Phone Calls With Clever People

Today on the podcast, we're diving back into the art of productivity. Dermot Crowley is a returning favourite, a man who's been in the trenches of productivity for over 25 years. He's not just about quick fixes but about building sustainable productivity systems that stand the test of time. Today’s podcast explores the kind of productivity that doesn't just chase deadlines but chases greatness and...

Today we’re talking about Culture. Culture is the unseen competitive advantage that sets winning teams and organisations apart. But one of the most overlooked aspects of organisational culture is in our language and in the stories we tell. Ginger Hardage is former senior vice president of culture and communication for southwest airlines and she believes that the stories we tell are crucial in buil...

We’re having a conversation about Mental Health. There was once the belief that there is our personal life and our work life and never the two shall meet. What we know is that the line between personal and work is more intertwined than ever before. And as a leader the solution is never to tell people to leave their issues at home or to harden up. But as leaders, it can feel hard to know what to do...

We’re having a conversation about Inclusion. When it comes to inclusion at work we can all agree that diversity, equity and inclusion matters. This is something few people would debate. But while there have been countless studies that show the importance of creating inclusive workplaces. The current evidence also shows us that much of the effort and investment we make in diversity programs on aver...

Today we're talking all about writing One of the best practices a leader can develop is the practice of writing. Not just personal and self-reflective writing, like a journal, but long-form writing that captures your thinking, ideas, expertise, experiences and stories. Expert book coach Kelly Irving believes that writing a book is much more than the outcome of holding a book in your hands, but a p...

We’re having a conversation about scaling leadership. If there's one thing that we know about leadership, it's that it's not static. It's a dynamic journey, and it evolves with personal growth and business expansion. In today's thought provoking episode, we're having a conversation with Glen James and we talk about some of the challenges that come with scaling a business and scaling your leadershi...

Today we are having a conversation about data. Dr Selena Fisk makes talking numbers fun and engaging and changes the view on data. Data can give us insights to transform how we lead and work every day. Selena is a data storyteller who is passionate about helping others sort through the numbers to tell the real stories and lead positive change. Data is an increasing presence in our work and home li...

Today on the podcast we’re talking all about digital wellbeing. It takes a lot to wake up in the morning and not immediately check your phone. Or to go to sleep without those last few scrolls of social media. Unfortunately digital isn’t going anywhere so the answer can’t just be to ignore it. So we need to learn how to establish good digital boundaries, and take back control of our attention. Dr....

We’re having a conversation about a culture of high performance. When you think of the phrase ‘high-performance culture’ you might think of a leader that beats their team into submission, that is all results-focused and pushes people to burnout. But my guest today, Jimmy Burroughes is on a mission to change that perception and the way we lead teams. He believes that it’s possible to build high-per...

Today on the podcast we’re talking all about growth. Whether you’re in a business or running a business, leaders are passionate about growth. That could be personal or it could be commercial. But here’s the thing, if you want sustained growth you need to start with the right foundations. There are some things you need to know to make sure you take control of that growth. My guest is Jenny Stilwell...

We’re talking about how to be less shit on camera. If you’re like most people, you probably don’t have any big issues holding a conversation with another person. But if that other person is holding a camera up to your face, then maybe it’s not so easy. With the rise in AI platforms transforming the way we deliver written messaging, video is how we build trust, increase visibility and connect in a...

We’re having a conversation about assumptions. As humans, we often make assumptions about people from a distance, and these assumptions can be far from reality. However, when you find yourself in a position of leadership or in the public spotlight, where many assumptions are made about you, how do you ensure that you don't start believing everything that's said? How do you break free from self-lim...

We're having a conversation about team tension.   My guest is my good friend and founder of Boldside consulting Shelley Johnson. When it comes to tension in a team Shell believes that the best teams don’t resolve tension, bur rather that they learn how to harness it. Today I give her a call to talk about how to do just that.   Shelley is the Boldside founder and HR Consultant you'll want by your s...

Today on the podcast we're talking about living more deliberately.   My guest is David Frizzell, the host of Team Guru podcast. Having been a guest a couple of times on his podcast it is so great to have David sitting in the guest seat on this episode. With over 200 interviews under his belt on that podcast alone I wanted to know if there was anything that connected the interviews he has conducted...

We're talking about the DNA of performance.   Can a line in an email get your heart rate rising? Do you find it a little harder to get started in the morning? Turns out Alessandra will know just by looking at your DNA.     True high performance isn't shouty and showy. It is deep and solid. It is steeped in self-restraint and self-leadership. It is contingent upon attaining the highest level of sel...

Today on the podcast we're talking about creativity.   Many people think that creativity is reserved for a few brilliant people. My guest on the podcast today is author Tim Duggan and he says that everyone is creative, and in his words "stuff anyone who says otherwise!"   At the time of recording Tim was in a small island in the Greek Islands and we took some time to have a chat all about creativi...

We're talking about neurodiversity.   This is an episode I know you are going to love because I am joined by my good friend Callum McKirdy to talk all about harnessing our collective difference. He believes that we spend too much time trying to be the same and converge in our work teams, yet our point-of-difference is in where we diverge. Today I call him to explore some of his journey and what we...

Today on the podcast we're talking about adaptability.   After a couple of huge years of disruption you might be finding yourself feeling a little worn down from all the change. Well this podcast episode is good news for you. My guest is Dr Rebecca Sutherns who told me that it's possible for adaptability to be something that can energise rather than deplete us, and that it is a skill that any one...

We're talking about pioneering.   The status quo is far from the life we were created to live. That's what today's guest Cam Greenwood believes and is here to talk all about. Cam is a remarkable young entrepreneur that I have had the privilege of knowing for the last 6 or so years. I've watched him navigate the highs and lows of business and admire him as someone who refuses to give up when he get...

Today we're talking about on-camera presence.   If you've ever had any time standing in front of a camera, you can probably relate to those moments when the red light goes on, and your mind goes blank. And when the words finally do come out, you can't help but feel robotic or awkward.   Today I'm speaking with Mo MacRae, who is an expert in helping people develop their on-camera presence, and he s...

We're having a conversation about energy and routines.   How you start your day shows up in throughout your day. But if you're like me, finding routines that maximise your energy in leadership can feel a little challenging. Today I'm joined by Lara Nercessian to talk explore how starting the day with a degree of predictability can set you up to tackle a world full of uncertainty.    Lara is an Exe...

We’re talking all about listening (Oh the irony) It’s been said that we evaluate our ability to listen much like we evaluate our ability to drive a car. We grossly over estimate our skills. To help us discover what it means to listen deeply I’m joined by the leading expert in this space, Oscar Trimboli. Oscar is an author, host of the Apple award-winning podcast Deep Listening and a sought-after k...

We’re kicking off season 05 with a bang with the incredible Kim Kaupe joining me to talk about showing up more intentionally online. Kim told me that people can NO you before they KNOW you because of how we show up online. I give her a call to talk about what we need to know about positioning ourselves in this globally connected society we live in. In January 2020 at age 34 Kim kicked off a tour w...

We're doing something a little different for the final episode of 2021 As I look back and celebrate one year of the Phone Calls With Clever People Podcast I'm joined by my good friend Rohan Dredge from my first ever episode. Rohan joins me again to turn the tables and interview me for the show. In this episode we take time to reflect on where this all started, what's changed and what we're noticin...

We're Talking About Innovation.  My guest is Frans Johansson bestselling author of The Medici Effect. This book is an innovation classic released by the Harvard Business School Press that explores why the most powerful innovation happens at the “Intersection,” where ideas and concepts from diverse industries, cultures, and disciplines collide. Available in 21 languages, The Medici Effect has becom...