Career & Leadership Real Talk

• Ep 150 - Why You Keep Getting Overlooked in Your Job Search (and What to Do About It)

  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right now03:00 How the job market has changed for experienced candidates05:00 The problem with keyword-stuffed CVs and outdated application tactics07:00 How to audit your CV through a recruiter or hiring-manager lens09:00 The difference between CVs for mid-level vs senior-level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

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• Ep 149 - Psychological Safety at Work: How to Build a Team That’s Honest, Not Just “Nice”

  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

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• Ep 148 - When Being Good at Your Job Holds Your Career Back: Breaking the Expert Trap

  Are you the reliable one who always delivers but never seems to get promoted? This episode tackles the frustrating reality many high performers face: excelling in your current role can actually become a barrier to career progression.We explore why organisations often struggle to see top performers as leadership material and share practical strategies for breaking free from the "expert trap" – whether you choose to make changes internally or seek fresh opportunities elsewhere.Key points from this episodeThe hidden trap of becoming "too valuable" in your current role and making everything look effortlessWhy staying in your lane and seeking external validation can sabotage your career progressionHow to decide whether to fight for change internally or pursue opportunities elsewhereThe power of saying no and building boundaries to shift perceptionsWhy updating your CV should be your first step, even before you're ready to move00:00 Introduction: When Excellence Becomes a Career Obstacle01:00 The Expert Trap: Why Being Indispensable Can Limit Growth02:00 Common Patterns That Keep You Stuck04:00 The People-Pleasing and Praise-Seeking Combination07:00 Can You Change Perceptions Internally?10:00 Building the "No" Muscle: Setting Boundaries for Career Growth12:00 Recognising When It's Time for a Fresh Start15:00 Overcoming Loyalty That Limits Your Progress16:00 Taking the First Step: Why Your CV Is the Key to Clarity18:00 Using CV Updates to Create Career DirectionUseful 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 147 - 5 Ways to Build Trust in a New Role

  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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