Sheep Dip with Raising the Baa: Recent Episodes
Chris Farnsworth & Caroline Palmer
TAKING A BREAK - BACK SOON
Discover how to keep your team engaged, happy, connected and productive - with and without the help of sheep. Easy to digest interviews Head Shepherd Chris and'Top Dog' Caroline - co-founders of Raising the Baa, global leaders in team building with sheep.
What struck ewe most from this episode - and why?
This week our theme is 100% outdoors. And if we'd been geographically closer we absolutely would have recorded it outdoors too!
Our guest in this episode is Sonya Dibbin, who calls herself The Nature Lady on LinkedIn and Nature Nerd in other areas :-)
Like Raising the Baa, Sonya is passionate about bringing people into nature, hence her beautifully named business Adore Your Outdoors.
From an extensive career in IT, you will hear how and why Sonya developed into a trainer of forest bathing, ecoNIDRA (yoga fans will get this immediately), workplace resilience and wellbeing.
With her growing tribe of certified forest bathing guides across the country, we are really excited to have Adore Your Outdoors as one of our Pick Your Own partners.
Whilst hundreds of companies have brought their teams to a farm to herd sheep with us at Raising the Baa, we know that the field-based exercises are not for everyone.
So we've raised our own 'baa' and created Pick Your Own. A bespoke collection of sustainable and meaningful activities to bring teams together in the countryside - just perfect for everyone's wellbeing.
Thank ewe for tuning in :-)
Pick Your Own brochure - download here
Click here to book in an Exploratory Call with Caroline
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:
Sonya Dibbin - Founder of Adore Your Outdoors
Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and co-founder, Raising the Baa
What are your main team challenges and desires? Maybe we can help?
Book in a 15-minute Exploratory Call now and let's see.
What struck ewe most from this episode - and why?
Today's guest is the hugely talented Emma Kirkham who wears two hats - a career as a glass artist as well as a wonderfully empathic HeartHealer.
As with Vanessa our last guest, Emma rather fell into artistry with glass by experimenting at college with some broken glass she found! More of which Emma explains in our conversation.
Find out also exactly what happens in one of Emma's glass workshops which we're delighted to know can take place on the farm alongside our signature sheep-herding activity.
Whilst hundreds of companies have brought their teams to a farm to herd sheep with us at Raising the Baa, we know that the field-based exercises are not for everyone.
So we've raised our own 'baa' and created Pick Your Own. A bespoke collection of sustainable and meaningful activities to bring teams together in the countryside - just perfect for everyone's wellbeing.
Thank ewe for tuning in :-)
Pick Your Own brochure - download here
Click here to book in an Exploratory Call with Caroline
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:
Emma Kirkham - founder of Emma Kirkham Glass
Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and co-founder, Raising the Baa
What are your main team challenges and desires? Maybe we can help?
Book in a 15-minute Exploratory Call now and let's see.
What struck ewe most from this episode - and why?
A business that was borne out of demand rather than the other way round.
Just like Raising the Baa, today's guest Vanessa Hastings didn't set up her business and then approach potential clients.
A company team asked Vanessa if she could run a craft-based team build session for them.
Hear the whole story of Crafty Team Building in this episode of Sheep Dip.
We also touch on service stations and cheese.... yes, really!
Whilst hundreds of companies have brought their teams to a farm to herd sheep with us at Raising the Baa, we know that the field-based exercises are not for everyone.
So we've raised our own 'baa' and created Pick Your Own. A bespoke collection of sustainable and meaningful activities to bring teams together in the countryside - just perfect for everyone's wellbeing.
Thank ewe for tuning in :-)
Pick Your Own brochure - download here
Click here to book in an Exploratory Call with Caroline
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:
Vanessa Hastings - founder of Crafty Team Building
Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and co-founder, Raising the Baa
What are your main team challenges and desires? Maybe we can help?
Book in a 15-minute Exploratory Call now and let's see.
What struck ewe most from this episode - and why?
Former editor and art director of Country Living magazine Francine Lawrence is here to talk about her passion for rekindling people's natural, albeit buried, abilities to draw.
A super talented teacher of art, Francine is also a wonderful story-teller as is evident from our conversation in this episode of SheepDip.
We're delighted to include her company ArtSplash into the fold of our Pick Your Own collection of no-tech teambuilding activities.
Whilst hundreds of companies have brought their teams to a farm to herd sheep with us at Raising the Baa, we know that the field-based exercises are not for everyone.
So we've raised our own 'baa' and created Pick Your Own. A bespoke collection of sustainable and meaningful activities to bring teams together in the countryside - just perfect for everyone's wellbeing.
Thank ewe for tuning in :-)
Pick Your Own brochure - download here
Click here to book in an Exploratory Call with Caroline
Connect with the Caroline via LinkedIn
Follow ArtSplash on Instagram
What are your main team challenges and desires? Maybe we can help?
Book in a 15-minute Exploratory Call now and let's see.
What struck ewe most from this episode - and why?
Who doesn't love the fragrance of a peachy rose on a Summer's evening, the zest of a freshly squeezed orange, a newly opened packet of coffee beans, walking past a bakery and so many more?
Today's guest, Jane Helliwellmust lead the most aromatic life of us all. As the founder of The Scent Styling Company, Jane specialises in elevating workplace wellbeing and productivity with the power of scent.
Imagine if you could reach for an energising or calming aroma at any point during your working day - how great would that be?
Raising the Baa can bring the fragrance of fresh air. Jane can help you craft your chosen aromas. Take a listen and find out how...
Whilst hundreds of companies have brought their teams to a farm to herd sheep with us at Raising the Baa, we know that the field-based exercises are not for everyone.
So we've raised our own 'baa' and created Pick Your Own. A bespoke collection of sustainable and meaningful activities to bring teams together in the countryside - just perfect for everyone's wellbeing.
Thank ewe for tuning in :-)
Pick Your Own brochure - download here
Click here to book in an Exploratory Call with Caroline
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:
Jane Helliwell- Founder/Designer, The Scent Styling Company
Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and co-founder, Raising the Baa
What are your main team challenges and desires? Maybe we can help?
Book in a 15-minute Exploratory Call now and let's see.
What struck ewe most from this episode - and why?
"Sewing Bee for companies. I help your teams break out of their shell and form threads of connection through our sewing & mending workshops".
Why re-word something that is already so baa-rilliantly and succinctly put in the LinkedIn headline of today's guest Kavitha Soundararajan?
A corporate IT background might not be the most obvious pathway to her creative business but our conversation reveals exactly why Kavitha is in the right place, right now.
And how a spot of mindful sewing could be just the tonic for teams, helping people to bond, really learn about each other in a non-confrontational way. All whilst doing something practical and sustainable.
Whilst hundreds of companies have brought their teams to a farm to herd sheep with us at Raising the Baa, we know that the field-based exercises are not for everyone.
So we've raised our own 'baa' and created Pick Your Own. A bespoke collection of sustainable and meaningful activities to bring teams together in the countryside - just perfect for everyone's wellbeing.
Thank ewe for tuning in :-)
Pick Your Own brochure - download here
Click here to book in an Exploratory Call with Caroline
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:
Kavitha Soundararajan- Founder, Isifiso
Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and co-founder, Raising the Baa
What are your main team challenges and desires? Maybe we can help?
Book in a 15-minute Exploratory Call now and let's see.
What struck ewe most from this episode - and why?
Re-use, recycle, re-purpose.... and create something you will use and be super proud of for years to come.
One of the outcomes of a workshop led by my guest Emma Semper Hopkins.
We love Emma for her intelligent, down-to-earth, no messing Yorkshire lass approach.
And from visiting her premises we felt these vibes there too.
Hence our invitation to Emma to be included in our bespoke Pick Your Own collection.
Whilst hundreds of companies have brought their teams to a farm to herd sheep, we know that the field-based exercises are not for everyone.
So we've raised our own 'baa' and created Pick Your Own. A bespoke collection of sustainable and meaningful activities to bring teams together in the countryside - just perfect for everyone's wellbeing.
Thank ewe for tuning in :-)
Pick Your Own brochure - download here
Click here to book in an Exploratory Call with Caroline
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:
Emma Semper Hopkins- Director, Semper Hopkins Creative Workshops
Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and co-founder, Raising the Baa
What are your main team challenges and desires? Maybe we can help?
Book in a 15-minute Exploratory Call now and let's see.
What struck ewe most from this episode - and why?
Welcome back to SheepDip, the podcast from Raising the Baa.
Today our guest is Leila Moeeni who has a truly fascinating back story from immigrant to human rights lawyer to baker.
We learn about her country of origin, the challenges she has faced (and continues to do so) and why she is so passionate about breaking bread with people.
Whilst hundreds of companies have brought their teams to a farm to herd sheep, we know that the exercises are not for everyone.
So we've raised our own 'baa' and created Pick Your Own. A bespoke collection of sustainable and meaningful activities to bring teams together in the countryside - just perfect for everyone's wellbeing.
Thank ewe for tuning in :-)
Pick Your Own brochure - download here
Click here to book in an Exploratory Call with Caroline
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:
Leila Moeeni - Helping Organisations Move EDI&B From Policy to Practice
Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and co-founder, Raising the Baa
What are your main team challenges and desires? Maybe we can help?
Book in a 15-minute Exploratory Call now and let's see.
Emma Hossack describes herself as "a recovering perfectionist" having burnt out not once but twice, after each of her children were born whilst juggling a high octane pharmaceutical sales career.
Today she and her business partner at WeTalkWellbeing help organisations and most importantly their people to be their most authentic, happy and resilient selves.
Not in a fluffy way however.
Emma is a strong believer in data and feels this is often the missing element in businesses managing the wellbeing of their people.
One of the tools WeTalkWellbeing offer is the WRAW (Workplace Resilience and Wellbeing) Index, a framework that provides a data-fuelled starting point and strategy for organisations.
Aspects covered in our discussion include:
- training should be 'for' not 'done to' co-workers
- boundaries are key for purpose and happiness
- fruit in the office and gym memberships are not a panacea
- the motivational shift from money to purpose, especially GenZers
As per other episodes in this series, Emma declares that one size does not fit all. Not just within one organisation but across different industry sectors and business types too.
And two fundamentals to finish on:
- thinking is not the same as knowing - data must be used to design a company's wellbeing programme
- leaders need to ask themselves "how am I modelling wellbeing and resilience?" as it all starts with them.
Our thanks to Emma for another fascinating and thought-provoking insight into the world of Workplace Wellness, punctuated as always with comparisons to the world of sheep, shepherds and their dogs.
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening ๐๐ง
FREE resources:Explore the WRAW (Workplace Resilience And Wellbeing) Index
Blogs and reports on resilience and wellbeing on Emma's WeTalkWellbeing website
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:
Emma Hossack - Director, WeTalkWellbeing and Founder, Transforming Minds for Business
Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and co-founder, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and co-founder, Raising the Baa & author of 'Sheep Shepherd Dog - Building a Magnificent Team Around You'
What are your main team challenges and desires? Maybe we can help?
Book in a 15-minute Exploratory Call now and let's see.
Lizzie Benton describes herself as a 'progressive culture coach'.
Her business Liberty Mind helps its clients to adopt an alternative way of working that unleashes people to create their best work.
In this episode Lizzie shares her thoughts on the world of wellbeing in the workplace - or not 'wellbeing' perhaps.
For example:
- it's NOT a separate entity, a label which can come across as patronising or condescending
- it's NOT always something for which the HR department should have total responsibility
- it's NOT about covering every single eventuality (clue: it is about mutual trust)
- it's NOT a 'should do' exercise, it's key to future recruitment and talent retention
Lizzie also shares truly helpful insights for those, possibly larger, organisations where traditional blueprints may be harder to discard and start afresh.
And as is our habit, here's the books by Elizabeth Gilbert that Lizzie mentioned: Eat Pray Love and Big Magic - Creative Living Beyond Fear.
Questions? Ping them our way! Simply message us through any of our social channels or email caroline@raisingthebaa.com and we'll ensure it is answered in a future episode or privately by one of our guest experts, whichever is most suitable.
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening ๐๐ง
FREE resources:A wealth of in-depth blogs on all aspects of company culture
Lizzie's own podcast: Workplace Liberation - Make It Thrive
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:
Lizzie Benton - Founder at Liberty Mind UK and Semco Style Pathfinder
Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and co-founder, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and co-founder, Raising the Baa & author of 'Sheep Shepherd Dog - Building a Magnificent Team Around You'
What are your main team challenges and desires? Maybe we can help?
Book in a 15-minute Exploratory Call now and let's see.
In this first episode of our new season we're delighted to welcome not one but two guests.
Both are consultants at Talogy, which combines psychology and technology to help organisations such as M&S and BBC to develop their talent.
Business psychologists Sally Tanski and Shahani Jayesinghe BSc (Hons), MSc, MBPsS have extensive experience of guiding companies and coaching their people for optimum performance and well-being.
We discuss:
- How individuality matters. For sheep too - yes really ๐
- Self-awareness and taking accountability for your own wellness
- The need for companies to create the right conditions and initiatives
- Interrupting behaviour patterns through intuition - being adaptive
- Subtle influencing through leading by example
And we hear some great examples of low and no-cost initiatives from Talogy themselves, including the delightfully entitled 'random rendezvous'.
As you would expect, Head Shepherd and co-founder of Raising the Baa chimes in with analogies from the world of sheep and sheep-dogs - bringing some surprising insights to Sally and Shahani!
See links below for free access to Talogy's insightful recent article and webinar on the theme of Social Capital, as discussed in this episode.
And here's Shahani's book recommendation: Atomic Habits by James Clear
Questions? We love 'em! Simply message us through any of our social channels or email caroline@raisingthebaa.com and we'll ensure it is answered in a future episode or privately by one of our guest experts whichever is most suitable.
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening ๐๐ง
FREE resources:'How Can Leaders Rebuild Social Capital?' article written by Sally and Shahani
'Reconnecting with Social Capital' webinar presented by Shahani
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:
Sally Tanski - Managing Consultant, Talogy
Shahani Jayesinghe - Principal Consultant, Talogy
Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and co-founder, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and co-founder, Raising the Baa & author of 'Sheep Shepherd Dog - Building a Magnificent Team Around You'
What are your main team challenges and desires? Maybe we can help?
Book in a 15-minute Exploratory Call now and let's see.
Good Mental Health is Good Business.
So says the brochure of Aurora Wellness Group, co-founded by culture change strategist Ngozi Weller with psychologist and behavioural change specialist Obehi Alofoje.
Ngozi had the most reasons for launching Aurora in 2017 and she opens up this episode by telling us her impactful and at times heart-wrenching story.
We go on to discuss:
- why looking after people is a win-win for ALL companies and how it impacts the bottom line
- practical ways to support line managers, the front line in looking after your teams
- who looks after the HR crew (and the shepherds!)
Ngozi's thoughts and tips are, as always, interspersed with analogies to the world of shepherding brought alive by Chris, Head Shepherd and co-founder of Raising the Baa.
Questions? We love 'em! Simply message us through any of our social channels or email caroline@raisingthebaa.com and we'll ensure it is answered in a future episode or privately by one of our guest experts whichever is most suitable.
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening ๐๐ง
FREE resources:Rise of the New Leader - white paper produced by Aurora
The Wellbeing Rebellion - Aurora's new podcast
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:
Ngozi Weller - Director and co-founder, Aurora Wellness Group
Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and co-founder, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and co-founder, Raising the Baa & author of 'Sheep Shepherd Dog - Building a Magnificent Team Around You'
What are your main team challenges and desires? Maybe we can help?
Book in a 15-minute Exploratory Call now and let's see.
Two big themes come through loud and clear to us in our interview with this week's guest:
PURPOSE and ASKING
Michelle Reid is People and Operations Director at the Edinburgh-based Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM).
Having progressed within her 5 years at IOM from HR Manager to a seat on the Board, Michelle is clearly an utterly authentic 'people person'.
We loved the way she doesn't just talk theory. Practically all her points are illustrated, sensitively, by real-life stories from life at IOM.
Upon joining the IOM, Michelle asked every member of staff (around 100 at the time) just FOUR questions. They may be simple but their answers were like gold-dust. The answers provided the IOM's first people plan. And they could create yours' too.
Michelle's thoughts and tips are, as always, interspersed with analogies to the world of shepherding brought alive by Chris, Head Shepherd and co-founder of Raising the Baa.
Questions? We love 'em! Simply message us through any of our social channels or email caroline@raisingthebaa.com and we'll ensure it is answered in a future episode or privately by one of our guest experts whichever is most suitable.
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening ๐๐ง
FREE resource:
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:
Michelle Reid - People and Operations Director, Institute of Occupational Medicine
Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and co-founder, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and co-founder, Raising the Baa & author of 'Sheep Shepherd Dog - Building a Magnificent Team Around You'
What are your main team challenges and desires? Maybe we can help?
Book in a 15-minute Exploratory Call now and let's see.
Having left her corporate HRD career in 2020, Carolyn Hobdey is passionate about improving workplace culture - or community as she prefers to call it - through human-centred leadership.
Carolyn is achieving this through her Midlife Mistress platform, making your (mid)life matter and more recently as co-founder of BEing HUMAN at the Farm Club, a rural leadership wellbeing space.
In our conversation with Carolyn, learn about:
- our personal micro-climate
- how to save time and money by asking your team members the right questions
- thinking holistically - become a corporate athlete
- the 6 SIMPLE strategies for No More People Problems [free download in Resources section below]
Carolyn's words of wisdom will be interspersed with analogies to the world of shepherding brought alive by Chris, Head Shepherd and co-founder of Raising the Baa.
Questions? We love 'em! Simply message us through any of our social channels or email caroline@raisingthebaa.com and we'll ensure it is answered in a future episode or privately by one of our guest experts whichever is most suitable.
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening ๐๐ง
Free resources:Carolyn's whitepaper: 6 SIMPLE strategies for No More People Problems
FREE resource:
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:
Carolyn Hobdey - Consultant, Educator, Speaker and Author / The Midlife Mistress
Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and co-founder, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and co-founder, Raising the Baa & author of 'Sheep Shepherd Dog - Building a Magnificent Team Around You'
What are your main team challenges and desires? Maybe we can help?
Book in a 15-minute Exploratory Call now and let's see.
Welcome back to this season of SheepDip - themed Workplace Wellness.
With a different expert on each show, you will be inspired by their insights and walk away with practical advice on how to create a healthy, sustainable culture for teams to thrive.
Our second guest is Flick Wileman, Global Wellbeing & Engagement Lead at Reckitt, which pursues a cleaner, healthier world through brands such as as Dettol, Durex and Nurofen.
Hear Flick's incredible journey from a fascinating, and different, childhood, through quitting university after 6 months to a senior global role at a household name company employing over 40,000 people.
Flick's passion for equality, diversity and inclusion comes through loud and clear throughout the interview and she shares truly practical advice on steps to take for your teams' wellbeing.
Purpose is central to all of Flick's strategies. And, it all starts, every time, with WHY.
She may have left her first degree course within the first year, but she is now somehow studying, in her own time and through self investment, a BSc in Business Psychology. She runs to feed her body and mind, since she listens to a podcast whilst doing so.
๐ง Here are some of Flick's go-to podcasts:
Diary of a CEO - Steve Bartlett
Jake Humphrey - The High Performance Podcast
Dr Amanda Potter - The Chief Psychology Officer
๐ And thebooks which have had a major impact on Flick's life:Start with Why - Simon Sinek
Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway - Susan Jeffers
How to Win Friends and Influence People - Dale Carnegie
Growth Mindset - Carol Dweck
Questions? We love 'em! Simply message us through any of our social channels or email caroline@raisingthebaa.com and we'll ensure it is answered in a future episode or privately by one of our guest experts whichever is most suitable.
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening ๐๐ง
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:
Flick Wileman, Global Wellbeing & Engagement Lead at Reckitt
Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and co-founder, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and co-founder, Raising the Baa & author of 'Sheep Shepherd Dog - Building a Magnificent Team Around You'
What are your main team challenges and desires? Maybe we can help?
Book in a 15-minute Exploratory Call now and let's see.
Welcome to the 7th season of SheepDip - themed Workplace Wellness.
With a different expert on each show, you will be inspired by their insights and walk away with practical advice on how to create a healthy, sustainable culture for teams to thrive.
Our first guest is Anastasia Vinnikova, Head of Workplace Wellbeing at City Mental Health Alliance about which you will learn in the show. With personal experience, as she openly shares, of mental health issues, Anastasia also volunteers much of her precious spare time as a trustee of InspireUK and a Lived Experience Advisor at Samaritans.
Since Anastasia's career background is in early careers we discuss particularly the impact of, for example, hybrid or remote working on those starting out in their careers. And importantly how to create an environment in which they can grow and feel a sense of belonging from the outset.
There are two downloads on this topic in the free resources section below.
If this episode prompts any questions, message us through any of our social channels or email caroline@raisingthebaa.com and we'll ensure it is answered in a future episode or privately by one of our guest experts whichever is most suitable.
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening :-)
FREE resources (mentioned in the show):
Thriving from the Start - an open mental health network to those in their early careers (or in education and thinking about those first steps into the workforce)
The Time to Act report - into the mental health of young professionals
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:
Anastasia Vinnikova - Head of Workplace Wellbeing, City Mental Health Alliance
Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and co-founder, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and co-founder, Raising the Baa & author of 'Sheep Shepherd Dog - Building a Magnificent Team Around You'
What are your main team challenges and desires? Maybe we can help?
Book in a 15-minute Exploratory Call now and let's see.
The final episode in our series, The A-Z of Team Building, covers topics beginning with X (ish), Y or Z - all rolled into one show as you might imagine.
We've had a blast with this series which was inspired by the many lessons learned by our clients following their experience of Raising the Baa. And naturally the learnings have prompted analogies from the world of sheep and dogs, thanks to Head Shepherd & Founder of Raising the Baa, Chris Farnsworth, in these short and lively conversations with Paul Warriner, our Lead Facilitator.
We sincerely hope it's made you think about aspects of team building which might not have come to mind before. The key of course is to take just one learning and put it into action - so which one will you take?
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening ๐
COMPETITION TIME - LAST CHANCE TO ENTER!In the final draw of the year, the prize is a hand-made sheep's wool hot water bottle cover - to keep ewe snuggly warm in an eco-friendly and ecological way :-)
To enter simply answer this question:
Which X, Y or Z topic ...............Email your response to baa@raisingthebaa.com, with Sheep Dip in the subject box please.
The draw closes at 23.59 on 31 December 2022 and we'll email the winners the following working day. One entry per episode. Open to UK residents only.
FREE resource:
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the Speakers via LinkedIn:
Paul Warriner - The Recognition Coach and Lead Facilitator, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
What are your main team challenges and desires? Maybe we can help?
Book in a 15-minute Exploratory Call now and let's see.
The penultimate episode in our series, The A-Z of Team Building, covers topics beginning with W relating to the importance of:
- all members of a team being supported
- creating a judgement-free environment
- including everyone in the fold (as it were)
- personal growth and development essential to wider team success
- enthusiasm sometimes needing to be managed
This series was inspired by the many lessons learned by our clients following their experience of Raising the Baa. And we punctuate it with a few insights of our own too.
Expect plenty of analogies from the world of sheep and dogs from Head Shepherd & Founder of Raising the Baa, Chris Farnsworth, in these short and lively conversations with Paul Warriner, our Lead Facilitator.
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening ๐
COMPETITION TIME!In the final draw of the year, the prize is a hand-made sheep's wool hot water bottle cover - to keep ewe snuggly warm in an eco-friendly and ecological way :-)
To enter simply answer this question:
Which W topic is strongly accompanied by its polar opposite, awareness of both being essential?Email your response to baa@raisingthebaa.com, with Sheep Dip in the subject box please.
The draw closes at 23.59 on 31 December 2022 and we'll email the winners the following working day. One entry per episode. Open to UK residents only.
FREE resource:
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the Speakers via LinkedIn:
Paul Warriner - The Recognition Coach and Lead Facilitator, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
What are your main team challenges and desires? Maybe we can help?
Book in a 15-minute Exploratory Call now and let's see.
Our series, The A-Z of Team Building, continues with topics beginning with V including:
- one of THE greatest influencers on the development of a team and its journey to success
- different perspectives being essential for so many reasons
- the optimum use of talent and resources
This series was inspired by the many lessons learned by our clients following their experience of Raising the Baa. And we punctuate it with a few insights of our own too.
Expect plenty of analogies from the world of sheep and dogs from Head Shepherd & Founder of Raising the Baa, Chris Farnsworth, in these short and lively conversations with Paul Warriner, our Lead Facilitator.
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening ๐
COMPETITION TIME!In the final draw of the year, the prize is a hand-made sheep's wool hot water bottle cover - to keep ewe snuggly warm in an eco-friendly and ecological way :-)
To enter simply answer this question:
Which V topic is featured in both its singular and plural form?Email your response to baa@raisingthebaa.com, with Sheep Dip in the subject box please.
The draw closes at 23.59 on 31 December 2022 and we'll email the winners the following working day. One entry per episode. Open to UK residents only.
FREE resource:
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the Speakers via LinkedIn:
Paul Warriner - The Recognition Coach and Lead Facilitator, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
What are your main team challenges and desires? Maybe we can help?
Book in a 15-minute Exploratory Call now and let's see.
In the shepherding world and at Raising the Baa we find U a perplexing letter to use, as its pronunciation describes a female sheep. And for those who are familiar with our communications it is apparent that we substitute EWE for U more often than not!
And we love it when people start using it when conversing back since we reckon we've got a real fan ๐
Continuing our series, The A-Z of Team Building, the following topics are unpacked:
- one of the absolute basics underpinning every aspect of a team and its dynamics
- the impact and reasons for change - which elements can last the course
- consequences of one action on another and the importance of communicating them
This series was inspired by the many lessons learned by our clients following their experience of Raising the Baa. And we punctuate it with a few insights of our own too.
Expect plenty of analogies from the world of sheep and dogs from Head Shepherd & Founder of Raising the Baa, Chris Farnsworth, in these short and lively conversations with Paul Warriner, our Lead Facilitator.
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening ๐
COMPETITION TIME!In the final draw of the year, the prize is a hand-made sheep's wool hot water bottle cover - to keep ewe snuggly warm in an eco-friendly and ecological way :-)
To enter simply answer this question:
Which U word might have described Paul, according to Chris at one point during this episode?Email your response to baa@raisingthebaa.com, with Sheep Dip in the subject box please.
The draw closes at 23.59 on 31 December 2022 and we'll email the winners the following working day. One entry per episode. Open to UK residents only.
FREE resource:
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the Speakers via LinkedIn:
Paul Warriner - The Recognition Coach and Lead Facilitator, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
What are your main team challenges and desires? Maybe we can help?
Book in a 15-minute Exploratory Call now and let's see.
Er... team?
Would be churlish for us to say otherwise!
In the shepherding world the team comprises the shepherd and their dog, or for those with larger flocks, their dogs.
This epitome of a trusty team is at the heart of all that we at Raising the Baa deliver, on and off the field. And this podcast series is just one example.
Continuing our series, The A-Z of Team Building, themes beginning with T are discussed:
- how can one hot drink can lift energy and build team spirit?
- why iteration and analysis shouldn't be neglected
- if lacking, it's one of the top 5 behaviours of a dysfunctional team
This series was inspired by the many lessons learned by our clients following their experience of Raising the Baa. And we punctuate it with a few insights of our own too.
Expect plenty of analogies from the world of sheep and dogs from Head Shepherd & Founder of Raising the Baa, Chris Farnsworth, in these short and lively conversations with Paul Warriner, our Lead Facilitator.
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening :-)
COMPETITION TIME!In the final draw of the year, the prize is a hand-made sheep's wool hot water bottle cover - to keep ewe snuggly warm in an eco-friendly and ecological way :-)
To enter simply answer this question:
Which T theme is described with two T words, both with the same meaning?Email your response to baa@raisingthebaa.com, with Sheep Dip in the subject box please.
The draw closes at 23.59 on 31 December 2022 and we'll email the winners the following working day. One entry per episode. Open to UK residents only.
FREE resource:
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the Speakers via LinkedIn:
Paul Warriner - The Recognition Coach and Lead Facilitator, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
What are your main team challenges and desires? Maybe we can help?
Book in a 15-minute Exploratory Call now and let's see.
Continuing our series The A-Z of Team Building, in this episode we cover S themes which:
- might help both quiet and 'loud' members of your team
- reward individuals and help them grow in their job roles
- help us to understand the new/expanded meaning of an 'old' term
This series was inspired by the many lessons learned by our clients following their experience of Raising the Baa. And we punctuate it with a few insights of our own too.
Expect plenty of analogies from the world of sheep and dogs from Head Shepherd & Founder of Raising the Baa, Chris Farnsworth, in these short and lively conversations with Paul Warriner, our Lead Facilitator.
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening :-)
COMPETITION TIME!In the November draw, the prize is a portable Bluetooth Speaker, perfect for podcasts and all other listening of course!
To enter simply answer this question:
Which S topic was not mentioned till late on - and which might be seen as a cliffhanger to a future episode?Email your response to baa@raisingthebaa.com, with Sheep Dip in the subject box please.
The draw closes at 23.59 on the last day of each month (Oct - Dec 2022) and we'll email the winners the following working day. One entry per episode. Open to UK residents only.
One more week to enter the November draw - entries close 23:59 on Wednesday 30th November 2022.
FREE resource:
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the Speakers via LinkedIn:
Paul Warriner - The Recognition Coach and Lead Facilitator, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
What are your main team challenges and desires? Maybe we can help?
Book in a 15-minute Exploratory Call now and let's see.
Recently (October 2022) the co-founders of Raising the Baa, Chris and Caroline, were in the French Alps.
They were two of a team of 7 randomly mixed people all with one purpose: 'helping young people climb past anxiety' in a fund-raising challenge.
Four teams each raising money for their chosen charity, the challenge was to go higher and further (and wetter it transpired!) than others within a specified time period to gain much coveted points.
Reflecting on their experience Chris and Caroline learnt many valuable lessons about working as a team. A dose of their own medicine if you like!
They shared their 7 lessons via a LinkedIn live audio event - a first for Raising the Baa! And the story of the challenge unfolded too.
Do you know of a young person trying to combat anxiety or other mental health issues?
It's not too late to show your support as our fundraising page is still open. All donations will naturally be very much appreciated by Inner Flame, a charity which only survives through donations and grants.ย The more we raise the more young people we can help manage their anxiety.
What are your main team challenges and desires? Maybe we can help?
Book in a 15-minute Exploratory Call now and let's see.
... Raising the Baa of course!
And indeed we aim to raise the 'baa' in every aspect of teamwork.
In this episode we cover R themes which:
- improve productivity
- make optimum use of resources
- help move the team towards its goals effectively
- lift people's levels of engagement
This series, The A-Z of Team Building, was inspired by the many lessons learned by our clients following their experience of Raising the Baa. And we punctuate it with a few insights of our own too.
Expect plenty of analogies from the world of sheep and dogs from Head Shepherd & Founder of Raising the Baa, Chris Farnsworth, in these short and lively conversations with Paul Warriner, our Lead Facilitator.
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening :-)
COMPETITION TIME!In the November draw, the prize is a portable Bluetooth Speaker, perfect for podcasts and all other listening of course!
To enter simply answer this question:
Which R topic can really lift a team's energy and have a profound effect on its morale and productivity?Email your response to baa@raisingthebaa.com, with Sheep Dip in the subject box please.
The draw closes at 23.59 on the last day of each month (Oct - Dec 2022) and we'll email the winners the following working day. One entry per episode. Open to UK residents only.
FREE resource:
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the Speakers via LinkedIn:
Paul Warriner - The Recognition Coach and Lead Facilitator, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
What are your main team challenges and desires? Maybe we can help?
Book in a 15-minute Exploratory Call now and let's see.
Quite honestly, we struggled initially with this letter.
It transpires however that there's one or two really good topics from which to draw insights.
In this series, the A-Z of team building was inspired by the many lessons learned by our clients following their experience of Raising the Baa. And we punctuate it with a few insights of our own too.
Expect plenty of analogies from the world of sheep and dogs from Head Shepherd & Founder of Raising the Baa, Chris Farnsworth, in these short and lively conversations with Paul Warriner, our Lead Facilitator.
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening :-)
COMPETITION TIME!In the November draw, the prize is a portable Bluetooth Speaker, perfect for podcasts and all other listening of course!
To enter simply answer this question:
Which 'yin and yang' Qs are discussed in this episode?
Email your response to baa@raisingthebaa.com, with Sheep Dip in the subject box please.
The draw closes at 23.59 on the last day of each month (Oct - Dec 2022) and we'll email the winners the following working day. One entry per episode. Open to UK residents only.
FREE resource:
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the Speakers via LinkedIn:
Paul Warriner - The Recognition Coach and Lead Facilitator, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
What are your main team challenges and desires? Maybe we can help?
Book in a 15-minute Exploratory Call now and let's see.
Provocative perhaps?
In this episode a couple of the themes beginning with P might seem a little negative in relation to building a strong team.
As with so many aspects of team dynamics however it's about balance. Yin and yan if you like. So long as a potentially negative theme is recognised, action can be taken to redress it to create a positive outcome.
In this series, the A-Z of team building, we continue to recall lessons learned by so many of our clients' team members following their experience of Raising the Baa. And punctuate it with a few insights of our own too.
Expect plenty of analogies from the world of sheep and dogs from Head Shepherd & Founder of Raising the Baa, Chris Farnsworth, in these short and lively conversations with Paul Warriner, our Lead Facilitator.
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening :-)
COMPETITION TIME!In the November draw, the prize is a portable Bluetooth Speaker, perfect for podcasts and all other listening of course!
To enter simply answer this question:
Which TWO themes mentioned, beginning with P, can counter-balance each other to help teams succeed?
Email your response to baa@raisingthebaa.com, with Sheep Dip in the subject box please.
The draw closes at 23.59 on the last day of each month (Oct - Dec 2022) and we'll email the winners the following working day. One entry per episode. Open to UK residents only.
FREE resource:
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the Speakers via LinkedIn:
Paul Warriner - The Recognition Coach and Lead Facilitator, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
What are your main team challenges and desires? Maybe we can help?
Book in a 15-minute Exploratory Call now and let's see.
O...MG, there's so many!
From Observing through Outstanding to Opinions, plus a few others too.
How can each of these help to develop a team into a baa-rilliantly collaborative and super successful one?
Each episode of our A-Z series of team building aims to help.
Expect plenty of analogies from the world of sheep and dogs from Head Shepherd & Founder of Raising the Baa, Chris Farnsworth, in these short and lively conversations with Paul Warriner, our Lead Facilitator.
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening :-)
COMPETITION TIME!In the October draw we're giving away 3 of our highly sought-after sheepy re-usable mugs. Help reduce waste and save yourself some money at many coffee shops too - what's not to like?
To enter simply answer this question:
How many tenets of team building, beginning with the letter O, are discussed in this episode?
Email your response to baa@raisingthebaa.com, with Sheep Dip in the subject box please.
The draw closes at 23.59 on the last day of each month (Oct - Dec 2022) and we'll email the winners the following working day. One entry per episode. Open to UK residents only.
FREE resource:
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the Speakers via LinkedIn:
Paul Warriner - The Recognition Coach and Lead Facilitator, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Into the 2nd half of the alphabet now with our A-Z series of all things team building, so we figured we'd celebrate with a competition.
And there will be opportunities to win EVERY month! More on this further on...
This podcast series continues to reflect on themes cited by our clients in their reviewing sessions, following their experience of herding sheep - Raising the Baa style.
Today's episode features topics beginning with the letter N.
Each episode of our A-Z series of team building lasts around 10 minutes - just right for a (sheep)dip into each of the topics.
Expect plenty of sheep/shepherd/dog references from Head Shepherd and Founder of Raising the Baa, Chris Farnsworth, in these short and lively conversations with Paul Warriner, our Lead Facilitator.
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening :-)
COMPETITION TIME!In the October draw we're giving away 3 of our highly sought-after sheepy re-usable mugs. Help reduce waste and save yourself some money at many coffee shops too - what's not to like?
To enter simply answer the question below and email your response to baa@raisingthebaa.com, with Sheep Dip in the subject box please.
One entry per episode please, starting with M, released on 12th October 2022.
So to kick off we have 2 questions:
(M) One topic beginning with M is mentioned more than any other in the episode - which is it?
(N) Which theme beginning with N is discussed in the first half and re-visited later on in the episode too?
The draw closes at 23.59 on the last day of each month (Oct - Dec 2022) and we'll email the winners the following working day. Open to UK residents only.
FREE resource:
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the Speakers via LinkedIn:
Paul Warriner - The Recognition Coach and Lead Facilitator, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Mountains? Er, not specifically. Though they are the reason we took a week's break half-way through this A-Z series of Team Building.
Raising the Baa co-founders Chris Farnsworth and Caroline Palmer, alongside a team of 5 entrepreneurial folk, clambered a marathon up and down mountains in the French Alps. Why? To raise much needed funds for Inner Flame, a charity close to our heart as you will be aware if you know the story behind Raising the Baa (our first episode of Sheep Dip).
And many lessons were learned about teamwork along the way too - but we'll leave this for another episode and on our socials meanwhile too.
Meanwhile this podcast series continues to reflect on themes cited by our clients in their reviewing sessions, following their experience of herding sheep - Raising the Baa style.
Today's episode features topics beginning with the letter M. Mmmm, let's think...
Each episode of our A-Z series of team building lasts around 10 minutes - just right for a (sheep)dip into each of the topics.
Expect plenty of sheep/shepherd/dog references from Head Shepherd and Founder of Raising the Baa, Chris Farnsworth, in these short and lively conversations with Paul Warriner, our Lead Facilitator.
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening :-)
FREE resource:
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the Speakers via LinkedIn:
Paul Warriner - The Recognition Coach and Lead Facilitator, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
We're here to help!
This podcast series picks up on all the themes that have been fed back to us by our clients in their reviewing sessions, following their experience of team building with sheep.
Each episode of our A-Z series of team building lasts around 10 minutes - just right for a (sheep)dip into each of the topics.
Expect plenty of sheep/shepherd/dog references from Head Shepherd and Founder of Raising the Baa, Chris Farnsworth, in these short and lively conversations with Paul Warriner, our Lead Facilitator.
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening :-)
FREE resource:
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the Speakers via LinkedIn:
Paul Warriner - The Recognition Coach and Lead Facilitator, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
King. What else for the time of releasing this episode (2 days after the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II)?
King Charles III has HUGE shoes to fill and without his team, more commonly called his entourage, around him, he would be the first to admit his role would be totally impossible.
In the words of his dearest mother, our late and much revered Queen Elizabeth II:
"Whatever life throws at us, our individual responses will be all the stronger for working together and sharing the load"
Whilst we are not in such a position of power or privilege, our workload is still alleviated by the wonderful teams we have around us. We need to nurture and take care of them to build the King (or Queen) of all teams.
We're here to help!
This podcast series picks up on all the themes that have been fed back to us by our clients in their reviewing sessions, following their experience of team building with sheep.
Each episode of our A-Z series of team building lasts around 10 minutes - just right for a (sheep)dip into each of the topics.
Expect plenty of sheep/shepherd/dog references from Head Shepherd and Founder of Raising the Baa, Chris Farnsworth, in these short and lively conversations with Paul Warriner, our Lead Facilitator.
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening :-)
FREE resource:
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the Speakers via LinkedIn:
Paul Warriner - The Recognition Coach and Lead Facilitator, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Just the Job? Subtle difference to Just a Job.
An effective team around you really is 'Just the Job'.
An individual working alone can't fully achieve greatness on their own. And that's why we hear so often when someone leaves a role - "it's the people I'll miss most".
Your team, be it physically or virtually around you, are all working towards the same aim. How can you ensure the team develops into the most effective team possible?
We're here to help!
This podcast series picks up on all the themes that have been fed back to us by our clients in their reviewing sessions, following their experience of team building with sheep.
Each episode of our A-Z series of team building lasts around 10 minutes - just right for a (sheep)dip into each of the topics.
Expect plenty of sheep/shepherd/dog references from Head Shepherd and Founder of Raising the Baa, Chris Farnsworth, in these short and lively conversations with Paul Warriner, our Lead Facilitator.
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening :-)
FREE resource:
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the Speakers via LinkedIn:
Paul Warriner - The Recognition Coach and Lead Facilitator, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Interested?ย Tune in and find out.
Our aim as ever is to help you take your team to the next level - and this podcast series picks up on all the themes that have been fed back to us by our clients in their reviewing sessions.
Each episode of our A-Z series of team building lasts around 10 minutes - just right for a (sheep)dip into each of the topics.
Expect plenty of sheep/shepherd/dog references from Head Shepherd and Founder of Raising the Baa, Chris Farnsworth, in these short and lively conversations with Paul Warriner, our Lead Facilitator.
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening :-)
FREE resource:
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the Speakers via LinkedIn:
Paul Warriner - The Recognition Coach and Lead Facilitator, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Hoorah!?
It's another episode of SheepDip after all!
Some really thought-provoking insights this week, possibly from a couple of unlikely H-words too.ย ย
Our aim as ever is to help you take your team to the next level - and this podcast series picks up on all the themes that have been fed back to us by our clients in their reviewing sessions.
Each episode of our A-Z series of team building lasts around 10 minutes - just right for a (sheep)dip into each of the topics.
Expect plenty of sheep/shepherd/dog references from Head Shepherd and Founder of Raising the Baa, Chris Farnsworth, in these short and lively conversations with Paul Warriner, our Lead Facilitator.
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening :-)
FREE resource:
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the Speakers via LinkedIn:
Paul Warriner - The Recognition Coach and Lead Facilitator, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Good or Great?
Our aim is always to help teams go from good to great.ย Teams discover for themselves just how great they can be once they've faced the challenge of herding a pesky flock of sheep.
Many lessons are revealed and this podcast series picks up on all the themes that have been fed back to us by our clients in their reviewing sessions.
Each episode of our A-Z series of team building lasts no more than 10 minutes - just right for a (sheep)dip into each of the topics.
Expect plenty of sheep/shepherd/dog references from Head Shepherd and Founder of Raising the Baa, Chris Farnsworth, in these short and lively conversations with Paul Warriner, our Lead Facilitator.
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening :-)
FREE resource:
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the Speakers via LinkedIn:
Paul Warriner - The Recognition Coach and Lead Facilitator, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
... Flock (as we call our team)?
Err, no.
From all the f.... [oops nearly gave one of them away!] learnings our clients have told us about, we've taken just 4 of the F-words. No, not that type of F-word!
One is inextricably linked to the exercise our clients undertake
Another is sometimes known as 'the breakfast of champions'
The third is a long-established car model
And the final one can sometimes be seen as its polar opposite
You could guess the answers to these clues, but naturally we'd suggest you tune in to this 6th episode of our A-Z series of team building.
Each episode is just 10 minutes or so long - just right for a (sheep)dip into each of the F-words.
Expect plenty of sheep/shepherd/dog references from Head Shepherd and Founder of Raising the Baa, Chris Farnsworth, in these short and lively conversations with Paul Warriner, our Lead Facilitator.
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening :-)
FREE resource:
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the Speakers via LinkedIn:
Paul Warriner - The Recognition Coach and Lead Facilitator, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Expectations?ย What would you expect E to stand in association with team building?
Tune in to this 5th episode of our A-Z series and find out.
Each episode is just 10 minutes or so long, perfect to listen to whilst walking the dog or waiting for a train.
Expect plenty of lively sheep/shepherd/dog references from Head Shepherd and Founder of Raising the Baa, Chris Farnsworth, in these short and lively conversations with Paul Warriner, our Lead Facilitator.
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening :-)
FREE resource:
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the Speakers via LinkedIn:
Paul Warriner - The Recognition Coach and Lead Facilitator, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
D is for Dog - well in the shepherding world the dog is an essential part of the team.
What else would it be for though, in the wider, more corporate sense of team building?
Tune in to the 4th episode of our A-Z series and find out.
Each episode is just 10 minutes or so long, perfect to listen to during that coffee break or waiting for the bus!
Expect plenty of lively sheep/shepherd/dog references from Head Shepherd and Founder of Raising the Baa, Chris Farnsworth, in these short and lively conversations with Paul Warriner, our Lead Facilitator.
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening :-)
FREE resource:
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the Speakers via LinkedIn:
Paul Warriner - The Recognition Coach and Lead Facilitator, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
A spot of team building trivia to kick off - when curating the content for this series of our podcast, C provided the highest number of words. ย
This episode should therefore be the longest in the series.ย We were given strict instructions by the director (Top Dog Caroline) though and we're sticking with our approx 10 minute duration.
How many C's associated with teams can you come up with?ย Go!
Or save yourself the effort and hear what Chris (Head Shepherd) and Paul (Lead Facilitator) have to say on the matter...
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening :-)
FREE resource:
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the Speakers via LinkedIn:
Paul Warriner - The Recognition Coach and Lead Facilitator, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
B is for Baa - obviously!
What else would it be for though, in the world of team building?
Tune in to the second episode of our A-Z series and find out.
Each episode is just 10 minutes or so long, perfect to listen to during that coffee break or waiting for the bus!
Expect plenty of lively sheep/shepherd/dog references from Head Shepherd and Founder of Raising the Baa, Chris Farnsworth, in these short and lively conversations with Paul Warriner, our Chief Facilitator.
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening :-)
FREE resource:
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the Speakers via LinkedIn:
Paul Warriner - The Recognition Coach and Head Facilitator, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Baa-aaa! (thatโs Hoorah in ovine language) - SheepDip is back!
This 6th series is quite simply entitled the A-Z of team building.
After running our very first team building programme over 10 years ago we were excited and delighted to hear how much our clients had learnt from their experience of herding sheep.
Ever since, as soon as they come off the field everyone is offered a lovely piece of cake (theyโve jolly well earned it!), a brew and a Reflection sheet. This features two key questions.
We ask them to reflect on which one learning they feel will be most useful in their work. So the findings are their immediate feelings and findings.
Inevitably certain learnings recur time and time again.
It is these themes, plus a few more, which have provided the content for this series, the A-Z of team building.
And naturally analogies with the shepherding world are brought to life by Founder of Raising the Baa, Chris Farnsworth, in these short and lively conversations with Paul Warriner, our Chief Facilitator.
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening :-)
FREE resource:
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the Speakers via LinkedIn:
Paul Warriner - The Recognition Coach and Chief Facilitator, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
In the 5th and final part of our series on Compassionate Leadership, our expert guest Manley Hopkinson talks about Balance.
Manley believes that to be a Compassionate Leader "you must balance the needs between achieving the task, building the team and developing the individual".
His philosophy is based on the British academic and leadership theorist John Adair's model of 'Action Centred Leadership', often referred to as the Three Circles Model.
In listening to this episode you will gain an understanding of this model as usual illustrated well with one of Manley's adventure stories.
Manley's parting exercise is based on Adair's three circles, inviting us to see how balanced our time and focus is across task, team and individual. Enlightening stuff!
We hope you've enjoyed this series on Compassionate Leadership with Manley Hopkinson. If you're intrigued to delve far deeper into the subject and apply it to your role in your organisation, large or small, take a serious look at the modular Academy as Manley mentions.
Enjoy and thank ewe for listening :-)
Helpful links:Manley's website - portal for the Compassionate Leadership Academy and to book him as a speaker
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:
Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and co-founder, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and co-founder, Raising the Baa & author of 'Sheep Shepherd Dog - Building a Magnificent Team Around You'
Manley Hopkinson - author, adventurer, senior business advisor, professional speaker and founder of the Compassionate Leadership Academy
Continuing our series on Compassionate Leadership, our expert guest Manley Hopkinson explores power and, or perhaps versus, influence.
It follows perfectly on from the last episode in which we discussed the difference and the merits of committed as opposed to compliant teams.
Firstly Manley reviews our answers to the 3 questions he set as our home-play at the end of the last episode. He interprets our responses to demonstrate how they reveal our individual needs. These findings would give any leader a huge clue how to engage and motivate us, making us feel special and committed to the task at hand. Fascinating stuff.
Equally enlightening is Manley's explanation of the 5 bases of power, as identified by two eminent social psychologists back in the 50s, French and Raven. Each type is easily recognised thanks to Manley's illustrations, including for the Expert base a reference to an old war movie Flight of the Phoenix. See links below on how to view it.
So is it true that a leader gets the team he or she deserves? Tune in and find out.
Oh, and don't forget this week's home-play. Manley strongly suggests you reflect on a relationship where you're struggling to influence, either at home or work. Park your ego then ask yourself:
- what power base have I earned?
- what power base has that person given me?
And if the answer is none, what power base could I gain?
This exercise is especially relevant if you're wishing to influence teenagers, says Manley!
Enjoy and thank ewe for listening :-)
Helpful links:Manley's website - portal for the Compassionate Leadership Academy and to book him as a speaker
Flight of the Phoenix film - the original 1965 version on YouTube or the 2004 re-make on Disney+Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:
Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and co-founder, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and co-founder, Raising the Baa & author of 'Sheep Shepherd Dog - Building a Magnificent Team Around You'
Manley Hopkinson - author, adventurer, senior business advisor, professional speaker and founder of the Compassionate Leadership Academy
How did you get on with the exercise our series guest Manley Hopkinson set for us at the end of the last episode?
We found it fascinating as you will find out when Manley gets us to share our efforts at the beginning of this week's show.
And if you're curious to know why he set us the exercise, and how it can help you to become a Compassionate Leader, hit the back button and listen to Episode 2 (and 1 as well ideally) first.
Meanwhile here we are at Episode 3 of our series on Compassionate Leadership already.
The outcome of Compassionate, or indeed any, leadership is surely to get the task done. To do so, is it best to have a 'committed' or a 'compliant' team?
How do you feel when asked to do something? What makes the difference between your being committed to the task or compliantly achieving it?
And as a leader, have you created a committed or a compliant team? Be honest! And if in doubt, ask them.
Manley finds McLellands' 3 Needs Theory particularly helpful, especially during his more adventurous leadership roles such as skippering a 50% amateur crew around the world the 'wrong' way. Find out about the theory and how Manley applied it practically in his extraordinary story in this episode.
Be enrapt by this tale and imagine how you would handle the situation he describes.
Then immerse yourself in the homeplay Manley sets for us at the end.
It will really get you thinking. In fact why not ask all your team to tune in and do the exercise - and find out next week how Manley suggests we benefit from our responses. The questions are below, though you need to listen to Manley's introductory briefing for them to make sense.
1) What is it you want to take away just for yourself? What is your selfish takeaway?
2) How are we going to work together? What's important to you in this respect?
3) What is important to you about what we achieve on this challenge?
Enjoy and thank ewe for listening :-)
Helpful links:Manley's website - portal for the Compassionate Leadership Academy and to book him as a speakerSheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:
Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and co-founder, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and co-founder, Raising the Baa & author of 'Sheep Shepherd Dog - Building a Magnificent Team Around You'
Manley Hopkinson - author, adventurer, senior business advisor, professional speaker and founder of the Compassionate Leadership Academy.
How are you feeling after following the top tip at the end of last week's show?
It has certainly affected us in a most positive way. If you haven't done it or you don't know what we're referring to, check out the first of this new season of SheepDip podcasts.
The series is all about Compassionate Leadership. And we are being guided through the concept by THE expert, adventurer, author and thoroughly engaging speaker Manley Hopkinson.
Episode 2 might remind you of an Abba song - Knowing me, knowing you, knowing us (OK without the last part).
We explore:
- why it's so important to know more about 'me' first (before attempting to lead)
- how we should strive to understand 'you' (those you wish to lead)
- creating an environment which permits and encourages 'us' (the whole team) to flourish
At the end of each show Manley suggests a piece of homework - or 'homeplay' as we prefer to call it. Each one will help you to master the art of becoming a compassionate leader.
This week's is a really fascinating one - we'd LOVE to know how you get on with it!
Thank ewe for listening :-)
Helpful links:Manley's website - portal for the Compassionate Leadership Academy and to book him as a speakerSheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:
Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and co-founder, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and co-founder, Raising the Baa & author of 'Sheep Shepherd Dog - Building a Magnificent Team Around You'
Manley Hopkinson - author, adventurer, senior business advisor, professional speaker and founder of the Compassionate Leadership Academy.
This series of SheepDip is dedicated to the topic of #compassionateleadership and we're delighted that the global leader on this topic, Manley Hopkinson, is our guest throughout.
Whilst Manley wrote his book on the subject in 2014 followed by his Academy in 2015, the practice of Compassionate Leadership really came to the fore when the first lockdown hit - though it should not have taken a pandemic to do so.
We urge you to tune in to this series. Manley is a thoroughly engaging speaker, illustrating the theory of compassionate leadership with stories from his adventurous and multi-faceted life and career.
At the end of each show Manley suggests a piece of homework - or 'homeplay' as we prefer to call it. Each one will help you to master the art of becoming a compassionate leader.
Thank ewe for listening :-)
Helpful links:Manley's website - portal for the Compassionate Leadership Academy and to book him as a speakerSheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:
Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and co-founder, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and co-founder, Raising the Baa & author of 'Sheep Shepherd Dog - Building a Magnificent Team Around You'
Manley Hopkinson - author, adventurer, senior business advisor, professional speaker and founder of the Compassionate Leadership Academy.
We've been serialising the book over the last few weeks and the final chapter concludes with 10 qualities of an outstanding team building event.
In our humble opinion naturally.
The 10 tips are available as a free download from the pop-up on our website and in our podcast we delve into each one a little deeper. Numbers 1 to 5 were discussed in last week's episode. And here are the final 5!
So when planning your next team building programme, cross reference it against our 10 Qualities checklist. And if you tick off less than 10, you might like to consider herding sheep with Raising the Baa instead ;-)
If these thoughts prompt any questions, Tweet us or email caroline@raisingthebaa.com and we'll ensure it is answered in a future episode.
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening :-)
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:
Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and co-founder, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and co-founder, Raising the Baa & author of 'Sheep Shepherd Dog - Building a Magnificent Team Around You'
The final chapter of our Head Shepherd's book 'Sheep Shepherd Dog - Building a Magnificent Team Around You' concludes with 10 qualities of an outstanding team building event.
In our humble opinion naturally.
The 10 tips are available as a free download from the pop-up on our website and in our podcast we delve into each one a little deeper. Numbers 1 to 5 are discussed in this episode. The final 5 will be covered in the following show.
If these thoughts prompt any questions, Tweet us or email caroline@raisingthebaa.com and we'll ensure it is answered in a future episode.
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening :-)
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:
Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and co-founder, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and co-founder, Raising the Baa & author of 'Sheep Shepherd Dog - Building a Magnificent Team Around You'
Chapter 8 of our Head Shepherd's book 'Sheep Shepherd Dog - Building a Magnificent Team Around You' is the final one. And appropriately the book culminates in final thoughts on building that extraordinary team.
The analogies continue between shepherding and the corporate business world, with a focus on how teams usually celebrate the festive season. At the release date of this episode of December 2021, most business leaders are treating team gatherings differently than before the pandemic.
In this series of conversations with the author, and veteran shepherd, Chris Farnsworth this is not just an audio book.
His stories from the farming world and our experience from corporate teams undertaking Raising the Baa's team building programmes bring the theory to life in an engaging and often humorous way.
If this episode prompts any questions, Tweet us or email caroline@raisingthebaa.com and we'll ensure it is answered in a future episode.
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening :-)
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:
Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and co-founder, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and co-founder, Raising the Baa & author of 'Sheep Shepherd Dog - Building a Magnificent Team Around You'
Chapter 7 of our Head Shepherd's book 'Sheep Shepherd Dog - Building a Magnificent Team Around You' delves a little further into the relationship between dogs and sheep.
Why is that something so comparatively small can have such an impact on not just one but a whole flock of sheep? What are the different ways that a sheep reacts and why?
And how does this relationship reflect the way we as people act within teams or as a leader?
In this series of conversations with the author, and veteran shepherd, Chris Farnsworth this is not just an audio book.
His stories from the farming world and our experience from corporate teams undertaking Raising the Baa's team building programmes bring the theory to life in an engaging and often humorous way.
If this episode prompts any questions, Tweet us or email caroline@raisingthebaa.com and we'll ensure it is answered in a future episode.
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening :-)
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:
Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and co-founder, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and co-founder, Raising the Baa & author of 'Sheep Shepherd Dog - Building a Magnificent Team Around You'
So when you're recruiting for your team what process do you go through?
Would a few tips from a shepherd help? What assessments take place when they're selecting their most essential team-mate, the dog?
Chapter 6 of our Head Shepherd's book 'Sheep Shepherd Dog - Building a Magnificent Team Around You' reveals all.
In this series of conversations with the author, and veteran shepherd, Chris Farnsworth this is not just an audio book.
His stories from the farming world and Raising the Baa's client programmes bring the theory to life in an engaging and often humorous way.
Perhaps one or two elements of Chris' assessment process will help you with future recruitment of an essential team member? We'd love to know!
If this episode prompts any questions, Tweet us or email caroline@raisingthebaa.com and we'll ensure it is answered in a future episode.
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening :-)
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:
Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and co-founder, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and co-founder, Raising the Baa & author of 'Sheep Shepherd Dog - Building a Magnificent Team Around You'
Systems. Love 'em or hate 'em every industry has them.
And shepherding is no different. As Chapter 5 of our Head Shepherd's book 'Sheep Shepherd Dog - Building a Magnificent Team Around You' reveals.
In this series of conversations with the author, and veteran shepherd, Chris Farnsworth this is not just an audio book.
His stories from the farming world and Raising the Baa's client programmes bring the theory to life in an engaging and often humorous way.
In this episode we discuss why systems are integral to teamwork, whether that team is the shepherd, his dog and sheep or a more traditional business team.
Chris explains a couple of his sheep handling systems which, in his opinion, need to be simple for a shepherd. Occasionally someone has to step in to his shoes or a student might be helping Chris. For these circumstances Chris needs a system that can be easily understood and readily usable by a third party.
Likewise when employing an apprentice or first jobber, it accelerates their induction if they can quickly adopt the system. Or indeed challenge it. A fresh mind can look at things differently and may bring about an improvement. It's important that we remain open to others' perspectives and to allow time to discuss them.
What systems have you got in place? Is it time to view it from a different angle to make it simpler, faster, smoother?
If this episode prompts any questions, Tweet us or email caroline@raisingthebaa.com and we'll ensure it is answered in a future episode.
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening :-)
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:
Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and co-founder, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and co-founder, Raising the Baa & author of 'Sheep Shepherd Dog - Building a Magnificent Team Around You'
If you're a dog lover, Chapter 4 of our Head Shepherd's book 'Sheep Shepherd Dog - Building a Magnificent Team Around You' will be of particular interest.
In this series of conversations with the author, and veteran shepherd, Chris Farnsworth this is not just an audio book.
His stories from the farming world and Raising the Baa's client programmes bring the theory to life in an engaging and often humorous way.
As the artwork for this episode implies, shepherds use several breeds of dog, depending on the terrain and size of flock being managed. Just like us, dogs have different character traits and strengths, so the shepherd will choose his dog accordingly.
In this episode we explore several parallels with business including team dynamics, customer buying journeys and one super top tip on training new members.
The last 3 episodes have covered the personalities of Sheep, Shepherd Dog. Which one do you think you are most like? Take our personality quiz and find out!
If this episode prompts any questions, Tweet us or email caroline@raisingthebaa.com and we'll ensure it is answered in a future episode.
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening :-)
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:
Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and co-founder, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and co-founder, Raising the Baa & author of 'Sheep Shepherd Dog - Building a Magnificent Team Around You'
Chapter 3 of our Head Shepherd's book 'Sheep Shepherd Dog - Building a Magnificent Team Around You' is somewhat self-indulgent!
In this series of conversations with the author, and veteran shepherd, Chris Farnsworth this is not just an audio book.
His stories from the farming world and Raising the Baa's client programmes bring the theory to life in an engaging and often humorous way.
In Chris' opinion a good shepherd must pay attention to three factors:
- Detail - after all shepherds deal with one sheep at a time once herded up
- Big picture - in many senses. They have to look up, around and ahead
- ..... Tune in and find out!
If this episode prompts any questions, Tweet us or email chris@raisingthebaa.com and we'll ensure it is answered in a future episode.
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening :-)
Free resource:
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:
Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and co-founder, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and co-founder, Raising the Baa & author of 'Sheep Shepherd Dog - Building a Magnificent Team Around You'
Chapter 2 of our Head Shepherd's book 'Sheep Shepherd Dog - Building a Magnificent Team Around You' focuses on, no surprises here, sheep!
In this series of conversations with the author Chris Farnsworth this is not just an audio book.
His stories from the farming world and Raising the Baa's client programmes bring the theory to life in an engaging and often humorous way.
Sheep are often dismissed as being 'just followers' and even 'stupid'. Many of our clients, after experiencing one of our team building programmes, would disagree!
Learn how sheep share many of our own character traits in ways that you might never imagine. Then make time to see how it is to be like a sheep or to work with someone like a sheep. It takes all sorts to build a magnificent team as the book's title implies.
If this episode has prompted any questions, Tweet us or email chris@raisingthebaa.com and we'll ensure it is answered in a future episode!
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening :-)
Free resource:
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:
Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and co-founder, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and co-founder, Raising the Baa & author of 'Sheep Shepherd Dog - Building a Magnificent Team Around You'
The Autumn/Winter season of SheepDip unpacks our Head Shepherd's book 'Sheep Shepherd Dog - Building a Magnificent Team Around You'.
In a series of interviews with the author Chris Farnsworth this is not just an audio book.
His stories from the farming world and Raising the Baa's client programmes bring the theory to life in an engaging and often humorous way.
Chris' experience as a shepherd brings a whole new perspective to people and team development.
We sometimes look at a situation and only see one solution. Chris' advice is to stop. Step back. And view it from another angle - metaphorically from the sheep's, the shepherd's or the dog's.
If this episode has prompted any questions, Tweet us or email chris@raisingthebaa.com and we'll ensure it is answered in a future episode!
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening :-)
Free resource:
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:
Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and co-founder, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and co-founder, Raising the Baa & author of 'Sheep Shepherd Dog - Building a Magnificent Team Around You'
Two months to the day of our last episode and we're baa-ck!
August is a quieter time of year for our Head Shepherd as he explains in our conversation. And the Autumn is when he starts planning ahead for the next year - and for most sheep farmers in the UK 'new year' is November. It's when the boy sheeps are let loose with the girl sheeps (to use Jeremy Clarkson's language) and, well, you know what happens next...
Just like any other business, farmers set goals and make plans for the year ahead.
At Raising the Baa we are doing likewise. And it will kick off very soon with a brand new shiny website - something we've been working on through the Summer months in that quieter period for team building too.
As for the podcast, we've got our Autumn/Winter season of episodes mapped out, so tune in and find out what's in store - including some prizes for listeners too!
Meanwhile, if you've got a burning question for the shepherd? Email chris@raisingthebaa.com or message him through our Facebook page and your question could feature in a future episode from the farm.
Enjoy - and thank ewe for tuning in :-)
Free resource:
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Welcome to the July episode of A Day in the Life of a Shepherd.
The next big task after shearing is weaning. It's a topic which prompts many questions. Why is it done? How do shepherds manage the process? Does it upset the ewe or its lambs?
We also discuss why now is a good time for sheep farmers to sell some of this year's lambs.
Next month, August, is the quietest time in the shepherding calendar. It's a time for planning, maintenance and, in theory, having a well-earned break!
Many of you will also being enjoying some time out, so SheepDip will join the flock and return, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, in Autumn.
Meanwhile, if you've got a burning question for the shepherd? Email chris@raisingthebaa.com or message him through our Facebook page and your question could feature in a future episode from the farm.
Enjoy - and thank ewe for tuning in :-)
Free resource:
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Caterina Kostoula coaches leaders for impact and fulfilment as the founder of coaching company, The Leaderpathยฎ. Before that, she was a business leader at Google. So if you want to get the scoop on working at Google, you're in the right place!
More importantly, the main topic of this episode is prompted by Caterina's book, part of the Penguin Expert Series, "Hold Successful Meetings". First we discover what prompted Caterina to write on this subject - given that she actually hated meetings in her corporate life. Secondly we delve into her 4D framework for holding successful meetings - and in doing so demonstrate great leadership.
We discuss the upsides and downsides of virtual meetings and the inevitable growth of hybrid meetings, with a mix of virtual and in-person participants. Whether it's a shepherd with their dog or an online meeting, eye contact is the defining factor. Listen out for Caterina's stellar tip for hybrid meetings which she feels are the hardest of all to lead.
So what four words (one for each leg of the sheep or dog of course) will Caterina use to describe the most extraordinary team? We conclude our conversation with this question to each of our guests and as yet no two have been the same.
If this episode has prompted any questions for Caterina, Chris or Caroline, please go ahead and ask - either email caroline@raisingthebaa.com or leave it in your 5-star review!
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening :-)
Free resources:
Download Caterina's Leadership Toolkit comprising FOUR e-books
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:
Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and co-founder, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and co-founder, Raising the Baa & author of 'Sheep Shepherd Dog - Building a Magnificent Team Around You'
Caterina Kostoula - Published author and Founder, The Leaderpath
Self-described "obsessed with possibility" Stacey Ashley has over 30 years of experience in coaching high performance leadership competence, confidence and credibility. Talking to us from the gorgeous city of Sydney, Australia, we delve straight into the topic of 'possibility'. Where did this obsession come from and how does it play out for Stacey and those she influences?
Naturally Chris sees an analogy with sheep, which will always believe the grass is greener. Some sheep will regularly challenge the electric fencing just to see if it really is still working, such is their belief that there are greater possibilities in the next field. Are these sheep natural leaders we wonder?
For people, and in particular leaders as we discuss here, the status quo must not always be accepted. There may always be a better, faster, more efficient way - as reflected by the Olympian motto "Faster - Higher - Stronger".
Stacey believes that if 2020 was the sprint of leadership, 2021 is the start of a marathon. Leaders face years of significant change and transformation. They will be challenged with the ongoing fatigue of surge capacity depletion, as well as the need to maintain relevance for themselves, their teams and their businesses in a world that is markedly different from 2019. On this topic, we discuss Stacey's latest book Show Up 21 which sets out 5 practical strategies to help activate leadership and rise to the challenge.
To help boost your leadership performance, Stacey invites you to participate in her FREE 28-day self-coaching challenge, which will build your own coaching tool kit to use with your own team.
So what four words (one for each leg of the sheep or dog of course) will Stacey use to describe the most extraordinary team? We conclude our conversation with this question to each of our guests and as yet no two have been the same.
If this episode has prompted any questions for Stacey, Chris or Caroline, please go ahead and ask - either email caroline@raisingthebaa.com or leave it in your 5-star review!
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening :-)
Free resources:
Boost your leadership performance with Stacey's FREE 28-day self-coaching challenge
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:
Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa & author of 'Sheep Shepherd Dog - Building a Magnificent Team Around You'
Stacey Ashley - HIgh performance leadership expert, coach, speaker and author
The 40-hour work week is out, being paid for competing tasks is in.
Other than manufacturing this is the way employers should now be thinking, according to Ben Baker, specialist in employer brand marketing and our guest in this episode.
Whilst it may have been chaotic at first, the pandemic has proven that the traditional working pattern can be disrupted. And it succeeds if companies have evolved their culture and maintained, or better still, upped their game in employee engagement.
The whole definition of a workplace has changed - the office is 'old hat'. It could as easily be a kitchen, a summer house or a spare bedroom. Working from home gives people a taste of autonomy and flexible working which means managers need to find new ways of engaging with their teams. The leader must seek to understand, as Simon Sinek so eloquently explains in his TED talk 'Start with Why'. Be curious not judgemental.
When big change is afoot, messages can so easily be misinterpreted as they traverse the layers of large organisations especially.
Ben's business specialises in employer communication and in the last year the internal podcast has taken off as a new way of keeping staff engaged, helping them to feel respected and involved.
Now we might be a little biased but we think it's a great way of communicating! You'll learn more about it in this show and via the link in the free resources below.
So what four words (one for each leg of the sheep or dog of course) will Ben use to describe the most extraordinary team? We conclude our conversation with this question to each of our guests and as yet no two have been the same.
If this episode has prompted any questions for Ben, Chris or Caroline, please go ahead and ask - either email caroline@raisingthebaa.com or leave it in your review!
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening :-)
Free resources:
Check out Ben's 10 impactful questions to ask on an internal podcast
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:
Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Ben Baker - President, Your Brand Marketing
Welcome to the June episode of A Day in the Life of a Shepherd.
Chris and Caroline are in the farmyard this month, with the sounds of loading hay bales going on in the background. So we kick off by having a discussion about - well - hay! Do you know how to tell the difference between hay and straw?
Whilst observing the goings-on in the hay barn, we were leaning on a couple of giant wool sacks which of course led us to converse about wool. What happens to it once shorn, what is it worth (clue: try and name a wealthy shepherd!) and what it might be used for these days.
Next month, July, begins the traditionally quieter time in the shepherding world so it will be our last episode before a Summer break from podcasting.
Got a burning question for the shepherd? Email chris@raisingthebaa.com or message him through our Facebook page and your question could feature in a future episode from the farm!
Enjoy - and thank ewe for tuning in :-)
Free resource:
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Follow the flock on your preferred channels:
LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube
This week's guest is a long-standing friend of Raising the Baa, David Wreathall, who is founder and now Chair of Trustees at the youth charity Inner Flame
An episode of two distinct halves, we hear David's perspective on how the concept of team building with sheep was born and how the exercise developed over the next few years. An off the cuff idea evolved with groups of young people on a purely voluntary basis until, serendipitously, a totally unexpected opportunity arose.
A tight deadline prompted massive action, energy levels soared and a sense of urgency prevailed - with a successful outcome for all.
Fast forward to 2020 and in an entirely different and more challenging context, the pandemic prompted these reactions for Inner Flame again. And like the proverbial Phoenix the charity rose from the pre-Covid 'ashes' - when youth unemployment was high so demand and funding was low - to a rejuvenated, re-energised team with re-packaged and much sought after training programmes.
David and Chris reflect on how the rollercoaster of emotions experienced through both these scenarios are reflected totally in the field when corporate teams are challenged to herd sheep on an away-day with Raising the Baa. It sometimes takes an external, possibly unexpected, stimulus to invigorate a team and galvanise it into action - and how exciting it is to hear about the results!
So what four words (one for each leg of the sheep or dog of course) will David use to describe the most extraordinary team? We conclude our conversation with this question to each of our guests and as yet no two have been the same.
If this episode has prompted any questions for David, Chris or Caroline, please go ahead and ask - either email caroline@raisingthebaa.com or leave it in your review!
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening :-)
Free resources:
Manage Anxiety: Your Way - an introduction to the self-help virtual course David mentioned, run by Inner Flame.
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:
Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
David Wreathall - Founder and Chair of Trustees, Inner Flame
Dana Vogelmeier delights in helping leaders create workplaces people love.
Having led multiple teams for 25 years in a Fortune 50 organisation, Dana's experience in creating great work environments has prepared her to help others through her own consultancy Vogelmeier Consulting. She is also heavily in demand as a facilitator, remote and in person again soon, for the Association for Talent Development in the States.
During and post-Covid it is more commonplace for teams to be scattered, with some working in the office and others at home, full-time or part-time. Creating the right 'atmosphere' rather than perhaps just a 'place' is essential for employee engagement.
Dana's philosophy is if we're happy at work we're happier in all areas of our life. We're more creative and productive at work and our sense of wellbeing spreads to our family, friends and broader community too.
From lavish treats to simple words of gratitude, rewards and recognition help create a fulfilment at work - whether in the corporate world or on the farm. A shepherd and his or her dog is the epitome of a happy and superbly functioning team, within which praise, thanking the dog, is an absolute must.
Equally we need to know that it's OK to make mistakes, to be in a supportive and psychologically safe environment, wherever that may be. And if the leader can show compassion by being open about their own errors, this goes a long way to building 'work-life harmony' as Dana refers to it. In fact Chris has been known to apologise to his dog for giving the wrong command - being dyslexic he sometimes confuses right and left - luckily the dog usually corrects his errors!
So what four words (one for each leg of the sheep or dog of course) will Dana use to describe the most extraordinary team? We conclude our conversation with this question to each of our guests and as yet no two have been the same.
If this episode has prompted any questions for Dana, Chris or Caroline, please go ahead and ask - either email caroline@raisingthebaa.com or leave it in your review!
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening :-)
Free resources:
Download Dana's Special Report: Why People are Leaving Your Company
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:
Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Dana Vogelmeier - Founder of Vogelmeier Consulting
After 20+ years in the corporate world, Debra Corey wanted to be creative with her own title - Chief Pay It Forward Officer - of her business DebCoHR. Guesting on our show is just one of the many ways that Debra shares her extensive skills and knowledge gathered during her career as an award-winning and respected HR leader at such companies as Gap, Merlin Entertainment and most recently Reward Gateway.
Author of 3 books and an in-demand speaker, Debra has a rebellious streak about her which fits our quirky yet professional offering - just take a look at some of her photos and you'll see she really has fun with her serious specialist subject of employee engagement.
We discuss how organisations have reacted to, and continue to do so, the massive and rapid changes caused by the pandemic. One of Debra's key philosophies is to step back, take stock and observe other companies' behaviour, good and bad, before setting out your own strategy. And first of all, ask WHY?
As a shepherd who was born in London with no farming in his family's background, Chris talks about how he has always been curious. When he first went into farming, he would ask others why they would do something a certain way, their response being "it's always been done like that". It takes courage to plough a new furrow, to challenge the status quo, and Debra agreed that the first two aspects of being a 'rebel' is to ask 'Why?' and to be brave. We always knew Chris was an alternative shepherd - now he's calling himself a Rebel Shepherd!
In our short conversation, Debra totally lived up to her reputation as "someone who can educate, excite and entertain all at once" and we aim to lure her back to a future show after her next book is published, on the theme of gratitude, something we touch on and which is so easily omitted in the pressured business environment.
If this episode has prompted any questions, please go ahead and ask - either email caroline@raisingthebaa.com or leave it in your review!
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening :-)
Free resources:
From Debra's website: E-book on how companies have played out their values during the pandemic; Engagement Bridge model workbook and much, much more - living up to her title of Chief Pay It Forward Officer!
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:
Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Debra Corey - Chief Pay It Forward Officer, DebCo HR Ltd
Welcome to the May episode of A Day in the Life of a Shepherd.
Chris and Caroline are back in the churchyard, amongst a few orphan lambs - complete with natural sound effects!
Grass is on Chris' mind this month. He always jests how he spent 3 years at agricultural college studying grass and indeed with his monthly National Sheep Association magazine there is a frequent supplement dedicated to forage. After all, good quality grass is fundamental to the healthy growth of his sheep, the farmer's product offering.
Next month it's time for a hair-cut. For the sheep that is. Have you got a question about shearing you'd like to ask Chris?
Ask the shepherd: chris@raisingthebaa.com or message him through our Facebook page and you could feature in a future episode from the farm!
Enjoy - and thank ewe for tuning in :-)
Free resource:
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Follow the flock on your preferred channels:
LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube
Motivational Leadership was co-founded by our guest Kate Turner over 20 years ago to "shift the paradigm of motivation and leadership in the workplace" She and her associates strongly believe that motivation is an essential ingredient of performance, yet isnโt well understood, or indeed nurtured, by organisations. And yet It drives employee engagement and enables cultural change.
With her co-founder and other team members, Kate delivers leadership solutions using Motivational Maps to clients such as Novartis Pharmaceuticals, John Lewis Partnership, Alzheimerโs Society and the UK's leading animal charity RSPCA.
In April 2020, just after the UK's first national Covid-19 lockdown, Kate's book CREATE Motivation was launched. Whilst written and published before the pandemic, she could not have known how prescient and impactful its content would be. The book has become an Amazon best-seller and in this interview we ask Kate what her motivation was to write it. In the Free Resources section below, Kate shares with you the companion guide to the book which illustrates more fully the 'What/How/Why Bother' model which we refer to throughout our interview.
As usual many analogies with sheep, shepherding and dogs are discussed. One somewhat surprising reference is made to how both our sheep-herding exercise and the pandemic are both levellers - everyone needs to be agile and flexible in their response and to value the support and collaboration of the team around us. And both situations require knowledge of people's motivation to take action - why bother? - to use Kate's expression.
If this episode has prompted any questions, please go ahead and ask - either email caroline@raisingthebaa.com or leave it in your review!
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening :-)
Free resources:
Free companion guide to Kate's best-selling book CREATE Motivation
Free e-book authored by Kate - Motivation During a Global Pandemic
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:
Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Kate Turner - Founding Director, Motivational Leadership and published author of CREATE Motivation
It is wholly appropriate for an outdoors team building company podcast guest to have been described as "a breath of fresh air" within her profession! Michelle Hartley rose through the ranks of HR to Director level at Multivac UK and during the pandemic launched her independent HRD business People Sorted.
Fittingly, her company offering is "it's HR - but not as we know it".
We love Michelle's energy and totally get the fresh air descriptor! And she tells us how it came to be in answering our first question.
It's so important to see the world from a different perspective which Michelle is realising having moved from employed to self-employed HRD. Having made the switch during such a volatile time has also made her focus on adaptability and flexibility - her own and of those working in corporate teams.
Chris talks about the importance of observing the behaviour of individual sheep (and lambs at the time of recording this show) and what happens when they re-mingle with the flock. This attention to detail and checking in with co-workers one by one is just the same, agrees Michelle and she talks about the increased conscious effort required when leading a remote team.
Michelle gives her 3 top tips for overcoming challenges faced by teams whilst working from home, whether this is full-time or part-time going forward. And as usual we finish by asking her to describe, in just 4 words, the most extraordinary team.
As always, if this episode has prompted any questions, please go ahead and ask - either email caroline@raisingthebaa.com or leave it in your review!
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening :-)
Free resources:
Free eBook on how companies have lived their company values during COVID-19, curated and written by Debra Corey, inspirational mentor to Michelle.
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:
Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Michelle Hartley - Independent HR Director and Founder, People Sorted
Head Shepherd Chris' own lambing has finished.ย It's time to reflect and review.
With all the new life around us in the fields and the easing of lockdown restrictions it feels like a new beginning.ย A great feeling!
In this episode we reveal how we're raising our own 'baa' to respond to the needs of our clients.ย ย
We'd love to know: how do you you plan to celebrate reuniting with your team?ย ย
Roll on 17th May when our gates will be open once again!
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening :-)
Free resource:
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Follow the flock on your preferred channels:
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn
Welcome to the April episode of A Day in the Life of a Shepherd.
Chris and Caroline are in amongst a few ewes and lambs in this show, though not from a traditional field. Somewhere a bit more pastoral, can you guess where?
It's nearing the end of another lambing season, the time when a few issues always seem to present themselves as Chris explains.
We'd love to know the most surprising fact you learn from our conversation this month. Or perhaps it's prompted a question?
Ask the shepherd: chris@raisingthebaa.com or message him through our Facebook page and you could feature in a future episode from the farm!
Enjoy - and thank ewe for tuning in :-)
Free resource:
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Follow the flock on your preferred channels:
LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube
"Presentation skills and public speaking ability is the #1 leadership skill you need to have in order to stand out from the crowd and be a voice in your industry. Are you ready to step up to the mic?" asks our guest Johnny Ball on his LinkedIn profile.
To truly work WITH your team, not just be there for them, they need to see you show up with authority and be eager to hear your voice. Mastering presentation skills helps us to bring the whole team on board, to engage and connect with them at a really meaningful level. And all this helps to progress up the career ladder or in growing your own business.
Johnny's professional presentation skills started when addressing passengers on board an aircraft and now his voice is aired daily through The Daily Present and Speaking of Influence, his podcast and videos. In between times he's training and coaching business people to "speak like a Roman emperor" and "nail that presentation" with his authoritative yet amiable style.
In this show we discuss:
- what it means to be a 'key person of influence' and why it matters
- the use of humour, or not, when presenting
- how Johnny has helped one of his corporate clients, through the mastery of communication, to gain promotion to a senior level
And along the way, as usual, Head Shepherd Chris draws analogies with the world of shepherding. Whilst communication between the shepherd and his dog may be as traditional as ever, the way in which he engages with customers regarding their sheep has progressed and evolved with the help of technology.
Our conversation concludes with Johnny sharing his top 3 tips for making addressing a group of people from behind a screen, a skill we've all had to develop in the last year especially.
As always, if this episode has prompted any questions, please go ahead and ask - either email caroline@raisingthebaa.com or leave it in your review!
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening :-)
Free resources:
Been asked to speak at short notice? You can nail it with the help of Johnny's Last-Minute Presentation Checklist
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:
Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Johnny Ball - presentation skills and public speaking trainer and coach, podcaster, founder of Present Influence
With a background and passion for outdoors experiential education, the effervescent Iggy Perillo has evolved her business WSL Leadership to specialise in curating leadership Masterminds.
According to her LinkedIn profile, Iggy has:
"spent the past 20+ years molding cranky strangers into high-performing teams by building psychological safety so people can get important things done"
Delving into this description Iggy highlights the importance of the permission to 'fail' and everyone's voice being not just heard but listened to. In the shepherding world Chris agrees that it is always the quieter sheep on the periphery of the field or the flock which need checking.
We talk about positive reinforcement as opposed to reprimanding, looking for the good to help the whole team move forward. And this applies to people and dogs as we learn from Iggy's experience as a trainer of dog sledders and Chris' nurturing of sheepdogs.
Iggy describes what she sees as the 3 most common challenges facing teams right now (after one year of the pandemic). With teams on the verge of more change, which for most is moving towards a hybrid style of working, ie part-office, part-home, this will suit some more than others and we discuss how leaders might best handle this.
And in her answer to our final question 'how would you sum up the most extraordinary team in just 4 words' Iggy is the first to include bravery. Mmm, thought provoking. And this could be the topic of a whole episode!
As always, if this episode has prompted any questions, please go ahead and ask - either email caroline@raisingthebaa.com or leave it in your review!
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening :-)
Free resources:
Join Iggy's leadership community for thoughtful connection and joyful problem-solving - attend her free monthly Leadership Ecosystem Lunch
Iggy's own podcast in which she reviews books with a focus on leadership in work, sport or life, often in discussion with a guest.
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:
Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Iggy Perillo - Leadership Coach, Trainer and Mastermind specialist
Welcome to the March episode of A Day in the Life of a Shepherd.
It's just a few days away from our Head Shepherd's busiest time of the year - lambing. Chris chooses to lamb in the traditional way out in the fields. So tune in and find out how he gets prepared for this special and most important period in the shepherding calendar.
We'd love to know the most surprising fact you learn from our conversation this month. Or perhaps it's prompted a question?
Ask the shepherd: chris@raisingthebaa.com or message him through our Facebook page and you could feature in our April show from the farm!
Enjoy - and thank ewe for tuning in :-)
Free resource:
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Follow the flock on your preferred channels:
LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube
Just how relevant do you think the skills of an airline pilot might be in business? Today we find out with thanks to our guest Paul Green, former commercial airline pilot who has since launched his organisation The Cockpit Method.
If you've ever been an airline passenger you'll be utterly absorbed by this peek into the life of a pilot. Paul takes us behind the scenes of the cockpit telling many stories from his aviation career.
We hear top tops on communication, empowerment, trust and decision-making, all illustrated by Paul's flying experiences. And along the way we make the possibly unlikely parallels between learning to fly and training a sheepdog!
The Cockpit Method includes a programme entitled The Wellbeing Contract which distills the essential elements of the commercial cockpit into long lasting wellbeing support. He explains the impact that just 7 minutes a day can make to your wellbeing - and your productivity. The free download below will guide you through the process.
If this episode has prompted any questions, go ahead and ask - either email caroline@raisingthebaa.com or leave it in your review!
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening :-)
Free resources:
Download Paul's one-pager: Change Your Wellbeing Mindset in 7 Minutes
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:
Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Paul Green - Pilot and Founder, The Cockpit Method
Today's guest helps organisations identify the gaps within their HR process where technology can be leveraged, freeing up their time to be less tactical and play a more strategic role.
Kevyn Rustici is a Human Capital Management Consultant working for ADP, which provides award-winning payroll and HR solutions to companies in over 140 countries.
With a degree in biology Kevyn adopts a scientific approach to the world of HR and is (in his words) obsessed by technology and data - and more specifically how it is underused by organisations when making crucial decisions related to talent recruitment and development.
"Without data you're just another person with an opinion" W Edwards Deming
We discuss how so many companies realised their technological gaps when the pandemic struck, described by Kevyn and one of his clients as
"like steering the Titanic into the Erie Canal"
(or for those not familiar with New York, maybe the Grand Union Canal in UK!). The pandemic has forced companies to realise their outdated processes and have embraced new technologies - and much faster than they thought possible in so many cases.
On-boarding is in area where the gap was really noticeable, with the whole process having to shift to digital, and Kevyn shares his tips on how companies can address this. And we discuss how an external programme such as sheep herding, once Covid restrictions are lifted, can play a really helpful role in this area.
Are employees so lucky to be working for you or are you so lucky to have employees working for you? - a question Kevyn asks his clients which really makes them think. People before profits is a shift that is starting to make positive progress in the States, with presentee-ism being less of a focus. Do you feel this is happening in your organisation?
If this episode has prompted any questions, go ahead and ask! Either email caroline@raisingthebaa.com or leave it in a review note.
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening :-)
Free resources:
ADP Research - The Definitive Series: Employee Engagement 2020 - download the full report, watch videos, grab infographics or read the executive summary.
Dr Nick Molinaro's whitepaper - How Leadership Awareness Can Help Your Team Transform Business Performance Under Pressure including reference to the TAIS (The Test of Attentional and Interpersonal Style) assessment tool mentioned by Kevyn.
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Kevyn Rustici - Human Capital Management Consultant, ADP
If it's good enough for the TV world it's fine by us!
One of our most popular episodes relates to THE most frequently asked question we still receive here at Shepherd's Hut HQ:
" How on earth did the idea of Raising the Baa come about?"Usually followed, thankfully, by: "It's just so out there , like nothing I've heard of before!"So here it is, a repeat of our Once Upon A Time episode, in which founder and Head Shepherd Chris gives the full low-down.
It feels timely to do this for another reason.
This week Prime Minister Boris has announced the Government's 'roadmap' about the easing of lockdown here. So we finally have a date for re-opening our gates!
We've got an exciting new offering suitable for smaller groups , more of which in a future episode...
If this episode has prompted any questions, go ahead and ask! Either email caroline@raisingthebaa.com or leave it in a review note.
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening :-)
Free Resource:
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Team effectiveness, behavioural preferences and what motivates people to think and act like they do - all topics which fascinate today's guest interviewee. In his words "it bakes my noodles"!
A determined individual, Ian Beer funded his way by selling cars to attend university as a 'mature' student. His subsequent corporate career spanned Total Oil, Dell Technologies and 3M before flying solo as a consultant and trainer working currently in luxury cars and insurance amongst other sectors.
One of 3M's most famous products Post-it Notes was founded by accident by one of their research scientists (read the full story here if you're curious). Herding sheep as a team building activity, the springboard to Raising the Baa, also came about by chance (Episode 1 of SheepDip tells all!) from an unplanned conversation between Chris (founder and Head Shepherd) and an acquaintance who had just launched a youth charity. Poles apart in many ways yet neither would have come to fruition if serendipity hadn't played its part - another theme we discuss with Ian in reference to remote working.
Resilience, reframing, communication, adaptability - all are covered in our conversation, with particular reference to the work/life pattern that the pandemic has provoked.
If this episode has prompted any questions, go ahead and ask! Either email caroline@raisingthebaa.com or leave it in a review note.
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening :-)
Free Resources:
Want to become a more effective remote leader? E-book from Insights Discovery.
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Ian Beer - Sales effectiveness consultant, trainer, coach - and saxophonist
Welcome to the February episode of A Day in the Life of a Shepherd.
And in Head Shepherd Chris' calendar, an unusual occurrence for this time of year - he explains why....
We'd love to know the most surprising fact you learn from our conversation this month. Or perhaps it's prompted a question?
Ask the shepherd: chris@raisingthebaa.com,ย leave your comment or question in the review notes on your preferred podcast platform or comment on our LinkedIn page.
Enjoy - and thank ewe for tuning in :-)
Free resource:
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Follow the flock on your preferred channels:
LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube
An American angle on team culture and engagement this time in our conversation with funny, motivational keynote speaker Brad Montgomery.
Brad helps leaders, managers and their teams improve their bottom line by improving individual and organisational happiness. In fact he has trademarked "Laugh-o-nomics" one of his presentation packages delivered to Microsoft, the CIA and Lockheed to name just a few.
One of only around 180 living inductees of the CPAE Hall of Fame (alongside such luminaries as Zig Ziglar, Ken Blanchard and Jack Canfield), Brad describes the accolade as " like winning an Oscar or the Indianapolis 500, only without the movie stars or the gas fumes.โ
After 25+ years of live speaking Brad has now successfully adapted his offering to the virtual world. In our interview he talks about how he's taking advantage of remote delivery rather than dwelling on the missing aspects from a live event.
Brad Montgomery and Raising the Baa both have non-traditional approaches to team building with the common denominator of humour. Sheep always bring a smile to people's faces and we hear a lot of laughter during our events, as does Brad. We discuss how humour can really help connect with an audience - all the more so now that the 'spectators' are remote from each other too.
Our conversation culminates in our speculating on the reasons for corporate teams gathering together again, once it's safe to do so, which may be very different to those prior to 2020.
We'd love to know if your thoughts on this - please let us know either in a review note or by emailing caroline@raisingthebaa.com.
Enjoy this episode - and thank ewe for listening :-)
Free Resources:
Lockdown Pep Talk video: "It's hard...but you've got this!" from Brad's YouTube channel
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Brad Montgomery - Funny motivational keynote speaker
If someone suggested flying cows from the UK to Africa to assist in a time of extreme famine, you'd be forgiven for thinking it was too crazy an idea - and what's more would it even be possible?
If ever there was a reason to see that thinking outside of the box, or perhaps the field, and to ignore naysayers, the charity Send a Cow is an absolute inspiration.
So we'd like to introduce you to Catherine Harris, Interim Corporate Partnerships Manager at Send a Cow. As a corporate supporter, we at Raising the Baa are forever grateful for Catherine's help, guidance and gratitude for our partnership.
In this slightly different to usual podcast you will hear about:
- the origins of Send a Cow in the 80s and how it has evolved since
- a little about the incredible work they do in rural communities in Africa
- the way in which Raising the Baa supports the charity
- how the charity is dealing with the impact of Covid, both in Africa and the UK.
Catherine also tells us about their fabulous virtual activity campaign Relay for Hope . If you, with your team if you like, fancy a virtual tour of Africa from Ethiopia to Zambia, pick up the baton and get registered today! It's easy to take part and a great way for teams to feel connected whilst they are scattered, away from their communal workplace.
Naturally we also discuss how the Send a Cow team ticks, the challenges they face and how they overcome them.
Enjoy this episode - and thank ewe for listening :-)
Join in the Relay for Hope in aid of Send a Cow - see you in Rwanda, or Uganda, or will it be Zambia?
Free Resources:
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Catherine Harris - Interim Corporate Partnerships Manager, Send a Cow
Executive coach, speaker and author of 5 books, Simon Tyler is our guest in this episode. Local to Raising the Baa, Simon is a humorous and popular keynote speaker at networking meetings - always a bonus when people have risen very early to be present!
His passionate belief in the power of Attitude, creating Impact and above all else to Keep It Simple comes across thoroughly in our conversation.
Simon's blog 'Simple Notes' has been running consistently for over 4 years which are reflected in his books which offer bite-size tips prompting simple actions. One strategy that we discuss in this podcast is "call in the CIA" - not as scary as you might think! We've used the mantra for years and find it wonderfully simple and useful.
In 2020 Simon applied his 'simple' thinking to creating an inspiring home office space - needed by more people than ever before. His top tips are available in the Free Resources below.
At the end of each show, we always ask our guest to sum up the most extraordinary team in just 4 words (one for each leg of the sheep or dog). Simon is the first guest to use an ovine acronym!
Enjoy this episode - and thank ewe for listening :-)
Free Resources:
Simple Note - Becoming a Webinarist - Top 7 Impact Enhancers
Ideas download - Top 9 Elements of An Inspiring Home Office
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Simon Tyler - Speaker, Coach and Author aka "The Simplist"
[title courtesy of the late great David Bowie, shortly after the 5th anniversary of his passing]
Our guest today is Tammy Deakin, who in 2020 co-founded coaching and change consultancy Capable Strides with a former colleague. Tammy draws from her 20+ years of organisational and talent development in the water industry to help people get through times of change as effectively as possible. Tammy didn't quite expect such an enormity of change when planning her business launch - impeccable timing in many ways!
Unsurprisingly this episode covers many aspects of change and top tips on how leaders and their people may deal with them. Our favourite tip reflects the way cabin crew ask passengers to fix their own oxygen mask then help their children or those less able - check your own resilience and wellbeing first before reaching out to help others. The pandemic has likely been the toughest time yet for anyone in a management position which makes this advice particularly relevant.
In partnership with fellow coaching consultancy Skylite, Tammy has recognised that leaders, line managers and employees are encountering many challenges with a workforce that may be either furloughed, working from home or back on site.
To help line managers especially, they have developed a toolkit covering โReboardingโ, which considers how best to support people and to enable teams to work productively. A taster of this toolkit is available free of charge via the link below.
Enjoy this episode - and thank ewe for listening :-)
Free Resources:
The taster Reboarding toolkit as an e-book download
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Tammy Deakin - Founding Partner of Capable Strides
Welcome to the January episode of A Day in the Life of a Shepherd.
Normally each episode is recorded on the farm, however on this occasion we're somewhere different...
We'd love to know the most surprising fact you learn from our conversation. Or if you're left with more questions. Email us: baa@raisingthebaa.com or leave it in the review notes on your preferred podcast platform.
Enjoy - and thank ewe for tuning in :-)
Free resource:
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Follow the flock on your preferred channels:
LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube
As our final episode of SheepDip for 2020 we want to shout from the rooftops!
Which company would you like to say "EWE ROCK!" to?
In 2020 there have been so many incredible examples of kindness, generosity, thoughtfulness and innovation, it's been quite a revelation. In this episode we outline just 3 examples from the UK that have stood out to us.
We wish to play our part and offer what we do best - lure people away from their screens, into the fresh air and have a go at herding sheep.
And you are invited to nominate the team that deserves it. We're giving away SIX events to take place in England in 2021, when we'll all be ready for a fresh new year!
To nominate a team, simply take a couple of minutes to complete this form
Closing date for nominations: 31st December 2020.
Free resource:
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Follow the flock on your preferred channels:
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn
In the second of our monthly series from the farm, we're marking the start of the shepherding 'new year' - otherwise known as tupping time.ย You'll need to listen to find out what this is!
Farmers are businesspeople too and we'll be discussing how they face challenges which we can all relate to. The shepherd's fresh perspective might help you view your world in a different way.
Each episode is recorded on the farm, reacting to whatever Mother Nature throws at us!
Enjoy - and thank ewe for tuning in :-)
Free resource:
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Follow the flock on your preferred channels:
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn
Our guest this week endorses a holistic learning approach, much of it in nature-rich surroundings. Founder and director of Saltbox Training and Events, established in 2008, much of Nicki Davey's work focuses on helping people to learn in, with and from nature.
Clients of Saltbox are mainly charities and commercial organisations with "a purpose beyond profit". Nicki believes that by helping their people to be more aware, more connected, and more compassionate, it will help to foster the sustainability and wellbeing of the planet and humankind.
During lockdown she has completed and published the beautifully illustrated Holistic Learning Handbook, a project which Nicki conceived many years ago - and it's well worth the wait.
As one reviewer describes it: "Nicki has blended her insights from the psychology of learning and years of practical experience in training people to create a practical manual full of ideas and inspiration".
In this episode, our conversation includes:
- the joy of shared experiences and finding common denominators
- the detail of Mother Nature - what does a sheep look like? No, really look like...?
- recognising and capitalising on different views, opinions and perspectives within a team
- where there's change there's opportunity
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening :-)
Free Resources:
"Nature at Work" playbook (more fun than a workbook!) - full of useful information and ideas to help you, your team, and your organisation engage with nature to create a happier and more sustainable workplace.
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Nicki Davey - Founder and Director, Saltbox Training & Events
Be inspired by lessons in leadership and teamwork from the first British woman to ski to the North Pole - without a snowflake in sight!
With such an accolade that can never be taken away, you can imagine that Sue Stockdale has many tales of teamwork and leadership to share from this experience alone.
Sue's expeditions on the icecaps of the Arctic and Greenland were springboards for her long and successful entrepreneurial journey. Using her unique combination of knowledge and experience Sue is an inspirational presenter, an executive coach and runs powerful leadership development and peer-group programmes through her organisation Sue Stockdale Ltd.
In her own podcast, Access to Inspiration, Sue interviews an eclectic and inspirational range of people who may be 'unalike' us. Whatever your interest one or more of Sue's guests will be sure to have an impact on your way of thinking.
Highlights of this episode, all brought to life by Sue's absorbing anecdotes, include:
- how attention to detail as well as the bigger picture are such key components of collaborative teamwork
- why we shouldn't be afraid of conflict and how to manage it to best effect
- at least one exquisite tip for managing remote teams
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening :-)
Free Resources:
Sample chapter of 'Risk: All That Matters' . In this book Sue Stockdale and co-author Clive Steeper explore the nature of risk from a variety of perspectives including how risk impacts on business and wider society, as well as how risk is likely to influence global trends in the future.
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Sue Stockdale - Executive Coach, Facilitator, Author, Speaker and Podcaster (and polar adventurer!)
Uninformed optimism. Informed pessimism.
These first stages of the Emotional Cycle of Change arise during our discussion with Morten Wiil, relating to his experience of herding sheep whilst he was Group HR Director at Europe's leading office supplies company Lyreco.
With an original background in the Danish army, Morten also draws analogies between teamwork in military action and in business. And whilst herding sheep.
We also discuss the changing and expanding role of HR, especially within large organisations such as Lyreco and other clients of Raising the Baa. In 2020 especially HR professionals are having to adapt quickly and efficiently to the endless challenges caused by the Coronavirus pandemic.
And who knew that team leaders on virtual conference calls are so similar to a shepherd driving his Land Rover whilst checking over his flock of sheep?
Enjoy! And thank ewe for listening :-)
Free resources:Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Morten Wiil - Senior HR professional and business driver, former Group HRD at Lyreco
Reflecting the English school's half-term break we thought we'd disrupt our usual routine too.
This trailer episode is brought to you straight from the field, in amongst the sheep with our Head Shepherd, and founder of Raising the Baa, Chris - and his dog too of course.
It introduces our monthly series of shows which will dip into the shepherding calendar. Farmers are businesspeople too and we'll be discussing how they face challenges which we can all relate to. The shepherd's fresh perspective might help you view your world in a different way.
Each episode will be recorded on the farm, reacting to whatever Mother Nature throws at us!
Enjoy - and thank ewe for tuning in :-)
Free resource:
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Follow the flock on your preferred channels:
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn
With Mother Nature as her business partner (and one of ours' too of course) Rachel Woods MSc shares her thoughts on how to improve teamwork and connectedness in the outdoors.
Most recently Rachel was HR Business Partner UK and Ireland for Nutricia Advanced Medical Nutrition, the specialised healthcare division of Danone food group. Having completed her MSc Coaching and Behavioural Change and now EMCC Accredited as a Senior Practitioner, Rachel has this year launched her own coaching enterprise, Coach in Nature.
To quote Rachel: "Coaching in nature with me is like going for a walk with a friend to talk about yourself and your work.... Neither Nature or I judge you for venting and not paying attention to us.... Itโs a liberating experience to have that time walking shoulder to shoulder letting the absence of walls release your thinking. Thereโs no ceiling (literally) and no constraints to where your mind can wander".
In this episode our conversation naturally draws on our mutual passion for the outdoors, sharing our thoughts on the lessons Mother Nature - and sheep - can teach us.
Interspersed with Rachel's insightful accounts of team experiences from her time at Nutricia, this slightly longer than usual episode packs quite a punch!
And why is there a natural link between today's world of remote team working and a sketch featuring a well-known British newsreader on BBC TV comedy show Morecambe and Wise from 40+ years ago? Tune in and find out!
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening :-)
Free resources:Rachel is developing her Coaching in Nature model - a set of areas to explore and questions to raise awareness and broaden the lenses through which a situation or topic can be viewed. If you'd like to beta-test this model, email rachel@coachinnature.co.uk
Rachel's blog Nature is my Business Partner and her Thought Garden podcast episode How and why nature matters in coaching
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Rachel Woods - Director, Coach in Nature
Dog, wolf, hunter, farmer - just a few of the descriptors for salespeople and their selling style. And the most successful sales team is likely to have a diverse mix of them all.
In this episode we're in discussion with Simon Hares of SerialTrainer7 who, like Raising the Baa, is based in the South West of England. With over 200 recommendations on his LinkedIn profile, it's fair to say that Simon is a well-regarded, experienced and much loved sales and management trainer.
Our conversation with Simon includes several analogies of shepherding with the business world, more than he might have imagined! We had an insightful discussion, for example, comparing a manager training a new salesperson and a shepherd with a young sheepdog. And how the natural instinct of a dog can be seen in the two key types of salespeople - hunters and farmers.
We naturally asked Simon about today's challenges for organisational teams and how they might be different to pre-Covid times. In his response he talks about "Trusted Freedom", a framework to help leaders look after and manage their teams. Simon has put a new twist on the well-known acronym SMART, normally associated with goal-setting. He reveals what these letters stand for when related to team leadership in this climate.
Simon's West Country lilt is easy to listen to and he was a delight to talk to as always. Even in this brief dialogue he aptly shows how he is evolving to meet the needs of today's team leaders.
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening :-)
Free resources:Regular, topical, thought-provoking and helpful videos and articles on SerialTrainer7's LinkedIn company page and website
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Simon Hares - Founder and Managing Director, SerialTrainer7
If you're starting, building or re-structuring your remote team for massive success, this episode is for you. FTSE Senior Exec turned Entrepreneur Ian Drew shares his team tactics drawn from 20+ years in the global technology industry, including long stints at Intel and Arm.
We discuss the challenges of building and motivating a remote team, noting especially how much harder it is to build trust when not face to face. And when under stress Ian would choose "a medium performer that I can trust a lot, over somebody who's a high performer that I can't trust as much". Interesting. Do you agree?
Ian elaborates on the following top tips when managing teams virtually:
1 Don't assume people have understood you - especially when some aspects of body language are removed
2 Clarity of communication is even more important. Listen to understand not just to be understood.
3 Include everyone on virtual team calls. The quietest often have the best ideas. Ensure everyone is part of a solution.
And we wrap up as usual with our guest's 4 words which depict an extraordinary team.
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening :-)
Free resources:
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Ian Drew - Former EVP at Arm now Serial Entrepreneur and Disruptor
In this week's episode we welcome an award-winning people development specialist who brought together a remotely based cohort of lead consultants at management consultancy firm Newton Europe to spend a day with Raising the Baa. So why did she feel this was a good idea? Our first question will reveal all!
Diane Law has built her career helping organisations and their people to perform better. Her psychology background gave insight into how people learn and are motivated. Diane gained business and organisational insight through her MBA and her professional experience covers process improvement, change management, team leadership, strategic planning and all aspects of people development. Diane has formed internal L&D functions from scratch, building teams focusing on all aspects of learning.
Diane outlines the 3 key elements of a high performing team and reckons it generally takes about one year to establish it. We draw parallels with the shepherd training a 6-month-old puppy to become a dog that can be trusted to confidently drive a flock of sheep. The shepherd and his dog are the epitome of a well-oiled team when observed in a field but it takes many months of dedication, failures, understanding the common purpose, recognition and praise to get to this stage.
We discuss the challenges today's leaders are facing during the pandemic when there is so much uncertainty. How can they maintain highly productive teams whilst ensuring that the sense of community and wellbeing is equally if not a greater priority?
People need time out just as a working dog does or they will burn out. We're all pack creatures after all, as Diane says, and that play and switch-off time is super important to us all. This could have led us to a much longer discussion and we preferred to respect your listening attention span. So we strongly recommend you read Diane's article on the 9 IngredientS of Wellbeing, as also mentioned in the Resources section below.
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening :-)
Free resources:Diane's recent research into mental and physical health is summarised in this excellent article "9 IngredientS of Wellbeing" - have you got a good balance of the 9 'S's or could you do with addressing one or two of them?
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Diane Law - Former Head of People Development at Newton Europe and Director of Peppermill Ltd
This episode is jam-packed with thought-provoking tips about teamwork from environments as varied as the Navy, the music scene and corporate boardrooms.
In the third of our conversations with inspirational minds in the Learning and Development world, Paul Warriner - aka The Recognition Coach - shares a few of the many lessons he's learned throughout his life and career from the battlefield at sea to that of the business world.
Top tips include:
- set an intention for your working day and enjoy the recognition (just like a shepherd and his dog as you will hear)
- leave aside your ego - there's no place for it if teamwork is to flourish (anyone know the Fleetwood Mac story?)
- practise as a team - find all the ways that something can't work until the task can be done without thinking and through absolute trust of everyone's role (hear how this came to fruition first hand for Paul in the Falklands war)
We challenge you not to take away at least one actionable team working lesson from this episode...
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening :-)
Free resources:Recognition Coach Plan - produced by Paul Warriner as an accompaniment to his book "The Recognition Book - 50 ways to step up, stand out and get recognised"
https://www.therecognitioncoach.com/
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Paul Warriner - The Recognition Coach
Nick Obolensky experienced a day on the farm with Raising the Baa in its beta-stage days and his academic insights were particularly reassuring and helpful to the co-founders Chris and Caroline. Whilst the co-founders met through having built international teams of independent business owners, not unlike a franchise, the majority of their careers were in shepherding and marketing. Not the most obvious segue into corporate team building some may say!
In this second series of SheepDip podcasts we're in conversation with some of the most inspiring minds in the field of learning and development. We're asking for their thoughts and tips on growing and developing teams, especially within this volatile and fast moving business world. In this episode we are in conversation with Nick who is currently locked down in China, one of two bases for his organisation Complex Adaptive Leadership (CAL) and the title of his book on the same subject.
Nick remembers well the challenge of herding sheep and significantly the analogies for teams who work in VUCA environments. As he explains in our conversation, VUCA stands for Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous and is a term coined originally by the military and since adopted by business schools.
Underpinning all of his discoveries from his time with Raising the Baa, Nick felt that it proved through real action how the more complex and uncertain the environment, the more adaptive leadership and team working approach is required. Listen to more of his reflections in this short video, recorded immediately after the event. The circumstances of 2020 have caused almost every business to experience uncertainty and volatility, making the need to know how to lead in such territory to be essential.
Nick's organisation CAL has helped many multi-national and small fast-growing businesses to reap faster results with less stress on the leaders. He touches on its approach and illustrates a couple of successful case studies in our conversation.
We trust you find this to be another most insightful interview. It is conducted by Caroline Palmer, Top Dog at Raising the Baa and Chris Farnsworth, the shepherd behind the accidental business concept of team building with sheep.
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening :-)
Free resources:
The Leadership Report by Nick Obolensky - Boosting Virtual Team Performance. This LinkedIn article expands on many of the points made by Nick in this podcast and provides critical questions to ask in relation to 8 key team principles when leading a virtual team.
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Nick Obolensky - Founder, Complex Adaptive Leadership
In this second series of SheepDip podcasts we're in conversation with some of the most inspiring minds in the field of learning and development. We're asking for their thoughts and tips on growing and developing teams, especially within this volatile and fast moving business world.
Our first guest is business psychologist Jan de Jonge. There may be a plethora of excellent business psychologists though we doubt that many started their career in the police force in Amsterdam!
We trust you find this to be a most arresting (we couldn't resist) interview. It is conducted by Caroline Palmer, Top Dog at Raising the Baa and Chris Farnsworth, the shepherd behind the accidental business concept of team building with sheep.
Thank ewe for listening :-)
Resources:
Jan at People Business Psychology is developing a new, free-of-charge 5-minute online leadership questionnaire. The digital survey is ideal for individuals and client organisations interested in further developing their leaders. Jan has collaborated with professors at Liverpool John Moores University and Cardiff University to develop this insightful new diagnostic, which quickly captures behaviours and tendencies that are linked to success. The questionnaire will highlight personality traits that are highly effective for people in leadership roles.
Answering the questions will take 5 minutes. You will get interesting, strictly confidential, personal feedback on how your approach compares with others.
If you want to find out what your approach to effective leadership is apply here or email jan@peoplebusinesspsychology.com
Connect with the speakers via LinkedIn:Caroline Palmer - Top Dog and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Jan de Jonge - People Business Psychology
Singing (you do recognise the song lyric above don't you?), dancing, high-fiving, clapping, shrieking, laughing, pats on the back, hugs and polite handshakes - we've seen them all.
Who knew that herding sheep into a pen could cause such emotions? Least of all the people who've stepped away from their normal working environment, traditionally an office, factory, warehouse or store. And occasionally a football or rugby pitch.
Whilst the final act of successfully herding the sheep causes the greatest outburst, it's the small celebrations along the way that keep the energy high and the team motivated. We make particular note of those giving praise, recognising a colleague's effort or idea. Not so much a monotone 'Well Done' but a heartfelt and genuine acknowledgement of someone's contribution makes the recipient feel appreciated. It will boost their confidence and can elevate their performance to the next level too.
Recognition of people's efforts is vital also for keeping the team connected, especially now that so many projects are being managed virtually and at a distance from each other. Team leaders now more than ever need to find ways to keep their people inspired, motivated and happily collaborating. When people are feeling vulnerable in many areas of their life, not least of which in their jobs, it's key to keep the team spirit and culture alive and thriving. And just one way of doing this is to gather the team together in a safe outdoors place to let go, have some fun AND discover learning at a whole different level too. Read about FIVE ways of giving your team recognition in this article by Paul Warriner, The Recognition Coach and one of our Associate Trainers.
In this final episode of the first series of SheepDip podcasts, Paul discusses the subject of celebration, praise and recognition with Chris Farnsworth, Head Shepherd and founder of Raising the Baa. The next series of podcasts will feature a different guest each week. We've invited some of the most inspiring minds in learning and development to hear more about their specialist subject and top tips on building the most extraordinary team in your field.
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening :-)
FREE resource:
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the Speakers via LinkedIn:
Paul Warriner - The Recognition Coach
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Possibly not the most obvious learning from a team building exercise but one which is super useful - ask questions.
We often notice the lack of questions, especially during the briefing. Despite advising team members that they can ask anything they like, there are usually few questions. It seems especially strange as the activity is new to 95% of people meaning any hierarchy is removed.
One reason may be that the team members are more excited about the exercise in the field than staying in the briefing area to ask questions. Everyone is really keen to have a go at herding sheep and the questions can wait!
And to an extent this does play out. Participants ask a few more questions whilst re-grouping in the field. They've had a few attempts, it's not worked out, so the obvious questions arise, such as:
"What are we doing wrong?"
"What would you do?"
"Does any team actually succeed in getting the sheep in the pen?" (the most common one!)
As the saying goes: there's no such thing as a stupid question. Chances are that if it's in one person's mind, it will be in someone else's too. Yet they may not have the courage or confidence to ask it out loud.
Unsurprisingly less assertive team members prefer to ask the expert one-to-one, rather than within a group setting. It's then interesting to see how they choose to use the information gleaned when they are reunited with their colleagues.
Paul Warriner, The Recognition Coach, is in conversation with Chris Farnsworth, Head Shepherd and founder of Raising the Baa. In this episode they ponder on the apparent reticence to ask questions and the frequent assumptions made as a consequence.
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening :-)
FREE resources:
Read Paul's blog on Asking Better Quality Questions
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the Speakers via LinkedIn:
Paul Warriner - The Recognition Coach
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Never has adaptability been more relevant than right now.
As a result of the pandemic every business is adjusting, even totally pivoting, and its people are adapting to a new working pattern and environment.
In this episode we discuss the need for adaptability when participating in a Raising the Baa team building programme. Why is it such a fundamental need? Because sheep are unpredictable - possibly the key differentiating feature of our team building activity.
Every team has to be agile. It's usually a new experience for all taking part which makes for a level playing field. Plans are long discussed yet can still fail, so team members have to be resilient and accept that an alternative strategy is needed.
Herding sheep into a pen is far more complex than any team expects, which prompts a totally flexible style of leadership to come to the fore. There's much science behind this concept as we discovered when Nick Obolensky, the founder of Complex Adaptive Leadership, sampled Raising the Baa whilst we were still proving concept. His thoughts, recorded on this short video back in 2012, are as relevant now as they were then.
Paul Warriner, The Recognition Coach, is in conversation with Chris Farnsworth, Head Shepherd and founder of Raising the Baa. In this episode they discuss how teams have to adapt to ever-evolving situation in the field to successfully achieve the tasks set.
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening :-)
FREE resource:
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
"The importance of adaptability skills in the workplace" article by Olympic gold medallist swimmer Adrian Moorhouse MBE, published in Training Journal March 2020.
Connect with the Speakers via LinkedIn:
Paul Warriner - The Recognition Coach
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
If sheep are reputed to be so stupid why do teams of intelligent people find it such a challenge to herd them into a pen?
All levels of management deploy their best leadership and communication skills yet the goal is never an easy one to achieve.
Hundreds of corporate teams have pitted their team working skills against a flock of allegedly stupid sheep with Raising the Baa.ย And we've witnessed all types of leadership styles in action.ย
In this episode Paul Warriner, The Recognition Coach and Chris Farnsworth, Head Shepherd and founder of Raising the Baa, discuss the highs and lows of leadership styles in action on the farm.
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening :-)
FREE resource:
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the Speakers via LinkedIn:
Paul Warriner - The Recognition Coach
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
The third lesson from teambuilding with sheep we discuss is conflict. In all its guises, conflict impacts massively on effective and collaborative teamwork. Resolving conflict on the other hand contributes greatly to the turnaround in energy and team success.
Teamwork will always includes some conflict. The challenge of herding sheep into a pen demonstrates this on so many levels!
Enjoy another insightful conversation about teambuilding between Associate Trainer Paul Warriner and Head Shepherd & Founder of Raising the Baa Chris Farnsworth.
Thank ewe for listening :-)
FREE resource:
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the Speakers via LinkedIn:
Paul Warriner - The Recognition Coach
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Herding sheep into a pen is just like the commercial world - surely not?
Be in for a surprise as this episode of SheepDip covers the second most-mentioned lesson which clients glean from Raising the Baa's team building programmes: planning.
There's no one solution to the tasks set. What's important is making the plan, selling it in to the team and all believing and committing to it.ย
All this and more are discussed by Paul Warriner, associate trainer with Raising the Baa and the company's founder and Head Shepherd Chris Farnsworth.
Thank ewe for listening :-)
FREE resource:
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the Speakers via LinkedIn:
Paul Warriner - The Recognition Coach
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
So many communications-related lessons are gleaned from herding sheep as a team, it's warranting two episodes! And even then, we are just scratching the surface.
Reviewing, feedback, listening, confidence, contribution, empowerment, speaking out - to name just a few of the aspects discussed in this episode by Paul Warriner, associate trainer with Raising the Baa and its founder and Head Shepherd Chris Farnsworth.
Thank ewe for listening :-)
FREE resource:
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the Speakers via LinkedIn:
Paul Warriner - The Recognition Coach
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
So what learnings do our clients discover from herding sheep?
This series of SheepDip releases the most common learnings, kicking off with the most frequently cited - communication. So how can sheep-herding improve team communication skills - even when at a distance?ย Head Shepherd Chris and Associate Trainer Paul discuss.
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening :-)
FREE resource:
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the Speakers via LinkedIn:
Paul Warriner - The Recognition Coach
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
An away day with Raising the Baa is the topic this time.ย You'll get an inkling of what form it takes and people's reactions once they try their hand at herding sheep.ย And a taste of what they discover.
Recorded prior to lockdown, founder and Head Shepherd Chris and principal associate trainer Paul discuss the above over a coffee at a local garden centre.
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening :-)
FREE resource:
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Connect with the Speakers via LinkedIn:
Paul Warriner - The Recognition Coach
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
In this episode the founder and Head Shepherd at Raising the Baa is grilled on his favourite subject - sheep.
We challenge you to not learn at least something about these woolly creatures!
And who knew how different breeds could have an impact on Raising the Baa's team building exercise - and ultimately the way a team works towards its goal?
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening :-)
FREE resource:
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Download the first chapter of Chris' book 'Sheep, Shepherd, Dog - building a magnificent team around you'
Connect with the Speakers via LinkedIn:
Paul Warriner - The Recognition Coach
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising the Baa
Paul quizzes Chris on the art of herding sheep into a pen and they discuss the pitfalls which corporate teams fall into whilst doing it.ย
Clients are always surprised at the many analogies of sheep herding in the business world!
Raising the Baa associate trainer Paul Warriner in conversation with Chris, the man behind the whole concept of team building with sheep.
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening :-)
FREE resources:
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Download the first chapter of Chris' book 'Sheep, Shepherd, Dog - building a magnificent team around you'
Connect with the Speakers via LinkedIn:
Paul Warriner - The Recognition Coach
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising theย
How and why did Raising the Baa come about?ย And what's it all about anyway?
Founder and Head Shepherd Chris Farnsworth in a coffee-shop conversation with associate trainer and Recognition Coach Paul Warriner.
Enjoy - and thank ewe for listening :-)
FREE resources:
Sheep, Shepherd or Dog - which one are ewe? Take our personality quiz and find out.
Download the first chapter of Chris' book 'Sheep, Shepherd, Dog - building a magnificent team around you'
Connect with the Speakers via LinkedIn:
Paul Warriner - The Recognition Coach
Chris Farnsworth - Head Shepherd and Co-Founder, Raising theย