Key points from this episode

Useful Links

Join The Catalyst Career Club for 50k+ Leaders

Connect with Pam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelalangan/

Connect with Jacqui on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqui-jagger/

Follow the Catalyst Careers LinkedIn page for career tips and advice

Interested in working with us?

Get in touch about career or leadership development, outplacement workshops or recruitment support via the Catalyst Careers website

Enjoyed this Episode?

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When your boss is drowning in pressure, it doesn't just affect them—it cascades straight down to you. We've all been there: the chaotic instructions, the constant interruptions, the feeling that nothing you do is quite right. In this episode, we unpack what's really happening when your manager is overwhelmed and share practical strategies to create calm in the chaos without burning yourself out in the process.

We explore why your well-intentioned attempts to help might actually be backfiring, how to reframe your support in ways that land better, and the importance of protecting yourself whilst managing up effectively. Whether you're considering leaving or want to improve your current situation, this episode gives you actionable steps to take back control

Key points from this episode

• Why offering help to an overwhelmed boss often backfires (and what to do instead)
• How to reframe your support as business efficiency rather than personal rescue
• The power of proactive communication to reduce reactive chaos
• Setting boundaries that protect you whilst still supporting your manager
• When to pause and fix the situation vs when it's genuinely time to leave

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction and Topic Overview

01:00 Understanding the Cascading Impact of an Overwhelmed Boss

03:00 Why "Rescuing" Your Boss Backfires

05:00 Developing Empathy When You're Frustrated

08:00 The Power of Asking "What Would Make Your Job Easier?"

09:00 Reframing Support as Business Efficiency

10:00 Using Proactive Communication to Reduce Pressure

13:00 Creating Boundaries to Protect Your Time

15:00 Coaching Your Team to Be More Considered

18:00 Protecting Yourself: The Non-Negotiables

21:00 Having Collaborative Conversations About Priorities

23:00 Should You Stay or Should You Go?RetryClaude can make mistakes. Please double-check responses.

Useful Links

Join The Catalyst Career Club for 50k+ Leaders

Connect with Pam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelalangan/

Connect with Jacqui on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqui-jagger/

Follow the Catalyst Careers LinkedIn page for career tips and advice

Interested in working with us?

Get in touch about career or leadership development, outplacement workshops or recruitment support via the Catalyst Careers website

Enjoyed this Episode?

If you enjoyed this episode, please take the time to rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

Mentioned in this episode:

Catalyst Career Club for £50k+ Leaders & Managers

Moving up the career ladder needs an inside edge - strategies that allow you to unlock your full potential and position yourself as a true leadership talent. And that's exactly what the Catalyst Career Club for 50k+ Leaders provides. No fluff, no corporate jargon. Just a down to earth, purposeful injection of oomph for your career from Pamela & Jacqui Use the code PODCAST to get your first month for £1 https://www.pamelalangan.com/catalystcareerclub

High stakes moments can make or break your confidence as a leader. In this episode, we explore the common scenarios where talented professionals falter under pressure, from over-explaining in crucial meetings to freezing when put on the spot. We share practical strategies to help you stay composed, maintain your executive presence, and perform at your best when it matters most. If you've ever left a meeting replaying what you said (or didn't say), this episode is for you.

Key points from this episode

• Three common scenarios where leaders lose confidence in high-pressure situations
• Why mindset preparation is just as important as material preparation
• The power of pausing to calm your nervous system and increase impact
• How to understand the real intent behind challenging questions
• Strategies for buying yourself time without appearing uncertain
• Moving past self-criticism to learn from difficult moments

Useful Links

Join The Catalyst Career Club for 50k+ Leaders

Connect with Pam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelalangan/

Connect with Jacqui on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqui-jagger/

Follow the Catalyst Careers LinkedIn page for career tips and advice

Interested in working with us?

Get in touch about career or leadership development, outplacement workshops or recruitment support via the Catalyst Careers website

Enjoyed this Episode?

If you enjoyed this episode, please take the time to rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify