Leadership Detectives: Recent Episodes
Leadership Detectives
We created The Leadership Detectives to have a conversation about leadership to help anyone in a business management / leadership role or indeed in any walk of life and to inspire and inform aspiring leaders. We hope that you enjoy and get something out of it that will help you going forward.
"Leadership starts and ends with you." This powerful statement from executive coach Payal Nanjiani captures the essence of what separates truly exceptional leaders from those who merely hold a title. Drawing from her 17 years of coaching experience with executives worldwide, Payal reveals that leadership is fundamentally an inside game that requires deep self-awareness before external success can follow.
What's missing in traditional leadership development? Despite billions spent annually on corporate training programs, many leaders hit a ceiling in their growth. The problem isn't a lack of skill-based training but rather a failure to address the internal transformation needed for breakthrough leadership. Payal shares how she discovered this gap while working in HR and developed workshops focused on reflection and self-awareness that produced remarkable results.
The most successful leaders Payal has coached share two critical traits: an insatiable learning mindset and the ability to develop successors. They never rest on their laurels or feed their egos by becoming irreplaceable. Instead, they continuously evolve while lifting others up alongside them. This requires keeping ego in check and maintaining emotional balance even during challenging situations.
Payal offers practical wisdom for overcoming leadership barriers, including a science-based approach to breaking negative thought patterns in just 17 seconds. She emphasizes that productivity depends more on energy management than time management, and recommends starting each day with gratitude, reflection, and meditation rather than immediately checking emails or social media. Even the busiest executives she coaches dedicate 45 minutes each morning solely to reflection.
For aspiring leaders, Payal advises building relationships, understanding corporate politics, and becoming someone who attracts opportunities rather than constantly asking for them. The most profound insight? Success is 20% skills and 80% the person behind those skills. By developing your "inner leader," you create the foundation for authentic leadership that gives others wings to fly.
Struggling with your leadership journey? Remember that failure teaches far more than success ever could. Even Payal's first book faced 22 rejections before publication. Your leadership potential lies not in avoiding failure but in how you respond to it and continue growing through every challenge.
What happens when two digital marketing professionals decide to build the company they've always wanted to work for? Emma Welland and Kat Sale, founders of House of Performance, reveal their refreshing approach to leadership that prioritizes values over EBITDA and puts purpose and fulfillment at the center of business decisions.
The conversation delves into the critical distinction between leadership and management. As Emma explains, "You can be a good manager and a terrible leader, and a good leader and a terrible manager." While management handles the day-to-day processes, true leadership is about inspiring people and taking them on a journey toward a shared vision. This distinction guides how they approach their roles as founders and leaders.
Their leadership philosophy centers around three core values: pride, agility, and transparency. These aren't just words on a wall—they're principles that guide every decision. When faced with a choice, Emma and Kat simply ask, "Does this align with our values?" This approach provides clarity in decision-making and builds a consistent culture. A powerful example emerges when they share how they handled an $800 mistake made by a team member, transforming it into a teaching moment that reinforced their values rather than creating a culture of fear.
What truly sets their leadership style apart is authenticity. Both founders emphasize the importance of leaders whose words and actions align—where "the mouth and eyes are connected." They've experienced firsthand how inauthentic leadership destroys trust and engagement, and they're determined to build something different.
Perhaps most compelling is their commitment to creating a business they themselves would want to work for. From offering therapy services to allowing employees to work from anywhere for a month, they design policies based on what would have benefited them throughout their careers. Combined with their emphasis on fun and social connection, they're building not just a successful company but a fulfilling community.
Whether you're leading a team of two or two hundred, Emma and Kat's insights will challenge you to examine your own leadership approach and consider how aligning with your values might create not just better business outcomes but a more meaningful journey for everyone involved. Listen now to discover why sometimes the best leadership strategy isn't focusing on EBITDA at all.
What makes a truly exceptional leader? Is it their charisma, technical expertise, or perhaps something more adaptable? In this illuminating conversation with Paul Kells, senior technology director and digital transformation expert, we uncover the surprising truth that effective leadership fundamentally depends on context.
Drawing from his extensive experience managing organizations of various sizes—from leading 1,500 employees across 18 countries to working with nimble startups—Paul reveals how leadership must evolve through different business stages. The controlling, metrics-focused approach that stabilizes a mature company would suffocate a growth-stage business, while the collaborative, network-building style perfect for startups might lack the discipline needed in established enterprises.
Paul shares a pivotal moment from his own leadership journey when his team delivered brutal feedback: "We love you to bits, but if you don't stop micromanaging us, we're all leaving." This catalyzed his evolution toward creating an environment where, years later, he proudly realized his team had surpassed his own capabilities—the ultimate leadership achievement.
We explore the critical importance of transparency during organizational change, particularly in mergers and acquisitions. Paul explains how anxiety flourishes in uncertainty, and while complete transparency isn't always possible, providing clear direction significantly reduces resistance. The conversation highlights situational leadership—the ability to adapt your approach to meet changing circumstances rather than relying on a single fixed style.
Whether you're navigating corporate transformations, building a startup team, or simply looking to elevate your leadership effectiveness, this episode offers practical insights on matching your leadership approach to your organization's specific needs. The most successful leaders aren't defined by a single method but by their ability to provide what their organization needs at each stage of its journey.
Like, subscribe, and share your thoughts with us! Visit leadershipdetectives.com for more resources to enhance your leadership journey.
Trust cascades downward. Those three words capture the essence of Rob Mullen's leadership philosophy as Managing Director of Trenitalia C2C Rail and Chair of the Board of Trustees of Bath City Football Club Foundation. In this compelling conversation with Neil and Albert, Rob reveals why honesty and transparency form the bedrock of his approach to leading a major UK railway company.
What sets great leaders apart? For Rob, it begins with creating an environment where people feel heard, supported, and trusted to make decisions. He shares how his father's simple wisdom—"If you don't tell us the truth, we can't help you"—shaped his leadership journey and continues to guide how he builds trust within his organization today.
The conversation takes us inside Rob's unconventional methods for connecting with frontline staff. From driving trains himself to working night security shifts alongside his team and even making station announcements, Rob demonstrates that true leadership means getting your hands dirty. These aren't mere gestures—they're deliberate strategies that build credibility and show genuine care for employee welfare.
Most powerful is Rob's candid discussion of vulnerability. He recounts personal stories of acknowledging his own mistakes, apologizing when needed, and creating space for others to do the same. This vulnerability-first approach has transformed C2C's culture, creating what he calls "high challenge, high support" teams where difficult conversations happen without damaging relationships.
Rob's personal leadership journey reveals how finding his authentic voice—rather than trying to fit someone else's leadership mold—unlocked his true potential. Through life's challenges, including a divorce that forced deep reflection and rediscovery through ultra-running, he found that "being Rob Mullen was okay" and ultimately more effective than trying to be someone he wasn't.
Whether you're leading a major organization or taking your first steps into management, this episode offers practical wisdom on building trust, empowering teams, and leading with authenticity in an increasingly digital world. Subscribe now and discover why the most powerful leadership tool might be the courage to be yourself.
Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing how leaders work, but are you leveraging it effectively? Dr. David Hooper, founder of Lunala AI, joins us to demystify how leaders can strategically implement AI to transform their effectiveness.
This eye-opening conversation reveals that most leaders are barely scratching the surface of AI's potential. Rather than simply asking ChatGPT random questions, true AI integration requires a "golden thread" running through your entire organization. Dr. Hooper explains how leaders can reclaim up to 10 hours weekly – nearly 500 hours annually – by creating AI assistants that handle routine inquiries, freeing you to focus on high-impact activities that truly showcase your leadership abilities.
We explore practical applications like creating your own AI assistant, automating email responses, and using AI to enhance meeting preparation. Dr. Hooper emphasizes that successful AI implementation is fundamentally a change management project requiring proper strategy and support. Beyond the productivity gains, we dive into critical ethical considerations including transparency in AI usage and environmental impacts of AI energy consumption.
For leaders feeling overwhelmed by AI's complexity, there's reassuring news: Dr. Hooper reveals it takes only about 20 hours of dedicated research to join the top 10% of people knowledgeable about AI. He recommends starting with just one repetitive task in your workflow, whether that's email management or handling internal inquiries.
Despite AI's transformative potential, the conversation reaffirms that human leadership qualities remain irreplaceable. The most successful leaders will strategically integrate AI while doubling down on uniquely human leadership elements. Ready to transform how you lead? Listen now and discover how to harness AI's power without getting left behind.
What does it take to navigate a 40-year leadership journey? Chris Mallon, who recently retired after 36 years at Lloyds Banking Group, reveals the timeless principles that guided him from an 18-year-old trainee to executive leadership.
Chris challenges the notion that great leaders are born, arguing instead that leadership develops through continuous learning and growth. "I kept learning right up to the very day that I left," he shares, emphasizing how this commitment to improvement kept him relevant through decades of technological and organizational change. His powerful guiding principle—"lead the way you wish to be led"—offers a simple yet profound approach to authentic leadership that resonates with teams at all levels.
Perhaps most striking is Chris's insight on team composition. "The worst thing you can ever do as a leader is surround yourself with another eight, nine, ten versions of you," he explains, highlighting how diversity of thought creates stronger solutions. His practical approach to creating space for quieter voices reveals how the most innovative ideas often come from those least likely to demand attention in meetings.
The conversation explores how leadership must adapt across organizational levels while maintaining core values, and contrasts the unique challenges of leading in large corporations versus startups. Throughout, Chris returns to his conviction that people remain any organization's most valuable asset—a truth he demonstrated by choosing early retirement to create advancement opportunities for his team.
Whether you're just beginning your leadership journey or reflecting on years of experience, Chris's hard-earned wisdom offers valuable perspective on creating environments where teams thrive and leaders continuously evolve. Subscribe now to hear more leadership insights from those who've navigated the challenges you're facing.
What makes leaders truly effective? Is it technical expertise, strategic vision, or something more fundamental? Former Chief Superintendent Mark Chatterton's remarkable 30-year police career reveals it might be much simpler – and more powerful – than we think.
Rising from a young constable with no leadership ambitions to commanding over 1,000 staff across a third of Hampshire, Mark discovered leadership principles that transformed troubled communities and built exceptional teams. His approach centered on genuine human connection: "Look after your staff, genuinely care about your staff, listen to them, always listen."
Mark's leadership wasn't about complex theories but practical wisdom. He created memorable purpose statements like "Make the criminal fear crime, not the victim" that crystallized mission for his teams. When confronted with a housing estate considered too dangerous for police, he rejected the status quo with determination: "I'm not having that at all." His strategic response transformed the neighborhood so dramatically that residents wrote emotional letters expressing how officers had "given me my life back."
Perhaps most powerful was Mark's approach to cross-sector collaboration. Discovering neighborhoods in his jurisdiction ranked among England's most deprived, he gathered community partners and asked a profound question: "What do we want to be remembered for?" This shifted focus from bureaucratic processes to meaningful change.
Whether walking unannounced through police stations to connect with officers, recognizing good work rather than just catching mistakes, or showing vulnerability as a senior leader, Mark demonstrated that authentic leadership transcends rank or industry. His journey offers invaluable lessons for anyone seeking to lead with purpose and humanity.
If you're leading teams or aspiring to leadership positions, subscribe to Leadership Detectives for more conversations uncovering the true essence of great leadership. Share your thoughts on Mark's approach in the comments below!
Feedback is the compass that guides exceptional leadership, yet many leaders avoid this vital tool. In this revealing conversation, we uncover why feedback is critical for leadership growth and how it directly impacts employee retention and engagement.
When was the last time you asked your team for honest feedback about your leadership? If you're hesitating, you're not alone. We explore the psychological barriers that prevent leaders from seeking input and provide practical approaches to overcome feedback avoidance. From structured 360-degree assessments to informal coffee conversations, we share proven techniques for soliciting meaningful insights that drive improvement.
The most powerful moment comes when we share a startling story about a leader who received abysmal feedback scores and immediately dismissed them, convinced that everyone else had misunderstood the questions. This cautionary tale highlights how defensiveness becomes the ultimate roadblock to growth and improvement.
We distinguish between solicited and unsolicited feedback, offering specific strategies for receiving unexpected input gracefully. Learn why timing matters, how to avoid the defensive "yeah, but..." response, and why assuming positive intent transforms difficult feedback conversations into growth opportunities.
Creating a continuous feedback culture emerges as the ultimate leadership goal—where giving and receiving input becomes woven into daily interactions rather than relegated to annual reviews. This shift fundamentally changes organizational dynamics, creating environments where people feel heard, valued, and empowered to share their perspectives.
Ready to transform your leadership through the power of feedback? This episode provides the blueprint for making feedback your most valuable leadership development tool. Subscribe to the Leadership Detectives for more insights that will sharpen your leadership skills and transform your impact.
What happens when leaders can't let go? In this eye-opening exploration of trust in leadership, Albert Joseph and Neil Thubron tackle one of the most fundamental yet challenging aspects of leading teams effectively.
We dive deep into the struggle many leaders face: trusting their team to perform without constant supervision. Whether you're an entrepreneur who's grown a business from the ground up or a corporate leader responsible for large teams, the ability to trust your people fundamentally shapes your effectiveness and your team's performance.
Drawing from both personal experiences and research, we unpack the remarkable benefits of high-trust environments – from 50% higher productivity to 74% less stress according to Harvard Business studies. But how do you build this environment when letting go feels so risky?
Albert shares a powerful story about realizing his hands-on management style was actually sending the message that he didn't trust his team's capabilities. "I thought I was helping, but I was actually interfering," he reveals, highlighting how even well-intentioned leaders can undermine trust without realizing it.
The episode offers practical approaches for leaders struggling with delegation, including a four-pillar framework for assessing team readiness and establishing management systems that allow you to step back while staying informed. We also tackle the delicate balance between creating a "fail-fast" learning environment versus allowing underperformance.
For leaders seeking to transform their effectiveness and their team's potential, this conversation provides both the inspiration and practical tools to build organizations where trust flourishes. As Neil demonstrates through his own business experience, when you finally trust your team enough to truly let go, they often exceed your expectations in ways you never imagined possible.
Restructuring. The very word can send ripples of anxiety through an organization. But what does it really mean to lead effectively through this challenging process? In this candid conversation, leadership experts Albert Joseph and Neil Thubron tackle the complex realities of guiding teams through organizational change.
Drawing from their extensive corporate experience, Albert and Neil explore how restructuring extends far beyond cost-cutting measures. They emphasize that effective leaders must deeply understand and genuinely support the strategic reasons behind restructuring decisions. Without this foundation, communicating with authenticity becomes impossible. As they note with refreshing directness: if you can't get behind the direction your company is taking, leadership during restructuring probably isn't for you.
The discussion provides practical guidance on balancing seemingly conflicting responsibilities: executing corporate directives while supporting affected team members, maintaining business continuity while managing uncertainty, and handling others' emotional responses while monitoring your own wellbeing. Their advice ranges from communication strategies and change management techniques to leveraging professional networks for departing employees and recognizing that restructuring sometimes creates unexpected opportunities.
Perhaps most valuable is their exploration of self-care for leaders during restructuring. They acknowledge the immense pressure of managing organizational change while supporting both leaving and remaining team members. Their recommendation? Don't hesitate to seek help, whether through HR resources, employee assistance programs, or coaching support. Remember the airline safety instruction: secure your own oxygen mask before helping others.
Whether you're currently leading through restructuring, anticipating changes ahead, or simply want to strengthen your leadership toolkit, this episode offers invaluable insights for navigating organizational transformation with integrity, empathy and effectiveness. The hosts even extend a personal invitation to reach out if you need additional support during your restructuring journey.
Dive into an engaging exploration of leadership evolution as we reunite after three years to reflect on the dramatic shifts in our understanding of effective leadership. From the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic to the rapid technological advancements reshaping our workplaces, we dissect how these changes have forced leaders to navigate complex challenges.
Our conversation spans the spectrum of emerging issues like the rise of micromanagement and decreasing trust among teams, effectively painting a picture of the current state of leadership. We ask critical questions: Is leadership an inherent trait, or can it truly be developed and learned over time?
By sharing personal stories and observing recent trends, we encourage our listeners to reflect on their leadership experiences and contribute their insights. We actively invite you to participate by sharing how your leadership style has transformed and what insights you've gained along the way.
Join us as we seek to understand the clues of great leadership and the qualities that shape inspiring leaders in today's dynamic environment. Your engagement helps foster a community of growth and learning. Subscribe for more discussions and insights, and we look forward to hearing from you!
In this episode, we delve deep into the challenging landscape of toxic leadership. Toxic leaders can manifest in various ways, often leading to detrimental impacts on team dynamics, individual morale, and overall productivity. We explore the core characteristics and behaviors associated with toxic leadership and provide actionable insights on how to recognize these individuals in the workplace.
As we analyze the nuances of toxic behavior, we highlight the ripple effect these leaders have on both the immediate team and the broader organizational culture. We engage in enlightening conversations about essential coping strategies, emphasizing the importance of communication, empathy, and resilience when dealing with difficult leaders. You'll learn how to take ownership of your situation, document your experiences, set healthy boundaries, and when necessary, explore pathways toward a healthier work environment, either within your current role or through seeking new opportunities.
Join us for a candid discussion that’s packed not just with insights but also with encouragement and support, reminding you that you are not alone in these struggles. Tune in to discover valuable tips that can help transform your workplace experience, and be sure to share your thoughts with us!
In this insightful episode of The Leadership Detectives, Albert and Neil unpack the importance of listening to teams - and how effective listening can lead to magic happening in any organisation.
Find Neil online at: https://neilthubron.com
Find Albert on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/albert-e-joseph
Albert and Neil invite Military Cross retired army colonel, Richard Westley OBE, onto this episode. Richard shares how, after years of following orders, he found success as a leader in the corporate world.
Find Neil online at: https://neilthubron.com Find Albert on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/albert-e-joseph
*Albert and Neil sit down to discuss how Matrix Management can empower leaders to get the best out of workplace support teams.
Find Neil online at: https://neilthubron.com Find Albert on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/albert-e-joseph*
In this episode of The Leadership Detectives, Albert and Neil discuss strong leadership insights with ex-British Lions England A rugby legend and successful business owner, Harvey Thorneycroft.Find Neil online at: https://neilthubron.com Find Albert on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/albert-e-joseph
Welcome to Season 03 Episode 02 of The Leadership Detectives.
In this episode, we look at how a bit of gratitude can go a long way in a leadership role, and how this powerful emotion can bring about positive change in both our business and personal lives.
Find Neil online at: https://neilthubron.com Find Albert on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/albert-e-joseph
Welcome to Season 03 Episode 01 of The Leadership Detectives.
*In this episode, we talk about leadership and the importance of diversity with our inspirational guest, Jacqueline de Rojas CBE. Jacqueline is the President of techUK and Chair of the Board of Digital Leaders.
Jacqueline dives into, among other leadership qualities, the need for embracing diversity and change, and altering the way we view setbacks.
Find Neil online at: https://neilthubron.com Find Albert on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/albert-e-joseph Find Jacqueline on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jderojas/*
Welcome to Episode 12 of The Leadership Detectives.
In this episode, Neil highlights certain aspects which can help to shape a great leader in today's world.
Whilst many core principles remain the same, there are still multiple factors and it's important to move with the times on the ever-shifting sands of leadership.
Find Neil online at: https://neilthubron.com
Find Albert on LinkedIn at: www.linkedin.com/in/albert-e-joseph
Welcome to Episode 11 of The Leadership Detectives.
In this episode, we celebrate our 1st anniversary of The Leadership Detectives with a look back on some of our favourite moments of the last year.
We also managed to record together, in person, for the very first time!
Thank you to everyone who has been a guest, contributed towards our journey in any way and, most importantly, to the listeners.
Find Neil online at: https://neilthubron.com
Find Albert on LinkedIn at: www.linkedin.com/in/albert-e-joseph
Welcome to Episode 10 of The Leadership Detectives.
In this episode, we share a wonderful interview with another incredible guest, Sophie Stanton. Sophie is the Chief Marketing Officer at IBM (Middle East and Africa).
"VUCA" stands for volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity.
Sophie guides us through some of the core foundations of "VUCA" and why it can be so effective in the modern world of business.
Find Neil online at: https://neilthubron.com
Find Albert on LinkedIn at: www.linkedin.com/in/albert-e-joseph
Find Sophie Stanton on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophiestanton/
Welcome to Episode 9 of The Leadership Detectives.
In this episode, we take a deep dive into the concept of "failure".
"Failure" has become a dirty word in the world of leadership, and it has been subjected to a reframing of context.
Is it better to fail often? To aim high, even if you don't reach? And just because you fail, does that make you a failure?
Find Neil online at: https://neilthubron.com
Find Albert on LinkedIn at: www.linkedin.com/in/albert-e-joseph
In this episode, we’re joined by Chris Hunter QGM, author, bomb disposal expert, and former British Army officer.
And when it comes to topics like fear of failure there are few better placed than Chris who has had to view failure as meaning someone losing their life.
We start by talking about why Chris joined the Military and the words that his father gave him on his death bed that shaped his life. Looking at leadership, we break down lessons he learned in the Military such as knowing what your boss is trying to achieve and having the ability to influence the greater good. Chris gives us invaluable insight on a great example of leadership that he’s had when advising on the 7/7 London bombings and on dealing with the fear of failure.
Connect with Chris Hunter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-hunter-qgm-b474ab6a/
Find Neil online at: https://neilthubron.com/
And Albert on LinkedIn at: www.linkedin.com/in/albert-e-joseph
Welcome to Episode 7 of The Leadership Detectives.
In this episode, we look back on some of our recent interviews in order to double down on some of the most salient points our guests have made.
We highlight the importance of authenticity and why it is becoming even more vital in the modern leadership world.
We also discuss why humility is crucial for a leader to inspire those around them, delving into why "being soft" is often much braver than the "old school" management styles we may have grown up with.
Find Neil online at: https://neilthubron.com
Find Albert on LinkedIn at: www.linkedin.com/in/albert-e-joseph
In this episode, we’re joined by Jay Trestain, Global Offerings & Big Deal Leader at IBM iX.
She’s been with IBM for 15 years, however, this episode takes a look at how leaders can lead when they themselves are going through personal adversity.
Jay’s story is both humbling and an incredible story of success in the face of huge adversity as we get into how she’s battled the loss of her mother and her husband’s terminal diagnosis, while simultaneously leading teams.
Jay tells us about her experiences with vulnerability as a leader and how’s she’s faced it in the workplace herself, earning the right to be ‘emotionally open’, how she handled the job at hand when going through tough personal situations and how ‘life’ and little things that you don’t necessarily ask about or know about but impact how you turn up to work.
Connect with Jay on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jay-trestain/
Find Neil online at: https://neilthubron.com/
And Albert on LinkedIn at: www.linkedin.com/in/albert-e-joseph
Welcome to Season 2, Episode 5 of The Leadership Detectives.
In this episode, we highlight the importance of inspirational communication.
We look back on various speeches that have inspired us over the years, and analyse why they seem to connect on such a deep level.
We also discuss why communication is crucial for a leader to inspire those around them - whether it is on stage, in the realms of business, or day to day within their family life.
Find Neil online at: https://neilthubron.com
Find Albert on LinkedIn at: www.linkedin.com/in/albert-e-joseph
Welcome to Episode 4 of The Leadership Detectives.
In this episode, we share a wonderful interview with an incredible guest, Clyde Fernandez. Clyde is the Regional Vice President at Salesforce and is based in Melbourne, Australia.
Clyde talks openly about his own brand of leadership - one based on humanity and creating a safe space for true creativity to flourish.
He guides us through some of his own leadership inspirations and how they've influenced his own style; the importance of having to 'Learn, Unlearn and Relearn'; and why the autocratic style we grew up with must be adapted in order to survive.
Find Neil online at: https://neilthubron.com
Find Albert on LinkedIn at: www.linkedin.com/in/albert-e-joseph
Find Clyde Fernandez on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clfernan/
Welcome to Episode 3 of The Leadership Detectives.
In this episode, we discuss the importance of creating a compelling vision. It frequently acts as an effective platform for moving forward in multiple areas of life.
There needs to be a direction for everyone to be able to easily identify with, and the key question is this: would you set off for a journey without knowing what direction you're going in?
We look at examples from successful companies and how they've managed to distill their vision into something digestible. We also talk about various ways one can create and adapt their vision, from conception to execution.
Find Neil online at: https://neilthubron.com
And Albert on LinkedIn at: www.linkedin.com/in/albert-e-joseph
Inviting conflict. Almost seems like the opposite of what makes sense when you think of leadership, but today we’re joined by Jana Bruechmann who brings a fresh new take on conflict in the workplace.
Jana takes us through how her work as a Systemic Leadership Coach on ‘Future work’ or the new way of working takes her away from traditional leadership methods. We talk about how the word conflict itself has negative connotations, the difference between what it and what could potentially be and why tension is good in the work place.
But we do look at the dangers of inviting conflict when you, as a leader, are not truly prepared. Jana leaves us with some great tips on managing conflict in an inclusive way and some of the things that leaders need to think about to avoid misapplying.
To find out more about Jana you can visit: JanaBruechmann.de or e-mail mail@JanaBruechmann.de
Find Neil online at: https://neilthubron.com/
And Albert on LinkedIn at: www.linkedin.com/in/albert-e-joseph
Welcome to Season 2 of The Leadership Detectives. We’re launching this season by answering the key question; What is a leader?
We discuss what a leader really is. From the behaviours that leaders exhibit, the differences between competencies and attributes that make a leader and share our opinions on an age-old question ‘are leaders born or created?’
Touching on some points that you won’t want to miss, such as setting values as a leader and ‘leading from the back’ this episode deep dives into organisational culture and how, as leaders, you need to navigate this space with a clear set of standards and values.
Find Neil online at: https://neilthubron.com/
And Albert on LinkedIn at: www.linkedin.com/in/albert-e-joseph
Our first live webinar! This episode on the topic of how not to be a bad leader.
We've all either been victim or witness to bad leadership. Either way, it has negative impacts on individuals or the team as a whole and ultimately limits happiness, contribution and well-being.
Neil and I discuss examples of those we have seen and highlight the behaviours and traits you should really avoid as a leader.
We hope you enjoy the recording of this inaugural live webinar. Special thanks to those who joined us live and for the questions they kindly submitted at the time.
Episode 37 - Mentoring and Coaching
Two extremely valuable processes / techniques for your employees and for you! In the spirit of Leadership Detectives, we talk about it here for current leaders to add value for their own employees but also for you as a key asset in your company to potentially mentor and coach any other employees who may benefit.
Please do also consider whether you might benefit from a coaching session with Neil (he's good!) or me. If so, please visit our website leadershipdetectives.com and leave us a message.
Episode 36 - Managing Upwards
We all have bosses and/or key stakeholders. Do they only manage us or should we also be managing them? If you can make it work well, there are benefits for them, you, your business and the company as a whole.
Listen in as Neil and I discuss some examples, with tips and techniques on how to get the best from this vital aspect.
Episode 35 - Meetings Bloody Meetings!
The majority of people tell us they spend way too much time in meetings and/or attend too many meetings. Very few have told us the opposite. So there is definitely room for leaders to help change this and only call meetings when really needed, for the amount of time really needed with the attendees really needed.
Neil and I hope the tips we cover in this episode help you change that dynamic if it exists in your business to make you and your team more effective and efficient.
Episode 33 - An Interview with Adrian Thornton, RYA Yatchmaster Instructor & Examiner
In this episode we take a look at leadership within a leisure pursuit and industry away from our more usual corporate and commercial worlds. A slightly different angle from Adrian, on the leadership skills required to be the skipper of a yacht, on and off the water.
Some good examples that share his insight and messages. We hope you enjoy.
Episode 34 - Great Leaders Avoid A Blame Culture
Have you ever experienced working in a blame culture? I would be really surprised if you could honestly say "no, never".
Sadly, it can be the natural human response when things go wrong. Great leaders spot this behaviour and work hard to prevent this infectious 'disease' from taking hold.
Neil and I discuss how to spot it and how to try and prevent it from manifesting and damaging your business' quest to grow and develop; something most leaders strive for.
Episode 32 - An Interview with Ourania Odermatt
Neil and I were really privileged to have a discussion with Ourania Odermatt, MD of Avaya Switzerland & Austria who we both individually had the pleasure of working with at IBM Technology Support Services.
A fantastic story of how she built her career from Executive Assistant in European Headquarters to a senior Executive position. What are the secrets of her success and what is important to her as a leader? Listen in and find out.
Episode 31 - An Interview with James Hunnybourne
A really fun, open and insightful interview with an old (time not age!) friend of Neil's (@neil) and mine. Genuine, honest and warm, yet extremely successful. Who says those dimensions cannot co-exist!? Thanks @James!
Episode 30 - Neil and Albert Interview Each Other
A chance for you to hear a bit about our own personal experiences, preferences and memories over a joint 50 years++ of leadership.
We were privileged to have some fantastic guests join us on the Leadership Detectives in 2020. This episode is a brief review from some of those interviews and the golden nuggets they shared with us during the interview discussions.
Neil and I would like to wish you all the very best for the New Year. With the role(s) you will be performing and with the lives you will be leading. Good luck, be successful, be happy and watch out for more content coming your way from the Leadership Detectives.
Enjoy this brief 20 mins episode entitled "12 Tips of Christmas" to help you get 2021 underway and get the new year rolling.
Have a fantastic Christmas with hopefully a break from your work. Stay safe, healthy and be happy!
As we approach the end of the year, it's a great opportunity for you to show your human side and offer a word and/or gesture of thanks to your employees.
This episode contains just a few tips and ideas from the Leadership Detectives on how perhaps you could do that, in addition to the good things you may already be doing.
Regardless of your religious beliefs, please accept our wishes for a great Christmas and Festive Break this time of year!
Triggered by the Priti Patel situation, an ex-colleague of ours; Carol Chidley, reached out to us on social media and suggested that bullying may be a good topic for a Leadership Detectives discussion.
So Neil invited Carol to come and join us for the episode to discuss bullying in the workplace, how it manifests itself, where is the line between tough leadership and bullying, and most importantly what do you do about it.
A great, albeit emotive, topic. Hope you get something out of the discussion. Please tell us!
A great interview with Carmina Lees; Managing Director, Financial Services, Accenture.
She talks career and leadership - all she has achieved to date, what's made her successful, her views on leadership, women in Technology, women in Leadership and how to balance that with being a Mum of two young children.
Part two in our two-part of Managing Careers.
In this episode we discuss the what, how and when of actions and techniques to help manage the careers of your employees. Sure, they own their careers - but we as Leaders have a responsibility to support and coach them to maximise the returns for them, us and the company overall.
The first in a two-part piece on Managing Careers.
This episode is specifically about Leaders managing their own careers. Some tips on what to do, how to do, when to do and clarity about who owns your career.
Enjoy and good luck managing your career and climbing that ladder!
Have you ever found yourself in a rut or a dip in motivation? It's especially difficult when you're the leader because your attitude, your drive, often gets reflected back to the team, good or bad.
Neil and I found ourselves in a similar situation and having worked our way back out of it, thought it might be useful to share strategies and techniques that could help you and your employees, if anyone finds themselves in that place. Good luck. Enjoy!
Having entered Lockdown 2.0 we thought we would share the learnings from our previous guests, companies we are currently working with and our own experiences of working from home and more importantly Leading Remotely.
Available on most podcast sites. Listen 'live' or download to listen later; maybe on your daily exercise outings.
Please Subscribe to get notified of future episodes and access to 20 back episodes.
Who doesn't have a view on Donald Trump and/or Boris Johnson? Who is the better leader ?
In episode 20 of the Leadership Detectives we thought we would chose 5 key areas of leadership out of 15+ we have discussed over our first 20 weeks, and then award each one of them a rating.
Do you agree with our assessments?
Would you rate each/both of them differently?
Please join us and tell us and others what you think.
There are 16.8 million Millennials (also known as Generation Y, those born between the years of 1980 and the early 1990s) just in the UK. The first true digital generation, whose unique life experiences have changed the way we live, work and consume.
This week we hear from two of them about what they believe is important to Millennials in the workplace.
Thank you to Rebecca and Saskia for their openness and discussion about what matters to them in a leader and an employer. Great interview!
How comfortable are you at DELIVERING FEEDBACK?
How often do you REQUEST FEEDBACK?
What's the purpose of FEEDBACK?
This week we discuss the Why's, When's and How's of giving and receiving feedback in the workplace. We hope you find it a valuable and enjoyable discussion.
Do you have TOP TALENT or TOP PERFORMERS?
What is your strategy to ENGAGE & MOTIVATE them?
What is your strategy to RETAIN them?
What is the COST - financial or otherwise - of LOSING and REPLACING them?
In this Episode we discuss our view of 5 DOs and 5 DON'Ts to get the best out of these valuable individuals - for them and for your company.
Is it OK to be scared and fearful as a leader?
Have you personally ever been scared or fearful in your leadership position?
How did you deal with it? How could you have dealt with it better?
In this latest episode Neil and I attempt to answer some of these questions for you.
Please let us know what you think.
How "HR" has changed over the years. From what started it's life as the "Personnel" department to a function that now adds value across so many areas ... from resource planning to recruitment to training to retention to performance management to reward/recognition to exit management ... and so much more in between.
We hope you enjoy this discussion with a great guest; Chris Prince on what we have entitled "Human Resources; The Secret Weapon in The Leaders Arsenal".
Have you ever been the victim of racism in the workplace?
Have you ever experienced it being subjected to others?
How did it make them feel? How did it make you feel?
In episode 14 of the Leadership Detectives we ask "How should leaders deal with racial prejudice in the workplace?". We hope this podcast helps you as a leader or potential leader to direct your attention, focus and energy more effectively.
We decided to come at this one slightly differently this week for Episode 13.
Sometimes the best way to improve is knowing what not to do. Listen in to hear our 7 tips on how to be a really bad leader. Who knows, you may even recognise the behaviours of leaders you have worked with.
An interview with Zoe Bowman, Crew Manager and Firefighter in the East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service.
Some great lessons in leadership from a leading fire fighter for us to learn from. Zoe, wife and mother to two daughters, is one of the first appointed female fire fighters in her region. Over the years she has progressed to Crew Manager; where being a good leader is absolutely critical, both during emergency incidents and equally back at the station between shouts.
In this week's episode Neil and Albert discuss the lessons in leadership learned from Navy Seal commander Jocko Willink and discussed in his book Extreme Ownership.
This was a great fun episode to record and some really great leadership clues uncovered and discussed.
Hope you enjoy it.
In this leadership conversation Neil and Albert look at the leadership lessons that we can learn from Juergen Klopp. After the amazing season that Liverpool have had in the premier league Juergen Klopp is recognised as one of the most inspirational leaders.
We particularly look at the word Trust in leadership. Both trust down to the team and trust up to the manager.
Please leave us your feedback and don't forget to subscribe.
www.neilthubron.com
leadership
leadershipdevelopment
In this episode we are delighted to be joined by Viviane Joynes - Managing Director EQS UK.
Viviane shares with us her insight into what she sees and looks for in a great leader, what areas of leadership she feels are important and on being a woman in a leadership role.
Some fantastic insights from a great leader.
Please let us have your thoughts and feedback.
In episode 8 Neil and Albert talk about the importance of developing a management system to allow leaders to manage the business in an efficient way and give them time to focus on the important things.
Find out tips on how to manage upwards to senior execs or to shareholders. / investors, manage downwards to energise and enable your teams.
Please leave us feedback, give us a thumbs up and subscribe. We'd also love to know of any topics you would like us to cover.
www.neilthubron.com
Albert and Neil are joined in this Zoomcast by retired Metropolitan Police Superintendent Ian Chappell.
We wanted to look at leadership styles and skills from a completely different organisational structure.
There is some fantastic insight and learning that is relevant to all leaders.
From being a gold commander at the London Olympics to managing crowds at Chelsea football games Ian brings great stories and experience to the conversation.
We had a little technical hitch about 7 o 8 minutes in, but bear with the conversation as some of the best stuff is at the end.
Please give us a thumbs up / subscribe and leave us your comments
In this podcast Albert and Neil talk about why it is so important for leaders to look after themselves.
If a leader doesn't look after themselves - physically, mentally, emotionally - it effects them personally, their team and their business.
We discuss why being a tough leader with a big ego is bad for everyone around you.
We also discuss the sort of things you need to do to take care of yourself now.
In this episode Neil and Albert are joined by Jean MacAskill a hugely experienced professional in team and leadership development. Her insights during the podcast will be helpful for anyone who wants to be a better leader.
Some of the insights include:
3 secrets of leadership - it is OK and importance of being human, why it is so important to pay attention to what people say, ensuring that you are self aware.
Learn what an "all ears meeting is"!!
What do great leaders do well and poor leaders do wrong ?
We also discuss the challenges of leaders being "over resilient" in the current panademic.
In this podcast Albert and Neil explore the challenges of leading in difficult situations.
From difficult situations caused by external factors that you cannot control - such as the economy, the political situation, the environment, to difficult employee situations we talk about how great leaders approach these situations for the best outcome of everyone involved.
Please leave us your comments, give us your feedback and subscribe so you get notified of future episodes.
www.neilthubron.com
In this episode Neil and Albert discuss the topic of fairness in leadership. After the 1st episode we received a comment from someone who said that in their experience all the great leaders they had worked for had been fair.
We talk about is being fair a weakness ? Is it something you can learn ? What is the impact of not being fair ?
We discuss the need for leaders to be balanced in their decisions, in the way they deal with people and situations.
A very interesting topic to discuss and understand how being "fair" can make one a great leader.
Next week's episode 4 will be on the topic of "dealing with difficult situations".
In this podcast we talk about the importance to being a great leader of great communication. We look at why effective and timely communication of the right information is important and how you can do this.
If you are a manager, leader or anyone who is responsible for a team of direct or indirect reports you will benefit from watching this podcast.
In this episode we discuss the difference between leadership and management.
What makes a great manager ? What makes a great leader? Can you be both ?