Summary
What if the biggest opportunities in your career come long before you feel ready for them?
In this episode, Laura Witcher is joined by Hannah Connolly, whose career is proof that confidence isn't something you're born with. Instead, it is something you build by saying yes, asking questions and stepping outside your comfort zone.
Hannah shares her inspiring journey from leaving school at 16 and starting as an office junior to becoming a Commercial Director leading one of the UK's largest speciality insurance portfolios.
Along the way, she reflects on the moments that shaped her career, the managers who opened doors for her, and why saying yes before you have all the answers has been one of the most valuable decisions she has ever made.
The conversation also explores how becoming a mother transformed her perspective on leadership, why she stopped making the tea simply because she was the only woman in the room, and how small moments like these can quietly shape confidence and challenge long-standing workplace habits.
Together, Laura and Hannah discuss what compassionate leadership really looks like, why relationships matter more than job titles, and how creating opportunities for others is one of the greatest responsibilities of leadership.
Whether you are just starting your career, considering your next promotion or wondering if you are ready for the opportunity in front of you, this episode is a reminder that very few people ever feel completely prepared and that is okay.
Key Takeaways
- Why saying yes before you feel ready can accelerate your career.
- The mindset shift that helped her progress from office junior to Commercial Director.
- Why confidence is built through action, not certainty.
- How great managers can change the direction of your career with small acts of belief and encouragement.
- Why asking questions is one of the most underrated career skills.
- How motherhood reshapes confidence, priorities and leadership style.
About the Guest
Connect with Hannah Connolly on LinkedIn.
About the Host
Connect with Laura Witcher on LinkedIn.
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