Peak Output. Rock Bottom Energy.Burnout, stress & the high-performer trap.🔥 A must-listen episode with Javed Bobat, mental health first aider and fellow Finance recruitment expert, diving into the unseen toll of high-functioning burnout - especially in fast-paced industries like finance and consulting.We discuss:⚠️ Why burnout often hides in plain sight — especially in high achievers.💼 How glorified overworking is damaging long-term performance.🧠 The psychological impact of chronic stress and coping mode.⏱ Micro-moments that protect your mental health (even on the busiest days).💣 The silent risks of “just getting on with it” — and why it's costing businesses more than they think.🔍 How to spot early warning signs of burnout in yourself and your team.🛠 Practical steps leaders can take to create healthier, more sustainable work cultures.If you're a finance leader, high-performer, or founder who’s running at 100% on 10% battery - this episode is for you.Let’s stop calling it resilience when it’s really survival mode.Hit subscribe and tune in. 🎧✨

In this episode, I’m joined by Kirsty Birch, an executive coach and motivational speaker who works with senior leaders and finance professionals navigating the pressure cooker of corporate life.Kirsty’s got a front-row seat to the quiet crisis playing out in boardrooms and Zoom calls everywhere:Burned out teams.Leaders unsure how to help.Cultures that say they care… but don’t act like it.We get into the practical, uncomfortable stuff that too many businesses are still ignoring.Expect to hear:🔎 What burnout actually looks like in high performers🧩 Why standard wellbeing perks aren’t cutting it🧠 How leadership behaviour shapes team resilience💬 Why vulnerability at the top isn’t weak ... it’s the strategy📈 The very real business case for putting people firstIf you manage people (or plan to) this episode is your reality check.

🚀 A powerful episode with Laura Hadcroft, a Chartered Accountant and senior finance leader, shares her personal journey with autism - from receiving her late diagnosis to navigating a career in high-pressure corporate environments.We discuss:💡 What it’s really like being neurodivergent in finance - and the challenges that still exist.🌍 Why DEI isn’t just a buzzword - and how businesses can create truly inclusive workplaces.🧠 Recognising and supporting neurodiverse talent - so individuals can thrive, not just survive.🚀 The power of self-awareness and advocacy - and why embracing who you are is the ultimate strength.This conversation is a must-listen for anyone in finance - leaders, hiring managers, and professionals alike - who want to foster inclusivity, understand neurodiversity, and build workplaces where everyone can succeed.Hit subscribe and join us for this eye-opening discussion. 🎧✨Connect with Laura 🫱🏼‍🫲🏾LinkedInInstagramThreads

Guest: Jo Stubbs, Finance DirectorWhat does it really take to become a Finance Director—and how can you enjoy the journey instead of just chasing the title?In this episode, Jo joins Phoebe to break down the different routes to FD, the critical career choices along the way, and the hidden challenges ambitious women face in their 20s and 30s.💡 Are you unknowingly holding yourself back? Jo and Phoebe discuss how fear, biases, and "what ifs" stop talented women from reaching their potential—and what to do about it.🔥 Plus, Jo shares how she built unshakable confidence, why stepping outside your comfort zone is non-negotiable, and why saying “yes” to scary things is the key to long-term success.If you’re a finance professional with big ambitions, this one’s not to be missed. Hit subscribe and let’s get into it! 🎧✨

Welcome to Season 2 of Joining the Dots, an Accountancy and Finance career podcast, brought to you by Dot Recruit!  In Episode Six of Joining the Dots, hosted by Sofia Merraoui, we feature guest David Ramsay, Talent Acquisition Partner at Armstrong Watson. David has spent all of his 14 years of recruitment experience purely in the accountancy market, so he has seen and learned a lot along the way when it comes to challenges and mistakes hiring managers and candidates make.  He started out working in agency recruitment with Hays and Reed, but has since worked in Big 4, Top 10 and now Armstrong Watson a Top 30 Practice dominating the Northern market. So if you are thinking about a job move one day, or you are hiring for your firm, either way you are going to learn something from David's experiences and insights over the years! For any feedback or questions, feel free to get in touch with us at [email protected]. Additionally, find us and the rest of our team on LinkedIn!

Welcome to Season 2 of Joining the Dots, an Accountancy and Finance career podcast, brought to you by Dot Recruit! In Episode Five of Joining the Dots, hosted by Sofia Merraoui, we feature guest Dale Pollitt, Director of Ryan's Chartered Accountants in Bolton. In this episode, we talk about how he has gone from a young AAT apprentice after leaving college half way through A-Levels, to now ACA and CTA qualified, becoming joint Partner of Ryan's Chartered Accountants just before his 27th birthday. Now, at aged 31, he is successfully running the firm alongside his business Partner, as well as always looking to get involved in other ventures in the North West to expand his entrepreneurial portfoilo. Dale is much more than just your typical accountant, and definitely an episode to tune in to if you aspire to be more than just an 'accountant.' For any feedback or questions, feel free to get in touch with us at [email protected]. Additionally, find us on LinkedIn!

This week, Phoebe was joined by the AWESOME leadership coach, Cheryl Thompson to chat about : - Feminine and masculine leadership explained and how a great leader channels both. - The benefits of operating from an abundance mindset, there’s plenty to go around! - Conflict communication, how we gaslight ourselves and how to set boundaries in the workplace. - How to respond when on the receiving end of poor leadership, structuring difficult conversations and self management. - Reframing imposter syndrome and why it’s essential for our growth to welcome those uncomfortable feelings. We would love to know what you learned from this episode so please find us on LinkedIn and share your thoughts! You can also connect with Cheryl at http://linkedin.com/in/cherylthompsoncoaching

Welcome to Season 2 of Joining the Dots, an Accountancy and Finance career podcast, brought to you by Dot Recruit! In Episode Three of Joining the Dots, hosted by Sofia Merraoui, we feature guest Chris Brown, Founder and Partner at Fylde Coast firm, Brown & Co.  In this episode, we talk about how he progressed through the early days of his career in Accounts, Audit and Tax, moving from local firms to Big 4 KPMG.  We talk in great detail about how and why he decided to set up on his own nearly 10 years ago now, the challenges tackled, the acquisitions, the recruitment, the technology, the social media, and much much more!  For any feedback or questions, feel free to get in touch with us at [email protected]. Additionally, find us on LinkedIn!

Welcome to Season 2 of Joining the Dots, an Accountancy and Finance career podcast, brought to you by Dot Recruit! In Episode Two of Joining the Dots, hosted by Sofia Merraoui, we feature guest Christine Richards, Partner at local and well established Preston firm, McDade Roberts. In this episode, we talk about how she has progressed within the same firm right from college leaver to now shareholder Partner in 2020, still in her early 30's! We talk about any challenges she's faced along the way, what she thinks a good employee, or a good Manager, looks like within the business and the main differences of being a shareholder compared to being a regular 'employee.' For any feedback or questions, feel free to get in touch with us at [email protected]. Additionally, find us on LinkedIn!

Welcome back to season 2 of Joining the Dots!  This week Phoebe was joined by Helen Pretty, a CIMA Qualified Accountant and ACCA/CIMA exam coach who supports qualifying Accountants to passing their exams with confidence! In this episode we discuss how resitters can find the motivation and to keep going, why exam technique and a solid, structured revision plan is so important!  We also chat about how to rebuild confidence after a knock and the value of your qualification and the rewards in the Accounting world and in your career. Don't forget to connect with Helen on Linkedin for more tips and advice - https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenprettycoach/