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What if rejection were information—not a verdict on yourability? Michael Hutchison joins Estelle Read to explore how influence differs from persuasion, and how leaders can build trust by understanding people and aligning interests. He shares lessons from early sales presentations, a supplier’s withdrawal just before launch, and adapting his business during the pandemic. The conversation also offers practical ways to handle objections, use feedback constructively, protect your peace, and focus on building people for the long term. What You Will Learn 💡 How to create influence through trust, understanding, and aligned interests—not pressure.💡How to treat rejection and sales objections as information rather than as a judgment of your identity.💡How to respond when plans change, protect your peace, and lead by helping people grow. Here’s to your leadership development and personal growth!   Estelle Read   Bestselling Author, Leadership Coach & Host of Optimising Leader Brilliance   Timestamps: (00:00) Cold Open: Michael's First Sales Presentation(00:57) Welcome to Optimising Leader Brilliance(01:41) Episode Preview: Reframing Sales & Rejection(02:49) Meet Michael Hutchison(02:59) Influence vs. Persuasion: The Core Philosophy(05:43) Roots in Tony Robbins(06:14) Origin Story: Military Family & Situational Introversion(09:29) Cold Calling for Tony Robbins(11:11) Overcoming the Fear of Presenting(14:03) The Belgrade Convention: 9,000+ Attendees(15:26) Building Trust Through Entertainment & Education(17:26) Post-Convention Follow-Up Strategy(18:48) Biggest Mistake Leaders Make in Sales(19:49) Rejection Is Just Information, Not Identity(24:00) Building Emotional Strength(25:55) Protecting Your Peace: Daily Practices(26:40) The Billion-Dollar Supplier Pullout(29:30) Pivoting: From Rejection to Direct Cruise Line Deals(30:53) Surviving the 2020 Pandemic(32:23) Giving Back: Mercy Ships Sponsorship(33:17) Three Actionable Tips for Leaders(34:13) Lead With Love & the View From Salzburg(37:45) Guest Question: What's Most Important About Leading You?(39:52) Question for the Next Guest(41:27) Pause, Reflect, Act: Coaching Questions(43:19) Outro & Disclaimer📱FOLLOW OR CONTACT:⭐GUEST: Michael Hutchison https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhutch/ https://www.incruises.com/ https://in.group/ ⭐ HOST: Estelle Readhttps://linktr.ee/EstelleAtBeee or @EstelleReadCoach   🧰 ACCESS FREE RESOURCES ⭐Want a summary of today’s learnings? Subscribe to The Brilliant Leader’s Notebook, to get the key takeaways from every singleepisode: https://mailchi.mp/a0cfa5a8a10c/8chmrywh3r ⭐Find Out Which of the 7 Leadership Saboteurs is Holding You Back by Completing the Scorecard: https://estelle-read.scoreapp.com/  ⭐Download Estelle’s Free Journal & Self-Coaching Tool: https://mailchi.mp/dab4b2568b71/free-inner-brilliance-outer-shine-journal ⭐Access Other Free Resources: ⁠https://estelleread.com/resources/⁠   ❤️ CAN YOU HELP? We bring this show to you for free. You can help us keep growing and going by taking 30 seconds to: 🔔 Subscribe or follow so you never miss an episode. 📨 Share the show with a friend. ✍️ Leave a review to help others find us.   🗓️ BOOK A 15 FREE DISCOVERY CALL: ⭐https://calendly.com/estelleatbeee/15-minute-discovery-call   🧠ESTELLE READ’S COACHING PROGRAMMES: ⬆️⁠The Optimised Leader Programme: NEXT LEVEL⁠: https://estelleread.com/next-level-leadership-programme/  🎇⁠The Resilient Leader Programme: SHINE⁠: https://estelleread.com/the-shine-coaching-programme/   🎧LISTEN OR WATCH ON ALTERNATIVE PLATFORMS📺 ⭐Here: https://pod.link/1515648162  ⚠️ DICLAIMER This podcast is for informational purposes only and shouldnot be considered professional advice. Please consult a qualified professional for specific advice. Don’t suffer alone.

Leadership coach Estelle Read talks with Doug Crandall aboutthe four leadership instincts in his book Building or Diminishing: builder, driver, cheerleader, and belittler. They explore how everyday interactions affect the people you lead, and how to pair high expectations with positivity. What You Will Learn: 💡 Use “Am I building or diminishing?” to reflect on everyday leadership interactions. 💡 Recognize the builder, driver, cheerleader, and belittler instincts in your leadership. 💡 Communicate belief, set high expectations, and give feedback without diminishing people. Here’s to your leadership development and personal growth!   Estelle Read   Bestselling Author, Leadership Coach & Host of Optimising Leader Brilliance   Timestamps: (00:00) Welcome & Podcast Introduction (00:48) Host Welcome (01:14) Meet Doug Crandall (02:24) The Four Leadership Instincts (14:58) Subscribe (15:19) The Belittler & The Builder (29:12) Three Strategies & Resources (30:07) Strategy 1: Building or Diminishing? (42:21) Pause, Reflect, Act (42:52) Coaching Questions (44:12) Outro & Disclaimer   📱FOLLOW OR CONTACT:⭐GUEST: Doug Crandall, https://buildingordiminishing.com/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-crandall-585a4 ⭐ HOST: Estelle Readhttps://linktr.ee/EstelleAtBeee or @EstelleReadCoach   🧰 ACCESS FREE RESOURCES & TOOLS: ⭐Want a summary of today’s learnings? Subscribe to Estelle Read’s blog, TheBrilliant Leader’s Notebook, to get the key takeaways from every singleepisode: https://mailchi.mp/a0cfa5a8a10c/8chmrywh3r ⭐Find Out Which of the 7 LeadershipSaboteurs is Holding You Back by Completing the Scorecard: https://estelle-read.scoreapp.com/  ⭐Download Estelle’s Free Journal & Self-Coaching Tool: https://mailchi.mp/dab4b2568b71/free-inner-brilliance-outer-shine-journal ⭐Access Other Free Resources: ⁠https://estelleread.com/resources/⁠   ❤️ CAN YOU HELP? We bring this show to you for free. You can help us keep growing and going by taking 30 seconds to: 🔔 Subscribe or follow so you never miss an episode. 📨 Share the show with a friend. ✍️ Leave a review to help others find us.   Thanks for your support!   🗓️ BOOK A 15 FREE DISCOVERY CALL: ⭐https://calendly.com/estelleatbeee/15-minute-discovery-call   🧠ESTELLE READ’S COACHING PROGRAMMES: ⬆️⁠The Optimised Leader Programme: NEXT LEVEL⁠: https://estelleread.com/next-level-leadership-programme/    🎇⁠The Resilient Leader Programme: SHINE⁠: https://estelleread.com/the-shine-coaching-programme/   📓BUY ESTELLE READ’S BESTSELLING BOOK: ⁠Inner Brilliance · Outer Shine: 10 Antidotes to Imposter Syndrome, Workaholism and Stress: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Inner-Brilliance-Outer-Shine-Workaholism/dp/1789048036/ ⁠   🎧LISTEN OR WATCH ON ALTERNATIVE PLATFORMS📺 ⭐Listen on your favourite podcast platform here: https://pod.link/1515648162  ⭐Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EstelleRead/podcasts   ⚠️ DICLAIMER This podcast is for informational purposes only and shouldnot be considered professional advice. Please consult a qualified professional for specific advice. Don’t suffer alone ❤️.

Welcome to Optimising Leader Brilliance—the podcastand self-improvement toolkit designed to unlock key leadership talent and enable calm, confident, strategic leadership. Are your current leadership strategies failing to delivernext-level results? If you or the leaders in your organisation are facing sudden self-doubt, hidden overwhelm, or hitting an invisible performance ceiling, you are not alone—and it is not your fault. On this podcast, host Estelle Read explores how to eliminateleadership bottlenecks, stop self-sabotage, and transform high-potential talent so your business can thrive. 💥 THE INVISIBLE CEILING BLOCKING PERFORMANCEEvery organisation relies on ambitious leaders who want to deliver high-performance results. However, there comes a point where old strategies stop working. Despite hard work, leaders hit a performance ceiling that triggers self-doubt, anxiety under scrutiny, and potential burnout. Whenresults need to change quickly, traditional professional development takes too long. Both the leader and the organisation need swift, measurable change. 🧠 THE ROOT CAUSE & THE NEUROSCIENCE SOLUTIONThese bottlenecks happen because leaders fight against subconscious childhood conditioning. Having coached executives for over two decades, Estelle has foundthese barriers fall into 7 leadership saboteur categories. We don't spend 66 days trying to force a new habit. Instead, we identify the root causes and apply a neuroscience technique to eliminate triggers, modifying the autopilot for automatic, lasting behavioural change. 💼 REAL COACHING TRANSFORMATIONS WE EXPLORE: The Micro-Controller: From Rigid Operations to a £20M Turnover Boost The Doubting Imposter: From Self-Doubt to a 300% Revenue Increase The Chronic Harmoniser: From Avoidance to Action—Resolving a £1M Elephant in the Room The Constant Firefighter: From Burnout to Streamlined Productivity   📈 THE ROI: HIGH-PERFORMANCE RESULTS Kinks are ironed out in as little as 4 weeks. Turnaroundsdon't take 12 months, protecting key leadership talent and saving organisations thousands in recruitment, retraining, and painful performance management. 🚀 READY TO TAKE YOUR TEAM TO THE NEXT LEVEL?Hit Follow to get actionable insights in every episode! 🌐 Visit: https://estelleread.com/ where you can: 📒 Subscribe to The Brilliant Leader’s Notebook, to getthe key learnings and takeaways from every single episode 📊 Take the Free Leadership Saboteurs Scorecard 📅 Book a Free 15-Minute Call

If you’ve tried habit systems and still fall off the wagon,Connie Kwan of Story Habits offers a different starting point: the values and stories behind the behaviour. Estelle and Connie discuss identity-based habits, why a borrowed “should” may not motivate change, and how leaders can connect team habits to values people genuinely hold. What You Will Learn 💡 Why your habits do not stick when they are tied to shoulds, pressure and expectations, not your real values 💡 How the Story Habits method links balloons, anchors and strings to make change simple, sticky and personal 💡 How leaders secure their own habit first, then help each person find their own anchor for buy-in 💡 Practical ways to audit your habit wish list, pick one focus, and keep confidence through setbacks Timestamps 👇 (00:00) Intro – Habits as an Outward Expression (00:43) Host Introduction – Estelle Read (01:09) What to Expect & Guest Intro (02:21) Identity-Based Habits & the Anchor-BalloonMethod (14:56) Subscribe & Follow (15:18) Wrong Anchors, "Shoulds," & Why HabitsFail (30:57) Free Resources & Discovery Call (31:52) Three Strategies for Habit Change (38:41) Pause, Reflect, Act (39:12) Coaching Questions (40:14) Outro & Closing 📱FOLLOW OR CONTACT:⭐GUEST: Connie Kwan, https://storyhabitsbook.com/,https://conniekwan.substack.com/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/conniekwan/ ⭐HOST: Estelle Read https://linktr.ee/EstelleAtBeee or @EstelleReadCoach   🧰 ACCESS FREE RESOURCES & TOOLS: ⭐Want a summary of today’s learnings? Subscribe to Estelle Read’s blog, TheBrilliant Leader’s Notebook, to get the key takeaways from every singleepisode: https://mailchi.mp/a0cfa5a8a10c/8chmrywh3r ⭐Find Out Which of the 7 Leadership Saboteurs is Holding You Back by Completing the Scorecard: https://estelle-read.scoreapp.com/   ⭐Download Estelle’s Free Journal & Self-Coaching Tool: https://mailchi.mp/dab4b2568b71/free-inner-brilliance-outer-shine-journal ⭐Access Other Free Resources: ⁠https://estelleread.com/resources/⁠   ❤️ CAN YOU HELP? We bring this show to you for free. Youcan help us keep growing and going by taking 30 seconds to: 🔔 Subscribe or follow so you never miss an episode. 📨 Share the show with a friend. ✍️ Leave a review to help others find us.   Thanks for your support!   🗓️ BOOK A 15 FREE DISCOVERY CALL: ⭐https://calendly.com/estelleatbeee/15-minute-discovery-call   🧠ESTELLE READ’S COACHING PROGRAMMES: ⬆️⁠The Optimised Leader Programme: NEXTLEVEL⁠: https://estelleread.com/next-level-leadership-programme/    🎇⁠The Resilient Leader Programme: SHINE⁠: https://estelleread.com/the-shine-coaching-programme/   📓BUY ESTELLE READ’S BESTSELLING BOOK: ⁠Inner Brilliance · Outer Shine: 10 Antidotes to Imposter Syndrome, Workaholism and Stress: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Inner-Brilliance-Outer-Shine-Workaholism/dp/1789048036/ ⁠   🎧LISTEN OR WATCH ON ALTERNATIVE PLATFORMS📺 ⭐Listen on your favouritepodcast platform here: https://pod.link/1515648162  ⭐Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EstelleRead/podcasts   ⚠️ DICLAIMER This podcast is for informational purposes only and shouldnot be considered professional advice. Please consult a qualified professional for specific advice. Don’t suffer alone ❤️.

In this episode, communication coach Helen von Dadelszenreveals the biggest mistake leaders make when speaking under pressure—and how to avoid it. Learn why confidence grows through action, not waiting, and discover practical tools like breathing techniques and improv that help you communicate clearly and calmly. Gain insights into managing your body, voice, and mind to connect authentically and lead with impact. What You Will Learn:  💡 Why confidence grows through doing, and how action beats waiting every time 💡 How improv techniques prepare you to think quickly and communicate with ease 💡 Three practical tools to manage your body, voice, and mind for calm and impactful speaking Here’s to your leadership development and personal growth!   Estelle Read   Bestselling Author, Leadership Coach & Host of Optimising Leader Brilliance   Timestamps:(00:00) – Intro and Episode Overview (03:00) – Biggest Speaking Mistake: Letting Ego Take Over (07:15) – Building Confidence Through Action, Not Waiting (12:30) – Using Improv to Handle High-Pressure Conversations (18:45) – Recognizing and Managing Your Body’s Nervous Signals (24:10) – Breathing Technique: The Physiological Sigh for Calm (29:00) – Avoid Over-Polishing: Be Natural, Not Performative (34:20) – How to Focus on Your Audience, Not Yourself (39:15) – Simplifying Your Message: What Do You Want Your Audience to Think,Feel, or Do? (44:00) – Practical Tips to Prepare for Unpredictable Questions (49:20) – Reflective Coaching Questions to Take Action Now (54:45) – Closing and How to Continue Building Your Speaking Confidence 📱FOLLOW OR CONTACT: ⭐GUEST: Helen von Dadelszen, https://academy.presentpotential.ch/, https://www.amazon.co.uk/Courageous-Action-playbook-communicating-confidently/dp/2970194805/ ⭐ HOST: Estelle Readhttps://linktr.ee/EstelleAtBeee or @EstelleReadCoach   🧰 ACCESS FREE RESOURCES & TOOLS: ⭐Want a summary of today’s learnings? Subscribe to Estelle Read’s blog, The Brilliant Leader’s Notebook, to get the key takeaways from every single episode: https://mailchi.mp/a0cfa5a8a10c/8chmrywh3r ⭐Find Out Which of the 7 Leadership Saboteurs is Holding You Back by Completing the Scorecard: https://estelle-read.scoreapp.com/   ⭐Download Estelle’s Free Journal & Self-Coaching Tool: https://mailchi.mp/dab4b2568b71/free-inner-brilliance-outer-shine-journal ⭐Access Other Free Resources: ⁠https://estelleread.com/resources/⁠   ❤️ CAN YOU HELP? We bring this show to you for free. You can help us keep growing and going by taking 30 seconds to: 🔔 Subscribe or follow so you never miss an episode. 📨 Share the show with a friend. ✍️ Leave a review to help others find us.   Thanks for your support!   🗓️ BOOK A 15 FREE DISCOVERY CALL: ⭐https://calendly.com/estelleatbeee/15-minute-discovery-call   🧠ESTELLE READ’S COACHING PROGRAMMES: ⬆️⁠The Optimised Leader Programme: NEXT LEVEL⁠: https://estelleread.com/next-level-leadership-programme/    🎇⁠The Resilient Leader Programme: SHINE⁠: https://estelleread.com/the-shine-coaching-programme/   📓BUY ESTELLE READ’S BESTSELLING BOOK: ⁠Inner Brilliance · Outer Shine: 10 Antidotes to Imposter Syndrome, Workaholism and Stress: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Inner-Brilliance-Outer-Shine-Workaholism/dp/1789048036/ ⁠   🎧LISTEN OR WATCH ON ALTERNATIVE PLATFORMS📺 ⭐Listen on your favouritepodcast platform here: https://pod.link/1515648162  ⭐Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EstelleRead/podcasts   ⚠️ DICLAIMER This podcast is for informational purposes only and shouldnot be considered professional advice. Please consult a qualified professional for specific advice. Don’t suffer alone ❤️.

This episode explores the journey from burnout to recoverywith resilience coach Tracy Doyle, who bravely shares her story of overcoming profound personal challenges. Please note this episode contains discussions of sexual abuse, suicide, and mental health struggles. Listener discretion isadvised. Tracy reveals how life experiences shape the beliefs driving burnout and introduces her transformative Aurora framework to find clarity, calm, and confidence. Tune in to learn practical tools for spotting hidden burnout patterns, breaking unconscious cycles, and reclaiming your well-being. What You Will Learn: 💡 How to spot the hidden patterns driving your burnout and recognize unconscious cycles 💡The AURORA framework for reclaiming emotional clarity, calm, and confidence 💡Practical steps for healing and empowering yourself after burnout struggles   Here’s to your leadership development and personal growth!   Estelle Read   Bestselling Author, Leadership Coach & Host   Timestamps: (00:00) – Introduction & Episode Overview (03:00) – Tracy’s Early Life Challenges and Caretaking Role (09:00) – The Impact of Family Trauma on Burnout (15:30) – The Breaking Point: Recognizing Overwhelm and Desperation (22:00) – Shame, Fear, and the Reluctance to Ask for Help (28:30) – Tracy’s Aurora Framework Introduction (35:30) – The Role of Life Experiences in Burnout Patterns (42:45) – Identifying and Changing Limiting Beliefs (50:00) – Practical Morning Intention and Daily Practices (56:30) – The ‘Isches’: Self-centered Traits that Hold Us Back (01:02:00) – Healing Pathways from Burnout: See It, Name It, Change It (01:09:30) – Reflective Coaching Questions 📱FOLLOW OR CONTACT: ⭐GUEST: Tracy Doyle https://tracydoyle.life/ ⭐HOST: Estelle Read https://linktr.ee/EstelleAtBeee or @EstelleReadCoach   🧰 ACCESS FREE RESOURCES & TOOLS: ⭐Want a summary of today’s learnings? Subscribe to Estelle Read’s blog, TheBrilliant Leader’s Notebook, to get the key takeaways from every single episode: https://mailchi.mp/a0cfa5a8a10c/8chmrywh3r   ⭐Find Out Which of the 7 Leadership Saboteurs is Holding You Back by Completing the Scorecard: https://estelle-read.scoreapp.com/   ⭐Download Estelle’s Free Journal & Self-Coaching Tool: https://mailchi.mp/dab4b2568b71/free-inner-brilliance-outer-shine-journal ⭐Access Other Free Resources: ⁠https://estelleread.com/resources/⁠ ❤️ CAN YOU HELP? We bring this show to you for free. You can help us keep growing and going by taking 30 seconds to: 🔔 Subscribe or follow so younever miss an episode. 📨 Share the show with a friend. ✍️ Leave a review to help others findus.   Thanks for your support!   🗓️ BOOK A 15 FREE DISCOVERY CALL:  ⭐https://calendly.com/estelleatbeee/15-minute-discovery-call         🧠ESTELLE READ’S COACHING PROGRAMMES: ⬆️⁠The Optimised Leader Programme: NEXTLEVEL⁠: https://estelleread.com/next-level-leadership-programme/    🎇⁠The Resilient Leader Programme: SHINE⁠: https://estelleread.com/the-shine-coaching-programme/       📓BUY ESTELLE READ’S BESTSELLING BOOK: ⁠Inner Brilliance · Outer Shine: 10 Antidotes to Imposter Syndrome, Workaholism and Stress: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Inner-Brilliance-Outer-Shine-Workaholism/dp/1789048036/ ⁠  🎧LISTEN OR WATCH ON ALTERNATIVE PLATFORMS📺 ⭐Listen on your favourite podcast platform here: https://pod.link/1515648162  ⭐Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EstelleRead/podcasts  ⚠️ DICLAIMER This podcast is for informational purposes only and shouldnot be considered professional advice. Please consult a qualified professional for specific advice. Don’t suffer alone ❤️.

Winning your first hour each morning is the secret tostaying calm under pressure—and it all starts with biology, not personality. In this episode, Dr. Robert Carter, international bestselling co-author of The Morning Mind and the upcoming The Convenience Trap, shares a neuroscience-backed morning routine that resets your nervous system, thehidden convenience traps draining your resilience, and a simple framework to help you stay centred no matter what the day throws at you.    What You Will Learn: 💡 The morning routine that biologically primes your nervous system to win your day before it begins💡How instant gratification culture quietly saps your resilience—and steps to reclaim your control💡The ALIVE framework: a practical method to activate awareness, level up, and embody calm under stress   Here’s to your leadership development and personal growth!   Estelle Read   Bestselling Author, Leadership Coach & Host of Optimising Leader Brilliance   Timestamps:   (00:00) – Welcome and Episode Overview(02:00) – Why Winning Your First Hour Matters for Emotional and Cognitive State(06:00) – Meet Dr. Robert Carter and His Book The Convenience Trap(10:45) – Understanding the Convenience Trap and Its Impact on Resilience(15:30) – Biology Behind Staying Calm Under Pressure(20:15) – The ALIVE Framework: Activate, Level Up, Integrate, Value, Embody(25:00) – Recognizing Stress Triggers and Biological Rhythms(30:30) – How Convenience Culture Contributes to Stress and Health Challenges(36:00) – Personal Stories of Stress, Autoimmune Conditions, and Recovery(45:00) – Practical Morning Routine Tips for Biological Reset(50:45) – Breathing and Awareness Techniques to Stay Centred Under Pressure(56:00) – Integrating Calm Practices into Daily Life and Work(01:02:30) – Preparing for Recovery and Mental Resilience(01:07:00) – Reflective Practice and Coaching Questions from Dr. Carter(01:11:30) – Closing Thoughts and How to Take Next Steps 📱FOLLOW OR CONTACT: ⭐GUEST: Dr Robert Carter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-carter-phd-mph-57b1405/  https://theconveniencetrap.com/   ⭐HOST: Estelle Read: https://linktr.ee/EstelleAtBeeeor @EstelleReadCoach     🔧 ACCESS FREE RESOURCES & TOOLS: ⭐Want a summary of today’s learnings? Subscribe to Estelle Read’s blog, TheBrilliant Leader’s Notebook, to get the key takeaways from every single episode: https://mailchi.mp/a0cfa5a8a10c/8chmrywh3r ⭐Find Out Which of the 7 Leadership Saboteurs is Holding You Back by Completing the Scorecard: https://estelle-read.scoreapp.com/   ⭐Download Estelle’s Free Journal &Self-Coaching Tool: https://mailchi.mp/dab4b2568b71/free-inner-brilliance-outer-shine-journal    ❤️ CAN YOU HELP? We bring this show to you for free. You can help us keep growing and going by taking 30 seconds to: 🔔 Subscribe or follow so you never miss an episode. 📨 Share the show with a friend. ✍️ Leave a review to help others find us.   🗓️ BOOK A 15 FREE DISCOVERY CALL:   ⭐https://calendly.com/estelleatbeee/15-minute-discovery-call    🧠ESTELLE READ’S COACHING PROGRAMMES: ⬆️⁠The Optimised Leader Programme: NEXTLEVEL⁠: https://estelleread.com/next-level-leadership-programme/    🎇⁠The Resilient Leader Programme: SHINE⁠: https://estelleread.com/the-shine-coaching-programme/  🎧LISTEN OR WATCH ON ALTERNATIVE PLATFORMS📺 ⭐Listen on your favourite podcast platform here: https://pod.link/1515648162  ⭐Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EstelleRead/podcasts  ⚠️ DICLAIMER This podcast is for informational purposes only and shouldnot be considered professional advice. Please consult a qualified professional for specific advice. Don’t suffer alone ❤️.

Why do high achievers often feel stuck despite theirsuccess? In this episode, Dr. Judith Wright, a neuroscientist and coach featured on Oprah and Good Morning America, shares her insights on the hidden patterns that keep leaders trapped in burnout, conflict, and underperformance. Discover how “soft addictions” and unmet deep yearnings silently sabotage your leadership potential. Learn practical strategies to name your true feelings, reconnect with your core needs, and embark on a path to clarity, calm, and authentic success. What You Will Learn:💡The universal human yearnings wired into our brain that drive behavior and leadership success💡How overdoing strengths like discipline or caring can become “soft addictions” that hold you back💡One powerful question you can ask anytime to understand and transform your emotions instantly    (00:00) – Welcome and Episode Introduction(02:15) – The Hidden Patterns that Keep Leaders Stuck(06:30) – What Are Soft Addictions? How They Impact Leadership(11:00) – The Role of Feelings and Emotional Intelligence in Success(17:45) – The Neuroscience of Naming and Managing Emotions(24:30) – Understanding Our Deep Yearnings and Their Evolutionary Roots(32:15) – How Unmet Yearnings Trigger Burnout and Conflict(38:00) – The Power of Awareness: Catching Your Soft Addictions in Action(44:30) – Practical Steps: What To Do When You Notice Being Overwhelmed(50:00) – Building New Neural Pathways for Self-Compassion and Resilience(55:45) – Leadership Lessons: Balancing Strengths Without Burning Out(01:01:00) – Reflective Questions to Understand Your Yearnings and Patterns(01:06:30) – Closing Thoughts and How to Take the Next Step 📱FOLLOW OR CONTACT:⭐ GUEST: Dr Judith Wright - CEO, Live Wright - https://livewright.com/ Find Dr Judith’s books here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/author/B001HD1VY8/allbooks ⭐ HOST: Estelle Readhttps://linktr.ee/EstelleAtBeee or @EstelleReadCoach   🔧 ACCESS FREE RESOURCES & TOOLS: ⭐Want a summary of today’s learnings? Subscribe to Estelle Read’s blog, TheBrilliant Leader’s Notebook, to get the key takeaways from every singleepisode: https://mailchi.mp/a0cfa5a8a10c/8chmrywh3r   ⭐Find Out Which of the 7 Leadership Saboteurs is Holding You Back by Completing the Scorecard: https://estelle-read.scoreapp.com/   ⭐Download Estelle’s Free Journal & Self-Coaching Tool: https://mailchi.mp/dab4b2568b71/free-inner-brilliance-outer-shine-journal  ⭐Access Other Free Resources: ⁠https://estelleread.com/resources/⁠     ❤️ CAN YOU HELP? We bring this show to you for free. You can help us keep growing and going by taking 30 seconds to: 🔔 Subscribe or follow so younever miss an episode. 📨 Share the show with a friend. ✍️ Leave a review to help others findus.   Thanks for your support!     🗓️ BOOK A 15 FREE DISCOVERY CALL:   ⭐https://calendly.com/estelleatbeee/15-minute-discovery-call         🧠ESTELLE READ’S COACHING PROGRAMMES: ⬆️⁠The Optimised Leader Programme: NEXT LEVEL⁠: https://estelleread.com/next-level-leadership-programme/    🎇⁠The Resilient Leader Programme: SHINE⁠: https://estelleread.com/the-shine-coaching-programme/    📓BUY ESTELLE READ’S BESTSELLING BOOK: ⁠Inner Brilliance · Outer Shine: 10 Antidotes to Imposter Syndrome, Workaholism andStress: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Inner-Brilliance-Outer-Shine-Workaholism/dp/1789048036/ ⁠       🎧LISTEN OR WATCH ON ALTERNATIVE PLATFORMS📺 ⭐Listen on your favouritepodcast platform here: https://pod.link/1515648162  ⭐Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EstelleRead/podcasts  ⚠️ DICLAIMER This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. Please consult a qualified professionalfor specific advice. Don’t suffer alone ❤️.

Feeling invisible in rooms where your leadership should shine? This episode dives deep into leadership visibility and how to raise your profile authentically. Discover why many leaders struggle with imposter syndrome, fear of failure, or uncertainty about how to present their leadership presence confidently. Host Estelle Read chats with Katie Radel, CEO of Ripple Consulting Group, about proven strategies to stop hiding and start leading with visible impact that advances your career and organization.   What You Will Learn:💡How to raise your leadership presence without feeling like bragging or inauthentic💡Why confidently taking up more space is a vital leadership skill for greater influence💡The real costs to your career and organization when you remain invisible—and how to change that   Here’s to your leadership development and personal growth!   Estelle Read   Bestselling Author, Leadership Coach & Host of Optimising Leader Brilliance   Timestamps: (00:00) – Welcome and Introduction to Episode Theme(01:45) – Estelle’s Personal Story: Being Invisible as an Introvert Leader(04:30) – Guest Introduction: Katie Radel, CEO of Ripple Consulting Group(06:15) – What is Executive Visibility and Why It Matters(09:00) – Katie’s Entrepreneurial Journey and Early Career Insights(12:30) – The Rollercoaster of Entrepreneurship: Faith and Resilience(15:45) – Katie’s Daily Routine and Connection as an Introvert Extrovert(19:00) – PR Misconceptions and What True PR Means for Leaders(22:45) – Early Lessons from Growing Up in a Funeral Home(27:00) – The Cost of Staying Invisible as a Leader in Business(31:15) – How AI and Earned Media Influence Executive Visibility(34:45) – Reasons Leaders Stay Hidden: Fear, Imposter Syndrome, and More(39:30) – Red Flags of Inauthentic Visibility and Ego-Driven Success(42:15) – Gender Differences in Imposter Syndrome and Visibility(46:00) – Overcoming the Fear of Being Seen and Embracing Leadership Brilliance(50:30) – Personal Challenges and Triumphs Around Visibility(54:45) – Practical First Steps to Build Your Executive Visibility(58:30) – Crafting Your Messaging: Who You Help, The Problem You Solve, The Result(01:02:00) – How to Show Up Authentically and Create Connections(01:06:15) – Value for Your Audience vs Ego-Driven Communication(01:10:30) – Building a Leadership Legacy That’s “Good and Kind”(01:13:45) – Final Advice and Reflective Practice Coaching Questions ⭐ GUEST: Katie Radel - RippleConsulting Group: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katieradel/  ⭐HOST: Estelle Read: https://linktr.ee/EstelleAtBeeeor @EstelleReadCoach   🔧 ACCESS FREE RESOURCES & TOOLS: ⭐Want a summary of today’s learnings? Subscribe to Estelle Read’s blog, The Brilliant Leader’s Notebook, to get the key takeaways from every single episode: https://mailchi.mp/a0cfa5a8a10c/8chmrywh3r ⭐Find Out Which of the 7 LeadershipSaboteurs is Holding You Back by Completing the Scorecard: https://estelle-read.scoreapp.com/  ⭐Download Estelle’s Free Journal & Self-Coaching Tool: https://mailchi.mp/dab4b2568b71/free-inner-brilliance-outer-shine-journal 🗓️ BOOK A 15 FREE DISCOVERY CALL:   ⭐https://calendly.com/estelleatbeee/15-minute-discovery-call    🧠ESTELLE READ’S COACHING PROGRAMMES: ⬆️⁠The Optimised Leader Programme: NEXT LEVEL⁠: https://estelleread.com/next-level-leadership-programme/    🎇⁠The Resilient Leader Programme: SHINE⁠: https://estelleread.com/the-shine-coaching-programme/ ⚠️ DISCLAIMER This podcast is for informational purposes only and shouldnot be considered professional advice. Please consult a qualified professional for specific advice. Don’t suffer alone.

In this episode of Optimising Leader Brilliance, leadership coach Estelle Read dives into the "Overachiever" saboteur—the relentless drive to prove worth through endless achievements and output. Discover how this pattern creates burnout, toxic work cultures, and personal exhaustion by tying your value solely to performance. Drawing on over two decades of coaching, Estelle reveals the emotional roots of this trap and shares breakthrough neuroscience methods to reset your mindset. Learn how to reclaim balance, set healthy boundaries, and lead with calm confidence for sustainable success.     What You Will Learn:  💡 Why overachieving can be a harmful leadership saboteur that stunts growth and damages well-being  💡 The deep emotional causes behind the need to constantly outperform and why rest feels like weakness  💡 Three practical strategies—like scheduling rest as non-negotiable and setting daily shutdown boundaries—to break free from burnout and thrive    Here’s to your leadership development and personal growth!    Estelle Read    Bestselling Author, Leadership Coach & Speaker    Timestamps:  (00:00) Introduction  (01:16) Meet Your Host  (01:42) The Seven Leadership Saboteurs  (02:52) The Overachiever Pattern  (03:51) Free Saboteur Scorecard  (04:32) Impact & Root Cause of the Overachiever  (08:46) The Science of Behavior Change  (13:53) Client Case Study  (14:20) Next Steps & Coaching Options  (15:59) Three Strategies to Overcome It  (17:40) Final Saboteur Rankings      📱FOLLOW OR CONTACT:  ⭐Estelle Read: https://linktr.ee/EstelleAtBeee or @EstelleReadCoach    🔧 ACCESS FREE RESOURCES & TOOLS:  ⭐Want a summary of today’s learnings?  Subscribe to Estelle Read’s blog, The Brilliant Leader’s Notebook, to get the key takeaways from every single episode: https://mailchi.mp/a0cfa5a8a10c/8chmrywh3r  Plus, you'll get a free bonus 🎁: The Inner Brilliance · Outer Shine Workbook: 10 Antidotes to Imposter Syndrome, Workaholism & Stress.  Click here to subscribe and download: https://mailchi.mp/a0cfa5a8a10c/8chmrywh3r    ⭐Find Out Which of the 7 Leadership Saboteurs is Holding You Back by Completing the Scorecard:  https://estelle-read.scoreapp.com/     ⭐Download Estelle’s Free Journal & Self-Coaching Tool:  https://mailchi.mp/dab4b2568b71/free-inner-brilliance-outer-shine-journal        ⭐Access Other Free Resources:  ⁠https://estelleread.com/resources/⁠         ❤️ CAN YOU HELP?  We bring this show to you for free. You can help us keep growing and going by taking 30 seconds to:  🔔 Subscribe or follow so you never miss an episode.  📨 Share the show with a friend.  ✍️ Leave a review to help others find us.    Thanks for your support!         🗓️ BOOK A 15 FREE DISCOVERY CALL:    ⭐https://calendly.com/estelleatbeee/15-minute-discovery-call      🧠ESTELLE READ’S COACHING PROGRAMMES:  ⬆️⁠The Optimised Leader Programme: NEXT LEVEL⁠:   https://estelleread.com/next-level-leadership-programme/      🎇⁠The Resilient Leader Programme: SHINE⁠:   https://estelleread.com/the-shine-coaching-programme/          📓BUY ESTELLE READ’S BESTSELLING BOOK:  ⁠Inner Brilliance · Outer Shine: 10 Antidotes to Imposter Syndrome, Workaholism and Stress: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Inner-Brilliance-Outer-Shine-Workaholism/dp/1789048036/  ⁠        🎧LISTEN OR WATCH ON ALTERNATIVE PLATFORMS📺  ⭐Listen on your favourite podcast platform here: https://pod.link/1515648162    ⭐Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EstelleRead/podcasts      ⚠️ DICLAIMER   This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. Please consult a qualified professional for specific advice. Don’t suffer alone ❤️.

In this episode of Optimising Leader Brilliance, leadership coach Estelle Read explores the “Chronic Harmonizer” leadership saboteur—a pattern where leaders avoid difficult conversations to keep the peace, often at great cost to their teams and businesses. Learn how this tendency to avoid conflict stems from deep emotional triggers and childhood survival mechanisms, and discover the neuroscience-backed technique that enables leaders to break free from this self-sabotage. With real-world examples and actionable strategies, Estelle guides you through reclaiming accountability, setting boundaries, and leading with clarity and confidence. What You Will Learn: 💡 Why avoiding difficult conversations stalls business growth and damages team accountability—and how to recognize this pattern in yourself 💡 The neuroscience behind breaking deep-seated conflict avoidance habits and why traditional willpower isn’t enough 💡 Three practical strategies—like the “24-hour feedback rule” and reframing conflict as clarity—to build your boundary muscles and foster a culture of accountability  Here’s to your leadership development and personal growth!  Estelle Read    Bestselling Author, Leadership Coach & Speaker  Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction (01:37) Meet Your Host, Estelle Read (02:02) Welcome to the Saboteurs Miniseries (03:05) Let's Get Started (03:12) Saboteur #6: The Chronic Harmonizer (03:45) The George McFly Story Continues (04:03) Take the Free Saboteur Scorecard (04:30) Defining the Chronic Harmonizer Pattern (05:54) The Impact on Leadership & Teams (06:45) Real Client Example: The £1M Conversation (07:16) Root Cause: Childhood Origins (08:21) The Science of Behavior Change (13:28) Client Breakthrough with Havening (14:48) Coming Up: Practical Strategies (16:27) Strategy #1: The 24-Hour Feedback Rule (17:21) Next Episode: The Overachiever 📱FOLLOW OR CONTACT:  ⭐Estelle Read: https://linktr.ee/EstelleAtBeee or @EstelleReadCoach 🔧 ACCESS FREE RESOURCES & TOOLS:  ⭐Want a summary of today’s learnings?  Subscribe to Estelle Read’s blog, The Brilliant Leader’s Notebook, to get the key takeaways from every single episode: https://mailchi.mp/a0cfa5a8a10c/8chmrywh3r  Plus, you'll get a free bonus 🎁: The Inner Brilliance · Outer Shine Workbook: 10 Antidotes to Imposter Syndrome, Workaholism & Stress.  Click here to subscribe and download: https://mailchi.mp/a0cfa5a8a10c/8chmrywh3r  ⭐Find Out Which of the 7 Leadership Saboteurs is Holding You Back by Completing the Scorecard: https://estelle-read.scoreapp.com/  ⭐Download Estelle’s Free Journal & Self-Coaching Tool:  https://mailchi.mp/dab4b2568b71/free-inner-brilliance-outer-shine-journal    ⭐Access Other Free Resources:  ⁠https://estelleread.com/resources/⁠   ❤️ CAN YOU HELP?  We bring this show to you for free. You can help us keep growing and going by taking 30 seconds to:  🔔 Subscribe or follow so you never miss an episode.  📨 Share the show with a friend.  ✍️ Leave a review to help others find us.  Thanks for your support!   🗓️ BOOK A 15 FREE DISCOVERY CALL:  ⭐https://calendly.com/estelleatbeee/15-minute-discovery-call    🧠ESTELLE READ’S COACHING PROGRAMMES:  ⬆️⁠The Optimised Leader Programme: NEXT LEVEL⁠:   https://estelleread.com/next-level-leadership-programme/    🎇⁠The Resilient Leader Programme: SHINE⁠:   https://estelleread.com/the-shine-coaching-programme/     📓BUY ESTELLE READ’S BESTSELLING BOOK:  ⁠Inner Brilliance · Outer Shine: 10 Antidotes to Imposter Syndrome, Workaholism and Stress: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Inner-Brilliance-Outer-Shine-Workaholism/dp/1789048036/  ⁠      🎧LISTEN OR WATCH ON ALTERNATIVE PLATFORMS📺  ⭐Listen on your favourite podcast platform here: https://pod.link/1515648162    ⭐Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EstelleRead/podcasts   ⚠️ DICLAIMER  This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. Please consult a qualified professional for specific advice. Don’t suffer alone ❤️.

In this episode of Optimising Leader Brilliance, leadership coach Estelle Read unveils the hidden leadership saboteur known as the "Strategic Procrastinator." Discover why many leaders get trapped in chaotic busywork as a way to delay critical, high-stakes decisions. Learn how underlying fears and old survival patterns block bold action and stunt your business growth. Drawing on over two decades of coaching experience and breakthrough neuroscience techniques like Havening, Estelle shares powerful insights and practical strategies to break free from procrastination, unlock your true potential, and lead with renewed confidence and focus.    What You Will Learn: 💡 How the Strategic Procrastinator hides behind busywork to avoid costly but necessary decisions—and how this limits your leadership growth 💡 The neuroscience behind self-sabotage and why traditional willpower often fails to overcome entrenched procrastination habits 💡 Three actionable strategies—including “eat the frog first” and microstepping—to build momentum and create lasting behavior change    Here’s to your leadership development and personal growth!    Estelle Read    Bestselling Author, Leadership Coach & Speaker    Timestamps:  (00:00) Introduction  (01:59) Welcome to the Saboteurs Series  (03:08) The Strategic Procrastinator  (03:55) Saboteur Scorecard  (05:57) The Impact  (06:50) The Root Cause  (08:24) The Science of Habit Change  (13:32) Case Study: Sales Procrastination  (14:03) Next Steps & Options  (15:15) Three Strategies to Overcome It  (16:34) Outro   📱FOLLOW OR CONTACT:  ⭐Estelle Read: https://linktr.ee/EstelleAtBeee or @EstelleReadCoach    🔧 ACCESS FREE RESOURCES & TOOLS:  ⭐Want a summary of today’s learnings?  Subscribe to Estelle Read’s blog, The Brilliant Leader’s Notebook, to get the key takeaways from every single episode: https://mailchi.mp/a0cfa5a8a10c/8chmrywh3r  Plus, you'll get a free bonus 🎁: The Inner Brilliance · Outer Shine Workbook: 10 Antidotes to Imposter Syndrome, Workaholism & Stress.  Click here to subscribe and download: https://mailchi.mp/a0cfa5a8a10c/8chmrywh3r    ⭐Find Out Which of the 7 Leadership Saboteurs is Holding You Back by Completing the Scorecard:  https://estelle-read.scoreapp.com/     ⭐Download Estelle’s Free Journal & Self-Coaching Tool:  https://mailchi.mp/dab4b2568b71/free-inner-brilliance-outer-shine-journal     ⭐Access Other Free Resources:  ⁠https://estelleread.com/resources/⁠     ❤️ CAN YOU HELP?  We bring this show to you for free. You can help us keep growing and going by taking 30 seconds to:  🔔 Subscribe or follow so you never miss an episode.  📨 Share the show with a friend.  ✍️ Leave a review to help others find us.    Thanks for your support!     🗓️ BOOK A 15 FREE DISCOVERY CALL:    ⭐https://calendly.com/estelleatbeee/15-minute-discovery-call    🧠ESTELLE READ’S COACHING PROGRAMMES:  ⬆️⁠The Optimised Leader Programme: NEXT LEVEL⁠:   https://estelleread.com/next-level-leadership-programme/      🎇⁠The Resilient Leader Programme: SHINE⁠:   https://estelleread.com/the-shine-coaching-programme/       📓BUY ESTELLE READ’S BESTSELLING BOOK:  ⁠Inner Brilliance · Outer Shine: 10 Antidotes to Imposter Syndrome, Workaholism and Stress: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Inner-Brilliance-Outer-Shine-Workaholism/dp/1789048036/  ⁠    🎧LISTEN OR WATCH ON ALTERNATIVE PLATFORMS📺  ⭐Listen on your favourite podcast platform here: https://pod.link/1515648162    ⭐Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EstelleRead/podcasts     ⚠️ DICLAIMER   This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. Please consult a qualified professional for specific advice. Don’t suffer alone ❤️.

Do you live in a permanent state of frantic panic — forever putting out fires, running on adrenaline, and never quite reaching the strategic work that would actually move your leadership forward? If busyness has become your badge of honour, you may be trapped in the "Constant Firefighter" saboteur.In this episode of Optimising Leader Brilliance, leadership coach and bestselling author Estelle Read unpacks the second most common leadership saboteur — a reactive pattern that affects 18% of leaders and quietly places a false ceiling over your true potential. You'll discover how a chaotic childhood often wires this hypervigilant, crisis-addicted behaviour, why willpower alone rarely breaks the loop, and how a neuroscience-based approach (Havening) can reset the autopilot itself — so calm, confident, strategic leadership becomes automatic rather than aspirational.    What You Will Learn  💡 Why you keep treating everyday tasks as emergencies — and the hidden root cause that keeps you stuck in "frantic panic" mode  💡 How the Constant Firefighter quietly damages your team, blocks your business from scaling, and drives you toward burnout  💡 Three practical tools to break the cycle fast — the Eisenhower Matrix, a daily 60-minute "strategic firewall," and the power of de-escalating your language — plus how Havening clears the pattern at a neurological level  Here’s to your leadership development and personal growth!    Estelle Read    Bestselling Author, Leadership Coach & Speaker    Here’s to your leadership development and personal growth!    Estelle Read    Bestselling Author, Leadership Coach & Speaker    Timestamps:  (00:00) Introduction   (02:41) The Constant Firefighter Explained   (09:17) The Science of Behaviour Change   (14:25) Case Study: Breaking the Firefighting Cycle   (15:32) Next Steps & Free Resources     📱FOLLOW OR CONTACT:  ⭐Estelle Read: https://linktr.ee/EstelleAtBeee or @EstelleReadCoach    🔧 ACCESS FREE RESOURCES & TOOLS:  ⭐Want a summary of today’s learnings?  Subscribe to Estelle Read’s blog, The Brilliant Leader’s Notebook, to get the key takeaways from every single episode: https://mailchi.mp/a0cfa5a8a10c/8chmrywh3r  Plus, you'll get a free bonus 🎁: The Inner Brilliance · Outer Shine Workbook: 10 Antidotes to Imposter Syndrome, Workaholism & Stress.  Click here to subscribe and download: https://mailchi.mp/a0cfa5a8a10c/8chmrywh3r    ⭐Find Out Which of the 7 Leadership Saboteurs is Holding You Back by Completing the Scorecard:  https://estelle-read.scoreapp.com/     ⭐Download Estelle’s Free Journal & Self-Coaching Tool:  https://mailchi.mp/dab4b2568b71/free-inner-brilliance-outer-shine-journal        ⭐Access Other Free Resources:  ⁠https://estelleread.com/resources/⁠      ❤️ CAN YOU HELP? We bring this show to you for free. You can help us keep growing and going by taking 30 seconds to: 🔔 Subscribe or follow so you never miss an episode. 📨 Share the show with a friend. ✍️ Leave a review to help others find us. Thanks for your support!   🗓️ BOOK A 15 FREE DISCOVERY CALL:  ⭐https://calendly.com/estelleatbeee/15-minute-discovery-call    🧠ESTELLE READ’S COACHING PROGRAMMES:  ⬆️⁠The Optimised Leader Programme: NEXT LEVEL⁠:   https://estelleread.com/next-level-leadership-programme/    🎇⁠The Resilient Leader Programme: SHINE⁠:   https://estelleread.com/the-shine-coaching-programme/     📓BUY ESTELLE READ’S BESTSELLING BOOK:  ⁠Inner Brilliance · Outer Shine: 10 Antidotes to Imposter Syndrome, Workaholism and Stress: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Inner-Brilliance-Outer-Shine-Workaholism/dp/1789048036/  ⁠  🎧LISTEN OR WATCH ON ALTERNATIVE PLATFORMS📺  ⭐Listen on your favourite podcast platform here: https://pod.link/1515648162    ⭐Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EstelleRead/podcasts   ⚠️ DICLAIMER   This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. Please consult a qualified professional for specific advice. Don’t suffer alone ❤️.

Do you hold yourself back from big opportunities even when the evidence says you're more than capable? If you've ever felt like a fraud waiting to be found out, you're not alone — 34% of leaders report this "doubting imposter" as their number one barrier, and it's quietly keeping careers, businesses, and incomes stuck below their true potential.  In this episode of Optimising Leader Brilliance, bestselling author and leadership coach Estelle Read unpacks the third of the Seven Leadership Saboteurs: the doubting imposter. You'll discover where this relentless self-doubt really comes from, why willpower alone never seems to fix it, and the neuroscience-based technique that clears the pattern at the root — so calm, confident, strategic leadership finally stops feeling like something you have to force.  What You Will Learn  💡 Why the doubting imposter keeps you passing up promotions, big clients, and projects you've already earned — and the hidden childhood patterns that created it.  💡 The neuroscience-based "Havening" technique that resets your nervous system and clears self-doubt at the neurological level, delivering faster, lasting change than traditional methods alone.  💡 Three practical strategies you can start today — a fact-based win log, accepting praise with a simple "thank you," and separating the stories in your head from the facts — to retrain your brain and break through your performance ceiling.    Timestamps:  00:00) Introduction  (02:45) The Doubting Imposter  (04:53) How This Pattern Shows Up in Others  (06:03) The Impact: Building a False Ceiling  (06:54) The Root Cause  (08:19) The Science of Behavior Change  (09:57) The Autopilot Challenge  (11:11) Havening: Modifying Your Autopilot  (13:27) Client Case Study  (14:31) Next Steps & Working With Estelle    📱FOLLOW OR CONTACT:  ⭐Estelle Read: https://linktr.ee/EstelleAtBeee or @EstelleReadCoach    🔧 ACCESS FREE RESOURCES & TOOLS:  ⭐Want a summary of today’s learnings?  Subscribe to Estelle Read’s blog, The Brilliant Leader’s Notebook, to get the key takeaways from every single episode: https://mailchi.mp/a0cfa5a8a10c/8chmrywh3r  Plus, you'll get a free bonus 🎁: The Inner Brilliance · Outer Shine Workbook: 10 Antidotes to Imposter Syndrome, Workaholism & Stress.  Click here to subscribe and download: https://mailchi.mp/a0cfa5a8a10c/8chmrywh3r    ⭐Find Out Which of the 7 Leadership Saboteurs is Holding You Back by Completing the Scorecard:  https://estelle-read.scoreapp.com/     ⭐Download Estelle’s Free Journal & Self-Coaching Tool:  https://mailchi.mp/dab4b2568b71/free-inner-brilliance-outer-shine-journal        ⭐Access Other Free Resources:  ⁠https://estelleread.com/resources/⁠         ❤️ CAN YOU HELP?  We bring this show to you for free. You can help us keep growing and going by taking 30 seconds to:  🔔 Subscribe or follow so you never miss an episode.  📨 Share the show with a friend.  ✍️ Leave a review to help others find us.    Thanks for your support!    🗓️ BOOK A 15 FREE DISCOVERY CALL:    ⭐https://calendly.com/estelleatbeee/15-minute-discovery-call    🧠ESTELLE READ’S COACHING PROGRAMMES: ⬆️⁠The Optimised Leader Programme: NEXT LEVEL⁠:   https://estelleread.com/next-level-leadership-programme/      🎇⁠The Resilient Leader Programme: SHINE⁠:   https://estelleread.com/the-shine-coaching-programme/     📓BUY ESTELLE READ’S BESTSELLING BOOK:  ⁠Inner Brilliance · Outer Shine: 10 Antidotes to Imposter Syndrome, Workaholism and Stress: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Inner-Brilliance-Outer-Shine-Workaholism/dp/1789048036/  ⁠  🎧LISTEN OR WATCH ON ALTERNATIVE PLATFORMS📺  ⭐Listen on your favourite podcast platform here: https://pod.link/1515648162    ⭐Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EstelleRead/podcasts      ⚠️ DICLAIMER   This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. Please consult a qualified professional for specific advice. Don’t suffer alone ❤️.

In this episode of Optimising Leader Brilliance, coach and bestselling author Estelle Read unpacks the Relentless Perfectionist — the leadership saboteur that currently affects 4% of leaders and quietly sits in fifth place on the saboteur charts. If you recognise that endless urge to tweak, refine, and chase flawless work, this one's for you. Estelle reveals why impossibly high standards actually create a false ceiling over your true potential, how perfectionism slows execution and stunts team growth, and why the root cause often traces back to childhood environments where praise was conditional on being flawless. She then introduces a neuroscience-based technique called Havening that resets the nervous system and de-links the emotional triggers behind the behaviour — plus three practical, no-willpower strategies you can apply today.   What You Will Learn:  💡 Why the Relentless Perfectionist sabotages exactly the thing it promises — high performance — and how it builds a false ceiling over your leadership potential.  💡 How this saboteur quietly causes overwork, team friction, and a risk-averse culture where innovation dies and growth stalls.  💡 Three practical antidotes — the "good enough" benchmark, the 15-minute time-box, and celebrating lessons from errors — plus how the neuroscience-based Havening technique clears the root cause without relying on willpower.  Here’s to your leadership development and personal growth!    Estelle Read    Bestselling Author, Leadership Coach & Speaker    Timestamps:  (00:00) Introduction  (02:46) The Relentless Perfectionist Explained  (04:05) The Impact of Perfectionism  (06:59) Root Cause: Where This Pattern Comes From  (08:39) The Science of Behavior Change  (13:47) A Client's Transformation  (15:55) Next Steps & Free Resources    📱FOLLOW OR CONTACT:  ⭐Estelle Read: https://linktr.ee/EstelleAtBeee or @EstelleReadCoach    🔧 ACCESS FREE RESOURCES & TOOLS:  ⭐Want a summary of today’s learnings?  Subscribe to Estelle Read’s blog, The Brilliant Leader’s Notebook, to get the key takeaways from every single episode: https://mailchi.mp/a0cfa5a8a10c/8chmrywh3r  Plus, you'll get a free bonus 🎁: The Inner Brilliance · Outer Shine Workbook: 10 Antidotes to Imposter Syndrome, Workaholism & Stress.  Click here to subscribe and download: https://mailchi.mp/a0cfa5a8a10c/8chmrywh3r    ⭐Find Out Which of the 7 Leadership Saboteurs is Holding You Back by Completing the Scorecard:  https://estelle-read.scoreapp.com/     ⭐Download Estelle’s Free Journal & Self-Coaching Tool:  https://mailchi.mp/dab4b2568b71/free-inner-brilliance-outer-shine-journal        ⭐Access Other Free Resources:  ⁠https://estelleread.com/resources/⁠         ❤️ CAN YOU HELP?  We bring this show to you for free. You can help us keep growing and going by taking 30 seconds to:  🔔 Subscribe or follow so you never miss an episode.  📨 Share the show with a friend.  ✍️ Leave a review to help others find us.    Thanks for your support!     🗓️ BOOK A 15 FREE DISCOVERY CALL:  ⭐https://calendly.com/estelleatbeee/15-minute-discovery-call    🧠ESTELLE READ’S COACHING PROGRAMMES:  ⬆️⁠The Optimised Leader Programme: NEXT LEVEL⁠:   https://estelleread.com/next-level-leadership-programme/      🎇⁠The Resilient Leader Programme: SHINE⁠:   https://estelleread.com/the-shine-coaching-programme/       📓BUY ESTELLE READ’S BESTSELLING BOOK:  ⁠Inner Brilliance · Outer Shine: 10 Antidotes to Imposter Syndrome, Workaholism and Stress: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Inner-Brilliance-Outer-Shine-Workaholism/dp/1789048036/  ⁠      🎧LISTEN OR WATCH ON ALTERNATIVE PLATFORMS📺  ⭐Listen on your favourite podcast platform here: https://pod.link/1515648162    ⭐Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EstelleRead/podcasts        ⚠️ DICLAIMER   This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. Please consult a qualified professional for specific advice. Don’t suffer alone ❤️.