The Business of Being Brilliant

What does it take to fix the toughest people challenges in an organisation? And how does an interim HR leader step into chaos, overcome resistance, and move a business in flux forward? In this episode, Helen Beedham is joined by international HR authority Kieran Mander, co-author of the forthcoming HRBP Handbook . Together they share hard-won insights and practical strategies for tackling complex...

What really fuels sustainable high performance? And what separates a one-off success from consistently operating at your best? In this episode, Helen Beenham sits down with internationally acclaimed leadership expert, author, and coach Agnes Cserhati to explore the mindset, habits, and cultural foundations that enable individuals and teams to thrive in today’s demanding work environment. Expect pr...

Is fun at work a nice-to-have or a must-have? In this episode, Helen Beenham sits down with Group HR Director and people leader Alys Martin to explore how organisations can create a culture of authentic, inclusive fun and why it matters more than ever in high-pressure work environments. Drawing from her strategic HR experience in tech, engineering, and publishing, Alys shares practical wisdom on w...

Ever struggled to keep your work stress from spilling into home life, or vice versa? In this episode, Helen Beedham sits down with communication advisor, strategic executive coach, psychotherapist, and bestselling author Vibeke Hartkorn to explore how leaders and teams can navigate the emotional overlaps between work and home and why it matters more than ever. With a career spanning news anchoring...

What makes people really want to stay with your organisation? In this special episode, Helen Beedham hands over the hosting reins to Jen Sundberg, who turns the spotlight on Helen and her brand new book, People Glue: hold on to your best people by setting them free. Drawing on extensive research, personal experience, and interviews with more than 25 CEOs, COOs, and Chief People Officers, Helen sha...

How can leaders harness the power of AI at work without leaving their people behind? In  this episode, Helen Beedham sits down with digital transformation expert, senior consultant, and author Jayne Mather to dig into the human side of technological change.  Drawing on her decades of experience helping major organisations adopt new tech, Jayne reveals what really works when it comes to putting peo...

What’s really going on with Gen Z at work and how can leaders rethink their approach to unlock their immense potential? In this episode, Helen Beedham sits down with educator, leadership coach, and author Alex Atherton to explore the myths, frustrations, and truths surrounding Gen Z talent. Drawing on his decades of experience as a Head Teacher and workplace generational expert, Alex offers invalu...

Can HR be both the conscience of the organisation and a champion for the people who work in it? In this episode, Helen Beedham sits down with seasoned C-suite executive Vivian Leinster, whose 30-year career as a Chief People Officer and People Director has spanned sectors from telecoms and technology to healthcare and insurance. Together, they peel back the layers of what it means to humanise HR,...

Can the secret to thriving at work be about being “good enough” rather than exceptional? In this episode, Helen Beedham sits down with award-winning journalist, careers counsellor, and Financial Times contributor Michael Skapinker to unravel why letting go of perfectionism could be transformational for managers and teams. Together, they explore the parallels between parenting and leadership, and o...

What does it really mean to be fearless at work and is it about confidence, risk-taking, privilege, or something deeper? In this episode, Helen Beedham sits down with globally recognised tech founder, author, CEO, and World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, Soulaima Gourani, to rethink what it means to dance through life and career challenges, rather than simply climb ladders. Together, they unp...

How is AI impacting our jobs, careers, and sense of purpose at work? Who stands to win or lose as the pace of change accelerates? In this episode Helen Beedham chats to Rob Garlick, author, consultant, and former Head of Innovation & Technology at Citi Global Insights, to unpack how artificial intelligence is reshaping opportunities, job quality, and the very skills we need to succeed, whether...

What does “meaningful work” really mean, and why is it so crucial not just for personal fulfilment but for building healthier, higher-performing organisations? In this thought-provoking episode, Helen Beedham is joined by Professor Ying Zhou, Director of the Future of Work Research Centre at the University of Surrey and a leading expert in job quality and employee wellbeing to unpack the latest re...

What does happiness at work really mean, and how can leaders and managers practically build happier and higher performing teams? In this episode, Helen sits down with Nic Marks, renowned happiness statistician, founder of Friday Pulse, and author of the forthcoming book Happiness is a Serious Business , to debunk myths, share data-led insights, and lay out powerful yet simple actions for improving...

Why do so many workplace wellbeing initiatives fall short, and what would it look like if everyone, not just HR or a handful of “champions” were equipped with real wellbeing skills for daily life at work? In this episode, Helen sits down with Thomas Roulet, Professor of Organisational Sociology and Leadership at Cambridge Judge Business School and co-author of the new book Wellbeing Intelligence:...

How do you create a workplace where company values aren’t just words on a website, but the DNA of how people treat each other and do business every single day? In this episode, Helen talks to David Hutchinson, CEO and Founder of PeopleCheck, a global leader in background screening checks renowned for championing transparency, compliance, and kindness, to uncover what it really takes to build organ...

What does it really take to foster genuine critical thinking at work beyond just ‘debate’ or ‘criticism’ and why is it essential in today’s rapidly changing, AI-powered business world? In this episode, Helen talks to Dr. Arlene Egan, CEO of Roffey Park Institute and author of Confidence in Critical Thinking, to unpack how leaders and teams can cultivate curiosity, ask better questions, and build c...

What does it really mean to fuse purpose and performance at work, and why does it matter for both organisations and individuals? In this episode, Helen sits down with Madhavi Bhasin, global HR leader and Head of Purpose-Driven Performance at Udemy,  the AI-powered skills development platform, to explore how companies can put employees’ sense of meaning and fulfillment at the heart of high performa...

What does workplace fairness actually mean and how do we tackle unfairness in practical, evidence-based ways? In this episode, Helen speaks to Siri Chilazi, senior researcher at Harvard Kennedy School's Women and Public Policy Program and co-author of Make Work Fair: Data-Driven Design for Real Results , to get to the heart of how organisations can create truly fair environments where everyone...

How do you build a fast-growing, distributed organisation that balances both freedom and consistency and avoids the pitfalls of old-school ‘command and control’ leadership? In this episode, Helen sits down with Amrit Singh, Chief Operating Officer at the National Institute of Teaching (NIoT), to explore exactly what it takes to lead with trust, delegate decision-making and thrive during ambitious,...

Why do seemingly small interactions at work sometimes spark big reactions, and how can understanding our underlying needs transform the way we handle conflict? In this episode, Helen sits down with Alice Sheldon, a psychologist, educator, creator of Needs Understanding, and author of *Why Weren’t We Taught This at School?* to shine a light on those “fingerprint needs” and the hidden frustrations w...

How do you deal with a tricky boss and how can you build resilience and thrive if you’re working for one? In this episode, Helen sits down with Eric Charran, technology executive, author, and former leader at Microsoft and Capital One to take a deeper look at why so many of us encounter difficult managers, and most importantly, what we can do about it. Together, they explore:  ⭐️ The typical unhe...

How do quick fix solutions impact the way we approach organisational challenges, and what's the alternative? In this episode I chat with Steve Hearsum, an experienced organisational consultant, coach, and author. Together, we explore why quick fixes in the business world are so tempting yet problematic; we also discuss the human side of transformation. Join us as we explore how to:  ⭐️ Recogn...

How can organisational culture shape the language we use and the decisions we make? In this fascinating episode, I chat to Gill Ereaut, researcher, author, and organisational consultant. Together, we explore the intricate world of organisational language and how it reveals deep-seated cultural norms and assumptions. Join us as we explore how to:  ⭐️ Spot language patterns that unveil an organisat...

How can organisations deliver for growth even amidst unending changes and tight deadlines? In this episode, I have a fascinating conversation with Professor Adam Boddison OBE, CEO of the Association for Project Management, who sheds light on the intersection of project management and leadership under pressure. We explore how organisations can empower their teams to deliver more effectively by:  ⭐...

Are you ready to learn how to successfully bridge the knowing-doing gap during change in your organisation? In this episode of The Business of Being Brilliant, join me, Helen Beedham, as I engage in a thought-provoking conversation with Rupert Brown, Chief People Officer and author of the forthcoming leadership book "Mind the Gap." Together, we explore the fascinating world of organisati...