Leadership & Life Chat

James and Mark return for season 3 with an episode focused on achieving New Year Resolutions. They build on the WOOP model introduced in episode 28, drawing reference to The Science of Wellbeing, Situational Support by J E Painter, James' sleeping attire and Mark's new knitting hobby.   We would love to hear from you – you can get in touch with us on podcasts@larking-gowen.co.uk . If you enjoy thi...

Mark and James talk about the importance of negotiations skills in business and in life generally. As always they provide 3 valuable top tips, and along the way they make reference to former FBI negotiator Chris Voss, hostage negotiator George Kohlriser and Return of the Mac by Mark Morrison.   We would love to hear from you – you can get in touch with us on podcasts@larking-gowen.co.uk . If you e...

Mark and James talk about the pitfalls of cognitive biases and how they influence decisions in business. As usual they finish with 3 top tips, and along the way they refer to Richard Branson, Status Quo and Mark's Mum!   Episode 22: Make The Right Decisions - I'm not indecisive... am I? Episode 26: The Art of Listening - Come on feel the noise Predictably Irrational - Dan Ariely The Blind Spots Be...

Mark and James reflect on 2020, and look ahead to 2021 and the inevitable New Year's Eve Resolutions. They impart advice on how to make change stick for the long term, referring along the way to melting icebergs, Princess Gabriele and Mark's "B" in GCSE German!  Larking Gowen's change success diagnostic tools John Kotter - Our Iceberg is Melting  Gabriele Oettingen - Rethinking Positive Thinking W...

Louise Newby, an experienced educator in the world of mental health and wellbeing, joins Mark and James for this highly relevant episode. Louise has seen first hand the detrimental effect that poor mental health and lack of training and support can have on business leaders and their teams. At the end Mark and James reflect on their 3 key take-away's from the valuable insights and numerous practica...

Mark and James discuss the often overlooked importance of good listening skills in business and in life generally. Starting with a fascinating fact which illustrates just how little time we spend on developing our listening skills, they come up with 3 top tips, and along the way they take inspiration from Jim Kwik, the 5 levels of listening and Slade's Noddy Holder! We would love to hear from you...

James and Mark highlight the importance of handling disappointment, which is particularly relevant in the current climate with many people and businesses facing some challenging lockdown measures. As usual, they come up with 3 top tips, and along the way they make reference to Yale University studies, George Bush Snr and Mark's mildly impressive but slightly embarrassing lawn bowls career! Mention...

James and Mark talk about ways businesses can increase sales performance during lockdown and extended furlough. As usual they end up with 3 top tips, and along the way they make reference to Toy Story 4, Kurt Cobain and, yet again, the film The Matrix! We would love to hear from you – you can get in touch with us on podcasts@larking-gowen.co.uk . If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe, and wh...

Mark and James lift the lid on the important topic of diversity in the workplace and discuss what business leaders can do now to tackle this pertinent issue. Joining Mark and James this month are guest speakers from Abstract, an award-winning learning and development company that changes people's lives. Sue Liburd MBE is an award-winning businesswoman, human capital innovation consultant and busin...

The decisions we make every day, whether big or small, help to shape our lives and our businesses. Mark and James share their thoughts and some trusted tools to help improve our decision-making skills. To help bring their tips to life, they refer back to Dr Susan Jeffers, Steven Spielberg and the late, great David Bowie.   We would love to hear from you – you can get in touch with us on podcasts@l...

James and Mark return to talk about prioritising the use of time for leaders and their teams. As usual they provide 3 top tips, drawing inspiration from the likes of Stephen Covey, Tim Ferriss and Sir Cliff Richard, and James even explains how you can create more than 24 hours in a day! We would love to hear from you – you can get in touch with us on podcasts@larking-gowen.co.uk . If you enjoy thi...

Dr Chris Mason is a coach to the coaches. He advises businesses all over the world, as well as owning many himself, and has a PhD in Industrial and Organisational Psychology. In this podcast James and Mark pick his brains on the traits of a great leader, the importance of building capabilities and how he manages his time and energy to achieve Kaizen! At the end, James and Mark reflect on their 3 t...

James and Mark build on previous episodes to help business leaders and their teams feel more energised in work and life. Breaking tradition, this time they provide a bonus forth top tip, taking inspiration from the likes of Dr John Briffa, the 5am Club, Fat Boy Slim and cold showers. We would love to hear from you – you can get in touch with us on podcasts@larking-gowen.co.uk . If you enjoy this e...

Inspired by a recent conversation with a listener, this week's podcast makes reference to Austin Powers, Tony Robbins, Michael Heppell and Ghandi, as James and Mark provide 3 top tips on how to reclaim your mojo in business and in life. Yeah baby! We would love to hear from you – you can get in touch with us on podcasts@larking-gowen.co.uk . If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe, and whilst...

James and Mark reflect on the choice many business owners, and employees, are now facing as to whether to return to the office or not, and the knock on impact this will have on the surrounding economies. Building on comments from Dame Carolyn Fairbairn of the CBI, and referencing Richard Jackson MBE of The Winning Edge, the Rolling Stones and The Wurzels, they come up with 3 top tips on how to mak...

By popular demand in this week's show Mark and James build on Episode 7, All Aboard the Entrepreneur Ship, by using Fritz cola as a real life example of a highly successful start up business that took on the larger players and won. To help illustrate their additional 3 top tips they refer back to Sir Richard Branson, Ferrari and Tom Araya of Slayer.     Link to Fritz Cola article - https://www.bbc...

James and Mark consider what differentiates great businesses from good businesses. In their usual informal but informative style they come up with 3 valuable tips drawn from the likes of Gary Player, Sir Clive Woodward and Roy Keane, whilst Mark confesses to a mild case of Tsundoku. Top tips: Tip 1 – Importance of a good work ethic: skip to 02:47 Tip 2 – Rocks and sponges: continual learning: skip...

High and consistent energy levels are crucial for personal and business success. This week James and Mark give 3 top tips to help improve energy levels drawing inspiration from motivational legend Jim Rohn, cycling hero Tommy Voeckler and Pavlov's salivating dogs. Top tips: Tip 1 – Identifying micro/macro stresses: skip to 02:44 Tip 2 – Helpful self-talk: skip to 07:11 Tip 3 - Avoid energy vampire...

Mark and James reflect on the importance of trust between leaders and their teams. Using the co-founder of Netflix, Feargal Sharkey' and Mark's fashion sense, as usual, the duo come up with 3 great ideas to help build greater trust in your business. Top tips: Tip 1 – Blend your leadership style: skip to 04:50 Tip 2 – Refresh policies and procedures: skip to 09:56 Tip 3 - Trust your team to pilot c...

James and Mark reflect on how ignoring your blind spots can have a painful impact on your profits. Pushing beyond Mark's teenage acne years, they call upon footballing legend Geoff Hurst, two silly bulls and a century old Japanese story to illustrate their top 3 tips.   Links to the articles mentioned;   Coronavirus: Safety fears over lack of translated virus advice   Firms with more female execut...

James and Mark challenge business owners to rethink the Normal's in their sectors. Using weddings, Billy Idol and fish and chip shops as inspiration, they encourage you to establish new ways of operating to batter the competition even when the chips are down. Top tips: Tip 1 – Deliver something different: skip to 01:42 Tip 2 – Use technology: skip to 07:25 Tip 3 - Leverage knowledge: skip to 13:14...

James and Mark talk about how business owners can pay more tax... by increasing their profits! With the help of zebras, wart hogs, a wolf and Metallica, they come up with 3 top tips to build your sales and make more money.   Top tips: Tip 1 – Focus on which part of sales is important: skip to 03:51 Tip 2 –Zebra sales: skip to 07:44 Tip 3 - Increasing conversion rates: skip to 11:00 We would love t...

Mark and James discuss how to prepare for future localised lockdowns. Whether you're in or out, pick up some tips to shake it all about and do the Covid Hokey Cokey. And that's what its all about! Top tips: Tip 1 – Have multiple supply chains: skip to 03:29 Tip 2 – Not overstocking - just in time not just in case: skip to 06:00 Tip 3 - Hope for the best, plan for the worst: skip to 08:45 We would...

Mark and James have an impromptu business chat about how to get in the zone whilst working from home and drawing on the unlikely influences of Pearl Jam, Usain Bolt and Lance Armstrong. Top tips: Tip 1 – Get into a flow state: skip to 01:35 Tip 2 – Clear goals in bitesize chunks: skip to 07:32 Tip 3 - Challenge yourself: skip to 11:57 We would love to hear from you – you can get in touch with us o...

Mark and James have an impromptu business chat about starting a new business and building the belief to start that journey whilst questioning the validity of the moon landings! Top tips: Tip 1 – Think about what piques your interest: skip to 03:10 Tip 2 – Have unwavering belief: skip to 08:32 Tip 3 - Go for it!: skip to 11:26 We would love to hear from you – you can get in touch with us on podcast...