Career & Leadership Real Talk

Key points from this episodeUseful 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 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 controlKey points from this episodeWhy offering help to an overwhelmed boss often backfires (and what to do instead)How to reframe your support as business efficiency rather than personal rescueThe power of proactive communication to reduce reactive chaosSetting boundaries that protect you whilst still supporting your managerWhen to pause and fix the situation vs when it's genuinely time to leaveTimestamps:00:00 Introduction and Topic Overview01:00 Understanding the Cascading Impact of an Overwhelmed Boss03:00 Why "Rescuing" Your Boss Backfires05:00 Developing Empathy When You're Frustrated08:00 The Power of Asking "What Would Make Your Job Easier?"09:00 Reframing Support as Business Efficiency10:00 Using Proactive Communication to Reduce Pressure13:00 Creating Boundaries to Protect Your Time15:00 Coaching Your Team to Be More Considered18:00 Protecting Yourself: The Non-Negotiables21:00 Having Collaborative Conversations About Priorities23:00 Should You Stay or Should You Go?RetryClaude can make mistakes. Please double-check responses.Useful 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

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 episodeThree common scenarios where leaders lose confidence in high-pressure situationsWhy mindset preparation is just as important as material preparationThe power of pausing to calm your nervous system and increase impactHow to understand the real intent behind challenging questionsStrategies for buying yourself time without appearing uncertainMoving past self-criticism to learn from difficult momentsUseful 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 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 episodeWhy 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 levelThe shift from listing responsibilities to demonstrating impactHow to stop “winging it” in interviews and start telling your story with confidenceWhy reframing your job search as a learning process can change everythingThe power of building relationships before you need themTimestamps00:00 Introduction and Topic Overview01:00 Why so many senior professionals feel overlooked right now03:00 How the job market has changed for experienced candidates05:00 The problem with keyword-stuffed CVs and outdated application tactics07:00 How to audit your CV through a recruiter or hiring-manager lens09:00 The difference between CVs for mid-level vs senior-level roles10:00 Interview pitfalls: why “winging it” doesn’t work at senior level12:00 Moving beyond STAR answers to share your story with impact15:00 Handling rejection and maintaining confidence17:00 Reframing the job search as a learning process19:00 Building relationships before you need them21:00 Turning experience into a competitive advantage23:00 Owning your expertise and showing authentic value25:00 Wrap Up: Positioning, patience, and playing the long gameUseful 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 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 episodeWhat 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 performanceWarning signs that your team lacks psychological safety (even if everyone seems to get on)How to role model vulnerability and normalise mistakes as a leaderSimple language reframes that make challenge feel safer 00:00 Introduction and Topic Overview01:00 Defining Psychological Safety: Taking Interpersonal Risks03:00 The Problem with "Nice" Teams and Surface-Level Harmony05:00 Why Psychological Safety is the Foundation for High Performance06:00 The Impact of Psychological Safety on Team Culture08:00 The High Support, High Challenge Framework10:00 Signs Your Team Has (or Lacks) Psychological Safety12:00 Creating Space for Honest Conversations15:00 Building Psychological Safety in Practice18:00 Role Modelling: Admitting Mistakes as a Leader19:00 Holding Learning Reviews and Reflective Practice21:00 Structured Challenge: Using Devil's Advocate22:00 Language Reframes: "I See That Differently" vs "I Disagree"24:00 The Power of the Pause in Maintaining Psychological Safety25:00 Wrap Up: High Support AND High ChallengeUseful LinksConnect 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 Spotify