Why do so many successful leaders still feel stuck, disconnected, or self doubt, even when things look good on paper?

In this solo episode, I explore how senior leaders, founders, and leadership teams can build self-trust by listening to their three intelligence centres: head, heart, and gut, especially when making difficult decisions or designing a life that truly fits.

This reflection draws on my work with CEOs and leadership teams, alongside my own journey of learning to trust myself beyond logic, external validation, and “what I should do.”

This episode is an invitation to slow down, tune in, and reconnect with the internal signals that guide brave leadership, aligned decision-making, and sustainable success, so you can lead, decide, and live with more courage and clarity.

00:00 – Why so many successful leaders still feel disconnected
02:15 – Courage starts with listening, not confidence
05:10 – The three intelligence centres every leader has
08:30 – The Head: clarity, logic, and the overthinking trap
12:40 – The Heart: values, emotion, and what really matters
17:20 – The Gut: instinct, timing, and quiet courage
22:10 – What happens when one centre dominates your leadership
26:30 – Designing a life that actually feels like yours
30:40 – Simple questions to build self-trust in decisions
35:10 – A closing reflection on choosing courage differently

Reflection Questions for Leaders
• Which intelligence centre do I default to under pressure?
• What has my gut been trying to tell me that I’ve rationalised away?
• Where am I living a version of success that looks right — but feels wrong?
• What would a 10% more courageous decision look like right now?

Don’t miss out on this powerful episode which can help your leadership and personal development.

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

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How do you lead with conviction when everything is changing around you?

It’s the big question for every UK leader right now and exactly why I invited Simon Cook, CEO of Cannes Lions, onto the podcast.

In this episode, we get honest about what it really takes to let go of control, build true trust in your team, and stay resilient even when things don’t go as planned.

We dive into:
• When to keep going, and when to let go
• The link between conviction and coordination in leadership
• Why control feels safe – but stops growth
• Managing failure without losing momentum
• Leading through mergers and high-stakes change
• How to stay calm and mentally fit (even when your diary explodes)

It’s practical, candid, and focuses on what UK leaders need now: leading bravely, staying relevant, and keeping your energy focused.

00:00 – Introduction
01:00 – Why leading with conviction can become a weakness
04:21 – Building a smarter team and learning to trust
07:11 – The role of failure in leadership
09:37 – Conviction and coordination: the keys to change
10:33 – How Simon navigated a 500-person business through a major acquisition
12:29 – Staying confident when you actually feel uncertain
14:01 – The importance of staying grounded and calm for your team
15:51 – Learning from mergers, culture shifts, and tough decisions
17:26 – Evolving your leadership style as everything changes
19:00 – What’s really happening in the UK marketing industry right now
22:40 – Where UK creativity is heading next
24:06 – The advice Simon would give every agency CEO
28:17 – Protecting your brand and your time under pressure
33:02 – Practical ways to help leaders prioritise, focus, and say no
35:19 – Why emotional intelligence matters more than ever
36:22 – Leading through failure, and making learning collective
37:23 – Being bolder, more disciplined, and mentally fit for the future

Don’t miss this down-to-earth, actionable conversation. If you’re navigating organisational change, agency mergers, or just struggling to keep your team steady, this episode gives you the kind of real, UK-focused leadership advice we all need.

In a world of constant strategic change, this conversation focuses on how to manage change effectively within your business, emphasising practical management techniques for organisational design and personal development.

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

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How do you know when it’s time to walk away - even from something you’ve built yourself?

Sedge Beswick, consultant, advisor, speaker, and founder, digs deep into what it really takes to make bold career moves, step back as a CEO, and create space for what matters most.

If you’ve ever wondered how to balance ambition with family, deal with overwhelm, and lead with honesty, this episode is for you.

We cover:
00:00 – Introduction
01:28 – The courage to change
02:51 – Breaking the “hamster wheel” cycle
05:49 – Building success without a rulebook
07:55 – Childhood confidence and workplace impact
11:31 – The blunt reality of being direct at work
13:38 – Managing people older than you
16:32 – ASOS culture and handling growing pains
18:00 – When opportunity changes your course
19:35 – The power of community for business growth
21:52 – Courage to step down as CEO
22:27 – Mistakes made during maternity leave
23:15 – Hard lessons from deal fatigue
24:43 – Watching someone else lead your business
25:57 – Selling shares and choosing a new path
28:35 – Creating a life with more presence
29:22 – Letting go of identity and titles
32:38 – Pivoting your career with purpose
36:46 – The challenge of saying no and setting boundaries
39:45 – Building a portfolio career and helping others
42:42 – Managing overwhelm and keeping priorities straight
44:01 – Finding headspace as a working parent
45:04 – Do ambition and family ever truly integrate?
48:30 – Advice your future self would give now
50:01 – The power of pausing before big decisions

Don’t miss out on this powerful episode on entrepreneurship, business growth, motherhood and more!

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54