Practical Leadership Podcast

Season 2 Trailer - Practical Leadership Podcast

We've take a bit of a break over summer - but now, roaring back to life with some outstanding individuals sharing their hard-won knowledge and experience with us.
Let's find out what's coming up in the Practical Leadership Podcast:
18 Sept - Dominique & Ellen - talk about WUSUT - how to age gracefully over 50 (Wake up, shake up, Thrive!)
25 Sept - Myles - on expressing your inner genius!
2 Oct - Barry - helps us survive the future of work
9 Oct - Garin - living life with no regrets
16 Oct - Helen - strengthening your strengths - learning well
23 Oct - Tajan - cures impostor syndrome
30 Oct - Nelson - reskilling & upskilling your team
6 Nov - Monique - Being brave and facing your fears
13 Nov - Tom - shaping culture through teamwork

46. How to have Presence in a hybrid world - with Mike Pino co-founder Talented Velocity

In this episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with Mike Pino, a futurologist, about the future of work and the challenges that new managers face in today's business environment. Here are some of the highlights from our conversation:
- We talked about how technology is changing the job market and what that means for the future of work.
- Mike stressed the importance of insight and wisdom in the knowledge age, and how these qualities can help leaders navigate uncertainty and change.
- We also discussed the challenges of communication in a hybrid work environment, and how leaders can adapt to ensure their teams stay connected and engaged.
- Throughout our conversation, we emphasized the importance of effective communication, social sensitivity, and continuous learning in leadership.
- Mike shared some great insights on how testing and learning can help leaders deal with uncertainty and volatility, and how this skill can increase social sensitivity and improve communication.
Overall, it was a fantastic conversation, and I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoyed recording it!
Find Mike here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikepino/ 
TIMESTAMPS
[00:01:08] The Future of Work | Discussion on the impact of technology on jobs and the future of work.
[00:03:50] Insight and Wisdom in the Knowledge Age | Importance of insight and wisdom in the knowledge age, and the value of applied knowledge towards wisdom.
[00:08:24] Challenges for New Managers | The challenges faced by new managers in the current business environment.
[00:08:37] New Manager Challenges | Mike discusses the challenges faced by new managers in the current business environment, including economic uncertainty, remote work policies, and managing equitably.
[00:13:29] Digital Mindset for Managers | Mike introduces the concept of a digital mindset for managers, including the importance of presence, immediacy, and trust. He also discusses the use of strategic ambiguity in communication.
[00:16:38] Building Connection through Communication | Mike provides an example of how to use communication to build connection and trust, emphasizing the importance of tone and context in remote work environments. Paul points out a flaw in the concept.
[00:17:29] New Manager Challenges | The challenges faced by new managers in the current business environment, including unintentional ambiguity and the importance of clear communication.
[00:17:38] Communication Skills for Future Leaders | The importance of being able to articulate oneself succinctly, clearly, and in a way that is actionable, and how this skill will separate different kinds of leaders over time.
[00:20:56] Leadership in the Knowledge Age | The changing nature of leadership in the knowledge age, including the need to ask tougher questions, work through complexity, and learn faster, as well as the importance of understanding one's place in building the customer experience and delivering on the impact for the business.
[00:26:01] Asking Tough Questions | The speakers discuss the importance of asking tough questions and how to frame them properly to get the desired answer.
[00:28:23] Social Sensitivity in Leadership | The speakers talk about the importance of social sensitivity in leadership, including understanding power dynamics and creating moments for team performance.
[00:30:50] Recommended Books | Mike shares four books he is currently reading, including "Mix Signals" and "Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder." Paul also shares some of his favorite books, including "How to Win Friends and Influence People" and "Think and Grow Rich."
[00:33:35] Abductive Reasoning | Mike Pino discusses the importance of abductive reasoning in the knowledge age, and how it is becoming more critical for us to experiment and learn fast to act on something.
[00:35:52] Applied Knowledge and Wisdom | Paul and Mike Pino talk about how applied knowledge eventually becomes wisdom, and how wisdom is not just pure logic, but a very human and learned thing.
[00:36:58] Finding Mike Pino | Paul asks Mike Pino how people can find him and how he can help them, and Mike Pino shares his LinkedIn and Twitter handles, as well as his fascination with amphibians.

44. How to support young people coming into the workforce - Sutton Trust Director of Innovation - Binda Patel

Binda Patel is the Director of Innovation at the Sutton Trust and the Sutton Trust that champions social mobility through different programs, research and influencing policy, news and opinion. 
She was in the front line when covid sent the world to hell.
She is also a trustee at Arts Emergency, a charity that supports and mentors young people interested in arts and the creative sector. 
Both are important in Binda's eyes and both are linked to her passion for social mobility. 
She has worked with the Diana Award, which gave her with opportunities to grow and develop her skill set. She is also a big advocate for young people who are often not given the platform to share their voices and feelings. 
We discus the impact of covid on the social mobility of young people, and how SuttonTrust did some amazing stuff when it all went to hell. 
I get a little annoyed (!) that our response to covid was to close down all the youth groups, universities, schools, and play parks, which, besides being unnecessary even at the time, has hindered our kids from developing. 
Binda and her team at the Sutton Trust are doing amazing things. 
Be sure to visit them and Binda here:
https://www.suttontrust.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bindabhudia/

45. How to raise a virtual pet for work life harmony - Snr Director Rev Ops Shantanu Shekhar at Gong

In this episode, we dive into a fascinating discussion with Shantanu Shekhar, an experienced leader in revenue operations, who shares his insights on how to drive success as a manager. 
Shantanu's three-pillar approach, focusing on people, process, and purpose, creates a balanced and effective management style that fosters growth, accountability, and belonging within his teams. 
Shantanu dives deep into the importance of Process, Purpose, and People:
🎯 Process: Streamline your team's operations for agility and efficiency
🎯 Purpose: Motivate your team by aligning individual goals with the company's vision
🎯 People: Nurture talent, foster growth, and build a supportive work environment
Tune in to learn about his strategies for weekly stand-ups, providing ongoing feedback, and creating a safe space for both professional and personal growth. Plus, hear some valuable advice on having tough conversations and embracing radical candor in the workplace. 
Don't miss this engaging conversation filled with actionable tips for aspiring and experienced managers alike!
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Find Shantanu here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shantanushekhar/
When you're ready to boost your new manager productivity with me: https://practical-leadership.academy

43. How to find yourself - with Kene Erike Neurodivergent Leadership Developer

We talk about a lot. I've never met a neurodivergent leadership developer before. 
In this great episode, Kene Erike and I discuss the significance of the number 33, mental maturity, goal-setting, and the importance of having a purpose. 
We cover the need for introspection and self-awareness, as well as the value of creating systems and habits that help achieve goals. 
Kene shares his work with the neurodiverse community, helping them maximise their potential and overcome challenges. 
He also talks about his upcoming audiobook, which focuses on building stronger relationships and fostering cooperation.
Don't miss it.
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You can and should find Kene here:
https://keneerike.com/
https://justtaptheglass.com/
Insta: @k.e.consulting

42. How to make the most of flexible work - with CEO & Co-founder of Flexa, Molly Johnson-Jones

In my latest episode, I had the pleasure of talking with Molly Johnson-Jones, CEO of Flexa, about how to truly embrace and make the most out of flexible working. Flexa is a company that specializes in helping organizations create genuinely flexible working environments, and Molly has some fantastic insights to share.
Molly and I discuss the importance of setting clear expectations and frameworks to help employees thrive in a flexible environment. We delve into the common misconceptions about flexible working and the importance of transparency in job descriptions. We also touch on how crucial it is for senior leadership to role model flexibility and lead with trust.
Are you curious about how to improve your organisation's flexible working culture or want to learn more about the benefits of offering genuine flexibility to your team? Then this episode is perfect for you! Molly's enthusiasm for flexible working is infectious, and her insights are invaluable for any leader looking to create a more adaptable and resilient workforce.
So, grab your headphones and join us for an engaging and informative conversation that will have you rethinking your approach to flexible working. Don't miss out on this chance to learn from a true expert in the field! Listen now to the Practical Leadership Podcast's latest episode with Molly Johnson-Jones.You can find Molly here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/molly-johnson-jones/
https://flexa.careers/
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Perform better as a new manager - or learn to get promoted for the first time - visit : https://practical-leadership.academy

41. How to unlock high-performance health - with Dr. Pat Boulogne

Dr. Pat - why am I fat and lazy?
Believe it or not, Dr. Pat has an answer...
Dr. Pat Boulogne is a doctor of functional medicine, CEO of Healthteam Network and a "coach with a mentor's heart".
In this episode, I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Pat Boulogne, a lifestyle medicine expert and chiropractor, who shared her insights on the importance of maintaining a high-performance lifestyle to achieve better health and success. Dr. Pat talked about the five pillars of health: positive mental attitude, diet, exercise, sleep, and posture, and how addressing our weakest link can lead to significant improvements in our overall well-being.
Some key takeaways from our conversation include:
• The importance of nurturing ourselves before we can nurture others, and the role of mindset in achieving our goals
• How daily habits and simple exercises can improve our posture and core strength, leading to reduced pain and stiffness
• Her upcoming collaborative book, "Deck of Cards," where Dr. Pat shares her tips for improving business and health.
 
Dr Pat says:
"If you don't nurture yourself, you can't nurture somebody else."
"Sometimes hiring a coach with a mentor's heart help you know where exactly to spend your time, energy, and money."
"I just love to see people thrive. I get a lot of joy from seeing people succeed and win."
Dr. Pat emphasized the value of persistence and consistency in achieving a high-performance lifestyle. She believes that with the right guidance and a strong foundation, individuals can reach their greatest potential in less time. 
I thoroughly enjoyed our conversation and look forward to the release of her book, "Deck of Cards." 
If you'd like to learn more about Dr. Pat Boulogne and her work, you can connect with her on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram, or visit her website at www.Healthteamnetwork.com.
 

40. How to build trust and safety with your team - Jimmy Burroughes leadership developer

Jimmy Burroughes, a former British Army captain turned Business Leadership Management coach.
Jimmy shared his journey from his first management role during the Gulf War to becoming a coach, and we bondedn on the importance of focusing on the basics and building on solid ground. (A house built on sand...)
He described the leadership training at Sandhurst, which is all about building trust, consensus, communication, and connection. He says that a leader's job is to seek ideas and input and gain subject matter expertise from those around them, but that the responsibility to make the decision ultimately rests with the leader.
We also discussed the importance of building trust in the workplace, starting with safety, both physical and psychological. Jimmy shared his seven-point plan for building trust, which starts with safety, followed by authenticity, listening, embracing different perspectives, challenging assumptions, staying focused, and following through.
We wrapped up the conversation with five practical takeaways from the podcast, including focusing on the basics, being humble, communicating and connecting, seeking input, and taking responsibility.
I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I enjoyed making it.
Come with me and let's dive in and drink from Jimmy's fountain of hard-earned wisdom.
You can find Jimmy here:
jimmyburroughes.com | https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmyburroughes/
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When you're ready for that promotion - join my new manager masterclass here:
https://practical-leadership.academy 

39. How to help people get out of their comfort zone - with Michiel Schipperus CEO Sana Commerce

From part time student to CEO. 
Learn how CEO of Sana Commerce Michiel Schipperus made his move and how he hires for success.
When the future minister of finance of the Netherlands offered Michiel his first management job as a part time student, he thought he was joking. 
He wasn't.
23 years later, Michiel is on a well-earned sabbatical, mulling over who to chose as the next CEO of B2B eCommerce success story Sana Commerce.
When you're hiring anyone - make the hiring process it as close to real as possible, he recommends:
Find out if they have a learning mindset - give candidates a real business case to work with. 
Find a trusted person to judge their suitability for a management role - and believe them!
Join me for a very interesting conversation with a very experienced practitioner of the arts of leadership and management.
You can find Michiel here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michielschipperus/
 
 

38. How to be profitable for the sake of your people with Josh Novelle Director People & Insights at Warner Music

Josh Novelle is an analytical people person. And a former long-haired Metal fan. And a welder. (Different type of metal...)
He's also a pragmatic business leader who annoys the heck out of people by asking "why". A lot. 
We talk about 
Being a custodian of talent
Tours of duty
People unit economics
The impossibility of objective decision making
and more.
Join me for a fascinating tour of the inside of a fascinating person and learn how he spots the warning signs of dysfunction in organisations and why he's grateful for his teenage laziness.
Find Josh here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshnovelle/ 
I will help you to improve the performance of your new managers: https://practical-leadership.academy  

37. How to build relationships in a day with Faris Aranki CEO Shiageto Consulting

Teaching taught him to be prepared for anything! (Has he met my kids?)
Knowing you don't have to know the answer helped him become a better manager.
Faris Aranki, CEO of Shiageto consulting is an advocate of Pre-Mortems (a great technique for avoiding disaster by thinking through risks in advance).
He also suggests that you can build a relationship faster than you might think. There are a few things he does to force the relationship to evolve at speed:
Find something - anything - in common
Find joint tasks to work on (force this if you're the boss)
Set people up to learn together by making the tasks more challenging than they might expect
As a learner by nature - Faris also suggests making whatever you absorb stick by either: Doing it again and again, Speaking about it to an audience, or Writing it down multiple times.
You can find Faris here:
https://www.shiageto.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/farisaranki/
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Raise the potential and productivity of your new managers with my New Manager coaching: https://practical-leadership.academy

36. How to promote from inside with Flo Broderick CMO at Carto

Flo Broderick likes to promote from inside, although she says it is a difficult balance to make.
After all - that's where she came from. 
Do you hire just the right experience from outside, or look at the talent you already have, recognise that it's the choice with the fewest unknowns and help them to grow into the role?
We also talk about why you should over communicate. Again, and again. How you should go to work to be respected, not to be liked and why Slack is the new canteen.
When the mike was off, she came up with one more gem: Do the work no one else wants to do.
And - when you're younger, use your holidays wisely. The list of different things Flo did is wild!
Find Flo here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/flobroderick/ 
When you're ready - help your new managers be more successful and productive: https://practical-leadership.academy 

35. How to create career progression for your team - With Vinit Patel co-founder of Filtered

Vinit Patel co-founder of Filtered.com keeps on going by working in bursts, and designing his job so he takes on different roles every so often. He thinks it's a great thing for anyone in any company to do.
He recommends everyone should find a coach or a mentor to act as a sounding board, and that you should go easy on yourself. It's not all your fault!
You should ask for help. Try your line manager, HR, or an experienced manager from your past. 
Vin finds that when he writes his issue down, it's cathartic and can be emotional - self coaching towards solutions by putting process and structure around the problem.
We get into the meat of progression frameworks, why it's important to build them and some good tools to use .
You can find Vin here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/vinitrpatel/ 
filtered.com 
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When you're ready to help your new managers become more productive - join me at:
https://practical-leadership.academy  

34. How to create harmony and unity in a team: Insights from co-founder of TASK.NO, Lasse Hamre

I recently interviewed Lasse Hamre, co-founder of TASK.NO, and he shared some valuable insights on teamwork, trust, experimentation, freedom and responsibility. Here's a quick summary of our chat, complete with some funny direct quotes, tips and numbered lists.
Lasse is a true believer in the power of teamwork. As a singer and a military veteran, he has a unique perspective on what it takes to create something beautiful and powerful as a group. According to him, the key to success is to listen to the pulse of the team and to understand where you fit in. 
Here are some of the other takeaways from our conversation:
Trust is everything: Lasse believes that trust is the foundation of any successful team. He said "if you want to create something with a group, you sort of have to listen to the group as a whole. And maybe there is room for a soloist somewhere. But the soloist couldn't have become a soloist if it wasn't for the group."
Experimentation is key: According to Lasse, experimentation is crucial for growth and progress. 
Freedom and responsibility go hand in hand: Lasse believes that true freedom comes with responsibility. He said "It's wonderful.  I have to tap into the right tune and the right rhythm and to have the same beats as everybody else in the group and be part of something bigger."
Lasse sees the choir and his team as a product, and he believes that the audience is not there to listen to him, but to listen to the choir. He said "So the product is something we made together."
So, if you're looking for some inspiration on how to create something beautiful and powerful as a group, look no further. Lasse's insights will help you build trust, experiment, and find your place in the team.
Find Lasse on
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LasseHamre
and on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lassehamre/
and on his website: https://task.no
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When you're ready - upgrade your new managers with my short, high-impact, practical group coaching: https://practical-leadership.academy 

33. The 5 things managers need to avoid with Judy Wairimu - Tech & Development Specialist - Microsoft

Brain-crush alert!
Riffing and role playing with her father on his work challenges, and the product of many mentors - Judy Wairimu has a clear list of five big things managers need to avoid:
1) Over emphasising your own goals - aim to empower others and build their trust instead
2) Have the courage to avoid protecting your own image - ask when you don't know
3) Don't turn competitors into enemies - assume positive intent and look for a 3rd dimension to a challenge
4) Include others in your introspection - bring advisors into your context to help you
5) Don't wait for permission to become a leader.
I have to admit it. I have an enormous brain-crush on Judy Wairimu.
Since Camiel Gielkens kindly introduced us, she's been and continues to be inspirational.
You can find Judy here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wairimug/

32. How to start with your own why - with Michael Hanson, CEO Growth Genie

Michael Hanson's dad taught him to "just do it".
He thinks we need to start with our own purpose before helping others find theirs.
Through a distinctive and varied career so far, covering four countries and teaching, being a talent scout, political consultant and now successful entrepreneur, Michael says Humility was his best and hardest lesson.
Socrates' wisdom "I know that I know nothing" together with avoiding making assumptions about people drive him and his business.
Find Michael here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-hanson-/
https://growthgenie.co/
 

31. Special: Trust & Respect - The currency of leadership - with Jo Owen - Author & Speaker

Join me in this remarkable 1 hour special episode with Jo Owen on a wide ranging conversation covering:
The mindset of highly effective leaders: Elon Musk, ruthlessness and obsession - is it a bug or a feature?
The Hybrid work revolution - Autonomy, Accountability, Ambiguity Seeking and following inspiration
Having the 'success' conversation
Jo Owen has worked with over 100 of the best, and a couple of the worst, organisations on our planet.
He is a founder of eight NGOs which have a collective turnover of £100 million annually.
He led businesses in Japan, North America and Europe; he created a business bank; he was a partner at Accenture and is one of the founders of Teach First which is now the largest graduate recruiter in the UK.
His career highlights include:
putting the blue speckle in Daz
becoming the best nappy salesman in Birmingham
getting sued for $12 billion (when a billion was worth something)
He also worked with tribes over fifteen years across the world to discover how they survive and succeed, and what businesses can learn from them.
Jo is the only person to winner the Chartered Management Institute gold award four times for his books.
He has written twenty books on leadership and management which run to over 100 global editions.
His titles include How to Lead, Global Teams, Tribal Business School and the Mindset of Success.
His latest book is out now "Smart Leadership".
Find Jo here: https://amzn.to/3YjYafR
https://www.ilead.guru/
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I will help you to improve the performance of your new managers: https://practical-leadership.academy

30. How to drive performance by putting data last - with Paul Teasdale Performance coach

Infobesity.
From the sausage works to Formula One, Paul Teasdale has had an international and madly varied career.
Now landing on his own delivering against his RAPID performance framework - we talk about three great topics:
Be humble, be honest, be kind - Paul's mantra.
How to ideate and generate practical ideas - Could do - no ideas are silly - Should do - what do we prioritise - Will do - the commitment to deliver and lastly
Paul's great RAPID framework for performance.
Results - what and how you want to do things
Actions - what can you do
People - understanding who you have and where their strengths lie
Insights - the decisions you can make based on the...
Data - the raw source. Ensuring you don't fall into Infobesity!
Find Paul here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/pauljamesteasdale/
https://paulteasdale.co.uk/
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When you're ready - help your new managers lead in a hybrid environment: https://practical-leadership.academy

29. How to create and share your personal operating manual - with Andrew Davies CMO at Paddle

"Have you tried turning him off and on again?" What would appear in your personal operating manual? 
How you want to be informed and kept up to date.
What's your hierarchy of communication?
How do you approach time?
All of these could appear in your own operating manual - the guide you create to help other people 'use' you to your best ability.
Andrew Davies shares his thinking and approach to business and leadership without drama (another line on his manual) and with clarity.
'Empowerment as leasehold not freehold' is another insight - the manager still owns the land, and all the responsibility.
Join me for a great conversation!
You can find Andrew here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/andjdavies/
https://twitter.com/andjdavies
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When you're ready to help your new managers perform better, visit: https://practical-leadership.academy

28. How to develop the language of leadership - with Gerry Griffin - digital learner

Gerry Griffin is an author, composer, teacher, entrepreneur and now luthier (maker of guitars).
He's also a storyteller and expert in communications and strategy.
In his illustrious career he has refined his approach to the use of language and leadership and takes us through his way to use language to power your 'self-created', contextual self.
Authentic - comes from Autos Hentes - Greek "Self doing, creating"
Gerry advises
Find out where you are
What's your true context?
How best should you communicate with the people around you
You can find Gerry here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerry-griffin-4301532/