What happens when the job title you've worn for years suddenly disappears?

In this episode of Coach Class, I sit down with former Asda and Co-op leader Dahlia Stroud for an honest conversation about leadership, identity and what comes next when your career takes an unexpected turn.

From choosing a Nestlé graduate scheme over a glamorous London marketing role, to leading major commercial teams in retail, Dahlia reflects on the people and experiences that shaped her career—and why every new role means proving yourself all over again.

Together we explore:

• Why great leaders understand there is "no white horse – we are the cavalry."
• How managers create the micro-cultures that define people's experience at work.
• The emotional reality of redundancy, from losing routine and identity to rebuilding confidence.
• Why Dahlia launched the Stressed But Well Dressed podcast as a way of finding her own voice.
• The importance of matching organisational values with everyday behaviour, not just policies.
• Why stepping outside your comfort zone can unlock unexpected opportunities, including her father's advice to attend a conference where you're the only person who does what you do.

Whether you're leading a team, navigating change, or wondering what comes after redundancy, this episode is packed with practical insights and thoughtful reflections on resilience, culture and career reinvention.

Key takeaway:
"Don't get trapped in the immediate need to do. Lift your head up, look up and out, and ask yourself not just what's my next job, but what's the next chapter I want to write?"

Send us Fan Mail

🎧 Please consider sharing Coach Class with someone who’d enjoy it — and leaving a review on your podcast platform. It genuinely helps more people find the show.