Sparks

How do you really know if you're improving? In this episode of Sparks, Jonna Sercombe and Milly Gladstone dig into the tricky world of performance measurement—where numbers don’t always tell the full story, and some of the most important factors can’t be tracked on a spreadsheet. We start with a simple question: Does feedback count as measurement? From there, we explore the tension between qua...

Disagreement and difficult conversations vs making people feel valued. It would be easy to assume that only one of those was useful in fostering a spirit of collaboration. Yet this insightful conversation with Ken Govan and Sarah Ratcliff revealed that the secrets to fostering effective collaboration might not have been what we expected. Join them as they reveal the real meaning of collaboration,...

Pressure—it’s something we all experience, but what does it really mean and how can we handle it? In this episode of Sparks, we take a closer look at what happens when the stakes are high. Ben Heath and Emily Larson share their own experiences of performing under pressure, from military scenarios to million dollar creative challenges. We explore the fight, flight, or freeze response, challenge som...

Join host Chris Lissaman for this episode of Sparks as he sits down with Milly Gladstone and George Dickinson to tackle the messy, often misunderstood world of feedback. They kick things off by sharing the best feedback they've ever received and what it taught them, then dig into what feedback actually is and why it matters so much. Along the way, they unpack the benefits (and challenges) of g...

Join host Chris Lissaman in this episode of Sparks, where we delve into the dynamics of performance and motivation with two exceptional guests: Lisandra Radu and Blair Wagner. From exploring Lisandra's career journey as senior L&D coordinator, to discussing what truly gets us out of bed in the morning, this conversation tackles the critical role of passion, purpose, and personal choice in the...

Aisha Ahmed joins host Blair Wagner and Interactive Workshops director Nathan Rager to discuss a challenge faced by all L&D teams - how to engage learners and keep them committed to learning. We've started looking at sales, now what happens when we're trying to sell internally? Along the way they also reveal their solutions to challenges such as balancing client requests with actual needs, pro...

Daryl Wood joins Chris Lissaman and Nathan Rager as she shares her journey and expertise in sales enablement, offering a deep dive into what it takes to create a successful sales enablement programme. We explore what sales enablement truly means and discuss why it’s essential in today’s business landscape. From inception to delivery we follow the journey of bringing a programme to life covering th...

In this episode of Sparks, Chris Lissaman sits down with Nathan Rager and Commercial Training Manager, Nicola Frier, for a deep dive into the world of sales enablement. They discuss strategies to ensure sales enablement programs align with the needs of sales teams and, most importantly, how to secure their buy-in for success. Understand the core needs of sales teams, design sales enablement progra...

This week on Spark, we are joined by our very own producers, Blair Wagner and George Dickinson, to discuss employee motivation. Get a sneak peek behind the scenes at IW and learn how we inspire our employees. Why is employee motivation not a ‘one size fits all’ approach? How do we tailor our methods to spark different individuals? Join us as we delve into these questions and more, uncovering the s...

Join us this week as we explore how to spark a career; answering questions like: What exactly defines a career today? Are career paths evolving with the times? Chris and Jonna delve into the importance of career timings and how to avoid common pitfalls in career planning. How crucial is bold decision-making in shaping your career? Should you have a strict career plan, or is flexibility the key to...

Join Chris and Jonna on this week’s episode of Sparks as they explore the world of paradoxes. Learn about different types of paradoxes, their impact on our choices and consequences, and how we navigate them in work and life. Tune in to discover the cognitive science behind paradoxes and actionable approaches to handle them effectively. --- // Brought to you by Interactive Workshops https://interac...

Join hosts Chris and Jonna for a special Sparks episode as they explore the intricacies of happiness with the brilliant Alysha Adams from Age UK. Gain insights into the subtle indicators of happiness and its impact on professional success. Challenge the notion of constant happiness and discover how organisations like Age UK integrate happiness into their culture. Whether you're seeking persona...

Join us this week on Sparks and we take a closer look at Improvement. Starting by exploring the cyclical nature of progress and setbacks, tune in for a discussion on the timeline of improvement and the importance of sparking a reaction to change ongoing management practices that hinder growth. Emphasising the value of learning before making mistakes, discover the significance of drawing inspiratio...

Welcome back to the Sparks Podcast where we dive into the nitty-gritty of personal leadership. In this episode, Chris is joined by Emily Link, Director at Interactive Workshops, as they dissect the very essence of what it means to lead oneself effectively. Delve into the fundamental core model that sets the stage for personal leadership, unpacking the genuine curiosity behind self-improvement and...

Chris is joined by Nathan Rager, Director of Sales at Interactive Workshops, as they dive into the core principles of sales questions, uncovering hidden complexities and discussing strategies for success in an ever-changing landscape. Tune in to find out how a British Army planning methodology can become a powerful tool for navigating shifting scenarios and driving effective sales strategies. Lear...

This week on Sparks Chris and Jonna journey into efficient business travel. From effective business travel strategies and conquering jet lag to mastering sleep discipline. Delve into the intricacies of rest as a thoughtful process, upgrade tactics, and handling disruptions. Explore insights on understanding your body clock, navigating airport hotels and simplifying life on the go. Uncover the secr...

Join this week as Jonna and Chris, delve into the intricate world of decision-making. Starting with the fundamental notion of deciding to make decisions, the duo explore subconscious decision-making, heuristic decisions, and the relationship between risky decisions and successful businesses. Tackle the importance of sensible decisions over risky ones, challenging the idea that business and logic d...

Join Chris and Jonna on this week’s episode of Sparks as we explore why drive is better than motivation. From collective drive fostering team success to the nuances of different individuals' motivations, we leave no stone unturned. Discover actionable tips on how to sustain long-term motivation, understand the responsibility of a positive attitude, and discern the difference between bringing y...

Join Jonna and Chris on this week’s episode of Sparks to discuss the nuances between efficiency and effectiveness. Uncover the paradox of "slow down to speed up" and learn strategies for how to foster workplace efficiency. Tune in to explore the delicate balance between efficiency and excellence, perfectionism vs. pragmatism and navigate the importance of agility. From setting constraint...

Chris and Jonna are joined this week by Interactive Workshops producer, Rachel Cise to ignite your "joie de vivre” otherwise known as the ‘Joy of Life’. Starting with the essence of sparking joy, the trio unfold practical steps like cultivating a positive mindset, radiating positivity, and diving into the meaning of life. Tune in to explore the art of living in the moment, nurturing a belief...

This week on Sparks, Chris and Jonna are joined by Mary Fletcher-Louis who works as a Strategic Advisor, Mentor and Coach. In this episode, the trio discuss the significance of validation while navigating how to express gratitude authentically. From exploring the symbiotic relationship between celebrating teamwork and leadership to gaining practical insights on helping clients celebrate victories,...

Ready for a journey into the heart of business success? In the latest episode of the Interactive Workshops podcast Chris and Jonna are joined by Terri Loska the CEO of Dartmouth Partners. Tune in as we unravel the keys to thriving in the dynamic world of leadership. Have process goals prevented individual flare from shining through? From igniting synergy through emotional intelligence to perfectin...

In this episode, Chris and Jonna are joined by Stephen Ogden, better known as Thogdad. Sidekick to his son Theo with over 1.29 million subscribers on their YouTube channel the trio delves into the highlights of Stephens’s career as well as talking all things content creation. From pivotal career changes to the power of partnership, discover the importance of flexibility in work and life—can true s...

In this episode of Sparks, we unravel the secrets to maintaining consistent energy in work and life. Chris and Jonna are joined by Partnerships Manager, Cassie Chan as they delve into her career experience in global companies such as Deloitte and Google. Learn actionable tips on sparking energy when you need it most and explore the profound impact of self-awareness, understanding strengths and wea...

Chris and Jonna are joined once again by Cody, our NY director to discuss leadership potential. Dive into the dynamic world of leadership styles — what makes a leader truly stand out? We're dissecting the essence of teamwork within leadership, exploring the power of collaboration that propels teams to new heights. Is good delegation the secret sauce to exceptional leadership? Join the trio as...