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Unstuck & Unstoppable

Unstuck & Unstoppable

By: Sarah Archer
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Unstuck & Unstoppable is the go-to podcast for ambitious female leaders ready to amplify their impact, boost their income, and achieve career success on their own terms—without burning out or compromising their values. Hosted by Sarah Archer, a leadership coach and career strategist dedicated to empowering women in leadership, this show provides the tools, strategies, and inspiration you need to thrive in your career. Whether you’re looking to overcome imposter syndrome, enhance your leadership skills, or create a sustainable path to success, each episode will offer actionable insights, expert interviews, and real-life stories to help you take your career to the next level. It’s time to stop playing small, unlock your full potential, and create the impact you’re destined for. Tune in weekly to discover how you can lead boldly, live fully, and succeed with confidence and integrity.Copyright 2026 Sarah Archer Career Success Economics Management Management & Leadership Personal Development Personal Success
Episodes
  • Episode 73 Navigating the Unwritten Rules of Leadership To Get Ahead in Your Career

    Episode 73 Navigating the Unwritten Rules of Leadership To Get Ahead in Your Career
    Apr 3 2026
    Have you ever felt like you're doing everything right in your leadership role - delivering results, working hard, supporting your team - yet still being overlooked for promotion?In this episode, Sarah lifts the lid on the unwritten rules of leadership that shape career progression at senior levels. Many ambitious female leaders are told that hard work and strong performance will naturally lead to advancement but in reality, leadership decisions are often influenced by visibility, relationships, strategic thinking, and perception.Through a powerful coaching story and practical reflection questions, this episode explores why brilliant women sometimes get passed over and, more importantly, what they can do differently to position themselves for the leadership roles they deserve.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy working hard isn’t always enough to get promotedThe hidden leadership dynamics many organisations don’t talk aboutThe 4 unwritten rules that shape career advancementHow visibility, relationships, and perception influence leadership decisionsPractical actions you can take this week to position yourself for your next roleTimestamps00:00 – Welcome to Unstuck & Unstoppable 01:00 – Episode introduction: The leadership rules nobody talks about02:00 – Coaching story: “It feels like there’s a game being played and nobody told me the rules” A real-life example of a senior female leader being overlooked for promotion.03:30 – The myth of hard work leading to promotion Why performance alone doesn’t guarantee career advancement.05:00 – Leadership advancement is about more than delivery Understanding the gap between doing a great job and being seen as ready for senior leadership.The 4 Unwritten Rules of Leadership05:45 – Rule 1: Visibility matters more than effort Why leaders can’t promote what they can’t see and how to create strategic visibility. Reflection question: Where might you be working hard but staying invisible?08:00 – Rule 2: Relationships shape opportunities The importance of networks, sponsors, and trust in career progression. Reflection question: Who are the key people who need to know and trust you?10:00 – Rule 3: Strategic thinking gets rewarded Moving from operational excellence to future-focused leadership thinking. Reflection question: Are you spending most of your time delivering or thinking about the future?11:45 – Rule 4: Perception drives promotion How executive presence and leadership perception influence decisions. Reflection question: How do senior leaders currently perceive you?13:00 – One practical action to take this week Choose one conversation with a senior leader to increase visibility, influence, or strategic contribution.14:00 – Key takeaway: Understand the system and position yourself within it Visibility, relationships, strategic thinking, and perception are the keys to leadership advancement.14:30 – How to get support and access free resources Information on coaching support and additional resources.Useful LinksEpisode 66 Strengthening Your Strategic ThinkingEpisode 31 How to Develop Executive PresenceSign up for Weekly Career InspirationLearn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching ProgrammesBook a Free 121 Clarity CallConnect with Sarah on LinkedInRate & Review the PodcastIf you found this episode of Unstuck & Unstoppable helpful, please do rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.If you're kind enough to leave a review, please do let Sarah know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at: sarah@careertreecoaching.co.ukShine brightly. Lead boldly. Be unstoppable.
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    16 mins
  • Episode 72 How The Power of Weak Ties Can Open Doors in Your Career

    Episode 72 How The Power of Weak Ties Can Open Doors in Your Career
    Mar 27 2026

    In this episode Sarah explores the powerful but often overlooked role of weak ties in career growth and job searching.

    If you're an ambitious woman looking to advance your career, increase your visibility, or access new opportunities, this episode will change how you think about networking. Sarah explains why the people you barely know may be the ones who open the biggest doors, and shares practical strategies to help you build and leverage these connections in a way that feels natural and authentic.

    What You’ll Learn in This Episode
    • What weak ties are and why they matter in your career
    • Why most job opportunities come from people outside your inner circle
    • How weak ties increase visibility and career mobility
    • Simple and practical ways to build and maintain weak ties
    • A quick exercise to start leveraging your network this week

    Timestamps

    00:00 – Welcome to Unstuck & Unstoppable

    02:00 – What Are Weak Ties?

    Understanding second and third-order connections and why acquaintances matter in career growth.

    03:00 – Why Weak Ties Open More Doors

    How weak ties access different networks and opportunities that your inner circle may not see.

    04:00 – The Spiderweb Analogy

    A powerful visual explanation of how networks work and where opportunities really come from.

    05:00 – Research and Career Mobility

    Why people who leverage weak ties find jobs faster and access hidden opportunities.

    05:30 – How to Leverage Weak Ties (Practical Steps)

    Intentional outreach during job search and asking for advice or connections.

    05:50 – Using Introductions Strategically

    Getting insider information and increasing your chances in recruitment processes.

    06:00 – Maintaining Light Contact

    Simple ways to stay visible through LinkedIn and quick check-ins.

    06:30 – Networking Coffee Conversations

    How short, informal conversations can strengthen weak ties.

    07:00 – A Simple Networking Exercise

    Identify one or two weak ties and reach out this week.

    07:30 – Weak Ties as Part of Your Visibility Strategy

    Why career growth is about who knows you and what you can do.

    08:00 – Final Thoughts and Encouragement

    Nurturing weak ties to open unexpected career doors.

    Useful Links

    Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration

    Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes

    Book a Free 121 Clarity Call

    Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn

    Rate & Review the Podcast

    If you found this episode of Unstuck & Unstoppable helpful, please do rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

    If you're kind enough to leave a review, please do let Sarah know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at: sarah@careertreecoaching.co.uk

    Your next career opportunity may not come from your closest contacts - it may come from someone you’ve only spoken to once. Nurture your weak ties and watch new doors open.

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    9 mins
  • Episode 71 Have you stayed in your current role for too long?

    Episode 71 Have you stayed in your current role for too long?
    Mar 20 2026
    Have you been in your role for five years or more? Are you there because you love it… or because you feel a bit stuck?In this episode, Sarah unpacks the difference between healthy staying and career stagnation, the subtle signs you might be stuck (even if things look “fine” on the surface), and practical steps to help you regain momentum, confidence, and clarity in your career.If you’ve been questioning your next move or avoiding the question altogether - this episode will give you a powerful reset.Show Notes[00:00:00] Welcome & Podcast Overview[00:01:00] Why This Topic Matters A real client story sparks the question: are you staying because you’re thriving or stuck?[00:02:00] The Big Question: Why Have You Stayed? Exploring the difference between loving your role and feeling unable to leave.[00:02:30] What “Healthy Staying” Looks LikeOngoing learning and developmentExpanding influence and impactIncreasing responsibility and stretchFeeling energised and engaged at work[00:04:00] When Staying Becomes StagnationRepetitive work with no growthLack of progression opportunitiesDeclining confidenceComfort replacing challenge[00:06:00] The Hidden Risk of Being Too Comfortable Why growth requires “optimal anxiety” (not stress, but not stagnation either).[00:07:00] 5 Signs You Might Be StuckYour learning curve has flattenedYou’ve stopped advocating for yourselfYou’re known for what you used to doYou feel invisible or overlookedYou keep saying “maybe next year”[00:08:30] Why We Stay Too LongComfort and securityEroded confidence“Golden handcuffs” (salary, flexibility, benefits)The busyness trapIdentity lock (“this is just what I do”)[00:10:30] The Real Cost of Staying Stuck How stagnation shrinks your confidence, identity, and sense of possibility.[00:11:00] 3 Ways to Get Unstuck1. Run a Career Audit: Ask yourself:What am I learning?What impact am I having?Where am I growing?2. Expand Before You ExitSeek stretch projectsIncrease your visibilityRedesign aspects of your role3. Explore New PossibilitiesInternal moves or secondmentsNew environments or industriesReimagining your career direction[00:13:30] A Personal Turning Point Why staying in the same type of senior role no longer felt inspiring and what that revealed.[00:14:00] The Wake-Up Call Question “If nothing changed in your role for the next 3 years, would you feel excited or quietly disappointed?”[00:14:30] Reflection & Next Steps Encouragement to pause, reflect, journal, and seek support if needed.[00:15:00] Closing Thoughts You don’t need to blow up your career - but you do need to wake it up.Resources & Next StepstExplore the Strategic Visibility episode for practical ways to raise your profileReach out for coaching support if you’re ready to move from stuck to unstoppableUseful LinksTake the Career Clarity Audit for personalised insightEpisode 47 How to get noticed in your careerSign up for Weekly Career InspirationLearn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching ProgrammesBook a Free 121 Clarity CallConnect with Sarah on LinkedInRate & Review the PodcastIf you found this episode of Unstuck & Unstoppable helpful, please do rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.If you're kind enough to leave a review, please do let Sarah know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at: sarah@careertreecoaching.co.uk
    Show more Show less
    16 mins
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