

Squiggly Careers
The Squiggly Career
Squiggly Careers is a weekly podcast that will help you take control of your career development. Hosted by the founders of Amazing If (https://www.amazingif.com/), Sarah Ellis and Helen Tupper, together they cover all things work: from how to manage stress and overcome your confidence gremlins to micro-aggressions and discovering your strengths. Each episode is full of ideas, actions, hints, and tips that you can put into practice straight away. Every so often they take a break from talking to each other to interview other people who are leading the way in making work better. Past guests include entrepreneur and philanthropist Dame Stephanie Shirley, author of The Joy of Work Bruce Daisley, and neuroscience expert Amy Brann. The Squiggly Careers podcast has been recommended by Harvard Business Review, Stylist, Marie Claire and Management Today.For more ideas, tools and inspiration every week, you can also sign up to their newsletter Squiggly Careers in Action. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 24, 2018 • 36min
#27 Finding out your strengths
Discovering your strengths can transform your career! The hosts discuss how recognizing and articulating personal strengths helps navigate unpredictable paths. They explore the hesitations many face in discussing their capabilities. Curiosity and insightful questioning are highlighted as tools for growth. Practical exercises encourage listeners to focus on what energizes them at work. Additionally, tips on seeking feedback and maintaining a personal brand are shared, alongside resources for self-reflection to unlock new career possibilities.

Apr 17, 2018 • 26min
#26 Why curiosity is a career super skill
Curiosity is an amazing skill to support your career development. It helps you to learn more, create more and connect more. Whilst some people may be more naturally curious, it is a skill you can build, and this week Sarah and Helen share their tips to do just that and their advice on how to use curiosity to help your career. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 10, 2018 • 26min
#25 Building your personal brand
Explore the misunderstood yet vital concept of personal branding, which aligns with authenticity and self-discovery. Discover how cultivating a personal brand can enhance self-confidence and attract career opportunities that match personal values. Gain practical tips, including self-reflection and the power of storytelling to share your unique experiences. Learn about the importance of creating a personal manifesto to guide your brand and growth. Dive into inspiring examples that illustrate the impact of a strong personal brand in navigating a dynamic career landscape.

Apr 3, 2018 • 31min
#24 How to work flexibly
Flexible working is thankfully on the rise, but that doesn't mean it's easy to ask for or to manage. Helen and Sarah share their experiences on when it's worked for them and when it's been a challenge. Listen to hear their tips on how to set yourself up for success with flexible working and what other resources might help you along the way. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 27, 2018 • 29min
#23 Stepping out of your comfort zone
Comfort zones feel nice and safe, but they can hold you back from having a happy and fulfilling career. In this week's episode Helen and Sarah share what they have learned from stepping out of their comfort zones, including Sarah's reflections on being interviewed on BBC news this week! Listen to hear how doing jobs you don't know how to do yet and building a support team can make the difference between stretch and stress. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 20, 2018 • 26min
#22 How to build your network
Networking has a bit of a bad reputation and in this episode, Helen and Sarah talk about how thinking of it simply as 'people helping people' has transformed how they go about networking and the career value they have got from their relationships. Learn about their top tips to grow and maximise the value of your network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 13, 2018 • 32min
#21 How to start a side project
Having run a 'side project' for the last 5 years, Helen and Sarah are experienced in how to make them work and how to get the support you need to keep them going. In this episode, they share practical tips on how to find the time and how to manage your side project alongside the day job. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

13 snips
Mar 6, 2018 • 24min
#20 How to tackle difficult conversations
Navigating tough workplace conversations can be daunting, but it's a skill worth mastering. The hosts share personal stories that highlight the importance of asking the right questions to foster open dialogue and reduce defensiveness. They discuss creating a supportive environment for team discussions and offer strategies for delivering feedback with empathy. Listeners are also provided with valuable resources, including a discussion guide and a checklist, to help tackle these challenging conversations head-on.

13 snips
Feb 27, 2018 • 23min
#19 How to master the art of feedback
Discover the transformative power of feedback in shaping your career. Learn practical techniques for giving and receiving feedback, including the effective 3S and WWEBI frameworks. The discussion emphasizes a supportive environment through a five to one ratio of positive to developmental feedback. Trust and reflection play key roles in nurturing constructive conversations. Explore the psychology behind a growth mindset and how it influences feedback. Prepare for valuable insights on tackling difficult workplace conversations in future discussions!

Feb 20, 2018 • 24min
#18 How to find a mentor
Mentors can be extremely valuable for your career, helping you to navigate even the most squiggly times! However, it can be hard to know how to find a great mentor and build a strong relationship. In this episode, Helen and Sarah talk about the mentors that have made a difference to them and what they have learnt about how to create a network of mentors that contribute to the development of a happy career. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.