In this first episode of 2026, Sarah introduces the powerful (and often overlooked) concept of a personal board for your leadership career. Drawing on the idea of organisational boards, Sarah explains how having the right people around you can help you make better career decisions, gain perspective, build influence, and stay motivated as a leader.

You’ll learn about the different roles a personal board can play, how to identify who is already supporting you (often unconsciously), where the gaps might be, and how to intentionally build stronger, more strategic support around your career and leadership journey.

1. What a personal board is and why it matters for female leaders
2. The three key categories of a personal board
3. The 12 different roles people can play in supporting your career
4. How one person can fulfil multiple roles
5. How to identify gaps in your current support network
6. Practical steps to start building or strengthening your personal board
7. How to approach people in a way that feels reciprocal and authentic
8. Why paying it forward is part of sustainable leadership success

[00:00] Welcome to Unstuck and Unstoppable and the purpose of the podcast

[01:35] Episode 61 introduction and New Year reflections

[02:00] Why creating a personal board can transform your career

[03:00] What a personal board is (and how it mirrors organisational boards)

[04:00] Overview of the personal board framework and key principles

[05:00] The three categories of a personal board

[05:30] Information roles: Inspirer, Expert, Navigator

[07:00] Power and influence roles: Connector, Sponsor, Unlocker, Influencer

[09:00] Development and support roles: Challenger, Improver, Cheerleader/Anchor

[11:00] Real-life examples from Sarah’s leadership career

[12:00] Becoming more intentional about who supports you

[13:00] Identifying gaps in your personal board

[14:00] Who to consider when building your board (beyond line managers)

[15:00] How to approach people and make it mutually beneficial

[15:45] Paying it forward and supporting others in their careers

[16:30] Practical action to take this week

[17:00] Final reflections and episode close

After listening, write down three people who already support your career or could play a role on your personal board. Reach out to one of them this week to reconnect, say thank you, or start a more intentional conversation.

Useful Links

Who is in your Personal Boardroom? By Zella King & Amanda Scott

Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration

Learn about Leadership &...

In this first episode of the New Year, Sarah invites you to step back from the day-to-day demands of work and intentionally design your leadership journey for the year ahead.

Whether you’re listening in January or later in the year, this episode will help you move out of “autopilot mode” and into conscious, values-led career decision-making. Sarah shares practical reflections, coaching insights, and powerful questions to help you clarify what you want for your career – not just what you want at work.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, unsure about what’s next, or driven more by others’ agendas than your own, this episode is for you.

[00:00] Welcome to Unstuck and Unstoppable

[01:45] Episode 60: Designing your leadership journey for 2026

Why this is the perfect time to set intentions for your career (and why you can do this at any time of year).

[02:45] The danger of running your career on autopilot

How slipping into “unconscious mode” can leave you at the whim of organisational decisions, other people’s careers, or knee-jerk reactions.

[03:45] The benefits of being intentional about your career

How clarity, purpose, authenticity, self-leadership, and alignment support sustainable career success.

[05:00] A real-life example of unconscious career decision-making

A coaching conversation that highlights why stepping back before making a move matters.

[06:30] How to become more intentional: 3 key areas to focus on

[06:45] 1. Increase your self-awareness

Understanding your why, what drives you, and how your work connects to your values.

[07:30] Discovering your “why”

Why it can feel hard to articulate – and how values, energy, and enjoyment offer clues.

[08:30] What do you love, and what don’t you love?

Using simple reflection to identify what to increase, reduce, delegate, or change in your role.

[09:45] 2. Develop your career success criteria

Why success is more than job title and pay – and how to define success on your own terms.

[11:00] Sarah shares her own career success criteria

Examples including impact, financial freedom, challenge, learning, and flexibility – and how these guide decision-making.

[13:00] 3. Answering the “what next?” question

How clarity on your why and success criteria makes future career decisions easier and more confident.

[14:00] Creating a plan and checking in with yourself

Staying intentional through regular reflection and adjustment.

[14:45] Final reflections and encouragement

Why it’s never too late to choose intentionality in your career.

[15:00] How to get support

Invitation to reach out for coaching and explore free resources.

Being intentional about your career isn’t about having everything figured out. It’s about choosing to lead yourself with clarity, purpose, and courage.

✨ Shine brightly. Lead boldly. Be unstoppable.

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

In this reflective end-of-year episode, Sarah guides you through a powerful Career Happiness Check-In to help you understand whether your work is truly giving you what you need. Using the Career Happiness Wheel, she walks you step-by-step through assessing where you're thriving, where you’re feeling stuck, and what small, practical actions can move the dial toward more joy, purpose, and fulfillment at work.

If you’ve been feeling flat, disconnected, or simply unsure about your next step, this episode will help you reconnect with what matters and take back a sense of agency in your career.

00:00 — Welcome to Unstuck and Unstoppable

02:00 — Why doing a career happiness check-in matters

02:30 — Work takes up 92,000 hours - why it deserves attention

03:00 — The importance of awareness: Are you actually happy at work?

03:30 — Why high-achieving women rarely pause to reflect

03:50 — Overview of today’s framework + three actions to take

04:00 — Three signs it might be time for a shift

04:15 — Sign 1: Successful on paper but feeling flat

04:40 — Episode 58 on Success Fatigue (referenced)

04:55 — Sign 2: You’ve outgrown your role or organization

05:15 — Sign 3: You’re putting everyone else first

05:45 — Introducing the Career Happiness Wheel

06:00 — How to create and label your wheel

06:30 — Possible segment labels: challenge, culture, learning, expertise, recognition, values, balance, team, progression

07:00 — Scoring each segment and shading your wheel

07:45 — Using the visual to spot areas of strength and areas needing attention

08:00 — Taking a macro view: What do you want your wheel to look like in 6–12 months?

08:30 — Choosing one area and breaking it down: example - work-life balance

09:00 — Practical questions to improve balance (boundaries, support, deadlines, delegation)

09:40 — Three actions to take this week

09:50 — Action 1: One small action that energizes you

10:20 — Action 2: Have one honest conversation

10:50 — Action 3: Book 30 minutes of monthly “career thinking” time

11:20 — Revisit your wheel every 3 months to track progress

11:50 — Why this exercise matters: You deserve meaningful, joyful work

12:15 — Invitation to share your Career Happiness Wheel outcomes

12:40 — Where to find resources and how to connect

Useful Links

Episode 58 What to do if you're experiencing success fatigue

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...