Confident At Work

In this episode, I sit down with Mary Ann Seighart to discuss her bestselling book, The Authority Gap: Why Women Are Still Taken Less Seriously Then Men, And What We Can Do About It. We explore the evidence and research the book highlights, revealing how the authority gap shows up in our workplaces and its impact on our confidence.  We cover: The often shocking research on how gender bias persists in professional settings, sometimes unconsciously via the authority gap  Why the authority gap is the mother of all authority gaps! The ways the authority gap undermines confidence, particularly for women Practical steps we can take as individuals, colleagues, and organisations to close the authority gap Why 50/50 gender representation in workplaces isn’t enough to achieve true equality without closing the authority gap I highly recommend reading The Authority Gap or watching Mary Ann’s TED Talk on this crucial issue.  Understanding the authority gap is key to addressing the confidence challenges we discuss on the podcast, so listen in! Get more help with your confidence ⁠Take our free: Confidence Assessment ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Explore and join The Members Club ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Book a call to explore private coaching⁠ Cover art by Jacob McFadden Theme song by Melissa Carter @ Making Audio Magic

In this episode of *Confident at Work*, I’m sharing something close to my heart - my mission, to help every woman get squarely and firmly behind herself. It started with a birthday card from my mum that said, "Behind every successful woman is herself." While I loved the sentiment, I knew the sad truth - often it's just not the case. In this episode, I explore what it really means to be "behind yourself" - offering yourself the same backing, encouragement, and protection you give to others. I talk about how this shift can transform not only your confidence but your entire career, your life - and maybe even the world? I also introduce my Members Club, where I help women create the foundation for lasting professional confidence by getting behind themselves. Key Takeaways: - Why it’s so important to be get behind yourself - How backing, encouragement, and protection from yourself can change your confidence. - What it means to get behind yourself at work If you’re ready to get behind yourself and take your confidence to the next level, check out the The Members Club: open for new members in September 2024. ⁠Take our free: Confidence Assessment ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Book a call to explore private coaching⁠ Cover art by Jacob McFadden Theme song by Melissa Carter @ Making Audio Magic 

In this episode, we dive into a common struggle many professionals face - avoiding confrontation. If you've ever caught yourself saying, "I hate confrontation," or find yourself consistently sidestepping tough conversations, this episode is for you. We explore what you’re really avoiding when you shy away from confrontation, why you might be doing it, and most importantly, how to stop. Key Points Covered: Understanding What You’re Avoiding: We explore the underlying fears and concerns that lead to avoiding confrontation. Consideration of what confrontation means to you and what you gain or avoid by not engaging in it. The Opposite of ‘Avoid’: What you have to go towards; resolution, discomfort, pursuing the right action, the part of you that wants to shy away, and someone's honest response. Coaching Questions to Reflect On: What's happening now? Identify your current behavior and avoidance patterns. Why is it a problem? Understand the impact of avoidance on your life and work. What happens if you don't change? Consider the long-term consequences of continuing to avoid confrontation. What would you like to have happen? Define your desired outcome in dealing with confrontation. What's your plan? Commit to specific actions to address confrontation. Practical Examples: We discuss real-life scenarios where avoidance of confrontation causes more harm than good, providing both employee and senior-level examples. These examples illustrate the consequences of avoiding confrontation and how addressing it can lead to better outcomes. ⁠Take our free: Confidence Assessment ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Explore and join The Members Club ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Book a call to explore private coaching⁠ Cover art by Jacob McFadden Theme song by Melissa Carter @ Making Audio Magic

They dig into why we obsess over others' opinions at work and where that worry typically shows up. The conversation covers the cycle of low confidence and primal fear of rejection. Practical tactics are introduced, like naming the fear, setting limits on rumination, and learning to tell if judgement is yours or theirs.

In this episode we sit down with Carolyn Cleveland, an expert in emotional intelligence, empathetic communication and complaints, to explore the complex dynamics of handling complaints in the professional world. Complaints are an inevitable part of any career, but how do they impact your confidence, and can they actually be turned into a tool for growth? Key Topics Covered: The Emotional Component of Complaints: Carolyn dives into the emotional toll that complaints can take on both the complainant and the person receiving the complaint, emphasising the importance of acknowledging and processing these emotions. The Power of Empathy and Compassion: Learn how approaching complaints with empathy can de-escalate tensions and pave the way for constructive dialogue. Processing Emotions and Seeking Support: Carolyn shares strategies for processing the emotions that come with complaints and the importance of seeking support, whether through colleagues, mentors, or organisational resources. The Role of Organisations in Support: We explore how organisations can better support their professionals by fostering a culture of open communication and providing necessary resources for managing complaints. Negative Labelling and Self-Judgment: Carolyn discusses how negative self-talk and labelling can undermine confidence, and how to shift towards a more positive, growth-oriented mindset. Embracing Complexity: Complaints are rarely simple. Carolyn explains how embracing the complexity of these situations can lead to more effective resolutions and personal growth. The Impact of Internal Narratives: We examine how your internal narrative can either hinder or help you in handling complaints with confidence. Can Complaints Increase Professional Confidence?In a surprising twist, we explore how successfully navigating complaints can actually boost your confidence and contribute to your professional development. **Why You Should Listen:** If you’ve ever faced a complaint and wondered how to handle it without losing your confidence, this episode is for you. Carolyn Cleveland offers practical advice and deep insights that will help you turn complaints into opportunities for growth and resilience in your professional life. Contact Carolyn  For more information about Carolyn Cleveland and her work, ⁠visit her website. ⁠ Explore the Empathy Envoy page, where you can link to resources: ⁠Empathy Envoys Recognition Programme | C&C Empathy Training (empathytrainingltd.co.uk)⁠. Empathy Envoys is a supportive community to promote empathy and understanding in organisations. The Recognition Programme is for professionals to nominate colleagues who have demonstrated empathy and understanding, maybe even struggling with challenges themselves. Join the Empathy Envoy WhatsApp group to be part of the community! Access the home page with an overview of courses: ⁠C&C Empathy Training | Inspiring empathic behaviour communication and culture (empathytrainingltd.co.uk)⁠ ⁠Access Carolyn's E-learning as an individual.⁠ Email Carolyn direct here: ⁠carolyn@cc-et.co.uk Cover art by Jacob McFadden Theme song by Melissa Carter @ Making Audio Magic 

In this episode we take on one of the most widely accepted yet misguided piece of career advice: "Fake it till you make it." After coming across this advice in a Google search, Anna unpacks why this approach not only doest work but is potentially harmful to anyone trying to build genuine confidence in the workplace. Key Takeaways: Debunking the Myth: Faking it does not lead to authentic confidence. Instead, it merely masks insecurities and delays the process of developing real self-assurance. Faking It vs. Authentic Confidence: Using examples from relationships and social media, we illustrate how faking confidence is similar to pretending in other areas of life—it may fool others, but it doesn't create genuine feelings or results. The Real Path to Confidence: Anna reminds listeners that true confidence comes from within, built through self-awareness, experience and personal growth, not through pretending. Take The Confidence Assessment to identify where you stand in your confidence journey and receive personalised advice for building real, lasting confidence that isn't fake. ⁠Take our free: Confidence Assessment ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Explore and join The Members Club ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Book a call to explore private coaching⁠ Cover art by Jacob McFadden Theme song by Melissa Carter @ Making Audio Magic 

The closest boss you'll ever have lives inside you, but if you're not intentional about building the kind of boss you want, you might end up with one you dont like! Most professionals are never taught that it's an option to build the boss who lives inside them. In this episode, we hear how you can choose your exact specifications for the boss who lives inside you, and when you do, how it will improve your wellbeing, increase your output and boost your confidence! Want more support? ⁠Take our free: Confidence Assessment ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Explore and join The Members Club ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Book a call to explore private coaching⁠ Cover art by Jacob McFadden Theme song by Melissa Carter @ Making Audio Magic 

This week we're exploring the hidden dangers of turning your analytical skills inward. As professionals, you might pride yourself on your sharp analytical and critical thinking skills. These abilities honed through years of education and experience might make you an expert in your field, but what happens when you turn those skills on yourself? In this episode we explore how the very skills that make us successful at work can erode our confidence when they're misapplied. You'll meet Janet, a brilliant lawyer, who like many of us, has used her analytical prowess to excel in her career. However, she was also unknowingly using these skills to scrutinise, criticise and perfext herself, leading to self-doubt and anxiety. Here’s a sneak peek of what we discussed: Hypercritical Self-Analysis: Janet was adept at spotting flaws in contracts but applied the same hypercritical lens to her own value and contributions. This constant self-scrutiny left her feeling inadequate despite her undeniable success. Endless Analysing: Janet would mentally dissect every conversation and email, a habit great for her legal work but disastrous for her personal confidence. The good news? Janet learned to recognise when she was misapplying her skills and developed strategies to stop doing it! She discovered that she could still be highly analytical at work without turning those skills inward. Are you doing the same? Are your critical thinking skills boosting your career but undermining your self-confidence? Listen to this episode to find out. Want more support? ⁠Take our free: Confidence Assessment ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Explore and join The Members Club ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Book a call to explore private coaching⁠ Cover art by Jacob McFadden Theme song by Melissa Carter @ Making Audio Magic

👉 ⁠⁠Register for our free masterclass: How To Grow Your Professional Confidence now - October 2024⁠ Overwhelmed by the amount you have to do at work? We're here to help you get back on track. We've all been there – staring at a massive to-do list, feeling paralysed by the sheer amount of work you have to do? In this episode we cover:- Understanding task overwhelm when it happens and what you'll notice in your work day The impact of leaving an overwhelmed brain to it's own devices and how it will have you flapping or starting at your to-do-list! How To Get Back on Track: I guide you through practical steps to step back, re-set, re-focus and regain control ⁠Take our free: Confidence Assessment ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Explore and join The Members Club ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Book a call to explore private coaching⁠ Cover art by Jacob McFadden Theme song by Melissa Carter @ Making Audio Magic

Sick of rescuing people at work, when you definitely didn't sign up for a career with the emergency services? Tired of taking on peoples tasks, solving their problems, or just stepping in a bit too much? In this week's podcast, we're here to help you figure out how to stop rescuing people at work. And we get it. You already know you shouldn't be rescuing people, but that doesn't seem to have stopped you. Tune in to understand why knowing you shouldn't rescue hasn't actually stopped you, and what you need to do, to finally kick the rescuing habit: 🛟 Meet Real-Life Rescuers: Sarah, Alex, and Valerie, three successful professionals who found themselves in the rescuing cycle– each with unique scenarios and insights which will shed light on your own rescue missions! 🛟 Understand The Urge: Get behind the scenes of your mind and discover the thoughts and beliefs driving your need to rescue. 🛟 Unpack The Impact : Learn about the unintended consequences of rescuing – on both you and those you’re trying to help. 🛟 Get Practical Tips: We’re not just pointing out the problem; we’re offering sustainable solutions! From handling the urge to jump in, to a whole new approach to management, we’ve got strategies to help you break free from the rescuing habit for good. Want more help to feel confident at work? ⁠Take our free: Confidence Assessment ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Explore and join The Members Club ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Book a call to explore private coaching⁠