Optimising Leader Brilliance: Enabling Calm, Confident, Strategic Leadership

I was privileged to interview podcasting royalty Professor Damian Hughes. He’s the co-host of UK’s most popular pod, The High Performance Podcast with Jake Humphrey and they’ve interviewed some amazing guests ranging from Mathew McConaughey, Rio Ferdinand, Alastair Campbell, Dame Kelly Holmes and Mel Robins. Damian is an international speaker and the author of many best-selling books. I was theref...

You never forget Matt when you meet him; he’s statesman-like, tenacious, honest, really passionate about his business and how people are led. He also has an amazingly creative mind. In this episode we talk about: His presentation at a People Strategy day. He really shone in that moment. Matt talks about how he gets nervous doing speeches; it really wasn’t evident on the day and was one of the best...

Lisa Sachwell is a Pain Management Specialist and Yoga Teacher. I refer to Lisa as the ‘miracle women’, because years ago she sorted out my painful and immobile shoulder. It was only afterwards I realised that there was an emotional connection to the pain I was feeling. I was shouldering too much responsibility. This is where there’s synergy between the work that Lisa and I do; Lisa facilitates ch...

Debbie Jenkins was my book coach, so it seemed fitting that I interviewed her for Series 2 of Leader Insider Secrets, which focuses on the topics covered in my book, Inner Brilliance · Outer Shine: 10 Antidotes to Imposter Syndrome, Workaholism and Stress. Without Debs, my book would never have got published. She is one of the best businesswomen I know. Full of fun, ideas and chaos! We talk about...

Andrew Bridge, Managing Partner of Fisher German (FG) really embodies what it means to be a great, modern leader. FG employs over 600 employees and is 60-person partnership. This is no mean feat when it comes to creating alignment, because it’s like having 60 business owners! Andrew is purpose driven. He recognises how his organisation can make a difference to the survival of the human race throug...

If you want to kickstart your 2022 with some habits which are scientifically proven to boost your productivity, listen to Will Mellors-Blair in my first podcast episode of Series 2 of Leader Insider Secrets. I’d describe it as: uplifting, inspirational, motivating, honest and with easy to adopt strategies for your mental and physical wellbeing. Will Mellors-Blair is the CEO of Fitpack and he has s...

We dive into the inspiring journey of Paul Snape, the Deputy Chief Executive and Head of Business Development at The Bridge East Midlands. With a mission to prevent homelessness and create resilient communities, Paul shares his insights on leadership and the importance of trust within teams. Paul talks about dealing with personal challenges whilst navigating a new role, the pandemic, growing the o...

This weekend my family and I saw a gentleman who was contemplating taking his life, so this is a shout out to all men who are bottling up feelings. You are not alone. Other men are secretly getting help. I explain how to effortlessly resolve limiting beliefs, behaviours and feelings in this episode. One of the by-products of the approach I share with you is often enhanced #success, #productivity,...

Do you sometimes shoulder the burden of everyone else's problems, take charge and responsibility to resolve them? Do you care, passionately about other people, especially during periods of change and adjustment? Or maybe you help others at the drop of a hat. These are all great qualities.  Have you heard the phrase, 'Any strength overdone can become a weakness'? We can be our own worst enemy somet...

Join me in this enlightening episode of Exec Insider Secrets as I chat with the remarkable Chrissy Spencer, the Director of Marketing and Communications for DDC. With 16 years of friendship and professional camaraderie, we explore the evolution of her career, the importance of community, and the unique blend of creativity and pragmatism that defines her approach to leadership. Chrissy shares her j...

Content warning: This episode contains discussions about personal struggles, including eating disorders and mental health challenges. I have the pleasure of speaking with Francesca Tricarico, the Managing Director of Future Cloud Accounting. Francesca's journey into accounting began later in life, after discovering her passion while juggling motherhood and various jobs. Her story is one of res...

I chat with Caitrina Oakes, Managing Director of Vetoquinol UK & Ireland. From veterinary nursing to leading a global animal-health leader, Caitrina shares her values-driven approach to leadership, routines that support focus, and the power of exercise to reset the mind. She reveals how a trust-first culture and candid conversations drive performance, plus the impact of a Management Excellence...

I chat with my talented sister, Simone Jenkinson, Creative Director for Cuerda Creatives and La Casa Pepanova, an artistic retreat in Galicia, Spain. Simone generates imaginative concepts that help brands express their vision , coordinating large-scale events that embody a company’s inspiring essence. In this episode, we explore her journey from Argentina to Spain, moving from corporate roles to c...

I struggled to pick one soundbite from Sarah Walker-Smith's interview - there were so many. Sarah is the CEO of Shakespeare Martineau and the only female, non-lawyer CEO in the legal top 55. She was recently named asthe UK’s most influential legal CEO on social media. A strategist with a background in accounting, marketing, and branding, Sarah embodies authentic, inclusive leadership and a rel...

Daniel Jarvis, a leader at Plastribution, a premier supplier of plastic raw materials, joins us for an in-depth look at growth, leadership , and sustainability. Having worked with Dan for seven years, I’ve witnessed his exponential development - from evolving roles to elevating his team. In this candid interview, Dan dives into the plastic debate and sustainability, sharing insights honed through...

Hi there, it's your coach, Estelle Read. In this episode I explore the rise of anxiety and panic in today’s world - driven by economic pressures and the Covid era. I share personal experiences and real-world stories to show how leaders can stay grounded, read the room, and guide teams with clarity and resilience. This episode reveals practical steps to identify triggers, regulate emotional states,...

I sit down with Matt Read, the dynamic Head of Digital at Space and Time, to uncover the signals that shape bold leadership. From high-stakes campaigns to the quieter art of building high-performing teams , Matt brings a fresh, millennial perspective on navigating today’s fast-moving marketing world. We touch on career-defining moments, including experiences at Amazon and a nod from the BEMA 100,...

How often do you procrastinate or fall at the final hurdle because of a fear of failure, getting something wrong? In this episode, we delve into a common yet challenging issue faced by many: the fear of failure and its link to procrastination. Join me, your coach, Estelle Read, as I explore the roots of this fear, drawing on personal anecdotes from my own journey and the experiences of clients I&#...

Michael Read, is a remarkable leader and plant manager at Fresenius Medical Care. With a career spanning over 25 years, Mike has transformed underperforming factories into some of the best in Europe, all while cultivating a culture of accountability and innovation. Mike shares his journey from a young manager facing daunting challenges to becoming a trusted leader who empowers self-managed teams....

In this episode, I delve into the concept of adding versus subtracting in our work lives. Have you ever paused to reflect on how your daily activities impact your productivity and overall well-being? Join me as I explore how seemingly innocuous tasks can detract from our success and happiness.   Through relatable anecdotes, including my experience with a local WhatsApp group that spiralled into a...

Welcome to Optimising Leader Brilliance , the place for calm, confident and strategic leadership. We’ll get to the source of what makes people brilliant, explore how to eradicate the barriers that stop you from shining, so that you can lead your very best work-life.   You’ll hear from business & thought leaders who bare all & share their insider secrets , along with my episodes focused on...