Systemic change may feel like a daunting challenging, but when we break it down into smaller parts using a purpose-led approach, it becomes achievable. Change needs persistence, allyship, and strategic thinking to drive it, but focusing on symptoms rather than root causes can blind us to meaningful solutions.

Dame Caroline Mason CBE is Chief Executive of the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, an organisation that aims to improve quality of life, particularly for people who face social and economic disadvantages. Caroline has a background in financial services and has lead other organisations that provide money to charities and social enterprises.

In her conversation with Julia, Dame Caroline discusses the value of breaking down complex issues into manageable parts, the crucial role of persistence and strategic thinking in effecting change, and how focusing on outcomes – rather than personal gain – forms the essence of generative leadership.

• Connect with Dame Caroline via LinkedIn
• Esmée Fairbairn Foundation
• Investing for Good

Authentic leadership, driven by personal beliefs and a genuine concern for the impact one's decisions and actions have on others, is crucial for building strong relationships and a sense of purpose and belonging in the workplace.

Brendan McCafferty has run large insurance companies and broking businesses, and with smaller, more entrepreneurial ventures. After stepping back from the executive world, he now serves as a non-executive chair for the National Employment Savings Trust (NEST), which manages retirement savings for about 13 million people in the UK.

In this episode, Julia and Brendan discuss authenticity in leadership and its impact on relationship building in the workplace, the power of acknowledging everyone's contributions, and how self-reflection can improve leadership skills and personal growth.

Effective leadership means more than just acquiring knowledge and seeking growth. It means understanding the human condition, simplifying our understanding of life, and realigning our priorities towards transformation. It means harnessing the unique aspects of humanity that can’t be replicated by AI, like intuition and the capacity for non-linear creativity and insight.

Jonathan Armes is a psychologist and chartered occupational psychologist who focuses on leadership, team, and personal development through coaching. He helps leaders in reducing the amount of noise and interference created in the workplace due to the growing digital landscape, and works with them to address the human condition.

In this episode, Jonathan and Julia discuss the role of ego in leadership, and the importance of aligning leadership actions with a meaningful purpose beyond commercial growth alone.

• Connect with Jonathan via LinkedIn
• Jonathan’s website

Understanding different thinking styles can make teamwork smoother and facilitate powerful change. Generative listening means creating environments that encourage independent thought and respect individuals’ perspectives. This means holding a space where each individual's unique thinking process is acknowledged and valued.

Servane Mouazan is a 'thinking partner' for people who are interested in investing in social and environmental change. Her work revolves around listening to and collaborating with people who are working to make the world a better place.

From this discussion, you’ll learn how generative thinking can improve teamwork and facilitate powerful change, understand the importance of acknowledging and respecting individual perspectives in a group setting, and discover how our environment and mindset can influence how we think.

• Connect with Servane via LinkedIn
• Be & Think in the House of Trust – Servane’s podcast
• Servane’s website

People receive and interpret information differently. By understanding how thinking styles and perspectives differ, leaders can create a space where everyone can contribute their best and thrive. This includes being open to feedback, seeking honest input from others, and adapting leadership approaches to suit different situations and team members' strengths.

Effective leadership is not about being directive or controlling, but about empowering others, being transparent, and providing purpose-driven guidance that aligns with the broader goals of the organisation.

Simon Merriweather is a physicist with a background in accounting and experience in the power industry. He has worked on coal, gas, and green power stations, and is now an advocate for renewable energy sources.

Simon’s interpretation of generative leadership focuses on purpose rather than on specific objectives. He believes in giving individuals the opportunity to contribute to a broader big-picture delivery. In this discussion with Julia, he shares his experience of implementing generative leadership in business, empowering his team to navigate an uncertain future and achieve exceptional operational and safety performance.

• Connect with Simon via LinkedIn
• Tradle – Game from the OEC
• Leave the World Behind (2023)
• The Day After Tomorrow (2006)
• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, by Stephen Covey

Our current definitions of success and the pursuit of more – more wealth, more things – are not sustainable and do not lead to true fulfilment. We need to shift our orientation towards a more interconnected and accountable approach, where success is measured by the positive impact we have on society and the environment.

Kresse Wesling is the co-founder of a social enterprise that’s been at the forefront of the B-Corp movement. It was initially setup with the goal of rescuing London's decommissioned fire hoses and turning them into luxury bags. They’ve since expanded to rescue and transform 12 different materials and work with various charity partners.

The award-winning business – Elvis & Kresse – is known for its commitment to social and environmental standards, with 50% of their profits going to charity. Kresse and her partner Elvis are pioneers in sustainable luxury and have been at the forefront of the B-Corp movement.

In her discussion with Julia, Kresse highlights the importance of embracing transparency, telling the truth about so-called “green” products and practices, and striving for continuous improvement in all aspects of sustainable business. It also emphasises the need for a cultural shift that values collaboration, empathy, and sustainability over individual gain.

• Connect with Kresse via LinkedIn
• Elvis & Kresse

Leadership is not about having all the answers, but about drawing the best out of people, allowing them to flourish, and creating a container for them to experiment and try new ideas.

Generative leadership involves listening, creating psychological safety, removing barriers to growth, and adapting to changing circumstances. Generative leaders learn from mistakes, are open to feedback, and foster a culture of resilience and flexibility.

Dave Hill is a transformational coach who has been on the front lines of the battlefield and in the boardroom. He’s the founder of Simplicity in Mind, an organisation aiming to create more space to help veterans who are struggling, along with their families. Dave has a background in military leadership, having served as a platoon commander and company commander. He’s passionate about drawing the best out of people, allowing them to flourish, and creating psychological safety.

• Connect with Dave via LinkedIn
• Simplicity in Mind
• The Simple Reflections podcast

Power, agency, and influence interplay at individual, group, and systems levels. Understanding their dynamics can help us navigate uncertain times and make better decisions.

Tony Fish is a writer and researcher whose upcoming book delves into the complexities of these concepts. The episode delves into the complexity of power, the ability to act (agency), and the role of influence in shaping outcomes. It also highlights the importance of questioning our own framings and asking better questions to break free from biases.

Tony's work aims to help individuals and organizations make better decisions in uncertain and changing environments. He emphasizes the importance of asking better questions, challenging framing, and fostering constructive relationships to navigate the dynamics of power, agency, and influence effectively.

• Connect with Tony via LinkedIn
• Power, agency and influence: a new framework about complex relationships – Medium article by Tony

Building trust and connecting with communities on a human level can bring about powerful and positive change. By approaching communities with an open mind and genuinely listening to their needs, leaders and organisations can tap into the abundance and resources within.

This takes a shift in perspective and a willingness to challenge the status quo, rethinking traditional approaches to community development.

Gary Loftus is a community developer who works with organisations and communities to bring about positive change. He believes in building trust and connections within communities and challenging traditional approaches to community development. Gary currently works for Our Happiness Factor, a community interest company focused on working with so-called deprived or underserved neighbourhoods. Their work empowers local people, explores their potential for change, and creates spaces for collaboration and exploration of ideas.

Gary describes how, by empowering and investing in local ideas and projects without imposing bureaucratic barriers, communities can foster a sense of ownership and engagement from within, leading to meaningful and sustainable outcomes for the people involved.

• Connect with Gary via LinkedIn
• Our Happiness Factor

Effective leadership requires understanding that not everyone thinks like you and has the same perception of a situation. Effective leaders listen, communicate clearly, and ensure the message is consistently understood and aligned throughout their organisation.

Slowing down to plan, communicate, and involve key stakeholders can help drive successful change and avoid inconsistencies. Trust, genuine passion, and embracing diversity are also crucial elements in leading a business and achieving desired outcomes.

Alastair MacDonald is a retired CEO who spent over six years as the CEO of Syneos Health, which grew from a 300 person organisation to over 30,000. He is now an operating partner with GHO Capital and works as a chairman for various companies. Alastair is a widely experienced leader with insights into creating change that serves society.

• Connect with Alastair via LinkedIn