During World War II, the OSS (precursor to the CIA) released the “Simple Sabotage Field Manual”—a handbook for disrupting enemy organisations from within. The shocking part? Much of it reads like a modern business playbook: excessive committees, slow decision-making, perfectionism on unimportant tasks, and endless meetings.

In this episode, we unpack the uncanny overlap between sabotage tactics and today’s workplace behaviours, why they persist even with good intentions, and how leaders can spot and dismantle them before they derail performance.

It’s a reminder that agility isn’t about speed — it’s about removing the hidden habits of sabotage baked into our ways of working.

--> View the associated post on Cultivated website - https://www.cultivatedmanagement.com/we-are-sabotaging-our-own-workplaces/

🤝 Support Cultivated Management

This podcast is a labour of love and will always be free, but it's not free to create it - if you’d like to support my work:

🚀 Buy a book, or sit a course.
🏢 Work with me
✉️ Subscribe to the Meeting Notes newsletter: https://www.cultivatedmanagement.com/newsletter/
📸 Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/cultivated.work
🎵 Follow me on TikTok : https://www.tiktok.com/@cultivated.work
👉 Connect on LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertlambert/
📸 Check out YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@creativesoulprojects

In this episode, I explore 10 practical principles that will help you study anything more effectively.

We’ll break down why active engagement beats passive highlighting, why depth matters more than sheer volume, and how teaching others sharpens your own understanding.

I’ll share how principles create a foundation for long-term mastery, why rest is essential for retention, and how embracing different learning styles keeps you flexible and open. Whether you’re developing professionally or pursuing personal growth, these tools will help you study smarter and turn knowledge into action.

--> A deeper and richer article on this subject is here: https://www.cultivatedmanagement.com/how-to-study/

🤝 Support Cultivated Management

This podcast is a labour of love and will always be free, but it's not free to create it - if you’d like to support my work:

🚀 Buy a book, or sit a course.
🏢 Work with me
✉️ Subscribe to the Meeting Notes newsletter: https://www.cultivatedmanagement.com/newsletter/
📸 Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/cultivated.work
🎵 Follow me on TikTok : https://www.tiktok.com/@cultivated.work
👉 Connect on LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertlambert/
📸 Check out YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@creativesoulprojects

In this episode, we explore what it really takes to create a true learning culture inside an organisation.

Not just training programmes or box-ticking courses, but learning as a shared behaviour that drives growth, engagement, and collective intelligence.

From role modelling as a leader, to giving teams time and space, to encouraging personal learning with no strings attached—you’ll hear practical ways to make learning part of your company’s DNA.

Plus, I share a surprising story about a mechanic course that reshaped an entire organisation’s culture.

--> Find more in-depth details and more resources on the website - https://www.cultivatedmanagement.com/building-a-learning-culture/

🤝 Support Cultivated Management

This podcast is a labour of love and will always be free, but it's not free to create it - if you’d like to support my work:

🚀 Buy a book, or sit a course.
🏢 Work with me
✉️ Subscribe to the Meeting Notes newsletter: https://www.cultivatedmanagement.com/newsletter/
📸 Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/cultivated.work
🎵 Follow me on TikTok : https://www.tiktok.com/@cultivated.work
👉 Connect on LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertlambert/
📸 Check out YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@creativesoulprojects

What are the timeless skills that make someone invaluable and successful at work?

In this episode, I break down the five core “Trade Skills” — persistence, facing facts, risk management, hands-on learning, and grasping numbers — and explains why they matter more than ever in today’s business world.

Learn how mastering these skills can elevate your career, sharpen your commercial awareness, and turn everyday challenges into opportunities for growth.

Accompanying article : https://www.cultivatedmanagement.com/trade-skills/

----
📸 Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/cultivated.work

🎵 Follow me on TikTok : https://www.tiktok.com/@cultivated.work

👉 Connect on LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertlambert/

📸 See the creative side of business life : https://www.youtube.com/@creativesoulprojects

👉 Develop skills, buy books, sit courses and learn about leadership, communication and creativity - https://www.cultivatedmanagement.com/

Crafting a Winning Conference Talk Proposal - and getting it selected

Want to share your expertise on a conference stage but feel stuck at the Call for Papers submission process? You're not alone! Getting your talk accepted is the crucial first step, yet it's often where aspiring speakers fall short.

In this episode, I share ideas straight from the Zero to Keynote book, on why, even if you have a cracking story to tell, your conference talk proposal is the first hurdle, demanding far more effort than you might think. From finding the perfect Call for Papers (CFP) to understanding conference themes, I'll guide you through the entire process.

Plus, I share my 10-step masterclass on writing a proposal that reviewers will shout "YES!" to.

Whether you're just starting your public speaking journey or aiming for bigger stages, learn how to craft a compelling submission that increased your chances of being accepted.

Find out more about the Zero to Keynote book : https://creativesoulprojects.substack.com/p/zero-to-keynote-book

Subscribe the Creative Soul Projects newsletters: https://creativesoulprojects.substack.com/

Public speaking at conferences or events, and even at work, can be a joyful experience. 

However, a major reason I hear from people who are hesitant to take that first step towards public speaking is that they struggle to find something to talk about. 

There is a kind of curse of knowledge - as in, why would I know something, or have something interesting to share, that hasn’t already been said by someone else? 

In other words, why would someone want to listen to me?

Well, that’s nonsense. In a kind way.

Nobody has your personal insights, experience and take on the world - and trust me, assuming you are speaking at the right event or conference, there will be people who are interested in what you have to say. 

So, one of the first things to do when you’re planning a talk, is to have something worth talking about; something you’re excited about sharing.

Step forth a heavy dose of ideation (the precursor to creativity) and let those ideas fill your bucket - then whittle them down and craft something you’re happy to talk about. 

Listen to the podcast for a deep dive into each way to generate talk ideas, and/or download the super cool free guide I’ve created over on creativesoulprojects.com

Until next time.

This is episode 5 of 5, of the Releasing Agility mini series, where I share the model and how it works. 

This episode of about learning and making ourselves, and the business, better

The model is designed to get leaders and managers to think about what they want to move smoothly and quickly towards - and then to focus energy and attention towards the things that really matter. 

This model is what I use when coaching managers and leaders - and the first three steps firmly belong to them. 

Step 1 - Paint a picture of the future - tell a story

Step 2 - Lean into the current reality - what's stopping you from achieving this bright future?

Step 3 - This is the team to get it done, or is it?

Step 4 - Routines and Habits

Step 5 - Learning - there's always a chance to get better

This is episode 4 of 5, of the Releasing Agility mini series, where I share the model and how it works. 

This episode of about building routines and habits - that lead to the painted picture.

The model is designed to get leaders and managers to think about what they want to move smoothly and quickly towards - and then to focus energy and attention towards the things that really matter. 

This model is what I use when coaching managers and leaders - and the first three steps firmly belong to them. 

Step 1 - Paint a picture of the future - tell a story

Step 2 - Lean into the current reality - what's stopping you from achieving this bright future?

Step 3 - This is the team to get it done, or is it?

Step 4 - Routines and Habits

Step 5 - Learning - there's always a chance to get better

This is episode 3 of 5, of the Releasing Agility mini series, where I share the model and how it works. 

This episode of about building the team to get it done.

The model is designed to get leaders and managers to think about what they want to move smoothly and quickly towards - and then to focus energy and attention towards the things that really matter. 

This model is what I use when coaching managers and leaders - and the first three steps firmly belong to them. 

Step 1 - Paint a picture of the future - tell a story

Step 2 - Lean into the current reality - what's stopping you from achieving this bright future?

Step 3 - This is the team to get it done, or is it?

Step 4 - Routines and Habits

Step 5 - Learning - there's always a chance to get better

This is episode 2 of 5, of the Releasing Agility mini series, where I share the model and how it works. 

This episode of about leaning into the current reality of your business - and building a strategy.

The model is designed to get leaders and managers to think about what they want to move smoothly and quickly towards - and then to focus energy and attention towards the things that really matter. 

This model is what I use when coaching managers and leaders - and the first three steps firmly belong to them. 

Step 1 - Paint a picture of the future - tell a story

Step 2 - Lean into the current reality - what's stopping you from achieving this bright future?

Step 3 - This is the team to get it done, or is it?

Step 4 - Routines and Habits

Step 5 - Learning - there's always a chance to get better