Join Caroline Esterson as she delves into the subtle yet impactful world of unconscious bias and its effects on workplace dynamics. Discover how everyday actions can undermine psychological safety and learn strategies to rise above these challenges.

KEY POINTS

Unconscious bias and its influence on workplace interactions. The role of gossip and blame as social contagions. Strategies to foster psychological safety and collaboration. Real-life scenarios illustrating above and below the line behaviors. The importance of mindset in overcoming bias and fostering innovation.

QUOTES

"Bias isn't always loud or intentional. It's those mental shortcuts your brain runs without asking you first."

"Belonging that's built on gossip is cheap. Belonging that's built on honesty, well, that's the kind of crew I want to fly with."

#BiasAwareness #PsychologicalSafety #WorkplaceCulture

NEXT EPISODE TEASER

Tune in next week as Paul Dawson shares his journey from scraping through GCSEs to becoming a CEO, proving that success is not a straight line.

RESOURCES

• Grab your:
  • Safe to Speak checklist here
  • Bold Moves Brief here
  • Big Conversation Starter here
• Read more about it here
• CONNECT WITH GARY HERE
• CONNECT WITH CAROLINE HERE

Ready to make your next bold move? Grab the free Bold Move Audit and join the insider crew.

Stuck, simmering, or onto something juicy? I want to hear it. Drop me a line at caroline@inspireyourgenius.com - I read them all.

In this episode, Caroline Esterson and Gary Keogh delve into the concept of psychological safety in the workplace, exploring its importance, the barriers to achieving it, and the roles individuals and leaders play in fostering an environment where everyone feels safe to speak up. They discuss personal experiences, the significance of inclusion, and practical tips for creating a psychologically safe workplace. The conversation emphasises the need for curiosity, humility, and vulnerability, and highlights the importance of measuring psychological safety to drive meaningful change.

TAKEAWAYS

• Psychological safety is crucial for open communication in teams.
• Leaders play a significant role, but everyone contributes to creating safety.
• Curiosity and humility are essential traits for fostering psychological safety.
• Two in five people feel unsafe to speak up in teams.
• Mistakes should be viewed as learning opportunities, not failures.
• Inclusion is vital for team dynamics and individual contributions.
• Measuring psychological safety can provide insights into team health.
• Creating an environment for open conversations enhances team performance.
• Empowerment and accountability can coexist in a compassionate workplace.

Small actions can lead to significant changes in workplace culture.

SOUND BITES

"We all have a role to play."
"Two in five people don't feel safe to speak up."
"You can measure psychological safety."

RESOURCES

• Grab your:
  • Safe to Speak checklist here
  • Bold Moves Brief here
  • Big Conversation Starter here
• Read more about it here
• CONNECT WITH GARY HERE
• CONNECT WITH CAROLINE HERE

#psychological safety #leadership #workplace culture #team dynamics #accountability #personal development #career growth

Ready to make your next bold move? Grab the free Bold Move Audit and join the insider crew.

Stuck, simmering, or onto something juicy? I want to hear it. Drop me a line at caroline@inspireyourgenius.com - I read them all.

Join Caroline Esterson in "Little Moves, Big Careers" as she tackles the crippling effects of perfectionism in the workplace.

This episode features career strategist, therapeutic counsellor and coach, Chris Mooney, who shares insights on overcoming fear and embracing progress. Learn actionable strategies to boost your career momentum by prioritising progress over perfection. Discover why "practice makes progress" is the key to success, and get ready for next week's deep dive into psychological safety with expert Gary Keogh. Don't miss out on transforming your career with these powerful insights!

Key Takeaways

• Don't wait for the perfect moment to act.
• Perfectionism can disguise itself as diligence.
• Fear of judgment and failure often holds us back.
• Progress is more important than polish.
• Ask better questions to unlock momentum.
• Sharing ideas early can ignite collaboration.
• Celebrate effort, not just completion.
• Practice makes progress, not perfection.
• Embrace your flaws as part of growth.

Sound bites

"Embrace your flaw-som-ness."
"Practice makes progress."
"You just need more courage."

Useful Links

• Grab your Perfectionist Recovery Kit and Team Tool right here
• Read more about it here
• Connect with Caroline on LinkedIn
• Connect with Chris on LinkedIn

Ready to make your next bold move? Grab the free Bold Move Audit and join the insider crew.

Stuck, simmering, or onto something juicy? I want to hear it. Drop me a line at caroline@inspireyourgenius.com - I read them all.

In this episode, Caroline emphasises the critical role of reflection in career development. She discusses how strategic self-reflection can lead to significant improvements in performance and personal growth. She introduces you to four types of reflection:

1. Pre-reflection,
2. Daily reset,
3. Growth reflection, and
4. Future-facing reflection,

Each one serves a unique purpose in enhancing intentionality and effectiveness in professional settings. She encourages listeners to adopt these practices to foster a habit of reflection that can lead to meaningful career advancements.


Key Takeaways

• Most people don't reflect; they just react and repeat.
• Reflection is essential for career growth and insight.
• 15 minutes of daily reflection can improve performance by 23%.
• Reflection can be simple and fit into daily life.
• Creating a habit of reflection can lead to significant changes.
• Reflection is about upgrading, not dwelling on the past.

Sound bites

"Reflection is your key."
"What did I learn this week?"
"Debug it, don't dwell."

Useful links

Download your Reflection Cheat Sheet right here

Connect with Caroline on LinkedIn

Ready to make your next bold move? Grab the free Bold Move Audit and join the insider crew.

Stuck, simmering, or onto something juicy? I want to hear it. Drop me a line at caroline@inspireyourgenius.com - I read them all.

Join Caroline Esterson in this reflective episode of "Little Moves Big Careers" as she revisits the highlights of Season 1. From the importance of intentional visibility to embracing curiosity and taking messy action, Caroline shares key insights and listener stories that showcase how small moves can lead to significant career shifts.

Discover actionable tools and resources designed to help you turn insights into action. Don't miss this chance to reflect on your journey and prepare for even bolder moves in Season 2!

Key Takeaways

• Reflection is crucial for personal and professional growth.
• Hard work alone is insufficient for career advancement.
• Intentionality and visibility are key to success.
• Tools and resources can help translate insights into action.
• Small moves can lead to significant changes in career paths.
• Building psychological safety fosters honest conversations.
• Personal stories can inspire and guide others in their journeys.
• Learning occurs on multiple levels: content, process, and reaction.
• Celebrating progress is essential for motivation and continued growth.

#careertips #highperformance

Ready to make your next bold move? Grab the free Bold Move Audit and join the insider crew.

Stuck, simmering, or onto something juicy? I want to hear it. Drop me a line at caroline@inspireyourgenius.com - I read them all.

In this final episode of the "Little Moves Big Careers" podcast, host Caroline Esterson shines a spotlight on drift - the quiet career killer that shows up when you’re doing the tasks but losing direction. She challenges listeners to cut through the noise and embrace intentionality in their careers. Whether you're mid-pivot or feeling stuck, Caroline offers practical advice on making deliberate choices that can transform your professional journey. Discover the concept of the "two millimetre difference" and learn how small, intentional shifts can lead to significant outcomes.

Tune in for a mix of cheeky games, career insights, and actionable strategies to help you stand out and build a career you're proud of. Don't miss this mic-drop moment as we wrap up the season with a call to action: make your next move, no matter how small, with purpose.

Key Concepts Covered:

• Burnout isn't a weakness. It's a signal that your current strategy is unsustainable.
• Clarity comes from movement, not more overthinking or 3 am job board spirals.
• The 2mm Difference: Small, intentional shifts that radically alter your career trajectory
• Intentionality over effort. It's not how much you do; it’s how you do it that gets noticed.
• Micro-choices build macro momentum. Stop aiming for the leap. Start with the tilt.

By the end of this episode, you’ll:

• Know how to spot the difference between effort and intentionality
• Understand why “going with the flow” is terrible career advice
• Have one simple coaching question to ask yourself when you feel stuck
• Get inspired to make one move (today) that points toward the life you actually want

Listen Now If You:

• Feel like you’re working hard but going nowhere
• Are constantly overwhelmed and thinking of quitting
• Want to rebuild focus, energy, and career direction without a full reset
• Need a bold nudge to stop drifting and start deciding

Links and Resources:

• Download the Bold Moves Brief for Episode 9
• Run the Big Conversation Starter in your team
• Explore the 2mm Difference concept
• Grab your free Bold Move Audit here
• Want help designing your own team’s “intentionality reboot”? Let’s talk caroline@inspireyourgenius.com

If this episode lit a spark, share it with a teammate, post your own 2mm move using #IntentionalAF, or leave a review that helps this podcast reach someone else who needs it.

You are Intentional.
Now go prove it.

Ready to make your next bold move? Grab the free Bold Move Audit and join the insider crew.

Stuck, simmering, or onto something juicy? I want to hear it. Drop me a line at caroline@inspireyourgenius.com - I read them all.

Ever smiled through a team meeting while mentally planning your escape to a remote cottage in Wales? Or replied “No worries!” to a Friday 5pm request while quietly Googling “how to become a llama farmer”?

This episode is not about pretending everything’s fine. It’s about real optimism - the kind that doesn’t require vision boards, scented candles, or toxic positivity. Just one honest check-in, one tiny shift, and one decision to climb above the line.

If you’ve ever felt flat, burnt out, or stuck smiling through the madness, this one’s for you.

Key Takeaways

• Optimism isn’t personality — it’s strategy.
• Burnout doesn't always look like collapse. Sometimes it looks like “fine.”
• Real resilience comes from reflection, not denial.
• Protecting your spark is leadership, not laziness.
• You don’t have to feel great to move — you just need to move with intention.

Sound Bites

• “Optimism doesn’t always wear sparkles. Sometimes it just says: let’s give it another go.”
• “You don’t have to collapse to justify recovery.”
• “Forced positivity is about as comforting as a soggy sandwich.”
• “You can’t reframe if you don’t reflect.”
• “Even the best jobs have parts you’d happily launch into the sun.”

Quickfire Career Moves You'll Learn

1. Catch & Reframe Below-the-Line Thinking – Shift from spiralling to strategy.
2. Give Someone a Boost – Optimism is contagious; be the spark.
3. Switch to a ‘What Now’ Lens – Focus on what’s possible, not what’s perfect.
4. Create a Recovery Ritual – Build a non-negotiable habit to protect your flame.

Tools + Extras

• What Would Caro Do? Advice for guilt-ridden burnout and asking for what you need
• Career Quote Crime: “If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day…” gets the takedown it deserves
• Bonus Tool: The Flamekeeper Prompt List: 20 bold reflection prompts to help you reconnect, reframe, and refuel (no toxic positivity required)
• Research from Martin Seligman + optimism’s link to actual longevity (yes, really)

🎧 Listen now to stop faking the flame and learn how to fuel it for real.

Ready to make your next bold move? Grab the free Bold Move Audit and join the insider crew.

Stuck, simmering, or onto something juicy? I want to hear it. Drop me a line at caroline@inspireyourgenius.com - I read them all.

Progress over perfection. Movement over manicured.

Ever spent hours watching webinars, highlighting your notes, colour-coding your to-do list… and still felt stuck? That’s planning disguised as progress, and it’s one of the sneakiest ways we stall our careers. In this episode, we call out perfectionism for the joy-thieving con it is, and champion messy, scrappy, unpolished action that actually gets results.

Caroline spills some of her most cringe-worthy (but career-defining) moments, including mismatched shoes at a pitch, a coffee-soaked disaster, and the reply-all apocalypse and prove that magic doesn’t come from polished plans… it comes from movement. Even wobbly ones.

Key Takeaways

• Messy action beats perfect planning every time, especially when it comes to career momentum.
• Perfectionism is productivity in a tuxedo, it looks smart but gets you nowhere.
• Procrastination isn’t laziness, it’s emotional self-protection. Understand the brain science behind why we stall.
• Every cringe is a clue. Mistakes aren’t failure, they’re intel.
• Clarity is earned through action, not overthinking.

Sound Bites

• “Planning is not progress. It’s just delay in disguise.”
• “You don’t need a blazer and a lanyard to belong. You need guts, strategy and a wobbly first move.”
• “Perfection is a con. Movement is magic.”
• “Messy doesn’t mean mindless. It means moving anyway.”
• “Clarity’s not a prerequisite — it’s the reward for starting.”

Quickfire Career Moves You'll Learn

1. Act before you’re ready – Clarity comes from doing, not dithering.
2. Build your career reps – Every awkward step is career gym for your future self.
3. Treat mistakes as data – Use the mess as your map and move smarter next time.

Tools + Extras

• Show notes, bold moves brief, big starter conversation kit and 'Your Messy Moves Tracker':

Ready to ditch the pressure to be perfect?

Hit play and take the messiest little move you’ve got. It might just be the one that changes everything.

Ready to make your next bold move? Grab the free Bold Move Audit and join the insider crew.

Stuck, simmering, or onto something juicy? I want to hear it. Drop me a line at caroline@inspireyourgenius.com - I read them all.