Optimising Leader Brilliance: Enabling Calm, Confident, Strategic Leadership

Estelle Read | Leadership Coach | Bestselling Author | Speaker
  • 5.0 (1)
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  • Updated Weekly

Are your leadership strategies failing to deliver next-level results, filling you with self-doubt or overwhelm? Stop self-sabotage and regain your edge with Optimising Leader Brilliance—the self-improvement toolkit for Executive Leaders and HR Directors. We help you feel inspired and grow both yourself and your business by transforming your leadership to be calm, confident, and strategic. Get a summary of the learnings from each episode with actionable steps in The Brilliant Leaders Notebook at EstelleRead.com.

  1. 6h ago

    Influence, Not Persuasion: Michael Hutchison on Sales and Leadership

    What if rejection were information—not a verdict on yourability? Michael Hutchison joins Estelle Read to explore how influence differs from persuasion, and how leaders can build trust by understanding people and aligning interests. He shares lessons from early sales presentations, a supplier’s withdrawal just before launch, and adapting his business during the pandemic. The conversation also offers practical ways to handle objections, use feedback constructively, protect your peace, and focus on building people for the long term. What You Will Learn 💡 How to create influence through trust, understanding, and aligned interests—not pressure.💡How to treat rejection and sales objections as information rather than as a judgment of your identity.💡How to respond when plans change, protect your peace, and lead by helping people grow. Here’s to your leadership development and personal growth!   Estelle Read   Bestselling Author, Leadership Coach & Host of Optimising Leader Brilliance   Timestamps: (00:00) Cold Open: Michael's First Sales Presentation(00:57) Welcome to Optimising Leader Brilliance(01:41) Episode Preview: Reframing Sales & Rejection(02:49) Meet Michael Hutchison(02:59) Influence vs. Persuasion: The Core Philosophy(05:43) Roots in Tony Robbins(06:14) Origin Story: Military Family & Situational Introversion(09:29) Cold Calling for Tony Robbins(11:11) Overcoming the Fear of Presenting(14:03) The Belgrade Convention: 9,000+ Attendees(15:26) Building Trust Through Entertainment & Education(17:26) Post-Convention Follow-Up Strategy(18:48) Biggest Mistake Leaders Make in Sales(19:49) Rejection Is Just Information, Not Identity(24:00) Building Emotional Strength(25:55) Protecting Your Peace: Daily Practices(26:40) The Billion-Dollar Supplier Pullout(29:30) Pivoting: From Rejection to Direct Cruise Line Deals(30:53) Surviving the 2020 Pandemic(32:23) Giving Back: Mercy Ships Sponsorship(33:17) Three Actionable Tips for Leaders(34:13) Lead With Love & the View From Salzburg(37:45) Guest Question: What's Most Important About Leading You?(39:52) Question for the Next Guest(41:27) Pause, Reflect, Act: Coaching Questions(43:19) Outro & Disclaimer📱FOLLOW OR CONTACT:⭐GUEST: Michael Hutchison https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhutch/ https://www.incruises.com/ https://in.group/ ⭐ HOST: Estelle Readhttps://linktr.ee/EstelleAtBeee or @EstelleReadCoach   🧰 ACCESS FREE RESOURCES ⭐Want a summary of today’s learnings? Subscribe to The Brilliant Leader’s Notebook, to get the key takeaways from every singleepisode: https://mailchi.mp/a0cfa5a8a10c/8chmrywh3r ⭐Find Out Which of the 7 Leadership Saboteurs is Holding You Back by Completing the Scorecard: https://estelle-read.scoreapp.com/  ⭐Download Estelle’s Free Journal & Self-Coaching Tool: https://mailchi.mp/dab4b2568b71/free-inner-brilliance-outer-shine-journal ⭐Access Other Free Resources: ⁠https://estelleread.com/resources/⁠   ❤️ CAN YOU HELP? We bring this show to you for free. You can help us keep growing and going by taking 30 seconds to: 🔔 Subscribe or follow so you never miss an episode. 📨 Share the show with a friend. ✍️ Leave a review to help others find us.   🗓️ BOOK A 15 FREE DISCOVERY CALL: ⭐https://calendly.com/estelleatbeee/15-minute-discovery-call   🧠ESTELLE READ’S COACHING PROGRAMMES: ⬆️⁠The Optimised Leader Programme: NEXT LEVEL⁠: https://estelleread.com/next-level-leadership-programme/  🎇⁠The Resilient Leader Programme: SHINE⁠: https://estelleread.com/the-shine-coaching-programme/   🎧LISTEN OR WATCH ON ALTERNATIVE PLATFORMS📺 ⭐Here: https://pod.link/1515648162  ⚠️ DICLAIMER This podcast is for informational purposes only and shouldnot be considered professional advice. Please consult a qualified professional for specific advice. Don’t suffer alone.

    Influence, Not Persuasion: Michael Hutchison on Sales and Leadership

  2. Oct 19

    Avoid This Leadership Archetype: Are You Building or Diminishing Your Team?

    Leadership coach Estelle Read talks with Doug Crandall aboutthe four leadership instincts in his book Building or Diminishing: builder, driver, cheerleader, and belittler. They explore how everyday interactions affect the people you lead, and how to pair high expectations with positivity. What You Will Learn: 💡 Use “Am I building or diminishing?” to reflect on everyday leadership interactions. 💡 Recognize the builder, driver, cheerleader, and belittler instincts in your leadership. 💡 Communicate belief, set high expectations, and give feedback without diminishing people. Here’s to your leadership development and personal growth!   Estelle Read   Bestselling Author, Leadership Coach & Host of Optimising Leader Brilliance   Timestamps: (00:00) Welcome & Podcast Introduction (00:48) Host Welcome (01:14) Meet Doug Crandall (02:24) The Four Leadership Instincts (14:58) Subscribe (15:19) The Belittler & The Builder (29:12) Three Strategies & Resources (30:07) Strategy 1: Building or Diminishing? (42:21) Pause, Reflect, Act (42:52) Coaching Questions (44:12) Outro & Disclaimer   📱FOLLOW OR CONTACT:⭐GUEST: Doug Crandall, https://buildingordiminishing.com/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-crandall-585a4 ⭐ HOST: Estelle Readhttps://linktr.ee/EstelleAtBeee or @EstelleReadCoach   🧰 ACCESS FREE RESOURCES & TOOLS: ⭐Want a summary of today’s learnings? Subscribe to Estelle Read’s blog, TheBrilliant Leader’s Notebook, to get the key takeaways from every singleepisode: https://mailchi.mp/a0cfa5a8a10c/8chmrywh3r ⭐Find Out Which of the 7 LeadershipSaboteurs is Holding You Back by Completing the Scorecard: https://estelle-read.scoreapp.com/  ⭐Download Estelle’s Free Journal & Self-Coaching Tool: https://mailchi.mp/dab4b2568b71/free-inner-brilliance-outer-shine-journal ⭐Access Other Free Resources: ⁠https://estelleread.com/resources/⁠   ❤️ CAN YOU HELP? We bring this show to you for free. You can help us keep growing and going by taking 30 seconds to: 🔔 Subscribe or follow so you never miss an episode. 📨 Share the show with a friend. ✍️ Leave a review to help others find us.   Thanks for your support!   🗓️ BOOK A 15 FREE DISCOVERY CALL: ⭐https://calendly.com/estelleatbeee/15-minute-discovery-call   🧠ESTELLE READ’S COACHING PROGRAMMES: ⬆️⁠The Optimised Leader Programme: NEXT LEVEL⁠: https://estelleread.com/next-level-leadership-programme/    🎇⁠The Resilient Leader Programme: SHINE⁠: https://estelleread.com/the-shine-coaching-programme/   📓BUY ESTELLE READ’S BESTSELLING BOOK: ⁠Inner Brilliance · Outer Shine: 10 Antidotes to Imposter Syndrome, Workaholism and Stress: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Inner-Brilliance-Outer-Shine-Workaholism/dp/1789048036/ ⁠   🎧LISTEN OR WATCH ON ALTERNATIVE PLATFORMS📺 ⭐Listen on your favourite podcast platform here: https://pod.link/1515648162  ⭐Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EstelleRead/podcasts   ⚠️ DICLAIMER This podcast is for informational purposes only and shouldnot be considered professional advice. Please consult a qualified professional for specific advice. Don’t suffer alone ❤️.

    Avoid This Leadership Archetype: Are You Building or Diminishing Your Team?

  3. Trailer

    Welcome to Optimising Leader Brilliance! | Podcast Trailer

    Welcome to Optimising Leader Brilliance—the podcastand self-improvement toolkit designed to unlock key leadership talent and enable calm, confident, strategic leadership. Are your current leadership strategies failing to delivernext-level results? If you or the leaders in your organisation are facing sudden self-doubt, hidden overwhelm, or hitting an invisible performance ceiling, you are not alone—and it is not your fault. On this podcast, host Estelle Read explores how to eliminateleadership bottlenecks, stop self-sabotage, and transform high-potential talent so your business can thrive. 💥 THE INVISIBLE CEILING BLOCKING PERFORMANCEEvery organisation relies on ambitious leaders who want to deliver high-performance results. However, there comes a point where old strategies stop working. Despite hard work, leaders hit a performance ceiling that triggers self-doubt, anxiety under scrutiny, and potential burnout. Whenresults need to change quickly, traditional professional development takes too long. Both the leader and the organisation need swift, measurable change. 🧠 THE ROOT CAUSE & THE NEUROSCIENCE SOLUTIONThese bottlenecks happen because leaders fight against subconscious childhood conditioning. Having coached executives for over two decades, Estelle has foundthese barriers fall into 7 leadership saboteur categories. We don't spend 66 days trying to force a new habit. Instead, we identify the root causes and apply a neuroscience technique to eliminate triggers, modifying the autopilot for automatic, lasting behavioural change. 💼 REAL COACHING TRANSFORMATIONS WE EXPLORE: The Micro-Controller: From Rigid Operations to a £20M Turnover Boost The Doubting Imposter: From Self-Doubt to a 300% Revenue Increase The Chronic Harmoniser: From Avoidance to Action—Resolving a £1M Elephant in the Room The Constant Firefighter: From Burnout to Streamlined Productivity   📈 THE ROI: HIGH-PERFORMANCE RESULTS Kinks are ironed out in as little as 4 weeks. Turnaroundsdon't take 12 months, protecting key leadership talent and saving organisations thousands in recruitment, retraining, and painful performance management. 🚀 READY TO TAKE YOUR TEAM TO THE NEXT LEVEL?Hit Follow to get actionable insights in every episode! 🌐 Visit: https://estelleread.com/ where you can: 📒 Subscribe to The Brilliant Leader’s Notebook, to getthe key learnings and takeaways from every single episode 📊 Take the Free Leadership Saboteurs Scorecard 📅 Book a Free 15-Minute Call

  4. Oct 12

    Why Willpower Doesn’t Work: Identity-Based Habits for Leadership

    If you’ve tried habit systems and still fall off the wagon,Connie Kwan of Story Habits offers a different starting point: the values and stories behind the behaviour. Estelle and Connie discuss identity-based habits, why a borrowed “should” may not motivate change, and how leaders can connect team habits to values people genuinely hold. What You Will Learn 💡 Why your habits do not stick when they are tied to shoulds, pressure and expectations, not your real values 💡 How the Story Habits method links balloons, anchors and strings to make change simple, sticky and personal 💡 How leaders secure their own habit first, then help each person find their own anchor for buy-in 💡 Practical ways to audit your habit wish list, pick one focus, and keep confidence through setbacks Timestamps 👇 (00:00) Intro – Habits as an Outward Expression (00:43) Host Introduction – Estelle Read (01:09) What to Expect & Guest Intro (02:21) Identity-Based Habits & the Anchor-BalloonMethod (14:56) Subscribe & Follow (15:18) Wrong Anchors, "Shoulds," & Why HabitsFail (30:57) Free Resources & Discovery Call (31:52) Three Strategies for Habit Change (38:41) Pause, Reflect, Act (39:12) Coaching Questions (40:14) Outro & Closing 📱FOLLOW OR CONTACT:⭐GUEST: Connie Kwan, https://storyhabitsbook.com/,https://conniekwan.substack.com/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/conniekwan/ ⭐HOST: Estelle Read https://linktr.ee/EstelleAtBeee or @EstelleReadCoach   🧰 ACCESS FREE RESOURCES & TOOLS: ⭐Want a summary of today’s learnings? Subscribe to Estelle Read’s blog, TheBrilliant Leader’s Notebook, to get the key takeaways from every singleepisode: https://mailchi.mp/a0cfa5a8a10c/8chmrywh3r ⭐Find Out Which of the 7 Leadership Saboteurs is Holding You Back by Completing the Scorecard: https://estelle-read.scoreapp.com/   ⭐Download Estelle’s Free Journal & Self-Coaching Tool: https://mailchi.mp/dab4b2568b71/free-inner-brilliance-outer-shine-journal ⭐Access Other Free Resources: ⁠https://estelleread.com/resources/⁠   ❤️ CAN YOU HELP? We bring this show to you for free. Youcan help us keep growing and going by taking 30 seconds to: 🔔 Subscribe or follow so you never miss an episode. 📨 Share the show with a friend. ✍️ Leave a review to help others find us.   Thanks for your support!   🗓️ BOOK A 15 FREE DISCOVERY CALL: ⭐https://calendly.com/estelleatbeee/15-minute-discovery-call   🧠ESTELLE READ’S COACHING PROGRAMMES: ⬆️⁠The Optimised Leader Programme: NEXTLEVEL⁠: https://estelleread.com/next-level-leadership-programme/    🎇⁠The Resilient Leader Programme: SHINE⁠: https://estelleread.com/the-shine-coaching-programme/   📓BUY ESTELLE READ’S BESTSELLING BOOK: ⁠Inner Brilliance · Outer Shine: 10 Antidotes to Imposter Syndrome, Workaholism and Stress: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Inner-Brilliance-Outer-Shine-Workaholism/dp/1789048036/ ⁠   🎧LISTEN OR WATCH ON ALTERNATIVE PLATFORMS📺 ⭐Listen on your favouritepodcast platform here: https://pod.link/1515648162  ⭐Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EstelleRead/podcasts   ⚠️ DICLAIMER This podcast is for informational purposes only and shouldnot be considered professional advice. Please consult a qualified professional for specific advice. Don’t suffer alone ❤️.

    Why Willpower Doesn’t Work: Identity-Based Habits for Leadership

  5. Oct 5

    Avoid This When You Speak: How to Communicate Calmly and Clearly Under Pressure

    In this episode, communication coach Helen von Dadelszenreveals the biggest mistake leaders make when speaking under pressure—and how to avoid it. Learn why confidence grows through action, not waiting, and discover practical tools like breathing techniques and improv that help you communicate clearly and calmly. Gain insights into managing your body, voice, and mind to connect authentically and lead with impact. What You Will Learn:  💡 Why confidence grows through doing, and how action beats waiting every time 💡 How improv techniques prepare you to think quickly and communicate with ease 💡 Three practical tools to manage your body, voice, and mind for calm and impactful speaking Here’s to your leadership development and personal growth!   Estelle Read   Bestselling Author, Leadership Coach & Host of Optimising Leader Brilliance   Timestamps:(00:00) – Intro and Episode Overview (03:00) – Biggest Speaking Mistake: Letting Ego Take Over (07:15) – Building Confidence Through Action, Not Waiting (12:30) – Using Improv to Handle High-Pressure Conversations (18:45) – Recognizing and Managing Your Body’s Nervous Signals (24:10) – Breathing Technique: The Physiological Sigh for Calm (29:00) – Avoid Over-Polishing: Be Natural, Not Performative (34:20) – How to Focus on Your Audience, Not Yourself (39:15) – Simplifying Your Message: What Do You Want Your Audience to Think,Feel, or Do? (44:00) – Practical Tips to Prepare for Unpredictable Questions (49:20) – Reflective Coaching Questions to Take Action Now (54:45) – Closing and How to Continue Building Your Speaking Confidence 📱FOLLOW OR CONTACT: ⭐GUEST: Helen von Dadelszen, https://academy.presentpotential.ch/, https://www.amazon.co.uk/Courageous-Action-playbook-communicating-confidently/dp/2970194805/ ⭐ HOST: Estelle Readhttps://linktr.ee/EstelleAtBeee or @EstelleReadCoach   🧰 ACCESS FREE RESOURCES & TOOLS: ⭐Want a summary of today’s learnings? Subscribe to Estelle Read’s blog, The Brilliant Leader’s Notebook, to get the key takeaways from every single episode: https://mailchi.mp/a0cfa5a8a10c/8chmrywh3r ⭐Find Out Which of the 7 Leadership Saboteurs is Holding You Back by Completing the Scorecard: https://estelle-read.scoreapp.com/   ⭐Download Estelle’s Free Journal & Self-Coaching Tool: https://mailchi.mp/dab4b2568b71/free-inner-brilliance-outer-shine-journal ⭐Access Other Free Resources: ⁠https://estelleread.com/resources/⁠   ❤️ CAN YOU HELP? We bring this show to you for free. You can help us keep growing and going by taking 30 seconds to: 🔔 Subscribe or follow so you never miss an episode. 📨 Share the show with a friend. ✍️ Leave a review to help others find us.   Thanks for your support!   🗓️ BOOK A 15 FREE DISCOVERY CALL: ⭐https://calendly.com/estelleatbeee/15-minute-discovery-call   🧠ESTELLE READ’S COACHING PROGRAMMES: ⬆️⁠The Optimised Leader Programme: NEXT LEVEL⁠: https://estelleread.com/next-level-leadership-programme/    🎇⁠The Resilient Leader Programme: SHINE⁠: https://estelleread.com/the-shine-coaching-programme/   📓BUY ESTELLE READ’S BESTSELLING BOOK: ⁠Inner Brilliance · Outer Shine: 10 Antidotes to Imposter Syndrome, Workaholism and Stress: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Inner-Brilliance-Outer-Shine-Workaholism/dp/1789048036/ ⁠   🎧LISTEN OR WATCH ON ALTERNATIVE PLATFORMS📺 ⭐Listen on your favouritepodcast platform here: https://pod.link/1515648162  ⭐Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EstelleRead/podcasts   ⚠️ DICLAIMER This podcast is for informational purposes only and shouldnot be considered professional advice. Please consult a qualified professional for specific advice. Don’t suffer alone ❤️.

    Avoid This When You Speak: How to Communicate Calmly and Clearly Under Pressure

  6. Sep 28

    How to Stop Burnout: Your Path to Calm, Confident Leadership

    This episode explores the journey from burnout to recoverywith resilience coach Tracy Doyle, who bravely shares her story of overcoming profound personal challenges. Please note this episode contains discussions of sexual abuse, suicide, and mental health struggles. Listener discretion isadvised. Tracy reveals how life experiences shape the beliefs driving burnout and introduces her transformative Aurora framework to find clarity, calm, and confidence. Tune in to learn practical tools for spotting hidden burnout patterns, breaking unconscious cycles, and reclaiming your well-being. What You Will Learn: 💡 How to spot the hidden patterns driving your burnout and recognize unconscious cycles 💡The AURORA framework for reclaiming emotional clarity, calm, and confidence 💡Practical steps for healing and empowering yourself after burnout struggles   Here’s to your leadership development and personal growth!   Estelle Read   Bestselling Author, Leadership Coach & Host   Timestamps: (00:00) – Introduction & Episode Overview (03:00) – Tracy’s Early Life Challenges and Caretaking Role (09:00) – The Impact of Family Trauma on Burnout (15:30) – The Breaking Point: Recognizing Overwhelm and Desperation (22:00) – Shame, Fear, and the Reluctance to Ask for Help (28:30) – Tracy’s Aurora Framework Introduction (35:30) – The Role of Life Experiences in Burnout Patterns (42:45) – Identifying and Changing Limiting Beliefs (50:00) – Practical Morning Intention and Daily Practices (56:30) – The ‘Isches’: Self-centered Traits that Hold Us Back (01:02:00) – Healing Pathways from Burnout: See It, Name It, Change It (01:09:30) – Reflective Coaching Questions 📱FOLLOW OR CONTACT: ⭐GUEST: Tracy Doyle https://tracydoyle.life/ ⭐HOST: Estelle Read https://linktr.ee/EstelleAtBeee or @EstelleReadCoach   🧰 ACCESS FREE RESOURCES & TOOLS: ⭐Want a summary of today’s learnings? Subscribe to Estelle Read’s blog, TheBrilliant Leader’s Notebook, to get the key takeaways from every single episode: https://mailchi.mp/a0cfa5a8a10c/8chmrywh3r   ⭐Find Out Which of the 7 Leadership Saboteurs is Holding You Back by Completing the Scorecard: https://estelle-read.scoreapp.com/   ⭐Download Estelle’s Free Journal & Self-Coaching Tool: https://mailchi.mp/dab4b2568b71/free-inner-brilliance-outer-shine-journal ⭐Access Other Free Resources: ⁠https://estelleread.com/resources/⁠ ❤️ CAN YOU HELP? We bring this show to you for free. You can help us keep growing and going by taking 30 seconds to: 🔔 Subscribe or follow so younever miss an episode. 📨 Share the show with a friend. ✍️ Leave a review to help others findus.   Thanks for your support!   🗓️ BOOK A 15 FREE DISCOVERY CALL:  ⭐https://calendly.com/estelleatbeee/15-minute-discovery-call         🧠ESTELLE READ’S COACHING PROGRAMMES: ⬆️⁠The Optimised Leader Programme: NEXTLEVEL⁠: https://estelleread.com/next-level-leadership-programme/    🎇⁠The Resilient Leader Programme: SHINE⁠: https://estelleread.com/the-shine-coaching-programme/       📓BUY ESTELLE READ’S BESTSELLING BOOK: ⁠Inner Brilliance · Outer Shine: 10 Antidotes to Imposter Syndrome, Workaholism and Stress: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Inner-Brilliance-Outer-Shine-Workaholism/dp/1789048036/ ⁠  🎧LISTEN OR WATCH ON ALTERNATIVE PLATFORMS📺 ⭐Listen on your favourite podcast platform here: https://pod.link/1515648162  ⭐Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EstelleRead/podcasts  ⚠️ DICLAIMER This podcast is for informational purposes only and shouldnot be considered professional advice. Please consult a qualified professional for specific advice. Don’t suffer alone ❤️.

    How to Stop Burnout: Your Path to Calm, Confident Leadership

  7. Sep 21

    Win the First Hour: Reset Your Biology for Calm Leadership

    Winning your first hour each morning is the secret tostaying calm under pressure—and it all starts with biology, not personality. In this episode, Dr. Robert Carter, international bestselling co-author of The Morning Mind and the upcoming The Convenience Trap, shares a neuroscience-backed morning routine that resets your nervous system, thehidden convenience traps draining your resilience, and a simple framework to help you stay centred no matter what the day throws at you.    What You Will Learn: 💡 The morning routine that biologically primes your nervous system to win your day before it begins💡How instant gratification culture quietly saps your resilience—and steps to reclaim your control💡The ALIVE framework: a practical method to activate awareness, level up, and embody calm under stress   Here’s to your leadership development and personal growth!   Estelle Read   Bestselling Author, Leadership Coach & Host of Optimising Leader Brilliance   Timestamps:   (00:00) – Welcome and Episode Overview(02:00) – Why Winning Your First Hour Matters for Emotional and Cognitive State(06:00) – Meet Dr. Robert Carter and His Book The Convenience Trap(10:45) – Understanding the Convenience Trap and Its Impact on Resilience(15:30) – Biology Behind Staying Calm Under Pressure(20:15) – The ALIVE Framework: Activate, Level Up, Integrate, Value, Embody(25:00) – Recognizing Stress Triggers and Biological Rhythms(30:30) – How Convenience Culture Contributes to Stress and Health Challenges(36:00) – Personal Stories of Stress, Autoimmune Conditions, and Recovery(45:00) – Practical Morning Routine Tips for Biological Reset(50:45) – Breathing and Awareness Techniques to Stay Centred Under Pressure(56:00) – Integrating Calm Practices into Daily Life and Work(01:02:30) – Preparing for Recovery and Mental Resilience(01:07:00) – Reflective Practice and Coaching Questions from Dr. Carter(01:11:30) – Closing Thoughts and How to Take Next Steps 📱FOLLOW OR CONTACT: ⭐GUEST: Dr Robert Carter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-carter-phd-mph-57b1405/  https://theconveniencetrap.com/   ⭐HOST: Estelle Read: https://linktr.ee/EstelleAtBeeeor @EstelleReadCoach     🔧 ACCESS FREE RESOURCES & TOOLS: ⭐Want a summary of today’s learnings? Subscribe to Estelle Read’s blog, TheBrilliant Leader’s Notebook, to get the key takeaways from every single episode: https://mailchi.mp/a0cfa5a8a10c/8chmrywh3r ⭐Find Out Which of the 7 Leadership Saboteurs is Holding You Back by Completing the Scorecard: https://estelle-read.scoreapp.com/   ⭐Download Estelle’s Free Journal &Self-Coaching Tool: https://mailchi.mp/dab4b2568b71/free-inner-brilliance-outer-shine-journal    ❤️ CAN YOU HELP? We bring this show to you for free. You can help us keep growing and going by taking 30 seconds to: 🔔 Subscribe or follow so you never miss an episode. 📨 Share the show with a friend. ✍️ Leave a review to help others find us.   🗓️ BOOK A 15 FREE DISCOVERY CALL:   ⭐https://calendly.com/estelleatbeee/15-minute-discovery-call    🧠ESTELLE READ’S COACHING PROGRAMMES: ⬆️⁠The Optimised Leader Programme: NEXTLEVEL⁠: https://estelleread.com/next-level-leadership-programme/    🎇⁠The Resilient Leader Programme: SHINE⁠: https://estelleread.com/the-shine-coaching-programme/  🎧LISTEN OR WATCH ON ALTERNATIVE PLATFORMS📺 ⭐Listen on your favourite podcast platform here: https://pod.link/1515648162  ⭐Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EstelleRead/podcasts  ⚠️ DICLAIMER This podcast is for informational purposes only and shouldnot be considered professional advice. Please consult a qualified professional for specific advice. Don’t suffer alone ❤️.

    Win the First Hour: Reset Your Biology for Calm Leadership

  8. Sep 14

    Why Leaders Stay Stuck: How Soft Addictions Sabotage Success and What To Do About It

    Why do high achievers often feel stuck despite theirsuccess? In this episode, Dr. Judith Wright, a neuroscientist and coach featured on Oprah and Good Morning America, shares her insights on the hidden patterns that keep leaders trapped in burnout, conflict, and underperformance. Discover how “soft addictions” and unmet deep yearnings silently sabotage your leadership potential. Learn practical strategies to name your true feelings, reconnect with your core needs, and embark on a path to clarity, calm, and authentic success. What You Will Learn:💡The universal human yearnings wired into our brain that drive behavior and leadership success💡How overdoing strengths like discipline or caring can become “soft addictions” that hold you back💡One powerful question you can ask anytime to understand and transform your emotions instantly    (00:00) – Welcome and Episode Introduction(02:15) – The Hidden Patterns that Keep Leaders Stuck(06:30) – What Are Soft Addictions? How They Impact Leadership(11:00) – The Role of Feelings and Emotional Intelligence in Success(17:45) – The Neuroscience of Naming and Managing Emotions(24:30) – Understanding Our Deep Yearnings and Their Evolutionary Roots(32:15) – How Unmet Yearnings Trigger Burnout and Conflict(38:00) – The Power of Awareness: Catching Your Soft Addictions in Action(44:30) – Practical Steps: What To Do When You Notice Being Overwhelmed(50:00) – Building New Neural Pathways for Self-Compassion and Resilience(55:45) – Leadership Lessons: Balancing Strengths Without Burning Out(01:01:00) – Reflective Questions to Understand Your Yearnings and Patterns(01:06:30) – Closing Thoughts and How to Take the Next Step 📱FOLLOW OR CONTACT:⭐ GUEST: Dr Judith Wright - CEO, Live Wright - https://livewright.com/ Find Dr Judith’s books here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/author/B001HD1VY8/allbooks ⭐ HOST: Estelle Readhttps://linktr.ee/EstelleAtBeee or @EstelleReadCoach   🔧 ACCESS FREE RESOURCES & TOOLS: ⭐Want a summary of today’s learnings? Subscribe to Estelle Read’s blog, TheBrilliant Leader’s Notebook, to get the key takeaways from every singleepisode: https://mailchi.mp/a0cfa5a8a10c/8chmrywh3r   ⭐Find Out Which of the 7 Leadership Saboteurs is Holding You Back by Completing the Scorecard: https://estelle-read.scoreapp.com/   ⭐Download Estelle’s Free Journal & Self-Coaching Tool: https://mailchi.mp/dab4b2568b71/free-inner-brilliance-outer-shine-journal  ⭐Access Other Free Resources: ⁠https://estelleread.com/resources/⁠     ❤️ CAN YOU HELP? We bring this show to you for free. You can help us keep growing and going by taking 30 seconds to: 🔔 Subscribe or follow so younever miss an episode. 📨 Share the show with a friend. ✍️ Leave a review to help others findus.   Thanks for your support!     🗓️ BOOK A 15 FREE DISCOVERY CALL:   ⭐https://calendly.com/estelleatbeee/15-minute-discovery-call         🧠ESTELLE READ’S COACHING PROGRAMMES: ⬆️⁠The Optimised Leader Programme: NEXT LEVEL⁠: https://estelleread.com/next-level-leadership-programme/    🎇⁠The Resilient Leader Programme: SHINE⁠: https://estelleread.com/the-shine-coaching-programme/    📓BUY ESTELLE READ’S BESTSELLING BOOK: ⁠Inner Brilliance · Outer Shine: 10 Antidotes to Imposter Syndrome, Workaholism andStress: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Inner-Brilliance-Outer-Shine-Workaholism/dp/1789048036/ ⁠       🎧LISTEN OR WATCH ON ALTERNATIVE PLATFORMS📺 ⭐Listen on your favouritepodcast platform here: https://pod.link/1515648162  ⭐Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EstelleRead/podcasts  ⚠️ DICLAIMER This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. Please consult a qualified professionalfor specific advice. Don’t suffer alone ❤️.

    Why Leaders Stay Stuck: How Soft Addictions Sabotage Success and What To Do About It
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Are your leadership strategies failing to deliver next-level results, filling you with self-doubt or overwhelm? Stop self-sabotage and regain your edge with Optimising Leader Brilliance—the self-improvement toolkit for Executive Leaders and HR Directors. We help you feel inspired and grow both yourself and your business by transforming your leadership to be calm, confident, and strategic. Get a summary of the learnings from each episode with actionable steps in The Brilliant Leaders Notebook at EstelleRead.com.

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