Smash Your Own Ceiling

Welcome to part 6 of the Confident Leaders Series, and in this episode Barbara Nixon is talking all about the 5 common blocks that hold leaders back.Barbara talks about: - The 5 common blocks that hold leaders back - Raising your self awareness so you can start to make changes - How to stop the block in action - And how to do something different to get a different resultBARBARA'S LESSON DELIVERED STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX EVERY FRIDAYJoin a growing community of Business Leaders unlocking their leadership potential. Subscribe by taking the Confident Leaders Scorecard and get your free report with practical tips to get you started.  and a weekly lesson every Friday in your inbox. ⁠⁠⁠www.barbaranixon.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠JOIN ELEVATE⁠⁠⁠ - a one day deep dive coaching event for Founders and Senior Leaders who are stuck in the weeds or struggling with self doubt. ⁠⁠⁠www.barbaranixon.co.uk/work-with-barbara/elevate

Welcome to part 4 of the Confident Leaders Series, and in this episode Barbara Nixon is talking all about where not saying yes or no is holding you back.Barbara talks about: - What are you not saying yes to - What is stopping you from saying yes - Excuses vs reasons - How to say no - The reasons you say yes when you want to say no - The importance of listening to yourself, and what you actually wantBARBARA'S LESSON DELIVERED STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX EVERY FRIDAYJoin a growing community of Business Leaders unlocking their leadership potential. Subscribe by taking the Confident Leaders Scorecard and get your free report with practical tips to get you started.  and a weekly lesson every Friday in your inbox. ⁠⁠www.barbaranixon.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠JOIN ELEVATE⁠⁠ - a one day deep dive coaching event for Founders and Senior Leaders who are stuck in the weeds or struggling with self doubt. ⁠⁠www.barbaranixon.co.uk/work-with-barbara/elevate

Welcome to part 3 of the Confident Leaders Series, and in this episode Barbara Nixon is talking all about work / life balance.Barbara talks about: - How to create your own definition of work / life balance - What balance looks like for you - How to get it back on track - What you can do to achieve balance - And how to switch off when you need toBARBARA'S LESSON DELIVERED STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX EVERY FRIDAYJoin a growing community of Business Leaders unlocking their leadership potential. Subscribe by taking the Confident Leaders Scorecard and get your free report with practical tips to get you started.  and a weekly lesson every Friday in your inbox. ⁠www.barbaranixon.co.uk⁠⁠JOIN ELEVATE⁠ - a one day deep dive coaching event for Founders and Senior Leaders who are stuck in the weeds or struggling with self doubt. ⁠www.barbaranixon.co.uk/work-with-barbara/elevate

Welcome to episode THREE in the Confident Leaders Series - Mini Mindset MasterclassIn this episode Barbara shares her tips on mindset, how to reframe your thoughts, and grow your confidence so you start to feel like the leader you are.BARBARA'S LESSON DELIVERED STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX EVERY FRIDAYJoin a growing community of Business Leaders unlocking their leadership potential. Subscribe by taking the Confident Leaders Scorecard and get your free report with practical tips to get you started.  and a weekly lesson every Friday in your inbox. www.barbaranixon.co.ukJOIN ELEVATE - a one day deep dive coaching event for Founders and Senior Leaders who are stuck in the weeds or struggling with self doubt. www.barbaranixon.co.uk/work-with-barbara/elevate

Welcome to episode TWO in the Confident Leaders Series - Lead Your TimeIn this episode Barbara shares her tips on the the mindset behind managing your time intentionally, and how to regain focus, so you're always working on the things that really matter.BARBARA'S LESSON DELIVERED STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX EVERY FRIDAYJoin a growing community of Business Leaders unlocking their leadership potential. Subscribe by taking the Confident Leaders Scorecard and get your free report with practical tips to get you started. ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://barbara-dn4exwq0.scoreapp.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ and a weekly lesson every Friday in your inbox.JOIN ELEVATE - a one day deep dive coaching event for Founders and Senior Leaders who are stuck in the weeds or struggling with self doubt. ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.barbaranixon.co.uk/work-with-barbara/elevate/

Welcome to episode ONE in the Confident Leaders Series - Lead Yourself FirstIn this episode Barbara shares her tips on the importance of self leadership and how to get started, the questions to ask yourself, and how this will impact your life and the people around you.BARBARA'S LESSON DELIVERED STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX EVERY FRIDAYJoin a growing community of Business Leaders unlocking their leadership potential. Subscribe by taking the Confident Leaders Scorecard and get your free report with practical tips to get you started. ⁠⁠⁠https://barbara-dn4exwq0.scoreapp.com/⁠⁠⁠ and a weekly lesson every Friday in your inbox.JOIN ELEVATE - a one day deep dive coaching event for Founders and Senior Leaders who are stuck in the weeds or struggling with self doubt. ⁠⁠⁠https://www.barbaranixon.co.uk/work-with-barbara/elevate/

Have you ever stopped to think about what you are actually thinking? In this episode of Smash Your Own Ceiling, host Barbara Nixon sits down with coach, NLP Master Trainer, and co-director of the Academy of High Achievers, Julie French.Together, they dive deep into the invisible "mind games" we all play with ourselves, exploring the quiet background beliefs that dictate our daily successes and frustrations. Julie introduces her signature framework, "The House of Mind Games," pulling back the curtain on how repeated thoughts build literal physical pathways in our brains, how we accidentally let unwritten rules trap us, and how we can gently reclaim our true selves.In This Episode, We Discuss:The "Lift Music" of the Mind: How to identify the quiet, humming background beliefs that keep us stuck in place.The House of Mind Games: Unpacking the silent gap between what we think is happening in our minds and reality.Unwritten Rules: How we hold ourselves (and others) hostage to silent standards we made up in our own heads.Neurons that Fire and Wire Together: The physical reality of how repetitive, negative patterns become automatic brain pathways.The Story of the "Paper Cut": Why minor triggers can suddenly cause major emotional pain when they land on old "seedbeds" of belief.Reconstruction of Memory: Why our recollections can be incredibly flimsy, and why that’s actually a great opportunity to rewrite our personal narratives.The book that was mentioned was: Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins (please note this is an affiliate link)To find out more about Julie:LinkedIn: Connect with Julie directly on Julie's LinkedIn Profile to watch her daily mindset video series!Main Website (Aha Success): Learn more about the Academy of High Achievers' coaching, NLP, and belief-change programs at aha-success.co.uk.If you enjoy this episode please do share to someone in your network who you think would benefit.Speak soonBarbara NixonBARBARA'S LESSON DELIVERED STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX EVERY FRIDAYJoin a growing community of Business Leaders unlocking their leadership potential. Subscribe by taking the Confident Leaders Scorecard and get your free report with practical tips to get you started. ⁠⁠https://barbara-dn4exwq0.scoreapp.com/⁠⁠ and a weekly lesson every Friday in your inbox.JOIN ELEVATE - a one day deep dive coaching event for Founders and Senior Leaders who are stuck in the weeds or struggling with self doubt. ⁠⁠https://www.barbaranixon.co.uk/work-with-barbara/elevate/

In this episode of the Smash Your Own Ceiling Podcast, Barbara Nixon chats with the fabulous author, speaker, and self-publishing consultant, Debra Murphy.Debra shares her jaw-dropping journey of resilience, starting from a hospital bed in 2012 where under the influence of heavy pain medication, she made two completely random promises to herself.Have a listen to hear this deeply moving, goosebump-inducing story of intuition, love, the incredible intelligence of a dog named Beatrix, and how "smashing your own ceiling" is sometimes just about taking that very first step.🔗 Links & Resources mentionedDeborah’s Website: mothermurphys.co.ukConnect with Deborah on Instagram: @mother_murphysHope you love this as much as I didBarbara NixonBARBARA'S LESSON DELIVERED STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX EVERY FRIDAYJoin a growing community of Business Leaders unlocking their leadership potential. Subscribe by taking the Confident Leaders Scorecard and get your free report with practical tips to get you started. ⁠https://barbara-dn4exwq0.scoreapp.com/⁠ and a weekly lesson every Friday in your inbox.JOIN ELEVATE - a one day deep dive coaching event for Founders and Senior Leaders who are stuck in the weeds or struggling with self doubt. ⁠https://www.barbaranixon.co.uk/work-with-barbara/elevate/

In this episode of the Smash Your Own Ceiling Podcast, Barbara Nixon sits down with dementia expert Grace Steed, founder of Enrichment for the Elderly.Grace shares her deeply personal journey into the world of dementia, sparked by her own grandmothers' diagnoses, and how it transformed her career from theater workshops to delivering top-tier dementia training. Together, Barbara and Grace explore the powerful role of play and curiosity in adulthood, and tackle a critical, often hidden issue in modern business: the silent struggle of employees who are juggling work with caring for loved ones with dementia.Whether you are a business owner, a leader, or someone navigating the complex world of caregiving, this episode offers invaluable insights into creating psychologically safe workplace cultures that support the people who keep our businesses running.The Power of Play for Adults: Why we shy away from play as we age, and how stepping out of our routine "adult brains" can unlock creative problem-solving and relieve stress.The "Carer’s Juggle": Understanding the profound emotional, mental, and logistical toll of managing a career while coordinating care for a family member with dementia.The Disclosure Barrier: Why so many employees hide their caregiving responsibilities out of fear of career stagnation or negative perception, and how this leads to burnout and quiet quitting.Actionable Support for Business Leaders: How to shift your workplace culture from one of "forced perfection" to genuine psychological safety, starting with leader vulnerability.Click here to find out more about GraceHope you find this usefulBarbara NixonBARBARA'S LESSON DELIVERED STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX EVERY FRIDAYJoin a growing community of Business Leaders unlocking their leadership potential. Subscribe by taking the Confident Leaders Scorecard and get your free report with practical tips to get you started. https://barbara-dn4exwq0.scoreapp.com/ and a weekly lesson every Friday in your inbox.JOIN ELEVATE - a one day deep dive coaching event for Founders and Senior Leaders who are stuck in the weeds or struggling with self doubt. https://www.barbaranixon.co.uk/work-with-barbara/elevate/

What happens when all of a sudden life serves you lemons, and all of your plans go out of the window?This is what happened to my guest Rhona Morrison when her husband sadly passed away on the day of her retirement, and everything that she thought she'd be doing suddenly changed.In this episode Rhona shares her story of how she went from crime scenes as a Forensic Psychiatrist to a speaker on cruise ships and all the things in between. We talk about:Why understanding herself as an extrovert, someone who recharges through people and activity, shaped how she chose to grieveHow a single unplanned sentence in a meeting with a publisher ("imagine if I could be a cruise line speaker") turned her memoir into a business book, and opened the door to an entirely new careerThe dinner-table conversation on an Antarctic expedition cruise that led, three weeks later, to her first booking as a cruise line speakerWriting and delivering five bespoke 45-minute lectures from scratch, with almost no notice, on her first paid cruise ship bookingThe layered imposter syndrome of becoming an author, artist, and speaker with no formal training in any of them and how she talked herself through itWhy she stopped comparing herself to colleagues who could "quote chapter and verse," and instead identified her own strengths (building trust and taking a thorough history)Her advice for spotting your own strengths: observing others, borrowing the "nuggets" that fit, and building your own version rather than copying someone else'sWhy storytelling, not bullet points, is what makes her lectures land, and how it also protects her from the fear of "being caught out"The moment a former patient, now years into recovery, turned up at one of her public talksLife doesn't always go as you planned, but giving yourself permission to do things differently, and be open to different opportunities can often be the path to something amazing.Click here to find out more about Rhona Morrison To get a copy of Rhona's book* I don't talk to dead bodies https://amzn.to/3STyRmuPlease note this is an affiliate link.EnjoyBarbara NixonBARBARA'S LESSON DELIVERED STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX EVERY FRIDAYJoin a growing community of Business Leaders unlocking their leadership potential. Subscribe by taking the Confident Leaders Scorecard and get your free report with practical tips to get you started. https://barbara-dn4exwq0.scoreapp.com and a weekly lesson every Friday in your inbox.JOIN ELEVATE - A one day deep dive coaching event for Founders and Senior Leaders who are stuck in the weeds or struggling with self doubt. https://www.barbaranixon.co.uk/work-with-barbara/elevate/

Welcome to this weeks episode where I chat to Dahlia Stroud. - How to make the perfect team - Where teams fall down - How to manage micro cultures in teams - The importance of good positioning - And why knowing the WHY is so powerfulFor more info on Dahlia click here.For more information on ELEVATE - and one day group coaching day for Founders and Senior Leaders click here

Today I'm talking to Author of the book Rewilding the Corporate Mind, Thom Dennis and we talk about: - How to find your purpose - How to learn from nature to improve how we work and live - The importance of living systems in your business - How to stop working in silos - How to make your business more efficient - How to lead differently - The importance of responsibility*The book we talked about The Wisdom of BeesTo learn more about Thom click here*To buy a copy of the book The Rewilding the Corporate Mind click hereThe podcast episode with Helen Neave is 077To learn more about how to elevate as a leader visit barbaranixon.co.uk and complete the Confident Leaders Scorecard*(Please note these are affiliate links)

Have you ever compared yourself to others, and as a result found yourself playing small?If so, this is the episode for you as I share some tips on how to kick comparisonitis to the kerb. For more info on how to remove the blocks and elevate as a leader visit www.barbaranixon.co.uk and complete the Confident Leaders Scorecard.

This is a fantastic conversation with the amazing Stuart Powell all about how to re-think the stories we tell ourselves to become limitless.We talk about: - Why Stuart hates boxes - The importance of identities - Leaning into discomfort so we can grow - How things are now designed for comfort - How to start stretching our comfort zone - The power of self reflective practices - Being aware of our patterns that need breaking - What your discomfort symptoms are (and why it's good to know)*The book we talked about today - Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway by Susan Jeffers - ⁠Click here⁠To learn more about Stuart click hereTo find out more about Barbara Nixon and Smash Your Own Ceiling click hereTo complete the Confident Leaders Scorecard click here* Please note this is an affiliate link

In this episode I talk to James Perryman all about what we both learnt from going through burnout.We cover: Our burnout storiesThe micro decisions we make throughout the dayDecision FatigueBeing able to say noAnd making the changes you need.To find out more about James visit:LinkedinWebsiteAnd visit Barbara Nixon for more info and to complete the Confident Leaders Score-cardThe book mentioned was Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway by Susan Jeffers**(Please note that this is an affiliate link)

This week I'm answering the question - why do I feel like an imposter in a role I've clearly earned?And I have to say this is really common, so please know this isn't because you're not capable, but because you're human.So, in this episode I'm be sharing: Why this is happeningWhat's happening behind the scenesHow to change your thinking in the momentHow to acclimatise to your role so you feel like the leader you arePractical tips that you can do every day.Don't forget to hit the subscribe button, and if you like what you heard visit www.barbaranixon.co.uk and fill out the confident leaders scorecard.

A success habit this week, all about Ken Blanchard quote...'catch people doing things right' and how that's evolved for me over the years.This is strength spotting in action (from a positive psychology perspective) and when you start to practice this skill for yourself and others it can be a real game changer.If you enjoyed this episode hit the subscribe button and if you're a leader - go and have a go at the confident leaders score-card or visit barbaranixon.co.uk for more.

Have you ever wanted to keep work and home separate, or struggle to build trust at work?In today's Success Habit Barbara Nixon is talking about Steven Covey's Emotional Bank Account and how you can use this to build trust and grow strong relationships at work.Get your copy of the 7 habits of highly effective people by Steven Covey here**(Please note I get compensated for any book purchases bought through this link)And to take the Confident Leaders Scorecard click here

Welcome to this weeks episode of the Smash Your Own Ceiling podcast.This week I'm sharing a chat that I had with Chris Wilson. You can find out about Chris here.We talked about how doing endurance challenges really helped him with resilience and mindsetWe talked about systems and how to move away from winging it in order to get the result we really wantAnd how to use story telling authentically to enhance your message.To find out more about what we do at Smash Your Own Ceiling click here

How do we get to switch off without someone needing us, or without us dragging ourselves back into the weeds?If this is something that you need to learn this is the episode for you.For more information visit: barbaranixon.co.uk

Trigger Warning - At around the 6 / 7 minute mark, ourconversation moves into a personal account of a mental health crisis and brief suicidal thoughts. I stronglybelieve these stories are important to share and seriously there’s so much value in this episode but please listen with care.In this conversation with the amazing Stephen J Whitton we cover:Living a life true to yourselfWhat Stephen calls Mission Critical MindsetThe importance of mental health conversationsAnd so much moreTo find out more about Stephen click hereFor more info visit: www.barbaranixon.co.uk

When was the last time you carved out time to just think...in this episode Barbara Nixon talks about the value of thinking time.For more info and to complete the Confident Leaders Scorecard visit Barbaranixon.co.uk

In this episode Barbara shares about a workshop she used to run where people shared about the traits of their good and bad boss, and the importance of how you make people feel.She mentions a book called Mattering by Jennifer Breheny Wallace.To take the confident leaders scorecard click here

Have you every found yourself:Wanting everyone to like you?Fixing everyone's problems?Or feeling nervous to speak up?Then this is for you...and heads up...this episode is very relevant for men too.In this chat with Good Girl Re-programmer herself Michelle Minnikin, we talk about:What good girl programming isWhy on Earth we have itWhy it's for everyoneThe threats of being visibleReal life witch huntsHow to get past our good girl programmingAnd so much other stuffIf you want to find out more about Michelle visit: https://www.michelleminnikin.com/

In this episode, Barbara Nixon introduces one of her most beloved coaching concepts the Pocket of Air. If your brain feels full, your diary is back-to-back, and you can't remember the last time you did something just for you, this one is essential listening.The Pocket of Air is a daily non-negotiable: a small window of time, just for you, that creates the mental headspace leaders need to think clearly, lead well, and not run on empty. It sounds simple. It isn't always easy. But it might be the most important thing you're not doing.What You'll Hear in This Episode:What a Pocket of Air actually is, and what it isn'tThe three rules that make it work (and why binge-watching Netflix doesn't count)Real examples from clients: walks in nature, jigsaws, Lego, relearning instruments, prayer, and moreWhy solitude, enjoyment, and disconnection from work are non-negotiable ingredientsHow creating headspace is the precondition for everything else clearer thinking, better decisions, stronger leadershipThe Three Rules of a Pocket of Air:It must be on your ownIt must have nothing to do with work and passive scrolling or bingeing doesn't count eitherYou have to genuinely enjoy itBarbara's Takeaway:Leadership starts with you. You cannot pour from an empty vessel, and you cannot think clearly from a full brain. The Pocket of Air isn't self-indulgence — it's the foundation.Connect with Barbara:Podcast: Smash Your Own CeilingLinkedIn: Barbara NixonWebsite: barbaranixon.com

In this episode Barbara Nixon chats to pricing expert David Abbott.This is such a fantastic conversation where David and I talk about:How to create time in your day to get new ideasPutting yourself in environments where you can learnHaving a beginners mindsetWhy David chose a Platypus to priceThe question most people ask about pricingWhat information you need to consider when pricing your service / productFiguring out what you're actually selling, and it might not be what you thinkFind David Abbott at www.davidabbottspeaker.com/The doors are now open for the Elevated Leaders Programme. A 16 week live group coaching programme for Directors who: - Are stuck in the weeds and craving more headspace] - Struggling with confidence, self doubt or imposter syndrome - Or ready to elevate and become a high performing leader.For more information visit https://www.barbaranixon.co.uk/work-with-barbara/elevated-leaders/Complete the Confident Leaders Scorecard here

Have you ever found yourself resisting something you really want to do, or avoiding something that is out of your comfort zone?In this episode Barbara shares how getting comfortable with being uncomfortable helps you to stretch outside of your comfort zone, and grow.To take the confident leaders scorecard visit: www.barbaranixon.co.uk

Resilience is something that gets talked about a lot, but how do you keep going when the knock backs keep happening?In this episode with the fantastic Larry Long Jnr we talk about: - How to reframe rejection - How to change the story you keep telling yourself - How to stop listening to your inner critic - How to keep going no matter whatFor more info about Larry visit his linkedin page hereTo find out more about Smashing your own ceiling and to complete the Confident Leaders Scorecard click here

In this fantastic conversation with the lovely Dr Lynda Shaw we talk about: - The importance of healthy debate - How to manage change - How to build trust with people - The things that make us humanAnd the neuroscience behind what drives us.Dr Lynda Shaw is an Applied Neuroscientist, Leadership Psychologist. and Change Strategist and a trustedadvisor to CEOs, senior teams, and fast-rising leaders acrossindustries. With a PhD in behavioural neuroscience andunconscious processing with decades of experience in leadership psychology. She specialises in turning brain science into leadership superpowers. Her mission? To help leaders understand how the conscious and unconscious brain works—so they can lead smarter, communicate better, andunlock potential in themselves and others.To learn more about Lynda click hereTo take the Confident Leaders Scorecard click here

If you're craving momentum, this is for you. In this episode Barbara takes you through step by step how to get the momentum you want, feel productive and really start to get things done to make the progress you want.If you're ready to elevate as a leader visit: www.barbaranixon.co.uk

We've all heard the phrase work smarter and not harder, but how do you do that?This is what I'm diving into with the fabulous Liz Hardwick.Liz is an award-winning Professional Speaker and Tech Entrepreneur, known for delivering practical, high-impact strategies in AI, Digital Productivity, and Time Management. With 25+ years’ experience turning “digital” into real human and business benefit, Liz helps individuals and teams work smarter, focus deeper, and achieve more… without burnout. Her sessions combine proven frameworks (including her own), modern technology tools, and actionable tactics – trusted by global names such as BBC, NHS, GSK, Rolls-Royce, and General Assembly. Whether on stage or in a masterclass, Liz inspires lasting change that elevates performance, clarity, and momentum in today’s fast-paced digital world.We talk about: - How to manage your emails - Different time management hacks - Apps that will maximise your dayThe apps we mentioned:Focus FriendTodoistAsanaTo learn more about Liz click here To complete the Confident Leaders Scorecard click hereTo find out more about how you can Smash Your Own Ceiling click here

Barbara Nixon shares how to step up to the next iteration of you, so you not only achieve your goals, but you elevate!!Go to barbaranixon.co.uk to complete the Confident Leaders Scorecard and start your journey.

Welcome to the Smash Your Own Ceiling podcast.Today I'm delighted to share a great conversation that I had with choir director Maria Mullin.Maria is the choir director and founder of the Great Yorkshire Chorus. Originally from Liverpool, Maria moved to Yorkshire to study music and has never left! She is passionate about making music accessible to all and has worked as a freelance musician for many years.Maria studied music at the University of York, specialising in classical saxophone (in which she holds an LRSM Diploma). This is where her interest in choirs and conducting first began. Over the years Maria has lead many different choirs - community, gospel, office and school singing groups. She’s also taught piano, saxophone, played with various ensembles and lead music in schools.In 2018 Maria set up the Great Yorkshire Chorus to be a wonderful new choir based in Saltaire and has been delighted to see GYC grow and flourish. She’s also recently been writing her first musical, Salt, which is currently in development towards a full production.Maria lives in Shipley with her husband and four children and also enjoys running.In this conversation we talk about: - Creating a great welcoming community - How to juggle a family, a business, and lots of additional projects - The systems that need to be in place to make that happen - How to re-think failure - How to focus on things that move the needle when you're really busyTo learn more about Maria click hereIf you're ready for more visit www.barbaranixon.co.uk

Welcome to this weeks episode of the Smash Your Own Ceiling podcast, and I'm so pleased to share an amazing conversation with the lovely Amy Rowlinson.Amy is the author of Focus on Why and today we chat about: - The beautiful serendipitous story of how she discovered her Grandfather's story that inspired her book, and purpose. - What Focus on Why really means - How to find and tease out your Why - And so much more.To learn more about Amy's work:WebsiteLinkedinLinktreeTo learn more about Smash Your Own Ceiling visit www.barbaranixon.co.ukTo complete the Confident Leaders Score-card click here

Have you ever found yourself looking at your diary and craving some time for some headspace?This episode is for you if you're really good at:Putting everyone else's needs before your ownSaying yes when you really should (and want) to say noOr find yourself staying involved with things that you really need to be letting go ofIf so, you're in the right place because I'm sharing some really practical tips on how to to stop overcommitting.And for more info visit www.barbaranixon.co.uk

What do you do when you're forcibly separated from your 10 year old son and can only see him via Facetime for an hour a week?This is exactly what Kate Markland had to deal with, and in this amazing chat she shares how she turned that hour into a global movement.Kate shares:When she realised that a lot can happen in an hourHow stories can really change livesThe small steps she took when she was in the middle of adversity to get herself moving againHow she created a global movement despite what she was going through personallyHow she allowed people to help To learn more about Kate visit:Kate's websiteStoryQuest for schools The Adventures of GabrielLinkedIn We also referenced the book: Make Your Bed by Willliam H. McRavenTake the 2 minute challenge: I'm a huge advocate of sharing things that I find useful to my clients and friends. It only takes 2 minutes to help someone smash their own ceiling and be part of that ripple effect, so is there someone you can share this podcast episode with today? If so, take the 2 minute challenge.And if you love what we do, hit the subscribe button so you've got us in your pocket whenever you need it.Finally, if you're a Business Leader and want to learn more, visit barbaranixon.co.ukHave a fab weekBarbara

In this episode I talk to the fabulous Business and Marketing Consultant Shannon Stone.And together we talk about: - How to trust yourself in business - That making mistakes is actually the point - The tools that help to move past self doubt - How to catch yourself doing things right - How to get momentum whenever you're feeling stuck - The things to do to market your business that many don't - The importance of the basics - The power of consistency and why we don't do itIf you want to find out more about Shannon click hereAnd if you like this episode please share with someone you think would benefit, and don't forget to hit subscribe so you don't miss and episode.And if you're ready for more visit Barbaranixon.co.uk

In this episode I'm answering a question:Barbara, I'm craving headspace right now but I feel as though I'm being pulled in all directions, what do I do?I get this question a lot...so if you can relate this is the episode for you.And if you have a question you'd like me to answer in a future episode visit www.barbaranixon.co.uk

One of the questions I ask in my Confident Leaders Scorecard (click here to complete) is:I know what I need to be at my best and I have these in place.We're talking about Success Habits!Do you know what you need to be at your best?Do you have these in place?And how do you make them work?Join me, Barbara Nixon, for a solo episode of the Smash Your Own Ceiling.For more info visit www.barbaranixon.co.uk

Wouldn't you love to know how a leader at the top of their game tackles imposter syndrome?That's exactly what I'm chatting to the fantastic Nick Bowen about. As the headteacher and creator of one of the largest high schools in the UK, it's no surprise that he had a moment of feeling like an imposter. In this episode we cover: - Why sometimes you need to step up even though you don't think you can - Behind the scenes of imposter syndrome - Tools that works for Nick - How it's lonely at the top in Leadership - That accountability is a must and not a dirty word - The power of connecting people, and then letting goThis is a fantastic chat. Let me know what you think, and if you want to learn more about Nick click here

If you're not a natural speaker and you need to speak in front an audience as part of your work, what do you do?In this episode I chat to the amazing Presentation Coach Simon Raybauld, and as well as talking about Doctor Who we also cover some pretty cool stuff. Things like:What people really care about when you're telling a storyHow to choose the right story so people take the action you wantThe power of an alter-ego in boosting your confidenceHow to use music to give you a much needed confidence liftAnd...So many more tipsYou can find more about Simon hereAnd if you're ready for more and to Smash Your Own Ceiling visit www.barbaranixon.co.uk

I loved this conversation with the awesome motivational speaker Steve Judge. We talk about how Steve's near fatal accident changed his life.How he motivates himself through his day with his success habitsHow he stays enthusiastic and motivated and passes that onto others.This is such a great conversation, let me know what you think.For more info on Steve click here

Here's the second episode in our End the Year Strong Series.Today we're talking about the Golden Trio of results - Habits, Mindset and Actions.When you focus on these, amazing things start to happen. And if you'd like more info to do more, visit Barbaranixon.co.uk, and if you'd like to join the Elevated Leaders Programme click here.Or take the Confident Leaders score-card hereSee you in thereBarbara

Welcome to the Smash Your Own Ceiling Podcast.Welcome back to a brand-new season of the Smash Your Own Ceiling Podcast!After a little break, I’m diving straight in with an episode that’s all about hitting the reset button. If you’re a senior leader, ambitious professional, business owner this is the perfect time to do a self-audit and get clear on what’s working, what’s holding you back, and what needs to change so you can finish the year strong.In this episode, I’ll walk you through:Why September is the ultimate fresh-start moment for leaders and professionalsHow to celebrate your wins (and why this matters for confidence and success)A simple self-audit process to get clarity on your goals and mindsetPractical steps to reset, refocus, and achieve the results you really wantWhether you’re stuck in the weeds, battling imposter syndrome, or just want a boost of motivation, this episode will help you press pause, realign, and set yourself up for success at work and in life.Don’t forget to connect with me on Linkedin and let me know how your September self-audit goes. And if you’re ready to elevate your leadership, join us in the Elevated Leaders Programme, starting at the end of September, or go to www.barbaranixon.co.uk for more info

Have you ever wanted to improve your relationships or understand more about how to adapt to the people around you?If so, this is exactly what I'm talking to Vicky O'Farrell, Queen of Behaviours about.We talk about:How to improve relationshipsPersonality Profiling and how to really use themHow to adapt to support other peopleAnd so much moreYou can find out more about Vicky here

Welcome to this weeks episode of Smash Your Own Ceiling. The doors of The Elevated Leaders Programme are now open and we kick start on the 30th January 2025!! This is for you if you're ready to reach your leadership potential, stop holding yourself back and become a high performing confident leader. For more info visit https://www.barbaranixon.co.uk/elevatedleaders/ Now onto todays episode where I'm sharing 3 powerful practices to set the next phase (whether that's a new year, new month, or any period of time) up for success. Get your notebooks ready and dive in.

Welcome to the Smash Your Own Ceiling podcast. The Elevated Leaders Programme is now open for enrolment. For more information click here Today I'm taking you through my end of year close down ritual. So, grab a notebook and pen and join me.

The doors are now open for my 8 week group coaching programme - Elevated Leaders. This is for you if you’re a business owner or leader and you’re ready to Elevate in your space and up-level. Maybe you’ve noticed that you’ve been holding yourself back in some way. Maybe you know you’re capable of more and you can feel that you’re not living to your full potential or maybe you’ve noticed that your feeling like an imposter. If you’re ready to elevate and step up - this is the programme for you. It’s an 8 week group coaching programme where we meet every week on zoom, and you get the coaching, training, accountability and community to give you the results that you want so you can up-level and get the momentum to carry yo forward. If you’re interested or you’d like more information visit www.barbaranixon.co.uk/elevatedleaders Now onto todays episode. I am delighted to share a chat that I had with the fab Mark Saxby. Mark is a Social media consultant, trainer & speaker at Status Social and is a Passionate co-founder of the Positive Social charity and creator of Be More Colin. The question for this episode isn’t what did we talk about, but what didn’t we talk about. But here’s a bit of a snap shot  We talked about  - Creating the life we really want  - Deciding what you want from life and business  - Shutting your business for a month every year  - How hard it is to switch off  - Getting your priorities right  - How much time we spend on our phones  - Going old school  - Getting results from social  - How to use Linkedin well  - Mixing the online off line world  And loads of practical tips To get in touch with Mark click here

Welcome - I'm so excited to share this conversation with 7 times Emmy award winning Beth Sherman. You're going to LOVE this chat!! We talk about all things comedy and: - How the truth is funny - How to use comedy as a seasoning - And also how to make a great tea and coffee 💁‍♀️ You can find more about Beth here: Website LinkedIn Free PDF: "A Comedian's Guide To Humor For Speakers"

Today I'm sharing a fantastic conversation with the lovely Kay Korsh - all about getting confident with your style. If you've ever wondered 'what on Earth do I wear?!' this is the episode for you. We talk about how to create your style so you not only feel comfortable, make a great impression but also to get your message across , and Kay shares so many tips along the way. Here's more about Kay: Kay has spent 20 years dressing actors like Elizabeth Debicki, Riz Ahmed, Ben Whishaw and Lily James.Kay started Mind Over Fashion to combine her passion for style with her love for learning about human behaviour to help professional speakers all over the world gain more confidence and find their Signature Speaker Style, which is aligned with their message. Because whether we want it or not, we are being judged for the way we look, even before we start speaking. To find out more visit: LinkedIn Program Waitlist