The Unlikely Executive

Glee Coaching Ltd
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Management
  • Updated Biweekly

You know there’s more in you, more to explore, more to give, and more to live.    Welcome to The Unlikely Executive Podcast, a bi-weekly show for people who want to make a difference both in their own careers and the world around them. You don't have to be failing to want more. If you are curious about how others have navigated the rocky road to leadership and fulfillment you are in the right place.    This podcast is designed especially for the curious, the ambitious and the slightly nervous! It is for those who are asking Now what? Those at a crossroads, those with a desire to step up to the executive table and those who want to feel a sense of ownership in their own career.    Every episode, host Barbra Carlisle, Founder of Glee Coaching Ltd, Accredited Coach, and Business Mentor, brings you candid conversations with people like you who are now leaders making a significant difference. These are people whose journeys to where they are today were far from textbook. Challenges, self-doubt, and surprising turns all play a part. Yet, they’ve emerged with a sense of purpose, passion, and a desire to contribute positively to our wonderful and complex world.    Through inspiring stories, actionable tips, and heartfelt moments, each guest reveals how they stepped into the unknown, discovered their purpose, and made a difference.    If you’re ready to unlock your potential, challenge yourself, and take steps toward creating the impact you dream of, this podcast is for you.    Subscribe now to start your journey of discovery, and together, let’s build a better future—one purposeful step at a time.    Visit www.gleecoaching.com to learn more.  Hosted on Riverside

  1. Aug 21

    Have a difficult conversation | Barbra Carlisle | The Unlikely Executive

    The Conversations Your Leaders Know They Need to Have but Are Not HavingSeason: Leadership Impact Scorecard Series | Host: Barbra Carlisle FCIPD, MCiOH | Duration: approx. 8 minutes SummaryThere is a conversation happening in your organisation right now that somebody needs to have and nobody is having. In this episode, Barbra tackles why leaders in the built environment avoid difficult conversations, why this is a capability gap rather than a courage gap, and what authority actually looks like in practice. Drawing on VitalSmarts research showing seven working days wasted for every crucial conversation avoided, and Google’s Project Aristotle findings on psychological safety, this episode lays out what needs to change and how. What You Will LearnThe three conversations leaders avoid most: performance, upward challenge, and team dynamicsVitalSmarts research: the average employee wastes seven working days per avoided crucial conversationWhy avoidance is a capability problem, not a courage problemWhat authority actually looks like: consistency, clarity, and fairnessGoogle’s Project Aristotle finding on psychological safety and what it actually means (it is not being soft)How holding people accountable makes people want to stay, not leaveCIPD research linking clear expectations and honest feedback to higher retentionKey TopicsLeadership authority, difficult conversations at work, accountability in management, psychological safety, performance management, construction sector leadership, housing management, team accountability, manager confidence, workplace conflict resolution Take the Free AssessmentFind out where you stand across all four pillars of leadership impact. Take the free Leadership Impact Scorecard: Leadership Impact Connect with BarbraWebsite: www.gleecoaching.co.ukEmail: barbra@gleecoaching.comLinkedIn: Barbra CarlisleBook a 30-minute conversation: https://zcal.co/barbracarlisle/30min

  2. Aug 10

    Onsite and Breastfeeding is it possible? | Sarah Thorne | The Unlikely Executive

    In this episode of The Unlikely Executive, Barbra Carlisle speaks with strategic construction leader and entrepreneur Sarah Thorne. With more than 20 years in construction and project delivery, Sarah explains why project management is about far more than processes and timelines. She reveals how stakeholder relationships, listening skills and strategic thinking create successful outcomes across industries. Sarah also shares the personal journey that led her to discover her true purpose. Through her work with Thorne Solutions, Engage to Action, Women Leaders UK and MumPod, she is helping people thrive at every stage of life, from inspiring primary school children to consider STEM careers through to supporting mothers returning to work. The conversation explores imposter syndrome, hidden disabilities, mentoring, leadership styles and why honesty, collaboration and trust remain at the heart of effective leadership. Key TakeawaysProject management is fundamentally about people, not paperwork.Transferable skills can unlock opportunities across multiple industries.Purpose often emerges when seemingly unrelated activities are viewed together.Early exposure to STEM careers can transform aspirations for young people.Organisations must do more to support women returning from maternity leave.Good mentors challenge thinking rather than simply provide reassurance.Leaders can be both compassionate and accountable.Visionary leaders need to balance creativity with clarity and structure.Honesty and psychological safety are critical for high-performing teams.Inclusion starts with practical action rather than policy statements. About Sarah ThorneSarah Thorne is a strategic leader in construction and the founder of Thorne Solutions. Alongside her project delivery work, she is co-founder of MumPod, an organisation creating dedicated spaces for breastfeeding and expressing mothers. She also supports young people through Engage to Action, serves as a trustee with Women Leaders UK and champions inclusion, resilience and people-centred leadership across multiple sectors. ConnectFollow Sarah Thorne on LinkedIn to learn more about project management, leadership, inclusion and MumPod.Sarah Thorne | LinkedIn Barbra Carlisle is an executive coach, leadership trainer and host of The Unlikely Executive podcast. Through coaching, leadership development programmes and practical training, Barbra helps leaders strengthen their leadership identity, improve communication and create cultures where people can thrive. Whether you're: Stepping into a leadership role for the first timeLeading organisational changeDeveloping your senior leadership teamLooking for executive coaching supportBuilding leadership capability across your organisation🌐 Website: www.gleecoaching.co.uk 💼 LinkedIn: Barbra Carlisle 🎙️ Podcast: The Unlikely Executive If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to The Unlikely Executive for honest conversations with inspiring leaders who are challenging convention, building confidence and creating impact in their organisations and communities.

  3. Jul 23

    From Expert to Leader| challenges and opportunities | The Unlikely Executive

    Season: Leadership Impact Scorecard Series | Host: Barbra Carlisle FCIPD, MCiOH | Duration: approx. 8 minutes  Summary Promoting your best technical performer into a management role and expecting them to lead effectively is one of the most common and costly mistakes in housing, construction and engineering. In this episode, Barbra examines why the expert-to-leader transition fails so often, what the Centre for Creative Leadership's research tells us about the 40% failure rate for new leaders, and the three fundamental shifts that nobody prepares promoted managers for: from doing to enabling, from answering to asking, and from being respected for knowledge to being respected for judgement.  What You Will Learn - Why the skills that earn a promotion are not the skills the management role demands - The Centre for Creative Leadership finding that 40% of new leaders fail within 18 months - CIPD data showing only 27% of UK managers receive formal training before or shortly after appointment - The three shifts every new leader must make: doing to enabling, answering to asking, knowledge to judgement - How a contracts manager in construction transformed his team's performance by changing one question - What organisations that handle this transition well actually do differently  Key Topics Leadership transition, expert to leader, new manager development, technical to management, first-time manager, construction leadership, housing sector management, people leadership, CIPD management training, leadership development  Take the Free Assessment Find out where you stand across all four pillars of leadership impact. Take the free Leadership Impact Scorecard:Leadership Impact  Connect with Barbra - Website: www.gleecoaching.co.uk - Email: barbra@gleecoaching.com - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbra-carlisle-gleecoaching/ - Book a 30-minute conversation: https://zcal.co/barbracarlisle/30min Please like, share and subscribe so you don't miss out on future episodes

  4. Jun 5

    Leading Sustainably | Claire Brown | The Unlikely Executive

    Sustainability Leadership in Construction, Net Zero & Influencing ChangeIn this episode of The Unlikely Executive Podcast, Barbra Carlisle speaks with Claire Brown, Senior Sustainability Consultant at Turner & Townsend, about what it really takes to lead sustainability in construction, housing and the built environment. From net zero housing targets to retrofit strategy in UK homes, Claire shares practical insights on how to influence stakeholders, communicate complex sustainability issues, and drive change across large organisations. If you’re a leader in construction, engineering, housing, or sustainability, this episode is packed with real-world strategies you can start using immediately. 🔑 Key Topics CoveredWhat sustainability leadership actually looks like inside global construction firmsHow to influence senior stakeholders who don’t care about “carbon”Why language and communication are critical in driving changeThe real meaning of retrofit in UK housing and why it mattersTackling energy efficiency, heating systems and net zero targetsHow to handle resistance, conflict and pushback in complex organisationsLeadership lessons from working in the public sector and large estates (including policing)Why listening is your most powerful leadership skillBalancing ambition, career growth and personal wellbeingPractical advice for anyone starting a career in sustainability or the built environment👤 About Claire BrownClaire Brown is a Senior Sustainability Consultant at Turner & Townsend, working across major UK retrofit and housing projects. Her work spans: Delivering sustainability in the built environmentAdvising on energy efficiency and carbon reductionSupporting housing providers with retrofit programmesLeadership in professional sustainability networksShe also sits on boards, contributes to industry groups, and has recently submitted her PhD focused on heating and cooling demand in UK social housing. 🎧 Listen If You Want To…Lead sustainability initiatives with more confidenceInfluence difficult stakeholders without conflictImprove energy efficiency in housing or constructionBuild a more resilient, forward-thinking organisationDevelop your leadership style in complex environments🚀 Work With Barbra CarlisleIf you’re a business leader in construction, engineering or housing and want to: Lead decisively under pressureBuild a team that takes ownership and initiativeHandle difficult conversations and challenges with confidence👉 Join my programme: www.gleecoaching.co.uk 👉 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbracarlisle 📩 Or message me directly to explore coaching and leadership development ⭐ Support the PodcastIf you found this episode valuable: ✅ Follow / Subscribe to The Unlikely Executive Podcast👍 Like and Share with your network💬 Leave a review — it helps more leaders find this content

  5. May 22

    I How to Lead at Pace in Construction & Infrastructure | Roselyn Unegbu | The Unlikely Executive

    How do you lead effectively when everything is moving fast? In this episode of The Unlikely Executive, Barbra Carlisle sits down with Roselyn Unegbu to explore what it takes to lead at pace in demanding industries like construction and infrastructure. 🔑 In this episode, you'll learn: • How to maintain leadership quality when timelines are tight • Strategies for making fast decisions without cutting corners • How to build and motivate teams under high-pressure deadlines • The leadership skills that set great construction leaders apart Roselyn shares her journey and practical insights for anyone leading complex projects where speed and quality must coexist. 📌 About The Unlikely Executive: A podcast for leaders who've taken non-traditional routes to the top — hosted by Barbra Carlisle, executive coach and founder of Glee Coaching, specialising in leadership development for construction, housing, and engineering sectors. 🔗 Work with Barbra: https://www.gleecoaching.co.uk 📧 Contact: barbra@gleecoaching.com 💼 LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/barbra-carlisle-gleecoaching #LeadershipCoaching #ConstructionLeadership #ExecutiveCoaching #TheUnlikelyExecutive #LeadershipDevelopment

  6. May 8

    Life After Redundancy: How Leaders Rebuild & Reinvent Themselves | The Unlikely Executive

    What happens when a leader faces redundancy? In this episode of The Unlikely Executive, Barbra Carlisle explores the emotional and practical reality of life after redundancy — and how leaders can use it as a springboard for reinvention. 🔑 In this episode, you'll learn: • How to process the emotional impact of redundancy • Practical steps for rebuilding your career after job loss • How redundancy can become an unexpected leadership opportunity • Strategies for maintaining confidence during career transitions If you're a leader navigating redundancy or career change, this episode offers honest, practical guidance. 📌 About The Unlikely Executive: A podcast for leaders who've taken non-traditional routes to the top — hosted by Barbra Carlisle, executive coach and founder of Glee Coaching. 🔗 Work with Barbra: https://www.gleecoaching.co.uk 📧 Contact: barbra@gleecoaching.com #Redundancy #CareerTransition #LeadershipCoaching #ExecutiveCoaching #TheUnlikelyExecutive

  7. Apr 23

    A Leader's Journey to Independence | Chris Waine | The Unlikely Executive

    Why do successful corporate leaders walk away from it all? Chris Waine shares his story of leaving the corporate world to forge his own path — and the leadership lessons learned along the way. 🔑 In this episode, you'll learn: • What drives leaders to leave corporate careers • How to navigate the transition from employed to independent • The mindset shifts needed to thrive outside corporate structures • Lessons for anyone considering a bold career change 📌 About The Unlikely Executive: A podcast for leaders who've taken non-traditional routes to the top — hosted by Barbra Carlisle, executive coach and founder of Glee Coaching, specialising in leadership development for construction, housing, and engineering sectors. 🔗 Work with Barbra: https://www.gleecoaching.co.uk 📧 Contact: barbra@gleecoaching.com 💼 LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/barbra-carlisle-gleecoaching #LeavingCorporate #LeadershipJourney #CareerChange #ExecutiveCoaching #TheUnlikelyExecutive

  8. Apr 9

    Finding a Place in a System not Built for You | Leadership & Belonging | The Unlikely Executive

    How do you lead authentically in a system that wasn't designed for people like you? This powerful episode of The Unlikely Executive explores what it means to find your place, build your voice, and lead with authenticity in environments where you don't fit the traditional mould. 🔑 In this episode, you'll learn: • How to navigate workplaces that weren't designed for your background • Strategies for building confidence as a non-traditional leader • Why diversity of thought is critical in construction and engineering • How to create inclusive leadership cultures from within 📌 About The Unlikely Executive: Hosted by Barbra Carlisle, executive coach and founder of Glee Coaching — leadership development for construction, housing, and engineering leaders. 🔗 Work with Barbra: https://www.gleecoaching.co.uk #DiversityInLeadership #InclusiveLeadership #ConstructionIndustry #TheUnlikelyExecutive #LeadershipDevelopment

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About

You know there’s more in you, more to explore, more to give, and more to live.    Welcome to The Unlikely Executive Podcast, a bi-weekly show for people who want to make a difference both in their own careers and the world around them. You don't have to be failing to want more. If you are curious about how others have navigated the rocky road to leadership and fulfillment you are in the right place.    This podcast is designed especially for the curious, the ambitious and the slightly nervous! It is for those who are asking Now what? Those at a crossroads, those with a desire to step up to the executive table and those who want to feel a sense of ownership in their own career.    Every episode, host Barbra Carlisle, Founder of Glee Coaching Ltd, Accredited Coach, and Business Mentor, brings you candid conversations with people like you who are now leaders making a significant difference. These are people whose journeys to where they are today were far from textbook. Challenges, self-doubt, and surprising turns all play a part. Yet, they’ve emerged with a sense of purpose, passion, and a desire to contribute positively to our wonderful and complex world.    Through inspiring stories, actionable tips, and heartfelt moments, each guest reveals how they stepped into the unknown, discovered their purpose, and made a difference.    If you’re ready to unlock your potential, challenge yourself, and take steps toward creating the impact you dream of, this podcast is for you.    Subscribe now to start your journey of discovery, and together, let’s build a better future—one purposeful step at a time.    Visit www.gleecoaching.com to learn more.  Hosted on Riverside

Information

  • Creator
    Glee Coaching Ltd
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    40
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Glee Coaching Ltd
  • Show Website
    The Unlikely Executive