Imposter syndrome. Hustle culture. Burnout. We hear these words often, but what do they really mean for high-performing leaders who constantly push themselves to the limit? In this episode, I sit down with Eva Valovska, CEO of Trust Women, to explore the hidden challenges behind success and the complex emotions that accompany it.

We start with imposter syndrome—something many leaders experience, but few openly discuss. Eva and I talk through the different ways men and women feel it, with men often seeing it as a sign of humility, while for women, it can be a much deeper issue tied to societal pressures and biases. We dig into how these feelings of inadequacy can be driven not just by our own internal thoughts, but by the very structures and environments we work in.

How does hustle culture tie into all this? We explore how the push to always achieve more, to work harder, and to be perfect often leads us down a dangerous path. It's a journey many of us have been on, including myself. We often confuse constant output and perfection with success, but as Eva so insightfully points out, this mindset only leads to exhaustion and feelings of unworthiness. The more we chase, the further we feel from true happiness.

Whether you’re a CEO, a leader in transition, or someone feeling the weight of imposter syndrome, this conversation will challenge the way you think about success. Are you chasing someone else’s definition of achievement? Are you listening to the "shoulds" that society places on you, or are you carving out your own path?

Show Links:

• Read more about how imposter syndrome might actually be a feature, not a bug: Imposter Syndrome Is A Feature, Not A Bug
• BBC article: Are You an Insecure Overachiever?
• Harvard Business Review: Stop Telling Women They Have Imposter Syndrome
• The Confidence Gap: How to Overcome the Confidence Gap in Men and Women
• Book Recommendation: How to Do Less by Kate Northrup

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Here’s how you can take things deeper with me…

- I only work with 6 CEOs every year, I have one spot available. If you want to work with me, Start Here

- Mindset and Skillset Shifts, video playlists for:

• Enterprise CEOs
• Founders
• New CEOs

- Are you a Founder CEO planning your Exit? Join me and 6 other founders next quarter where we plan, prepare and work together for a successful exit. Join the Waitlist

Videos for all these episodes are on my YouTube channel.

If you enjoy my content and you want to get in touch to find out how I could work with you, or someone you know, you can reach me at:

My LinkedIn Page

Or you can drop me an email.

In this episode, I sit down with Alison Coward, founder of Bracket, to talk about how to transform offsites and workshops from mere team-building events into crucial strategic tools that drive real results. Many leaders may see offsites as an expensive exercise with little return, but Alison shares how a well-structured workshop can turn that perception upside down.

We explore the common mistakes leaders make with workshops, like trying to achieve too much in too little time, and how to avoid the trap of unproductive sessions. Alison talks through her process for designing workshops that deliver – from setting the right objectives to ensuring follow-up leads to actual business change.

Curious to learn more about how you can turn your next offsite into a growth-driving, culture-shaping moment? Tune in to find out.

Show Links:

https://bracketcreative.co.uk/

My article about team offsites: https://bracketcreative.co.uk/team-time-together-designing-impactful-offsites-for-a-new-era-of-work/

Humble Inquiry: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Humble-Inquiry-Instead-Telling-Leadership/dp/1609949811

Ideational Facilitation Leadership: https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2015-09486-004

Offsites that work: https://hbr.org/2006/06/off-sites-that-work

Off to plan or off to lunch: https://research.manchester.ac.uk/en/publications/off-to-plan-or-out-to-lunch-relationships-between-design-characte

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Here’s how you can take things deeper with me…

- I only work with 6 CEOs every year, I have one spot available. If you want to work with me, Start Here

- Mindset and Skillset Shifts, video playlists for:

• Enterprise CEOs
• Founders
• New CEOs

- Are you a Founder CEO planning your Exit? Join me and 6 other founders next quarter where we plan, prepare and work together for a successful exit. Join the Waitlist

Videos for all these episodes are on my YouTube channel.

If you enjoy my content and you want to get in touch to find out how I could work with you, or someone you know, you can reach me at:

My LinkedIn Page

Or you can drop me an email.

Mastering the Inner Game: The Key to Transformational Leadership

In this episode, we dive deep into the concept of the 'inner game' versus the 'outer game.' The outer game encompasses all the external factors such as resources, strategies, and results that shape a business environment. However, it is the 'inner game,' which includes your capabilities, values, beliefs, and identity, that truly drives your behaviors and, in turn, influences the outer game.

For CEOs and leaders, understanding and mastering this inner game can provide a significant edge in improving business outcomes. We explore the elements that make up the inner game, from deeply ingrained values and beliefs to the identity you craft for yourself. We'll discuss how questioning and understanding these elements can lead to transformational leadership.

As a coach, my role involves helping leaders lift the lid on their inner game to ensure their beliefs and values are in service of their success and happiness. Stay tuned to learn actionable insights and homework exercises designed to help you master your inner game and elevate your leadership performance.

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Here’s how you can take things deeper with me…

- I only work with 6 CEOs every year, I have one spot available. If you want to work with me, Start Here

- Mindset and Skillset Shifts, video playlists for:

• Enterprise CEOs
• Founders
• New CEOs

- Are you a Founder CEO planning your Exit? Join me and 6 other founders next quarter where we plan, prepare and work together for a successful exit. Join the Waitlist

Videos for all these episodes are on my YouTube channel.

If you enjoy my content and you want to get in touch to find out how I could work with you, or someone you know, you can reach me at:

My LinkedIn Page

Or you can drop me an email.

Mastering Leadership: The Inner Game Explained

In this video, I delve deep into a concept that often goes unnoticed in many leadership discussions: the 'inner game.' While most leadership books and strategies focus extensively on the 'outer game' – managing resources, leading teams, and creating strategies – true mastery comes from understanding and mastering the inner game. Drawing inspiration from Robert Ellison's groundbreaking book, 'Coaching from Essence,'

I explore the critical components that shape our inner game: capabilities, values, beliefs, and identity. These elements form the bedrock of our behavior and profoundly influence how we interact with the world around us, particularly in leadership roles.

If you are a leader looking to elevate your effectiveness and truly transform your organization's culture, this video is a must-watch. Stay tuned as I also preview what’s in store for next week, where we'll dive even further into techniques for mastering your inner game.

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Here’s how you can take things deeper with me…

- I only work with 6 CEOs every year, I have one spot available. If you want to work with me, Start Here

- Mindset and Skillset Shifts, video playlists for:

• Enterprise CEOs
• Founders
• New CEOs

- Are you a Founder CEO planning your Exit? Join me and 6 other founders next quarter where we plan, prepare and work together for a successful exit. Join the Waitlist

Videos for all these episodes are on my YouTube channel.

If you enjoy my content and you want to get in touch to find out how I could work with you, or someone you know, you can reach me at:

My LinkedIn Page

Or you can drop me an email.

Ever wondered when the best time is to sell your SaaS business? In this episode, Jon Hainstock shares hard-won insights from his experience building and selling ZoomShift. We don’t just talk about financials – this conversation dives into the emotional aspects of selling something you’ve poured your heart into.

Jon unpacks how to read market signals, the nuances of buyer motivations, and why timing is everything. For founders and CEOs, this episode explores more than just valuation – it’s about understanding how to position your business for success and why some deals fall through while others skyrocket.

Senior leaders, this one's for you if you’re thinking of an exit but want to make sure you get it right.

www.JonHainstock.com
www.QuietLight.com
or Email Jon at Jon@quietlight.com

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Here’s how you can take things deeper with me…

- I only work with 6 CEOs every year, I have one spot available. If you want to work with me, Start Here

- Mindset and Skillset Shifts, video playlists for:

• Enterprise CEOs
• Founders
• New CEOs

- Are you a Founder CEO planning your Exit? Join me and 6 other founders next quarter where we plan, prepare and work together for a successful exit. Join the Waitlist

Videos for all these episodes are on my YouTube channel.

If you enjoy my content and you want to get in touch to find out how I could work with you, or someone you know, you can reach me at:

My LinkedIn Page

Or you can drop me an email.

___
Here’s how you can take things deeper with me…

- I only work with 6 CEOs every year, I have one spot available. If you want to work with me, Start Here

- Mindset and Skillset Shifts, video playlists for:

• Enterprise CEOs
• Founders
• New CEOs

- Are you a Founder CEO planning your Exit? Join me and 6 other founders next quarter where we plan, prepare and work together for a successful exit. Join the Waitlist

Videos for all these episodes are on my YouTube channel.

If you enjoy my content and you want to get in touch to find out how I could work with you, or someone you know, you can reach me at:

My LinkedIn Page

Or you can drop me an email.

In this episode, we explore a crucial aspect of being busy: accountability for the negative behaviors that stem from constant busyness. While being busy is often praised and rewarded, it can lead to burnout and detrimental effects on both personal and professional levels.

Key Insights:

The Illusion of Productivity: Being busy is often seen as a positive trait, leading to praise and promotions. However, it’s crucial to differentiate between being busy and being productive. Busy people may not always be prioritizing the right tasks.

Accountability Beyond Tasks: True accountability isn’t just about meeting deadlines. It involves taking responsibility for behaviors that result from being overly busy. This includes recognizing when busyness leads to poor decision-making and emotional outbursts.

Impact on Others: When you’re constantly busy, you may expect others to match your pace, which is unrealistic and unfair. Not everyone thrives under constant pressure, and high expectations can create a toxic work environment.

Strategic Oversight: Busyness often prevents you from stepping back to evaluate whether you’re focusing on the right things. Without strategic oversight, you might be caught in a cycle of motion without meaningful movement.

Emotional Control: Being overly busy can lead to exhaustion and emotional instability, resulting in anger and blame. These emotions can harm your relationships and the overall atmosphere in your organization.

Looking Ahead: This is part three of a series on being too busy. In the next video, we’ll explore how to shift from merely spending time to investing time wisely. We’ll discuss practical solutions to overcome the challenges of busyness and improve both personal and organizational outcomes.

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Here’s how you can take things deeper with me…

- I only work with 6 CEOs every year, I have one spot available. If you want to work with me, Start Here

- Mindset and Skillset Shifts, video playlists for:

• Enterprise CEOs
• Founders
• New CEOs

- Are you a Founder CEO planning your Exit? Join me and 6 other founders next quarter where we plan, prepare and work together for a successful exit. Join the Waitlist

Videos for all these episodes are on my YouTube channel.

If you enjoy my content and you want to get in touch to find out how I could work with you, or someone you know, you can reach me at:

My LinkedIn Page

Or you can drop me an email.

In this episode, we explore the addictive nature of being busy and how it can impact your personal and professional life. Being constantly busy might feel rewarding, but it often leads to prioritizing motion over meaningful movement, affecting your health and relationships.

Key Insights:

The Dopamine Rush: The adrenaline and dopamine rush from constant activity can be addictive. This addiction is reinforced by praise and promotions in many organizations, creating a cycle of busyness.

Motion vs. Movement: Being busy isn’t the same as being productive. Many CEOs and professionals mistake busyness for effectiveness, focusing on urgent tasks rather than important ones.

Recognizing the Symptoms: Long hours, multitasking, and the constant need to do more can indicate an addiction to busyness. This behavior often leads to burnout and diminished enjoyment in both work and personal life.

The Neuroscience Behind It: The brain patterns seen in those addicted to work are similar to those addicted to gambling or substances. Each dopamine hit from completing tasks reinforces the behavior, making it difficult to break the cycle.

Steps to Take:

1. Self-Reflection: Identify if you’re prioritizing the right things in your life and work.
2. Health Check: Consider the impact of busyness on your health and well-being.
3. Relationships: Evaluate how your busyness affects your relationships with family, colleagues, and yourself.

This video is part two of a series on the pitfalls of being overly busy. Stay tuned for the next part, where we’ll discuss strategies to manage and reduce this addiction.

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Here’s how you can take things deeper with me…

- I only work with 6 CEOs every year, I have one spot available. If you want to work with me, Start Here

- Mindset and Skillset Shifts, video playlists for:

• Enterprise CEOs
• Founders
• New CEOs

- Are you a Founder CEO planning your Exit? Join me and 6 other founders next quarter where we plan, prepare and work together for a successful exit. Join the Waitlist

Videos for all these episodes are on my YouTube channel.

If you enjoy my content and you want to get in touch to find out how I could work with you, or someone you know, you can reach me at:

My LinkedIn Page

Or you can drop me an email.