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In this second episode in our 4-part Handling Curveballs mini-series, we explore what happens when the career path we had carefully planned suddenly takes an unexpected turn. Whether it's a job loss, a difficult decision to walk away or a change that leaves us questioning what's next, career curveballs can knock our confidence, challenge our identity and leave us wondering where on earth to start again.

We're delighted to be joined by the brilliant Claire Bannister, aka The Unstoppable Growth Coach, who shares her own experience of walking away from what she thought was her dream job as Managing Director of House of Colour. Claire talks openly about the fear, uncertainty and self-doubt that followed, and how that difficult decision ultimately led her to discover an even greater sense of purpose coaching female founders to grow their businesses and thrive.

We explore how to navigate that uncomfortable space between what was and what's next, challenge the stories we tell ourselves when things don't go to plan and recognise that setbacks aren't necessarily failures. Claire shares some brilliant practical advice on separating our identity from our work, reconnecting with the skills and strengths we already have and finding the courage to take the next step, even when we can't see the whole path ahead. Because sometimes the career curveball we never wanted turns out to be the opportunity we never knew we needed!

You can connect with Claire via linkedin

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Life has a habit of throwing curveballs when we least expect them. Whether it's an unexpected change at work, a personal setback or simply one too many things going wrong at once, how do we find the strength to go again without running ourselves into the ground?

In this first episode of our four-part Handling Curveballs mini-series, we explore what it really means to refill our resilience, recognise when our emotional reserves are running low and turn setbacks into opportunities to move forward.

We explore the compound effect of life's challenges, why constantly telling ourselves "I'm fine" isn't always helpful, and how our thoughts can influence our feelings, behaviours and ability to recover. From optimism and the placebo/nocebo effect to practical journaling, reframing and everyday rituals, we share accessible ways to restore our capacity to cope.

Key takeaways include:

• Recognising the warning signs that your resilience tank needs refilling.
• Understanding how unresolved setbacks can build up over time.
• Challenging unhelpful thoughts by asking: Is it true? Is it logical? Is it helpful?
• Separating what has happened to you from who you are.
• Finding the people, places and small daily habits that help you feel grounded and ready to go again.

Our Call to Action is to get curious, not furious! Give yourself the compassion and space to explore what's happened rather than creating a story about what it says about you.

And our Share the Secret? If someone you know is navigating a curveball, send them this episode. Sometimes a little reassurance, a fresh perspective and knowing you're not alone can make all the difference.

Because resilience isn't about pretending everything is fine. It's about learning how to refill, recover and move forward - stronger, wiser and more able (as our amazing colleague Alexis Neighbour always says).

#Resilience #HandlingChange #GrowthMindset #WellbeingAtWork #PersonalDevelopment #SecretsFromACoach

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In this final episode of our 5-part mini-series about Having Courage, we focus on feeling the fear that comes with stretching beyond what feels safe and familiar.

How do you know whether fear is protecting you - or simply holding you back?

Our final letter from the SFAC Postbag comes from a listener who has been offered an opportunity they know, deep down, they really want. The only problem? They’re terrified. Since the opportunity came along, they’ve managed to think of approximately 147 reasons why they shouldn’t do it! Is that their intuition telling them no - or is it simply fear kicking in because they’re about to step outside their comfort zone?

In this episode, we explore the courage it takes to feel the fear without automatically allowing it to make the decision for you. From getting curious about what you’re actually afraid of and separating genuine warning signs from the discomfort of stretching yourself, to thinking about what might become possible if you say yes, we share practical ways to quieten the noise, trust yourself and take a brave next step.

Because courage isn’t the absence of fear, it’s recognising when something matters enough to move towards it anyway.

Our call to action: think of one opportunity you’ve been talking yourself out of and ask yourself, ‘If I knew I couldn’t fail, what would I choose?’

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In this fourth episode of our 5-part mini-series about Having Courage, we focus on finding your voice and having the confidence to contribute when it matters.

What do you do when you know you have something valuable to say - but lose your nerve in the moment?

This week’s letter from the SFAC Postbag comes from a listener who knows they have good ideas and is told they’re capable, but in meetings with senior people their confidence disappears. They rehearse what they’re going to say, someone more confident speaks first and suddenly their contribution doesn’t seem worth making. Then comes the frustration afterwards - especially when someone else says almost exactly what they were thinking! So how do you stop overthinking and actually find your voice in the room?

In this episode, we explore the courage it takes to contribute when confidence, hierarchy or self-doubt gets in the way. From challenging the assumption that everyone else knows more than you do and resisting the urge to wait for the ‘perfect’ moment, to preparing your contribution and finding small ways to get your voice into the room early, we share practical ways to speak up with greater confidence and make sure your ideas are heard.

Because having something valuable to contribute is only the first step - sometimes courage is making sure you actually say it.

Our call to action: in your next meeting, challenge yourself to contribute once before you’ve had time to talk yourself out of it.

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In this third episode of our 5-part mini-series about Having Courage, we focus on the ability to make a decision when, on paper, there might be every reason to stay exactly where you are.

How do you know whether you’re just having a wobble - or whether something really does need to change?

This week’s letter from the SFAC Postbag comes from a listener who has a good job, decent salary, lovely colleagues and has worked hard to get where they are. From the outside, there’s nothing to complain about. But something has changed. They don’t feel like themselves anymore, the thought of staying for another five years fills them with dread - yet walking away from everything they’ve built feels irresponsible. So how do you work out what’s genuinely right for you?

In this episode, we explore the courage it takes to listen to yourself when there isn’t an obvious ‘right’ answer. From tuning into what your head, heart and gut are telling you and getting curious about what has changed, to challenging the fear of wasting what you’ve already invested, we share practical ways to create the clarity and confidence to make a decision that feels right for you.

Because sometimes courage isn’t about immediately making the big leap – it’s about being brave enough to admit that something may need to change.

Our call to action: give yourself permission to explore what you really want, without requiring yourself to make the decision just yet.

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In this second episode of our 5-part mini-series about Having Courage, we focus on the ability to have a straightforward conversation.

What do you do when you inherit a difficult relationship you didn’t create - but it’s now yours to rebuild?

Our second letter from the SFAC Postbag comes from a listener who has taken responsibility for an area with some tricky stakeholder history. They weren’t responsible for what happened, but they’re worried they’ll be seen as part of the problem before they’ve even opened their mouth. So how do you acknowledge what’s gone before without taking responsibility for something that wasn’t yours?

In this episode, we explore the courage it takes to be straightforward when a conversation feels uncomfortable. From addressing the elephant in the room and resisting the urge to over-explain or apologise, to starting with curiosity and focusing on what happens next, we share practical ways to approach difficult conversations with clarity, confidence and care.

Because sometimes the most courageous thing you can do is simply say the thing that needs saying.

Our call to action: acknowledge to yourself the risk of never having the conversation at all.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• How to approach a difficult stakeholder relationship
• How to acknowledge previous problems without taking responsibility for them
• How to start a difficult conversation
• How to communicate directly without becoming confrontational
• How to begin rebuilding trust at work

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In this first episode of our 5-part mini-series about Having Courage, we focus on the ability to be assertive without losing who you are.

Can you become more assertive without becoming a completely different version of yourself?

This week’s letter from the SFAC Postbag comes from a self-confessed people-pleaser who says yes when they want to say no, softens what they really think and spends far too much time wondering whether other people are annoyed with them. Now they’ve stepped into a more senior role, they know they need to be more decisive - but what if people think they’ve changed, or worse, that they’re suddenly difficult?

In this episode, we explore the courage it takes to be assertive when you’re used to keeping everyone else happy. From recognising the difference between being assertive and being aggressive, to setting boundaries, saying no and resisting the urge to seek everybody else’s approval, we share practical ways to say what you mean and make confident decisions while still being warm, human and completely yourself.

Because you can be kind without always saying yes – and being liked doesn’t have to be the price of speaking up.

Our call to action: notice one moment when your instinct is to people-please, and practise choosing what you really think, need or want instead.

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In this final episode in our 4-part Thriving Through Life’s Challenges mini-series, we explore a life stage that can creep up on us almost without us noticing: balancing work, life and increasing responsibility for an ageing parent or loved one.

We are joined by the brilliant Liz Fairbank, Care and Lifestyle Director at McCarthy Stone, who brings 30 years of experience in the care sector alongside a real passion for helping older people retain choice, control and independence. Liz explains how caring responsibilities often begin with something small – picking up a prescription, doing some shopping or giving someone a lift to an appointment – but can gradually grow until, almost without realising it, you have become a carer as well as a daughter, son, partner or family member.

We explore the practical juggle but also the less visible mental load: the worry when the phone rings, the guilt of feeling you should be doing more, the challenge of making decisions for someone you love and the pressure of trying to remain fully present and ambitious at work while carrying significant responsibilities outside it. Liz encourages us to have conversations about ageing and care before we reach crisis point, asking not simply “What care might you need?” but “How do you want to age, and what matters to you?”

And there is an important message here for workplaces too. Caring responsibilities don’t disappear when someone walks through the office door. Liz challenges managers to notice the potentially ‘invisible carers’ within their teams, ask one more question, offer flexibility and make practical support easier to find. Because someone can still be a brilliant employee, an ambitious leader and a dependable colleague – while also being a worried daughter, an exhausted son or someone waiting for the phone to ring.