
The Fulfilled Leader with Jean Balfour
For leaders who want to thrive - not just survive.Leadership can be lonely, overwhelming, and emotionally draining. But it doesn’t have to be. Join Master Certified Coach Jean Balfour as she brings honesty, depth, and warmth to conversations about what it really takes to lead with resilience, clarity, and purpose.In The Fulfilled Leader, Jean explores the inner world of leadership—the doubts, the burnout, the self-sabotage - and the transformative practices that help leaders feel more grounded, empowered, and fulfilled.You’ll hear practical insights from neuroscience, psychology, coaching, and real leadership experience. Whether it’s solo reflections or conversations with inspiring guests, this podcast is your space to pause, reflect, and grow. Listen every week and watch the way you lead, and live your life, transform forever.New episodes every week. Subscribe now and join a global community of leaders who are redefining success from the inside out.
Latest episodes

May 9, 2024 • 22min
Ep. #83. Finding Ease Amidst the Hustle at Work
Imagine finding a sense of calm and ease amid the chaos of your workday; I believe it's not just a fantasy but a tangible goal. In this episode I share how the philosophies in Beth Kempton's "Kokoro" and Nancy Klein's "Time to Think," introduce how leaders and professionals can reclaim tranquility in their our hectic lives. I look at society's traditional definitions of ease and how they often clash with our rushed existence, revealing that there's more to work than just ticking boxes and beating deadlines. We can embrace coaching's potential to foster spaces free from pressure, and I share insights on how we can infuse a serene flow into our daily grind. For a different perspective ,aided by Byron Katie's "The Work," I dissect the deep-seated belief that slowing down is a luxury we can't afford. You can find the resources I reference here. Beth Kempton - Kokorohttps://bethkempton.com/kokoro-2/Nancy Kline - Time to Thinkhttps://www.timetothink.com/Bryon Katie - The Workhttps://thework.com/Jean Balfourhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanbalfour/https://baileybalfour.com/ Sign up to my weekly newsletter. Book a free strategy call: https://calendly.com/jean-balfour/30min Learn more about my work: https://jeanbalfour.com/ For more information on the podcast, show notes and journaling prompts visit my substack blog: https://jeanbalfour.substack.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanbalfour/

Apr 18, 2024 • 25min
Ep. #82 The Neuroscience of Misery at Work - Part 2
Ever feel like you're just going through the motions at work, weighed down by stress and dissatisfaction? This is part 2 of the neuroscience of misery at work and it’s your invitation to discover how you can turn misery all around. We're not just talking about the everyday gripes of excessive workloads or lackluster recognition; we're diving into the science that shows our brains are directly wired to our work experiences. Join me, Jean Balfour as I share steps you can take you mitigate misery and how you can perform in your most creative and productive zone when you don’t feel like the most. Resources mentioned in this episode: View masterclass on-demand on neuroscience of misery at work: hereView video: Choice point by Russel HarrisRead and download our guide: Overcoming Burnout: Leveraging the Power of GlimmersRead and download out guide: 10 Root Causes of Feeling OverwhelmedRead and download out guide: Find your career values Sign up to my weekly newsletter. Book a free strategy call: https://calendly.com/jean-balfour/30min Learn more about my work: https://jeanbalfour.com/ For more information on the podcast, show notes and journaling prompts visit my substack blog: https://jeanbalfour.substack.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanbalfour/

Apr 4, 2024 • 26min
Ep. #81 The Neuroscience of Misery at Work - Part 1
Ever feel like you're just going through the motions at work, weighed down by stress and dissatisfaction? This episode is your invitation to discover the neuroscience that explains why—and how you can turn it all around. We're not just talking about the everyday gripes of excessive workloads or lackluster recognition; we're diving into the science that shows our brains are directly wired to our work experiences. Join me, Jean Balfour, as we pull back the curtain on common workplace woes and shed light on global studies that reveal the widespread nature of these issues, especially among younger workers and those under financial pressure.Resources mentioned in this epsiode: View masterclass on-demand on neuroscience of misery at work: hereRead and download our guide: Overcoming Burnout: Leveraging the Power of GlimmersRead and download out guide: 10 Root Causes of Feeling Overwhelmed Sign up to my weekly newsletter. Book a free strategy call: https://calendly.com/jean-balfour/30min Learn more about my work: https://jeanbalfour.com/ For more information on the podcast, show notes and journaling prompts visit my substack blog: https://jeanbalfour.substack.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanbalfour/

Mar 13, 2024 • 21min
Ep. #80 Breaking into Your Zone of Genius
Today’s episode is inspired by Marianne Williamson and Gay Hendricks. Jean Balfour shares insights and experiences on overcoming self-imposed limitations to embrace our true potential. Join us as we navigate the zones of incompetence, competence, excellence, and ultimately, genius, uncovering how to push ourselves out of our limiting beliefs of what we can't do!Recommended book reading: The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level Sign up to my weekly newsletter. Book a free strategy call: https://calendly.com/jean-balfour/30min Learn more about my work: https://jeanbalfour.com/ For more information on the podcast, show notes and journaling prompts visit my substack blog: https://jeanbalfour.substack.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanbalfour/

Feb 29, 2024 • 22min
Ep. #79 Navigating Overwhelm: From Chaos to Clarity
In today’s episode, Jean Balfour shares her own experiences of feeling overwhelmed, and shares insights on identifying, understanding, and overcoming the chaos that comes with being overwhelmed. From uncovering the root causes to implementing practical strategies, we'll embark on a journey towards reclaiming energy and joy in our daily work. Tune in for tips, stories, and inspiration to navigate the feeling of overwhelm and emerge stronger in your everyday and work life! Sign up to Jean's blog here : https://jeanbalfour.substack.com/ Sign up to my weekly newsletter. Book a free strategy call: https://calendly.com/jean-balfour/30min Learn more about my work: https://jeanbalfour.com/ For more information on the podcast, show notes and journaling prompts visit my substack blog: https://jeanbalfour.substack.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanbalfour/

Feb 14, 2024 • 22min
Ep. #78 The Key to Unlocking Deeper Trust in Relationships
In today’s episode, we explore how being fully present with another person is not just a skill, but a critical gift that fosters genuine connection. Join Jean Balfour as she shares the journey of how we can master this skill, how we can be aware of our own pitfalls and together, we'll uncover practical strategies and insights to enhance our ability to truly hear and understand others.To download our guidebook mentioned in this episode, click here: https://baileybalfour.com/blog-listening-and-presence/ Sign up to my weekly newsletter. Book a free strategy call: https://calendly.com/jean-balfour/30min Learn more about my work: https://jeanbalfour.com/ For more information on the podcast, show notes and journaling prompts visit my substack blog: https://jeanbalfour.substack.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanbalfour/

Jan 26, 2024 • 21min
Ep. #77 Persisting Through Challenges: Lessons from Netflix's Nyad's Swim
Welcome to Season 3 on "Making Sense of Work" Today’s episode is drawing inspiration from the impactful Netflix film, "Nyad." The documentary encapsulates the awe-inspiring story of Diana Nyad, who, at the remarkable age of 64, achieved the extraordinary feat of swimming from Cuba to Florida.Jean reflects on Nyad's resilience and tenacity, drawing parallels to personal challenges and contemplating the profound impact of persistence on individual aspirations.Drawing from personal experiences, she shares insights into overcoming low confidence and the enduring efforts required to construct a foundation of self-belief.Acknowledging the merits of persistence, Jean delves into its potential drawbacks, emphasizing the importance of self-care and recognizing when a goal, despite persistent efforts, may come at too high a cost. This sets the stage for a balanced perspective on the journey toward achievement.There are key strategies for embracing persistence, from setting clear and ambitious goals to creating visual representations for motivation. Jean underscores the importance of a robust support system, resilience cultivation, and the fostering of a growth mindset. Sign up to my weekly newsletter. Book a free strategy call: https://calendly.com/jean-balfour/30min Learn more about my work: https://jeanbalfour.com/ For more information on the podcast, show notes and journaling prompts visit my substack blog: https://jeanbalfour.substack.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanbalfour/

Dec 19, 2023 • 14min
Ep. #76 Endings and Beginnings
Picture this: I started the year with a grand plan—a visionary roadmap for my business and a commitment to its growth. Little did I know, the universe had a different script in mind. The first half of the year threw some serious challenges my way. By the year's end, we not only weathered the storm but exceeded our initial expectations. However, let me be real with you—2023 was no walk in the park. In this episode, I talk about how the struggles forced me to dig deep into my own resilience, revoking my goals and accepting redirections. I encourage you to join me in reflecting on your own journey, learning from the past, and stepping into the next year with a sense of wholesomeness. Here's to embracing the uncertainties, finding joy in the unplanned, and growing into the next beautiful chapter of our lives. Sign up to my weekly newsletter. Book a free strategy call: https://calendly.com/jean-balfour/30min Learn more about my work: https://jeanbalfour.com/ For more information on the podcast, show notes and journaling prompts visit my substack blog: https://jeanbalfour.substack.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanbalfour/

Nov 14, 2023 • 16min
Ep. #75 Values: The North Star of Your Career
Reflecting on career values can transform your professional journey. Personal values act as a guiding force, influencing satisfaction and decision-making in the workplace. By aligning actions with core beliefs, motivation and connection flourish. Learn practical strategies to identify and harmonize your values for a more fulfilled life. This exploration offers insightful anecdotes that illustrate the profound impact values have on both personal happiness and career success.

Nov 2, 2023 • 26min
#Ep. 74 How to Develop Emotional Intelligence
Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is the ability to understand and manage emotions effectively. It is no longer considered a soft skill—it's a critical competency for us all - both individual contributors and leaders. Higher EQ has been shown to improve job performance significantly including higher sales, increased productivity and reduced stress. In this podcast Jean Balfour shares practical strategies to help you:Understand why being emotionally intelligent is critical Learn the 4 components of emotional intelligenceDevelop strategies for building emotional intelligenceTo read blog on emotional intelligence and future of work, read here: https://baileybalfour.com/emotional-intelligence-and-the-future-of-workConnect with Jean Balfour on LinkedInConnect with Jean Balfour on Instagram @jean.balfour Sign up to my weekly newsletter. Book a free strategy call: https://calendly.com/jean-balfour/30min Learn more about my work: https://jeanbalfour.com/ For more information on the podcast, show notes and journaling prompts visit my substack blog: https://jeanbalfour.substack.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanbalfour/