The Connected Leadership Podcast

In an enjoyable 150th edition of The Connected Leadership Podcast, Andy Lopata's guest is comedian Athena Kugblenu. Athena makes regular appearances on the UK circuit and at comedy festivals and has a Radio 4 show Athena's Cancel Culture. Andy and Athena start by discussing the fact that one of the greatest fears is speaking in public, and stand-up comedy is a real challenge. But, Athena believes most important is to be likeable, otherwise you can't make people laugh. Andy asks Athena how she managed the change from a business career to a creative one. Endorsement from others was important and having the tools to adapt material if necessary for different audiences without deviating from her core USP. Her improv skills, mean she is able to respond quickly and are also useful tools in business. Athena talks about managing hecklers and dealing with corporate audiences. Finally they discuss being an introvert off stage, the need for your own quiet space and how generally, comedians are a supportive and appreciative family.

Is 'command and control' management on the way out? Andy Lopata discusses with Myles Downey, business coach for leaders and author of 'The Enabling Manager'. In the week PM Boris Johnson had to give in to pressure to resign, his leadership style is questioned. Is there a need for more vulnerable and inclusive leadership? Millennials and GenZ generations do not respond to command and control, so as leaders they could be changing the culture. The question Andy and Myles ask is, what replaces command and control? Myles believes that trust based relationships in business are important, align and enable is the future. If everyone understands what the primary business objective is, then leaders can lead, manage and coach to achieve goals.

In this week's edition of the Connected Leadership Podcast, Andy Lopata's guest is David Avrin, speaker and author of five books on marketing and customer experience. The interesting question,'does convenience trump experience?' leads on to a discussion covering processes, digital automation, transactional relationships and chatbots. Technology, in particular automation has allowed companies to simplify their processes, making life easier for them, but sacrificing the personal touch and convenience for the customer. Andy and David go on to look at the reasons customers leave and what businesses can do to get them back.

Jayne Beyler is host of The Smart Connector Podcast and known for her global brand marketing and media career. Jayne and Andy Lopata discuss the question 'how to be the 'go to person' in your organisation or industry'. In a fascinating conversation they cover leadership roles, how to stand out from the crowd by being interesting, relevant, sometimes provoking or challenging and how this is important if you want to take your career to the next level. Just doing your job is not enough. They look at the role networks and relationships play. With years of experience in advertising and media, Jayne talks about the culture of drugs and alcohol that exists in high pressure environments and the importance of the move towards mental health concerns.

Andy Lopata's guest in this week's episode of the Connected Leadership Podcast is Alan Stevens, the Media Coach and expert on reputation management. They examine how a leader's reputation inpacts on their organisation. A topical subject in the light of the recent confidence vote in the Prime Minister. Alan is convinced that dialogue and communication are of the utmost importance in crisis management. But, do we allow politicians to be vulnerable, to own up to mistakes? Is it ever too late to repent, to admit you got something wrong? Mistakes are usually forgiven. Slowly, enlightened businesses are moving from 'command and control' to a more inclusive culture emphasising the importance of relationships at all levels.

In this week's Connected Leadership Podcast, Andy Lopata discusses the theory of ONA or Organisational Networking Analysis with Can Papuccuoglu and how important this is for leaders and their organisations. Andy and Can investigate how to use ONA to collect data and map organisations, promoting the use of diversity and collaboration. They look at identifying cognitive diversity and whether leaders are underestimating the importance of hidden gems within their companies. The qualities needed for leadership are changing; mutual support and collaboration are shifting the culture of organisations. Leaders are encouraged to find where the creativity lies, to know where to find the information and the expertise. Most of all, to celebrate those people and encourage everyone to help each other

In this week's Connected Leadership Podcast, Andy Lopata discusses the topical and important issue of toxic masculinity with Luke Ambler, founder of Andy's Man Club, a talking group, a place for men to come together in a safe environment to talk about issues and problems they have faced or are currently facing. Andy's other guest is Dion Jensen, a New Zealander former soldier and policeman, now involved in mental health initiatives. The discussion covers several topics including the relationship between men and women, the decline of the alpha male, suicide, the importance of the culture of the environment and the importance of leadership in controlling that environment to the benefit of their employees.

In the final search into the archives for Connected Leadership Gold, Andy Lopata has an interesting conversation with Geoff McDonald of Unilever and Perry Burton from PWC about diversity and dealing with mental health problems. Both guests have had problems which they have overcome with the help of a caring and supportive culture in the workplace. This experience has made them very aware that it is important leaders recognise that having healthy staff enhances performance. Stigma is still attached to mental health problems and a culture has to be created where this changes. There should be openness, acceptance, normality and the ability to talk about issues and, most important, acceptance of the power of allowing people to help. "It's all about self-compassion"

In the third glimpse into the Connected Leadership Podcast archives, Andy Lopata talks to Andy Woodfield and Heather Manville of PWC, innovators of building and encouraging diversity in leadership teams. Andy Woodfield was determined to create a truly diverse culture that unlocked potential and identified risks and opportunities. The danger exists that companies concentrate on only one aspect of diversity instead of recognising the pool of talent that exists. Andy, Andy and Heather discuss the support or push back when trying to implement diversity into a company. How do you make a strong business case for building a diverse leadership team? Leaders need passion and the will to accomplish this. Once a diverse team with unique talents exists, it is a leader's responsibility to create an inclusive culture.

In this second episode looking into The Connected Leadership Podcast archives, Andy Lopata talks to Goldie Sayers, Olympic bronze medalist, GB team captain and more recently, business coach. They discuss the issues arising in bringing together a group of exceptional individual talents and making them into a team. Goldie has used her experiences in sport to help business executives inspire their staff. Andy and Goldie also explore the transition from one career to another, highlighting the importance of a strong, broad and diverse network that doesn't disappear. Maintaining links, having mentors, planning ahead and being prepared to ask for help. These are the factors that will make the transition achievable.

In this week's Connected Leadership Podcast, Andy Lopata delves into the archives and talks to Lee Cockerell and David McQueen about the power of storytelling in business. In a fascinating and instructive discussion, they cover presentation skills, storytelling at Disney, using stories to motivate staff, visual elements and the importance of using stories effectively and with relevance. Andy, Lee and David also look at when to use stories to demonstrate things that went wrong and the emotional connection necessary for a call to action.

Kevin Gaskell, popular podcaster, serial entrepreneur and intrepid adventurer returns to The Connected Leadership Podcast to discuss his new book 'Catching Giants' with Andy Lopata. Can a small business successfully compete with big business giants? To illustrate how this can be done, Kevin and Andy discuss Kevin's record breaking Atlantic rowing race. A truly fascinating story of dedication, discipline, hard work and a culture of trust, responsibility and strong relationships. The five man team believed they could achieve their goal despite their initial lack of the qualifications needed and no rowing skills. Kevin relates this experience to solving problems in business and moving forward as one team, working together, giving their best, not complaining and achieving inspiring goals. 'Enjoy the journey'.

A former broadcaster on Virgin Radio Dubai, HBO Asia and CNBC, Simone Heng seeks to inspire others to connect in a meaningful way. Simone’s first book, 'Secret Pandemic: The Search for Connection in a Lonely World', explains how her upbringing impacted on her ability to connect and what she learned on the journey to reconnection. Andy focuses on the importance of connecting at a professional level, Simone examines the need for connection at a personal, human level and social media is an important tool by the use of engaging content. That engagement lays the foundation for the professional connections explored in this podcast. Simone's story is a very personal one and highlights the cultural differences of the East and West. Andy and Simone also discuss the changes that have taken place with virtual and hybrid working and how a phone call to 'hear your smile' and using the time in the office for connection with colleagues is so important.

Andy Lopata talks to his guests Sam Rathling of Pipeline 44 and Phil Jones MD of Brother UK about how leaders can embrace social media and why it is so important. Both Sam and Phil agree that 10-15 minutes per day impacts your talent acquisition, impacts your personal brand and reputation and should be a priority and not ignored. Digital reputation is a tool and not a distraction. They discuss the power and reach of using LinkedIn for business and how your LinkedIn profile should represent you. Phil emphasises that content should not be just about your company. He shares knowledge that he believes will help others and most importantly he writes his own posts. Sam recommends ways to make your engagement more effective. They both stress the importance of empathy, the human element.

This week's podcast sees the return of Dr Ruth Gotian to discuss her new book, 'The Success Factor' with Andy Lopata. Original, with new perspectives on established themes and with new ideas on what goes into becoming a high achiever. The book contain a series of interviews with the most successful high flyers. Interviewees include a Nobel Prize winner, Olympians and an Astronaut. All relied on professional relationships and teams and many of those relationships were retained and became friendships. Andy and Ruth discuss the importance of mentors and mentoring and the effective use of LInkedIn and other social media to engage and increase your network. They conclude by looking at the difference between extrinsic and intrinsic motivation, the latter becoming 'the fire in your belly'.

Alisa Cohn was voted the top start up coach in the world. She is the author of 'From Start-Up to Grown-Up' and is a regular contributor to the Harvard Business Review and Forbes Magazine. Alisa discusses with Andy Lopata their use of the terminology of 'Champions' and their importance to your world. They look at the differences in relationship building between leaders of start up, scale up and established businesses and how virtual meetups can be managed, avoiding 'Zoom fatigue'. Also, how to use LinkedIn effectively. In her book, Alisa discusses the psychological journey leaders need to go on and how your self-image and self-talk affect how you build relationships. The book's appendix offers scripts for delicate conversations. Alisa shares some examples and why this approach works.

Corine Jansen is listening WITH and not TO the persons' story. She received the Hall of Fame award in 2021 from the International Listening Association and is a speaker, trainer and assessor in Listening. An interesting conversation with Andy Lopata about listening effectively covers a variety of topics including listening in early years, the influence of social media on listening behaviour and paying attention and focusing on the person you are listening to. They also examine the role of our senses in engaging with people and the importance of respect, vulnerability and communication. Leaders should be aware that listening is not about hierarchy, it is about connection.

Andy Lopata's guest on the Connected Leadership podcast this week is Pat Nevin, pro footballer with Clyde, Chelsea, Everton, Tranmere, Kilmarnock Motherwell and Scotland, with a total of almost 850 first team appearances. He was also Chairman of the Professional Footballers Association for 5 years. Pat and Andy discuss a range of topics including racial issues and homophobia in football. They talk about the different attitudes of media, the fans and the owners/managers. Not the usual footballer, they also discuss how Pat's different interests impacted his ability to build close bonds with his teammates and a connection with the fans. He spoke up against the hooligan and racist culture among a number of Chelsea fans, despite playing in front of them every week. Respect is very important and although he felt an outsider most of the time, that meant he could see the bigger picture.

Andy Lopata's guest Rebecca Robins, is the Global Chief Learning and Culture Officer at Interbrand. Her role is developing and inspiring leaders and giving them the skills to reach top levels. The Horizon Board at Interbrand consists of aspiring young talent who shadow the main board on an eighteen month tenure. This gives a younger, newer perspective and members of the Horizon Board get connections, mentoring support and the experience to become senior leaders. Emphasis is on the professional relationship skills needed. It is a platform for young starters and rising stars. Andy and Rebecca discuss the role of leaders towards shadow boards and the importance of collaboration within the global network of teams, leaders and clients. It aso has to be cross-generational.

Michael Roderick is the CEO of Small Pond Enterprises and hosts the podcast 'Access to Anyone’. His unique methodology teaching the dynamics behind relationship building and messaging comes from his own experience as a High school English teacher and a Broadway Producer. Andy Lopata discusses with Michael the dynamics of referral and the idea of reciprocity. To make a meaningful referral; relationships, communication and adaptation are key. What people say about you when you are not in the room is most important if you want to be referred. Your message must be clear and easy to remember. Michael shares tips for the most effective ways to get a message across.

Graeme Codrington is a South African author, futurist and strategy consultant. The experience of the past two years is leading to a re-appraisal of the workplace. Leaders need to re-think and unlearn traditional ways and plan for the future. Andy Lopata and Graeme Codrington have an interesting conversation on the move to a hybrid workplace and flexible working. How can leaders adapt and get the best from their teams? Graeme emphasises using time in the office more creatively and more effectively and that requires adaptability, the development of relationships and emotional intelligence. He also sees a shift away from counting hours worked to outcomes and best use of time. They conclude by looking at the importance of a connected relationship with your team and an understanding of the constraints that will have to be considered when making changes.

Andy Lopata discusses Entrepreneurial Leadership with Lesley Everett, author of 'Walking Tall' the book that established personal branding as a concept. Lesley answers the questions of how and why we should project the best of who we are, being visible, well connected and innovative. They talk about corporate, team and individual personality. Lesley also emphasises the importance of values and the use of personal stories that help to highlight your brand. People are interested in the person rather than just the job title. Andy asks Lesley what she means by "Thinking beyond the brand"

Most listeners would be nervous about being completely themselves on social media. Many are very wary of sharing anything from their personal life, particularly on a professional site like LinkedIn. Andy Lopata's guests on this week's Connected Leadership Podcast have both been very open online. Kelly Molson, the co-founder and Managing Director of Rubber Cheese, a user focused web design and development agency, shared the traumas of IVF and losing her babies, believing that it is a subject not talked about enough. Paulina Sygulska, an entrepreneur, an angel investor, a TEDx speaker and a founder of GrantTree, talks about the unorthodox action she took to reignite her passion and creativity by becoming a Burlesque dancer. They discuss the reactions of professional contacts and the pros and cons of transparency.

In a highly entertaining and informative podcast, Andy Lopata talks to Nobel Laureate, Bob Lefkowitz. Author of 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Stockholm'. In his varied and successful career, Bob extensively uses stories, anecdotes and humour to get his message across effectively . He illustrates all his answers to Andy's questions in the same way including describing the amazing experience of receiving his Nobel Prize for Chemistry. They discuss mentoring, using data effectively, the importance of humour and competiton. Mentoring has played a significant part for him and it is a balance between being critical and being encouraging. Bob believes that failure is a huge part in ultimate success. Competition is important in science driving the scientific process.

Lookng at the professional relationships that impacted his career, Dan explains that arriving in the UK from Australia knowing nobody, he owes everything to the connections he made initially through Thomas and Penny Powers and their Ecademy community. Later it was Adams Street Members Club where he met his wife among others. For Dan professional and personal relationships merged in a community of mutual support. For Mindy, it started with breakfast meetings but she wanted something more organic, like Ecademy, where there was authenticity, vulnerability and mutual support. Negative experiences mainly involved a mismatch of values and outcomes.

Andy Lopata talks to Daniel Priestley, publisher and author of four best-selling books including 'Key Person of Influence' and Mindy Gibbins-Klein, publisher and author of '24 Carat BOLD'. How important is thought leadership when you have a business to run? It is having the courage to share exciting new ideas and be recognised by peers and the market. Dan sees this as being a KPI, a key person of influence. Social media has broken the geographical barriers limiting the spread of ideas. It is important to get your ideas out there but on things you are confident about, can add value and make a difference. Dan sees writing as an important method of organising your thinking, organising your ideas in a thoughtful way. There can be a data overload and discipline is needed to unfollow, unsubscribe and unlisten.

Dr Lynda Shaw tells Andy Lopata about the two inspirational teachers who impacted her career. The first, the Biology teacher in school who through using stories of the body set her on the path of a love of science. The professor who mentored her during her PHD studies. They cared enough to give Lynda their time, focus and passion which helped to map out her career. She believes that where relationships fail it is usually caused by misunderstanding intentions, poor communications and assumptions made. Lynda shares three books which have inspired her.

Andy Lopata's guest this week is Dr Lynda Shaw, a cognitive neuroscientist. Andy was particularly interested in how neuroscience helps us to understand our relationships with other people and manage them more effectively. Lynda emphasised that we can never know how someone else feels and that empathy is very important in building relationships. Leaders need to understand the impact of their decisions on other people and theirs on us. Our brains are about networks that influence our decisions. Those networks are affected by our feelings and what is going on around us. Andy and Lynda also discuss why we have chemistry with some and not others and how at work, leaders have to control their behaviour to be fair. Unconscious bias is normal but not acceptable. Neuroscience helps to understand people; understand what motivates people and how to build relationships.

Andy Lopata and Beam Maue follow up their earlier conversation about the formation of the innovation mission AFWERX, by looking at the professional relationships both positive and negative, that impacted the experiment. The US Airforce General who gave him the opportunity to lead the mission and a leader and role model who had vision and belief in him. They gave him the support to overcome obstacles and resistance from a military bureaucracy. Beam and his team did initially encounter negativity from people who did not fully understand what he was trying to achieve, but by connecting with people the situation did improve. Beam shares the books that have influenced him during his career.

Dr Beam Maue is the co-founder of AFWERX, an innovation mission within the US Airforce. He and his team have created an innovative and forward thinking community within a military hierarchy. AFWERX now collaborates with hundreds of innovation tech groups and small businesses. Andy and Beam discuss the ideas of democracy versus dictatorships that are the basis of the mission, overcoming problems of bureaucracy and red tape, and the importance of teams and relationships. The mission was exteremely successful based on centralised leadership and decentralised action.

Following his discussion about conflict with two former police officers, Laura Ash and Kul Muhay, Andy Lopata asks more personal questions about the professional relationships that impacted their careers. Kul, a natural introvert found he has a tendency to develop deep relationships based on a values first perspective. He has a small connected world. For Laura relationships are the core of business and level three listening is paramount in developing those connections. She believes that people who are judgemental cannot form good relationships. Kul found that any kind of relationship will fail when there is a lack of trust, communication or understanding. A list of their favourite books and resources are in the show notes.

In an inspiring discussion with guests Laura Ash and Kul Muhay, Andy Lopata looks at the role of strong relationships in managing conflict situations. Laura Ash is a former police and counter terrorism officer turned health and well-being coach. Kul served for many years in the UK police service. He is a leadership and emotional intelligence specialist, who has spoken widely across private and public sectors on developing emotionally-intelligent leaders and cultures. Emotional intelligence is about understanding the social context or environment you're in and then building relationships. This is so important in diffusing conflict situations. Andy, Laura and Kul talk about trust, leadership, police response and gathering intelligence. They also examine inclusion, culture and conflict within the police force.

In the last regular podcast with Ruth Gotian, Andy Lopata and Ruth talk about the levels of trust that enable you to open up your network to other people. The 'Gotiansphere' is Andy's description of a world created by Ruth where her networks in New York and London overlap with many becoming close friends who she knows, likes and trusts. These three steps in a relationship are discussed in detail. Ruth and Andy look at the ideas of associated trust, intuition and vulnerable leadership as well as the value of masterminding. Covid has made us comfortable with forming virtual relationships. But, networks also have to be protected and you share your network when it is appropriate.

In this discussion about the impact of professional relationships on his career, Mark Herschberg is certain that all the relationships he has had have influenced him in some way. Different relationships both positive and negative helped form the people skills critical in management. For Mark, ethics really matter and he did come across unethical managers. He recognised that there may be no right or wrong but there is a line that must not be crossed. Private communities are safer places where there is a high degree of trust. He shares some of the many books that he recommends.

Andy Lopata's guest on this week's Connected Leadership Podcast is Mark Herschberg the author of The Career Toolkit. Mark has had a varied career from cyber security to creating marketplaces and new authentication systems and teaching at MIT. In this podcast Andy and Mark take a practical view of how relationships play a key role in a successful career, including both internal relationships in an organisation and widening your network with a diverse external network. Internal professional relationships open up access to information and differing perspectives. Career growth and promotion prospects are linked to how you sell yourself. With external relationships, diversity is important to add value to your network.

From a traditional Scots background and strongly influenced by his father's expectations, Neil Wilkie talks about the relationships that impacted his career. Successful but unhappy, Neil eventually gave up his business where he had never felt comfortable with the ultimate goal of profit. He moved to Vistage acting as a mentor in mastermind groups. For the first time he felt equal in the community of Vistage Chairs, the collegiate nature of the groups which emphasised a shared purpose, openness and support. The desire for approval from his father and other family problems were the negative relationships that affected his career. Neil shares some resources that he particularly recommends.

Andy Lopata's guest on this week's Connected Leadership Podcast is Neil Wilkie, author, coach and psychotherapist. Andy and Neil discuss how the way you engage with both personal and professional relationships impacts the success you enjoy in your career. Neil left a thriving business because it made him unhappy, he wanted to focus on relationships and help successful but unhappy businessmen. He developed a Relationship Paradigm for personal relationships and the discussion looks at how it impacts people in their work and how the paradigm also relates to professional relationships.

Andy Lopata discusses the positive and negative aspects of professional relationships during their careers with Jon Baker and Jenn Kahnweiler. For Jon, an introvert, he was most influenced by extroverts who were people oriented, while he found introverts more task focused. He recalled poor leaders who didn't recognise different personalities and wrongly denigrated those who didn't match their perspective. Jenn had both good and bad managers in the early stages of her career, but there were also fantastic mentors/bosses and others she wanted to emulate. Her negative experiences came from not taking the time to assess personality traits and trying to impose her own ideas. Jon and Jenn share their favourite resources.

'It's useful to have the introvert/extrovert spectrum as a guide, as a way of understanding people are different, behave differently in different circumstances by what energises them. Use it as a guide but still focus on the individual.' Andy Lopata hosts an interesting discussion with Jennifer Kahnweiler from New York and Jon Baker, introvert. They discuss the differences in building relationships, networking, working in teams and understanding people who may be a different personality type. Was lockdown a positive experience for introverts or do they still need the personal connections that come with working in an office or meeting and connecting with new people? Andy, Jenn and Jon discuss how most people have elements of both personalities and how that can be used constructively.

Andy Lopata welcomes back Connected Leadership Podcast regular contributor Luca Signoretti and they talk about the need for change and re-visiting where you are in your career and your goals. The pandemic has brought a time of change. Companies are re-structuring and there is a rise in redundancies. Andy and Luca discuss the problems of moving to new areas of business and how good research and a diverse network can help. The value of feedback and a trusted mentor help to negotiate an unfamiliar path.

Zena Everett's entire career is based on professional relationships and she discusses with Andy Lopata how important this has been. All opportunities have come from her network and she includes the pivotal effect of feedback from trusted sources, however tough. Relationships could go wrong when she was too opinionated, giving unwanted advice. Zena learned that sometimes people just want someone to listen. She shares some of her favourite books.

Andy lopata's guest this week is Zena Everett, a leadership coach and speaker on career strategy and productivity. She is the author of Amazon #1 best-seller 'The Crazy Busy Cure'. Andy and Zena discuss the challenge most clients share of a lack of time to focus on relationship building, particularly true in professional services where people are often judged on billable hours. How do we strike the right balance and find the time? The importance of building relationships outside the business to stay in touch with changes. Time management involves setting priorities, planning, discipline and includes deep work sessions and good leadership. They conclude by looking at how we adapt to a post pandemic world with new technology and new, flexible ways of working.