S2 E01: Welcome Back to Courage Loading...

Courage Loading...Season 2 Episode 1

Hello and welcome to season two of Courage Loading. I'm your host, Alicia Noble, leadership coach and career transition strategist. And this is the podcast where we explore what it really takes to move through career and leadership transitions. Not just the decisions that we're making and the opportunities that we pursue, but the work that it takes to grow and move through what's next. We'll talk about identity, self-leadership, and the courage it takes to do things differently.

So welcome back. And I must admit, it's really good to be back in front of the microphone. Firstly, I wanted to say such a big thank you to everyone who listened to season one. I was completely blown away. So whether you listened, shared an episode, or sent me a message, thank you. I genuinely appreciate the response because it's been a few months since the last episode, and so I thought I'm going to catch you up on what I've been doing, but more importantly, what I've been learning and, most importantly, what's coming in season two.

So it has been eight months since I left my corporate role to pursue this dream of building my own business, and it has been interesting. I've been working with people who are going through transitions in their corporate careers, and I've been through many transitions myself in the past. And so you kind of think, okay, I've got this experience. I know what's going to come. But wow, I think that sometimes it just made me realise how much we can intellectually understand something, but then still underestimate just how taxing and how difficult sometimes it's going to be.

You've got the real highs and then you've got those massive lows, and keeping yourself going through that is just not always the easiest thing. But I'm really enjoying this experience and I'm learning so much, not just learning in terms of the things that I need to know about running a business, because OMG, there are so, so many, but also learning about myself and how I do things.

And so the name Courage Loading was born out of my courage to actually start a podcast and, as cringey as it is, listen to myself, which is part of the reason why I did it in the first place. And so now I am comfortable with that. So I'm taking my visibility to the next level and I'm actually going on video.

Throughout the last couple of months I've been pushing myself. I got up on stage to do a talk at Speak and Shine. I hosted a panel at the Ideas Fest, and through all of these things I'm finding new confidence. Yes, I'm learning, and yes, I look at it afterwards and I go, actually, maybe that could have been a little bit better. But I think what I'm realising more and more is that confidence comes with taking action.

And so all of these things that I'm doing, they're stretching me, but I'm learning, and they're also showing me that I can do these things. Because inherently I know I can, but when you ask me, I would be, maybe I'm not ready yet. And I'm sure lots of you can resonate with that.

I've also been developing my first group programme. So it's a programme that I've been running with individual clients, but I'm now looking to do that with a small group of up to six women. And so the premise of this is really around thinking more about how we are positioned. So positioned for that next role that we want to take. Predominantly I'm going to be working with women in finance, risk and audit.

The applications are open, so I'll add a note in the show notes. And the reason I'm doing this through applications is because I think when we invest in something, we need to make sure that it's the right thing. So I'd like to speak to the women who are interested and make sure that they are the right fit, and also so they can see if they'd like to work with me.

But in addition to this, I've also created a free assessment. So it's a quiz called Are You Positioned for Your Next Move? And so this explores five areas: alignment, credibility, capability, relationships and sustainability. Because when you're thinking about going for that next thing, you've actually got to think about all of those elements in terms of understanding how you are positioned.

And so I think it's important to understand, as you're going into the new year and you're thinking about, this is what I want to do, just thinking about, actually, am I focusing on the right things? Is it that I'm just building skills, but actually no one knows that this is what I want to do? So do I need to work on something else? Do I need to get someone that's going to be my advocate or champion me?

So you'll find the link in the show notes if it's of interest. Have a go, see what you think, and give me feedback because you'll get a report on how you are positioned, really, on all of those five dimensions.

And so what is happening in this season? I will continue to do solo episodes where I share ideas, practical recommendations, reflections, research, but I'm also introducing, and I'm very excited about this, Courage Loading Moments.

This is where I invite guests and they tell their stories of when they had the courage to do things differently. So whether it's taking that big leap in a promotion, whether it's leaving their corporate career, whether it's stepping back into something different. Those moments of courage where they decided that they're going to go for this thing even though they don't feel quite ready yet.

And so, yes, there's lots to look forward to. I've already recorded two guest episodes, and I'm loving recording the guest episodes because I think it also gives people a different perspective, not just listening to me, so there's a little bit of variety, and I just feel like there's so much that we can learn from each other.

So I think you are going to be in for a treat. We've got some amazing women coming up. And if you are listening and you're thinking, I'd actually be really interested in being a guest and sharing my transition story. Or maybe you haven't actually found the courage yet, but you're nearly there and you want to come share your thinking and what's going through your mind as you're doing that. I would always be happy to have a conversation. So please feel free to reach out.

I've also set up a website for this podcast just so everything's neatly in one place. And again, I will share the links in the show notes. So that's just a short introduction on what you can be expecting in season two and a little bit of what I've been up to.

And so on that note, I am going to say thank you so much for being here, and I am looking forward to spending time with you during season two. And until next time, this is Courage Loading. I'm Alicia Noble. And remember, every story of change begins with a single moment of courage. So what's yours going to be?