Do you want to build your personal brand -- but aren’t sure how or where to start?

Today, we’re talking about why personal branding matters for leaders right now and how you can start building yours with intention.

I'm joined by Ali Kunze -- a business development and marketing specialist who helps service-based business leaders build their visibility, brand positioning and client experience.

What I love about Ali’s story is that it’s honest and still unfolding. After a 20 year corporate career, she didn’t leave with everything perfectly mapped out.

But what she DID do that others can learn from is listen to that pull to do something different and intentionally develop her personal brand before she ever resigned.

Throughout her career, Ali saw how often smart, successful leaders defaulted to reactive BD activities because they were busy and time poor. Today, she helps multiple clients intentionally design the client experience.

In this week’s episode of The Career By Design Podcast, we explore how she made the shift into her own business, the power of building a personal brand and how it can help you grow your network, client base and career.

You'll learn:

• How Ali made the leap from a 20 year corporate marketing career into her own consultancy
• Ali's honest story of juggling motherhood with a high pressure role and the pivotal moment that led her to intentionally design a career on her own terms
• Practical advice for others navigating a career crossroads and moments of self-doubt in the messy middle of a career transition
• Tangible tips to build visibility and approach networking in a way which feels authentic -- EVEN if you struggle with confidence or aren't the loudest person in the room
• How to share thought leadership and grow an online presence without sounding 'salesy' or self-promotional
• The ONE shift to create commercially relevant content that attracts the right clients (not your peers)
• Exact steps to take NOW to start positioning yourself for the career opportunity you want in the next 6+ months

So hit play NOW -- and let’s dive in!

Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a 5 star rating and review. It helps more people find the podcast and benefit too!

LINKS:

Connect with Ali:

→ LinkedIn

→ Website

Connect with Stacey:

→ Ready to find clarity, build confidence and create a strategy to take ownership of your career? Explore Ignite Your Career.

Apply for your free 30 minute consult to get started.

→ At a crossroads in your career? Take the FREE Career Success Code Assessment.

→ Learn more about my services for individuals and organisations at staceyback.com or connect with me on LinkedIn or Instagram.

Are you thinking about pursuing a new career path -- but there’s a lot at risk?

Whether you aren’t sure where to start, are worried about making the wrong choice -- or throwing away everything you’ve invested into your current career, this episode is for you.

Today, we’re talking about practical steps you can take to test and validate your career idea, so you reduce risk with your move.

In a recent coaching session with a long-term leadership client, we worked on developing new habits and behaviours. As I shared with her, identifying the right strategy or having the ‘perfect’ plan ALONE won’t create change.

What separates the clients who get results is that they take action -- repeatedly. EVEN when it’s uncomfortable.

Because when you consistently rinse and repeat, you build new neural pathways in the brain. And over time, those new habits and behaviours become embedded, resulting in permanent and transformative change.

Yet one of the most common places I see high-achievers resist taking action is when it comes to testing and validating a potential career path. And I get it. Reaching out to someone to ask for a conversation can feel awkward.

Life also gets busy, so it’s easy to keep putting it off until you have no choice but to make a change. Plus at the heart of it all is a fear of failure which holds you back from taking action. It seems easier to stay where you are -- EVEN if you want something different.

So in today’s episode, I’m walking you through exactly how to test and validate a new career idea -- BEFORE you commit to anything. By the end, you’ll have a proven process to assess risk and make your next move with confidence!

You'll learn:

• Quick, low-stakes ways to test out potential paths -- without wasting a single penny or putting your current career on the line
• What to do if you have multiple career ideas and don't know WHERE to start, so you get the clarity you need to move forward faster
• How to get real-world insights to validate your career or business idea -- in a way no behind-the-scenes research ever could!
• 4 questions you must ask to confirm which path is the best fit for THIS season of your career
• The final 'gut check' that tells you whether to proceed (or pivot) with complete confidence

So hit play NOW -- and let’s dive in!

Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a 5 star rating and review. It helps more people find the podcast and benefit too!

LINKS:

→ If you’re ready to find clarity, build confidence and create a personalised strategy to reduce risk with your next career move, I invite you to explore Ignite Your Career.

Apply for your free 30 minute consult to get started.

→ At a crossroads in your career? Take the FREE Career Success Code Assessment.

→ Learn more about my services for individuals and organisations at staceyback.com or connect with me on LinkedIn or Instagram.

Are you working hard -- but waiting to be tapped on the shoulder for your next opportunity?

Whether you've been overlooked for promotion, aren't getting the recognition you deserve or know you need to grow your network more strategically, this episode is for you.

Today’s podcast was inspired by a question I was asked during a recent panel discussion on building a personal brand.

The question was: “What types of people should you be connecting with for your own professional development?”

And as it turns out, I have a lot to say on this topic!

Because what I've noticed amongst the high-achievers I work with is that many don't develop their network intentionally or consistently. Instead, they wait until they're looking for a new job, promotion or client.

But this approach is reactive -- and by this stage, it's too late. You're trying to leverage relationships that haven't been built yet.

In this episode, I’m sharing 4 practical steps to build a strategic network that supports YOUR career.

You'll learn:

• The ONE shift in your approach to build relationships that support your career -- long before you need them
• 6 key roles that make up a strategic network, so you know EXACTLY who belongs in your corner
• How to identify the gaps and pinpoint the specific people you need in your network right now
• Practical ways to grow your network and my go-to strategy to develop effective long-term relationships

So hit play NOW -- and let’s dive in!

Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a 5 star rating and review. It helps more people find the podcast and benefit too!

LINKS:

→ Listen to Episode 59: 6 Strategic Moves To Stand Out As A Senior Leader (Even In A Crowded Market) next

→ If you’re ready to find clarity, build confidence and grow your network strategically, I invite you to explore Ignite Your Career.

Apply for your free 30 minute consult to get started.

→ At a crossroads in your career? Take the FREE Career Success Code Assessment.

→ Learn more about my services for individuals and organisations at staceyback.com or connect with me on LinkedIn or Instagram.

Have you ever asked yourself: How do I be successful in a workplace which isn't designed for me?

Today, we're talking about the barriers ALL underrepresented groups face (including men) and how we can create workplaces that 'work' for everyone.

I'm joined by Belinda Riley -- a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion specialist, speaker and Founder of Beyond The Barriers.

What I love about Belinda’s story is how she’s combined her experience leading culture change with her training as a clinical hypnotherapist. Her work tackles DEI at both a systemic and individual level to create lasting, meaningful change.

Because what she noticed working with talented, accomplished women was how often self-doubt held them back, drove them to prove themselves or question their success.

With backgrounds supporting professional services firms and high-performing leaders, Belinda and I share a similar philosophy -- that true transformation starts from the inside out.

In this powerful conversation that will challenge your thinking, we explore how she's built this incredible career and her unique approach to DEI.

Discover how you can create culture change and address imposter syndrome in your organisation, team and own career.

You'll learn:

• How Belinda made the bold move from a high-flying corporate career at EY to starting her own consultancy
• The REAL reason high-performing women experience imposter syndrome despite their success -- and how to overcome the barriers holding you back
• What most organisations are getting wrong and the single DEI investment to prioritise above ALL else
• A controversial take on the quotas and targets debate -- and whether they help (or hinder) progress
• 3 sure-fire steps to progress your career in a workplace which wasn’t designed for you
• Why the voices of male allies are 6 x more influential and the ONE action every leader can take right now to drive DEI in their teams

So hit play NOW -- and let’s dive in!

Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a 5 star rating and review. It helps more people find the podcast and benefit too!

LINKS:

Connect with Belinda:

→ LinkedIn

→ Website

→ Free hypnosis audio

Connect with Stacey:

→ Ready to find clarity, build confidence and create a strategy to take ownership of your career? Explore Ignite Your Career.

Apply for your free 30 minute consult to get started.

→ At a crossroads in your career? Take the FREE Career Success Code Assessment.

→ Learn more about my services for individuals and organisations at staceyback.com or connect with me on LinkedIn or Instagram.

Are you reassessing how you position yourself in the current market? Or rethinking how to use AI and optimise your CV to land your next role?

That’s exactly what I’m addressing on today’s podcast.

Here’s what I’m hearing in recent conversations with senior leaders and executives:

The job market feels tight, competition is fierce -- and they’re struggling to stand out when hundreds of candidates are applying for the same role.

One leader told me they spent several hours researching a potential employer and customising their application, only to be rejected the same day.

These individuals are MORE than qualified. They’re being selective about the positions they’re applying for and taking time to tailor each application -- but getting nowhere.

When the market tightens, competition becomes even harder at senior levels. If you’re waiting to be selected or relying solely on job boards right now, it’s time to rethink your approach.

In this episode, I’m sharing 6 strategic moves to help you stand out as a senior leader -- even in a crowded market.

Discover how to move from competing with hundreds of other candidates to positioning yourself strategically.

You'll learn:

• The first step to take right NOW if your current strategy isn’t working, so you take control of your job search
• How to cut out the competition and access the 70% of roles most candidates never see
• One of the biggest mistakes people make when networking -- and how to eliminate procrastination, so you get results faster
• Practical ways to map the market and align your networking activities to the RIGHT opportunities -- rather than relying on scattered outreach
• The most powerful way to build long-term relationships and become part of the conversation before roles are even defined
• My top tips for optimising your CV to clearly communicate your value on paper, so you stand out as a senior leader

So hit play NOW -- and let’s dive in!

Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a 5 star rating and review. It helps more people find the podcast and benefit too!

LINKS:

→ Listen to Episode #56: LinkedIn Strategy For Leaders next

→ Ready to find clarity, build confidence and create a strategy to take ownership of your career? Explore Ignite Your Career.

Apply for your free 30 minute consult to get started.

→ Learn more about my services for individuals and organisations at staceyback.com or connect with me on LinkedIn or Instagram.

Are you already successful -- yet going round in circles trying to decide what’s next at this stage of your career?

If so, today we’re talking about how to find clarity on your direction -- particularly as a senior leader, when your options aren’t clear and career paths are no longer linear.

This episode is part of the ‘Career By Design’ case study series, where I give you an exclusive, behind the scenes look at my clients’ career transformations.

My intention with this series is to show you there isn’t one definition or clear pathway to success. Instead, it’s about identifying what this looks like to YOU.

Despite their different backgrounds and goals, there are 3 things every client in this series has in common:

1. Clarity: Getting clear on what you want next in your career and why before attempting to change it.

2. Confidence: Managing your mindset and shifting the self-doubt which holds you back in your career to build confidence.

3. Career Strategy: Focusing on solving the RIGHT problem and knowing which strategies will get you the results you want at this stage of your career.

So in this episode, you’ll hear how one client went from going round in circles for YEARS to having complete clarity on their career direction.

You’ll learn the exact steps they took to move into an executive leadership role -- and the benefits of pursuing a portfolio career.

You'll learn:

• The biggest shift this client made and a counterintuitive approach which moved them from YEARS of confusion to complete clarity on their career direction
• How to break through self-doubt and perfectionism as a senior leader, so you become more visible and back yourself for opportunities with confidence
• Specific strategies which helped this client step into an executive role, including how a portfolio path helps reduces risk while building leadership capability
• Top takeaways you can apply right now to create a career on YOUR terms -- even if you've reached the ceiling in your current company or profession

So hit play NOW -- and let’s dive in!

Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a 5 star rating and review. It helps more people find the podcast and benefit too!

LINKS:

→ Ready to find clarity, build confidence and create a strategy to take ownership of your career? Explore Ignite Your Career.

Enrolling now for the March intake. Apply for your free 30 minute consult to get started.

→ Learn more about my services for individuals and organisations at staceyback.com or connect with me on LinkedIn or Instagram.

Are you still managing your career the way you did 5 years ago?

Today we’re talking about why taking ownership of your career is no longer optional -- but critical in the changing world of work.

We put so much pressure on ourselves to be ‘on’ from the first week of January. So if it’s taken you a bit of time to ease into the year, you’re not behind.

What DOES matter is how you’re approaching your career once you’re back in the rhythm of work. Because the way most people have historically managed their careers doesn’t hold up in the current landscape.

In the past, most people only actively thought about their careers when they were ready for a new challenge or wanted to change roles. Some were forced to consider ‘what’s next’ due to redundancy, burnout or changes in their personal situation.

But in today’s rapidly changing environment shaped by AI, geopolitical uncertainty and the evolving future of work, this traditional, reactive approach is no longer enough.

As a high-performing leader, the risk is clear. To futureproof your career, you need to be more strategic about how you manage it. This requires you to plan ahead on an ONGOING basis -- rather than waiting to respond when change is forced on you.

In this episode, I’m sharing 5 signs taking ownership of your career is essential in changing times and how to build sustainable, long-term career success.

You'll learn:

• The biggest career challenge I’m seeing with senior leaders right now -- and the ONE shift to clarify your long-term direction
• Why self-doubt is on the rise right now and the reframe you need to build confidence in the current climate
• The most common mistake leaders make when communicating their value -- and how to intentionally position yourself for the opportunities you WANT
• Why relying on managers or performance reviews to drive your development is no longer enough -- and what to do instead
• How to take a strategic approach to your development and keep your skills relevant in changing times

So hit play NOW -- and let’s dive in!

Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a 5 star rating and review. It helps more people find the podcast and benefit too!

LINKS:

→ Watch the FREE February masterclass replay until 20 February

→ Ready to find clarity, build confidence and create a strategy to take ownership of your career? Check out the Ignite Your Career program.

Enrolling now for the March intake. Apply for your free 30 minute consult to get started.

→ Learn more about my services for individuals and organisations at staceyback.com or connect with me on LinkedIn or Instagram.

Are you using LinkedIn strategically to support where you want to go next in your career?

Whether you’re a leader looking to use LinkedIn more intentionally in 2026, implement the daily habits to build real traction over time, or rethink how you position yourself, today’s episode is for you.

I’m joined by Karen Tisdell -- one of Australia's leading LinkedIn experts, a talented LinkedIn profile writer, trainer and my go-to person for all things LinkedIn.

What I love about Karen’s story is how she’s built her career brick by brick and one connection at a time, using LinkedIn as her medium. But despite having a platform of 26K followers, she doesn’t describe herself as a LinkedIn guru.

Karen’s created a career around her gifts of storytelling, communication and genuine connection. She’s proof YOU can design a career around your talents and what you love too!

In this practical episode, we explore how she’s built this incredible career, the power of LinkedIn and how you can use it strategically to grow your network and career.

You'll learn:

• How Karen made the shift from 14 years in recruitment to becoming Australia's top LinkedIn profile writer
• The reason she's reinvented her career again in the past year and her biggest piece of advice for others navigating a career crossroads right NOW
• Why finding your 'red thread' is critical to position yourself for where you want to go -- particularly when shifting careers or building a portfolio path
• How to write an effective About section, especially when you have a long or varied career
• Top tips for building your network on LinkedIn -- and the power of informational interviews for turning connections into genuine professional relationships
• How to enage and share value on LinkedIn without sounding self-promotional or like you're 'selling yourself'
• Smart, subtle ways to grow your network and quietly explore new opportunities -- without alerting your boss

So hit play NOW -- and let’s dive in!

Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a 5 star rating and review. It helps more people find the podcast and benefit too!

LINKS:

Connect with Karen:

→ LinkedIn

→ Website

Connect with Stacey:

→ Ready to find clarity, build confidence and create a strategy to take ownership of your career? Check out the Ignite Your Career program.

Enrolling now for the next intake in February. Apply for your free 30 minute consult to get started.

→ Book a 60 minute Career Strategy Session

→ At a crossroads in your career? Take the FREE Career Success Code Assessment.

→ Learn more about my services for individuals and organisations at staceyback.com or connect with me on LinkedIn or Instagram.