Career & Leadership Real Talk

Pamela Langan & Jacqui Jagger
  • 5.0 (2)
  • CAREERS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to Career & Leadership Real Talk; a weekly podcast full of guidance and advice for ambitious managers who are ready to take ownership of their career. It’s hosted by Pamela Langan, a job search coach and c.v. writing expert, and Jacqui Jagger, a mindset and leadership coach. We’re here for you if you want to have more impact, land a new job or get the promotion you know you deserve. There’s no high level, intellectual theory here – it’s a fluff-free zone We’ll be talking about how to stand out in your job search, how to hit the ground running in a new role and how to cope when things aren’t going *quite* the way you want at work In our career clinic section we’ll answer real questions from listeners and our clients, and we’ll also share our take on books on the topics of careers, leadership, & management so you can decide which are worth your time You can connect with us on LinkedIn – feel free to DM us with any questions you’d like us to answer on the show! https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelalangancoaching/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqui-jagger/

  1. MAR 2

    Ep 159 - How to Run Effective One-to-Ones

    We've all sat in a one-to-one that felt like a grilling rather than a genuine conversation. And if you're leading a team, you might be doing the same thing without even realising it. In this episode, we're sharing 10 principles to help you run one-to-ones that actually work, both for the people you manage and for the one-to-ones you have with your own line manager. Nobody teaches you how to do this well. Most of us copy what we experienced, which means the same unhelpful patterns get passed down from manager to manager. We cover the fundamentals that break that cycle, from who should own the agenda to how often you should actually be meeting. Key points from this episode Why one-to-ones should be employee-driven, not manager-led — and what that looks like in practiceThe difference between a one-to-one and a status update (and why confusing the two is costing you)How to distinguish between different types of one-to-ones and why mixing them into one conversation doesn't serve anyoneWhy consistency matters more than length or frequency — and the message you send when you cancelThe simple follow-up habit that makes one-to-ones genuinely useful over time Timestamps 00:00 Introduction — why one-to-ones come up so often with clients 01:00 Why nobody is ever taught how to run a good one-to-one 02:30 The research linking effective one-to-ones to high-performing teams 03:30 Principle 1: One-to-ones should be employee-driven, not manager-driven 04:15 Principle 2: They are for development, not just reporting 05:00 Principle 3: Make space for the human, not just the work 06:50 The cost of one-to-ones that feel like interrogations — a real client example 09:00 Principle 4: Distinguish between different types of one-to-ones 11:00 Principle 5: Come with an agenda — and who should own it 13:30 How to prompt agenda preparation as a line manager 14:30 Principle 6: Status updates don't belong in one-to-ones 16:20 How proactive communication outside one-to-ones can transform the dynamic 18:00 Principle 7: Consistency matters more than length 19:30 Principle 8: Shorter, focused meetings often outperform longer ones 20:00 What's the right frequency? The case for biweekly 21:30 Why senior leaders often need more frequent one-to-ones, not fewer 23:00 Principle 9: Frequency should flex intentionally — not just when things come up 25:30 The importance of protecting one-to-one time from more senior demands 27:30 Principle 10: Follow up on commitments — documentation matters 29:00 A simple four-section format to keep one-to-ones on track Useful Links Join The Catalyst Career Club for 50k+ Leaders Connect with Pam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelalangan/ Connect with Jacqui on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqui-jagger/ Follow the Catalyst Careers LinkedIn page for career tips and advice Interested in working with us? Get in touch about career or leadership development, outplacement workshops or recruitment support via the Catalyst Careers website Enjoyed this Episode? If you enjoyed this episode, please take the time to rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

    32 min

  2. FEB 16

    Ep 158 - Why High Performers Burn Out (and the Strategic Move That Protects Your Career)

    Key points from this episode Useful Links Join The Catalyst Career Club for 50k+ Leaders Connect with Pam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelalangan/ Connect with Jacqui on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqui-jagger/ Follow the Catalyst Careers LinkedIn page for career tips and advice Interested in working with us? Get in touch about career or leadership development, outplacement workshops or recruitment support via the Catalyst Careers website Enjoyed this Episode? If you enjoyed this episode, please take the time to rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

    21 min

  3. FEB 2

    Ep 157 - 5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Start Your Job Search

    Whether you're facing redundancy, escaping a toxic environment, or ready for your next career move, asking yourself the right questions before you start can transform your entire job search experience. We share the six questions we use with our coaching clients to help them move from frustration to focus, ensuring they land roles they actually want rather than just any role. If you've been job searching for a while and feeling frustrated, these questions also offer a valuable reset to help you go again with fresh clarity. Key points from this episode The critical difference between running from something versus running towards something in your job searchHow to identify your non-negotiables and what you're willing to compromise on before you start applyingUncovering the value and strengths you're not currently using (and whether you actually want to use them)Why quality beats quantity when it comes to job applications Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and Topic Overview 01:00 Question 1: What Am I Running From vs Running Towards? 05:00 Question 2: What Am I Willing to Compromise On and What's Non-Negotiable? 07:00 Question 3: What Value Do I Bring That I'm Not Currently Using? 12:00 Question 4: Who Do I Need to Become to Land the Role I Want? 16:00 Question 5: What Is My Personal Situation Right Now? 17:00 Why Quality Over Quantity Matters in Job Search 19:00 Wrap Up and Resources Useful Links Pam's Job Search Accelerator online programme Connect with Pam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelalangan/ Connect with Jacqui on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqui-jagger/ Follow the Catalyst Careers LinkedIn page for career tips and advice Interested in working with us? Get in touch about career or leadership development, outplacement workshops or recruitment support via the Catalyst Careers website

    21 min
  4. Ep 156 - 5 Mindsets Great Leaders Adopt

    JAN 19

    Ep 156 - 5 Mindsets Great Leaders Adopt

    We're tackling something fundamental this week: the mindsets that separate good leaders from great ones. This isn't about productivity hacks or the latest leadership trend - it's about the inner game that determines whether you'll thrive or struggle in leadership roles. Whether you've just stepped into a senior position or you're looking to level up your leadership capability, this episode gives you five mindsets that will genuinely shift how you operate. Key points from this episode Why trying to copy other leaders' styles will damage trust and put you under unnecessary pressureThe difference between rational self-doubt and actual imposter syndrome (and why that distinction matters)How the drive to prove yourself can actually hold you back from becoming more effectiveWhy creating thinking time feels uncomfortable but is non-negotiable for senior leadershipThe alternative to getting comfortable being uncomfortable 00:00 Introduction - Five mindsets great leaders adopt 01:00 Context: Why mindset matters more than external skills 03:00 Mindset 1: Lead as yourself - authenticity without the buzzword 05:00 Mindset 2: Name the fear - managing self-doubt effectively 07:00 The temptation to prove yourself worthy 08:00 Mindset 3: Embrace being a work in progress 10:00 Mindset 4: Think, don't just do 12:00 Why being visibly busy can hold senior leaders back 14:00 How thinking time actually feels when you allow it 15:00 Mindset 5: Get uncomfortable being comfortable 17:00 Finding the edges without pushing into panic zone 19:00 How to actually use these mindsets in practice 21:00 Final advice and next steps Useful Links Connect with Pam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelalangan/ Connect with Jacqui on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqui-jagger/ Follow the Catalyst Careers LinkedIn page for career tips and advice Interested in working with us? Get in touch about career or leadership development, outplacement workshops or recruitment support via the Catalyst Careers website

    23 min

  5. JAN 5

    Ep 155 - New Year Career Goals: Connect With What You Actually Want

    We're kicking off 2026 with the second part of our reflect, connect, commit framework. If you haven't listened to our year-end reflection episode yet, go back and start there - you'll get much more from this one if you do the reflection first. This episode is about connecting with what you actually want for your career (not what you think you should want) and then committing to action that will make it happen. We talk about why SMART goals leave us cold, how to figure out what energises you versus what drains you, and the difference between dreaming big and taking the first step. Key points from this episode Why your definition of career success changes (and why that's important to understand)The difference between values and priorities when it comes to career planningHow to identify who and what energises you (and why that matters more than you think)Why we hate SMART goals and what to do insteadThe commitment question: what will you do in January that signals you're serious? 00:00 Introduction: Connect and Commit for 2026 01:00 The Reflect, Connect, Commit Framework Overview 03:00 Values and Priorities: What Does Career Success Mean to You? 05:00 Pam's Definition of Success: Impact Over Everything Else 06:00 Jacqui's Realization: Financial Success AND Fun 08:00 More Of, Less Of: What Do You Want to Change? 09:00 Who Energises You? The Power of Being Around the Right People 12:00 Go Big or Go Home: Why SMART Goals Don't Inspire 14:00 The Problem With Realistic Goals When You're Ambitious 15:00 Jacqui's Big Vision 17:00 Commit: What Action Will You Take in January? 19:00 Taking Small Steps Towards Big Dreams 20:00 Get in Touch and Share Your Commitments Useful Links Connect with Pam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelalangan/ Connect with Jacqui on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqui-jagger/ Interested in working with us? Get in touch about career or leadership development, outplacement workshops or recruitment support via the Catalyst Careers website

    21 min

  6. 12/22/2025

    Ep 154 - Year-End Career Reflection: The Questions That Create Change

    As 2025 wraps up, we're sharing the end-of-year reflection process we use with clients: reflect, connect, commit. Most people rush straight to "what went wrong and what do I need to fix?" but they're missing the most valuable bit - understanding what's actually working so you can do more of it. We walk through the specific questions that help you figure out what energises you, what drains you, and what you've been putting up with that needs to stop. We get personal about our own year, including what's surprised us, what's taken off (Pam's LinkedIn success story is worth a listen), and the parts of our work that genuinely light us up. Plus, we tackle the uncomfortable question about boundaries that most people avoid Key points from this episode Why people learn more from their successes than their failures (but rarely do it)The specific reflection questions that reveal what's actually working in your careerHow to identify what energises you vs what makes you want to fake a WiFi issueThe confronting question about boundaries: what you've tolerated that you shouldn'tUsing the "reflect, connect, commit" framework to create actual change, not just New Year optimism Useful Links Access our Free Podcast Resources Vault which includes the reflection questions resource from this episode Connect with Pam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelalangan/ Connect with Jacqui on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqui-jagger/ Follow the Catalyst Careers LinkedIn page for career tips and advice Interested in working with us? Get in touch about career or leadership development, outplacement workshops or recruitment support via the Catalyst Careers website

    29 min

  7. 12/08/2025

    Ep 153 - Human Leadership in The Age of AI with Clare Spiers

    Key points from this episode Useful Links Join The Catalyst Career Club for 50k+ Leaders Connect with Pam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelalangan/ Connect with Jacqui on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqui-jagger/ Follow the Catalyst Careers LinkedIn page for career tips and advice Interested in working with us? Get in touch about career or leadership development, outplacement workshops or recruitment support via the Catalyst Careers website Enjoyed this Episode? If you enjoyed this episode, please take the time to rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

    33 min
  8. Ep 152 - Managing Up When Your Boss is Overwhelmed

    11/24/2025

    Ep 152 - Managing Up When Your Boss is Overwhelmed

    When your boss is drowning in pressure, it doesn't just affect them—it cascades straight down to you. We've all been there: the chaotic instructions, the constant interruptions, the feeling that nothing you do is quite right. In this episode, we unpack what's really happening when your manager is overwhelmed and share practical strategies to create calm in the chaos without burning yourself out in the process. We explore why your well-intentioned attempts to help might actually be backfiring, how to reframe your support in ways that land better, and the importance of protecting yourself whilst managing up effectively. Whether you're considering leaving or want to improve your current situation, this episode gives you actionable steps to take back control Key points from this episode Why offering help to an overwhelmed boss often backfires (and what to do instead)How to reframe your support as business efficiency rather than personal rescueThe power of proactive communication to reduce reactive chaosSetting boundaries that protect you whilst still supporting your managerWhen to pause and fix the situation vs when it's genuinely time to leave Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and Topic Overview 01:00 Understanding the Cascading Impact of an Overwhelmed Boss 03:00 Why "Rescuing" Your Boss Backfires 05:00 Developing Empathy When You're Frustrated 08:00 The Power of Asking "What Would Make Your Job Easier?" 09:00 Reframing Support as Business Efficiency 10:00 Using Proactive Communication to Reduce Pressure 13:00 Creating Boundaries to Protect Your Time 15:00 Coaching Your Team to Be More Considered 18:00 Protecting Yourself: The Non-Negotiables 21:00 Having Collaborative Conversations About Priorities 23:00 Should You Stay or Should You Go?RetryClaude can make mistakes. Please double-check responses. Useful Links Join The Catalyst Career Club for 50k+ Leaders Connect with Pam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelalangan/ Connect with Jacqui on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqui-jagger/ Follow the Catalyst Careers LinkedIn page for career tips and advice Interested in working with us? Get in touch about career or leadership development, outplacement workshops or recruitment support via the Catalyst Careers website Enjoyed this Episode? If you enjoyed this episode, please take the time to rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Mentioned in this episode: Catalyst Career Club for £50k+ Leaders & Managers Moving up the career ladder needs an inside edge - strategies that allow you to unlock your full potential and position yourself as a true leadership talent. And that's exactly what the Catalyst Career Club for 50k+ Leaders provides. No fluff, no corporate jargon. Just a down to earth, purposeful injection of oomph for your career from Pamela & Jacqui Use the code PODCAST to get your first month for £1 https://www.pamelalangan.com/catalystcareerclub

    27 min
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About

Welcome to Career & Leadership Real Talk; a weekly podcast full of guidance and advice for ambitious managers who are ready to take ownership of their career. It’s hosted by Pamela Langan, a job search coach and c.v. writing expert, and Jacqui Jagger, a mindset and leadership coach. We’re here for you if you want to have more impact, land a new job or get the promotion you know you deserve. There’s no high level, intellectual theory here – it’s a fluff-free zone We’ll be talking about how to stand out in your job search, how to hit the ground running in a new role and how to cope when things aren’t going *quite* the way you want at work In our career clinic section we’ll answer real questions from listeners and our clients, and we’ll also share our take on books on the topics of careers, leadership, & management so you can decide which are worth your time You can connect with us on LinkedIn – feel free to DM us with any questions you’d like us to answer on the show! https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelalangancoaching/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqui-jagger/

Information

  • Creator
    Pamela Langan & Jacqui Jagger
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    160
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Pamela Langan & Jacqui Jagger
  • Show Website
    Career & Leadership Real Talk

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