Leadership and Culture First

What happens when the career you built no longer feels like the right fit? In this episode of Leadership and Culture First , Sharon Black and Nichola Ashby are joined by executive career coach Anna Hewitt to explore the emotional and practical reality of career change, particularly in mid-career. Together, they discuss redundancy, difficult exits, confidence, courage, identity, values, and the cha...

What does leadership really look like when everything feels uncertain? In this episode of Leadership and Culture First, Sharon Black is joined by Professor Paul Gill, Dean and Head of School of Health Sciences at the University of Nottingham, to explore the reality of leading through change, uncertainty, and pressure. From managing organisational change and difficult decisions to supporting teams...

Leadership has never felt more complex. You’re expected to deliver results, manage people, adapt to constant change and somehow have all the answers… all at the same time. But what happens when you don’t? In this episode, we’re joined by Eileen Wilson, business coach and former founder, who brings real-world insight from building, scaling and exiting a company. Together, we explore why leadership...

What if the problem isn’t you… but the environment you’re in? In this episode of Leadership and Culture First , Sharon Black and Dr Nichola Ashby are joined by Katie Gooblar and Rebecca “Bex” Herbert from Rebel Hive for a powerful conversation on leadership, culture and finding where you truly fit. Together, they explore what it really means to lead through complexity, challenge outdated systems a...

In this episode of Leadership and Culture First , host Dr Sharon Black is joined by Michelle Knight , executive coach, inclusive leadership expert and founder of Transforming Her Work . Michelle shares her journey from a 20 year career in international law to becoming a leadership coach focused on helping organisations build inclusive, high performing cultures. As a former law firm director and ED...

In this episode of Leadership and Culture First , hosts Sharon Black and Dr Nichola Ashby are joined by Professor Claire Pryor , the RCN Foundation Chair and Professor of Adult Social Care Nursing at the University of Salford. In a wide ranging and reflective conversation, Claire shares the journey that took her from intensive care nursing to leading research and education that is shaping the futu...

In this episode of Leadership and Culture First , Sharon Black and Nichola Jane Ashby are joined by Professor Gemma Stacey, former Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Florence Nightingale Foundation and current Associate Dean for Practice at Nottingham Trent University. Gemma shares her remarkable journey from lived experience of mental health services at a young age to becoming a national and i...

In this episode of the Leadership and Culture First podcast, Sharon and Nichola are joined by transformational leader and social impact strategist Edyta Ozbek , whose work spans Europe, Africa, Asia and the Pacific. Edyta shares her leadership journey from banking and finance into international healthcare recruitment, where she built and scaled teams across nine countries. She reflects openly on t...

This week, Janet Shreeve joins Dr Sharon Black and Dr Nichola Jane Ashby for an inspiring and grounded conversation about leadership, values and building a business in the care sector later in life. Janet launched her business at 65, proving that experience, wisdom and purpose can be powerful foundations for entrepreneurship. This episode explores resilience, advocacy and why better communication...

In this reflective episode of the Leadership and Culture First podcast, Sharon Black and Nichola Jane Ashby look back on the themes, insights, and moments that have shaped recent conversations with guests. They explore what leadership really looks like in practice, beyond job titles and frameworks. From courage in everyday conversations to the role of authenticity, trust, and communication, the di...

Summary In this episode, Dr. Sharon Black and Dr. Nichola Ashby engage with Jules Crowther, an executive coach specializing in neurodiversity. They explore the complexities of leadership, the challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals, and the importance of psychological safety in the workplace. Jules shares her personal journey of discovering her neurodivergent identity and how it shapes her...

Summary In this episode, Dr. Sharon Black and Dr. Nichola Ashby explore leadership lessons derived from classic Christmas films. They discuss themes such as the importance of reflection, joy, inclusion, and values-driven leadership, drawing parallels between the narratives of these films and the challenges faced by leaders. Each film serves as a metaphor for various leadership qualities, encouragi...

In this engaging podcast episode, Dr. Nichola Ashby and Dr. Sharon Black explore the complexities of leadership and culture with Professor Laura Serrant. They discuss the importance of inclusive leadership, the evolution of nursing, and the concept of the Lioness Effect, which emphasizes integrity and impact in leadership. Laura shares her personal journey, the significance of legacy, and the chal...

In this conversation, Dr. Sharon Black and Dr. Nichola Ashby explore the concept of respect, emphasizing that it should not be based on hierarchy but rather on mutual recognition of humanity. Dr. Black argues that respect is a fundamental human quality that should be extended to everyone, regardless of their position or role. Takeaways: -Respect isn't about hierarchy. -It's about being a decent hu...

Episode 1: Welcome to Leadership and Culture First In this inaugural episode, hosts Dr Nicola Ashby and Dr Sharon Black introduce Leadership and Culture First, a podcast dedicated to exploring how leadership, culture, and people shape success across healthcare, education, business, and beyond. This short introductory conversation sets the scene for what listeners can expect. Nicola and Sharon shar...