplacement workshops or recruitment support via the Catalyst Careers website

Enjoyed this Episode?

If you enjoyed this episode, please take the time to rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

Mentioned in this episode:

Catalyst Career Club for £50k+ Leaders & Managers

Moving up the career ladder needs an inside edge - strategies that allow you to unlock your full potential and position yourself as a true leadership talent. And that's exactly what the Catalyst Career Club for 50k+ Leaders provides. No fluff, no corporate jargon. Just a down to earth, purposeful injection of oomph for your career from Pamela & Jacqui Use the code PODCAST to get your first month for £1 https://www.pamelalangan.com/catalystcareerclub

In this episode, we tackle a critical leadership challenge: the habit of constantly giving advice rather than developing your team through coaching. We explore the concept of 'The Advice Trap' and why so many leaders find themselves stuck in the role of problem-solver rather than developer.

Join us as we share practical strategies to shift from fixing to leading, including insights from Michael Bungay Stanier's influential books and real-world examples of how this transformation can make you a more effective leader while reducing your own workload.

Key points from this episode

• Why leaders default to giving advice and the hidden costs to both you and your team
• The three types of 'Advice Monsters' that can sabotage your leadership effectiveness
• How to recognize your own advice-giving patterns and triggers
• Practical strategies for moving from telling to asking, without completely abandoning your expertise
• The surprising link between giving less advice and reducing your own workload

00:00 Introduction and Topic Overview

02:00 Why Leaders Fall into the Advice Trap

05:00 The Cost of Constant Advice-Giving

09:00 The Three Advice Monsters

16:00 Breaking Free from the Advice Trap

22:00 Practical Strategies and Implementation

25:00 Closing Thoughts and Resources

Useful Links

Join The Catalyst Career Club for 50k+ Leaders

Connect with Pam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelalangan/

Connect with Jacqui on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqui-jagger/

Interested in working with us?

Get in touch about career or leadership development, outplacement workshops or recruitment support via the Catalyst Careers website

Mentioned in this episode:

Catalyst Career Club for £50k+ Leaders & Managers

Moving up the career ladder needs an inside edge - strategies that allow you to unlock your full potential and position yourself as a true leadership talent. And that's exactly what the Catalyst Career Club for 50k+ Leaders provides. No fluff, no corporate jargon. Just a down to earth, purposeful injection of oomph for your career from Pamela & Jacqui Use the code PODCAST to get your first month for £1 https://www.pamelalangan.com/catalystcareerclub