From Conflict Avoidance to Confident, Authentic Leadership with Annie Willmot

Host: Julie Williams, MSc – Executive Coach and Founder of Lighting Fires
Guest: Annie Willmot – Deputy CEO of Reading Students’ Union

Episode Overview:

In this inspiring episode, Julie Williams speaks with Annie Willmot about her personal and professional journey from conflict-avoidant team member to confident, values-led leader. As Deputy CEO of Reading Students’ Union, Annie opens up about the challenges of people-pleasing, avoiding difficult conversations, and learning to embrace her own leadership style.

Expect a very honest conversation, as honest conversations are very much part of Annie's approach to everything.

Through executive coaching, Annie discovered how to approach conflict with clarity, communicate with confidence, and lead with compassion. She shares how coaching, combined with tools like Myers-Briggs, helped her understand her strengths, navigate uncertainty, and build trust in her voice as a leader.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How executive coaching can support confident, authentic leadership

• Why conflict can be a catalyst for growth

• The value of personality profiling tools like MBTI

• How self-reflection builds emotional intelligence and leadership confidence

• Why embracing your own style is a strength, not a weakness

Annie’s Personal Reflection Questions:

• What impact am I currently having?

• What’s missing?

• What do the next three months look like?

Annie’s Coaching Metaphor:

“Before coaching, it felt like a grey sky with the sun peeking through. Through coaching, the clouds moved away—revealing the sun that had been there all along.”

Julie’s Top Coaching Tips:

• Use coaching tools beyond the session — they’re designed for long-term growth

• Build time for regular reflection (even if it doesn’t come naturally)

• Embrace your leadership style — it’s okay to lead differently

• Don’t fear conflict — handled well, it can unlock progress
  
  

Resources Mentioned:

• Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) – supports deeper insight into communication and leadership preferences
  
  

Connect with Julie Williams:

• www.lightingfires.co.uk

• [e-mail]

• Julie Williams MSc on LinkedIn

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Artwork by Ian Guppy
Music by Penguin Music via Pixabay
Produced by Perri Hurley