What if school had taught us that everyone wants to feel like they matter and that confidence often comes from trusting yourself, embracing vulnerability and understanding that life rarely follows a straight path? In this episode of The School Run Podcast, Jane chats with Jackie Handy — leadership and culture specialist, speaker, soon-to-be published author of The Matter Model, and founder of Runway Global. Jackie shares her journey from wanting to become a German teacher, to working in freight forwarding, recruitment and learning and development, before creating a business dedicated to helping people feel safe, valued and understood at work. Together, Jane and Jackie explore belonging, confidence, identity, leadership and purpose. Jackie also shares deeply personal moments from her own life, including coming out as gay as a teenager, the unwavering love and support of her parents, and how these experiences shaped her passion for creating happier, healthier and more human cultures. They discuss why everyone wants to answer two important questions — Do I matter here? and Does what I do here matter? — and how small, intentional actions can create million-dollar moments that transform relationships and workplace cultures. This conversation is full of wisdom for parents, young people, leaders and anyone navigating change, searching for purpose or wanting to build stronger connections with the people around them. Highlights ● Why life and careers are rarely linear ● Trusting the process, even when life feels uncertain ● Understanding your strengths and recognising what gets in your way ● The power of love, acceptance and belonging ● Jackie’s personal journey of identity and coming out as a teenager ● Why everyone wants to feel that they matter ● The two questions at the heart of The Matter Model ● Creating happier, healthier workplace cultures ● The importance of psychological safety and vulnerability ● How small actions can create million-dollar moments ● Why confidence is really about self-trust ● Lessons learned from walking the Camino de Santiago ● Finding purpose through challenge and adversity ● The advice Jackie would give to her younger self ● Why some of our most valuable memories are made on the school run Guest Links Find out more about Jackie Handy and Runway Global:
https://jackiehandy.com/ Connect with Jackie on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackiehandy/ Listen to Jackie’s podcast, Manage What Matters:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/manage-what-matters/id1876890920
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1WHj13oHq3adRaoPLqUanl?si=8d3def1ae64246f6 Find out more about Jackie’s forthcoming book, The Matter Model: How Great Leaders Build Belonging, Strengthen Purpose and Drive Engagement at Work:
https://www.routledge.com/ Keep an eye on Jackie’s website for updates and book information:
https://jackiehandy.com/ The School Run Podcast If you’ve loved this episode and would like to support the podcast, you can buy me a virtual coffee here:
www.buymeacoffee.com/theschoolrun It helps us keep bringing these uplifting, honest and inspiring conversations about confidence, belonging, leadership and life to more people. Instagram: @theschoolrun_official
Follow Jane: @mrsjanejames
Email Jane: jane@littlevoices.org.uk This podcast is brought to you by Little Voices, where we nurture confidence and big futures through drama and singing. Find out more about our classes, school partnerships and franchise opportunities at:
www.littlevoices.org.uk Disclaimer The conversations shared on The School Run Podcast are based on personal stories, experiences and opinions. They are intended to inspire, encourage and open up meaningful conversations, but they should not replace professional advice where needed. Editing Credit This episode was edited and produced by Mike Roberts from Making Digital Real. We are so lucky and privileged to work with Mike and highly recommend him.
