Leadership Detectives

"Leadership starts and ends with you." This powerful statement from executive coach Payal Nanjiani captures the essence of what separates truly exceptional leaders from those who merely hold a title. Drawing from her 17 years of coaching experience with executives worldwide, Payal reveals that leadership is fundamentally an inside game that requires deep self-awareness before external su...

What happens when two digital marketing professionals decide to build the company they've always wanted to work for? Emma Welland and Kat Sale, founders of House of Performance, reveal their refreshing approach to leadership that prioritizes values over EBITDA and puts purpose and fulfillment at the center of business decisions. The conversation delves into the critical distinction between le...

What makes a truly exceptional leader? Is it their charisma, technical expertise, or perhaps something more adaptable? In this illuminating conversation with Paul Kells, senior technology director and digital transformation expert, we uncover the surprising truth that effective leadership fundamentally depends on context. Drawing from his extensive experience managing organizations of various size...

Trust cascades downward. Those three words capture the essence of Rob Mullen's leadership philosophy as Managing Director of Trenitalia C2C Rail and Chair of the Board of Trustees of Bath City Football Club Foundation. In this compelling conversation with Neil and Albert, Rob reveals why honesty and transparency form the bedrock of his approach to leading a major UK railway company. What sets...

What makes leaders truly effective? Is it technical expertise, strategic vision, or something more fundamental? Former Chief Superintendent Mark Chatterton's remarkable 30-year police career reveals it might be much simpler – and more powerful – than we think. Rising from a young constable with no leadership ambitions to commanding over 1,000 staff across a third of Hampshire, Mark discovered...

What does it take to navigate a 40-year leadership journey? Chris Mallon, who recently retired after 36 years at Lloyds Banking Group, reveals the timeless principles that guided him from an 18-year-old trainee to executive leadership. Chris challenges the notion that great leaders are born, arguing instead that leadership develops through continuous learning and growth. "I kept learning righ...

Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing how leaders work, but are you leveraging it effectively? Dr. David Hooper, founder of Lunala AI, joins us to demystify how leaders can strategically implement AI to transform their effectiveness. This eye-opening conversation reveals that most leaders are barely scratching the surface of AI's potential. Rather than simply asking ChatGPT random questi...

Feedback is the compass that guides exceptional leadership, yet many leaders avoid this vital tool. In this revealing conversation, we uncover why feedback is critical for leadership growth and how it directly impacts employee retention and engagement. When was the last time you asked your team for honest feedback about your leadership? If you're hesitating, you're not alone. We explore...

What happens when leaders can't let go? In this eye-opening exploration of trust in leadership, Albert Joseph and Neil Thubron tackle one of the most fundamental yet challenging aspects of leading teams effectively. We dive deep into the struggle many leaders face: trusting their team to perform without constant supervision. Whether you're an entrepreneur who's grown a business from...

Restructuring. The very word can send ripples of anxiety through an organization. But what does it really mean to lead effectively through this challenging process? In this candid conversation, leadership experts Albert Joseph and Neil Thubron tackle the complex realities of guiding teams through organizational change. Drawing from their extensive corporate experience, Albert and Neil explore how...

Dive into an engaging exploration of leadership evolution as we reunite after three years to reflect on the dramatic shifts in our understanding of effective leadership. From the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic to the rapid technological advancements reshaping our workplaces, we dissect how these changes have forced leaders to navigate complex challenges.  Our conversation spans the spe...

In this episode, we delve deep into the challenging landscape of toxic leadership. Toxic leaders can manifest in various ways, often leading to detrimental impacts on team dynamics, individual morale, and overall productivity. We explore the core characteristics and behaviors associated with toxic leadership and provide actionable insights on how to recognize these individuals in the workplace.  A...

In this insightful episode of The Leadership Detectives, Albert and Neil unpack the importance of listening to teams - and how effective listening can lead to magic happening in any organisation. Find Neil online at: https://neilthubron.com Find Albert on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/albert-e-joseph

Albert and Neil invite Military Cross retired army colonel, Richard Westley OBE, onto this episode. Richard shares how, after years of following orders, he found success as a leader in the corporate world. Find Neil online at: https://neilthubron.com Find Albert on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/albert-e-joseph

Albert and Neil sit down to discuss how Matrix Management can empower leaders to get the best out of workplace support teams. Find Neil online at: https://neilthubron.com Find Albert on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/albert-e-joseph

  In this episode of The Leadership Detectives, Albert and Neil discuss strong leadership insights with ex-British Lions England A rugby legend and successful business owner, Harvey Thorneycroft. Find Neil online at: https://neilthubron.com Find Albert on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/albert-e-joseph

Welcome to Season 03 Episode 02 of The Leadership Detectives. In this episode, we look at how a bit of gratitude can go a long way in a leadership role, and how this powerful emotion can bring about positive change in both our business and personal lives.  Find Neil online at: https://neilthubron.com Find Albert on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/albert-e-joseph

Welcome to Season 03 Episode 01 of The Leadership Detectives. In this episode, we talk about leadership and the importance of diversity with our inspirational guest, Jacqueline de Rojas CBE. Jacqueline is the President of techUK and Chair of the Board of Digital Leaders. Jacqueline dives into, among other leadership qualities, the need for embracing diversity and change, and altering the way we vi...

Welcome to Episode 12 of The Leadership Detectives. In this episode, Neil highlights certain aspects which can help to shape a great leader in today's world. Whilst many core principles remain the same, there are still multiple factors and it's important to move with the times on the ever-shifting sands of leadership. Find Neil online at: https://neilthubron.com Find Albert on LinkedIn a...

Welcome to Episode 11 of The Leadership Detectives. In this episode, we celebrate our 1st anniversary of The Leadership Detectives with a look back on some of our favourite moments of the last year. We also managed to record together, in person, for the very first time! Thank you to everyone who has been a guest, contributed towards our journey in any way and, most importantly, to the listeners. F...

Welcome to Episode 10 of The Leadership Detectives. In this episode, we share a wonderful interview with another incredible guest, Sophie Stanton. Sophie is the Chief Marketing Officer at IBM (Middle East and Africa). "VUCA" stands for volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity. Sophie guides us through some of the core foundations of "VUCA" and why it can be so effecti...

Welcome to Episode 9 of The Leadership Detectives. In this episode, we take a deep dive into the concept of "failure". "Failure" has become a dirty word in the world of leadership, and it has been subjected to a reframing of context. Is it better to fail often? To aim high, even if you don't reach? And just because you fail, does that make you a failure? Find Neil online a...

In this episode, we’re joined by Chris Hunter QGM, author, bomb disposal expert, and former British Army officer. And when it comes to topics like fear of failure there are few better placed than Chris who has had to view failure as meaning someone losing their life. We start by talking about why Chris joined the Military and the words that his father gave him on his death bed that shaped his life...

Welcome to Episode 7 of The Leadership Detectives. In this episode, we look back on some of our recent interviews in order to double down on some of the most salient points our guests have made. We highlight the importance of authenticity and why it is becoming even more vital in the modern leadership world. We also discuss why humility is crucial for a leader to inspire those around them, delving...