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Career Espresso

Career Espresso

By: Amanda Owen-Meehan
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About this listen

 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.

© 2023 Career Espresso Career Success Economics Management Management & Leadership Personal Development Personal Success
Episodes
  • Episode 92 - How to give feedback people can use

    Episode 92 - How to give feedback people can use
    Oct 22 2025
    You've given feedback. They nodded. They said they understood. Nothing changed.


    Sound familiar? This episode tackles one of the hardest parts of managing - giving feedback that actually works. You host Amanda breaks down why most feedback fails and what to do instead.



    What you'll discover


    • Why "be more proactive" means nothing and what to say instead
    • The hidden challenge women face when giving feedback (we're either "too nice" or "too direct")
    • Exactly how to be specific without being harsh
    • The one question that ensures people actually understand what you need


    The reality check: Research shows 57% of employees prefer corrective feedback over praise. They want to improve. But when you tell someone to "communicate better" without explaining what that means, they're left guessing. And guessing rarely leads to change.


    Perfect for women leaders tired of the feedback loop that goes nowhere.


    Want more support with your leadership challenges? Check out our How to Build a Leader substack for in-depth guidance on getting onto and staying on the leadership ladder.
    Never miss an episode. Sign up for weekly Espresso Brief emails and get each episode plus practical takeaways delivered straight to your inbox.
    Get the full transcript


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    10 mins
  • Episode 91 - My team doesn't respect me

    Episode 91 - My team doesn't respect me
    Oct 15 2025
    My team doesn't respect me. How women leaders can earn authority at work


    Your team talks over you. Questions your decisions. Goes around you to escalate issues. You're wondering if you're imagining it.


    You're not.


    In this episode, your host Amanda tackles one of the hardest challenges in leadership: when your team doesn't respect you. And if you're a woman leader or new manager, the problem runs deeper than most advice admits.


    What you'll learn


    Research shows women leaders face competence doubts at higher rates than men, your team is more likely to question whether you should be leading at all. We break down why this happens, what makes it worse, and what actually works. You'll get specific language for addressing disrespect in the moment, how to set clear expectations that stick, and why performing authority backfires completely.


    Practical strategies for building respect


    • How to address disrespect the first time it happens (not the fifth)
    • Three non-negotiables every new leader needs to establish
    • The difference between boundary testing and actual undermining
    • Why being liked and being respected aren't the same thing


    Stop waiting for your team to make this easy. Respect comes from consistent behaviour over time, and this episode shows you exactly how to start.


    Perfect for new managers, women in leadership, and anyone navigating team dynamics that feel off.


    Want more support with your leadership challenges? Check out our How to Build a Leader substack for in-depth guidance on getting onto and staying on the leadership ladder.
    Never miss an episode. Sign up for weekly Espresso Brief emails and get each episode plus practical takeaways delivered straight to your inbox.
    Get the full transcript

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    15 mins
  • Episode 90 - Turning self trust into workplace impact

    Episode 90 - Turning self trust into workplace impact
    May 28 2025
    You've built confidence and started speaking up, so why are less qualified colleagues still getting promoted while your ideas disappear into organizational black holes? The problem isn't your confidence. It's the missing strategy between feeling confident and actually getting ahead. This week's episode was made for women who are tired of working twice as hard for half the recognition and are ready to turn their self-trust into career momentum.
    What You'll Learn



    Your host Amanda reveals the three strategic bridges that turn inner confidence into workplace influence, plus specific scripts for those cringe-worthy moments we all face: when someone hijacks your idea in meetings, your manager takes credit for your work, or that colleague who won't stop interrupting you.



    You'll discover why explaining how hard you worked actually hurts your career, how to showcase impact without feeling like you're bragging, and the 15-minute exercise that maps your real value.
    Your work can't speak for itself because work doesn't have a voice. You do.



    Don't forget to take a look at this week's podsheet to support your learning and exploration of the key themes and topics
    Get a full transcript of the episode here

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    22 mins
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