In this episode, Sarah dives into a topic that many clients feel confused about: How do you become a Non-Executive Director (NED)? Whether you’re considering a portfolio career, want to broaden your strategic experience, or are curious about how to take on a board role alongside your current job, this episode will give you a practical roadmap for getting started. We’ll cover the benefits of becoming an NED, the types of roles available, and the steps you can take to position yourself for these opportunities. If an NED role is part of your career plan—whether now or in the future—this is the episode for you.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The different types of NED roles (paid, unpaid, governance vs. advisory)
• Why it’s not just a post-retirement option
• How to assess your readiness and identify gaps in your experience
• The role of personal branding and visibility in securing a board position
• How to leverage your network (and find mentors or champions)
• Where to find NED opportunities, including specialist platforms and agencies

Show Notes:

00:00 – Welcome to Unstuck and Unstoppable: Helping female leaders thrive without burning out

02:00 – Why becoming an NED is on the radar for many women leaders

03:00 – Can you be an NED alongside your day job? Yes, here’s how

04:00 – The benefits of becoming an NED: Portfolio careers, strategic growth, networking, and financial reward

05:00 – Understanding your motivation: Why do YOU want to become an NED?

06:00 – Types of NED roles: Paid, unpaid, public bodies, small businesses, trusteeships

07:00 – Key skills and gaps to consider: Risk, governance, board processes, decision-making

08:00 – Building your leadership brand and increasing your visibility

09:00 – Networking for NED success: Mentors, champions, door openers

10:00 – Strategic networking: Focus on your target sector or organisation type

10:30 – Joining NED-specific networks for support and opportunities

11:00 – Should you invest in NED training or governance courses?

11:30 – Crafting your NED CV: Highlighting strategic thinking, independence, and leadership

12:00 – How to find NED roles: Search firms, agencies, and specialist platforms

13:00 – Where to look: Women on Boards, Nurole, Guardian, FT, and public appointments

14:00 – Recap: Your action plan for becoming an NED

15:00 – How I can help: Get support for your personal NED strategy

Useful Links

Women on Boards UK

Nurole

UK Public Appointments

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In this episode, Sarah shares the key steps to fast-tracking your next promotion. Whether you're feeling overlooked, craving a challenge, or unsure if you're truly ready for the next leadership level, this episode will help you clarify your direction and take intentional action.

You’ll learn how to recognise the signs you're ready, overcome self-doubt, identify gaps, build your leadership brand, and position yourself for internal or external opportunities all in a realistic 3–6 month window.

[00:00:00] Welcome & Intro

[00:01:00] Why Promotions Can Feel Elusive

• The tension between leadership ambition and time constraints
• How self-doubt and imposter feelings show up, even at senior levels

[00:02:00] Are You Ready for Promotion? Signs to Watch For

• Seeing others get ahead while you feel stuck
• Feeling bored or underutilised
• Frequently acting up or being asked to take on more
• Strategic thinking beyond your own team

[00:04:00] Self-Doubt vs. Self-Awareness

• The difference between questioning your readiness and making a conscious, values-aligned choice
• A story of a client who chose not to go for promotion—intentionally

[00:05:00] 8 Strategies to Fast Track Your Promotion

1. Be intentional - promotions rarely happen passively
2. Do a gap analysis - skills and visibility
3. Clarify your leadership brand - ask for feedback or work with a coach
4. Scan for stretch opportunities - projects, strategic challenges, or acting-up roles
5. Demonstrate value - be proactive, solve problems beyond your remit
6. Build key relationships -with your boss, senior leaders, and potential mentors
7. Get comfortable with self-promotion - articulate achievements with depth and context
8. Time it right – leverage business wins or personal successes

[00:16:00] Final Reflections & Next Steps

• Be strategic and give yourself permission to aim higher
• Consider both internal and external promotional routes
• Take the first step by creating space to think and plan

[00:17:30] Get in Touch

• Sarah invites listeners to message her if they take action and land that promotion

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:

Are you an ambitious woman looking for your next senior leadership role but feeling frustrated by the lack of visible opportunities? You’re not alone. As you progress in your career, the job search becomes more complex—and more hidden.

In this episode, Sarah shares 4 expert, proven strategies to help you find your next leadership job with more confidence and clarity. These practical tools—drawn from her 16+ years of experience as a career and leadership career coach—are especially powerful for women who want to lead with purpose without selling out or burning out.

[00:00:00] Welcome & Episode Introduction

• The challenge of finding time for career planning in leadership roles

[00:02:00] The Hidden Job Market & Why Leadership Jobs Are Harder to Find

• 70% of senior roles aren't advertised
• How positioning matters before jobs even go public

[00:03:00] Why You Might Be Feeling Stuck

• Common barriers: fear, self-doubt, lack of knowledge

🔍 4 Expert Ways to Find Your Next Leadership Job

[00:04:00] 1. Harness the Power of Your Professional Network

• Personal referrals dominate executive hiring
• How to stay top-of-mind with decision-makers
• A client success story on landing a startup leadership role via an old boss

[00:08:00] 2. Connect with Executive Recruiters & Headhunters

• Build relationships before you need them
• Where to find the right recruiters for your industry
• Example: A finance director who transitioned industries thanks to recruiter advocacy

[00:11:00] 3. Position Yourself as a Thought Leader

• Why visibility = credibility
• How to choose between speaking, writing, podcasting, and LinkedIn
• Real story: A marketing manager leveraged thought leadership to step up to a director role

[00:14:00] 4. Optimise Your LinkedIn Profile for Search

• Use keywords aligned with the job you want, not the one you have
• Tips for revamping your headline, summary, experience, and skills
• Example: How simple tweaks helped a Director of Ops attract COO opportunities

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

Remember you are capable of more than you know. Shine brightly, lead boldly, and unlock the extraordinary potential within you. Be...

In this episode, Sarah dives into how to be a more productive leader - not by working harder, but by working smarter. If your days feel like a blur of back-to-back meetings, endless PowerPoint decks, or neverending to-do lists, this episode will help you reclaim control and effectiveness. She shares six powerful strategies that blend mindset, habits, and leadership practice to help you thrive.

[00:00:00] Welcome to the podcast & intro to Sarah

[00:01:00] The challenge of finding time for career aspirations

[00:02:00] Why productivity matters for leaders today

[00:03:00] Common client struggles: meetings, overload, and fast-paced growth

[00:04:00] Why productivity supports better decision-making and team growth

[00:06:00] 1. Understand your personality preference around structure and planning

[00:07:00] 2. Identify and protect your peak productivity hours

[00:08:00] Tips on time-blocking and scheduling high-focus work

[00:09:00] 3. Prioritise self-care (yes, even during busy periods!)

00:10:00] The role of sleep, nutrition, movement, and energy boundaries

[00:11:00] A real client example: making lunchtime gym time non-negotiable

[00:12:00] 4. Try the Ivy Lee Method: 6 daily priorities

[00:13:00] The power of planning ahead to reduce decision fatigue

[00:14:00] 5. Do the hard thing first—build resilience and momentum

[00:15:00] 6. Create a micro habit of learning something new each day

[00:16:00] How Sarah uses reading and podcasts to stay fresh and inspired

[00:17:00] Quick recap of all six productivity tips

[00:18:00] Invitation to share your productivity tips and get in touch

1. Know your personality preferences—don't force what doesn't fit
2. Protect your peak productivity time and use it wisely
3. Prioritise self-care (yes, it’s part of your job as a leader!)
4. Use the Ivy Lee Method to plan your top 6 tasks daily
5. Do the hardest task first to expand your comfort zone
6. Learn something new every day to stay sharp and inspired

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

Sarah explores what it really means to step outside your leadership comfort zone and why it's essential for growth, confidence, and success. Whether you're stuck in operational work, feeling stagnant in your role, or facing new challenges that push your limits, this episode offers insightful strategies and personal stories to inspire you to stretch, not stress.

Sarah shares real-life examples from her coaching practice and her own career journey, including tackling imposter syndrome, self-sabotage, and those scary-but-worth-it leadership opportunities. Learn how to build courage, embrace optimal anxiety, and use small, manageable actions to unlock your next level of leadership impact.

00:00 – Welcome & Introduction

Sarah introduces the podcast and sets the stage for why leadership comfort zones matter.

01:00 – Why This Topic?

Inspired by a coaching client stuck in her role after six years as a CEO.

02:00 – The Reality of Leadership Discomfort

Sometimes you don't have a choice — leadership demands stretch.

03:00 – What Is a Comfort Zone, Really?

Comfort = control, competence, and stagnation if you stay too long.

04:00 – Why You Need to Leave It

Introducing “optimal anxiety” – stretch, not stress – for peak performance.

05:00 – The Neuroscience Behind It

How stepping out of your comfort zone activates the courage circuit and releases dopamine.

06:00 – The Strategic Trap

Operational comfort vs. strategic growth — how leaders can get stuck.

07:00 – Real Client Example

A financial controller seen as “operational” because she didn’t delegate.

08:00 – Personal Story: Fear of Live Radio

How Sarah self-sabotaged until she finally said yes — and why it changed everything.

10:00 – Common Fears Blocking You

Fear of failure, judgment, and the unknown — especially for leaders.

11:00 – High-Stakes Leadership Challenges

From board presentations to restructures — you can't always avoid the hard stuff.

12:00 – Regular Stretch Builds Readiness

Why small, regular discomfort makes big challenges easier.

13:00 – Strategy 1: Start Small

Use the “comfort zone box” model to move gradually from comfort to growth.

14:00 – Strategy 2: Set Clear Goals

Motivation and clarity make it easier to leave what's familiar.

14:30 – Strategy 3: Visualize Success

Boost confidence and prime your brain for a positive outcome.

15:00 – Strategy 4: Seek Support

You don’t have to go it alone — mentors, peers, coaching all help.

16:00 – Strategy 5: Embrace Failure

Salsa dancing, anyone? The value of learning through doing.

17:00 – Practical Ways to Begin

Ideas for manageable leadership stretch goals you can try today.

18:00 – Comfort Zones Are Always Moving

Keep expanding your capacity and confidence, step by step.

19:00 – Final Challenge: What Could You Do Today?

Choose one manageable action to get out of your comfort zone — and go do it.

Useful Links

Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration

Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching...

In this episode Sarah dives into one of the most powerful differentiators for female leaders: executive presence. What does it really mean? Why does it matter for career advancement and leadership impact? And more importantly, how do you develop it authentically?

With her signature blend of practical insight and empowering coaching, Sarah breaks down what executive presence is, why it's essential, and actionable ways to cultivate your own, without burning out or selling out.

This episode is ideal for ambitious professional women who want to be seen, heard, and respected at the next level of leadership.

[00:00] – Welcome to Unstuck and Unstoppable

[01:00] – Why executive presence matters in your leadership journey

[02:00] – Defining executive presence in simple, authentic terms

[03:00] – The career impact of executive presence: The 26% promotion factor

[04:00] – Beyond promotions: How it helps with presentations, influence, and team leadership

[05:00] – Authenticity and the alignment of inner values with outward behavior

[06:00] – Elements of executive presence: poise, confidence, curiosity, body language, communication

[07:00] – Exercise 1: Identify someone with executive presence and unpack what they do

[08:00] – Client story: Having a conversation with someone you admire

[09:00] – Exercise 2: Self-assessment and feedback from trusted colleagues

[10:00] – Aligning executive presence with your leadership brand

[11:00] – Good news: Executive presence is a skill—and it’s learnable

[12:00] – The power of intentionality and experimenting in meetings

[13:00] – Reflecting after interactions to grow your presence

[14:00] – Mirror and learn: Spend time with people who exude presence

[15:00] – The role of appearance in executive presence (and why red lipstick might help!)

[16:00] – Avoiding invisibility: Why staying visible and vocal matters in meetings

[17:00] – Final recap: Your action steps to build presence

[18:00] – Free resource + invitation to connect with Sarah

Useful Links

Free E-Book: Five Steps to Creating Powerful Presence as a Female Leader

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

Be powerfully you. Shine brightly. Lead boldly. And unlock the...

In this episode, Sarah dives into a crucial topic for career clarity and confidence: how to identify your strengths when preparing for a new leadership role.Whether you're navigating a transition, returning from redundancy, or feeling unclear about your value, this episode will guide you through practical, reflective tools to uncover and articulate your unique strengths—so you can position yourself powerfully for what’s next.

[00:01:00] Why Identifying Your Strengths Matters

Understand the importance of knowing and communicating your strengths for your next role.

[00:02:00] Common Challenges Senior Women Face

From imposter syndrome to redundancy and lack of clarity—why strengths can feel hard to spot.

[00:03:00] Real Client Example: Shifting Interview Confidence

How coaching helped a senior leader improve confidence and articulation in interviews.

[00:04:00] How Strengths Drive Career Clarity & Pay Equity

Why strengths awareness impacts career enjoyment, performance, and pay.

[00:05:00] Client Story: From Playing Small to Strategic Leader

A redundancy led to discovering untapped strategic strengths and bigger career goals.

[00:06:00] Client Story: Owning Efficiency as a Superpower

Discovering a strength in driving efficiency transformed personal brand and job positioning.

[00:07:00] Step 1: Create a Personal Career Timeline

Use life and career highs/lows to reveal consistent themes and character strengths.

[00:08:00] Step 2: Reflect on Key Achievements

Analyze what made your past achievements successful—skills, passion, and business value.

[00:09:00] Step 3: Explore Your Reputation and Leadership Brand

What are you known for? Dig into the external perception of your leadership value.

[00:10:00] Step 4: Seek Feedback to Uncover Blind Spots

How asking trusted colleagues can bring strengths to light you may overlook.

[00:11:00] Step 5: Craft a Powerful Narrative

Align your strengths, experience, and impact into a compelling leadership story.

[00:12:00] Final Thoughts & Invitation

Reflecting on your strengths gives clarity, confidence, and career direction—reach out if you'd like support in this journey.

[00:13:00] Resources, Reviews & Closing Inspiration

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:

Receiving feedback, especially the difficult kind, can feel disorienting and emotional. But as a leader, learning how to process and respond to it effectively is key to your growth and success. In this episode, Sarah shares practical strategies to help you deal with tough feedback, reframe your response, and decide what’s useful to take on board, all while staying true to who you are.

Whether you're facing recent criticism or want to build a feedback-positive culture in your team, this episode is full of valuable insights to help you feel more empowered and less reactive.

[00:00:00] - Welcome & Podcast Purpose

Sarah introduces Unstuck and Unstoppable, her mission, and who the podcast is for: ambitious female leaders who want to thrive with authenticity.

[00:02:00] – Why Difficult Feedback Is So Hard

Explores the emotional reactions feedback can trigger and why it’s not always objective or helpful.

[00:03:00] – Feedback Isn't Always Fair

Understanding that feedback can be inaccurate, biased, or based on others' projections, and why discernment matters.

[00:04:00] – A Personal Story of Tough Feedback

Sarah shares a pivotal early-career experience of receiving difficult feedback and how it helped her grow.

[00:05:00] – The 8 Strategies:

1. Don’t React Immediately

How to give yourself space to process emotions using reframing techniques like cognitive reappraisal and self-affirmation.

[00:06:00] – 2. Get More Data

Seek feedback from multiple sources to validate, challenge, or contextualise the criticism.

[00:07:00] – Client Examples: Reframing Feedback

Real-life stories of clients using 360 feedback and peer insights to shift perspective and regain confidence.

[00:09:00] – 3. Find the Wisdom in the Feedback

Work with a coach or reflect independently to determine what to take forward and what to let go.

[00:09:30] – 4. Make Your Changes Visible

Use symbolic or public actions to shift perceptions, especially in leadership roles.

[00:10:30] – 5. Don’t Isolate Yourself

Why avoiding people who gave you feedback or playing the victim doesn’t serve your growth, and how to reconnect.

[00:12:00] – 6. When Change Isn’t the Answer

What to do when feedback conflicts with your core strengths or style, and how to ask for understanding instead.

[00:13:00] – Balancing Preferences with Expectations

Navigating differences in working styles, like structure vs. spontaneity, and finding a shared understanding.

[00:14:00] – 7. Don’t Shrink or Play Small

Why negative feedback shouldn’t diminish your confidence—and how to check if external factors are impacting your performance.

[00:14:30] – 8. Create a Feedback Culture

Modeling feedback-seeking and giving behaviors as a leader to encourage a growth-focused environment.

[00:15:30] – Recap of the 8 Key Strategies

A quick summary of all the tools and ideas shared in the episode to manage and learn from difficult feedback.

Useful Links

Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration

Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes

Book a Free 121 Clarity Call