#44 | A Former Police Leader on Why Great Leadership Has Nothing to Do With Having the Answers & Everything to Do With Influence.

episode

Previously titled “How Ego, Imposter Syndrome and Control Quietly Undermine Leadership (And What Great Leaders Do Instead)” — renamed by the publisher on Aug 2, 2026

UNSHAKEABLE HER: Real-World Leadership, Influence and Promotion for Ambitious Women. not yet transcribed

▲ 0

Transcript

This episode hasn't been transcribed yet Upvotes decide what gets transcribed next — 0 so far. Sign in to upvote

recent transcribed audio

Is the world turning its back on Trump's America? 36 min · 22 Sep 2026 · Christiane Amanpour Presents: The Ex Files

4 TEAMS LEFT... "Knights Upset?" | FINALS WK3 PREVIEW 47 min · 22 Sep 2026 · Backstage with Cooper & Matty Johns

Bears aren't ruling out Caleb Williams against Eagles, but will he play? (Hour 1) 41 min · 22 Sep 2026 · Rahimi & Grote Show

Week 3 Waivers + Someone to Blame - Fantasy Football Podcast for 9/22 52 min · 22 Sep 2026 · Fantasy Footballers - Fantasy Football Podcast

First Date Follow Up: She Thought Their Date Was Perfect… Until He Found Out She Was MARRIED! 16 min · 22 Sep 2026 · First Date Follow Up - The Jubal Show

Neville Gallimore talks Bears' 9-3 loss to Vikings, Caleb Williams' injury 18 min · 22 Sep 2026 · Rahimi & Grote Show

Report any issue

Source

Recorded10 Feb 2026

Publisherfeeds.buzzsprout.com

Handlerec:15820118

Show notes

Send a textWhat if leadership isn’t about having the answers at all?In this episode of Little Moves, Big Careers, I’m joined by leadership coach and former senior police leader Zoe Thompson, whose 20-year career in policing offers some of the most honest, grounded lessons I’ve heard about trust, ego, and what leadership really looks like when the pressure is on.We talk about leading people who know more than you, being comfortable saying “I don’t know”, and why ego (not a lack of capability) is often the thing that quietly undermines teams and performance.We also reframe imposter syndrome, explore why decision-making feels so hard in modern organisations, and unpack what great leaders actually do when things are messy, uncertain, or emotionally charged.This is a reflective, practical conversation for anyone who leads others, or is figuring out how they want to lead.What We CoverWhy leadership isn’t about expertise (and what it is about instead)How ego shows up as control, certainty, and defensiveness at workThe difference between psychological safety and “open door” policiesA powerful reframe of imposter syndrome as self-awareness, not weaknessHow good leaders make decisions without waiting for perfect informationWhat it really means to clear the way for your teamTrust as a two-way relationship (and how quickly it can be lost)Navigating redundancy, identity shifts, and values-led career movesKey TakeawayGreat leadership doesn’t come from knowing more. Instead, it comes from listening better, letting go of ego, and creating the conditions for other people to do their best work.Often, the smallest shift - one better question, one moment of restraint, one honest conversation - is where the real change begins.Links & Resources🔗 Zoe Thompson – leadership coaching and development (link in show notes)🔗 Free Values Assessment (there are tons of great resources on this site too)🔗 Connect with Caroline hereIf this episode stirred something, don’t rush to fix it.Sit with it. Those quiet moments are often where the biggest career shifts begin.And if you want to chat about what has resonated or how I can help you, then email me [email protected] to make your next bold move? Grab the free Bold Move Audit and join the insider crew. Stuck, simmering, or onto something juicy? I want to hear it. Drop me a line at [email protected] - I read them all.

Ask this episode

“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

Transcript

Related