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Ep. 71 The Authority Shift: Leading Through Change at Work and at Home | Conversations with Jackie
Description
What does it really mean to lead?
Leadership isn’t simply about having authority, managing a team, or holding a title. It’s about how we communicate, build trust, respond to change, and connect with the people who depend on us—both professionally and personally.
In this episode of Speak Feed Lead Conversations with Jackie Bailey, Jackie sits down with Shirley Sutton, Career Coach and founder of Ascendly, for an insightful conversation about what Shirley calls “The Authority Shift”—the transition from simply managing people to truly leading them.
Drawing from her experience in career coaching, leadership, HR, and recruitment, Shirley explores how professionals can develop the confidence, communication skills, and self-awareness needed to navigate growth and change.
But the conversation goes beyond the workplace.
Jackie and Shirley explore the powerful connection between leadership and parenting and how many of the same skills we use to become better leaders—listening, communicating clearly, adapting our approach, building trust, and understanding people—also influence the way we show up at home.
In this conversation, you'll discover:
✨ What it means to make the shift from manager to leader
💼 How leadership evolves as our responsibilities and relationships change
🗣️ Why effective communication is essential when leading people through uncertainty and transition
🧠 How confidence and self-awareness shape the way we lead
🤝 Why connection and understanding are just as important as authority
🏡 The surprising similarities between leading at work and parenting at home
🌱 How personal and professional growth often require us to rethink the way we communicate, respond, and lead
Whether you’re managing a team, stepping into a new leadership role, navigating a career transition, raising a family—or balancing all of the above—this conversation offers a thoughtful reminder that leadership is ultimately about people.
It’s not just about directing others.
It’s about learning how to listen, communicate, adapt, connect, and lead with greater intention.
🎙️ Join Jackie Bailey and Shirley Sutton for a conversation about leadership, parenting, communication, confidence, and what it means to lead humans through change.
About Shirley Sutton
Shirley Sutton is a Career Coach and founder of Ascendly, where she helps professionals navigate career growth, leadership development, and periods of change with greater clarity and confidence.
Through her work, Shirley helps people better understand their strengths, recognize what may be holding them back, communicate their value, and take intentional steps toward the next stage of their professional lives.
🌐 Learn more about Shirley and Ascendly:
💬 What does leadership mean to you? Share your thoughts in the comments.
👍 If this conversation resonates with you, please like, comment, subscribe, and share the episode with someone who may benefit from Shirley’s message.
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