On 24 March 2026, more than 100 women joined our Control Your Career Masterclass online, led by Sally Spicer.
The session was designed for mid-career women who were progressing in their roles but questioning what came next. Rather than encouraging attendees to do more or push harder, the focus stayed on creating clarity and making informed decisions about the direction of their careers.
A session built around clarity
From the outset, the session positioned itself differently. It acknowledged that feeling stuck doesn’t come from a lack of ambition, it often comes from not having the space to stop and think about what success actually looks like on a personal level.
The discussion explored how expectations, both internal and external, can influence career decisions over time. By bringing these into focus, attendees were able to step back and consider what they wanted moving forward, without the pressure of following a predefined path. This created a more considered way of thinking about progression, one that felt realistic and relevant to where attendees were in their careers.
Challenging familiar patterns
A key part of the session centred on recognising the stories that can quietly influenced decision-making. Ideas such as feeling the need to stay grateful or accepting situations as fixed were addressed in a way that felt direct and practical.
Rather than presenting these as obstacles, the session created an opportunity to question them. This gave attendees a clearer understanding of how these patterns had been influencing their choices and what could shift as a result.
The focus remained on awareness and action, helping attendees move forward with greater intention.
A practical framework to take away
Alongside the discussion, attendees were introduced to a simple and structured approach to defining success on their own terms. This provided a clear way to move from reflection into action, without overcomplicating the process.
The framework was designed to be used in real situations, supporting decisions around career direction, opportunities, and next steps. It gave attendees something tangible to work with beyond the session itself. This practical element was a consistent theme throughout, ensuring the session felt useful as well as engaging.
A balanced and engaging experience
There was a strong sense of engagement across the group, with attendees connecting with the content in a way that felt relevant to their own experiences. The session created an environment where people could think clearly about their next steps without feeling overwhelmed.
It doesn’t stop there… Continue the conversation
If this session sparked new thinking around your career, there are more opportunities to keep building on that momentum.
You can explore our other upcoming free masterclasses designed to help you step forward this spring.
AI is not coming, it is already reshaping roles, influence and opportunity.
In this 90-minute interactive session, Claire Roberts and our team will explore how AI is impacting roles right now, what you can do immediately to position yourself for success, and how to build the core skills you need to thrive alongside emerging technologies.
We will also tackle the ethical issues relating to women and inclusion in AI, because women must help shape this technology, not simply adapt to it.
This is about staying relevant, confident and ahead of change.
22 April 12:30-13:30 – Overcoming Toxic Perfectionism | With Harriet Waley-Cohen
Perfectionism can look like high standards, ambition and drive, but when it tips into self-criticism and procrastination, it can quietly hold you back.
In this honest and practical session, Harriet Waley-Cohen will explore how to recognise toxic perfectionism, understand where it shows up in your career, and learn how to loosen its grip without lowering your standards.
12 May 12:00-13:15 – Harnessing your emotional intelligence | With Mairi McHaffie
Handling feedback, performance conversations and high-pressure moments can feel challenging when emotions run high. This practical session with Mairi McHaffie will explore how to strengthen your Emotional Intelligence, helping you respond with greater clarity and control.
You’ll learn how to understand your own emotions, manage reactions in different situations, and build stronger relationships through better communication and awareness.
Each session offers a different perspective, giving you the space to keep learning and take practical steps forward in a way that works for you.
