In this episode of the Becoming the Leader in You podcast, I’m joined by Lucy Gower from Lucidity - for a practical and honest conversation about values, leadership, workplace culture, and what really happens when organisations forget the people behind the job titles.We explored how many businesses proudly display their company values on walls, websites, and PowerPoint slides… but how often are those values actually lived day to day?

What happens when leaders say people matter… but staff don’t feel listened to, respected, or understood?Lucy shared powerful insights into why values are far more than corporate statements.

They influence decision-making, trust, communication, staff retention, wellbeing, and ultimately the reputation and performance of an organisation.We discussed:

• Why organisational values must be visible through behaviour, not just words

• The importance of leaders genuinely knowing their people• Respect in leadership and how small behaviours shape workplace culture

• Why culture is created through everyday interactions, not annual strategy documents

• The impact poor leadership behaviours can have on morale and retention

• How leaders can create psychologically safer and more human workplaces

We also touched on the reality that many leaders become so focused on targets, deadlines, and operational pressure that they sometimes lose sight of the human side of leadership.

And of course… we were briefly joined by Gary the dog… officially the Managing Director and Wellbeing Director… who may actually have been the calmest and most emotionally intelligent participant in the conversation.

This episode is a reminder that leadership is not simply about process, performance, or authority. It is about people!Because when people feel respected, understood, and valued… organisations usually perform far better as a result.

If you are a business owner, senior leader, manager, HR professional, or someone responsible for shaping workplace culture, this conversation will give you plenty to reflect on.

Please do not forget to like, subscribe, and share.You can also listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and all major podcast platforms.

You can contact Lucy Gower at:

[email protected]

www.lucidity.org.uk

You can also contact us at:

[email protected]

www.aspire.me.uk

#Leadership #Values #WorkplaceCulture #BusinessLeadership #EmployeeEngagement #LeadershipDevelopment #PeopleManagement #CultureChange #PsychologicalSafety #Management #LeadershipPodcast #BusinessCulture #EmployeeWellbeing #OrganisationalCulture #RespectAtWork #TeamLeadership #LeadershipCommunication #HumanLeadership #BusinessValues

In this episode of the Becoming the Leader in You podcast, I’m joined by from www.ftre.co.uk for a practical and honest conversation about finance, leadership, accountability, and the reality many business owners face when managing money without being “finance people”.

We explored the pressure many leaders feel when they suddenly become responsible for budgets, forecasting, cashflow, payroll, tax, and financial decisions… despite never being formally trained in finance.

Kate shared practical insights from years of helping organisations untangle financial problems, especially when businesses try to “save money” by doing everything themselves first… only to call in professional support later when things become far more complicated and expensive to fix.

We discussed:

• Why many leaders struggle with financial confidence

• Why “doing it yourself” sometimes costs more in the long run• The importance of asking for help early

• Leadership responsibility when managing budgets and teams

• The reality of financial stress inside businessesKate also spoke openly about the changing world of finance and accounting, including:

• AI and automation in finance• How technology is changing bookkeeping and reporting

• The opportunities and risks AI creates for organisations

• Why human judgement still matters

• The future of finance teams and leadership decision-making

One of the major topics we explored was the introduction of Making Tax Digital and how businesses are responding to it.

For many organisations, digital tax reporting is not simply a software upgrade. It represents a significant behavioural and operational change.

There’s also a very honest conversation about leadership itself.Not leadership theory, not buzzwords, not motivational posters with mountains in the background, but real leadership.

The kind where managers must make decisions when they are uncertain.The kind where leaders must balance commercial pressure, people, compliance, and performance all at the same time.Kate brings a grounded and practical perspective to the discussion, particularly around helping businesses avoid avoidable mistakes and develop stronger financial awareness across leadership teams.

If you are:

• A business owner

• A senior leader managing budgets

• A manager responsible for financial decisions

• Someone nervous about finance

• Curious about AI in business

• Trying to understand Making Tax Digital

• Or simply interested in practical leadership conversations…then this episode will give you plenty to think about.

Sometimes leadership is not about having all the answers.Sometimes it’s simply knowing when to ask better questions before the spreadsheet catches fire.

You can contact Kate at:

[email protected] | www.ftre.co.uk

You can also contact us for all your training requirements, in the UK and globally at

:[email protected] | www.aspire.co.uk

Listen now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and all major podcast platforms.

#Leadership #Finance #BusinessLeadership #Management #Budgeting #MakingTaxDigital #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #BusinessGrowth #Cashflow #LeadershipDevelopment #FinanceLeadership #Tax #BusinessStrategy #DigitalTransformation #Training #Accounting #BusinessOwner #Podcast #LeadershipPodcast

What can business leaders learn from the world of education?

In this episode of the Becoming the Leader in You podcast, Prof. Jay Acharya speaks with Charlie-Ross MacKenzie from Presenting with Presence, about leadership presence, communication, confidence, and the realities of leading people in challenging environments.

Drawing from his background in education, senior leadership, behaviour management, theatre, comedy and coaching, Charlie shares practical insights into how leaders influence the atmosphere around them long before they say a word.The conversation explores how leadership in schools often mirrors leadership in the corporate world more than people realise.

Whether managing a classroom, leading a team meeting, handling conflict, or presenting to stakeholders, presence matters.

We discuss things like:

- Leadership presence and executive presence

- Communication under pressure- Behaviour, influence and authority

- Confidence in leadership

- Public speaking and presentation skills

- Authenticity

- Managing difficult conversations

- Leadership in education and business

- and Building trust and credibility

Charlie also shares honest reflections on leadership mistakes, personal growth, and why some leaders unintentionally lose the room the moment they walk into it.

If you are a leader, manager, teacher, trainer, coach, HR professional or someone developing your leadership style, this episode offers practical lessons you can apply immediately.

🎙 Hosted by Prof. Jay AcharyaCEO of Aspire Consulting and Training Ltd.

You can contact Charlie-Ross MacKenzie at:[email protected]

📌 Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, influence, coaching, resilience, culture and professional growth.

#Leadership #LeadershipPresence #ExecutivePresence #EducationLeadership #CorporateLeadership #CommunicationSkills #EmotionalIntelligence #PeopleManagement #LeadershipDevelopment #Coaching #PublicSpeaking #PresentationSkills #Management #TeamLeadership #Influence #BehaviourManagement #ProfessionalDevelopment #LearningAndDevelopment #Podcast #BecomingTheLeaderInYou

What happens when leadership becomes overcomplicated?Policies grow. Processes multiply. Meetings get longer. Yet somehow… people still avoid difficult conversations, teams lose trust, and leaders forget the basics.In this episode of Becoming the Leader in You, I sit down with Clinton Wingrove from Clinton HR (https://www.clintonhr.com) to talk about leadership, values, and why common sense still matters in the workplace.This was a refreshing conversation about real leadership - not leadership theory from a textbook, not leadership filled with buzzwords, but leadership that people actually experience every day.We explored what happens when organisations say they have values… but nobody truly lives them.How many companies proudly display values on the office wall or website… yet employees experience something completely different?What happens when leaders talk about trust, respect, accountability and wellbeing… but their behaviours send the opposite message?Clinton shared honest insights from years of working with organisations, leaders and HR teams across different sectors, discussing the gap between what organisations 'say' and what people actually 'feel'.We also spoke about:• Why common sense seems to disappear in some leadership environments• The danger of overcomplicating people management• The importance of values-led decision making• Leadership behaviours that quietly damage culture• Why difficult conversations are often avoided• How leaders influence culture without realising it• Why credibility matters more than job titles• The difference between managing people and genuinely leading themSometimes leadership is not about another framework or model, but it's about:• Listening properly• Treating people with respect• Being clear about expectations• Having courage in conversations• Following through on commitments• Using judgement and common senseSimple does not mean easy, and common sense is not always common practice.This episode will resonate with:• Leaders and managers• HR professionals• Business owners• Team leaders• Anyone responsible for people, culture or performance• Those trying to create healthier working environmentsIf you have ever worked in an organisation where values felt disconnected from reality… this conversation will probably sound very familiar.And if you are a leader yourself, it may encourage you to reflect on an important question:Do people experience your leadership in the way you think they do?If you enjoy conversations around leadership, culture, influence and people development, make sure you subscribe, like and share the podcast.🎙 *Becoming the Leader in You* with Jay AcharyaYou can contact Clinton at: [email protected] can also contact us at:[email protected]www.aspire.me.uk#Leadership #HR #PeopleManagement #LeadershipDevelopment #WorkplaceCulture #ValuesBasedLeadership #Management #OrganisationalCulture #EmployeeEngagement #LeadershipPodcast #BusinessLeadership #HumanResources #LeadershipSkills #CultureChange #ClintonWingrove #JayAcharya #AspireConsulting #LeadershipConversations

What does real leadership resilience actually look like…when life hits hard?In this episode of Becoming the Leader in You, I sit down with mental health and wellbeing expert Mike Lawrence - a consultant, speaker, and accredited instructor with over 20 years’ experience across the NHS, corporate organisations, and charities.But this isn’t just theory. In 2023, Mike underwent brain surgery to remove a pituitary tumour near his optic nerve. That experience changed how he views pressure, recovery, and what it really means to lead - both personally and professionally.We explore:- How leaders can manage stress without burning out- What resilience looks like in real situations, not just models- The link between mental wellbeing and leadership performance- Practical tools to stay focused under pressure- Lessons from personal adversity that shape stronger leadersMike blends evidence-based strategies with coaching and holistic approaches - giving you practical ways to lead with clarity, even in difficult moments.Alongside his consultancy work, he mentors with The King’s Trust and chairs both the Dearne Playhouse Theatre and the Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber of Commerce Health & Wellbeing Forum.If you lead people…If you’re under pressure…Or if you’re trying to become a better version of yourself…This conversation will challenge how you think about resilience.#Leadership #Resilience #MentalHealth #LeadershipDevelopment #EmotionalIntelligence #Wellbeing #StressManagement #LeadershipPodcast #PersonalGrowth #Mindset #Coaching #BecomingTheLeaderInYou👉 Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE👉 Follow for more leadership insights and real conversationsContact us at info.aspire.me.uk or visit the website www.aspire.me.uk

Becoming the Leader in You Podcast - Episode 2: The Neurodiverse Leader | Featuring Tamzin Hall 🟡🟢l🔴🔵 Hall of The Neurodiverse Academy
***A quick apology too, to Tamzin due to the quality of the video - I have had to upscale due to it being filmed on a potato! The podcast is available to lepton to on Amazon, Apple, and Spotify***
What does leadership look like when we stop expecting people to “fit the mould”… and start building environments where different minds thrive?
In this episode of Becoming the Leader in You, I sit down with Tamzin Hall to explore what it really means to lead in a neurodiverse world.
This isn’t theory but real leadership where Tamzin shares practical insight from her work with organisations and individuals navigating neurodiversity, helping leaders move beyond awareness into meaningful action.
We get into:
- What neurodiversity actually means in the workplace
- The difference between awareness and true inclusion
- How leaders unknowingly create barriers
- Simple shifts that unlock performance, trust, and engagement
- The strengths neurodiverse individuals bring to teams
- How to lead conversations with confidence and empathy
Tamzin lets you hear honest reflections, real examples, and practical ways to lead people as individuals - not labels, because leadership isn’t about managing sameness. It’s about understanding difference.
If you lead people…if you influence people…or if you want to get the best out of every individual in your team…this episode will challenge how you think about
leadership.
#Leadership #Neurodiversity #InclusiveLeadership #NeurodiverseLeader #LeadershipDevelopment #EmotionalIntelligence #PeopleLeadership #WorkplaceInclusion #PsychologicalSafety #DiversityAndInclusion #Coaching #ManagementSkills

Becoming the Leader in You – Episode 1: Why Most People Get Leadership Wrong

What if the biggest problem in leadership today isn’t capability… but a lack of real leadership development?

In this first episode of Becoming the Leader in You Podcast, Jay Acharya explores why so many professionals struggle when they step into leadership roles. From first-time managers to senior executives, the same issue keeps appearing — people are promoted based on performance, not prepared for leadership.

This episode breaks down the gap between management and leadership, and why skills like communication, emotional intelligence, accountability, and influence matter more than ever in today’s workplace.

If you’re a manager, team leader, business owner, or aspiring leader, this episode will challenge how you think about leadership and give you practical insight you can apply immediately.

You can Contact Matt Ibbs for all your coaching needs, contact him at:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mgi-coaching/

mailto: [email protected]

Contact Us at

Prof. Jay Acharya [email protected]

www.aspire.me.uk

https://youtu.be/F_7BeNakXX0?si=MzG0BY7HLGRiY0bg

Becoming the Leader in You is a straight-talking podcast exploring what leadership really looks like.

Each episode brings honest conversations with people who lead, have been led, or are stepping into leadership.

We unpack real challenges, decisions, and moments that shape how people think, act, and influence others.

I promise - NO theory overload.

Just practical insight, personal stories, and lessons you can apply immediately to lead yourself and others more effectively.