Beyond The Water Cooler

As we celebrate International Women's Day, I'm delighted to be joined by Dr Shawn Andrews, author of The Power of Perception: Leadership, Emotional Intelligence and the Gender Divide.

I came across her book a few years ago and it was gripping - loads of jaw-dropping data, relatable case-studies and practical advice about women in leadership roles. She has so much to say that we split the conversation into two parts! 

In the first episode, Shawn explains the 5 main barriers for women in business which are nothing to do with their skills or competencies and everything to do with perceptions of women. We've seen this all to clearly recently with Jacinda Ardern. 

We then turn our focus to the 7 superpowers that women bring to companies and these take us into the second episode where we also explore questions such as 'why are some women more successful than others?'.

Shawn outlines examples and practical ways to develop these attributes if they are not your strengths (that goes for men too). And she outlines the benefits to men, both personally and professionally, of supporting women to climb the career ladder. 

Enjoy!

Dr. Shawn Andrews is a keynote speaker, organizational consultant, and author of the best-selling book, The Power of Perception: Leadership, Emotional Intelligence, and the Gender Divide.

She’s been a Forbes contributor, quoted in the Chicago Tribune, and interviewed on dozens of podcast and radio shows, including NPR.

She serves as a professor at both UC Irvine and Pepperdine University business schools, teaching courses on Women and Leadership and Organizational Behavior. She is founder and CEO of Andrews Research International.

LinkedIn: Dr Shawn Andrews

Facebook: Dr Shawn Andrews Page

Instagram: @drshawnandrews

Website: www.drshawnandrews.com

Email: [email protected]

7 Superpowers of Women (part 1) | LinkedIn

Book: The Power of Perception: Leadership, Emotional Intelligence, and the Gender Divide - Shawn Andrews Ed.D. M.B.A

Amazon.com

Amazon.co.uk

7 Superpowers of Men (part 2) | LinkedIn

Women in the Workplace | McKinsey

Angela Lee Duckworth: Grit: The power of passion and perseverance | TED Talk

6 Leadership Styles from Daniel Goleman, the Author of the “Leadership That Gets Results” (business-powerhouse.com)

Midlife. Crisis or Opportunity? - It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)

Can We Achieve Balance? - It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)

A Female Perspective in celebration of International Women’s Day – Charlotte Wilson - It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)

3 inspirational female leaders - It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)

LinkedIn : www.linkedin.com/in/lisapsychology

Website: www.itstimeforchange.co.uk

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I know this guest really well, having worked with her over a number of years. Amanda Page of Change Tempo is a coach specialising in leading change. 

We have supported a number of clients, from the NHS to recruiters, combining our expertise to lead change. Whether that's about navigating the unknown, anxiety about how to change people's behaviour, or overcoming push-back, Amanda and I have guided leaders through the turbulence.

In this episode we discuss a number of issues and strategies that leaders need to be aware of, including:

• The cost of ignoring the people factor in the process of change 
• The need to anticipate resistance and the confidence to overcome that
• The role of resilience and the impact of change on performance and mental wellbeing
• Change management vs change leadership
• The Change Cycle
• The value of story telling

How much time are you investing in getting the experience of change right for your people?

Get people right, get business right.

Chat to us. We can support you to change the narrative from upset and commotion, to exciting opportunity and positive investment. 

Transforming your organisation can be career defining for leaders, so it's important to get it right. As a change expert and coach, Amanda works with leaders to help them accelerate change & following a long career in the global tech industry in Org Change, Learning and Development and Customer Loyalty, she has a deep understanding of the key levers required to successfully lead people through change resulting in ongoing career advancement for themselves and their team.

LinkedIn: Amanda Page Change Tempo

Website: www.changetempo.com

13 Skills to Build Resilience - It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)

6 Trade secrets that will transform how you lead change (changetempo.com)

Research:

EY research reveals that 47% of key employees leave after a major transaction. Within three years, that number has grown to 75%. This represents a painful loss of valuable human capital, and it can come with devastating impact:  How a new talent mindset can solve the post-merger integration puzzle (www.ey.com)

Swedish House of Finance, together with Nova School of Business and Economics take a deep dive into Swedish employee-employer level data linked to individual health records to find incidence of stress, anxiety, depression, psychiatric medication usage. (Data covered all merger transactions in the Swedish economy between 2007 and 2015. Latest draft April 2022, first draft Dec 2020): How do mergers and acquisitions impact employee mental health (www.hhs.se)

• The study found that M&A negatively impact workers’ mental health including stress and anxiety, depression diagnoses, both inpatient and outpatient care, medication prescription.
• Overall mental health issues increased 2.6% among employees after an M&A compared to the pre-merger period.
• Both employee in and out-patient hospital care after a merger or acquisition rose by 2% and 5% respectively compared to the pre-merger period. 

The Big Reason Why Some People Are Terrified Of Change (While Others Love It) (forbes.com) 62% of people who either don’t like to leave their comfort zone or do so only occasionally.

Books:

The Change Cycle: How People Can Survive and Thrive in Organizational Change - Ann Salerno, Lillie Brock (Amazon.co.uk)

Beyond the Wall of Resistance (Revised Edition): Why 70% of All Changes Still Fail - And What You Can Do About It - Rick Maurer (Amazon.co.uk)

LinkedIn : www.linkedin.com/in/lisapsychology

Website: www.itstimeforchange.co.uk

Sign up to be kept in the loop: www.itstimeforchange.co.uk/jointheclub

Email: [email protected]

Having the "capacity to remain flexible in our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours when faced by life disruption, or extended periods of pressure" (Pemberton) is essential for resilience.

It's fair to say that many of us still expect to come out the other side feeling like we've survived a storm.

Yet, when we get resilience right, we should emerge feeling "stronger, wiser and more able."

How do we do that?

In this episode of the Beyond the Water Cooler podcast, Dave Greenaway and I discuss how to lean into adversity and to build our resilience as we go.

It is more than bouncing back. Resilience may take you on a different path to the one you were on previously. Or you might continue along the same route wearing different clothes as you learn from your experience.

Are you in control?

Listen to the advice we share and check out my blog about strategies to develop greater resilience.

Can you afford not to?

As a Life in Business & 3 Principles coach, Dave is deeply committed to helping others discover the innate wisdom and well-being within themselves so they can improve their business and life.

Through one-on-one coaching sessions, workshops and talks, he guide people on a journey of self-discovery and business growth, and helps them tap into their own inner resources and realise their full potential.

LinkedIn: Dave Greenaway

Facebook: LifeInBusinessEvents

Twitter: @LifeInBusiness_

TikTok: @lifeinbusiness

13 Skills to Build Resilience (itstimeforchange.co.uk)

Resilience in a new world - It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)

Sabotaging your resilience and wellbeing? - It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)

LinkedIn : www.linkedin.com/in/lisapsychology

Website: www.itstimeforchange.co.uk

Sign up to be kept in the loop: www.itstimeforchange.co.uk/jointheclub

Email: [email protected]

Mel Francis is an accomplished HR Director and she joins me to talk about Neurodiversity in the workplace.

Mel supports HR, and Diversity and Inclusion professionals, on their journey through her company, NeuroinclusiveHR.

We explore:

• What neurodiversity really is
• Different types of neurodiverse conditions and their common traits that may be evident at work
• Bias, stigma, stereotypes and the use of language
• The power of ingroups and outgroups, 
• The impact of culture and psychological safety
• The value of people uniqueness and the cost of fuelling ignorance
• The correlation between neurodiversity and mental health challenges
• The responsibility of employers

Mel provides practical steps to achieving a neurodiverse company. Whether you're starting out or looking to apply a neurodiverse lens to all stages of the employee lifecycle, she has clear advice about what to do.

Mel is an accomplished HR Director with over 25 years’ experience gained within complex matrix organisations in the public, private, and not for profit sectors.

LinkedIn: Melanie Francis

Website: www.neuroinclusivehr.com

Understanding the spectrum

Neurodiversity at Work – Professor Amanda Kirby and Theo Smith

Rebel Ideas – The power of thinking differently - Matthew Syed

Do-IT Profiler – Neurodiversity screening and tools

ONS Report - Outcomes for disabled people in the UK: 2020

ILM – Workplace neurodiversity – The Power of Difference

Employment Law Journal article (PDF Download)

Everymind at work - Neurodiversity resources

Board Diversity and Effectiveness in FT350 Companies

6 Neurodiversity Recruitment Programs at

Leading Companies (tallo.com)

Everlief Child Psychology - West Wycombe, serving families in Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire | Brighter Futures

LinkedIn : www.linkedin.com/in/lisapsychology

Website: www.itstimeforchange.co.uk

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ESG is just about the physical world, right? Wrong. There is so much packed into this term that every business needs to consider what it means for them. Whether we're talking about values, opportunities in the workplace or recruitment, ESG needs to be a central driver if we are serious about investing in our future. We all need to be part of the change now, talking less, doing more. 

Who better to join me to explain the benefits and how to approach ESG than Nicola Weir, Internal Sustainability and Climate Leader, and ESG Lead, for Deloitte Asia Pacific. 

Nicola explains the connection between ESG, employee engagement, mental wellbeing, performance and other key measures that companies are grappling with. She also explores the increasing reality that investors are looking for good ESG credentials, and the impact that is having on companies rethinking the needs of employees. 

We discuss:

🌍 The increasing volume of employee voices connecting ESG and employee experience

🌍 How to go about interpreting the standards and practices associated with each of the 3 disciplines within ESG

🌍 How companies can join the dots between employee experience, business strategy and their ESG initiative

🌍 Where to start so that the ESG agenda feels less overwhelming for SMEs

🌍 How organisations communicate their ESG efforts so that they are meaningful to current and prospective employees (complimenting what Sophie and Alice of The Joyful discuss in their episode of the podcast about marketing)

🌍 Key actions business leaders should be implementing now to make a real difference to employee engagement

Shaping a responsible business that treats people well requires a shift in behaviour. Nicola is clear about the fact it's a journey, and the need to take small steps so that the process avoids feeling scary. However small your business, there are conversations you can have and bite-sized changes that you can make to become more sustainable, purposeful and rewarding for your employees (and the planet). 

Nicola poses a great question, and one that I will leave you with...

"What would our children do?"

Nicola is Deloitte Asia Pacific's Internal Climate and Sustainability leader and ESG Partner within Deloitte South Korea. Prior to this Nicola was head for Deloitte Europe's internal sustainability strategy, WorldClimate. She has 20 years experience in business transformation, with specialism in ESG. She has worked in UK, Indonesia, Nepal, Tanzania, Mozambique and now Korea.

She is a mentor to young women and an advisor for start ups - in Nepal she helped establish a business accelerator- Nepal Communitere. In addition she was the founder of consultancy company Thagaconnect who connected experts with NGOs to provide ESG and training services. Nicola was also a Director for Myinloco Ltd community app.

LinkedIn: Nicola Weir

Email: [email protected]

The Social Value Model (publishing.service.gov.uk)

Environmental reporting guidelines: Including Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting requirements - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures | TCFD (fsb-tcfd.org)

IPCC — Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

GRI - 2020-11-26 GRI supports sustainable efforts among SMEs (globalreporting.org)

Guardian article last year: 'Climate depression is real. And it is spreading fast among our youth'

Judy Samuelson - ESG: Not woke capitalism or greenwashing—but an opportunity for employee voice (qz.com)

What is net zero? Five things you need to know | Deloitte UK

Deloitte Lightbulb List - Recommended reads from leaders and experts to help inspire climate action | Deloitte UK

LinkedIn : www.linkedin.com/in/lisapsychology

Website: www.itstimeforchange.co.uk

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The fabulous David Saab, Mental Wellbeing Champion and Business Alliance Manager for the Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce, joins me to kickstart my new series of the podcast for 2023.

In his role at the Chamber, David has a unique perspective into what's going on within companies across the Thames Valley. His observations about what's working and what isn't, David's insight into interpreting that, and his advice about what businesses should focus on during the year ahead, makes this episode a must-listen.

Our conversation includes:

• The omission of employee feedback in business planning for 2023, why that is and what companies should be doing differently
• Unpicking some of the challenges that organisations have been struggling with over the last year and how to re-think them to move forward with greater success
• Ticking boxes, including an insightful perspective on the impact of Mental Health First Aiders
• Reasons why many companies continue to neglect or undermine the critical role of meaningful relationships
• Work-arounds for managers who struggle to engage with the individual conversations within their team
• The power of case-studies for moving forward, based on the resource 'Building a Positive Mental Wellbeing Culture'
• Must-dos for leaders to build into their business plan for the year ahead to shift course from "pebble dashing" and "papering over the cracks" (brilliant terms from David to sum up the reality for many companies)

David talks from his heart and with much wisdom. The key messages about what leaders should be focusing on are not rocket science. This conversation strips back the levels of complexity that many companies have found themselves grappling with to improve employee experience, and looks at the simple things that make the biggest difference. 

David's four distinct chapters of his working life include; his youthful chapter spanning various roles and organisations in the UK and Canada, e.g Cable Harness Engineer for a subcontractor building gun turrets for the Greek military. All of which he absorbed and loved.

The second chapter saw David progress from Telesales to Country Manager launching Consumer Electronics and IT Accessory Brands into IT Distribution and Retail Channels.

David then trained for three years as a Psychotherapist and found his passion for being with Clients.

For the past four years David has worked at the Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce as Business Alliance Manager and heads up their mental health.

LinkedIn:

David Saab

Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce

Website: www.thamesvalleychamber.co.uk

Email: [email protected]

7 simple questions that will really make a difference to your business After Action Review - It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)

Leading with Intention; TVCC webinar presentation by Lisa - Lisa's presentation is 14 minutes, short enough to watch over a coffee! Or find out more and watch the whole webinar: Working Through A Pandemic and Beyond - It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)

The TVCC's Mental Wellbeing Case Study Report ‘Building a positive mental wellbeing culture Mental-Health-Report-Interactive-Spread-Smaller-file.pdf

Mental Wellbeing Charter | Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce

(thamesvalleychamber.co.uk)

Rob Smedley talking about After Action Reviews Racing Ahead with After Action Reviews – with Rob Smedley - It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)

Magnus Wood, the guru of kindness The Metaverse: The Future of Work? – with Magnus Wood - It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)

Jim Liptrot who is an MD that's all about the people It’s all about the people – with Jim Liptrot - It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)

Dan Sodergren, Your FLOCK, joins the Beyond the Water Cooler Podcast Future of Work: Not What You Think – with Dan Sodergren - It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)

Your FLOCK Save Your Company ££££'s Support Your People More (yourflock.co.uk)

Govox Wellbeing and Mental Health Platform | Govox - The Proactive Wellbeing Solution

LinkedIn : www.linkedin.com/in/lisapsychology

Website: www.itstimeforchange.co.uk

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Email: [email protected]

In this final episode of the series, Lisa highlights some of the key principles for successful growth in life and business. She discusses the relevance of getting employee experience right at a time when so many employees are feeling emotionally drained and therefore simply don't have the capacity to perform well. 

Lisa identifies key themes that have arisen from conversations with the guests and the over-arching messages about going back to basics regarding human relationships, and creating space. 

Which points inspire you to check out my guests' episodes?

And how are you going to build some of this advice into your experience, to shape a year ahead where you have greater capacity to succeed?

LinkedIn : www.linkedin.com/in/lisapsychology

Website: www.itstimeforchange.co.uk

Sign up for Lisa's Monthly Bulletin: www.itstimeforchange.co.uk/jointheclub

Email: [email protected]

Sarah Page, People Operations Lead at OOMPH has a diverse experience from working in public, private, start-up and corporate companies. She has learnt what works and what doesn't, to create a role in this new, award-winning business.

We discuss... 

• How Sarah has intentionally shaped a role that focuses on people over process.
• What are the key elements that have made the role, and her employer, so successful
• The impact of different approaches
• Revealing blind spots that lead to action
• Open mindset and a disruptive approach to working
• Culture add vs fit for culture; the power of diversity
• The hugely influential value from working within a non-profit organisation 

Sarah is incredibly humble but the reality is she has so much wisdom that others can really benefit from. She makes it all sound so easy but when we are driven by our values and adopt a human approach to work, it really isn't that hard.

Listen to the podcast and then reach out to continue the conversation. You can tell from hearing us... we're easy to talk to! 

Sarah is passionately sustainable, a little bit nerdy about tech (and excel) and a lover of people, so it’s no surprise she finds herself working in the EV sector for one of the coolest companies in Cambridge - OOMPH EV Charging, 'a Female founded clean-tech start-up that is developing the technology to deliver an EV charge top up, when and where you need it. Helping to remove the barriers to EV ownership by putting the consumer first.'

Her focus at Oomph is both to talent spot and help foster a culture that supports diversity, inclusion and belonging. To build an environment that focuses on people and their experience, making work more efficient, fulfilling, rewarding and enjoyable for all.

LinkedIn:

Sarah Page

OOMPH

Instagram: @oomphevcharging

Twitter: @oomphEV

Website: www.oomphev.com

RUN BRITANNIA: What I learned - Rachel Sparkhall (LinkedIn)

Consider yourself a good leader? - It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)

Engagement surveys...worth it? - It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)

Don’t be the brand who cried purpose – Sophie Turton & Alice Reeves, The Joyful - It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)

Should I Stay or Should I Go? – with Emma Browning - It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)

LinkedIn : www.linkedin.com/in/lisapsychology

Website: www.itstimeforchange.co.uk

Sign up for Lisa's Monthly Bulletin: www.itstimeforchange.co.uk/jointheclub

Email: [email protected]

I’m delighted to be joined by two communication experts, Sophie Turton and Alice Reeves, Directors and Founders of The Joyful. They break down myths, challenge assumptions, get "ranty" about boxes, and really shine a new light on marketing. 

I loved this conversation! It was a lot of fun at the same time as communicating how we need to think about branding differently. 

From company culture, unpicking purpose and authentic leadership, to ESG and net positive impact, Sophie and Alice have a lot to say! And their energy is palpable! 

They share ideas about how to shape business to be joyful, meaning that people love being part of it and spread the right messages about your brand. It's about getting beyond the glossy marketing to make your company look a certain way, and instead shouting about what it's really like. You can spot the necessary link with getting the culture right!

We talk conscious responsibility, collective purpose, feedback loops and how simple things are good! And so much more.

Honestly, I can't think of two people I'd rather have a good, frank conversation with about how we do things. That's why we're finding opportunities to join forces... imagine the difference when you can join all the dots around communication, company culture and mental wellbeing, that underpins everything your company is about.

Put the joy back into your organisation. Get the people right to get your business right.

Sophie Turton and Alice Reeves are directors and co-founders of The Joyful, a brand impact and communications consultancy for purpose-driven businesses. They are passionate about using the power of business as a force for good, and work with organisations of all sizes to create joy through every interaction.

They are both mental health advocates and speak openly about their experiences with mental illness and neurodiversity and are on a personal mission to make business more human.

LinkedIn:

Sophie Turton

Alice Reeves

The Joyful

Facebook: wearethejoyful

Instagram: @wearethejoyful

Twitter: @wearethejoyful

Website: wearethejoyful.com

Authentic Leadership: Transcending Leadership - It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)

2021 ESG report: Sustainable and inclusive growth | McKinsey & Company

Social Responsibility | McKinsey & Company

Download: The Joyful Impact Wheel

LinkedIn : www.linkedin.com/in/lisapsychology

Website: www.itstimeforchange.co.uk

Sign up for Lisa's Monthly Bulletin: www.itstimeforchange.co.uk/jointheclub

Email: [email protected]

This is a first! I have two fantastic guests joining me today - Danni Rush, COO, and Lauren Sweeney, Head of People at Virgin Incentives. 

We met at the Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce Business Awards in June where they won Employer of the Year! They are scooping up an increasing number of nominations and awards, including most Inspirational Place to Work, recognition as the #1 Emerging Company to Watch in the US by CIO Bulletin, and Business Leader of the Year in the Thames Valley Business and Community Awards for Danni! 

We unpick what is behind Virgin Incentive's success that is all about creating an extraordinary experience for their employees. Danni and Lauren outline what is most important, including their #bettertogether and #embracechange values that has put a real emphasis on connection and collaboration.

We explore the role of both intrinsic motivation and tangible rewards within a purposeful organisation, and personalisation to avoid the one-approach-fits-all, tick-box response to employee recognition. That also includes recognition that their company is not for everyone. The clarity about their culture, confidence in their purpose and values, and transparency in their communication, means that their employees are onboard and enjoy a rewarding experience. 

Lauren and Danni describe the culture at Virgin Incentives that is driven by innovation, enabled by the trust and honest communication that they have worked hard to develop. The conversation is an honest reflection on leadership and employee experience hygiene factors.

They identify what they can do better and some of the challenges that lay ahead, as the business continues to grow. 

With these two people leading the way, Virgin Incentives will continue to stand out for all the right reasons.

Just goes to show that putting people first counts. 

Danni Rush is Chief Operating Officer for Virgin Incentives, Virgin Experience Days and Virgin Experience Gifts. Danni’s career has spanned several industries including travel, retail and outdoor education. Her passion for team engagement, having seen the positive impact that a highly engaged and motivated team can have on business performance. Danni leads the customer experience, product development, partnerships and the people strategy and helped the business navigate through the challenging pandemic period to increase employee engagement ratings and win gold at the 2021 UK Employee Experience Awards.

Lauren Sweeney is Head of People of at Virgin Incentives, Virgin Experience Gifts and Virgin Experience Days. Passionate about true engagement in the workplace and business growth through a first class people experience.

LinkedIn:

Virgin Incentives

Danni Rush

Lauren Sweeney

Facebook: Virgin Experience Days

Instagram: @Virginexperiencedays

Twitter: @virginincentive

Website: www.virginincentives.com and www.virginexperiencedays.co.uk

Awards were the reason I was lucky enough to come across why Virgin Incentives stands out. Find out why I was sharing their table at the Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce Business Awards here: TVCC Awards - It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)

Virgin Experience Days | Experience Blog | Features

CIO Bulletin: Overview | LinkedIn

Thames Valley Business & Community Awards: About | LinkedIn

Jessica Hankers | LinkedIn - Head of Sales at Virgin Incentives

Incentive Awards Events | LinkedIn 

TVCC | LinkedIn

LinkedIn : www.linkedin.com/in/lisapsychology

Website: www.itstimeforchange.co.uk

Sign up for Lisa's Monthly Bulletin: www.itstimeforchange.co.uk/jointheclub

Email: [email protected]