🎙️ Episode Overview

In this episode of the Career Change Maker Podcast, I’m joined by Elizabeth Lotardo, Author of Leading Yourself, employee engagement consultant, and LinkedIn Learning instructor who has taught over two million people how to lead themselves.

Elizabeth shares the surprising findings from her extensive research into what drives true employee engagement and why the real key isn’t the conditions you work in, but the skills and mindsets you develop to engage yourself no matter the circumstances.

We explore practical strategies for cultivating radical accountability, shifting from output-based to input-based goals, and finding meaning even in challenging situations.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

1. The skillset behind engagement – Why self-leadership is the foundation for sustained motivation and performance, regardless of external factors.
2. Mindset shifts that make a difference – Four consistent mental habits of highly engaged people across industries and roles.
3. Practical tools to lead yourself – From the “This Is My Chance” reframe to input-based goal setting, how to stay empowered in your career.

Action Steps

1. Audit your mindset – Reflect on how you respond to challenges. Are you defaulting to frustration, or finding meaning and opportunity?
2. Break down your goals – Identify the controllable actions that drive your outcomes, and focus your energy there.
3. Practise daily self-leadership – Integrate small moments of intentional thinking into your routine, like on your commute or while doing household tasks.

Connect with Elizabeth Lotardo:

• Website: elizabethlotardo.com
• LinkedIn: Elizabeth Lotardo

Connect with Janine

• Work with Janine
• Career Change Maker Website
• Join the Career Navigator weekly email series

Send us a text

Description

🎙️ Episode Overview

In this episode of the Career Change Maker Podcast, I explore The Power of the Pause and why slowing down is one of the most underrated productivity tools for leaders.

I share a client story that highlights how stepping back can create space for clarity and momentum, and I open up about my own season of recovery where I’ve experienced first-hand the benefits of slowing all the way down as a business leader and mum.

I also reflect on a recent girls’ trip that became a surprising leadership lesson in the value of fun, environment shifts, and surrounding yourself with the right people.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ A Pause is a Strategy, Not a Setback: Why intentional breaks can actually move you forward faster.

✅ Leadership Lessons From Stepping Away: How my girls’ trip highlighted the power of fun, environment, and connection.

✅ Clarity Comes in the Quiet: Why the best decisions often come when you stop forcing them.

Action Steps:

💡 Identify one area of your work or life where taking a pause could bring more clarity.

💡 Schedule a micro-pause (daily) or macro-pause (quarterly) to reset and refocus.

💡 Reflect on who you are surrounding yourself with and whether they energise or drain you.

Resources:

• Work with Janine
• Career Change Maker Website
• Join the Career Navigator weekly email series
• Follow Janine Esbrand on Instagram
• Connect with Janine Esbrand on LinkedIn
• Subscribe to Janine Esbrand's YouTube Channel

Send us a text

🎙️ Episode Overview

In this episode of the Career Change Makers Podcast, I sit down with Kerry Griffith, a culture and inclusion changemaker, helping organisations to thrive by leveraging the power of diversity and inclusive leadership.

In addition to his corporate portfolio, Kerry consults on various boards including those supporting widening participation, equity and inclusion within the education sector. When not working, Kerry can be found exploring culture through food, music and the arts.

Kerry opens up about his personal journey from a traditional career path to a purpose-driven mission centred around empathy, active listening, and personal growth. We discuss the realities of career transitions, the value of staying true to yourself as a leader, and the power of inclusion in building stronger, more dynamic teams.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ Career Transitions Require Courage: Why Kerry left a secure finance career and how he navigated the uncertainty to find more meaningful work.

✅ Empathy and Listening Are Core to Leadership: How inclusive leadership starts with understanding your team’s experiences and perspectives.

✅ Authenticity Builds Stronger Cultures: Why leading from a place of self-awareness and openness creates lasting impact.

Action Steps:

💡 Reflect on whether your current career path still aligns with who you are becoming not just who you were.

💡 Start a conversation with a colleague or team member focused solely on listening and understanding their experience.

💡 Identify one area where you can lead more inclusively, whether through language, action, or mindset.

Resources:

• Work with Janine
• Career Change Maker Website
• Join the Career Navigator weekly email series
• Follow Janine Esbrand on Instagram
• Connect with Janine Esbrand on LinkedIn
• Subscribe to Janine Esbrand's YouTube Channel

👉 Subscribe, Share, and Leave a Review

If you’re on a journey to elevate your leadership and make a greater impact, hit subscribe to the Career Change Maker Podcast. Share this episode with your network, and leave a review to help more professionals discover the show and achieve their leadership goals.

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