Optimising Leader Brilliance: Enabling Calm, Confident, Strategic Leadership

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...