In this episode, Sarah dives into one of the most common and frustrating challenges women in leadership face: getting your voice heard in the leadership space.

From being talked over in meetings to having your ideas claimed by others, these situations can leave you feeling disempowered, demotivated, and even disengaged. But there are proven ways to navigate this dynamic while staying true to your values.

In the first of a two-part series, Sarah shares tactical strategies you can use right away to increase your influence, get buy-in for your ideas, and have your contributions recognised. Next week, we’ll focus on the mindset work that underpins these tactics for even greater impact.

• How to build trust and credibility so your voice carries weight
• The importance of mapping allies and creating a “bank of social credit”
• Why likeability matters – and how to navigate the double bind for women leaders
• Using commitment and consistency to get buy-in for your proposals
• Spotting and eliminating undermining communication habits

Show Notes

[00:00:00] – Welcome to Unstuck and Unstoppable

[00:01:00] – Why getting your voice heard is such a common challenge for women leaders

[00:02:30] – Real-life client examples of being silenced, overlooked, or undermined

[00:04:15] – Why this topic deserves two episodes: tactics today, mindset next week

[00:05:00] – Tactic 1: Build trust and credibility – reinforcing your authority through your track record and experience

[00:07:00] – Tactic 2: Map your allies – identifying influencers and decision-makers, building reciprocity

[00:09:20] – Why reciprocity works (and how to use it authentically)

[00:10:00] – Tactic 3: The likeability factor – navigating the “double bind” for women and people of colour in leadership

[00:13:00] – Tactic 4: Commitment and consistency – shaping perception to encourage follow-through

[00:15:00] – Tactic 5: Communication review – removing undermining language, being clear and concise

[00:17:00] – Recap of the five strategies and preview of next week’s mindset-focused episode

[00:18:00] – Resources, ways to connect, and closing encouragement

Useful Links

Robert Gialdini: Influence: The Science of Persuasion

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In this episode, Sarah explores how negative work experiences like micromanagement, burnout, or toxic cultures can deeply impact our confidence, performance, and future career decisions. She shares practical strategies to process, learn from, and release those experiences so they no longer hold power over you. Whether you're currently in a difficult role or still carrying baggage from a past one, this episode will guide you through a powerful reflection process so you can move forward with renewed clarity and confidence.

00:00 – Welcome & podcast introduction

01:00 – Why this episode matters: The cost of unresolved negative work experiences

02:00 – Common types of negative experiences clients face

03:30 – Real-life examples: micromanagement, probation issues, burnout, redundancy

04:45 – How negative experiences affect confidence and decision-making

06:00 – Emotional impact: fear, self-doubt, hypervigilance, and disconnection

07:00 – Why brushing it off doesn’t work: the importance of cognitive closure

08:00 – Key reflection questions to begin processing the experience

09:00 – Understanding what you want to leave behind and what to take forward

10:00 – Releasing rituals: how Sarah helped a client move on emotionally

11:00 – Sarah’s personal story of working with an insecure CEO

12:30 – How processing helped rebuild confidence and authentic leadership

13:00 – Two more tools to help:

• Interview narrative practice
• Positive reminiscence (from Positive Psychology)

15:00 – Episode recap: Processing, practice, and positive reframing

16:00 – Invitation for a free career breakthrough call

16:30 – Outro and final encouragement: “Shine brightly. Lead boldly. Be unstoppable.”

Useful Links

Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration

Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes

Book a Free 121 Clarity Call

Join The Love What You Do Facebook Group

Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn

Rate & Review the Podcast

If you found this episode of Unstuck & Unstoppable helpful, please do rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

If you're kind enough to leave a review, please do let Sarah know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at: sarah@careertreecoaching.co.uk

Do you get that dreaded Sunday night feeling before the workweek begins? Are you constantly replaying conversations, second-guessing decisions, or feeling the pressure of never-ending expectations? You're not alone—and you're not broken. In this episode, Sarah shares practical, science-backed strategies to help you stop worrying about work and start feeling more calm, confident, and in control. Whether you're dealing with high workloads, tricky relationships, or simply have a tendency to overthink, this episode will give you powerful tools to reframe your thoughts and regain your headspace.

[00:00:00] Welcome to Unstuck and Unstoppable

[00:01:00] Why even senior women leaders feel stuck or doubt themselves

[00:02:00] What this episode covers: Sunday dread and work-related anxiety

[00:03:00] Common causes of workplace worry: workload, relationships, fast-paced culture

[00:04:00] When to consider burnout vs. situational stress

[00:05:00] The personality traits that make you more prone to worrying

[00:06:00] How a new leadership role can trigger unhelpful thought patterns

[00:07:00] 1. Don’t catastrophize – get some perspective

[00:08:00] 2. Isolate the specific worry – identify the trigger

[00:08:30] 3. Reframe stress as a sign you care

[00:09:00] A personal example: Sarah’s own podcast launch nerves

[00:10:00] 4. Channel stress into forward action (not rumination)

[00:10:45] Recommended read: The Upside of Stress by Kelly McGonigal

[00:11:00] Techniques to reduce Sunday night dread:

• [00:11:15] Make a to-do list to decrease cognitive overload
• [00:12:00] Try journaling to process emotions
• [00:13:00] Be self-compassionate instead of self-critical
• [00:14:00] Move your body – physical activity reduces worry
• [00:14:30] Try short meditations to calm your mind

[00:15:30] Recap: Practical takeaways for workplace worry

[00:16:00] When to reach out for coaching support

[00:17:00] Final words: You are capable of more than you know

Key Takeaways

• Anxiety at work is often a sign that you care, not that you’re failing.
• Worry doesn’t need to be a permanent mindset—you can retrain your response
• Journaling, meditation, physical movement, and perspective shifts are simple but powerful tools
• Coaching can help break embedded patterns of chronic workplace worry.

Useful Links

The Upside of Stress by Kelly McGonigal

Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration

Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes

Book a Free 121 Clarity Call

Join The Love...