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

Key points from this episode

Useful Links

Join The Catalyst Career Club for 50k+ Leaders

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

Enjoyed this Episode?

If you enjoyed this episode, please take the time to rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

When your boss is drowning in pressure, it doesn't just affect them—it cascades straight down to you. We've all been there: the chaotic instructions, the constant interruptions, the feeling that nothing you do is quite right. In this episode, we unpack what's really happening when your manager is overwhelmed and share practical strategies to create calm in the chaos without burning yourself out in the process.

We explore why your well-intentioned attempts to help might actually be backfiring, how to reframe your support in ways that land better, and the importance of protecting yourself whilst managing up effectively. Whether you're considering leaving or want to improve your current situation, this episode gives you actionable steps to take back control

Key points from this episode

• Why offering help to an overwhelmed boss often backfires (and what to do instead)
• How to reframe your support as business efficiency rather than personal rescue
• The power of proactive communication to reduce reactive chaos
• Setting boundaries that protect you whilst still supporting your manager
• When to pause and fix the situation vs when it's genuinely time to leave

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction and Topic Overview

01:00 Understanding the Cascading Impact of an Overwhelmed Boss

03:00 Why "Rescuing" Your Boss Backfires

05:00 Developing Empathy When You're Frustrated

08:00 The Power of Asking "What Would Make Your Job Easier?"

09:00 Reframing Support as Business Efficiency

10:00 Using Proactive Communication to Reduce Pressure

13:00 Creating Boundaries to Protect Your Time

15:00 Coaching Your Team to Be More Considered

18:00 Protecting Yourself: The Non-Negotiables

21:00 Having Collaborative Conversations About Priorities

23:00 Should You Stay or Should You Go?RetryClaude can make mistakes. Please double-check responses.

Useful Links

Join The Catalyst Career Club for 50k+ Leaders

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

Enjoyed this Episode?

If you enjoyed this episode, please take the time to rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

Mentioned in this episode:

Catalyst Career Club for £50k+ Leaders & Managers

Moving up the career ladder needs an inside edge - strategies that allow you to unlock your full potential and position yourself as a true leadership talent. And that's exactly what the Catalyst Career Club for 50k+ Leaders provides. No fluff, no corporate jargon. Just a down to earth, purposeful injection of oomph for your career from Pamela & Jacqui Use the code PODCAST to get your first month for £1 https://www.pamelalangan.com/catalystcareerclub

High stakes moments can make or break your confidence as a leader. In this episode, we explore the common scenarios where talented professionals falter under pressure, from over-explaining in crucial meetings to freezing when put on the spot. We share practical strategies to help you stay composed, maintain your executive presence, and perform at your best when it matters most. If you've ever left a meeting replaying what you said (or didn't say), this episode is for you.

Key points from this episode

• Three common scenarios where leaders lose confidence in high-pressure situations
• Why mindset preparation is just as important as material preparation
• The power of pausing to calm your nervous system and increase impact
• How to understand the real intent behind challenging questions
• Strategies for buying yourself time without appearing uncertain
• Moving past self-criticism to learn from difficult moments

Useful Links

Join The Catalyst Career Club for 50k+ Leaders

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

Enjoyed this Episode?

If you enjoyed this episode, please take the time to rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

Feeling overlooked in your job search, even though you know you’re good at what you do? You’re not alone. In this episode, we unpack why experienced professionals and senior leaders struggle to get traction when applying for new roles, and what to do differently to stand out in today’s market.

We talk about why the job search game has changed, what “positioning yourself” really means, and how to reframe the process so it feels less demoralising and more strategic.

Key points from this episode

• Why senior professionals are getting overlooked (and why it’s not all down to ageism or the job market)
• How to audit and update your CV so it actually reflects your value at a senior level
• The shift from listing responsibilities to demonstrating impact
• How to stop “winging it” in interviews and start telling your story with confidence
• Why reframing your job search as a learning process can change everything
• The power of building relationships before you need them

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction and Topic Overview

01:00 Why so many senior professionals feel overlooked right now

03:00 How the job market has changed for experienced candidates

05:00 The problem with keyword-stuffed CVs and outdated application tactics

07:00 How to audit your CV through a recruiter or hiring-manager lens

09:00 The difference between CVs for mid-level vs senior-level roles

10:00 Interview pitfalls: why “winging it” doesn’t work at senior level

12:00 Moving beyond STAR answers to share your story with impact

15:00 Handling rejection and maintaining confidence

17:00 Reframing the job search as a learning process

19:00 Building relationships before you need them

21:00 Turning experience into a competitive advantage

23:00 Owning your expertise and showing authentic value

25:00 Wrap Up: Positioning, patience, and playing the long game

Useful Links

Join The Catalyst Career Club for 50k+ Leaders

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

Enjoyed this Episode?

If you enjoyed this episode, please take the time to rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

Think your team's psychological safety is sorted because everyone gets along? Think again. In this episode, we dig into what psychological safety actually means and why "nice" teams often aren't high-performing ones. We explore the difference between surface-level harmony and true psychological safety, and share practical strategies for building a culture where people can admit mistakes, challenge ideas, and take interpersonal risks without fear.

Key points from this episode

• What psychological safety really means (and why it's not just about being nice to each other)
• The high support, high challenge framework and why both are essential for performance
• Warning signs that your team lacks psychological safety (even if everyone seems to get on)
• How to role model vulnerability and normalise mistakes as a leader
• Simple language reframes that make challenge feel safer

00:00 Introduction and Topic Overview

01:00 Defining Psychological Safety: Taking Interpersonal Risks

03:00 The Problem with "Nice" Teams and Surface-Level Harmony

05:00 Why Psychological Safety is the Foundation for High Performance

06:00 The Impact of Psychological Safety on Team Culture

08:00 The High Support, High Challenge Framework

10:00 Signs Your Team Has (or Lacks) Psychological Safety

12:00 Creating Space for Honest Conversations

15:00 Building Psychological Safety in Practice

18:00 Role Modelling: Admitting Mistakes as a Leader

19:00 Holding Learning Reviews and Reflective Practice

21:00 Structured Challenge: Using Devil's Advocate

22:00 Language Reframes: "I See That Differently" vs "I Disagree"

24:00 The Power of the Pause in Maintaining Psychological Safety

25:00 Wrap Up: High Support AND High Challenge

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

Enjoyed this Episode?

If you enjoyed this episode, please take the time to rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify