Episodes

  • Episode 74 - Breaking the Rules of Career 'Shoulds'

    Episode 74 - Breaking the Rules of Career 'Shoulds'
    Jan 29 2025
    Are you letting "career shoulds" dictate your professional journey? In this eye-opening episode of Career Espresso, Amanda challenges the invisible rules that may be preventing you from making bold career moves, especially if you're a woman in leadership.
    Drawing on compelling research, including a 2023 Harvard Business Review study, Amanda reveals why 67% of professionals make career decisions based on external expectations rather than personal values. Through real-world examples and expert analysis, she breaks down how these hidden pressures particularly impact women in leadership positions.
    What You'll Learn -
    The three primary sources of career "shoulds" that influence your decision-makingA powerful case study of "Sarah," who broke free from traditional career paths and increased her income by 40%The innovative REAL framework for evaluating career decisions on your own termsFive common career "shoulds" that specifically impact women leadersPractical strategies for auditing and challenging career expectations
    Learn Amanda's exclusive REAL framework for navigating complex career decisions -
    💡Recognition: Identifying external expectations💡 Examination: Understanding the validity of career "rules"💡 Alignment: Evaluating personal values💡Liberation: Creating space for authentic choices
    Whether you're considering a bold career move or simply feeling the weight of professional expectations, this episode provides actionable insights and frameworks to help you make decisions that align with your true career aspirations.
    Don't miss the weekly coffee shot challenge that will help you immediately apply these insights to your own career journey. Tune in to discover how questioning career "shoulds" might lead to your next breakthrough moment.

    Don't forget to take a look at this week's podsheet to support your learning and exploration of the key themes and topics
    Get a full transcript of the episode here
    Love the episode? Help other women discover these career-changing insights by subscribing and leaving a review wherever you listen to your podcasts.
    Got questions or want to share your career transformation story? Reach out to amanda@wearereadytorise.com - we'd love to hear from you!



    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show more Show less
    11 mins
  • Episode 73 - The problem with 'going all in' on career change

    Episode 73 - The problem with 'going all in' on career change
    Jan 22 2025
    Is your "go big or go home" mindset actually holding you back from making meaningful career progress? In this eye-opening episode of Career Espresso, Amanda tackles the common but often overlooked trap of all-or-nothing thinking in career development, especially among high-achieving women.
    Drawing from extensive coaching experience and backed by research from Harvard Business Review, Amanda reveals why attempting dramatic career transformations often backfires – and what to try instead. You'll discover why successful career transitions typically involve 15-20 smaller pivots rather than one dramatic leap, and how embracing this approach can triple your chances of success.
    Through compelling real-world examples, including the story of Alex, a technical expert struggling with leadership transition, Amanda breaks down -
    • Why all-or-nothing thinking reduces your chances of success by 60%• The three main reasons we fall into this career trap• Practical strategies for breaking free from perfectionist paralysis• How to use the "grey zone principles" to make sustainable career progress• The power of treating career moves as experiments rather than absolute commitments
    Plus, you'll learn about the game-changing "success stacking" technique that's helping professionals make meaningful career transitions without the pressure of perfect execution.
    Whether you're contemplating a career pivot, seeking a promotion, or simply feeling stuck in your professional growth, this episode offers actionable insights to help you move forward with confidence. Amanda closes with a practical challenge that you can implement immediately to start breaking free from all-or-nothing thinking.


    Don't forget to take a look at this week's podsheet to support your learning and exploration of the key themes and topics
    Get a full transcript of the episode here
    Love the episode? Help other women discover these career-changing insights by subscribing and leaving a review wherever you listen to your podcasts.
    Got questions or want to share your career transformation story? Reach out to amanda@wearereadytorise.com - we'd love to hear from you!



    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show more Show less
    14 mins
  • Episode 72 - Why 'New Year, New Me' sets us up to fail (and what actually works)

    Episode 72 - Why 'New Year, New Me' sets us up to fail (and what actually works)
    Jan 15 2025
    Feeling overwhelmed by the pressure to become a completely different person this year? You're not alone - and what if that pressure is actually the thing standing between you and the career you really want?
    In this not-to-be-missed Season 5 opener of Career Espresso, Amanda pulls back the curtain on why the 'New Year, New Me' mindset might be secretly sabotaging your career dreams (and what actually works instead!).
    Get ready for an episode that will completely shift how you think about career growth in 2025. Through fascinating research (wait until you hear the LinkedIn stats) and a raw, honest coaching story that will likely feel *very* familiar, Amanda reveals -
    💡 The truth about why forcing yourself to become a "new you" is setting you up to fail💡 The real reason 80% of January career goals crash and burn by February💡 What happened when 'Sarah', a brilliant leader, tried to completely transform herself...💡 Game-changing strategies to achieve genuine career growth without the burnout
    If you've ever felt exhausted trying to become a different version of yourself at work, or if you're wondering why your previous New Year career goals haven't stuck, this episode is your wake-up call.
    Amanda shares the exact mindset shifts and practical strategies you need to make 2025 different - by embracing who you already are.
    Don't forget to take a look at this week's podsheet to support your learning and exploration of the key themes and topics
    Get a full transcript of the episode here
    Love the episode? Help other women discover these career-changing insights by subscribing and leaving a review wherever you listen to your podcasts.
    Got questions or want to share your 'New Year, New Me' story? Reach out to amanda@wearereadytorise.com - we'd love to hear from you!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show more Show less
    15 mins
  • Episode 71 - How to Celebrate Your Wins and Set Bold Career Goals for 2025

    Episode 71 - How to Celebrate Your Wins and Set Bold Career Goals for 2025
    Dec 18 2024
    Ready to transform your career wins into stepping stones for an extraordinary 2025? In this powerful season finale, we will cover why even the most successful amongst us struggle to acknowledge their achievements and how research backed strategies can help us break this pattern.
    Drawing from her extensive experience coaching top women leaders, Amanda introduces four game-changing frameworks -
    💡 The Psychology of Celebration Framework💡 The 2024 Career Audit IMPACT Method💡 The Win-Wisdom-Way Forward Process💡 The BOLD Goal Setting System
    Through real stories and practical examples, this episode gives you the exact tools you need to audit your 2024 achievements, celebrate your wins effectively, and set ambitious yet achievable goals for 2025. You'll also get a detailed 90-day action plan to turn your career aspirations into reality.
    Whether you're a rising leader feeling stuck in the "just doing my job" mindset or an experienced leader who wants more from your career, this episode delivers actionable strategies to help you recognise your worth and plan your next career move with confidence.
    Get your Career Espresso 90 Day action plan
    Don't forget to take a look at this week's pod sheet to support your learning and exploration of the podcast topic
    Get a full transcript of the episode here
    Check out the Ready to Rise 2024 Career Planner here
    If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts and leave a review so we can make every episode even more helpful for your career.
    And if you have any questions or topics you'd like to see covered in future episodes, get in touch at amanda@wearereadytorise.com

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show more Show less
    14 mins
  • Episode 70 - Essential Skills for Long-Term Success: Building Your Career Toolkit

    Episode 70 - Essential Skills for Long-Term Success: Building Your Career Toolkit
    Dec 12 2024
    Want to accelerate your career growth but tired of generic advice? In this power-packed episode, leadership expert Amanda reveals five game-changing skills that have helped hundreds of women leaders reach the next level in their careers. Drawing from 25 years of leadership and coaching experience, she breaks down exactly how to build your strategic toolkit with practical frameworks you can implement immediately.
    You'll discover
    ➡️ How to create an "impact portfolio" that showcases your achievements and sets you apart in promotion discussions➡️ A proven framework for communicating your value that helped one client secure a £2 million account➡️ The "SCOPE" method for making strategic decisions that get noticed by senior leadership➡️ A simple 3-2-1 template for managing up that's so effective, entire teams have adopted it➡️ How to build strategic influence without office politics
    Whether you're aiming for your next promotion or wanting to maximize your current role's impact, this episode provides the exact templates and frameworks you need. Learn how one client used these techniques to land a director-level position by documenting £90,000 in cost savings.
    Stop letting your achievements go unnoticed. Tune in to discover how just 15 minutes a day can transform your career trajectory with these battle-tested strategies.


    Get your Career Espresso Quick Start Guide Template -Essential Skills in 15 Minutes a Day
    Don't forget to take a look at this week's pod sheet to support your learning and exploration of the podcast topic


    Get a full transcript of the episode here
    Check out the Ready to Rise 2024 Career Planner here
    If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts and leave a review so we can make every episode even more helpful for your career.
    And if you have any questions or topics you'd like to see covered in future episodes, get in touch at amanda@wearereadytorise.com



    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show more Show less
    11 mins
  • Episode 69 - Leading Without Authority: How to Build Influence at Work

    Episode 69 - Leading Without Authority: How to Build Influence at Work
    Dec 4 2024
    Ready to start having an impact at work—without the formal title? In this week's episode we'll reveal the strategies you need for building workplace influence and leading impactful projects from any position.
    Listen to discover -
    ➡️ The exact phrase that turns meeting complaints into leadership opportunities➡️ A proven 3-step framework for building influence without authority➡️ Real-world tactics that transformed a resistant sales team into change champions
    Learn three instant "power moves" you can implement this week -
    ⚡️ Becoming the go-to solutions person⚡️ Building a strategic trust network⚡️ Mastering the value-first approach
    Perfect for ambitious professionals and emerging leaders, this episode delivers actionable templates, practical examples, and critical mindset shifts to boost your workplace impact immediately.
    Ready to stop waiting for permission to lead? Hit play now! 🎧
    Don't forget to take a look at this week's pod sheet to support your learning and exploration of the podcast topic


    Get a full transcript of the episode here
    Check out the Ready to Rise 2024 Career Planner here
    If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts and leave a review so we can make every episode even more helpful for your career.
    And if you have any questions or topics you'd like to see covered in future episodes, get in touch at amanda@wearereadytorise.com



    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show more Show less
    10 mins
  • Episode 68 - The Power of No - Creating a Strategic 'Yes' Filter for Your Career

    Episode 68 - The Power of No - Creating a Strategic 'Yes' Filter for Your Career
    Nov 27 2024
    Are you drowning in commitments at work because you can't say no? You're not alone. In this week's episode of Career Espresso, discover why saying 'no' might be the career superpower you never knew you needed.
    Drawing from 25 years of leadership experience and executive coaching, your host Amanda reveals why the most successful women aren't the ones saying yes to everything – they're the ones mastering the art of the strategic no. Learn how one coaching client discovered that 70% of her quick favours were taking triple the expected time, while half weren't even aligned with her career goals.
    We'll be covering -
    ➡️ Why being helpful might be secretly sabotaging your career growth➡️ The hidden "Yes Traps" that keep high-achieving women stuck➡️ A practical framework for making strategic decisions about opportunities➡️ How to say no professionally without burning bridges➡️ The four currencies you're spending every time you say yes➡️ A two-week challenge to transform your decision-making
    This is a must listen episode if you -
    ✅ Find yourself overwhelmed with commitments✅ Struggle to put your own career goals first✅ Want to advance in your career without burning out✅ Need practical scripts for saying no professionally
    In the words of a recent client "I've said fewer yeses this month, but they're better yeses. And surprisingly, people respect me more for it."


    🎯 Bonus: Download our Strategic Yes Filter Template to start making better decisions today.


    Don't forget to take a look at this week's pod sheet to support your learning and exploration of the podcast topic


    Get a full transcript of the episode here
    Check out the Ready to Rise 2024 Career Planner here
    If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts and leave a review so we can make every episode even more helpful for your career.
    And if you have any questions or topics you'd like to see covered in future episodes, get in touch at amanda@wearereadytorise.com



    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show more Show less
    14 mins
  • Episode 67 - Building Your Professional Ecosystem - The Network You Didn't Know You Needed

    Episode 67 - Building Your Professional Ecosystem - The Network You Didn't Know You Needed
    Nov 20 2024
    Are you tired of awkward networking events and collecting business cards that gather dust? In this weeks episode of Career Espresso, we'll reveal why traditional networking advice might be holding you back – and what to try instead.
    Whether you're an introvert who'd rather reorganise your sock drawer than attend a networking event, or simply skeptical about the whole networking game, this episode delivers practical strategies that actually work in the real world.
    What you'll learn -
    ➡️ Why the "social butterfly" approach to networking is outdated (and what really works instead)➡️ How one client built her entire professional network during morning dog walks➡️ The four essential types of connections every career needs to thrive➡️ A practical two-week challenge to start building your ecosystem without overwhelm➡️ Why asking for advice might actually make you appear more competent, not less
    This week includes networking strategies that are perfect for -
    ✅ Introverts looking for alternative networking strategies✅ Busy professionals who need efficient relationship-building approaches✅ Anyone who's ever felt awkward at a networking event✅ Early-career individuals wondering what they have to offer✅ Leaders looking to build more meaningful professional relationships
    Download the free Professional Ecosystem Builder template mentioned in this episode to start mapping your network today.


    Chapters
    00:00 Introduction to Networking Myths02:58 Understanding Your Professional Ecosystem05:55 Building Your Network Intentionally08:51 Practical Networking Strategies09:47 Two-Week Ecosystem Building Challenge
    Download the ecosystem builder guide


    Don't forget to take a look at this week's pod sheet to support your learning and exploration of the podcast topic


    Get a full transcript of the episode here
    Check out the Ready to Rise 2024 Career Planner here
    If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts and leave a review so we can make every episode even more helpful for your career.
    And if you have any questions or topics you'd like to see covered in future episodes, get in touch at amanda@wearereadytorise.com



    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show more Show less
    13 mins