Being Our Best : The Podcast

The People Leader : Paul Barron on Leading transformation through people

Paul Barron CBE joins Nicola for a reflective conversation on what leadership really looks like when it’s shaped by experience, self-awareness, and a genuine regard for people. Paul’s career has spanned decades of senior roles, including CEO at NATS and President of Alstom UK. Yet, as he shares with Nicola, some of the most important lessons about leadership started at his own family’s breakfast table.

Paul reflects on his early experiences and the influence of his parents’ contrasting styles, and the importance of speaking honestly while always considering the impact on others. He shares stories of leading significant transformations, often in the face of resistance, through clarity, humility and open communication.

There’s very little ego in Paul’s approach. Instead, his leadership style is grounded in consistency, communication and a genuine belief and understanding of people. The conversation explores emotional intelligence, trust, and the tangled, often slow work of making organisations healthier and more effective places to be.

This episode offers an honest look at human-centred leadership: how it’s learned, where it stumbles, and why clarity, communication and trust remain at the heart of sustainable change.

In This Conversation

• Early influences: learning about people, values and communication around the family table
• Recognising poor leadership and finding a better way
• The practical realities of culture change in difficult environments
• Removing barriers, both literal and figurative, to teamwork
• Engaging people through listening, open communication and trust
• Creating clarity around vision, roles and purpose within a team
• Admitting what you don’t know as a leader, and why that matters
• Working with, rather than against, trade unions and internal influencers
• Building and sustaining high-performing teams over time

Moments That Stood Out

“I don’t suffer from imposter syndrome. I know I’m an imposter. That’s not a problem. My job is to lead, not to do everyone else’s job.” 46:29

“I know I didn’t do any of it. I know it was all done by the people. The ones sitting at the screens, on the phones, making things happen every day.” 41:24

“I often think there are three basics any employee wants to know: Where is the company going, what’s expected of me, and how well am I doing?” 10:46

“My job is to help create a vision, to develop strategy, to look at the issues. I’m not there to do your job. I’m there to help you do yours.” 30:06

“Communication is probably the biggest single thing I would say. Listen, be clear, and fix what you can. For the big things, make the journey visible.” 52:48

Resources & Mentions

• Paul Barron’s leadership journey with NATS and Alstom UK
• Human Alchemy consultancy
• The “21 destinations” approach to team vision and targets
• Reflections on employee engagement and workplace communication
• Practical experience of organisational culture change

Connect & Explore

• Nicola Ellwood: executive coaching, leadership programmes and podcast updates at https://www.nicolaellwood.co.uk
• Learn more about Human Alchemy and Paul Barron’s consultancy work
• Explore themes including organisational culture, communication, employee engagement and leadership development
• Browse other podcast episodes focused on leadership, resilience, communication and team culture

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Being the First: Parul Patel’s Leadership Story

Parul Patel’s career sits at the intersection of law, sport, global brands, and a thoughtful, human-centred approach to leadership. In this episode, Parul joins Nicola to explore not just the practical realities of leading in high-performing environments, but also the deeper threads that run through a life of continual growth and intentional living.

Raised in South Wales as part of a family with roots in Uganda and India, Parul’s story is shaped by being “the first” — the first lawyer in her family and the first to step into spaces others didn’t yet see. Through roles including Legal and Business Affairs Director for Nike, Parul forged her own path, driven by curiosity, self-awareness, and the instinct that the space was a space for her to step into.

The conversation explores how small acts of courage clarity of intention shape the way we lead. Together, Nicola and Parul reflect on collaboration, the shift from protectionism to genuine partnership, and how personal crossroads can prompt us to live with greater purpose.

There is thoughtful discussion around identity, and the realities of reshaping a life or career around that. The episode also explores the human systems behind teamwork, negotiation and sustainable performance, and the importance of creating safety, both for ourselves and for others, during periods of uncertainty and change.

Throughout the conversation, there is a strong sense that leadership is deeply connected to identity, values, and the ongoing process of understanding what matters most to us.

In This Conversation

• Growing up as “the first” and how that shapes a leadership approach
• Noticing opportunity and stepping into spaces others may not yet see
• The evolution from technical expert to facilitator of collaboration and trust
• Mindset shifts from protecting interests to fostering shared success
• The challenges and freedom of restructuring life and career around intentional priorities
• Building self-awareness, resilience and compassionate self-reflection as leadership essentials
• The human systems behind teamwork, negotiation and sustainable performance

Moments That Stood Out

“If you can't see it, be it. That's what was driving me. If there's a gap, that's for you.”

“I didn't have the active vocabulary to describe the things I was doing in terms of leadership language. I just did what was right and true for me in the moment, and that opened the future.”

“My job now is to make sure my client is successful because their collaboration is successful. It’s a subtle, but very important mindset shift.”

“The old identity of success looked like having a big title and working for a huge company. But those things aren’t really that important to you. What’s important is what you’re actually able to give and support.”

“Keep your eyes open, keep your ears open and keep your heart open.”

Resources & Mentions

• PRINT® , a self-awareness and motivation insight tool used in team development
• Internal Family Systems coaching and approaches to emotional clarity and personal growth
• NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) and perspectives on communication and rapport-building
• Reflections on sports law and legal practice in shaping leadership perspectives
• Conversations around safe spaces, negotiation and collaborative working cultures

Connect & Explore

• Nicola Ellwood: executive coaching, leadership programmes and podcast updates at https://www.nicolaellwood.co.uk
• Talk to Nicola Explore more about the  PRINT®tool - a unique and next generation insight tool that Nicola is licensed to used with by both leaders and their teams for self-awareness and transformation towards and team high performance
• Explore approaches including NLP and Internal Family Systems coaching referenced in this episode
• Browse other podcast episodes exploring leadership, identity, communication and personal growth

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Leading Through Complexity: The Human Side of Change at Lhasa

In this episode, Nicola sits down with Chris and Crina, the CEO and Deputy CEO of Lhasa, a not-for-profit organisation focused on chemical safety, reducing animal testing, and improving public health decisions. Their backgrounds could not be more distinct. Chris brings the perspective of a synthetic organic chemist with deep roots in pharmaceutical research, while Crina’s career has taken her through chemical engineering, oil and gas, and international leadership before arriving at Lhasa’s mission-driven work.

The conversation explores the complex reality of leadership transitions, especially when moving from technical or analytical expertise into roles that require emotional intelligence, adaptability and self-awareness. Both guests speak candidly about what drew them to Lhasa beyond the science and the data: a sense of purpose, meaningful work, and genuine care for people.

A central thread running through the conversation is organisational culture, how it takes vision, deliberate effort and honest communication to create lasting change. Chris and Crina reflect on both the discomfort and the rewards that come with cultural transformation, the commitment required to sustain momentum, and the importance of supporting people through periods of uncertainty.

The PRINT® approach also comes into focus as a practical tool that Nicola introduced to support greater self-awareness, understanding and flexibility. Together, they explore how a deeper understanding of ourselves and others can help create a workplace where challenge and care sit comfortably alongside one another.

The episode also explores the reality of leading through rapid technological change, including the growing role of AI within scientific and organisational environments. There is thoughtful discussion around differing leadership styles, and how fast-paced and reflective approaches can complement each other when there is trust, openness and shared purpose.

Rather than offering simple leadership formulas, this conversation reflects the reality of leading through change, uncertainty and growth as a team. It’s an honest exploration of how self-awareness, shared values and commitment to people build resilience, strengthen culture and support long-term performance.

## In This Conversation

* Moving from expert roles in science and engineering to people-focused leadership
* Developing self-awareness, self-management and emotional intelligence as foundational leadership skills
* The deliberate, sometimes difficult, journey of shifting organisational culture
* The importance of purpose, trust and honest conversations in building strong teams
* Navigating change fatigue and the reality of rapid technological transformation
* Using the PRINT® approach to better understand yourself, how you lead, and what drives the people around you
* How differing leadership styles can complement one another and strengthen collaboration
* Supporting people through uncertainty while sustaining momentum and performance

## Moments That Stood Out

“I have very high expectations, but real care for people. I want to see them grow beyond what they think they’re capable of.”

“You cannot take the scientific approach and just bludgeon people with data. We all have our own realities, and they’re all true for us.”

“You can’t just wait for culture to happen. You have to put the work in. None of this was comfortable, but it’s worth every bit of effort.”

“Not allowing the right thing to be optional is important. However hard it is, or however long it takes, we’re going to do it.”

“PRINT® helped me see what matters to others, what makes them feel safe, heard, or ready to take a risk. It changed how I lead.”

## Resources & Mentions

* Lhasa Limited, the not-for-profit organisation at the heart of this episode
* The PRINT® approach, a next-generation insight tool that Nicola is licensed to use with leaders and teams to develop self-awareness, strengthen communication and support high performance
* Regulatory bodies including the EMA and FDA, referenced in relation to scientific research and public health
* Lhasa’s Leadership Labs, Future Leaders Programme, and ongoing people and culture strategy

## Connect & Explore

* Nicola Ellwood: executive coaching, leadership programmes and podcast updates at https://www.nicolaellwood.co.uk
* Learn more about Lhasa and its work in chemical safety and public health at https://www.lhasalimited.org
* Talk to Nicola about the PRINT® approach, a unique next-generation insight tool that she is licensed to use with leaders and teams to develop self-awareness, strengthen communication and support high performance
* Browse other podcast episodes exploring leadership, organisational culture, communication and change

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How Leadership Finds Us: Jason Brisbane on Team Culture and Purpose

This episode brings a thoughtful and honest conversation with Jason Brisbane, Chief Executive of Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby. Jason’s story traces the path from discovering American football as a teenager, through leadership roles in professional sport and teaching, to his current role leading a national sports governing body with purpose and care.

Nicola and Jason reflect on the early experiences that shaped his understanding of leadership. Jason speaks openly about feeling equally comfortable as a “number two or number three” before later recognising his own capacity to lead. It’s a refreshing conversation about self-awareness, accessible leadership, connecting to purpose, and learning through experience rather than status or title.

Jason shares his approach to leadership through lived experience rather than leadership theory. He reflects honestly on building teams, setting expectations, being present with others, and finding your place even when the path ahead feels unclear. His approach emphasises contribution, optimism and a clear sense of purpose, qualities that quietly shape culture and help people thrive, even during challenging periods.

Together, Nicola and Jason explore how sport can create belonging, confidence and opportunities for growth. They discuss remote leadership, the importance of explicit expectations, and the balance between staying connected as a leader while also giving others space to grow. Throughout the conversation, there is a clear sense that leadership is less about hierarchy and more about how we show up for one another, especially when things become difficult.

This episode will resonate with anyone interested in human-centred leadership, communication, emotional intelligence, team wellbeing and the practical realities of leading people with honesty and care.

In This Conversation

* Discovering personal leadership through sport, mentorship and team culture
* How structured environments can create space for young people to find confidence and belonging
* Practical strategies for supporting teams while balancing presence and delegation
* Clear and honest communication as the foundation of healthy collaboration
* The importance of explicit expectations in remote and hybrid environments
* Seeing value and potential in others, and the impact this has on confidence and self-belief
* The tension between staying involved and stepping back as a senior leader
* Responding to setbacks with humility, perspective and kindness
* Making space for difference and recognising that not everyone wants, or needs, to lead
* Anchoring leadership with a simple belief: we can figure it out, together

Moments That Stood Out

“I was always happy being a really good number two or number three. Over time, I realised I could actually do this, and that opened up a whole new space for me.”

“Just by the way it’s structured, sport created endless opportunities to communicate and try things out. It was never about getting it perfect.”

“The frequency of communication when you’re remote really matters. If you’re not intentional, it’s easy to miss the chance to build rapport or set clear expectations.”

“For me, it’s about believing that we can figure things out. Let’s do something. Maybe it’s not perfect, but action creates momentum and we learn as we go.”

“Sometimes I’ve tried being a more hands-off CEO because that’s what you’re supposed to do, but it just doesn’t feel like me. When I feel connected to what’s happening, that’s when I’m at my best.”

Resources & Mentions

* Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby
* NFL London’s Flag Football programme and its national and international pathway
* The leadership principle: “Unspoken expectations are premeditated resentments”
* Paralympic sport and inclusive team environments
* Emotional intelligence and self-awareness in leadership practice

Connect & Explore

* Nicola Ellwood: executive coaching, leadership programmes and podcast updates at https://www.nicolaellwood.co.uk
* Learn more about Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby and Jason’s work through their official website
* Browse other podcast episodes exploring leadership, communication, resilience and team culture

Nicola Ellwood - Be Your Best

In this episode of Being Our Best, Nicola sits down with Emma Colwill, co-founder of Not Impossible, current Head of Sales at B Corp St Eval, and former International Business Development Director at Pukka Herbs. Emma brings a thoughtful perspective on what it means to grow as a leader and as a person, especially through changing roles and environments.

The conversation travels through Emma’s early experiences of leadership, often stepping into those roles instinctively, even before she labelled herself a leader. She shares how formative relationships, such as with a manager who modelled real care and authenticity, helped shape her understanding of what good leadership looks like in practice. Together, Emma and Nicola reflect on the realities of self-awareness and the ongoing work involved in showing up as your best self, especially during times of uncertainty and change.

The episode explores leadership through human connection, lived experience, and the realities of navigating change. Themes of inclusion, collaboration, purpose and resilience are woven through Emma’s stories, all delivered in an open, reflective and grounded way. There is a clear sense that great leadership is less about hierarchy and more about working among people, making space for others and staying true to your values, even when things around you shift.

You’ll hear thoughtful insights on emotional intelligence, the value of building community, and how small, purposeful habits help create a sustainable sense of wellbeing and impact. This is a conversation for anyone interested in genuine leadership, real team culture, and what human-centred leadership actually looks like in practice.

In This Conversation

• Leading from a place of authenticity and human connection
• Early impressions of leadership and how they shape future practices
• The transition from scale-up to start-up environments
• Building team culture and energy, both in person and online
• The power of self-awareness, reflection and ongoing personal growth
• Cultivating habits that support balance and wellbeing
• The importance of purpose and social impact in leadership
• Staying open to feedback and learning in every context

Moments That Stood Out

“I’ve always considered myself a leader among people rather than of people, which is also an important distinction to make.”

“She made time for me... and that was really profound. It crystallised that this is someone I can look up to.”

“Having that human connection in that moment ultimately unlocked a huge amount of things.”

“Leadership is ongoing work. It’s how you revisit things in an evolving context so you can continue to show up.”

“If you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together.”

Resources & Mentions

• Brené Brown’s research and ideas on wholehearted leadership
• The PRINT® approach to personal insight, self-awareness and motivation
• The African proverb: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
• Pukka Herbs, a values-led health and wellbeing business
• Mindfulness, yoga, and reflective practice as leadership supports

Connect & Explore

• Nicola Ellwood: executive coaching, leadership programmes and podcast updates at https://www.nicolaellwood.co.uk
• Explore the work of Brené Brown on wholehearted and human-centred leadership
• Talk to Nicola about the PRINT® approach, a unique next-generation insight tool that she is licensed to use with leaders and their teams to develop self-awareness, strengthen communication and support high performance.

Nicola Ellwood - Be Your Best

Warren James CB CBE DL on Leading within the RAF

Nicola welcomes Warren James, a leader whose career spans more than three decades in the Royal Air Force. Along the way, Warren rose to positions of command, took on significant responsibility in training and career development, and later transitioned into the world of education and mentoring. Today, he is a mentor and consultant who uses his rich experience of leadership to help others grow and thrive.

Warren reflects on his early experiences of stepping into leadership roles as an 18-year-old, learning the realities of responsibility, and gradually understanding what truly helps people flourish.

Their conversation moves beyond job titles and traditional ideas of success, exploring the realities of self-awareness, communication, learning through mistakes, and creating environments where people can do their best work. Themes of vulnerability, humility, empowerment and trust run throughout the episode, alongside honest reflections on handling pressure and being the leader people need during times of crisis.

Warren also shares insight into the quieter and less visible aspects of leadership: when stepping back, listening carefully, or simply creating space for others can make the greatest difference.

This episode will resonate with anyone interested in human-centred leadership, military leadership, and building strong team cultures rooted in trust and accountability.

In This Conversation

• Early lessons learned as a young leader in the military
• What it means to really listen and connect with people
• Self-awareness, vulnerability, and the willingness to ask for help
• Building team culture where people feel empowered to contribute
• Handling risk, uncertainty, and challenge with calm and perspective
• Taking responsibility, especially during moments of crisis
• The power of curiosity and seeing situations through others' eyes
• Making space for reflection and big-picture thinking
• Balancing enthusiasm and drive with patience and moderation

Moments That Stood Out

“You learn as much from your mistakes as you do from your success.” 12:10

“The why always matters. It’s amazing how easy it is to forget that in the heat of the moment.” 30:40

“There’s a belief that people are constrained. Actually, when they’re not, they’ll do amazing things.” 19:21

“You start to realise your version of truth is not the truth. It takes someone around you to hold up a mirror sometimes.” 15:10

“Leadership is about being visible, setting an example, and being prepared to say when you’ve got it wrong.” 32:23

Resources & Mentions

• John Adair’s leadership model: team, task and individual
• Reflections on executive coaching, mentoring, and self-awareness in leadership
• Insights on team culture and empowerment from both military and civilian settings
• “Never underestimate the ingenuity of an idiot” — a personal mantra on learning and challenging assumptions
• References to NLP perspectives on human potential and possibility

Connect & Explore

• Nicola Ellwood: executive coaching, leadership programmes and podcast updates at www.nicolaellwood.co.uk
• Explore more about the PRINT® tool, a next-generation insight tool that Nicola uses with leaders and teams to support self-awareness, transformation and high performance
• Browse other podcast episodes exploring leadership, identity, communication and personal growth

Nicola Ellwood - Be Your Best

In this thoughtful episode, Nicola sits down with George Gilbert, a polar explorer and the  strategic lead for South Wales Fire and Rescue Services’ Leadership Academy. George brings a rare blend of lived experience, dry humour and candour, sharing a journey that spans from an early love of horses, to breaking into the fire service at a time when very few women were present, to crossing Antarctica on an unsupported expedition.

At the core of this frank and open conversation is a grounded reflection on what it really means to lead through setbacks, hard choices and team dynamics startegies thatmatter but you can draw on and matter when you really need it. George talks openly about self-doubt, stubbornness, and the labels women often carry, showing how those traits can become resilience when life calls for it. The episode explores themes of communication, trust, adaptability and the kind of self-awareness that lets you support others, especially when the stakes are high and resources are thin.

Nicola and George unpack the importance of kindness in leadership, the difference between self-belief and stubborn insistence, and the perspective that comes from enduring true adversity. The conversation goes beyond career highlights, offering honest insight into what holds a team together in moments of extreme difficulty, and what it means to value people for exactly who they are.

This is a conversationfocussed on service leadership, expedition leadership and the mindsets and approaches within. Burt mostly about us as humans how we support ourselves and others as our bests

In This Conversation

• George’s early path: from hating school to finding her place in uniformed services
• Navigating personal setbacks, expectations and societal norms as a woman in male-dominated fields
• Learning financial independence and why that became a driving force
• The reality of leading an Antarctic expedition: the mental and physical toll, team dynamics and that key word - trust
• How anger, self-doubt and stubbornness fuels progress when reframed
• The importance of real talk, not corporate talk
• Building team culture rooted in trust, plain language and shared intent
• Why kindness, flexibility and perspective matter more than any leadership model
• Working with yourself, not just on yourself, as a foundation for wider leadership
• How resilience is shaped by the stories we live, and why perspective helps us navigate tough times

Moments That Stood Out

“It was an element of stubbornness for me, not letting myself down and not letting other people down and proving doubters wrong.” 11:09

“You just need to be kind to your fellow human beings. That’s my bottom line.” 16:52

“If you can’t work with yourself, then how can you work with other people?” 30:52

“Be the person that you needed when you were growing up.” 41:44

“You don’t need to be your best self every day… you trust that the people around you can hold you when you’re not.” 31:42

Resources & Mentions

• South Wales Fire and Rescue Service
• ITVX documentary covering George’s Antarctic expedition
• “Leaders Eat Last” (referenced as a cultural phrase)
• Wonder Woman, Linda Carter (on female role models)
• Margaret Thatcher (reflections on early female leaders in public life)
• Antarctica expeditions and the Women in the Fire Service conference

Connect & Explore

• Nicola Ellwood: executive coaching, leadership programmes and podcast updates at https://www.nicolaellwood.co.uk
• Watch the ITVX documentary covering George’s Antarctic expedition https://www.itv.com/walesprogrammes/articles/fire-and-ice-the-antarctic-fire-angels
• Learn more about South Wales Fire and Rescue Service and its leadership initiatives
• Explore previous podcast episodes focused on leadership, resilience, communication and team culture

Nicola Ellwood - Be Your Best

Nicola Ellwood invites listeners into the heart of the Being Our Best podcast. As a coach with over two decades working alongside executive leaders, athletes and those committed to genuine personal and professional growth, she shares both her passion for this work and her perspective on what it means to be at your best.

Drawing from years of experience across a range of organisations and sectors, Nicola explores how real leadership is rooted in self-awareness, thoughtful intention and human connection. Rather than offering generic advice, she focuses on authentic stories–including her own–to illustrate how growth, resilience, and positive impact take shape over time.

Listeners are introduced to the ethos behind the podcast: a place for honest conversations with leaders from diverse backgrounds who reflect on their journeys, challenges, and the qualities that shape meaningful leadership and team culture. 

Nicola Ellwood - Be Your Best