In this episode, Sarah explores the confidence gap many women experience at work and why, despite equal competence, women are often less likely than men to back themselves, speak up about achievements, or go for opportunities.

Drawing on compelling research from leadership, psychology, and neuroscience, Sarah explains why confidence shows up differently for women – and, crucially, what you can do about it. She shares three practical, immediately actionable techniques to help you own your achievements, increase your visibility, and build genuine, sustainable confidence at work.

If you’ve ever played down your success, waited to be noticed, or felt uncomfortable talking about your impact, this episode is for you.

1. Why confidence is just as important as competence for career success
2. The research behind the confidence gap between men and women
3. How socialisation, brain wiring, and hormones influence confidence
4. Why “fake it till you make it” doesn’t really work
5. Three practical ways to start owning your achievements with confidence

[01:00] Why confidence matters for leadership and career progression

[02:00] Why confidence shows up again and again in client work

[03:00] Introducing the confidence gap: playing down achievements and waiting to be recognised

[04:00] Research insights: how women and men differ in confidence at work

[05:00] Salary negotiations, career expectations, and why women ask for less

[06:00] Why women only apply for roles when they meet 100% of the criteria

[07:00] The neuroscience of confidence: emotional memory, risk, and rumination

[08:00] How brain wiring and threat-scanning impact confidence and risk-taking

[09:00] Confidence vs competence – and why belief drives action

[10:00] Technique 1: Reframing self-promotion as sharing value and leading well

[11:00] A real-life example of reframing visibility without ego

[12:00] Technique 2: Building an evidence bank to strengthen self-belief

[13:00] How an evidence bank helps silence your inner critic

[14:00] Technique 3: Using confident language that doesn’t dilute your impact

[15:00] Noticing and replacing confidence-eroding phrases

[16:00] Final reflections, next steps, and how Sarah can support you further

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Research on Gender and Salary Negotiation

In this first episode of 2026, Sarah introduces the powerful (and often overlooked) concept of a personal board for your leadership career. Drawing on the idea of organisational boards, Sarah explains how having the right people around you can help you make better career decisions, gain perspective, build influence, and stay motivated as a leader.

You’ll learn about the different roles a personal board can play, how to identify who is already supporting you (often unconsciously), where the gaps might be, and how to intentionally build stronger, more strategic support around your career and leadership journey.

1. What a personal board is and why it matters for female leaders
2. The three key categories of a personal board
3. The 12 different roles people can play in supporting your career
4. How one person can fulfil multiple roles
5. How to identify gaps in your current support network
6. Practical steps to start building or strengthening your personal board
7. How to approach people in a way that feels reciprocal and authentic
8. Why paying it forward is part of sustainable leadership success

[00:00] Welcome to Unstuck and Unstoppable and the purpose of the podcast

[01:35] Episode 61 introduction and New Year reflections

[02:00] Why creating a personal board can transform your career

[03:00] What a personal board is (and how it mirrors organisational boards)

[04:00] Overview of the personal board framework and key principles

[05:00] The three categories of a personal board

[05:30] Information roles: Inspirer, Expert, Navigator

[07:00] Power and influence roles: Connector, Sponsor, Unlocker, Influencer

[09:00] Development and support roles: Challenger, Improver, Cheerleader/Anchor

[11:00] Real-life examples from Sarah’s leadership career

[12:00] Becoming more intentional about who supports you

[13:00] Identifying gaps in your personal board

[14:00] Who to consider when building your board (beyond line managers)

[15:00] How to approach people and make it mutually beneficial

[15:45] Paying it forward and supporting others in their careers

[16:30] Practical action to take this week

[17:00] Final reflections and episode close

After listening, write down three people who already support your career or could play a role on your personal board. Reach out to one of them this week to reconnect, say thank you, or start a more intentional conversation.

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Who is in your Personal Boardroom? By Zella King & Amanda Scott

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In this first episode of the New Year, Sarah invites you to step back from the day-to-day demands of work and intentionally design your leadership journey for the year ahead.

Whether you’re listening in January or later in the year, this episode will help you move out of “autopilot mode” and into conscious, values-led career decision-making. Sarah shares practical reflections, coaching insights, and powerful questions to help you clarify what you want for your career – not just what you want at work.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, unsure about what’s next, or driven more by others’ agendas than your own, this episode is for you.

[00:00] Welcome to Unstuck and Unstoppable

[01:45] Episode 60: Designing your leadership journey for 2026

Why this is the perfect time to set intentions for your career (and why you can do this at any time of year).

[02:45] The danger of running your career on autopilot

How slipping into “unconscious mode” can leave you at the whim of organisational decisions, other people’s careers, or knee-jerk reactions.

[03:45] The benefits of being intentional about your career

How clarity, purpose, authenticity, self-leadership, and alignment support sustainable career success.

[05:00] A real-life example of unconscious career decision-making

A coaching conversation that highlights why stepping back before making a move matters.

[06:30] How to become more intentional: 3 key areas to focus on

[06:45] 1. Increase your self-awareness

Understanding your why, what drives you, and how your work connects to your values.

[07:30] Discovering your “why”

Why it can feel hard to articulate – and how values, energy, and enjoyment offer clues.

[08:30] What do you love, and what don’t you love?

Using simple reflection to identify what to increase, reduce, delegate, or change in your role.

[09:45] 2. Develop your career success criteria

Why success is more than job title and pay – and how to define success on your own terms.

[11:00] Sarah shares her own career success criteria

Examples including impact, financial freedom, challenge, learning, and flexibility – and how these guide decision-making.

[13:00] 3. Answering the “what next?” question

How clarity on your why and success criteria makes future career decisions easier and more confident.

[14:00] Creating a plan and checking in with yourself

Staying intentional through regular reflection and adjustment.

[14:45] Final reflections and encouragement

Why it’s never too late to choose intentionality in your career.

[15:00] How to get support

Invitation to reach out for coaching and explore free resources.

Being intentional about your career isn’t about having everything figured out. It’s about choosing to lead yourself with clarity, purpose, and courage.

✨ Shine brightly. Lead boldly. Be unstoppable.

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