Setbacks in leadership are inevitable — whether it's redundancy, missing out on a promotion, or feeling misaligned with your organization. In this episode, Sarah shares practical strategies to move through the emotional toll of a setback and come out stronger, wiser, and more aligned. Drawing on 16 years of coaching experience, she breaks down a clear 5-step approach to help you reflect, reframe, and rebuild your path to success. Whether you’re currently navigating a career disruption or want to future-proof your resilience, this episode is a must-listen.

Show Notes

00:00:00 – Welcome & Introduction to the Podcast

00:01:00 – Why Setbacks Matter and What You'll Learn Today

Overview of today’s topic and why career setbacks can become pivotal growth moments.

00:02:00 – The Many Faces of Career Setbacks

From redundancy to value misalignment — common scenarios Sarah sees in coaching.

00:04:00 – The Emotional Impact of Setbacks

How setbacks affect identity, confidence, and emotions — and why it's important to honour that process.

00:05:00 – Navigating the Emotional Curve (Kubler-Ross Model)

Grief, denial, anger, blame — and how to begin moving through these emotions.

00:06:00 – Step 1: Reflect with Honesty

Understanding what went wrong, your role in it, and the lessons learned.

00:07:00 – Learning to Spot Red Flags in Hindsight

Real-life client story about ignoring red flags in the interview process.

00:08:00 – Step 2: Ask for Constructive Feedback

How to ask for helpful feedback and why it’s a powerful part of your rebound.

00:09:00 – Step 3: Objectively Consider What’s Next

Don’t rush — instead, reflect on your values and career success criteria.

00:10:00 – Sarah’s Personal Redundancy Story

How Sarah navigated being made redundant as a career coach and started her business.

00:11:00 – Real Client Story: From Employee to Contractor

How a challenging boss led one client to redefine success and change direction.

00:12:00 – Step 4: Mindset Shifts & Reframing Opportunity

From neuroscience to identity, how your brain reacts to setbacks, and how to reframe.

00:13:00 – Why Setbacks Spark Creativity

How dopamine dips create motivation for change and open new doors.

00:14:00 – Step 5: Take Action to Address What Needs to Change

Whether it’s mindset, confidence or leadership style — it’s time to act.

00:15:00 – Make Sure It’s the Right Opportunity (Not Just Any Role)

Avoiding knee-jerk reactions and choosing roles aligned with your purpose.

00:16:00 – Build a Long-Term Resilience Strategy

Practical tips for building internal and external visibility and support networks.

00:17:00 – Key Takeaways Recap

A step-by-step reminder of the framework to turn your setback into a springboard.

00:18:00 – Final Thoughts & Invitation to Connect

Encouragement and invitation to reach out for coaching or access free resources.

Useful Links

Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration

Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes

Book a Free 121 Clarity Call

In this episode, Sarah dives into the topic of self-sabotage in leadership careers. If you’ve ever found yourself hesitating to take the next step, talking yourself out of applying for a promotion, or feeling paralyzed by fear, this episode is for you. Learn how to identify the root causes of self-sabotage, reframe your mindset, and take actionable steps to move forward in your leadership journey.

[00:00:00] – Welcome to Unstuck and Unstoppable: Introduction to the podcast and its mission.

[00:01:00] – The challenge of self-sabotage: How fear and self-doubt hold leaders back.

[00:02:00] – Recognizing self-sabotage: Why we hesitate to take the next step in our careers.

[00:03:00] – The dangers of staying stuck: How prolonged inaction can impact confidence and career growth.

[00:04:00] – Common fears that drive self-sabotage: Fear of change, failure, judgment, and making the wrong decision.

[00:05:00] – The impact of early-life influences: How childhood and career experiences shape our beliefs about success.

[00:06:00] – External pressures: How societal expectations and financial responsibilities contribute to feeling stuck.

[00:07:00] – Visualization as a tool for success: Rewriting the negative movie playing in your mind.

[00:09:00] – Taking action to overcome fear: Creating a plan, identifying skill gaps, and building confidence.

[00:10:00] – Surrounding yourself with positive influences: The power of a growth mindset and a supportive network.

[00:11:00] – Final thoughts and next steps: How to move forward and take charge of your leadership career.

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: sarah@careertreecoaching.co.uk

Remember, you’re capable of more than you know. Shine brightly, lead boldly, and unlock the extraordinary potential within you. Be unstoppable!

In this episode, Sarah explores an exciting and motivating concept: the career bucket list. Just as we create bucket lists for life experiences, we can do the same for our careers. This list can include things we want to achieve, experience, or learn before retirement.

Show Notes

[00:02:00] – What is a Career Bucket List?

• The idea of a career bucket list compared to a traditional life bucket list.
• Why having a career bucket list can be a powerful tool for motivation and personal growth.

[00:03:00] – Personal Career Bucket List Examples

• Sarah shares her own career bucket list experiences, including becoming an HR Director, working for Amnesty International, writing for The Guardian, and launching a group coaching program.
• Future aspirations, such as hosting a radio show and becoming a master coach.

[00:05:00] – Career Bucket List Ideas

• Potential bucket list ideas for different career paths.
• Other career-related aspirations such as serving as a trustee, non-executive director, or magistrate.

[00:07:00] – The Benefits of Having a Career Bucket List

• Brings joy and fulfillment to your professional life.
• Helps maintain motivation and focus in your career.
• Encourages personal and professional growth by stretching comfort zones.
• Provides clarity on long-term aspirations and career direction.

[00:09:00] – Overcoming Self-Doubt and Negative Bias

• Addressing internal doubts and fears that may arise when setting ambitious career goals.
• Strategies to combat self-limiting beliefs and stay motivated.

[00:10:00] – How to Create Your Career Bucket List

• Create a dedicated time and space for brainstorming.
• Use tools like affirmation cards or have conversations with trusted friends or colleagues.
• Ask yourself: What would I love to do if there were no barriers?
• Imagine your future self reflecting on your career—what achievements would make you proud?

[00:13:00] – Bringing Your Career Bucket List to Life

• Integrating career bucket list items into your career plan.
• Keeping your list visible and revisiting it regularly.
• Allowing flexibility and refinement over time.

[00:14:00] – Closing Thoughts and Call to Action

• Sarah invites listeners to share their career bucket lists.
• Subscribe, share, and leave a review to support the podcast.

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: