

The Fulfilled Leader with Jean Balfour
Jean Balfour - I Coach Senior Leaders to Build Emotional Resilience & Find Fulfillment
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 14, 2024 • 25min
Ep. #85 Breaking Free from Office Drama: Drama Triangle Insights
In this episode, we dive deep into the complexities of office dynamics and explore the Drama Triangle, a powerful psychological model developed by Dr. Stephen Karpman. Join Jean Balfour as she uncovers the roles of the Villain, Victim, and Hero that often play out in workplace interactions, leading to unproductive and toxic environments.Jean Balfour shares practical strategies for recognising and disrupting these patterns. Learn how to transform your office culture by promoting healthier communication, fostering accountability, and building a supportive work environment.Tune in to discover how you can break free from the cycle of drama and create a more positive and collaborative workplace.Resources: Blog on Understanding the Drama Triangle at WorkCheck out Conscious Leadership and their work on Drama Triangle 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/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanbalfour/

May 14, 2024 • 36min
Ep. #84 Transformative Breathwork with Céline Fontaine
Have you ever paid attention to your breathing during times of stress? Most likely, we don't, yet it's a powerful tool we can harness to maintain calmness within ourselves. Meet our special guest Céline Fontaine as she shares how conscious breathing impacts creativity, mindfulness, and well-being. Discover how controlled breathing enhances leadership and personal development, inviting you to experience its transformative power firsthand. From practical methods to integrating breathwork into daily work routines, Céline Fontaine guides you toward a more present and focused self. Meet Céline FontaineCéline Fontaine is an executive coach, facilitator, and certified breathwork practitioner with over two decades of corporate experience across Europe and Southeast Asia. After years in high-pressure corporate environments, Céline pivoted to focus on her well-being and embrace her full potential outside the traditional workplace. For Céline, It was love at first sight with breathwork, a practice she describes as her "holy grail." Breathwork proved to be a transformative tool, helping Céline calm her mind, release emotions, and reconnect with her highest self. Her journey into breathwork deepened her understanding of its power and potential, making it an integral part of her mission to help others. Céline believes breathwork is the antidote to our relentless, fast-paced world and is passionate about sharing this extraordinary art with as many as possible. Currently based in Phuket, Thailand, Céline leverages her extensive background in Learning and Development to integrate breathwork into her coaching and leadership development practice. She works with corporate professionals, educators, parents, and anyone curious about enhancing their health and overall life satisfaction, guiding them to unlock and harness the extraordinary power of their breath. Céline is a certified Advanced Breathwork Practitioner by the Global Breathwork Professional Alliance. Céline has 2 breathwork demonstration videos which you can use to help you in your own breathwork quest. Links below!The Grounding Breath - https://youtu.be/07WCFZ08JC0The 4-7-8 Breathing Technique - https://youtu.be/jdoghm0bTdY Visit her LinkedIn profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/celinebousquetfontaine/Visit her LinkedIn Page for Breath@Work - https://www.linkedin.com/company/breathatwork/Vist her Website at https://breathatwork.net/ 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/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanbalfour/

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/ 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/ 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/ 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/ 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/ 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/ 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/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanbalfour/

Dec 19, 2023 • 14min
Ep. #76 Endings and Beginnings
The speaker shares a candid reflection on the challenges faced throughout the year, highlighting the unexpected twists that reshaped their initial business plans. They emphasize the power of resilience and the joy that can be found in navigating difficulties. The conversation encourages listeners to reflect on their own journeys, learning from past experiences. It's all about embracing uncertainty and stepping boldly into the new year with an open heart and renewed intention.


