Talking Toughness: Recent Episodes
Doug Strycharczyk
Hosted by Dr John Perry and Doug Strycharczyk, Talking Toughness will centre on the Mental Toughness concept and its application in the worlds of sport, education, business, public administration, social mobility and health.
Our guest today is Jonathan Passmore, a renowned global thought leader in the Coaching and Mentoring industry – a multibillion-pound sector that has generated both opportunities and challenges. Jonathan is a Professor of Coaching & Behavioural Change at Henley Business School and Senior Vice President at EZRA Coaching. He is also a prolific author, having written over forty books on coaching and related topics.
Listen and learn.
Our guest today is Jonathan Passmore, one of the global thought leaders in the Coaching and Mentoring industry – a multibillion-dollar industry that has created opportunity and challenge in equal measure. Jonathan is a Professor of Coaching & Behavioural Change at Henley Business School and Senior Vice President at EZRA Coaching. He is also a prolific author, having written over forty books on coaching and related subjects.
“Psychometrics are a great way of helping people to understand who they are. Using a variety of different tools helps you to see yourself through those different lenses.” - Jonathan Passmore
Listen and learn.
Talking Toughness with Jake White (Part Three) 🏉
The concluding part of our episode with Jake White. We assure you that this will be one of the most engaging and valuable podcasts we've recorded.
Jake White gained recognition as the coach of the Springboks Rugby Union team that triumphed in the 2007 Rugby World Cup. He has coached at the highest levels worldwide, including in Japan, Australia (Brumbies), South Africa (Sharks), Tonga, and France (Montpellier) — and now he returns to South Africa with the Bulls. His experience encompasses work with a variety of cultures.
Jake possesses a grounded understanding of mental toughness and recognises its significance in his team’s success. He offers valuable leadership insights that are relevant across various fields, not limited to sports. Additionally, he is deeply passionate about youth development.
Jake White takes a comprehensive approach to individual and cultural development within teams, which is both refreshing and illuminating.
There is much valuable learning being shared here. You can find part three and the previous episodes using the links below.
Talking Toughness with Jake White (Part Two). Our guest for these webinars is Jake White. We assure you that this will be one of the most engaging and valuable podcasts we've recorded.
Jake White gained recognition as the coach of the Springboks Rugby Union team that triumphed in the 2007 Rugby World Cup. He has coached at the highest levels worldwide, including in Japan, Australia (Brumbies), South Africa (Sharks), Tonga, and France (Montpellier)- and now he returns to South Africa with the Bulls. His experience encompasses working with a variety of cultures.
Jake possesses a grounded understanding of mental toughness and recognises its significance in his team’s success. He offers valuable leadership insights relevant across various fields, not limited to sports. Additionally, he is deeply passionate about youth development.
Jake White takes a comprehensive approach to individual and cultural development within teams, which is both refreshing and illuminating.
There is much valuable learning being shared here.
Our guest for these webinars is Jake White. We can promise that this is one of the most interesting and useful podcasts that we have recorded.
Jake White achieved a degree of fame as the coach of the Springboks Rugby Union team that won the 2007 Rugby World Cup. Since he has coached at the highest level around the globe – in Japan, Australia (Brumbies), South Africa (Sharks), Tonga, and France (Montpellier)- and now back in South Africa with the Bulls. He has worked with and managed a multiplicity of cultures.
And he has a very down-to-earth understanding of mental toughness and its importance in the success of all his teams. He has useful insights into leadership that apply to all sectors, not just sport. He also has a deep interest in and passion for the development of young people.
Jake White adopts a “big picture” view on individual development and its relationship with team and cultural development, which is both refreshing and insightful.
There is a lot of learning being shared here. Part one of three episodes.
In Part 2 of our podcast with Kirstin Davis and Euan Woolley, we are talking 'Mental Toughness, Resilience, Performance and... Wellbeing'. Only a decade ago, psychometrics were mainly used to identify the most productive and to explore how productivity could be enhanced.
Today, we look at this through the lens of 'wellbeing'.
"I wrote a book about 10 years ago on sports psychology, and it was all about performance. The second edition came out this year, and a lot of it is about 'wellbeing'." Prof. John Perry
Welcome to Part 2 of our show. Listen, learn, and enjoy.
What makes a good, reliable psychometric?
In this podcast, Kirstin Davis and Euan Woolley, experts in the use of psychometric measures, explore, with Doug and John, the field of psychometrics and why users and clients should be increasingly wary.
The use of Psychometrics continues to grow in popularity. They are used in a variety of settings, such as workplaces, education, and coaching.
But not all psychometrics meet the basic requirements for a good psychometric. And not all psychometrics are used properly.
They are becoming popular, but is a popular assessment necessarily the right measure for the purpose at hand?
Understood and used properly, they can provide a great deal of valuable information. They can be incredibly cost-effective. For example, using psychometrics in a coaching session might mean you can do more productive work and move people forward much more quickly, rather than spending a lot of time in sessions finding out the same information.
"By definition, a psychometric test should be scientifically rigorous, and if it has never actually been scientifically tested, then it really doesn't meet the criteria to be called a 'psychometric'." - Prof. John Perry
Welcome to Part One of this podcast. Listen, learn, and enjoy.
In part two of this podcast with Nathan Cornwell, we look at employability through the lens of the Mental Toughness framework. Understanding your mental toughness profile is crucial when navigating transitions, especially when moving to another country, immersing oneself in a new culture and taking on a new job.
Transition requires adaptability, resilience, and a positive mindset. Reframing challenges as opportunities for growth, building strong support networks, and maintaining a positive outlook helps to succeed despite initial difficulties.
By cultivating their mental toughness, individuals can successfully transition to a new job in a foreign country, thrive in the new culture, and emerge stronger and more confident, both personally and professionally.
Listen and learn.
Is employability the same as career guidance? It is not, and the difference matters in the 21st Century.
This podcast episode features Nathan Cornwell, an organisational psychologist and talent management consultant who, although young, already has extensive experience working in different cultures around the world.
He will share his unique insights on employability, particularly for ex-pats, and introduce the "FLARE" framework for leveraging overseas experience. The discussion will emphasise the importance of self-awareness and explore tools like psychometrics to understand personal values and identify suitable work cultures.
Nathan's personal experience brings a unique and practical dimension to his support for his clients who seek to develop their careers in foreign territories. As he puts it himself, "I have walked in your shoes!”
Listen and learn.
In this pair of Podcasts, we welcome a very special guest in Dr Maria Katsarou-Makin. Maria is the founder of the Leadership Psychology Institute where she brings together her deep knowledge of leadership and all that this implies together with 20 years of practical experience working with leaders and leadership teams to create an approach which really does help those who are in leadership roles and who aspire to leadership roles.
In part two of our discussion with Dr. Maria Katsarou-Makin, we start with pondering about the effectiveness of leadership when the leader is mentally sensitive. Can a mentally sensitive person be an effective leader?
Leadership self-awareness is crucial for effective leadership, as it allows leaders to make informed decisions, build strong relationships, and adapt their behaviours to better meet the needs of their team. It appears that self-awareness about our pattern of mental toughness or sensitivity is what is important here.
This part of our discussion with Maria will deep dive into 'me as a leader' and my mental approach to the challenges of leadership.
Listen, learn and enjoy this thoughtful conversation.
In this pair of Podcasts, we welcome a very special guest in Dr Maria Katsarou-Makin. Maria is the founder of the Leadership Psychology Institute where she brings together her deep knowledge of leadership and all that this implies together with 20 years of practical experience working with leaders and leadership teams to create an approach which really does help those who are in leadership roles and who aspire to leadership roles.
All this is supported by her complementary interest in psychology and in executive coaching.
Her work is rooted in an evidence-based approach - something we have noted in her dealings with us and which we very much admire. We are delighted that she has joined us to share her expertise and experience with you and us.
In part one, we explore Maria's interest in Leadership which started in her childhood whilst watching her father setting up, developing, and growing a thriving business based in Nigeria.
Reflecting the diverse cultural contexts in which Maria has worked and her personal experiences of leaders, good and bad, Maria suggests that leadership can be understood as a dynamic interplay between leaders, followers, and the situational backdrop.
While leadership can be influenced by cultural norms, it also possesses the power to reshape those very norms, making it a complex yet essential aspect of societal development.
We will also explore the notion of where the leader's intrinsic motivation comes from, how purpose provides the fuel, and how a leader's intrinsic motivation can be critical in fostering an environment where empathy and compassion thrive, ultimately enhancing the effectiveness and impact of leadership in any context.
Listen, learn and enjoy this thoughtful conversation.
Part Three of our Talking Toughness Best Bits 2024 is now live on all major podcasting sites. This episode features clips from Jason Wyatt, Adrian Green, Anthony Taylor, Dave Otter, Craig Hammer, Sara Ireland, Jim Loehr, John Mark Williams, Sylwia Rybak, and Sam Sloan.
In the 2024 series of the Talking Toughness podcast, we've had the privilege of engaging with true authorities in their fields such as Dr. Jim Loehr and Professor David Clutterbuck, to explore the evolution of human performance and organisational development.
Through these conversations with experienced coaches and professionals, we've explored the future landscape of personal, team and organisational growth, including pondering how AI will ultimately impact on our work.
We appreciate your feedback, your support and look forward to continuing this journey with you into 2025!
Evolution is about growth and adaptation, but it doesn’t require abandoning our core values or essence.
Part Two of our Talking Toughness Best Bits 2024 is now live on all major podcasting sites. This episode features clips from Monika Lozinskiene, Joanne Taylor, William McKee, Paul Ryder and David Clutterbuck.
In the 2024 series of the Talking Toughness podcast, we've had the privilege of engaging with true authorities in their fields such as Dr. Jim Loehr and Professor David Clutterbuck, to explore the evolution of human performance and organisational development.
Through these conversations with experienced coaches and professionals, we've explored the future landscape of personal, team and organisational growth, including pondering how AI will ultimately impact on our work.
We appreciate your feedback, your support and look forward to continuing this journey with you into 2025!
Evolution is about growth and adaptation, but it doesn’t require abandoning our core values or essence.
Evolution is about growth and adaptation, but it doesn’t require abandoning our core values or essence.
In the 2024 series of the Talking Toughness podcast, we've had the privilege of engaging with true authorities in their fields such as Dr. Jim Loehr and Professor David Clutterbuck, to explore the evolution of human performance and organisational development.
Through these conversations with experienced coaches and professionals, we've explored the future landscape of personal, team and organisational growth, including pondering how AI will ultimately impact on our work.
We appreciate your feedback, your support and look forward to continuing this journey with you into 2025!
Part One of our Talking Toughness Best Bits 2024 is now live on all major podcasting sites. This episode features clips from Stephen Murphy, Alessia Mevoli, Lucy Myers, Gordon Ryan, Dan Abrahams and Peter Sewell.
In this discussion with Stephen Murphy, we consider the added value that good quality psychometrics can bring to coaching practice.
However, not all psychometrics are the same. Some might be useful in some settings, others in other settings. It all comes down to coaches' better understanding of what psychometrics are and which measures can make a difference for the coach and their clients.
This customised understanding fosters a deeper connection with the client and empowers clients to explore and find meaning in their experiences, making the coaching process more effective and fulfilling as they navigate their personal and professional journeys.
Listen and learn.
In the next two episodes, we chat with Stephen Murphy. Until recently Stephen was, for many years, Vice President, Thought Leadership & Development for EMCC Global (European Mentoring and Coaching Council.)
As Managing Partner for Clarity Consulting, he coaches and mentors senior business leaders, individually and in teams, towards greater self-awareness and operational impact. His experience spans a wide range of sectors including AI, Banking, Chemicals, Consulting, FMCG, Insurance, IIoT, Legal, Logistics, Media, Pharma, Software, and Wines & Spirits. This session explores the importance of 'reflective practice'.
As soon as you reflect on something, you start to make sense of it. Effective reflection stems from creating an intentional space — both physically and mentally — where individuals can engage in deep thought and active listening. While coaching models can provide useful frameworks and guidelines, they can also impose rigidity that conflicts with the organic nature of conversation and growth. As coaching evolves, the ability to practice with a coaching mindset will likely become increasingly important, emphasising the significance of reflective practice in nurturing both personal and professional development.
Listen and learn.
In this session with Dan Abrahams, we explore his perspectives on the differences and similarities between business coaching and sports coaching, highlighting how the context can shape the coaching approach.
In addition, we delve into Dan's biopsychosocial model of coaching, which emphasises the integration of biological, psychological, and social factors in understanding human performance and wellbeing.
This model illustrates how our physical makeup, mental toughness, and social support systems interact to influence our ability to perform at our best, providing a holistic view that can enhance coaching effectiveness in both sports and business settings.
"We have to understand and appreciate the human behaviour, is biopsychosocial informed." - Dan Abrahams
Listen, learn and enjoy!
We're excited to welcome Dan Abrahams back today to delve into his insights on how we can elevate those who are already successful to aspire to and achieve even greater heights in an increasingly competitive landscape.
Dan shares his strategies for sustaining peak performance, focusing on mental resilience, goal-setting, and adapting to the evolving demands of sports and personal challenges.
Together, we explore how he fosters a growth mindset in athletes and coaches, empowering them to navigate competition while continuing to thrive and achieve their fullest potential.
It's not just for those who work in sport. It's for everyone engaged in helping others to be the best that they can be.
"I don't know what it's like to work in an office. However, I can see the relationship between a game face on the pitch and a game face in that facilitation." - Dan Abrahams
Listen, learn and enjoy!
In this session of Talking Toughness, we will tap into the skills, experience and tremendous expertise of Dan Abrahams, a leading sports psychologist dedicated to simplifying the often unnecessarily complex world of sports psychology.
Known for his innovative approaches and engaging insights, Dan works with a diverse range of clients, from athletes to coaches, helping them to incorporate practical strategies into their performance.
His experience covers Formula 1 (Aston Martin), England Golf, England Rugby, leading European Soccer clubs as well as corporate clients. He has a deep interest in how people of all types mentally approach their challenges
Through exploring his professional methods, we can illuminate how Dan demystifies key concepts in sports psychology, making them accessible and actionable for everyday life.
Dan also runs his own podcast show, The Sport Psych Show, as he aims to demystify sport psychology for players, coaches and parents.
"You know how you perceive the world is going to influence how you act in the world." Dan Abrahams.
Listen and learn.
In the second part of our discussion with Lucy Myers, the focus is on the evolving landscape of coaching and therapy, emphasising the importance of accessibility for individuals across all social statuses.
As we see similar overlapping approaches such as coaching, mentoring, psychotherapy and so on emerge, Lucy highlights the vital role of professional bodies in avoiding confusion and particularly in defining therapeutic coaching to foster clarity, confidence, and change for clients.
As practitioners adapt to the needs of a dynamic world, they aim to empower individuals by helping them recognise the advantages and disadvantages they can bring to a situation and navigate the journey toward effective change. This underscores the virtue of collaborative effort within the community of professionals in this field.
The need for clarity has never been greater. Listen and learn.
In the first of two related podcasts, we are thrilled to welcome Lucy Myers, Founder and CEO of Therapeutic Coaching Consultancy, for a timely and insightful discussion on therapeutic coaching.
In this part of our conversation, we'll explore what therapeutic coaching entails, who can benefit from it, and how it integrates with traditional coaching practices, shedding light on its unique approach to personal and professional development.
While many dual-qualified practitioners have been combining the skillsets of coaching and psychotherapy for some time, there is a lack of formal research into what the term 'therapeutic coaching' means for practitioners, and - crucially - how we can understand the benefits of this approach for clients.
Lucy is a key member of a group carrying out formal research, as well as developing case studies, which should serve to support the development of a 'gold standard' of practice for dual-practitioners (in alignment with strategic objectives of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy).
There is real expertise here. Listen and learn.
In Part 2 of our dialogue with Gordon Ryan, we delve into the complexities of human nature within high-pressure environments, such as the world of first responders.
Understanding the diverse manifestations of mental toughness and sensitivity among team members is crucial for effective leadership. By acknowledging individual differences, supervisors can tailor strategies to motivate and support their teams, thereby enhancing resilience and performance in challenging situations.
Learning Orientation, in the context of mental toughness, underscores the significance of reflection for personal and professional growth. Constant evaluation of thoughts, actions, and experiences allows individuals to identify areas for improvement, adapt strategies, and cultivate resilience in the face of adversity.
Exploring belongingness sheds light on its dual nature within team dynamics. While it serves as a fundamental aspect of identity and fosters advantages for individuals and teams, the reluctance to speak up or address issues can lead to unhealthy consequences.
By listening and learning from these discussions, we can navigate the complexities of belongingness to foster a healthy team environment.
Listen and learn.
Our next guest, Gordon Ryan, a chartered psychologist and founder of PRISM Work Psychology, will delve into the challenges faced by first responder services in a two-part series.
In the first episode, Gordon highlights the transition to leadership roles within these critical services. Climbing the promotional ladder brings increased stress and new challenges that may catch individuals unprepared, emphasizing the need for comprehensive training.
Beyond enhancing basic skills, employees must be equipped to manage their own stressors and foster resilience among their teams. Recognising the strain at higher levels is crucial to creating a supportive environment that minimises stress and promotes success for all team members.
First responders often grapple with emotional challenges amid traumatic incidents, facing public scrutiny and organisational expectations. When met with criticism, especially in perceived unjust situations, emotional distress can undermine well-being. Organisations must provide robust support to enhance resilience and mental health in this indispensable workforce.
Confidence plays a pivotal role in navigating such pressures. Having self-assurance to trust one's capabilities is paramount when expectations fall short, enabling effective problem-solving. As Gordon aptly puts it, confidence means backing oneself to make the best decisions in challenging moments.
Listen and learn
We are living in exceptional times marked by the interests of an individual but also by the interests of the times they live in. Employability was and is still a crucial factor for individuals seeking rewarding careers and control over their lives.
It ensures an individual remains competitive in the job market. It involves not only the capability to obtain initial employment but also the adaptability required to meet new job requirements within the same organisation or find new employment if necessary.
In the second part of this podcast featuring Alessia Mevoli and Peter Sewell, the discussion highlights how Further and Higher Education institutions play a crucial role in enhancing student employability through innovative curriculum development, such as the introduction of the MAFA modules focused on mental agility, flexibility, and adaptability. This initiative reflects a collaborative partnership between students and institutions, outlining mutual expectations and responsibilities as they navigate their educational journey together.
Alessia and Peter are also contributing authors to AQR’s newly released book on employability, ‘The Employability Code - Unlocking the Most Employable Version of You' available on Amazon this week.
We hope you enjoy this learning piece.
SEEKING ANSWERS TO THE SECRETS OF ‘EMPLOYABILITY’.
We are leaving exceptional times marked by the interests of an individual but also by the interests of the times they live in. Employability was and is still a crucial factor for individuals seeking rewarding careers and control over their lives.
It ensures an individual remains competitive in the job market. It involves not only the capability to obtain initial employment but also the adaptability required to meet new job requirements within the same organisation or find new employment if necessary.
In the first part of this podcast featuring Alessia Mevoli and Peter Sewell, the discussion highlights how Further and Higher Education institutions play a crucial role in enhancing student employability through innovative curriculum development, such as the introduction of the MAFA modules focused on mental agility, flexibility, and adaptability. This initiative reflects a collaborative partnership between students and institutions, outlining mutual expectations and responsibilities as they navigate their educational journey together.
Alessia and Peter are also contributing authors to AQR’s newly released book on employability, ‘The Employability Code - Unlocking the Most Employable Version of You' available on Amazon this week.
We hope you enjoy this learning piece.
'What’s happening with modern leadership, and where is it going as a practice?‘
In this second of a pair of podcasts, we welcome Paul Ryder, a Learning & Resourcing Professional with 30+ years of experience split between consultancy and the financial services sector, West (London) and East (Shanghai).
In recent times, Paul was a Group Managing Director of the Bank of China Learning Institute in Shanghai where he provided strategic development guidance at the highest levels of the organisation. He provides us with an insight into a culture we can rarely experience for ourselves.
In this second part of the discussion with Paul, we explore the inner workings of a leader, examining their level of emotional maturity, leadership style, and ability to adapt to the ever-evolving global landscape.
"Dealing with your own demons first, before you have the right to manage and lead others.“ - Paul Ryder.
Listen, learn and enjoy this insightful discussion.
‘An English Man in Shanghai’ - what can we learn about leadership across cultures?
In this pair of podcasts, we welcome Paul Ryder, a Learning & Resourcing Professional with 30+ years of experience split between consultancy and the financial services sector, garnered in the West and in the East (Hong Kong and China)
In recent times, Paul was a Group Managing Director of the Bank of China Learning Institute in Shanghai where he provided strategic development guidance at the highest levels of the organisation.
In this part of the discussion with Paul, we are exploring the subject of leadership and analysing it in depth through the lens of different jurisdictions, cultures, types of organisations, and workforces.
Through the lens of Pauls unique vantage point, we delve into the approaches to leadership in China and the West, exploring significant differences in leadership philosophies, values, and practices between the two regions. It is an incredibly thoughtful exploration which is gently provocative in equal measure.
Listen, learn and enjoy this insightful discussion.
In this pair of podcasts, we enter the world of the performing arts where we meet with Monika Lozinskiene, classical pianist. As well as developing a hugely successful career as a pianist, she has developed as a Social Media expert and a business person who, despite her young age, has long understood that the world of music is, in important ways no different to any other world of work. If you want to succeed, you have to push yourself every day, see challenges as opportunities, have self-belief and confidence, and most of all… know your purpose – why are you doing this?
In Part 2 we explore how society can lose out on many great performers if their mental sensitivity has been inappropriately managed preventing them the chance to thrive later on in their lives.
By creating a culture of support, we can help these individuals thrive, leading to personal and societal benefits such as increased creativity, improved mental health, and a more diverse range of perspectives and talents being brought to the forefront of everyone's lives. These individuals, often referred to as "highly sensitive people," can bring unique perspectives, creativity, and innovative thinking to the table.
"Mental Toughness is not about doing difficult things, it's about you doing things that you might find difficult to do." - Professor John Perry
Listen, learn and appreciate this very personal account.
PERFORMANCE ANXIETY - ADOPTING MENTALLY TOUGH BEHAVIOURS ON STAGE
In this pair of podcasts, we enter the world of the performing arts where we meet with Monika Lozinskienė, classical pianist. As well as developing a hugely successful career as a pianist, she has developed as a Social Media expert and a business person who, despite her young age, has long understood that the world of music is, in important ways no different to any other world of work.
If you want to succeed, you have to push yourself every day, see challenges as opportunities, have self-belief and confidence, and most of all…know your purpose – why are you doing this?
As a musician, focusing on developing mental toughness and self-belief is, for Monika, as important as purposeful practice. By focusing on building mental toughness, musicians can overcome their fears and doubts, and perform at their best.
The best performers are not scared of failing. They are prepared to take risks even though they know they might make mistakes. Having the ability to bounce back from mistakes and setbacks and learn from them can help alleviate performance anxiety and reduce stress.
In Part One, we delve into Monika's personal experience. Monika's journey to becoming one of the world's renowned pianists was marked by her intense introspection and self-awareness. She recounts how she had to navigate her own emotions, fears, and obstacles to overcome her struggles with performance anxiety and self-doubt, ultimately finding a path towards greater confidence and artistic expression.
Listen, learn and appreciate this very personal story.
Our guest for this second part of the show is Joanne Taylor.
Joanne is an early adopter of the 4Cs mental toughness concept and measures, who has led the way in its application with some of the toughest challenges in society.
One highly successful flagship 3-year project targeted reducing re-offending by young offenders coming to the end of their sentences. Joanne and her colleagues have shown that by creating self-awareness about their mental approach to the changes they face and developing strategies and tactics to manage what they learn, they can look forward positively to a life with better chances.
Talent Match Black Country works in partnership with unemployed young adults, aged 17-29, who have direct experience of offending and those who face disadvantage and are furthest from the labour market, to help them achieve:
- Increased confidence, optimism and resilience.
- Reduced levels and avoidance of re-offending.
- Progress nearer and into sustainable employment.
For more information about the application of the 4Cs Mental Toughness Model and MTQ measure to enhance social mobility reach out to joanne@aqrconsulting.co.uk
Listen and learn.
A CASE STUDY IN REDUCING YOUNG OFFENDER RE-OFFENDING THROUGH APPLICATION OF THE MENTAL TOUGHNESS CONCEPT
Our guest, Joanne Taylor (nee Turley), is an early adopter of the 4Cs mental toughness concept and measures, who has led the way in its application with some of the toughest challenges in society.
Joanne is a Co Founder of AQR Consulting, a key partner of AQR, whose remit is focused on providing leadership and talent development programmes to SMEs and organisations of all sizes and types. She was formerly a People & Performance Consultant with ARK Consultancy in the UK which focuses on the social housing sectors and issues associated with that sector Including working with young people who are often at the fringes of society.
One highly successful flagship 3-year project Joanne was involved with while at ARK targeted reducing re-offending by young offenders coming to the end of their sentences. Joanne and her colleagues showed that by creating self-awareness about their mental approach to the changes they face and developing strategies and tactics to manage what they learn, they can look forward positively to a life with better chances.
Talent Match Black Country works in partnership with unemployed young adults, aged 17-29, who have direct experience of offending and those who face disadvantage and are furthest from the labour market, to help them achieve:
· Increased confidence, optimism and resilience.
· Reduced levels and avoidance of re-offending.
· Progress nearer and into sustainable employment.
Joanne has created a body of knowledge and skills working with young people which make a real difference for them and, measurably, for society
There is learning here for all.
"A lot of the ideas that I came into contact with, when you give them a bit of a nudge, they fall over." William McKee.
The quote is increasingly relevant as awareness grows that not all models measures and ideas in the world of people and organisation development are reliable. Many have little or no real evidence to support them.
In this podcast, we welcome William McKee. William is an exceptional individual who challenges the status quo of the people and organisation development industry by advocating strongly for an evidence-based approach to any tools and assessments used to support the growth of organisations, especially individuals.
William McKee is a civil engineer who attended a development course for his own benefit. As a result, got enthusiastic about the wide range of possibilities that the human performance industry can provide.
William's engineering background makes him question each concept and tool used to help people grow and prosper - how valid and reliable are they?
It is crucial to separate fact from fiction when it comes to the tools and assessments used to support the work of coaches, trainers and managers if they are to make a real difference.
In William's own words, he is not so keen on all “the pseudoscience and daft ideas permeating the worlds of L&D, OD and HR and people developments”.
This is Part 2 of this insightful discussion, exploring the importance of an evidence-based approach wherever we develop individuals.
Listen and learn from William McKee
"A lot of the ideas that I came into contact with, when you give them a bit of a nudge, they fall over." William McKee.
The quote is increasingly relevant as awareness grows that not all models measures and ideas in the world of people and organisation development are reliable. Many have little or no real evidence to support them.
In this podcast, we welcome William McKee. William is an exceptional individual who challenges the status quo of the people and organisation development industry by advocating strongly for an evidence-based approach to any tools and assessments used to support the growth of organisations, especially individuals.
William McKee is a civil engineer who attended a development course for his own benefit. As a result, got enthusiastic about the wide range of possibilities that the human performance industry can provide.
William's engineering background makes him question each concept and tool used to help people grow and prosper - how valid and reliable are they?
It is crucial to separate fact from fiction when it comes to the tools and assessments used to support the work of coaches, trainers and managers if they are to make a real difference.
In William's own words, he is not so keen on all “the pseudoscience and daft ideas permeating the worlds of L&D, OD and HR and people developments”.
This session is split into two discussions, each exploring the importance of an evidence-based approach wherever we develop individuals.
Listen and learn from William McKee.
"People think that science is about facts. It's not, it's evolving understanding".
In part two of our thought-provoking discussion with Professor David Clutterbuck, we delve into the evolution of coaching on a continuum, rather than through staged movements.
Coaching is an ongoing process of evolution, where coaches continuously experiment, learn, and adapt to new discoveries and challenges. This iterative process involves a cycle of dissatisfaction, experimentation, and refinement, rather than a linear progression.
The future of coaching is likely to focus on systemic approaches, recognizing the interconnectedness of individual, organizational, and societal factors. Coaches will need to be flexible, adaptable, and open to ongoing learning and development, emphasizing thoughtfulness in the tools they use and their integrity.
There's much for professional coaches to contemplate in this evolving landscape.
As the date for the next annual EMCC Conference is approaching, we have reached out to Professor David Clutterbuck, the founder of the EMCC, to examine the evolution of coaching.
This takes us from its inception to the present day and on to the future where we explore new challenges and opportunities coming from new technologies including the growth of AI.
AI can already duplicate a good deal of what the GROW model coach does. Is this a threat or an opportunity? How can an expert and an aspiring coach adapt to this new way of working and optimise their practice?
In Part One of our thought-provoking conversation, we review traditional coach education and the idea that much of it may be misguided. Experiential learning and reflection are essential for a coach's growth.
The point that clients may prefer coaches to be able to engage with their own experiences and opinions, rather than being detached, is particularly insightful.
David Clutterbuck creates a distinction between "skinny wisdom", "broad wisdom", and "meta wisdom" which highlights the importance of combining technical expertise with life experience and innovative thinking.
Listen and learn.
DOES SOCIETY GIVE US PERMISSION TO THRIVE?
In Part 2 of our podcast with Dr Sara Ireland, we explore the importance of positivity and optimism in personal growth and thriving. While resilience is crucial in tough times, a positive mindset and an optimistic outlook on life are essential for true flourishing. These qualities require constant effort and self-awareness, regardless of our circumstances.
As society evolves, we must balance personal success with compassion for others. Feeling gratitude towards our accomplishments is vital in fostering a mindset of support and empathy towards those around us. Let's acknowledge the role of control and accountability in nurturing a genuine sense of gratitude, enabling us to appreciate our own achievements while extending compassion to others.
Listen and learn from Sara Ireland, CEO and Clinical Lead, Atrium Clinic and Therapy Centre.
A PRISON SENTENCE – PUNISHMENT OR RESTORING AN INDIVIDUAL?
In Part One of our podcast with Dr Sara Ireland, CEO and Clinical Lead at Atrium Clinic and Therapy Centre, we take our discussion to... prison. Sara, together with her colleagues at Atrium Clinic and Therapy Centre, works with a range of individuals who have been institutionalised to help them develop an understanding of themself, their strengths and positivity so that they can have a chance in our society to become a better version of themselves.
It is crucial for society to support individuals in institutionalised settings as they work towards personal growth and positive change. By helping them believe in themselves and providing necessary resources and support, we can empower them to develop new strengths and skills, facilitating sustainable transformation. Ultimately, fostering a mindset of empowerment and connection is essential for driving positive change in these individuals.
Listen and learn from Dr Sara Ireland, CEO and Clinical Lead, Atrium Clinic and Therapy Centre.
In Part Two of the Talking Toughness podcast which features a very special guest, Dr. Jim Loehr, we explore aspects of our health and well-being through the lens of a multi-dimensional construct. It is physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual.
Approaching systems and individuals holistically can lead to more effective and sustainable outcomes, especially in areas like health, competition, work, and life performance. By considering the interconnectedness of all aspects of a person's well-being, we can strive to cultivate a more comprehensive approach to improvement and growth.
While it is true that stress can be a catalyst for growth and development, it is important to acknowledge the significance of recovery in maintaining a healthy balance. Embracing stress in pursuit of personal growth is essential, but equally essential is the need for intentional and adequate recovery time, physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually in order to sustain and maximise that growth. Understanding and implementing this balance is crucial for overall well-being and productivity.
"You've got to chase stress to have a big life. But you also have to have recovery.” - Jim Loehr
Our guest today genuinely needs very little introduction. Dr. Jim Loehr is a world-renowned performance psychologist, whose ground-breaking, science-based energy management training system has achieved worldwide recognition.
Dr Loehr introduced the idea of Mental Toughness in the 1960s and indeed is credited with coining the term “Mental Toughness”.
He was one of the first to understand that there was another quality in addition to skill and conditioning that contributed to success on the sports field. The mental approach to the challenge was as important as anything else.
His work is rooted in science, but it is also a product of his experience of applying his ideas to thousands of individuals.
Since then, Dr. Loehr has applied his concept to hundreds of world-class performers from the arenas of business, medicine and law as well as sport.
As this podcast will reveal, Dr Loehr has continued to update and evolve his understanding of one of the most important concepts in people and organisation development today.
This is a unique opportunity to learn from a true master.
Part 4 of the 'Talking Toughness' podcast featuring John Mark Williams, CEO of the UK Institute of Leadership, explores the power of intrinsic motivation and curiosity in leadership.
Encouraging intrinsic motivation in leadership involves fostering curiosity and courage.
Leaders should ask, "What does this button do?" to spark exploration and innovation.
By promoting a fearless attitude, leaders inspire their followers to embrace new challenges. Curiosity-driven leadership not only empowers individuals but also cultivates a culture of continuous learning and growth.
Listen and learn
"TRUST IS SCALABLE FROM THE INDIVIDUAL TO THE ORGANISATIONAL LEVEL, BUT IF SO….SOMEBODY IS STILL GOING TO BE THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE TRUST IN THAT ORGANISATION" John Mark Williams
Part 3 of the 'Talking Toughness' podcast featuring John Mark Williams, CEO of the UK Institute of Leadership, touches upon the scalability of 'trust' from an individual to an organisation.
While the scalability of trust from individual to organisational level raises concerns about relying on a single representative of trust within an organisation, it's important to recognise that effective leadership and management play crucial roles in ensuring that trust is maintained and upheld.
By fostering a culture of transparency, accountability, and integrity within the organisation, the burden of representing trust can be shared among leaders and employees, thus mitigating the risks associated with placing the entire responsibility on one individual.
Listen and Learn
TRUST – ONE OF THE NUANCES AND COMPLEXITIES IN LEADERSHIP
Part 2 of the 'Talking Toughness' podcast featuring John Mark Williams, CEO of the UK Institute of Leadership, explores 'trust‘ and its dilemmas.
Trust is a fundamental element in any successful team dynamic, and as a leader, it is crucial to cultivate trust among team members. Building trust allows for open communication, collaboration, and ultimately, better performance. By establishing trust, leaders can gain insights into their team's thoughts and emotions, fostering a more connected and effective work environment. It is essential to continuously assess the level of trust within the team to address any dilemmas and ensure a harmonious working relationship.
Trust requires courage and it is often the leader's responsibility to initiate that show of courage.
Listen and learn
‘ON LEADERSHIP - BEING CAPABLE OF TAKING ON THE WORLD AS IT COMES’
The upcoming 'Talking Toughness' podcast featuring John Mark Williams, CEO of the UK Institute of Leadership, promises to challenge established ideas about leadership and explore the importance of adaptability in today's leaders.
John Williams emphasizes the need for leaders to be capable of facing the unknown and being flexible in their approach to navigate through uncertainty.
Part One of our podcast aims to offer insights on the evolving nature of leadership in the 21st century and the shift towards a values-based leadership model.
As John Mark William said: "We don’t always know what we are going to do next, because we don’t always know what’s coming next. We can predict 2 minutes into the future, other than that, we have to be capable of taking on the world as it comes.”
“Just ‘describing psychological models‘ is fine in an academic sense but I wanted something that has a practical & practitioner implication.“ In Part Two of this podcast, we are reaching out to our inaugural podcast with Professor Peter Clough. In the dynamic landscape of business, theory and practice are two sides of the same coin. While theoretical knowledge provides a solid foundation, practical application is essential for translating concepts into real-world solutions.
Putting theoretical knowledge of the Mental Toughness Concept into practical use in real-world situations is what we are exploring with Professor Peter Clough in this podcast, which is split into two parts. Part Two will be released next week
Listen and learn!
“Just ‘describing psychological models‘ is fine in an academic sense but I wanted something that has a practical & practitioner implication.“ In the dynamic landscape of business, theory and practice are two sides of the same coin. While theoretical knowledge provides a solid foundation, practical application is essential for translating concepts into real-world solutions.
Putting theoretical knowledge of the Mental Toughness Concept into practical use in real-world situations is what we are exploring with Professor Peter Clough in this podcast, which is split into two parts. Part Two will be released next week
Listen and learn!
What makes people different, what motivates them, and what drives them forward?
In our latest podcast, Sylwia Rybak and Sam Sloan delve into their journey of discovering and implementing the Mental Toughness Concept into their professional work. With years of experience in coaching and training, both Sylwia and Sam have encountered clients who struggle with the inner strength needed to execute their goals.
Through a valid and reliable psychometric measure, based on a sound psychological concept, they explore how this adds value to their work as coaches and trainers. This podcast is a must-listen for professionals who want to learn how to apply this concept to their own work and help their clients achieve success.
Listen and learn from two professionals who are highly regarded in their respective communities.
This is Part 5 of our series of podcasts which steers away from our usual format to focus on the subject of caring, compassionate, empathetic and kind leadership.
We are delighted to bring back snapshots of our discussion with Andy Riise, a retired US Army Lieutenant Colonel, and respected leader and mental performance coach. Andy spent over 20 years leading soldiers from elite Special Forces to teaching psychology and leadership at West Point, the US Air Force Academy, and Texas A&M University. In this, and the following Part of the show, we gain insights into the new approach to the traditional military narrative of command and control, highlighting the potential for leaders to be both strong and compassionate to help others succeed and accomplish any mission in life.
The idea of Leadership is simple, less so is delivering it. In our new book, Who Cares Wins, we have asked prestigious contributors to share their knowledge, experiences and expertise in addressing the challenges of 21st Century leadership. Some of the authors have already voiced their thoughts in our Talking Toughness podcast series.
We are taking a look back on their insights into the challenges and guidance on how to face the current leadership issues to enable individuals and organisations to flourish.
"I want to help leaders and their teams get better from the inside out." - Andy Riise
" People are going to do what they need to do, and sometimes the best thing for them is to cut their losses and to move on. You can be mentally tough and cut your losses” - Andy Riise
"I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, trained and proficient in my warrior tasks and drills." - The U.S. Army Soldier's Creed
This is Part 4of our series of podcasts which steer away from our usual format to focus on the subject of caring, compassionate, empathetic and kind leadership.
We are delighted to bring back snapshots of our discussion with Andy Riise, a retired US Army Lieutenant Colonel, and respected leader and mental performance coach. Andy spent over 20 years leading Soldiers from elite Special Forces to teaching psychology and leadership at West Point, the US Air Force Academy, and Texas A&M University. In this, and the following Part of the show, we gain insights into the new approach to the traditional military narrative of command and control, highlighting the potential for leaders to be both strong and compassionate to help others succeed and accomplish any mission in life.
The idea of Leadership is simple, less so is delivering it. In our next book, Who Cares Wins, we have asked prestigious contributors to share their knowledge, experiences and expertise in addressing the challenges of 21st Century leadership. Some of the authors have already voiced their thoughts in our Talking Toughness podcast series.
We are taking a look back on their insights into the challenges and guidance on how to face the current leadership issues to enable individuals and organisations to flourish.
"I want to help leaders and their teams get better from the insight out." - Andy Riise
" People are going to do what they need to do, and sometimes the best ting for them is to cut their loses and to move on. You can be mentally tough and cut your loses." - Andy Riise
"I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, trained and proficient in my warrior tasks and drills." - The U.S. Army Soldier's Creed
This is Part 3 of our series of podcasts which steer away from our usual format to focus on the subject of caring, compassionate, empathetic and kind leadership.
We are delighted to bring back snapshots of our discussion with Ronald Duren, Jr. and Gaj Ravichandra, who, through their illustrious careers inspire their clients and students to embrace life with the same enthusiasm and adaptability as demonstrated throughout their own lives.
The idea of Leadership is simple, less so is delivering it. In our next book, Who Cares Wins, we have asked prestigious contributors to share their knowledge, experiences and expertise in addressing the challenges of 21st-century leadership. Some of the authors have already voiced their thoughts in our Talking Toughness podcast series.
We are taking a look back on their insights into the challenges and guidance on how to face the current leadership issues to enable individuals and organisations to flourish.
"You don't know what you are capable of yet. Once you start, you do something, wow - I can't believe I've just did that! And then you think....what else can I do?"
"Self-believe needs to be built and closely relate to confidence." - Ronald Duren, Jr.
"We are looking at human resources as a talent, and therefore we need to address them in a way that actually resonates for them. On their own values and personal empathy journey, so they can feel the sense of connection to leadership." - Gaj Ravichandra
This is Part 2 of our series of podcasts which steer away from our usual format to focus on the subject of caring, compassionate, empathetic and kind leadership.
We are delighted to bring back snapshots of our discussion with @Jo Owen and @Karen Walker who walked us through their journey of developing leadership at every level in an organisation and supporting individuals to be the best version of self.
The idea of Leadership is simple, less so is delivering it. In our next book, Who Cares Wins, we have asked prestigious contributors to share their knowledge, experiences and expertise in addressing the challenges of 21st Century leadership. Some of the authors have already voiced their thoughts in our Talking Toughness podcast series.
We are taking a look back on their insights into the challenges and guidance on how to face the current leadership issues to enable individuals and organisations to flourish.
"You can lead wherever you are, whatever you are doing". – Jo Owen
"The benefit of growing an organisation is that your individuals will come along with that, and will grow with you“. – Karen Walker
The next series of podcasts will steer away from our usual format to focus on the subject of caring, compassionate, empathetic and kind leadership.
The idea of Leadership is simple, less so is delivering it. In our next book, Who Cares Wins, we have asked prestigious contributors to share their knowledge, experiences and expertise in addressing the challenges of 21st Century leadership. Some of the authors have already voiced their thoughts in our Talking Toughness podcast series.
We are taking a look back on their insights into the challenges and guidance on how to face the current leadership issues to enable individuals and organisations to flourish.
"There is something about the vulnerability to say, I know something, I don't know something. I like to think of leadership as not knowing all the answers, but knowing who you can trust to know the answers". – Rebecca Herbert
"The really big piece I took away definitely in early of my career was the importance of keeping it human, keeping it kind, and carrying about people“. – Andrew Stotter-Brooks
In Part Three of this podcast, Adrian and Jason explore one key aspect of the award-winning CornerStone Training Programme – their own 'Learning Orientation'.
Learning Orientation – the ability to reflect on what has happened – good and bad – and to learn the lessons that this provides is the best way to make progress in your life and your work.
This discussion is a practical example of this. Both reflect on the CornerStone Training Programme, what they have observed and what they learned. It’s the hallmark of two genuine training professionals who look at what they have delivered and identify what & why it worked and how could it be improved in the future.
In part two of this podcast, Adrian and Jason continue to explore the award-winning CornerStone Training Programme and the importance of developing the mind and creating self-awareness of how people respond to events in their minds.
In particular, managing adversity and setback was crucial for learning how to perform better next time.
Usefully they explore in detail how the mental toughness concept was integrated into the programme and why this was not only important but crucial for the programme’s success.
Jason Wyatt is a Senior Sales Training manager at JCB, and Adrian Green is CEO of PressurePoint, a performance consultancy.
Between them, they have a unique body of experience in building high-performance cultures for which, in 2023, they won national recognition for their work. Both have contributed to: “How to Create a Resilient and Positive Culture in the Workplace”.
In Part One of this podcast, Adrian and Jason talk about the background and insights into the award-winning CornerStone Training Programme - its design and the results they've achieved. They talk in-depth about their book chapter.
Jason addresses the challenge he embraced to create an environment where his organisation wanted their people to be "Seekers of opportunity, curious in their outlook, and confident in their abilities" to explore new business.
Together they discuss how the mental toughness concept was woven into a programme which ultimately delivered outcomes that were independently assessed to produce an ROI which was 8 times the initial investment.
It's development gold.
‘In coaching the client, the problem the client brings you is never the problem.’
In part two of this exceptionally thoughtful podcast our guest, Anthony Taylor, explores how important it is to be flexible and adaptable and not be formulaic helping others to understand firstly who they are and secondly how they can develop and grow.
Now something of an expert in the application of the mental toughness concept, in this episode he discusses some of the many applications for the concept – agility, mental fitness, building psychological safety and more.
He draws an interesting parallel with the approach his father, a doctor, adopted in his work. He would tell Anthony “If you listen to your patient for long enough and you ask the right questions, they will tell you what’s wrong with them.”
What shines through in both parts of this podcast is the passion of a talented professional who constantly learns how to support his clients even better.
Listen, learn, and be inspired.
'Meeting you where you are'
Today we have a very special guest. Anthony Taylor is a very experienced Organisation Development practitioner who integrates individual development, particularly that of leaders, into his holistic approach to improving organisations and their people.
One of the components of this approach is his adoption of the mental toughness concept and the mental toughness questionnaires. These bring a capability for reliable diagnosis of the real issues in the workplace and the ability to measure and evaluate where change is occurring and what this means.
We have known and worked with Anthony for many years, and he can now justifiably be considered an expert practitioner in the application of the mental toughness concept - something he explores at length in these podcasts.
In this episode, Anthony describes how he approaches helping people to achieve that level of self-awareness about what is an invisible aspect of their personality, which enables them to understand the way forward. It is not a “one size fits all approach”.
An established author, with his wife Joanne, Anthony has now set up AQR Consulting which works closely with AQR International to service the SME sector in the UK.
There is learning from a master of his trade here.
CREATING CULTURE AND WHY TEAM WORKING IS CRUCIAL
Dave Otter and Craig Hamer are two highly respected practitioners who have a massive amount of experience in team working and organisational development. Both have contributed to: “How to Create a Resilient and Positive Culture in the Workplace”
In this second part of the discussion, Craig Hamer takes centre stage.
He notes that there is plenty written on leadership but less on culture, and yet, the leadership team defines and develops the culture.
Together they discuss how the mental toughness measure is a valuable way of assessing culture to identify where it should be developed and to assess whether that has succeeded.
Finally, they note that a culture is a collective programme of the mind. When people work together, they start to build behaviours, common traits, common values, and it is almost building 'a collective think'. This has implications that they explore.
This is a fascinating introduction to the larger piece they have contributed to the book.
UNDERSTANDING TEAM WORKING – MANY DON’T
Dave Otter and Craig Hamer are two highly respected partitioners with a massive amount of experience in team working and organisational development. Both have contributed to: “How to Create a Resilient and Positive Culture in the Workplace”
In this first part of the discussion, Dave Otter describes his experience and expertise in team working. He opens by addressing the importance of thinking as well as doing.
Usefully he points out that many say there isn't an 'I' in a team, but there is! You have to understand yourself, your position, your role, and how you act in a team setting. Self-awareness of how you react, behave and contribute to a team is increasingly important for a high- performing team.
The mental toughness concept is one of the best ways of providing that insight.
As we welcome the New Year, we’re delighted to share the ‘Best of Talking Toughness 2023 - Part Three’ with you. We’ve selected clips from all our guests in 2023 to give you a flavour of the fascinating discussions we’ve had with a range of professionals from the worlds of business, sports, education, and health & wellbeing. These are presented to you in three parts.
We are delighted that the Talking Toughness podcast series has gone from strength to strength in 2023. We are proud to have hosted 23 special guests, streamed into every corner of the world and our listeners have increased by 255% this year.
As the year comes to a close we’re delighted to share with you the ‘Best of Talking Toughness 2023 - Part Two’. We’ve picked selected clips from all our guests in 2023 to give you a flavour of the fascinating discussions we’ve had with a range of professionals from the worlds of business, sports, education, and health & wellbeing. These are presented to you in three parts.
We are delighted that the Talking Toughness podcast series has gone from strength to strength in 2023. We are proud to have hosted 23 special guests, streamed into every corner of the world and our listeners have increased by 255% this year.
As the year comes to a close we’re delighted to share with you the ‘Best of Talking Toughness 2023’. We’ve picked selected clips from all our guests in 2023 to give you a flavour of the fascinating discussions we’ve had with a range of professionals from the worlds of business, sports, education, and health & wellbeing. These are presented to you in three parts.
We are delighted that the Talking Toughness podcast series has gone from strength to strength in 2023. We are proud to have hosted 23 special guests, streamed into every corner of the world and our listeners have increased by 255% this year.
WHY CONTINUOUS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT?
Doug Strycharczyk and elite leadership coach, Darren Whysall have collaborated to write a short and very practical book on Team Coaching.
Doug and Darren explore in this third part of their discussion why CPD is important in this fast-evolving world and in particular why CPD about the mental toughness concept is so important.
Nothing stands still and learning occurs all the time. We learn a phenomenal amount from peers and colleagues from their experiences. Not everyone does.
Questions like “How can we develop Mental Toughness” (we can!!) and “Do we even need to develop Mental Toughness?” (We don’t!!), need a sensible answer.
WHY MENTAL TOUGHNESS IS A POWERFUL CONCEPT FOR TEAM COACHING
Doug Strycharczyk and elite leadership coach, Darren Whysall have collaborated to write a short and very practical book called, unsurprisingly, “Team Coaching”.
In the second part of a thoughtful and hugely interesting discussion, Doug and Darren explore the theory and application of the mental toughness concept in people and team development.
Particularly the impressive body of objective evidence for the concept. This gives the client and the practitioner confidence that they are engaging with ideas that are solid and capable of achieving the kind of outcomes that both seek.
The key? It’s the route to true self-awareness, the cornerstone for development.
WHY TEAM COACHING IS ON THE RISE AND HERE TO STAY
Doug Strycharczyk and elite leadership coach, Darren Whysall have collaborated to write a short and very practical book on Team Coaching.
In this first discussion, they discuss why Team Coaching is coming to the fore and why it is a vehicle for personal development – exploring team member self-awareness about what they bring to a team and how they impact on others – as well as creating the “holy grail” of high performance – team working.
Importantly they point to this being within the capability of all – provided they are thoughtful, careful and self-aware.
This is an opportunity to tap into the real experience of Darren Whysall.
Stretching Boundaries with the Mental Toughness Concept – Part Two
Doug Strycharczyk and Associate Professor John Perry have forged a remarkable and productive relationship over the last 10 years through which they have taken the understanding of the mental toughness concept to a new level.
This led to the development of the 8-factor version of the 4Cs mental toughness concept. In turn, this has become a powerful lens through which we can examine and understand many aspects of people and organisational development from a fresh perspective which is reliably based in peer-reviewed research.
The result is a concept that, in the hands of a competent practitioner can make a real difference for leaders and followers and all it entails including, building trust, promoting innovation and creating high-performing teams as components of a culture which also embraces resilience, positivity and optimism. Ultimately enabling all to be the best version of themselves that they can be.
It’s a fascinating discussion.
Doug Strycharczyk and Associate Professor John Perry have forged a remarkable and productive relationship over the last 10 years through which they have taken the understanding of the mental toughness concept to a new level.
This led to the development of the 8-factor version of the 4Cs mental toughness concept. In turn, this has become a powerful lens through which we can examine and understand many aspects of people and organisational development from a fresh perspective which is reliably based in peer-reviewed research.
The result is a concept that, in the hands of a competent practitioner can make a real difference for leaders and followers and all it entails including, building trust, promoting innovation and creating high-performing teams as components of a culture which also embraces resilience, positivity and optimism. Ultimately enabling all to be the best version of themselves that they can be.
It’s a fascinating discussion.
'Everyone's Talking Mental Toughness' is a sub-series to the 'Talking Toughness' series, where professionals and practitioners in the 4Cs Mental Toughness Concept and the MTQ measures talk about the reality of working with individuals and organisations, helping them to make the invisible, visible and to become the best version of themselves.
The big challenge is to open up your mind to the world of opportunity. Be prepared to be uncomfortable, explore and seize the opportunity.
Our guest is Gaj Ravichandra, an internationally acclaimed executive coach who has a down to earth approach to his craft which is truly evidence based and delivers real results.
Co-founder of Kompass The Coaching Company, Gaj shares his time between Australia and the UAE as well as working in Europe, Asia and North America. He has a deep interest in career management and he is also a board member of ARBORA Global Career Partners.
Gaj is an early adopter of the mental toughness concept which he has woven into his thinking.
In this second part, Gaj challenges the benefits of the transformation and the curse of short-termism and how this can impact on leadership practice. Interestingly, much of his work is with entrepreneurs. He has learned to recognise what he calls 'the billionaire mindset' – embracing a particular relationship with risk.
Again, understanding something that applies to all – success can often mean having the ability to be comfortable with discomfort. How to see opportunity and not be put off by the threat.
This relationship with risk is important for success at all levels.
Gaj has an uncanny ability to explain his thoughts and ideas with true clarity. Listen and learn.
Our Guest for the next two podcasts is Gaj Ravichandra. Gaj is an executive coach with an impressive record around the world. He has a down to earth approach to his craft which is truly evidence based.
Co-founder of Kompass The Coaching Company, Gaj shares his time between Australia and the UAE as well as working in Europe, Asia and North America. This enables Gaj to develop an understanding and perspectives on leadership from around the world that is so valuable in his work.
He has a deep interest in career management and he is also a board member of ARBORA Global Career Partners. Gaj has also been engaged in the mental toughness concept for more than 10 years.
In this first part, Gaj explores his experience with the mental toughness concept and how he was drawn to it early in his career when observing how people responded differently to setbacks.
He appreciated that there was more than resilience at play and that could, with an appropriate approach, even thrive in adversity. Which led him to understand the difference between safety and discomfort.
Gaj has distilled his thinking and his experience into very practical solutions for leaders and those who aspire.
And he is happy to share what he knows. Listen and learn.
In Part Two of this discussion with Zoltán Csigás, he talks about his passion for coaching as a vehicle for continuous development. People should not stop learning.
He takes the view that clients come to coaches for help with this. Coaches can help by opening new fields of thinking through the direction they are being led.
Zoltán describes coaching as a practice which opens new playgrounds. Clients can wander in whatever direction they want to or even, leave it.
Finally, he addresses diversity and inclusion through the mental toughness concept. It's not just the mentally tough who will be successful, but all those who self-reflect on their levels of mental toughness.
This is a thoughtful and insightful coach who generously shares his expertise.
Listen, learn and be inspired.
Our guest for our next pair of podcasts is Zoltán Csigás. Zoltán is someone that many would call a Coaching expert although he would never call himself that. He is very much the real thing.
Developing his own Coaching practice, Zoltán is someone who, in his work with leaders, places a premium on evidence-based practice in coaching and leadership development.
He holds a Master Practitioner accreditation from the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC) and is a former Vice President of Research of EMCC International. He is also a member of the Advisory Board for the International Centre for Mental Toughness Research and Development.
Usefully, Zoltán is a Foresight Practitioner, helping others exploring their potential futures, and translating these into actionable plans.
What excites us most is Zoltán’s thoughtful considerations about the future direction of coaching.
There is real learning here.
In ‘Part Two’ of this discussion with Karen Walker, she explores further how her extensive experience of developing Customer Service at the top of organisations such as Virgin Media, Centrica and First Direct helped her to create strategies for developing organisations into thriving communities.
“Organising yourself around customers means understanding their needs before they do. It should never be a sell, rather there is a need, and I am going to fill that need”. Her approach to people development is the same, which she also attaches to the idea of ‘purpose’.
Karen adds that what keeps her going is having a goal that is gently stretching. Because in that process, she tries different things and through that, both she and everyone else, can grow.
To develop that holy grail of intrinsic motivation in those around you, you must be motivated in the same way yourself.
This is a thoughtful and very practical business leader demonstrating what leadership can achieve.
Listen, learn and be inspired.
Our guest for our next podcasts is Karen Walker, Director of MP Services, Strategy and Change at the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority and Non-Executive Director at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Karen is simply one of the most thoughtful and purposeful people we have ever worked with.
With a background in customer and people experience with Virgin Media, Centrica and First Direct, Karen brings a valuable perspective to organisation development.
In ‘Part One’ Karen talks about the challenges she faced in her current role in an organisation with so unique demands placed upon its staff. As well as addressing issues of resilience and confidence, Karen appreciated the need for positivity and diagnosing staff needs carefully which brought her to the Mental Toughness concept. In her words “The mental toughness assessment has helped us to understand where we've got growth opportunities as a whole”.
With her colleagues, Karen is making excellent progress, building a culture embracing diversity and inclusion as a precursor to building a culture of thriving.
What excites us most, is that Karen and her colleagues have managed to bring the mentally sensitive and the mentally tough together in a manner which optimises their contribution and their wellbeing.
Which remains a puzzle for so many in the 21st Century.
This is learning from the one who is doing it.
“The challenges for most people around the world are pretty much the same”
Our guest for the second part of this podcast is Charles Cormack. Founder of the Charles Cormack group, he now works in more than 30 countries helping Universities, their staff and their students to optimise what they do.
In session two we look at the growth of the international student.
Exponentially on the increase, the huge benefits of studying overseas are undoubted.
It's not without challenges including the student's own mental responses to finding themselves in a radically different setting to the one they have experienced to date.
The Cormack Group also seeks to get staff to understand concepts like mental toughness that matter when helping young people manage stressors and pressure of this type. If staff don't understand it, how can they support their students?
An important application is in social mobility where a parallel challenge rests. It is important to open HE opportunity to everyone. For some, this can be as daunting as travelling to another country.
For those engaged in the education of young people, this is a must-listen podcast.
Creating partnerships working across the global Higher Education sector
Helping to ensure happy outcomes for students and the establishment.
Our guest for the podcasts in two parts is Charles Cormack. With a background in the hospitality industry, Charles has brought these skills to the world of Higher Education where creates partnerships and services that benefit Universities, their staff and their students.
In session one we explore Charles’s philosophy of adding value to the University sector particularly in the internationalisation of Higher Education through innovation and the creation of sustainable partnerships.
It's an example of helping organisations look beyond their own boundaries to identify and grab opportunities.
Charles has embraced the mental toughness concept and the MTQPlus measure to help universities and business schools identify those students who have resilience issues and are at risk of not completing their programmes.
This matters always. The economic case is unarguable.
It is especially important when looking at students from overseas with a variety of cultural backgrounds and who may be attending courses which are not of their choosing and doing so in a foreign environment. Mental toughness is a key aspect of training staff to work with these students.
The lessons are applicable everywhere.
“Mental Toughness is about coming to terms with 'who you are, and understanding who you are”.
In this second part of an exceptional podcast, our guest Rebecca Hebert explores the mental toughness concept and what it means for her as an individual and for her work in leadership an organisation development.
Rebecca talks about self-awareness about your mental toughness, an overused term, but she does so in a very down to earth and thoughtful manner. We are who we are, and sometimes this is to our advantage and sometimes it puts us in a disadvantage. Knowing this and its relevance for the way you will connect with others and situations, helps to recognise what you might need to change to find a solution.
Finally, Rebecca talks about the way she and her colleagues have taken the mental toughness concept and applied it as a way of showing staff that senior leadership genuinely cared for them and their challenge - 'when we said we cared, we meant we cared’.
Rebecca is, above all, someone who is innovative and thoughtful with the courage to carefully apply what she knows will provide solutions that benefit everyone – staff, the organisation and its clients.
If you want to learn what a 21st century approach should look like, listen here.
PURPOSE, MEASURES, METHOD
Creating effective organisations in today’s world means “Getting rid of barriers, clearing lines for people to thrive and flourish in spite of the system”.
Our guest for this podcast in two parts is Rebecca Herbert who is a People Experience Specialist at The UK Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA).
Rebecca started off working with young people who were not in Education Employment or Training where she found that the "system did NOT serve people?". Her response was to find solutions for those who needed them most.
Her experiences led her to understand the importance of diversity of 'thought' - how we think and how we approach things. Those differences were often the key to “make things happen”.
Now she brings this experience and her approach to leadership and organisational development.
Rebecca describes leadership as not knowing the answers but knowing who you can trust to find the answers, creating the space for people to do that. It’s always been the case but never more so than now. Leaders need to trust themselves and others to come up with solutions because you can't come up with them all yourself.
Rebecca is, above all, someone who is innovative and thoughtful. Unlike many, she practices what she preaches.
If you want to learn what a 21st century approach should look like, listen here.
Our guest for this podcast, the second part of a long and hugely interesting conversation is Binod Shankhar.
The founder of what is now Kaplan Genesis – a leading provider of training and support for Chartered Accountants in the region and a TV pundit on financial and economic affairs, he is a passionate advocate of proactive strategies for success in life and in work.
He is now developing a successful career as a coach for aspiring chartered accountants and senior leaders he has incorporated the mental toughness concept into much of his work. He explores motivation and how coaching and leadership both have their role in this.
In this episode, he addresses the challenge of developing organisations and ensuring that this is about much more than systemic structures. It must be integrated with individual development of its staff.
Those who know Binod will describe him as provocative – in a good way. Always interesting and never dull, this is another “must listen” podcast.
Our guest for this and the following podcast is Binod Shankhar.
Binod is well known across the Middle East as the founder of Genesis – now Kaplan Professional Middle East – which is one of the leading providers of training for CFA charter holders in the region. CFA stands for Chartered Financial Analyst.
He appears on regional TV as a pundit on financial and economic affairs and is a passionate advocate of proactive strategies for success in life and in work.
He is now developing a successful career as an executive coach for professionals who want to move up to the C Suite. Since training in the use of the mental toughness concept, he has incorporated that into much of his work.
He is a thoughtful person who reflects on and learns from everything he sees and experiences which has led him to distil this into a bestselling book “Let's Get Real: 42 Tips for the Stuck Manager”.
In this book and in this podcast, he focuses on the individual where he explores confidence, challenge, fear of failure, learning from your experiences and procrastination, as factors which either help or hinder you in the journey through life.
Always interesting and never dull, this is a “must listen” podcast.
“Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country” - JFK
Our guest for this podcast is Paul Trainor.
Paul brings an interesting, socially aware, perspective to the application of mental toughness.
Paul is a practitioner who work with schools to develop key life skills in young people and uses sport as a metaphor for life to engage them in learning. He and his team do this successfully. The mental toughness concept is a key element of his practice.
Paul is also a director of Salford Rugby League Club where he is very active in the club’s development. It is one of England's Super League clubs. Uniquely in this elite set-up, it is a genuinely community-based club.
This enables Paul to bring his interests together – helping young people to prosper; helping rugby athletes to deal with the challenges they face and engaging the club with the whole community.
His philosophy is both inspiring and humbling. It captures the sentiment expressed by President Kennedy so many years ago which still resonates today.
It’s a podcast that “keeps on giving”.
In this podcast, we welcome back Dean Mumm. As captain of the Australian Rugby Union team, the Wallabies and captain of Exeter Chiefs rugby club, Dean faced and dealt with many challenges.
What we learned in our earlier podcasts is that Dean and Sarah, his wife, had, at the same time, dealt with far greater personal challenges which tested every aspect of their resilience and positivity.
Dean and his wife lost their first four children to pre-term birth. It is difficult to imagine what that must feel like.
In this podcast, Dean shares with us what happened, how they felt and how they responded. It is a description of self-belief, of hope and optimism, of grit and determination.
Now, parents to two beautiful children, Dean and Sarah channel their considerable energy into the Bourne HMRI Foundation raising funds to support research into pre-term birth.
If anyone wants to understand what a positive and resilient mindset is and what it can achieve, this is it. As Dean so eloquently puts it in the podcast “No one says we can't have children, yes - it is going to be difficult but yes - we want to have a family, so what do you do? You keep going”.
Its humbling and inspiring in equal measure.
This is what being self-aware about your mental toughness can achieve.
For those interested to know more and how they can help, go to https://hmri.org.au/dean-and-sarah-mumms-story
Our special guest for this podcast is Andrea Naylor. Andrea is Senior Manager, Learning and Development for Etihad Airways – one of the biggest airlines in the world employing over 8,000 people.
She is also one of the most experienced practitioners with the mental toughness concept and the MTQPlus measure which she has incorporated successfully into her work for more than 12 years. Her expertise across a wide range of applications is such that she is recognised as a Master Trainer for the concept.
In this podcast, Andrea shares something valuable – her real experience with the concept and how it has been able to make an impact. This will range from dealing with the stressors of the Covid era and afterwards through to applications such as leadership development and team building as well as coaching individuals.
Andrea stresses the importance of self-awareness about this aspect of your personality, usually hidden from view and draws attention to the depth of valuable information that can be generated through the mental toughness concept.
This is a session for the practitioner – coach, trainer, consultant, facilitator, managers and leaders.
There is a rich source of learning here.
"We need to achieve a level of proficiency that is sufficient for us to navigate life successfully"
This is part two of a truly amazing conversation with Jo Owen, a serial social entrepreneur building some of the most important organisations in the world of education and a genuine “leadership guru”, author of several best-selling books on the topic.
In this episode, Jo explores what the overused term “authenticity” really means in the context of leadership. You can’t succeed by being someone else – the key is to be the best version of who you are.
He explains why he feels that leadership is learned – it cannot be taught and how important it is to be realistic and grounded. Leaders are expected to be perfect but they must strive to do what they do as well as they can whilst asking themselves “Where do I really add value in all this?”.
Finally, he introduces RAMP. An approach to building intrinsic motivation which works.
Listen and learn.
“Dance first in the sun to be able to dance in the rain when the rain comes.”
This podcast, in two parts, we welcome a very special guest Jo Owen.
The term “guru” can be overused but in Jo Owen, we have the real thing. Jo Owen has become something of a leadership and motivation guru which is reflected in a number of best-selling books on these and other related themes.
He is also something of a social entrepreneur in the world of education having founded 8 organisations which all make an impact—these range from Teach First in the UK to STIR Education which operates globally.
What this means is that he has a lifetime of knowledge, experience and skills to share.
In this first episode, Jo Owen defines leadership in very straightforward terms including exploring the critical role of trust. Importantly he sees leaders as people who make their own success. It's less about luck and more about making your own luck. Less about responding when the going gets tough to honing your skills when the pressures off. Leadership is a full-time job.
"Challenging yourself to do things differently"
Part two of this unique podcast explores the importance of being flexible and adaptable and not formulaic in customer service.
Maya notes that everyone can offer good customer service - but not many can be bold enough to do things differently. That includes enabling employees to take risks based on their judgement of a situation.
Self-awareness about your mental toughness is also explored – to understand your mental response to the immediate situation creating an ability to switch between the negative and the positive mindset in order 'to smile' at your workplace and do so authentically.
The challenge for leaders in customer service is to help staff find the purpose in what they do/job satisfaction to deliver that 'authentic' level of service.
What shines through in both parts of this podcast is the passion of a very talented individual who is constantly learning how to do what is already excellent, even better.
Listen, learn and be inspired.
"Changing 'the doing' by changing 'the viewing'"
Our very special guest today is Maya Mattar. Maya is a people-development professional, educator, and author who has become recognised as an expert in customer services, authoring the bestselling book "Lasting Impressions - The Framework for Consistent Service Delivery".
We have known and worked with Maya for 10+ years since she became an early adopter of the 4Cs Mental Toughness concept in MENA and became the first MTQ master trainer for the region.
Maya believes firmly in a genuine approach to customer service stressing the importance of generosity through serving, it needs to happen from the heart. To do this setting up the right mindset is the only way to achieve excellence.
In this episode, Maya talks about why emotional connections ensure your customers will come back to you, rave about you - become your ambassadors. Rejecting the idea of “one size fits all training, her deeply held philosophy is that customer services need to understand and adapt to the variety of needs of different customers.
This episode finishes on a very practical note born out of Maya’s considerable experience. Her 'service PPE' model.
Customer Service matters for all of us. There is 24-carat learning here.
“As a leader, my success is defined by how fast my team comes to me and says we've messed up, because at that point I can fix it.”
Part two of this very special podcast with Andrew (Stotts) Stotter-Brooks turns the attention to leadership.
His approach is very down-to-earth and practical. Andrew has a special interest in Leadership and has usefully picked up on our work on Mental toughness and incorporated this into his thinking and his work.
Here we explore the imperative for leadership self-awareness and what is needed for leaders to be truly approachable to staff.
Andrew goes on to consider why many senior leaders believe they need to be perfect, and through this, they can miss opportunities for engagement.
Finally examining why openness to others works in practice. If mistakes are made, they can be corrected quoting Jeff Bezos "99% of decisions are relatively easy to reverse".
It is not a surprise that in October 2022 he was nominated as No 1 in a list of the ten most influential HR leaders in the United Arab Emirates.
Listen and learn.
“People never forget how you make them feel.”
Our incredibly special guest for Part 1 of this podcast is Andrew Stotter-Brooks, known as Stotts to all his friends and colleagues.
We have got to know Andrew and his work at close quarters in recent years and have grown to admire a truly unique approach to people and organisation development which is very much an example of leading-edge thinking.
Until recently Stotts was Vice President of Learning and Development for Etihad Airways. He introduced innovative, leading-edge learning solutions, to support the development, growth and performance of Etihad’s 24,500 global team members.
Andrew is very people-centred. He describes taking employee engagement to another level and delivering real results. Care and compassion come to the fore in his work. His belief -” Keep it human, keep it kind, care about people.”
Andrew is a reflective practitioner who is very thoughtful about his work and his purpose and very energetic in applying this. It is not a surprise that in October 2022 he was nominated as No 1 in a list of the ten most influential HR leaders in the United Arab Emirates.
IS KINDNESS YOUR LEADERSHIP SUPERPOWER
In this second part of a remarkable podcast, our guest Karen Stein, brings her experience and expertise to the discussion to explore issues and topics about which she has a real passion.
An Executive Coach with Deloitte Australia and Deloitte University Partner Faculty member, Karen also applies her skills is a variety of voluntary work.
Here she explores with us her thoughts on 'Kindness Coaching' - what it is and its value in leadership.
Usefully she considers whether leadership represents a different challenge for women than for males and offers her observations on the notion of unconscious bias.
Finally, she returns to Leadership and the importance of role modelling to create an environment which allows for psychological safety, creativity, diversity, trust, mindfulness etc.
In June 2023, her book “Be your own Leadership Coach” is published.
Again, a remarkable opportunity to listen to an acknowledged expert in her field … and to learn from that.
HOW TO BE THE BEST LEADER YOU CAN BE
Our guest for this first section of a two-part podcast is Karen Stein, one of the most experienced and thoughtful coaches with whom we have worked.
Based in Australia, with over 30 years of experience in professional services, Karen works for Deloitte as an Executive Coach and Deloitte University Partner Faculty member serving the Asia Pacific region.
In this session, Karen explores her interest in and her path to learning about Mental Toughness. In 2022 she delivered a brilliant session on this for the Institute of Coaching, McLean/Harvard Medical School.
Karen also talks about coaching work at Deloitte, particularly in designing a coaching programme for female partners of Deloitte.
Finally, she addresses the subject of Leadership and the importance of leading by example. In June 2023, her book “Be your own Leadership Coach” both taps this well of experience and draws attention to what we can do for ourselves. An idea that really resonates with AQR International’s approach to development.
Both parts provide a remarkable opportunity to listen to an acknowledged expert in her field … and to learn from that.
Dr. Michael Gerson has worked with a diverse range of soldier-athlete-clinical populations in the field of performance, sport, military, health, and clinical psychology. A Core Faculty member at John F. Kennedy University in California, he teaches sport/ performance psychology and mindfulness courses.
In addition, Dr. Gerson is the Director of Mental Skills at Mission 6 Zero, a tribe of performance experts that merge Special Operations Forces veterans with Behavioural Science Practitioners /Researchers — blending the work of the practitioner with the academic.
With this wide and varied background, Michael Gerson adds his perspectives to support the understanding of the mental toughness concept and its application to all walks of life.
In part 2 he carries on with the theme of evidence-based practice.
As a Mental Skills Director for Mission 6 Zero, he believes strongly in a scientific practitioner model, using science and research to direct and guide his work.
He is a practitioner of the 4Cs model because of the wealth of evidence behind the concept and measure, finding it valuable to link this to a variety of models and concepts to gain the best outcomes for his work.
In our podcast session, both John and Doug learn a great deal from the practice and experience of others who pick up their ideas.
Listen and you will too.
Dr. Michael Gerson has worked with a diverse range of soldier-athlete-clinical populations in the field of performance, sport, military, health, and clinical psychology. Currently, he is a Core Faculty member at John F. Kennedy University in Pleasant Hill, California where he teaches sport/ performance psychology and mindfulness courses.
In addition, Dr. Gerson is the Director of Mental Skills at Mission 6 Zero, a tribe of performance experts that merges Special Operations Forces veterans with Behavioural Science Practitioners /Researchers.
With this wide and varied background, Michael Gerson is well-placed to add his perspectives to the importance and application of the mental toughness concept to all walks of life.
In this session, he addresses the growing interest in mental toughness in North America and the critical importance of Evidence-Based Practice. Something that he incorporates into his programmes as one of the key programme outcomes and why this embraces the mental toughness framework and the use of MTQ assessment.
Ultimately, he describes how you can make some changes in your life, tap into better aspects of yourself, and grow various skills – whilst noting that, although simple, it is not easy. It takes discipline and it takes time.
Listen and learn.
FORGING A CULTURE OF STRENGTH
HELPING THE MORE MENTALLY SENSITIVE TO THRIVE
This is the second episode of a two-parter with Ron Duren founder of Forging Mettle Inc in the USA where he and his team work with others to “forge a culture of strength”.
An engineer by background and for some time a semi-professional baseball player, Ron is an advocate of the mental toughness concept. He is also a University professor, aerobatic pilot, Ironman triathlete and ultrarunner.
This eclectic mix helps to give Ron a valuable and different perspective on thriving and struggling. Particularly so, since much of this arises from how he has challenged himself.
In this episode we explore how the more mentally sensitive who can easily be forgotten can be guided to thrive. Again this is an issue that is prominent in a lot of AQR International’s work.
Self-awareness is critically important here. It gives everyone a choice – “stay as I am or I can change something for the better”. Mental sensitivity is more common than many imagine, it’s quite normal but the more mentally sensitive can be “invisible” to many.
The challenge here is to live the most fulfilling life you can or as Ron succinctly puts it “to be uncommon”.
Ron expresses his thoughts and his ideas with amazing clarity. Listen and Learn.
WHAT BEING AUTHENTIC REALLY MEANS
Diversity is society’s superpower
Part two of our conversation with Joanna Lohman picks up on the theme of “human moulting” a change and adapting to events and circumstances.
A former international soccer star, today Joanna is as high profile as ever and now channels her energy into human rights, as a Sport Diplomat. Travelling the world running programs in less developed nations that promote gender equality, conflict resolution, cultural understanding, and economic development.
She is a globally recognised major champion of women’s development as well as a champion for the LGBT+ global community. Joanna is also someone who has overcome devastating injury, defeat, and heartbreak to emerge undaunted as the best version of herself that she can be.
ADVERSITY – THE MOTHER OF RE-INVENTION
HOW HUMANS MOULT
Joanna Lohman is a very special individual who has won a deserved reputation as an achiever of the highest order. She is a former professional soccer player and for many years a member of the United States Women’s National Team. To operate at the top of your profession, understanding your mental toughness and mental sensitivity is a must.
Today Joanna is a global keynote speaker and performance coach. She also channels her considerable drive into human rights activism, as a teacher, serving as a Sport Diplomat, travelling the world running programs in less developed nations that promote gender equality, conflict resolution, cultural understanding, and economic development.
All this has served to enable Joanna to form a down to earth view of life, people and the way we can all prosper which is perfectly consistent with AQR’s work on mental toughness.
In Part 1 of this episode, we explore:
- How Joanna’s mental toughness was crucial to her success in the world of soccer,
- How adversity could be the springboard for development. An essential aspect of character building,
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How agility and adjusting to life’s twists and turns can lead to a human's form of moulting,
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And how all this came together when she suffered a serious injury – meaning the life she knew was over, that identity was over, .... but it provided a new opportunity to 'moult' and grow a new life.
In every aspect of her life Joanna demonstrates the value of understanding mental toughness and especially being self-aware about this.
It is a “must listen” episode with multiple learning lessons.
'TALKING LEADERSHIP' – FOCUSING ON STRENGTHS, HONESTY AND COURAGE.
Anna is an experienced non-executive director and senior executive across the financial services, management consulting, telecommunications, and technology industries.
Anna is an expert in strategy development and execution in cyber security, digital strategies, data, cloud and legacy systems. She has extensive experience balancing commercial interests with risk management in complex regulated sectors including her time at Telstra, PwC, NAB, IBM and Seek. She has graduated from the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has completed two executive management programs at MIT in the USA.
In this episode, we are discussing the challenges Anna faced in her leadership roles. Her focus has always been on nurturing someone's strong points and bringing the best out of an individual even at the price of creating an uncomfortable situation between her and the employee.
Anna has a powerful view of the world in which we live and of our relationship with it. It is very consistent with AQR’s work on Mental Toughness.
Her philosophy is that as a leader, she’s only as good as her team. Honesty and courage are two key principles through which she works and lives.
In 2021, Anna co-authored and published her first book, The Secure Board, on cyber security risk governance for Boards. She facilitates workshops to educate regulators and Directors on duties and obligations for cyber security across the public, private, ASX100, family and not-for-profit sectors.
This was a thought-provoking and insightful discussion. Listen and learn.
SELF-AWARENESS AND SELF MASTERY
USING FAILURE AND SETBACK AS THE STEPPING STONES TO GROWTH
Stella Petrou Concha is the inspiring co-founder, CEO, and driving force behind the fast-growing Reo Group – an Australian talent search agency. She was named one of Australia's Top 10 Female Entrepreneurs in 2018.
Stella has a powerful view of the world in which we live and of our relationship with it. It is very consistent with AQR’s work on Metal Toughness.
Her mission is to elevate human potential by working with executives to deliver value for their organisations through talent selection, leadership, strategy and vision.
Her philosophy embraces:
§ Failure is the path to growth
§ Mastery of the mind – our mental responses
§ 'Detachment' in a sense of detachment from the judgement of others. Others may judge, but they do so narrowly in the sense of “good” and “bad”.
§ Exploring the 'personal resume' rather than 'what's written down on paper', because that talks more about 'the how' than 'the what'. Also 'the why' which is the personal vision for their life.
Stella is the best-selling author of “Stone Heart, Light Heart: The Intelligence of Self Mastery”.
This was a fascinating discussion that looked at the importance and application of self-awareness about our mental responses to the world around us.
Again we have a thought-provoking and insightful offering. Listen and learn.
MENTAL TOUGHNESS – THE KEY TO SUCCESS IN LIFE AND IN WORK.
A STUDY IN CONTENTMENT AND STRIVING TO BE THE BEST THAT YOU CAN BE. PART TWO
This is the second part of a remarkable discussion with a very special guest.
Neil Scales OBE is Director General for the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads in Australia managing a budget of more than $10 billion. Before this, he was CEO for Merseytravel in the UK. Both roles carrying huge responsibilities and accountabilities.
In part one, Neil described his journey through life and how his resilience and positivity has enabled him to thrive as well as his interest in leadership and in life long learning.
In part two, we discuss reflections on events from his career, including the practical relevance of mental toughness in good leadership practice. We pick up on the importance of purpose - creating long lasting economic effects; caring for staff/people; creating the right culture and the value of perseverance.
This is a very accessible and down to earth exploration of a wide range of issues relevant to today’s world and its many challenges.
Listen and learn
MENTAL TOUGHNESS – THE KEY TO SUCCESS IN LIFE AND IN WORK.
A STUDY IN CONTENTMENT AND STRIVING TO BE THE BEST THAT YOU CAN BE. PART ONE
Our guest for this podcast is someone who, by any standards can be described as having lived a successful and fulfilling life and yet started his life pretty much at the same place as most people.
Neil Scales OBE is Director General for the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads in Australia managing a budget of more than $10 billion. Before this, he was CEO of Merseytravel in the UK. Both roles carry huge responsibilities and accountabilities.
Neil’s career begins as an engineering apprentice in the North East of England.
In part one, Neil describes his journey through life and how his resilience and positivity have enabled him to thrive. Never one to shirk a challenge, he talks about the importance of leadership on his journey as well as the idea that you can never stop learning.
This is a very accessible and down-to-earth exploration of what success means through the eyes of one of the most reflective people we know.
We have had the privilege of knowing and working with Neil for 25 years. He is very grounded and there is much to learn from his approach and his experiences.
Listen and learn
Our very special guest for this podcast is a unique individual whose life experiences provide a perfect setting for exploring the importance of being self-aware of your level of mental toughness.
Dean Mumm is better known as one of the world’s elite Rugby Union players. An athlete operating at the very height of his profession, Dean was captain of the Wallabies as well as captain of Exeter Chiefs one of Europe’s leading rugby union clubs.
To perform at the top of a global sport is one thing. To be recognised as a leader, with its additional stressors and pressures, is quite another.
There is another, very personal, dimension to Deans story. He is the co-founder of BorneHMRI which is an Australian research charity into the prevention of preterm birth. Dean and his wife cofounded the charity after losing 4 of their children simply because they were born too soon. A remarkable example of managing adversity to create something positive.
Dean is now Head of Corporate Sport for Marsh, the world’s leading insurance broker and risk advisor.
Dean generously and openly shares his thoughts and reflections over two podcasts. We are privileged to have the opportunity to hear them.
Listen and learn
UNDERSTANDING THE IMPORTANCE OF MENTAL TOUGHNESS THROUGH THE LENS OF SPORT AS WELL AS PERSONAL TRAGEDY
PART ONE
Our very special guest for this podcast is a unique individual whose life experiences provide a perfect setting for exploring the importance of being self-aware of your level of mental toughness.
Dean Mumm is better known as one of the world’s elite Rugby Union players. An athlete operating at the very height of his profession, Dean was captain of the Wallabies as well as captain of Exeter Chiefs one of Europe’s leading rugby union clubs.
To perform at the top of a global sport is one thing. To be recognised as a leader, with its additional stressors and pressures, is quite another.
There is another, very personal, dimension to Deans story. He is the co-founder of BorneHMRI which is an Australian research charity into the prevention of preterm birth. Dean and his wife cofounded the charity after losing 4 of their children simply because they were born too soon. A remarkable example of managing adversity to create something positive.
Dean is now Head of Corporate Sport for Marsh, the world’s leading insurance broker and risk advisor.
Dean generously and openly shares his thoughts and reflections over two podcasts. We are privileged to have the opportunity to hear them.
Listen and learn
BRINGING THE MENTAL TOUGHNESS CONCEPT TO LIFE IN THE ANTIPODES
Today’s guest, Paul Lyons, should be familiar to many. Paul is already one of the most prominent advocates of the mental toughness concept with a major social media presence on this important topic. He is also very familiar to both hosts having worked closely with AQR International for many years now.
Paul has been instrumental in making practitioners, of all types, in the region aware of the mental toughness concept and the MTQPlus measure and supporting them to incorporate these into their work in developing people and organisations. As an expert Executive coach Paul has also been able to incorporate this into his own work.
Both sources of experience has made Paul a valuable resource for AQR in the continuing development of these key concepts. Paul is an important member of the Global Mental Toughness Advisory Board.
In this session Paul describes elements of his life which led him to understand and appreciate the value of mental toughness. These are events which will be familiar to many and will illustrate how resilience combined with positivity can help all to thrive and achieve contentment. Paul shares this generously with disarming honesty.
John and I find that all of our podcasts are enjoyable and illuminating. This one especially so.
Our guest for this first episode of a two-parter is Ron Duren. As well as being a Prof at the University of Colorado Boulder, Ron has founded Forging Mettle Inc., a US based consultancy whose mission is to help others to “forge a culture of strength”.
As might be gleaned from the name of the consultancy, Ron is an engineer by background and is an advocate of the mental toughness concept. For many years Ron was also a semi-professional baseball player.
This enables Ron to bring a valuable perspective to the idea that we can all be “the best version of ourselves that we can be” … and all that this means for performance and wellbeing.
In this episode we explore, with Ron, the idea that you can be “uncommon” - this unique version of you. An idea that matters to us – we are not a type or a label. We are all different and we are all unique.
Ron has forged his approach over many years and is now able to express his thoughts and his ideas with amazing clarity.
Listen and Learn.
Our very special guest is Brent MacDonald, one of Canada’s leading psychologist practitioners is a registered psychologist and educator who has worked with individuals with complex learning need for over 25 years.
Based in Calgary in Canada he maintains an active psychological services practice with a focus on counselling and assessment in which he has developed considerable expertise.
He is also a sessional instructor and adjunct associate professor at Mount Royal University and University of Calgary. Brent frequently appears on Canadian TV and radio.
A passionate believer in human psychological wellbeing, Brent now incorporates the 4Cs mental toughness concept and the mental toughness measure into his work.
Brent’s works embrace a wide range of clients - children, adolescents, young adults, parents, educators, coaches, athletes, as well as executives in a wide range of contexts.
In between times, Brent has authored a book on mental toughness for everyone called “Fall seven times, Stand up eight.”
This is a unique opportunity to learn – and you will learn – from a true master of his art.
APPLYING THE MENTAL TOUGHNESS CONCEPT AND MEASURE IN TEAM AND EXECUTIVE COACHING
Our guest is one of the most experienced and thoughtful coaches we have come across – Darren Whysall. He is genuinely an expert practitioner.
With a wide and eclectic background, Darren has over 25 years’ experience of partnering with people and teams who work in high pressure environments including Performance Coach with the Royal Marine Commandos, Head of Coaching with Ambition School Leadership developing senior leaders for schools Education Sector and most recently in Financial Services with Barclays Bank where he was Head of Leadership Development Coaching. He is now engaged in senior leadership coaching with Aramco.
His philosophy is simple, ‘make a positive difference’. He achieves this by being super reflective and through generously making his remarkable reflections available to all.
Darren posseses a body of knowledge and skills which are both practical and accessible. This is a unique opportunity to learn – and you will learn – from a true master of his art.
Our guest today is Paul Taylor who brings an interesting and valuable perspective to the application of the mental toughness concept.
Paul is an exercise psychologist, nutritionist and neuroscientist. He is the founder and director of The Mind-Body-Brain Performance Institute which effectively sums up his approach. He adopts a holistic approach bringing together approaches and disciplines to provide support and guidance to senior leaders including developing resilience where he is now exploring the mental toughness concept.
Based now in Australia, Pal hosted the TV series Body and Brain Overhaul and appears regularly on TV as a subject matter expert. He is also the author of Death by Comfort" where he suggests that modern life might not be good for us and offers some thoughts about what we can do about that.
All our podcasts are different. This one might be a little more different and thought-provoking than most.
As always, there is learning for everyone here.
Since its launch in 2002, the 4Cs Mental Toughness concept and the MTQ measure have seen steady growth and development. This is certainly true for the concept - now in its 8-factor form with an evidence base that is second to none. As importantly this is true for practitioners worldwide as they understand the concept and its myriad applications in the world of people and organisation development. It matters for everyone in performance, agility and, above all, in well-being.
In this podcast, Peter Clough, John Perry and Doug Strycharczyk review recent developments and progress and shine a light on what's next on the agenda - and its focuses on understanding, practice and application.
As ever, we love listening to you too. Almost all recent development has been driven by feedback from practitioners. Please let us know where you think the mental toughness concept can make that difference.
Features Penny Mallory, Alessia Mevoli, Jo Taylor, Jason Wyatt, Andy Riise, Adrian Logan and Lia Zalums.
This podcast features clips from Professor Peter Clough, David Charlton, Marius Bernard, Pete Wortley.
Our guest is Lia Zalums. In Australia, Lia is recognized as one of its leading executive coaches. Passion might be an overused word but it’s an accurate description for Lia.
Lia has embraced the 4Cs mental toughness concept and brought it very effectively into her work… and into her twin passions - championing women to flourish in STEM careers where they are still under-represented and supporting those who are enterprising and entrepreneurial to follow that most challenging of paths. Often combining both interests.
We explore this, and more in this most enjoyable of discussions. Lia is always clear about why she does what she does. There is some great listening here and we are confident there learning here for all too.
Our latest guest is a remarkable individual, Jason Wyatt. Jason is the Global After Sales and Technical Training Manager for JCB - a world leader in its field. Rarely have we met someone with such a thirst for knowledge, which he then applies in all of his work.
Jason and his training partner have developed the CornerStone Programme which focusses on sales leadership development for teams directly involved in sales and sales support functions. Sales is often thought of as one of the more demanding roles in business and commerce. They are often described as the "athletes" of the business world and in common with athletes they benefit from mastery all 4 Cs of Mental Toughness needing to draw on their resilience to keep moving forward. The programme includes realistic evaluation and builds in the opportunity for its improvement. It also delivers.
The result is that the JCB CornerStone Programme was recognised this year with the Princess Royal Training Award, which is prestigious recognition for UK employers who have created high impact through training and skills development, and which have resulted in exceptional commercial benefits.
Jason and his team have taken a mental toughness concept and the MTQ plus measure and made that the cornerstone of the CornerStone Programme.
In this podcast we will explore with Jason: the structure of the programme, the role of pre and post programme MTQ assessments, the impact of the development programme on the mental toughness participants and how he has developed the programme further using elite athletes' sports venues.
Plenty to learn for anyone interested in the application of Mental Toughness into a brilliant case study.
Our guest, Alessia Mevoli, Lecturer, has, together with Dr Peter Sewell developed a remarkable programme for grads and undergrads in the Business and Law faculty at Anglia Ruskin University.
They created an extra-curricular module on Mental Agility, Flexibility and Adaptability where students are guided through the 4 components of Mental Toughness - Control, Commitment, Change and Confidence.
In their journey, students learn how to assess those on a personal level by undertaking a deep self-awareness analysis with real-life examples and the MTQ+ questionnaire provided by AQR International!
This is an essential issue for graduates, employers and universities. It's an area where we see significant growth of interest globally.
A unique feature of this programme was the care taken with measurement and evaluation of differences. The programme really works. There is learning here for all.
Our guest, Joanne Turley /Joanne Taylor, is an early adopter of the 4Cs mental toughness concept and measures, who has led the way in its application with some of the toughest challenges in society. Joanne, her colleagues and delivery partners are making a real and sustainable difference with young people who are often at the fringes of society.
Joanne is a People & Performance Consultant with the ARK Consultancy in the UK which focuses on the social housing sectors and issues associated with that sector.
Her work takes her into reducing young offender re-offending rates, helping young people on the verge of exclusion from education to improve behaviour as well as programmes for social housing tenants. Importantly they are also able to demonstrate a very good return on social investment.
Joanne has created a body of knowledge and skills working with young people to improve their life chances primarily based on an excellent understanding of the mental toughness concept.
There is learning here for all.
“Taking setback and risk in your stride” Our guest for this podcast is Adrian Logan. A little different from some of the others in this series in that there are two strands to this conversation – both linked by a need to manage setbacks and the threat of failure. Adrian is a coach who helps salespeople and sales teams to improve their performance. Sales is a profession where failure is more frequent than success – and yet you still have to be optimistic. Adrian incorporates the mental toughness concept and the MTQPlus measure into much of his work. Adrian was also an Officer in the British Army at the time of the Falklands War where he was part of the first waves of landings – creating challenges for himself and for the soldiers he had to lead. Now dealing with the threat of death or injury. Again, Adrian illustrates how attitude, resilience and positivity all play a part in success. The clarity of his thinking and his reflections provide a real opportunity for learning about navigating the challenges of life and work
Our guest is Andy Riise. A truly special guest. We have got to know Andy over the past few years and have come to admire his expertise in applying the mental toughness concept and his depth of understanding of the topic.
Why special? Andy Riise was for almost 25 years a Lieutenant Colonel in the US Army where he was the Army's first Master Resilience Trainer and Facilitator. His training and preparation for this key role was both thorough and exceptional.
Our latest guest is Penny Mallory, keynote speaker and performance coach, and a former British Rally Championship driver.
She is a Leading Authority on Mental Toughness. She became the first woman to drive a World Rally Car in the otherwise male-dominated FIA World Rally Championship. Penny has also been a boxer, mountaineer, marathon runner and triathlete over an illustrious career.
Our guest, Maureen Keegan, is one of the earliest adopters of the 4Cs mental toughness concept and measures, first using it in 2004. She is Workforce Development Manager at Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council in the north West of England.
For almost 20 years Maureen has integrated the concepts into leadership development, team working and soft skills programs with great success. So much so that she is now regularly asked to introduce the concept to leaders and staff at other local authorities and into leadership development at two local universities.
Josiah as a true authority on the mental toughness concept. Something that shines through in this unique podcast. He also happens to have a PhD in Mental Toughness.
The guest for this podcast is Josiah Igono who, in addition to having been Peak Performance Director for the Texas Rangers Baseball Club, has established his own practice taking the concept to major organisations in the business word as well as professional sport in the USA. He has also taken the concept to developing young people.
This podcast explores Alex Opacic's career in basketball and his transition from playing sport for a living into working life and how his business helps other athletes cope with the change.
In this epidsode we discuss Brendon Pyle's work with the golf foundation and talk with the Founder of Yeast,Peter Wortley, about transforming organisations by developing people within them through coaching.
This podcast explores the impact that Mental Toughness had on the former elite tennis player, Marius Barnard's career.
This episode John Perry, Doug Strycharczyk and David Charlton discuss the importance of Mental Toughness in sport.
The podcast explores Peter Clough's journey today and provides a peek at where the 4C's concept will grow and develop into the future.