
The Thoughtful Leader Podcast with Ben Brearley
343 episodes — Page 4 of 7

Ep 194#194: 4 Overrated Leadership Attributes We Can Stop Admiring
The world is full of top 10 leadership characteristics lists which we should all aspire to. In this episode, I wanted to do something a little different, so here are four characteristics that I think are overrated in leadership. I still see these attributes celebrated in many organisations even when the senior leaders say they don't endorse them! Leave a comment with your favourite overrated leadership attribute! Like the Show? Please Leave a Review! ✅ If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below. Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏 >>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. >>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify. Apply For Your Complimentary Coaching Session I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will: Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress. You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward. There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do! >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. Show Links: Article: 4 Overrated Leadership Attributes That We Can Stop Admiring. Article: 5 Leadership Traits That Help to Motivate Teams. Article: What is Charisma? From Skillsyouneed. Article: Start Being Trustworthy For Your Team: Here's How. Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #156: Let's Dismantle the Cult of Busyness.

Ep 193#193: Want to Manage Your Time Better? Focus On These Areas.
Good time management won't necessarily make you a great leader, but I consider it to be a key enabler in being able to lead effectively. A frazzled, disorganised leader will often appear unreliable, untrustworthy and will struggle to focus their attention on the people who need it most (their people). In this episode, I take a look at four key areas to focus on for better time management. If you get these right, you're on the way to being much more effective… and the results will follow! Apply For Your Complimentary Coaching Session I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will: Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress. You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward. There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do! >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. Like the Show? Please Leave a Review! ✅ If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below. Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏 >>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. >>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify. Show Links: Article: To Manage Your Time Better, Focus On These Areas. Article: "I Don't Have Time": Taking Back Control of Your Leadership. Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #8: Struggling at Work? Improve Your Working Relationship With Your Boss. Article: 5 Leadership Communication Principles to Help Your Team. Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #170: Shift Your Mindset to Improve Your Productivity. Article: 5 Ways to Say No Without Getting Fired.

Ep 192#192: Want to Stop Being a Bottleneck In Your Team? Do These Things.
Thoughtful leaders never set out to become the bottleneck or "single point of failure" in their teams. Unfortunately, it still happens for a bunch of reasons. In this episode, I take a look at why leaders might fall into the bottleneck trap and of course, how you can take steps to stop becoming a bottleneck in your team! Like the Show? Please Leave a Review! ✅ If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below. Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏 >>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. >>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify. Apply For Your Complimentary Coaching Session I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will: Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress. You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward. There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do! >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. Show Links: Article: How to Stop Being a Bottleneck In Your Team. Article: 4 Types of Motivation to Look For In Your Team. Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #71: A Simple Model for Team Motivation. Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #78: Want to Feel More In Control of Your Team? Try Letting Go. Article: Are You Holding Yourself Back? Spot the Signs. Article: Risk & Reward: How to Provide Development Opportunities For Your Team. Article: How Being a Perfectionist Leader is Killing Your Leadership. Article: The Downsides of the Delegating Leadership Style. Article: How to Delegate Work to Improve Your Team. Article: Why Leaders Don't Delegate Tasks (and How to Fix It). Article: Stakeholder Management Tips For the Everyday Leader.

Ep 191#191: Are Your People Clock-Watching? Try These Ideas.
When I notice team members watching the clock waiting for the time when they can go home, I know it's a problem. It's not that I want people to be working longer and harder than they need to. But ideally, we want people to enjoy what they do and feel motivated to achieve it, to the point that they feel accountable and take more ownership. This might mean working longer to finish something important one day, and leaving earlier the next. After all, it should be about outcomes, not hours. In this episode, I look at some of the common reasons for clock watching, and some ideas to help you solve it. Like the Show? Please Leave a Review! ✅ If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below. Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏 >>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. >>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify. Apply For Your Complimentary Coaching Session I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will: Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress. You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward. There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do! >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. Show Links: Article: How to Solve Clock Watching at Work. Article: Meaningful Work, the #1 Motivator (and How to Provide it in Your Team). Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #29: 5 Questions to Ask an Unmotivated Team Member. Article: Leading High Performers? Try These Strategies. Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #161: How to Improve Accountability In Your Team. Article: Can't Hold People Accountable? Here's Why. Article: 4 Ways Leaders Damage Accountability in the Workplace. Online Course: Team Accountability Builder Online Course. Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #167: People Unfulfilled at Work? Try These Ideas.

Ep 190#190: 3 Ways to Be a More Reliable Leader
Reliable leaders have a tendency to build trust easily, because people know what to expect from them. It's easy to say "just do what you say you're going to do" to get someone to be more reliable, but it's not always so easy to make it happen. In this episode, I'm going to look at some simple ways to show up more reliably at work, so you can hopefully put them into practice. As always, it's not rocket science… it just needs a little focus! Apply For Your Complimentary Coaching Session I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will: Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress. You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward. There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do! >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. Like the Show? Please Leave a Review! ✅ If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below. Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏 >>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. >>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify. Show Links: Article: 3 Ways to Be a More Reliable Leader. Article: Are You a Consistent Leader, Or Keeping Your Team Guessing? Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #80: What to Do When You Have Too Many Priorities. Article: Why Leaders Must Push Back and Say "No" Article: 5 Ways to Say No Without Getting Fired Course: Time Management For Leaders Online Course eBook: The Difficult Conversations eBook. Article: 5 Simple Steps to Communicate Effectively. Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #140: Are You Being Too Optimistic?

Ep 189#189: 4 Leadership Focus Areas for Thoughtful Leaders
Since I started coaching thoughtful leaders, I've noticed a few focus areas that we spend most of our time working on. I've found that thoughtful leaders are often great people-people, but this can have it's challenges too! In this episode, I take a look at the common areas of leadership improvement that I think many thoughtful leaders could benefit from. Like the Show? Please Leave a Review! ✅ If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below. Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏 >>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. >>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify. Apply For Your Complimentary Coaching Session I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will: Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress. You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward. There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do! >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. Show Links: Article: 4 Leadership Improvement Areas for Thoughtful Leaders. Article: Why Leaders Must Push Back and Say "No". Article: 5 Ways to Say No Without Getting Fired. Article: Can't Hold People Accountable? Here's Why. Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #161: How to Improve Accountability In Your Team. Article: 4 Ways Leaders Damage Accountability in the Workplace. Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #18: How to Delegate to Improve Your Team Article: Too Important For That Task? Is It Good or Bad Leadership? Article: Why Leaders Don't Delegate Tasks (and How to Fix It). Article: Wellbeing at Work: How Leaders Can Support It. Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #76: Don't Wait for a Crisis – Why Leaders Should Focus On Workplace Wellbeing. Article: Essential Daily Habits to Maintain Your Workplace Wellbeing. Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #169: Why Leaders Need to Prioritise Their Mental Health. Article: Is It Worth It? Here's How to Decide. Huberman Lab Podcast: https://hubermanlab.com/

Ep 188#188: Ideas to Help You Create a More Committed Team
I work with lots of leaders who wish their team members would show a little more motivation and commitment. And recently I've also seen a lot of articles about "quiet quitting", where people are effectively doing the bare minimum at work, or simply tuning out. In this episode, I take a look at some of the factors to check to see if you can build commitment in your team. You can't *make* your people commit, but you can do your best to create an environment where people are more likely to feel committed. Apply For Your Complimentary Coaching Session I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will: Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress. You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward. There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do! >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. Like the Show? Please Leave a Review! ✅ If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below. Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏 >>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. >>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify. Show Links: Article: Want a Committed Team? Check These Factors. Article: 3 Ingredients For a Great Team Culture. Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #29: 5 Questions to Ask an Unmotivated Team Member. Article: Don't Have a Clear Team Purpose? Here's Why You Need One. Article: The Importance of Planning and Why Leaders Can't Ignore It. Article: Motivation at Work: Moving Your People Along the Motivation Spectrum. Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #84: How to Give Your Team More Meaningful Work.

#187: Leading High Performers? Remember These Things
Most leaders love high performers. However, there is a bit of a misconception that leading high performers can be easier. While in some ways this might be true, there are a few things you need to keep an eye on to make sure you can keep getting the best out of them – and have them wanting to remain in your team! In this episode, I look at some of the challenging parts of leading high performers and some strategies to keep in mind to keep them motivated and satisfied. Like the Show? Please Leave a Review! ✅ If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below. Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏 >>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. >>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify. Show Links: Article: Leading High Performers? Try These Strategies. Article: Meaningful Work, the #1 Motivator (and How to Provide it in Your Team). Article: Are You an Insecure Leader? Watch for These 10 Signs. Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #151: Low on Confidence? Let's Tackle the Root Cause. Article: Are Your People Feeling Unfulfilled at Work? Try This. Article: Risk & Reward: How to Provide Development Opportunities For Your Team. Daniel Pink on Motivation: https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/autonomy-mastery-purpose.htm

#186: Could Doing the Opposite Be Good For Your Leadership?
If we follow our instincts all the time when leading people, we're likely to run into trouble at some point. The problem is that we're wired to protect ourselves, and we can be consumed with the "fight or flight" response that can cloud our judgement. While this response has helped us survive and thrive over many thousands of years, in the modern workplace it can hold us back. In this episode, I look at some leadership situations where doing the opposite of what your natural instincts tell you might be exactly what you need to do! Like the Show? Please Leave a Review! ✅ If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below. Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏 >>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. >>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify. Apply For Your Complimentary Coaching Session I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will: Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress. You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward. There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do! >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. Show Links: Article: Want to Lead Better? Try Doing the Opposite. Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #50: Are You Avoiding a Difficult Conversation? Article: Difficult Colleague? Let's Improve the Work Relationship. Article: 3 Helpful Leadership Actions That Are Hurting Your Team. Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #92: Struggling to Say No? Try These 5 Ways! Article: Start Being Trustworthy For Your Team: Here's How. Article: The Impact and Importance of Emotions in Leadership. Article: How Daily Commitments Can Improve Your Leadership.

Ep 185#185: How a Chaotic Work Environment Is Hurting Your Team
Who wants to work in a chaotic work environment? Most people would answer… "of course, nobody does!" However, working in a chaotic work environment can sometimes actually be easier! In this episode, I look at a few ways that a chaotic work environment is hurting your team and your leadership, and of course some ways that you can bring some structure to the situation. Like the Show? Please Leave a Review! ✅ If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below. Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏 >>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. >>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify. Apply For Your Complimentary Coaching Session I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will: Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress. You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward. There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do! >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. Show Links: Article: How a Chaotic Work Environment Is Hurting Your Team. Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #161: How to Improve Accountability In Your Team. Article: Is Passive Leadership Destroying Your Team's Motivation? Article: Taking On Too Much? Here's Why. Article: Why Leaders Must Push Back and Say "No". eBook: Difficult Conversations eBook. Course: Team Accountability Builder Online Course.

Ep 184#184: Let's Reclaim Your Leadership Freedom
When leaders feel like they don't have autonomy to make the decisions or take actions they need to, bad things can happen. That's why it's so important to have freedom when it comes to your leadership role. However, it's not easy – you often need to navigate many stakeholders to achieve what you need to. In this episode, I take a look at some ways to take back your leadership freedom! Like the Show? Please Leave a Review! ✅ If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below. Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏 >>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. >>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify. Apply For Your Complimentary Coaching Session I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will: Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress. You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward. There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do! >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. Show Links: Article: Want Leadership Freedom? Focus on These Relationships. Article: Struggling at Work? Try Building a Better Working Relationship With Your Boss. Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #48: The Perils of Passive Leadership. Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #43: Is a Fear of Leaving Your Job Making You a Worse Leader?

Ep 183#183: Power Dynamics: How Are They Impacting Your Team?
Many people think that the boss is the most powerful person in a team. While the boss certainly does have power, they probably aren't the only one! Sometimes power can come from different sources, not just your formal job title or position. In this episode, I take a look at several sources of power that can impact teams, and some actions you can take if you think a power imbalance is impacting team performance. Apply For Your Complimentary Coaching Session I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will: Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress. You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward. There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do! >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. Like the Show? Leave a Review On Apple Podcasts ✅ 👍 If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏 Show Links: Article: Power Dynamics: Are They Impacting Your Team? Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #62: Why Having Authority Won't Solve Your Leadership Problems. Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #109: Stakeholder Management Tips to Make Your Leadership Life Easier. Article: Start Being Trustworthy For Your Team: Here's How.

#182: Are These Helpful Actions *Hurting* Your Team?
It's nice to be a helpful leader, rather than being an obstacle or causing your team to do more work "managing" you. However, all that helpfulness can go too far if we're not careful. Many good people leaders are motivated by supporting their people, so it's easy to fall into the helpfulness trap. In this episode, I take a look at three seemingly helpful actions that may actually be hurting your team. Apply For Your Complimentary Coaching Session I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will: Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress. You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward. There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do! >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. Like the Show? Leave a Review On Apple Podcasts ✅ 👍 If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏 Show Links: Learn more about Project Coaching here. Article: 3 Helpful Leadership Actions That Are Hurting Your Team. Article: Too Many Priorities: What to Do When You're Asked to Do It All. Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #74: Want a More Proactive Team? Try These Things. Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #89: Ways You Might Be Reducing Accountability in Your Team. Article: Dangers of the "Open Door Policy" (and How to Avoid Them).

Ep 181#181: How to Decide Whether It's Worth Taking That Hard Leadership Action
It's common for leaders to be faced with tough situations such as ethical dilemmas or conflicts, where they need to decide whether it's worth fighting… or perhaps not worth the trouble. In this episode, I look at 6 good questions to ask yourself if you're trying to work out whether it's worth fighting that battle, or letting it go instead. There is never a perfect answer to this question, but hopefully this episode will help you to gain some clarity about what you should do when faced with your next tough situation. Like the Show? Leave a Review On Apple Podcasts ✅ 👍 If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏 Apply For Your Complimentary Coaching Session I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will: Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress. You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward. There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do! >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. Show Links: Article: Is It Worth It? Here's How to Decide. Article: Making Difficult Decisions: Essential Steps for Leaders. Book: The Dip, by Seth Godin. Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #144: Is It Time to Start Putting Yourself First?

#180: Team Member Made a Mistake? Try This.
Even the best of us make mistakes, and our team members will too! In this episode, I answer a reader question about what to do when your team member messes up. It's a common challenge, because we want to encourage our people to be proactive and build their confidence without feeling scared of failing… and at the same time, we don't want the organisation to fall apart! Listen to this episode for some ideas on how to approach this situation. Join the Thoughtful Leader Membership As a Thoughtful Leader Member, you get access to: All my online courses, eBooks and Audiobooks Group Coaching calls to tackle your leadership challenges Additional members-only video content about leadership tools, tips and techniques; and Discounted 1 on 1 coaching sessions with me Level up your leadership with the Thoughtful Leader Membership - all for a reasonable monthly price. >>> Click here to learn more and join today. Apply For Your Complimentary Coaching Session I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will: Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress. You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward. There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do! >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session.

#179: Leading Former Colleagues? It's Tricky... Try These Ideas
Leading former colleagues can be tricky, because you used to be one of the gang and now you're the boss! This can be awkward for some people and can put you in a difficult position. However, you shouldn't refuse a good leadership opportunity just because of some potential discomfort. In this episode, I take a look at some tips for leading former colleagues, so you can feel more comfortable taking on the role… and so can the people you're leading! Apply For Your Complimentary Coaching Session I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will: Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress. You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward. There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do! >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. Join the Thoughtful Leader Membership As a Thoughtful Leader Member, you get access to: All my online courses, eBooks and Audiobooks Group Coaching calls to tackle your leadership challenges Additional members-only video content about leadership tools, tips and techniques; and Discounted 1 on 1 coaching sessions with me Level up your leadership with the Thoughtful Leader Membership - all for a reasonable monthly price. >>> Click here to learn more and join today. Like the Show? Leave a Review On Apple Podcasts ✅ 👍 If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏 Show Links: Article: Leading Former Colleagues Can Be Tricky. Try These Tips. Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #104: Why Leaders Must Set Boundaries at Work. Article: Build A Better Leadership Mindset In 6 Simple Ways.

#178: So You Have an Open Door Policy… But Is It Working?
The "Open Door Policy" came about from the days where we actually had offices and doors. However, it's still a valuable concept today, to promote free-flowing communication between a leader and their people. It's not all roses though, there are some pitfalls that can occur if we aren't careful. In this episode, I take a look at some of the challenges that can occur with this approach and how you can overcome them. Apply For Your Complimentary Coaching Session I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will: Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress. You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward. There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do! 👉 Click here to get started. 👈 Like the Show? Leave a Review On Apple Podcasts ✅ 👍 If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏 Show Links: Article: Dangers of the "Open Door Policy" (and How to Avoid Them) Article: Why Building Trust Is Better Than Authority. Article: How to Build Psychological Safety at Work. Article: Got a Needy Employee? Try These Strategies! Podcast: How to Make Your 1 to 1 Meetings Better.

#176: Common Phrases to Avoid When Leading People
Like it or not, leaders are role-models in the workplace. What we say and do matters, so it's important to try to set the right example. In this episode, I look at some common phrases that can really cause some damage in our teams and workplaces! If you've said some of them yourself, don't worry (I have too!) It's not about beating ourselves up… it's about doing better next time! Show Links: The Thoughtful Leader Membership is now open! Click here to learn more and enrol. Article: 7 Things Leaders Should Stop Saying. Article: Too Busy at Work? Try These 5 Things. Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #22: Self-Fulfilling Prophecy & Leadership. Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #9: Leadership Weaknesses.

#175: Avoiding Conflict? Here's What You're Really Doing
Avoiding conflict often feels good in the short-term. But over time, avoiding conflict can cause bigger issues, that may have been more easily tackled earlier on! In this episode, I take a deeper look at conflict avoidance, and what consequences it might be having that you may not have thought about. There is also a handy conflict avoidance questionnaire to help you decide whether to engage, or let this one go! Apply For Your Complimentary Coaching Session I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will: Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress. You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward. There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do! 👉 Click here to get started. 👈 Show Links: Article: Avoiding Conflict? Here's What You're Really Doing. Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #50: Are You Avoiding a Difficult Conversation? Thoughtful Leader Membership – learn more and register for the early-bird pricing here.

#174: Procrastinating at Work? Try These Tips
Ever had tasks on your list that continue to stare at you week after week, while you keep putting them off? Procrastination is a common problem, even for leaders. But the problem is, leaders are meant to be leading and moving forward, not standing still! In this episode, I take a look at some common causes of procrastination and what we can do about them. Show Links: Article: Overcoming Procrastination In Your Leadership. Book: "The War of Art" by Steven Pressfield. Thoughtful Leader Membership – apply for the early-bird pricing today!

#173: Is "All or Nothing" Thinking Holding You Back?
Ever found yourself stuck in an "all or nothing" mindset? Where everything is black or white, always or never? We can get stuck in this type of thinking in tough environments and it can really hold us back. In this episode, I take a look at this way of thinking and how we might be able to put a stop to it. Show Links: Learn more about the Thoughtful Leader Membership here. Article: All or Nothing Thinking: How Is It Impacting Your Leadership? Article: Build A Better Leadership Mindset In 6 Simple Ways. Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #113: Do You Have a Victim Leadership Mindset? Huberman Lab Podcast: The Science of Gratitude and How to Build a Gratitude Practice. Meditation and Mindfulness: Meditation for Beginners.

#172: Team Member Lacking Confidence? Here's How to Lead Them
Ever had to lead a team member who is lacking in confidence? It can be a daunting experience for some leaders, and for others it may seem like a burden or nuisance. However, leading a nervous team member can be an excellent way to build trust and help them realise that even if they might have had a bad boss in the past, it doesn't always need to be that way! In this episode I take a look at some simple tips for leading team members who may be lacking confidence, as well as some of the challenges you might face when doing so. Apply For Your Complimentary Coaching Session I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will: Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress. You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward. There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do! 👉 Click here to get started. 👈 Show Links: Article: Leading a Nervous Employee? Here's What to Do. Membership: Click here to learn more about the Thoughtful Leader Membership and sign up for the earlybird pricing! Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #101: Is Your Team Feeling Safe or Scared? Article: Why Building Trust Is Better Than Authority. Article: Are You a Consistent Leader, Or Keeping Your Team Guessing? Coaching: Apply for your complimentary coaching session here.
#171: 3 Ways to Show People You're a Good Leader
Leaders who inspire confidence in others have it easier. People tend to listen to what they say and leave them to do their work. Want to be one of those leaders? In this episode, I look at 3 simple ways to show people that you've got this leadership thing sorted. Thoughtful Leader Membership The Thoughtful Leader Membership will give you access to a bunch of resources and support that will help your leadership, for a reasonable price. Check out the details here: Thoughtful Leader Membership. Apply For Your Complimentary Coaching Session I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will: Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress. You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward. There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do! 👉 Click here to get started. 👈 Show Links: Article: 3 Simple Actions That Will Inspire Confidence In Your Leadership. Article: The #1 Way That Leaders Damage Team Trust. Article: Struggling at Work? Try Building a Better Working Relationship With Your Boss. Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #22: Self-Fulfilling Prophecy & Leadership. Article: The Importance of Planning and Why Leaders Can't Ignore It. Article: Following Orders When You Don't Believe In the Direction.
#170: Shift Your Mindset to Improve Your Productivity
Being effective and productive are important for good leadership. We want to be focusing on the right things and doing them well, rather than rushing around stressed and constantly busy. I've found that mindset is one of the most important factors in being productive and effective. In this episode, I take a look at some of the mindset shifts that can help you to remain focused and stop you from falling into the rut of just being busy. Apply For Your Complimentary Coaching Session I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will: Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress. You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward. There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do! 👉 Click here to get started. 👈 Show Links: Thoughtful Leader Membership: Register for the early-bird pricing here. Article: How to Shift Your Mindset to Improve Productivity. Article: Why Good Mental Health is a Leader's Best Friend. Article: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #13: Too Busy to Lead Effectively. Article: Struggling at Work? Try Building a Better Working Relationship With Your Boss. Article: How Leaders Can Build Strong Working Relationships. Article: Multi-tasking and productivity.
#169: Why Leaders Need to Prioritise Their Mental Health
Acknowledgement of the importance of mental health has grown steadily over the past few years. In years past, we mainly used to focus on physical health and safety, with people often being expected to "toughen up" or "be more resilient" when placed under pressure and stress. In this episode, I take a look at why leaders need to prioritise their mental health and wellbeing, and some simple steps you can take to help safeguard your mental health. I'm not a medical professional, so I'm sharing some simple ideas about what has worked for me in my career, If you are struggling with mental health issues, then be sure to seek professional assistance. Show Links Join the Thoughtful Leader Membership – it opens soon and you can claim your discount for being an early bird member! Click here to learn more and register for the discount. Article: Why Good Mental Health is a Leader's Best Friend. Article: Why Being Resilient Will Kill You. Mental Health Resources: https://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/workplace-wellness https://workplacementalhealth.org/ https://www.headsup.org.au/your-mental-health/mental-health-conditions Article: 4 Ways Leaders Can Build Empathy in the Workplace (and Why It Matters). Coaching: Interested in a complimentary coaching session? Click here to apply.
#168: A Short Story - 3 Steps to Employee Engagement
Leaders love to have engaged, enthusiastic employees working for them, but it's not always easy to make it happen. In this episode, I recount a short story of a time when I had some success in helping a team member feel more engaged in the work they were doing. I break it down into three main steps that made the difference, with the hope that you may be able to replicate some of them for yourself. Apply For Your Complimentary Coaching Session I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will: Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress. You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward. There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do! 👉 Click here to get started. 👈 Like the Show? Leave a Review On Apple Podcasts ✅ 👍 If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏 Show Links: Article: 3 Steps Towards Employee Engagement: A Success Story. Article: How Leaders Can Support Team Motivation: A Simple Model.
#167: Are Your People Feeling Unfulfilled at Work? Try These Ideas
With the rise of remote and flexible working, people are becoming more open to the idea of actually enjoying their work. Instead of just going through the daily grind, people actually want to like what they do! As leaders, we play an important role in helping our people feel more fulfilled. It's up to them to decide where they want to go, but we can help them get there! In this episode, I take a look at some ideas to help your people feel more motivated and fulfilled at work. Apply For Your Complimentary Coaching Session I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will: Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress. You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward. There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do! 👉 Click here to get started. 👈 Like the Show? Leave a Review On Apple Podcasts ✅ 👍 If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏 Show Links: Article: Are Your People Feeling Unfulfilled at Work? Try This. Article: Meaningful Work, the #1 Motivator (and How to Provide it in Your Team). Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #71: A Simple Model for Team Motivation. Article: Coaching Employees? Try These Tips. Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #66: How to Feel In Control Without Being a Controlling Boss.
#166: The Importance of Mindset With Mark Altman
In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Mark Altman, who is the founder of MindsetGo, a company that helps people become more confident and effective communicators. Mark reached out to me a few months back and since then, we've been catching up to speak about leadership, training and all sorts of other topics and to bounce ideas off each other. In our conversation we speak about the importance of mindset, the impact of showing appreciation to others and some tips on starting to break those bad leadership habits you might have got yourself into! Mark Altman Bio In 2015, Mark Altman, started MindsetGo to help people become more confident and effective communicators. Mark has over two decades of experience speaking and training on interpersonal disciplines including organizational development, leadership, sales enablement, communication, emotional intelligence, and generational engagement. Prior to MindsetGo, he founded Mark Altman & Associates (MA&A) in 2001. He grew and transformed his vision into a business which was recognized by Inc. Magazine as one of the fastest growing privately held companies in the nation in 2010 and 2011. Mark sold the company and shortly thereafter, became a private investor and member of Launchpad Investment Group in Boston. His podcast ICommunicate focuses on communication, emotional intelligence, and motivation challenges in leadership, sales, and company culture. Mark is a native of Boston and enjoys spending time with his three active children. For the last 20 years, he has also been a passionate youth sports coach and a freelance sports reporter for the Associated Press (AP) covering home games for the Boston Red Sox, Celtics and Bruins. Show Links: Learn more about Mark and MindsetGo: https://www.mindsetgo.com/
#165: Don't Stagnate! How to Provide Development Opportunities For Your Team
Development opportunities are one of the best ways to stop your team from stagnating, ensuring everyone keeps learning and staying motivated. However, it's not always easy to provide development opportunities. In this episode, I look at some of the risks in providing development opportunities, and some steps to take to enable your people to safely step outside of their comfort zone. Like the Show? Leave a Review On Apple Podcasts ✅ 👍 If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏 Apply For Your Complimentary Coaching Session I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will: Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress. You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward. There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do! 👉 Click here to get started. 👈 Show Links: Article: Risk & Reward: How to Provide Development Opportunities For Your Team. Article: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #22 – Self-Fulfilling Prophecy & Leadership.
#164: Don't Let Blind Spots Derail Your Leadership
Blind spots are dangerous for leaders. It might be that you think people are perceiving you in one way, but actually they think something else about you entirely. Or perhaps you aren't aware of your shortcomings, when other people can see them as plain as day. Whatever the case, ideally we want to reduce our blind spots so we don't run into unexpected trouble. In this episode, I look at a useful model of self-awareness as well as some ways to try to reduce your blind spots, so you can lead better. The Johari Window, courtesy of communicationtheory.org. Apply For Your Complimentary Coaching Session I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will: Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress. You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward. There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do! 👉 Click here to get started. 👈 Show Links: Article: Blind Spots: How to Shrink Yours to Lead Better. Johari Window Model: https://www.communicationtheory.org/the-johari-window-model/ Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #9: Leadership Weaknesses. Article: The Impact and Importance of Emotions in Leadership. Book: The War of Art. Assessment Tools: Clifton's Strengths and PRINT.
#163: Team Members Relying On You Too Much? Try This
It's natural for team members to need your support, but when it happens too often, it can be a real drag on your time. However, it's not useful to lay the blame at their feet. Leadership behaviour is a major factor in how people behave, so the question should be asked – are you setting up the right conditions for your people to be self-sufficient? In this episode, I look at some strategies to help your people fend for themselves rather than using you as a crutch to lean on. Apply For Your Complimentary Coaching Session I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will: Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress. You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward. There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do! 👉 Click here to get started. 👈 Show Links: Article: Got a Needy Employee? Try These Strategies! Article: Protective Leadership: Is It Holding Your Team Back? Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #40: Traps for Supportive Leaders. Article: Setting Boundaries at Work: Why It's Crucial. Online Course: Team Accountability Builder.
#162: Don't Have a Team Operating Model? Here's Why You Need One.
Have you ever taken the time to actually write down what your team does, and how it does it? It can be a really useful process to go through to help you understand your team better, highlight gaps and improvement areas and communicate to others what your team is all about. "Operating model" can comes across as a consulting buzzword, but when it comes down to it, it's all about understanding what your team does, and how it does it… then writing it down. In this episode I look at the key parts of your team operating model and how it can help you. I've also got a handy checklist you can download below for free, to help you get started! Apply For Your Complimentary Coaching Session I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will: Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress. You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward. There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do! 👉 Click here to get started. 👈 Like the Show? Leave a Review On Apple Podcasts ✅ 👍 If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏 Show Links: Article: Don't Have a Team Operating Model? Here's Why You Need One. Article: Why You Need to Understand Your Team Process. Article: 3 Signs You Should Worry When Team Members Are Quitting. Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #34: How Toxic Workplaces Happen (and what you can do about it). Checklist: Download the checklist here.
#161: Simple Ways to Improve Accountability In Your Team
Are you one of the many leaders who wish your people would take more accountability? Do you yearn for the day when your people will take greater ownership of their work to produce better results? Well, you're not alone. In this episode, I take a look at some simple ways to improve accountability in your team, to hopefully help your people step up and take greater ownership. Book Your Complimentary Discovery Coaching Session I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will: Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress. You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward. There is no obligation to continue with further coaching after this session - but many people want to! 👉 Click here to get started. 👈 Like the Show? Leave a Review On Apple Podcasts ✅ 👍 If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏 Show Links: Article: 5 Simple Ways to Improve Accountability in Your Team. Online Course: Team Accountability Builder Online Course. Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #66: How to Feel In Control Without Being a Controlling Boss.
#160: Are People Testing Your Leadership? Try This
Sometimes you'll come to work feeling like you're being tested by your people. They'll push boundaries, do their own thing and maybe give you some attitude. It can be super frustrating, but it's a natural part of leadership especially for leaders new to their role. Sometimes people just need some time to adjust. In this episode I look at some of the ways that people will try to test your leadership, and some steps you can take to pass the test with flying colours. Book Your Discovery Coaching Session I invite you to a complementary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will: Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress. You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward. 👉 Click here to get started. 👈 Like the Show? Leave a Review On Apple Podcasts ✅ 👍 If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏 Show Links: Article: Liked or Respected: Which Would You Rather Be? Article: 5 Ways People Will Test Your Leadership. Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #87: How to Fix Behaviour Issues In Your Team. Article: 3 Simple Reasons Your Team is Missing Deadlines and How to Fix It. Article: Alternative explanations. Article: Visualisation. Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #124: How to Stay Calm In Tricky, Stressful and Uncertain Situations. Article: 6 Steps to Deal With Behaviour Issues In Your Team.
#159: How to Switch From a Reactive to a Proactive Team
Do you find your team reacting to problems rather than taking proactive action? You're not alone – this can be a huge problem for team productivity and effectiveness. In this episode, I look at some of the reasons behind a lack of proactivity, and of course, some steps you can take to try to grow it in your team. It never feels good to be on the back foot all the time, so instead, let's see if we can create an environment where proactivity is more likely to happen! Book Your Discovery Coaching Session I invite you to a complementary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will: Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress. You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward. 👉 Click here to get started. 👈 Like the Show? Leave a Review On Apple Podcasts ✅ 👍 If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏 Show Links: Article: Proactive vs Reactive Team Members: Make the Switch. Research: Hofstede's Cultural Insights Article: Is Your Team Overwhelmed at Work? Here's Why You Need to Work at 80%.
#158: Let's Build a Better Leadership Mindset
Ever wanted to feel better about your leadership, enjoy your role more and have more motivation to make change and lead the way? Well, you're not alone. Leadership can be a hard slog, especially with the constant change and turmoil that we have been experiencing over the last few years. In this episode, I look at some good ways to start to shift your mindset to a more positive place, so you can show up as your best self more often. Book Your Discovery Coaching Session I invite you to a complementary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will: Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress. You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward. 👉 Click here to get started. 👈 Like the Show? Leave a Review On Apple Podcasts ✅ 👍 If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏 Show Links: Article: Build A Better Leadership Mindset In 6 Simple Ways. Book: Legacy – What the All Blacks Can Teach Us About the Business of Life. Book: The War of Art. Article: How Daily Commitments Can Improve Your Leadership. App: Randomly RemindMe. Article: Getting started with Visualisation. Work With Me: Apply for your complementary coaching session.
#157: Getting Unstuck with Coach Robbie Swale
In this episode, I interview Robbie Swale who is a Coach and Author of the new book "How to Start When You're Stuck". In this interview we cover a lot of topics including how leaders commonly find themselves getting stuck, as well as a powerful question to ask yourself when you're struggling to know what action to take. I've been working with Robbie over the last year myself, and as usual in this interview, he comes up with many insights and resources that you can find in the links at the bottom of this page. Like the Show? Leave a Review On Apple Podcasts ✅ 👍 If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏 Show Links: Website: Robbie Swale's Website Book: How to Start When You're Stuck, by Robbie Swale Blog: Seth Godin's Blog Book: The Big Leap, by Gay Hendricks Book: The War of Art, by Steven Pressfield Video: Difficult Conversations by Fred Kofman Book: Time to Think, by Nancy Kline
#156: Let's Dismantle the Cult of Busyness
Ever noticed how busyness is often a sign of capability, competence or importance in many workplaces? Well, it's time we put a stop to this. The problem with needing to be busy all the time is that thoughtful leadership suffers. In this episode, I look at some ways to start to push back against this nonsensical phenomenon and actually start getting real value out of the time we spend at work and in our leadership. Book Your Discovery Coaching Session I invite you to a complementary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will: Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress. You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward. 👉 Click here to get started. 👈 Like the Show? Leave a Review On Apple Podcasts ✅ 👍 If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏 Show Links: Article: The Cult of Busyness: How Leaders Can Kill It. Article: Too Busy at Work? Try These 5 Things. Article: Do You Have An Effective Team, or Are You Focused on Busywork? Article: Risk & Reward: How to Provide Development Opportunities For Your Team. Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #76: Don't Wait for a Crisis: Why Leaders Should Focus On Workplace Wellbeing.
#155: How Are You Holding Yourself Back? Let's Fix It
Sometimes thoughtful leaders have a tendency to get in their own way. It might be not asking for what they really want, putting everyone else's needs above their own or making assumptions about what's possible without really knowing. Whatever the case, this can hurt our leadership and career potential, so in this episode I look at some of the common ways that leaders hold themselves back and what we can start to do about it. Book Your Discovery Coaching Session I invite you to a complementary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will: Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress. You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward. 👉 Click here to get started. 👈 Like the Show? Leave a Review On Apple Podcasts ✅ 👍 If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏 Show Links: Article: Are You Holding Yourself Back? Spot the Signs. Article: Do You Have a Victim Leadership Mentality? Article: How to Put Yourself First: A Guide For Leaders.
#154: Common Sense Principles to Help Your Leadership
Leadership can be daunting, and it can feel like we need to have years of leadership training and study under our belts to feel confident. The truth is, sometimes leadership is made out to be more complex than it really is. What we often really need is to exercise some simple common sense. In this episode, I look at some common sense leadership principles you can apply to your leadership, because sometimes it just ain't that complicated. Book Your Discovery Coaching Session I invite you to a Discovery Coaching Session, where we will: Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress. You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward. 👉 Click here to learn more and apply for your Discovery Coaching Session. 👈 Like the Show? Leave a Review On Apple Podcasts ✅ 👍 If you like this episode, please take a few minutes to leave a review on Apple Podcasts (Note: you have to scroll to the bottom to leave a review). Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏 Show Links: Article: Common Sense Leadership: Let's Dumb It Down! Article: Don't Know Your Employees? Here's Why You Should. Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #55: The Importance of Consequences for an Effective Workplace. Article: How to Put Yourself First: A Guide For Leaders.
#153: Why Knowing Yourself Equals Better Leadership
It's important to understand our team members to create an environment where they can perform at their best. But it's no different for the leader. In order to create an environment where you can perform at your best, you need to understand yourself. That includes your preferences, triggers and the situations that have you performing at your best and your worst. In this episode I cover why it's so important to understand yourself better, and some good ways to go about it. Like the Show? Leave a Review On Apple Podcasts ✅ 👍 If you like this episode, please take a few minutes to leave a review on Apple Podcasts (Note: you have to scroll to the bottom to leave a review). Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏 Book Your Discovery Coaching Session I invite you to a 90-minute Discovery Coaching Session, where we will: Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress. You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward. 👉 Click here to learn more and apply for your Discovery Coaching Session. 👈 Show Links: Article: How Knowing Yourself Equals Better Leadership. Article: How to Delegate Work to Improve Your Team. Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #9: Why It's Good to Know Your Leadership Weaknesses. Clifton's Strengths: Learn more about the Clifton's Strengths assessment. Coaching: Apply for your complimentary Coaching Session.
#152: How to Feel More At Peace With Your Leadership Situation
Many leaders go through tough times dealing with politics, bad bosses and many other problems. Not all of these issues are within our control to solve – so what should we do? Sometimes, the best we can do is to keep taking small steps to improve and do our best to feel at peace with our leadership situation. Otherwise, we run the risk of feeling frustrated, helpless and burning out. In this episode, I take a look at some ways to help you feel more at peace with your situation, so you can hang in there and keep leading thoughtfully. Like the Show? Leave a Review On Apple Podcasts ✅ 👍 If you like this episode, please take a few minutes to leave a review on Apple Podcasts (Note: you have to scroll to the bottom to leave a review). Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏 Show Links: Article: How to Be At Peace With Your Leadership Challenges. Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #115: Workplace Issues? Take These Powerful Leadership Actions. Article: Do You Have a Victim Leadership Mentality? Coaching: Apply for your complimentary Discovery Coaching Session.
#151: Low on Confidence? Let's Tackle the Root Cause, not the Symptoms
It's very common for leaders to feel low on confidence. After all, they're often dealing with new situations and challenges which they've never had to tackle before. When we feel unconfident, it can feel like we're lacking confidence *everywhere* in our leadership. In reality, there are often a few specific factors or situations that contribute to this feeling, not everything. In this episode, I take a look at tackling the cause of your leadership confidence issues, rather than focusing on the symptoms. And I leave you with some great questions to ask yourself if you're low on confidence, so you can get to the bottom of it and start improving. Like the Show? Leave a Review On Apple Podcasts ✅ 👍 If you like this episode, please take a few minutes to leave a review on Apple Podcasts (Note: you have to scroll to the bottom to leave a review). Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏 Book Your Discovery Coaching Session I invite you to a 90-minute Discovery Coaching Session, where we will: Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress. You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward. 👉 Click here to learn more and apply for your Discovery Coaching Session. 👈 Show Links: Article: Leadership Confidence Problem? Let's Diagnose It. Podcast: Is a Lack of Confidence Showing In Your Leadership? Coaching Applications: Apply for your complimentary coaching session here.
#150: The Thoughtful Leader Backstory, with Akua Asare
In this special episode of the Thoughtful Leader Podcast, I'm interviewed by Akua Asare, who is the founder of the Not-For-Profit Professional Women at Work. Akua is a Quality Manager and an inspirational improvement-focused individual who is doing great things! In this episode Akua interviews me about my background, how and why I got into coaching and some of the leadership challenges I commonly find through working with my clients. Akua is also a former coaching client of mine, so she speaks a little about her experiences of coaching and what it was like working with me! You can find out more about Akua and Professional Women @ Work at the show links below. Like the Show? Leave a Review On Apple Podcasts ✅ 👍 If you like this episode, please take a few minutes to leave a review on Apple Podcasts (Note: you have to scroll to the bottom to leave a review). Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏 Show Links: Professional Women @ Work website: https://profwomenatwork.co.uk/ Toastmasters Club Directory: https://www.toastmasters.org/find-a-club Coaching with me – apply for your Discovery Coaching Session here.
#149: Simple Steps to Break Negative Behaviour Patterns
Negative behaviour patterns are common in workplaces, and you've probably run into them yourself. So how do we put a stop to behaviour that impacts team performance and wellbeing? In this episode, I take a look at this tricky problem and outline some steps you can take to try to make a positive shift in your working environment, for the benefit of yourself, your people and your organisation. This is the last episode for the year – so be sure to give me an end of year positive review on Apple podcasts below if you liked it, and have a safe and hopefully restful end of the year. Like the Show? Leave a Review On Apple Podcasts ✅ 👍 If you like this episode, please take a few minutes to leave a review on Apple Podcasts (Note: you have to scroll to the bottom to leave a review). Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏 Book Your Discovery Coaching Session I invite you to a 90-minute Discovery Coaching Session, where we will: Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress. You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward. 👉 Click here to learn more and apply for your Discovery Coaching Session. 👈 Show Links: Article: Seeing Negative Behaviour Patterns? Here's How to Stop Them. Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #50: Are You Avoiding a Difficult Conversation? Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #104: Why Leaders Must Set Boundaries at Work. Leadership Coaching: Apply for your complimentary full coaching session.
#148: Here's Why You're Taking On Too Much (and What to Do)
It's a common problem for thoughtful leaders – taking on too much work to handle. Often, this comes from trying to help others more than we are trying to help ourselves. This is an admirable quality, but it can land us in hot water. In this episode, I look at some of the common causes of taking on too much, and of course, what we can do about them. Like the Show? Leave a Review On Apple Podcasts ✅ 👍 If you like this episode, please take a few minutes to leave a review on Apple Podcasts (Note: you have to scroll to the bottom to leave a review). Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏 Book Your Discovery Coaching Session I invite you to a 90-minute Discovery Coaching Session, where we will: Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress. You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward. 👉 Click here to learn more and apply for your Discovery Coaching Session. 👈 Show Links: Article: Taking On Too Much? Here's Why. Article: Don't Have a Clear Team Purpose? Here's Why You Need One. Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #81: The Power of Setting a Direction for Your Team (and how to do it). Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #80: What to Do When You Have Too Many Priorities. Article: Is Optimism Bias Sabotaging Your Leadership? Article: How Short Term Thinking Leads to Bad Leadership. Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #92: Struggling to Say No? Try These 5 Ways! Resource: UK Government guidelines and calculators. Coaching: Apply for your Discovery Coaching Session.
#147: Tailoring Your Leadership to Your Team
There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach to leadership. Every team is made up of different individuals with varied goals, motivations and personalities. As a result, you can't just treat every team you lead the same way. To make matters more complex, every organisation is different too. However, all is not lost. In my experience, there are a few main factors that I take into account when leading people, and in this episode I'm going to share them with you! Like the Show? Leave a Review On Apple Podcasts ✅ 👍 If you like this episode, please take a few minutes to leave a review on Apple Podcasts (Note: you have to scroll to the bottom to leave a review). Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏 Book Your Discovery Coaching Session I invite you to a 90-minute Discovery Coaching Session, where we will: Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress. You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward. 👉 Click here to learn more and apply for your Discovery Coaching Session. 👈 Show Links: Article: What Leadership Style Should You Use and When? Article: Tailoring Your Leadership Approach: Key Factors to Consider. Article: 3 Simple Tips For Successfully Managing Experienced People. Article: Risk & Reward: How to Provide Development Opportunities For Your Team. Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #132: Would You Rather Be Liked or Respected? Leadership Coaching: Apply for your complimentary coaching session here.
#146: Want to Lead Better? Do Less!
Many of us are still caught in the busyness mindset – where we feel like we should be rushing around busy all day. However, in my experience, I've found that this is not a great way to show up as a leader. Doing less is the key, allowing us to focus our effort to our most important priorities. In this episode, I look at some of the key benefits of doing less, and some ways that you can make it happen in your work environment. What steps can you take to start doing less today? Book Your Discovery Coaching Session I invite you to a 90-minute Discovery Coaching Session, where we will: Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you Identify roadblocks that are holding you back; and Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress. You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward. 👉 Click here to learn more and apply for your Discovery Coaching Session. 👈 Like the Show? Leave a Review On Apple Podcasts ✅ 👍 If you like this episode, please take a few minutes to leave a review on Apple Podcasts (Note: you have to scroll to the bottom to leave a review). Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏 Show Links: Article: Why Doing Less Is Better Leadership. Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #81: The Power of Setting a Direction for Your Team (and how to do it). Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #58: Why Leaders Should Do More Planning (and Why They Don't). Leadership coaching: Apply for your complimentary Discovery Session.
#145: Causes of Bad Leadership and What Thoughtful Leaders Can Do
Many people "Like" all the nice leadership quotes on social media, and there seems to be an overwhelming amount of agreement of what constitutes good leadership. So why do we continue to see bad leadership happening in our workplaces? In this episode, I take a look at some of the causes of bad leadership that I notice, and some steps thoughtful leaders can take to try to avoid them and make their organisation a better place to work. Show Links: Leadership Coaching: Get in touch and apply for your complimentary Discovery Coaching Session.
#144: Is It Time to Start Putting Yourself First?
Many thoughtful leaders suffer from the common problem of putting their own needs last, and focusing on everyone else first. This is admirable, but over time, this can lead to a situation where you are working on everyone else's priorities and sacrificing your own time and effort. It's hard to lead effectively in this situation! In this episode, I look at some good ways to start putting yourself first and setting boundaries, so you can lead effectively and show up as the best leader you can be, each day. Book Your Discovery Coaching Session I invite you to a 90-minute Discovery Coaching Session, where we will: Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress. You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward. 👉 Click here to learn more and apply for your Discovery Coaching Session. 👈 Like the Show? Leave a Review On Apple Podcasts ✅ 👍 If you like this episode, please take a few minutes to leave a review on Apple Podcasts (Note: you have to scroll to the bottom to leave a review). Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏 Show Links: Article: How to Put Yourself First: A Guide For Leaders. Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #80: What to Do When You Have Too Many Priorities. Article: Setting Boundaries at Work: Why It's Crucial. Leadership Coaching: Get in touch and let's start a conversation.