News

Your 'Yes' Habit Is Killing Your Career"

Unlock the power of assertive communication to reduce stress, protect your time, and build stronger relationships—at work and beyond. In this episode of Optimising Leader Brilliance, leadership coach Estelle Read guides you through balancing passive and aggressive communication with confident assertiveness. Learn the PAC model of communication, explore how past experiences shape your style, and discover practical frameworks for giving and receiving. Whether you’re leading a team or simply looking to communicate more clearly, this episode equips you with essential tools to say no without fear, resolve conflict amicably, and reclaim control over your and professional boundaries. What You Will Learn: 💡 How to recognize passive, aggressive, and assertive communication styles and find your assertive middle ground 💡 Practical strategies for saying no effectively to protect your wellbeing and manage your workload 💡 How to give and receive feedback that fosters growth, psychological safety, and stronger team culture Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction (01:15) Welcome & Episode Overview (02:44) Understanding Assertive Communication (16:22) Communication Styles & Real-World Examples (31:26) The PAC Model: Parent, Adult & Child Communication (34:24) Pause, Reflect & Act – Mini Coaching Practice ⭐Download My Free Journal & Self-Coaching Tool: mailchi.mp/...ance-outer-shine-journal ⭐Follow Estelle Read: linktr.ee/EstelleAtBeee   ⭐Access Resources or Book a Free Discovery Call: ⁠estelleread.com/resources/⁠   ⭐Estelle Read’s Coaching Programmes: ⬆️⁠The Optimised Leader Programme: NEXT LEVEL⁠ 🎇⁠The Resilient Leader Programme: SHINE⁠   ⭐Buy Estelle Read’s Bestselling Book: ⁠Inner Brilliance, Outer Shine: 10 Antidotes to Imposter Syndrome, Workaholism and Stress ⁠   ⭐Subscribe to Estelle Read’s Blog: ⁠Receive my free workbook: 10 Antidotes to Imposter Syndrome, Workaholism & Stress, when you sign up. ⁠ ⭐Help Us Keep Growing & Going: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe wherever you listen or watch, leave a review or share it with someone who might benefit. Thank you ❤️. ⭐Listen or Watch on YouTube: 🎧Listen on your favourite podcast platform here: estelleread.com/podcast/ 📺Watch on YouTube: www.youtube.com/...stelleRead/podcasts ⭐Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. Please consult a qualified professional for specific advice. #AssertiveCommunication #LeadershipMindset #OptimisingLeaderBrilliance

How to Say NO Without Guilt, Fear, or the Fallout

This week on OLB — one of the most requested topics: how to say no without the guilt, the fear, or the fallout. Whether you're overloaded, undermined, or just done saying yes to everything — this episode gives you the tools, the language, and the mindset shift to change that. 🎙️ Full episode ➡️ search for the Optimising Leader Brilliance Podcast #SayNoWithoutGuilt #AssertiveCommunication #OptimisingLeaderBrilliance

What’s your leadership self-sabotage pattern? #leadershipdevelopment #leadershipmindset #motivation

My recent bottleneck was doing everything on my podcast myself. 20 years + in business, used to being self-sufficient & leading an uncomplicated business. Then when something I loved doing (the podcast) turned into something I dreaded, I realised I was the block to my next level of development. If you want to understand what might be holding you back from your next level, take my free 2 minute quiz & get your personal development report. See the 🔗 in my bio or comments.

The Breathwork Technique That Replaces Coffee

No third espresso needed. Simone Jenkinson shares the fire breath technique from Kundalini yoga that delivers a natural high and supercharges your energy — in minutes. 🎙️ Full episode ➡️ search for the Optimising Leader Brilliance Podcast 🏷️ artistretreatgalicia #KundaliniYoga #BreathworkBenefits #NaturalEnergy

Perfectionism Is Blocking Your Best Work

That inner tension you feel? It shows up in everything you produce. Self-criticism doesn't make you better — it holds your best work hostage. Here's how abandoning perfectionism unlocks your real performance. 🎙️ Full episode ➡️ search for the Optimising Leader Brilliance Podcast 🏷️ artistretreatgalicia #OvercomingPerfectionism #UnlockYourPotential #LeadershipGrowth

5 Self-Sabotage Leadership Patterns

High-achieving leadership shouldn't feel this heavy. If you find yourself navigating loops of overthinking, overstretching, or constant pressure, it isn't a lack of skill. It is simply your brain falling back on familiar, protective habits. Discover how to return to effortless execution with The Leadership Self-Sabotage Scorecard. 🧠 Gain immediate clarity on how your brain navigates: ✔️ The Perfectionism Trap: Over-analysing decisions and stalling your momentum. ✔️ The Invisible Ceiling: Holding onto control instead of stepping back to lead strategically. ✔️ The Imposter Echo: Double-checking your worth despite a proven track record of success. ✔️ The Constant Firefighting: Living in a reactive state of daily operational fixes. ✔️ The Quiet Avoidance: Delaying high-stakes tasks to focus on routine work. 👉 In just 3 minutes, receive your free personalised, neuroscience-backed profile to help you lead strategically, with calm confidence here or see link in my bio / comments: estelle-read.scoreapp.com #LeadershipDevelopment #OptimisingLeaderBrilliance #SelfSabotage

Accountability Buddies for Meditation #leadershipdevelopment #podcast #personaldevelopment

This Week on Optimising Leader Brilliance: Why Creative Leaders Outperform — And How to Become One

This week's Pause. Reflect. Act. questions are drawn from my conversation with Simone Jenkinson. Grab your journal and explore what's really holding you back from your creative potential. 📓 Access the free self-coaching tool in the bio or show notes. 🏷️ artistretreatgalicia CoachingQuestions #JournalingPrompts #OptimisingleaderBrilliance

The Creative Leader Advantage: Breathwork, Calm & Confidence

Explore executive presence and creative leadership through a unique lens with Simone Jenkinson, a master of movement and community-driven creativity. In this episode, Simone shares how breathwork, meditation, and mindful movement can cut through corporate noise, help regulate your nervous system, and empower you to lead with calm clarity. Drawing on decades of experience directing global productions and her journey from high-intensity performance to nurturing creativity, Simone reveals practical ways to unlock your creative potential, overcome self-criticism, and show up fully for yourself and your team. What You Will Learn: 💡 How breathwork and meditation are powerful tools to cultivate calm focus and enhance your executive presence 💡 Ways to access and grow your creativity—even if you don’t see yourself as a “creative”—through movement and mindful practices 💡 The importance of abandoning self-criticism and consistently showing up to deepen your leadership and personal growth Here’s to your leadership development and personal growth! Estelle Read Bestselling Author, Leadership Coach & Speaker Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction (00:58) Welcome to Optimising Leader Brilliance (01:24) Meet Simone Jenkinson — Aerial Artist, Director & Community Builder (02:09) Simone's World: Life in Rural Galicia, Open Houses & Creative Communities (09:19) Hilo — The Movement Practice Simone Designed (16:27) From the Stage to Hilo — A Physical Theater Career & Performing with Legends (18:01) Why Movement Heals: The Spine, Breathwork & Getting Centred (27:57) How to Access Your Creativity (Even If You Don't Think You're Creative) (42:32) Simone's Top 3 Actionable Tips to Get Started Today (49:44) Pause, Reflect & Act — Mini Coaching Practice ⭐Download My Free Journal & Self-Coaching Tool: mailchi.mp/...ance-outer-shine-journal ⭐Follow or Contact Simone Jenkinson: IG: artistretreatgalicia ⭐Follow Estelle Read: linktr.ee/EstelleAtBeee   ⭐Access Resources or Book a Free Discovery Call: ⁠estelleread.com/resources/⁠   ⭐Estelle Read’s Coaching Programmes: ⬆️⁠The Optimised Leader Programme: NEXT LEVEL⁠ 🎇⁠The Resilient Leader Programme: SHINE⁠   ⭐Buy Estelle Read’s Bestselling Book: ⁠Inner Brilliance, Outer Shine: 10 Antidotes to Imposter Syndrome, Workaholism and Stress ⁠   ⭐Subscribe to Estelle Read’s Blog: ⁠Receive my free workbook: 10 Antidotes to Imposter Syndrome, Workaholism & Stress, when you sign up. ⁠ ⭐Help Us Keep Growing & Going: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe wherever you listen or watch, leave a review or share it with someone who might benefit. Thank you ❤️. ⭐Listen or Watch on YouTube: 🎧Listen on your favourite podcast platform here: estelleread.com/podcast/ 📺Watch on YouTube: www.youtube.com/...stelleRead/podcasts ⭐Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. Please consult a qualified professional for specific advice. #ExecutivePresence | #CalmConfidence | #LeadershipSkills | #CreativeLeadership | #MindfulLeadership

Your People Are Your Service

The experience your guests or customers receive is a direct reflection of how you treat your team. If you want magic on the outside, you have to create it on the inside first. 🎙️ Full episode ➡️ search for the Optimising Leader Brilliance Podcast 🏷️ @asterios.drossos |@sani_resort_official | @ikosresorts #WorkplaceCulture #EmployeeExperience #LeadershipCulture

Why Leaders Lose Their Brilliance Without This

Never Stop Talking to Your Team

From day one to the last day — tell people what they're doing well, what needs to improve, and give them a reason to grow. Silence is not leadership. 🎙️ Full episode ➡️ search for the Optimising Leader Brilliance Podcast 🏷️ @asterios.drossos |@sani_resort_official | @ikosresorts Hashtags: #TeamCommunication #LeadershipSkills #PeopleManagement

He Was Let Go By One Hotel. His Next Boss Gave Him 3 Chances.

Shy. Slow. Already let go by one hotel. Asterios gave him three chances anyway. That employee became a manager in Qatar. Not writing people off is a leadership superpower. 🎙️ Full episode ➡️ search for the Optimising Leader Brilliance Podcast 🏷️ @asterios.drossos |@sani_resort_official | @ikosresorts #leadership #leadershipdevelopment #personalgrowth

Panic Loses Teams Calm Wins Championships #leadershipskills #performance

The One Thing Great Leaders Do When Everything Goes Wrong "If I panic, I sink. If I stay calm, I float." Asterios's father survived a storm at sea by choosing calm over panic. Your team is watching. Leaders who float, win. 🎙️ Full episode ➡️ search for the Optimising Leader Brilliance Podcast 🏷️ @asterios.drossos |@asterios-drosos-184773227 | @sani_resort_official | @ikosresorts

Kindness, Calm & Magic: What Every Leader Can Learn From Hospitality with Asterios

Join Estelle Read and special guest Asterios Drosos, Food and Beverage Director at Sani/Ikos Group, as they explore leadership lessons inspired by hospitality. Drawing from powerful life stories, including Asterios’s experience of staying calm during a storm and his lifelong commitment to kindness and service, this episode reveals how empathy, patience, and leading by example create magical guest experiences and thriving teams. Whether you are a leader or aspire to inspire others, discover how family values, observing closely, and giving others second chances can transform your leadership and workplace culture. What You Will Learn: 💡 How staying calm in crisis—like Asterios’s father in a storm—can be a life-saving leadership skill 💡 The power of kindness and observing team dynamics to create magical, memorable experiences for guests and staff 💡 Why giving time, patience, and repeated chances unlocks untapped potential and loyalty in your team Here’s to your leadership development and personal growth! Estelle Read Bestselling Author, Leadership Coach & Speaker Time Stamp: (00:00) Introduction (01:07) Welcome to Optimising Leader Brilliance (01:33) Meet Asterios Drosos — 20 Years of Holiday Magic (01:33) Where It All Began — The Origin Story (01:33) Leading with Kindness — Values Rooted in Family (18:19) Calm Under Pressure — Challenges of the Role (47:20) Do What You Love — Making Work a Way of Life (57:52) Pause, Reflect & Act — Mini Coaching Practice ⭐Download My Free Journal & Self-Coaching Tool: mailchi.mp/...ance-outer-shine-journal ⭐Follow or Contact Asterios Drosos: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/...-drosos-184773227/ LinkedIn Sani Ikos: www.linkedin.com/...ny/sani-ikos-group Facebook: FB.com/asterios.drossos ⭐Follow Estelle Read: linktr.ee/EstelleAtBeee   ⭐Access Resources or Book a Free Discovery Call: ⁠estelleread.com/resources/⁠   ⭐Estelle Read’s Coaching Programmes: ⬆️⁠The Optimised Leader Programme: NEXT LEVEL⁠ 🎇⁠The Resilient Leader Programme: SHINE⁠ ⭐Buy Estelle Read’s Bestselling Book: ⁠Inner Brilliance, Outer Shine: 10 Antidotes to Imposter Syndrome, Workaholism and Stress ⁠ ⭐Subscribe to Estelle Read’s Blog: ⁠Receive my free workbook: 10 Antidotes to Imposter Syndrome, Workaholism & Stress, when you sign up. ⁠ ⭐Help Us Keep Growing & Going: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe wherever you listen or watch, leave a review or share it with someone who might benefit. Thank you ❤️. ⭐Listen or Watch on YouTube: 🎧Listen on your favourite podcast platform here: estelleread.com/podcast/ 📺Watch on YouTube: www.youtube.com/...stelleRead/podcasts ⭐Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. Please consult a qualified professional for specific advice. #LeadershipSkills, #LeadershipPodcast, #CalmUnderPressure, #ExecutiveCoaching, #LeadershipMindset

Kindness, Calm & Magic: What Every Leader Can Learn From Hospitality with Asterios

He Refused to Let His Stammer Hold Him Back — And Got 1M Followers

Leadership lessons from Sam Bagshaw: Pushing past comfort: what a stammerer with 1M followers taught me about bravery. You can hear the full episode by searching for or asking your smart speaker to, ‘Play the Optimising Leader Brilliance Podcast'. Alternatively, see the links below. * * * * * * 😇 Share this to help someone in your network. 🔔 Follow me for more on optimising leadership brilliance & taking your work-life to the next level. #Shorts #Leadership #SelfImprovement #Mindset #PersonalDevelopment

Your Mind Works While You Sleep — Use It

Your unconscious mind doesn't switch off at night. Set an intention before bed and wake up with clarity. It's one of the most powerful — and underused — leadership tools you have. 🌙 🎙️ Full episode ➡️ search for the Optimising Leader Brilliance Podcast. 🏷️@steve_pendleton | @Steve Pendleton #SubconsciousMind #NLPTechniques #ProductivityTips

Transform your mindset with these 3 questions #mindset #coaching #transformation

This week's coaching questions from "Optimising Leader Brilliance" encourage deep self reflection, helping you analyze challenges and identify underlying issues. By stripping away bias and emotion, these questions foster a growth mindset essential for personal development. This type of coaching is crucial for anyone looking to refine their approach to problem-solving and leadership.

Small Steps, Big Breakthroughs

You don't need a home run to break through your performance ceiling. Just 1% of your week, given consistently, compounds into real growth. Stay curious. Ask better questions. Start there. 🎙️ Full episode ➡️ search for the Optimising Leader Brilliance Podcast. 🏷️@steve_pendleton | @Steve Pendleton #LeadershipDevelopment #ProductivityTips #GrowthMindset

Why I Finally Let Go and You Should Too

This week I hired a Podcast Manager. Work time was creeping into my personal time. I'd cut out my daily- puff up Kendal fell, to make more time for the podcast. Then one day, I realised that it was all getting too much. I had begun 'editing' footage in my sleep. Lack of sleep, led to an ear infection and vertigo...that was when I knew something had to go 🤣. I had to let go. What a relief! Joy restored. Finishing work at a reasonable hour. What could you let go of? #Overwhelm, #WorkLifeBalance, #Delegation

Choose Your Circle — It's A Leadership Non-Negotiable

You absorb the energy of the people around you — fact. Selma Delic on why your inner circle isn't optional. It's a leadership non-negotiable. Choose people who want to grow with you. 🎙️ Full episode ➡️ link in bio or search for the Optimising Leader Brilliance Podcast 🏷️@Selma Delić | @lifeatpkfsmithcooper #leadership #leadershipskills #personaldevelopment #successmindset #careergrowth

Imposter Syndrome

When imposter syndrome comes a knocking. Pottery lessons haven’t just taught me to make ‘makes’, they’ve taught me to be less concerned about the imperfections. In one lesson I spent ages trying to get rid of fingerprints, only to make even more 🤣. My daughter has been a great example of going with the flow. Not knowing all the steps A-Z and being OK with things not being perfect. The best bit? Being with my girl. #impostersyndrome #hobbies #wellbeing

Stop Seeing Problems — Start Seeing Possibilities

Every challenge has an opportunity hiding inside it. Not toxic positivity — a trained mindset that asks: "What's the opportunity here?" That one question changes everything. 🔄🎙️ Full episode ➡️ search for the Optimising Leader Brilliance Podcast. 🏷️@steve_pendleton | @Steve Pendleton #MindsetShift #GrowthMindset #LeadershipDevelopment

A Moment of Calm

A calm Monday moment ❤️. This bird has become part of the family. I love watching him. Find it relaxing. #calmyourmind #calmleadership #pheasant

How to Flip Leadership Problems Into Growth Opportunities With Steve Pendleton

The bus being late isn't the issue. Your reaction to it is. Once you spot the difference between a trigger and the real problem, you take back control. That's where calm confidence starts. 🚌➡️💭 Full episode ➡️ search for the Optimising Leader Brilliance Podcast. 🏷️@steve_pendleton | @Steve Pendleton #EmotionalIntelligence #MindsetShift #LeadershipCoaching

What If Your Best Opportunity Isn't On Your Plan?

Every time Selma Delic had a plan — and stayed open to an alternative — the outcome surprised her. What if the opportunity you need isn't on your roadmap at all? 🎙️ Full episode ➡️ link in bio or search for the Optimising Leader Brilliance Podcast 🏷️@Selma Delić | @lifeatpkfsmithcooper #careerpivot #careergrowth #leadership #personaldevelopment #selfimprovement

The Flip: How to Turn Every Leadership Problem Into an Opportunity With Steve Pendleton

On this episode of Optimising Leader Brilliance, Estelle Read sits down with Steve Pendleton, leadership and personal development expert at Network Rail and author of The Flip: Turning Issue into Opportunity. Discover how shifting your mindset from problem-focused to opportunity-driven can transform leadership challenges into paths for growth. Steve shares practical strategies to pause, gain clarity in chaos, and embrace setbacks as momentum for confident, calm, and strategic leadership. If you want actionable insights to break negative thinking cycles and cultivate resilience in complex environments, this episode is for you. What You Will Learn 💡 How to identify the true issue beneath your emotional triggers and reframe challenges into clear, actionable opportunities that boost strategic leadership impact. 💡 Why adopting a growth mindset and taking small, intentional steps can compound into breakthrough results, helping you lead with calm confidence under pressure. 💡 Practical tools to leverage your subconscious thinking—like “nighttime meetings”—to solve problems creatively, stay curious, and fuel ongoing personal and professional development. Here’s to your leadership development and personal growth! Estelle Read Bestselling Author, Leadership Coach & Speaker Timestamps: (01:24) Welcome & Guest Introduction — Steve Pendleton (02:52) Steve's Typical Day & Non-Negotiables (04:22) How Steve Captures Ideas on the Go (05:34) Steve's Night time "Meetings" — Problem Solving in Sleep (08:02) The Inspiration Behind The Flip (10:10) The Five Principles: Spotting the Issue (17:08) Reframing the Issue & Mapping Opportunities (20:09) Acting with Intention & The Power of Reflection (21:33) Growth Mindset & Vulnerability in Leadership (24:12) What Work Thinks About the Book (24:47) How The Flip Is Finding Its Way into L&D (25:20) Career Example: Saying Yes to Opportunity (27:31) The Tradition — A Question from the Last Guest (27:55) Communication Style: Learning to Be "Fluffy" (28:27) Steve's Question for the Next Guest (30:16) Where to Get the Book & The Publishing Journey (39:22) Three Actionable Tips to Live By (39:22) Tip 1 — Ask "What's the Worst That Can Happen?" (36:31) Tip 2 — Small Intentional Steps Compound (37:16) Tip 3 — Be Curious, Ask Questions (39:22) Closing Reflections (39:35) Pause, Reflect & Act — Mini Coaching Practice ⭐Download My Free Journal & Self-Coaching Tool: mailchi.mp/...ance-outer-shine-journal ⭐ Follow or Buy Steve Pendleton’s Book: www.linkedin.com/...steve-p-8595a7127/ www.amazon.co.uk/...f=tmm_kin_swatch_0 ⭐Follow Estelle Read: linktr.ee/EstelleAtBeee ⭐Access Resources or Book a Free Discovery Call: ⁠estelleread.com/resources/⁠ ⭐Estelle Read’s Coaching Programmes: ⬆️⁠The Optimised Leader Programme: NEXT LEVEL⁠ 🎇⁠The Resilient Leader Programme: SHINE⁠ ⭐Buy Estelle Read’s Bestselling Book: ⁠Inner Brilliance, Outer Shine: 10 Antidotes to Imposter Syndrome, Workaholism and Stress ⁠ ⭐Subscribe to Estelle Read’s Blog: ⁠Receive my free workbook: 10 Antidotes to Imposter Syndrome, Workaholism & Stress, when you sign up. ⁠ ⭐Help Us Keep Growing & Going: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe wherever you listen or watch, leave a review or share it with someone who might benefit. Thank you ❤️. ⭐Listen or Watch on YouTube: 🎧Listen on your favourite podcast platform here: estelleread.com/podcast/ 📺Watch on YouTube: www.youtube.com/...stelleRead/podcasts ⭐Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. Please consult a qualified professional for specific advice. #LeadershipCoaching #MindsetShift #PersonalDevelopment #GrowthMindset #leadershipgrowth

Your Difference Is Your Power

"Am I being stupid?" Selma Delic asked herself that — as the only non-finance partner in the room. That outsider perspective? Her greatest asset. Your difference creates outcomes others can't see. 🎙️ Full episode ➡️ link in bio or search for the Optimising Leader Brilliance Podcast 🏷️@Selma Delić | @lifeatpkfsmithcooper #leadership #womeninleadership #personaldevelopment #selfimprovement #successmindset

Why Do You Work Hard?

Why do you do what you do? Why do you work hard? Someone said to me the other day, 'Urgh, why are you always busy in your business?' Of course I love my job, I want to make a difference, bla bla bla, but ultimately, I do what I do because I want to provide for my family. I want to create a nice life and that's because growing up, I could see life was hard for my mum being a single parent. She did a variety of jobs, & maintenance was inconsistent. I remember her adding up her bills on a scrap of paper. I was embarrassed that we didn't have a car. It was another thing that made our family different, (single parent families were unique in the 70's and there was a stigma attached to those that divorced). Then fast forward to the 'get embarrassed by every single thing that your parent does phase', and I got embarrassed when she could afford a car and tried to pick me up from school in a 2CV. (I was an awful teenager). So, cars are a thing for me...and turns out my daughter too. I think it's in her DNA. She once said her ideal first car would be a bright pink, mini convertible. At the time she didn't realise I was saving to buy her a car and I can remember thinking...not sure the 18th birthday budget will stretch that far. Anyway, since moving to Cumbria and Mike retiring, we have been 'managing' with one car, because we can walk into town and the majority of my work is on-line. But...my car has always been my freedom. Anyway, combine that with my daughter wanting to practice driving and her upcoming birthday, we thought, screw it. Why wait. So yesterday, was a moment. It was priceless. A bit emotional - waiting for our daughter to see her car. She was so overwhelmed and grateful. She's a little empath and immediately felt worried about what other people would think. We have had a couple of, 'She's very lucky you know' messages, and she is, but we are sharing the car and she is making a monthly contribution towards it too. As for having reservations about Minis. OMG this car has put the fun back into driving again. This reminded me of the words of a recent podcast guest Davina Ripton, 'Choose your hard' #OptimisingLeaderBrilliancePodcast #values #leadershipdevelopment

News From The GoE