MyLunchTable

MyLunchTable

By Simon HagueBusinessManagement
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MyLunchTable episodes

  • How to Work with ADHD in Business: Techniques, Resources and Success Strategies

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    Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a double-edged sword that represents both a significant challenge and a remarkable opportunity in the business world. This podcast is your comprehensive guide to thriving, providing evidence-based techniques, practical resources, and proven strategies for success in entrepreneurial and corporate environments.

    Discover the powerful correlation between ADHD and business achievement, learning how core characteristics—such as creativity, risk-taking, and hyperfocus—can propel leaders to extraordinary success. We explore the journeys of successful entrepreneurs like Richard Branson, David Neeleman, and Paul Orfalea, who attribute their accomplishments partly to their ADHD traits.

    Learn how to systematically manage executive function challenges, including difficulties with time management, organization, and task initiation. We reveal successful strategies such as implementing structured routines, leveraging technology tools like Trello and Todoist, using external accountability like Body Doubling, and mastering strategic delegation.

    Tune in to learn how to strategically leverage strengths while systematically supporting areas of difficulty, making your ADHD brain a competitive advantage that drives innovation and transforms industries.

    15 min
  • The Thriving Coach: Turn Your Expertise into a $7 Billion Business and a Balanced Life.

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    The coaching industry is booming, projected to hit $7.3 billion in 2025. But success demands more than just being a generalist; it requires deep specialization.

    In this podcast, we map out the journey to profitability and self-mastery. We dive into the 40 most lucrative coaching niches, from high-paying fields like Executive Coaching (charging $500–$1,000 per hour) and Career Coaching to rapidly growing areas like Health and Wellness and Financial Freedom.

    Learn how to clarify your unique niche—your North Star—to differentiate yourself and attract high-quality clients. We share essential strategies for launching your business from home, including utilizing social media for marketing, building trust with credentials and testimonials, and scaling revenue by selling on-demand content and packages.

    Beyond the business plan, we explore the emotional spectrum of human experience. We discuss how to navigate major life thresholds—whether they are moments of awe, grief, or silent resilience—and discover that true balance is the ability to stay grounded while being stretched. Hear honest conversations about overcoming emotional exhaustion, setting boundaries in one-sided relationships, and managing the midlife guilt of caregiving and anticipatory grief.

    Stop waiting until you "feel ready". This is your guide to making an educated guess, taking intentional action, and building a profitable coaching business aligned with your true self.

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    I have to admit - I am cheating a bit here.

    Done some research and found some wonderful content, but then using the magnificent NotebookLM from Google to compile.

    13 min
  • The 10 minute daily routine that prevents business burnout

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    In this episode, host Simon Hague discusses how dedicating just 10 minutes a day can help prevent burnout, sharpen focus, and maintain long-term energy. He introduces a structured routine involving breath work, gratitude, micro journaling, reconnecting with one's vision, and prioritizing manageable tasks. He emphasizes that these short, consistent check-ins are crucial for sustaining personal and business well-being. Hague also references research from Harvard Business Review, which indicates that 96% of leaders experience burnout. The episode aims to provide listeners with practical tools to enhance resilience and lead with purpose.

    00:00 Introduction: The Power of 10 Minutes

    00:27 Understanding Burnout in Today's World

    01:03 The 10-Minute Daily Routine

    02:35 Step-by-Step Guide to the Routine

    05:27 The Importance of Consistency and Honesty

    05:50 Conclusion and Next Steps

    7 min
  • When is an AI not a coach - when we call it an AI Coach

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    Are you ready to challenge everything you think you know about “AI coaching”? Then you need to listen to this episode of the MyLunchTable Podcast, hosted by Simon Hague. We’re cutting through the hype and jargon to ask the big question: can a machine really coach you like a human can?

    Here’s the truth: nearly 70% of organisations are already using AI-powered tools for leadership and learning. But let’s be honest—most of what’s called “AI coaching” is just clever software giving prompts, reminders, and data-driven nudges. Helpful? Absolutely. Coaching? Not even close.

    Simon breaks it down with a side-by-side comparison of human coaches and AI systems. Humans bring empathy, intuition, and real connection—qualities no algorithm can fake. AI, on the other hand, is always available and great with patterns, but it doesn’t really “get” you. It can’t listen between the lines or sense what you’re not saying.

    So why does it matter what we call these tools? Because words shape our expectations. Calling an app a “coach” is like calling your satnav a driving instructor. It’s misleading—and it sells short what real coaches do.

    If you care about personal growth, leadership, and learning, you can’t afford to miss this episode. Simon shares why we need to get honest about what AI can and can’t do, and how the future is about blending the best of both worlds—not replacing humans with machines.

    Ready for a fresh perspective? Grab your cuppa, tune in, and discover why the right label matters more than ever. This is the conversation that everyone in development and learning needs to hear.

    20 min
  • 10. Shift 4: From Hierarchical to Brain-Based Leadership

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    Discover a new era of leadership in this episode as we explore the fourth shift: moving from rigid, command-and-control management to a more human, brain-friendly approach. Traditional leadership styles often create stress and burnout, with nearly half of employees worldwide now reporting chronic stress. But what if the answer isn’t just working harder, but working smarter—by understanding how our brains actually function at work?

    Join us as we unpack the science behind brain-based leadership. You’ll learn why reducing stress isn’t just about wellbeing—it’s about unlocking better decisions, clearer communication, and healthier, more productive teams. Drawing on insights from neuroscience and thought leaders like David Whyte, we show how small changes—like starting meetings with a simple check-in or building ‘focus zones’ for deep work—can transform your team’s energy and results.

    This episode is packed with practical micro-shifts you can try today, from introducing “white space time” to swapping time-tracking for a results journal. These easy, low-tech strategies can help you create a workplace where people thrive, not just survive.

    If you’re ready to move beyond old-school management and lead with curiosity, compassion, and science, this episode is for you. Tune in to find out how brain-based leadership can help you protect mental health, boost performance, and build a team that’s resilient and engaged.

    Don’t miss out—listen now and start leading with your brain fully online!

    8 min
  • 9. SHIFT 3 - From Traditional Metrics to Triple Bottom Line Measurement

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    Explore how conscious leaders measure success beyond profit with triple bottom line: people, planet, and profit for sustainable growth.

    Simon discusses the evolving concept of measuring business success through the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) approach, which includes Profit, People, and Planet. 

    Introduced by John Elkington in 1997, TBL emphasizes that companies need to focus not only on financial performance but also on social and environmental outcomes. 

    Simon explores how leading organizations like Patagonia and Unilever integrate sustainability into their core operations. He challenges businesses of all sizes to shift from traditional metrics to TBL, advocating for sustainable practices that honor the well-being of employees, communities, and the planet. 

    The episode calls for a commitment to long-term thinking, data-driven decision-making, and the implementation of ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) frameworks to ensure meaningful, sustainable growth.

    9 min
  • 8. SHIFT 2 - Moving ESG from a tick box to a strategy

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    Explore how Strategic ESG Leadership transforms businesses by embedding sustainability into core strategy for growth and competitive advantage.

    Simon invites you to think about the urgent shift required in businesses' approach to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) responsibilities. 

    Emphasizing the transformation from reactive compliance to proactive integration, he argues that treating ESG as a core business strategy can drive innovation, reduce risks, and offer competitive advantages. He highlights the increasing importance of authentic ESG practices to stakeholders, including younger consumers and investors, and outlines actions businesses can take to embed ESG into their core operations. 

    Finally, Simon invites viewers to share their thoughts and experiences for potential future discussions.



    10 min
  • 7. Shift 1: From Profit-First to Purpose-Integrated Strategy

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    Let’s start with a bold claim: Companies with a strong, integrated purpose don’t just grow faster-they build deeper employee engagement and customer loyalty than those chasing profit alone. But are we really seeing the end of the “profit at all costs” era? I believe so, and here’s why.

    Why Purpose Matters More Than Ever

    The world’s biggest challenges-climate change, inequality, mental health, polarization-can’t be solved by squeezing out another percentage point of quarterly returns. Leaders are waking up to the fact that business doesn’t operate in a vacuum. We’re part of society, and expectations are shifting:

    • Employees want meaning in their work.
    • Consumers want brands that stand for something real.
    • Investors care about long-term sustainability, not just short-term gains.

    If you’re running your business like it’s 1999, you’re going to struggle in 2025.


    Real-World Example: Purpose in Action

    Take Zen Internet, a B Corp that recently won my business. Our sales conversation focused not just on price, but on values-how their mission aligns with my own. That’s what conscious business looks like in practice.


    Purpose Isn’t a Slogan-It’s Strategy

    Today’s most forward-thinking CEOs use purpose as their strategic North Star. This isn’t about greenwashing or empty slogans. It’s about defining a real, grounded purpose that addresses societal needs while still generating economic value. Profit and purpose aren’t opposites; when done right, purpose drives profit.


    What Does a Purpose-Driven Company Look Like?

    • Hiring: You look for people who share your mission, not just their skills.
    • Performance: You measure impact, not just revenue-think carbon reduction, diversity, community outcomes.
    • Culture: Purpose shapes every decision, from product design to partnerships.

    Patagonia is a classic example. Their mission-“We’re in business to save our home planet”-permeates every aspect of their operations. It’s not just on the wall; it’s in their DNA.


    Why Purpose Pays Off

    • Talent Magnet: Top performers, especially younger generations, want meaningful work.
    • Customer Loyalty: People stick with brands that stand for something.
    • Innovation: Teams aligned around a mission solve the right problems, not just any problems.

    If you’re leading a business today, integrating purpose isn’t just the right thing-it’s the smart thing. Purpose becomes the engine; profit is the outcome. As John Mackey of Whole Foods says, “A conscious business is an ethos that permeates the entire organization.”

    Strategy without purpose is just tactics in disguise. But when purpose leads, you move from transaction to transformation.


    Join the Movement

    This is episode one of a five-part series on Conscious Leadership Transformations. If this resonated with you, subscribe, leave a review, or share this with a colleague who needs to hear it.

    Stay curious. Lead with purpose. Shape the future. And remember: when you engage your deeper mission, business gets a whole lot more fun.

    8 min
  • BONUS - Top 10 pain points for an SME and how can automation solve them

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    Running a small business means wearing many hats, from managing sales and marketing to handling customer service and admin tasks. This can be overwhelming, but automation tools are here to help. These clever solutions can take care of repetitive jobs, freeing up your time to focus on growing your business.

    What Are Small Business Automation Tools?

    These are software and apps designed to automate everyday business tasks. Whether it’s sending emails, scheduling social media posts, managing invoices, or tracking leads, automation tools handle the routine work so you don’t have to. This means fewer mistakes, more time for important work, and a smoother-running business.

    Popular Tools for Small Businesses

    • Make or Zapier: Connects your favourite apps and automates workflows without coding. For example, you can automatically save email attachments to your cloud storage or send new leads straight to your CRM.
    • ActiveCampaign or Hubspot: Combines email marketing and customer management, making it easy to send targeted messages and keep track of customer interactions.
    • Hootsuite and Buffer: Schedule and manage all your social media posts from one place, saving you hours each week.
    • Xero: Automates accounting tasks like invoicing and expense tracking, giving you a clear view of your finances at all times.
    • Calendly: Simplifies appointment scheduling by letting clients book meetings based on your real-time availability.


    How Automation Helps Your Business

    • Saves Time: Routine tasks like sending emails, posting to social media, and managing invoices are done automatically, giving you more hours in the day.
    • Reduces Errors: Automation cuts out manual data entry, helping you avoid costly mistakes.
    • Improves Productivity: Your team can focus on bigger projects, knowing the daily admin is taken care of.
    • Enhances Customer Experience: Quick responses and timely follow-ups keep your customers happy.


    Getting Started

    Start by automating one or two key tasks, such as email marketing or social media scheduling. Many tools offer free trials, so you can see what works best for your business. As you get comfortable, you can automate more areas and enjoy even greater benefits.

    In short, small business automation tools are a smart investment. They help you work more efficiently, reduce stress, and set your business up for growth.

    12 min
  • 6 - Bridging the Fear of Failure: Why Coaches Hold the Key

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    Join us as we move through fear-not around it-using proven psychological frameworks and hands-on strategies. Discover how to turn setbacks into stepping stones, foster a culture where learning from mistakes is the norm, and unlock your own growth edge. Whether you’re leading a business, advising one, or standing on the edge of a new venture, this episode will help you shift from “What if I fail?” to “What can I learn?”

    Key Frameworks and Practical Tools

    1. The A-B-C-D-E Model (from Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, REBT)
    A step-by-step mental framework to reframe failure and disrupt unhelpful thinking:

    • A – Activating Event: What happened? (e.g., a campaign flopped)
    • B – Belief: What belief do you hold about the event? (“I always mess up.”)
    • C – Consequence: How do you feel and act as a result? (Deflated, avoid new ideas)
    • D – Dispute: Challenge the belief. Is it really true? What else could be true?
    • E – Effective New Behavior: Choose a constructive response (seek feedback, try again, reframe as a lesson)

    This model helps you move from spiraling self-doubt to actionable learning and growth.

    2. Normalize Micro-Failures

    • Treat failures as feedback, not disasters.
    • Break big goals into small experiments or “micro tests.”
    • If something doesn’t work, see it as data for improvement, not a verdict on your abilities.
    • This approach builds psychological safety, making it easier for teams to innovate and try again.

    3. Growth Mindset Practices

    • View failure as a lesson, not a final judgment.
    • Focus on what you can control.
    • Break projects into manageable chunks.
    • Use positive mantras and self-talk to reinforce confidence and optimism.

    4. Reflection and Preparation Techniques

    • Analyze which elements of a “failure” actually went well and which need adjustment.
    • Give yourself time to reset and visualize success before high-stakes moments.
    • Use reflection to identify strengths and areas for growth, rather than dwelling on setbacks.

    Takeaway


    Fear of failure is universal, but it doesn’t have to be a dead end. Use frameworks like the A-B-C-D-E model to challenge limiting beliefs, normalize micro-failures as learning opportunities, and cultivate a growth mindset. Surround yourself with people-like coaches-who help you move from fear to action. 

    Download the free failure reframing worksheet from mylunchtable.com/podcast/6 and start learning forward. Let’s build a braver, more innovative business community-one lesson at a time.

    11 min

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The source of resource podcast - exploring stuff that is simply topical and educationally business.