#211 3 Signs You’re Trapped by the Golden Handcuffs as a Female Leader

Send us a textHave you ever looked at your impressive career, the six-figure salary, the recognition, the title you worked so hard for and thought, “Why doesn’t this feel as good as I thought it would?”You’re not alone. Many high-achieving women in leadership quietly wrestle with the hidden side of success, the exhaustion, guilt, and disconnection that come with giving so much of yourself to your career that there’s little left for you.Watch Lucy’s free Confidence Masterclass: Three Secrets to Lead with Confidence and Reclaim Time. Uncover the hidden patterns sabotaging your success and learn the strategies to lead powerfully without burning out.Apply to join the 3SIXTY Leaders Club priority list, and be first in line for 3SIXTY Leaders Club®, the #1 executive coaching & training program exclusively for  women in senior leadership ready to lead with confidence & live with balance.Podcast Details: In this episode of The 360 LeadHERship Podcast, I pulled back the curtain on the hidden cost of success for women in leadership. I revealed the truth about what she calls “the golden handcuffs”, the subtle trap that keeps high-achieving women stuck in roles that look incredible on paper, but quietly drain their confidence, energy, and joy.I shared my own story of walking away from a six-figure leadership career and what it took to reclaim my power. You'll gain the awareness and mindset shifts needed to take back control of your time, career, and life without burning it all down.Whether you’re an ambitious senior leader or an executive navigating big career decisions, this episode will help you see what’s really at stake when you trade your peace for a paycheck and how to finally set yourself free.Tune in to Discover:The three warning signs that your golden handcuffs are keeping you stuckHow to shift from survival mode to strategic leadership without losing your edgeWhy goal setting strategies built around results (not hours) are key to work-life balanceThe hidden cost of chasing validation through salary, title, or statusThe mindset shift that will help you redefine success on your own terms.Recommended Next Steps👉 Watch Lucy’s free Confidence Masterclass: Three Secrets to Lead with Confidence and Reclaim Time. Uncover the hidden patterns sabotaging your success and learn the strategies to lead powerfully without burning out.👉 Apply to join the 3SIXTY Leaders Club priority list, and be first in line for 3SIXTY Leaders Club®, the #1 executive coaching & training program exclusively for  women in senior leadership ready to lead with confidence & live with balance.Enjoyed the episode?Don’t keep it to yourself! Hit follow, leave a review, and tell your friends about the 360 LeadHership PodcastRate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts"I love Lucy’s podcast, it’s so useful." This helps me support more women -- just like you -- move towards achieving their leadership career goals faster. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Send us a textHave you ever hit a big career milestone and still felt like something was missing?On paper, it looks like you’ve made it. But inside, you’re running on empty. You’re always “on,” spinning a hundred plates, and deep down you’re wondering "Is this really what success is meant to feel like?" In this week’s episode of The 360 LeadHERship Podcast, I’m sharing a story that completely shifted how I look at success, happiness, and balance. It all started in Bel Air, when I had the chance to ask global thought leader Jay Shetty a question no one had ever asked him before and his answer stopped an entire room of powerhouse women in their tracks.I reveal exactly what he told me and how his simple but powerful words can help you find more calm, clarity, and joy in both your leadership and your life.Plus, I walk you through my proven five-step framework for creating real work-life balance, the same system hundreds of high-achieving women in my executive coaching programs use to lead with confidence, protect their energy, and actually enjoy the success they’ve worked so hard for.If you’re ready to stop chasing success at the expense of your sanity and finally start leading powerfully and living fully, this episode is one you can’t miss.Tune in to Discover:The profound wisdom Jay Shetty shared that will completely reframe your definition of successHow to create sustainable work-life balance through practical systems, not theoryThe mindset shifts every ambitious woman needs to break free from burnout and guiltHow to create boundaries that empower rather than isolate youThe 5-step work-life balance framework that creates time, energy, and calmRecommended Next Steps👉 Ready to Create Balance That Actually Works? Download Lucy’s FREE Work-Life Balance Guide, featuring the full five-step framework shared in this episode. You’ll also get a digital habit tracker and practical tools to help you take back your time, protect your energy, and lead with confidence and calm.👉 If you’d love weekly support and inspiration to help you lead powerfully and live fully, sign up for my Sunday Night Newsletter your weekly dose of mindset shifts, goal setting strategies, and real stories from the trenches of leadership life.Enjoyed the episode?Don’t keep it to yourself! Hit follow, leave a review, and tell your friends about the 360 LeadHership PodcastRate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts"I love Lucy’s podcast, it’s so useful." This helps me support more women -- just like you -- move towards achieving their leadership career goals faster. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Send us a textAre you leading with power or are you still trying to please your way to success?So many high-achieving women want to be seen as credible, confident, and strategic leaders… yet they keep overdelivering, overcommitting, and saying “yes” to avoid rocking the boat. The truth is, the more you please, the less credible you appear. Real leadership isn’t about being liked, it’s about being respected.In this week’s 360 LeadHERship Podcast, I dive deep into one of the most important mindset shifts you’ll ever make as a woman in leadership - understanding how your money mindset impacts your confidence, boundaries, and ability to lead powerfully. Because how you do money is how you do everything.Tune in to Discover:The hidden link between your money mindset and your leadership confidenceWhy saying “yes” too often is costing you credibility, time, and energyThe 3 money mindset archetypes and which one might be holding you backHow to shift from permission-seeking to empowered decision-makingThe mindset shifts that help you stop people-pleasing and start leading like a powerhouseRecommended Next StepsIf this episode was helpful, you can learn more tools in my free masterclass: 3 Secrets to Lead with Confidence & Get Recognised without Burning Out or Sacrificing Your Evenings.👉 Click here for instant access [40 minute watch]Enjoyed the episode?Don’t keep it to yourself! Hit follow, leave a review, and tell your friends about the 360 LeadHership PodcastRate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts"I love Lucy’s podcast, it’s so useful." This helps me support more women -- just like you -- move towards achieving their leadership career goals faster. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Send us a textWhat if leadership didn’t have to cost you everything?So many women in leadership have been taught to rise the old way, by overworking, overdelivering, and overgiving. We’ve been conditioned to say “yes,” prove our worth, and constantly do more to be seen as capable. But that broken model leads to burnout, resentment, and the quiet belief that success has to come with sacrifice. In this week’s episode of The 360 LeadHERship Podcast, I’m sharing a powerful message that every woman in leadership needs to hear - you can succeed without losing yourself in the process. Because success doesn’t have to mean sacrificing your health, happiness, or identity.If you’ve ever wondered whether there’s an easier, more fulfilling way to thrive as a senior woman leader this is the episode you’ve been waiting for.Tune in to Discover:How to recognise the hidden costs of “doing it all” and why hard work alone isn’t enoughThe mindset shifts that will help you stop people-pleasing and start leading authenticallyHow executive presence is less about perfection and more about self-trustHow the women in 3SIXTY Leaders Club are transforming their careers and enjoying life againGoal setting strategies to reclaim your time, confidence, and impactRecommended Next StepsIf this framework was helpful, you can learn more tools in my free masterclass: 3 Secrets to Lead with Confidence & Get Recognised without Burning Out or Sacrificing Your Evenings.👉 Click here for instant access [40 minute watch]Enjoyed the episode?Don’t keep it to yourself! Hit follow, leave a review, and tell your friends about the 360 LeadHership PodcastRate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts"I love Lucy’s podcast, it’s so useful." This helps me support more women -- just like you -- move towards achieving their leadership career goals faster. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Send us a textAre you leading… or just surviving?On the outside, you might look like the picture of success. You’re hitting targets, managing teams, and praised for your work ethic. But inside? You may feel like you’re constantly in reactive mode, overthinking every decision, stretched too thin, and watching others with half your talent rise faster.Want more behind-the-scenes strategies and resources to help you thrive as a senior leader? Join my weekly newsletter and be the first to hear about my brand new (and free!) upcoming resource designed to help you step off the hamster wheel and lead with more ease and impact.Podcast Details: This week on The 360 LeadHERship Podcast, I’m diving into a question that every ambitious woman in leadership needs to ask herself: Am I truly leading, or am I stuck in survival mode?Because here’s the truth: the “success trap” is real. Many women in leadership unknowingly sacrifice their health, relationships, confidence, and even their sense of self in the pursuit of corporate achievement. But leadership doesn’t have to come at the cost of your well-being or your happiness. There is another way, a more strategic, intentional, and balanced way to lead.Tune in to Discover:3 clear signs you’re leading from survival mode instead of true leadershipHow overthinking, people pleasing, and saying “yes” to everything are holding you backWhy boundaries don’t mean doing less - they mean delivering smarterHow work-life balance and mindset shifts can elevate both your career and wellbeingPractical strategies to reclaim your time, confidence, and energy while still excelling in your roleRecommended Next Steps👉 Want more behind-the-scenes strategies and resources to help you thrive as a senior leader? Join my weekly newsletter and be the first to hear about my brand new (and free!) upcoming resource designed to help you step off the hamster wheel and lead with more ease and impact.Enjoyed the episode?Don’t keep it to yourself! Hit follow, leave a review, and tell your friends about the 360 LeadHership PodcastRate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts"I love Lucy’s podcast, it’s so useful." This helps me support more women -- just like you -- move towards achieving their leadership career goals faster. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Send us a textTwo words that can strike fear into even the most experienced manager: “I’m pregnant.”For women in leadership, maternity leave and the return to work can feel like an emotional rollercoaster filled with identity shifts, guilt, and the pressure to “prove yourself” all over again. For managers, it can be equally challenging to know the right way to support and communicate through this pivotal transition.Ready to feel supported in your leadership journey? Join the waitlist for 3SIXTY Leaders Club and discover how to step into your next level of success, balance, and impact.Podcast Details: In this week’s episode of The 360 LeadHERship Podcast, I sat down with Donna Riley of Donna Riley People and Wellness to unpack the realities of maternity leave and returning to work from both the perspective of ambitious women in leadership and the managers who want to support them better.Whether you’re preparing to return to work yourself, or you want to be a better leader for women in your team, this episode is filled with practical insights, mindset shifts, and empowering strategies that will help you embrace both leadership and life with more confidence and balance.Tune in to discover:Why maternity leave returners often struggle with confidence and identity shiftsThe crucial role managers play in easing the transition back to workHow guilt shows up for working mothers and how to manage itWhy support networks and coaching can make all the differenceHow to redefine balance on your terms and celebrate your achievements unapologeticallyRecommended Next Steps👉 Check out Donna Reilly’s website here.👉 Discover more about The 360 LeadHERship Podcast👉 Ready to feel supported in your leadership journey? Join the waitlist for 3SIXTY Leaders Club and discover how to step into your next level of success, balance, and impact.Enjoyed the episode?Don’t keep it to yourself! Hit follow, leave a review, and tell your friends about the 360 LeadHership PodcastRate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts"I love Lucy’s podcast, it’s so useful." This helps me support more women - just like you - move towards achieving their leadership career goals faster. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Send us a textHere’s a truth that every ambitious woman in leadership needs to hear: all important decisions about you are made when you’re not in the room. That’s why executive presence matters so much. It’s not just about working hard, hitting targets, or keeping your head down. It’s about inspiring confidence in others that you are the person for the job. But here’s the question I hear time and time again: what matters more, looking the part or keeping it real? If you’re ready to build your confidence, strengthen your executive presence, and step into your next level of leadership, join the 3SIXTY Leaders Club waitlist.Executive presence isn’t something you’re born with, it’s a skill you can learn. For my podcast listeners only I am running a flash sale until this Sunday, 26th October where you can get the full signature course for just €497. That is a €500 discount for my lovely podcast listeners. If you are ready to take the next steps and invest in yourself, this is not just another course. It is my signature course with my complete 5-step system to help you command any room with confidence. From personal branding to body language to confident communication, it’s jam-packed with practical tools, templates, and snackable videos to get you seen, heard, and respected.   Click here to get your podcast exclusive discount.Podcast Details:In this final part of my re-released Executive Presence Mini Training Series, I unpack the balance between appearance and authenticity and why the answer isn’t “either/or.” It’s both. Because the leaders who rise and get recognised aren’t just polished, they’re also unapologetically themselves.Tune in to Discover:The truth revealed appearance or authenticity: what actually matters the most?Why a polished appearance still matters in today’s leadership landscape (and how to define what this looks like for you)How fitness, energy, and vitality impact your executive presence and the confidence others have in youAn invitation if you want to master your executive presence this yearRecommended Next Steps👉 If you’re ready to build your confidence, strengthen your executive presence, and step into your next level of leadership, join the 3SIXTY Leaders Club waitlist.👉 Executive presence isn’t something you’re born with, it’s a skill you can learn. The Executive Presence Blueprint course gives you the step-by-step strategies to master it. Click here to get your podcast exclusive discount.Enjoyed the episode?Don’t keep it to yourself! Hit follow, leave a review, and tell your friends about the 360 LeadHership PodcastRate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts"I love Lucy’s podcast, it’s so useful." This helps me support more women -- just like you -- move towards achieving their leadership career goals faster. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Send us a textIf there’s one thing every ambitious woman in leadership needs to master, it’s executive presence. Hard work and long hours might get you noticed, but they won’t automatically earn you the recognition, influence, or opportunities you truly deserve. What will? The ability to communicate with confidence, inspire trust, and command a room.That’s why I’m so excited to bring back this re-release of my exclusive Executive Presence Mini Training Series. It was one of the most popular trainings we’ve ever shared on the podcast, and I know it’s going to be just as powerful for you the second time around.If you’re ready to build your confidence, strengthen your executive presence, and step into your next level of leadership, join the 3SIXTY Leaders Club waitlist.Executive presence isn’t something you’re born with, it’s a skill you can learn. The Executive Presence Blueprint course gives you the step-by-step strategies to master it. Check it out here.Podcast Details:In this episode, we dive into one of the most important yet often overlooked aspects of executive presence: communication. Because if you want to accelerate your career, inspire your team, and gain the trust of senior stakeholders, you’ve got to move beyond just “getting your point across” and step into the role of a truly influential communicator.Tune in to Discover:Why communication is the number one skill you need to master to influence people and become magneticThe biggest mistakes I see all the time that leaders make when it comes to communicationThe types of communication sub-skills you need to master to truly build your executive presenceRecommended Next Steps👉 If you’re ready to build your confidence, strengthen your executive presence, and step into your next level of leadership, join the 3SIXTY Leaders Club waitlist.👉 Executive presence isn’t something you’re born with, it’s a skill you can learn. My Executive Presence Blueprint course gives you the step-by-step strategies to master it. Check it out here.Enjoyed the episode?Don’t keep it to yourself! Hit follow, leave a review, and tell your friends about the 360 LeadHership PodcastRate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts"I love Lucy’s podcast, it’s so useful." This helps me support more women -- just like you -- move towards achieving their leadership career goals faster. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Send us a textYou’ve worked hard. You’ve proven yourself time and again. You’ve solved problems, led projects, and shown up for your organisation with everything you’ve got.But here’s the thing: hard work alone won’t get you noticed.If you want to truly stand out in senior leadership, you need to master the art of executive presence. It’s not about pretending, polishing, or putting on a mask. It’s about inspiring confidence, commanding a room, and leading with authority all while staying authentic to who you really are.And the good news? Executive presence can be learned.What would change if you finally had the tools, strategies, and support to lead with clarity, confidence, and balance? Join the waitlist for 3SIXTY Leaders Club and you’ll be first in line when spots open.Executive presence isn’t something you’re born with, it's a skill you can learn. My Executive Presence Blueprint course gives you the step-by-step strategies to master it. Check it out here.Podcast Details: In today’s episode of the 360 LeadHERship Podcast, I’m so excited to share this with you again. Last year, this exclusive 3-part mini training series on executive presence was one of our most downloaded and loved  so we’ve decided to re-release it for you. If you missed it the first time, this is your chance to dive in. And if you’ve already listened, it’s the perfect opportunity to revisit and refresh these powerful strategies.Tune in to Discover:The definition of executive presence and why it mattersWhat has changed over the past decade that you need to be aware of3 KEY attributes great leaders have today The magic word Gravitas and how to really command a room with more easeRecommended Next Steps👉 What would change if you finally had the tools, strategies, and support to lead with clarity, confidence, and balance? Join the waitlist for 3SIXTY Leaders Club and you’ll be first in line when spots open.👉 Executive presence isn’t something you’re born with it’s a skill you can learn. The Executive Presence Blueprint gives you the step-by-step strategies to master it. Check it out here.Enjoyed the episode?Don’t keep it to yourself! Hit follow, leave a review, and tell your friends about the 360 LeadHership PodcastRate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts"I love Lucy’s podcast, it’s so useful." This helps me support more women -- just like you -- move towards achieving their leadership career goals faster. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Send us a textWhat if the very doubts that make you question yourself as a leader were actually the fuel that could help you grow?Ready to Feel Fully Supported in Leadership and Life? Join the waitlist for 3SIXTY Leaders Club, the premier coaching experience for ambitious women in senior corporate roles. You'll get early access to the next cohort, behind-the-scenes insights, and priority on applications.Podcast Details: In this week’s episode of The 360 LeadHERship Podcast, I’m joined by Heather Elkington, founder of Fresh Start Leadership. Heather’s journey is one that so many women in leadership will resonate with from battling imposter syndrome as a young assistant manager on the shop floor at Harrods, to scaling and selling a tech company, to becoming an Ops Director in a FTSE 100 subsidiary leading five diverse teams across 11,000 employees.Now, she’s using her wealth of experience to empower the next generation of managers and create workplaces where people genuinely love the work they do. And trust me, her story and insights will spark some powerful mindset shifts for you too.Tune in to discover:The truth about imposter syndrome and why so many women in leadership experience it (and how to overcome it).Why small companies can be powerful stepping stones for women in leadership to gain diverse experience and accelerate growth.The impact of supportive managers on performance and mental healthWhy avoiding difficult conversations only makes problems bigger and how to reframe them with courage and ownership.The power of vulnerability and authenticity in creating psychological safety and trust in teams.Recommended Next Steps👉 Check out Heather Elkington's website here.👉 Discover more about The 360 LeadHERship Podcast👉Ready to Feel Fully Supported in Leadership and Life? Join the waitlist for 3SIXTY Leaders Club, the premier coaching experience for ambitious women in senior corporate roles. You'll get early access to the next cohort, behind-the-scenes insights, and priority on applications.Enjoyed the episode?Don’t keep it to yourself! Hit follow, leave a review, and tell your friends about the 360 LeadHership PodcastRate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts"I love Lucy’s podcast, it’s so useful." This helps me support more women - just like you - move towards achieving their leadership career goals faster. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!