Sarah explores what it really means to step outside your leadership comfort zone and why it's essential for growth, confidence, and success. Whether you're stuck in operational work, feeling stagnant in your role, or facing new challenges that push your limits, this episode offers insightful strategies and personal stories to inspire you to stretch, not stress.

Sarah shares real-life examples from her coaching practice and her own career journey, including tackling imposter syndrome, self-sabotage, and those scary-but-worth-it leadership opportunities. Learn how to build courage, embrace optimal anxiety, and use small, manageable actions to unlock your next level of leadership impact.

00:00 – Welcome & Introduction

Sarah introduces the podcast and sets the stage for why leadership comfort zones matter.

01:00 – Why This Topic?

Inspired by a coaching client stuck in her role after six years as a CEO.

02:00 – The Reality of Leadership Discomfort

Sometimes you don't have a choice — leadership demands stretch.

03:00 – What Is a Comfort Zone, Really?

Comfort = control, competence, and stagnation if you stay too long.

04:00 – Why You Need to Leave It

Introducing “optimal anxiety” – stretch, not stress – for peak performance.

05:00 – The Neuroscience Behind It

How stepping out of your comfort zone activates the courage circuit and releases dopamine.

06:00 – The Strategic Trap

Operational comfort vs. strategic growth — how leaders can get stuck.

07:00 – Real Client Example

A financial controller seen as “operational” because she didn’t delegate.

08:00 – Personal Story: Fear of Live Radio

How Sarah self-sabotaged until she finally said yes — and why it changed everything.

10:00 – Common Fears Blocking You

Fear of failure, judgment, and the unknown — especially for leaders.

11:00 – High-Stakes Leadership Challenges

From board presentations to restructures — you can't always avoid the hard stuff.

12:00 – Regular Stretch Builds Readiness

Why small, regular discomfort makes big challenges easier.

13:00 – Strategy 1: Start Small

Use the “comfort zone box” model to move gradually from comfort to growth.

14:00 – Strategy 2: Set Clear Goals

Motivation and clarity make it easier to leave what's familiar.

14:30 – Strategy 3: Visualize Success

Boost confidence and prime your brain for a positive outcome.

15:00 – Strategy 4: Seek Support

You don’t have to go it alone — mentors, peers, coaching all help.

16:00 – Strategy 5: Embrace Failure

Salsa dancing, anyone? The value of learning through doing.

17:00 – Practical Ways to Begin

Ideas for manageable leadership stretch goals you can try today.

18:00 – Comfort Zones Are Always Moving

Keep expanding your capacity and confidence, step by step.

19:00 – Final Challenge: What Could You Do Today?

Choose one manageable action to get out of your comfort zone — and go do it.

Useful Links

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Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching...

In this episode Sarah dives into one of the most powerful differentiators for female leaders: executive presence. What does it really mean? Why does it matter for career advancement and leadership impact? And more importantly, how do you develop it authentically?

With her signature blend of practical insight and empowering coaching, Sarah breaks down what executive presence is, why it's essential, and actionable ways to cultivate your own, without burning out or selling out.

This episode is ideal for ambitious professional women who want to be seen, heard, and respected at the next level of leadership.

[00:00] – Welcome to Unstuck and Unstoppable

[01:00] – Why executive presence matters in your leadership journey

[02:00] – Defining executive presence in simple, authentic terms

[03:00] – The career impact of executive presence: The 26% promotion factor

[04:00] – Beyond promotions: How it helps with presentations, influence, and team leadership

[05:00] – Authenticity and the alignment of inner values with outward behavior

[06:00] – Elements of executive presence: poise, confidence, curiosity, body language, communication

[07:00] – Exercise 1: Identify someone with executive presence and unpack what they do

[08:00] – Client story: Having a conversation with someone you admire

[09:00] – Exercise 2: Self-assessment and feedback from trusted colleagues

[10:00] – Aligning executive presence with your leadership brand

[11:00] – Good news: Executive presence is a skill—and it’s learnable

[12:00] – The power of intentionality and experimenting in meetings

[13:00] – Reflecting after interactions to grow your presence

[14:00] – Mirror and learn: Spend time with people who exude presence

[15:00] – The role of appearance in executive presence (and why red lipstick might help!)

[16:00] – Avoiding invisibility: Why staying visible and vocal matters in meetings

[17:00] – Final recap: Your action steps to build presence

[18:00] – Free resource + invitation to connect with Sarah

Useful Links

Free E-Book: Five Steps to Creating Powerful Presence as a Female Leader

Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration

Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes

Book a Free 121 Clarity Call

Join The Love What You Do Facebook Group

Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn

Rate & Review the Podcast

If you found this episode of Unstuck & Unstoppable helpful, please do rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

If you're kind enough to leave a review, please do let Sarah know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at: sarah@careertreecoaching.co.uk

Be powerfully you. Shine brightly. Lead boldly. And unlock the...

In this episode, Sarah dives into a crucial topic for career clarity and confidence: how to identify your strengths when preparing for a new leadership role.Whether you're navigating a transition, returning from redundancy, or feeling unclear about your value, this episode will guide you through practical, reflective tools to uncover and articulate your unique strengths—so you can position yourself powerfully for what’s next.

[00:01:00] Why Identifying Your Strengths Matters

Understand the importance of knowing and communicating your strengths for your next role.

[00:02:00] Common Challenges Senior Women Face

From imposter syndrome to redundancy and lack of clarity—why strengths can feel hard to spot.

[00:03:00] Real Client Example: Shifting Interview Confidence

How coaching helped a senior leader improve confidence and articulation in interviews.

[00:04:00] How Strengths Drive Career Clarity & Pay Equity

Why strengths awareness impacts career enjoyment, performance, and pay.

[00:05:00] Client Story: From Playing Small to Strategic Leader

A redundancy led to discovering untapped strategic strengths and bigger career goals.

[00:06:00] Client Story: Owning Efficiency as a Superpower

Discovering a strength in driving efficiency transformed personal brand and job positioning.

[00:07:00] Step 1: Create a Personal Career Timeline

Use life and career highs/lows to reveal consistent themes and character strengths.

[00:08:00] Step 2: Reflect on Key Achievements

Analyze what made your past achievements successful—skills, passion, and business value.

[00:09:00] Step 3: Explore Your Reputation and Leadership Brand

What are you known for? Dig into the external perception of your leadership value.

[00:10:00] Step 4: Seek Feedback to Uncover Blind Spots

How asking trusted colleagues can bring strengths to light you may overlook.

[00:11:00] Step 5: Craft a Powerful Narrative

Align your strengths, experience, and impact into a compelling leadership story.

[00:12:00] Final Thoughts & Invitation

Reflecting on your strengths gives clarity, confidence, and career direction—reach out if you'd like support in this journey.

[00:13:00] Resources, Reviews & Closing Inspiration

Useful Links

Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration

Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes

Book a Free 121 Clarity Call

Join The Love What You Do Facebook Group

Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn

Rate & Review the Podcast

If you found this episode of Unstuck & Unstoppable helpful, please do rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

If you're kind enough to leave a review, please do let Sarah know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at: