The People Performance Podcast - Brought to you by T2

In this episode of the  People Performance Podcast , Martin Johnson and Alex Mather explore the purpose and value of the  T2 Leadership Retreat , discussing why taking time to reflect, learn, and reset can have a lasting impact on leadership and performance. They explore what delegates can expect from the retreat, the importance of self-awareness, learning alongside other leaders, and how stepping...

AI is changing the way we work,  but what does that mean for the future of leadership? In this episode of the  People Performance Podcast , Martin Johnson is joined by Adam Walsh (CEO of John Good Group) to explore how  Artificial Intelligence, technology, and changing workplace expectations are reshaping leadership and the future of work. Together, they discuss AI, generations at work and why the...

Why do some meetings spark great ideas and meaningful discussion, while others leave people disengaged and frustrated? In this episode of the People Performance Podcast, Rich McCarthy and Alex Mather explore what it takes to facilitate truly effective meetings. From managing dominant voices and encouraging quieter team members to contribute, to creating psychological safety and healthy conflict, t...

What is really holding your team back from achieving high performance? In this episode of the People Performance Podcast, Bernice Casserly explores Patrick Lencioni's renowned model,  The Five Dysfunctions of a Team , and uncover why even the most talented leadership teams can struggle to achieve results. We discuss the five key dysfunctions that can derail team performance. Through practical...

What separates great communicators from great leaders? In this episode of the People Performance Podcast, Martin Johnson and Claire Gleave (Head of Communications & Business Support at Findel) explore the connection between communication, emotional intelligence, and leadership effectiveness. They discuss why leadership is about more than sharing information;  it's about building trust, creatin...

Why do so many workplace meetings feel unproductive, repetitive, and draining? In this episode of the People Performance Podcast, Rich and Alex explore the real purpose of meetings and what leaders can learn from APPLE when it comes to communication, collaboration, and decision-making. The conversation looks at why many organisations fall into poor meeting habits, how unnecessary meetings impact p...

Why do so many leaders struggle to delegate effectively? In this episode of the People Performance Podcast, Rich and Scott explore the “Delegation Dilemma” and why delegation is often one of the biggest leadership challenges in modern workplaces. They discuss the common mistakes leaders make when delegating, the impact poor delegation has on trust, accountability, and team performance, and why man...

Why do so many leaders avoid difficult conversations and what’s the impact when they do? In this episode, Bernice and Alex explore the psychology behind difficult conversations at work and why conflict, feedback, and challenge can feel so uncomfortable for leaders and teams.  The episode explores concepts such as  obnoxious aggression, ruinous empathy, manipulative insincerity, and radical candor...

What does great leadership really look like and how do you find the right balance? 👈 In this episode we explore the concept of optimal leadership and why the biggest challenge for leaders today is balancing results with people. Too much focus on performance can lead to burnout and disengagement, while too much focus on people can impact accountability and long-term results. 🙌🏼 If you’re a leade...

What does values-based leadership really look like in practice, and why does it matter for high performance? In this episode, we explore how the best leaders go beyond results and focus on the behaviours and values that drive sustainable success. Because high performance isn’t just about hitting targets, it’s about how those results are achieved and the impact leaders have on their teams. We break...

Ever felt a sudden rush of frustration in a meeting… or the urge to snap back at feedback? That’s your  inner chimp  at work. In this episode, we break down the powerful concept from Steve Peters’ The Chimp Paradox and explore how your brain really works under pressure. From emotional reactions to logical thinking, understanding your “chimp” could be the key to better decision-making, stronger rel...

What does high performance actually look like? In this episode, we challenge the common assumptions around high performance and explore what really drives consistent results in individuals and teams. Because high performance isn’t just about working harder or pushing more. It’s about how you think, behave, and respond under pressure. If you’re looking to move beyond short-term results and build su...

The way you manage people is about to be tested. With the Employment Rights Act rolling out in stages, major changes to the workplace are coming. In this episode, Martin Johnson and Rob MacNaught explore what these changes really mean for leaders, and why clarity, consistency, and intentional leadership are now more important than ever. This conversation will help you reflect on whether your manag...

Most leaders know they should delegate. So why do so many still struggle to let go? In this episode, Martin Johnson explores the  real reasons leaders struggle to delegate,   and why it’s often not a team issue, but a leadership one. From control and perfectionism to “mean-wellers" we break down the three behaviours that keep leaders stuck in the detail and stop teams from taking ownership. W...

Most of us go to bed expecting a “perfect” night’s sleep. But what if that expectation is the problem? In this episode with Stephanie Romiszewski , we challenge some of the most common beliefs about sleep, from the idea of 8 hours being the gold standard, to what it really means to be a “good sleeper.” We explore why waking up in the night is completely normal, how chasing perfect sleep can actual...

Is leadership really better than management, or have we got it wrong? In this episode,  Martin Johnson  breaks down one of the biggest myths in leadership today, the idea that leaders inspire while managers control. He explores why leadership and management are  not opposites , but two essential skill sets that must work together to drive performance, accountability, and results. From creating fol...

Why do some people take ownership of outcomes while others blame circumstances, luck, or other people? In this episode,  Bernice Casserly  and  Rich McCarthy  explore the concept of  Locus of Control,  the belief system that shapes how we interpret success, failure, and responsibility. They discuss how this mindset influences leadership behaviour, team culture, and performance, and how leaders can...

Most leaders believe they’re trustworthy. But what if trust isn’t built the way you think? In this episode, Martin Johnson unpacks the hidden mechanics behind trust and introduces a powerful framework:  The Trust Equation . We assume trust is about intention or likability. In reality, people are subconsciously scoring us on three things: credibility, reliability, and rapport. From competence under...

Most of us believe we’re doing the right thing. But what if everyone else thinks the same? In this episode, Alex Mather and Spencer Locker explore a powerful leadership blind spot: we judge ourselves by our intentions, yet we judge others by their actions. That gap quietly drives conflict, erodes trust, and undermines psychological safety inside teams. From emotional intelligence to behavioural tr...

Most organisations talk about  peak performance . But what if that’s the wrong target entirely? In this Leader Lounge episode of the  People Performance Podcast , Martin Johnson  breaks down the difference between peak, high, and optimal performance, and why chasing peak can quietly damage leaders and teams. Instead, Martin explores the concept of  optimal performance : doing the best you can with...

What does  real leadership  look like when everything is on the line? In this episode of the  People Performance Podcast , T2 founder Martin Johnson  sits down with  Neil Hudgell , founding partner of  Hudgell Solicitors  and Chairman of  Hull KR , to explore leadership, culture, belief, and resilience at the highest level. Neil shares his journey from a  working-class upbringing in Hull  to repre...

In this episode James Cooper and Rich McCarthy discusses how to manage the biological and psychological factors that influence professional performance. The conversation centers on navigating high-pressure situations by understanding the brain's internal systems. James brakes down the "Chimp Paradox" model by Dr. Steve Peters, which identifies three primary systems in the brain: The...

In this episode we welcome our new senior consultant Rich McCarthy. In this episode Bernice and Rich dive into a fundamental truth about human potential and productivity. While we are often told that "you can do anything you put your mind to," we rarely discuss the vital caveat: you simply cannot do  everything .  They explore the boundary between ambition and overextension, discussing w...

In this  Leader Lounge  episode, Martin Johnson, dives into the history and science of human behaviour. He explores the evolution of personality testing, from the early observations of  Aristotle  and  Socrates  to the foundational psychological work of  Freud  and  Jung . The discussion centres on  OCEAN , also known as the  Big Five  personality traits:  Openness ,  Conscientiousness ,  Extrover...

Welcome back Listeners! This 2026 first episode of the People Performance Podcast features   Scott Morrison  and our newest T2 Senior Consultant,  Alex Mather . Scott and Alex discuss the importance of shifting focus to a  human-centered approach  in learning and development (L&D) for 2026.  Alex, who has over 20 years in the L&D space , stresses that leaders should focus less on performan...