What if confidence isn’t something you’re born with… but something you build?

In this episode of The School Run with Jane: Little Voices, Big Stories, Jane is joined by Sally Walker; career and executive coach, cultural intelligence & intercultural trainer, guest lecturer and author.

Sally shares the “lightbulb moment” that changed everything: being tasked with running a redundancy programme early in her HR career and witnessing how the right support can turn a devastating moment into a powerful reinvention.

Together, Jane and Sally explore confidence as a skill, the importance of values, why we don’t need a “perfect” career plan, and how to do a simple annual Career MOT to check in with what matters most.

In this episode, we talk about:

• ​Sally’s journey from HR to career coaching and the moment she knew she’d found her purpose
• ​Why coaching is about questions, not advice (and why “we often already know the answer”)
• ​Confidence as a skill you can build and Sally’s favourite reminder: “You are good enough.”
• ​The difference between career values and bedrock values (and how they can shift through life)
• ​How to spot your “threads”: childhood interests, flow moments, curiosity and natural strengths
• ​Teachers’ transferable skills and why so many don’t realise how valuable they are
• ​The myth of a “job for life” and the freedom of pivoting without “getting it perfect”
• ​What a first coaching session actually looks like (and why chemistry matters)
• ​The power of slowing down and creating space for reflection
• ​Sally’s school run memory: laughter, connection, and those back-seat conversations you don’t realise you’ll miss

Guest: Sally Walker

Career & Executive Coach | Cultural Intelligence & Intercultural Trainer | Guest Lecturer | Author

➡️ Find Sally on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sallyannwalker

➡️ Website www.swcareercoaching.com

About Little Voices:

Little Voices is the UK-wide award-winning performing arts organisation helping children aged 4–18 build confidence for life through small group drama and singing lessons, plus accredited LAMDA qualifications.

Stay connected:

• ​Podcast Instagram: @theschoolrun_official
• ​Little Voices: @littlevoiceslimited
• ​Support the podcast (Buy Me a Coffee): buymeacoffee.com/theschoolrun
• ​Edited by: Mike, Making Digital Real (details in show notes)

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Links: For information on Jane’s company Little Voices head to http://www.littlevoices.org.uk⁠⁠

@littlevoiceslimited

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www.theolivejar.online

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Disclaimer: All views expressed in this podcast are of the participants themselves. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this podcast is done at your own risk. We are just a mum and daughter, sharing their thoughts and chatting with guests that we really respect and sharing our personal stories and insights. Please seek professional advice if you need it.

This episode is edited by Mike Roberts of Making Digital Real