Have you ever had a dream for your life, only to find yourself stuck in fear and unable to pursue it?

Stepping into the unknown can be a scary thing, but nothing will propel you towards your goals faster than pushing past your comfort zone.

Today’s guest, Sue Rosen, knows the fear of breaking free from the status quo all too well - as well as the power in finding the courage to do so.

Sue is an inspiring executive coach and the founder of a boutique executive coaching business, working with a wide range of national and international organisations and government agencies.

In our conversation, Sue shares her incredible story of transitioning from a successful finance career to becoming an executive coach and helping leaders unlock their potential. Her story is a powerful reminder of the courage it takes to embrace change and follow your true passions.

We talk about: 

• Finding Courage to Make a Change
• Taking Ownership as a Leader
• The Power of Community

Whether you're considering a career shift, seeking to enhance your leadership skills, or simply curious about the power of executive presence, our discussion offers some incredible insights you can take away for any stage of your journey. 

Carving a new path for yourself isn’t easy, but it’s more than possible when you step out in your power and make the choice to be brave. A fulfilling career and life really is yours for the taking - so what are you waiting for? 

Submit your Question: Spotify - click the button below. All other platforms - send me a DM on Instagram or email: support@janinegarner.com.au 

LINKS:

Connect with Sue:

Website: https://www.suerosen.com.au/ 

LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/suerosen 

White paper: Cultivating Executive Presence

Connect with Janine:

Elevate with Janine

The Focus Finder Assessment

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Sue: Fantastic. Thank you, Janine. I'm really delighted to be here.

here right now.

So I traveled around doing the backpacking thing for six months and then worked in Sydney for six months. And in the six months working in Sydney, when this is a fabulous lifestyle, I can, you know, live near the beach and equally work in a cosmopolitan city. so that then started me thinking differently and went back at the end of my visa, did a year back in the UK and applied for permanent residence and came back again after there was another year, uh, and have been here ever since. even then I probably wasn't sure it would be a forever thing, but [00:04:00] just got very settled in the lifestyle, met friends, met a man who became my husband And started interestingly having said, you know, yeah, no, I'm leaving accounting. I went back into it, but not back into accounting practice, not back into professional practice.

And I always say in hindsight. Couple of years too long. And throughout all of my career, I kept thinking I'm going to do something different, but I wasn't sure what that was going to be. and it's really interesting looking back in my thirties, I thought, and of course then I was having children and I felt very locked in to the career, locked into having a mortgage, you know, working part time, looking after children and thinking, Oh, I've, I've invested all this time, energy, money, et cetera, in this career. So I can't change now. But what's interesting is that once I was in my forties, I went, Oh my God, if I have to do this same kind of work for the next 20 years, I'd rather stick pens in my eyes. It's really interesting how you, you know, you can start to unlock something by seeing choice. You know, you actually do have a choice. [00:06:00] And so that was something of a turning point. And actually, I always describe the turning point really is that as my girls were starting to grow up, we tell our children, and we've all been told this, you can do anything you want to do. And we were brought up in a life of relative privilege and they are. so why wasn't I doing that? You know, that was the realization for me that you tell your kids you can do anything, but what I was, became very conscious of was that I was not role modeling that I was in a role that I did not enjoy that I, would come home just feeling frustrated that I wasn't making the contribution that I wanted to make. You know, I was doing okay. I was showing up and I was doing the job, but I wasn't enthused and engaged and passionate about what I was doing. so I actually had some career coaching myself. And then finally I invested in myself, because that was the other thing I'd neglected for so [00:07:00] long. We get caught up, don't we, in, looking after the family, doing the job, doing all the things that are expected of us. Um, and I finally invested some time, money, energy. In myself having coaching, which was initially around, you know, finding the better CFO role for me, you know, in a better organization that was more suited to me, or what's the role that I really want. And actually for me, what came out of that was I love these conversations that I was having with my coach.

And I went, Hmm, maybe I could do that. so I started to explore that. And then when you did, um, did some training and then went, Oh yeah. I love, this is a powerful modality, and it's got so much potential to help people. So this is what I want to do. So then it became some, you know, training and training and training and a post grad whilst working a part time CFO role.

part time.

Sue: Almost. definitely because there was a, it was a period for about five years. I didn't, I kept reading things about, you know, go and take the leap of faith, jump into something new. And I really, really wanted to do that. But I'm also, I'm quite risk averse. I'm quite conservative financially. And I thought, I can't just walk away from a good income.

Janine: so there's so much in there. I was scribbling away as you were talking. Um, I mean, what you, what you've pretty much described there is this wonderful sort of, Disco ball of experience that, that so many people have, you know, the transitions that we go through, through decades or our lives and the skills that we acquire, the choices that we make, the experiences that we have, how all of that just shapes this person that you are now, and you talked a little bit in there around, you said a couple of years too long, and, choosing to invest and how we neglect [00:10:00] ourselves and the fear of change. I'm really curious before we we start sort of delving into, you know, what you do now and how, your wish, I guess, for leadership.

I'm not into a life of regret by any means, but if you could look back and give yourself, be that fairy godmother, looking back on, as you said, the five, six, seven years, what would you tell yourself if you could go back? And at what point would you have given yourself that message?

I really didn't want to have to move back with mum and dad. that I probably jumped in too quickly. to that first choice. And of course, I can tell you all the reasons why Chartered [00:12:00] Accountant was a fantastic grounding for me in business. and I did learn a lot and I've got some amazing friends from that time. but that would be one thing. And interestingly, sometimes when you hear other things, I, I saw a documentary, it was about something else entirely, but it was set during that period in the UK. And interestingly, it put that decision in context for me. And it put that decision in that period of the late 80s in the UK, Margaret Thatcher in power, the energy crisis that had previously gone on, the struggles against unions, and I was at um, University of Leeds, so a very, you know, you would know the whole

Janine: Oh, it's my hometown.

Janine: there's so much in there and I'm curious, with regards to things like, I love the idea about the decisions that we make in [00:15:00] context. And I'm, I'm imagining there's many people listening in here right now who are equally probably reflecting some of the choices that they've made up until now.

where we do make those decisions in context, whether that fuels our lack of belief or fear of taking a step. Out of something, and it's that whole conformity piece as well. I think of at that moment in time, we were talking offline about our daughters, how, you know, at that moment in time, the decisions that the next generation are making, um, equally being made in the context of gender.

Of where they're at in their lives. But you also talk about this, this being braver and taking that step into the unknown. I'm really curious about how, how has you seen this play out in the work that you do now? So you are a, an advocate and you're passionate about leadership and changing leadership and particularly women in leadership and executive presence and taking ownership of leadership.

Sue: I think there's a co, there are a couple of things there. I think one that really talks to my experience is this piece about understanding that we have a choice, that sometimes we feel stuck, we feel trapped and in a situation and we feel like we don't have choice And and when, we realize that we do have choices, that doing nothing or staying in the status quo. is a choice, is a decision. It is enormously liberating. And so that I think is, is almost the first piece when I'm working with people about, where they feel they are, whether that's stuck because they want to change their role or whether it's stuck because they want to break through to that next level of leadership.

You know, it's not that I think we can magic away. the glass ceiling, for example. but what can we do within that system? What are the things that I have control over? And one of the things I have control over is to start to challenge the assumptions I have, you know, and that can be with some of my clients.

Janine: And when, actually I've got two questions. First [00:20:00] question is, now you talked there about exploring the narrative and the liberation that we actually all have once we understand that we have a choice. To stay, to move, to go back. Everything is a choice. And you also talked about being brave, to take that step into the unknown.

And I guess, this is where the two things are connected, right? Because do you see in your work that there is an element of, of fear, around understanding that we have a choice and equally is there a level of fear around being willing to Unpack and reframe your narrative. Like this shift doesn't happen with the flick of a switch, right? So,

and I equally know that every time I've stepped into that space of personal learning, it's, takes a whole lot of bravery because you don't know what's coming up. So

Sue: You're right. They're all of these things that connected and it's bloody uncomfortable. And I think that's part of it. We naturally as human beings, we move towards what is comfortable and pleasant, and we move away from what is uncomfortable or difficult. And that includes emotional states. So therefore, Oh, It's challenging, you know, staying with the status quo, staying on that same treadmill is easier, even when we don't like it. Plus, you know, even when we don't like it, it can be easier. And, you know, I've had clients say to me in sessions as well going, oh god this is this is [00:22:00] hard so sometimes after a coaching session, you, you feel really fantastic and empowered.

It doesn't mean we all throw the towel in and work for a not for profit or volunteer. How can I bring what's really meaningful and purposeful for me, into my professional role so that I feel more fulfilled. Because you know, that's a big part of what I do is I want the people I work with to feel fulfilled in what they do.

Janine: There's a couple of things in there as well that you talked to there's this being okay to be uncomfortable. I know I see it in a lot of my work where. It's not always as simple as band aiding, fixing, gold starring. and I know you and I have had conversations about this over the years, that sometimes it is hard because you've got to experiment, you've got to get curious, you've got to sit, in that space of really looking, At your business, at your leadership to try and pinpoint what that, that block is.

Sue: what I see?

It's connections to your stakeholders. It's building those relationships, but, and it's also connection to purpose and alignment with what the organization is doing. So. Circle back. I feel like I've gone off on a tangent,

step up a level. because now they are seen and perceived differently by other people.

Janine: yes, I could not agree more. I think, the knock on impact then of doing that work is that everybody benefits teams, fellow leaders, peers, family, et cetera. So your point right back at the beginning, if we've got to be brave to take the step into the unknown, almost becomes a non negotiable if we're wanting to.

leaders, organizations, governments, et cetera are going to sort it out for us versus the ownership piece. I'm really interested to hear your, your thoughts on that and how that contributes, to the work that you do.

I think you could do all of the your personal professional development and some of the external circumstances may still be conspiring against you. And sometimes when I'm working with somebody, it's like, if you really, and it is often trial and error as well. So what can you try? What in this environment with this particular boss or with this team, what can you try? And so there's an element of, okay, I'm going to try this and then we'll debrief. and how did that work And sometimes you need to try something for longer because other people have used to you behaving in one way. So they're not quite ready for you to behave in a different way, but also there can be a point and back to my earlier point about, you know, recognizing a role that I should have left two years earlier. You are not going to be able to deliver your best work in this environment. So perhaps it's time to make the choice to, to look [00:34:00] elsewhere. and you will only really know that if you do the work yourself as well. So there are the two things at play. What is the environment you're operating in? How can we as leaders in any corporate or any organizational environment, provide the most effective environment, you know, the really positive environment where people's contributions are welcomed. And then as individuals, how do I continue to invest in my own professional and personal development?

They might support us as our boss, but they're not going to do it for us. They can't do.

it for us. Mmm.

Janine: So, Sue, I'm really curious because you've made some tough decisions, brave decisions throughout your career, changing your career along the way. Who is Sue now? Like, what have you learnt about yourself as the CEO and founder of your organization? as the leader that you are in the work that you do, you know, you talk about creating the environment and this personal responsibility piece.

I'm really curious who, who are you now? What have you learned about yourself that's contributing to the work that you do?

I love conversations. I love, how do we talk about something that's important? How do we grapple with big questions? when I was younger, I was very focused on the do, do, do, and very focused on the, I have to get to the next level and I have to be seen as such and such. And one of the, again, another practice that really worked for me was, was a gratitude practice and shifting from being entirely in my head and actually cognitively acknowledging that I've had a pretty charmed life and being able to say, yep, there are loads of fabulous things in my life.

Janine: Oh, so much deliciousness and all of that. Absolutely love all of that. thank you for sharing your story. I love hearing this disco ball of experience. And, you know, we talk a lot about how everything is connected, how our experience is the very thing that gets us to that point.

Um, and you've added to this, this. This ability or this willingness to be brave enough to start understanding, uh, the choices that you've made along the way and the context and the stories that you might be telling yourself in terms of those stories. and you're really passionate, you know, your work, you mentioned there that you've written this white paper, which is called, Is about all executive presidents.

And I call it bum glue where you have to literally think and write and put your opinions out there. Okay. why was that such a driver for you to write that white paper? Why did that matter?

Sue: That mattered because from my own experience and from many of the clients I was working with, I felt that there was this really strong, goes back to what I was saying before, this kind of structured training that we get in the earlier parts of our careers. And particularly, I think it goes for all leaders, but particularly, you know, with my experience in the finance field is this is all about analytical, technical task delivery.

Because having people around you who can both challenge your thinking, but also support you and be your cheerleaders is invaluable.

Janine: Love all of that. We're all a work in practice and your final point there around. Owning that practice and equally the importance within that of being braver about understanding that personal executive presence. And I'll put the link to your white paper and to how people can get hold of you, in the show notes.

So the self work that you talk a lot about and being Uncomfortable in that space. And then what I loved is that flip to, how you then, once you understand yourself, step into that executive presence, how do you, what is the work? What are the tools? How do you step into that piece of with humility?

Thank you so much for your time.

Sue: Thank you, Janine. It's been fabulous to be here.