In this episode of Lead the Shift Conversations, I sit down with Dr Victoria Lister, a researcher, workplace coach, and organisational practitioner, to explore the journey behind her remarkable career. From hospitality and advertising to consulting, coaching, and academia, Victoria shares how every career transition, planned or unplanned, contributed to her understanding of voice, purpose, and meaningful work. This conversation is a reminder that we don't always need to have

Humility should keep us grounded, not make us invisible. Yet many of us have learned to downplay our strengths, achievements and contributions so we don't appear arrogant or “too much.” At what point does humility become shrinking?

An international student in Australia recently reached out to me, feeling discouraged and overwhelmed. Before coming to Australia, they had built years of professional experience and a solid career. Yet after almost a year of applying for jobs, they had been unable to secure work, even in roles well below the level they had previously held. The repeated rejections were starting to erode their confidence and make them question their worth. We arranged a time to talk. During ou

You don’t always notice when you’re shrinking. It’s subtle. Gradual. Easy to explain away. For a few years, I lived in a small town. At the time, it made complete sense. I was raising my kids as a single mum, working full-time, and completing my PhD. I needed a setup that allowed me to manage everything, and it worked. But after a while, something started to shift. From the outside, it looked like I was holding it all together, but quietly, something in me was changing. I los