Small Things Make A Big Difference

Leadership isn’t about authority—it’s about connection. What if the real secret isn’t telling people what to do… but helping them believe why it matters? Loved this conversation with Scott Youmans (VP of Sales at Tarsus) on empathy, influence, and a simple What–Why–How–Why framework that inspires real action. Plus… a great story about knocking on doors to make friends as a kid. That says it all 🚲

Be more Buffalo! Lately, I’ve been noticing a pattern in both leadership and life: When challenges come, we either lean in… or we run with the storm. In this episode, I share a simple but powerful analogy from growing up in Southern Alberta, the difference between buffalo and cows, and what it teaches us about facing hard conversations, decisions, and moments that matter. If you’re navigating some...

In this episode of Small Things Make a Big Difference , I sit down with leadership expert, bestselling author, and Culture Works co-founder Adrian Gostick . You may know Adrian from The Carrot Principle , All In , or Leading with Gratitude . But in this conversation, we go deeper. We explore: Why culture is “the perfume in the air” — and how leaders shape it every day The three simple, low-cost ac...

New episode:  When Truth Becomes Care One of the hardest leadership lessons? If you truly care about people, you have to be willing to tell them the truth. In this episode of  Small Things Make a Big Difference , I sit down with Gaby Bourbara President of AstraZeneca Canada, to talk about values, courageous conversations, and why honesty—when rooted in care—is one of the most human leadership acts...

Leadership, Hand-Dipped with Rod Holt (Global Leader Group) : What chocolate, mistakes, and generosity teach us about leading teams. In this special holiday episode, I sit down with my brother Rod to explore how a simple family tradition, hand-dipping chocolates reveals powerful leadership lessons. Together, we unpack what mistakes can teach us, why generosity builds trust, and how intentional rit...

In this episode, Sasha Koloskov from AstraZeneca helps us rethink leadership at the jagged frontier of AI. Together, we dive into how leaders can stay soulful and human while using AI wisely, and why pausing, reflecting, and redefining roles between humans and machines is essential for creating safety, purpose, and even “superhuman” performance in our teams. A timely and important discussion as AI...

New Thanksgiving episode! 🦃 In just 3 minutes , I share three simple ways to be thankful , no journals, no stress, just small habits that can lift your day. A micro-moment. A specific thank-you. And one thing you appreciate about… you . A perfect gratitude reset for the holiday season. Thankful for this community.

In this episode of Small Things Make a Big Difference , I sit down with Tony Ramy, Executive Vice President at Mayne Pharma, whose leadership philosophy blends high care with high accountability. Tony shares the small but powerful habits behind his success, from winning the morning with disciplined routines to intentionally hitting the decline button to create space for what matters most: developi...

What if great leadership wasn’t about making more decisions, but knowing which ones really matter? In this week’s episode of Small Things Make a Big Difference , I sit down with Mike Menta , CEO of Red Nucleus , to explore what he’s learned in his first year leading a fast-growing global company. From Jeff Bezos’ “two tiers of decisions” to the art of empowering others, Mike shares how he’s buildi...

In this week’s episode of Small Things Make a Big Difference , I sit down with Tamara Driol, Chief Human Resources Officer at Kedrion, to explore why people are the heartbeat of every business. Tamara shares her perspective on building cultures where individuals feel valued, connected, and inspired to make an impact. We also have some fun exploring her Italian roots — from her favorite places to v...

Your career path isn’t a straight line—it’s a winding trail full of twists, turns, and messy moments. And that’s exactly what makes it powerful. In the latest episode of Small Things Make a Big Difference , I share lessons from my time at Merlin Entertainments and why “Career paths are not an exact science.” 🎧 Tune in to hear how embracing uncertainty, leaning into your values, and making space f...

One of the greatest pleasures in doing this podcast is being able to reconnect with old colleagues. I know Sofia from my days at AstraZeneca and now she is CEO of Oncopeptides AB, a biotech company focused on research, development and commercialisation of therapies for difficult-to-treat cancers.  As with anything worthwhile the journey hasn’t always been easy, and Sofia talks about being bold, cu...

Trust - it's the foundation of every great workplace. Michael C. Bush, CEO of Great Place To Work, knows this better than anyone. As the leader of the organisation behind the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For list, Michael has spent years studying what makes organisations truly exceptional.   Join us for an illuminating conversation as we deep-dive into the foundations of building excepti...

Happy New Year! I'm joined by Howard Yu, who has the unique title of LEGO Professor of Management and Innovation at the IMD Business School, for a brilliant conversation about being future ready, slowing down rather than constantly chasing the next best thing, and how, like Howard's love of jazz music, business is collaborative, dynamic, curious and often requires us to improvise. #Leadership #Mem...

2025 is almost in the rearview mirror—so let’s make this holiday season count! It’s not about perfect gifts or Pinterest-worthy decor; it’s about connection, quirky traditions, and memories that make you laugh (or cringe). Want to spread some holiday magic? Tune in to the latest episode of Small Things Make a Big Difference: Making the Holidays Meaningful: Small Traditions, Big Impact.

Welcome to this week's episode of "Small Things Make a Big Difference," where we dive into the enchanting world of Merlin Entertainments with this exclusive conversation with Cassie Fairclough, the General Manager of Merlin's Phoenix attractions, and Alec Posta from the LEGO Master Model Builder workshop. Cassie shares her management journey – the transition from peer to manager and embracing an "...

In this episode I chat to a true star in the Merlin Entertainments firmament - leadership and business management apprentice, Vineeta Sandhu, who talks about life working at an actual castle (Merlin’s Warwick Castle), the true essence of leadership, the power of networking and the bravery to be open to opportunities. We also discuss maintaining a positive mindset, and just how much hot chocolate i...

Welcome to a brand-new season of Small Things Make A Big Difference . We have some great conversations coming up over the next few months. To kick off, I sat down with Caroline Casey, the founder of The Valuable 500, an amazing initiative aimed at putting disability on the business leadership agenda. After Caroline recovers from the shock of riding Thorpe Park’s new Hyperia ride we delve into acti...

Discover three powerful leadership lessons drawn from the nail-biting final match of my sons volleyball tournament. It is a short but powerful episode that is designed to help you reflect on your own experiences of adversity and growth.

🎙️ Exciting News: Join us for an insightful podcast episode with a remarkable guest, Fiona Eastwood recorded on the iconic London Eye! 🎡🌆🌟 In this episode, Fiona delves into the captivating world of leadership and the profound impact of memories. Discover the hidden gems of leadership skills, and learn why memories play a critical role in shaping our leadership journeys. Fiona Eastwood shares h...

Diane Neville is the Chief People Officer for Shake Shack Enterprises and shares how her background and up bringing has shaped who she is today and how in todays organizations Culture = Care. Enjoy this episode and make a note of one small thing you will do different that will make a big difference in the cultures you are trying to influence.

This week is about discovering what makes a memory and the introduction to a new phase for me and my family. Please share what small things make for a great memory?

In this episode I interview a really good friend who recently published a book. Exceptional: Being the Exception to the Rule.  it reveals 14 life lessons that will equip you as well as challenge you to chart and navigate your own path to success. There may be no secret formula for living a life of passion and purpose, but success does leave clues. Enjoy this fun interview and I hope you walk away...

Florent Edouard is an out loud thinker that loves the challenge of building teams, shaping organizational culture, and innovating through the power of causing people to think different. I love the phrase he uses in this episode "Respectfully Challenge". Enjoy this episode and ask yourself what small thing are you doing this week to respectfully challenge people to think different people?

One of the most important aspects of life is tradition. In this short but yet powerful episode you will discover one of the small traditions that have made a big impact in my life, my daughters, and many others.  I hope you take a moment and ask yourself, what are the leadership traditions that you are doing that are making a difference?