We're tackling something fundamental this week: the mindsets that separate good leaders from great ones. This isn't about productivity hacks or the latest leadership trend - it's about the inner game that determines whether you'll thrive or struggle in leadership roles. Whether you've just stepped into a senior position or you're looking to level up your leadership capability, this episode gives you five mindsets that will genuinely shift how you operate.

Key points from this episode

1. Why trying to copy other leaders' styles will damage trust and put you under unnecessary pressure
2. The difference between rational self-doubt and actual imposter syndrome (and why that distinction matters)
3. How the drive to prove yourself can actually hold you back from becoming more effective
4. Why creating thinking time feels uncomfortable but is non-negotiable for senior leadership
5. The alternative to getting comfortable being uncomfortable

00:00 Introduction - Five mindsets great leaders adopt

01:00 Context: Why mindset matters more than external skills

03:00 Mindset 1: Lead as yourself - authenticity without the buzzword

05:00 Mindset 2: Name the fear - managing self-doubt effectively

07:00 The temptation to prove yourself worthy

08:00 Mindset 3: Embrace being a work in progress

10:00 Mindset 4: Think, don't just do

12:00 Why being visibly busy can hold senior leaders back

14:00 How thinking time actually feels when you allow it

15:00 Mindset 5: Get uncomfortable being comfortable

17:00 Finding the edges without pushing into panic zone

19:00 How to actually use these mindsets in practice

21:00 Final advice and next steps

Useful Links

Connect with Pam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelalangan/

Connect with Jacqui on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqui-jagger/

Follow the Catalyst Careers LinkedIn page for career tips and advice

Interested in working with us?

Get in touch about career or leadership development, outplacement workshops or recruitment support via the Catalyst Careers website

We're kicking off 2026 with the second part of our reflect, connect, commit framework. If you haven't listened to our year-end reflection episode yet, go back and start there - you'll get much more from this one if you do the reflection first.

This episode is about connecting with what you actually want for your career (not what you think you should want) and then committing to action that will make it happen. We talk about why SMART goals leave us cold, how to figure out what energises you versus what drains you, and the difference between dreaming big and taking the first step.

Key points from this episode

1. Why your definition of career success changes (and why that's important to understand)
2. The difference between values and priorities when it comes to career planning
3. How to identify who and what energises you (and why that matters more than you think)
4. Why we hate SMART goals and what to do instead
5. The commitment question: what will you do in January that signals you're serious?

00:00 Introduction: Connect and Commit for 2026

01:00 The Reflect, Connect, Commit Framework Overview

03:00 Values and Priorities: What Does Career Success Mean to You?

05:00 Pam's Definition of Success: Impact Over Everything Else

06:00 Jacqui's Realization: Financial Success AND Fun

08:00 More Of, Less Of: What Do You Want to Change?

09:00 Who Energises You? The Power of Being Around the Right People

12:00 Go Big or Go Home: Why SMART Goals Don't Inspire

14:00 The Problem With Realistic Goals When You're Ambitious

15:00 Jacqui's Big Vision

17:00 Commit: What Action Will You Take in January?

19:00 Taking Small Steps Towards Big Dreams

20:00 Get in Touch and Share Your Commitments

Useful Links

Connect with Pam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelalangan/

Connect with Jacqui on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqui-jagger/

Interested in working with us?

Get in touch about career or leadership development, outplacement workshops or recruitment support via the Catalyst Careers website

As 2025 wraps up, we're sharing the end-of-year reflection process we use with clients: reflect, connect, commit. Most people rush straight to "what went wrong and what do I need to fix?" but they're missing the most valuable bit - understanding what's actually working so you can do more of it. We walk through the specific questions that help you figure out what energises you, what drains you, and what you've been putting up with that needs to stop.

We get personal about our own year, including what's surprised us, what's taken off (Pam's LinkedIn success story is worth a listen), and the parts of our work that genuinely light us up. Plus, we tackle the uncomfortable question about boundaries that most people avoid

Key points from this episode

1. Why people learn more from their successes than their failures (but rarely do it)
2. The specific reflection questions that reveal what's actually working in your career
3. How to identify what energises you vs what makes you want to fake a WiFi issue
4. The confronting question about boundaries: what you've tolerated that you shouldn't
5. Using the "reflect, connect, commit" framework to create actual change, not just New Year optimism

Useful Links

Access our Free Podcast Resources Vault which includes the reflection questions resource from this episode

Connect with Pam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelalangan/

Connect with Jacqui on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqui-jagger/

Follow the Catalyst Careers LinkedIn page for career tips and advice

Interested in working with us?

Get in touch about career or leadership development, outplacement workshops or recruitment support via the Catalyst Careers website