Alongsider returns with the change of seasons and some may say turbulent times. If this resonates with where you are, then this conversation may be for you. We meet Dr John Blakey again (see episode 15 2024) and his colleague Glen Duncan - both antidotes to uncertainty who bring hope. Hope and encouragement especially for those of us who are challenged with identifying the next hill to climb and an effective mounting strategy. John shares his vision which builds on his work with 'The Trusted Executive' in his latest book 'Force for good' which was awarded 2025 best book by Relocate. A natural Enthusiastic Visionary (7 on the Enneagram), he says his work is fundamentally about hope and believes that Business is a force multiplier. A Force to create value and good growth locally, regionally and (inter)nationally. It recognises the interdependence and influence of good decision-making - flowing from sound thinking and collaboration. His new venture, 'the Coaching Circle' is a strategic and mature passing on of the baton to ensure that the force multiplier effect is sustained. Join us for a great conversation as we enter this new season - you will not be disappointed.

https://johnblakey.co.uk/the-coaching-circle-by-dr-john-blakey

https://uk.linkedin.com/in/glen-duncan

Welcome to Alongsider. In this episode we explore the art of connection and the science of possibility to redesign the world of work. We meet again guests Emily Hinks and Carola Verschoor, who both describe themselves as "high energy Enneagram 7's" and enthusiastic possibilitarians who see potential everywhere they look. We delve into how our professional landscape has been interrupted, redesigned, and continues to transform. We examine what it truly takes to be effective in today's workplace while maintaining authenticity and joy. As Emily wisely notes, "you don't have to be serious to get serious things done." We celebrate the power of genuine connection and conductivity between professionals who refuse to be confined by traditional boundaries. We explore mentorship, expertise, and professionalism not as restrictive frameworks, but as expansive possibilities for growth and innovation.Chaos is reframed as creative potential waiting to be harnessed. We discover how allowing our individual quirks to become the foundation of our connections and creates pathways for extraordinary energy and achievement. From their initial Amsterdam meeting to 'slinky' metaphors, every story reveals new ways to redesign how we work, connect with clients, and extend our hearts to colleagues. This is about reimagining the world of work through the lens of possibility, connection, and authentic human energy. Join us as we explore what it means to find your place and confidently take your place in a world that's constantly in redesign.

https://nl.linkedin.com/in/carolaverschoor

https://www.emilyhinks.com/

#Alongisider meets Dr. Iain McCormick, a New Zealand-based coach and therapist, who transitioned from hard sciences to a lifelong exploration of human psychology and its workplace applications. His research highlights a compelling insight: successful psychotherapy outcomes correlate primarily with relationship quality rather than professional expertise. This finding raises a profound question: Does this principle extend beyond therapy to all professional—or even personal—relationships?

As an accomplished author of coaching books that integrate therapeutic approaches, Dr. McCormick specializes in working with "angry bosses." His guiding principle is striking: "Don't say anything until the client is ready to listen." This deceptively simple approach prioritizes presence over intervention.

When asked which clients he finds most challenging, Dr. McCormick candidly admits it's angry individuals. His solution? "Deliberate practice"—a methodical approach to developing comfort with discomfort.

For anyone seeking to transform challenging conversations from dreaded encounters into welcome opportunities for growth, Dr. McCormick's insights offer a practical pathway forward.

https://iainmccormick.net/

https://philipcrocker.com/the-alongsider

#Alongsider advises fastening seatbelts for this delightful conversation with Claire Pedrick and Dr Judith Mohring. For those who seek a compassionate and practical understanding of Neurodiversity - this really is for you. We discuss 'dream polishing' - is it really good enough? Is it 'not yet' though a wonderful idea. Is that intense annoyance and distraction more than unhelpful - positively painful? Is there a name for this way of responding? There is - its misophonia. Claire and Judith share candidly their lives personally and professionally with ADHD. This serves as a reframe of the predictable and offers us an alternative response, however we experience the world. If your desire is to meet people where they are, they advise 'getting out of the boat' and into the water with the other person. This may well be mutually transformational. Judith builds on this with her open invitation to men to 'come to the vulnerability party'. The work place might experience bosses differently and our community and family life may recover intimacy and understanding and thrive. I commend this to you. 

https://www.thenaturalpsychiatrist.com/;https://www.linkedin.com/in/clairepedrick/; https://philipcrocker.com/the-alongsider

Alongsider meets Emily Hinks, founder of Mischief Makers, a future of work agency that seeks to unlock potential by reframing 'fun'. Yes, she believes from hard evidence that serious results do not require serious behaviour. She is patient and those who work with her experience an acceptance and the freedom to be themselves to get some extraordinary things done. When working with the not-yet-converted, stony organisational face, she waits for the lifting of the eyebrow as an indicator that things are about to transform. This is an example of her patience and joyous humanity. She comes from the performing arts and brings a breath of fresh air to places that need a blow through, As an Alongsider people say she brings patience and grace. For herself, she loves working with diversity (she shares she has ADHD) and all those allowing her to work through apparent chaos to getting meaningful and important things done. This is a great conversation and I commend it to you, so relevant in the shaking of 2025.

https://www.mischiefmakers.co/

#Alongsider - welcome back to season 2 of the podcast - finding your place and taking your place. We start this week on Friday with a wonderful conversation with Emily Hinks of Mischiefmakers facilitators. More on that shortly. For now, a little about what is coming up. We have used an AI tool to interrogate the 40 conversations from the episodes in 2024 and there seem to be 17 (yes, 17) traits that are appreciated both by the Alongsider and those alongside. We also asked the tool to consider these traits with Enneagram Type to see what that revealed. I will be sharing this over the coming months probably by theme. It will be so good to see what comes up for you with our findings. So please do share your thoughts.  Equally, we have more lovely Alongsider conversations, some one to one and for others we are joined by a third person. Really looking forward to you joining us and see you soon. 

https://philipcrocker.com/

Alongsider's 40th and final Episode for 2024 and we meet Christopher AKA Peter Hill - one of life's genuine enthusiasts and Jestor (the only one at court who cannot be killed off). A highly skilled engineer who has been called to bring 'oil' and order to many varied situations from complex engineering challenges, manuafacturing processes, Board & Senior Leadership teams. His grandmother was a wonderful influence and encourager to a quiet and introverted young boy. She showed how all social events (inc Dinner Parties et al) needed listeners and speakers. All he has learnt he brings in a unique way - often to help us navigate with great skill the journey from micro-manager to coach. He says unkindness is probably to biggest obstacle to getting great things done. He doesn't tinker - his way is one of 'radical interference' to transformation. What could be better? I commend this to you and Joy this Christmas and a Happy New Year of new and energising adventures in 2025. 

Alongsider talks with Peter Brook, an Engineer fascinated by how things work. He shares this with his ancestry, one of whom invented the clocking-in machine - the time clock. Peter's main interest is in how things work together and particularly people. He has huge heart for community and believe this is the staple for how we experience life at its fullest and most raw. He has spent many years working in this way within the NHS and elsewhere (e.g. Citizen's Advice). He launched an initiative (EU funded, one of the last) within the Kent Community Care Trust to bring together central health care and District Nursing. This saw all those deployed across the region being enable and empowered to make good decision at the point of delivery. This meant building a new level of trust with the senior executives and across the network - the whole people system aligned. The outcome was higher levels of satisfaction and performance, lower absenteeism and higher retention of valuable expertise. He has also introduced Parish Nursing (Alongside Community Fridge, AA and Badminton etc. ) to his own Staplehurst Free church which he leads part time. The nurses provided further 'community glue' to organisations in transition who are largely very stretched. This includes GPs, social services et al. So helping the whole work better together is what Peter brings to the party. This approach can and will be replicated more widely. It offers more for less and with more joy. What's not to love? I commend this to you.

Alongsider meets Dean Nicholas, normally known as Nick, currently responsible for the spiritual and organisational life of Salisbury Cathedral. His has not been an obvious path as he started in criminal law serving 7 years largely defending until he discovered that the Law could not always bring about a wise outcome. He then stepped into the role he has had a heart for ever since - that of priest. One where more wholesome outcomes are perhaps possible. He shares his love of the Beatles from an early age from 'Please, please...I want to hold your hand' and suggests that perhaps 'God is the great Alongsider.'. He spent 3 months as part of a small group witnessing justice done for all in Jerusalem. Working with those whose hearts are for Peace from all sides. He shares that the Church has been shamed and fallen short as a good Alongsider. 'The church has no monopoly on wisdom, on God. We need to be free to believe in the God we believe in. A thoughtful and powerful conversation and highly appropriate for our times. https://www.salisburycathedral.org.uk/ 

Alongsider revisits Simon Acerson-Paine - Professional Trainer and expert running coach. When was the last time you were taught to run - Simon takes us through this transformation and shares what he learnt from the work of Russian, Dr Nicholas Romanoff. Learning to use gravity and the route of least resistance for peak performance. He also explores the energy that emerges from groups in harmony. 'Burning energy without the soul' is missing out. Exercise without an element of fun will not be sustainable. There is a sense that these lessons are transferrable to the workplace and our organisations. Attitude is key and is probably called morale or conductivity in other contexts. What we discern is that the quality of relationship between people is the necessary key focus for leaders in any context.