Squiggly Careers

In this episode, Dr. Sunita Sah, expert in defiance and decision-making, shares how to confidently say "no" in challenging situations. Sarah and Sunita dive into the psychology of defiance, discussing how to assess the risks, benefits, and personal costs of speaking up or complying. They explore the power of the "pause" and the importance of third-person self-talk to help make better, more authentic decisions. Whether it's in the workplace or beyond, Sunita provides actionable advice on how to navigate difficult conversations, protect your values, and maintain your well-being.For questions about Squiggly Careers or to share feedback, please email helenandsarah@squigglycareers.comMore ways to learn about Squiggly Careers:1. Download our free careers tools https://www.amazingif.com/toolkit/2. Sign-up for our Squiggly Careers Skills Sprint https://bit.ly/skillssprint20243. Sign up for Squiggly Careers in Action, a weekly summary of the latest squiggly career tools: https://bit.ly/SquigglyCareersInAction4. Read our books ‘The Squiggly Career’ and ‘You Coach You’ [www.amazingif.com/books/](http://www.amazingif.com/books/)

In this Squiggly Short, Helen and Sarah break down why understanding your boss is key to increasing your impact at work. Learn how to read your manager’s motivations, preferences, and challenges, and use that insight to improve your communication and performance. Whether you're looking to align with their priorities, get better feedback, or develop a more productive relationship, this episode gives you the tools to take charge of your career by understanding your manager better.Full episode: https://shows.acast.com/amazingif/​473-why-understanding-your-manager-matters-for-career-growthWatch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SquigglyCareersFor questions about Squiggly Careers or to share feedback, please email [helenandsarah@squigglycareers.com](mailto:helenandsarah@squigglycareers.com)More ways to learn about Squiggly Careers:1. Download our free careers tools https://www.amazingif.com/toolkit/2. Sign-up for our Squiggly Careers Skills Sprint https://bit.ly/skillssprint20243. Sign up for Squiggly Careers in Action, a weekly summary of the latest squiggly career tools: https://bit.ly/SquigglyCareersInAction4. Read our books ‘The Squiggly Career’ and ‘You Coach You’ [www.amazingif.com/books/](http://www.amazingif.com/books/)

Figuring out what makes your manager tick can be one of the most powerful tools for career growth. In this episode, Helen and Sarah discuss the significant impact that managers have on your development, job satisfaction, and progression within a company. They also share practical tips on how to profile your manager, allowing you to align your actions with their needs, improve your communication, and position yourself for success—all by gaining a deeper understanding of their mindset.Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SquigglyCareersFor questions about Squiggly Careers or to share feedback, please email [helenandsarah@squigglycareers.com](mailto:helenandsarah@squigglycareers.com)More ways to learn about Squiggly Careers:1. Download our free careers tools https://www.amazingif.com/toolkit/2. Sign-up for our Squiggly Careers Skills Sprint https://bit.ly/skillssprint20243. Sign up for Squiggly Careers in Action, a weekly summary of the latest squiggly career tools: https://bit.ly/SquigglyCareersInAction4. Read our books ‘The Squiggly Career’ and ‘You Coach You’ [www.amazingif.com/books/](http://www.amazingif.com/books/)

In this Squiggly Short, Helen and Sarah offer a quick summary of practical tips for staying confident and coping when you’re dealing with a toxic work environment. From minimizing stressors to finding energizers outside of work, they share simple actions you can take to protect your mental health and build resilience—even when things feel tough. Plus, they discuss how to take control of your situation and find support outside of your team to help you navigate the challenges.Full episode: https://shows.acast.com/amazingif/how-to-cope-and-stay-confident-when-work-gets-toxicWatch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SquigglyCareersFor questions about Squiggly Careers or to share feedback, please email [helenandsarah@squigglycareers.com](mailto:helenandsarah@squigglycareers.com)More ways to learn about Squiggly Careers:1. Download our free careers tools https://www.amazingif.com/toolkit/2. Sign-up for our Squiggly Careers Skills Sprint https://bit.ly/skillssprint20243. Sign up for Squiggly Careers in Action, a weekly summary of the latest squiggly career tools: https://bit.ly/SquigglyCareersInAction4. Read our books ‘The Squiggly Career’ and ‘You Coach You’ [www.amazingif.com/books/](http://www.amazingif.com/books/)

1 in 10 people are facing a toxic work environment today, and while it can be tough, you don’t have to navigate it alone. In this episode, Helen and Sarah dive into what makes a team feel toxic and who can contribute to that culture. They also share practical tips for staying confident and in control, even when the environment around you feels challenging. From finding pockets of light-relief to documenting your experience to seeking support outside your team, this episode is filled with actionable strategies to help you protect your well-being and keep moving forward with confidence.Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SquigglyCareersFor questions about Squiggly Careers or to share feedback, please email [helenandsarah@squigglycareers.com](mailto:helenandsarah@squigglycareers.com)More ways to learn about Squiggly Careers:1. Download our free careers tools https://www.amazingif.com/toolkit/2. Sign-up for our Squiggly Careers Skills Sprint https://bit.ly/skillssprint20243. Sign up for Squiggly Careers in Action, a weekly summary of the latest squiggly career tools: https://bit.ly/SquigglyCareersInAction4. Read our books ‘The Squiggly Career’ and ‘You Coach You’ [www.amazingif.com/books/](http://www.amazingif.com/books/)

In this short, Helen and Sarah share why searching for your purpose could actually be holding you back in your career development, and how focusing on purposeful work instead could be a more flexible and fulfilling approach. They also offer some useful tools and prompts to help you do understand what meaningful work looks like to you - without the pressure of having it all figured out.Full episode: https://shows.acast.com/amazingif/469-do-you-need-to-have-a-purpose-at-workWatch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SquigglyCareersFor questions about Squiggly Careers or to share feedback, please email helenandsarah@squigglycareers.comMore ways to learn about Squiggly Careers:1. Download our free careers tools https://www.amazingif.com/toolkit/2. Sign-up for our Squiggly Careers Skills Sprint https://bit.ly/skillssprint20243. Sign up for Squiggly Careers in Action, a weekly summary of the latest squiggly career tools: https://bit.ly/SquigglyCareersInAction4. Read our books ‘The Squiggly Career’ and ‘You Coach You’ [www.amazingif.com/books/](http://www.amazingif.com/books/)

Finding your purpose can sometimes feel like a ‘should’—something we’re all expected to have figured out. The pressure to find a perfect purpose can leave us feeling stuck or unsure, especially when career paths are more squiggly than straightforward. But does having a purpose really matter? And if so, how do you stay connected to it?In this episode, Helen and Sarah explore the difference between having a purpose and feeling purposeful at work. You’ll learn how to reflect on what truly motivates you, define your squiggly career sweet spot and connect with your core values—even if you’re still figuring things out.(00:00) The problem with 'purpose'(07:00) Why do we care about purposeful work?(08:39) Finding your squiggly career sweet spot(09:36) Defining your core values(11:02) Defining your strengths(13:10) Energy audits(14:14) What do you want to make better?(16:35) What do you care about that's bigger than your job?(18:42) ChatGPT 1 sentence purpose statement(21:05) Summary📚 Resources Mentioned:McKinsey Research Paper: https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights/the-search-for-purpose-at-workGrit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth: https://shorturl.at/b6oFvValues Tools Kit: https://www.amazingif.com/toolkit/16 Personalities: https://www.16personalities.com/Principles you: https://principlesyou.com/Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SquigglyCareersFor questions about Squiggly Careers or to share feedback, please email helenandsarah@squigglycareers.comMore ways to learn about Squiggly Careers:1. Download our free careers tools https://www.amazingif.com/toolkit/2. Sign-up for our Squiggly Careers Skills Sprint https://bit.ly/skillssprint20243. Sign up for Squiggly Careers in Action, a weekly summary of the latest squiggly career tools: https://bit.ly/SquigglyCareersInAction4. Read our books ‘The Squiggly Career’ and ‘You Coach You’ [www.amazingif.com/books/](http://www.amazingif.com/books/)

In this short, Helen and Sarah are talking about how staying in your role can be really good for your growth. Very often in careers we’re given this narrative that up is the only way, success is about seniority and that we should all be thinking about our next step. This can create a lot of pressure for your progression, particularly if you’re thinking “I like the job that I do and I just want to do more of what I enjoy”. Listen to learn 3 ideas for action to help you grow in your current role.For questions about Squiggly Careers or to share feedback, please email helenandsarah@squigglycareers.comWatch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SquigglyCareersMore ways to learn about Squiggly Careers:1. Download our free careers tools https://www.amazingif.com/toolkit/2. Sign-up for our Squiggly Careers Skills Sprint https://bit.ly/skillssprint20243. Sign up for Squiggly Careers in Action, a weekly summary of the latest squiggly career tools: https://bit.ly/SquigglyCareersInAction4. Read our books ‘The Squiggly Career’ and ‘You Coach You’ [www.amazingif.com/books/](http://www.amazingif.com/books/)

Pressure to move up, take on more, and chase promotions can leave a lot of us feeling like success only comes from climbing the ladder. But what if staying where you are could be just as valuable for your career growth? The truth is, success doesn’t actually mean seniority.In this episode, Helen and Sarah explore why staying in your current role can help you build a stronger foundation for long-term career success.They share why staying put can actually be a smart move, how you can continue growing without constantly seeking advancement, and 3 practical actions to increase your impact in your current position.(00:00) Introduction (00:47) Why staying where you are is good for your growth (02:36) Success doesn’t necessarily mean seniority (04:37) Why you shouldn’t quit your job too soon(05:55) How to deal with progression pressure (08:21) Idea for Action #1 - How to increase your impact(17:03) Idea For Action #2 - Grow yourself by growing others (21:33) Idea For Action #3 - Practice Your Positioning (27:00) Summary For questions about Squiggly Careers or to share feedback, please email helenandsarah@squigglycareers.comMore ways to learn about Squiggly Careers:1. Download our free careers tools https://www.amazingif.com/toolkit/2. Sign-up for our Squiggly Careers Skills Sprint https://bit.ly/skillssprint20243. Sign up for Squiggly Careers in Action, a weekly summary of the latest squiggly career tools: https://bit.ly/SquigglyCareersInAction4. Read our books ‘The Squiggly Career’ and ‘You Coach You’ [www.amazingif.com/books/](http://www.amazingif.com/books/)