Building Better Leaders

In this weeks podcast John & Rachael are joined by the wonderfully engaging and effervescent business psychologist, a former CFO and corporate finance adviser Graham Keen . Author of Positive Leaders, Positive Change, Graham has studied with the father of positive psychology Dr. Martin Seligman, and through The Positive Profitability Company Graham offers game changing psychological insights i...

In this weeks episode we chat with Michael Lawrence - Club Captain and Loose Forward 14 years at Huddersfield Giants Rugby League and a Jamaican International looking forward to the upcoming RL World Cup.   Recently invited to the Rugby League Inclusion Board we begin by discussing inclusion and making rugby league more diversely appealing. We chat about Michael’s experiences growing up into a spo...

In this episode of the podcast John and Rachael talk to Jonathan Hemus - founder and managing director of crisis management consultancy Insignia . He is also the award winning author of ‘Crisis Proof’ - ‘How to prepare for the worst day of your business life’ written for executives who have responsibility for crisis management thrust upon them. We discuss a proactive approach to Crisis Management...

Six years ago Clare Pooley was drinking about 90 units of alcohol a week. Fast forward to today and she’s a successful author, fulfilling her life’s dream. We talk to Clare about how alcohol works as a drug, and how our tolerance to it builds over time, bringing with it- issues of poor sleep, reduced creativity and anxiety. We talk about Clare’s previous career as a senior leader in the booze adve...

Our entire modern way of life adversely influences our postural position - where our bodies are out of balance and our muscles become both over active and under active.  In this weeks episode Rachael & John are joined by Simon Town . After a life threatening accident at 16 Simon has endured PTSD, depression, drug and alcohol addiction, yet his remarkable story has served to become many other p...

In this weeks episode we are in conversation with physical therapist and Vagus Nerve expert - Melanie Weller. If your super curious this will really resonate with you - perhaps providing more questions for you to reflect upon. Rachael & John take part in a couple of Melanie’s exercises as she explains the importance of the vagus nerve, how increasing our awareness of how it works can have a be...

Ikigai is a Japanese concept the means “reason for being.” Similar to French term “raison d’etre.”   This episode will be of interest to people who often feel as if they’re in the wrong job, but suffer from the frustration of not knowing exactly what it is, they want to do. Free Scaffold Coaching Ikigai Planner In this weeks podcast Rachael and John are joined by the inspirational Adrian Hawley :...

This week we celebrate World Health Day with the wonderfully knowledgeable Andy Thomas CEO and Founder of BetterYou . We talk about needing to be well, to lead well.    Our dramatically changing modern western diet and lifestyles have led to us losing a growing number of key nutrients which are essential to maintaining a balanced, healthier and fitter body. Andy talks about how a chance meeting le...

In this weeks episode Rachael & John chat to Tom Manning  founder of The Pathway Academy about how to create high performing, emotionally intelligent teams. They talk about how laying a clear career pathway for employees to follow, is the most effective approach to attracting like minded employees. What does it look like to be at a certain level in your organisation? Do you know what behaviour...

In celebration of International Women’s Day (8th March) Rachael & John are joined by Katherine Whitton the outgoing CMO of Specsavers to talk about inspirational women in leadership.  This conversation is a little trip down memory lane for Rachael as she worked for Katherine back in 2008, when Katherine was Head of Global and UK Marketing Communications at British Airways. Rachael reflects on...

Rachael & John are joined by Burnout Specialist & fellow Coach Dr. Pam Wells. So many people suffer from “burnout” this debilitating and worrying state; we ask why so many driven and successful people seem especially susceptible to it?  We ask is all about control? “Control is a myth, we don’t have control over anything, not even our next breath?” And “Who am I when I’m not at work?”  What...

In this weeks episode Rachael & John are joined by fellow Coach and future orientated Josie Mc Lean. They discuss just how we can all get involved in promoting the climate change initiative at an organisational level. It’s no secret that leaders are turning their attention and expanding their horizons towards a more sustainable future. For some this a paradigm shift, for others it’s a natural...

In this weeks episode Rachael & John chat with Philip Grant.  His work has taken him from British Eventing and International Polo to Secondary, & Further Education. We loved listening to his stories including meeting royalty and leading a team of 50,000 in the Middle East for Sheikh Mohammed. We ask when does your career really start? Philip shares his story of learning to ride a horse whe...

In this weeks episode Rachael & John chat with Kevin Urrutia . Based in New York, he is a true entrepreneur, always looking to learn and grow.  Kevin shares his story, from how he started as a Developer in Silicon Valley to now building five different businesses from scratch at just 31 years of age. Today Kevin’s main focus is on his latest creation Voy Media which is #1 for Facebook ads, help...

We are joined by Céline Williams Executive & Team Coach, founder of Revisionary based in Toronto, Canada. We chat about Team Coaching, and remote working with some great tips for working in a hybrid future. What are leaders concentrating on in these challenging times? Who are the members in your 1st team?  Constantly talking to people about holding a few thoughts in our minds at the same time...

In today’s episode we are joined by Leadership Coach & Developer Matt Lock, whose career spans education, sport and business in the UK and New Zealand. We talk to Matt about an article he wrote in the Learning Scientist Magazine on Towards Safer Uncertainty. It’s a topic that has never been more relevant than in the world we find ourselves in today (as the UK enters a third national lockdown)....

In the final "Building Better Leaders" podcast of the year, Rachael and John and joined by Jan Iceton who shares her leadership journey and experiences.  Now Chair of Smart Works Greater Manchester, Jan has had a varied leadership career in positions in everything from FTSE50 global corporations to tech start-ups, working for corporate boards and for investors, and running her own consultancy busi...

In this week’s episode John & Rachael discuss the phenomenal event that is the Vendéeglobe 2020; what leaders can learn from the longest, loneliest, most demanding race in the world, and how it’s inspired John to take on a physical challenge of his own - to run 5km every day for 70 days.   They discuss the concept of finding inspiration in isolation. Of what it’s like to lead yourself and othe...

In this weeks episode Rachael & John interview Drew Povey; his love for leadership, infectious energy and effective communication style encourages learning in all of us.  Drew’s Leadership Essentials 1. Leaders have got to be learners 2. Leaders have to take responsibility 3. Leaders cannot care enough Blog Leadership language in a remote world Books & Articles Educating Drew The Leadershi...

In this weeks episode our Coaches tackle the thorny subject of Undiscussables; they take a curious look at why conversations that really need to happen, don't, and how leaders should go about it? Our Leadership Essentials Respect the fear that accompanies this exercise, always use a facilitator Reflect and take notice of your initial response to each undiscussable as you them read aloud - Listen f...

What do you do when your world falls apart? You make a decision to believe in yourself. Fascinating and inspiring interview with: Kurt Ewald Lindley (@coachdeveloper) is founder of bemorelnd helping support lasting change and squeeze more from what's already there. He is also Captain of #LearningScientistMag a platform for a community of invested individuals talking all things people development....

In this weeks episode Rachael and John discuss why goal setting is generally poor, outcomes disappointing leaving people feeling flat. Research shows that goal focussed people live more accomplished, motivated and successful lives - the trick seems to have something to do with how they are set, and the type of conversations we have. Our Leadership Essentials: Understanding what goals must achieve:...

In this weeks episode Rachael & John discuss what happened when Rachael set herself the challenge of running the Virtual London Marathon with minimal training. What motivated Rachael to do this? How did she prepare? What happened? And what developing mental toughness has to do with this and leadership? If you were inspired by this podcast please sponsor my friend Sarah. All money goes to Scope...

In this weeks podcast John & Rachael tackle the number one topic that people bring to coaching - Confidence. Through the lens “that you are enough” and what you tell yourself sticks, they share a few tips to help us think about it differently and reset our inner thoughts. The Leadership Essentials It’s normal to feel like this! Stop comparing yourself to everyone else Start recording all the g...

So, what is Leadership exactly? John & Rachael lift the lid on Leadership and in doing so they also draw comparison with management. The terms are often used synonymously, yet we find out that the roles demand very different attitudes, disciplines, and behaviours. Leadership Essentials Great leaders inspire action; focussing on the inputs and not just the outputs Leadership is not management C...