Unstuck & Unstoppable

Sarah Archer
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Unstuck & Unstoppable is the go-to podcast for ambitious female leaders ready to amplify their impact, boost their income, and achieve career success on their own terms—without burning out or compromising their values. Hosted by Sarah Archer, a leadership coach and career strategist dedicated to empowering women in leadership, this show provides the tools, strategies, and inspiration you need to thrive in your career. Whether you’re looking to overcome imposter syndrome, enhance your leadership skills, or create a sustainable path to success, each episode will offer actionable insights, expert interviews, and real-life stories to help you take your career to the next level. It’s time to stop playing small, unlock your full potential, and create the impact you’re destined for. Tune in weekly to discover how you can lead boldly, live fully, and succeed with confidence and integrity.

  1. Episode 66 Strengthening Your Strategic Thinking: From Operational to Big Picture

    18H AGO

    Episode 66 Strengthening Your Strategic Thinking: From Operational to Big Picture

    In this episode, Sarah unpacks what strategic thinking really means and how to move from an operational comfort zone to big-picture influence. If you’ve ever been told to “be more strategic” and wondered what that actually looks like in practice, this episode breaks it down into practical, doable shifts. You’ll learn how to create space for strategic thinking, ask better questions, and position yourself as a leader who shapes direction - not just delivers results. What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why strategic thinking can feel uncomfortable (especially if you’ve built your reputation on delivery)The real difference between operational and strategic leadershipHow mindset blocks may be holding you backThree practical shifts to strengthen your strategic capabilityHow to signal your strategic value in senior conversationsA powerful reflection question to move you into action this month Show Notes [01:00] Why strategic thinking feels hard - and why it matters for your career [03:00] The cost of staying in operational comfort [04:00] What strategic thinking actually means (the “where” vs the “how”) [06:00] Radical responsibility and thinking beyond your function [07:00] Shift #1: Move from task thinking to outcome thinking [08:00] Linking everyday work to bigger organisational purpose [08:30] Shift #2: Create space for strategic thinking [09:00] Practical tools: SWOT and PESTLE frameworks [09:45] Engaging diverse perspectives to avoid groupthink [10:00] 10-minute CEO check-ins - thinking like a strategic leader [11:00] Getting comfortable saying no to operational pull [11:30] Shift #3: Ask better strategic questions [12:00] Big-picture questions that elevate your presence in meetings [13:00] The career benefits of being seen as strategic [13:30] Client case study: Reframing efficiency as strategic strength [15:00] Reflection: Where do you want to be more strategic this month? Key TakeawayStrategic thinking isn’t about having all the answers or being the loudest voice in the room. It’s about asking better questions, spotting patterns, and connecting today’s actions to tomorrow’s outcomes. If you want more influence, credibility, and progression - it starts with shifting how you think and how you show up. Useful Links Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes Book a Free 121 Clarity Call Join The Love What You Do Facebook Group Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Rate & Review the...

    17 min
  2. Episode 65 How to Delegate More Effectively as a Leader

    FEB 6

    Episode 65 How to Delegate More Effectively as a Leader

    In this practical episode, Sarah explores why so many capable leaders struggle to delegate, what it’s really costing you when you don’t, and how to shift your mindset so delegation becomes a leadership strength rather than a stress point. Drawing on real client examples and her own experience as a senior leader, Sarah breaks down common delegation blocks (from perfectionism to fear of losing control), explains the difference between dumping, delegating and developing, and shares simple, effective tools you can use immediately to delegate with more confidence and impact. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck in the weeds, or worried about how delegation affects your reputation and progression, this episode will help you lead more strategically while growing your team’s capability. Show Notes [01:00] Why delegation is such a common struggle for leaders [02:00] What gets in the way of delegating (perfectionism, time, guilt and control) [04:00] Identifying your personal delegation blocks [05:00] The real costs of not delegating: burnout, bottlenecks and missed development [06:00] Client example: why delegation affects how strategic you’re perceived to be [08:00] Reframing delegation as leadership and capability-building [09:00] The three types of delegation: dumping, delegating and developing [11:00] How to tell if you’re setting someone up to succeed [12:00] A simple four-step approach to delegating well [13:00] Tools to identify what you can delegate [13:30] Start / Stop / Delegate method [14:00] Eisenhower Matrix: urgent vs important [15:00] Auditing your workload and matching tasks to team strengths Useful Links Episode 9 How to Stop Being a Perfectionist at Work Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes Book a Free 121 Clarity Call Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Rate & Review the Podcast If you found this episode of Unstuck & Unstoppable helpful, please do rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. If you're kind enough to leave a review, please do let Sarah know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at: sarah@careertreecoaching.co.uk

    17 min
  3. Episode 64 Stop Feeling Frazzled & Restore Your Balance As A Leader

    JAN 30

    Episode 64 Stop Feeling Frazzled & Restore Your Balance As A Leader

    Are you constantly exhausted, overwhelmed, and running on empty as a leader? In this episode, Sarah explores why so many ambitious women find themselves stuck in survival mode and shares a simple but powerful tool to help you restore balance, manage your energy, and avoid burnout. Using the Four Rooms of Life framework, Sarah walks you through a practical exercise to help you understand where your energy is going, what’s missing, and how to rebalance your life without adding yet another thing to your to-do list. What you’ll learn in this episodeWhy burnout is often about energy imbalance, not weaknessThe Four Rooms of Life: Physical, Mental, Emotional, and SpiritualHow to identify which “room” you’re spending most of your time inSimple, realistic ways to “air” neglected rooms without overwhelmHow habit stacking can help you nourish yourself more easilyWhy thriving (not just surviving) makes you a better leader - and a happier human Timestamps [01:00] Why burnout is showing up so frequently for senior women [02:00] From surviving to thriving: why balance matters [03:00] A real client story: when life feels like an elastic band about to snap [04:00] Introducing the Four Rooms of Life framework [05:00] The Physical Room: doing, busyness, and exhaustion [07:00] The Mental Room: learning, stimulation, and inspiration [08:00] The Emotional Room: connection, creativity, and feelings [09:00] The Spiritual Room: meaning, values, purpose, and awe [10:00] The simple 4-quadrant exercise you can do today [11:00] How one client reduced overwhelm and reclaimed energy [12:00] Habit stacking: nourishing yourself without adding more to do [13:00] Practical examples you can apply immediately [14:00] How to revisit the exercise whenever you feel out of balance [15:00] Final reflections, next steps, and resources Take actionTonight, grab a piece of paper and divide it into four quadrants: Physical, Mental, Emotional, and Spiritual. Notice where your time and energy are really going and where you might need to gently reconnect. Small changes, done consistently, can make a powerful difference. Useful Links 4 Rooms of Life Blog Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes Book a Free 121 Clarity Call Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Rate & Review the Podcast If you found this episode of Unstuck & Unstoppable helpful, please do rate and review it...

    16 min
  4. Episode 63 How to Bring Your Whole Self to Work & Be an Authentic Leader

    JAN 23

    Episode 63 How to Bring Your Whole Self to Work & Be an Authentic Leader

    In this episode Sarah explores what it really means to bring your whole self to work and why authentic leadership matters more than ever in today’s uncertain and demanding world. Many female leaders feel pressure to appear strong, controlled, and “together” at all times, often at the expense of their own energy and wellbeing. Sarah challenges the outdated leadership model that equates vulnerability with weakness and instead shares evidence-based insights on how authenticity, empathy, and values-led leadership build trust, credibility, and high performance. What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy authenticity at work builds trust, loyalty, and engagementHow vulnerability (done well) strengthens your leadership credibilityThe link between empathy, better decisions, and high performanceHow authenticity shapes your leadership brandWhat to do when your values don’t align with your organisation’s culture Show Notes [01:00] Why authentic leadership feels challenging in uncertain times [02:30] The cost of wearing a “mask” at work [03:40] Why authenticity matters and what the research says [04:40] Vulnerability, trust, and connection at work [06:00] Why female leaders often struggle to show vulnerability [06:45] Case study: Creating a compassionate, high-performing culture [08:00] Takeaway #1: Vulnerability builds connection (and how to do it well) [09:45] Takeaway #2: Empathy strengthens credibility [10:45] Pairing empathy with data-driven decision making [11:45] Takeaway #3: Authenticity as the foundation of your leadership brand [12:45] When your values don’t align with your organisation [13:30] One small way to bring more of your true self to work this week Final ReflectionWhat is one small way you could bring more of your true self to work this week? Whether it’s sharing a story, listening more deeply, or consciously leading with one of your values, even small shifts can make a powerful difference. Useful Links Global Leadership Forecast 2023 research Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes Book a Free 121 Clarity Call Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Rate & Review the Podcast If you found this episode of Unstuck & Unstoppable helpful, please do rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. If you're kind enough to leave a review, please do let Sarah know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at: sarah@careertreecoaching.co.uk

    15 min
  5. Episode 62 The Confidence gap - Practical ways to own your achievements at work

    JAN 16

    Episode 62 The Confidence gap - Practical ways to own your achievements at work

    In this episode, Sarah explores the confidence gap many women experience at work and why, despite equal competence, women are often less likely than men to back themselves, speak up about achievements, or go for opportunities. Drawing on compelling research from leadership, psychology, and neuroscience, Sarah explains why confidence shows up differently for women – and, crucially, what you can do about it. She shares three practical, immediately actionable techniques to help you own your achievements, increase your visibility, and build genuine, sustainable confidence at work. If you’ve ever played down your success, waited to be noticed, or felt uncomfortable talking about your impact, this episode is for you. In this episode, you’ll learn:Why confidence is just as important as competence for career successThe research behind the confidence gap between men and womenHow socialisation, brain wiring, and hormones influence confidenceWhy “fake it till you make it” doesn’t really workThree practical ways to start owning your achievements with confidence Show Notes[01:00] Why confidence matters for leadership and career progression [02:00] Why confidence shows up again and again in client work [03:00] Introducing the confidence gap: playing down achievements and waiting to be recognised [04:00] Research insights: how women and men differ in confidence at work [05:00] Salary negotiations, career expectations, and why women ask for less [06:00] Why women only apply for roles when they meet 100% of the criteria [07:00] The neuroscience of confidence: emotional memory, risk, and rumination [08:00] How brain wiring and threat-scanning impact confidence and risk-taking [09:00] Confidence vs competence – and why belief drives action [10:00] Technique 1: Reframing self-promotion as sharing value and leading well [11:00] A real-life example of reframing visibility without ego [12:00] Technique 2: Building an evidence bank to strengthen self-belief [13:00] How an evidence bank helps silence your inner critic [14:00] Technique 3: Using confident language that doesn’t dilute your impact [15:00] Noticing and replacing confidence-eroding phrases [16:00] Final reflections, next steps, and how Sarah can support you further Useful Links Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes Book a Free 121 Clarity Call Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Research on Gender and Salary Negotiation a href="Institute for Leadership and Management ‘Ambition and...

    17 min
  6. Episode 61 How to create a Personal Board for your leadership career

    JAN 9

    Episode 61 How to create a Personal Board for your leadership career

    In this first episode of 2026, Sarah introduces the powerful (and often overlooked) concept of a personal board for your leadership career. Drawing on the idea of organisational boards, Sarah explains how having the right people around you can help you make better career decisions, gain perspective, build influence, and stay motivated as a leader. You’ll learn about the different roles a personal board can play, how to identify who is already supporting you (often unconsciously), where the gaps might be, and how to intentionally build stronger, more strategic support around your career and leadership journey. In this episode, you’ll learn:What a personal board is and why it matters for female leadersThe three key categories of a personal boardThe 12 different roles people can play in supporting your careerHow one person can fulfil multiple rolesHow to identify gaps in your current support networkPractical steps to start building or strengthening your personal boardHow to approach people in a way that feels reciprocal and authenticWhy paying it forward is part of sustainable leadership success Timestamps[00:00] Welcome to Unstuck and Unstoppable and the purpose of the podcast [01:35] Episode 61 introduction and New Year reflections [02:00] Why creating a personal board can transform your career [03:00] What a personal board is (and how it mirrors organisational boards) [04:00] Overview of the personal board framework and key principles [05:00] The three categories of a personal board [05:30] Information roles: Inspirer, Expert, Navigator [07:00] Power and influence roles: Connector, Sponsor, Unlocker, Influencer [09:00] Development and support roles: Challenger, Improver, Cheerleader/Anchor [11:00] Real-life examples from Sarah’s leadership career [12:00] Becoming more intentional about who supports you [13:00] Identifying gaps in your personal board [14:00] Who to consider when building your board (beyond line managers) [15:00] How to approach people and make it mutually beneficial [15:45] Paying it forward and supporting others in their careers [16:30] Practical action to take this week [17:00] Final reflections and episode close Take actionAfter listening, write down three people who already support your career or could play a role on your personal board. Reach out to one of them this week to reconnect, say thank you, or start a more intentional conversation. Useful Links Who is in your Personal Boardroom? By Zella King & Amanda Scott Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration Learn about Leadership &...

    18 min
  7. Episode 60 Design Your Leadership journey for 2026

    JAN 2

    Episode 60 Design Your Leadership journey for 2026

    In this first episode of the New Year, Sarah invites you to step back from the day-to-day demands of work and intentionally design your leadership journey for the year ahead. Whether you’re listening in January or later in the year, this episode will help you move out of “autopilot mode” and into conscious, values-led career decision-making. Sarah shares practical reflections, coaching insights, and powerful questions to help you clarify what you want for your career – not just what you want at work. If you’ve ever felt stuck, unsure about what’s next, or driven more by others’ agendas than your own, this episode is for you. Show Notes[00:00] Welcome to Unstuck and Unstoppable [01:45] Episode 60: Designing your leadership journey for 2026 Why this is the perfect time to set intentions for your career (and why you can do this at any time of year). [02:45] The danger of running your career on autopilot How slipping into “unconscious mode” can leave you at the whim of organisational decisions, other people’s careers, or knee-jerk reactions. [03:45] The benefits of being intentional about your career How clarity, purpose, authenticity, self-leadership, and alignment support sustainable career success. [05:00] A real-life example of unconscious career decision-making A coaching conversation that highlights why stepping back before making a move matters. [06:30] How to become more intentional: 3 key areas to focus on [06:45] 1. Increase your self-awareness Understanding your why, what drives you, and how your work connects to your values. [07:30] Discovering your “why” Why it can feel hard to articulate – and how values, energy, and enjoyment offer clues. [08:30] What do you love, and what don’t you love? Using simple reflection to identify what to increase, reduce, delegate, or change in your role. [09:45] 2. Develop your career success criteria Why success is more than job title and pay – and how to define success on your own terms. [11:00] Sarah shares her own career success criteria Examples including impact, financial freedom, challenge, learning, and flexibility – and how these guide decision-making. [13:00] 3. Answering the “what next?” question How clarity on your why and success criteria makes future career decisions easier and more confident. [14:00] Creating a plan and checking in with yourself Staying intentional through regular reflection and adjustment. [14:45] Final reflections and encouragement Why it’s never too late to choose intentionality in your career. [15:00] How to get support Invitation to reach out for coaching and explore free resources. Being intentional about your career isn’t about having everything figured out. It’s about choosing to lead yourself with clarity, purpose, and courage. ✨ Shine brightly. Lead boldly. Be unstoppable. Useful Links Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes Book a Free 121 Clarity Call Join The Love What You Do Facebook Group a...

    16 min
  8. Episode 59 Career Happiness Chceck In: Are you leading the life you want to live?

    12/27/2025

    Episode 59 Career Happiness Chceck In: Are you leading the life you want to live?

    In this reflective end-of-year episode, Sarah guides you through a powerful Career Happiness Check-In to help you understand whether your work is truly giving you what you need. Using the Career Happiness Wheel, she walks you step-by-step through assessing where you're thriving, where you’re feeling stuck, and what small, practical actions can move the dial toward more joy, purpose, and fulfillment at work. If you’ve been feeling flat, disconnected, or simply unsure about your next step, this episode will help you reconnect with what matters and take back a sense of agency in your career. Show Notes00:00 — Welcome to Unstuck and Unstoppable 02:00 — Why doing a career happiness check-in matters 02:30 — Work takes up 92,000 hours - why it deserves attention 03:00 — The importance of awareness: Are you actually happy at work? 03:30 — Why high-achieving women rarely pause to reflect 03:50 — Overview of today’s framework + three actions to take 04:00 — Three signs it might be time for a shift 04:15 — Sign 1: Successful on paper but feeling flat 04:40 — Episode 58 on Success Fatigue (referenced) 04:55 — Sign 2: You’ve outgrown your role or organization 05:15 — Sign 3: You’re putting everyone else first 05:45 — Introducing the Career Happiness Wheel 06:00 — How to create and label your wheel 06:30 — Possible segment labels: challenge, culture, learning, expertise, recognition, values, balance, team, progression 07:00 — Scoring each segment and shading your wheel 07:45 — Using the visual to spot areas of strength and areas needing attention 08:00 — Taking a macro view: What do you want your wheel to look like in 6–12 months? 08:30 — Choosing one area and breaking it down: example - work-life balance 09:00 — Practical questions to improve balance (boundaries, support, deadlines, delegation) 09:40 — Three actions to take this week 09:50 — Action 1: One small action that energizes you 10:20 — Action 2: Have one honest conversation 10:50 — Action 3: Book 30 minutes of monthly “career thinking” time 11:20 — Revisit your wheel every 3 months to track progress 11:50 — Why this exercise matters: You deserve meaningful, joyful work 12:15 — Invitation to share your Career Happiness Wheel outcomes 12:40 — Where to find resources and how to connect Useful Links Episode 58 What to do if you're experiencing success fatigue Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes Book a Free 121 Clarity Call Join The Love What You Do Facebook Group Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn Rate & Review...

    13 min
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About

Unstuck & Unstoppable is the go-to podcast for ambitious female leaders ready to amplify their impact, boost their income, and achieve career success on their own terms—without burning out or compromising their values. Hosted by Sarah Archer, a leadership coach and career strategist dedicated to empowering women in leadership, this show provides the tools, strategies, and inspiration you need to thrive in your career. Whether you’re looking to overcome imposter syndrome, enhance your leadership skills, or create a sustainable path to success, each episode will offer actionable insights, expert interviews, and real-life stories to help you take your career to the next level. It’s time to stop playing small, unlock your full potential, and create the impact you’re destined for. Tune in weekly to discover how you can lead boldly, live fully, and succeed with confidence and integrity.

Information

  • Creator
    Sarah Archer
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    67
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Sarah Archer
  • Show Website
    Unstuck & Unstoppable