🥇 Sign up for the sprint here: https://bit.ly/41jasYO This week, Helen and Sarah shine a light on the unhelpful habits that teams often slip into without even realising it. From meetings that drag on autopilot to one-to-ones that don’t deliver what you need, these routines can waste time, reduce energy, and stop people from working at their best. In this episode, they share the four most common team traps and practical alternatives to try instead. You’ll hear how to spot unhelpful routines, res...
Sep 09, 2025•42 min
🥇 Sign up for the sprint here: https://bit.ly/41jasYO Are old habits holding you back from the progress you want to make? September often feels like a natural reset point—a chance to stop what’s no longer serving you and start building new wins. In this episode, Helen and Sarah share their own September “starts” and “stops” to inspire you to reflect, reset, and refocus. You’ll hear how small, intentional changes can help you create space for growth, protect your future self, and build habits th...
Sep 02, 2025•41 min
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 bec...
Aug 26, 2025•25 min
🥇 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...
Aug 19, 2025•19 min
🥇 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 emb...
Aug 12, 2025•17 min
🥇 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 ...
Aug 05, 2025•18 min
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 Sk...
Jul 29, 2025•32 min
In this episode, Helen and Sarah explore the common complaints we all have about work—and how to respond to them in ways that are realistic. From endless meetings, to never having time to think, they unpack why certain complaints come up so often and how to take small, doable steps forward. They share practical tactics like "co-working meetings," “to-think” lists, and a forgiving approach to navigating the inevitable frustrations of work life—so you can focus less on moaning and more on momentum...
Jul 22, 2025•36 min
Ever had your day derailed by a last-minute request? A sudden change of plan? Or that dreaded moment when you're put on the spot and don’t have the answer? In this episode, Helen and Sarah explore the curveballs that show up in our working week—and how we can respond to them with more confidence and control. From tech fails to surprise tasks, curveballs can throw us off track and test our confidence. Helen and Sarah share personal stories, reflect on their own curveball capability, and offer pra...
Jul 15, 2025•34 min
How do you make sure your message gets heard—and acted on? In this Squiggly Careers Ask the Expert episode, Helen speaks with author and influence expert Steve Martin about the powerful role of the messenger in communication. Drawing on insights from his book Messengers, Steve explains how people respond differently depending on who delivers the message, and why understanding the difference between hard and soft messenger traits can transform your influence at work. Together, they talk about how...
Jul 08, 2025•30 min
Are you always doing too much yourself? Do you struggle to let go, even when you know you should? In this episode of the Squiggly Careers Podcast, Helen and Sarah explore why so many of us don’t delegate—and what we can do differently to delegate with clarity, confidence, and collaboration. Learn how to avoid the 4 common delegation mistakes and how to give people space without leaving them stuck. 🥇 Sign up for the Skills Sprint here: https://bit.ly/41jasYO ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 Welcome to The Sq...
Jul 01, 2025•34 min
In this episode, Helen and Sarah explore how to help teams think better—together. They share simple but powerful tools you can use to encourage reflection, collaboration, and better decision-making in your team. Discover a practical matrix to help you choose the right thinking tool for your team—whether you need to improve performance or inspire new ideas. From “worry lists” to “borrowed brilliance,” you’ll learn how to create space for smarter, more intentional team thinking. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:0...
Jun 24, 2025•39 min
We often talk about the value of having a role model - someone to learn from and be inspired by. But what about the impact of being a role model? In this week’s episode, Helen and Sarah explore how being a role model can support your development, raise your profile, and help you build stronger connections at work. When you're intentional about how you show up, you attract opportunities and create a community around your work. They explore practical ideas to help you decide your role model focus,...
Jun 17, 2025•31 min
Better conversations help you build stronger relationships, understand others more deeply, and make meaningful progress - together. In this episode, Sarah talks to Jefferson Fisher, lawyer, speaker, and best-selling author, about five common situations where conversations can get tricky. From dealing with someone very different to you, to getting interrupted, or feeling stuck in people-pleasing, Jefferson shares simple shifts that can help you handle these moments with more clarity and confidenc...
Jun 10, 2025•36 min
Change at work isn’t always something you choose — sometimes your role is restructured, your team shifts, or decisions are made around you. When that happens, it’s easy to feel stuck, like your career progression is out of your hands. In this episode, Helen and Sarah share some practical actions you can take to regain control, build your confidence, and keep moving forward, even when change feels uncomfortable. They explore how to make the best of where you are right now and take action, from sh...
Jun 03, 2025•34 min
Self-reflection and career development can be supercharged with the right questions — and AI can help you ask them. In this episode, Helen and Sarah explore 4 practical AI prompts designed to help you accelerate your Squiggly Career. They focus on key areas including how to build better relationships at work, get unstuck when you’re feeling uncertain, cope with change more confidently, and understand what your LinkedIn profile might be saying about you (without you realising it!). Whether you're...
May 27, 2025•37 min
We spend so much of our time at work on autopilot that we often miss what's right in front of us. In this episode, Helen and Sarah explore the art of noticing — how paying closer attention can unlock creativity, spark new ideas, and help you learn and lead in more meaningful ways. They share 9 simple and practical ways to start noticing more at work, from tuning into what’s left unsaid in meetings to spotting the tasks that never seem to get done. 00:00 Introduction 01:20 What is noticing? 03:57...
May 20, 2025•31 min
In a recent survey, many of our listeners told us that their biggest career worries are around learning new skills and staying relevant. But what skills really matter most for your future career? It’s a big question — and one that can feel overwhelming when you’re juggling a busy job and facing constant pressure to keep up and reskill. In this episode, Helen and Sarah share practical and reassuring ways to take ownership of your skill development, so you can navigate your squiggly career with co...
May 13, 2025•31 min
Assertiveness isn’t a tick-box skill or a one-size-fits-all tone. In this episode, Helen and Sarah unpack 5 common “assertiveness watch-outs” — sneaky habits that can undermine your message without you even realising it. Whether you tend to over-explain, over-apologize, or overdo your energy, you’ll walk away with practical tools to lead more effectively. 00:00 What is assertiveness? 05:05 What's your assertiveness watch out? 07:30 Mistake 1 - Too much talking 09:17 Assertive statements 12:51 Mi...
May 06, 2025•33 min
Ever wondered how Helen and Sarah juggle running a business, hosting a podcast, and everything in between? Spoiler: it’s not about having more hours in the day—it’s about managing energy more effectively than time. In this episode, they share how shifting from a time-focused mindset to an energy-first approach can transform the way you work. From identifying your high-energy moments to understanding how relationships, perspective, and your environment affect your energy levels, this conversation...
Apr 29, 2025•37 min
In this episode, Helen sits down with organizational psychologist and best-selling author Dr. Tasha Eurich to talk about her new book, Shatterproof: How to Be Resilient When It Matters Most. They explore why self-awareness is a key ingredient of resilience and how we can build habits that help us thrive under pressure. The Shatterproof 5-minute Resilience Ceiling Quiz can help you to understand where your resilience resource is and what can you do about it: https://resilience-quiz.com/ For quest...
Apr 22, 2025•37 min
In this episode, Dr. Sunita Sah, expert in defiance and decision-making, shares how to confidently say "no" in challenging situations. Sarah and Sunita dive into the psychology of defiance, discussing how to assess the risks, benefits, and personal costs of speaking up or complying. They explore the power of the "pause" and the importance of third-person self-talk to help make better, more authentic decisions. Whether it's in the workplace or beyond, Sunita provides actionable advice on how to n...
Apr 15, 2025•35 min
In this Squiggly Short, Helen and Sarah break down why understanding your boss is key to increasing your impact at work. Learn how to read your manager’s motivations, preferences, and challenges, and use that insight to improve your communication and performance. Whether you're looking to align with their priorities, get better feedback, or develop a more productive relationship, this episode gives you the tools to take charge of your career by understanding your manager better. Full episode: ht...
Apr 10, 2025•10 min
Figuring out what makes your manager tick can be one of the most powerful tools for career growth. In this episode, Helen and Sarah discuss the significant impact that managers have on your development, job satisfaction, and progression within a company. They also share practical tips on how to profile your manager, allowing you to align your actions with their needs, improve your communication, and position yourself for success—all by gaining a deeper understanding of their mindset. Watch on Yo...
Apr 08, 2025•28 min
In this Squiggly Short, Helen and Sarah offer a quick summary of practical tips for staying confident and coping when you’re dealing with a toxic work environment. From minimizing stressors to finding energizers outside of work, they share simple actions you can take to protect your mental health and build resilience—even when things feel tough. Plus, they discuss how to take control of your situation and find support outside of your team to help you navigate the challenges. Full episode: https:...
Apr 03, 2025•8 min
1 in 10 people are facing a toxic work environment today, and while it can be tough, you don’t have to navigate it alone. In this episode, Helen and Sarah dive into what makes a team feel toxic and who can contribute to that culture. They also share practical tips for staying confident and in control, even when the environment around you feels challenging. From finding pockets of light-relief to documenting your experience to seeking support outside your team, this episode is filled with actiona...
Apr 01, 2025•31 min
In this short, Helen and Sarah share why searching for your purpose could actually be holding you back in your career development, and how focusing on purposeful work instead could be a more flexible and fulfilling approach. They also offer some useful tools and prompts to help you do understand what meaningful work looks like to you - without the pressure of having it all figured out. Full episode: https://shows.acast.com/amazingif/469-do-you-need-to-have-a-purpose-at-work Watch on YouTube: htt...
Mar 27, 2025•9 min
Finding your purpose can sometimes feel like a ‘should’—something we’re all expected to have figured out. The pressure to find a perfect purpose can leave us feeling stuck or unsure, especially when career paths are more squiggly than straightforward. But does having a purpose really matter? And if so, how do you stay connected to it? In this episode, Helen and Sarah explore the difference between having a purpose and feeling purposeful at work. You’ll learn how to reflect on what truly motivate...
Mar 25, 2025•24 min
In this short, Helen and Sarah are talking about how staying in your role can be really good for your growth. Very often in careers we’re given this narrative that up is the only way, success is about seniority and that we should all be thinking about our next step. This can create a lot of pressure for your progression, particularly if you’re thinking “I like the job that I do and I just want to do more of what I enjoy”. Listen to learn 3 ideas for action to help you grow in your current role. ...
Mar 20, 2025•9 min
Pressure to move up, take on more, and chase promotions can leave a lot of us feeling like success only comes from climbing the ladder. But what if staying where you are could be just as valuable for your career growth? The truth is, success doesn’t actually mean seniority. In this episode, Helen and Sarah explore why staying in your current role can help you build a stronger foundation for long-term career success. They share why staying put can actually be a smart move, how you can continue gr...
Mar 18, 2025•29 min
