The Position Papers (3/3) | Favourite Positions Podcast

What if the most valuable lessons from business school aren’t the frameworks you learn, but the assumptions they quietly dismantle?

In this final episode of The Position Papers mini-series, Alexandra Young reflects on five core MBA subjects — finance, macroeconomics, marketing, innovation and strategy — and the perspective shifts each one created in her day-to-day leadership. Rather than theory, this episode explores how concepts like opportunity cost, behavioural decision-making, external forces and organisational readiness change how we diagnose problems, make commitments and lead change at work.

Across five short stories, this episode reframes common career instincts — saying yes, pushing ideas, attributing outcomes, staying in motion — and offers practical ways to think more strategically in complex environments.

In this episode

• Opportunity cost and the hidden trade-offs behind every yes
• How external conditions shape performance outcomes
• Why human decisions are rarely rational
• The role of organisational readiness in innovation
• Strategy as focus, commitment and translation into action

Research referenced

• Frederick, Novemsky, Wang, Dhar & Nowlis (2009). Opportunity Cost Neglect. Journal of Consumer Research.
• Shows people make poorer decisions when opportunity costs are not made explicit.
• Kahneman, D. (2011). Thinking, Fast and Slow.
• Foundational research demonstrating systematic biases and non-rational decision-making.
• Thaler, R. & Sunstein, C. (2008). Nudge.
• Evidence that defaults and choice architecture strongly influence behaviour.
• BCG (2024). Most Innovative Companies Report.
• Found 83% of firms rank innovation as a priority, but only 3% are ready to deliver.
• Case literature on organisational readiness and timing (e.g., technology adoption cycles).
• Shows innovation success depends on environmental and organisational conditions.

About The Position Papers

The Position Papers is a three-part Favourite Positions mini-series on business school, confidence and growth, recorded during Alex’s MBA alongside full-time leadership. Each episode explores how ambition, identity and modern work intersect in practice.

Connect

If this episode resonated, share it with someone who might need it!

You can connect with Alex on LinkedIn and follow Favourite Positions on Instagram for future episodes and resources.

Follow Favourite Positions on LinkedIn and Instagram, connect with Alex here.

The Position Papers (2/3) | Favourite Positions Podcast

Confidence is often framed as a personality trait – something you either have or you don’t. But what if confidence is actually contextual, shaped by environment, familiarity and perceived expectations?

In this second episode of The Position Papers mini-series, Alexandra Young reflects on how business school reshaped her understanding of confidence. Drawing on psychological research and her experience of being in a high-achieving MBA cohort, she explores why self-doubt often increases in stretch environments, why visible confidence can be misleading, and how participation – not certainty – is what actually builds confidence over time.

This episode reframes confidence as something situational and learnable rather than fixed, and offers practical ways to participate more fully in rooms that matter.

In this episode

• Why confidence is situational rather than a fixed trait
• How high-achieving environments amplify self-doubt
• The gap between performed confidence and internal experience
• The psychological “spotlight effect” in group settings
• Why action builds confidence more reliably than preparation
• Rethinking presence beyond volume or airtime

Key reframes discussed

• Confidence is familiarity with an environment, not personality
• Visible confidence often masks private uncertainty
• Readiness rarely precedes participation
• Silence increases pressure while contribution reduces it
• Presence does not require constant speaking

Key questions from the episode

• Where do you currently feel most confident – and why?
• Is there a room you’ve been avoiding until you feel ready?
• What would you do if discomfort meant learning, not misfit?

Research referenced

• Korn Ferry (2024). Global Imposter Syndrome Study.
• Found 71% of CEOs report experiencing imposter syndrome symptoms, with prevalence increasing at senior levels.
• Gilovich, Medvec & Savitsky (2000). The Spotlight Effect in Social Judgment. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.
• Demonstrates that people significantly overestimate how much others notice their behaviour and mistakes.
• Google Trends / global search data (2024).
• Reported ~75% increase in searches for “imposter syndrome,” indicating rising public concern and self-doubt discourse.

About The Position Papers

The Position Papers is a three-part Favourite Positions mini-series on business school, confidence and growth, recorded during Alex’s MBA alongside full-time leadership. Each episode explores the intersection of ambition, identity and modern work.

Connect

If this episode resonated, share it with someone who might need it!

You can connect with Alex on LinkedIn and follow Favourite Positions on Instagram for future episodes and resources.

Follow Favourite Positions on LinkedIn and Instagram, connect with Alex here.

The Position Papers (1/3) | Favourite Positions Podcast

Burnout is usually framed as doing too much of what you don’t care about. But what happens when the exhaustion comes from things you genuinely love?

In this opening episode of The Position Papers mini-series, Alexandra Young explores a quieter, more complex form of burnout – the kind that exists alongside high engagement, ambition and growth. Drawing on research and her experience of balancing an MBA with a full-time leadership role, she reframes burnout as a design and misalignment problem rather than a personal failure.

This episode explores why highly invested people are often most at risk, how competing commitments create hidden strain, and what actually helps when stepping back isn’t realistic or desirable.

In this episode

• Why burnout and engagement can exist at the same time
• The difference between working hard and cognitively carrying work
• How pace misalignment between individuals and systems creates friction
• The hidden guilt of caring about multiple things at once
• Why traditional burnout advice often misses ambitious, invested people
• Burnout as a design problem rather than a workload problem

Five shifts discussed

1. Defining what “good enough” looks like in the current season
2. Naming trade-offs out loud instead of carrying them privately
3. Designing recovery before depletion
4. Being explicit about how you work best
5. Recognising early personal warning signs

Key questions from the episode

• Is your current pace chosen or accumulated?
• What trade-off are you carrying silently?
• If you redesigned your week around how you actually work best, what would change?

Research referenced

• DHR Global (2024). Workforce Trends Report.
• Found 82% of workers report burnout while 88% report high engagement, highlighting that burnout and engagement can coexist.
• Lang, J. J. et al. (2023). Are algorithmically controlled gig workers deeply burned out? BMC Psychology.
• Demonstrates that burnout and work engagement can be positively correlated.
• World Health Organisation. ICD-11 Burnout Definition.
• Defines burnout as chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.
• Primeast (2025). The Manager’s Guide to Spotting Employee Burnout.
• Practitioner research on how burnout can coexist with high responsibility and investment at work.
• DHR Global (2024). Generational burnout findings.
• Shows Gen Z and millennials report the highest burnout rates across the workforce.

About The Position Papers

The Position Papers is a three-part Favourite Positions mini-series on business school, confidence and growth, recorded during Alex’s MBA alongside full-time leadership. Each episode explores the intersection of ambition, identity and modern work.

Connect

If this episode resonated, share it with someone who might need it!

You can connect with Alex on LinkedIn and follow Favourite Positions on Instagram for future episodes and resources.

Follow Favourite Positions on LinkedIn and Instagram, connect with Alex here.

Nearly 80% of professionals across Europe say they feel unprepared to find a job in 2026. At the same time, almost half are planning to look for a new role this year.

In this short, standalone episode of Favourite Positions, Alex Young is joined by LinkedIn Career Expert Charlotte Davies to unpack what’s driving that uncertainty – and what people can do about it.

Charlotte shares insights from LinkedIn’s latest research, alongside practical advice on how professionals can build confidence, develop relevant skills and use their networks more intentionally in an increasingly AI-driven and competitive job market.

This is a quick, grounding listen for anyone feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure where to focus their energy right now.

What we cover

• Why so many people feel unprepared for the job market in 2026
• The two most common mistakes people make when things feel uncertain
• How to build confidence with AI without feeling overwhelmed
• Why squiggly, non-linear careers are becoming the norm
• What Gen Z is doing differently when it comes to skills and values
• Simple ways to use LinkedIn more intentionally and effectively
• One mindset shift that helps people feel more resilient about their careers

Helpful links mentioned in the episode

• LinkedIn Job Search Guide
• Job Match – understand how your skills align with roles
• AI-powered job search – search for jobs in your own words
• Resume Feedback (Premium) – tailored feedback for specific roles
• Cover Letter Feature (Premium) – draft personalised cover letters

If this episode resonated, stay tuned – more short, practical conversations are coming soon.

Follow Favourite Positions on LinkedIn and Instagram, connect with Alex here.

💬 Summary

In this special solo episode of Work in Progress, Alex takes a step back to reflect on the biggest lessons learned so far from the series. Instead of interviewing a guest, this episode brings together the key themes that have emerged from conversations with leaders, entrepreneurs and career shapers about how work is changing and what it takes to thrive today.

From the rise of AI and shifting career paths to the importance of personal brand and self-care, Alex shares insights, stories and practical advice to help you future-proof your career.

💡 Takeaways

• Work is changing faster than ever – AI isn’t replacing jobs, it’s reshaping them
• Dream jobs aren’t found, they’re built through curiosity, experimentation and values
• Personal brand is career insurance – even one thoughtful post a month builds credibility
• Sharing your learning journey makes you memorable and trusted, not just your wins
• CVs, cover letters and interviews still matter, but they need to work harder than ever
• Thriving at work comes down to clarity, connection and visibility once you’re in the role
• Success without self-care doesn’t last – boundaries, routines and rest are strategic
• The most future-proof skills remain human: creativity, empathy, adaptability

🕒 Chapters

• Why this episode is different and what it covers
• The biggest shifts in work: remote, balance, and AI
• Discovering and pursuing your dream job in a non-linear world
• Building a personal brand that works for you (including Grace’s example)
• How to strengthen your CV, cover letter and interview performance
• Thriving once you’ve landed the role: clarity, connection and visibility
• Balancing work with self-care to prevent burnout
• Closing reflections on the series and what’s coming next

Follow Favourite Positions on LinkedIn and Instagram, connect with Alex here.

💬 Summary

In this episode of Work in Progress, we speak to Olly Haddock – solicitor, innovation specialist at Weightmans and founder of The Careers Edit – about redefining success, building careers that feel authentic and why networking desperately needs a rebrand.

Alongside his legal practice, Olly helps lead innovation projects at Weightmans, creating tech-driven solutions to make law more efficient and client-focused. Through The Careers Edit, he’s built a global community of over 50,000 professionals, known for its fresh approach to events that swap stuffy boardrooms for spaces that encourage real conversations and meaningful connections.

We explore why pressure can sometimes be a positive driver, how to pivot when a career path isn’t what you expected, and what the happiest professionals Olly meets have in common. Plus, we dig into the myths of networking, the skills we’ll all need in an AI-driven future, and how younger generations are reshaping the world of work.

💡 Takeaways

• Pressure isn’t always negative – it can push you to achieve your best work
• Networking is really just relationship building – and needs a total rebrand
• The happiest professionals see work as more than tasks; it’s about experiences and relationships
• Employers who empower their people to network externally show real confidence and trust
• Being honest with yourself about what you actually want is key to defining success
• Employee personal branding is becoming as powerful as company branding
• AI will reshape roles – curiosity and self-motivated upskilling will be non-negotiable

🕒 Chapters

00:00 – Who is Olly Haddock and how does he introduce himself?

01:23 – The story behind starting The Careers Edit

03:51 – Early career plans and the importance of flexibility

06:54 – Questioning the traditional checklist of success

09:23 – Pressure as a motivator and driver of achievement

11:16 – Why some professionals feel unfulfilled despite appearances

12:15 – Backing instincts: moving into innovation in law

16:34 – What the happiest professionals have in common

18:32 – Co-working, connection, and the value of community

19:41 – Why networking needs a rebrand

22:39 – How careers really progress: word of mouth and relationships

24:42 – Unconventional connections that shaped Olly’s career

26:00 – First steps if your job is draining your energy

28:45 – The rise of portfolio careers, purpose, and flexibility

33:39 – The skills we’ll all need in an AI-driven future

35:27 – How the right people around you shape your career

36:50 – What excites Olly about Gen Z in the workplace

39:02 – Personal branding, hustle culture, and side hustles

40:30 – The widening gap between what people want and what companies offer

43:18 – How employers can support people without massive budgets

45:10 – Rethinking education and career guidance from school onwards

47:28 – Imagining the workplace of the future

48:59 – Olly’s one piece of advice for finding or transforming your dream role

🔗 Follow Olly

The Careers Edit: https://www.thecareersedit.com/

The Careers Edit Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecareersedit/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliver-haddock-2b316a106/

Follow Favourite Positions on LinkedIn and Instagram, connect with Alex here.

💬 Summary

In this episode of Work in Progress, we speak to Emilie Lashmar – brand partner, community builder, and Director of GCUC UK – about the evolving world of work, the role of purpose in retention, and how space design shapes culture.

With over 15 years’ experience in brand, marketing, and events, and nearly a decade shaping coworking and creative spaces, Emilie shares her take on the future of flexibility, the difference between performative and authentic values, and what younger generations are really looking for in a workplace. We explore how employers can create environments that work for the whole person, why embedding values into daily decisions matters more than a glossy culture deck, and the small but powerful ways workplaces can foster connection.

💡 Takeaways

• The future of work is about flexibility – in space, culture, and contracts
• Purpose isn’t a “nice to have” – it’s a driver for retention and trust
• Younger generations are courageous in asking for more – and employers should listen
• Embedding values into daily operations matters more than publishing them on a wall
• Pay transparency attracts the right talent and builds trust
• Space design directly impacts culture, wellbeing, and inclusion
• Unlimited holiday is often overhyped – it can create uncertainty or guilt
• Accessibility (physical, digital, and neurodivergent) needs more attention
• Creating a “whole person” workplace means thinking beyond work to life needs
• Networking works best when it’s generous, authentic, and community-led

🕒 Chapters

00:00 – Who is Emilie Lashmar and what does she do?

02:14 – From illustration to coworking and community building

06:16 – Why the future of work excites Emilie

07:20 – Four-day week, pay transparency, and purpose-led business

12:39 – The dangers of resisting change

15:42 – How to spot authentic values vs good marketing

18:24 – Purpose as a retention tool in coworking and creative industries

20:26 – A tangible starting point for becoming values-led

21:44 – Shifting expectations around where and how we work

25:27 – What younger generations really want from work

29:55 – Generational shifts in how we think about work-life balance

30:15 – How space design influences culture and wellbeing

31:47 – Workplace trends: what’s overhyped and what’s under-talked about

33:29 – Is there still a gap between what people want and what companies offer?

34:12 – Emilie’s dream workplace of the future

36:54 – Emilie’s advice for finding or transforming your dream role

🔗 Follow Emilie

Website: https://www.lashmar.co.uk/

Brighton Creatives: https://www.brightoncreatives.com/

GCUC UK: https://uk.gcuc.co/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilie-lashmar/

Follow Favourite Positions on LinkedIn and Instagram, connect with Alex here.

💬 Summary

In this episode of Work in Progress, we speak to Solomon Mehta-Slade – creator of Mental Fitness workshops for organisations, coach, and co-founder of The Change:Maker Collective – about building inner stability so you can thrive at work and beyond.

Sol explains how his workshops help people build the mental strength and emotional resilience to perform under pressure, recover quickly from setbacks, and collaborate with more ease. He shares how his own mental health challenges led him to reframe wellbeing as “mental fitness” and why self-worth should never be tied to productivity or job titles. We talk about taming and befriending your inner critic, recognising when your sense of value is coming from output, and how community can make change feel less heavy and lonely. Sol also unpacks what employers often get wrong about wellbeing and offers a vision for workplaces where people can bring their whole selves to work.

💡 Takeaways

• Mental fitness is proactive – it’s about strengthening your mindset, not just reacting when things go wrong
• Self-worth is unconditional – it should never depend on your role, output, or recognition
• You can tame your inner critic by noticing it, naming it, and replacing judgement with discernment
• Befriending yourself is as important as silencing negative self-talk
• Micro-moments of presence can reset your mind – you don’t always need long breaks
• Work can give you meaning, but it’s risky to make it your sole source of identity
• Community helps you realise you’re not alone in your challenges
• Employers need to embed wellbeing into culture, not bolt it on as an afterthought
• The best workplaces create space for people to be human, not just productive
• Clarity often comes from action – treat roles and career moves as experiments

🕒 Chapters

00:00 – Who is Solomon Mehta-Slade and what does he do?

01:28 – From mindfulness to mental fitness

03:47 – How Sol’s own challenges shaped his work

06:26 – Mental health vs mental fitness

09:30 – The self-worth trap at work

11:14 – Taming and befriending your inner critic

15:15 – The role of work in shaping self-worth

19:10 – Signs your self-worth is tied to productivity

22:21 – Finding micro-moments to reset

24:56 – A practical three-step tool to break negative self-talk

27:02 – Why community and connection matter

29:18 – What employers often get wrong about wellbeing

31:28 – Green flags to look for when job hunting

33:47 – Red flags in workplace culture

36:20 – Designing the ideal workplace for mental fitness

39:09 – Quick-fire: book, myth, daily habit, and best advice

43:24 – Advice for finding or transforming your dream role

🔗 Follow Sol

Website: https://www.thealtacademy.co.uk/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/solomon-mehta-slade/

Follow Favourite Positions on LinkedIn and Instagram, connect with Alex here.