Imposter Syndrome: Taking Your Seat at the Table

Episode Description

Host: Julie Williams MSc — Executive Coach & Founder of Lighting Fires
Mini-Series: Lighting Fires Toolbox — Conversations on Common Coaching Themes

Episode Overview

In this special Lighting Fires mini-episode, supported by Henley Business School, Julie explores one of the most common topics that comes up in coaching conversations: imposter syndrome, or more accurately, imposter phenomenon. Drawing on research from Clance and Imes in the 1970s, Julie unpacks why even the most capable, high-achieving people often struggle to internalise their success and feel they belong.

Featuring powerful reflections from previous guests Lorraine Briffitt and Mark Schmull, this episode explores what imposter syndrome feels like in real life, how it shows up in leadership, and the practical steps you can take to challenge the inner critic and step confidently into the rooms you deserve to be in.

This honest and encouraging episode is for anyone who has ever worried about not being "good enough," questioned whether they deserve an opportunity, or wondered when they're going to be "found out."

What You'll Learn in This Episode

• Why imposter syndrome happens, and why it's not a personal flaw
• How sharing these thoughts out loud can dissolve their power
• The importance of trusted spaces and supportive networks
• Techniques to examine and challenge unhelpful thinking patterns
• Why belonging is not about being liked, but about owning your place
• Practical tools to build confidence through action and reflection

Julie's Top Coaching Takeaways

Say it out loud
Speaking your fears in a safe space helps you see them more clearly, and often reveals how irrational they really are.

Look for evidence
Notice where you may be deleting information or generalising unfairly. What facts prove you do deserve to be here?

Use NLP tools
Explore deletions, distortions and generalisations to examine how your internal story may differ from objective reality.

Write down your achievements
Small wins and large milestones build confidence — but only if you acknowledge them.

Confidence comes from doing
You don't wait until you feel ready. You take action, even with discomfort, and confidence grows afterwards.

You belong if you're in the room
As Shonda Rhimes says: If you're there, you've earned it. Accept it and get on with it.

Resources Mentioned

• Research by Clance & Imes (1978) on Imposter Phenomenon
• Neuro-linguistic Programming (NLP): Deletions, Distortions & Generisations Framework

Henley Business School

Interested in a career in coaching? Find out about the Professional
Certificate in Executive Coaching at Henley Business School here.

Be sure to mention the Lighting Fires Podcast if you do contact Henley Business School.

Connect with Julie

Website: lightingfires.co.uk
Email: julie@lightingfires.co.uk
LinkedIn: Julie Williams MSc

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a five star rating and review, it helps more listeners find these real-world leadership tools and stories.

Host: Julie Williams, MSc - Executive Coach & Founder of Lighting Fires

Guest: Lucy Guest- Social Media Strategist and Brand Communication Specialist.

Episode Overview

In this episode of The Lighting Fires Podcast, supported by Henley Business School, Julie sits down with Social Media Strategist and Brand Communication Specialist, Lucy Guest to explore the transformational coaching journey they experienced together. Their conversation dives into what it really means to lead with confidence and authenticity, make brave decisions even when they may be unpopular, and navigate complex power dynamics within organisations.

Along the way, they take some wonderfully unexpected detours, from sharks and caterpillars to medieval languages, Shakespeare, and Dungeons & Dragons, using metaphor and creativity to illuminate the realities of modern leadership. Lucy shares the practical exercises and coaching techniques that helped her shift perspective, build self-belief, and step into an authentic leadership style that aligns with her values.

This is a colourful, honest, and insightful conversation about growth, identity, and becoming the leader you were meant to be.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

• How to build confidence as a leader when stepping into your first significant management role

• Why striving to be liked can limit your leadership potential

• Tools for navigating power dynamics and organisational politics without losing your values

• How creative coaching techniques can unlock new perspectives and clarity

• Ways to balance supporting your team while allowing them the space to learn through mistakes

• Why understanding individual communication styles helps create healthier team dynamics

• The value of reframing failure as part of leadership growth

Julie's Top Coaching Takeaways

Respond, don't react
Creating space to pause helps you choose a considered response instead of an emotional reaction.

Detach from the need to be liked
Leadership isn't a popularity contest. Stay connected to your purpose and the outcome you want to create, even if not everyone approves.

Zoom out to gain perspective
Techniques such as constellations help you step outside your own viewpoint and understand what different stakeholders need.

Celebrate authenticity
Confidence grows when you stop shrinking yourself to fit expectations and instead lead in a way that feels genuinely true to you.

Learn from mistakes- they're essential
Leaders aren't defined by avoiding mistakes, but by how they reflect, learn and adapt because of them.

Resources Mentioned

• Swimming with Sharks allegory / essay - a metaphor for navigating organisational politics and power dynamics

• Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) - understanding personality and communication preferences

• Constellations coaching method - perspective-shifting systemic mapping technique (inspired by the work of John Whittington)

• Henley Business School - Professional Certificate in Executive Coaching

Henley Business School

Interested in a career in coaching? Find out about the Professional
Certificate in Executive Coaching at Henley Business School here.

Be sure to mention the Lighting Fires Podcast if you do contact Henley Business School.

Connect with Julie

Website: www.lightingfires.co.uk
Email: julie@lightingfires.co.uk
LinkedIn: Julie Williams MSc

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave a 5 star rating and review- it helps more people find these real-world leadership stories and coaching insights.

Host: Julie Williams, MSc - Executive Coach & Founder of Lighting Fires

Guest: Ian Guppy - Creative Director, Feelgood Creative, a branding and website design agency

In the opening episode of Series 2 of The Lighting Fires Podcast, supported by Henley Business School, Julie reconnects with long-time friend, client, and creative collaborator Ian Guppy. As the Creative Director of Feelgood Creative, Ian has led the agency through exciting growth and transformation. At a pivotal point in that journey, he turned to Julie for coaching support to clarify his vision and set a new strategic direction.

Together, they explore how coaching helped Ian shift from "future box" thinking to taking meaningful action in the present. Ian opens up about the challenges of leading a creative business, building a team, and recognising the true value of his own expertise.

They also dive into the powerful impact of self-awareness tools like Belbin Team Roles and Myers-Briggs, which helped Ian better understand not only his own working style, but also how to bring out the best in others.

This episode is full of practical insights for founders, creatives, and solo entrepreneurs- especially around mindset, team dynamics, and evolving your business model to align with your strengths.

• Why having a clear business vision is essential, and how to start shaping one
  
  

• How coaching helped Ian stop procrastinating and take action in the now
  
  

• The benefits of using tools like Belbin and MBTI to understand yourself and your team
  
  

• Why charging for creative work is hard, and how Ian learned to confidently price his value
  
  

• How shifting his business model enabled more collaborative, energising work
  
  

• Set a Vision
  Define where you're going- clarity gives you momentum.

• Use Your Body to Plan
  Try physical or kinetic exercises: step into your "future self" and explore what you see, hear, and feel.

• Understand Your Team
  Tools like MBTI and Belbin are great, but even informal reflection helps. What do your team members enjoy? What are they good at? How do they prefer to communicate?

• Build a Supportive Network
  Especially for solo founders: surround yourself with people whose skills complement yours. Think of it as your 'virtual team.'

• Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)- A framework for understanding communication and leadership preferences
  
  

• Belbin Team Roles- A tool to identify behavioural strengths and team dynamics
  
  

Interested in a career in coaching? Find out about the Professional
Certificate in Executive Coaching at Henley Business School here.

Be sure to mention the Lighting Fires Podcast if you do contact Henley Business School.

Website: www.lightingfires.co.uk
Email: julie@lightingfires.co.uk
LinkedIn: Julie Williams MSc

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave a 5 star rating and review- it helps more people find these real-world leadership stories and coaching insights.

Host: Julie Williams, MSc – Executive Coach and Founder of Lighting Fires
Guest: Hannah – Former police officer, mother, and carer

Episode Overview:

In this deeply honest episode of The Lighting Fires Podcast, supported by Henley Business School, Executive Coach Julie Williams talks with Hannah about the challenging journey of navigating shifting identity through profound loss and life changes. Hannah shares her experience of moving beyond the roles she once defined herself by; Hannah the copper, Hannah the mum, Hannah the carer, and finding ways to remember who she is when everything else feels unsettled.

They explore how creativity became a vital lifeline amid personal turmoil, and how reconnecting with core values empowered Hannah to make courageous choices, including stepping away from a stressful work environment during the toughest period of her life.

This episode offers powerful reflections on grief, not only for those we lose, but also for futures we had imagined, and how values can guide us toward new beginnings.

Key Topics in This Episode:

• Navigating identity when your life roles shift dramatically
  
  

• Using creativity as a tool for healing and self-connection
  
  

• Coping with grief from the loss and decline of loved ones
  
  

• Recognising the importance of core values in decision-making
  
  

• Walking away from unhealthy work situations with clarity and courage
  
  

• Finding meaning and freedom amidst uncertainty
  
  

Julie's Top Coaching Tips from this Episode:

• Reappraising your values to inform your decisions for each new chapter of your life.

• Exploring each role you've done to date, working out what you've enjoyed, and looking at transferable skills to help you tease out what's your next career move.

• The mantra of no idea is a stupid idea can really liberate your creative thinking.

• What you can do to look forward even when times are hard. Identifying something that has meaning or purpose for you and perhaps makes a difference to others.

Henley Business School

Interested in a career in coaching? Find out about the Professional
Certificate in Executive Coaching at Henley Business School here.

Be sure to mention the Lighting Fires Podcast if you do contact Henley Business School.

Connect with Julie Williams:

Website: www.lightingfires.co.uk
Email: julie@lightingfires.co.uk
LinkedIn: Julie Williams MSc

If you found this episode helpful, please leave a 5 star rating and review to help others find these real stories and coaching insights.

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

Host: Julie Williams, MSc – Executive Coach and Founder of Lighting Fires

Guests: Joe & Charlie Jones – Co-Founders of Refreshing, a financial recruitment consultancy based in London

In this episode of The Lighting Fires Podcast, Supported by Henley Business School, Executive Coach Julie Williams speaks with Joe and Charlie Jones, brothers and co-founders of the financial recruitment company Refreshing, about how coaching helped them transform their business, rebuild clarity, and rediscover their purpose.

They share insights about shifting their leadership model, rebranding their business, and massively reducing overheads without losing momentum. With humour, honesty, and real-life examples, they reflect on the power of creating space for strategic thinking and making bold decisions which align with who they really are.

• How coaching helped clarify business identity and direction

• The decision to rebrand as Refreshing and what it represents

• Moving from team management to a leaner, more focused business model

• The impact of reducing overheads and embracing efficiency

• Why being yourself is your best competitive advantage in business

• Creating time for reflection and strategic decision-making

• The value of honest, creative partnerships — especially between siblings
  
  

"Before coaching, we were just doing fine—but it was more confusing. Coaching gave us the clarity and confidence to restructure, rebrand, and move forward with purpose."

"If it gets quiet, that's when we go incredibly active. Coaching reminds us to always keep moving."

• Make space to work on the business, not just in it – Don't wait for the perfect moment. Book regular time to reflect and plan.

• Rethink growth – Hiring a team isn't the only way to scale. Reducing overheads and increasing clarity can be even more powerful.

• Use your strengths – Build your business around what energises you and find partners (or systems) for the rest.

• Stay active, even when it's quiet – Build habits around visibility, networking, and momentum.
  
  

• Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) – Helped Joe and Charlie understand their different leadership strengths

• Visual planning tools (e.g. boards, monitors, lists) to prioritise tasks and increase productivity

• Internal project boards, reflection questions, and space for visualisation

Henley Business School

Interested in a career in coaching? Find out about the Professional
Certificate in Executive Coaching at Henley Business School here.

Be sure to mention the Lighting Fires Podcast if you do contact Henley Business School.

• Website: www.lightingfires.co.uk

• Email: julie@lightingfires.co.uk

• LinkedIn: Julie Williams MSc

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave a 5 star rating and review — it helps more people find these real-world leadership stories and coaching insights.

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

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 of The Lighting Fires Podcast, supported by Henley Business School, 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
  
  

Henley Business School

Interested in a career in coaching? Find out about the Professional
Certificate in Executive Coaching at Henley Business School here.

Be sure to mention the Lighting Fires Podcast if you do contact Henley Business School.

Connect with Julie Williams:

• www.lightingfires.co.uk

• julie@lightingfires.co.uk

• Julie Williams MSc on LinkedIn

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a five star rating and review to help others discover these powerful coaching stories.

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

In this episode of The Lighting Fires Podcast, supported by Henley Business School, Executive Coach Julie Williams talks with Lorraine Briffitt, CEO of Connect Reading, about what it really takes to lead with authenticity in today's world.

Lorraine opens up about her journey through imposter syndrome, burnout, and leading complex organisational change. She shares the emotional toll of a restructure that didn't go to plan, and how coaching helped her separate her self-worth from her job title, rebuild confidence, and reconnect with her core values.

Together, Lorraine and Julie explore the power of executive coaching in helping leaders navigate self-doubt, manage team dynamics, and make space for more reflective, compassionate leadership.

• How to manage imposter syndrome as a senior leader

• The emotional impact of tying identity to your job role

• Navigating leadership during change, challenge and uncertainty

• Burnout, boundaries, and post-pandemic leadership lessons

• Using coaching to reconnect with purpose, values, and confidence

• Building resilience through reflection and honest conversations

• Notice your thoughts – Write down moments of self-doubt and compare them to real, tangible achievements.

• Talk it out – You're not alone. Trusted conversations can shift your mindset.

• Reconnect with your values – Reflect on what truly matters to you now, not just what used to drive you.

• Use tools for clarity – See Brené Brown's values exercise below.
  
  

• Dare to Lead by Brené Brown

• Brené Brown's Values Exercise

• Inspiring quote on imposter syndrome by Maya Angelou
  
  

Henley Business School

Interested in a career in coaching? Find out about the Professional
Certificate in Executive Coaching at Henley Business School here.

Be sure to mention the Lighting Fires Podcast if you do contact Henley Business School.

• Website: www.lightingfires.co.uk

• Email: julie@lightingfires.co.uk

• LinkedIn: Julie Williams MSc
  
  

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave a 5 star rating to help more people find these honest and inspiring leadership conversations.

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

In this episode of The Lighting Fires Podcast, supported by Henley Business School, Executive Coach Julie Williams talks with Mark Schmull, Managing Director of Arrow Planning, about his coaching journey through the Ignite Your Business programme and how it transformed his approach to leadership, team-building, and business growth.

Mark shares how executive coaching helped him build greater self-awareness, tackle imposter syndrome, and grow a team culture based on trust, communication, and purpose. He opens up about the realities of running a business, the power of mentorship, and learning to lead with calm, confidence, and intention.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, team leader, or business owner, this conversation offers honest insight into what it really takes to lead a growing company.

• Developing leadership confidence through executive coaching
• Building a purpose-driven business from the ground up
• How to handle imposter syndrome as a business leader
• Leading with calm and clarity under pressure
• Creating a supportive and adaptive team culture
• The role of mentorship and building a strong support network

• Getting the right mentors – Who challenges and inspires you?
• Map your personal boardroom – Who and what fuels your growth? (People, books, podcasts, routines...)

Who Is in Your Personal Boardroom? by Amanda Scott – A practical tool to help you identify the key people who can support your leadership journey.

• Julie Williams, Executive Coach: www.lightingfires.co.uk
• Mark Schmull & Arrow Planning: https://www.arrowplanning.co.uk
• Connect with Julie on LinkedIn: Julie Williams MSc
• Email Julie: julie@lightingfires.co.uk
• Interested in a free taster 'Ignite your Business' session with Julie? Check out the next available session here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/lighting-fires-julie-williams-14355302598

Henley Business School

Interested in a career in coaching? Find out about the Professional
Certificate in Executive Coaching at Henley Business School here.

Be sure to mention the Lighting Fires Podcast if you do contact Henley Business School.

If this episode resonated with you, please leave a 5* rating or share it with a colleague. Your support helps more leaders discover these inspiring coaching stories.

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