Squiggly Careers

This is the fourth and final episode in the Squiggly Careers Quote Series, and today Sarah shares the quote that has shaped her approach to leadership: “Be yourself more with skill.” Inspired by the book and article Why Should Anyone Be Led by You?, this episode explores how true leadership comes from leaning into your strengths and embracing uncomfortable situations that spark growth. There’s no blueprint for being brilliant, and whether you're in a leadership role or not, you don’t need to become someone you’re not—it’s about being a better version of yourself. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 Introduction & Announcement 02:33 The quote: "Be yourself more with skill" 07:44 Action 1: Job Crafting – Be the architect of your career 10:30 Action 2: Ask for feedback on blindspots 13:03 Action 3: Have a squiggly stretch 🎯 What You’ll Learn - How to lead authentically by leaning into your strengths - How to be the architects of your own work life - How to take intentional control of your job description - Smart ways to ask for feedback on blindspots - The value of stepping into uncomfortable situations 📚 Resources Mentioned Why Should Anyone Be Led by You?: What It Takes To Be An Authentic Leader Hardcover by Robert Goffee and Gareth Jones https://www.amazon.co.uk/Why-Should-Anyone-Led-You/dp/1578519713 HBR Article 'Why Should Anyone Be Led by You?: https://hbr.org/2000/09/why-should-anyone-be-led-by-you Job Crafting Article by Dan Cable https://dan-cable.com/linkedin-article/job-crafting/ For questions about Squiggly Careers or to share feedback, please email [email protected] More ways to learn about Squiggly Careers: 📩 Download our free career tools: https://www.amazingif.com/toolkit/ 🏃‍♀️ Join our next Skills Sprint: https://bit.ly/skillssprint2024 📮 Get Squiggly Careers in Action in your inbox: https://bit.ly/SquigglyCareersInAction 📚 Read our books: The Squiggly Career and You Coach You: https://www.amazingif.com/books/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

🥇 Sign up for the sprint here: https://bit.ly/41jasYO Are you letting other people set the boundaries for your career? This is the third episode in the Squiggly Careers quote series, and today Helen shares the quote that’s shaped her approach to career development: “Challenge your limits, don't limit your challenges.” In the episode, Helen and Sarah discuss how this mindset can help you push past external expectations, explore what’s truly possible, and embrace challenges without letting others hold you back. You’ll learn practical ways to identify your potential, build confidence, and celebrate progress along the way. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 Announcement 00:58 Introduction 02:08 The quote: “Challenge your limits, don't limit your challenges” 07:05 Exploring your potential & gaining confidence 08:56 Action 1: Curiosity before commitment 12:27 Action 2: Celebrate your wins 15:15 What does this quote look like for you? 🎯 What You’ll Learn - How to avoid letting others place limits on your career - Why what’s possible looks different for everyone - How to pick a challenge and stick with it, despite outside pressures - Ways to explore your potential and build confidence For questions about Squiggly Careers or to share feedback, please email [email protected] More ways to learn about Squiggly Careers: 📩 Download our free career tools: https://www.amazingif.com/toolkit/ 🏃‍♀️ Join our next Skills Sprint: https://bit.ly/skillssprint2024 📮 Get Squiggly Careers in Action in your inbox: https://bit.ly/SquigglyCareersInAction 📚 Read our books: The Squiggly Career and You Coach You: https://www.amazingif.com/books/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

🥇 Sign up for the sprint here: https://bit.ly/41jasYO Are you unintentionally repeating the same career year again and again? This is the second episode in the Squiggly Careers quote series, and today Sarah shares the quote that’s inspired her career mindset: “Never live the same year twice.” In the episode, Helen and Sarah talk about how this idea helped Sarah move beyond linear ladder-thinking and sparked a more intentional, experimental approach to career development. You’ll learn how to embrace variety and novelty — so your career (and confidence) can keep evolving. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 01:56 The quote: “Never live the same year twice” 02:05 What inspired Sarah to choose this quote 04:46 How to avoid feeling stuck 05:57 Turning inspiration into action 06:38 Action 1: Coach-yourself question 07:58 Action 2: The “what” – use the fresh-start effect 09:56 Action 3: The “who” – connect with weak ties 12:14 Action 4: The “where” – new places and spaces 13:44 Final thoughts 🎯 What You’ll Learn - How to avoid career complacency and increase resilience - How the fresh-start effect can create lasting change - Why weak ties expand your learning and opportunities - How space and variety can spark new career ideas 📚 Resources Mentioned Values Toolkit (Free) https://www.amazingif.com/toolkit/ The Long Win by Cath Bishop https://bit.ly/4mozgXo How To Change Katy Milkman https://bit.ly/45izWXI For questions about Squiggly Careers or to share feedback, please email [email protected] More ways to learn about Squiggly Careers: 📩 Download our free career tools: https://www.amazingif.com/toolkit/ 🏃‍♀️ Join our next Skills Sprint: https://bit.ly/skillssprint2024 📮 Get Squiggly Careers in Action in your inbox: https://bit.ly/SquigglyCareersInAction 📚 Read our books: The Squiggly Career and You Coach You: https://www.amazingif.com/books/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

🥇 Sign up for the Skills Sprint here: https://bit.ly/41jasYO This episode is the first in a four part mini series where Helen and Sarah focus on quotes that have inspired their career. They discuss how each quote has helped them and share ideas for action so you can put the inspiration into action for your development. We’re starting with one of Helen’s favourites: 'run your own race'. It's all about letting go of comparison and building confidence by focusing on what matters to you. Helen and Sarah also share 3 practical ways to turn this quote into action - so you can start growing with confidence. For questions about Squiggly Careers or to share feedback, please email [email protected] More ways to learn about Squiggly Careers: 📩 Download our free career tools: https://www.amazingif.com/toolkit/ 🏃‍♀️ Join our next Skills Sprint: https://bit.ly/skillssprint2024 📮 Get Squiggly Careers in Action in your inbox: https://bit.ly/SquigglyCareersInAction 📚 Read our books: The Squiggly Career and You Coach You: https://www.amazingif.com/books/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are you making big decisions without applying real judgement? In this Ask the Expert episode, Sarah speaks with Sir Andrew Likierman about what good judgement looks like at work—and how to improve it. They talk about the difference between decisions and judgement, the stages of the judgement process, how to get better at reading the (virtual room) and learn from poor choices. You’ll learn how to apply a practical framework to improve your own judgement, no matter your role. 🥇 Sign up for the Skills Sprint here: https://bit.ly/41jasYO ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 00:54 Is judgement a quality or skill? 01:50 Judgement and decision-making 05:25 The 6 stages of the judgement process 08:43 Establishing a trusted person 10:06 Reading the room, zoom or teams meeting 13:21 Understanding your strengths and weaknesses 16:54 Famous examples of bad judgement 18:11 The importance of listening 19:24 Persevering when it's time to stop 22:33 Common watch-outs with judgement 23:35 Should you trust instinct & gut feeling? 25:43 Managing risk 29:22 Final thoughts 🎯 What You’ll Learn - The difference between decision-making and judgement - A 6-step process to improve judgement - How to trust wisely, read the (virtual) room, and stay aware - Why feelings, experience, and listening all shape judgement - How to develop your personal judgement 📚 Resources Mentioned Andrew's Book: Judgement at Work: Making Better Choices - https://bit.ly/458TWvJ Actions Speak Louder Than (Listening) To Words: https://cclinnovation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/actions-speak-louder-than-words.pdf Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman - https://bit.ly/4m8OyQ2 Blink by Malcolm Gladwell: https://bit.ly/3J76pIM For questions about Squiggly Careers or to share feedback, please email [email protected] More ways to learn about Squiggly Careers: 📩 Download our free career tools: https://www.amazingif.com/toolkit/ 🏃‍♀️ Join our next Skills Sprint: https://bit.ly/skillssprint2024 📮 Get Squiggly Careers in Action in your inbox: https://bit.ly/SquigglyCareersInAction 📚 Read our books: The Squiggly Career and You Coach You: https://www.amazingif.com/books/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices