#16 | From Scraped GCSEs to CEO and the Leadership Lessons Every Ambitious Woman Needs to Hear.

In this conversation, Paul Dawson reflects on his early career experiences, the challenges faced in management, and the importance of mentorship and continuous learning. He discusses overcoming prejudice, navigating stress, and the significance of organisational culture. KEY TAKEAWAYSDespite being average in GCSEs it didn't stop Paul from carving out an incredible careerApprenticeship led to an unexpected career path.No regrets about career decisions made.Importance of mentorship and learning from others.Facing prejudice in early management roles.Mental health challenges due to work stress.Embracing discomfort leads to growth.Connect with Caroline hereConnect with Paul hereAgena Group websiteCALL TO ACTIONIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us on your favourite podcast platform. Share it with anyone who might benefit from Paul's story and insights. Remember, even the smallest move can lead to big career changes.New episodes are released every Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings.Stuck, simmering, or onto something juicy? I want to hear it. Drop me a line at [email protected] - I read them all.And here is the Spotify Playlist to accompany UnShakeable Her.Unshakeable Her is the podcast for women in leadership who are ready to build real influence, earn the promotion they deserve, and lead with confidence in systems that weren't built for them. Each episode tackles the challenges that shape leadership from the inside out, including imposter syndrome, resilience, credibility, boundaries, conflict, and feedback, while unpacking how pressure, workplace politics, strategic thinking, decision-making, and visibility affect the way ambitious women grow, lead, and get promoted without losing themselves in the process.