Career & Leadership Real Talk

Hosted by Pamela Langan & Jacqui Jagger

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166

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Jun 2026

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About the show

Welcome to Career & Leadership Real Talk; a weekly podcast full of guidance and advice for ambitious managers who are ready to take ownership of their career. It’s hosted by Pamela Langan, a job search coach and c.v. writing expert, and Jacqui Jagger, a mindset and leadership coach. We’re here for you if you want to have more impact, land a new job or get the promotion you know you deserve. There’s no high level, intellectual theory here – it’s a fluff-free zone We’ll be talking about how to stand out in your job search, how to hit the ground running in a new role and how to cope when things aren’t going *quite* the way you want at work In our career clinic section we’ll answer real questions from listeners and our clients, and we’ll also share our take on books on the topics of careers, leadership, & management so you can decide which are worth your time You can connect with us on LinkedIn – feel free to DM us with any questions you’d like us to answer on the show! https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelalangancoaching/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqui-jagger/

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60 recent

June 8, 202628 min

Ep 165 - Underselling Yourself Communication Habits That Can Stall Your Career

In this episode, we explore a pattern Jacqui sees regularly in her coaching practice — capable, high-performing professionals who are inadvertently stalling their own careers by the way they talk about their work. Using a real client story (shared anonymously), we unpack what underselling looks like in practice, why it happens, and what you can do differently.If you've ever described something you achieved and immediately wondered why it didn't land the way you hoped, this one's for you.Key points from this episodeWhy competence alone won't get you to director level — and what needs to change in how you communicate your contributionThe visibility paradox: how the people doing the most impressive work are often the least visibleHow deep-seated discomfort with self-promotion shows up in the language you use every dayThe difference between describing what happened and articulating what you made happenA simple practical exercise to reframe how you talk about your work, and where to use it00:00 Introduction and the client story behind this episode01:00 The pattern: capable professionals who let their contribution go unnoticed05:00 The visibility paradox and why senior leaders need to be seen, not just effective10:00 Why "selling yourself" creates resistance — and a more useful way to think about it13:00 The cost of invisibility: a real example from a Deloitte partnership decision19:00 Comfort zones, default behaviours, and what's really driving the pattern21:00 Tara Mohr's Playing Big and the language habits that keep people small23:00 Active versus passive framing — and why it matters beyond the interview room25:00 The practical exercise: write two versions and find the opportunity to use oneUseful LinksConnect with Pam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelalangan/Connect with Jacqui on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqui-jagger/Follow the Catalyst Careers LinkedIn page for career tips and adviceInterested in working with us? Get in touch about career or leadership development, outplacement workshops or recruitment support via the Catalyst Careers website

May 26, 202628 min

Ep 164 - Imposter Syndrome: Why It Gets Worse as You Get More Senior

If you expected imposter syndrome to ease off as your career progressed, you're not alone, and you're probably wondering why it's doing the opposite. In this episode, we dig into why imposter syndrome so often intensifies at senior level, and what's actually going on in your brain when it does.We share practical strategies for working with imposter syndrome rather than trying to outrun it, because working harder and delivering more isn't the answer, and most people find that out the hard way.Key points from this episodeWhy becoming more senior makes imposter syndrome worse, not better and the brain science behind itThe identity gap: why your internal reality struggles to keep pace with your external successHow self-judgment fuels imposter syndrome and what to do insteadWhy positive feedback doesn't land and a simple technique to change thatHow to borrow belief from the people who already have it in you00:00 Introduction and Topic Overview00:26 Why Imposter Syndrome Intensifies With Seniority02:29 The Trap of Trying to Outwork It05:00 Your Brain, Evidence and the Confidence Gap08:00 Navigating Uncertainty: The Board Meeting Example11:00 The Identity Gap Explained13:30 The Self-Judgment Cycle16:30 What Actually Helps: Reducing Self-Judgment21:00 How to Internalise Positive Feedback24:30 Borrowing Belief From Others26:30 Final Thoughts and Call to ActionUseful LinksConnect with Pam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelalangan/Connect with Jacqui on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqui-jagger/Interested in working with us? Get in touch about career or leadership development, outplacement workshops or recruitment support via the Catalyst Careers website

May 11, 202628 min

Ep 163 - Bouncing Back From Negative Feedback

Receiving negative feedback is something every leader faces — but nobody really teaches you how to handle it well. In this episode, we talk about why your reaction to negative feedback matters more than you might think, and how developing the skill of receiving it well can genuinely change the trajectory of your career.We share real examples, including a story from Pam's own career where one piece of feedback held her back from presenting confidently for years — and what she wishes she'd done differently in that moment.Key points from this episodeWhy how you respond to negative feedback creates either a vicious or virtuous cycle in your careerThe mindset shift that separates feedback from your sense of identityWhy asking more questions after difficult feedback is more powerful than going away to stew on itLonger-term strategies to make feedback easier to receive — and less likely to stingHow regularly asking for feedback desensitises you and builds trust with the people around you00:00 Introduction and Topic Overview00:26 Why Negative Feedback Hits So Hard02:59 The Vicious and Virtuous Cycle05:37 Separating Feedback from Identity09:00 Unpacking a Real Listener Example13:00 What to Do in the Moment16:37 Creating Distance and Regulating Your Emotions18:00 Pam's Personal Story: The Presentation That Set Her Back23:00 Longer-Term Strategies: Feedforward and Seeking Input25:30 Making Feedback a Regular Habit26:37 Closing the Loop: Acknowledging What You've Done With Feedback28:00 Close and Call to ActionUseful LinksConnect with Pam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelalangan/Connect with Jacqui on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqui-jagger/Follow the Catalyst Careers LinkedIn page for career tips and adviceInterested in working with us? Get in touch about career or leadership development, outplacement workshops or recruitment support via the Catalyst Careers website Enjoyed this Episode? If you enjoyed this episode, please take the time to rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

April 20, 202625 min

Ep 162 - Why You Can't Say No at Work (And What It's Costing You)

If you've ever found yourself completely overwhelmed, running on empty and wondering how you got here, this episode is for you. We're exploring why so many leaders struggle to say no. Not because they're weak or disorganised, but because saying yes is what got them where they are. Understanding how this pattern forms is the first step to changing it.We get honest about what this really looks and feels like from the inside, including the gap between how capable you appear to everyone else and how stretched you actually feel. If any of this sounds familiar, you're not alone, and there are things you can do.Key points from this episodeWhy saying yes early in your career works against you later — and how it stops being a strategy and becomes your identityThe "invisible yes" — work that lands on your plate that you never actually agreed toWhat it really costs you to keep saying yes to everything, including your career progressionWhy pushing back feels so hard when you've always been the reliable oneFirst steps to take if you recognise yourself in this episodeTimestamps00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview00:47 Why Saying Yes Feels Good Early in Your Career03:00 When Yes Stops Being a Strategy and Becomes Your Identity06:00 What This Really Looks Like Day to Day09:00 High Achievers Don't Give Themselves Permission to Struggle11:00 The Cost of Always Finding a Way Through14:00 The Invisible Yes — and Why It Matters16:00 Practical First Steps: Pause, Reflect and Reassess19:30 Why Asking for Help Is Part of the Solution22:30 When It's Time to Consider Coaching23:30 Link to Episode 82 and CloseUseful LinksEpisode 82 Connect with Pam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelalangan/Connect with Jacqui on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqui-jagger/Follow the Catalyst Careers LinkedIn page for career tips and adviceInterested in working with us? Get in touch about career or leadership development, outplacement workshops or recruitment support via the Catalyst Careers website

April 7, 202627 min

Ep 161 - When a Team Member Undermines You - How to Recognise It and What to Do

Managing a team member who's being disrespectful is one of the most confidence-shaking situations a leader can face, precisely because it's so hard to name. Is it a conduct issue? A personality clash? Or is it you? In this episode, we unpack what disrespectful behaviour from a team member actually looks like, why leaders so often hesitate to act, and what to do when you're ready to address it.We share real examples from our own experience and client work, and walk through a practical approach that doesn't require you to go in heavy-handed, but does require you to stop waiting.Key points from this episodeHow disrespectful behaviour often hides in plain sight — and why high performers aren't immune from itThe self-reflection step most leaders skip before addressing conductWhy curiosity is one of your most underused tools in these conversationsUsing the AID framework (Action, Impact, Desired behaviour) to tackle it directly without the emotionWhat to do if it doesn't improve — and why escalation is rarer than you think00:00 Introduction and episode overview00:26 What does disrespectful behaviour actually look like?03:00 The grey areas: when you're not sure if it's a conduct issue07:00 How many people wish they'd waited longer vs. acted sooner?08:30 Why addressing it is a development opportunity for both of you10:00 Setting clear expectations before the conversation14:00 Pam's example: when the negativity wasn't what it seemed16:00 Using curiosity to get underneath the behaviour20:30 Where to start: a step-by-step approach23:00 The AID framework in practice24:30 If it doesn't improve: escalation, consistency, and keeping records26:30 Final thoughtsSonnet 4.6Useful LinksConnect with Pam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelalangan/Connect with Jacqui on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqui-jagger/Follow the Catalyst Careers LinkedIn page for career tips and adviceInterested in working with us? Get in touch about career or leadership development, outplacement workshops or recruitment support via the Catalyst Careers website

March 16, 202623 min

Ep 160 - Senior Panel Interviews: How to Prepare and Stand Out

Panel interviews at senior level are a different beast — and if you go in preparing the same way you would for a mid-management role, you're likely to undersell yourself. In this episode, we break down exactly what makes senior panel interviews different and, more importantly, how to prepare in a way that genuinely sets you apart.We cover everything from researching panel members to handling the gaps in your experience with confidence. If you've got one of these coming up, this episode is essential listening.Key points from this episodeWhy senior panel interviews feel more like a discussion — and what the panel is really trying to find outHow to go beyond the job description in your preparation and why it mattersThe smart way to research panel members before you walk in the roomWhy preparing stories beats preparing Q&As — and the three buckets every story should fit intoHow to handle gaps in your experience honestly without it damaging your chancesTimestamps00:00 Introduction and Topic Overview00:52 How Senior Panel Interviews Differ from Earlier Career Stages02:15 What Each Panel Member Is Looking For03:45 Why Starting with the Job Description Isn't Enough05:00 Researching Panel Members and the Market Context07:00 How to Find Information on Panel Members08:30 Asking the Recruiter the Right Questions09:45 Pulling Your Preparation Together: Stories and Evidence11:00 How to Handle Gaps in Your Experience13:00 Honesty and Credibility: Why Transparency Builds Trust15:00 Why Human Connection Matters More Than Scripted Answers17:00 What the Panel Is Really Assessing at Senior Level18:45 Key Themes and Scenarios to Prepare For20:00 The Three Things Senior Leaders Need to Demonstrate21:30 Final Advice and How to Get Support from PamUseful LinksConnect with Pam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelalangan/Connect with Jacqui on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqui-jagger/Interested in working with us? Get in touch about career or leadership development, outplacement workshops or recruitment support via the Catalyst Careers website

March 2, 202632 min

Ep 159 - How to Run Effective One-to-Ones

We've all sat in a one-to-one that felt like a grilling rather than a genuine conversation. And if you're leading a team, you might be doing the same thing without even realising it. In this episode, we're sharing 10 principles to help you run one-to-ones that actually work, both for the people you manage and for the one-to-ones you have with your own line manager.Nobody teaches you how to do this well. Most of us copy what we experienced, which means the same unhelpful patterns get passed down from manager to manager. We cover the fundamentals that break that cycle, from who should own the agenda to how often you should actually be meeting.Key points from this episodeWhy one-to-ones should be employee-driven, not manager-led — and what that looks like in practiceThe difference between a one-to-one and a status update (and why confusing the two is costing you)How to distinguish between different types of one-to-ones and why mixing them into one conversation doesn't serve anyoneWhy consistency matters more than length or frequency — and the message you send when you cancelThe simple follow-up habit that makes one-to-ones genuinely useful over timeTimestamps00:00 Introduction — why one-to-ones come up so often with clients01:00 Why nobody is ever taught how to run a good one-to-one02:30 The research linking effective one-to-ones to high-performing teams03:30 Principle 1: One-to-ones should be employee-driven, not manager-driven04:15 Principle 2: They are for development, not just reporting05:00 Principle 3: Make space for the human, not just the work06:50 The cost of one-to-ones that feel like interrogations — a real client example09:00 Principle 4: Distinguish between different types of one-to-ones11:00 Principle 5: Come with an agenda — and who should own it13:30 How to prompt agenda preparation as a line manager14:30 Principle 6: Status updates don't belong in one-to-ones16:20 How proactive communication outside one-to-ones can transform the dynamic18:00 Principle 7: Consistency matters more than length19:30 Principle 8: Shorter, focused meetings often outperform longer ones20:00 What's the right frequency? The case for biweekly21:30 Why senior leaders often need more frequent one-to-ones, not fewer23:00 Principle 9: Frequency should flex intentionally — not just when things come up25:30 The importance of protecting one-to-one time from more senior demands27:30 Principle 10: Follow up on commitments — documentation matters29:00 A simple four-section format to keep one-to-ones on trackUseful LinksJoin The Catalyst Career Club for 50k+ LeadersConnect with Pam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelalangan/Connect with Jacqui on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqui-jagger/Follow the Catalyst Careers LinkedIn page for career tips and adviceInterested in working with us? Get in touch about career or leadership development, outplacement workshops or recruitment support via the Catalyst Careers website Enjoyed this Episode? If you enjoyed this episode, please take the time to rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

February 16, 202621 min

Ep 158 - Why High Performers Burn Out (and the Strategic Move That Protects Your Career)

Key points from this episodeUseful LinksJoin The Catalyst Career Club for 50k+ LeadersConnect with Pam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelalangan/Connect with Jacqui on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqui-jagger/Follow the Catalyst Careers LinkedIn page for career tips and adviceInterested in working with us? Get in touch about career or leadership development, outplacement workshops or recruitment support via the Catalyst Careers website Enjoyed this Episode? If you enjoyed this episode, please take the time to rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

February 2, 202621 min

Ep 157 - 5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Start Your Job Search

Whether you're facing redundancy, escaping a toxic environment, or ready for your next career move, asking yourself the right questions before you start can transform your entire job search experience. We share the six questions we use with our coaching clients to help them move from frustration to focus, ensuring they land roles they actually want rather than just any role. If you've been job searching for a while and feeling frustrated, these questions also offer a valuable reset to help you go again with fresh clarity.Key points from this episodeThe critical difference between running from something versus running towards something in your job searchHow to identify your non-negotiables and what you're willing to compromise on before you start applyingUncovering the value and strengths you're not currently using (and whether you actually want to use them)Why quality beats quantity when it comes to job applicationsTimestamps:00:00 Introduction and Topic Overview01:00 Question 1: What Am I Running From vs Running Towards?05:00 Question 2: What Am I Willing to Compromise On and What's Non-Negotiable?07:00 Question 3: What Value Do I Bring That I'm Not Currently Using?12:00 Question 4: Who Do I Need to Become to Land the Role I Want?16:00 Question 5: What Is My Personal Situation Right Now?17:00 Why Quality Over Quantity Matters in Job Search19:00 Wrap Up and ResourcesUseful LinksPam's Job Search Accelerator online programmeConnect with Pam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelalangan/Connect with Jacqui on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqui-jagger/Follow the Catalyst Careers LinkedIn page for career tips and adviceInterested in working with us? Get in touch about career or leadership development, outplacement workshops or recruitment support via the Catalyst Careers website

January 19, 202622 min

Ep 156 - 5 Mindsets Great Leaders Adopt

We're tackling something fundamental this week: the mindsets that separate good leaders from great ones. This isn't about productivity hacks or the latest leadership trend - it's about the inner game that determines whether you'll thrive or struggle in leadership roles. Whether you've just stepped into a senior position or you're looking to level up your leadership capability, this episode gives you five mindsets that will genuinely shift how you operate.Key points from this episodeWhy trying to copy other leaders' styles will damage trust and put you under unnecessary pressureThe difference between rational self-doubt and actual imposter syndrome (and why that distinction matters)How the drive to prove yourself can actually hold you back from becoming more effectiveWhy creating thinking time feels uncomfortable but is non-negotiable for senior leadershipThe alternative to getting comfortable being uncomfortable00:00 Introduction - Five mindsets great leaders adopt01:00 Context: Why mindset matters more than external skills03:00 Mindset 1: Lead as yourself - authenticity without the buzzword05:00 Mindset 2: Name the fear - managing self-doubt effectively07:00 The temptation to prove yourself worthy08:00 Mindset 3: Embrace being a work in progress10:00 Mindset 4: Think, don't just do12:00 Why being visibly busy can hold senior leaders back14:00 How thinking time actually feels when you allow it15:00 Mindset 5: Get uncomfortable being comfortable17:00 Finding the edges without pushing into panic zone19:00 How to actually use these mindsets in practice21:00 Final advice and next stepsUseful LinksConnect with Pam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelalangan/Connect with Jacqui on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqui-jagger/Follow the Catalyst Careers LinkedIn page for career tips and adviceInterested in working with us? Get in touch about career or leadership development, outplacement workshops or recruitment support via the Catalyst Careers website