Sergio Lopez Ferrero, Global CEO of Omnicom Production, joins me on The Courageous Leaders Podcast for an honest conversation about leading global transformation and what it really costs the person at the top. Sergio leads the global production portfolio for Omnicom Group, with over 20 years in the industry and more than 400 awards to his name, including 73 Cannes Lions.

We talk about what it takes to transform businesses spanning 100 companies and 40 countries, why leaders are humans, not superheroes, the moment he realised he'd stopped doing the work he loved, and how he separates smart failure from negligence. If you lead through change, pressure, or uncertainty, this conversation is full of hard-won lessons from someone doing it at a global scale.

What We Cover:

00:00 Trailer

00:54 Leading global transformation in a changing industry

03:19 The pressure of being a CEO: leaders are human, not superheroes

05:54 The leadership skills Sergio had to learn the hard way

08:15 Why every leader must understand the financials first

11:29 How to build one culture across 100 companies and 40 countries

13:03 Making tough decisions when people resist change

16:07 Separating who you are from the role you have to play

21:40 Moving from hands-on creative work to leading the businesS

29:14 Smart failure vs negligence: when it’s okay to fail

32:30 How to navigate uncertainty as a leader

35:13 Systems thinking and giving teams freedom within a framework

45:16 Where courage has carried Sergio through his career

48:05 Sergio’s three pieces of advice for future leaders

50:22 The eight things every CEO must be willing to do

52:03 Why you never fully switch off at the top

53:43 Ego, money, and the career trap nobody talks about

55:44 Building the team that covers your weaknesses

58:02 The real rewards of being a CEO

Key Leadership Insights:

• Why transformation today means rebuilding the plane while flying i

• Why understanding the money is the first job of any leader

• How to set a vision simple enough to align 40 countries

• Why separating smart failure from negligence changes how teams take risks

• How “freedom within the framework” keeps creative people creative

• Why the leader’s mood sets the temperature for the whole company

• Why knowing yourself matters more than knowing the playbook

🎧 Listen to the full episode for the best practical leadership coaching:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1B0U13S37tjpy9ZYZJcZb4

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-courageous-leaders-podcast/id1594924295

All episodes: https://thecourageousleaderspodcast.buzzsprout.com/

Connect with Sergio:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sergiolopezferrero/

🚀 Ready to elevate your team and leadership? Book time for transformative coaching and training:

Website: https://www.thechangecreators.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

👍 Stay inspired – subscribe, leave a comment, and help us build a community of courageous leaders.

→ Want honest leadership insights in your inbox?

👉 Sign up to the newsletter: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

Leadership #BusinessTransformation #CEO #CreativeIndustry #CourageousLeaders

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

View Details

What are the bad leadership habits that quietly hold a team back? In this solo episode of The Courageous Leaders Podcast, I share the five leadership behaviours driving me crazy right now, and what to do instead if you want to lead well over the next few years.

Consider it a rant with a purpose. From leaders who struggle to manage stress to the ones avoiding hard conversations, burning out and calling it “high performance,” or making everything about themselves, I break down why each habit damages a team and the honest shift each one needs. If you lead people, this is a wake-up call worth five minutes.

What We Cover:

00:00 The five leadership behaviours driving me crazy
00:06 No self-management: reacting and offloading stress onto your team
01:01 Avoiding difficult conversations (and the time it wastes)
01:33 Not looking after yourself, and what “high performance” really means
02:42 Getting a coach but doing none of the work
03:32 Being too self-focused, and why that isn’t leadership
04:08 Why leadership needs empathy and compassion
04:20 Leadership takes daily effort, not just a title

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

View Details

What’s the one toxic leadership behaviour you’d banish forever? In this special Leadership Room 101 episode of The Courageous Leaders Podcast, three industry leaders each argue to banish one leadership behaviour for good: busyness, fear-based leadership, or pay-to-play culture. I’m joined by Katy Wright (Chief Client & Business Officer, AMV BBDO), Sergio Lopez Ferrero (Global CEO, Omnicom Production), and Sachini Imbuldeniya (Co-Founder & CEO, House of Oddities).

Each leader gets around ten minutes to make their case, and at the end I pick just one to send into Room 101. The debate is honest, funny, and at times a little controversial, and each argument says something real about how leadership and the creative industry work today.

What We Cover:
00:00 Trailer
00:50 The Leadership Room 101 concept, and meet the three leaders
01:50 Katy's nomination: Busyness as a badge of honour
06:20 Is being "busy" really pride, or is it fear?
10:20 The fear of not looking busy enough
12:50 The link between rest, sleep, and real creativity
19:50 Sergio's nomination: Fear-based leadership
21:50 Why blaming an unnamed "head office" erodes trust
24:50 Can a little fear actually be healthy in leadership?
27:20 Why "alpha" leadership is over, and vulnerability is rising
27:50 The uncomfortable debate: do CEOs have psychopathic tendencies?
40:50 Sachini's nomination: Why pay-to-play is rigging the industry
45:50 Awards and access: is success bought or earned?
47:50 How pay-to-play shuts out great creative work
48:50 My verdict: which behaviour goes into Leadership Room 101

Key Leadership Insights:
Why “busy” has become a status symbol, and what it often hides
How to hear what your team are really telling you when they say they’re busy
Why a small amount of healthy fear can sharpen accountability
Why vulnerability now makes leaders more followable, not less
How pay-to-play systems in awards and pitching hold the industry back
Why fixing fairness at the top can change a whole company culture

Part debate, part masterclass, and a lot of fun. By the end you’ll be deciding which leadership behaviour you’d banish too.

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

View Details

Why is avoidance the biggest killer of performance in teams?

In this solo episode of The Courageous Leaders Podcast, I explain why it’s okay to upset people, and why giving honest feedback without fear is a skill every leader needs.

Most leaders tiptoe around their teams, scared of upsetting someone. But avoiding hard conversations doesn’t protect people, it holds them back. I share why we waste so much energy “mind reading” how others will react, how that robs them of the chance to grow, and how to deliver tough feedback while staying calm, present, and human, even when someone gets upset.

What We Cover:
00:00 Why it's okay to upset people
00:40 You can't control how someone reacts (the "mind reading" trap)
01:30 Why avoiding it is really about protecting yourself
02:00 My personal story: the feedback that changed everything
02:55 How to give feedback without it feeling like an attack
03:25 How to stay present when someone cries or gets angry
04:19 Why backtracking is the worst thing you can do
04:38 Show up for them, even when it's uncomfortable

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

View Details

Some people don’t just achieve, they achieve as though their life depends on it. In this deeply honest episode of The Courageous Leaders Podcast, I sit down with Esther Marshall, former global gender diversity leader at Unilever and founder of Sophie Says, to ask a question so many of us avoid: who are you when achievement isn’t enough?

This is a conversation about grief, high achievement, emotional resilience, and the pressure of holding everything together when life refuses to cooperate. Esther shares her story with extraordinary openness: losing her sister Rebecca to suicide, caring for grandparents through Alzheimer’s, a miscarriage during IVF, and losing her mother to pancreatic cancer, all while building a business and refusing to stop proving herself. It is also the story of the breakthrough that finally let her stop failing quietly and start succeeding loudly. If you have ever tied your worth to what you achieve, this one will stay with you.

If you or someone you know is affected by anything discussed in this episode, you can contact Samaritans free, 24/7, on 116 123 or at samaritans.org.

What We Cover:
00:00 Intro
01:30 Why "High Achiever" Can Tip Into "Never Enough"
04:41 Climbing the Ladder at Unilever, and Being "Hard to Manage"
10:14 Leading a Team When Your Standards Are Sky High
11:37 The Maternity Leave Project That Became Sophie Says
14:29 Losing Rebecca to Suicide
16:34 The Book Written the Night She Passed Away
20:21 The Rainbow, and Learning to Let People In
21:29 Carrying a Legacy, and the Weight That Comes With It
23:08 Alzheimer's, and Grief That Wouldn't Stop
24:18 IVF, Miscarriage, and Learning to Keep Going
25:48 The "Miracle" Baby, and a Mother's Pancreatic Cancer Diagnosis
30:13 Why She Chose to Run a Marathon the Day Her Mum Died
34:52 The Therapy Breakthrough That Changed Everything
38:46 "I'm Failing Quietly, but I Want to Succeed Loudly"
41:00 Building Sophie Says Into a Movement for Generational Change
48:53 Learning to Walk Before Running Again
50:13 A Message for Anyone Sitting in Fear, Ready to Begin
51:40 What Courage Really Means to Esther

Key Reflections:
• Why high achievement can quietly become a form of self-harm
• Why grief isn't something you "get over," and why returning to normal too quickly often makes healing harder
• How to separate your self-worth from your achievements and results
• Why asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness
• How changing the way you frame a failure can completely reshape your life
• Why children need emotionally safe parents, not perfect ones

Esther’s honesty is a reminder that courage isn’t the absence of pain, it’s getting up and showing up through it. If this episode moves you, I’d love to hear your biggest takeaway in the comments.

Find out more about Sophie Says: https://www.sophiesaysofficial.com/
Follow Esther Masrshall:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sophiesaysofficial/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thegrievingfounder

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

View Details

Why are so many executive teams underperforming?

In this solo episode of The Courageous Leaders Podcast, I break down the biggest leadership mistakes I see inside executive teams today, from social loafing and siloed thinking to oversized leadership teams and “Game of Thrones” behaviour at the top of organisations.
I explore why executive leadership is about far more than titles, why leadership teams must operate collectively instead of protecting departments, and why CEOs need the courage to reshape teams when they are no longer serving the business.
If your leadership team feels political, disconnected, slow, or overly comfortable, this episode will challenge how you think about executive leadership.

What We Cover:
00:00 – Why executive teams lose effectiveness
00:52 – Why titles do not equal executive leadership
01:24 – The danger of oversized executive teams
02:24 – Executive teams acting like working groups
02:42 – “Game of Thrones” leadership behaviour explained
03:07 – Why the executive team must become the first team
03:52 – Why CEOs need the courage to challenge comfort

Key Leadership Insights
• Executive teams shape what becomes acceptable in company culture
• Leadership titles do not automatically create leadership capability
• High-performing executive teams think collectively, not territorially
• Oversized leadership teams slow down decision-making and accountability
• CEOs must be willing to challenge comfort and restructure leadership teams
• The behaviour at the top becomes the standard for the entire company

Reflection Questions for Leaders
• Is my executive team truly operating as one team?
• Where are politics or silos damaging decision-making?
• Have titles become more important than impact?
• What difficult leadership change am I avoiding right now?

🎧 Listen to the full episode for the best practical leadership coaching:
https://thecourageousleaderspodcast.buzzsprout.com/

🚀 Ready to elevate your team and leadership? Book time for transformative coaching and training:
Website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

👍 Stay inspired – subscribe, leave a comment, and help us build a community of courageous leaders across the UK.
→ Want honest leadership insights in your inbox?
👉 Sign up to the newsletter: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

ExecutiveLeadership #LeadershipTeam #CompanyCulture #CEO #CourageousLeaders

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

View Details

We often hear the ideas of great thinkers, but rarely get to understand how they actually think or who they are as people.

In this episode of The Courageous Leaders Podcast, I am joined by Rory Sutherland, President Emeritus of Ogilvy UK, best-selling author, and one of the most influential voices in advertising, behavioural science, and decision-making.

If you’ve ever wondered why some ideas take off and others die fast, why the little things in business matter more than you think, or how to rethink productivity for your team, you’ll find something practical and eye-opening in this conversation. We cut through business theory and get honest about human behaviour, team culture, and leadership decisions that work in the real world.

You’ll come away with new ways to look at decision-making, organisational performance, and what it takes to lead bravely in uncertain times, especially with the rise of AI, complexity, and shifting workplace cultures.

What We Cover:

00:00 Intro
01:41 Dare to Be Trivial: Why Small Things Matter
13:23 Leadership, Influence & The Power of Great Teachers
14:50 Why Business Is Learned Through Real Experience
18:03 Time, Stress & How Rory Thinks About Control
24:12 Creativity, Uncertainty & Not Knowing Yet
28:00 What Leaders Miss in Strategy & Collective Thinking
30:17 Why Human Businesses May Win in an AI World
34:51 Why Teams Fail & The Problem with Over-Measuring
35:45 The Disappearance of PAs & What It Means for Leaders
36:55 Redundancies & The Danger of Short-Term Thinking
40:34 How Rory’s Mind Works & Why He Avoids Talking About Himself
49:45 The Influence of His Mum & Understanding Human Behaviour
51:22 Neurodiversity Is a Feature, Not a Bug
54:24 Final Reflections & Closing Thoughts

Key Leadership Insights

• Why great leaders focus on influence, not control
• How creativity comes from being comfortable with uncertainty
• Why measuring individuals destroys team performance
• The hidden cost of short-term thinking in leadership
• How silos quietly break organisations from within
• Why neurodiversity is a competitive advantage, not a weakness
• The courage required to back ideas others doubt
• Why founder-led businesses often outperform corporates

If you want to lead better, think differently, and understand how great leaders actually operate, this episode will challenge how you see leadership.

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

View Details

Is your company culture too nice to perform?

In this solo episode of The Courageous Leaders Podcast, I break down the Challenge & Care Framework and why many teams are stuck in cultures that feel good on the surface but quietly damage standards, accountability, and results.

I explore the four zones every workplace can fall into: apathy, comfort, fear, and courage, and how the best teams combine high care with high challenge.
Because great leadership is not about being nice or being tough. It is about creating an environment where people feel supported, challenged, and clear on what excellence looks like.

If your team avoids hard conversations, lacks accountability, or feels stuck, this episode will help you identify why and what to change next.

What We Cover:
00:00 – Is your culture too nice to perform?
00:23 – The Challenge & Care Framework explained
00:33 – The Apathy Zone: low care, low challenge
00:50 – The Comfort Zone: high care, low challenge
01:46 – The Fear Zone: high challenge, low care
02:24 – The Courage Zone: where high performance lives
02:58 – What true high performance actually means
03:31 – Compassionate feedback as the key skill
03:44 – Start with your leadership team first
04:04 – Your current zone explains your results

Reflection Questions for Leaders
• Where am I over-helping instead of empowering?
• What am I still controlling that I should let go?
• Which conversation am I avoiding right now?
• Where have I been indirect instead of honest?

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

View Details

Why do we avoid talking about sex, death, and money when they shape so much of our lives?

In this episode of The Courageous Leaders Podcast, I am joined by Charlotte Pearce, an award-winning entrepreneur, speaker, and CEO & Founder of Inkpact, who is reinventing direct mail into a future-facing medium rooted in human connection and behavioural science.

From leading 150 people at just 19 to building a business through uncertainty, motherhood, loss, and reinvention, Charlotte’s journey is a powerful lesson in leadership and life.

In this conversation, we explore growth, confidence, self-expression, and why even the strongest leaders need support. Her story is one of resilience, courage, and turning life’s biggest challenges into opportunities for growth.

We Cover:
00:00 – Introduction
01:00 – Charlotte’s early influences and entrepreneurial mindset
05:20 – Leading 150 people at 19 years old
09:00 – Building Inkpact and creating a new category
10:30 – Leadership lessons, humility, and evolving as a founder
12:00 – Why every leader needs coaches, mentors, and support
13:50 – Crisis year: motherhood, business pressure, and cashflow stress
16:00 – Family loss, grief, and holding everything together
20:20 – Why we need to talk more about death
21:30 – Why sex, money, and hard conversations matter
24:40 – Sexuality, confidence, and female self-expression
28:50 – Money mindset, ambition, and owning success
32:30 – The surrender experiment and letting go of control
36:00 – Burnout, stress, and protecting your energy
39:00 – Comparison, identity, and success on your own terms
45:00 – Courage to be yourself and change direction
48:00 – Letting go, having fun again, and final reflections

If you are navigating change, building something meaningful, or ready to stop shrinking yourself, this conversation will stay with you.

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

View Details

Most leaders are never trained in how to manage their emotions.

In this solo episode, I break down emotional fitness and why it plays a critical role in leadership, decision-making, and performance. When emotions take over, we react instead of respond, avoid difficult conversations, and make decisions driven by fear rather than values.

I explore the difference between emotionally fit and emotionally unfit leadership, along with practical ways to build awareness, regulate emotions, and lead with clarity under pressure.

If you want to improve how you show up as a leader, this is a skill you can’t afford to ignore.

What We Cover:

00:00 Introduction: The skill leaders aren’t trained in
01:00 Why emotions override logic
01:30 What emotional fitness really means
02:10 Emotionally fit vs unfit leaders
03:00 Reacting vs responding
03:40 Common emotional patterns (fear, defensiveness)
04:20 Making decisions from values vs emotions
05:10 Building awareness and catching reactions
05:40 Labelling emotions and shifting state
06:10 Practical tools to regulate emotions
06:40 Emotional fitness and leadership under pressure
07:00 Final takeaway

Reflection Questions for Leaders

• Where am I reacting instead of responding?
• What emotion is driving my recent decisions?
• Where am I avoiding tension instead of addressing it?
• What would it look like to lead from my values instead of fear?

Leadership #EmotionalIntelligence #ModernLeadership #CourageousLeaders

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

View Details

What if the way you understand people is incomplete?

In this episode of The Courageous Leaders Podcast, I am joined by Kathleen Saxton, Psychotherapist, Executive Coach, and Best-Selling Author, to explore the psychology behind behaviour, leadership, and one of the most misunderstood traits, narcissism.

This conversation goes beyond labels.

From how narcissism actually shows up in men and women, to identity, emotional patterns, and leadership blind spots, this episode challenges how we interpret people, power, and performance.

Because often, what we think is happening is not the full picture.

If you want to better understand human behaviour, navigate complex personalities, and become more self-aware as a leader, this episode will shift your perspective.

What We Cover:

00:00 – Trailer
02:00 – The Courage to Walk Away from Toxic Situations
04:10 – Why People Stay in Toxic Jobs & Relationships
07:30 – Trauma, Therapy & Personal Backstory
10:15 – Narcissistic Relationships & Validation Trap
12:00 – What Narcissism Really Looks Like
14:10 – Narcissism: Traits vs Personality Disorder
18:00 – How Narcissists Manipulate & Control You
21:10 – The Dark Triad Explained
22:30 – Why Narcissists Become Leaders
26:15 – Why Companies Protect Toxic High Performers
31:40 – How to Handle a Narcissistic Boss
43:20 – Covert vs Grandiose Narcissists
47:10 – Can Narcissists Change?
50:10 – Are Narcissists Good Leaders?
58:00 – Character vs Performance in Leadership
01:05:00 – Final Advice: Protect Yourself & Your Integrity

This is not just about understanding others.
It is about understanding how you lead and show up.

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

View Details

Power is always present in leadership… whether you realise it or not.

In my work with leadership teams, I see how often power shows up in ways people don’t talk about.

Not in obvious or intentional ways, but in the small moments.
Who speaks first.
Whose opinion carries weight.
What gets challenged… and what gets left unsaid.

In this episode, I break down the four ways power shows up inside executive teams, and how these patterns can quietly shape your culture, your decisions, and your results.

From dominance and control, to holding back and avoiding challenge, these dynamics are happening in every team… whether you’re aware of them or not.

This isn’t about removing power.
It’s about understanding how you’re using it.

Because the moment you can see it, you can change it.

00:00 How power shows up in your leadership
00:33 Where power shows up in executive teams
01:00 Why avoiding power creates problems
01:40 Power over when control takes over
02:35 The impact of shutting down discussion
03:23 When performance hides poor behaviour
03:46 Power under when leaders stop speaking up
04:38 The illusion of alignment in teams
05:06 Power with working as a collective
05:34 Power within building self trust as a leader
06:01 How pressure shifts leadership behaviour
06:26 Why people stop speaking up across the business
06:50 Three shifts to change how power is used
07:42 Why strong teams don’t avoid tension
08:08 Final reflection on how power is really being used

This Episode Explores

• Power dynamics in leadership teams
• Executive team behaviour and decision making
• Psychological safety and speaking up
• Leadership self awareness
• Managing dominance and control
• Building stronger team alignment
• Creating healthier leadership cultures

Reflection Questions for Leaders

• Where might I be using control instead of creating space for others
• When do I hold back instead of speaking up
• How do I react when I’m challenged
• What is the impact of my behaviour on the team

If this episode makes you pause or reflect, that’s where the real work starts.

Leadership isn’t about removing pressure or power.
It’s about understanding how you show up within it.

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

View Details

What does leadership look like when everything is on the line?

In this episode of The Courageous Leaders Podcast, I’m joined by three extraordinary leaders, Mandy Hickson, former RAF fast jet pilot, Mark Fetters, Bomb Disposal Squadron Commander, and Rob Keeping, former military professional turned Managing Director.

From being shot at mid-air, to leading bomb disposal missions, to making high-stakes decisions under extreme pressure, this is leadership in its rawest form.

This isn’t theory. This is what leadership looks like when failure isn’t an option.

We explore what courage really means, why fear is part of the process, how elite teams are built, and what modern leaders are getting wrong when it comes to burnout, performance, and growth.

If you’re leading a team, building a business, or navigating uncertainty, this conversation will challenge how you think, act, and show up.

What We Cover:

00:00 – Trailer
01:07 – Why This Military Leadership Panel Is Different
01:28 – What Courage REALLY Means (Not What You Think)
03:32 – Courage Isn’t the Absence of Fear
05:26 – Bomb Disposal Mindset: Confidence vs Caution
08:02 – Fear of Failure: Military vs Corporate Reality
11:46 – Leading a War Mission as a Junior
13:07 – Shot at by a Missile… Then the Mission Changed
16:24 – “Only Do What Only You Can Do”
19:00 – Why Relying on an A-Team Will Kill Your Company
25:22 – The 80% Rule (Peak Performance Without Burnout)
27:05 – Burnout, Stress & Why Leaders Are Breaking Today
34:03 – Failure, Rejection & Becoming a Fighter Pilot
45:30 – Final Reflections & Leadership Takeaways
51:30 – Final Message & Closing Thoughts

Leadership isn’t about having all the answers.
It’s about how you show up when it matters most.

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

View Details

Are you leading your team… or unknowingly holding them back?

In my work as a leadership coach, I’ve seen how easy it is for well-intentioned leaders to fall into toxic patterns, without even realising it.

In this episode, I break down the subtle behaviours that quietly build into toxic leadership. The ones that don’t look harmful on the surface, but over time, create dependency, frustration, and disengagement within your team.

From being the “fixer” to micromanaging, avoiding conflict, or slipping into passive aggression, these are patterns I’ve seen in countless leaders… and ones I’ve had to confront in myself too.

This is not about blame.
It’s about awareness.

Because the moment you can see it, you can change it.

00:00 – Are you a toxic leader without realising it?
00:40 – The toxic leadership pyramid explained
01:10 – The “fixer” trap: helping vs control
02:00 – Why micromanagement limits your team
02:50 – Avoiding conflict and the need to be liked
03:40 – Passive aggression and emotional awareness
04:30 – When toxicity turns into bullying
05:00 – How to recognise and shift these behaviours

This Episode Explores:

• Toxic leadership behaviours
• Micromanagement and control patterns
• Emotional intelligence in leadership
• Workplace bullying awareness
• Leadership self-awareness
• Building empowered teams
• Breaking unconscious habits

Reflection Questions for Leaders

• Where am I over-helping instead of empowering?
• What am I still controlling that I should let go?
• Which conversation am I avoiding right now?
• Where have I been indirect instead of honest?

If this episode feels uncomfortable, that’s a sign you’re paying attention.

Leadership isn’t about being perfect.
It’s about being aware enough to do better.

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

View Details

What does it really take to have the courage to change?

In this episode, we unpack the real, messy, and powerful moments behind choosing change in your career and life.

I sit down with Amber Shand, Founder of She Bites Back; Catherine Peacock, Co-Founder of 05:37; and Georgie Rechner, Bodybuilder and Founder of Midlife Rebel, who all found the courage to change their lives.

This isn’t about overnight success or glossy highlight reels. It’s about the struggle to shift your identity, let go of old job titles, handle fear of judgement, and actually put in the work when things get tough. We dive deep into what makes bold change possible, and why being true to yourself matters more than anything.

Whether you’re thinking about leaving your job, starting something new, or just need a bit more resilience, this conversation will help you see what courage really means, from losing people to building your own path.

We cover:
00:00 – Introduction
01:24 – What it takes to make real change
02:41 – Shifting your identity and asking for help
03:04 – Launching a business and finding courage
05:21 – The moment you decide to go for it
07:27 – What pushes people to make big changes
11:05 – Facing your biggest fears
12:49 – Dealing with judgement and self-worth
15:16 – Losing your identity and finding what’s next
19:03 – The price of happiness vs material comfort
21:02 – Keeping confidence going during tough times
23:28 – Visualising the future and being true to yourself
25:32 – Why failing isn’t really failure
27:26 – Action, liminal spaces, and getting through anxiety
29:19 – The reality of hard work in entrepreneurship
33:38 – Balancing rest, joy and burnout
45:55 – The grief and loss that comes with change
49:09 – How midlife gives us ‘no tolerance for bullshit’
51:54 – Building visible strength and confidence
55:06 – Physical strength as mental strength
58:27 – Introvert myths and running a business
01:01:08 – Would you change anything? No regrets

Don’t miss this honest and practical conversation about courage, change, and finding your own way.

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

View Details

How do you lead when certainty disappears?

In this episode of The Courageous Leaders Podcast, I’m joined by Anne-Laure Le Cunff, Neuroscientist and Author of Tiny Experiments.

This conversation genuinely changed how I think about leadership, productivity, burnout and decision-making.

We talk about what happens when your identity is tied to your job.
And how an experimental mindset can change your life
What procrastination is really trying to tell you.
Why goal setting is broken.

If you’re a leader who feels stuck and tired of pushing harder but not seeing better results…
Stay to the end.

Anne-Laure shares a practical way to replace the illusion of certainty with curiosity. And it’s something you can apply immediately in your workplace, your team, and your own internal world.

We cover:
00:00 – Introduction
02:00 – Leaving Google and the wake-up call that changed everything
04:00 – Identity, external validation and starting again
06:00 – Why our brains hate uncertainty
08:30 – The illusion of control and compensatory control
11:00 – Why leaders feel trapped (and how tiny experiments create agency)
14:40 – Linear goals vs experimental loops
17:00 – How to build a culture of experimentation in your team
22:00 – Procrastination is not laziness (head, heart or hand?)
30:00 – Fear, psychological safety in the workplace and uncertainty
34:30 – Time anxiety and why we make our worlds smaller as adults
38:50 – Better decision making: internal vs external signals
44:00 – Self anthropology and how to observe your burnout patterns

This episode explores:
• Tiny experiments in leadership
• How to stop procrastinating at work
• Leadership under uncertainty
• Psychological safety in the workplace
• Decision making under uncertainty
• Burnout recovery and time anxiety
• Overcoming imposter syndrome
• Curiosity in leadership
• Profound insights into personal growth and self improvement

If you’ve ever felt pressure to have all the answers as a leader, this conversation will feel like a breath of fresh air.

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

View Details

Struggling to break free from the UK’s “play it safe” mindset?

In this explosive episode, Josh White, founder of Cano Water, gets real about why British culture is stuck in a cycle of skepticism, lack of support, and shutting down bold ideas before they can breathe.

He shares raw truths about growing up with ADHD, battling addiction, and constantly being underestimated.

He exposes how our resistance to backing innovators and celebrating success holds the UK back, while the US supercharges visionaries. If you know you’re meant for more, but keep hitting a wall of doubt and gatekeeping, this conversation will hopefully inspire you and give you the resilience to keep going.

We Cover:

01:08 – How growing up as the underdog shaped his drive
03:03 – The moment ADHD was diagnosed and what changed
06:18 – Understanding the link between ADHD and addiction
09:09 – How addiction masked deeper struggles (and why sobriety mattered)
12:06 – What it’s actually like to live and work with ADHD
16:00 – How to build a company without ‘fitting in’
20:18 – Creating Cano Water when nobody believed in it
25:10 – Why being different matters, and the truth about risk
28:12 – The real problem with the United Kingdom mindset and backing new ideas
33:07 – Fixed mindset vs growth mindset: what’s holding us back
37:43 – Small things any of us can do to build a more supportive culture
40:20 – Nurturing belief and creativity, why it starts young
44:13 – The courage to show up and keep leading (even when it’s hard)

Don’t miss this emotive and thought-provoking episode packed with practical ideas for ambitious leaders, creative thinkers, and anyone who’s ever felt underestimated.

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

View Details

Why do so many successful leaders still feel stuck, disconnected, or self doubt, even when things look good on paper?

In this solo episode, I explore how senior leaders, founders, and leadership teams can build self-trust by listening to their three intelligence centres: head, heart, and gut, especially when making difficult decisions or designing a life that truly fits.

This reflection draws on my work with CEOs and leadership teams, alongside my own journey of learning to trust myself beyond logic, external validation, and “what I should do.”

This episode is an invitation to slow down, tune in, and reconnect with the internal signals that guide brave leadership, aligned decision-making, and sustainable success, so you can lead, decide, and live with more courage and clarity.

00:00 – Why so many successful leaders still feel disconnected
02:15 – Courage starts with listening, not confidence
05:10 – The three intelligence centres every leader has
08:30 – The Head: clarity, logic, and the overthinking trap
12:40 – The Heart: values, emotion, and what really matters
17:20 – The Gut: instinct, timing, and quiet courage
22:10 – What happens when one centre dominates your leadership
26:30 – Designing a life that actually feels like yours
30:40 – Simple questions to build self-trust in decisions
35:10 – A closing reflection on choosing courage differently

Reflection Questions for Leaders
• Which intelligence centre do I default to under pressure?
• What has my gut been trying to tell me that I’ve rationalised away?
• Where am I living a version of success that looks right — but feels wrong?
• What would a 10% more courageous decision look like right now?

Don’t miss out on this powerful episode which can help your leadership and personal development.

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

View Details

How do you lead with conviction when everything is changing around you?

It’s the big question for every UK leader right now and exactly why I invited Simon Cook, CEO of Cannes Lions, onto the podcast.

In this episode, we get honest about what it really takes to let go of control, build true trust in your team, and stay resilient even when things don’t go as planned.

We dive into:
• When to keep going, and when to let go
• The link between conviction and coordination in leadership
• Why control feels safe – but stops growth
• Managing failure without losing momentum
• Leading through mergers and high-stakes change
• How to stay calm and mentally fit (even when your diary explodes)

It’s practical, candid, and focuses on what UK leaders need now: leading bravely, staying relevant, and keeping your energy focused.

00:00 – Introduction
01:00 – Why leading with conviction can become a weakness
04:21 – Building a smarter team and learning to trust
07:11 – The role of failure in leadership
09:37 – Conviction and coordination: the keys to change
10:33 – How Simon navigated a 500-person business through a major acquisition
12:29 – Staying confident when you actually feel uncertain
14:01 – The importance of staying grounded and calm for your team
15:51 – Learning from mergers, culture shifts, and tough decisions
17:26 – Evolving your leadership style as everything changes
19:00 – What’s really happening in the UK marketing industry right now
22:40 – Where UK creativity is heading next
24:06 – The advice Simon would give every agency CEO
28:17 – Protecting your brand and your time under pressure
33:02 – Practical ways to help leaders prioritise, focus, and say no
35:19 – Why emotional intelligence matters more than ever
36:22 – Leading through failure, and making learning collective
37:23 – Being bolder, more disciplined, and mentally fit for the future

Don’t miss this down-to-earth, actionable conversation. If you’re navigating organisational change, agency mergers, or just struggling to keep your team steady, this episode gives you the kind of real, UK-focused leadership advice we all need.

In a world of constant strategic change, this conversation focuses on how to manage change effectively within your business, emphasising practical management techniques for organisational design and personal development.

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

View Details

How do you know when it’s time to walk away - even from something you’ve built yourself?

Sedge Beswick, consultant, advisor, speaker, and founder, digs deep into what it really takes to make bold career moves, step back as a CEO, and create space for what matters most.

If you’ve ever wondered how to balance ambition with family, deal with overwhelm, and lead with honesty, this episode is for you.

We cover:
00:00 – Introduction
01:28 – The courage to change
02:51 – Breaking the “hamster wheel” cycle
05:49 – Building success without a rulebook
07:55 – Childhood confidence and workplace impact
11:31 – The blunt reality of being direct at work
13:38 – Managing people older than you
16:32 – ASOS culture and handling growing pains
18:00 – When opportunity changes your course
19:35 – The power of community for business growth
21:52 – Courage to step down as CEO
22:27 – Mistakes made during maternity leave
23:15 – Hard lessons from deal fatigue
24:43 – Watching someone else lead your business
25:57 – Selling shares and choosing a new path
28:35 – Creating a life with more presence
29:22 – Letting go of identity and titles
32:38 – Pivoting your career with purpose
36:46 – The challenge of saying no and setting boundaries
39:45 – Building a portfolio career and helping others
42:42 – Managing overwhelm and keeping priorities straight
44:01 – Finding headspace as a working parent
45:04 – Do ambition and family ever truly integrate?
48:30 – Advice your future self would give now
50:01 – The power of pausing before big decisions

Don’t miss out on this powerful episode on entrepreneurship, business growth, motherhood and more!

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

View Details

How do you find the courage to change, even when it feels uncomfortable?

I’m closing out the year on the Courageous Leaders Podcast with one of our most honest and practical episodes yet. Leaders everywhere are feeling the pressure to adapt quicker than ever before, and it’s easy to worry you’re not keeping up.

In this episode, I share the real conversations I’ve had with guests who’ve faced huge decisions, dealt with self-doubt, and taken bold leaps without always having a perfect plan. We get into letting go of old ways of working, saying the hard things, dealing with uncertainty, and what it really takes to lead high performing teams.

If you want practical advice on leading through change (and those leadership development skills that actually stick), you’re in the right place.

We Cover:

00:00 – Introduction

01:12 – Why change is faster (and scarier) than ever

03:02 – Dave Buonaguidi: How to define your true purpose at work

04:35 – Lauren Spearman: Why courage comes before confidence

06:39 – Karen Martin: The untold challenges of confident leaders

07:44 – Kerry Collinge: Directness as a leadership superpower

08:28 – The risk (and reward) of no longer fitting in

09:05 – When growth feels disruptive and what to do next

10:02 – Xavier Reeves: Making bold moves when you feel safe

11:34 – Kerttu Inkeroinen: Quitting without a backup plan: is it ever right?

12:29 – Facing risks (and what you actually regret)

13:09 – Building high performance teams starts with you

14:42 – Why you need to act even if it scares you

Don’t miss this honest look at what it really takes to lead yourself and others through the messiness of change.

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

View Details

How do you build real allyship and create cultural change that actually sticks?

This episode is one every leader should spend time with. Not because it’s “nice to know,” but because the future of your culture depends on it.

Lee Chambers, Founder & CEO of Male Allies UK, brings the kind of clarity and challenge most workplaces avoid. We talk about what it really takes to:

Redefine outdated masculine stereotypes
Build workplaces where everyone feels seen, valued, and able to thrive
Lead in a way that strengthens culture rather than protects ego

It’s a conversation that will stretch your thinking, spark uncomfortable-but-important questions, and give you practical ways to lead with more intention and courage.

We also dig into Lee’s research on young people, AI companionship, and how boys today are making sense of identity, relationships, and society. Some of it is hopeful. Some of it is confronting. All of it matters, especially if you’re a parent or you lead the next generation.

We cover:

00:00 – Introduction

01:02 - What courage looks like for leaders today

02:31 – Why quiet courage matters as much as big gestures

03:49 – The tough decision to break with convention

06:06 – How stepping into new spaces changes your perspective

08:08 – The power of career “squiggles” and non-conformity

10:05 – Shedding old identities and building new ones as a leader

12:14 – What do boys really think about society? Surprising research findings

16:07 – Why boys care deeply but struggle to know how to help

20:08 – The decline of physical spaces for social connection

21:24 – Boys, girls and the challenges of communicating across gender

23:33 – Judgment vs. curiosity - what’s holding us back?

27:20 – Navigating polarisation and building empathy at work

34:08 – Can younger and older generations find common ground?

43:50 – The rise of AI companions and what it means for young people

52:23 – Everyday bravery and the value of small changes over time

54:43 – How to focus on influence and control in uncertain times

Don’t miss this thoughtful and practical conversation for anyone working in leadership or looking to create real change at work.

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

View Details

Former professional footballers Mollie and Rosie Kmita and now founders of The Powerhouse Project join me for one of the most authentic leadership stories we’ve had on the podcast.

This episode is packed with real leadership stories you rarely hear: the setbacks, the identity shifts, the emotional toll, and the courage it takes to keep showing up when things don’t go your way.

Mollie and Rosie openly share:

What it took to succeed in a male dominated world
How to lead through failure after two businesses didn’t work out
How they learnt to slow down without losing ambition
How they have evolved their identity from footballers to business owners
The impact people-pleasing had on their leadership decisions
How they have had to learn to lean into conflict

Mollie and Rosie show what success after repeated failure actually looks like - the mindset resets, and the quiet self-belief you need to keep going.

These are everyday leadership stories delivered with humour, honesty and heart, the kind that remind you anything is possible when you focus, put the work in, and back yourself.

We Cover:

00:00 – Introduction

01:12 – Growing up in boys’ football and learning to belong

05:04 – Why young women in sport need better pathways

09:31 – Finding confidence in environments not built for you

14:42 – How childhood trauma shapes your drive

20:50 – Coping with loss while still showing up

26:19 – When resilience turns into survival mode

33:08 – The guilt behind always saying yes

38:12 – “We haven’t sat still for 16 years”

46:54 – Rebuilding identity beyond football

52:33 – Learning to slow down without losing ambition

58:48 – What leaders can do to create real change

01:00:31 – A message for leaders and organisations that want to make real change

Don’t miss out on this powerful episode.

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

View Details

What would you risk to do the right thing?

In this episode of The Courageous Leaders Podcast, I sit down with Zelda Perkins, Co-Founder of Can’t Buy My Silence and the first woman to break an NDA with Harvey Weinstein.

Zelda’s story isn’t just about one man. It’s about the system that silences victims and protects abuse. She speaks openly about how she fought back, how breaking her NDA changed UK law, and what leaders and businesses must do now to stop misconduct being hidden behind confidentiality.

We Cover:

00:00 – Introduction

01:26 – Why Zelda broke her NDA after years of silence

03:37 – What really happens when you speak up against power

05:18 – The moment the system, not the perpetrator, broke her trust

09:23 – How signing an NDA changed her life overnight

12:54 – Taking her story to Parliament and pushing for legal reform

17:09 – What it really took to start Can’t Buy My Silence

24:43 – When she realised she was self-bullying

28:57 – Why speaking up must be seen as normal, not “brave”

33:11 – Creating safer, more transparent workplaces

40:57 – How the new UK legislation will protect victims and change culture

56:26 – Zelda’s advice to anyone ready to start their own fight for change

Don’t miss out on this powerful episode.

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

View Details

In this episode of the Courageous Leaders Podcast, I speak with Carly Avener, CEO of Leo Burnett UK, about why vulnerability is essential to leadership and how sharing your story builds real trust.

Carly opens up about imposter syndrome, insomnia, and the pressure of returning to work as a parent. She also shares the practical steps she’s taken to reframe anxiety, create supportive environments for working parents, and build a culture of openness that allows both people and creativity to thrive.

We Cover:

00:00 – Introduction
01:26 – Becoming CEO and choosing to lead with vulnerability
03:34 – Sharing her background and story to inspire others
04:59 – The impact of opening up about imposter syndrome
08:23 – How comparison held her back in her career
10:59 – Finding support and using coaching to rebuild confidence
13:20 – Why reframing imposter syndrome can fuel growth
15:25 – The dangers of constant comparison and how to stop it
17:15 – Practical tools to help build confidence at work
19:29 – How to give feedback without damaging confidence
21:45 – Focusing on what you can control in uncertain times
26:31 – Living with anxiety and insomnia as a leader
32:35 – Building Parent Land to support working parents
38:36 – Gender equality and why it benefits everyone
39:48 – What her future self would remind her today
40:47 – Why knowing yourself is the key to leading others

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

View Details

What happens when you put three top creatives in Leadership Room 101?

In this special Creatives edition of The Courageous Leaders Podcast, I sat down with Dave Buonaguidi (Co-founder of St. Luke’s, 4Creative, and Karmarama), Trevor Robinson OBE (Founder and ECD of Quiet Storm), and Kevin Howes (Freelance Creative Director, Porsche, Sony, Hotels.com) for a sharp, honest, and funny deep dive into the biggest frustrations in creative leadership and what they’d like to banish forever.

From corruption to open-plan offices to phones in meetings, nothing was off the table. The conversation turned into an unfiltered look at what’s broken in modern leadership and how we can make work better.

We Cover:

00:00 – Introduction
01:28 – Dave Buonaguidi on corruption in business and creative leadership
07:28 – Trevor Robinson on sexism, bullying, and why integrity matters
14:53 – HR under fire: protecting culture or protecting bad behaviour?
20:30 – Trevor on open-plan offices and how they stifle creativity
24:30 – The tension between collaboration and individual space for ideas
29:34 – Why toxic competition still damages creative teams today
33:26 – Kevin Howes on phones in meetings and respect for attention
37:22 – How technology addiction is undermining focus and connection
41:14 – Which frustration deserves to be banished into Room 101?
46:20 – Final reflections

Don’t miss out on this powerful and entertaining episode.

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

View Details

The ROI of Inclusion – Why Diverse Voices Drive Better Business

In this episode of the Courageous Leaders Podcast, I speak with Ali Hanan, Founder and Executive Director of Creative Equals, an award-winning organisation helping brands like PepsiCo, Mars, and McDonald’s put inclusion at the heart of marketing.

We dig into why inclusive advertising isn’t just a social good but also one of the smartest business investments you can make. Ali shares how bias still shapes the work we see on screen, the data behind why diversity drives growth, and the small, intentional steps leaders can take every day to create lasting change.

We Cover:

00:00 – Introduction

01:30 – What it takes to start and scale a business as a creative

05:21 – Why operations are the hidden engine of growth

07:51 – Collecting data to prove the need for change

11:40 – Winning funding to launch programmes

13:57 – Supporting disabled creatives and removing barriers to entry

15:26 – Why female creative directors are still underrepresented

17:44 – Bias in redundancy processes and hybrid working

19:27 – How brands influence diversity across supply chains

20:10 – The way adverts still stereotype women and men in 2025

24:02 – Racism, homophobia, and harmful portrayals in advertising

25:37 – Why inclusive marketing outperforms AI hype

31:20 – Keeping a team motivated through tough times

32:49 – Where leaders need more courage in tackling bias

37:38 – The freedom of caring less about judgment as you get older

40:08 – How expanding your network can shift your perspective

Don’t miss out on this powerful episode.

🎧 Listen to the full podcast episode here:
https://thecourageousleaderspodcast.buzzsprout.com/

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

View Details

What makes a one-to-one meeting truly powerful?

In this solo episode of the Courageous Leaders Podcast, I share how to turn 121 from dull status updates into your most strategic leadership tool.

This episode is packed with research, practical tips, and actionable questions, and will help you build trust, drive performance, and create a genuine human connection with your team.

We Cover:00:59 – Why 121 team meetings are your most strategic leadership tool

01:45 – Three ways to instantly improve the quality of your meetings

02:19 – Why walking meetings boost openness and insight

02:44 – How often should you really be doing 121?

03:20 – Five tips to make your 121 transformative

03:49 – Creating psychological safety and why it matters

04:22 – Asking better questions that open up real conversation

04:59 – Making feedback a two-way street

05:28 – Why you shouldn’t leave the meeting with their actions

05:56 – One challenge to implement straight away

Don’t miss out on this powerful episode.

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

View Details

A health expert's answer to
“I just don’t have time to exercise.”

Walk.

That’s it.

No gym.
No gear.
No excuses.

In this week’s Fast & Curious, Cameron Harris, Managing Director at Truth Fitness, keeps it simple and honest in the hot seat.

Find out:

⚡ Why ‘just breathe’ is his ultimate daily tip
⚡ Where he’d take Bob Marley (and Henry VIII!) for a workout
⚡ What he really thinks about beer and burnout
⚡ And the marriage advice that could save your weekend

It’s fast, funny, and packed with little truths you didn’t see coming.

📺 Cameron’s full Fast & Curious episode is now live on YouTube. Don’t forget to check out their full Courageous Leaders interview while you’re there.

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

View Details

In this episode of the Courageous Leaders Podcast, I speak with Cameron Harris, Managing Director of Truth Fitness, about why so many senior leaders and entrepreneurs let their health slide, and what it's costing them.

From burnout and hospital beds to redefining success beyond the boardroom, Cameron shares the powerful shift that helped him rebuild his business and his body.

This episode is a wake-up call for leaders prioritising output over their own wellbeing.

We cover:
01:00 – The tipping point: when health becomes non-negotiable

03:46 – Why flexibility matters more than motivation

04:35 – Are entrepreneurs just bad at self-care?

05:51 – The ripple effect of healthy leadership

06:33 – Why work stress is silently stealing your future

08:49 – The hidden costs of waiting too long to act

10:17 – Autopilot vs. conscious habits

12:20 – What “health and wealth” really means

19:32 – Small daily shifts that change everything

22:27 – Morning routines that reset your energy

23:31 – Your habits affect more than just you

24:24 – The motivation no parent wants to hear

26:50 – Why death has been a driver for Cameron

28:20 – “Don’t wait for the punch in the face”

29:51 – What we lose when fitness becomes about aesthetics

32:23 – The real meaning of performance

34:14 – Headbutting the horizon: the patience problem

35:51 – The pressure of artificial life timelines

37:39 – What you can change tomorrow morning

38:55 – Where to find Cameron and Truth Fitness

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

View Details

Ever made a risky decision at work…

that ended in record-breaking results?

Pete Markey did..

And it set the tone for Boots’ campaigns for the next four years.
In this week’s Fast & Curious, the Boots’ Former CMO shares quick-fire insights, 80s nostalgia, and a surprising talent for product jingles.

Find out:
⚡ What he loves (and hates) about marketing
⚡ The celeb life he wants
⚡ The risky ad move that paid off big
⚡ His wild 80s music party trick

It’s fast, fun, and full of unexpected gems from one of the UK’s most respected marketing leaders.

📺 Pete’s full Fast & Curious episode is now live on YouTube. Don’t forget to check out his full Courageous Leaders interview while you’re there.

→ Join our newsletter for leadership insights: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

View Details

How do you lead with kindness – and still drive high performance?

In this episode of The Courageous Leaders Podcast, I’m joined by Pete Markey, Former Chief Marketing Officer at Boots UK, and one of the most respected marketing leaders in the country.

Pete shares his story, from early knockbacks to board-level leadership, and explains why kindness, vulnerability, and clarity have become his most powerful leadership tools.

We Cover:01:18 – Starting out in finance and how it shaped his leadership

04:15 – Making the leap into marketing

07:40 – Rejection, resilience and bouncing back

11:29 – His first big step into leadership

14:32 – Why “clarity” became his North Star

17:46 – Bringing kindness and vulnerability into the boardroom

22:05 – The toughest feedback he’s ever received

25:59 – Why storytelling is a superpower for marketers

31:02 – The Boots campaign that proved creativity still works

34:48 – Keeping your values strong under pressure

39:30 – Pete’s advice to the next generation of marketing leaders

Don’t miss this generous and eye-opening conversation.

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

View Details

Are you midlife and feel like it’s too late to start over?

Jane Evans has just two words for you…

In this week’s Fast & Curious, Jane Evans brings unapologetic honesty, razor-sharp wit, and just the right amount of “don’t-mess-with-me” energy:

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll find:
⚡ The one book that turned her approach to leadership upside down
⚡ Why post‑menopause might be the best phase of life
⚡ Dogs, 80s nostalgia, and the quickest way to kill a brilliant idea
⚡ Her brutally honest response when a midlife woman says, “It’s too late for me”

It’s not just fun and fast—it’s fearless, relatable, and perfectly timed.

📺 Jane’s full Fast & Curious episode is now live on YouTube. While you’re there, be sure to check out her full Courageous Leaders interview too.

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

View Details

What happens when you’re told your career’s over at 50?

In this episode of the Courageous Leaders Podcast, I speak with Jane Evans, award-winning creative director and founder of The 7th Tribe and one of her generation’s most successful female creatives.

From being the first woman in multiple creative departments to launching a global movement to fight midlife invisibility, Jane’s story is raw, inspiring, and a wake-up call for how we treat women over 50 in the workplace.

We Cover:01:10 – Getting harassed on day two of art school

03:08 – What it really took to survive as a woman in advertising

06:22 – The line that doubled her salary overnight

09:17 – The career highs and the shocking fall that followed

13:29 – Why she started a business from a warehouse with her kids upstairs

18:04 – How her partner erased her financial future

21:58 – Being ignored for jobs and told she was “too old”

25:45 – The tweet that launched a global campaign

28:56 – From ad legend to food bank queue and what she did next

33:19 – Why she says this is a national emergency

36:12 – The one mindset that’s helped her survive it all

41:08 – What brands miss by ignoring older audiences

46:35 – How to stop fear from keeping you small

52:42 – Jane’s advice for women ready to do work that matters

59:10 – Where she still wants to be more courageous in her life

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

View Details

What’s the biggest myth about being a CEO?

Josh Harris shares all.

In this week’s Fast & Curious, the Neverland London CEO brings wit, warmth, and the occasional swear word (thanks to his toddler).

Find out:
⚡ For Josh, what would instantly rule someone out in an interview?
⚡ Who he would love to swap roles with for the day in his office
⚡ And the brand collab he’s dreaming of

It’s quick, honest, and packed with moments every leader (and parent) will relate to.

📺 Josh’s full Fast & Curious episode is now live on YouTube. Don’t forget to check out his full Courageous Leaders interview while you’re there.

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

View Details

Have you ever wondered if the best move in your career might be walking away?
On this week’s episode of The Courageous Leaders Podcast, I sat down with Josh Harris, CEO of Neverland London. Josh made the bold decision to step away from the security of corporate life and it turned out to be the best thing he could have done.

We talk about the emotional weight of leadership, the pressure to protect people, and the challenge of building a business that looks after purpose, people and profits together. Creating a culture that helped Neverland earn a spot as one of Campaign’s Best Places to Work 2024 and 2025.

We Cover:01:15 – Leaving a stable job with a newborn during COVID

03:22 – Two breaking points that made walking away the only option

06:42 – Returning to work with new clarity on culture and fit

09:35 – The unexpected loneliness of becoming CEO

12:04 – Why investing in junior talent powers the whole business

15:45 – Protecting people first: cutting costs without cutting jobs

17:41 – Leading without a set path and keeping creativity at the core

21:35 – Why emotional intelligence is Josh’s most valuable leadership tool

28:02 – Balancing control with trust and creating psychological safety

31:19 – Working with founders without the ego clashes

36:46 – The challenges and freedom of an all-new leadership team

39:34 – “Ask forgiveness, not permission”

40:47 – The advice Josh’s future self would give him today

Don’t miss out on this powerful episode.

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

View Details

Ever made a decision under pressure that you instantly regretted?

Maybe it was to avoid conflict, keep the peace, or just make the discomfort stop.

I’ve been there and it nearly cost me my confidence as a leader.

In this solo episode of The Courageous Leaders Podcast, I open up about how pressure is the real test of your leadership.

We Cover:
01:14 – The two ways leaders make decisions under pressure

02:22 – The personal story that changed how I lead

03:51 – What actually triggers your pressure

04:53 – Reframing pressure as a privilege, not a burden

05:33 – The perspective trick every overwhelmed leader needs

06:43 – The biggest mistake leaders make when pressure hits

07:22 – Why trusting your gut can save you from costly decisions

07:37 – Quick recap of all four pressure-handling tools

08:00 – Why pressure makes you wiser, not weaker

08:35 – A message for every leader who’s navigating the hard days

Don’t miss out on this powerful episode.

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

View Details

If LinkedIn had a no-fluff filter…

How much content would survive?
We put Elisabetta Torretti, in the hot seat to find out,
🌍 The best and worst thing about starting over in a new country
📊 Her blunt advice for anyone tying self-worth to metrics
📱 The habit she tells others to break… but can’t break herself
💌 And the weirdest DM she’s ever received

Watch the clip now and don’t miss the full episode for more curious moments.

📺 Elisabetta’s full Fast & Curious episode drops today on YouTube. Don’t forget to also check out her full Courageous Leaders interview while you’re there.

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

View Details

How do you turn personal struggles into a platform that changes lives?

In this episode of Courageous Leaders Podcast, I’m joined by Elisabetta Torretti, founder and CEO of Mint and Lemon, who helps founders and teams show up online with clarity and confidence. From moving to London at 25 without speaking English, and overcoming an eating disorder, to growing 100k LinkedIn followers in a year, Elisabetta’s story is a masterclass in courage, reinvention, and building a personal brand that opens doors.

We Cover:01:21 – Moving to London without English or connections

03:23 – The three teenage dreams that shaped her leap into the unknown

06:10 – From insecurity and imposter syndrome to starting self-belief work

09:29 – Discovering and confronting binge eating disorder

13:30 – Lessons from therapy and how they built her resilience

17:27 – From corporate to 100k LinkedIn followers and why visibility matters

22:18 – Navigating overwhelm, boundaries, and criticism online

26:12 – Why trolls are a sign of success and how to handle them

28:27 – Everyone has a personal brand and here’s how to start building yours

36:54 – One piece of advice for anyone scared to post online

39:30 – Where she still wants to be more courageous and why self-belief matters

Don’t miss out on this powerful episode.

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

View Details

⏰ 6:07am. Twice a week.

That’s when Check Warner sets her alarm.

Why so precise? 👀

That’s just one of the things you’ll discover in this week’s The Fast & The Curious with Matt & Check, Co-Founders of Ada Ventures.

From parenting lessons to the startup ‘rules’ they ignored, this is the side of two highly successful founders you won’t find on Google.

🎧 Take a listen here: https://podcasts.apple.com/uk/podcast/the-courageous-leaders-podcast/id1594924295

📺 Watch now on YouTube, full Courageous Leaders Podcast episode also live.

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

View Details

What happens when two unlikely co-founders challenge everything about the venture capital world?

In this episode of The Courageous Leaders Podcast, I sit down with Check Warner and Matt Penneycard, the duo behind Ada Ventures. They open up about money, stress, parenthood, relentless rejection and what it takes to build a business from nothing but trust and audacity.

If you’ve ever wondered how to start a company with zero roadmap, navigate co-founder friction, or fundraise against the odds this one’s for you.

We Cover:
01:40 – Check’s bold career pivot into VC with no finance background

04:46 – Matt’s courageous leap despite the financial and family strain

06:18 – Why Check didn’t believe Matt was “real” (and how that changed everything)

08:40 – Equal partnership: how they split everything 50/50 from day one

11:54 – Building Ada Ventures with no salary, no certainty, just vision

13:13 – How trust and shared risk carried them through tough times

15:25 – The first moment of friction (and the awkward feedback conversation)

18:35 – Leading with inclusivity, especially when no one else was doing this

29:47 – Did they ever think about quitting? Yes. Here’s how they didn’t.

32:10 – The viral “privilege” article and why Check had to speak up

Don’t miss out on this powerful episode.

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

View Details

What do penis pens, naked yoga and an erotic platform...

All have in common?

Lauren Spearman reveals in her The Fast & The Curious episode.

Cannes chaos to 9pm bedtimes

This one moves fast and nothing is off limits.

🙃 What did her family buy her that left her speechless?
💸 Why have none of her invoices been paid this month?
🍷 What’s her go-to hobby that involves wine and a fancy tablecloth?
👀 And which platform would she love to collab with purely for fun?

You’ll laugh.
You’ll raise an eyebrow.
You’ll question your own morning routine.

📺 Full episode of The Courageous Leaders Podcast now live on YouTube.

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

View Details

How to keep showing up and challenging yourself even when you have no confidence?

In this episode of The Courageous Leaders Podcast, I speak with Lauren Spearman, a Social Media consultant and content creator, about the raw and real journey of building confidence. From leaving a steady job with no plan B to showing up online at her lowest point, Lauren shares what it’s really like to let go of control, show up when you're unsure, and embrace uncertainty.

Whether you're stuck in your career, struggling to speak up, or just tired of waiting for confidence to arrive, this one's for you.

We Cover:

00:00 – Introduction
01:30 – The TikTok that changed her career trajectory
03:20 – A lifelong battle with self-worth and body image
05:00 – Why confidence is a wave you ride
08:00 – Quitting without a plan and what changed her mindset
10:30 – Confidence isn’t having all the answers
12:00 – You have to act first
14:00 – Raising standards changed everything
16:00 – Building a portfolio career by following energy
20:00 – Designing a dream lifestyle, not a dream job
34:30 – Getting curious and asking better questions

Don’t miss out on this powerful episode.

💌 Enjoying the podcast?

Join our newsletter for bite-sized leadership insights, exclusive behind-the-scenes, and first access to new episodes:

👉 Subscribe here : https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

🎧 Listen to the full podcast episode here:
https://thecourageousleaderspodcast.buzzsprout.com/

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:

Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:

Website: https://www.thechangecreators.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

View Details

What’s stronger, self-discipline or self-awareness?

Which one would you choose?

We put Ross Anderson in the hot seat for The Fast & The Curious.

From topless butler to mindset mentor,

He’s got stories, surprises, and a serious take on growth that’ll make you stop scrolling.

🧠 What’s the one tool he swears by for instant stress relief?

📺 Which guilty pleasure TV show does he watch on loop?

🏆 Which Guinness World Record does he want to break next?

🧊 And why ice baths don’t work for him.

📺 Watch Ross Anderson’s full Fast & The Curious episode now on The Courageous Leaders Podcast.

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

View Details

What if your worst life chapters could become your greatest teachers?

In this episode of The Courageous Leaders Podcast, I sit down with Ross Anderson, psychologist, founder of Beyond Baseline, and someone who turned chaos into clarity. Ross shares the pivotal moments that forced him to choose between staying broken or building something better.

We talk about the courage it takes to rewrite your identity, to walk away from the life you were handed, and to chase a version of yourself that doesn't yet exist. If you've ever felt stuck in your past or unsure of what’s next, this conversation will show you what’s possible when you believe in better.

We Cover:01:35 – The moment Ross nearly faced two years in jail

02:55 – What addiction and panic attacks were doing to his life

05:33 – When Ross began listening to his real, authentic thoughts

09:29 – Why reinvention means letting go of who you used to be

10:26 – How to tell the difference between authentic and false thoughts

15:01 – What media consumption is doing to our sense of stillness

19:15 – The power of strong determination meditation

20:55 – How a psychologist changed the direction of Ross’s life

26:40 – Becoming the first in his family to go to college

31:30 – The three mentors who helped him avoid jail

33:14 – A powerful experiment that proves belief shapes behaviour

47:17 – Why we need to train the mind like we train the body

Don’t miss out on this powerful episode.

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

View Details

Does Ryan Gosling look like Rodney Trotter?

This is a debate I never thought I’d be having.

I love doing The Fast & The Curious with my guests…

But answering the questions myself?
Way harder. And way more fun.

With my husband Kev firing the questions, I had nowhere to hide, just honest, candid, and occasionally ridiculous answers.

This teaser clip is just a taste of what we got into…

Watch the full episode on YouTube to find out:

😴 Do I snore?

🧠 Which leadership trait I'm still working on

🛗 Who I’d want to be stuck in a lift with

📺 My ultimate guilty pleasure TV binge

🍸 Which wins - Tiramisu or Espresso Martini?

🤷🏻‍♀️ Are Kev and I still married after this interview?! 🥴😂🥰

And when I think about it… has anyone ever seen Ryan Gosling and Rodney Trotter in the same room? 🤔

Let me know how you think you’d get on with questions like this from a loved one!
🎬 Catch the full episode now on YouTube

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

View Details

If you’ve ever questioned your worth, your voice, or your path, this episode is for you.

For the first time on The Courageous Leaders Podcast, I’m not the one asking the questions. This time, it’s my husband Kevin behind the mic with myself in the ‘guest’ chair.

We unpack the moments that defined how I lead today: grief, pressure, burnout, and what it really takes to rebuild after walking away from a version of ‘success’ that wasn’t serving me.

We Cover:00:00 – Introduction - Jo in the guest seat with her husband Kev as the host

01:22 – What I wish I knew before saying ‘yes’ to the dream job in Australia

03:45 – Why giving up my career to travel was the best decision I ever made

05:55 – What losing my dad at 18 taught me about courage, fast decisions, and leadership

09:10 – How grief drove me and nearly made me lose myself

11:45 – What I learned from making it to the board without a university degree

14:00 – Why chasing the title and pay cheque left me feeling empty

17:15 – What it took to rebuild my confidence after working in a toxic culture

22:00 – How one weekend helped me find my voice again

26:50 – What self-leadership actually looks like (when no one’s watching)

33:10 – The advice I’d give my younger self and what I still remind myself today

Don’t miss out on this powerful episode.

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

View Details

What's the most unhumble thing you have done?

And what rule would you break?

We put Stefanie Sword-Williams, founder of F*ck Being Humble, in the hot seat for our latest episode of The Fast & The Curious and let’s just say, her answers were as bold as her brand.

In just a few minutes, we found out:

👀 The rule she’d break if no one could stop her
📧 What she’s done saying sorry for
🎶 Her go-to confidence anthem before a big moment

This was a lot of fun to do.

Listen to the clip, then head to the full episode on YouTube for more unfiltered answers.

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

View Details

What does it really take to step into your purpose, even when it scares you?

In this episode, I’m joined by Stefanie Sword-Williams, the fearless founder of F*ck Being Humble. She opens up about her journey from advertising to creating a global movement, what drives her, and why she’s not afraid to challenge the status quo. We explore courage, burnout, and how to find meaning when life throws you off track.

We Cover:
01:51 – How starting Fuck Being Humble was Stefanie’s boldest move

06:43 – Why she created her own stage instead of waiting for permission

09:20 – How Stefanie launched her first event and became a public speaker

15:52 – Rapid growth through word of mouth and community

20:44 – Learning to set boundaries after being overlooked

25:05 – Why scrappy events and strong storytelling worked

31:26 – What’s next: Stefanie’s new book and shifting into legacy work

34:56 – Helping people stuck in their careers find a new path

45:01 – How she’s learning to say no and trust what matters

55:31 – A traumatic moment in 2023 and the power of healing in public

Don’t miss out on this powerful episode.

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

View Details

Danny Dyer or Peter Crouch?

Negroni or Yorkshire Tea?

We put Leah Spears in the hot seat for our latest episode of The Fast & The Curious.

And her answers never disappoint 🔥

From bold picks to unexpected truths...

This one moves fast, and nothing is off limits...

👀 What would she name her racehorse?

🍽 Why would she say yes to being on First Dates?

🤯 What’s harder: being a mum or managing creatives?

🙋‍♀️ And what advice does she give to the next wave of bold women in business?

❌ No filters.
❌ No fluff.

Just a leader being fully herself and loving it.

For the full insight's check out the full story, which is live now on YouTube.

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

View Details

What happens when you stay true to yourself even when the world tells you to change?

In this episode of The Courageous Leaders Podcast, I’m joined by Leah Spears, Head of Brand Strategy at Paddy Power. She shares the personal moments that shaped her leadership, from navigating judgement based on appearance to stepping into bold, visible roles. We explore confidence, curiosity, and what it takes to lead with integrity in an industry that doesn’t always make it easy.

We Cover:
01:22 – Why Leah joined Paddy Power and how she knew it was the right fit

04:08 – The judgement she faced based on how she looked and who she was

06:08 – The advice she regrets taking and how she quickly reclaimed herself

08:50 – How she turned being underestimated into her biggest strength

11:27 – Why being curious has helped her grow as a leader

14:13 – How she handles difficult conversations without fear

17:16 – Childhood ambitions and how they shaped her mindset

20:53 – Creating real connections in a digital, hybrid workplace

23:29 – What makes a great agency–client partnership work

26:20 – How she’s helping younger women in her team find their voice

29:21 – Why confidence starts with knowing you don’t have to know everything

Don’t miss out on this powerful episode.

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

View Details

In this episode of The Courageous Leaders Podcast, I share one of the hardest chapters of my leadership journey, being excluded, questioned, and broken down by the very people I was meant to lead alongside. I reveal the five lessons that helped me survive it and rebuild stronger. If you're stuck in a toxic dynamic, this episode is for you.

We Cover:01:00 – The moment I realised I wasn’t wanted on the team

01:44 – What it feels like to be excluded and humiliated by peers

02:18 – The self-doubt spiral that nearly broke me

03:07 – How being excluded and humiliated reshaped my life and career

03:42 – Lesson 1: Stop trying to win them over

04:21 – Lesson 2: Find your allies, even if they’re outside the room

05:21 – Lesson 3: Set boundaries and call out passive aggression

06:42 – Lesson 4: Protect your mental space and reframe your thinking

08:27 – Lesson 5: Speak up when you see toxic behaviour on your team

Don’t miss out on this powerful episode.

💬 Join the Conversation:
Register for our exclusive Leaders Connect Roundtables:
https://thechangecreators.com/leaders-connect/

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

Is your team's growth being silently blocked by toxic positivity, hidden politics, or a culture of avoidance?

What if you could banish just one of these frustrations to unlock everyone's true potential?

I put that exact challenge to three brilliant leaders in a special 'Leadership Room 101' debate. I welcomed Nishma Patel Robb (Founder, Glittersphere) , Ete Davies (EMEA EVP, Dentsu Creative) , and Natalie Winford (Chief Solutions Officer, Jellyfish) to each nominate the one leadership flaw they believe does the most damage in business today.

The resulting discussion is a masterclass in identifying the root causes of team friction and building a culture based on reality, not pretence.

We Cover:
01:57 – The 'Good Vibes Only' Trap: When positivity becomes toxic.

07:38 – A Leader's Most Powerful Tool: The choice to be vulnerable.

08:28 – Nishma on how relentless positivity can silence your team

12:46 – Exposing the Hidden Power Structure: The problem with organisational politics.

17:10 – How "corridor meetings" create a parallel culture of mistrust.

27:25 – Can you be a good person and good at politics?

29:29 – Natalie’s argument for banning the phrase "it’s above my pay grade"

35:07 – Why employees feel stuck: Is it evasion or a cry for help?

39:43 – Should you do a task before you're promoted for it?

44:10 – The Final Verdict: The single most damaging leadership flaw is revealed.

Don’t miss out on this powerful episode.

💬 Join the Conversation:
Register for our exclusive Leaders Connect Roundtables:
https://thechangecreators.com/leaders-connect/

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this powerful episode, I sat down with Abi Wright and Jen Toll, the inspiring founders behind Festival of The Girl. What started as a grassroots idea is now a powerful movement helping girls step into their power and challenge gender stereotypes from childhood.

We talked about how courage can grow from anger, why shrinking starts in childhood, and how both boys and girls benefit when we reframe what confidence, risk-taking and visibility really mean. If you’ve ever wondered how to raise or lead with more intention, this episode will change how you see the next generation.

We Cover:00:36 – What does success really mean, and who decided it?

01:36 – Why Jen’s journey into feminism began with motherhood

02:42 – Abi’s wake-up moment while raising daughters

04:17 – Launching Festival of The Girl with no budget

06:35 – What courage looks like behind the scenes

08:45 – “We were angry. That’s what drove us.”

10:55 – The moment their daughters pointed out inequality at home

13:40 – Why girls fear ‘getting it wrong’ more than boys

14:53 – The real risks girls are afraid to take

16:42 – Confidence doesn’t just appear. It’s taught.

18:10 – Launching Festival of The Boy and what it means for boys

Don’t miss out on this powerful episode.

💬 Join the Conversation:
Register for our exclusive Leaders Connect Roundtables:
https://thechangecreators.com/leaders-connect/

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

“What’s the biggest bullshit in leadership?”

Chris Hirst answers without blinking.

But you’ll have to watch to hear what he says.

In this Fast & The Curious episode,Chris, former Global CEO of Havas Creative goes from sharp insight to guilty pleasures in under six minutes.

☕ A very strong opinion on herbal tea

🎸 A Nickelback moment he didn’t see coming

🧦 And the one workplace trend he’d cancel forever

It’s short. It’s sharp. And it’s leadership with a side of dry humour.

📺 Watch now on YouTube and check out the full Courageous Leaders episode while you’re there.

💬 Join the Conversation:
Register for our exclusive Leaders Connect Roundtables:
https://thechangecreators.com/leaders-connect/

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

What happens when you’ve spent years inside a failing business, then asked to take over as CEO and turn it around?
For Chris Hirst, it wasn’t just a step up. It was a defining challenge that forced him to rethink everything he knew about leadership.
In this episode of The Courageous Leaders Podcast, I’m joined by leadership expert, award-winning author, and former Global CEO of Havas Creative, Chris Hirst. Known for transforming struggling companies from within, Chris shares what it really takes to lead under pressure and why clarity, courage, and conviction matter more than ever.

We Cover:01:22 – Becoming CEO of a broken business, and why it felt like career suicide

04:00 – The Harvard moment that changed Chris’s mindset and life

05:50 – How to fix a failing company: honesty, clarity, and ruthless prioritisation

08:00 – Why commitment beats capability when it comes to business growth

10:23 – What makes a great CEO and how to build a high-performing culture

13:18 – Attitude vs. aptitude: the core of Chris’s new book Indispensable

16:49 – Workplace autopilot: why most people don’t show up with intention

20:24 – Leading 100 CEOs: spotting the difference between good and great

26:00 – Decision-making as a leadership superpower

30:50 – Chris’s personal demon and the advice he’d give his younger self

Don’t miss out on this powerful episode.

💬 Join the Conversation:
Register for our exclusive Leaders Connect Roundtables:
https://thechangecreators.com/leaders-connect/

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

Many leaders still see empathy as a weakness.

This is shortsighted as empathy is one of the most powerful skills to drive trust, performance, and real connection.

In this episode, I explain what it means to lead with empathy and share three practical ways to integrate it into your leadership today. You’ll learn how empathy shifts behaviour, strengthens accountability, and builds a culture where people feel seen, safe, and motivated to give their best

We Cover:
01:03 – What empathy in leadership really means

01:39 – Real story: How one CEO shifted outcomes with one question

02:24 – Why empathy is often misunderstood as “going soft”

03:14 – Leadership shift: Empathy as a strategy, not sentiment

03:41 – Tip #1: Always start with empathy

04:22 – Tip #2: How to practice active listening

05:02 – Tip #3: Check in regularly, beyond the task list

05:39 – Final thoughts: Why empathy is good for performance and for you

Don’t miss out on this powerful episode.

💬 Join the Conversation:
Register for our exclusive Leaders Connect Roundtables:
https://thechangecreators.com/leaders-connect/

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

What can a grizzly bear in a denim jacket teach us about leadership?

More than you’d think.

In this week’s Fast & The Curious, Dave takes us from Hackney to Hollywood (almost) with his usual cheeky, sweary brilliance.

⚡ What leadership advice does he swear by?
⚡ Why pink paint is his power colour
⚡ And how he ended up designing a jacket for an 8-foot bear

It’s fast, funny, and full of the kind of wisdom only a rebellious artist can serve.

📺 Dave’s full Fast & Curious episode drops today on YouTube. Don’t forget to check out his full Courageous Leaders interview while you’re there.

💬 Join the Conversation:
Register for our exclusive Leaders Connect Roundtables:
https://thechangecreators.com/leaders-connect/

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

Naughty, and unfiltered – Dave Buonaguidi, ex-adman turned full-time artist, shares how he blew up a 35-year career, lost everything, and finally found joy. From co-founding iconic agencies like St. Luke’s and Karmarama to walking away from the industry (and his marriage) at 50, Dave tells it like it is – with plenty of swearing, sharp wit, and hard-won wisdom.

If you’ve ever wanted to throw out the rulebook and build life on your own damn terms, this episode is for you.

We Cover:01:40 – “I just rebooted my life at 55” – The moment Dave walked away from it all

07:20 – Wearing a mask at work for 35 years

08:40 – Why he doesn’t see his past ventures as “success”

10:05 – The brutal reality of founding a business

12:00 – Ripping up the rulebook: doing things differently in advertising

15:00 – Starting over after losing his agency – and his marriage

18:20 – Going all-in with no plan B: the real reason he made it work

20:00 – “If you’re doing it for the money, f*ck off”

32:00 – Letting go: what Dave struggled with most

41:00 – “I jumped out the burning building” – on walking away from everything

42:20 – Why 2020 was the best year of his life

43:00 – Advice for anyone ready to change their life

46:40 – How a screen-printing class changed everything

Don’t miss out on this powerful episode.

💬 Join the Conversation:
Register for our exclusive Leaders Connect Roundtables:
https://thechangecreators.com/leaders-connect/

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

Can three top leaders agree on what’s killing modern leadership?

What happens when you bring together a CEO, a president, and a CCO to tackle what’s dragging teams down and how to fix it?

In this special 'Leadership Room 101' edition of The Courageous Leaders Podcast, I sat down with Jessica Tamsedge (CEO, Dentsu Creative), Josh Green (CCO, House 337), and Conrad Persons (President, Grey London) for a sharp, honest, and funny deep dive into the biggest leadership traps and what they’d like to banish into Leadership Room 101.

We Cover:
00:00 – Introduction: Welcome to Leadership Room 101

02:12 – Meet the guests: Jessica, Josh, and Conrad
05:28 – The leadership habit Conrad wants to ban forever

09:45 – Jessica on why dabblers kill creativity and clarity

14:40 – Josh takes aim at the empty chase for growth

19:55 – Why leaders struggle to carve out time to think

27:30 – The guilt trait: why taking time feels selfish for leaders

33:12 – Closing arguments: which leadership trap should go into Leadership Room 101?

36:15 – Conrad’s take on the “black box” leadership style

37:23 – Jessica’s insight on “forcing time to think”

38:50 – Joanna’s decision: the one habit we all need to kill

42:45 – Final reflections + a thank you to the guests

Don’t miss out on this powerful episode.

💬 Join the Conversation:
Register for our exclusive Leaders Connect Roundtables:
https://thechangecreators.com/leaders-connect/

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

What if you had to pick one emoji…

to sum up your entire personality?

Chloe Davies didn’t flinch.

In the latest episode of The Fast & The Curious, Chloe brought the same energy she brings to every room.

Bold, brilliant, and a little bit cheeky.

🎯 Watch the full F&TC episode to find out:

⚡ What would Chloe do as Prime Minister for the day?

⚡ What music track sums up her life?

⚡ What food she would eat EVERY day forever?

It’s fast, fun, and full of unexpected gems.

💬 Join the Conversation:
Register for our exclusive Leaders Connect Roundtables:
https://thechangecreators.com/leaders-connect/

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

If you’ve ever questioned your worth, your purpose or your place in this world, this episode will light the way forward.

Chloe Davies, Founder & CEO of It Takes A Village Collective, shares how she rebuilt her life and leadership after betrayal, burnout, and breakdown. From surviving mental health crises to winning Rock Star of the Year at the ADCOLOR Awards, Chloe’s story is raw, real and radically inspiring.

We Cover:
01:10 – Hitting rock bottom: “There’s nowhere to go but up”

03:30 – The betrayal that broke Chloe and how she rebuilt

06:10 – Living with mental health challenges

10:00 – What people assume about Chloe (and why they’re wrong)

13:40 – Her mum’s legacy at John Lewis and the cost of being first

18:00 – Becoming a manager at 17 and clashing with her own mother

22:40 – Boundaries, burnout and being visible: The cost of community leadership

27:30 – Winning Rockstar of the Year

33:00 – Meeting Queen Latifah + the moment that changed everything

36:30 – “I’m not the builder. I’m the architect”: Chloe’s leadership mindset

39:00 – Advice to her younger self

41:50 – Final message

Don’t miss out on this powerful episode.

💬 Join the Conversation:
Register for our exclusive Leaders Connect Roundtables:
https://thechangecreators.com/leaders-connect/

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

Is your leadership team quietly falling apart?

Lack of trust is the silent killer of leadership teams that can contribute to eroding alignment, sparking burnout, and fuelling poor decisions.

In this episode, I reveal why even the best leaders lose trust over time and share some practical, proven strategies to rebuild it. We cover the hidden traps weakening your team and the exact steps you can take today to restore clarity, vulnerability, and alignment at the top.

We Cover:
00:46 – How trust breaks down over time

01:27 – Trust Killer #1: Silos and lack of collective alignment

02:23 – Trust Killer #2: Fear of vulnerability and hiding weakness

03:34 – Trust Killer #3: Inconsistent communication and clarity gaps

04:25 – How to Rebuild Trust

05:10 – Setting up quarterly leadership alignment sessions

05:55 – Modelling vulnerability as a leader

06:42 – Building a communication cadence across teams

07:27 – The hidden power of informal leadership connections

08:10 – Final Takeaways: Small steps to a stronger leadership foundation

Don’t miss out on this powerful episode.

💬 Join the Conversation:
Register for our exclusive Leaders Connect Roundtables:
https://thechangecreators.com/leaders-connect/

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

Sir John Hegarty or Jon Evans?

What if you had to pick between two of your closest industry friends…

..on camera?

That’s exactly the dilemma we threw at Orlando Wood, CIO at System1, in his Fast & The Curious.

🎯 From neuroscience to Love Island, here’s what went down:

⚡ Would he rather be invisible or read minds?
⚡ Which side of his brain would he keep, left or right?
⚡ Would he really go on Love Island?
⚡ And how an aggressive dog gave him creative inspiration

It’s creative brilliance with a side of chaos

🔥 Weird hypotheticals
🔥 Thoughtful takes
🔥 And answers you definitely didn’t see coming..

📺 Watch Orlando’s Fast & Curious now on YouTube and catch his full Courageous Leaders interview while you’re there.

💬 Curious which side of your brain would you keep?

💬 Join the Conversation:
Register for our exclusive Leaders Connect Roundtables:
https://thechangecreators.com/leaders-connect/

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

Why modern marketing is broken and how you can fix it, as a leader.

Orlando Wood, Chief Innovation Officer at System1 and author of Lemon, Look Out, and Advertising Principles Explained, reveals why advertising has lost its soul and how the shift from right-brain to left-brain thinking is hurting creativity, leadership, and human connection. If you’ve felt that marketing is becoming more mechanical, and leadership more rigid this episode will make it click.

We Cover:
00:46 – Why today’s marketing is losing impact

01:04 – The bold idea behind Lemon and why it shocked the industry

06:42 – Why advertising lost its human touch

13:27 – How grief changes your leadership lens

19:30 – The truth about creativity: how it really happens

22:03 – Small habits that activate your creative thinking

22:54 – Leadership today: why emotional connection matters

25:56 – Will AI revive creativity or kill it?

30:02 – The hidden value of learning from the past

35:57 – How to push bold ideas through doubt and resistance

40:18 – What Orlando would tell his younger self

41:46 – Final thoughts

Don’t miss out on this powerful episode.

💬 Join the Conversation:
Register for our exclusive Leaders Connect Roundtables:
https://thechangecreators.com/leaders-connect/

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

Courageous Leaders vs Uncensored CMO Podcast

You’ve got to upset one person…

Your boss OR your friend?

Who do you choose?

That was just one of the fun dilemmas we threw at Kerry Collinge, Managing Director of The Uncensored CMO, in her round of The Fast & The Curious - and trust us, she didn’t hold back.

🎥 Catch the full episode on YouTube to find out:

🪩 Whether she’d rather listen to our podcast or her boss’s
🪩 What happened when she Googled herself
🪩 Which superpower she’d choose
🪩 Her favourite job perk
🪩 Who wins her heart more: a person or a dog?
… and plenty more unexpected answers.

It’s leadership with personality - bold, honest, and a little bit cheeky. 🍑

So grab a chocolate, crack open a beer (or shake up an espresso martini 🍸), and dive in.

📺 Watch her Fast & The Curious round AND her full Courageous Leaders Podcast interview now - both live on YouTube.

💬 Join the Conversation:
Register for our exclusive Leaders Connect Roundtables:
https://thechangecreators.com/leaders-connect/

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

Kerry Collinge, Managing Director of The Uncensored CMO, shares her bold journey from big brands to brave moves, and what it really means to lead without conforming.

From being told she was “too much” to redefining success on her own terms, Kerry’s story is a masterclass in courage, reinvention, and staying true to who you are.

We Cover:02:22 – Kerry’s most courageous move (and why she never looked back)

04:50 – What your gut knows before your head catches up

10:46 – When conformity kills creativity: The cost of safe leadership

14:08 – Why we need to embrace the whole person at work

19:13 – Has hard work become a dirty word?

22:56 – Redefining performance

29:13 – “I knew it wasn’t right, but I said yes anyway”

30:47 – What she learned from taking 3 jobs for the money (and getting fired 3 times)

34:37 – Glitter ball mindset: Why broken doesn’t mean less

38:19 – The advice she’d give to her younger self

Don’t miss out on this powerful episode.

💬 Join the Conversation:
Register for our exclusive Leaders Connect Roundtables:
https://thechangecreators.com/leaders-connect/

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

This isn’t your typical leadership Q&A.

It’s fast. It’s curious.

And Scott Morrison brings the boom, with energy, honesty, and a few unexpected curveballs.

(Yes, including Will Smith... and toes-for-fingers.)

Yes, it gets funnier.

But in between the laughs, Scott dropped some real wisdom:

⚡The #1 skill every leader should master (it’s not what you think)

⚡ The mindset trap too many leaders fall into

⚡ Why he’d trade lives with Martin Luther King for a day

⚡ His 3-word leadership philosophy: Unblock. Unlock. Unleash.

From Will Smith walk-in songs to a character who steals phones with their feet (yep, really)…

This episode brings bold takes, sharp insights, and Scott’s signature boom-energy.

💬 Join the Conversation:
Register for our exclusive Leaders Connect Roundtables:
https://thechangecreators.com/leaders-connect/

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

Scott Morrison, Founder of The Boom! and former Marketing Director at Levi’s and Diesel, shares how to unblock, unlock, and unleash leadership potential by blending commercial creativity with bold action. From reframing pressure as fuel to challenging complexity in leadership, Scott’s insights will inspire you to move from strategy to impact fast.

We Cover:01:04 – What it means to be an unshackled leader

03:20 – The boom moment: When Scott knew he had to break free

13:06 – How to help teams move faster by creating safety

16:41 – The problem with over-complicating leadership

19:10 – Why creativity and culture are commercial weapons

22:48 – The 3-part model: Unblock, Unlock, Unleash

33:04 – How storytelling transforms internal culture and performance

41:13 – Lessons from Nike, Levi’s, and corporate reinvention

47:50 – The importance of building outside-in thinking

Don’t miss out on this powerful episode.

💬 Join the Conversation:
Register for our exclusive Leaders Connect Roundtables:
https://thechangecreators.com/leaders-connect/

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

Have we forgotten how to think as leaders?

This is the question I’ve been exploring in nearly every coaching session lately.
In this solo episode, I’m diving into why deep thinking has gone missing in modern leadership and how the addiction to busyness is holding us and our teams back. If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed or constantly relied upon, this episode is your call to reset.

We Cover:01:05 – What constant busyness is really costing you

01:45 – Reacting ≠ Leading: Where we’re getting it wrong

02:30 – Why stillness feels uncomfortable (but it’s vital)

02:59 – Tip 1: Embrace the “not busy” leader mindset

03:54 – Tip 2: Drive your team to think for themselves

04:36 – Tip 3: Block thinking time and protect it

05:35 – Who’s steering the ship if you’re not thinking?

06:21 – Final challenge: Redefine what leading looks like

Don’t miss out on this powerful episode.

💬 Join the Conversation:
Register for our exclusive Leaders Connect Roundtables:
https://thechangecreators.com/leaders-connect/

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

What happens when you put a high-velocity leader in the hot seat?

Unexpected insights...

Surprising confessions...

We fired off rapid-fire questions at Sophie Devonshire, and she didn’t hold back:

⚡️The best piece of career advice she ever received (and why it still guides her today)

⚡️ Morning meetings or late-night strategy? She’s got a strong opinion.

⚡️If she could add an 8th step to her book, what would it be?

It’s fast. It’s curious. And it’s seriously fun.

🎥 Full episode of Fast and Curious is now available on YouTube!

💬 Join the Conversation:
Register for our exclusive Leaders Connect Roundtables:
https://thechangecreators.com/leaders-connect/

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

The best leaders don’t just manage time; they master energy and here’s how.

Sophie Devonshire, CEO of The Marketing Society, shares the mindset shifts, leadership habits, and bold strategies that drive high-velocity success. Discover how to make faster decisions, embrace rejection, and lead with impact. If you want to step up as a leader, this episode is a game-changer.

We Cover:
00:34 – Overcoming self-doubt: The role of coaching & self-trust
05:11 – How top leaders use mentors (and why you should too)
10:30 – Big career moves: How to make the right decision faster
16:19 – The secret power of belonging in leadership
21:50 – Why energy management beats time management
28:06 – Courage vs. caution: The bold mindset that creates success
34:48 – Reframing rejection: How to turn failure into your greatest asset
39:09 – Fear of criticism: Why it’s holding you back and how to fix it
41:54 – Final thoughts: The leadership challenge for YOU

Don’t miss out on this powerful episode.

💬 Join the Conversation:
Register for our exclusive Leaders Connect Roundtables:
https://thechangecreators.com/leaders-connect/

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

Paul Coxhill, Chief Operating Officer, LIONS & President, LIONS Intelligence, shares how taking bold leaps, navigating uncertainty, and embracing creativity shaped his leadership journey. From saying ‘yes’ to an unexpected opportunity in South Africa to driving innovation at WARC and LIONS, Paul’s insights offer a masterclass in adaptability, leadership, and business growth.

We Cover:

01:04 – The career-defining power of saying ‘yes’ (even when unsure)

05:13 – How moving to South Africa reshaped his leadership & view on inclusion

13:10 – Leading through change: Why over-communication is non-negotiable

20:02 – Five years of growth at WARC: The strategy behind long-term success

25:32 – How to embed innovation into company culture (without separate ‘innovation teams’)

36:11 – Bringing your whole self to work: The leadership mindset shift

38:08 – Letting go of the need to be liked: The key to authentic leadership

41:28 – The advice he’d give his younger self about confidence & leadership

42:02 – Closing thoughts & final reflections

Don’t miss out on this powerful episode.

💬 Join the Conversation:
Register for our exclusive Leaders Connect Roundtables:
https://thechangecreators.com/leaders-connect/

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

Kerttu Inkeroinen, Marketing & E-commerce Director at Lucky Saint, shares her unconventional career journey from Coca-Cola to scale-ups, why she quit without a backup plan, and how she intentionally shaped her leadership style.

She reveals why taking risks is always worth it, how to build a career with purpose, and why leaders should be sheepdogs, not huskies.

We Cover:
00:12:29 – Why Kerttu left a job she loved without a backup plan

00:13:29 – The mindset shift that helps her take bold risks

00:20:00 – Overcoming self-doubt: Making friends with your inner critic

00:28:13 – Be the sheepdog, not the husky: Kerttu’s unique leadership approach

00:30:41 – How two-way feedback builds trust and stronger teams

00:36:22 – Why adaptability is key to career growth

00:36:47 – The biggest lesson she’d tell her younger self about success

Don’t miss out on this powerful episode.

💬 Join the Conversation:
Register for our exclusive Leaders Connect Roundtables:
https://thechangecreators.com/leaders-connect/

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

Listen to the end. It's priceless.

What happens when you put a creative legend in the hot seat?

Unexpected answers. Hilarious moments.

And maybe… a slight misunderstanding about Mo Salah’s tongue.

We threw rapid-fire questions at Trevor Robinson OBE,

And he did not disappoint:

⚡ First app he opens in the morning? Not what you'd expect.

⚡ The leader he’d have dinner with? Divine. Literally.

⚡ What exactly went wrong when he met King Charles?

It’s fast. It’s curious. And you won’t want to miss it.

📅Full Fast & Curious episode is now live!

💬 Join the Conversation:
Register for our exclusive Leaders Connect Roundtables:
https://thechangecreators.com/leaders-connect/

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

Trevor Robinson OBE, founder and CCO of Quiet Storm, The mind behind "You've Been Tango’d" and Haribo's iconic ads, shares his journey from feeling like an outsider to founding Quiet Storm and championing diversity.

Discover his insights on courage, creativity, and building authentic relationships and learn about ‘Create Not Hate’, his initiative empowering underrepresented young creatives to break into the industry.
🌍 Support the movement: Create Not Hate

We Cover:
00:05 - Passion over comfort: why he didn't return to his old job.

00:09 - Building strong client relationships through collaboration.

00:15 - Strategies for overcoming public speaking fear.

00:21 - The importance of finding and embracing your authentic style.

00:27 - Staying true to your vision of success.

00:30 - The leadership choice: being respected versus liked.

00:38 - Imposter Syndrome & Feeling Like an Outsider in Advertising.

00:43 - Finding your rhythm to perform under pressure.

00:51 - Staying focused on purpose amidst distractions.

Don’t miss out on this powerful episode.

💬 Join the Conversation:
Register for our exclusive Leaders Connect Roundtables:
https://thechangecreators.com/leaders-connect/

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

Finding the right balance between empathy and accountability is one of the biggest challenges leaders face.

Lean too much into empathy, and performance drops. Focus too much on accountability, and you risk creating a culture of fear.

In this episode, I break down how to master this balance so you can lead with both compassion and high standards.

We Cover:00:35 – Why leaders struggle with this balance

01:15 – The importance of empathy & accountability

02:32 – The risks of leaning too far in one direction

03:05 – Setting clear expectations for your team

03:53 – Giving feedback without creating defensiveness

04:40 – Leading by example & holding yourself accountable

05:26 – Recognising both effort & results

05:59 – Using empathy as a tool for accountability

07:08 – Common mistakes leaders make & how to avoid them

08:03 – How to start applying this today

Don’t miss out on this powerful episode.

💬 Join the Conversation:
Register for our exclusive Leaders Connect Roundtables:
https://thechangecreators.com/leaders-connect/

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

Ever wondered what it's like to leave a successful career and start over?

Xavier Rees, CEO of AMV BBDO, shares his bold leap of faith and the lessons he learned along the way.

He discusses taking risks, embracing challenges, and the importance of staying true to yourself.

Discover how Xav navigates the complexities of the advertising world and builds a culture of trust and collaboration. This episode is full of valuable insights for leaders at all levels.

We Cover:00:14 - A courageous moment: Leaving Havas

03:30 - The appeal of AMV BBDO

05:38 - The drive to prove people wrong

10:30 - Embracing his Own Leadership Style

11:32 - The Pivotal Moment of Self-Acceptance

17:02 - Profound insights from a Career Break

23:56 - Advice for New CEOs

28:42 - The Difficulty of Making Tough Decisions

34:50 - How Personal Pain Shaped His Leadership

44:23 - Advice to His Younger Self

48:19 - The Power of Making Things

Don’t miss out on this powerful episode.

💬 Join the Conversation:
Register for our exclusive Leaders Connect Roundtables:
https://thechangecreators.com/leaders-connect/

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

What's the secret to leading a successful team?

It might not be what you think.

Jessica Hargreaves, CEO of PrettyGreen, reveals her unconventional approach to leadership, sharing powerful insights on risk-taking, delegation, and building a culture of trust.

We Cover:07:04 - Focusing on people and culture for business success

14:06 - Creating a culture of calculated risk-taking

16:49 - Defining a "fail-safe" culture and learning from mistakes

25:00 - The value of B Corp certification and aligning actions with purpose

30:36 - The "Be More Meerkat" philosophy for team collaboration

33:16 - Advice to her younger self: The value of mentorship

33:54 - A career turning point: Saying "no" and prioritising wellbeing

35:04 - Prioritising your wellbeing and its transformative impact on leadership.

Don’t miss out on this powerful episode.

💬 Join the Conversation:
Register for our exclusive Leaders Connect Roundtables:
https://thechangecreators.com/leaders-connect/

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

Katy Wright, CEO of FCB London, shares her unique journey from aspiring pilot to advertising leader. She offers valuable insights on building self-belief, embracing challenges, and creating a thriving workplace culture.

Discover how Katy stays ahead of the curve in a rapidly evolving industry and why she believes kindness and a strong moral compass are superpowers for success.

This episode is packed with valuable insights for leaders at all levels.

We Cover:01:49 - What Courageous Leadership Means

03:06 - Knowing You Are Enough

04:34 - Embracing Imperfection

05:21 - Building Confidence Through Experience

07:07 - The Importance of Believing in Others

08:22 - From Aspiring Pilot to Advertising Leader

12:35 - Lessons from a First Flying Lesson

14:42 - The Power of Self-Trust

17:23 - The Importance of Being Yourself

20:48 - The Challenges of Leadership

24:54 - Staying Ahead of the Curve

27:57 - Balancing Big-Picture Thinking with Detail

31:57 - Overcoming Challenges and Finding Your Place

35:35 - Misconceptions About Katy

37:14 - Advice to Her Younger Self

38:21 - The Future of the Industry

Don’t miss out on this powerful episode.

💬 Join the Conversation:
Register for our exclusive Leaders Connect Roundtables:
https://thechangecreators.com/leaders-connect/

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

"Decision by committee" is killing productivity and stifling innovation.

In this episode, I explore the common pitfalls of this approach and offer practical strategies to help leadership teams make faster, more effective decisions. We'll dive into the fears and misconceptions that fuel this approach and discover how to create a culture of clarity, alignment, and action.

We Cover:
00:29 - Why Decision by Committee Happens

01:06 - The Role of Fear

01:35 - The Myth of Consensus

01:56 - Achieving Alignment, Not Just Agreement

02:59 - Overcoming Analysis Paralysis

03:37 - Escaping the "Just In Case" Mentality

04:09 - The Importance of Clear Roles

04:34 - Dealing with the Fear of Hurting Feelings

05:07 - The Problem with Too Many Cooks

05:47 - Auditing Your Leadership Process

Don’t miss out on this powerful episode.

💬 Join the Conversation:
Register for our exclusive Leaders Connect Roundtables:
https://thechangecreators.com/leaders-connect/

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this episode, we're joined by the legendary Sir John Hegarty, Iconic Founder and Creative of Bartle Bogle Hegarty (BBH) and The Garage Entertainment, and a pioneering figure in the world of advertising. He shares his journey and philosophy on creativity, leadership, and staying current in the ever-changing advertising industry. This episode is a must-watch for anyone seeking inspiration from one of the greatest creative minds.

We Cover:
01:15 - Taking Risks & Founding BBH

03:52 - The Importance of Valuing Creativity

05:34 - Focusing on the Present Moment

06:32 - How Ideas Change the World

11:29 - Imagination vs. Data

13:38 - The Power of Play

16:39 - What It Feels Like to Have a Great Idea

20:17 - Building a Creative Culture

21:46 - Overcoming Fear as a Leader

24:43 - How to Encourage Creativity in Others

28:03 - The Importance of Human Connection

30:56 - Why Collaboration Can Be Risky

33:57 - The Role of Ego in Leadership

35:39 - Starting a Business with Just a Suitcase

40:07 - Sir John Hegarty's Advice to His Younger Self

Don’t miss out on this powerful episode.

💬 Join the Conversation:
Register for our exclusive Leaders Connect Roundtables:
https://thechangecreators.com/leaders-connect/

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

Sam Budd, CEO of the Buddy Media Group, recognised as one of TechGround's top 20 entrepreneurs in 2024. Join us as Sam delves into the impact of childhood trauma on his leadership style. He shares how he turned his personal adversities into superpowers, discussing his personal experiences with ADHD and dyslexia.

We Cover:
02:43 - Why people with addiction need to be supported not avoided

06:32 - How the community helped to stop Sam from going to prison

07:00 - The tragic loss of Sam’s brother and the impact of this

09:55 - Recognising how your triggers creep up and corrupt your values

12:41 - Courageously sharing how trauma shapes identity

15:49 - Don’t compare your trauma to others

18:28 - The power of looking at things through different perspectives

21:39 - Why we need to know ourselves to be able to engage others.

24:51 - Mental health support is challenging yet rewarding.

30:14 - Struggling with trauma, overtraining, seeking healthier focus.

32:19 - The challenge of balancing relentless ambition and taking care of ourselves

38:42 - How ADHD and dyslexia can enhance communication and foresight.

41:27 - Embrace strengths and collaborate for a successful life.

54:02 - Leadership requires clarity, direction, growth, and delivery.

56:39 - Significant personal transformation; focusing on well-being.

Don’t miss out on this powerful episode.

💬 Join the Conversation:
Register for our exclusive Leaders Connect Roundtables:
https://thechangecreators.com/leaders-connect/

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this episode of The Courageous Leaders Podcast, we chat with Amy Kean, CEO of Good Shout and bestselling author. Amy brings her bold energy and honesty as she shares her journey of overcoming toxic environments, finding confidence, and staying true to who you are.

From her glittering silver boots to her inspiring insights on public speaking, confidence, and individuality—this is a conversation full of energy, fun, and wisdom.

We Cover:04:36 – How a toxic workplace experience led to a life transformation

07:43 – Why we need to hear diverse voices on stage

08:57- Too many women are saying no to opportunities to speak

12:42– Managing the shame and nerves when doing public speaking

15:57 – Pushing the limits you have on yourself

20:56 – How to run a high-energy business as an introvert

23:20 – How companies are bandaging mental health issues instead of truly addressing them with genuine care

27:03 –Getting backlash and being treated differently for putting yourself out there

31:08 – How empathy can help you move past toxicity

34:18 – Breaking through limits and aiming higher, no matter where you come from

36:48 – Facing rejection and learning to move forward

40:55 – Why you should embrace what makes you unique

42:30 – Owning your personal style and self-expression

45:24 – Reflecting on the impact of your voice and actions

Don’t miss out on this powerful episode.

💬 Join the Conversation:
Register for our exclusive Leaders Connect Roundtables:
https://thechangecreators.com/leaders-connect/

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this episode of the Courageous Leaders Podcast, I speak with Rob Doubal and Laurence (Lolly) Thomson, Global CCOs at M&C Saatchi.

With 17 years of collaboration, they share lessons on leadership, creativity, and adaptability, from their McCann days to leading at M&C Saatchi.

We dive into embracing risk, building strong team dynamics, and unlocking the value of creative leadership. If you're a leader or creative looking to grow, this episode is full of valuable insights.

We Cover:
05:55 - How setbacks can lead to exciting opportunities

11:14 - The importance of adaptable leadership and adjusting styles for different jobs

13:14 - Fostering environments where ideas thrive and innovation leads the way

16:13 - How creativity separates successful from unsuccessful businesses

18:15 - How to put Creativity at the Heart of the Agency

21:02 - Balancing Vulnerability and Creativity

24:16 - The key questions to ask in an interview

27:01 - How their strengths help solve problems faster and work efficiently

33:33 - Why successful teams need diverse perspectives and shared goals

35:25 - The learning from working with multiple CEO's

36:32 - Understanding the value of different leadership styles.

39:49 - How effective leadership balances motivation, organisation, and pressure.

45:30 - Recognising that big change takes time, while managing the urge to dive in immediately

50:52 - Keep Learning and Keep breaking

55:48 - Explaining Risk: A simple yet powerful ‘puddle’ metaphor for Leadership

Don’t miss out on this powerful episode.

💬 Join the Conversation:
Register for our exclusive Leaders Connect Roundtables:
https://thechangecreators.com/leaders-connect/

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this episode of the Courageous Leaders Podcast, I speak with Dr. Steven Stein, a Clinical Psychologist, Best-selling Author, and Founder of MHS. With decades of experience advising the military, corporations, and even TV shows, Dr. Stein shares invaluable insights on leadership and emotional intelligence.

We explore the courage it takes for entrepreneurs to step back and trust their teams.

Dr. Stein shares how emotional intelligence drives leadership success, from improving team dynamics to boosting engagement and profitability.

We Cover:
00:52 - Why its important to step back and let other people take control

04:07 - The impact of putting the right person in the right role

07:21 - The importance of emotional intelligence in the workplace

12:02 - Why do Gen Z need more support and guidance in the workforce

15:51 - How having a sense of purpose can influence staff pride and job satisfaction

17:25 - How hardiness can help you grow stronger through difficult feedback

19:13 - The 3 C’s of hardiness: Challenge, commitment, and control

23:41 - How leadership is about being more of a coach

27:25 - Taking small risks to drive innovation

29:23 - How simulations can prepare individuals for real-world challenges

35:57 - Pulse surveys: Building trust in remote teams

38:34 - Letting go of control and embracing unconditional love in leadership

Don’t miss out on this powerful episode.

Below are the links to Dr. Steven Stein's books:
📖 https://stevenstein.com/hardiness/ - Hardiness

📖 https://stevenstein.com/studenteqedge/ - The Student EQ Edge
📖https://stevenstein.com/emotionalintelligencefordummies/ - Emotional Intelligence For Dummies
📖https://stevenstein.com/theeqleader/- The EQ Leader
📖https://stevenstein.com/theeqedge/ - The EQ Edge

📖https://stevenstein.com/thestudenteqedge/ - The Student EQ Edge

💬 Join the Conversation:
Register for our exclusive Leaders Connect Roundtables:
https://thechangecreators.com/leaders-connect/

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this episode of the Courageous Leaders Podcast, I share three powerful, yet simple strategies to help you achieve success in 2025.

With practical advice and personal insights, this episode will help you approach the year ahead with clarity, focus, and courage.

We Cover:

00:00- Introduction

00:26 – How setting this one thing will help drive your focus in the right direction

01:47– A simple way to help you set your intention for the year to help inform your decisions

04:19 – A compelling strategy on how to keep yourself accountable

Don’t miss out on this powerful episode.

💬 Join the Conversation:
Register for our exclusive Leaders Connect Roundtables:
https://thechangecreators.com/leaders-connect/

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

As we wrap up 2024, this special episode of the Courageous Leaders Podcast celebrates the powerful insights shared by our incredible guests this year.

As the founder of The Change Creators, I’ve put together this compilation to share my personal reflections on what it truly means to lead with courage.

From building trust to fostering alignment and cohesion, these inspiring insights will leave you with actionable takeaways as we head into the holiday season.

Tune in to celebrate courageous leadership and start 2025 with fresh motivation and purpose.

We Cover:
00:00- Introduction

00:47- Managing relationships with team members who you don’t get on with

05:03- Why we need to back ourselves

09:12- Taking bold steps to steer your career with confidence

11:10- From feeling stuck to finding freedom

15:19- How to remove fear from the equation

19:47- Leading through challenges and helping others navigate tough times

21:03- Embracing leadership as a continuous journey of growth and authenticity

23:43- How can leaders help others overcome fear and take action

28:51- The value of letting go to empower your team

Don’t miss out on this powerful episode.

💬 Join the Conversation:
Register for our exclusive Leaders Connect Roundtables:
https://thechangecreators.com/leaders-connect/

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

Karen Martin, CEO of BBH London and Agency Leader of the Year 2021, delves into the changing perceptions of hard work across generations, the vital role of feedback in leadership, and how much more efficient we could be if we embraced directness in communication.

She opens up about her personal journey of overcoming imposter syndrome and emphasises the importance of clarity and straightforwardness in leadership.

Tune in for valuable insights on balancing empathy with decisive action and cultivating a more supportive and transparent industry culture.

We Cover:

01:23- Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: Trusting Yourself and Pushing Forward

08:41- Why caring about your work, colleagues, and clients matters

11:58- The pressure of balancing high standards with empathy in leadership

13:37- Balancing boundaries and the importance of a shared mindset at work

18:42- Why leaders must be direct and consistent with their words

19:24- Mastering the art of clear communication in tough situations

22:44- Why honest feedback and self- awareness are essential in leadership

27:03- Gaining confidence through decision making

32:28- Finding the courage to speak up in meetings and be heard

34:53- Generosity in leadership: A modern approach to collaboration

Don’t miss out on this powerful episode.

💬 Join the Conversation:
Register for our exclusive Leaders Connect Roundtables:
https://thechangecreators.com/leaders-connect/

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

AJ Coyne, VP of Marketing at Monzo, shares his journey of aligning personal values with career goals and balancing work with family life.

He talks about his move from Klarna to Monzo due to a values misalignment and gives honest insights into managing a demanding role while raising young children.

We Cover:

04:02 – Making values-based decisions which meant leaving Klarna

07:25 – How senior leaders can unintentionally create anxiety

10:39 – Building trust and creating safe spaces for communication

15:10 – Why showing genuine care matters in conversations

16:38 – Balancing leadership roles and the value of feedback

20:16 – The challenges of a high pressure job and young family

24:16 – Why great leaders operate at all levels and lead with vulnerability

27:41 – How to use “happy, busy” checks to understand and support team members

30:54 –Assuming Trust from the start and being upfront

34:43 – Why making time for deep thinking matters

36:13 – Understanding personal values in order to lead effectively

Don’t miss out on this powerful episode.

💬 Join the Conversation:
Register for our exclusive Leaders Connect Roundtables:
https://thechangecreators.com/leaders-connect/

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this solo episode, I share seven practical tips inspired by a recent client transformation day. These are small, actionable changes that can help you strengthen your leadership approach and prevent common challenges. From taking personal responsibility to changing how you respond in difficult situations, these tips are designed to make a big difference in your leadership journey - starting today.

We Cover:
00:56 - Tip one: The power of personal responsibility

02.08 - Tip two: How a simple step can change your outcome

03:19 - Tip three: 3 simple questions to inform your decisions and actions

06:00 - Tip four: How to get out of your comfort zone

06:50 - Tip five: How to catch when you are mindreading

09:11 - Tip six: What your calendar tells you

11:10 - Tip seven: How to connect with different people

💬 Join the Conversation:
Register for our exclusive Leaders Connect Roundtables:
https://thechangecreators.com/leaders-connect/

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this episode, Shira Jeczmien, Founder & CEO of SCREENSHOT Media, shares her journey of starting the company at just 27. With “naive optimism” and family support, Shira turned a university project into a thriving media business. We talk about staying adaptable, meeting Gen Z’s expectations in the workplace, and creating a collaborative, inclusive culture.

We Cover:
04:50 – Smart growth through monetising digital content

07:18 – How to connect with the right people when you want to grow a business

12:00 – How being authentic helps you overcome challenges

15:30 – The role trust plays in building a team

17:06 – How to bring collaboration into your culture for growth

19:29 – How to motivate and get the best from a Gen Z team

20:59 – Adapting to hybrid work with a focus on retention

23:41 – Expanding to 45 employees and hiring 11 new roles

27:32 – The unique challenges of being a young, female founder

35:51 – First-time challenges feel overwhelming but become easier with experience

40:32 – Building a network of peers and advisors who share your values

Don’t miss out on this powerful episode.

How The Change Creators Can Help
Looking to back yourself more, bring Courageous Leadership into your team, or explore transformational strategies? The Change Creators offers support to help you take action and drive meaningful change in your leadership and workplace culture.

Reach out to us today to learn how we can assist in your leadership journey and help your team thrive!

💬 Join the Conversation:
Register for our exclusive Leaders Connect Roundtables:
https://thechangecreators.com/leaders-connect/

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

Miranda Hipwell, CEO adamandeveDDB shares her leadership insights on building trust through consistency, empowering teams to elevate performance and her perseverance through setbacks, leading to career growth.

We Cover:

05:02 – Building trust through consistent actions over time

07:22 – Creating inclusive spaces where every voice matters

10:36 – Flexibility and fresh perspectives help creatives thrive

15:00 – A zigzag career path can still lead to success

16:43 – Growth comes from persevering through setbacks

21:41 – Active listening is key in meetings

23:32 – Returning from time off and feeling overwhelmed by all the new information

26:54 – Leadership roles feel more accessible and relatable

34:38 – Strengthening the team by recognising talent within

37:08 – Inspiring positive work through optimism

39:37 – Putting clients’ needs first improves business

42:30 – Resilience means being real and facing issues head-on

Don’t miss out on this powerful episode.

💬 Join the Conversation:
Register for our exclusive Leaders Connect Roundtables:
https://thechangecreators.com/leaders-connect/

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

This week, we are joined by Sam Budd, Founder and CEO of Buddy Media Group, for one of the most courageous conversations yet on the podcast.

Sam opens up about his personal battles with self-worth, navigating life when everything seemed lost, and the remarkable journey from rock bottom to leading an award-winning media company.

This is an unfiltered, raw discussion about being at the height of success at Social Chain with Steven Bartlett and Dominic McGregor to losing it all and having to start again.

We Cover:
04:49 – From having it all to feeling worthless and like a failure after losing everything overnight

08:03 – Challenging the status quo: How being a maverick drives reflection and disruption

11:38 – Starting a business while in debt and figuring it all out along the way

14:19 – Leading with ADHD and feeling the need to prove yourself

15:40 – Building an inner fire or sheer resilience, tenacity and drive

16:54 – How you can change your outcomes using coping strategies

20:37 – How to manage stress and focus on how you want to show up for your people

24:16 – Being very careful in how you talk to yourself to manage self-worth

28:40 – Surround yourself with people who hold a mirror up and remind you of who you are

29:59 – The role of courage, trust, and community in building connections and protection

35:03 – How stabilising the business and driving future milestones is a constant challenge

37:30 – The challenge of taking a day off and why I haven't

40:08 – How a powerful iNews article helped spread my message

43:27 – Understanding your purpose as a key to finding deep fulfilment

Don’t miss out on this powerful episode.

💬 Join the Conversation:
Register for our exclusive Leaders Connect Roundtables:
https://thechangecreators.com/leaders-connect/

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

Tricia Brouk is an international award-winning director, bestselling author, executive producer, and founder of The Big Talk Academy.

Tricia shares the significance of using one's voice courageously, overcoming common fears, and the incredible ripple effects of kindness even in the smallest interactions

As an expert in communication, Tricia’s insightful perspectives on leadership, impermanence, and the power of presence are not to be missed.

We Cover:

03:29 – How being a dancer taught discipline, empathy, and leadership

06:13 – The difference between kindness and being nice in leadership

09:20 – Embracing life’s impermanence by leading with love and awareness

10:38 - The skill of becoming aware of your awareness

12.02 - Removing the excuses of being 'too busy'

15:27 – Using your voice responsibly to influence and impact others

16:57 –How to communicate to make people feel seen and heard

21:42 – Speaking to serve others, not from personal trauma

24:13 – How to be in control of the outcome as a speaker

27:03 - What Buddhist practices can bring to leadership

30:10 –The art of being more conscious in our interactions to create impact

Don’t miss out on this powerful episode.

💬 Join the Conversation:
Register for our exclusive Leaders Connect Roundtables:
https://thechangecreators.com/leaders-connect/

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

Azania Stewart - former Team GB Olympic basketball player and international sports commentator. In this candid conversation, Azania shares the importance of preparation, discipline, and navigating the rigorous demands of professional sports and the corporate world.

Learn how she maintained her competitive edge while fostering healthy personal relationships, and why she advocates for a balanced approach to work and life to prevent burnout.

We Cover:
05:09 – How self-belief and commitment drives success

06:36 – Ditching the 5-year goals and focusing on in-the-moment progress

13:08 – The sacrifices made to succeed in sport

14:11 – Success requires going beyond a strict work-life balance and putting in the extra effort

15:03 - The 5 P's - Preparation prevents piss poor performance

16:09 – Don't let your job kill you, remember you are quickly replaced

20:26 – In your twenties, focus on work. In your thirties, learn to separate your professional life from your personal one

24:18 – Great leaders understand their team’s unique styles and adapt their approach without losing their authenticity

28:46 – Coming out of retirement and remembering loving being a leader and winning

32:02 – Experience is valuable, but it’s important to stay open to new ideas and learn from the younger generation

36:43 – The challenge of transitioning from athlete to commentator

40:21 – Saying "no" helps prioritise personal commitments

Don’t miss out on this powerful episode.

💬 Join the Conversation:
Register for our exclusive Leaders Connect Roundtables:
https://thechangecreators.com/leaders-connect/

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

Claire Hynes, Co-Founder and CEO of Mr. President takes us through her journey of leaving a secure job to launch her own business after returning from maternity leave. Claire shares how the company had early success and then hit unforeseen challenges that forced her team to rebuild.

We cover:
03:53 – Why Getting too comfortable with one big client can limit your business growth

06:18 – Coming back from a huge setback and having to rebuild from scratch

11:21 – How supporting a positive attitude pushes momentum and avoids negativity

12:45 –The importance of not taking it all on your shoulders and leaning into the team

16:11 – How to work well as a leadership team

20:06 – How to use the challenges to grow yourself, the team and the business

22:23 - Getting comfortable with change

26:20 – Don't let others influence you in a direction you don't want to go

30:15 – Letting go of rigid job descriptions and embracing flexibility

32:42 –How our culture has driven our success

36:52 – Learning to enjoy the present and stress less about the future

38:51 – Embracing freedom: The transition from employee to business owner

Dive into this episode to learn how Clare's commitment to culture, creativity, and joy has shaped Mister President and her unique approach to leadership

💬 Join the Conversation:
Register for our exclusive Leaders Connect Roundtables:
https://thechangecreators.com/leaders-connect/

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

Jon Evans, Chief Customer Officer at System1 and Host of The Uncensored CMO podcast, shares how failure has led to his biggest successes and how being tasked with doing something that was never done before was one of the most frightening things in his life.

We Cover:
05:05 – The lonely and risky leap into entrepreneurship

06:55 – How Adam Morgan’s book "Eat Big Fish" helped Jon embrace challenges

11:13 – Turning failures into the biggest career breakthroughs

12:56 – Battling corporate focus on Image vs. Reality

16:14 – Thriving under pressure: How confidence grows from failure

20:53 – Making hard decisions

22:36 – The challenge of saying no and asking for help

28:36 – Why VCs value failure as part of feeling confident to invest in you

29:48 – The importance of bouncing back from failure

34:32 – Navigating uncertainty and constant pressure in freelance work

35:36 – How building a CMO network led to a full-time role

40:51 – How success exposes you to criticism and negativity

44:47 – Supporting senior marketing executives through isolation

48:11 – Jon’s biggest regret: Why you should pursue your goals earlier

52:11 – How trust alone can lead to six-figure investments

54:22 – Building relationships that pay off, like compound interest

56:23 – The support system that ensures consistent success

Don’t miss out on this thought-provoking episode.

💬 Join the Conversation:
Register for our exclusive Leaders Connect Roundtables:
https://thechangecreators.com/leaders-connect/

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

Jabari Hearn, Managing Partner at AKQA LA and former Global Marketing Director at Google, shares life-changing insights on leading on your terms that you won't want to miss.
We cover:

05:28 – The key differences between marketing in big tech vs consumer goods.

08:21 – Why finding purpose in your work is essential for personal fulfillment.

10:23 – Why the right work environment can unlock your true potential.

14:15 – The hidden drawbacks of chasing a CMO role.

17:45 – Leadership is about creating a vision that inspires your team.

20:45 – How great leadership helps people reach their full potential.

25:51 – Building community through mentorship and why it matters for business growth.

27:17 – Starting a mentorship program to support minorities during the pandemic.

30:52 – Why self-discovery is the foundation of every great leader’s journey.

33:26 – A message of gratitude for creating a platform for leadership growth.

Don’t miss out on this thought-provoking episode.
You'll walk away with a better understanding of how to distinguish between ego and instinct, and why creating the right environment for yourself and others is important for growth and happiness.

💬 Join the Conversation:
Register for our exclusive Leaders Connect Roundtables:
https://thechangecreators.com/leaders-connect/

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this episode Jo Howes talks about the critical difference between being liked and being respected as a leader, a topic that sparked significant discussion following her recent LinkedIn post.

Drawing from personal experiences and frameworks such as John Maxwell's five levels of leadership, Jo offers valuable insights on why respect is important in leadership.

She also addresses the challenges many leaders face in making tough decisions without compromising compassion and empathy.

Video Chapters:

01:06 - The Importance of Leadership Respect

03:01 - The Power of Honest Feedback

03:18 - John Maxwell's Five Levels of Leadership

04:14 - The Leadership Challenge

05:15 - The Threats of a Too-Nice Work Culture

06:08 - The Importance of Compassion and Empathy in Leadership

06:41 - Compassionate Leadership and DISC Profiles

09:39 - The Right Thing To Do As A Leader

10:18 - The Essentials of Leadership

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Hit that subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!

💬 Join the Conversation:
Register for our exclusive Leaders Connect Roundtables:
https://thechangecreators.com/leaders-connect/

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this episode, we sit down with the brilliant Claire Hollands, CEO of Mullen Lowe.
Claire passionately discusses the importance of flexible working and her tips on how to achieve this personally and across a business.

Claire also openly discusses the challenging transition from being at AMV for 14 years, managing a department of 140 people, to becoming CEO at Mullen Lowe during COVID.

We cover:

00:00:00 Introduction to the podcast and guest Claire Holland

00:01:42 The courage to listen to instinct and leave Med School without a plan

00:03:30 Letting go of the need to prove yourself

00:06:20 Becoming a leader of 140 people at AMV

00:09:00 The emotions of running a big department. Providing support but recognising you can't solve all the problems

00:10.05 The challenges of the expectations of leaders today

00:12:30 Having the right leadership team around you

00:18.46 Leaving AMV not how she thought she would

00:17.05 The key learnings moving into a new agency

00:21.28 Challenging transition to Mullen Lowe through COVID

00:22.28 Batted with public speaking and overcoming this

00:25.51 Discussion on the perception of older professionals and the need for their expertise

00:29:27 Adapting leadership styles to accommodate multiple generations in the workplace

00:31:38 Remembering it’s a marathon not a sprint

💬 Join the Conversation:
Register for our exclusive Leaders Connect Roundtables:
https://thechangecreators.com/leaders-connect/

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this episode, we sit down with James Hayhurst, the visionary founder of The Magic Sauce Programme.

He shares how his experience working in both agency and client-side led him to create The Magic Sauce to help agencies and clients foster stronger relationships.

He reveals the powerful role that anger played in leading him to establish The Parents Promise, a mission close to his heart.

Join us as we delve into James Hayhurst’s courageous career moves, his commitment to making a difference, and the wisdom he’s gained along the way.

If you are a parent who has been through a separation or an educational professional, please click here to participate in the 2025 Education Project Survey.

📊 https://theparentspromise.org.uk/?check=true

🌐Parents Promise website - https://theparentspromise.org.uk/

🌐Magic Sauce website - https://magicsaucecourse.co.uk/

Video Chapters:

06:17 The difference between how Agencies and Clients judge success

09:52 Clients and the Agency side need psychological safety

12:11 The difference of working client-side

16:00 Setting up the Parents Promise and why

18:39 Parents need to talk about what we do if we separate

20:53 How anger can drive action and change

24:45 Launching The Magic Sauce

29:30 How healthy relationships allow constructive challenges and accountability

32:41 Imposter Syndrome or Perfectionist Syndrome.

💬 Join the Conversation:
Register for our exclusive Leaders Connect Roundtables:
https://thechangecreators.com/leaders-connect/

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this episode, I take you through an exploration of personal transformation, building on the success of our previous episode.

I dive deeper into practical strategies for becoming the leader you want to be.

The key areas we cover to help you are:

The 3 fears everyone has
How to be the boss of your mind
How to build certainty in yourself and grow in confidence.

My practical advice and personal anecdotes provide valuable guidance for anyone looking to make meaningful changes in their life.

Timestamps

01:05 Understanding the 3 fears we all have

03:37 Overcoming fear of rejection and looking stupid

08:11 How to have certainty in who you are

11:23 How to handle challenges with confidence

13:20 Be in charge of your mind, not it in charge of you

16:38 Techniques to catch your thoughts and improve decision making

💬 Join the Conversation:
Register for our exclusive Leaders Connect Roundtables:
https://thechangecreators.com/leaders-connect/

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

Feeling lost or low on confidence?

Patrick Jeffery, MD of Contagious, shares his journey of overcoming self-doubt and embracing the power of being a generalist.

Patrick reveals how he turned his fear of failure into a driving force for success, drawing inspiration from sports legend Roger Federer on the importance of resetting and letting go.

Whether you're at a career crossroads or looking to boost your confidence, Patrick's story will inspire you to embrace your unique path and find strength in your versatility.

02:07 The risk of driving change too quickly

07:32 Becoming a ‘specialist generalist’ leader.

10:20 Soft skills being a leaders superpower

15:15 How to make lots of decisions

17:40 The ability to build confidence

23:44 Being terrified of failure and how to navigate this

26:26 Imposter syndrome as a positive

31:01 Letting go of ‘what if’s’ and focusing on controllables

💬 Join the Conversation:
Register for our exclusive Leaders Connect Roundtables:
https://thechangecreators.com/leaders-connect/

For Leadership and team coaching and training, you can message me at joanna.howes@thechangecreators.com and we can book a call.

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/
youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

View Details

In this episode, we sit down with Alex Grieve, CCO at BBH, who shares his transformative journey from a creative role to a leadership position.

Alex opens up about the challenges he faced in his early career, navigating a highly competitive and alpha-male dominated industry.

He discusses the immense pressure to constantly prove himself and deliver exceptional creative work, which often led to self-doubt and burnout.

Alex also reflects on his initial reluctance to step into leadership and his experiences of learning from failures as a new leader. He reveals how he found his flow, leading with calm, clarity, and conciseness.

💬 Join the Conversation:
Register for our exclusive Leaders Connect Roundtables:
https://thechangecreators.com/leaders-connect/

00:00 Getting out of bed even on the difficult days

04:16 The challenge of working in an elite performance culture

09:35 Finding a collaborative environment at AMV

12:01 Reluctant transition from creative to leadership

16:14 Learning from early failures

19:43 Importance of rest in combating burnout.

22:21 Learning to be calm, enjoying the process and letting go of the outcome.

25:00 Kindness and support in leadership is crucial

29:28 Learning to be honest and candid with people.

33:50 Gratitude for teamwork is crucial in leadership.

For Leadership and team coaching and training, you can message me at joanna.howes@thechangecreators.com and we can book a call.

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/
youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

View Details

In this episode, Emma Harris, CEO of Glow London, shares how a life threatening cardiac arrest transformed her perspective.

After being saved by three nearby doctors, she moved from a mindset of constantly needing to ‘have more’, ‘be more’, and ‘earn more’ to prioritising what truly matters and preserving her energy to be present.

Key timestamps
00:00 - Leaving a successful career at Eurostar.

04:05 - Overcoming frustration with company changes and finding a new path.

08:53 - Unconscious behaviours have a greater impact on communication than we realise.

12:33 - The value of authentic leadership and creating genuine connections with your team.

16:10 - Recognising and listening to inner voices for guidance.

17:50 - The positive influence of a Jewish mother’s voice with loving intentions.

20:35 - A near-death experience prompts deep reflection on life’s priorities.

23:04 - Focusing on what truly matters and fiercely protecting it.

26:18 - Leading by example: your actions speak louder than words, so be mindful.

29:54 - Shifting from decisions driven by FOMO to those that bring joy.

34:27 - Posting a variety of content while being mindful of its influence.

35:55 - The importance of self-acceptance and avoiding comparisons

Join us for an inspiring conversation on slowing down, trusting the journey, and leading a more intentional and present life.

For Leadership and team coaching and training, you can message me at joanna.howes@thechangecreators.com and we can book a call.

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/
youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

View Details

In this episode, we dive into the parallels between rugby and the workplace to uncover how competitive spirit and teamwork in sports can drive exceptional performance in professional settings.

I was joined by the brilliant Arran Cruickshanks, Managing Director at mccglc and former professional rugby player, to explore these concepts in depth.

Key Questions Discussed:

How can we use the competitive spirit of sport to drive performance in teams?
How can we understand team motivation to achieve the vision, akin to how rugby players are motivated to win?
Rugby players have nutritionists, coaches, physios and a complete plan for their week, how important is structure to succeed?

We also discuss:

Have companies become too accommodating when dealing with people challenges
Setting the expectations that there are going to be tough days and how to navigate them
Why a vision needs to be clear and to check everyone is aligned to have a seat on the bus
Exploring how far into the future it is practical to set a vision in today's rapidly changing world.
The difference between being on the Rugby pitch and in training on how the team works together
Being the final decision maker and taking on that responsibility
The perception of having it all together but inside you don’t
Being okay to reach out for help

00:00 Importance of leaders maintaining consistent vision despite changes.

05:18 Scheduled days challenged motivation and leadership style.

09:09 Competition drives improvement and identifies reliable players.

11:39 Merit-based promotions ensure employee growth and fairness.

14:06 Balancing work commitments with communication and understanding.

18:28 Put feelings aside, buy into the vision.

22:43 Transitioned from project management to client relations.

26:38 Workplace stress and expectations need to change.

27:29 Balancing owner's needs and protecting the team.

32:49 Regret over risk aversion, need for change.

34:25 Motivating staff to find job satisfaction.

For Leadership and team coaching and training, you can message me at joanna.howes@thechangecreators.com and we can book a call.

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/
youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

View Details

Jade Tomlin - ECD at Huge Inc and previously Group CD at AKQA.

Tune in to hear what it takes to truly stand for what you believe in, lead as an introvert and have the persistence to make great work (especially when everyone else has given up).

Listen to podcast here:
https://thecourageousleaderspodcast.buzzsprout.com/

Register to join Leaders Connect Roundtables here:
https://thechangecreators.com/leaders-connect/

Jade shares how the book ‘Quiet’ by Susan Cain inspired her.

She also runs a journal and workshop series call CreativeAdventur.es which was inspired by talks she had with Riverford Organice Farmers and Mette Lykke CEO at Too Good To Go

01:30 Challenging the belief in creativity or financial return.

03:22: Working with someone who you don’t get on with

06:44 Identifying negative traits, and the power of patience

07:41 Building confidence in your team

09:55 Being female, BAME, LGBT, Dyslexic and wanting to defy the odds

11:41 Creators are driven by emotion and can be very sensitive

12:54 Persistence to bring an idea to life when the support isn’t there

15:28 The importance of vision

16:25 Art as self-expression, inspiration and execution.

18:19 Different thinking styles: risk management vs opportunity-seeking.

20:50 The challenge for Introverts in leadership

26:15 Handling big projects, feeling overwhelmed, and an unexpected call that helped.

29:36 Expressing vulnerability and giving positive feedback is vital.

35:03 Adapting leadership style, honing your vision and fostering teamwork.

38:37 How innate drive propelled me to leadership roles.

40:49 Addressing climate change challenges and sustainability efforts.

For Leadership and team coaching and training, you can message me at joanna.howes@thechangecreators.com and we can book a call.

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/
youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

View Details

"A key to achieving success is to know who you want to be and to take steps every day to move closer to that vision."

According to a study in Positive Psychology only about 20% of people feel they are living up to their full potential.

In the latest solo episode of the Courageous Leaders Podcast, I break down the steps I’ve taken to move me closer to the person I want to become.

This is a personal episode where I share how I’ve gone from a shy, reserved girl who constantly felt the need to prove herself to a confident woman embracing her true self with courage.

This episode covers:

How to build your self-esteem to have the courage to be unapologetically YOU
The process to understand why you do what you do
How to manage your energy to show up 100%
How raising your standards frees you from your comfort zone

I am happy to share support, resources, and additional learning recommendations if you DM me.

Subscribe to the Courageous Leaders Podcast to stay updated on future episodes here .

Thank you for listening! Your journey to becoming a courageous leader starts here.

00:00 Discovering true self and regaining confidence.

05:46 Learning self-esteem, inner workings, and profiles.

06:38 Insights on behavior and natural energy.

11:26 Strive to show up 100% in life.

14:03 Commitment to being your best, willing to work.

For Leadership and team coaching and training, you can message me at joanna.howes@thechangecreators.com and we can book a call.

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/
youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

View Details

In this powerful episode, Jo engages in a candid conversation with Nishma Patel Robb, Founder and CEO of Glittersphere who shares her life experiences, career journey, and the importance of embracing vulnerability.

Nishma opens up about her struggles with racism, exclusion, and the societal pressure to fit in. She recounts the pivotal moments that led her to make significant life changes, including leaving a 20-year marriage and a dream job at Google to focus on herself and her own dreams.

Key Topics Discussed:

Experiences of Racism and Exclusion: Nishma discusses the challenges she faced as a South Asian woman and the impact of feeling the need to fit in.
Authenticity and Vulnerability: The journey from crafting an image and wearing business attire to dropping the mask in her forties and embracing vulnerability as a leadership strength
Facing Life Changes: Nishma’s courageous decision to leave her marriage and job to embark on a new adventure focused on self-discovery and growth.
Time Management and Self-Awareness: Insights from both Jo and Nishma on the importance of managing one's mind, time, and self-belief for personal and professional development.
Imposter Syndrome: Nishma's personal experience with imposter syndrome and her “yay me” folder for validating accomplishments.
Self-Reflection: Jo Howes discusses overworking to prove herself due to a lack of confidence and beliefs, emphasising the need for self-reflection.
Leadership and Career Growth: The importance of challenging norms, breaking protocols, and finding freedom within restrictive environments to drive personal and professional growth..
Courageous Leadership: Defining courageous leadership as the ability to say yes and no to certain things confidently and without overthinking.

Thank you for tuning into the Courageous Leaders Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review.

Stay courageous and keep pushing the boundaries!

00:00 Johanna Howes welcomes Nishma Patel Wall, CEO, speaker.

03:21 Leaving Google for self-discovery at 50.

06:57 Creativity, self-reflection, and future aspirations.

10:08 Discovering career direction through writing a bucket list.

15:21 Rediscovering positivity and the power of belief.

16:34 Self-awareness and managing your mind are essential.

22:23 Counter imposter syndrome with a "yay me" folder.

24:50 Transitioned through different career paths, facing pressure.

28:13 Questioning societal expectations, forging one's path.

30:37 Desire for change and exploration in work.

34:51 Inspiring leaders to overcome restrictions and take action.

35:52 Scribble, connect, ask, push, motivate, language, agency.

41:33 Respect rules, but don't fear change.

43:14 Overcoming fear by sharing personal life stories.

46:36 Realising the power of vulnerability in leadership.

51:17 Embrace curiosity, conversation, and childhood wonder again.

53:37 Creating impact in others' lives through support.

55:36 Continuous learning is crucial in our lives.

For Leadership and team coaching and training, you can message me at joanna.howes@thechangecreators.com and we can book a call.

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/
youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

View Details

This episode was truly inspiring; Kate Tancred is one of the most courageous leaders we have had on the podcast. Kate’s journey, experiences, and the choices she has made demonstrate what true courage looks like in leadership.

Join us as we explore finding the courage to do what is right for you even when it’s one of the hardest things you will do.

I am so grateful for Kate's openness in sharing what it takes to start a business at 24, and then ten years later to have the courage to let it go.

Key discussion points:

The dangers of tying your identity and self-worth to your business
How negative emotions are driven from the fear of what people will think
Confronting shame: The pressure of not meeting expectations
The need to change the pace of work
Harnessing COVID's pause and implementing a bold new direction
Transitioning from solo founder to having a boss
Letting go of control: the challenge and liberation of now having space for new things
Driving diversity of talent in the film Industry

Stay courageous and learn what is right for you and what you need and want.

Let us know your thoughts! Please leave us a comment to keep the conversation going.

00:00 "Courageous Leaders podcast with CEO Kate Tancred"

04:42 Started with record players, now in media.

07:31 Exciting industry meetings, no financial commitments, pivot.

11:12 Anticipated video wave, held onto faith.

15:36 Balancing work and family changed my perspective.

18:49 Reflecting on life, making necessary changes.

21:05 Transitioning from doubt to professional opportunities yielded.

23:51 Optimism turns to shame when expectations are unmet.

28:29 Struggle with control is my biggest lesson.

32:37 Found issue, started company to make change.

36:23 Tech industry evolved from lean startups, supports employees.

37:28 Expresses gratitude, invites subscription, promises future content.

For Leadership and team coaching and training, you can message me at joanna.howes@thechangecreators.com and we can book a call.

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/
youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

View Details

It can be hard work to navigate tension between team members and with your clients.

There is a lot of wasted energy and time that can be avoided.

In this weeks episode I share the 3 key areas to focus on to help reduce tension to be able to focus on delivering great work.

I share practical actions for you to implement so please take a listen and let me know your thoughts.

Key highlights:
00:00 Understanding values crucial for team and clients.

04:23 Assumptions lead to unspoken rules causing misunderstandings.

08:23 Seek understanding, access human part, calm down.

10:46 Managing workplace tension through leadership and coaching.

For Leadership and team coaching and training, you can message me at joanna.howes@thechangecreators.com and we can book a call.

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/
youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

View Details

Every time I speak with Tom Jarvis, MD at Wilderness - The Social Media Agency, I leave feeling calm, inspired and bursting with ideas for my business and I know you will feel the same after you listen to his experience.

Tom's blend of success and humility shines through as he shares invaluable lessons from his entrepreneurial career

I could talk to him for hours.

Key discussion points:

How a scorecard created structure and insight to measure success and focus on key areas for improvement
The ability to identify a gap in the market and see the vision of what is needed
Tom’s story of accidentally setting up an agency which he has now recently sold
The significance of focus and self-awareness in driving business growth and achieving success.
The benefits of creating a culture of autonomy and ownership
Insights into the emotional aspects of selling a business and the lessons learned from such experiences
How Tom defined his leadership style during the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to growth and resilience
The advantages of having a young and dynamic leadership team

I’d love to know what inspires you in this episode and the action it has encouraged you to take.

00:00 Key topics: autonomy, feedback, young board, challenges.

05:56 Vulnerability is okay, leadership evolves with growth.

08:32 Transitioned from entertainment to digital marketing consulting.

12:55 Creating a new industry with strategic decisions.

16:45 Balanced approach to business success through metrics.

17:56 Balancing growth and client satisfaction through communication.

23:18 New industry, rapid growth, young board members.

26:04 Belief in everyday creativity inspiring and connecting.

27:12 Creativity is executed through diverse perspectives.

32:17 Nurturing young talent brings fresh perspective.

35:25 Honesty about business challenges fosters empathy.

38:27 Shared process and decision-making for company stability.

43:00 Learning to focus and stay in the game.

45:26 Standing out in a crowded market challenge.

47:13 Seek feedback to inspire and develop leadership.

For Leadership and team coaching and training, you can message me at joanna.howes@thechangecreators.com and we can book a call.

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/
youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

View Details

Have you fully stepped into your leadership identity?

In this episode, I delve into the common challenge faced by leaders struggling to empower themselves and embrace their evolving identity.

I share key insights from Check Warner and Harjot Singh, who were part of our panel at Courageous Leaders LIVE, and inspired a whole room to back themselves.

Key Discussion Points:

Understanding the identity walls that can hinder personal growth.
Freeing yourself to embody the person you aspire to be.
Exploring how high performers continuously shape their evolving identities.
Reflecting on the labels we allow to define us.
Leveraging evidence to propel yourself forward in your leadership journey.

Let's empower your leadership journey together! 🌟

Content Overview
00:00 Leaders evolving through organizational transitions and self-identity.

05:49 Nurture positive thoughts for self-empowerment and success.

06:39 Nurture the positive wolf for personal success.

09:49 Prioritizing personal boundaries, speaking truth, and building trust.

For Leadership and team coaching and training, you can message me at joanna.howes@thechangecreators.com and we can book a call.

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/
youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

View Details

In this week’s episode, I get to talk to the brilliant Claire Humphris, CEO of Iris Worldwide.

Claire was one of the founders of Iris and she openly shares the highs and lows of running an agency over the last 25 years.

We explore Claire's initial resistance to becoming CEO and the challenges of putting yourself out there for all to see.

Key discussion points:

The challenge of stepping up as CEO after being used to being part of a leadership team
The importance of letting go of the need to be liked
The perspective of sport and business in resilience and endurance
Why character is so important when hiring and building a team
The fear of judgment that comes with being in the public eye
The mental strength needed and how business and sport have helped to develop this
Being able to rely on yourself and reframe problems
Insights on when to take the lead and when to challenge

This was our first episode since moving to video recordings and I’m grateful to Claire for making it such an easy transition.

For Leadership and team coaching and training, you can message me at joanna.howes@thechangecreators.com and we can book a call.

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/
youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

View Details

In today's episode, we delve into a common pattern observed in leadership roles.

Many leaders find themselves overly involved in their team's activities, often due to a natural desire for control and involvement.

However, effective leadership requires recognising when to step back and empower your team to reach their full potential.

Join us as we explore the pitfalls of reliant leadership and provide actionable steps to foster a more independent and capable team.

Key discussion points:

Creating reliance between you and your team
Understanding how it’s easy and normal to fall into this trap
The consequences of being a reliant leader
How to identify if this is what you are doing
The empowerment to grow your team’s potential
The actions you can take to encourage ownership and initiative from your team

Breaking the pattern of reliant leadership is crucial for both personal growth as a leader and the professional development of your team.

We would love to know your thoughts on this subject! Please leave us a comment to keep the conversation going.

For Leadership and team coaching and training, you can message me at joanna.howes@thechangecreators.com and we can book a call.

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/
youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

View Details

I’m so grateful to Michelle Booth, Head of Growth and Innovation at Lloyds Bank for her bravery in sharing her story of seemingly having it all yet feeling deeply unhappy and suicidal.

To discover what was important to her and not conforming to what society says you ‘should do and have’.

Michelle's story is a testament to the importance of authenticity and self-discovery in the pursuit of genuine fulfilment.

Key discussion points:

Emotions are not a weakness; understanding and expressing them appropriately can strengthen leadership and team cohesion
Concerns about the potential misuse of emotions to avoid critical feedback
Acknowledging that Psychological safety is an input, not an output
How stand-up comedy and a clowning course helped to overcome failure
the essential components required to drive innovation and creativity within organisations
The importance of giving and receiving feedback effectively - it's not the leader's job to manage people's feelings but to maintain a space where emotions and feedback can coexist
The power of humour and resilience
The illusion of certainty and embracing uncertainty as a catalyst for innovation and growth

This episode serves as a powerful reminder to follow your own path and do what is right for you.

Let us know your thoughts! Please leave us a comment to keep the conversation going.

For Leadership and team coaching and training, you can message me at joanna.howes@thechangecreators.com and we can book a call.

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/
youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

View Details

In this week’s episode, I talk with the brilliant Karen Boswell. Join us as we delve deep into the vital significance of purpose in both individual and business success.

I am so grateful for Karen’s transparency in sharing her career highs and lows and shedding light on topics often hidden behind a facade of success.

Key discussion points:

Overcoming feeling excluded and having self-doubt following a merger announcement
Rebuilding confidence after losing personal purpose
Blind recruiting to mitigate biases and promote inclusivity
Building trust through vulnerability and transparency
When to push for change or move on in leadership
From profit-centric to purpose-driven business, the necessity to adapt or face decline
Flip the traditional meeting agenda to prioritise people's issues
The challenges of a large company's complexities and hierarchies
Strategies on how to build a culture virtually
Do things for you, rather than seeking external validation

This episode serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative effects of leading with purpose, the resilience required to enact change, and the personal fulfilment that comes from aligning with one's true values.

Stay courageous and connected to your purpose!

For Leadership and team coaching and training, you can message me at joanna.howes@thechangecreators.com and we can book a call.

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/
youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

View Details

In this week’s episode of the podcast, I’m going all in on fear.

How do we get to a place where we can manage our fear versus letting fear manage us? In this episode, join me as I discuss this topic and how you can begin to allow yourself to be free from fear as a leader.

I also discuss the importance of self-awareness and recognizing the barriers in your life that might be holding you back.

Key takeaways include:

● The power of shifting focus towards outcomes to drive action despite emotions
● Embracing discomfort as a catalyst for accelerated personal growth
● Understanding the physical manifestations of fear and using them as cues for action
● Leveraging lessons from others' experiences to tackle challenges head-on

Check out the article mentioned in the episode here:
https://humanparts.medium.com/finding-my-fighting-words-how-i-learned-to-have-uncomfortable-conversations-9c0bb09c50c

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In episode 102 of the podcast, I speak with Polly McMorrow, CEO of McCann London.

Join us as we discuss the amount of pressure many leaders put on themselves to succeed and the delicate balance of self-imposed pressure against the backdrop of industry expectations.

We also discuss the contagious nature of fearless leadership and why it’s so important for CEOs to have patience, positivity, and transparency.

Key takeaways include:

● The initial hesitation around the opportunity to become CEO
● The impact of adapting to different professional environments
● The importance of encouraging a culture where employees can be themselves
● The transition to CEO and instilling change while respecting the existing culture
● Being promoted for potential
● The vitality of knowing oneself to build genuine connections and lead with integrity

Polly joined McCann London in 2022 after a successful 14-year tenure as MD of BBH, where she drove significant growth for brands like Audi and VW and won back-to-back IPA Effectiveness Awards. Passionate about client business, she fosters high-performing teams, and mentors, and is active in various industry associations.

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this week’s episode of the podcast, I’m covering the difference between an achiever and a performer, a topic I often cover in my self-leadership trainings, which tends to resonate with many people.

Join me as I explore the key differences between being an achiever and being a performer, and what you need to understand about these roles to become an effective leader.

I also discuss the importance of authenticity and deep self-awareness in leadership.
Key takeaways include:

● The impact being an achiever can have on your leadership and long-term success
● How the drive for success can stem from a feeling of inadequacy
● The quality of work and outcomes that come from different mentalities

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In episode 100 of the podcast, I speak with Ian Millner, Co-founder and Chair of Iris.

Join us whilst we discuss the importance of culture and having an employee brand that is exciting and visceral and that makes employees feel like they are a valuable part of the organisation.

Ian also shares the 3 pillars of effective leadership and what it means to lean into these
principles as leaders.

Key takeaways include:

● The frustration of seeing leaders being too cautious in their leadership
● Why you need to invest in an Employee Value proposition and care about your culture
● The opportunity to be a leader who can create and share their vision
● Why you should start by giving trust and not waiting for it to be earned
● Employing a moral compass, especially in high-stress situations
● Empowering people to make decisions, even if it leads to mistakes
● The significance of resilience, determination, and rational decision-making based on
firm purpose and values

Ian Millner is the co-founder and global Chair of Iris Worldwide, leading expansion into 17 countries with a focus on diversity, innovation, and entrepreneurship to challenge the status quo.

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this week’s episode of the podcast, I’m talking about the art of backing yourself as a leader. This is a topic that is very close to my heart and I wanted to spend some time discussing it today.

I’m debunking the myths surrounding self-assurance and arrogance and why backing yourself isn’t arrogance, it’s actually caring for yourself, celebrating what you're able to do, and loving who you are.

I also discuss why you have to learn to empower yourself through investing in you and building that trust with yourself and what you’re capable of.

Key takeaways include:

● Sharing my personal journey with low self-confidence
● Exploring the craving for external validation and its implications
● Embracing the highs and lows of confidence in leadership roles
● Recognising the tendencies of leaders lacking self-backing
● Encouraging personal growth through stepping out of comfort zones
● Elevating performance by setting higher standards for oneself

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In episode 98 of the podcast, I speak with Conrad Persons, President of Grey, London.

Join us as we discuss the importance of sharing your ideas with your team first to make sure they’re on the same page as you and want to jump out of the “plane” alongside you. He also shares the hard lessons learned from when your team stays on the plane instead of following you.

Conrad also discusses how we spend our time as leaders and the necessity for candid
reflection and prioritisation when managing our time.

Key takeaways include:

● The power of focusing on the smaller interactions instead of grand gestures to motivate people
● Dealing with defensiveness when ideas are contested
● Why you need to separate personal identity from ideas
● Managing your emotions and having strategic patience
● The danger of overplanning when stepping into a new role
● Understanding both individual and group mindsets
● The impact of your daily decisions on productivity

Conrad is an entrepreneur and current President of Grey, London. Conrad leads the flagship London studio, which is home to award-winning work, partnering with iconic clients P&G, Haleon, Kellogg, and Arla.

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this week’s episode of the podcast, I’m going solo to discuss the topic of excessive
resilience—a challenge I've personally grappled with, nearly breaking me in the process.

Join me as I delve into the seven components of resilience and offer some helpful insights into cultivating resilience for yourself or your team members.

I'll also be sharing my own experiences of placing immense pressure on myself to be the hero in others' lives, and how this has influenced my perspective as a leader.

Key takeaways include:

● The impact of excessive resilience on personal health
● Experiencing false hope syndrome and its impact
● The impact of worrying about what other people think
● Toxic work environments with public humiliation
● Recognising if you are reaching for unattainable goals

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In episode 96 of the podcast, I speak with Melissa Chapman, CEO of Jungle Creations.

Join us as we discuss how to effectively overcome resistance to change within your
organisation by approaching it in a way that makes people feel like you are all in it together.

Melissa also discusses the challenges of having ADHD when it came to her habits as a leader and why giving herself permission to be her authentic self allowed her to fully embrace who she is as a leader.

Key takeaways include:

● How courage is being willing to break the norms and focus on the future
● The blend of courage and guardian leadership in an organisation
● The pros and cons of transitioning from Co-CEO to CEO
● Practicing patience and valuing different working styles within the team
● Utilising stress and challenge as a catalyst for growth
● The importance of saying no and managing expectations with the team
● Why we need a balance of optimism and pessimism to grow
● Managing measured risk and the importance of timely decision-making
● The fine line between resilience and recognising when to let go
● Why you must recognise your worth and ask for what you feel you deserve

Melissa Chapman is CEO at Jungle Creations, a leading social publisher and agency, where she sets the overall business vision and growth strategy. Melissa was Jungle's first employee in 2014 and since has scaled Jungle's owned audiences from 1M to 140M+, working with clients including MLB, PepsiCo, and Red Bull.

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In episode 95 of the podcast, I am diving into the need to understand other people.

Have you ever found yourself getting frustrated with others for not understanding what you’re trying to say? It may make perfect sense to you but they just aren’t getting it. This is because we all think differently and the way you understand things isn’t necessarily the way other members of your team do.

When we take the time to not just know each other, but really understand each other, we can achieve deeper connection and increased performance.

Key takeaways include:

● The key to a successful team
● The impact of ego on team connection
● How you can enter the world of others to improve performance
● How too many assumptions are being wrongly made due to a lack of understanding
● The fastest way to build trust with those around you

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In episode 94 of the podcast, I speak with Sarat Pediredla, CEO of hedgehog lab.

Join us as we discuss the importance of recognising that everyone has their strengths, but some people are just not right for your company. While it can be tempting to people please and get curious about how you can fix poor performance from team members, investing in the wrong people can inevitably be a risk to your organisation.

We also delve into the power of building a culture of psychological safety amongst your team and why this is an important measure of the team’s overall success.

Key takeaways include:

● The challenges of navigating the acquisition of a company and building a new C-suite
with a 20% downturn
● The realities of having at least 50% of the current decisions being unpopular and how
to respond to this
● Being challenged over focusing on culture at the expense of business
● The key to creating a strong leadership team is knowing and understanding each other in and outside of work
● The danger of believing that asking for help is a weakness and how much time that can cost you
● Surrounding yourself with the right people is the best way to navigate challenges.
Sarat, once bound to be a brain surgeon, shifted to software engineering and moved to the UK.

With hedgehog lab, he aspires to lead the world’s biggest and best digital product
consultancy.

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In episode 93 of the podcast, I’m exploring how you can make sure that you are putting the right part of you in charge of your business and leadership.

This idea comes from Internal Family Systems, which was created by Dr. Richard Schwartz. It’s the idea that we as humans are all made up of a system of protected parts that we can manage and use when needed. Think of it like your own internal leadership team.

It’s risky not to have the right part of you in charge, so join me as I explore how you can make sure you have the right part in the driver’s seat of your leadership.

Key takeaways include:

● Understanding your internal world in order to self-lead
● How to identify the different parts of you
● Tips for managing your own internal board of directors
● How G.I. Jo and Hippie Jo help champion me

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In episode 92 of the podcast, I speak with Flavilla Fongang, the Founder and CEO of Black Rise.

Join us as we discuss why as leaders, we need to stop focusing only on financial outcomes and also look at the greater impact we are making on the community and even the planet. In the era of cancel culture, we have to be more socially responsible if we want our organisation to succeed.

We also discussed why it is so important to invest in protecting your peace. There is power in getting comfortable saying no without explanation, and it is something that we all need to embrace more, particularly as leaders.

Key takeaways include:

● The importance of empowering black women in technology
● Why it’s not okay to be the only woman in the room
● What an entrepreneurial mindset really is
● The balance of business impact and leaving a legacy
● Knowing how much money you need to be happy
● Developing a solution mindset so that you can solve any problem
● Why you can’t let the naysayers stop you, and you should always trust your gut
● How the first step to climbing the pyramid is just taking the first step

Flavilla Fongang is a multi-award-winning serial entrepreneur and an international keynote speaker. She is the author of “99 Strategies to Get Customers”. She is also the founder of Global Tech Advocates – Black Women in Tech, the largest organisation of black professional women in tech.

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In episode 91 of the podcast, I’m focusing on the feeling of not belonging and how important it is as leaders to create belonging and connection amongst our teams.

In the last episode with Jake Brody, he shared something with me that gave me goosebumps. It was so simple, yet it completely reshaped my perspective on my responsibility regarding this topic and what I can do about it.

Join me as I share my own personal experience of feeling like I didn’t fit in and how I learned to overcome it.

Key takeaways include:

● The 3 universal fears we all have
● How to identify if you are a leader who creates belonging
● What you can do to enhance team connection and foster a sense of belonging

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In episode 90 of the podcast, I speak with Jake Brody, Senior Managing Director of Accenture Song.

Have you ever wondered how you can make a big company feel small? Jake shares his insights into how he does this by celebrating good news and having an open-door policy so that the people in his company don’t feel like they are just a number. They feel like they are part of something bigger.

He also discusses the power of having the courage to speak up, even in a senior position. Your words matter, and that is an important thing to remember, no matter your position.

Key takeaways include:

● Choosing to belong and not trying to fit in
● The mantra of ‘having fun’ and how to truly live it
● Understanding FUD and helping people navigate fear, uncertainty, and doubt
● The teachings of being with a company for 26 years
● Why intention, representations, and stewardship is key to courageous leadership
● Knowing you have something to offer, making it happen, and getting a seat at the table
● The importance of remembering that clients are human beings and have the same
fears, worries, and aspirations that we do

Jake Brody is a Senior Managing Director and the lead for Accenture Song in the US South Market Unit where he and his team deliver relevant, creative, and growth-focused solutions for clients across all industries and sectors.

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In episode 89, I’m discussing something that many people struggle with - perfectionism. This includes myself and my husband and I share our personal stories of how we manage this.

How can we start to embrace imperfection? Perfectionism is a personality trait that's
characterised by a relentless pursuit of flawless standards, often accompanied by critical self-evaluations and a fear of making mistakes. In this episode, I’m sharing the two sides of perfection and why we as a society struggle to let go.

I’m also discussing the traits of perfectionism and why they are ultimately just signs of
procrastination. The fear of failure, for instance, can really hold you back from doing what you really want to accomplish.

Key takeaways include:

● The risk of setting your standards too high
● Identifying control patterns
● Seeking external validation to feel worthy
● Experimenting with imperfection and my personal story of doing this
● Steps to begin to let go and free yourself from perfectionism

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this week’s episode of the podcast, I speak with Neisha Tweed, Executive Creative Director, Inclusive Creative Strategist, and DEI Leader and Speaker.

Neisha discusses the power of bringing situational leadership, adaptability, and flexibility to the work environment in order to create a space in which you can focus on the individual and bring out the best in your people.

She also shares the powerful lessons in leadership that she has learned from her 5-year-old, neurodiverse son which has changed how she approaches providing support for the people on her team. There is power in just listening to what people need instead of assuming you already know, and Neisha shares her thoughts on that.

Key takeaways include:

● How to arrive at your vision and take action to make it happen
● Tips for asking the hard questions and managing the responses
● Learning to stop waiting to be ready and go for it
● You don’t need to be perfect you need to be present
● The questions to ask if you want to drive a real conversation
● Stop assuming you know what the other person needs, let them tell you

Neisha Tweed Bell is a creative visionary who seamlessly intertwines creativity, inclusion, and authenticity, leaving an indelible mark on both the professional landscape and the lives she touches.

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this week’s episode of the podcast, I’m going solo and sharing my thoughts on the impact of quiet leadership.

This is my natural style of leadership and for a long time, I thought it was a flaw.

Quiet leadership often has an underestimated impact. I want to shed some light on the
common misconception of equating quiet leadership with low confidence, and why we need to recognise and appreciate the strengths of quiet leaders.

Join me as I share what it means to be a quiet leader, the qualities surrounding this leadership style, and how you can take this superpower and make more of an impact than ever.

Key takeaways include:

● What quiet leadership actually is and how to know if you are a quiet leader
● Why we have to stop mistaking quiet leadership as low confidence
● How we can start to ensure that quiet leaders are not overlooked
● The powerful ability to stay calm and steady under pressure
● The superpower of creating safe spaces for people
● How a lot of the strongest leaders are not the upfront superstars
● The art of leading from the back

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

We are back and in this week’s episode, I speak with Karl Marsden, Chair of Contagious
Communications.

Have you ever struggled with negative self-talk? You’re not alone. Karl shares why overcoming that negativity is the most important key to building resiliency as a leader. He shares valuable tips for how we as high-achieving leaders can overcome this bad habit and find more confidence in our own leadership abilities.

Karl also delves into the true courage it takes to admit that you might not always be the best person for a job, even if you are the leader.

Key takeaways include:

● Courageous leadership starts with self-belief and belief in what you are doing
● The art of quiet leadership
● The mindset of loving work and how this can help you succeed
● Why not rushing to climb the ladder could be the thing that sets you up for success as a leader
● Recognising that you will make wrong decisions sometimes, but you will make the right ones even more
● The power of surrounding yourself with good people

Karl is an ex-media executive turned business performance and turnaround specialist with a specific interest in the SME sector. After nearly 20 years in the magazine & digital media sector, Karl left his corporate seat to become part of the founding management team at Shortlist Media Ltd a freemium-based media company.

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

The Courageous Leaders Club Podcast is back for its 12 series!

Prepare to gain insights from seasoned leaders who've weathered the storms to emerge as the courageous figures they are today:

● Karl Marsden: Chair of Contagious Communications
● Neisha Tweed: Exec Creative Director, Inclusive Creative Strategist
● Jake Brody: Senior Managing Director of Accenture
● Flavilla Fongang: Founder and CEO of Black Rise
● Sarat Pediredla: CEO at hedgehog lab

💡 Solo Episodes: A New Feature!

This season, I'm excited to introduce my Solo Episodes. In these five insightful episodes,
I'll be delving into the heart of courageous leadership, sharing coaching tips that are not
only impactful but truly transformative.

A few of the key takeaways from the Solo Episodes:

● Putting the right part of you in charge of your leaders: Uncover the secrets of
effective leadership from within.
● Understanding what drives you: A deep dive into self-awareness and motivation.
● Why we need to let go: Letting go for growth, success, and well-being.

I strongly believe that courageous leadership starts with believing in oneself. It's all
about embracing the subtle art of quiet leadership, cultivating a mindset of loving our
work, and, most importantly, being present rather than striving for perfection.

Throughout the episodes, I'll be guiding you on how to build resilience, set yourself up
for success as a leader, and create cultures that prioritize psychological safety.

📅 Mark Your Calendars!

The 12th season of The Courageous Leaders Podcast kicks off on January 18th, 2024,
featuring not only insightful interviews but also transformative solo episodes. Hit that
follow button now, so you stay in the loop. Remember, in the world of leadership,
courage is what sets YOU apart.

View Details

I’m doing something a little different in this week’s episode and sharing my first solo podcast episode.

We decided to do this to wrap up 2023 and bring to you some of the key highlights of what we covered from our incredible guests that came on the show. There was a strong theme of finding strength in vulnerability as a leader.

Vulnerability is the key to courage, to unlocking human potential, connection, and trust, and that's the foundation to build a high-performing, courageous team.

We are also planning to shake up the podcast next year and I will do even more solo episodes. We want to get that balance of sharing inspiring stories for courageous leaders, and then also sharing some of the coaching tips, educational, and practical things people can do with the information they're hearing.

Key takeaways include:

● The incredible power of vulnerability and sharing who we are despite our fear
● How failure can change the trajectory of our lives by giving us the courage to move
forward
● We can’t grow if we only celebrate our wins
● The importance of seeking help when we burnout
● Being open and authentic about your struggles as a leader
● The trust that you build with others when you embrace your vulnerability

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this week’s episode, I speak with Kassi Slade, Founder and Director at The Positive Sleep Coach.

Did you know that one night of bad sleep can increase your chances of cardiovascular disease by 300%? Kassi shares the importance of getting the right amount of rest because even though our society doesn’t prioritise it, extreme action in work calls for extreme rest if you want to continue performing at your best.

We also discuss the difficulty of losing your sense of self and how you can go about
reconnecting with your own identity so that you can continue to lead your team by example and inspire them to succeed.

Key takeaways include:

● Why you must create space for yourself and learn how to switch off
● How sports teams hiring sleep coaches inspired Kassi’s new career
● What to do if you wake up during the night overthinking or anxiety
● The power of humanising leadership with care, connection, and curiosity
● The power of intergenerational leadership

Kassi Slade of The Positive Sleep Coach is a seasoned professional with a rich background in the creative sports and entertainment marketing industry, managing global sponsorship portfolios and integrated marketing campaigns for leading brands across Europe and Asia.

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this week’s episode, I speak to Ete Davies, EMEA Chief Operating Officer at Dentsu Creative.

Join us as we discuss how as leaders, it’s our responsibility to be more purpose-driven and create equitable and inclusive environments in the workplace and it’s time for us to step up and make the change.

Ete also delves into the limitations we put on people based on what we judge about their background and experience. People shouldn’t be limited by that because they are capable of being successful in multiple areas, and we need to create a culture of going beyond limits to allow people to succeed.

Key takeaways include:

● How a growth mindset and imposter syndrome are the same beast and how they help
you in your leadership
● The drive to get to the C-Suite
● The need to change your leadership style to navigate a culture that isn’t what you’re
used to and dealing with people who are sabotaging your efforts
● The power of adopting conscious leadership and letting go of assumptions
● Building courage to have honest conversations and increasing dialogue with people

Ete Davies is Dentsu Creative's COO across EMEA, responsible for leading the way in
transforming brands and businesses through the power of modern creativity.

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this episode of the podcast, I speak with Jane Austin, owner of Persuasion Communications.

In this episode, we discuss what it took for Jane to go from being homeless with a 6-day-old baby to building and running a successful business and the mantra that keeps her going when things get hard.

As we age in today’s society, it can be scary to feel like you are no longer relevant. Jane also discusses this fear and how she has coped with it in her career.

Key takeaways include:

● There are a lot of women who need to look at their behaviour in the workplace
● Why we must give business training to creatives
● Why are women making conversations so personal
● Leaders need to be braver and share their point of view

Jane Austin is the founder of Persuasion Communications, a news-room structured
communications and content agency with offerings in London, Paris and New York. Jane has written three books on graphic design and has contributed to The Guardian, The Independent, the Daily Express and the Financial Times.

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:
website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this week’s episode, I speak to Joe Staples, CCO and Partner at Mother Industries.

Join us whilst we discuss why you must stop claiming that you have it all together as a leader and just be honest about with where you are. The “I’ve got it” attitude will only build a barrier between you and your team and it’s time to embrace more transparency in the workplace to create stronger teams.

Joe also delves into his mental health journey and his experiences living with ADHD and Dyslexia while leading large teams. He also opens up about what he learned while navigating anxiety and panic attacks as a leader.

Key takeaways include:

● The art of keeping it simple to drive innovation and creativity
● The ability to solve problems and elevate how you think
● The parallels of jiu-jitsu and the creative process
● The importance of moving through your fears and not allowing them to take over
● The key to staying relevant is to consume content that is new to you, not just what
interests you

Joe Staples is the CCO and Partner of Mother USA. He is a Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt and an Emmy winner who is obsessed with learning and teaching the processes of creativity that advertising and grappling share. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and son.

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:
website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this week’s episode I speak to Ally Owen, Founder of Brixton Finishing School.

Join us as we discuss the barriers and challenges we all face and why it’s so important that we learn to embrace these challenges and walk with them instead of letting them hold us back from the success we deserve.

Ally also delves into why we need to stop running from our anger and instead learn to harness it. When you feel great anger, it is telling you something and it can actually be used as a powerful resource that can be a catalyst for success.

Key takeaways include:

The importance of self-forgiveness and why you need it in order to let go and keep moving forward
The crisis we are facing in the world right now and how it’s causing companies to cut back on areas that are proven to help them grow
The power of running your life with military precision for success
Great leadership is all about understanding how you work and the impact you have on those around you

Ally Owen founded Brixton Finishing School due to the need to create a diverse and equitable talent blueprint for our industry. Its award-winning family of programs finds, trains, and places structurally excluded’ talent in roles across marketing, advertising and communications ecosystem.

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

Leadership is about influence, not authority. Who has influenced your leadership
journey?
Series 11 of the Courageous Leaders Club Podcast is launching on November 16, and it's packed with inspiration. Join us for in-depth discussions on topics such as authentic leadership, resilience, overcoming challenges, and so much more.

We have an incredible lineup of guests that you aren’t going to want to miss including:

Ally Owen - Founder of Brixton Finishing School
Joe Staples - CCO/Partner - Mother Industries
Jane Austin - Owner of Persuasion Communications
Ete Davies - EMEA Chief Operating Officer - Dentsu Creative
Ali Hanan - Founder & CEO - Creative Equals
Kassi Slade - Founder & Director - The Positive Sleep Coach

Plus, watch out for a special solo episode by our host, Joanna Howes! We're working on
introducing a new podcast format, providing our listeners with access to valuable learning material to help navigate the ever-changing journey of leadership and gain invaluable skills to leave a proud legacy.

Be sure to hit subscribe so you're the first to be notified as this new wave of powerful episodes drops!

View Details

In this episode of the podcast, I speak with Ben Scoggins, CEO at Organic.

Join us as we discuss why as a leader, the most important thing you can do is believe in
yourself. If you want to have an effective and successful team, you have to believe in them, and it all starts with the belief you have in yourself.

Ben also discusses the importance of remembering the foundations of what it is to be a great leader and keeping it at the front of your mind, especially in how you communicate with your team.

Key takeaways include:

Overcoming the feeling that everyone else is smarter than you and more amazing at what they do
The value of having talented and nice people on your team and how to make it happen
The seesaw of what is the agency giving you and what are you giving the agency

Ben Scoggins is the CEO of Organic, a digital experience agency based in Exeter. Organic are nearly 40 people strong, they partner with clients including Sainsbury's, Lush and Decathlon, and they are an extremely proud B Corps.

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:
website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this episode of the podcast, I speak with Virginie Faucon, Former Global Chief Marketing Officer, Growth Expert, Board Advisor, Mentor, and Executive Coach at BBC Maestro.

It takes a lot of courage to be vulnerable and authentic in the workplace. In this episode,
Virginie shares how it took her 20 years to take off the mask she had been wearing and just embrace her own authenticity.

We also delve into the reality of making tough decisions and the time that standing up for her team actually cost Virginie her job.

Key takeaways include:
● How being open about having low confidence can impact those around you
● Why taking a couple of steps back can actually grow your career
● The power of building your personal brand

Virginie is the former CMO at BBC Maestro and Clim8 and an award-winning marketing leader with 20 years experience in setting up marketing functions from inception to acceleration and delivering commercial growth.

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:
website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this episode of the podcast, I speak with Chris Kemp, Owner of Ingenuity London.

There has been a dramatic change in leadership styles since the pandemic and people are having to change the way they lead and communicate. Join us as we discuss these changes and the importance of being able to adapt as business and leadership roles continue to evolve.

Chris also shares the importance of trusting your team and learning ways that you can
effectively lead and empower them to become a part of the decision-making process.

Key takeaways include:
● Learning to empower your team members
● Why relationships must be an important focus
● The power of believing in yourself

Chris founded Ingenuity 18 years ago to connect world-famous brands and agencies. He’s built the business out exponentially since then and it now boasts almost 80 employees.

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:
website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this episode of the podcast, I speak with Nicola Kemp, Editorial Director at Creativebrief.

Join us as we discuss the power of truly listening. Listening has become a lost art and it is incredibly important when it comes to creating a positive and creative culture in the workplace. We have to get comfortable with ambiguity and get intentional about listening to the people around us.

We also discuss why we must stop the unsustainable workload people currently face and look at the pace we are setting because the best work is not possible in the current ‘busy’ environments. We need to be intentional about building in points of rest.

Key takeaways include:

We have got to stop squeezing mid-life women out of the workplace, we are losing so much innovation
Let’s change how we view TIME
Nobody's life is in a fixed state. At every life stage we have new challenges and opportunities and we need to allow for this flexibility and understanding in the workplace

Nicola is Editorial Director at Creativebrief and co-founder of the social learning practice Good Shout. She is passionate about changing the narrative and experience for women in the creative industries and she won The Women in Marketing Journalist of the year award for her work championing diversity in the creative industries.

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this episode of the podcast, I speak with Patrick Marr, Owner & Director at Leading Edge.

Join us as we delve into the four different types of leaders and how each of them contribute to a team’s performance. Patrick shares why you need all four types if you want your team to be successful.

We also discuss how it can be really hard at times to truly see yourself and find out why something doesn’t feel congruent as a leader. Patrick shares the power of having someone be your mirror and how it can help you improve and further develop your skills.

Key takeaways include:

The importance of character building and having an opinion as a leader
The four different types of leaders in a team, and why you need them all
The power of having someone be your mirror, to increase your awareness and develop
How to bring teams together for higher performance

Patrick Marr is the founder of Leading Edge - a successful global development business specializing in Leadership, Highly Effective Teams and Change. They work with brands such as Mars, Levis, Whitbread and Jaguar Land Rover and elite sport teams such as England Rugby, the FA and the British Olympic Association.

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In the latest episode of the podcast, I speak with Joyce Idoniboye, C-Suite Executive and Chief People Officer EMEA at DDB.

Join us whilst we discuss why, as leaders, we need to stand up for what we believe in, even in the most challenging times. We're in a certain position, we have a certain platform, and it's not right for us to sit silently if we think that there's something wrong.

There is power in being who you are, even in the workplace as a leader, and Joyce delves into this topic and how resilience can be instrumental in your success.

Key takeaways include:
● The power of people believing in you
● The impact of micro-aggression in the workplace
● The resilience to keep going

Joyce Idoniboye is Chief People Officer for Europe, Middle East and Africa at DDB owned by Omnicom Group.. Joyce is a dynamic strategic and pragmatic HR professional with experience working in a variety of industries over a period of more than 20 years.

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:
website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this week’s episode I speak to Peter Moody, Chief Innovation Officer at MullenLowe.
Join us for a fascinating conversation around how to create an environment of experimentation where our team feels safe to fail and make mistakes while trying something new. We also discuss the power of leaning into risk as opposed to avoiding it for continued growth and success.

Peter also delves into how we are like batteries and we need to look after our energy or it will run out. He shares his personal experience of burnout and depression and how he had to learn to come to terms with it and be open about it.

Key takeaways include:
● We need to stop hypocrisy in leadership. Our actions are not backing up what we are
saying we care about
● Breaking things down into small chunks to get progress and momentum back
● The learnings Peter brought to his leadership after living in Japan for 16 years

Peter Moody is Chief Innovation Officer at MullenLowe, driving the growth of Social, Data and CX across the MullenLowe business. Peter is also part of the IPG AI steering committee to help drive broader digital transformation and application of AI across its global business units.

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:
website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this episode, I speak with Victoria Day, MD at Ogilvy.

Join us whilst we discuss how we as leaders need to stop accepting bad behaviour from
talented people and the importance of always treating the junior team members with respect and kindness.

We also delve into the topic of vulnerability and how showing vulnerability as a leader creates a safe place for other people to be vulnerable and truly bring their whole selves and all of their ideas into the workplace.

● The importance of vulnerability in an industry that rewards people that are
“bullet-proof”
● The role of mothers in leadership and the feeling that you can’t speak about your
children or you’ll be seen differently or as incapable of doing your job
● Taking action that will make a difference to the people you want to help

Victoria leads the Advertising, Brand & Content business at Ogilvy UK as Managing Director. She has over 20 years' experience partnering with clients to drive impact and is zealous about the power of creativity to drive growth.

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:
website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this episode, I speak with Efrain Ayala, Global Creativity and Diversity & Inclusion Director, Marketing at Reckitt.
Join us while we discuss embracing your authentic self in the workplace, no matter how long that takes, and how truly empowering it can be.
Efrain also delves into the clarity of vision needed to be a change agent and why the key to influencing change is to find out the game that you’re playing.

Key takeaways include:
● When you realise you’re an ‘other’ you become very good at fitting in and changing
code
● How the gift of leadership is releasing your power
● Learning to plant the seed and waiting for the flower to grow

Efrain Ayala, the Global Creativity and D&I Director at Reckitt, is a renowned expert in
leveraging the power of brands to drive meaningful change. With a proven track record of delivering award-winning campaigns that drive growth and deeply resonate with diverse audiences across cultures and geographies, Ayala is widely recognized as a trailblazer in the industry.

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:
website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this episode, I speak with Jessica Tamsedge, UK CEO, Dentsu Creative.
Join us as we discuss the courage it takes to bring your people with you, even when you don’t know all of the answers and having faith and trust in yourself and your team that you will find the way together.
She also touches on the importance of transparency when you are leading large teams with different cultures and backgrounds for increased success for the whole team.

Key takeaways include:

● The reality behind keeping it together as a leader
● The challenges and tension in female leadership
● Stepping into the identity of a more senior role

Jessica is CEO, Dentsu Creative UK, the bringing together of 9 creative companies that span advertising and production, entertainment, earned and experience, across offices in London, Manchester, Edinburgh and Newcastle. Jessica has built her career developing brands that shape culture and change behaviour.

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:
website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this episode, I speak with Jonny Spindler, MD at Jones Knowles Ritchie.
Join us as we discuss the maverick waves of leadership and the energy and focus required to ride those waves while trying to support others on your team.
We also dive into motivation and the curiosity and drive to want to be in the right room where important conversations are happening for continued growth as a leader.

Key takeaways include:

● Leadership is more about overcoming fear than building confidence
● The challenge of bringing people with you on the maverick waves
● Understanding how your energy works with other people and when it needs to be dialled up and when it needs to
be dialled down

Jonny has built experience through working at a mix of agencies including Isobar and Geometry, relationship, data and technology-led, BBDO, consumer and culture-led and JKR, design and brand-led. Jonny has also led Global partnerships with Google, Meta and Amazon to maximise the value brands obtain from these platforms.

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:
website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this episode, I speak with Nazia Du Bois, Global Head of Rare with Google.
Join us as we discuss how as leaders, our truth is our power and sometimes we need to stand up for that, even if it is uncomfortable. Nazia shares why the role of the truth teller is about having a really clear perspective on yourself and what’s best
for your team.
We also discuss the effects of perfectionist culture and how it can actually be detrimental to our team.

Key takeaways include:
● There is power of being present and being absent to communities
● Ethical AI and courage of seeking long-term over short-term results
● How every word needs to earn its keep in leadership

Nazia Du Bois is global head of Rare, Google and is a seasoned global marketing leader with experience in agency leadership (DAVID, Ricebowl) and internal brand teams (Netflix, Google) experience. She works on building inclusive products, brands,
marketing and leadership teams.

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:
website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this episode, I speak with Lucas Bergmans, former CMO of Cazoo.
Join us as Lucas shares his thoughts on how keeping your vision and values at the front of everything you do will help retain the culture of your team during periods of rapid growth.

Lucas also explores why embracing imposter syndrome instead of running from it can help you grow as an individual and leader.
● How to achieve working at speed
● The challenges of hypergrowth and then a fast downhill turn
● The mindset you need when your position is made redundant
Lucas Bergsmans, is the former CMO of Cazoo. Previous to this he held senior roles at Aviva, Money supermarket.com and Heiken. He is skilled in delivering rapid, sustainable growth in scale-up e-commerce B2C businesses and has driven profitable growth successfully across the food, soft and alcoholic drinks, travel, financial and automotive sectors.

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:
website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this week’s episode, I speak to Rebecca Bezzina, CEO, EMEA at R/GA.
Join us as we explore the authenticity needed in leadership and the non-negotiables that allow Rebecca to show up 100% as a leader for her team.
Rebecca also shares her unique view on why she is the one working for her team, not the other way around. She believes that to be successful, you have to create environments where people work with you, not for you and it has been central to her approach to leadership.
Key takeaways include:
● The importance of having a plan and not waiting for opportunities to appear
● Being able to speak up and express yourself
● How there is always room to be more courageous, no matter how senior you are
Rebecca is the CEO of the EMEA business for R/GA and is the driving force behind R/GA’s long-term business vision and strategic direction in the UK – Under her leadership the agency was awarded Campaign’s Digital Innovation agency of the year in 2022/23 and she was recognised as Agency Leader of the Year in the Digital category.

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:
website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this week’s episode, I speak to Jamie Elliot, CEO at The Gate.
Join us for a fascinating conversation around how he approaches leadership and why as leaders, we have to find the courage to
stand by what we believe, even when everyone else around us may be on a different page.
Jamie also shares his insights into what it is like to make the transition from having control as the manager and letting go as a
leader.
Key takeaways include:
● Why you must focus on managing your energy and building consistency
● How failing in his first CEO role has helped define his leadership today
● How to be supportive to your team and help give the push to expand their comfort zone
Jamie has orchestrated The Gate’s turnaround and led MullenLowe to EFFIE Agency of the Year. He has an MBA and is on the IPA’s
Council.
Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:
website: https://www.thechangecreators.com linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

Introducing Series 9 of The Courageous Leaders Club!
Get ready to be inspired by an incredible lineup of guests, including:

Jamie Elliott - CEO, The Gate
Rebecca Bezzina - CEO, EMEA, R/GA
Lucas Bergmans - former CMO, Cazoo
Victoria Day - MD, Ogilvy
Jonny Spindler - MD, Jones Knowles Ritchie
Jessica Tamsedge - UK CEO, Dentsu Creative
Efrain Ayala - Global Creativity and Diversity & Inclusion Director, Marketing, Reckitt
Nazia Du Bois - Global Head of Rare with Google

Join us on June 29th for captivating conversations on leadership, overcoming challenges, and unlocking your full potential.
To be the first to know when new episodes are out, subscribe here: https://apple.co/3XVX6xs

View Details

In this week’s episode I speak to Bee Adamic - CEO of Liberty Music PR.
Join us whilst we talk about Bee’s journey through leadership. From overcoming shyness to delivering a TED talk and starting her own business, Bee's story is inspiring. She also discusses the importance of celebrating motherhood and following your passion.

Key takeaways include:
● the importance of stepping outside of your comfort zone
● the power of positive self-talk
● and the value of surrounding yourself with supportive and uplifting people.

Bee Adamic, CEO and Founder of Liberty Music PR, launched the agency while pregnant in 2016.

With a team of 45 music lovers, Liberty Music PR creates engaging campaigns for Artists and Brands through PR, Radio, Playlisting, and Tik Tok. Bee is also the Founder of MAMI, empowering women in music and celebrating mothers in the industry.

She delivered a TED talk in 2022 on Democratising the Music Industry and was featured in GymShark's inspirational women's collection. Bee also contributed to the Women in CTRL report, "A Seat at the Table."

Useful links:
website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this week’s episode I speak to Guy Bradbury, Creative Partner at M&C Saatchi.
Join us whilst we talk about what happens when success becomes addictive, to the point it takes away happiness.

Guy also shares his thoughts about why we need to stop making such quick judgment calls on people and give them the support they need to succeed.

Key takeaways include:
1. Finding enough energy for your work and your family
2. The importance of who you surround yourself with
3. The big jump from being a Creative to a Creative Director Guy is an award-winning creative leader, with 20+ years experience in building highly effective creative teams.

Throughout his career Guy has been Group Creative Director and Executive Creative Director at some of the world’s most successful agencies. And helped both DDB London and Saatchi & Saatchi to win ‘Most awarded agency in the world’ for both
creativity and effectiveness.

Prior to joining M&C Saatchi as their first Creative Partner, Guy founded Atomic London, a leading independent Creative Agency.

Over his career, he has won over 200+ awards for creativity across Including D&AD, Cannes Lions, Creative Circle and IPA.

Useful links:
website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this week’s episode I speak to Christiana Coker, Group Head of People at DDB U.K.
Join us whilst we talk about the cultural bias that exists around job titles, and why it needs to change.

Christiana also shares her thoughts about inclusion and psychological safety in the workplace, which are so insightful.

Key takeaways include:
1. The importance of speaking up when you don’t understand something
2. Why it’s not enough to just open doors to drive inclusion
3. How empowering people is the key to success and retention

DDB UK includes award winning agencies adam&eve, cain&abel and Tribal Worldwide and Christiana is responsible for the development and implementation of HR strategies that support the overall mission and business objectives of the agency.

She is also responsible for, in partnership with managers and leaders, creating and maintaining a positive work culture that encourages creativity, collaboration, and innovation.

Useful links:
website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this week’s episode I speak to Anthony Purkiss, Co-Founder and Director of Make, a digital and creative agency, based in Farringdon.

Join us whilst we talk about using EDISC to understand the team and the power of being an early adopter and how that enables success.

Anthony also shares his thoughts about whether naivety is a form of bravery and courage and the frustration of wanting to speak up, but not doing so.

Key takeaways include:

Having a fixed mindset versus a growth mindset
Leveraging the different personality traits of your team
The value of freedom in the business world

In the nine years that Make has been in operation, Anthony and his team have attracted major clients such as IBM, Accor, Asana, Mollie's by Soho House, ClearPay, and De Beers.

Anthony believes in a flat company structure and fosters a culture where all creative ideas are valued.

Useful links:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.comlinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this week’s episode I speak to Charlie Shrager, Founder and Director of Shrager Creative.

Join us whilst we talk about the power of self belief and why it’s important to know what you want, set goals and be driven to achieve them.

Charlie has had a life changing year, and in this episode she courageously shares her learnings from being diagnosed with cancer and how being a single mum inspired and helped her to set up life on her own terms.

Key takeaways include:
1. Why we need to get the electricity back into creative ideas
2. What to think about when it comes to talent and hiring the right people
3. The importance of trusting your gut

Shrager Creative is an independent creative headhunting company based in London, which is celebrating the huge success of turning 10 years old. Charlie is also a proud sponsor of the creative Circle Awards.

Useful links:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this week’s episode I speak to Clive Armitage, CEO, Agent3.
Join us whilst we talk about why you need to let go of your ego and having the drive to maximise potential.
Clive also shares some simple yet powerful advice about how to elevate your team's thinking.
Key takeaways include:
1. When the goal is growth for all, because through that, everyone wins
2. How to keep battling the challenges of growth, and remain positive and innovative
3. How to reach your potential as a CEO
Clive Armitage, CEO, Agent3. Clive co-founded Agent3 in January 2013 to help organisations use data, technology and content to build better sales pipelines that are quicker to close, typically through innovative Account-Based Marketing (ABM) programs.
Prior to starting Agent3, Clive was the CEO of Bite Communications; an international communications agency that he co-founded in 1995 with four others and which grew to more than 300 people in 14 offices by the time he left to start Agent3.
During his career, Clive has worked in South Africa and San Francisco and is now based back in London where he lives with his wife and three children.
Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:
website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this week’s episode I speak to Lori Meakin, Author of ‘No More Menemies’ and Co Founder of Joint.

This is one of our most powerful episodes to date, and not to be missed.

Lori is so inspirational, and we cannot wait to have her as a speaker at our Courageous Leaders LIVE: 2023 event on the 11th May.

In the meantime, you can join us for this amazing episode, where we talk about the systemic issues that need to be changed to create a gender equal world and the real life experiences that have shaped Lori's work in this area.

Key takeaways include:

The role of men and women in gender equality
How high trauma shapes who you become
The balance of backing yourself, whilst nurturing and supporting others

Lori worked in teaching, advertising, management consultancy and the media before co-founding Joint, in 2012 with Damon Collins and Richard Exon.

After a successful decade leading the development of brand strategies and creative content for the likes of Amazon, Vue and Reach Plc, Lori left Joint to pursue her own work centred around engaging more men and boys in gender equality.

In this and as an Exec member of WACL, Lori encourages better representation of people who are marginalised or misrepresented in media, products and comms, and is committed to helping future generations achieve their full potential, whatever their gender.

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this week’s episode I speak to Sam Hawkey, CEO at AMV BBDO.

Join us whilst we talk about how reaching the top can also result in experiencing profound professional loneliness and the advice that Sam would give to anyone else in the same situation.

Sam also shares his thoughts about how to create a culture that embraces challenge, pace and disruption, whilst maintaining a nice place to work and high staff retention.

Key takeaways include:

The art of challenging your team whilst also leading with empathy
Remembering we are all salespeople
Having a company culture that comes from the core

Sam Hawkey is 15 months into the position of CEO at AMV BBDO. He carries over 15 years of industry experience.

He worked at Glue London, now Isobar, working across Bacardi, News Group News Group Newspapers, Adidas and Aviva.

Sam joined Saatchi & Saatchi as a freelance Account Manager moving up to CEO after ten years. During this time Sam worked across Kerry Foods, EE & BT, Guinness, IAMS and Weight Watchers. He was also responsible for the agency’s growth into new technologies in self-serve content, the Saatchi Store and agency workflow technologies.

Outside of work Sam lives in Harpenden with his wife Catherine, children Archer and Maisie, dog Harry and three cats Mabel, Fred and George.

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this week’s episode I speak to Scott Ewings, Chief Experience Officer, Digital Experience @TPXimpact.

Join us whilst we talk about the value of coaching in resilience. We'll discuss the need for investing in this kind of support - so not only executives but leaders on all levels can have access to coaching.

Scott also kindly shares his experiences of the health scare it took for him to re-evaluate what he wanted from life, and some of the truly courageous decisions he made as a result.

Key takeaways include:

How your ego can run away with itself and damage your health
Why imposter syndrome is normal and how to deal with it
How to maintain connection as you become more senior in your role

Scott is a veteran brand experience leader with a track record of transforming client and agency outcomes dating back to early technology cycles, he has a highly progressive stance on upgrading the agency landscape to be more purpose and talent focused.

Scott led Fjord, Ustwo and Potato (part of AKQA/WPP) in the UK, helping to establish them all as outstanding digital product studios, as well as working client-side as an experience strategy leader with Vodafone in Australia.

At the time of recording, Scott was finishing up his role as the CEO of Bernadette, the digital product & service innovation company from VCCP.

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com

linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this week’s episode I speak to Nicole Yershon, Founder and CEO of the NY Collective.

Join us whilst we talk about having the courage to ask ‘why’ as a leader, so that you can find the truth and understand what’s needed.

Nicole also shares her experience on how she created money for a project that had no budget, and how she did it!

Key takeaways include:

Why you must take responsibility
Creating trust and empowerment in your team
Tips and strategies to make change happen

Nicole is an executor, a consultant, a coach, a speaker, a judge, a mentor, a ‘super-connector’ and Amazon #1 Best Selling author. She is one of the Drum’s 25 Women Who Shaped The Digital Industry in the last 25 Years. Wired Magazine’s top 100 - first annual survey of Britain’s Digital Power brokers. A Women in IT Finalist.

Nicole is the founder of The NYC and before that the Ogilvy Labs – the dedicated Innovation unit of Ogilvy & Mather Group. Part of WPP Group plc.

Just a few of the clients she has worked with over recent years. Danone, Havas, Amex, IBM, Ravensbourne University, BP, London Business School, E&Y, Accenture, Pfizer, GA Group, Great Western Railways (GWR), Go Compare/WeFlip™, Unilever, BA and Whitbread.

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com

linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this week’s episode I speak to Tony Michaelides, Music Industry Executive.
Throughout this episode he shares so many wonderful stories and experiences, including one about how he stood up to Simon Cowell, and it’s a
must listen!

Key takeaways include:

● How to deal with complacency
● The importance of persistence
● The importance of self belief

Michaelides spent years specialising in the launching, promotion, and artist development of both British and International Artists’ careers. He has also been a music industry consultant, mentor, and advisor to numerous associations, music consortiums and colleges over the years.

Michaelides has worked with many Record Labels including Island Records, Factory Records and BMG. In 1997 he took on the role as publicist for David Bowie's Earthling Tour. Michaelides has received numerous accolades from music professionals and associations.

After the United States Government granted him an Alien of Extraordinary Ability Green Card, he moved to Florida to pursue a career as an author and further his career as a professional public speaker.

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this week’s episode I speak to Regan Warner, Global Creative Director at Ogilvy UK.

Join us whilst we talk about leadership versus creative leadership, what makes them different, and whether everyone can be a creative.

Regan also shares how she learned to balance her ego with confidence, to avoid alienating the people around her.

Key takeaways include:

● Allowing people to be your mirror
● Embracing the imperfect moments to grow
● How imposter syndrome can show up at any time and how to manage it

Regan has had the pleasure to work across numerous sectors allowing her creativity never to be pegged as doing just one thing well. Brands include Mazda, Sega, L’Oréal Paris, Boots, No7, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Hellmann’s, and Dove among others.

She has produced a list of award-winning work promoting inclusive beauty campaigns, including Dove ‘As Early As Five’ work - a campaign to end
race-based hair discrimination in the US and “The Non-Issue” for L’Oréal Paris – an 80-page print campaign in the form of an actual Vogue, combating the fact that age discrimination is still an issue.

Alongside leading creatives, Regan also co-chairs Ogilvy Equals, Ogilvy’s internal inclusion network striving for inclusion and equality in every aspect of working life.

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this week’s episode I speak to Jude Gay, Executive Creative Director at Hugo & Cat.

Join us whilst we talk about the four key elements for building trust as a new leader with your team and why you need to get out of the weeds, so
that you can see the bigger picture.

Jude also shares his thoughts about how to cut your creative stress and how you can build up resilience to handle feedback as a creative, on the
receiving end and as a leader who is giving it.

Key takeaways include:

● The four key elements for building trust as a new leader with your team
● The art of letting go and encouraging others to take responsibility
● A simple framework to build trust and encourage open conversations with your team

Jude has a 17-year track record of delivering high-quality digital experiences to some of the world's most influential and best-loved brands. Most
recently, he's led design groups at JPMorgan and Publicis Sapient, helping solve intricate design puzzles, build-out exceptionally talented teams
worldwide and cultivate studio culture alongside other design leaders.

Notable clients include Disney, BBC, Bentley and Nissan, where Jude played an integral part in helping to communicate their new brand and
flagship EV, the 'Nissan Ariya'.

Useful links:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this week’s episode I speak to Lianre Robinson, CEO at Codec.

Join us whilst we talk about the key things you need to set you up to have an honest conversation and why there isn’t only one way to get to your
goal.

Lianre also shares her thoughts about what it’s like to become a CEO and the importance of having a support network.

Key takeaways include:

● Why we must have honest conversations
● Choosing to stay mainly remote working and the learnings from this
● What it feels like to be a CEO

Lianre is an award-winning digital marketer, who is passionate about technology, culture, communities, and their impact on brands.

With 20+ years experience across global companies like LADbible, Livity and Jack Morton Worldwide, she has a wealth of experience in designing
and delivering new business and diversification strategies to drive growth and optimise business performance.

Useful links:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this week’s episode, I speak to Alex Lubar, Global President and Chief Operating Officer at DDB Worldwide.

Join us whilst we talk all about how to nurture and retain the talent in your team.
Being able to do this well is such a challenge right now and Alex’s knowledge and experience offer so much valuable insight on how to get it right.

Key takeaways include:

● 2 core strategies to nurture and retain talent
● The importance of contextual empathy
● The art of decision making

Alex has just joined DDB Worldwide as Global President and Chief Operating Officer. Previously he worked for McCann for almost a decade in multiple roles across the globe.

Prior to that, he was President of McCann Worldgroup Asia Pacific, where he led an organisation of 3,200 people across 12 markets that represent one of the largest, fastest-growing marketing regions of the world.

Alex also served as CEO of McCann London where under his leadership, the agency was named to the list of Top 10 agencies in the world by the Gunn Report. McCann London was also shortlisted for Campaign Magazine’s Agency of The Year in 2018.

Prior to being in London, Alex was Global CMO for McCann Worldgroup, based out of New York City, where he oversaw all integrated new-business activity. Alex successfully leveraged the capabilities of McCann Worldgroup across the globe and led a number of international new business opportunities, including Microsoft, RB and MGM, to name a few. Having spent over 15 years in the US, Alex worked at a number of advertising agencies, including Grey and BBH.

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this week’s episode, I speak to Karen Buchanan, CEO at McCann Manchester.

Join us whilst we talk about the fear of being rejected and how to have the confidence to be yourself.

Karen also speaks beautifully of her experience with grief while going through menopause; the impact it had on her, the way it shaped how she lives and her leadership style.

Key takeaways include:

● How we need to equip leaders to navigate uncomfortable conversations

● Why we must be more in the present than focusing on the future

● How to grow your confidence and encourage confidence in others

Karen has a focus on driving connected creativity and digital innovation across McCann Manchester, driving growth for brands. Previous roles
include chair/CEO of Publicis London. Prior to Publicis she was managing director of independent London agency, The Red Brick Road.

Karen sits on the Advertising Association Board and served on the IPA Council for 12 years. She is an active member of WACL and a Board Trustee of Sported, a Sports for development charity.

She is passionate about building inclusive cultures and is chair of McCann Worldgroup’s UK & European Conscious Inclusion Council.

Karen was recognised this year by the IPA on its iList. She is an active Mentor for women in the industry.

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this week’s episode, we talk all about the lessons I learned from supporting one of my team through a depressive episode last year.
We also share our own thoughts about what it means to have depression, what mental health is, and the stigma that can still surround it now.
Key takeaways include:
● The importance of educating yourself, as a leader, on mental health
● How by sharing your experiences, you give other people permission to share too
● Why it’s ok to not know what to do, and as long as your intention is pure, you’ll find your way
With special thanks to Anna for this episode and for being so vulnerable and open about her experiences, and for allowing us to share them with you all.
Jo is an international award-winning leadership coach, business consultant, best-selling author, and CEO of the Change Creators with 20 years of experience in the creative industry.
Useful links:
Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:
website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this week’s episode, we talk all about the importance of the language that you use and why you should treat your own mind as another team member.
I also share the moment in my career when someone leading courageously helped me to get the wake-up call I needed to be better, and take responsibility.
Key takeaways include:
● How to show up when things are hard
● How I walk the talk with my business values
● How to ground yourself to receive difficult feedback
Jo is an international award-winning leadership coach, business consultant, best-selling author, and CEO
of the Change Creators with 20 years of experience in the creative industry.
Useful links:
Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:
website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this week’s episode, we talk about what it was like for me to build a team, the challenges I faced, and the lessons I learned along the way.
I also share my experiences of learning to self-regulate, and how that has helped me become a better leader.
Key takeaways include:
● Why we’re not equipped to receive feedback
● What it means to see things from different perspectives
● The three areas of self-leadership
Jo is an international award-winning leadership coach, business consultant, best-selling author, and CEO
of the Change Creators with 20 years of experience in the creative industry.
Useful links:
Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:
website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this week’s episode, we talk about the importance of disconnecting over the holiday season, and how to help your team do that.
We also share our thoughts and experiences on why burnout isn’t just about you, and the practices I have put in place to never find myself in that position again.
Key takeaways include:
● Practical ways to shift to a positive mindset
● The importance of having a morning routine
● How to break out of the ‘I’ll do it tomorrow’ habit
Jo is an international award-winning leadership coach, business consultant, best-selling author, and CEO
of the Change Creators with 20 years of experience in the creative industry.
Useful links:
Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:
website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this week’s episode, we discuss how you can keep focus at this time of year so that you can finish this year strong and come back after Christmas, to start next year fast.
We also talk about the problem with leaders being over 90% billable, and why that needs to change.

Key takeaways include:
● The six core needs of all human beings
● Practical ways to goal set for success
● My four top learnings for current and future leaders

Jo is an international award-winning leadership coach, business consultant, best-selling author, and CEO of the Change Creators with 20 years of experience in the creative industry.

Useful links:
Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:
website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this week’s episode, we revisit the moment I realised I wanted to be a coach, and how I got started in business.

I also share the significant moments that shaped my life and how they have helped me become the leader I am today.

Key takeaways include:

● How to catch yourself being in overachievement mode
● Why asking for help will make you more productive
● The power of self-belief in success

Jo is an international award-winning leadership coach, business consultant, best-selling author, and CEO
of the Change Creators with 20 years of experience in the creative industry.

Useful links:
Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:
website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this week’s episode I speak to Jemima Monies, Chief Marketing and Operations Officer at adam&eve DDB.
Follow us along while we deep dive into what parts of the culture that comes with leading a startup business you need to keep, even when you
become a big organisation and how to help your team to be courageous.
Jemima also shares some wonderfully inspiring thoughts about why meaningful moments don’t have to be long to make a difference.
Key takeaways include:
● The strengths you develop from leading a new business
● How to maintain a startup vibe in a big organisation
● Why there’s no such thing as a perfect leader
● Practical ways to overcome imposter syndrome
● Being comfortable and confident to do it your own way
Jemima has played a key role in adam&eve DDB’s growth and since being there has won Campaign Agency of the Decade and five Agency of the
Year awards, as well as being named AdAge International Agency of the Year three times.
Jemima is also a co-founder of #SheTakesOver, an industry-wide initiative aimed at elevating all women in creative production. She is a member
of WACL and sits on the UKAEG Steering Committee.
Useful links:
Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:
website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this week’s episode I speak to Emma Gardner, Co Founder: Born Equal Consults | With Not For | NYM Mag.

Join the conversation to hear us chat about how we better understand and address exclusion and discrimination, and how we can approach it from both a creative and a human aspect.

Emma also shares her thoughts about the power of storytelling and why representation matters in the journey to create a more inclusive workplace.

Key takeaways include:

The importance of practising a questioning mindset
Why lived experience is as important as qualifications in being able to create impact
The prevalence of hidden disabilities that people may not be disclosing
Why good intentions don’t always result in good impact
The value of building a good network and connections

Emma is an entrepreneur, parent & carer of her Disabled daughter, who has been the catalyst for her work in recent years.

She’s worked in the creative industries for 20+ years collaborating with charities, agencies & clients on the importance of inclusion, & how to approach it within businesses.

She is now co-founder of Born Equal Consults, a human-centric Equity & Inclusion Consultancy that leads with lived experience, as well as co-founder of With Not For, a talent agency representing Disabled creatives.

Last year she also co-founded NYM magazine, working with Disabled people & their allies to set new benchmarks for representation within media & society.

Useful links:

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com

linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this week’s episode I speak to Andy Nairn, Founding Partner at Lucky Generals, one of the UK’s most successful creative agencies.
Tune in now to hear us chat about his book ‘Go Luck Yourself’ sharing valuable insights on how we perceive and think about luck.
Andy also shares his thoughts about taking the leap to start your own company and what is behind success.
Key takeaways include:
● Why being a leader no longer means you need to do it alone
● The importance of principles and its role in a business
● The need and role of humour in advertising
● Why you have control over your own luck
Andy has been shortlisted for Campaign’s Agency of the Year for six of the last seven years and has been named the country’s top strategist for
three of the last four years; he’s also been listed as one of the top five creative people in world advertising, by Business Insider.
Now he wants to share his good fortune with others, so he’s written Go Luck Yourself, with all the royalties going to Commercial Break: an
organisation that helps working class talent break into the creative industries.
Useful links:
Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:
website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this week’s episode I speak to Cass Zawadowski, Chief Creative Officer at Wunderman Thompson.
Key takeaways include:
● Having an empowering leader and the influence they have on their team
● Bringing humanity into your leadership allows your team to genuinely connect
● Diverse and borderless workplaces: tips on making it work
Cass is a results-oriented marketing veteran with proven strategic and creative excellence. Throughout her career, she has developed culturally
impactful, brave brand stories told through numerous integrated campaigns across traditional advertising, social, branded content, experiential and
digital channels.
Her talent has taken her from Toronto, to NY, Europe (Germany) and Asia (Singapore, Korea), and back to Toronto, where she now leads creative
on a number of global clients including Microsoft, IKEA, Shell, and GSK. Cass’s category experience spans retail,automotive, healthcare, beauty,
tourism, financial, and CPG.
Useful links:
Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:
website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this week’s episode I speak to Clive Grinyer, Head of Service Design at the Royal College of Art.
Tune in now to hear us chat about the value of digital product design and design’s value in leading customer experience.
Clive also shares his thoughts about why we all need to have a role in design and why fundamentally, leadership is about knowing you're probably
wrong!
Key takeaways include:
● The importance of service design
● Why we all need to play a role in design
● The power of non hierarchical collaboration
● The benefits of using an agile sprint model
● How to make teams really innovative and not fear failure
Clive is a design consultant working with a variety of organisations on service design and innovation and has led corporate design teams at
Barclays, Cisco, Samsung and Orange France Telecom.
Clive has been a visiting lecturer at the RCA and is a Visiting Professor at Glasgow School of Art. He was a trustee of the Royal Society of Arts
(RSA), is the author of the book "Smart Design" and lectures internationally on design, technology and customer experience.
Useful links:
Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:
website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this week’s episode I speak to Nadya Powell, co-founder and partner of award-winning, culture change business Utopia.

Tune in now to hear us chat about equality and diversity in leadership and business, and what we can all do to create more equal, diverse and
inclusive spaces.

Nadya shares her thoughts and experiences about why acknowledging your own biases should be about awareness and not shame, and is the
ultimate form of self leadership.

Key takeaways include:
● Why we need to rip up the leadership rule book and question everything you think you know
● Why leaders shouldn’t always have a vision further than 6 months ahead
● How to proactively address equality, diversity and inclusion in your leadership
● Practical ways to navigate leadership when expectations are at an all time high
● The four types of work we should all be doing, including one many of us won’t be prioritising

Nadya also co-founded Millennial Mentoring - an initiative to link leaders with aspirational talent so they could benefit from diversity’s wisdom - The Great British Diversity Experiment - a social experiment to prove once and for all the link between creativity and diversity - and The So White Project - an initiative to reverse the lack of diversity in commercial photography.

Nadya is a contributing author of Creative Superpowers and is also on the advisory board of the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:
website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this week’s episode I speak to Ricardo Wolff, Executive Creative Director at Innocean Berlin.
Tune in now to hear us chat about how to remove the fear from taking leaps of faith, and having the self trust to back yourself to keep moving
forward.
Ricardo also shares his thoughts about why he believes that you’re never put up against a challenge that you are not ready to face and why the
human idea will always be more important than anything else.
Key takeaways include:
● A mindset shift on quitting, that will help you move forwards instead
● The difference between jumping without knowing and taking an informed leap of faith
● The pros and cons of hybrid working versus office based working
Ricardo’s work has dug metals of all weights and colours at top industry festivals for clients such as Volkswagen, Ikea, Smart, Billboard Magazine,
Reporters Without Borders, HP, Anne Frank House, Kia and others.
The spot for Smart, "Shock", was nominated Germany's best ad of 2017. Two years later he won the country's first Titanium Lion with "The
Uncensored Playlist" for Reporters Without Borders. And just recently, the project "Printed by Parkinson's" for Charité Berlin brought Innocean their
first D&AD Yellow Pencil and Gold Lion in the network's history.
Useful links:
Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:
website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this week’s episode, I speak to Mel McVeigh, VP Product, Commerce & Consumer Brands at Conde Nast.
Tune in now to hear us chat about the importance of being resourceful, creating human connection,s and the problems with recruitment in the
current climate.
Mel also shares her thoughts about how technology has changed the way we operate, but why it’s important not to put all decisions in the context of technology.
Key takeaways include:
● How to set new team members up for success
● How to help people experience change
● How to embrace imperfectionism
● Why you need to prioritise downtime
● Why a really good team is like a jazz band
● How to balance being there for your team and delivering results
● The difference between growth stress and burnout stress
Mel leads the digital portfolio of brands: Vogue, GQ, Conde Nast Traveller, Architectural Digest, Allure, Glamour. She is also responsible for the
global commerce product portfolio across affiliate and unified shopping experiences and native checkout.
Mel has worked in various publishers and commerce companies in her career including, Photobox, Telegraph, Mr&MrsSmith, Lonely Planet and
TimeOut. Senior executive with a creative director’s mindset, with a background and side career in art photography. A leader who transforms
businesses, team and cultures to drive commercial performance.
Useful links:
Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:
website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

In this week’s episode, I speak to Lizi Hamer, Executive Creative Director, Octagon APAC.
Tune in now to hear us chat about being a female creative in a male-dominated industry and the power of glitches and why they can be positive.
Lizi also shares her thoughts about the future of hybrid work and the opportunities that will give us to invite new talent into our teams.
Key takeaways include:
● How to build inner resilience in yourself and your team
● How to give people feedback that builds them up
● How to marry up your own boundaries with company boundaries
Lizi has co-built the foundations of a new kind of agency; No2ndPlace. An agency using the power of sport to create enduring social change.
Working with brands, sports bodies, not-for-profits and athletes to drive awareness and impact societal issues; No2ndPlace brings together a collective of Australia’s strongest social advocates to create meaningful work that helps the world win.
Lizi’s award-winning campaigns have brought a blind man’s world to life, challenged masculinity in Australia, created the live trophy at Japan Rugby World Cup, changed country law for a more sustainable future; leading Lizi to be labeled as one of the most creative women in the world.
She has a magnetic ability to form smart partnerships, give generous ideas, and is constantly Story Hunting.
Useful links:
Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:
website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

Episode 33 of series 4 is now LIVE and I had the pleasure of talking to Neil Cooper, Executive Creative Director for Critical Mass in EMEA and APAC.

Tune in now to hear us chat about the importance of aligning people to your vision, giving people responsibility to create change and the importance of hiring people and creating work that’s reflective of the world we live in and why that needs to be absolutely ingrained in everything we do.

Key takeaways include:

why the word culture should be banned
why some people shouldn’t be leaders
why how you think matters more than the end result

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com

linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes

View Details

Episode 32 of series 4 is now LIVE and I had the pleasure of talking to Emma Shuldham, Managing Director at ITB Worldwide.

Tune in now to hear us chat about embracing change, stepping away from work for maternity leave and the role of human insight in data.

Emma speaks inspiringly about how she empowered her team to effectively do her role whilst she was away and then how she worked with them once she returned to navigate and define what roles looked like once she returned.

Key takeaways include:

how to effectively support parents in the workplace
how to navigate the growth and expectation management of your team
how to use your values to shape who you work with

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com

linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes

View Details

Episode 31 of series 4 is now LIVE and I had the pleasure of talking to Jim Rothnie, Regional Growth Director – Europe & UK, McCann Worldgroup and Chief Growth Officer – EMEA, Craft WW.

Tune in now to hear us chat about why working on a pitch is the best way to learn at speed, and the things you need to think about when deciding who to put on your pitch team.

Jim speaks beautifully about the importance of human connection in growth and how to respond to failure, to turn those dark moments into ones of light and success.

Key takeaways include:

Who should be on a pitch team
How to flip your mindset on growth
The ability to turn failure into success

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com

linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

Episode 30 is a milestone we’re celebrating by bringing to you the essence of our most listened to episodes.

Over the past 9 months, we’ve spoken to some of the most inspiring people from the Creative industry, who’ve all shared with us what Courageous Leadership means to them.

We have had such a vast variety of different answers from having clear values and living by them, removing fear from the equation to being vulnerable and showing humility. And there is no right or wrong answer, it’s all of those things and so much more!

The next clips are just a few golden nuggets of many we’ve put together for you, to bring inspiration into your life. You’ll be hearing from:

Nils Leonard - Founder of Uncommon Creative Studio;
Brie Stewart - Creative Director + Content and Social Specialist based in Melbourne;
Harjot Singh - Global Chief Strategy Officer @ McCann;
Anna-Louise Gladwell - MD @ Analog Folk and
Shaun McIlrath - Global CCO of Iris;

Full episodes are available to listen on all your favourite podcast platforms.

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com

linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes

View Details

Episode 29 of series 4 is now LIVE and I had the pleasure of talking to Julia Arenson, Head of Creative Operations at Specsavers Agency.

In this episode we chat about why you don’t always have to be climbing the ladder and why we need to move away from demanding experience to get a role.

Julia speaks wonderfully about how she reframed her anxiety of feeling trapped in a role into a springboard for where she wanted to go next, and how she has learned to have a mindset to just do it, and work it out as you go.

Key takeaways include:

The value of people centred leadership and opportunities
The need to be comfortable with disruption
The importance of how you talk to someone and the words you use

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com

linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

Episode 28 of series 4 is now LIVE and I had the pleasure of talking to Gareth Turner, Founder of Big Black Door and former Head of Marketing at Weetabix.

In this episode he shares so many golden nuggets from his wealth of experience in the creative industry, including when his team unleashed the multi award winning “Beanz on Bix” campaign that broke the internet in the process!

Key takeaways include:

Why indecision is more stifling than the wrong decision
The need to separate the creative idea from the execution
How to find ways to be more resilient and find your own way

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com

linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

Episode 27 of series 4 is now LIVE and I had the absolute pleasure of talking to Suki Thompson, Founder and CEO of Let’s Reset.

Tune in now to hear us chat about resilience and performance in the workplace, and how wellbeing at work leads to increased energy and improved performance.

Suki speaks inspiringly about how she has overcome cancer seven times, and the impact that has had on her as a person and a leader.

Key takeaways include:

How we get wellbeing and performance in the workplace
Why leadership now means not doing it on your own
The problem with Mental Health First Aiders

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com

linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

Kerry’s communications industry career spans three decades and she is one of the industry’s most prominent figures. Her career includes spells at JWT, WCRS, Limbo (BBH) and Kendall Tarrant (now The Talent Business). She joined AAR as Commercial Director in 1999, was promoted to Managing Director in 2000, and CEO in 2006, and has recently moved to the role of Executive Chair of AAR.

In this episode, Kerry talks about the importance of the generosity of spirit that comes with leadership, and how a concept of the economy of generosity has helped her throughout her career. She also speaks beautifully about how moments of catastrophe can lead to some of the greatest gifts in your life, and how to deal with bullying cultures in the workplace.

Key takeaways include:

Why you need to be comfortable with hiring people who are better than you
The importance of building relationships with no expectation
The power of kindness in business
How to deal with cultures of bullying
Why being a good leader and a nice person are not incompatible

Useful links:

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com

linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

Shaun leads Iris’ creative output from London, across the local and global client base and is ranked by Business Insider in the top 10 most creative people in advertising worldwide. He has produced world-renowned campaigns like Adidas, Jeep, VW, Samsung, Delta, Mini, Domino's, Guiness, Pizza Hut and Haven; and has collected over 300 industry awards along the way, across all major competitions and disciplines!

In this episode Shaun shares so many motivational moments of wisdom and talks about the importance of looking for opportunities over obstacles, to be able to solve problems creatively.

Key takeaways include:

The need to be willing to held accountable for difficult decisions
How courageous leadership can be driven by a fear of being mediocre
How you can make difficult decisions more easily
The role of empathy in growth mindset
Why stress isn’t always negative
How the awards culture in the creative industry can be damaging
How to lead as your true self
Why being courageously curious is a must in modern leadership
The importance of being able to give and receive feedback positively
Why you should always choose happiness

Useful links:

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com

linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

Anna led Analog Folk in accelerating and developing effective digital strategies for brands; and they were recognised by Contagious Pioneers as one of the best and bravest agencies of 2022 - what an accolade to have!

In this episode we chat about the future of leadership and what is required for that vision to happen; as well as the incredible work that Anna has been involved in around helping women in leadership to self promote themselves with impact.

Key takeaways include:

Why we all need to take brave leaps
How to learn important leadership lessons, much quicker
How to create a culture that de-risks, risk taking
The importance of showing humility as a leader
How feminine and masculine energy show up in leadership
Why the future of leadership needs more feminine energy
A new tool that helps women speak with confidence
Why you need to show compassion to yourself
Why you should spend time on supercharging your strengths

Useful links:

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com

linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

Over the last few decades Harjot has held senior regional and global strategy leadership roles in Europe, UK, North America, China and Asia. He joined McCann New York in 2011, and prior to being named global CSO of McCann, he served as CSO McCann EMEA, leading it to be the number one most creatively effective Agency Network for five years! This led to the 2020 CSO of the year for Campaign.

This is such a feel-good episode, and you are guaranteed to come away feeling better! Harjot speaks beautifully about how he learned what it was like to not be friends with his inner voice, the importance of gratitude and starting with thanks and why we need to stop protecting the myth that we have it all together.

Key takeaways include:

How the absence of fear creates courage
How to stop self-sabotaging
Why it’s ok to change the label you are given
Why feedback isn’t always fact
The importance of gratitude and starting with thanks
How you can Marie Kondo your life and your leadership
The lessons from the pandemic that we need to take forward in our leadership

Useful links:

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com

linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

Steve Bell is the Global CEO of Iris

Steve oversees Iris’ 17 offices and 1,000 employees within the network. In the 25 years that he has worked in the marketing and communications industry, he has worked with some of the most innovative, ambitious and creatively driven businesses in the automotive, sports, FMCG, beer, retail spirits, and Telco sectors.

In this episode ‘The truth behind building a culture that works globally’, Steve shares so much wisdom that you will find helpful. He talks openly and honestly about the lessons he has learned throughout his career, and in particular, from setting up Iris to achieve the success it has today.

Key takeaways include:

the value of bringing your authentic self
the difference between leadership and management
how Iris created clear lines of responsibility
how to evolve a culture in global organisation
the need to feel good about what you’re doing as a leader
how to value your time, to be an effective leader
knowing when to lead from the front and when to step back
how to make board meetings more effective
the parallel between sport and business

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com

linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

Laura Jordan Bambach is the President and Chief Creative Officer at Grey

In this episode Laura talks about how to have difficult conversations as a leader, and the importance of working as a collective, and not doing it all on your own.

She also shares her I Am Enough challenge, that she does daily to help her focus on the good, and all that she has achieved.

Laura has enhanced the advertising industry through her fresh pioneering spirit, combining technical skill with her innate human understanding and passion for storytelling.

She is also part of the OKO community, where mentors and mentees are supported to find their path to success. To find out more about how OKO can support your business, check out their website: Weareoko.com

She is recognised globally as an innovator and industry leader, has been twice named one of Britain's most influential people with a Debrett's 500 annual list, and was recognised as Individual of the Year at the Dadi awards.

Laura is also honoured in campaign UK female frontier awards for championing change. And as a true champion of diversity, Laura is co-founder of The Great British Diversity Experiment, and co-founder of SheSays, the world famous volunteer network that works to encourage more women into the creative industry.

In a nutshell - you want to listen to this episode, learn from her insights, and be inspired by her energy!

Topics Covered Include:

The value of having difficult conversations

How we’re all set at a dial

We’re not here by accident

The ‘I am enough’ challenge

You don’t have to do it on your own, we are a collective

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com

linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

Brie Stewart is a Creative Director, formerly at Wunderman Thompson

In this episode Brie talks openly about her experience with high functioning depression, the importance of talking about it, and the support she received from the industry when she did.

She also shares how she became a better leader by no longer trying to be a hero, unlearning past behaviours and saying no.

Brie is an award winning Creative Director with over 13 years experience including working at esteemed Public Relations Agency Edelman, and the advertising agencies Ogilvy, Clemenger BBDO, and most recently Wunderman Thompson.

This episode is filled with so much wisdom, insights and important messages, and really is a must listen for all creative leaders.

Topics covered include:

How to be comfortable with not being perfect

The courage to say “I’m not ok”

Being busy is not a badge of honour

There is a ‘no’ in every ‘yes’

The courage to be disliked

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com

linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

View Details

Nils Leonard is Founder of Uncommon Creative Studio

In this episode Nils shares his wealth of experience and some powerful insights into how to remove fear from your leadership.

He also talks candidly about why we need to differentiate between being in a client services business and the creativity business, the importance of having a view of the world, to really create impact and make your work matter and why you need to let go of the need to be dependent on other people to achieve your dreams.

Just in case there is anyone out there who doesn’t know who Nils is, he is the Co-Founder of the fastest growing startup in advertising history, Uncommon Creative Studio.

He also spent time as Chief Creative Officer of Grey LDN, where he oversaw the most profitable and awarded years in the agency’s 52 years history and became one of the youngest agency chairmen in the world leading its brands globally and locally.

He was voted into the Ad Age creativity 50 and named the most creative person in advertising globally by Business insider, is on the advisory group for the Royal Academy, and is listed as one of Sunday Times 500 Most Influential People in the UK.

Topics covered include:

Embracing change

Converting frustration into success

The importance of conviction

The courage to be your authentic self

Need for change

Standing by your values

How being open about company standards provides clarity of expectations

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com

linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

LIVE LONDON EVENT: https://www.thecourageousleaderclub.com/

View Details

Luke D'Arcy is the EMEA Growth Officer at Momentum Worldwide

In this episode Luke gives us an insight into how he felt being in a room with Astronauts and Generals who have served in Afghanistan and yet all had the same fears and beliefs about being good enough and what a humbling experience this was.

Luke shares that the minute you think you have nailed it as a leader you are at a loss. He explains that you can’t know all the answers. We are human beings and a lot of people forget that.

Luke explains that accepting that leadership is not about one’s self, is a valuable lesson he has learnt and one that continues to shape him and his leadership style.

Luke runs Momentum UK, the most awarded global experiential advertising agency in the world, working for clients such as American Express, Microsoft, SAP and Samsung.

Under Luke’s guidance, in 2020, Momentum UK won The Drum’s Marketing Agency of the Year and Creativepool’s Best Agency to Work for. Previously, the agency has won 18 x Cannes Lions amongst many other awards.

Named one of their Global Agency Innovators of the Year by Internationalist Magazine, Luke is also a Harvard Business School Alumni, has worked across numerous global networks and independents and is a Trustee of military charity Walking With The Wounded.

Topics Covered include:

Setting clear standards and values

Embracing courage

It's ok to not know the answer

Embracing your weaknesses

The role of perspective

How to empower your team

The power of trusting your gut instinct

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com

linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/ LIVE LONDON EVENT: https://www.thecourageousleaderclub.com/

LIVE LONDON EVENT: https://www.thecourageousleaderclub.com/

View Details

Carina McLeod is the Founder and CEO of eCommerce Nurse.

In this episode Carina shares with us that being a courageous leader means being able to make bold decisions and fully embrace who you are and what you stand for.

She tells us that although it took time and a lot of work, she defied the expectations that were set before her as a leader, and accepted that leading as her true self, trusting her gut instinct works to her advantage.

Carina is passionate about helping retail brands succeed in the online world. She has 18 years of experience working in retail, with 7 years working in vendor management at Amazon and the last 8 years working with start-ups and multinational brands guiding them on how to be successful in eCommerce. In 2017, Carina founded an Amazon-focused consulting and marketing agency eCommerce Nurse where she leads a remote, global team of eCommerce experts who help brands reach their potential on the Amazon platform across North America and Europe.

Topics Covered include:

Navigating through uncertainty

Making bold decisions

Leading as your true self

Trusting your gut instinct

Implementing core values in a company

Taking calculated risks

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com

linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

LIVE LONDON EVENT: https://www.thecourageousleaderclub.com/

View Details

Rob Smith and Lee Tan are the co-founders of the creative shop Motel Company.

In this episode Rob shares with us how creating an empowering environment creates a highly motivated, supported and courageous team.

Lee explains that trusting your gut instinct takes courage and determination to follow through with your decisions. It is this defining leadership style that they believe empowers their team and has led them to their company success.

Lee Tan started out at KesselsKramer and Mother, before an 8 year stint at iconic agency HHCL - and infamous work for Tango and Pot Noodle. He went on to create award-winning work for Skittles at TBWA before becoming McCann’s Executive Creative Director on Coca-Cola brands. In 2020, he co-founded the creative shop, Motel.

Rob Smith is an experienced senior client and agency leader with over 25 years experience working on major brands and campaigns including Unilever, Daimler-Chrysler, Heinz, Guinness, Harley-Davidson, IKEA, The Co-operative Bank, lastminute.com, COI (Government), The Guardian, Ford, MasterCard, Microsoft and Xbox. Prior to launching Motel he was Chief Client Officer for McCann Worldgroup UK, CEO of Farm, Managing Director at O&M, and led the Scottish Referendum No campaign team at M&C Saatchi.

Topics Covered include:

Empowering work environment

Importance of making decisions

Trusting your gut instinct

Importance of an engaged team

Trust and empowerment

Growth focused feedback

Work life balance

Leading by example

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com

linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

LIVE LONDON EVENT: https://www.thecourageousleaderclub.com/

View Details

Victoria Fox is the CEO of AAR

In this episode Victoria shares how being a courageous leader means creating a safe space for your teams where people feel comfortable being themselves, where diversity thrives and everyone is encouraged to use their authentic voice.

Victoria strongly believes in creating a company culture based on strong company values where diversity, inclusion and using our authentic voices are key.

Victoria was appointed as CEO of AAR in April 2019. Having had a successful 20 year career agency side, she brings a wealth of experience of running agencies across a number of disciplines to this role - most recently as CEO of LIDA, M&C Saatchi’s global customer engagement agency.

In her career, Victoria has had stints in digital, advertising, shopper marketing and CRM agencies

In her last two years at M&C Saatchi, Victoria took on the role of global sponsor for Diversity and Inclusion across the network. Victoria is very active in this space and sits on the WACL (Women in Advertising and Communications London) Executive committee and is Chair of the WACL Future Leaders Award.

Victoria is also honoured to have been named a Global Champion of Women in Business by the Financial Times two years in a row, in both 2017 & 2018.

Topics covered include:

Having a daring vision

Creating a safe space in the work environment

Encouraging others to use their voice

Active listening

Inclusive and diverse work culture

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com

linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

LIVE LONDON EVENT: https://www.thecourageousleaderclub.com/

View Details

Jordan Adams is Founder, Investor and Managing Director of Oneninefive.

In this episode Jordan talks us through why putting people first has had a positive impact on his business and within his teams. Jordan shares with us how leaders often forget that they are vulnerable humans while creating a courageous environment for their teams. He advocates for maintaining authenticity as a focus when delivering messages, and when building a platform for people to be able to access their confidence.

Jordan is a serial entrepreneur, investor, founder and director of several businesses. In addition he is a trustee of the PKD charity.

Having had a successful early career in B2B publishing sales, he has subsequently gone on to building a reputation as an accomplished motivational speaker, having spoken at events around the world.

Jordan started life as a DJ, whilst running an award-winning record shop in London. Now married with one child, he plays golf, is an avid reader and a huge fan of Aston Villa.

Topics covered include:

Creating a courageous environment for teams

People first mindset

Encouraging people to find their tone

Authenticity

Having a safe work environment

Overcoming our comfort zone

**The importance of Confidence

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:**

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com

linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

LIVE LONDON EVENT: https://www.thecourageousleaderclub.com/

View Details

Imogen is the Executive Creative Director at McCann Manchester.

In this episode Imogen explains about the courage required to make difficult decisions in an industry that is always striving to find something new, something that has never been done before. She shares how she found the courage to remain authentic to herself, stand up for what she believed in and have her voice heard.

Imogen bravely shares the fear she experienced when she became a leader. She questioned whether she would be the weakest link, but accessed her stubbornness and competitiveness to help her embrace her new role and build a confident team she led to success.

Imogen began her career at McCann Manchester, before heading down to McCann London.
There, Imogen worked with brands such as Subway, Bisto and MasterCard before moving over to Karmarama to create some of the most awarded, talked about and effective work in the UK for The British Army.

Her work has been recognised at all the major award shows including Cannes Lions, D&AD, Creative Circle, Campaign Big, IPA Effectiveness and the DMAs. She also sits on the Global Creative Council for Snapchat, and was a recipient of Campaign’s Female Frontiers award for Conquering Creativity in 2020.

Imogen finally came full circle this year, returning to McCann Manchester to head up the creative department.

Topics covered include:
Making difficult decisions
Becoming a female leader
Staying true to yourself
Feminist way of thinking in business
Impostor Syndrome
Passion at work
Importance of being purpose driven
Power of Language

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

LIVE LONDON EVENT: https://www.thecourageousleaderclub.com/

LIVE LONDON EVENT: https://www.thecourageousleaderclub.com/

View Details

Diya Hofman is the Head of Project Management at BBC Creative.

In this episode Diya shares with us the obstacles she faced during the development of her career, after becoming a mother for the first time. Diya explains that it was like a ‘switch went off in her head’, she finally learned to back herself and pursue her career in places where she was given the opportunity of growth.

She demonstrates how courage can have an incredible impact on our future and how becoming our own leader first, empowers us to take on bigger and better challenges. She also shares her strengths which she now realises are vulnerability, openness, adaptivity, standing by her beliefs and turning her weaknesses into opportunities.

Diya has had an incredibly successful journey working with the best advertising agencies in the world: Adam and Eve DDB, Saatchi, McCann, Mother and now courageously leading and elevating the project management team at BBC Creative.

Topics covered include:

Growth Mindset

Backing yourself

Becoming your own leader

Vulnerability as strength

Leading with courage

Working against the stereotypes

Motherhood and Career

Using your voice

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com

linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

LIVE LONDON EVENT: https://www.thecourageousleaderclub.com/

View Details

Sergio Lopez is EVP. Global Head of Production at Publicis Groupe. Previous to this he was the Chief Production Officer at McCann Worldgroup and CEO of Craft UK & EMEA

In this episode Sergio shares that although he started off very young and inexperienced, by continuously surrounding himself with the right people and amazing mentors, his success now spreads across 17 countries.

Despite his achievements, like many of us Sergio also struggles with Impostor syndrome. Sergio had to use creative thinking to prove not only to others but also to himself, that he can succeed in this industry and lead his team to success.

He explains how change can be a scary phenomenon in business, and how the fear of change can create resistance within teams. He talks us through his journey where he had to embrace courage himself, in order to be able to bring that courage into his team and help them step out of their comfort zone.

Lopez has spearheaded six years of continued growth and the unification of production operations and studios (TV, Art Buy, Print, Digital, Studio) driving creative success, organic expansion of production and content creation capabilities across the agency network at scale.

Topics covered include:
Impostor Syndrome
Creative thinking
Perseverance
Resistance towards Change
The importance of Vision in a company
Learning from getting it wrong
Evolving thinking
The ability to separate oneself from the role they are playing in the business world
The gift of certainty

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:
website: https://www.thechangecreators.com
linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

LIVE LONDON EVENT: https://www.thecourageousleaderclub.com/

View Details

Rania Robinson CEO and Partner at Quiet Storm

In this episode Rania shares more on how stepping out of your comfort zone and being vulnerable is the key to leadership growth and success. As well as acknowledging when you don’t have the answers, accepting your failures and recognising when you need help are key to self-growth and development.

She is passionate about challenging how we define leadership and what it means to feel fulfilled in a leadership role.

Rania Robinson came to the UK from Egypt at the age of three and started school not speaking a word of English. Her early experiences sparked a life-long passion for forming connections and meaningful communication. Having spent most of her career in non-traditional agencies in both account leadership and strategic roles, she has worked with some of the world's best-known brands, including: Haribo, Mercedes, Virgin, Google and Coca Cola.

Since joining Quiet Storm nine years ago, she has brought a 360° perspective and new energy to the agency, helping extend its service offer and broaden its sector experience. A passionate exponent of empowering women in the workplace, she is Vice President of WACL (an organisation whose purpose is to accelerate gender equality in the advertising and communication industry). Quiet Storm currently work with the Women's Equality Party pro bono. Rania is an active diversity champion and in 2020 relaunched Create Not Hate, Quiet Storm's initiative to get under-represented young people into the creative industries by unlocking their creative potential to tackle social issues that they live with every day. Rania is an active participant in D&I initiatives across the industry and a regular commentator on BBC Radio. She features in Campaign's A List of the most influential industry figures, sits on the IPA's Commercial Leadership Group, and is on AdAge’s Leading Women list of 2021.

Topics covered include:

Feeling the fear and doing it anyway
Sustainable growth
Burnout
Attracting great talent
Vulnerability
Self-belief
Accepting your failures
How to ask for help
Changing leadership stereotypes
Self sabotage
Creating your own experiences

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com

linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

LIVE LONDON EVENT: https://www.thecourageousleaderclub.com/

View Details

Mark is Co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer of SKOOT

In this episode Mark shares how he believes courageous leadership is being able to make uncomfortable choices. He has a passion for learning and his drive to believe there is always a better way keeps him and his team progressing. He shares more on how his company deal with accountability, culture and values and why his aim is to be the kindest agency.

Mark Stringer (aka Strings) is a marketing specialist having spent nearly 30 years Agency and Client-side working for numerous world renowned brands. With a passion and love of start-ups, launching brands and developing campaigns that create a strong emotional connection, alongside driving sales.

Mark founded PrettyGreen In 2008 when Red Bull asked if they could give him Wiings. With an original vision for PrettyGreen to be an integrated Communications Agency alongside being a business that helped start-ups, with the Agency based out of Red Bull’s office for the first six months.

The Agency focuses on delivering “Less Ordinary” Comms, having worked with the likes of Red Bull (including 4 years on the Stratos Project), Snapchat, LEGO, Three, Under Armour, John Lewis, Nintendo, and Nando’s to name but a few.

Mark is now Chair of comms Agency group, PrettyGreen (PrettyGreen (PR) The Producers (Events) and What They Said (Influencer).

Mark plays an active part in the marketing industry, judging numerous Awards, writing and commenting for various publications. He sat on PRCA Council a number of times and spent 6 years on the Channel 4 Britdoc Film Foundation as a Non Executive Board Director.

Mark is co-founder of Metropolitan Spirits, which has a portfolio of Absinthe’s, La Maison Fontaine. Distributed globally through 5* and premium bars and has created the world's most Awarded blanche Absinthe.

Topics covered include:

Doing what you love and identifying that
Difficult decisions
Building a diverse team
Learning from others
Self drive and ambition
Thirst for knowledge
Building a safe environment for people to do their best work
Accountability
Culture & values
Kindness
Recognising destructive habits & behaviours
There's always a better way
Leadership is responsibility

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com

linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

LIVE LONDON EVENT: https://www.thecourageousleaderclub.com/

View Details

Sarah Hesz - CCO of Bubble Childcare - helping working parents.

In this episode Sarah shares how she believes the most powerful attribute as a leader is to be authentic and true to yourself. She's a huge advocate for making mistakes and believes if you’re not making them then you're not being creative enough and playing too safe.

We discuss how all decisions you make will not always be right, but they will guide you to a better place, how to trust and back yourself, navigate emotion resourcefully and how courage is in the small moments that add up.

Sarah worked in advertising for a decade but after baby 2 entered the world of start-ups and hasn't looked back. She has built teams from scratch and now leads the growth team at Bubble, an app connecting parents to babysitters and nannies that their friends already know, use and trust. Sarah is passionate about getting more women into leadership positions and feels that childcare is integral to this. She has a particular interest in the transition women go through when they become a mother and has a TEDx talk and book on this subject.

Topics covered include:

The importance of clarity
Self confidence
The evolution of leadership
Being humble
Difficult conversations
Courage in the small moments, doesn't always have to be big gestures
Growth mindset
Failure is feedback and inspires growth
Having a bigger vision an admission
Being authentic and true to yourself
Embracing mistakes
Feeling lonely in leadership

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com

linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

LIVE LONDON EVENT: https://www.thecourageousleaderclub.com/

View Details

Sam Garrity is Co-Founder and CEO of RocketMill.

In this episode Sam shares how during Covid his company grew 41% which he believes is due to putting his people first, over profit. He explains that by looking through the lens of your people you understand how they see, think and feel and therefore you can align with them making them feel understood and build a stronger culture and sense of unity.

He agrees leadership can be terrifying but if you lead as a human you allow people to see you and you are more accepted and received and achieve more effectively together.

Over the past decade, Sam has successfully led his team from being a self-funded start-up serving micro-businesses, to being one of the largest independent UK digital marketing agencies, working with ambitious SMEs and global brands. One of the keys to RocketMill's success has been nurturing a famous employer brand, embedding a people-first philosophy, which sees them regularly placed towards the top of The Sunday Times Best Places to Work, and recently become an employee-owned company.

Topics covered include:

Scaling during Covid
People over profit
Creating culture
Leading as a human
Giving safety, security and certainty increases performance
Understand what your people need
Leadership then and now

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com

linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

LIVE LONDON EVENT: https://www.thecourageousleaderclub.com/

View Details

Chad Warner is the founder of WeVee and most recently Creative Director at 72 and Sunny.

In this episode Chad shares how he believes the better you know yourself as a leader, the better you can serve your team and why vulnerability and transparency are key skills in leadership. He shares openly with his team which allows them to access their truth and increases trust, communication and ultimately performance.

We discuss the need to set boundaries and how we create and manage them, why micro achievements are far more freeing and how to bring playfulness and joy to the workplace.

Chad’s one of the most modern, integrated, experienced, awarded, egoless, passionate creatives you’ll meet. He has a deep love for how creativity, strategy, culture and modern media collide to build brands that continually adapt and thrive.

He’s been an executive creative at RAPP London, Partner at CHI&Partners (the&Partnership) and Integrated CD at McCann London. He’s won over 200 awards and worked on some incredible projects like Lexus Slide, Xbox Survival Billboard and L’Oréal’s Vogue Non-Issue.

Chad even raised over £2 million to start a new brand focused on helping everyone switch to electric cars – just so he could go through the process of building a business from the ground-up. All with the aim of eventually returning to agency life with a deeper understanding of how to help agencies, creatives and clients navigate every layer of brand building and advertising today.

Topics covered include:

Human leadership
Vulnerability
Transparency
Setting and managing boundaries
Why creatives will always give more
How to resourcefully share your fears and pressures
Knowing your strengths and weaknesses
The value in getting a mentor
Shared ownership - you are not the glory
Joy and playfulness in the workplace

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com

linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

LIVE LONDON EVENT: https://www.thecourageousleaderclub.com/

View Details

Jessica is Managing Partner and co-founder of CreateFuture.

In this episode Jessica shares more on how leaders come in all shapes, sizes and flavours and considers herself an introverted leader. Her passion was to build her own company as it allowed her to live out her values and build a culture she wanted to be a part of. She explains that culture takes focus, energy and effort especially in a scaling company and how leadership is all about consistency, sometimes boring but necessary.

Her most courageous moment was taking some time out of the business and she explains courage doesn't have to mean impulsive and big, courage can mean different things.

CreateFuture is an innovation & design company that puts creativity to work, driving sustainable growth through brand, proposition and experience design. Based in the UK, they work with international brands such as adidas, Expedia, and Penguin Random House.

Jessica has successfully run multi-million pound digital and technology projects, accounts and agencies during her 20-year career. She co-chairs the BIMA Scotland Council and actively supports the wider digital community including Girl Geek Scotland, Ladies Wine Design and Agencynomics. Jessica is active and passionate in the building of happy, healthy teams in the creative industry and the empowerment of women to believe in themselves.

She also loves Nike trainers, Michelin star meals in glamorous locations and her cat Missy.

Topics covered include:

Values
Creating a culture your proud of
Responsibility
People over profit
Setting boundaries
Calculated risks
Scaling a company
Burnout
Accepting when people dont fit and how to move forward
Holycratic systems
Accountability
Clarity
Protecting your team
Personal development plans for your team

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com

linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

LIVE LONDON EVENT: https://www.thecourageousleaderclub.com/

View Details

Neil Davidson is the CEO of HeyHuman and HeyLab.

In this episode Neil shares more on how he believes courage is pushing yourself and others to a place that’s better for both.

We chat about taking risks, being brave and setting a believable vision that you give a realistic timeframe to. Neil is also passionate about reskilling his team and investing in education and training to show that they matter, as he believes this is the heart and core of leadership.

HeyHuman was launched in 2014, believing that the relationships between people and brands had changed, and so brands and agencies had to as well.

Since 2014, HeyHuman has won awards such as Business Transformation Agency (The Drum), Gold at the Campaign Experience awards, and a finalist for CEO of the Year (The Drum). It has also grown its work with creatively driven brands such as Guinness and Smirnoff globally.

Previously, Neil has led, launched and re-positioned advertising agencies in the UK and Europe. He has an MA in Creative Writing and recently completed an MBA at Warwick Business School.

Topics covered include:

Remembering your roots
Caring about people
Learning from bad examples, as well as good
Setting a future vision
Giving change the right time frame
Being brave
Reskilling your team
Knowing yourself
Finding the fun in your work

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com

linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

LIVE LONDON EVENT: https://www.thecourageousleaderclub.com/

View Details

Metz Bryan-Fasano is the Co-Founder and Production lead at theOr (Part of the Mother family).
In this episode Metz shares how she discovered the courage to stand up for what she believed in and how one bold move created her next opportunity. Metz believes strongly in transparency and vulnerability as a leader using emotional intelligence to influence the creative process and connect with people to make the best work possible.
We also talk about why it’s important to find your voice, back yourself, keep listening and learning and enjoy life!
So many insights and wisdom on being a leader and what you can access when you step into your courageous zone.
Metz has worked at award-winning agencies including adam&eveDDB and McCann London, and most recently at BBC Creative where she was responsible for establishing processes and building their Project Management department.

Topics covered include:

Showing vulnerability
Leading by example
Taking risks & trusting yourself
Standing up for what you believe in
Making bold moves
The importance of open mindedness
Not having all the answers
Connecting to your team to get results
Leadership is a two-way street - you can learn from your team
The importance of listening
Finding your voice

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:

Website: https://www.thechangecreators.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

LIVE LONDON EVENT: https://www.thecourageousleaderclub.com/

View Details

AJ is Head of Marketing at Klarna UK and one of Campaigns Power 100.

In this episode AJ shares how It takes courage to step out and away from the 'norm' of the 'old' 'usual' way of doing things and trust yourself to disrupt for future success.

How you need to identify and understand what your contribution is and be okay that you won't know it all but trust that you bring value. By being confident in the value you bring this will remove the fear and anxiety that comes from fear of failure.

How to use the ‘Human First’ approach to build relationships, connections and be comfortable in your own skin.

So many insights and wisdom on being a leader and what you can access when you step into your courageous zone.

Prior to his current role, AJ led marketing for The Lion's Share (United Nations Development Program) and was instrumental in both its creation and success, helping secure: Gucci, Mars Inc, Cartier, and other partners.

AJ has also held senior roles in creative agencies across BBDO, McCann and Ogilvy, most recently as General Manager at BBDO Australia where he led the Mars business. His experience spans through FinTech, FMCG, Music, Entertainment, Technology, Gaming and Fashion.

Topics covered include:

Listening & trusting your gut instinct
How to gain clarity of thought
Why it’s courageous to step out from the ‘norm’
Understanding your contribution
Self-belief
Finding a mission bigger than you
Human first leadership
Difficult conversations
Giving your team autonomy
How to build relationships to inspire risk and creativity
Being accountable
Learning from mistakes

Follow Joanna Howes
Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/
The Change Creators - https://thechangecreators.com/

LIVE LONDON EVENT: https://www.thecourageousleaderclub.com/

View Details

In this episode Nicky shares how she navigated her way through imposter syndrome to become one of the most successful creative leaders in her industry.

How becoming a mum changed her perspective for drive and success.

We also explore how creative people have all the skills to run businesses yet there are not many taking on this role and what could be stopping this.

So many insights and wisdom on being a leader and what you can access when you step into your courageous zone.

Nicky was the first creative woman to become chair of a UK marketing agency, that being the multi award-winning MRM in London, and has just been promoted to Chair of MRM Europe. Creatively recognized across nearly all the major shows, Nicky thinks she’s probably worked across every media and sector - but direct and digital are where her heart lies. She’s been writing professionally for 30 years and despite running a huge operation, she also keeps her hand in writing and ideating as often as she can. She is a fierce champion of the customer and believes insight is all. She is also hugely passionate about effectiveness - it’s only great work if it works.

Nicky says that the campaign of her career is the one we’re all living right now, the campaign for equality.

Topics covered include:

Imposter Syndrome
Why it’s good to speak out when things don’t feel right
Why leaders to think about the long game
Making tough decisions
Creating the right environment for courageous action
How we all feel fear whatever our level
How ridiculous can be genius and to nurture that in the workplace
Understanding human beings
Why it doesn't matter if you have a degree or not
Finding your motivation
Finding your sunshine to grow authentically and fully
Why comparing yourself to yourself is where true growth lies

Follow Joanna Howes
Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/
The Change Creators - https://thechangecreators.com/

LIVE LONDON EVENT: https://www.thecourageousleaderclub.com/

View Details

The Courageous Leaders Club podcast aims to inspire leaders to step into their courageous zone, be the leader they know they can be and discover the mindset skills and behaviours to take their leadership to the next level.

So listen in, get inspired on how you can grow your leadership impact. Leave a legacy you can be proud of, and build an environment for future leaders to thrive.

The Courageous Leaders Club podcast is hosted by Joanna Howes.

Who is Joanna Howes?
Joanna Howes is an award-winning international coach, behavioural expert, specialising in leadership and performance coaching and No 1 best selling international co-author.

Her focus is to help individuals and teams activate their full potential, so they can step into their courageous zone to maximise their influence, build their resilience and take the action needed to become high performers and future-ready leaders.

Joanna is a unique phenomenon within her industry, with over 20 years’ experience working internationally with some of the world's most awarded advertising agencies and leading them to operational and leadership success.

Her blend of both innovative operational and transformative change solutions empowers organisations to create environments that are supportive and fearless for their employees.

Follow Joanna Howes
Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/
The Change Creators - https://thechangecreators.com/

changecreators #thecourageousleadersclub #courageousleaders #courageousconversations #leadasyou #leadershipdevelopment #leadershipcoach #businessgrowth #businessowner #positiveimpact #creativeindustry #creativeleader #businesssuccess #scaleup #startup #CEO #activateyourpotential #growthmindset #businesscoach #performancecoach #operationalexcellence #highperformingteam #peoplefirstculture #futurefitleaders #compassionateleader #leadfromwithin

The Courageous Leaders Club: Recent Episodes

Joanna Howes

Leadership #BusinessTransformation #CEO #CreativeIndustry #CourageousLeaders

ExecutiveLeadership #LeadershipTeam #CompanyCulture #CEO #CourageousLeaders

Leadership #EmotionalIntelligence #ModernLeadership #CourageousLeaders