Podcast
Career Espresso
Hosted by Amanda Owen-Meehan · EN
Career Espresso gives you a weekly shot of career and leadership know-how in under 15 minutes. I’m Amanda, and each week I share real stories and practical ideas to help you handle the challenges of work. from dealing with tricky bosses to building confidence as a leader. These short, straight-talking episodes are designed to give you something useful you can try for yourself and with your team. No fluff, no jargon — just honest conversations about how we work, lead and grow.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
34episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Episode 105 - Making your invisible work visible (without feeling like you're bragging)
Feb 400:16:00Tap to summarizeYou fixed the problem nobody else could sort out. You built the process that made everything run smoother. You're the one people come to when things are on fire.And when promotion time comes, someone else gets it. Because their work was "more visible."This episode of Career Espresso is about making invisible work visible. Not the theory of self-promotion. The actual work of translating what you do into language that systems recognise.What you'll discover - Why your work stays invisible (it's structurally designed that way, especially for women who do the glue work)The three types of invisible work and why each one needs translating differentlyHow to move from describing what you did to describing what changed because you did itWhy "I just helped" and other minimising language makes your contributions disappearThe shift from activity to outcome that makes your work tangible without sounding like you're boastingPerfect for anyone whose real contributions happen behind the scenes and don't show up on dashboards or in performance reviews.Want more support with real-world leadership challenges? Head to How to Build a Leader on Substack for in-depth guides and scripts.Never miss an episode. Sign up for the weekly Espresso Brief email and get each episode with quick takeaways in your inbox.Get the full episode transcript Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →Episode 104 - How to stop taking work back after you've delegated it
Jan 2800:15:36Tap to summarizeDelegation fails when you hand something over with vague expectations, skip the checkpoint until it's too late, then quietly stay late fixing it yourself. The problem isn't that you can't let go. It's that you're missing the setup that makes letting go possible. This episode tackles why women leaders get stuck in the delegate-then-reclaim cycle, and the boring but essential process that stops it happening.What you'll discover• The three things you need in place before you hand work over (most people skip all three, then wonder why they're redoing everything at 10pm)• Why waiting until work is 95% done to check in leaves you with only two options: accept substandard work or fix it yourself• What "good enough" actually looks like when you write it down before delegating and why this one step prevents most rework• The questions to ask yourself before you silently take work back (because sometimes taking it back is the right call, but it should be a decision, not a habit)Perfect for leaders who know they need to stop doing everyone's work but aren't sure how to make delegation stick without things falling apart.Want more support with real-world leadership challenges? Head to How to Build a Leader on Substack for in-depth guides and scripts.Never miss an episode. Sign up for the weekly Espresso Brief email and get each episode with quick takeaways in your inbox.Get the full episode transcript Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →Episode 103 - How to ask for more at work (and what to do when the script falls apart)
Jan 2100:17:00Tap to summarizeHow to ask for more at work (and what to do when the script falls apart)You've rehearsed this conversation a hundred times. You know exactly what you're going to say. And then your manager responds with something you didn't expect and suddenly your brain goes blank. The script you'd prepared just evaporates. You find yourself nodding along, saying "I understand" or worse, backing down entirely.This episode of Career Espresso is about how to actually ask for more when the conversation doesn't follow your plan. Not the theory of negotiation. The real work of staying grounded when things go sideways.What you'll discoverWhy most advice focuses entirely on preparation but misses what actually happens in the room when things go off-scriptThe specific ways women are conditioned to backpedal when conversations get uncomfortable (and why recognising this helps)What to say when you get hit with budget constraints, the praise pivot, or "I need to check with HR"Why this is rarely one conversation and how to follow up without feeling like you're being annoyingCommon patterns that keep women stuck: preparation as procrastination, the grateful trap, the "one shot" mentalityPerfect for leaders who've rehearsed these conversations but still find themselves accepting less than they came in asking for.Want more support with real-world leadership challenges? Head to How to Build a Leader on Substack for in-depth guides and scripts.Never miss an episode. Sign up for the weekly Espresso Brief email and get each episode with quick takeaways in your inbox.Get the full episode transcript Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →Episode 102 - What to do when your energy doesn't match your ambition
Jan 1400:15:59Tap to summarizeWhat to do when your energy doesn't match your ambitionYou know exactly what you want to do. You've got the plan. You might even have the opportunity sitting right in front of you. And yet... you can't seem to make yourself do it. You're not confused about what needs to happen. You've got ambition coming out of your ears. But somewhere between knowing and doing, there's this gap. This heaviness. This "I know, I know, but I just... can't right now."This episode of Career Espresso is about what to do when your drive is intact but your fuel tank is empty. Not motivation tips. Not goal-setting advice. The real work of keeping going when you've got nothing left to give.What you'll discoverThe difference between "I've given up" and "I'm depleted" and why that distinction mattersWhat minimum viable progress looks like when you're running on emptyWhy pushing harder when you're exhausted just digs a deeper holeHow to match your actions to your actual energy instead of the energy you think you should haveThe extra costs women carry that often go unacknowledged and how they drain you fasterListen to this episode if you still care about your goals but haven't got the energy to chase them right now.Want more support with real-world leadership challenges? Head to How to Build a Leader on Substack for in-depth guides and scripts.Never miss an episode. Sign up for the weekly Espresso Brief email and get each episode with quick takeaways in your inbox.Get the full episode transcript Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →Episode 71 - How to Celebrate Your Wins and Set Bold Career Goals for 2025
Dec 18, 202400:14:25Tap to summarizeReady to transform your career wins into stepping stones for an extraordinary 2025? In this powerful season finale, we will cover why even the most successful amongst us struggle to acknowledge their achievements and how research backed strategies can help us break this pattern.Drawing from her extensive experience coaching top women leaders, Amanda introduces four game-changing frameworks -💡 The Psychology of Celebration Framework💡 The 2024 Career Audit IMPACT Method💡 The Win-Wisdom-Way Forward Process💡 The BOLD Goal Setting SystemThrough real stories and practical examples, this episode gives you the exact tools you need to audit your 2024 achievements, celebrate your wins effectively, and set ambitious yet achievable goals for 2025. You'll also get a detailed 90-day action plan to turn your career aspirations into reality.Whether you're a rising leader feeling stuck in the "just doing my job" mindset or an experienced leader who wants more from your career, this episode delivers actionable strategies to help you recognise your worth and plan your next career move with confidence.Get your Career Espresso 90 Day action planDon't forget to take a look at this week's pod sheet to support your learning and exploration of the podcast topicGet a full transcript of the episode hereCheck out the Ready to Rise 2024 Career Planner here If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts and leave a review so we can make every episode even more helpful for your career.And if you have any questions or topics you'd like to see covered in future episodes, get in touch at amanda@wearereadytorise.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →Episode 70 - Essential Skills for Long-Term Success: Building Your Career Toolkit
Dec 12, 202400:11:04Tap to summarizeWant to accelerate your career growth but tired of generic advice? In this power-packed episode, leadership expert Amanda reveals five game-changing skills that have helped hundreds of women leaders reach the next level in their careers. Drawing from 25 years of leadership and coaching experience, she breaks down exactly how to build your strategic toolkit with practical frameworks you can implement immediately.You'll discover➡️ How to create an "impact portfolio" that showcases your achievements and sets you apart in promotion discussions➡️ A proven framework for communicating your value that helped one client secure a £2 million account➡️ The "SCOPE" method for making strategic decisions that get noticed by senior leadership➡️ A simple 3-2-1 template for managing up that's so effective, entire teams have adopted it➡️ How to build strategic influence without office politicsWhether you're aiming for your next promotion or wanting to maximize your current role's impact, this episode provides the exact templates and frameworks you need. Learn how one client used these techniques to land a director-level position by documenting £90,000 in cost savings.Stop letting your achievements go unnoticed. Tune in to discover how just 15 minutes a day can transform your career trajectory with these battle-tested strategies.Get your Career Espresso Quick Start Guide Template -Essential Skills in 15 Minutes a DayDon't forget to take a look at this week's pod sheet to support your learning and exploration of the podcast topicGet a full transcript of the episode hereCheck out the Ready to Rise 2024 Career Planner here If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts and leave a review so we can make every episode even more helpful for your career.And if you have any questions or topics you'd like to see covered in future episodes, get in touch at amanda@wearereadytorise.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →Episode 69 - Leading Without Authority: How to Build Influence at Work
Dec 4, 202400:09:57Tap to summarizeReady to start having an impact at work—without the formal title? In this week's episode we'll reveal the strategies you need for building workplace influence and leading impactful projects from any position.Listen to discover - ➡️ The exact phrase that turns meeting complaints into leadership opportunities➡️ A proven 3-step framework for building influence without authority➡️ Real-world tactics that transformed a resistant sales team into change championsLearn three instant "power moves" you can implement this week - ⚡️ Becoming the go-to solutions person⚡️ Building a strategic trust network⚡️ Mastering the value-first approachPerfect for ambitious professionals and emerging leaders, this episode delivers actionable templates, practical examples, and critical mindset shifts to boost your workplace impact immediately.Ready to stop waiting for permission to lead? Hit play now! 🎧Don't forget to take a look at this week's pod sheet to support your learning and exploration of the podcast topicGet a full transcript of the episode hereCheck out the Ready to Rise 2024 Career Planner here If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts and leave a review so we can make every episode even more helpful for your career.And if you have any questions or topics you'd like to see covered in future episodes, get in touch at amanda@wearereadytorise.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →Episode 68 - The Power of No - Creating a Strategic 'Yes' Filter for Your Career
Nov 27, 202400:14:11Tap to summarizeAre you drowning in commitments at work because you can't say no? You're not alone. In this week's episode of Career Espresso, discover why saying 'no' might be the career superpower you never knew you needed.Drawing from 25 years of leadership experience and executive coaching, your host Amanda reveals why the most successful women aren't the ones saying yes to everything – they're the ones mastering the art of the strategic no. Learn how one coaching client discovered that 70% of her quick favours were taking triple the expected time, while half weren't even aligned with her career goals.We'll be covering - ➡️ Why being helpful might be secretly sabotaging your career growth➡️ The hidden "Yes Traps" that keep high-achieving women stuck➡️ A practical framework for making strategic decisions about opportunities➡️ How to say no professionally without burning bridges➡️ The four currencies you're spending every time you say yes➡️ A two-week challenge to transform your decision-makingThis is a must listen episode if you - ✅ Find yourself overwhelmed with commitments✅ Struggle to put your own career goals first✅ Want to advance in your career without burning out✅ Need practical scripts for saying no professionallyIn the words of a recent client "I've said fewer yeses this month, but they're better yeses. And surprisingly, people respect me more for it." 🎯 Bonus: Download our Strategic Yes Filter Template to start making better decisions today.Don't forget to take a look at this week's pod sheet to support your learning and exploration of the podcast topicGet a full transcript of the episode hereCheck out the Ready to Rise 2024 Career Planner here If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts and leave a review so we can make every episode even more helpful for your career.And if you have any questions or topics you'd like to see covered in future episodes, get in touch at amanda@wearereadytorise.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →Episode 67 - Building Your Professional Ecosystem - The Network You Didn't Know You Needed
Nov 20, 202400:13:00Tap to summarizeAre you tired of awkward networking events and collecting business cards that gather dust? In this weeks episode of Career Espresso, we'll reveal why traditional networking advice might be holding you back – and what to try instead.Whether you're an introvert who'd rather reorganise your sock drawer than attend a networking event, or simply skeptical about the whole networking game, this episode delivers practical strategies that actually work in the real world.What you'll learn - ➡️ Why the "social butterfly" approach to networking is outdated (and what really works instead)➡️ How one client built her entire professional network during morning dog walks➡️ The four essential types of connections every career needs to thrive➡️ A practical two-week challenge to start building your ecosystem without overwhelm➡️ Why asking for advice might actually make you appear more competent, not lessThis week includes networking strategies that are perfect for - ✅ Introverts looking for alternative networking strategies✅ Busy professionals who need efficient relationship-building approaches✅ Anyone who's ever felt awkward at a networking event✅ Early-career individuals wondering what they have to offer✅ Leaders looking to build more meaningful professional relationshipsDownload the free Professional Ecosystem Builder template mentioned in this episode to start mapping your network today.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Networking Myths02:58 Understanding Your Professional Ecosystem05:55 Building Your Network Intentionally08:51 Practical Networking Strategies09:47 Two-Week Ecosystem Building ChallengeDownload the ecosystem builder guide Don't forget to take a look at this week's pod sheet to support your learning and exploration of the podcast topicGet a full transcript of the episode hereCheck out the Ready to Rise 2024 Career Planner here If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts and leave a review so we can make every episode even more helpful for your career.And if you have any questions or topics you'd like to see covered in future episodes, get in touch at amanda@wearereadytorise.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →Episode 66 - The Power of Your Personal Brand Story - Moving Beyond Generic Self-Promotion
Nov 13, 202400:12:40Tap to summarizeWant to share your achievements without sounding like you're bragging? Tired of the same old "elevator pitch" advice? In this episode, your host Amanda reveals why storytelling is 22 times more memorable than facts alone – and how you can use this power to transform your personal brand.🎧 You'll discover➡️ Why letting your "results speak for themselves" might be holding you back➡️ The four essential elements of an unforgettable professional story➡️ How a CFO's shocking discovery about one simple word changed her entire approach to self-promotion➡️ A practical two-week challenge to craft and share your career story with confidence➡️ The three common "story traps" that even experienced professionals fall into (and how to avoid them)Featured in this episode is a real-world case study of how one senior manager transformed her "standard" project leadership story into a compelling narrative that captured her true impact – and how you can do the same.Whether you're preparing for your next performance review, job interview, or networking event, this episode provides actionable strategies you can implement immediately.Chapters00:00 The power of storytelling in career development02:49 Identifying and overcoming storytelling traps06:12 Crafting your professional story framework09:06 Practical applications of storytelling12:00 Action steps for storytelling successDownload the Personal Brand Story FrameworkDon't forget to take a look at this week's pod sheet to support your learning and exploration of the podcast topicGet a full transcript of the episode hereCheck out the Ready to Rise 2024 Career Planner here If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts and leave a review so we can make every episode even more helpful for your career.And if you have any questions or topics you'd like to see covered in future episodes, get in touch at amanda@wearereadytorise.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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