When we launched our podcast Finding Your Epic®, it began as a space for female leaders to share their journeys – the challenges and opportunities that shaped them. Each episode revealed the richness found in the small details: a subtle tweak in approach that makes a big difference, a piece of feedback from a colleague that shifts your perspective, or the realisation of the positive impact that comes from surrounding yourself with the right people. I found myself learning something new in every episode.

Those conversations also made me reflect on my own career. Looking back, the defining moments weren’t dramatic turning points but small opportunities – a chance project, a stretch assignment, a colleague who chose to entrust me with real responsibility. And that trust made all the difference.

Early in my career in investment banking, one colleague in particular took a leap of faith in me. He was heading off on holiday for two weeks and asked me to cover his clients. On paper, it looked like a safe bet – the summer markets were usually quiet, so he didn’t expect much to happen. But that year turned out to be very different. Instead of a quiet fortnight, it became an intense period of client demands and rapid decisions.

Suddenly, I found myself making calls I’d never had to make before – including the daunting task of turning a client down. It was scary, but it forced me to step up, trust my judgement, and show my mettle. When my colleague returned, he was both delighted and impressed with how I had handled everything. His recognition didn’t just give me confidence – it changed the course of my career. He asked for a desk move so I could sit beside him, and from that point on he actively guided me, backing me in meetings and opening doors that I wouldn’t have been able to access on my own. We didn’t use words like sponsorship or mentoring at the time, but that’s exactly what it was.

Experiences like that taught me something else: leadership isn’t built on grand gestures, but on the qualities we practice day in and day out.  After more than 15 years in the development industry, we often hear abstract words – authenticity, vulnerability – as if they are silver bullets. They do matter, and they can make leaders relatable, but only when they’re balanced and grounded in reality. Generosity is powerful, but not if it comes at your own expense. Vulnerability is important, but only when paired with good judgement. And authenticity is vital, but not if it comes at the expense of adaptability or agility. Boundaries are what turn these ideas into real leadership qualities, not empty slogans.

This balance is something our guests return to again and again. One leader talked about learning to say no without guilt, and how that single act transformed her career. Another spoke about the power of curiosity – not rushing to prove herself, but asking better questions and listening harder. These aren’t dramatic revelations, but small shifts that create lasting impact.

That’s why opportunities, however small, matter so much. They are the stepping stones – from working diligently to master your craft, to becoming a manager, to eventually leading at the top. Each moment is a chance to practice leadership in a way that is sustainable, not performative. Hearing these stories in the podcast reinforces this message and puts them into a context that truly resonates.

And now, as we head into our third season of the podcast, the conversation is evolving again. For the first time, Finding Your Epic® will include male professionals. In a world where “toxic masculinity” dominates headlines, it’s easy to miss the men who are getting it right – modelling empathy, balance, and accountability in ways that make their teams and organisations stronger. Positive male role models are needed more than ever, and we’re proud to create space for those voices alongside the brilliant women who’ve been with us from the start.

Because leadership isn’t about buzzwords. It’s about navigating nuance, knowing when to give, when to hold back, and steadily building a career through the opportunities – large and small – that shape who you become.

Catch up on Seasons 1 and 2 here!