Starting a new role can feel like navigating uncharted territory, but building trust doesn't have to be a mystery. Whether you've been promoted internally or joined a new organisation, the first few months are crucial for establishing the relationships that will define your success. We break down five practical strategies that will help you move beyond just "fitting in" to genuinely connecting with the stakeholders who matter most.Key points from this episodeUnderstanding communication preferences of different stakeholders and adapting your style accordinglyMaking strategic use of one-to-ones to build relationships and gather valuable insightsIdentifying who really holds influence beyond what the org chart showsStaying curious about your observations rather than rushing to judgementSetting clear expectations about your working style and preferences from the start00:00 Introduction: Building trust in new roles01:00 Mapping stakeholders and learning communication preferences03:00 Making your one-to-ones count with all stakeholders06:00 Using targeted questions to gain advice and shortcuts08:00 Understanding informal influence networks and alliances10:00 Real-world example: When your boss lacks influence12:00 Being curious about observations vs making quick judgements14:00 The "bull in a China shop" trap and why listening comes first16:00 Setting your stall out: Communicating your working style upfront18:00 Planning your approach before you start the role20:00 Quick recap of all five trust-building strategiesUseful LinksJoin The Catalyst Career Club for 50k+ LeadersConnect 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 adviceInterested 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 SpotifyMentioned 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
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Ep 146 - When Your Boss Doesn't Understand Your Role: Handling Unrealistic Targets and Unfair Pressure
Ever found yourself trapped in a cycle where your boss is piling on pressure for targets that just aren't realistic? You know your role inside out, but they don't seem to understand the constraints you're working within. We've all been there, and it's incredibly frustrating. In this episode, we explore how to break free from this destructive pattern and turn a challenging situation into an opportunity to strengthen your relationship with your boss.Key points from this episodeWhy logical arguments and data often fail when your boss is operating from fear or pressureThe mindset shift that changes everything: positioning yourself on your boss's side rather than against themPractical communication strategies including timing, acknowledgment, and offering alternativesHow to support your boss's relationship with their own manager to reduce pressure on youThe power of follow-up and documentation in building trust and reducing micromanagementAccess the download for this episode00:00 Introduction and Topic Overview01:00 The Client Situation: When Logic Meets Unrealistic Expectations03:00 Why This Creates Burnout and Relationship Damage05:00 Understanding the Real Problem: It's Emotional, Not Logical07:00 Recognising When Your Boss is Operating from Fear09:00 The Role of Communication in Breaking the Cycle11:00 Practical Steps: Positioning Yourself on Their Side13:00 The Foundation: Empathy Over Winning Arguments14:00 Timing Your Approach and Starting Conversations16:00 Offering Alternatives Instead of Just Saying What Won't Work18:00 How This Builds Trust and Opens Progression Opportunities20:00 Supporting Your Boss's Relationship with Their Manager22:00 The Power of Simple Solutions: Pam's Dashboard Story23:00 The Importance of Effective Follow-UpUseful LinksJoin The Catalyst Career Club for 50k+ LeadersConnect 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 adviceInterested 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 SpotifyMentioned 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
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Ep 145 - 5 Ways to Stand Out in Your Job Search
September is prime time for job searching, with both more opportunities and more competition. In this episode, we share five crucial strategies to help you rise above the crowd and land that dream role. Whether you're returning to job hunting after the summer break or looking to refresh your approach, this episode is packed with practical insights from Pam's extensive client work and recruitment experience.Key points from this episodeHow to use AI tools effectively without losing your authentic voiceDemonstrating impact and value rather than just listing responsibilitiesWhy trying to be great at everything actually works against youSpeaking the employer's language and aligning with their cultureReading between the lines to deliver what employers need right nowTimestamps00:00 Introduction and Topic Overview01:00 September job market dynamics and reset opportunities02:00 Tip 1: Sound like yourself - avoiding the AI authenticity trap04:00 The trust factor in recruitment and why consistency matters06:00 Debunking applicant tracking system myths07:00 Tip 2: Demonstrate impact and value, not just responsibilities09:00 Research techniques for understanding what employers really need11:00 Tip 3: Don't try to be great at everything - focus on relevance13:00 The recruitment mindset shift - quality over quantity14:00 Real-world examples of focused applications17:00 Tip 4: Speaking the employer's language and cultural alignment19:00 Tip 5: Show you can deliver what they need right now21:00 Current employer priorities: uncertainty, independence, commercial awareness25:00 Wrap-up and resources for job search supportUseful LinksJoin The Catalyst Career Club for 50k+ LeadersConnect 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 adviceInterested 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 SpotifyMentioned 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
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Ep 144 - Emotional Intelligence Essentials - Building Relationships That Build Careers
Want to accelerate your career progression but feel like you're doing all the right things without getting the recognition you deserve? This final episode in our emotional intelligence summer series tackles the art of strategic relationship building. We explore why good work alone isn't enough and share practical strategies for building the right relationships in the right way to unlock career opportunities.Key points from this episodeWhy relationship building is crucial for career progression - it underpins everything from team performance to stakeholder influenceThree common myths that hold people back from strategic networking and relationship buildingThe difference between natural relationship building and strategic career-focused connectionsPractical steps to identify and build relationships with influential people in your organisation and industryReflection questions to assess your current relationship portfolio and identify key gapsAccess the Episode Download here00:00 Introduction and Topic Overview01:00 Why relationships matter so much for career progression02:00 The difference between natural and strategic relationship building03:00 Myth 1: Good work speaks for itself04:00 Myth 2: I don't have time for office politics05:00 Myth 3: Networking feels fake and manipulative06:00 Taking a strategic approach to relationship building08:00 Starting with your immediate organisation and influence mapping10:00 The "give first" principle - offering value to senior people12:00 Reflection questions to assess your current relationships14:00 Learning to work with difficult personalities instead of avoiding them16:00 Building deeper trust vs surface-level relationships17:00 Key takeaway: Start small with one strategic relationshipUseful LinksJoin The Catalyst Career Club for 50k+ LeadersConnect 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 adviceInterested 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 SpotifyMentioned 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
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Ep 143 - Emotional Intelligence Essentials: Building Empathy Without Being a Pushover
Empathy is often misunderstood as being "soft" or people-pleasing, but true empathy in leadership is actually a strategic skill. In this episode, we explore how to build genuine empathy without becoming a pushover or emotional sponge. We discuss the difference between empathy and sympathy, why avoiding difficult conversations in the name of "protecting" people actually does them a disservice, and how over-empathising can lead to poor delegation and boundary issues. Learn practical techniques for using reflective language, checking your assumptions, and finding the balance between caring for your team and maintaining your own resilience as a leader.Key points from this episodeEmpathy as a skill vs. personality trait: understanding without absorbing emotionsWhy avoiding delegation due to empathy actually undermines team developmentThe connection between empathy, boundaries, and the need to be likedHow assumptions about others' feelings can lead to poor leadership decisionsRecovery strategies for leaders who've become emotional sponges00:00 Introduction to Empathy in Leadership01:00 Defining Empathy: Understanding vs. Absorbing Emotions02:00 Why Empathy Matters for Leadership Effectiveness04:00 Personal Story: Learning to Balance Support Without Draining06:00 The Delegation Dilemma: When Empathy Prevents Growth08:00 Setting Boundaries While Maintaining Care10:00 Common Empathy Issues: Not Delegating and People-Pleasing12:00 Avoiding Hard Conversations in the Name of "Protection"14:00 Practicing Healthy Empathy: Clarifying Your Intent15:00 The Projection Trap: Assumptions vs. Reality16:00 Using Reflective Language to Check Understanding18:00 Action Steps and Coaching Support OptionsUseful LinksJoin The Catalyst Career Club for 50k+ LeadersConnect 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 adviceInterested 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 SpotifyMentioned 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
Welcome to Career & Leadership Real Talk; a weekly podcast full of guidance and advice for ambitious managers who are ready to take ownership of their career.
It’s hosted by Pamela Langan, a job search coach and c.v. writing expert, and Jacqui Jagger, a mindset and leadership coach. We’re here for you if you want to have more impact, land a new job or get the promotion you know you deserve. There’s no high level, intellectual theory here – it’s a fluff-free zone
We’ll be talking about how to stand out in your job search, how to hit the ground running in a new role and how to cope when things aren’t going *quite* the way you want at work
In our career clinic section we’ll answer real questions from listeners and our clients, and we’ll also share our take on books on the topics of careers, leadership, & management so you can decide which are worth your time
You can connect with us on LinkedIn – feel free to DM us with any questions you’d like us to answer on the show!
https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelalangancoaching/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqui-jagger/
Ireland