Making Sense of Work with Jean Balfour: Recent Episodes

Jean Balfour - Master Certified Coach, Speaker

How’s Work at the Moment? We all work - and yet we often struggle with work. Even very ambitious people find parts of work difficult. This work is for you if you'd like to build a new and better relationships with your working life. We explore everything to do with our working lives, starting with how do we find our purpose, how do make sense of our organisations and what is the Great Resignation? Do you have topic you'd like me to cover? Send me a note on Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanbalfour/Find out more about our Coach Training and Professional Development Courses - www.baileybalfour.com

In this moving and deeply human conversation, Jean welcomes Elaine Robinson, Principal of Sir Manasseh Meyer International School in Singapore. With over 25 years in education, Elaine has led schools across the UK and internationally with vision, courage, and compassion.

Elaine shares openly about her leadership journey, from navigating the complexities of leading a school community through COVID-19 to facing her own profound personal loss while continuing to lead with authenticity, grace, and care.

Together, Jean and Elaine explore what it truly means to be a compassionate leader - one who holds space for both accountability and humanity, structure and softness, courage and vulnerability.

In This Episode

You’ll hear about:

The power of compassionate leadership and how it transforms school cultures.
How to hold people accountable with kindness and clarity.
The importance of creating safe and bold spaces for teachers, students, and staff to bring their whole selves to work.
The role of community and teamwork in sustaining leadership through challenge.
Elaine’s deeply personal story of leading through her husband’s illness and loss, and what it taught her about resilience, faith, and compassion for self.

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In today’s episode, I’m joined by Dr. Katie Best, a leadership coach, consultant, and author whose career has been shaped by asking one central question: what are the problems leaders struggle with most — and how can we solve them?

Katie is the founder of Katie Best Associates, she teaches on the MBA Essentials Programme at the London School of Economics, and is a Visiting Senior Research Fellow at King’s College London. Most recently, she became an author with her new book The 10 Toughest Leadership Problems.

Her journey into writing the book began, not in a quiet academic office, but in the middle of the pandemic. Katie began mapping out the recurring challenges she’d seen across decades of coaching and executive education. What she noticed was powerful: no matter the industry or seniority, leaders kept coming with the same tough problems. Out of that work, the SOLVE framework was born.

In This Conversation we trace Katie’s journey from consultant and educator to author, and explore the big themes in her book:

Personal Effectiveness - Why leaders today are carrying jobs that are simply “too big,” and how to tell the difference between organizational overload and self-imposed pressure.
Influence - How the art of influence has shifted in flatter, matrixed organizations, and why relationships and trust are more persuasive than data alone.
Managing Performance - Reframing those dreaded “difficult conversations” as an act of service and growth, rather than conflict.
Culture and Values - What it means to “just be a good human” in pressured workplaces, and how to recover when leaders get derailed.

Leadership is hard - and yet it can also be deeply fulfilling. Katie reminds us that fulfillment comes when leaders find roles and organizations where they can bring their authentic selves to work, and be valued for what they uniquely contribute.

Her book is both a handbook for solving problems and a guide to building resilience. By working through the challenges, leaders don’t just fix what’s broken — they grow skills that carry into every part of their work and life.

Resources

Dr. Katie Best’s book: The 10 Toughest Leadership Problems
Learn more about Dr Katie Best

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Influencing others at work can often feel like one of the most challenging parts of leadership. Whether it’s navigating difficult relationships, persuading colleagues to collaborate, or aligning a team around a new direction, influence is at the heart of how leaders get things done. In this episode, Jean explores what it really means to influence others with respect and integrity.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

Why influencing is a core leadership skill that extends beyond formal authority.
The shift from command-and-control leadership to today’s matrixed, collaborative workplaces.
A three-step framework for influencing effectively:
1. Clarify your goal – create a vision that inspires, not just a process-focused objective.
2. Understand the current state – stand in the shoes of the person or group you’re seeking to influence.
3. Choose the right action – select an influencing strategy that fits the context and respects others.
Seven practical strategies for influence, from using logic and data to building relationships, creating impact, bargaining, and even knowing when to (carefully) lean on authority.
How to approach influencing as a human skill rooted in empathy, respect, and adaptability.

Why This Matters
Too often, leaders approach influence by pushing their own agenda. This episode reframes influence as a relational process, one that can reduce sleepless nights, improve collaboration, and help you achieve outcomes while strengthening trust.

Takeaway
Influence is not about forcing or persuading, it’s about listening, connecting, and shaping outcomes in ways that benefit everyone involved. With practice, you can become a more confident and effective influencer, no matter your role.

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In this episode of The Fulfilled Leader, Jean Balfour explores one of the most common challenges leaders face, negative thinking, rumination, and self-doubt. Whether it shows up as imposter syndrome, constant worry, or replaying conversations in your head, these thought patterns can drain your energy and undermine your confidence.

Jean explains why our brains are wired to focus on the negative, how this evolutionary mechanism once kept us safe, and why it so often works against us in the modern workplace. She shares insights from neuroscience, personal stories from her own journey with anxiety and rumination, and practical strategies you can use to shift your relationship with negative thinking.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

Why small triggers at work can send us spiraling into self-doubt.
The three evolutionary drivers behind our brain’s negativity bias.
How constant rumination impacts our energy, confidence, and leadership.
The role of the amygdala in amplifying worry and fear.
Why awareness is the first step to change—and how to practice it.
Practical tools for “unhooking” from negative thoughts, including writing them down, reframing them, and even playful strategies like singing them out loud.
How to hold onto the positive and let go of what doesn’t serve you.

Resources and References

The Happiness Trap by Russ Harris (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy)
Rick Hanson’s work on the “Velcro for negatives, Teflon for positives” brain metaphor
Practices for mindfulness, distraction, and self-compassion

Takeaway
Negative thinking never fully disappears—it’s part of being human. But you can change your relationship with it. By learning to observe, unhook, and reframe your thoughts, you free up energy and confidence to lead with greater calm and fulfillment.

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Have you ever thought about how your school experiences continue to shape you as a leader today? From the sound of the classroom bell to the sting of a teacher’s red ink, our memories from school and college often run deeper than we realise.

In this reflective episode of The Fulfilled Leader, Jean invites you to pause and explore the surprising connections between your early educational experiences and how you now show up at work, in leadership, and in life.

Drawing on her own journey of revisiting childhood schools in New Zealand, Jean shares stories that reveal how formative those years still are. She then guides you through questions and practical reflections to help uncover your own patterns, strengths, and stories that may still be influencing your leadership today.

In this episode, you’ll explore:

How early experiences of belonging or exclusion affect the way you connect with colleagues.
The power of a teacher’s words, both encouraging and discouraging, and how they echo into adulthood.
Why hidden stories from school can hold you back or quietly propel you forward.
Ways to reframe old narratives so they serve your leadership now.
Journaling prompts and practices to loosen the hold of unhelpful memories.

This episode is an invitation to reflect gently on your past. By bringing awareness to how your school years shaped you, you gain the freedom to choose what stories to keep, what to reshape, and what to finally release.

Because while our early experiences matter, they don’t have to define us forever. With awareness, compassion, and curiosity, you always have the power to choose anew.

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Overwhelm seems to be everywhere right now. In fact, LinkedIn’s Chief Economist Karin Kimborough recently shared that posts mentioning overwhelm have increased by 82% this year. With so many leaders and professionals struggling, Jean revisits this topic with fresh eyes and shares practical ways forward.

In this episode, Jean Balfour explores:

Why overwhelm is so widespread right now, including the impact of AI, workload, and hidden fears at work.
The less obvious causes of overwhelm that I often see in coaching, like perfectionism, people-pleasing, emotional overload, unfinished projects, and constant task-switching.
Her own journey with overwhelm, what drained her energy, and what restored it.
A range of practical strategies to help you move from stuck and stressed into energy and enjoyment.

You’ll hear about:

The hidden stories we tell ourselves that fuel overwhelm.
The role of unfinished tasks and “cognitive shifting” in draining our focus.
How to identify what feeds you and what depletes you at work.
The power of completion, time blocking, and building in breaks.
Why connecting with “glimmers” those small moments of joy, matters.
The surprising link between creativity and reducing anxiety.
How to scale your sense of overwhelm and track progress over time.
Simple team practices that can make overwhelm an acceptable and solvable conversation at work.

This episode is both compassionate and practical. It’s about understanding that overwhelm has many causes,not just workload, and about finding hope, small shifts, and strategies that really make a difference.

May you find rays of sunshine in these overwhelming times.

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In this episode of The Fulfilled Leader, Jean is joined by senior HR leaders Vanessa Iloste and Vanessa Teo, co-hosts of the Career Transitions podcast. Together, they share insights from five seasons of conversations with leaders and experts on navigating the uncertainty of change.

We explore the habits that help leaders thrive in transitions, from listening and observing first, to building trust one step at a time. Vanessa and Vanessa also reflect on the challenges of cross-cultural moves, the importance of empathy in the future of work, and strategies for reinventing yourself without losing confidence.

Whether you’re stepping into a new role, changing industries, or simply rethinking your career, this conversation will help you approach transitions with curiosity, courage, and humanity.

Career Transitions on Spotify

Career Transitions Podcast on Apple

Career Transitions Podcast on LinkedIn

Vanessa Teo on LinkedIn

Vanessa Iloste on LinkedIn

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Discover how to bridge the gap between who you are today and the leader you aspire to be - with practical tools, inspiring research, and the courage to follow your bliss.

We often think about our future selves as strangers rather than as an extension of who we are today, which makes it harder to achieve our goals and create the lives we want. By learning to see our future selves in the first person and taking consistent action in the present, we can more effectively bridge the gap between who we are and who we want to become.

• Research shows we think about our present selves in first person but our future selves in third person
• This psychological distance makes it difficult to empathize with our future selves and take action today
• Following your bliss requires discipline and consistent effort, not just passive waiting
• Visualization helps you feel into your future self today rather than seeing it as distant
• Using first-person language about your future identity creates stronger connection
• Create a detailed picture of your future self and embody those qualities now
• Take small daily actions that align with your future identity, no matter how minor
• Observe leaders you admire and incorporate their behaviors into your own practice
• Write a retirement letter or use FutureMe.org to connect with your future self
• Focus on becoming the person you want to be rather than just achieving goals

https://www.halhershfield.com/yourfutureself

https://jamesclear.com/

https://www.futureme.org/

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In this episode of The Fulfilled Leader, Jean revisits a powerful and often misunderstood topic - ambition. Prompted by recent coaching conversations and personal reflections, she challenges conventional notions of ambition and invites you to rethink what it really means for you.

Jean explores how ambition isn't just about promotions, titles, or relentless striving. It's about discovering what you truly desire to achieve - whether that’s launching a passion project, being fully present with your family, or becoming exceptional at what you do now. With rich storytelling from her own journey - from a young teacher in New Zealand to founder and coach, Jean shows how ambition evolves with us.

This episode is an invitation to reclaim your ambition and align it with your values, season of life, and deeper sense of purpose.

💡 What You’ll Learn

Why ambition is often misunderstood - and why it’s time to redefine it.
How early experiences and societal messages shape your beliefs about ambition.
The difference between internal ambition and external expectations.
Why ambition has seasons - and how to navigate those transitions with self-trust.
What to do when your ambition hits a roadblock or feels unachievable.
How to explore your own ambition with honesty, curiosity, and compassion.

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How does our early life shape the leaders we become?
What role does fear play in our ambition?
And how can we lead with more wholeness and warmth - especially when work feels hard?

In this episode of The Fulfilled Leader, I’m joined by psychologist and executive coach Dr. Jonathan Marshall for a deeply thoughtful and expansive conversation about the inner world of leaders.

Jonathan supports high performers who look like they're thriving on the outside but feel stretched and burnt out underneath. His work brings together leadership development, psychological depth, and meaningful change - and in this conversation, he shares some of the powerful patterns he sees in the leaders he works with.

We talk about:

How childhood experiences and attachment styles influence our leadership
The role of fear in driving performance - and what happens when we heal it
Why likability matters more than we think in leadership
The importance of self-awareness and working with our narcissism
And how we can create warmth and emotional inclusion in our teams

Jonathan also shares stories from his rich and varied background - including the time he helped change how we think about email “attachments” in the early days of Yahoo Mail, and what it was like moving from clinical psychology into leadership coaching at Harvard Business School.

This episode is full of both insight and heart. Jonathan invites us to reflect more deeply on who we are as leaders - and reminds us that the more whole we become, the more powerfully we can lead.

Follow Jonathan on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/1marshall/

Jonathan's website: https://www.marshall.com.sg/

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How many times today have you been triggered? A sharp email, an offhand comment, a meeting that left you spiralling. Sometimes it’s a small internal shift, sometimes it leads to a reaction we regret.

In this episode, I explore what it really means to be triggered at work - why it happens, how it affects us, and most importantly, what we can do about it. I share personal stories, emotional regulation models, and a toolkit of strategies to help you return to calm, grounded leadership in the heat of the moment.

Whether you’re navigating team dynamics, difficult feedback, or simply the daily tension of leadership, this episode offers compassion, perspective, and practical ways to strengthen your emotional resilience.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

What it really means to be triggered at work - and how to spot it
Common workplace triggers (some might surprise you)
How your nervous system and ego states influence your reactions
The role of values, unconscious memory, and emotional patterns
Practical, in-the-moment strategies to pause and reset
Reflective practices to learn from difficult moments without shame
Why self-compassion is the most powerful tool of all

Takeaway:
Being triggered is part of being human - and part of being a leader. With the right tools, awareness, and kindness to yourself, you can turn these moments into powerful growth opportunities.

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Welcome back to The Fulfilled Leader! In this second refreshed episode, we’re diving deep into a subject that so often surfaces in coaching sessions - organizational politics.

For many leaders, politics at work can feel murky, manipulative, or downright toxic. It’s something we often wish would just go away. And yet, it’s a reality in every workplace. In this episode, I offer a fresh perspective: what if we replaced the idea of organizational politics with relational savvy?

💡 In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why all organizations are inherently political, and why ignoring this can stall your career.
How to engage in politics ethically and effectively, without compromising your values.
The difference between Fox-like, Sheep-like, and Wise Owl behavior at work.
Why relational savvy is a leadership superpower.
My two personal stories of getting it wrong - and what they taught me about political maturity.
A 9-part strategy to help you build influence, understand power, and drive impact without playing dirty.

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Are you feeling stuck in your work or leadership, wishing for a breakthrough moment that never seems to come?

In this reflective and encouraging episode, Jean shares a personal story that begins with a jigsaw puzzle and unfolds into a powerful reminder: meaningful change often doesn’t arrive in sweeping transformations. but in slow, steady, sometimes invisible steps forward.

Drawing inspiration from her own creative process and insights from James Clear and Martha Beck, Jean invites you to think differently about your journey. Whether you’re seeking more fulfillment, navigating challenging relationships, or hoping for career growth, she offers a simple yet profound shift: focus on your inputs, not just the outcomes.

This episode is an invitation to:

Rethink how real change happens - in your leadership, career, and life.
Identify the areas where you're frustrated or feeling stuck.
Explore how 1% improvements or "one-degree turns" can get you back on track.
Embrace the power of small, sustainable actions each day.

Key Takeaway: You don’t need a grand plan or a giant leap. Just one piece at a time. That’s how transformation begins.

We'd love to know: What small shift will you make today?

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After four years and over a hundred episodes, I’m taking a moment to revisit some of the most loved conversations on this podcast. And what better place to start than the very first topic we ever explored -purpose.

This refreshed episode of Finding Your Purpose brings new insights, reflections, and practical strategies to help you reconnect with what truly matters in your work and leadership.

I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of purpose, both as a coach and in my own journey through leadership, burnout, and back to alignment. For many of us, work is a central part of our lives, and we long to feel fulfilled and grounded in what we do. And yet, finding our purpose, and staying aligned with it, isn’t always simple.

In this episode, I’ll take you through:

Why purpose matters for our energy, wellbeing and leadership
My own story of misalignment, burnout, and rediscovery
How to know when you’re “in your lane” and what it feels like when you’re not
Practical exercises to help you explore your purpose and reconnect with what energises you
Ways to find moments of alignment, even if your current role isn’t quite right

Whether you're early in your career, in a moment of transition, or just feeling a little out of sync - this conversation is for you. It’s for the leaders, the coaches, the caregivers, and the quietly curious - all of us trying to find our way back to what matters most.

Let’s get back in our lane.

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For more information on the podcast, show notes and journaling prompts visit my substack blog: https://jeanbalfour.substack.com/
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Why do so many smart, capable people hold themselves back from stepping into their potential? In this episode, I’m joined by leadership expert, bestselling author, and global speaker Dr Margie Warrell to explore the essential role of courage in navigating today’s uncertain world.

Margie shares her personal journey from rural Australia to global leadership advisor, and how her lifelong relationship with fear and self-doubt led her to develop a framework for courageous living.

Whether you’re facing a career crossroads, struggling with self-doubt, or simply feeling stuck, this conversation will inspire you to take braver action — even in the midst of fear.

Margie is an award-winning author of six books, including her latest: The Courage Gap: 5 Steps to Braver Action. With a PhD in Human Development and a Master’s in Leadership & Organisational Change, she combines research and lived experience to empower people to step through fear and into their potential.

A sought-after speaker, media contributor, and women’s leadership advocate, Margie has lived and worked across four continents and brings deep wisdom, compassion, and clarity to the topic of courage.

In this episode we cover

The surprising way Margie defines courage (hint: it’s not about being fearless)
Why fear is wired into us – and how understanding the brain helps us move through it
Margie’s powerful formula for courage
How to take charge of your self-talk and inner narratives
An overview of the 5 steps to closing the courage gap:
- Intention – focusing on what you want, not what you fear
- Belief – rewriting limiting stories about your capabilities
- Connection – regulating your nervous system and leaning on community
- Action – embracing discomfort as a path to growth
- Learning – mining failure for gold, not shame
How to create a culture of courage in the workplace and at home

Margie’s Website: https://margiewarrell.com/

Book: The Courage Gap: 5 Steps to Braver Action

Free Courage Gap Assessment: Take it here

Live Brave Podcast with Margie

Follow Margie on LinkedIn

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For more information on the podcast, show notes and journaling prompts visit my substack blog: https://jeanbalfour.substack.com/
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Welcome to the 100th episode of The Fulfilled Leader! In this heartfelt milestone episode, Jean Balfour reflects on the journey that began in December 2021 with Making Sense of Work and evolved into The Fulfilled Leader.

Jean shares three powerful lessons she's learned through podcasting and how her long-standing journalling practice has not only sustained the show, but also shaped her career and personal growth. This episode is part memoir, part masterclass in personal leadership tools, and a rich encouragement for anyone navigating self-doubt, lack of feedback, or the challenge of staying consistent.

🪄 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

The three unexpected leadership lessons learned from podcasting 100 episodes
Why doing what energizes you helps you stay consistent, even during burnout
How to manage imposter syndrome by simply showing up and making space
Why not receiving feedback doesn’t mean your work doesn’t matter
How journalling became Jean’s secret weapon for clarity, courage, and creativity
Practical journalling tips and prompts to help you start or deepen your own practice

Here is a link to a journaling guide - Journalling Guide

You might also enjoy Julia Cameron.

💬 Join the Conversation:

Do you journal? What has it helped you uncover?

Jean would love to hear your thoughts on this episode, ideas for future topics, and guest suggestions for The Fulfilled Leader.

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For more information on the podcast, show notes and journaling prompts visit my substack blog: https://jeanbalfour.substack.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanbalfour/

In this episode of The Fulfilled Leader, Jean Balfour shares a deeply personal and practical exploration of emotional resilience at work. From the subtle emotional triggers we experience in a single day to the more overwhelming waves of stress and anxiety that can derail us, Jean explores how leaders can strengthen their ability to stay grounded amidst pressure.

Jean recounts her own journey - including a difficult piece of feedback that changed the trajectory of her leadership - and outlines five powerful, research-backed strategies for managing emotional triggers and building lasting emotional strength. This episode is a supportive guide for leaders navigating complex challenges while wanting to stay calm, compassionate, and focused.

You’ll learn:

Why emotional resilience matters more than ever for leaders today
The surprising power of naming emotions
How values and purpose can anchor us in tough moments
A simple 3-step technique to “unhook” from reactive thoughts
Why small recovery rituals throughout the day are essential

Whether you're leading through crisis, juggling demands, or quietly wrestling with internal doubts, this episode is your reminder that strength doesn’t mean never feeling—it means knowing how to come back to centre.

Resources mentioned:

The "mad, sad, glad, bad, scared" emotion check-in
Box breathing and grounding techniques
Journaling and diffusion practice

Book a free strategy call: https://calendly.com/jean-balfour/30min

Learn more about my work: https://jeanbalfour.com/

For more information on the podcast, show notes and journaling prompts visit my substack blog: https://jeanbalfour.substack.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanbalfour/

In this powerful opening episode of The Fulfilled Leader, Jean Balfour shares the personal and professional journey behind the podcast's transformation. After nearly four years of Making Sense of Work, Jean saw a shift - both in herself and in the leaders she coaches. The focus is no longer just on performance or organizational outcomes, but on fulfillment, emotional wellbeing, and resilience at work.

Jean openly reflects on closing her successful coach training business to focus more on one-to-one coaching, retreats, and creating content that supports leaders in leading from their inner strength. She introduces her new Fulfilled Leader model: a six-part framework designed to help leaders cultivate deeper purpose and satisfaction in their work lives.

💡 What You’ll Learn

Why fulfillment and emotional resilience are becoming central to effective leadership
The myths we hold about what leaders are “supposed” to feel
Jean’s six core components of a fulfilled leader:
1. Deep Satisfaction
2. Aligned Clarity
3. Grounded Confidence
4. Centred Calm
5. Relational Connection
6. Intentional Growth
The personal story behind Jean’s decision to shift her career focus
What’s next for Jean’s work with leaders - including 1:1 coaching and retreats

Book a free strategy call: https://calendly.com/jean-balfour/30min

Learn more about my work: https://jeanbalfour.com/

For more information on the podcast, show notes and journaling prompts visit my substack blog: https://jeanbalfour.substack.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanbalfour/

Guest: Danny Dagan – Author of The Game

Episode Summary:

In this episode, I sit down with Danny Dagan, author of The Game, a gripping thriller that has just hit the shelves to glowing reviews. Danny’s journey to publication was anything but overnight—The Game is his seventh novel, following years of writing, rejection, and relentless persistence.

We dive deep into the discipline of writing, the mindset needed to keep going despite setbacks, and the surprising role of delusional self-belief in long-term success. Danny also shares how his corporate and legal background helped him navigate the business of publishing and how his community—both online and on his remote North Sea island—played a pivotal role in launching his book.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ How Danny transitioned from corporate life to full-time writing
✅ The daily habits and discipline that fuel his creative process
✅ Why rejection is part of the journey—and how to push through
✅ The power of community and network in launching a creative career
✅ The ethical dilemma at the heart of The Game

About The Game

The Game is a high-stakes thriller with a chilling premise: the children of five billionaires are kidnapped by a self-styled Robin Hood group, and only one will survive—the child whose parent pays the highest ransom. The ransom money? Destined for good causes. But is it justified?

A page-turner from start to finish, The Game is both a thriller and a thought-provoking exploration of ethics, wealth, and power.

Links & Resources:

📖 Grab your copy of The Game – https://dagan.co.uk/the-game-by-danny-dagan/

🎙️ Follow Making Sense of Work for more inspiring conversations

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For more information on the podcast, show notes and journaling prompts visit my substack blog: https://jeanbalfour.substack.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanbalfour/

In this inspiring episode of Making Sense of Work, I sit down with the incredible Punita Lal, a distinguished business leader, board director, and executive coach. With a career spanning over 35 years in leadership, strategy, and marketing, Punita has held executive roles at PepsiCo and Coca-Cola and now serves on multiple global corporate boards, including DBS Bank and Carlsberg.

Punita shares her zigzag career journey, from her early days in advertising to leading teams in multinational corporations, navigating boardrooms, and eventually embracing coaching. She reflects on the power of curiosity, creativity, and adaptability, offering insights into how we can future-proof our careers in an ever-changing world.

We explore:
✨ The importance of curiosity and continuous learning in leadership
✨ How taking career risks can lead to greater fulfillment
✨ The role of creativity in problem-solving and business leadership
✨ Why mentors and sponsors are essential for professional growth
✨ How to navigate career transitions with courage and resilience
✨ The value of diverse interests in shaping an innovative mindset

Punita also shares her thoughts on balancing work and life, why we should all be mentoring and sponsoring others, and how a simple habit—reading outside your field—can spark creativity and breakthrough ideas.

Resources & Mentions:
📖 Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg – A book that changed Punita’s approach to supporting women in leadership
🎧 GetAbstract – A tool for quick insights on business books
💡 Reverse mentoring – The value of learning from different generations

💬 “We need to upskill, reskill, and sideskill—traditional careers are no longer enough.” – Punita Lal

Enjoyed this episode?
💡 Share it with a friend who’s navigating career transitions!
⭐ Leave a review and let us know your biggest takeaway.

Book a free strategy call: https://calendly.com/jean-balfour/30min

Learn more about my work: https://jeanbalfour.com/

For more information on the podcast, show notes and journaling prompts visit my substack blog: https://jeanbalfour.substack.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanbalfour/

In this episode of Making Sense of Work, Jean Balfour explores the role of accountability in helping us achieve our goals—both in our personal and professional lives. Initially uncertain about the topic, Jean embarked on a journey of discovery, engaging with her LinkedIn and Instagram communities to understand how others view accountability. The results were surprising: the vast majority found it motivating and helpful.

Through personal reflections, expert insights, and practical frameworks, Jean delves into why accountability matters, how it differs from responsibility, and how we can frame it to be a positive force. She also shares tools and techniques, including the Stages of Change model, accountability structures, and the power of small wins to keep us moving forward.

Key Topics Covered:

Jean’s personal journey from accountability ambivalence to advocacy
The difference between responsibility and accountability
How external accountability can be supportive rather than patronizing
The role of accountability in coaching and leadership
The Stages of Change model and how it supports accountability
Tools for self-accountability and supporting others
The power of small wins in habit formation and personal growth

Resources & References:

The Conscious Leadership Group: Jim Dethmer on accountability vs. responsibility
Prochaska and DiClemente’s Stages of Change Model
Atomic Habits by James Clear – the impact of small, consistent actions

Takeaways & Reflection Questions:

How do you currently view accountability in your life?
Are there areas where accountability could support you in achieving your goals?
What structures or accountability partners could help you stay on track?

Join the Conversation: Jean would love to hear your thoughts on accountability! Share your insights and experiences by reaching out on LinkedIn or Instagram. And if you found this episode helpful, consider sharing it with someone who might benefit.

Subscribe & Stay Connected: Don’t miss an episode! Subscribe to Making Sense of Work on your favorite podcast platform and stay updated with the latest insights on coaching, leadership, and workplace dynamics.

Thank you for listening!

Book a free strategy call: https://calendly.com/jean-balfour/30min

Learn more about my work: https://jeanbalfour.com/

For more information on the podcast, show notes and journaling prompts visit my substack blog: https://jeanbalfour.substack.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanbalfour/

Relational leadership is a transformative concept focusing on building trust and connection within teams, especially crucial in our tech-driven work environments. Leaders are encouraged to foster relationships, create open communication, and support team members to navigate the complexities of modern work effectively.

In this episode, join Jean Balfour as she shares the meaning of being a relational leader.

• Explore the essence of relational leadership
• The vital role of trust and communication in leadership
• Balancing task focus and relational engagement
• Real-world examples illustrating the need for relational practices
• The power of informal connections in building strong workplace relationships

Explore more episodes on Relational Leadership:

Episode 66: Helen Sanderson on compassionate leadership.
Episode 44: Mairead McCormack on leading a hospital through COVID.
Episode 41: Building a Mindset of Servant Leadership with Dr Maria Pressentin.

Join Our Leadership Reset Challenge 2025!

Kickstart the year with our Leadership Reset Challenge and take your leadership skills to the next level: https://baileybalfour.com/leadership-reset-coaching-challenge-2025/

Book a free strategy call: https://calendly.com/jean-balfour/30min

Learn more about my work: https://jeanbalfour.com/

For more information on the podcast, show notes and journaling prompts visit my substack blog: https://jeanbalfour.substack.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanbalfour/

In this inspiring episode, Jean Balfour welcomes Sas Petherick, an internationally renowned coach and expert in healing self-doubt. Sas shares her remarkable journey from a fast-paced corporate career in London to becoming a leading voice in helping people build self-belief.

With over a decade of coaching experience, a master's degree from Oxford, and groundbreaking research published in the International Journal of Coaching and Mentoring, Sas brings unparalleled expertise to the conversation.

Sas's trauma-informed, evidence-based coaching methodology has supported countless women in transforming their professional and personal lives. She's also the host of the Courage and Spice podcast, a top-rated show on self-doubt, with over half a million downloads.

Jean and Sas talks about:

The impact of self-doubt in work and life.
How modern workplaces often perpetuate self-doubt and ways to counteract it.
The journey from self-doubt to self-belief, including the critical role of self-trust, self-worth, and self-acceptance.
Practical strategies for understanding and overcoming resistance patterns like procrastination and perfectionism.
How self-doubt can serve as a doorway to deeper self-awareness and growth.

This is a conversation packed with insights for anyone seeking to understand and navigate self-doubt, find fulfillment in work, and embrace a life rooted in self-belief.

Book Recommendation:

Combining by Nora Bateson – A thought-provoking mix of poetry, art, and change theory that invites readers to think differently and explore the complexity of our world.

Connect with Sas Petherick:

Website: https://selfbelief.school/
Podcast: Courage and Spice (available on all major platforms)
Social Media: Instagram

About Jean Balfour:
Jean is the host of the Making Sense of Work podcast and founder of Bailey Balfour, specialising in leadership coaching and ICF-accredited coach training.

Book a free strategy call: https://calendly.com/jean-balfour/30min

Learn more about my work: https://jeanbalfour.com/

For more information on the podcast, show notes and journaling prompts visit my substack blog: https://jeanbalfour.substack.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanbalfour/

In this insightful episode of Making Sense of Work, Jean Balfour is joined by Dr. Saba Hasanie, Managing Director and Senior Partner of OSC Leadership Development.

Dr. Saba introduces Biographical Dimensions of Leadership using BDMM© – Level One, a framework designed to explore unconscious behavioral patterns rooted in the past that may hinder growth and development in coaching.

With over 20 coaching and psychology certifications, a doctorate in coaching psychology, and her involvement with the prestigious Forbes Coaches Council, Saba brings a wealth of experience in executive coaching, leadership development, and coaching supervision. Originally from Canada and now based in Singapore, Saba shares her professional and personal journey spanning over 14 years in the APAC region.

Key topics covered in this episode include

Saba’s career pillars: executive coaching, leadership development, coach training, and professional writing.
The deep connection between our childhood experiences and how they influence our leadership styles and professional behavior.
The importance of understanding “why I am” rather than just “what I do” as a leader.
Saba’s unique Biographical Dimensions of Meaning Making (BDMM) model, which explores how past experiences, family dynamics, and personal history shape leadership tendencies.
Ethical considerations in coaching, especially when exploring childhood influences and how to ensure clients are resourced to handle those conversations.

Coming Soon: Saba’s upcoming book on leadership development and the biographical dimensions of meaning-making. For more information about Dr. Saba Hasanie’s work, coaching, and upcoming book, visit OSC Leadership Development.

Books & Resources Mentioned:

Bittersweet by Susan Cain
Brené Brown’s work on vulnerability

Book a free strategy call: https://calendly.com/jean-balfour/30min

Learn more about my work: https://jeanbalfour.com/

For more information on the podcast, show notes and journaling prompts visit my substack blog: https://jeanbalfour.substack.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanbalfour/

In this special episode of Making Sense of Work, released in honor of World Mental Health Day, Jean Balfour shares a deeply personal and reflective narrative on her journey with emotional wellbeing and resilience. From the challenges of her early years as a young teacher through subsequent phases of depression and burnout, Jean speaks candidly about the ongoing process of managing her mental and emotional health.

Jean emphasizes the vital connection between personal wellbeing and professional effectiveness. With vulnerability and insight, she highlights the importance of creating safe spaces at work, the role of leaders in supporting their teams, and practical strategies for individuals to cultivate their own emotional resilience and self-compassion.

Jean’s story serves as a reminder that mental health is a continuum and that seeking support is an act of strength, not weakness. It’s a call to normalize talking about struggles in the workplace and to prioritize emotional wellbeing alongside professional success.

Key Takeaways:

The Power of Sharing Stories: Jean’s own story illustrates how being open about mental health challenges can reduce stigma and create a culture of support.
Self-Compassion and Resilience: Resilience is not just about pushing through; it’s about acknowledging struggles, seeking help, and cultivating self-compassion.
Creating Supportive Work Environments: Leaders play a key role in supporting the mental health of their teams by creating safe, open spaces for dialogue.
Practical Strategies for Self-Care: Jean shares her go-to tools—therapy, journaling, mindfulness, and the support of trusted colleagues and friends—to maintain her wellbeing.
Redefining Resilience: Resilience is about perseverance and adapting through challenging times. It’s less about toughness and more about being open, vulnerable, and kind to oneself.

Resources Mentioned:

The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck
The Happiness Trap by Russ Harris (based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy)

Connect with Jean:
LinkedIn: Jean Balfour

Book a free strategy call: https://calendly.com/jean-balfour/30min

Learn more about my work: https://jeanbalfour.com/

For more information on the podcast, show notes and journaling prompts visit my substack blog: https://jeanbalfour.substack.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanbalfour/

In this episode of Making Sense of Work, Jean Balfour is joined by Katie Hasson, the dynamic leader of the Ignite program at Standard Chartered Bank. Katie shares her inspiring journey from a tax accountant to leading a team of over 230 internal coaches across 35 countries. The Ignite program, deeply aligned with diversity and inclusion goals, empowers women, local talent, and people with disabilities to reach leadership positions through coaching.

Katie reveals how her personal experiences led her to discover coaching and ultimately spearhead the Ignite program, which has transformed the careers of many within the organization. She discusses the importance of starting small, the power of internal coaching, and the significant impact the program has had on both coaches and clients. From improving confidence and executive presence to fostering a coaching culture within the bank, Katie's work is a testament to the power of coaching in driving organizational success.

Jean and Katie also delve into the challenges of imposter syndrome, the importance of self-care, and the transformative impact of relational leadership in today's rapidly changing world. Katie shares practical advice for organizations looking to create their own coaching cultures and emphasizes the importance of daily habits in personal growth.

Key Takeaways:

The Ignite program's evolution from a small pilot to a large-scale initiative impacting thousands of employees.
The measurable ROI of coaching on confidence, executive presence, and career progression within the bank.
The role of coaching in fostering inclusivity and supporting underrepresented groups in leadership.
Katie's personal strategies for overcoming imposter syndrome and maintaining personal growth.

Recommended Resources:

Tony Robbins: I Am Not Your Guru (Netflix Documentary)
Jim Rohn: Lessons on Personal Development and Leadership (Podcasts and Books)

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review. Have a topic you’d like Jean to explore? Check the show notes for how to get in touch!

Book a free strategy call: https://calendly.com/jean-balfour/30min

Learn more about my work: https://jeanbalfour.com/

For more information on the podcast, show notes and journaling prompts visit my substack blog: https://jeanbalfour.substack.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanbalfour/

I'd love to hear any questions or comments you have about the show. Send me a message! Jean

Curiosity isn't just a trait; it's a transformative power that can revolutionize our lives. In this episode of "Making Sense of Work," I share my personal journey of how curiosity led me to uncover my own thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations. By embracing curiosity, we can shift our perspectives and explore new opportunities, finding more magic and hope in our everyday experiences.

Key Topics:

Harnessing curiosity as a transformative tool for personal growth
Overcoming self-doubt and persistent pain through curiosity
Understanding the emotional roots of discomfort
Shifting the brain from fear to creativity with curiosity
Enhancing well-being by forming new neural pathways
Improving interactions in leadership, coaching, and teamwork through curiosity
Letting go of assumptions to foster innovation and openness
Creating positive change and deeper connections in daily life
Exploring the role of curiosity in sparking creativity and new opportunities

Experience an Introduction to our Coach Training Programmes with our Free Taster Course: https://courses.baileybalfour.com/course/coach-training-introduction

Sign up to our newsletter to receive weekly updates on coaching resources: https://baileybalfour.com/subscribe/
Interested in training as a coach?
Browse our Level 1 ICF coach certification programme: https://baileybalfour.com/level-1/
Browse our Level 2 ICF coach certification programme: https://baileybalfour.com/level-2/

For more resources: https://baileybalfour.com/resources/

If you'd like to coaching from me: https://baileybalfour.com/coaching-services/

I'd love to hear any questions or comments you have about the show. Send me a message! Jean

Episode Summary: In this episode of Making Sense of Work, Jean Balfour welcomes Ellie Scarf, founder and CEO of Lucent Global and the Impact Coach Collective. Ellie shares her journey from law to executive coaching and her insights on building a successful coaching business. They discuss the transition from corporate roles to coaching, the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship, and practical advice for coaches pursuing ICF accreditation at all stages of their business journey.

Key Topics:

Ellie's Professional Journey:
- Transition from law to human-centered roles in learning, development, and organizational transformation.
- Founding her executive coaching business and later the Impact Coach Collective.
Building a Coaching Business:
- The significance of professional credibility and leveraging existing networks.
- Essential mindset shifts for viewing oneself as both a coach and a business owner.
- The importance of sales and marketing in sustaining a coaching practice.
Differentiating Executive and Life Coaching:
- Contextual differences between executive and life coaching.
- Selling coaching services to organizations versus individuals.
Lessons Learned and Practical Advice:
- The necessity of consistent, disciplined effort in business.
- Overcoming negative perceptions of sales and marketing.
- The value of clarity in coaching identity and the services offered.
Ellie's Impact Coach Collective Program:
- Monthly masterclasses, coaching Q&A sessions, and deal clinics.
- A supportive community for new and established coaches to share insights and strategies.

Connect with Ellie Here:
https://www.elliescarf.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliescarf/

Books and Resources Mentioned:The Happiness Trap by Russ Harris
To Sell Is Human by Daniel Pink
Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi
We Should All Be Millionaires by Rachel Rodgers
100 Million Dollar Leads by Alex Hormozi

Experience an Introduction to our Coach Training Programmes with our Free Taster Course: https://courses.baileybalfour.com/course/coach-training-introduction

Sign up to our newsletter to receive weekly updates on coaching resources: https://baileybalfour.com/subscribe/
Interested in training as a coach?
Browse our Level 1 ICF coach certification programme: https://baileybalfour.com/level-1/
Browse our Level 2 ICF coach certification programme: https://baileybalfour.com/level-2/

For more resources: https://baileybalfour.com/resources/

If you'd like to coaching from me: https://baileybalfour.com/coaching-services/

We Should All Be Millionaires: A Woman’s Guide to Earning More, Building Wealth, and Gaining Economic Power

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Have you ever wondered how your life could change if you spent just a little time dreaming about your perfect day? On this episode of Making Sense of Work, I invite you to join me on a transformative journey where I'll share my experiences of visualizing my ideal day and how it provided clarity and direction in my career.

You'll discover why it's crucial to dream without limits and how guided visualisation can turn your ideal day into reality.

Together, we'll engage in a detailed exercise to imagine every parts of your perfect day—from your morning routine to how you navigate work tasks, interactions, and even challenges.

I'll also share tips for finding a balanced approach that brings you closer to your ideal work-life harmony. Tune in and get ready to start crafting the life you've always aspired to live.

Experience an Introduction to our Coach Training Programmes with our Free Taster Course: https://courses.baileybalfour.com/course/coach-training-introduction

Sign up to our newsletter to learn more about upcoming programmes: https://baileybalfour.com/subscribe/

Join us for an inspiring chat with Betsy Kimmel, our incredible PCC-level alumni and coach! Betsy takes us on her exciting journey, from tackling coaching projects in high-pressure environments to starting her own yoga practice.

Her work is all about inclusivity, making sure everyone from leaders to drivers benefits from her coaching. Betsy also emphasises the importance of setting personal boundaries to avoid burnout and shares heartwarming stories of leaders who have successfully reclaimed their personal time. Don't miss out on this uplifting conversation!

Meet Betsy Kimmel
Betsy has over 25 years of experience in coaching, consulting, and creating well-being solutions for individuals and organizations in the humanitarian sector. As the President of Betsy Kimmel Consulting, she partners with clients to enhance their personal and professional growth, performance, and resilience.

She offers humanitarian leadership coaching and social impact career coaching. Betsy is also the founder and Chief Yoga Officer of an international wellness firm and holds certifications in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Mental Health First Aid.

Follow Betsy on her Social Media
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsykimmelcoaching/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betsykimmelconsulting/
Book an appointment: https://calendly.com/betsykimmel/complimentary-consultation-with-betsy

Experience an Introduction to our Coach Training Programmes with our Free Taster Course: https://courses.baileybalfour.com/course/coach-training-introduction

Sign up to our newsletter to learn more about upcoming programmes: https://baileybalfour.com/subscribe/

In this episode, we dive deep into the complexities of office dynamics and explore the Drama Triangle, a powerful psychological model developed by Dr. Stephen Karpman. Join Jean Balfour as she uncovers the roles of the Villain, Victim, and Hero that often play out in workplace interactions, leading to unproductive and toxic environments.

Jean Balfour shares practical strategies for recognising and disrupting these patterns. Learn how to transform your office culture by promoting healthier communication, fostering accountability, and building a supportive work environment.

Tune in to discover how you can break free from the cycle of drama and create a more positive and collaborative workplace.

Resources:

Blog on Understanding the Drama Triangle at Work
Check out Conscious Leadership and their work on Drama Triangle

Experience an Introduction to our Coach Training Programmes with our Free Taster Course: https://courses.baileybalfour.com/course/coach-training-introduction

Sign up to our newsletter to learn more about upcoming programmes: https://baileybalfour.com/subscribe/

Have you ever paid attention to your breathing during times of stress? Most likely, we don't, yet it's a powerful tool we can harness to maintain calmness within ourselves. Meet our special guest Céline Fontaine as she shares how conscious breathing impacts creativity, mindfulness, and well-being. Discover how controlled breathing enhances leadership and personal development, inviting you to experience its transformative power firsthand. From practical methods to integrating breathwork into daily work routines,Céline Fontaine guides you toward a more present and focused self.

Meet Céline FontaineCéline Fontaine is an executive coach, facilitator, and certified breathwork practitioner with over two decades of corporate experience across Europe and Southeast Asia. After years in high-pressure corporate environments, Céline pivoted to focus on her well-being and embrace her full potential outside the traditional workplace.

For Céline, It was love at first sight with breathwork, a practice she describes as her "holy grail." Breathwork proved to be a transformative tool, helping Céline calm her mind, release emotions, and reconnect with her highest self. Her journey into breathwork deepened her understanding of its power and potential, making it an integral part of her mission to help others. Céline believes breathwork is the antidote to our relentless, fast-paced world and is passionate about sharing this extraordinary art with as many as possible.

Currently based in Phuket, Thailand, Céline leverages her extensive background in Learning and Development to integrate breathwork into her coaching and leadership development practice. She works with corporate professionals, educators, parents, and anyone curious about enhancing their health and overall life satisfaction, guiding them to unlock and harness the extraordinary power of their breath.

Céline is a certified Advanced Breathwork Practitioner by the Global Breathwork Professional Alliance.

Visit her LinkedIn profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/celinebousquetfontaine/

Visit her LinkedIn Page for Breath@Work - https://www.linkedin.com/company/breathatwork/

Vist her Website at https://breathatwork.net/

Experience an Introduction to our Coach Training Programmes with our Free Taster Course: https://courses.baileybalfour.com/course/coach-training-introduction

Sign up to our newsletter to learn more about upcoming programmes: https://baileybalfour.com/subscribe/

Imagine finding a sense of calm and ease amid the chaos of your workday; I believe it's not just a fantasy but a tangible goal.

In this episode I share how the philosophies in Beth Kempton's "Kokoro" and Nancy Klein's "Time to Think," introduce how leaders and professionals can reclaim tranquility in their our hectic lives.

I look at society's traditional definitions of ease and how they often clash with our rushed existence, revealing that there's more to work than just ticking boxes and beating deadlines.

We can embrace coaching's potential to foster spaces free from pressure, and I share insights on how we can infuse a serene flow into our daily grind.

For a different perspective ,aided by Byron Katie's "The Work," I dissect the deep-seated belief that slowing down is a luxury we can't afford.

You can find the resources I reference here.

Beth Kempton - Kokoro
https://bethkempton.com/kokoro-2/

Nancy Kline - Time to Think
https://www.timetothink.com/

Bryon Katie - The Work
https://thework.com/

Jean Balfour
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanbalfour/
https://baileybalfour.com/

Experience an Introduction to our Coach Training Programmes with our Free Taster Course: https://courses.baileybalfour.com/course/coach-training-introduction

Sign up to our newsletter to learn more about upcoming programmes: https://baileybalfour.com/subscribe/

Ever feel like you're just going through the motions at work, weighed down by stress and dissatisfaction? This is part 2 of the neuroscience of misery at work and it’s your invitation to discover how you can turn misery all around. We're not just talking about the everyday gripes of excessive workloads or lackluster recognition; we're diving into the science that shows our brains are directly wired to our work experiences. Join me, Jean Balfour as I share steps you can take you mitigate misery and how you can perform in your most creative and productive zone when you don’t feel like the most.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

View masterclass on-demand on neuroscience of misery at work: here

View video: Choice point by Russel Harris

Read and download our guide: Overcoming Burnout: Leveraging the Power of Glimmers

Read and download out guide: 10 Root Causes of Feeling Overwhelmed

Read and download out guide: Find your career values

Experience an Introduction to our Coach Training Programmes with our Free Taster Course: https://courses.baileybalfour.com/course/coach-training-introduction

Sign up to our newsletter to learn more about upcoming programmes: https://baileybalfour.com/subscribe/

Ever feel like you're just going through the motions at work, weighed down by stress and dissatisfaction? This episode is your invitation to discover the neuroscience that explains why—and how you can turn it all around. We're not just talking about the everyday gripes of excessive workloads or lackluster recognition; we're diving into the science that shows our brains are directly wired to our work experiences. Join me, Jean Balfour, as we pull back the curtain on common workplace woes and shed light on global studies that reveal the widespread nature of these issues, especially among younger workers and those under financial pressure.

Resources mentioned in this epsiode:

View masterclass on-demand on neuroscience of misery at work: here

Read and download our guide: Overcoming Burnout: Leveraging the Power of Glimmers

Read and download out guide: 10 Root Causes of Feeling Overwhelmed

Experience an Introduction to our Coach Training Programmes with our Free Taster Course: https://courses.baileybalfour.com/course/coach-training-introduction

Sign up to our newsletter to learn more about upcoming programmes: https://baileybalfour.com/subscribe/

Today’s episode is inspired by Marianne Williamson and Gay Hendricks. Jean Balfour shares insights and experiences on overcoming self-imposed limitations to embrace our true potential. Join us as we navigate the zones of incompetence, competence, excellence, and ultimately, genius, uncovering how to push ourselves out of our limiting beliefs of what we can't do!

Recommended book reading: The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level

Experience an Introduction to our Coach Training Programmes with our Free Taster Course: https://courses.baileybalfour.com/course/coach-training-introduction

Sign up to our newsletter to learn more about upcoming programmes: https://baileybalfour.com/subscribe/

The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level

In today’s episode, Jean Balfour shares her own experiences of feeling overwhelmed, and shares insights on identifying, understanding, and overcoming the chaos that comes with being overwhelmed.

From uncovering the root causes to implementing practical strategies, we'll embark on a journey towards reclaiming energy and joy in our daily work. Tune in for tips, stories, and inspiration to navigate the feeling of overwhelm and emerge stronger in your everyday and work life!

You can download the guidebook here: https://baileybalfour.com/10-root-causes-of-feeling-overwhelmed/

Sign up to Jean's blog here : https://jeanbalfour.substack.com/

Experience an Introduction to our Coach Training Programmes with our Free Taster Course: https://courses.baileybalfour.com/course/coach-training-introduction

Sign up to our newsletter to learn more about upcoming programmes: https://baileybalfour.com/subscribe/

In today’s episode, we explore how being fully present with another person is not just a skill, but a critical gift that fosters genuine connection. Join Jean Balfour as she shares the journey of how we can master this skill, how we can be aware of our own pitfalls and together, we'll uncover practical strategies and insights to enhance our ability to truly hear and understand others.

To download our guidebook mentioned in this episode, click here: https://baileybalfour.com/blog-listening-and-presence/

Experience an Introduction to our Coach Training Programmes with our Free Taster Course: https://courses.baileybalfour.com/course/coach-training-introduction

Sign up to our newsletter to learn more about upcoming programmes: https://baileybalfour.com/subscribe/

Welcome to Season 3 on "Making Sense of Work"

Today’s episode is drawing inspiration from the impactful Netflix film, "Nyad." The documentary encapsulates the awe-inspiring story of Diana Nyad, who, at the remarkable age of 64, achieved the extraordinary feat of swimming from Cuba to Florida.

Jean reflects on Nyad's resilience and tenacity, drawing parallels to personal challenges and contemplating the profound impact of persistence on individual aspirations.

Drawing from personal experiences, she shares insights into overcoming low confidence and the enduring efforts required to construct a foundation of self-belief.

Acknowledging the merits of persistence, Jean delves into its potential drawbacks, emphasizing the importance of self-care and recognizing when a goal, despite persistent efforts, may come at too high a cost. This sets the stage for a balanced perspective on the journey toward achievement.

There are key strategies for embracing persistence, from setting clear and ambitious goals to creating visual representations for motivation. Jean underscores the importance of a robust support system, resilience cultivation, and the fostering of a growth mindset.

Experience an Introduction to our Coach Training Programmes with our Free Taster Course: https://courses.baileybalfour.com/course/coach-training-introduction

Sign up to our newsletter to learn more about upcoming programmes: https://baileybalfour.com/subscribe/

Picture this: I started the year with a grand plan—a visionary roadmap for my business and a commitment to its growth. Little did I know, the universe had a different script in mind. The first half of the year threw some serious challenges my way.

By the year's end, we not only weathered the storm but exceeded our initial expectations. However, let me be real with you—2023 was no walk in the park. In this episode, I talk about how the struggles forced me to dig deep into my own resilience, revoking my goals and accepting redirections.

I encourage you to join me in reflecting on your own journey, learning from the past, and stepping into the next year with a sense of wholesomeness. Here's to embracing the uncertainties, finding joy in the unplanned, and growing into the next beautiful chapter of our lives.

Experience an Introduction to our Coach Training Programmes with our Free Taster Course: https://courses.baileybalfour.com/course/coach-training-introduction

Sign up to our newsletter to learn more about upcoming programmes: https://baileybalfour.com/subscribe/

Have you ever taken a moment to reflect on your career values? It's a practice that often gets overlooked amid the hustle of our daily lives. However, these values serve as the underlying motivation for our actions and reactions, influencing our experiences both professionally and personally.

In this podcast, Jean Balfour explores the importance of recognizing and embracing our values, offering practical insights and tools to help you identify and harmonize with them.

Download the career values handout here: https://baileybalfour.com/download-our-career-values-handout/
You can also read more here: https://baileybalfour.com/values-the-north-star-of-your-career/

Follow Jean on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanbalfour/
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Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is the ability to understand and manage emotions effectively. It is no longer considered a soft skill—it's a critical competency for us all - both individual contributors and leaders. Higher EQ has been shown to improve job performance significantly including higher sales, increased productivity and reduced stress.

In this podcast Jean Balfour shares practical strategies to help you:

Understand why being emotionally intelligent is critical
Learn the 4 components of emotional intelligence
Develop strategies for building emotional intelligence

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To read blog on emotional intelligence and future of work, read here: https://baileybalfour.com/emotional-intelligence-and-the-future-of-work

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Frequently, significant events like birthdays can indeed lead us to contemplate what we haven't achieved, our past mistakes, and our regrets. And they occasionally pull us into negative thoughts.

Today's episode of "Making Sense of Work," is a special one. I discuss how we can leverage significant life milestones as chances for celebration and gratitude, while also acknowledging both the positive and challenging moments that contribute to our legacy.

You can also download our free coaching prompters so you can reflect on your life's journey along with me: https://baileybalfour.com/marking-lifes-important-milestones/

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How good are you at influencing others? In this episode of Making Sense of Work, we'll explore the fundamental principles of influence and why it's essential in various aspects of life, from personal relationships to professional success. We'll discuss a three step strategy and seven ways you can influence effectively.

To read the full blog, head over to https://baileybalfour.com/how-to-influence-people-at-work/

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For many years, I've held the belief that we shape our own work situations and experiences. And by that, I mean the story we tell ourselves or the actions we take. True empowerment comes from assuming personal responsibility, examining our role, and understanding how we contribute to the way we perceive and navigate what's happening around us.

In this episode, join me as I share ways we can take responsibility of our working experiences instead of assigning blame to external factors.

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Navigating difficult conversations can be hard, but when done right, can be powerful and life changing. In this episode of Making sense of Work, master certified coach Jean Balfour shares with us how to tackle those difficult conversations with a coaching mindset. Learn techniques to offer constructive feedback in an empathetic and thoughtful manner.

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Over the years, I've had the privilege of coaching countless individuals on their journey to success, and I've witnessed some incredible transformations.

Whether you're eyeing that next big promotion or simply want to level up your career game, here are 5 tips you should consider applying in your role today.

Podcast recommendationsEp. #8 Nine Ways to be Politically Savvy at Work
Ep. #40 The Gift of Feedback - Even if it Hurts!
Ep. #54 Building a Growth Mindset
Ep. #63 Making a Bold Career Move with Vanessa Teo

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After 30 years of consulting to organisations, developing leaders and coaching - there are a few core beliefs Jean has come to believe about what makes for a happy and successful working life.In this episode she introduces her top 11 ways to think about work to create a fulfilling work life.

You can contact Jean via LinkedIn to share the beliefs you hold about how to be happy and successful at work.

Connect with Jean Balfour on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanbalfour/

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There is so much talk about how we should be authentic at work at the moment. But what if we don’t want to be? And what if being authentic is not the right thing to do?

Jean Balfour shares in this podcast how it is important to ‘bring ourselves to work’ - however, sometimes it may be better for us to not share all, to be less vulnerable and to manage our authenticity to match our context.

Listen in to learn more about this and how to be contextually authentic.

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What contributes to workplace happiness? How does compassionate leadership enhance team communication and clarity? How can team members proactively give feedback and uphold accountability for our growth and commitments?

Tune in to our episode of "Making Sense of Work" featuring Helen Sanderson, a renowned consultant and coach in well-being and self-management as she discusses various approaches leaders can engage to cultivate both high performance and compassionate teams.

Meet Helen SandersonHelen is a sought after consultant and coach. She is an AltMBA alumni and coached on the programme in 2016 and 2017 with Seth Godin. Helen is also a Certified Brene Brown Dare to Lead™ Facilitator.

Helen explores self-management in health and car through her practice 'Helen Sanderson Associates' and 'Wellbeing Teams' in the UK. 'Wellbeing Teams' were small, neighbourhood, self-managed teams inspired by Buurtzorg and were the first self-managed teams in social care to be recognised by the Care Quality Commission in the UK and were rated Outstanding in their first inspection in 2019.

They were a provider for four years and now support others to learn the practices that they were using in 'Wellbeing Teams.'

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Each of us is on our path to achieving whatever we want to achieve, Inherently, we yearn for someone who holds unwavering belief in our capabilities.

And employees can easily sense if their leader is invested in them. People want to be in a place where their leader believes that they can change, that they can evolve, and that they can grow.

Join us for an enlightening episode of "The Impact of Leaders Who Coach" featuring the insights of executive coach Amit Gosh. Discover the essence of being a coaching-oriented leader and the impact this has on the performance and culture of an organisation.

Meet Amit Ghosh

Amit is an executive coach and advisor. He works with senior corporate leaders, and founders / CxOs in tech industry. He has 20+ yrs of experience spanning P&L management, strategy, business operations, and business development.

Most recently, he was Chief Information & Services Officer for R3, a blockchain software unicorn, and a Board Director at two early-stage technology companies. He is passionate about talent development and believes everyone can transform when they decide to.

Book recommendation: The School of Life: An Emotional Education

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Ever found yourself being unkind to yourself because of perfectionism?

The endless self-criticism and worry and overthinking, tied to perfectionism only waste our precious time and energy.

And may stop us from brining our best at work.

In this episode, Jean Balfour will be revealing some effective strategies we can embrace to conquer this destructive perfectionistic mindset.

Book recommendation:
The Gifts Of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are

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The Gifts of Imperfection: Brené Brown

Do you dream of pursuing a completely different career path but fear of taking the leap? Join us this week on "Making Sense of Work" as we sit down with Vanessa Teo, Director of Strategy Planning (Commercial) at AbbVie.

Vanessa's journey is a tale of bold career moves, as she transitioned from HR to the commercial side of the industry. Discover how Vanessa's unique perspective on "stretch seasons" played a crucial role in her personal and professional growth. Don't miss this inspiring episode filled with valuable lessons for anyone considering a daring career change.

Meet Vanessa Teo

Vanessa is a strategic business focused HR leader. She’s passionate about helping organizations make human capital a competitive advantage through developing people to their highest potential.

Vanessa has over 20 years of experience spanning the HR and Commercial functions. At AbbVie, Vanessa currently leads Strategy Planning for the Medical Aesthetics function.

Since joining AbbVie in 2019, she has held various roles in HR including Director, Talent Management (Intercontinental), Director, Talent Management and Development (JAPAC) and Talent Acquisition (Japan), and HR Director for Singapore (JAPAC HQ and site operations).

Vanessa holds an Executive Masters in Change (Organizational Psychology) from INSEAD, and a Bachelors in Business Administration from Indiana University, Bloomington.

Book recommendation:

The Culture Map: Breaking Through the Invisible Boundaries of Global Business
Working Identity - Herminia Ibarra

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The Culture Map: Breaking Through the Invisible Boundaries of Global Business

Are you a people pleaser? Many people feel that they are better off keeping others happy - but it can have an impact on us in the long run.

People pleasers bring big strengths to work - often being people who can bring harmony to situations and being a great team player.

But this can often happen at their own expense.

In this podcast Jean defines how she sees people pleasing and offers practical strategies for how to become more effective.

(listen out for the thunder in the background!)

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What part of work gives you the most energy and zest for life?

From meaningful connections, mentoring students, and the thrill of tackling challenging projects, explore the diverse dimensions of work that fill you with boundless energy.

In this episode of Making Sense of Work, be inspired by Ronald Tay, Head, of Learning & Development APAC @meta and adjunct lecturer at Singapore Management University as he explores the driving force behind passion, enthusiasm, and value found in balancing two career paths.

Meet Ronald TayRonald is passionate about developing mindsets and skillsets both in the professional field where he until recently served as Head of Leadership at Meta, as well as an educator where he has dedicated over a decade as an adjunct lecturer at Singapore Management University.

Ronald’s 20+years of experience in learning and development, leadership and talent management spans across consulting, consumer/retail, financial as well as tech industries. His work has garnered industry recognition awards as well as regular speaking opportunities in conferences.

He is a published author of two books "Career Conversations" and "Leadership Conversations" which explore the successes, learning and advice from notable leaders across key diverse industries. Beyond his work life, he derives great value interacting with the Gen-Zs as adjunct professor at the Singapore Management University and is an active career coach/mentor

Connect with Ronald on LinkedIn.

Book recommendation: The Multiplier Effect: Tapping the Genius Inside Our Schools: https://www.amazon.sg/Multiplier-Effect-Tapping-Genius-Schools/dp/1452271895

Video recommendation: Liz Wiseman: Diminisher vs. Multiplier: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxLlgBATjpI

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The Multiplier Effect: Tapping the Genius Inside Our Schools

It can be really hard to do today the things that will help us to create our Future Self.

In this episode Jean shares recent insights she's had into how we can create our Future Selves and Follow our Bliss today - making it more likely that we will achieve our goals and dreams of the future.

Jean Balfour
IG: @jean.balfour
LI: @jeanbalfour

Your Future Self - Hal Hershfield - https://www.halhershfield.com/yourfutureself
Future Me - https://www.futureme.org/
Atomic Habits - James Clear - https://jamesclear.com/

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There are currently five generations in the workplace. How do we make it work? How can we tune into the issues facing organisations and work effectively together?

In our latest episode of Making Sense of Work, join Vivek Iyyani, a renowned Millennial Specialist and Keynote Speaker at Millennial Minds as sheds light on how leaders can harmonise the five diverse generations in today's workplace and unlock the key to effective collaboration.

Meet Vivek Iyyani

VIVEK IYYANI is a Millennial Specialist and Keynote Speaker at Millennial Minds. He is the Author of the books Empowering Millennials, Engaging Millennials, and The Millennial Leader.

He is a regular speaker on inter-generational working and has spoken in organisations like PayPal, Oracle, Brunei Government, www.booking [dot] com, Singapore General Hospital, Johnson and Johnson, DELTA Airlines, and many more. Vivek is known in his industry to speak around the globe at conferences on how to engage Millennials to help them reach their peak potential.

He has been featured by the National Population and Talent Division in Singapore under the Prime Minister’s Office to feature in a video of #MySingaporeStory. He has appeared on CNBC, Channel NewsAsia as a guest on the Millennial/Gen Z topic.

During the pandemic, he signed a 3-book deal with Penguin Random House, launched two books so far, and is launching his third book this year.

Engaging Millennials: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B097Q15BRF?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_3KY3G4ZY6FEEM1PJK710
The Millennial Leader Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/9814914134?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_Y678MM7JX26BKYBV7V8P

Connect with Vivek: linkedin.com/in/millennialexpertasia
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Book and podcast recommendations:

Rejection Proof: How I Beat Fear and Became Invincible Through 100 Days of Rejection: https://amzn.asia/d/fPZgyHH

Deep Questions with Cal Newport: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/deep-questions-with-cal-newport/id1515786216

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Rejection Proof: How I Beat Fear and Became Invincible Through 100 Days of Rejection

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To truly change the culture at a workplace, we must embark on an inner journey of self-transformation, and mindfulness. As the saying goes, "If you want to change the world, first change yourself." But how can we cultivate self-kindness, self-compassion, and self-empathetic awareness so that these qualities can radiate toward others?

In order for empathy to flow from the top down, it is crucial to equip leaders with the tools of mindfulness and self-awareness. By guiding leaders to understand the depths of their own hearts, they can effectively embody the qualities they wish to see in others.

Join Helen Williams, mindfulness coach, Emirates Woman, Woman of the Year, and 50 Most Inspirational Women of the UAEas she shares the power of cultivating mindfulness and presence from within.

Jean and Helen discuss:

What if the word “Stress" ceased to exist in our vocabulary?
How does mindfulness help us in our working lives?
How can leaders bring mindfulness into the workplace?
Different types of mindfulness that help with stillness

Meet Helen Williams

Helen Williams is a New Zealander with a lifetime’s experience in personal and self-development, spiritual direction and in training people from all walks of life in her chosen field of Mindfulness and Meditation. Helen was awarded Emirates Woman, Woman of the Year for her visionary work in the field of personal development in 2014 and in 2017 was honoured as one of the 50 Most Inspirational Women of the UAE by Stylist Arabia as well as one of Arabian Business’s 100 Most Influential People in Dubai.

Book recommendation:

A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose : https://www.amazon.sg/New-Earth-Awakening-Lifes-Purpose/dp/0452289963
The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself: https://www.amazon.sg/Untethered-Soul-Journey-Beyond-Yourself/dp/1572245379

Connect with Helen Williams here: https://www.instagram.com/helenwilliamsmindfulme/?hl=en

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Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle

The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself

Don't miss the newest episode of Making Sense of Work, featuring Lipika Subbiah, Global Coaching Enablement Lead at LinkedIn's Center of Excellence and a certified ICF coach. She provides valuable insights into the transformative effects of building a coaching culture from the ground up.

Jean and Lipika discuss:

The impact of coaching culture within LinkedIn
How current research shows the impact of a coaching culture on revenue growth and employee engagement and is it even measurable
The connection between belonging and inclusion within a coaching culture, as coaching behaviors inherently promote inclusivity and empathy.

Meet Lipika Subbiah

Lipika Subbiah is a Global Coaching Enablement Lead at the Center of Excellence at LinkedIn. She has spent over 18 years in sales in different roles and sectors including 4 years in sales enablement. She is an ICF-certified coach and a PROSCI-certified change practitioner. Lipika has lived and worked in Asia, Europe, and North America, and is now based out Singapore where she lives with her husband, two teenage children, and dog. When she’s not at work, she’s out in nature, hiking, or with her nose in a book.

Book recommendation:

Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle: https://www.amazon.sg/Burnout-Secret-Unlocking-Stress-Cycle/dp/1984818325

Connect with Lipika Subbiah here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lipikasubbiah/

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Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle

Have you ever struggled with your emotions at work?

In our uber analytical organisations welcoming emotions can feel very risky. The challenge is that for all of us emotions are a normal part of our lived experience - including our working experience.

In this episode Jean provides perspectives on how to welcome our emotions and see them as a valuable tool.

Susan David - https://www.susandavid.com/

Brene Brown - https://brenebrown.com/book/atlas-of-the-heart/

Feelings Wheel - https://feelingswheel.com/

Amanda Blake - Your Body is your Brain - https://embright.org/

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We have a unique opportunity to coach and mentor our children toward success, happiness, and personal growth. Tune in to the latest episode of Making Sense of Work as Chris Avis, Educational Psychologist and Faculty member of Bailey Balfour delve into techniques, and insights that can empower you to become an effective parental coach.

Meet Chris AvisChris studied psychology at Bristol University and decided during this course to train as an educational psychologist (EP). Over the last 35 years she has worked as an EP in 6 different local authorities and have held a number of management roles.

Chris trains as a coach with Coaching Development in 2009 as this approach fitted with the way in which she likes to work with people and help them to develop themselves.

Book recommendation: The Art of Coaching: A Handbook of Tips and Tools: https://www.amazon.com/Art-Coaching-Jenny-Bird/dp/113889186X

Connect with Chris here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-avis-386760b/
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What is your approach to learning something new? Are you able to adopt a growth mindset and approach it with excitement and opportunity?

Or do you see it as a challenge which feels too difficult?

In the latest episode of Making Sense of Work, Jean shares the idea behind a Growth Mindset and how to build one.

Book recommendation: Mindset - Carol Dweck
https://www.amazon.com/Mindset-Psychology-Carol-S-Dweck-ebook/dp/B000FCKPHG/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1684721638&sr=8-1

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Mindset: The New Psychology of Success

How do we navigate change in a way that's good for people? Tune in to the latest episode of Making Sense of Work as Uen-Li, Downstream Chief of Staff at Shell, reveals creative approaches for coping with uncertainty within large organisations.

Jean and Uen-Li discuss:

Strategies for leading through change
The intersection of creativity and working in an engineering company
Gaining global recognition while prioritising motherhood

Meet Uen-Li

Uen-Li, currently Head, Downstream Ultimate Potential and Business Advisor to Downstream Director, is a Downstream veteran, having worked across functions such as Operations, Pricing, Sales, Strategy, M&A, Procurement and Supply Chain within the Fuels and Lubricants businesses in Shell since 2002. She thrives in making sense of a messy world and is now hard at work driving Shell’s Downstream Business to achieve its Ultimate Potential. It is an exciting transformation journey that requires us to know our North Star whilst steadily closing our knowing-doing gap, using digital, data and leadership discipline.

Externally, she is a faculty associated with LinHart Group for the Leadership Influence curriculum at NUS Business School and Nanyang Technological University, and the Leadership Influence for Early Executives program. Most recently she is Senior Advisor to NUS Business School’s Enterprise Leadership for Transformation program, coaching and mentoring a group of Small and Medium Enterprises on their growth and reinvention plans.

Book recommendation: Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life through the Power of Storytelling: https://www.amazon.com/Storyworthy-Engage-Persuade-through-Storytelling/dp/1608685489

Connect with Uen-Li Chia here: linkedin.com/in/uen-li-chia-59a254
Instagram: @uenlinotes

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Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life through the Power of Storytelling

Have you noticed yourself feeling a bit afraid recently or perhaps worrying more or generally being really affected by the doom and gloom news that we are surrounded by in our media?

In this episode of making sense of work, Jean shares ideas for how we can overcome the paralysis that fear brings and move towards courage and calm.

You can find the 4-fold breathing meditation with Danielle Van de Velde here:

https://insig.ht/axVvl4l6xzb

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How well do you perform under pressure? Join Mylène Baxter, executive coach and equestrian psychologist in this latest episode of Making Sense of Work.

She shares psychological commonalities between competitive horseback riding and leadership in the workplace and also the factors that affect one’s confidence, motivation, and capacity to perform effectively when confronted with pressure.

Jean and Mylène discuss:

The parallels between equestrian psychology and leadership
How mindset affects our performance at the moment and what we can do about it
What is required of leaders to perform under pressure.

Meet Mylène Baxter
Mylène Baxter is an executive coach, talent and Leadership Consultant and Equestrian Psychologist–as well as being of the faculty member of Bailey Balfour. Previously, she was the Director of Talent Development and Communications reporting to the CEO, and with 25 years experience working at a senior level in global commercial organisations.

Mylène Baxter understands the challenges faced by leaders and senior teams. Her interest is in helping leaders change their own beliefs and behaviours to influence change in their teams and the wider organisation. Mylene’s coaching philosophy is that everyone is resourceful and has the answers within themselves–these answers may not be clear at first, but with help and a desire to change, they soon emerge.

Book recommendation: Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself by Dr. Kristin Neff: https://www.amazon.com/Self-Compassion-Proven-Power-Being-Yourself/dp/0061733520

Connect with Mylène Baxter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/myl%C3%A8ne-baxter-162301a/
Website: https://www.mylenebaxter.com/
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Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself

You are not alone if you are struggling with workplace-related anxiety and stress.

In this episode, Nick Jonsson, author of "Executive Loneliness: The 5 Pathways To Overcoming Isolation, Stress, Anxiety, and Depression," discusses the widespread issue of workplace-driven anxiety and stress.

He shares his personal experience with anxiety and addiction and advocates for health strategies to alleviate these challenges, which can affect individuals at any level from junior staff to senior leaders.

Jean and Nick discuss:

Overcoming layoffs and the profound impact of it
Difference in how men and women approach executive loneliness
The importance of vulnerability
The five steps of recovery

Meet Nick

Nick is the co-founder and Managing Director of one of Asia’s premiere networking organizations, Executives’ Global Network (EGN) Singapore, Malaysia & Indonesia — EGN is a caring peer group network providing hundreds of executives and business owners a safe haven to share their challenges, receive support, and learn from each other.

Nick is enthusiastic about supporting his local community. He is a volunteer and fundraiser for the Samaritans of Singapore (SOS), a suicide hotline in Singapore. He also does frequent community service for a support group for problem drinkers. Now in recovery himself in his third year, he is also an International Coaching Federation (ICF) coach, who loves to work with executives to help them with their career and lifestyle choices.

Book recommendation: Digital Darwinism: Survival of the Fittest in the Age of Business Disruption: Link: https://www.amazon.com/Digital-Darwinism-Survival-Business-Disruption/dp/0749482281

Connect with Nick Jonsson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-jonsson/
Website: https://egnpeernetwork.com/
Check out his book on award winning book - Executive Loneliness: The 5 Pathways to Overcoming Isolation, Stress, Anxiety & Depression in the Modern Business World:https://www.amazon.com/Executive-Loneliness-Overcoming-Isolation-Depression/dp/1646335880
Connect with Jean Balfour here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanbalfour/
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Digital Darwinism: Survival of the Fittest in the Age of Business Disruption (Kogan Page Inspire)

Executive Loneliness: The 5 Pathways to Overcoming Isolation, Stress, Anxiety & Depression in the Modern Business World

Networking - Some people go “bring it on” but many people shrink and hope the whole concept goes away. However, networking is an important aspect of personal and professional growth if we approach it the right way.

When we view networking as a way to serve others, rather than focusing solely on ourselves, it becomes more meaningful. True networking is not based on greed but on generosity. Real networking is about finding ways to make other people more successful.

In this new episode of Making Sense of Work, Jean Balfour shares her own networking experiences and offers advice for those who may feel uncertain about networking. She highlights the benefits that can arise from this practice.

Reading recommendations:
Never Eat Alone by Keith FerrazziConnect with Jean Balfour on LinkedIn and Instagram @Jean.balfour

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https://baileybalfour.com/

Never Eat Alone, Expanded and Updated: And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time

Have you ever been fascinated by human behavior and pondered over the challenges people face, and how you can genuinely support them, witness positive changes in their lives, and make a difference?

Meet Carole Lewis - an Executive Communications Coach and Bailey Balfour's faculty trainer. In this episode, she shares her passion for coaching, from her journey of starting from scratch, and relocating to a new country, to mastering different coaching methodologies to refine her craft.

Carole Lewis and Jean discuss:

What was her experience of training as a coach
Why coaching gives her so much energy
Building a coaching business from ground up
The concept of ontological coaching

Meet Carole LewisCarole is an internationally certified professional coach with over twenty-five years of experience in coaching, facilitation, and consulting. She specializes in supporting senior leaders and C-Suite executives in developing executive presence and highly effective interpersonal and communication skills.

She helps leaders communicate with clarity, confidence, and conviction so that they can build strong teams and thriving organizations that drive business results. Her coaching work has included working with multi-national corporations and coaching over 40 different globally based nationalities.

This has given her a keen understanding of what is required to successfully connect to, communicate with, and inspire people in multi-national organizations with diverse teams. Having lived in Hong Kong since 1997, Carole’s skills, passion, and energy for developing leaders, as well as her in-depth knowledge and experience of the local Hong Kong culture have made her a sought-after coach and facilitator

Connect with Carole Lewis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolelewis1/
Her website: https://carolelewis.hk/
Connect with Jean Balfour here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanbalfour/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jean.balfour/

Check out Carole’s reading recommendations:

Conversational Intelligence: How Great Leaders Build Trust and Get Extraordinary Results: https://www.amazon.com/Conversational-Intelligence-Leaders-Extraordinary-Results/dp/1629561436
Change or Die: The Three Keys to Change at Work and in Life: https://www.amazon.com/Change-Die-Three-Keys-Work/dp/0061373672

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https://baileybalfour.com/

Conversational Intelligence: How Great Leaders Build Trust and Get Extraordinary Results

Change or Die: The Three Keys to Change at Work and in Life

When do you get your best work done? There are some who argue that, in order to succeed in today's economy, we must possess the ability to produce elite level work quickly and efficiently. Others suggest that it's important to recognize when we're feeling overwhelmed and to prioritize mindful work during designated periods.

In this particular episode, Jean Balfour offers her perspective on various time management books and shares how she manages to accomplish meaningful work during her concentrated periods.

Check out Jean's reading recommendations

Stolen Focus: Why You Can't Pay Attention by Johann Hari https://www.amazon.com/Stolen-Focus-Attention-Think-Deeply/dp/0593138511
Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortal
https://www.amazon.com/Four-Thousand-Weeks-Management-Mortals/dp/0374159122
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones: https://www.amazon.com/Atomic-Habits-Proven-Build-Break/dp/0735211299
Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World:
https://www.amazon.com/Deep-Work-Focused-Success-Distracted/dp/1455586692

You can also join in conversation and share you thoughts over on Jean's Linkedin Page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanbalfour/

Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jean.balfour/
Connect with Jean at: https://jeanbalfour.com/

Sign up to our newsletter to learn more about upcoming programmes.

https://baileybalfour.com/

Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones

Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World

Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals

Stolen Focus: Why You Can't Pay Attention--and How to Think Deeply Again

What is the true meaning of "reinvent"? How can we shift our perspective to view career displacement as a positive opportunity? What steps can we take to cultivate fulfilling careers?

Join Adeline Tiah, Business Executive, Leadership & REINVENT Coach, Author, and Lecturer in the latest episode of Making Sense of work.

Jean and Adeline discuss:

When do we need to take risks in our careers
How can we learn to embrace ambiguity?
Why does vulnerability matter?

Meet Adeline TiahAdeline Tiah is an accomplished corporate leader with more than 20 years’ of experience across top banks, telco, and startups. She is passionate about building brands and high-performance teams. She has worked for both corporate as well as startups in which she helped grow the business from 0 to 1, and scale from 10 to 100.

Her career journey and experience from coaching over 250 clients have provided insights into why we need to embrace a permanent reinvention mindset to thrive in an uncertain world.

Her latest book “REINVENT 4.0 – The Keys to Unlock Success and Thrive in Uncertainty” is inspired by her experience.

The key takeaway from her book is to invest in your next trajectory while you are still growing. Adeline is an adjunct lecturer at the School of Business at a Singapore University, she partners with high-growth startups to help them develop their brand and Go-to-Market strategies.

She is also an ICF-certified Leadership and REINVENT coach, helping individuals and teams develop a winning mindset to take on the Future of Work.

Connect with Adeline Tiah: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adeline-tiah/
Check out her book Reinvent 4.0: reinvent.adelinetiah.com
Connect with Jean Balfour here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanbalfour/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jean.balfour/

Check out Adeline’s reading recommendations

Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear: https://www.amazon.com/Atomic-Habits-Proven-Build-Break/dp/0735211299
The 100-Year Life: https://www.amazon.com/100-Year-Life-Living-Working-Longevity/dp/1543624634

Sign up to our newsletter to learn more about upcoming programmes.

https://baileybalfour.com/

Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones

The 100-Year Life: Living and Working in an Age of Longevity

Resilience isn't just about persevering until we reach our breaking point. Sometimes, it's about taking a break and incorporating enjoyable activities, then it can be the perfect way to enhance our resilience.

Join Imogen Imogen Maresch, speaker, coach, and faculty member of Bailey Balfour's Certification programme in the latest episode of Making Sense of work.

Jean and Imogen discuss:

What does resilience mean
How does play connect to resilience
Using play at work and using play at coaching
How to encourage play at work and tap into it for our resilience

Meet ImogenWith a background in drama, 15+ years’ experience in learning and development, and a track record of high-profile leadership roles in both the private and public sectors, Imogen brings a unique perspective to the world of work.

She holds an MBA from the University of Leicester and, through the pandemic, gained her Masters in Applied Positive Psychology and Coaching Psychology from the University of East London. Her research was exploring how playing an innovative online board game she developed supported people in lockdown to boost resilience. It was recently published in a leading international academic journal. We will hear more about this in the podcast.

Imogen lives in London where she volunteers as a coach for several charities and has a long-standing reputation for hosting legendary games nights.

Connect with Imogen: http://linkedin.com/in/imogen-maresch
Website: www.thepresenceofmindco.com
Email: imogen@presenceofmind.uk
Check out her research article on "Playing for Resilience in a Pandemic", on International Journal of Applied Positive Psychology: https://rdcu.be/cTCCl
Connect with Jean Balfour here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanbalfour/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jean.balfour/

Sign up to our newsletter to learn more about upcoming programmes.

https://baileybalfour.com/

Leading a hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic has posed a significant challenge for many leaders. By prioritizing relationships and creating a supportive workplace culture, Mairead McCormick has demonstrated her commitment to effective leadership during these challenging times.

Join Mairead McCormick, the CEO of Kent Community Health, NHS in the latest episode of Making Sense of work.

Jean and Mairead discuss:

Mairead's relational leadership during the pandemic crisis
What is good relational leadership and how it looks like
The impact of emergency situations on relational leadership
The relationship between performance management and a relational approach
The connection between coaching and a relational leadership approach?

Meet Mairead McCormick
Mairead is the Chief Executive Officer of Kent Community Health, part of the UK national Health service. It is an organisation spanning Kent, parts of Essex, and South London in England and covering a population of 2 million with a workforce of 5000 nurses, doctors, allied health professionals community care.

Mairead has been in the NHS for 35 years including five years as a chief operating officer and deputy chief executive at Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

She has a national reputation for her work in emergency care, working with NHS England in the Emergency Care Intensive Support Team carrying out a whole system review.

Book recommendation: Intelligent Kindness: Reforming the Culture of Healthcare: https://www.amazon.com/Intelligent-Kindness-Reforming-Culture-Healthcare/dp/1908020040

Connect with Mairead here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mairead-mccormick-209a4680/
Connect with Jean Balfour here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanbalfour/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jean.balfour/

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https://baileybalfour.com/

Intelligent Kindness: Reforming the Culture of Healthcare

Jean has worked in women’s leadership development for over 25 years. In this episode she shares her thoughts about progress to date, reasons why the progress seems so slow and how we can think about it differently.

She shares practical suggestions that she hopes will help to create movement towards gender equity.

You can find Jean here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanbalfour/

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/jean.balfour/

Sign up to our newsletter to learn more about upcoming programmes.

https://baileybalfour.com/

After listening to a couple of people who said they had lost their Mojo at work, Jean shares what we can do if we have lost our va va voom at work.
She does a deep dive into the role motivation plays in our energy at work - and shares Daniel Pink’s tools for how to get back to motivation.

Related Podcast Episodes

Ep. #1. Finding your Purpose

https://podcast.baileybalfour.com/1894001/9670018-ep-1-finding-your-purpose

Ep. #6. Overcoming Tiredness, Exhaustion and Burnout

https://podcast.baileybalfour.com/1894001/10217315-ep-6-overcoming-tiredness-exhaustion-and-burnout

Ep. #11. Negative Thinking and Self Doubt at Work

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1894001/episodes/10435268

Ep. #15. Taking Charge of your Career

https://podcast.baileybalfour.com/1894001/10604420-ep-15-taking-charge-of-your-career

Drive - Daniel Pink

https://www.danpink.com/books/drive/

https://www.danpink.com/resources/

Connect with Jean Balfour here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanbalfour

Jean Balfour Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/jean.balfour/

Sign up to our newsletter to learn more about upcoming programmes.

https://baileybalfour.com/

Jean is joined by Dr. Maria Pressentin

There’s more to servant leadership than empowerment. It’s about enablement. Join Maria as she shares her research and work in servant leadership. Learn the three steps of building trust as a servant leader and how you can contribute effectively during pressure.

Jean and Maria discuss:

Research in servant leadership - how do we define a servant leader
To what extent servant leadership is implemented in the workplace
How do we lead in pressured situations that is mindful and aligned with our own leadership value

Meet Dr. Maria Pressentin

Maria works by helping individuals and teams design their best engagement strategies, and she consults organizations on their leadership and talent development needs. She focuses on rebuilding a road of trust, reducing attrition, and removing M&A integration roadblocks. All of this resulting in incremental cost reduction during critical times, such as culture change, restructuring, shift of business direction, and downsizing.

She has also helped organizations build corporate universities and change cultures from a bottom up approach. Maria has received many awards, including being awarded as top 100 Best Global Coaching and Leadership Professional by the global HRD Congress. She was awarded Iconic Woman for Creating a Better World for All by the Women Economic Forum and many other awards in the scientific research field of leadership, innovation, and entrepreneurship. And her most recent publication is entitled Key Factors and Use Cases of Servant Leadership Driving Organizational Performance.

Book Recommendation -
Key factors and Use Cases of Servant Leadership Driving Organizational Performance by Maria Pressentin.

https://www.igi-global.com/book/key-factors-use-cases-servant/273601

Simple Truths of Leadership: 52 Ways to Be a Servant Leader and Build Trust by Ken Blanchard and Randy Conley:

https://www.amazon.com/Simple-Truths-Leadership-Servant-Leader/dp/1523000627

Connect with Maria here:

https://www.leadershipscientific.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariapressentin-servant-leadership-expert/

Connect with Jean Balfour here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanbalfour

Jean Balfour Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/jean.balfour/

Sign up to our newsletter to learn more about upcoming programmes.

https://baileybalfour.com/

Simple Truths of Leadership: 52 Ways to Be a Servant Leader and Build Trust

How much do you welcome feedback?

Most of us know that feedback is helpful and yet it can often been difficult to accept.

In this episode Jean share her own experience of taking feedback badly - and what she learnt from it.

She covers

Different ways feedback can 'land' with us
How to prepare for and accept feedback
When and how to seek feedback.

If you are interested in coach training you can sign up to our newsletter to learn more about upcoming programmes.

https://baileybalfour.com/

Learn more about our Coach Training Programmes at

https://baileybalfour.com/

Jean is joined by Sonal Patel.

Sonal shares her experience and learning of joining a new team and leading through covid. Jean and Sonal discuss

Relational Leadership - leading with and through people
How a coaching approach to leadership is critical for leading younger generations
How we can build resilience
The role mindfulness plays in creativity
How in a fluid time indecision is no decision
Setting 5 annual goals and putting them in an envelope

Sonal Patel

Sonal is Managing Director, Asia for Quantcast a global advertising technology company. She also holds board and advisory roles.

Sonal has over 20 years experience working for large global brands across high growth disruptive technologies including: E-commerce, digital gaming, Social Media, Cloud.

Sonal has taken her flair for advertising to the start up world and co-founded an agency in Vietnam alongside her own consultancy company. She has also mentored early stage startups and advises on high growth potential.

She is passionate in driving female entrepreneurship, and coaching at all levels in the talent force through her ACC certification from the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and amplifying talent in the workforce.

Connect with Sonal here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonalvpatel/

Book - Tony Soprano on Management - Anthony Schneider

https://www.amazon.com/Tony-Soprano-Management-Leadership-Inspired/dp/0425194949/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Book - Radical Simplicity - Ken Allen

https://www.amazon.com/Radical-Simplicity-transformed-loss-making-world-class-ebook/dp/B07MXV3HHK/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1675069193&sr=1-3

Podcast - Diary of a CEO - Steven Bartlett

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-diary-of-a-ceo-with-steven-bartlett/id1291423644

You can find Jean here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanbalfour

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/jean.balfour/

Learn more about our Coach Training Programmes at

https://baileybalfour.com/

Radical Simplicity: How Simplicity Transformed a Loss-making Mega Brand into a World-class Performer

Jean is joined by Professor Pare Keiha.

Pare shares very openly his approach to leadership and in this wide ranging conversation Jean and Pare discuss

Being fully human in leadership
How the way we see work impacts our enjoyment of our work
Personal mastery as a leader
The importance of systems thinking and teams
Education and social justice

Professor Pare Keiha is the Pro Vice Chancellor for Māori Advancement, Tumuaki/Dean of Te Ara Poutama, the Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Development, and the Dean of the Faculty of Culture and Society at the Auckland University of Technology. He also has a strong and extensive background in the governance of several public and private companies.

He supports several Auckland based arts and culture charities and is currently chair of the Aroha Collective, a member of the board of the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, and a member of the board of the Prince’s Trust New Zealand. He was honoured by the Queen in the 2008 New Year’s Honours List when he was made a Companion of the Queen’s Service Order (QSO) for his services to business, education, and Māori.

He is passionate about education and social justice. He advises several Māori enterprises, including both tribal and pan-tribal organisations, as well as state sector entities in the areas of business development, management, and strategy.

Connect with Pare here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/pare-keiha-4b071329/

The Fifth Discipline - Peter Senge

https://systemsawareness.org/resources/#books

The Hungry Spirit - Charles Handy

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/341118.The_Hungry_Spirit

You can find Jean here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanbalfour/

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/jean.balfour/

Have you ever thought about training as a coach but not sure if you would ever become a full time coach?

In this episode of Making Sense of Work Jean shares her own experience of the many advantages of learning to coach. She also shares examples of what others have learnt and how the skills are relevant in all aspects of our lives.

If you are interested in coach training you can sign up to our newsletter to learn more about upcoming programmes.

https://baileybalfour.com/

In this episode Jean is joined by Mikiko Tanaka.

Mikiko Tanaka works for the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) as the Director and Head of the Subregional Office for South and South-West Asia Office, New Delhi. She has over twenty-five years of experience within the United Nations system. Previously, she served as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Guyana and worked with UNDP in Guyana, Yemen, Timor-Leste, Pakistan, Benin, China, Lao PDR and New York. Prior to the UN, she worked for Care International in Thailand and the financial sector in Japan.

Mikiko started training in coaching since 2021 with Bailey Balfour and is ACC accredited by the International Coaching Federation. She coaches pro-bono outside her full-time work.

Mikiko holds master’s degrees in public policy and management from the University of London and in rural development management from Khon Kaen University in Thailand, and a bachelor’s degree from the International Christian University in Japan.

In this episode Jean and Mikiko discuss

How to find moments of learning in the most challenging circumstances
Courage and how it grows over time
The journey of training as a coach
The connection between coaching and the world of development
Trusting the process in coaching - and the rest of our lives!

You can find Mikiko here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikiko-tanaka-5220517/

How does it feel when you fail at things?

For most of us it leaves us with challenging feelings and can stop us from taking further risks.

However, without failure we can't learn.

In this episode Jean Balfour shares her own experience of failure and what she has learnt about befriending failure as a part of growth.

Jean is joined by Mukta Arya

Mukta and Jean talk about

Her journey from science to HR
The importance of relationships in our careers
The importance of listening to feedback in helping us find our purpose
How important self awareness is in our career
Creating a coaching culture
The role of data analytics in HR

Mukta is a genuinely passionate, creative and adaptable Human Resources Professional with over 24 years of experience in multiple industries and locations in APAC.

Starting her career with Essar group in Mumbai, India, she worked in Tata TD Waterhouse Securities and Asset Management, Ogilvy and Mather Advertising Mumbai In 2006, she joined Societe Generale in Mumbai as Head of HR for India and has been with them for the last 16+ years. She worked in Hong Kong as Regional Head of Talent Development and Inclusion since 2010 and as Head of HR for SEA for Societe Generale in Singapore for 4 years, before being appointed as the CHRO for Societe Generale, APAC, now based in Hong Kong.

Mukta is passionate about creating effective and innovative HR solutions for global companies. She focuses on crafting tailored HR programs and solutions at the local, national, and regional levels ,that range from increasing employee engagement to staffing solutions to identifying and retaining high potential talent.

She is people person with a positive outlook who manages by building trust and relationships

She is a Certified Coach and is also a Global Fellow in Talent Management by Wharton University.

She is a published author with 4 books till now- Wanton Thoughts, 3:15 PM- Musings in Hong Kong, Whimsical Times and Criss Cross- A Medley of Thoughts.

Connect with Mukta here

https://www.linkedin.com/in/muktaarya/

You can find Jean here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanbalfour/

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/jean.balfour/

We all find work hard at times.

Even the best job is challenging at moments and we procrastinate, complain, resist....

In this episode Jean share Eckhart Tolle's 3 modalities for doing and how we can apply them in our own work to move towards Acceptance, Enjoyment and Enthusiasm

You can find Eckhart's book A New Earth here:

https://shop.eckharttolle.com/collections/books/products/a-new-earth-awakening-to-your-lifes-purpose

You can find Jean here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanbalfour/

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/jean.balfour/

Jean is joined by Louise Tagliante

Louise and Jean talk about

The wide impact a mentoring programme has in an organisation
How to reinvent yourself when hit a career roadblock
What a well structured and impactful mentoring programme includes
The slow progress we are making on gender parity and the role mentoring plays
How setbacks often help us to learn to ask for help

Louise Tagliante is Managing Director & Founder of Differentiate – owner of Protégé-Business Mentoring

Driven by her Purpose, “Live YOUR Passion, Live YOUR Life”, Louise encourages young business professionals to live a life of purpose, passion and meaning by making choices that often challenge their beliefs, values and culture, while effectively managing the expectations of others.

Through Protégé Business Mentoring She has built a learning and collaborative community for mentors and coaches, enhancing their leadership skills, their ability to generously support others and creating opportunities to ‘pay-it forward’ for the next generation of leaders.

Her entrepreneurial approach to business is founded on more than 30 years corporate experience in the financial services sector, having worked both globally and regionally in senior leadership roles.

Prior to founding Differentiate in 2006, she designed and launched the Visa Business School across all countries in Asia Pacific and headed the ABN AMRO Asia Pacific Training Academy.

She created Protégé-Business Mentoring in 2011 to support new leaders to find their own voice and ensure they have a ‘seat at the table’.

In addition to having been a leadership coach and consultant with organisations such as INSEAD, CORE Leadership Institute and Harvard Business School, she was the first in Asia Pacific to become an accredited Coaching Supervisor.

Connect with Louise Tagliante here:

www.linkedin.com/company/protege-businessmentoring

sg.linkedin.com/in/louisejtagliante/

www.protege-mentoring.com

Finding your True North

https://www.amazon.com/Finding-Your-True-North-Personal/dp/0470261366

You can find Jean here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanbalfour/

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/jean.balfour/

Are you Quiet Quitting?

For the last couple of months there's been a lot of talk about Quiet Quitting.

What is it and why does it matter?

I this episode Jean explores some of the causes of this phenomena and what we might do about it.

In this short episode Jean shares some reflections on the impact of our devices on our holidays.

Jean is joined by Aliza Knox.

Aliza and Jean talk about

Portfolio careers
Being the first Twitter employee in Asia
The importance of serendipity in our careers
How to take a chance in your career
How stamina helps in our careers
How to prepare for promotion
The role a personal board of directors in our careers

Aliza built and led APAC businesses for three of the world's top technology firms—Google, Twitter and Cloudflare. Named 2020 APAC IT Woman of The Year, she spent decades as a global finance and consulting executive, and is now a non-executive board director and a senior advisor for Boston Consulting Group (BCG). Aliza now shares her passion and lessons learned with the next generation of business leaders, guiding companies across new frontiers while building and maintaining strong connections between teams around the world.

Ailza has been featured in Business Insider, Quartz, The Muse, TechCrunch and The Economic Times, and is a regular columnist for Forbes, where she shares her wisdom (and humor) to help professionals who dream of "doing it all." She’s the author of the new book Don't Quit Your Day Job: The 6 Mindshifts You Need to Rise and Thrive at Work [Wiley, April 25, 2022], which presents the six empowering, essential mindshifts necessary to rise and thrive in your career – and to love your life at the same time.

Connect with Aliza Knox on:

Official Site: www.alizaknox.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/alizaknox

Twitter: twitter.com/alizaknox

You can find Jean here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanbalfour/

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/jean.balfour/

Andy and Jean talk about strengths in our working lives. They cover

The importance of assuming positive intent in others
Living our strengths at work
How we can be distinctive at work
How strengths overplayed can become weaknesses
The importance of taking a breathe moment

Andy is the PwC Global Sector Leaders for International Development and the PwC

Global Client Partner for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). He and his teams are committed to unlocking the full power of the PwC network globally to support the collective efforts of the International Development / Global Development sector.

Andy has been focused on the International Development market for over 12 years.

Alongside his client role, in 2018 he took on a two year cycle of experience leading the PwC UK Sales and Marketing function as the firm's first UK Chief Sales and Marketing Officer. And this led him to be awarded Fellow of the Chartered Institute Of Marketing (FCIM) status, he is also a Companion of the Chartered Management Institute (CCMI).

Andy is a regular public speaker, usually focusing on strengths based development, innovation, diversity, and inclusion. He has given two TED Talks and has also spoken on Gender Equality at the United Nations HQ in New York.

Most recently Andy published his first book This is your Moment in which he provides a practical guide to those of us who are in transitions on how prepare for and sustain themselves for a more uncertain future.

You can find Andy here:

https://www.andywoodfield.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/andywoodfield/

You can find Jean here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanbalfour/

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/jean.balfour/

Jean’s guest on the podcast is David Balfour - her father.

At 89 David is still working as an Anglican priest in the Church of Scotland.

David has spent nearly all of his career as an ordained priest in the Anglican church. He grew up in the UK, India and Myanmar/Burma and then emigrated to New Zealand when he was 21 working for the Bank of New Zealand. Then when he was 29 he was ordained in the church. David then worked as a vicar in New Zealand for 46 years before his first retirement. The 2nd still hasn’t happened, and he moved to the UK in 2002 and from 2007 picked up clergy work again.

David shares, towards the end, his 3 main lessons from a long career.

Remain true to yourself
It’s okay to fail
It’s okay to be a success

In their conversation they talk about his long career and what he learnt about leadership, teams and how he sees the idea of retirement.

You can get in touch with David via Jean.

You can find Jean here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanbalfour/

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/jean.balfour/

Covid-19 brought workplace wellbeing to the fore in organisations. The combination of the sudden change in ways of working along with the pandemic led to an urgent need to take employees' physical, emotional and mental health seriously.

In this episode of Making Sense of Work, Bianca Stringuini shares her experience of leading through Covid.

Bianca and Jean discuss

How the lack of boundaries between work and life during the pandemic took a toll on people’s health
The tension between our individual responsibility to look after ourselves and the role leaders and managers play creating inclusive and psychologically safe environments.
How psychological safety is key to enabling employees to discuss their wellbeing.
The connection between wellbeing and inclusion at work
The very personal nature of both well being and inclusion

For the past 15 years Bianca has been responsible for creating and implementing Inclusion, Diversity (I&D), Wellbeing, Engagement and Change Management strategies for Fortune 500 companies across multiple markets.

Most recently she led the People Experience and Culture team at KPMG in Singapore. Their aim was to create the best employee value proposition and experience to everyone in an inclusive and human centric manner.

Prior to this Bianca led Inclusion, Diversity and Wellbeing for Visa Asia Pacific, and prior to that, led I&D at JP Morgan Chase, AIG and American Express across Asia. She also headed the I&D practice for Mercer in Asia and has spearheaded strategy, business development and branding, as well as change, talent and performance management projects throughout my career.

Bianca is a certified facilitator in cultural awareness, change management and cultural transformation, an I&D and wellbeing thought leader speaker.

She is also an example of diverse experiences, originally from Brazil, Bianca has lived and worked in Asia, Europe and South America. Her background is in trade and international affairs and her passion continues to be global inclusive growth and impact.

You can find Bianca here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bianca-stringuini-3245592/

We all procrastinate in small ways or large ways. At times procrastination can serve us as it helps us to think more deeply about something. At other times it causes us and possibly others pain, as something simply doesn’t get done.

In this episode Jean Balfour share some of the reasons we procrastinate and then identifies different ways to moving towards action.

She shares 3 key strategies

Aware
Acknowledge
Act

Along with a range of smaller strategies for moving towards action.

If you are interested in our personal and professional development

Looking to work with a coach. You can find Jean at Linked in - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanbalfour/ or on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jean.balfour/

Jean is joined by Danielle Van de Velde.

Dani helps others understand and master the art of meditation, transformative inner practice, and healing through private coaching, energy sessions, courses, and tailored programs for individuals, schools, and organizations. A sought-after healer and spiritual mentor, Dani is a popular speaker at industry forums, a published writer, and holds regular retreats in Asia and Australia.

Dani has also recently published her first book -

Spirited: A Guide to your Innate Spiritual Design to Transform your Life.

In Spirited Dani reframes meditation as an intentional practice to transform from reactive, to responsive, to expansive, and ultimately to creative living. She helps you remember who and what you really are, to live in active cohesion and co-creation with life and to operate creatively and intuitively in a state of flow. She shares how to remember this is when we heal and come back to our true nature and design. This is being spirited.

Dani is host of the Modern Crone Podcast, has some wonderful guided meditations available on spotify and insight timer , offering Reiki and intuitive healing – and so much more.

In this conversation Dani shares

Her transition from corporate leader to spiritual teacher and healer
How starting her day out to be open to possibility through the ritual of greeting the dawn sets her up to be ready for whatever the day brings.
The importance of taking our career and life experiences as learning experiences and not to be regretted.
How to work with Head, Heart and Gut in making decisions in daily life.

You can find Dani in the following places.

Spirited is available on all major online bookstores and via her website.

https://daniellevandevelde.com
https://www.facebook.com/danivandeveldethemeditationteacher

Join the Spirited Community at https://instagram.com/spiritedbydani

The Modern Crone Podcast

https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/the-modern-crone/id1600664134

Dani’s meditations can be found here:

https://insighttimer.com/daniellevandevelde

https://open.spotify.com/artist/5jKYHUtzl5pYLlVyGfaKot?si=L5RI8oGgRrKcBrpcN5Mwgw

The Game of Life and How to Play it - Florence Scovel Shinn

https://www.amazon.com/Game-Life-How-Play/dp/1614270791

The Game of Life and How to Play It (Prosperity Classic)

Do you have a mentor, sponsor or coach?

Do we even need one?

In this episode Jean shares insights into the difference between the 3 and the advantages of each of them.

She also does a deep dive into sponsorship and share 4 key areas in how to be sponsor ready!

You can find Jean here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanbalfour/
https://www.instagram.com/jean.balfour/

You can sign up to our newsletter here:

https://baileybalfour.com/

Sylvia Ann Hewlett

https://www.sylviaannhewlett.com/

Joanna Lee Miller made a radical career change. In 2017 she took a year sabbatical to study painting in Florence - fully intending to return to her corporate career. Nearly 4 years later she is a professional artist alongside working as a career coach and change consultant.

In this high energy conversation Jo shares her story about making this move from corporate life to artist life and portfolio career.

We talk about

How important relationships are in building a successful career
The importance of sponsorship
The struggle of how to decide to move out of corporate life
How a coach helped her to make the decision to follow her dream
How to hold the tension between her art and her corporate work and coaching

Joanna Lee Miller is an organizational change and transformation expert driving effective and lasting change for companies at the local to the multinational level across all industries.

Jo is also a career advancement coach and is a professional landscape painter. She began her career with Deloitte consulting in change management communications talent management and culture transformation. She then moved into HR, working as HR director at American express in New York, London, and Singapore. While in Singapore, Jo decided to shift gears completely, moving from here to Florence, Italy, to train as a professional artist at the Florence academy of Art.

Jo's three years of highly technical training followed the traditional academic methods of the 19th century European Ateliers. She's now back in South Africa, her home country, where she's focusing on her three different yet interconnected careers, change management, consultant, career advancement, coaching and landscape painter.

You can find Joanna here:

joannaleemiller.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanna-miller-517b38/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joannaleemiller/
@joannaleemiller

Kim Myerson: https://www.kmyerson.com/

Alice Toich: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/alice_toich/?hl=en

Lindsey Coen Fernandez: lindsey@withu.org

The Artist’s way - Julia Cameron - https://juliacameronlive.com/

Emotional Agility - Susan David -

https://www.susandavid.com/

https://www.instagram.com/susandavid_phd/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanadavidphd/

We often hear about leaders that they are charismatic or lack charisma. However both research and experience doesn’t point to charisma being a required attribute of effective leadership.

In this episode I explore what we really mean by charisma and how we can demonstrate effective and authentic leadership without feeling we need to be something we may not be.

You can find Jean here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanbalfour/

Instagram: - @jean.bafour

Podcast episodes which relate to this episode:

Episode 5 - Finding your Authentic Voice with Serena Evans

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-5-finding-your-authentic-voice-with-serena-evans/id1598286690?i=1000552761679

Episode 8 - Political Savvy

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-8-nine-ways-to-be-politically-savvy-at-work/id1598286690?i=1000555074458

Episode 13 - Managing Up

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-13-the-tricky-business-of-managing-up/id1598286690?i=1000558934024

Episode 14 - Strategic Thinking with Stacy McCarthy

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-14-developing-strategic-thinking-with-stacy-mccarthy/id1598286690?i=1000559663696

Jim Collins - Level 5 Leadership

https://www.jimcollins.com/concepts/level-five-leadership.html

Too Much Charisma Can Make Leaders Look Less Effective

https://hbr.org/2017/09/too-much-charisma-can-make-leaders-look-less-effective

Amy Cuddy

https://www.amycuddy.com/

Jean is joined by Dr Wayne Mullen.

Jean and Wayne talk about

How to create culture in a virtual world in a 100% virtual organisation
How diverse leaders bring the critical skills needed for the future in organisations
The double whammy for women as leaders
Authenticity and leadership

Wayne runs Mollitiam, a consultancy business, and is the Chief People Officer at Xapo Bank. His previous roles included Chief People Officer and Chief of Staff at Quartz Enterprises, Director of Global Leadership and Capability at King (the Candy Crush people), Global Head of Leadership and Organisational Development at VTB Capital, and Head of Leadership and Development for Standard Bank’s international investment banking business.

He holds an MSc in Organisational Behaviour (Occupational Psychology), an EMBA, and a Doctorate in Leadership and Organisational Development (awarded the Ken Goulding Prize for Research Excellence). His doctoral research focused on the experiences and development needs of minority leaders.

He has many other qualifications including being an executive coach.

He has contributed chapters to two books – The Tavistock Institute’s ‘Dynamics at Boardroom Level’ and Springer Nature’s book ‘Management for Professionals: Global Diversity Management’. Wayne is a Visiting Professor of Diversity, Leadership and Organisational Development at Middlesex University and a trustee of Ben Cohen’s Standup Foundation.

You can find Wayne here

https://www.linkedin.com/in/waynemullen/

https://www.xapo.com/

https://standupfoundation-uk.org/

Dynamics at Board Level

https://www.routledge.com/Dynamics-at-Boardroom-Level-A-Tavistock-Primer-for-Leaders-Coaches-and/Brissett-Sher-Smith/p/book/9780367540777

Global Diversity Management

https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-19523-6

Time to Think - Nancy Kline

https://www.timetothink.com/

The Promise of Giants - John Amaechi

https://www.amazon.com/Promises-Giants-John-Amaechi-ebook/dp/B08YYGNLTC

The Promises of Giants

What does ambition mean to you?

It has often been associated with only the ambition to climb the corporate ladder.

But ambition means many different things. We may be ambitious to make a difference or to care for our family.

In this episode Jean shares her view on ambition and how we can reclaim ambition for ourselves.

Today’s podcast guest is Vanessa Iloste. Jean and Vanessa have a great high energy conversation about how to have a courageous career conversation - both as an individual and as a leader.

Vanessa was born in France and moved to Japan at the age of 19 years old.

She received a scholarship to study in Japan and has been now living and working in the Asia region for 26 years. She has lived in Osaka, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Singapore.

Vanessa has been working for the LVMH Group for 21 years and is today the HR VP of Sephora Asia.

She is married and has 2 children. Her hobby is writing and she is currently completing a story taking place in Hong Kong.”Vanessa shares

The role HR played during Covid in crisis management
How a crisis is an opportunity for learning for all of us
Ways to be curious about many different career options
How to be aware of your ‘employability’ in the market
How to talk about compensation with your manager

You can find Vanessa here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-iloste-she-her-4a30a537/

The books Vanessa mentioned - The House on Palmer Road and the House on Silat Road are linked below.

https://epigrambookshop.sg/products/the-house-on-palmer-road

https://epigrambookshop.sg/products/the-house-on-silat-road

You can find Jean Balfour here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanbalfour/

As we move to a different phase of Covid many organisations are moving back to working in the office.

But this is proving challenging. Many individuals are not keen to go back full time and many leaders are not sure if hybrid working can work!

In this episode Jean explores ways to help hybrid working to be successful.

She talks about how we need to overcome 'Operational Distance' and 'Affinity Distance' and how we can build a case for creating the working patterns that work best for us.

Information relating to Karen Sobel-Lojeski

https://hbr.org/2015/04/the-subtle-ways-our-screens-are-pushing-us-apart

The Power of Virtual Distance

https://www.amazon.com/Power-Virtual-Distance-Productivity-Happiness/dp/1119608597

Looking to work with a coach. You can find Jean here.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanbalfour/

https://jeanbalfour.com/

In this episode Jean is joined by Tamara Singh.

Jean and Tamara talk about

Creative ways to build a portfolio career
Her experience of COP 26
Regenerative systems and sustainability
How to make hybrid working work
What a climate hackathon is and why the green economy is important

Tamara spends time considering global systems and the nudges that may help to render them more sustainable, She does this drawing on her expertise in Financial Systems, Digital and Sustainability. She enjoys a portfolio career which allows her to devote her energy to her profession and her passions.

Tamara built her career across energy, financial services and fund management, governing trading floors in London, New York and Asia Pacific. Having earned her stripes at Centrica Plc, BP Oil International, Deutsche Bank and Macquarie Bank, she returned home to Singapore in 2012.

On home ground, Tamara served Westpac Banking Corporation and then her country working for GIC. Whilst supporting GIC’s mandate for Singapore, she contributed to digital transformation and sustainability initiatives, building relationships across the financial ecosystem worldwide. This ignited her to structure a portfolio career centred on enabling sustainable organisations to scale, while championing impactful change.

At present, Tamara works at all levels across industries to both better the finance ecosystem and to further enterprises through sustainable business practices. She holds Board positions with Conjunct Consulting, South East Asia’s first social change consultancy, and the People Centered Internet. She also coaches leaders of organisations and advises start-ups navigating sustainability and scale.

As her linked in profiles states she is a proud mama of her two young sons – who she is devoted to, and who have stretched her out of her comfort zone and into efforts to master ball sports and patience.

She recharges through appreciating food and drink in excellent company, then exercising and dieting in solitude.

You can find Tamara here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamarasingh/

Other organisations Tamara is connected with:

https://peoplecentered.net/

https://conjunctconsulting.org/

Books Tamara mentioned:

Sarah Ichioka and Michael Pawlyn

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Flourish-Design-Paradigms-Planetary-Emergency-ebook/dp/B09MWMDJCC/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1648804025&sr=8-1

Invisible Women

https://carolinecriadoperez.com/book/invisible-women/

Herminia Ibarra -The Authenticity Paradox

https://hbr.org/2015/01/the-authenticity-paradox

Herminia Ibarra - Working Identity

https://store.hbr.org/product/working-identity-unconventional-strategies-for-reinventing-your-career/4139

Anne-Marie Slaughter

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne-Marie_Slaughter

Enders Game/Enders Shadow - Orson Scott Card

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ender%27s_Game

Do you have a clear career plan? How often do you revisit your direction of travel to see if you are heading where you want to?

Our career is ours along! Even if we work in an organisation, it’s still up to us to make sure we are having the career we choose, and not one chosen for us by our organisations.

In our busy lives, it can be easy to put off doing any thinking or planning for our career. And yet, unless we do, it can head in directions we may not choose for ourselves.

In this practical workshop Jean shares her 3 steps to career planning.

She will share tools and techniques to help you have an ongoing career reflection and planning process.

If you are interested to go in this journey in a group our Finding your Purpose, Planning your Career group coaching programme runs at regular intervals. You can find out more information and sign up here.

https://baileybalfour.com/personal-professional-growth/finding-your-purpose-planning-your-career/

Looking to work with a coach. You can find Jean here.

https://jeanbalfour.com/

For some of us strategic thinking comes naturally - for others it is something we have to learn.

In this episode Jean Balfour is joined by Stacy McCarthy. Stacy is a business advisor, executive coach and board member.

Stacy McCarthy has spent a lot of her career developing strategy for one of the world's big brands. In this podcast she and Jean Balfour talk about

The importance of stepping out of your comfort zone in your career
The connection between purpose, values and resilience
How to plan time for strategic thinking
Ways to ‘triage’ your time and what you prioritise
How to link global and regional strategies and to influence both
Leading large teams
How do empower people to take risks

Stacy has over 25 years of experience across a really broad range of things. She has worked as an international executive, a military officer, and as a board director. Her career has had her living and working in nine countries where she led regional infrastructure operations for a fortune 500 company from across the Asian and India, Middle East and Africa regions.

In the Asian region, she transformed the team into an energised high performance organisation that supported 22% growth in the region with a reduction in operating costs whilst achieving 91% employee engagement score. She's led strategic planning for a defence business helping to identify and make a large shift in product lines and capabilities. She's also been an investment banker, a professional staffer on the US Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, and was a commander in the U S Navy with two command tours.

You can find Stacy at Aesara Partners and on Linkedin.

https://www.aesarapartners.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacy-mccarthy-pcc-gaicd-1ab96a5/

Cal Newport’s Work

https://www.calnewport.com

Michael Porter

https://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Pages/profile.aspx?facId=6532
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/407999.Competitive_Strategy

Peter Schwartz - The Art of the Long View

https://www.amazon.com/Art-Long-View-Planning-Uncertain/dp/0385267320

The Economist

https://www.economist.com/

Wired Magazine

https://www.wired.com/

The Artist’s Way

https://juliacameronlive.com/

The Art of the Long View: Planning for the Future in an Uncertain World

What is it about managing up that seems so challenging?

Some people do it with ease, but most of us have difficulty with it at some stage in our career. There's a good reason for this. We were often raised not to promote ourselves, or to respect the hierarchy.

The challenge is that if we don’t build good relationships up as well as down the line, then we may miss out on opportunities for new roles or even promotion.

In this podcast episode Jean will

In this episode Jean shares

Insights into why we find this so difficult
How we can shift our mindset
Practical ways to manage upwards without compromising our values.

Looking for a coach - you can find Jean here

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanbalfour/

https://baileybalfour.com/

If you would like a regular update on podcast episodes you can sign up to Jean’s email list.

https://jeanbalfour.com/

Caroline Webb - How to Have a Good day

https://carolinewebb.co/

Inclusive Leadership is shown to have a big impact on both business outcomes and employee engagement - as well, of course, as being the right thing to do. And yet we don’t see enough leaders being inclusive.

In this podcast Jean talks with Pierre Cheung who puts inclusion at the heart of his leadership approach. Pierre is Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) for Kreed Entertainment Inc - the first inclusive K-Culture entertainment firm focusing on Kpop academy, NFT community, and IP management with a purpose to raise youth mental awareness.

In this episode he shares

The importance of positive energy in having a successful career
The role purpose plays at work
How we are not born to be inclusive - we have to learn it

Until recently Pierre was SVP and General Manager for Viacom CBS Networks Asia business including Greater China, Korea, Japan and Southeast Asia. This included digital media, programme sales, consumer products. He also led the charge for the company’s VIS (Viacom International Studios) business in Asia to drive local content creation.

He moved to Viacom CBS from BBC Worldwide where he worked for 14 years, latterly as Vice President and General Manager for Greater China where he was in charge of BBC Worldwide’s channel, content distribution, consumer products, local production, and brand development activities across China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

You can find Pierre here

https://www.linkedin.com/in/pierre-cheung-933b7026/

The programme for the BBC in China

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wild_China

The Freakonomics information

https://freakonomics.com/

You can find Jean here

https://jeanbalfour.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanbalfour/

Interested in training as a coach

https://baileybalfour.com/

Those who know me well that for much of my working life I have been plagued by self doubt, over thinking and worry - even anxiety. It impacted my work, my experience of work, and often left me feeling depleted. About 15 years ago I decided it was time to change. This led me on a journey of discovery of the best approaches to managing negative thinking and low confidence.

In this workshop I share with you what I have learnt and introduce practical and easy to use strategies which you can start applying today!

You can find me here

https://jeanbalfour.com/

Martha Beck

https://marthabeck.com/

The Happiness Trap Book

https://www.actmindfully.com.au/product/the-happiness-trap/

The Happiness Trap Course

https://thehappinesstrap.com/

The most common topic people ask Jean to talk about is Toxic Work Cultures. In this episode Jean is joined by Liz Bingham. Liz shares her insights on this along with sharing her career journey.

Liz began her career straight from school with BDO Stoy Hayward in 1981, joining Ernst & Young in 1986.

She went on to have a long and illustrious career with EY. As well as an outstanding career as a restructuring expert, she held a number of positions of responsibility in the ﬁrm. This included her role as Managing Partner of the UK and Ireland Board where she led the development and delivery of the ﬁrm’s extraordinarily successful strategy for employer brand, talent development and Diversity and Inclusion.

She is an avid campaigner for diversity and inclusiveness in the workplace, for non-graduates, for women, for parents, for flexible workers and for LGBT+ people and this resulted in Liz being recognised by HM Queen with the honour of OBE for services to equality in the workplace.

Liz has received numerous awards and honours throughout her career including being ranked in the top 20 of the FT Top 50 Outstanding in Business List. She also both appeared in and later judged the BBC Radio 4 Woman’s Hour 100 Power List. She holds an Honorary Doctorate of Business Administration from BPP University.

Jean and Liz talk about

How it takes a community for someone to have a successful senior career.
Research on how high performing teams often function as inclusive communities
Creating a ‘swarm’ to support you when you are experiencing a toxic work environment
How leaders can be aware of their own toxic behaviours when they are derailed and get back to equilibrium.

The Athena Doctrine

https://www.johngerzema.com/books/athena-doctrine

In this episode Jean is joined by Soo Yee Leong.

Soo Yee is an entrepreneurial corporate leader who enjoys working with people to create the future through innovating, solving problems and seizing opportunities, Soo Yee's energy, and her entrepreneurial spirit led her to becoming the first Asian member of the global executive team of the UK based ACCA (The Association for Chartered Certified Accountants).

Over her 20 years of experience Soo Yee worked on a huge range of things, including business strategy, P & L management, enterprise growth, business, and digital transformation, marketing, strategic partnerships, and government relationships. She’s worked across many sectors, including professional educational, banking, insurance, quick service restaurants and energy.

She is passionate about the power of technology, particularly digital on improving lives and uplifting communities. She's also a strong advocate of inclusion and diversity and environmental sustainability. In addition to all this Soo Yee is a mentor on the look up mentor club, a mentoring platform that connects aspiring women professionals with industry leaders.

In this podcast Jean and Soo Yee talk about

The importance of vulnerability in leadership
How to make career transitions from expert to generalist and how to move sectors
Learning about how to break through glass ceilings

You can find Soo Yee here

https://www.linkedin.com/in/soo-yee-leong-928bb721/

Adam Grant’s Website

https://www.adamgrant.net/

Give and Take - Adam Grant

The Originals - Adam Grant

vLookUpMentorClub

https://www.vlookup.ai/

Jean can be found here

https://jeanbalfour.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanbalfour/

All organisations are inherently political. However, many people would rather not engage in politics at work as it often has negative connotations.

In this episode Jean Balfour introduces the importance of being politically savvy and its importance in enhancing both workplace performance and career prospects. She

Shares how to balance being politically astute while also acting with integrity.
Identifies the specific behaviours demonstrated by people who get this balance right.
Introduces 9 strategies to becoming more politically savvy.

In a world of increasing specialization, Andrew has consciously sought a broad base of experiences - from organic farming and Shiatsu massage in the UK to printing money in the USA and developing sales service and leadership skills in clients, colleagues and himself.

Singapore based for the past 18 years, he is currently an executive facilitator and master coach with a human capital constancy and in private practice as coach to young and emerging leaders.

A lover of learning and science fiction, Andrew is a connector of dots and frequent blogger on leadership, self awareness and self care.

In the podcast Jean and Andrew discuss

What is lifelong learning?
Why does it matter to engage in lifelong learning?
The research behind why it matters
How to do it?

You can find Andrew here:

http://www.andrewjcalvert.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewcalvert/

Happy Mind, Happy Life Podcast

https://drchatterjee.com/11-powerful-tips-to-help-you-live-longer-and-better/

Write a letter to the future

https://www.futureme.org/

You can find Jean here

https://baileybalfour.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanbalfour/

Are you on the tiredness/exhaustion/burnout continuum?

A recent McKinsey study suggested that over 50% of us at work are exhibiting signs of burnout.

In this episode Jean Balfour shares her own very personal story of Burnout and what she learnt from it.

She goes on to share

Signs and symptoms of exhaustion and burnout
Possible causes from our working lives
Her approach to recovery
A call to action to leaders and organisations to take exhaustion seriously.

She ends on a high note - sharing how fully recovery is possible - bringing back enjoyment and meaning in work.

The Way of Integrity by Martha Beck https://marthabeck.com/the-way-of-integrity/

Singapore Botanic Gardens https://www.nparks.gov.sg/sbg

Mindfulness and Meditation apps

https://insighttimer.com/

https://www.headspace.com/

Cal Newport on ways of working - https://www.calnewport.com/

You can find Jean Balfour here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanbalfour/

If you are interested in training as a coach - www.baileybalfour.com

In this episode Jean is joined by Serena Evans. Serena has worked as an actor for over 40 years in theatre and television. She also helps people to find their authentic voice through coaching and facilitating groups.

In this episode they discuss

How to build connection and belonging with people when working virtually,
How anxiety is a normal response to public speaking!
Strategies for calming and relaxing when we are speaking to an audience or in meetings
The importance of telling stories to connect with and relate to others
How this period has led to us learning new skills
The role courage plays in helping us to take risks and be ready for rejection!
How to see our careers as a long game - which helps us to overcome the knocks

If you would like to work with Serena to find your own Authentic Voice you can contact her via her website - https://serenaevans.co.uk/

Time to Think by Nancy Kline https://www.timetothink.com/books/time-to-think/

Be Heard Now by Lee Glickstein
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2025790.Be_Heard_Now_

The Moth - Podcast https://themoth.org/podcast

Jean Balfour - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanbalfour/

Bailey Balfour Asia Pacific https://www.baileybalfour.com

This is the first in a series of episodes about the importance of self awareness in our working lives.

One of the things that Jean has learned over 30 years of consulting is how much being self-aware is important in our working lives and in our personal lives. If we want to make sense of every aspect of work, we need to understand our approach to it and what we're bringing to it.

In this episode she talks about why being self aware is important at work. Using personal examples and practical approaches she describes how we can deepen our self awareness.

She does a deep dive into how our current mood affects us at work and how we can learn to be more aware and lessen the impact on us and the people around us.

https://hbr.org/2015/01/the-authenticity-paradoxhttps://www.instagram.com/jean.balfour/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanbalfour/

https://www.baileybalfour.com

In this episode Jean is joined by Ambica Yadavalli. Ambica is Director, Head of YSC Consulting South East Asia and Hong Kong.

Ambica has consulted globally in assessment, executive coaching, top team development and leadership strategy across a range of industries. She specializes in the space of inclusive leadership, with a particular interest in female leadership and creating psychologically safe work spaces. Ambica is passionate about gender equality and aims to partner with top management teams to bring diversity and inclusion to the forefront of their leadership strategy. She has extensive experience as an advisor to organizations in aligning their people strategy with their business strategy.

Ambica starts by sharing how important purpose is in our working lives, especially at the moment. She goes on to share

The impact of hybrid working on organisational culture and how we can positively and intentional build inclusive cultures where people have a sense of belonging.
The 3 key signals leaders can use to create organisational culture
How to navigate organisational politics
Great tips on how to talk to your line manager if you are thinking of resigning - before you take the big leap

www.ysc.com

https://www.ysc.com/team/ambica-yadavalli/

https://hbr.org/2018/01/podcast-ideacast

https://howswork.estherperel.com/

https://brenebrown.com/

https://www.instagram.com/jean.balfour

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanbalfour/

https://www.baileybalfour.com

The Great Resignation is on everyone’s lips. A google search found 255 million hits on something we only heard about in 2021.

What is it? And what happens if I am feeling the urge to join the movement and resign from my job?

Covid-19 has had a big impact on our mood and experience of work - but is changing jobs really the answer?

In this podcast Jean Balfour looks at the reasons why we might be tempted to leave our jobs at the moment.

She identifies

· How to make sense of the feelings we have about work at the moment

· What to do if you do want to resign

· How to make sure you make the right decision for you

If you are thinking about changing jobs, and are not sure what to do, a coach can help.

If you would like to know more about finding a coach you can find Jean at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanbalfour/

You can also contact us via our website www.baileybalfour.com.

We hear a lot about the importance of having a clear sense of purpose. Yet for many people it can be difficult to know what their purpose is - or even if it really matters.

In this episode Jean explores the idea of purpose - what it is and why it matters. She shares practical ways of helping you to become clearer about your purpose in your work.

The episode includes

Jean’s own experience of working on getting closer to her purpose
A context of why knowing your purpose matters
The concept that finding our purpose is an iterative journey
What to do if your current role is not aligned with your purpose
Strategies for identifying your purpose if you are unsure

https://simonsinek.com/

https://www.danpink.com/books/drive/

https://www.stephencope.com/shop/books/the-great-work-of-your-life-a-guide-for-the-journey-to-your-true-calling/

If you would like to know more about our Coach Training and Professional Development courses follow the link below.

https://baileybalfour.com/

If you are interested in coaching with Jean please connect via Linked In

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanbalfour/

**Welcome to Making Sense of Work

Work is Hard - and yet most people work and many of us are driven and ambitious.**

In this introduction Jean describes why she is interested about how we can all Make Sense of Work in order to have more happy and fulfilling work lives.

www.baileybalfour.com