People First! with Morag Barrett

Sales teams don’t fail because they lack scripts or techniques. They stall because of inconsistent processes, leadership blind spots, and the internal beliefs that shape behavior. In this conversation, Morag and Wesleyne Whitaker explore what really drives predictable revenue—and why the first step isn’t better selling, it’s better awareness. 💡 Key Takeaways Sales inconsistency is usually a syste...

Everyone’s talking about AI strategy. According to Charlene Li … that’s already the problem. In this episode of People First! , Morag and Charlene unpack why most organizations are getting AI wrong—and why the real issue isn’t the technology. It’s leadership. They explore: Why you don’t actually need an AI strategy  The dangerous gap between “use AI” and actual adoption  Why 95% of AI pilots fail...

Relocating internationally isn’t just about choosing a destination—it’s about designing a life. In this conversation, Morag sits down with Gail Warrior and Christophe Suchy to unpack the realities behind global mobility, tax optimisation, and building a life across borders. 💡 Key Takeaways Moving abroad is a strategic decision—not just a lifestyle choice  What works for others rarely works for yo...

Recognition isn’t a new idea. And yet, engagement continues to decline. In this conversation, Morag and Chester Elton explore why gratitude and recognition remain underutilised—and how leaders can create meaningful change in the moments they control. ⏱️ Key Moments 00:01 From broadcasting to recognition  04:21 Why recognition creates real business impact  09:47 The disconnect: why engagement is st...

We’re more connected than ever. So why do so many leaders—and teams—feel disconnected? In this episode of People First! , Morag speaks with Rhea Ong-Yiu about the growing gap between doing work and actually connecting at work. They explore: Why transformation doesn’t happen as quickly as leaders expect  The difference between “doing” and “being” in leadership  Why structure doesn’t restrict people...

Menopause isn’t a moment. It’s a journey that can last years—and affect how people show up at work every day.  So why are we still not talking about it? In this episode of People First! , Morag sits down with Becca Borden to unpack the reality of menopause—and why it’s often misunderstood, misdiagnosed, or ignored. They explore: Why menopause is more than a single point in time  The wide range of...

We all have coworkers who frustrate us. Different styles. Different approaches. Different ways of thinking. According to Stephen Shapiro , that’s not a problem—it’s your advantage. In this episode of People First! , we explore why teams struggle not because of lack of talent, but because of lack of difference—and how misreading people leads to disengagement, poor performance, and stalled innovatio...

We talk about performance, productivity, and potential. But what if we’re misunderstanding how some of our best people actually work? In this episode of People First! , Morag sits down with Sandra Crespo to explore how ADHD and neurodiversity show up in the workplace—and why many systems unintentionally create friction instead of support. 🎯 What You’ll Learn Why ADHD is often missed—even by high...

When Leaders Become the Bottleneck. Why Letting Go Is the Hardest and Most Important Leadership Skill. Most leaders I work with aren’t trying to control everything. But somewhere along the way they become the person every decision, every problem, and every stalled project flows through. Not because their teams are incapable. Because leadership quietly turns them into the hub of everything. In this...

Intentions don’t matter. At least not as much as most leaders think. In this week’s episode of People First , I sat down with Trevor Blondeel, founder of Manufacturing Greatness, and we unpacked a moment many leaders quietly recognize. Trevor was running a plant meeting. He explained the plan. Gave direction. Walked out thinking everything was clear. Then his assistant pulled him aside. “You reall...

Culture doesn’t grow from strategy decks or value statements. It spreads. In this episode of People First! , I sat down with Kyle S. King and Daniel Freeman , the organizers behind the Contagious Culture Conference —where I’ll also be speaking this year. Our conversation explored something many leaders overlook: Culture is built through relationships. Not policies. Not posters. Not slogans. Throug...

Care has a reputation problem. Too soft. Too sentimental. Not “serious leadership.” In this episode of People First!, Morag Barrett and Kristin Stapleton explore leadership development, workplace relationships, and why care may be one of the most misunderstood drivers of high performance. Together, they discuss how connection, accountability, respect, and empowerment create stronger teams and more...

We love to attribute high performance to talent. Charisma. Intelligence. Experience. But in this week’s People First! conversation with Christian “Boo” Boucousis, we explore a harder truth: High-performing teams aren’t built on talent. They’re built on design. Under pressure, three things matter: A clear mission A disciplined method The right mindset Without clarity, teams drift. Without method, t...

What if the leadership model we’ve been celebrating for decades is the very thing holding teams back? In this episode of People First! , Morag Barrett sits down with Bill Flynn — leadership thinker, author of Further, Faster , and longtime student of the science of success — to challenge the myth of the heroic leader. Drawing on 30 years of research and lived experience, Bill shares: Why having on...

In this episode of People First!, Morag Barrett explores workplace relationships, leadership trust, and human connection with Vered Kogan, discussing how leaders build Meaning-FULL Connectivity™ in increasingly disconnected workplaces. Vered Kogan is an author, speaker, and transformational coach, and joins Morag to explore why so many high-performing leaders feel stuck—despite doing everything “r...

In this episode of People First!, Morag Barrett explores workplace relationships, leadership trust, and human connection with Dr. Riza Kadilar, discussing how leaders build Meaning-FULL Connectivity™ in increasingly disconnected workplaces. Dr Riza Kadilar is a global executive, leadership thinker, and author of The Contemporary Leader . They first met at Thinkers50 in London — a moment that becam...

Remote and hybrid work aren’t going away — but trust doesn’t magically survive the shift. In this People First! episode, I’m joined by Peggy Kendall, researcher, professor of communication studies, and co-author of Trust at a Distance: Six Strategies for Managing Remote Workplaces. Peggy has been studying the impact of technology on communication since the days of MySpace, and her insights couldn’...

In this People First! episode, I sit down with Laura Armstrong — 3x world champion martial artist, international speaker, bestselling author, and creator of The Empowered Protocol — for a conversation about what actually builds resilient, connected, high-performing leaders. Laura spent nearly a decade earning silver and bronze medals before finally breaking through to gold. The difference wasn’t t...

What does leadership look like when the situation is unclear, emotions are high, and everyone is waiting for you to make the next move? In this episode of People First! , I’m joined by Lt. General (Ret.) Karen Gibson , a leader who has guided teams through war zones, national emergencies, hurricanes, cybersecurity crises, and the aftermath of January 6 - experiences most of us hope will never appe...

In this episode of People First!, Morag Barrett talks with Preston Poore—executive coach, author, and former Coca-Cola leader—about his new book, How Is Greater Than What: The Simple Formula for Success in Leadership. They discuss why how you lead matters more than what you accomplish, the role of identity and integrity in effective leadership, and how to stay grounded in a world shaped by technol...

In this People First! episode, I sit down with my dear friend and fellow connection-evangelist Dr. Michelle K. Johnston — top executive coach, business professor, bestselling author, and now the voice behind The Seismic Shift in You . We dig into the uncomfortable truth: We’re more digitally connected than at any time in human history… …and yet more lonely, isolated, anxious, and burnt out than ev...

In this People First! conversation, I sit down with Mark C. Crowley — visionary leader, bestselling author, and longtime advocate for human-centered leadership — to unpack the big idea behind his new book, The Power of Employee Wellbeing . Mark spent 25+ years leading in financial services, disproving the myth that performance comes from pressure, control, and fear. His data-backed approach shows...

Most of us were taught to “check emotions at the door.” Turns out… your nervous system never got that memo. In this week’s People First! episode, I sit down with Andrea Wanerstrand , a leadership strategist and founder of A3 Culture Lab , who helps leaders shift from burnout to bold influence. We talk about:  💭 The three brains you bring to every conversation ⚡ Why awareness isn’t enough — and w...

This week, Morag welcomes back Alaina Love —CEO of Purpose Linked Consulting, co-author of The Purpose Linked Organization , and author of the inspiring new book Permission to Be You . A former scientist and global HR executive turned leadership coach, Alaina blends psychology, purpose research, and personal storytelling to guide leaders and individuals toward lives of alignment, meaning, and auth...

In this special two-for-one episode, Morag welcomes back Dr. Jeffrey Hull—Executive Director at the Institute of Coaching, Harvard Medical School Affiliate—and leadership scientist and coach Margaret Moore, co-founder of the Institute of Coaching and CEO of Wellcoaches Corporation. Together, they unpack their new book, The Science of Leadership: Nine Ways to Expand Your Impact , a groundbreaking s...