The Unlikely Executive
by Glee Coaching Ltd
Why Your Best People Leave | Barbra Carlisle | The Unlikely Executive
About this podcast
You know there’s more in you, more to explore, more to give, and more to live.
Welcome to The Unlikely Executive Podcast, a bi-weekly show for people who want to make a difference both in their own careers and the world around them. You don't have to be failing to want more. If you are curious about how others have navigated the rocky road to leadership and fulfillment you are in the right place.
This podcast is designed especially for the curious, the ambitious and the slightly nervous!
It is for those who are asking Now what?
Those at a crossroads, those with a desire to step up to the executive table and those who want to feel a sense of ownership in their own career.
Every episode, host Barbra Carlisle, Founder of Glee Coaching Ltd, Accredited Coach, and Business Mentor, brings you candid conversations with people like you who are now leaders making a significant difference.
These are people whose journeys to where they are today were far from textbook. Challenges, self-doubt, and surprising turns all play a part. Yet, they’ve emerged with a sense of purpose, passion, and a desire to contribute positively to our wonderful and complex world.
Through inspiring stories, actionable tips, and heartfelt moments, each guest reveals how they stepped into the unknown, discovered their purpose, and made a difference.
If you’re ready to unlock your potential, challenge yourself, and take steps toward creating the impact you dream of, this podcast is for you.
Subscribe now to start your journey of discovery, and together, let’s build a better future—one purposeful step at a time.
Visit www.gleecoaching.com to learn more.
Hosted on Riverside
Episodes
The newest 20 of 43 episodes
- Why Your Best People Leave | Barbra Carlisle | The Unlikely Executive · 11 min · Season 2 Episode 17When a high performer hands in their notice, most organisations immediately focus on salary, benefits or what a competitor has offered. But what if the real reason they're…
- The reason change fails| Barbra Carlisle | The Unlikely Executive · 10 min · Season 2 Episode 16Why do so many organisational change programmes fail despite significant investment, planning and communication? In this episode of The Unlikely Executive, Barbra Carlisle…
- Leading Culture Change | John Davidson | The Unlikely Executive · 30 min · Season 2 Episode 14In this episode of The Unlikely Executive, Barbra Carlisle speaks with John Davidson, CEO of Almond Housing Association, about leadership, culture change, career progression, and…
- Have a difficult conversation | Barbra Carlisle | The Unlikely Executive · 9 min · Season 2 Episode 13The Conversations Your Leaders Know They Need to Have but Are Not Having Season: Leadership Impact Scorecard Series | Host: Barbra Carlisle FCIPD, MCiOH | Duration: approx. 8…
- Onsite and Breastfeeding is it possible? | Sarah Thorne | The Unlikely Executive · 39 min · Season 2 Episode 12In this episode of The Unlikely Executive, Barbra Carlisle speaks with strategic construction leader and entrepreneur Sarah Thorne. With more than 20 years in construction and…
- From Expert to Leader| challenges and opportunities | The Unlikely Executive · 10 min · Season 2 Episode 11Season: Leadership Impact Scorecard Series | Host: Barbra Carlisle FCIPD, MCiOH | Duration: approx. 8 minutes Summary Promoting your best technical performer into a management…
- Leading Sustainably | Claire Brown | The Unlikely Executive · 32 minSustainability Leadership in Construction, Net Zero & Influencing Change In this episode of The Unlikely Executive Podcast, Barbra Carlisle speaks with Claire Brown, Senior…
- I How to Lead at Pace in Construction & Infrastructure | Roselyn Unegbu | The Unlikely Executive · 29 min · Season 2 Episode 10How do you lead effectively when everything is moving fast? In this episode of The Unlikely Executive, Barbra Carlisle sits down with Roselyn Unegbu to explore what it takes to…
- Life After Redundancy: How Leaders Rebuild & Reinvent Themselves | The Unlikely Executive · 7 min · Season 2 Episode 9What happens when a leader faces redundancy? In this episode of The Unlikely Executive, Barbra Carlisle explores the emotional and practical reality of life after redundancy —…
- A Leader's Journey to Independence | Chris Waine | The Unlikely Executive · 28 min · Season 2 Episode 8Why do successful corporate leaders walk away from it all? Chris Waine shares his story of leaving the corporate world to forge his own path — and the leadership lessons learned…
- Finding a Place in a System not Built for You | Leadership & Belonging | The Unlikely Executive · 30 min · Season 2 Episode 7How do you lead authentically in a system that wasn't designed for people like you? This powerful episode of The Unlikely Executive explores what it means to find your place…
- From the Bottom to the Top | Colin McEllin | The Unlikely Executive · 28 min · Season 2 Episode 6Colin McEllin started at the bottom and worked his way to the top of the construction industry. In this episode of The Unlikely Executive, he shares the leadership lessons…
- Being Master of Your Own Destiny| Learie Gonsalves| The Unlikely Executive · 22 min · Season 2 Episode 5Learie Gonsalves, the Director of Blackbird Property Surveyors, shares his journey armed with his one CSE in art to owning a successful property surveying firm for over 10 years…
- Owning the title CEO| Renee Preston | The Unlikely Executive · 25 min · Season 2 Episode 4What does a job title really mean — and how does it shape your leadership identity? CEO Renee Preston explores the weight of titles, the journey to the top, and what it really…
- A fulfilling career in Aviation| Tim Walder| The Unlikely Executive · 24 min · Season 2 Episode 3Tim Walder shares his journey in the aviation industry, emphasizing the importance of career purpose and emotional intelligence. He discusses career progression, leadership…
- From Geologist to Global Growth: Kathleen Abbott's Leadership Journey | The Unlikely Executive · 26 min · Season 2 Episode 2Kathleen Abbott went from geologist to driving global business growth. In this episode, she shares how a technical background in geology became the foundation for an…
- Creating a Blueprint for a Sustainable Future: With Alan Brookes · 34 min · Season 2 Episode 1Chief Arcadian. People Champion. Passionate about sustainable transformation and finding solutions to global challenges. Playing his part in helping to preserve the planet and…
- No Linear Path: From Journalist to Charity CEO · 34 min · Season 1 Episode 26For more information, please visit: Company Website: https://careerready.org.uk/ Guest's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-spackman-3bb19a82/?originalSubdomain=uk…
- Opening Up Workforce Opportunities: Connecting Northumberland · 31 min · Season 1 Episode 25Appointed as Chief Executive, Liz Mayes brings dynamic leadership and a forward-thinking perspective to Connect Northumberland. Her extensive experience in industry and regional…
- Building Success Against All Odds: A Journey to Financial Freedom · 34 min · Season 1 Episode 24For more information, please visit: Company Website: https://www.harrogategroup.co.uk/ Guest's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sue-wright-bb024516a/…







