#40. Quinntessential Questions with Fiona O'Connor: Clarity From Slowing Down
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In this inspiring episode of The Quinntessential Questions Podcast, Paul Quinn sits down with Fiona O’Connor — a leader, coach, and entrepreneur whose career journey spans high-pressure recruitment, building her own agency, and helping others unlock their full potential.
Fiona shares how she found her way back to herself after career shifts, thrived in sales-driven and high-pressure environments, and earned £120,000 in recruitment before taking the leap to launch her own agency. She talks candidly about navigating the challenges of working within Big 4 firms, turning difficult feedback into fuel for growth, and her transition into coaching, where she explored a range of transformative modalities.
This conversation also uncovers her unique ability to balance freedom with structure, the unexpected ways acting has influenced her leadership style, and why taking breaks and pauses is essential for sustaining high performance. Above all, Fiona’s journey is a masterclass in resilience, adaptability, and believing in yourself.
If you’re a leader, entrepreneur, recruiter, or someone facing a pivotal career transition, this episode will give you fresh perspectives and practical lessons that can transform the way you approach your own path.
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Guest Bio
Fiona O’Connor has over 11 years of experience as the Founder of The Coaching Hub and nearly three years as a Faculty Member at the Global Team Coaching Institute. She specialises in systemic team coaching and leadership transformation. Her work empowers senior leaders and teams to navigate complexity, align strategically, and foster innovation. Leveraging systemic coaching principles, psychological safety, and solution-focused strategies, she helps organizations unlock clarity and drive sustainable success.
Minutes
(00:42) Introduction
(03:55) Coming Home to Yourself (06:04) Early Career Journey (11:05) Being Calm Under Pressure
(13:37) Joining Recruitment (17:27) Earning £120,000
(18:35) Sales Oriented Organisation
(20:17) Starting a Recruitment Agency
(24:47) Challenges of Working in Big 4
(27:30) Running Talent Development Centres
(29:16) Receiving Difficult Feedback
(31:54) Being Appreciative of Feedback
(34:10) Becoming a Coach
(36:25) Modalities of Coaching (39:23) Confrontation as a Manager
(40:30) Adaptability
(43:30) Freedom within Structure (43:44) Love for Acting
(48:52) Importance of Breaks & Pauses
(53:57) Believing in Yourself (57:23) Career Lessons
(01:03:22) Rapid Fire QuestionsBehind-The-Scenes
