Building Better Leaders

In this weeks episode we meet Gert Jan Hofstede Professor at Wageningen University and co-author of “Cultures & Organisations - Software of the Mind.” He is a speaker and trainer about cross-cultural issues, evolution of culture, organisational behaviour, trust and transparency, specialising in agent-based models of socio-technical systems.
In understanding Cultures across the world, he make sense of understanding cultures in organisations and looks at how culture specifically influences leaders and leadership. We discuss peoples inert traits, and what tends to happen when people feel wronged. 
By taking a look back over time we delve into how the dangers to people have changed from an outward perspective to a more inward threat. We ask Gert Jan why he describes “Culture as ripples on the ocean of shared human nature,” where he defines human nature as: “Status, power, and logic in reference groups.” 
We all discuss how we’ve been affected by our experiences of leadership good and bad, and ask whether any individual is strong enough to coerce everyone? What traits must political leaders display, and how does this differ across the world?
Gert brings the whole cultural discussion to life with a short story loaded with lots of useful questions and examples describing the six issues of social life.
Gert Jan’s Leadership Essentials:
1. Maintaining a stable good mood, but be vigilant (technically: non-neurotic)2. Awareness that modesty counts when it comes to knowing that your followers make you3. Being Culture-aware (know that one size does not fit all)
Links for Gert Jan Hofstede:  http://www.gertjanhofstede.com/

In this weeks episode Rachael & John are joined by Andy Copsey Ex-Chief Operating Officer for Handelsbanken UK. Andy shares his early experiences of Leadership and how he contrasts the changes when moving to Handelsbanken in 2001. 
He explains how they adopted a Devolved Leadership model from Jan Wallander and how its appeal intoxicated Andy, as he grew the start-up bank in the UK.
Andy speaks very eloquently about the differences with established competitor banks, as he led a decentralised operation where his P&L, and his team decision making capabilities made them very accountable to their actions. A bank that employed people on their values and trustworthiness without a traditional bonus structure was an unusual business; yet it became very successful, and whilst quite unforeseen, managed to withstand the 2008 Banking crisis in a way that astounded people and organisations with a more purist approach and outlook.
Andy shares his thoughts on a number of leadership principles; the importance of a true equality, diversity & inclusive approach. He remarks on how broad and deep people’s range of skills and abilities are in the sector, making them fantastic all-rounders.
We ask Andy what’s next now that he moves onto the next chapter of his career, he says he will always work, so what exactly does someone do after a 38-year career, once they’ve been given 60 hours a week back; Andy shares his 6 things to do in 60 hours.

Andy’s Leadership Essentials: (1:15:00)

1. The start of any meaningful relationship: One of mutual trust and respect

2. Understanding peoples core values & principles: Recruit and develop people with these in mind. So that they may give the best of themselves

3. Leading from behind: Give your people space & time to create their own futures and ways of working. Your role as a leader is to help create an environment that helps them achieve their long-term career potential.

Links: 

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/pat-s-party1-landsend-john-o-groats https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/home-workers-are-less-inclined-to-retire- early-tt77wz5sh 

In this weeks podcast John & Rachael are joined by CEO of Potential Squared, Colin Hunter. Colin is also the author of the new book: 'Be More Wrong.'
In this episode we discuss with Colin how experiencing failure or not living up to his family ambitions allowed him to dance to his own tune, in his own life and rhythm. Colin discusses how he makes it his life work to help people use these 'screw ups' to turn things around in life and in business. It’s a wonderful conversation to take a new look at leadership, how you lead a team by embracing micro failures.
We talk about strengths, building resilience, how to have difficult conversations, asking yourself if it’s worth having a difficult conversations or if you just want to get something off your chest? Colin gives his tips on role playing difficult conversations and the real value this drives for leaders.
We talk about Andrew Websters design thinking, and how we can leave ego and expertise at the door, coming up with insights and ideas and test them using small experiments. Tips include how do you warm your team up daily? And how playground games like rock paper scissors can work really well in the workplace?
Leadership Essentials:
1. Squirrel - to keep your radar open for new ideas or approaches 
2. Mentoring - if you are not mentoring two or other people as a leader you’re not doing the right thing
3. Use an advisory board - have a few people you recruit for difference that can spot when you are screwing up, but can also help you be more wrong, more frequently. Noses in fingers out or noses in fingers in. It’s best to have mix of both!

Website: https://www.potential2.com/en-gb/ 

Reading: 

https://ozanvarol.com/books/Think like a rocket scientist 

In this weeks podcast John & Rachael reflect on the leadership theory and traits discussed with their past three guests; psychologist Graham Keen, Pets at Home CEO Peter Pritchard, and former Catholic Priest turned Coach Brian Bachand. 

They then turn the topic for this episodes discussion to the key differences between leadership and management. Exploring how and why many exceptional managers get promoted into senior leadership roles and find the skills that got them there, no longer work. 

The discussion around Leadership & Management focuses on our three leadership essentials to distinguish between the two different skills. 

1. Leaders focus on inputs. Managers focus on outputs. Where is your focus?

2. Where is non-directive, and directive leadership appropriate?

3. How aware are you of your leadership style in different situations, and in particular when the stakes are high? 

In the Coaching Approach we re-visit our fictional organisation where with the best of intentions we discover how it becomes too easy to jump into micro-managing behaviours. Where the leadership team are not aligned in their approach we start to see a dysfunctional team causing mistrust throughout the organisation, as two leaders revert to type and start to manage rather than lead their teams. 

In this weeks episode John & Rachael are joined by fellow coach Brian Bachand, founder of evolution, evolution. 
We discover what stands behind his mantra: “When you stand in your truth, embrace what is in your heart, then you are free to evolve.” A former Roman Catholic Priest, Brian talks openly about what he learnt from working in the Vatican, how he uses that knowledge in his coaching to help new CEO’s develop their leadership style.
We ask him about the types of challenges professional leaders and new CEO’s face, and how he helps them navigate the boardroom, and the similarities that can be drawn from the playground.
Some of the sound bites and useful insights for first time CEO’s and those wanting to progress into senior leadership roles include: 
- What to do when you have that inner feeling that “there’s something else."- How to recognise that you are “Going Netflix.” Where you keep replaying scenarios over and over and unhelpful thoughts auto play into other parts of life - The art of asking the question “What do you desire?” Again and again.
Brian’s Leadership Essentials:
1. Practice ‘inner work’ everyday. Whatever form that is will help you create the clarity you need to develop the world you desire to have
2. Relationships, that help people feel joyfulness and challenge will help people succeed at a different level.
3. Follow the joy. When the joy is missing its more a reflection on yourself than what’s happening around you.
Brian kindly shares how he maintains his own leadership essentials on a daily basis - we get in the scope on his daily rituals and practices.

In this weeks episode John & Rachael are joined by Group CEO of Pets at Home, Peter Pritchard. It has been an extraordinary last 18 months for so many of us, typified by more people than ever becoming pet owners, so we had so many questions for Peter.
As a first time CEO listen to how Peter approached the challenge of wanting to be an exceptional good leader, helped by experienced CEO’s who were so generous with their time.
We talk to Peter about leading pets at home through the global pandemic and how he and his senior leadership approached this challenge in a unique way that results in them thriving through a crisis.
Drawing on Peter’s considerable experience in retail, which he prefers to call “satisfying the customer” find out about what his leadership team considered to be their priorities, and how they devolved responsibility through the organisation. 
He has some interesting things to say about how they supported their people through the Covid crisis, which provides a wonderful insight into pets at home's organisational and cultural ethos.
He shares his very personal story of “coming out,” and how everyone can have that moment “to be themselves,” and the huge respect people get for their courage, and how he finds that people can associate with others, by being genuine and normal.

Peter’s Leadership Essentials: (01:08:40)
1. Bring the real you to work. It helps you form great relationships with people because they can see your imperfections, because they trust you.
2. Be supportive and realistic. It’s important as a leader that you can use your judgement: when to back people, when to allow people to fail safely, helping them learn important lessons. 
3. Be really kind. Allow people to have their crisis, support them by investing in their emotional back account.

In this weeks podcast John & Rachael are joined by the wonderfully engaging and effervescent business psychologist, a former CFO and corporate finance adviser Graham Keen.
Author of Positive Leaders, Positive Change, Graham has studied with the father of positive psychology Dr. Martin Seligman, and through The Positive Profitability Company Graham offers game changing psychological insights into maximising profitability and wellbeing.
If you’ve ever found yourself trapped by a combination of a lack of resources, impossible deadlines and an unreasonable shareholder / or Boss then this podcast will set you on your way to approaching business life and leadership differently.
We discuss a variety of subjects whilst keeping our eye on the psychology elements that drive them:

He introduces us to CREAMS where we discuss, creativity, resilience, emotional and analytical intelligence, motivations, and self-esteem.
Leadership Essentials:

1. Don’t fall into the trap of following your favourite leaders habits, because you are not them! By creating Positive Emotional Affect you create the right conditions that allow people to follow you! You cannot demand it! If you can get your people to give you discretionary effort, you are onto a winner!

2. Positivity trumps everything else. The maximum impact of effectiveness on one individual or a company cannot be better achieved with anything else other than positivity

3. Think about your Organisational Ethos - a combination of leadership values and behaviours, organisational culture, and the engagement climate; work on these things and keep them at the forefront of your mind, ensuring the fairness of distribution of rewards
Graham has kindly offered to send anyone who emails him a copy of his book. You can contact Graham through LinkedIn, or [email protected]

In this episode John & Rachael pull together the leadership thoughts of their guests from the previous three shows, and start by taking a light-hearted look at comparing the England football team, and the team in #10. 

Highlighting the sober curious movement when they were joined by Clare Pooley; they discuss what we can learn from a youthful leadership and why it might be a good idea, to be more aware about how much we drink. 

Reflecting on their conversation with Crisis Management expert Jonathan Hemus; they consider where your organisations biggest crisis ‘blind spot’ might be.

When it comes to the benefits of ‘intricate goal setting’ they remember their conversation with Huddersfield Giants Rugby League Captain - the inspirational Michael Lawrence.

In the Coaching Approach our fictional organisation has been enjoying new employee well-being benefits, but a decision made to change a key supplier has come back to bite our leaders, how will they react? Can they use any of our leadership essentials to help them respond? What does it say about this organisations culture when it comes dealing with a crisis? 

In this weeks episode we chat with Michael Lawrence - Club Captain and Loose Forward 14 years at Huddersfield Giants Rugby League and a Jamaican International looking forward to the upcoming RL World Cup. 
Recently invited to the Rugby League Inclusion Board we begin by discussing inclusion and making rugby league more diversely appealing. We chat about Michael’s experiences growing up into a sport where role models were thin on the ground, and how he’s driven to changing it for youngster coming into the game.
In this fascinating interview we draw parallels with leadership in sport and business, how it differs on and off the field; what the importance of “Next Job,” means to Michael in his playing strategy.
Winning and consistent performances in professional sport are the difference between keeping your place in the side, resigning your contract and putting food on the table; Michael shares his work ethic and motivations, the crucial importance of multiple goal setting, how it differs from player to player and how do you cope with ‘pressure?’
We discuss what lies ahead for Micheal, and look deeper into how his leadership experiences can help others in the future.
We discuss Black Lives Matter; Michael shares his thoughts on some of the interviews he conducted back in 2020, his reflections about the confusion and lack of understanding leading to people acting defensively.
Michael’s Leadership Essentials:

Integrity: Doing what I say, follow through otherwise you loose respect and your team

Honesty: Good or bad news, being brave enough to confront the situation 

Empathy: Getting to know people and their situation, understanding what are people’s Why’s always helps relationships

Links:
Rugby League I & D Board: https://www.rugby-league.com/governance/inclusion-&-diversity/inclusion-and-diversity-board

In this episode of the podcast John and Rachael talk to Jonathan Hemus - founder and managing director of crisis management consultancy Insignia. He is also the award winning author of ‘Crisis Proof’ - ‘How to prepare for the worst day of your business life’ written for executives who have responsibility for crisis management thrust upon them.
We discuss a proactive approach to Crisis Management and the many benefits it can bring to an organisation - even if it never ends up facing a crisis. Jonathan shares examples of historical exceptional and poor handling or crisis, making this conversation super insightful for leaders and executives who are considering the need for crisis management interventions. 

Jonathan talks through a summary of his twenty-five years’ of crisis management experience so business leaders can successfully prepare for and handle their worst business nightmares. We discuss the relevant skills required when communicating during a crisis to journalists, stakeholders, and team members; skills which are also transferable into having difficult conversations in daily leadership life.
Tips for leaders leading through a crisis:

Jonathan’s Leadership Essentials:
1. Be true to your values - both yours and the organisations. Those that suffer most in a crisis act contrary to their values
2. Be courageous in making decisions - if you don’t make good early decisions the crisis will manage you, rather than you managing the crisis 
3. Look after yourself and look after your people

Links from the show:

Website & Book: https://jonathanhemus.com/
Crisis Management Training: https://insigniacrisis.com/