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

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