The Career By Design Podcast with Stacey Back

Stacey Back
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Are you a high-achieving leader at a crossroads in your career? The Career By Design Podcast is for you if you're a senior leader who’s built incredible success on the outside -- but now you’ve reached a point in your career where you’re unsure WHAT you want next or HOW to get there.    Consider this show your fortnightly resource to help you develop the clarity, confidence and strategy to take ownership of your career.   Hosted by executive career coach + strategist Stacey Back, this conversational podcast explores what it really means to redefine success and create a career on YOUR terms.    With 18+ years in coaching, people development, HR & recruitment, Stacey shares unique insights from her corporate career and experience running a business. You'll learn the exact strategies she used to change careers, shift into more aligned work -- and how she's supported hundreds of leaders to do the same.   Every Thursday fortnight, Stacey will deliver practical strategies to develop your career, mindset and leadership skills. Plus, you’ll hear guest experts and inspiring stories from individuals who’ve created their careers by design -- to show YOU what’s possible too.   Expect a dose of inspiration, to be challenged to think differently and actionable advice you can immediately implement.   Hit subscribe and get ready to design a career that's fulfilling, sustainable -- AND supports your lifestyle!   Find out more at staceyback.com.

  1. Oct 22

    #75: 3 Ways Leaders Are Putting Their Careers On Hold Right Now (And What Waiting Costs You)

    Are you waiting -- for the new year, the economy to improve or until your kids are at school full-time -- to work out what you want next in your career? Today, we’re talking about how high-achieving leaders are putting their careers on hold in the current climate. One thing I’m noticing right now is that LinkedIn is full of redundancy announcements. Leaders are also telling me the job market is saturated, with fewer opportunities and more competition at senior levels. In response to this uncertainty, I’m seeing people waiting.  Some are waiting for the market to improve or their job to feel secure. But companies restructure, AI will continue to reshape roles and job security isn’t guaranteed. Because companies own jobs, YOU own your career. When the world feels uncertain, waiting seems like the safer option -- yet there’s often more at risk than you think. The bottom line is you can’t control the job market, geopolitical situation or how AI could impact your role.  What you CAN control is your career, the steps you take ahead of time and how you respond to the external environment.  In this episode, I’m sharing the 3 specific ways I see senior leaders waiting in their careers right now and the consequences of each.   Find out how to take ownership of your career -- regardless of the economic climate or your current life stage.  You'll learn: Why waiting until January sets you back 3 months and how to start 2027 with momentum -- EVEN if you’re exhausted and time poorThe most challenging career stage that keeps you caught in the same situation -- and how to find clarity on your direction without reacting under pressureWhat to do when your career ISN’T the priority right now, so you keep your skills relevant and avoid any financial setbacks So hit play NOW -- and let’s dive in! Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a 5 star rating and review. It helps more people find the podcast and benefit too! LINKS: → Book a 60 minute Career Strategy Session.  → If you’re ready to find clarity on your direction, build confidence and create a strategy to take ownership of your career in the current climate, I invite you to explore Ignite Your Career. Apply for your free 30 minute consult to get started. → Learn more about my services for individuals and organisations at staceyback.com or connect with me on LinkedIn or Instagram.

  2. Oct 8

    #74: 3 Myths About Finding Your Purpose (And WHY You Still Haven't Landed On Yours)

    Have you achieved a lot of career success but find yourself asking: Is this ALL there is?  Today, we’re talking about the common misconceptions I notice when it comes to figuring out your purpose, which leaves so many high achieving leaders asking this exact question.  I’ve been thinking about purpose and legacy a lot lately, after my grandfather passed away a few weeks shy of his 98th birthday. Although sad, it was also a beautiful celebration of his long life.  This coincided with my birthday, which always acts as that annual checkpoint where you naturally reassess your direction and WHY you do what you do.  Especially once you’ve hit your 40s! And I was reminded of a coaching client who wanted to explore her purpose, because she’d never landed on WHAT it was or HOW to determine it. This client isn’t alone. Many senior leaders I work with are incredibly successful on the outside -- but have reached a point in their career where it feels like something’s missing.  They’re searching for more meaning in their work or want to make a greater impact.  In this episode, I’m sharing the 3 biggest myths I see that hold high achievers back from finding their purpose.  You’ll discover a new way of looking at what already drives you, so you can design your career around the work that fulfils you. You'll learn: Why searching for the next role or a cause hoping your purpose finally clicks isn't working -- and the ONE reframe that reconnects you to itWhat can go wrong when your why is tied to your job and how recognising the ‘red thread’ is key to taking your purpose with you wherever you goThe REAL reason trying to define your purpose feels so hard and what to ask instead to create a career aligned with your ‘why’ So hit play NOW -- and let’s dive in! Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a 5 star rating and review. It helps more people find the podcast and benefit too! LINKS: → Listen to Episode 56 with LinkedIn guest expert Karen Tisdell and Episode 17 for practical tips to find your purpose next   → If you’re ready to find clarity on your direction, build confidence and create a strategy to design a career aligned with your purpose, I invite you to explore Ignite Your Career. 2 spots available now for the October intake. Apply for your free 30 minute consult to get started. → Learn more about my services for individuals and organisations at staceyback.com or connect with me on LinkedIn or Instagram.

  3. Sep 23 ·  Bonus

    RECAST: 5 Signs You Need To Take Ownership Of Your Career Now (In Changing Times)

    Are you still managing your career the way you did 5 years ago? Today we’re talking about why taking ownership of your career is no longer optional -- but critical in the changing world of work. Because the way most people have historically managed their careers doesn’t hold up in the current landscape.  In the past, most people only actively thought about their careers when they were ready for a new challenge or wanted to change roles. Some were forced to consider ‘what’s next’ due to redundancy, burnout or changes in their personal situation. But in today’s rapidly changing environment shaped by AI, geopolitical uncertainty and the evolving future of work, this traditional, reactive approach is no longer enough. As a high-performing leader, the risk is clear. To futureproof your career, you need to be more strategic about how you manage it. This requires you to plan ahead on an ONGOING basis -- rather than waiting to respond when change is forced on you.  In this episode, I’m sharing 5 signs taking ownership of your career is essential in changing times and how to build sustainable, long-term career success. You'll learn: The biggest career challenge I’m seeing with senior leaders right now -- and the ONE shift to clarify your long-term directionWhy self-doubt is on the rise right now and the reframe you need to build confidence in the current climateThe most common mistake leaders make when communicating their value -- and how to intentionally position yourself for the opportunities you WANTWhy relying on managers or performance reviews to drive your development is no longer enough -- and what to do insteadHow to take a strategic approach to your development and keep your skills relevant in changing times  So hit play NOW -- and let’s dive in! Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a 5 star rating and review. It helps more people find the podcast and benefit too! LINKS: → Ready to find clarity, build confidence and create a strategy to take ownership of your career? Check out the Ignite Your Career program. Apply for your free 30 minute consult to get started. → Learn more about my services for individuals and organisations at staceyback.com or connect with me on LinkedIn or Instagram.

  4. Sep 10

    #73: Why You Fear Failure Despite Your Success (And What It's Costing You Right Now)

    Are you telling yourself: ‘I’m already successful. What happens if I do something different and fail?’ Today, we're talking about how the fear of failure shows up for you as a high-achieving leader -- no matter how ‘successful’ you are.  Because here’s what I see amongst the senior leaders I work with… You’re successful on paper and have followed the path that’s laid out in front of you. You’ve ticked every box that society, your industry or organisation told you was needed to progress your career.  Now you’re finding yourself at a crossroads and the strategies you once relied on are no longer working. You’ve either hit a ceiling in your current career or industry -- or the path you were on isn’t aligned anymore.  So when your current path has no clear next step or you decide to do something different, of course it feels uncertain. This is why it seems safer to stay where you are. And the biggest underlying fear I see at the root of this is the fear of failure.  Because there’s more to lose at this level: money, status, credibility, your accumulated experience and professional identity. But your next chapter doesn’t have to come at the EXPENSE of the success you’ve already achieved. It’s about using everything you’ve built to intentionally create the career you want now.  This is the difference between starting from the ‘outside in’ versus the ‘inside out’. The first keeps you on the safe path, chasing external success. The second is the approach I recommend: Taking ownership of your career and following YOUR version of success. In this episode, I’m unpacking the 3 core beliefs beneath the fear of failure that keep high-achievers at a crossroads in their careers. Discover how to stop following someone else’s version of success, so you create a career by design -- not default. You'll learn: What to do if you’re afraid of throwing away EVERYTHING you’ve already built, so you reduce risk with your next career moveThe real truth about what other people think and the ONE shift you must make so you no longer let their opinions hold you backWhy worrying about making the ‘wrong’ move keeps you trapped in endless overthinking -- and how to get clear on what you want next without waiting for certainty So hit play NOW -- and let’s dive in! Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a 5 star rating and review. It helps more people find the podcast and benefit too! LINKS: → Ready to find clarity, build confidence and create sustainable success on your terms? Explore Ignite Your Career. Enrolling now for the September intake. Apply for your free 30 minute consult to get started. → Learn more about my services for individuals and organisations at staceyback.com or connect with me on LinkedIn or Instagram.

  5. Aug 26

    #72: Healthy Ambition Vs Hustle: How To Manage Overworking NOW Before It Leads To Burnout

    Do you check your emails at midnight or work on that document for an extra hour just to ‘get it done’ by tomorrow -- even though you KNOW you’ll be more productive in the morning? Today, we're talking about overworking and how to manage it as a high-achieving senior leader who wants to stay ambitious without burning out.  The past few days, ‘9 to 5’ by the legendary Dolly Parton has been playing on repeat everywhere I go. And it’s a timely reminder, given how much I’ve been overworking lately.  I was sitting at my desk one Thursday afternoon thinking I wanted to get to the gym before 5pm to beat the after work rush. All of a sudden it was 7.30pm and I realised the gym closed at 9. And even though every inch of me was saying, ‘I’m exhausted’, I rushed out the door after a 12 hour day and got my workout in. Walking out afterwards in the cold, dark night and pouring rain, I noticed I had a sore throat. For me, that’s always the first sign my body is fighting something off -- and if I keep pushing, I’ll get sick. The next morning, I woke up with the worst flu in a while, slept for 3 days straight and took 10 days to recover. This wasn’t the result of a day of overworking or one decision to keep pushing when I needed to rest. It was the cumulative effect of burning the candle at both ends, logging back on after dinner and working well into the early hours for a number of weeks. Because even though I’ve done the identity work to address overachievement and don’t try to prove myself anymore, I still fall back into the pattern of overworking at times. I’ve done many deep dives into the specific causes of overworking. So, in this episode, I’m sharing what still drives this pattern -- EVEN after you’ve addressed the root cause. You'll learn: The surprising reason I’ve been overworking lately -- and how to address YOUR pattern without compromising your strengths or changing what makes you successfulHow to stop treating your to-do list like a critical deadline, so you can find the balance between healthy ambition and hustleThe exact strategies I used to go from closing my business for 2 months to slowing down for 3 days, which will get you back on track BEFORE overworking tips into burnout  So hit play NOW -- and let’s dive in! Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a 5 star rating and review. It helps more people find the podcast and benefit too! LINKS: → Ready to find clarity, build confidence and create sustainable success on your terms? Explore Ignite Your Career.  Enrolling now for the September intake. Apply for your free 30 minute consult to get started. → Take the FREE Career Success Code Assessment. → Learn more about my services for individuals and organisations at staceyback.com or connect with me on LinkedIn or Instagram.

  6. Aug 12

    #71: Career By Design Case Study: From 'Quitting Is My Only Option' To Planned Exit On THEIR Terms

    Are you feeling so consumed by your work that you’re ready to quit without a plan -- EVEN if it could lead to serious financial and career setbacks? Today, we're talking about how to stop running away from your current situation when you’re a senior leader or executive at a career crossroads -- and start intentionally creating the future career you want.  This episode is part of the ‘Career By Design’ case study series, where I give you an exclusive, behind the scenes look at my clients’ career transformations. My intention with this series is to show you there isn’t one definition or clear pathway to success. Instead, it’s about identifying what this looks like to YOU.  Despite their different backgrounds, there are 3 things every client has in common, which you can use to create a career by design too: 1. Clarity: Getting clear on what’s missing in your current career and what you want BEFORE attempting to change it 2. Confidence: Managing your mindset and shifting the self-doubt holding you back in your career to build confidence 3. Career Strategy: Focusing on solving the RIGHT problem and knowing which strategies will get you results at this stage of your career In this case study, you'll hear how one executive leader went from ready to resign to creating a 2-3 year transition plan -- without even changing roles. Discover how taking ownership of their career kept them from making a reactive decision out of fear and the exact steps you can take to make a strategic career move. You'll learn: The first step you MUST take when you’re depleted and putting yourself under pressure to figure out your options, so you find clarity on your career directionHow this client went from ready to resign and doubting his abilities to knowing his worth -- without EVEN changing jobsThe counterintuitive approach that turns an urgent escape plan into a strategic career move, so you’re no longer stuck at a crossroadsTop takeaways you can apply right now to create a career on your terms -- even if walking away from your role seems like the ONLY option So hit play NOW -- and let’s dive in! Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a 5 star rating and review. It helps more people find the podcast and benefit too! LINKS: → Ready to find clarity, build confidence and create a strategy to take ownership of your career? Explore Ignite Your Career.  Enrolling now for the September intake. Apply for your free 30 minute consult to get started. → Take the FREE Career Success Code Assessment. → Learn more about my services for individuals and organisations at staceyback.com or connect with me on LinkedIn or Instagram.

  7. Jul 29

    #70: 4 Patterns Keeping High-Achievers Stuck In 'Not Enough' (And HOW To Work Through It)

    Have you ever felt like you’re not good enough? That you’re not qualified enough, smart or successful enough. Not confident enough, old or young enough. In short -- you’re not enough. Today, I’m talking about the specific ways I see this show up when you’re a high-achieving leader at a crossroads in your career -- and how to work through it. Years ago, back in my legal recruitment days, I sponsored an International Women’s Day lunch for women lawyers. One of the guest speakers was a senior judge who spoke about her career journey.  She blew me away as she shared candidly about her experience with imposter syndrome. Of feeling like a fraud, not good enough and at times, inadequate compared to the women around her. I glanced around the room at all the accomplished women, at different stages of their careers. And noticed the nodding and the looks of acknowledgement on their faces. They recognised themselves in her story.  It was then I realised. So often at these events or in my dealings with women like this, I’d felt inadequate or not enough too. And after coaching hundreds of successful leaders, I’ve witnessed how widespread this ‘not-enough’ is. In this episode, I’m sharing the 4 patterns I see high-achievers experience when they’re at a crossroads in their careers.  You’ll walk away with the antidote to each one so you can strengthen your self-worth and minimise feelings of ‘not enough’. We'll cover: The common pattern that keeps Type A achievers waiting for the 'perfect' plan or trying to THINK their way to clarity -- and how to move your career in the right directionWhy it feels like something's missing EVEN when you're successful on paper and the one shift to design a career that's fulfilling and sustainableWhat to do if you chose your career for the wrong reasons and it no longer fits, so you make future decisions from a place of ownership, not obligationThe dangerous pattern that has you fixating on your weaknesses when someone else succeeds -- and why it's proof of what's possible for YOU So hit play NOW -- and let’s dive in! Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a 5 star rating and review. It helps more people find the podcast and benefit too! LINKS: → Ready to find clarity on your direction, overcome self-doubt with confidence and create a strategy for your next career chapter? Explore Ignite Your Career.  Apply for your free 30 minute consult to get started. → Take the FREE Career Success Code Assessment. → Learn more about my services for individuals and organisations at staceyback.com or connect with me on LinkedIn or Instagram.

  8. Jul 15

    #69: Is It Too Late To Create The Career You Want? (Here's HOW To Know)

    Have you left it too late to create the career you want? Or are you telling yourself time is running out to make a change? If you're a senior leader at a career crossroads and you're circling these very questions, today I'm giving you a filter to run your situation through. The leaders I work with are typically in their 40's or 50's. I remember one client telling me in our very first consult: ‘I turned 50 last year, I figure I've got 10-15 years until retirement and I want to make the most of this time.’  Yet one of the most common things I hear is: What if I've left it too late? Often it's the first time they've said it out loud -- and something they haven’t admitted to anyone else. The short answer to this question is: It's NEVER too late. But there are a few things which will keep you at a crossroads longer than you need to be -- regardless of your age or circumstances. So in this episode, I'm walking you through a 5 part checklist to assess your current situation.  Find out if you've left it too late and what to do instead to start creating the career you want.  You'll learn: The ONE shift that determines whether you'll design your next career chapter intentionally, rather than letting time run outWhy figuring out what you want next takes less time than avoiding it -- and how to ensure you’re NOT standing at the same crossroads in 2 years’ timeHow waiting for the 'perfect' moment guarantees you WILL leave it too late to make a change in your careerWhat’s REALLY hiding beneath the belief ‘I’m running out of time’ and how to stop using timing as an excuse How one client redefined success at a stage when many people choose to slow down in their careers -- and why they’re living proof it’s NEVER too late  So hit play NOW -- and let’s dive in! Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a 5 star rating and review. It helps more people find the podcast and benefit too! LINKS: → Listen to Episode #53: Why It’s NEVER Too Late To Reinvent Your Career (And How To Get Started) next → Ready to find clarity on your direction, build confidence and create a strategy for your next career chapter? Explore Ignite Your Career.  Apply for your free 30 minute consult to get started. → At a crossroads in your career? Take the FREE Career Success Code Assessment. → Learn more about my services for individuals and organisations at staceyback.com or connect with me on LinkedIn or Instagram.

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Are you a high-achieving leader at a crossroads in your career? The Career By Design Podcast is for you if you're a senior leader who’s built incredible success on the outside -- but now you’ve reached a point in your career where you’re unsure WHAT you want next or HOW to get there.    Consider this show your fortnightly resource to help you develop the clarity, confidence and strategy to take ownership of your career.   Hosted by executive career coach + strategist Stacey Back, this conversational podcast explores what it really means to redefine success and create a career on YOUR terms.    With 18+ years in coaching, people development, HR & recruitment, Stacey shares unique insights from her corporate career and experience running a business. You'll learn the exact strategies she used to change careers, shift into more aligned work -- and how she's supported hundreds of leaders to do the same.   Every Thursday fortnight, Stacey will deliver practical strategies to develop your career, mindset and leadership skills. Plus, you’ll hear guest experts and inspiring stories from individuals who’ve created their careers by design -- to show YOU what’s possible too.   Expect a dose of inspiration, to be challenged to think differently and actionable advice you can immediately implement.   Hit subscribe and get ready to design a career that's fulfilling, sustainable -- AND supports your lifestyle!   Find out more at staceyback.com.

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