LeadHERship Journeys

All good things must come to and end (or in this case a pause), and this is the last episode in this series of LeadHERship Journeys - But don't worry work is already underway on series two!It has been an incredible journey and our genuine hope is that you've learned a lot from our amazing roster of inspirational women.From car saleswomen, to cricket super stars, to women who lead teams to catch tax fraudsters and women who lead the forefront of cancer research - we've met some really powerful personalities.In this episode, Leona talks to her producer Nick about the adventure they've both been on and what they have both learned from the conversations that have been had on LeadHERship Journeys across the UK.They look back at some of the most memorable interviews from across the series, and give some insight into what they have taken away from the conversation and some things that didn't make the final cut!LeadHERship Journeys will return later in the year, so make sure you follow and subscribe to be notified when Leona returns with more insights into what makes successful women tick.LINKSLeona Deakin: https://leonadeakin.co.uk/Podcast production by Ginger Wizard Productions: https://www.gingerwizard.co.uk/

We all learn from our mistakes, that's part of being human. But how do you take something as damaging as working in a toxic environment and turn that to your advantage?Bianca Spruit worked as a leader in several roles before deciding to go it alone as a coach, one of those jobs almost broke her. But while she knew she had to leave that job, she didn't know what was next.It wasn't until she found a love for coaching that she discovered a path away from the toxic environment.In this episode, Leona talks to her about:Using your difference to your advantageThe physical impact of a toxic workplaceWhy it's ok not to beat yourself up about not leaving a bad job soonerWhy helping others who are in the situation she was drives herHow having children changes youLINKSLeona Deakin: https://leonadeakin.co.uk/https://www.sproutcoaching.co.uk/Podcast production by Ginger Wizard Productions: https://www.gingerwizard.co.uk/

The old saying goes that kindness costs nothing, but is it really possible that you can get to where you want to be in your career by being kind?Rebecca Oliver Mooney (or ROM for short) has 20 years experience in fast moving consumer goods and has worked for the likes of Mars, Nestle, Kellogg's and Muller.She is now head of commercial for Co -op and is also the founder of Raising the Glass. This is an initiative that connects women and allies in the drinks industry, and includes a podcast, networking events and a mentoring programme.But it is her leadership style that Leona wanted to hear about most as it's focussed on equity and kindness.In this episode, she talks to Leona about;Knowing what your "superpowers" are and how to accept themWhy good enough is perfectly acceptable and why perfection can be damagingWhy understanding and equity in a leadership role is so crucialWhat introverts go through on a daily basisPsychological safety and why that's so importantLinksINKSLeona Deakin: https://leonadeakin.co.uk/https://raisingtheglass.co.uk/Podcast production by Ginger Wizard Productions: https://www.gingerwizard.co.uk/

It's natural and healthy for us to have ambition and dreams - but what happens when your dreams become a reality, and the reality is something you don't want?Holly Colvin was just 15 when she got a place on the England cricket team for an ashes test against Australia. She went on to play five tests, 72 one-day internationals and 50 20:20 internationals and was a member of the Women's World 20:20 World Cup winning side in 2009.But as you'll hear, she happily walked away from her cricketing career and has not looked back.She's now a major sports event manager for the Greater London Authority.In this fascinating episode, Holly chats to Leona about:The feeling of happiness she felt when she gave up cricketAnd the feelings of anxiety the preceded itEmotional intelligence, why giving something up isn't about failureWhen resilience becomes about learning when to let goHer drive to try new things, and how that led to a blogLINKSLeona Deakin: https://leonadeakin.co.uk/https://www.linkedin.com/in/hollylcolvin/details/experience/https://alphabetazumba.wordpress.com/blog/Podcast production by Ginger Wizard Productions: https://www.gingerwizard.co.uk/

Simone Roche MBE is a big advocate of diversity. She is the founder and CEO of We Are PoWEr, who accelerate gender equality, inclusion and social mobility across the UK and beyond.She has an amazing story to tell. She started her journey in the Royal Navy, was given her MBE in 2018 for services to gender equality and went on to found her own organisation which now has a membership of over 100k women.She is a woman who has lived her life in a truly positive way, saying yes as much as she can. Leona wanted to explore her views on the power of self-belief.In this episode, Leona talks to Simone about:How being a woman in the Royal Navy never mattered, but being northern didWhy the work in equality she does really helps in building communitiesInner vulnerability and how it exists at all levelsLINKSLeona Deakin: https://leonadeakin.co.uk/Simon Roche MBE: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simone-roche-mbe/We are Power: https://wearepower.net/homePodcast production by Ginger Wizard Productions: https://www.gingerwizard.co.uk/

Zoe Gascoyne is the woman who oversaw the Bernie Ecclestone tax fraud case, in which he pleaded guilty, was given a suspended prison sentence and paid a fine of almost £653m to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).Zoe's story is about being true to yourself, not conforming and not letting others judge your appearance.It's also about striving to be the best leader and person you can be.In this episode, Leona talks to her about:How those who lead badly have taught her how to lead wellWhy "doing it all" resulted in burnout and what she learned about herselfLooking after your team is perhaps the most important thing you can doHer distaste for greed and what drives her in her roleLINKSLeona Deakin: https://leonadeakin.co.uk/Zoe Gascoyne: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-g-71b3343a/Podcast production by Ginger Wizard Productions: https://www.gingerwizard.co.uk/More about the Bernie Ecclestone case: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-67088503#:~:text=Ecclestone%20has%20agreed%20in%20a,after%20initially%20pleading%20not%20guilty.

Deborah Ogden is a personal branding and impact coach - Her CV is fascinating, she started her career as a lawyer and then moved on to help sportspeople get sponsorship deals.Deborah's journey is one of firsts, she was the first woman to be a professional media manager. Her story is also about achievement, she was brought up to not just take part but succeed.But it's not all about success and firsts...Leona chats to her about:How becoming a mother almost broke her, but also put her on a path she's still onWhy she always jumps before the count of three...The loss of her father and how that has impacted herLINKSLeona Deakin https://leonadeakin.co.uk/Deborah Ogden https://www.deborahogden.com/Podcast production by Ginger Wizard Productions https://www.gingerwizard.co.uk/

Rayhanneh Mazinani's journey from beauty sales to the second-hand car trade is one of self belief, business acumen and determination. As the managing director of vehicle sourcing company TRAYD, she a true pioneer. There are no other women doing what she is doing in the UK motor trade.Her story is about breaking through barriers, not just of gender but also race. As a woman in a man's world she faced her fair share of competitive conflict, but she was not going to let this deter her. She quickly discovered that being female was her superpower. Her ability to slow down the sale, build rapport and become a trusted advisor were the secrets to her success. Her aim now is to make more women aware that the world of vehicle sales is a fantastic place for them to thrive, and that their unique qualities can be their superpower too.In this episode, she talks to Leona about:Dealing with aggression and why women are "special beings"How her drive and enthusiasm led her to set up TraydWhat the motor trade has to offer women and why you should get into itLINKSLeona Deakin https://leonadeakin.co.uk/Trayd www.trayduk.co.ukPodcast production by Ginger Wizard Productions https://www.gingerwizard.co.uk/

Lauren York always wanted to work in TV but as a junior member of a production company she was told she didn't have what it takes. Today she is the owner of a nationwide business supplying locations to big budget productions.Her journey has not been easy. She came up against many blocks on her path but she knew what she wanted. But it took all of her focus, resilience and determination.In this episode Leona finds out about:How one boss telling her she was no good at TV fuelled herImposter syndrome and how we should deal with itLearning from bad managers to become a better bossDiving in at the deep end and making a success of itDON'T FORGET - Leave a review of this podcast to be in with the chance of winning a free hour coaching session with LeonaLINKSLeona Deakin https://leonadeakin.co.uk/UK Locations https://www.uklocations.co.uk/Podcast production by Ginger Wizard Productions https://www.gingerwizard.co.uk/

Dr Kathryn Scott is Chief Executive of Yorkshire Cancer Research.Science has been part of her DNA for most of her life, and at an early stage in her journey she was interested in biology.But her background and her roots are not those that are usually associated with Chief Executives - So how did she get there and is hers a story that illustrates anyone can do it?In this episode, Leona talks to Kathryn about:* Her mission to promote exercise to reduce the risk of cancer returning* How her roots in Bradford aren't the usual ones for a CEO* The rewards of being a charity CEO* The fight to promote ways of staying cancer free DON'T FORGET - Leave a review of this podcast to be in with the chance of winning a free hour coaching session with LeonaLINKSLeona Deakin https://leonadeakin.co.uk/Yorkshire Cancer Research https://www.yorkshirecancerresearch.org.uk/Podcast production by Ginger Wizard Productions https://www.gingerwizard.co.uk/

What do you do when a war comes to your doorstep?For anyone faced with that scenario, survival is, of course, a priority. But once you are safe, is it possible to use that experience for a positive outcome? Are there lessons we can all learn?Yana Smaglo is a Ukrainian living in the UK. She fled the war in Ukraine when it began in 2023. She was already a successful fashion designer, but had to flee her own country with just a laptop and a few items of clothing.Today she has started again, and has even appeared on the TV to win investment from Dragons Den.In this episode Leona talks to Yana about:Fleeing the war in UkraineComing to the UK and setting up her businessHow a strong sense of purpose drives usThe power of persistence and a positive mindsetDON'T FORGET - Leave a review of this podcast to be in with the chance of winning a free hour coaching session with LeonaLINKSLeona Deakin https://leonadeakin.co.uk/Nenya: https://www.nenya.online/Yana's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yana-smaglo-188798155/Yana's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ysmaglo/Podcast production by Ginger Wizard Productions https://www.gingerwizard.co.uk/

... Or can a world exist where softer, more feminine qualities prevail?Professor Beverly Alimo-Metcalfe is a psychologist who specialises in leadership. Her ground-breaking research into what it takes to be a great leader is seen as a benchmark.Beverly has a lifetime of experience looking at leadership and how women are perceived in the workplace. Her's is a story of determination and sheer willpower to break through barriers and trailblaze for female leaders.In this episode Leona is also joined by Beverly's daughter, Juliette Alban-Metcalfe, chief executive of the Real World Group. They help people to be better leaders, and aim to improve the workplace for all employees.In this episode Leona talks to them about:The affect you can have on other peopleStaying positiveHow mindset and approach is vitalBeverly's landmark study and how it nearly didn't happenDON'T FORGET - Leave a review of this podcast to be in with the chance of winning a free hour coaching session with LeonaLINKSLeona Deakin https://leonadeakin.co.uk/Real World Group https://realworld-group.com/Podcast production by Ginger Wizard Productions https://www.gingerwizard.co.uk/This episode was recorded at the Bramble Bakehouse in Guiseley, Leeds https://bramblebakehouse.co.uk/

Siobhan Blake is the Chief Crown Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service in the West Midlands and the National CCP Lead for the CPS on rape and serious sexual offence prosecutions.It's a huge and tough job, so how do you not let it creep and seep into your personal life? In a way, it's something we can all take heed of; we all have people and experiences in our lives that we probably should keep at arm's length.Siobhan's journey is one of determination, empathy and a pathological hatred of bullies.Leona talks to her about:The impact of dealing with all of life's bad peopleHow it's possible to see the good instead of the badWhy you shouldn't mess with middle-aged womenSociety and the role it plays in defeating offendersHer journey into lawHow she helped changed the judicial experience for victimsDON'T FORGET - Leave a review of this podcast to be in with the chance of winning a free hour coaching session with LeonaLINKSLeona Deakin https://leonadeakin.co.uk/Siobhan Blake https://www.cps.gov.uk/article/prosecuting-rape-siobhan-blakePodcast production by Ginger Wizard Productions https://www.gingerwizard.co.uk/PLEASE NOTE: This episode was recorded in October 2024, before the end of the Gisèle Pelicot rape case.SOME LISTENERS MAY BE UPSET BY THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS EPISODE. FOR HELP: https://rapecrisis.org.uk/

Lisa Shepherd is co-owner of the Biskery and a mum. They hand-make branded biscuits for businesses including Meta, Google and Lloyds Bank.This is a literal kitchen-table business that has grown and scaled, but that's not the point of the Biskery.They exist to make life fairer for working women, in a lot of ways they fly in the face of business convention. They are focussed on their staff and put kindness in the workplace front and centre of everything they do.But that's not easy.So how do they do that?Leona chats to Lisa about:How the Biskery was born from the kitchen tableKindness, and how it is a cornerstone of their valuesOur workplaces and why they need to changeHaving a family and why that fundamentally changed herWhy bosses should respect what employees are going through every dayThe Biskery and why it's much more than just a businessDON'T FORGET - Leave a review of this podcast to be in with the chance of winning a free hour coaching session with LeonaLINKSLeona Deakin https://leonadeakin.co.uk/The Biskery https://www.thebiskery.com/Lisa Shepherd https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-shepherd-leeds/Podcast production by Ginger Wizard Productions https://www.gingerwizard.co.uk/

What makes successful women tick? We all know that there are plenty of men filling some of the biggest jobs in the world, but what about the women?What did they have to do to get to the top?How did they face the obstacles that stood in their way?When did they decide that "no" wasn't an option any more?Psychologist and Author Leona Deakin is on a mission to explore what attributes female leaders have, what drives them and what we can all learn from those who have already trodden this path.LeadHERship Journeys is a weekly podcast and will go live on 15th January 2025. Leave a review and you can be in with a chance of winning a free coaching session with Leona!Find out more about Leona here.