Refreshing Leadership

In this episode of Refreshing Leadership, you'll dive into the world of neuromyths and neuroscience with me!

We'll debunk common misconceptions and explore how to practically apply neuroscience in coaching and psychology.

Get ready for eye-opening discussions about the brain, learning, and the power of science-based metaphors.

We'll address the complexities of coaching psychology, the challenges of staying neuroscience-informed, and the evolving nature of the field.

Join me for an insightful journey into understanding the incredible nervous system in action.

#TraumaInformedLeadership #RefreshingLeadership #RefreshingLeadershipPodcast #CoachingPsychology #KnowDifferentBeDifferent

00:00 Debunking neuromyths in leadership and neuroscience.

03:15 Addressing neuroscience myths and applying practical models.

06:51 Apple is more than just chemical compounds.

10:18 "Neuromyth: Left-brain, Right-brain affect personality"

14:51 Effective learning materials on neuroscience and memory.

18:06 Neuroscience is complex and should be respected.

20:58 Coaching psychology is flexible, adaptable, and responsive.

If you enjoyed this or found it useful please subscribe on the show website, https://refreshingleadership.buzzsprout.com/
You can listen on most platforms,  or scroll through all the episodes on my website here.
I write a companion blog to each episode - they are all on my website here. 

Do please share this link, and if you'd like, give it a rating or leave a review (wherever you listen) will help the podcast reach more people.

Thank you!

To continue the conversation go to:
Website: https://katebrassington.com/ (where you can easily message me)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-brassington/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/katebrassingto3
Email:  [email protected]

I first heard of Ruth Cooper-Dickson because it seemed like everyone in my network was talking about her and her research in trauma-informed coaching! Fast track several months and here she is to share her research, experience, expertise, and life wisdom, with little glimpses through Neuro-Divergent eyes along the way. 

In this episode:

A Trauma-Informed Approach:
Ruth and I engage in a deep discussion on the nuances of trauma in leadership and how to navigate mental health in the workplace, combining the need for understanding with actionable strategies.

Leading Through Adversity:
We explore the balance between fostering resilience and acknowledging the challenging economic and global health pressures leaders face.

Neurodiversity and Memory:
Ruth sheds light on the complex interactions between neurodivergent perspectives, trauma, and memory, offering insights on how these dimensions play a crucial role in personal and professional growth.

Well-being and Integration:
The episode dives into the dynamic process of integrating past experiences to create a healthy and effective leadership journey.

From Coaching to Therapeutic Support:
As always with folk who do this work, we touch on the intersection of coaching and therapy, opening up the discussion to how leaders too can provide support that transcends conventional boundaries.

Join us for an insightful session that resonates with the complexities of human experiences, advocating for mental health and purposeful leadership.

#TraumaInformedLeadership #RefreshingLeadership #RefreshingLeadershipPodcast #CoachingPsychology #KnowDifferentBeDifferent #MentalHealthChangeAgent

Timestamps:

07:46 Struggling with panic dis-order, advocating for mental health.
11:17 Entering workplace, adapting to fit in, resilience.
21:57 Shared experiences result in diverse internal reactions.
25:04 Learning, memory, trauma, triggers, and self-talk.
30:56 Mental health and trauma perceptions in society.
34:07 Certified breath work leader promotes holistic healing.
42:29 Interviews revealed diverse domestic abuse experiences and coaching.
45:22 Coaching program leads to transformative personal journeys.
51:30 Coaching for leadership in challenging environments.
01:00:36 Supporting people in accessing mental health care.
01:02:48 Desire to publish a practical guidebook on post-traumatic growth.
01:08:12 Offering support for mental health in leadership.


You can get more from Ruth on her website www.ruthcooperdickson.com

She writes regularly - this is her Substack link: https://ruthcooperdickson.substack.com/

Discount

Ruth has offered us a special 10% off discount on an annual paid subscription to her Substack here.

https://ruthcooperdickson.substack.com/katepodcast

If you enjoyed this or found it useful please subscribe on the show website, https://refreshingleadership.buzzsprout.com/
You can listen on most platforms,  or scroll through all the episodes on my website here.
I write a companion blog to each episode - they are all on my website here. 

Do please share this link, and if you'd like, give it a rating or leave a review (wherever you listen) will help the podcast reach more people.

Thank you!

To continue the conversation go to:
Website: https://katebrassington.com/ (where you can easily message me)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-brassington/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/katebrassingto3
Email:  [email protected]

In this episode of Refreshing Leadership, we're diving deep into the intriguing world of procrastination. My aim is to bring deeper thought and perspective to the roles of procrastination. It often gets a kicking with people trying to force it away instead of noticing how to understand and harness it for positive effect!

I'll be exploring the question of whether procrastination acts as a protector or provocateur in our lives (or both!). We'll peel back the layers to understand the roles of the brain, consider trauma-informed principles, and examine the influence of neurodivergence on this complex phenomenon.

Protector: I take you through the Nervous System’s natural “setting” that causes us to pause and assess before taking action. We'll take a closer look at how perfectionism and executive function come into play, and I'll share practical strategies to work effectively with this protective aspect. We’ll see the importance of self-compassion and the value of breaking tasks into manageable steps.

Provocateur: I'll uncover the thrilling edge that procrastination can bring to our best work and energy, particularly for individuals with neurodivergent traits. We'll explore the impact of pressure and the pursuit of dopamine hits, and I'll encourage you to embrace your individual strengths while seeking healthy ways to fulfill your needs.

This episode offers a thought-provoking and informative journey into the complexities of procrastination, providing actionable strategies for you to navigate and harness these dual roles.

Some time stamps:

00:00 What inspired this episode
04:45 Understanding procrastination
07:57 Perfectionism and its impact on mental health.
10:02 Listen to protector, break tasks into steps.
15:40 Thriving under pressure in fast-paced societies.
19:25 Focus on meeting deadlines with acceptable quality.
21:18 Break tasks into small manageable steps. Prioritize self-compassion.
24:40 Don’t forget you can work with me to improve mental health.

If you enjoyed this or found it useful please subscribe on the show website, https://refreshingleadership.buzzsprout.com/
You can listen on most platforms,  or scroll through all the episodes on my website here.
I write a companion blog to each episode - they are all on my website here. 

Do please share this link, and if you'd like, give it a rating or leave a review (wherever you listen) will help the podcast reach more people.

Thank you!

To continue the conversation go to:
Website: https://katebrassington.com/ (where you can easily message me)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-brassington/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/katebrassingto3
Email:  [email protected]

As you can imagine, Security is a male-dominated world, recruiting often from police and military veterans (who are predominantly male). So I resonated strongly with some of the issues Letitia was struggling with when she coached with me a few years ago. I’m super proud of her courage and stance on making such an important profession more open and accessible not just to women, but all minority groups.

ASIS International is a global community of security practitioners who are trained, certified and professionals in the protection of assets - people, property, and/or information.

She’s fun, bubbly, and atypical in several different ways (see if you can spot them!). We chat about her early formative life experiences and the various helpers and guides she found along the way to her current senior role in corporate security, as well as her repeated election as UK ASIS Chapter Chairwoman and Board Director.

In particular she shares her experience of finding professional help to identify the best colours and styles of clothes for her. As a petite woman in a roomful of men, she was more often asked if she was from communications, or catering, than recognised as the keynote speaker. While she laughed this off, it wasn’t doing her confidence much good.

She describes the game changing experience of getting a professional colour and personal image consultant in boosting both her inner self confidence and outer self expression, and in the episode we promise to give you the links, so if you’d like to follow this up check out the consultant she mentions https://www.linkedin.com/in/traceymoys/ or the website where you can find a consultant near you https://www.houseofcolour.co.uk/find-consultant or https://www.houseofcolour.com/find-consultant

Some timestamps:

00:00 A Surprise career path.

07:23 Experience in sports contributed to leadership skills.

11:22 Stepping up to lead and inspire change.

17:58 Historical context shapes perceptions of security roles.

23:46 Inclusion and care for employees in workplace.

28:45 Focus on physical aspects of cyber threat.

37:27 Balancing risk, storytelling, influence, business acumen, enforcement.

41:28 Dress influences perception and professional expression.

47:42 Ready to break out of old self.

50:05 Building trust through authentic, consistent behavior is key.

56:09 Discovering color helped confidence, transformed wardrobe journey.

If you enjoyed this or found it useful please subscribe on the show website, https://refreshingleadership.buzzsprout.com/
You can listen on most platforms,  or scroll through all the episodes on my website here.
I write a companion blog to each episode - they are all on my website here. 

Do please share this link, and if you'd like, give it a rating or leave a review (wherever you listen) will help the podcast reach more people.

Thank you!

To continue the conversation go to:
Website: https://katebrassington.com/ (where you can easily message me)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-brassington/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/katebrassingto3
Email:  [email protected]

In this episode of Refreshing Leadership, I take you with me on a dive I have recently been revisiting - systems-inspired leadership.

This is a chance to take a macro view of leadership and focus on interconnectedness.

I discuss the three levels of human systems - me, we, and they - and the the power of recognizing and growing strengths at these levels.

I emphasize the need for individuals to take control and manage their own career and life, whether they are self-employed, freelancers (duh, that’s obvious) or employed.

Yes, employed people need to take career management into their own hands and craft and shape their steps just as freelancers and self employed people do!

Talk about getting the fun back - when you step into your agency and power as a leader, whether of just yourself or huge teams of teams, you are shifting your mindset.

With a theme taken from the great book “HR: Disrupted”, I invite you to see yourselves as both consumers and human beings, and highlight the power of self-compassion and vulnerability in leadership. Tune in to hear practical tips for bringing yourself into the center of the system and taking care of yourself while leading within it.

Here are some timestamps:

00:08 My early training in systems theory and its implications.

05:45 Simplified three levels of system: me, we, they.

10:41 Identify and grow personal and collective strengths.

14:19 Reflect on empathy, compassion, and vulnerability in leadership.

16:19 Work one to one for positive change

#RefreshingLeadership #CoachingPsychology #TeamsOfTeams #Resilience #Confidence

If you enjoyed this or found it useful please subscribe on the show website, https://refreshingleadership.buzzsprout.com/
You can listen on most platforms,  or scroll through all the episodes on my website here.
I write a companion blog to each episode - they are all on my website here. 

Do please share this link, and if you'd like, give it a rating or leave a review (wherever you listen) will help the podcast reach more people.

Thank you!

To continue the conversation go to:
Website: https://katebrassington.com/ (where you can easily message me)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-brassington/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/katebrassingto3
Email:  [email protected]

Ever wanted a kitchen table natter with a really approachable, but super effective person, to ask them “but hang on, how did you do that”? Well that is exactly what I got to do with Clare Phillips, and the result is this week’s podcast episode.

I’m so pleased that my tenuous link with Brigadier Clare Phillips CBE (we were both at Royal Military College Sandhurst at the same time, she was in the intake above me) and her genuinely open and helpful personality, meant that when I scooted her a message to ask if she’s be willing to chat with me for the podcast, she said yes immediately!

Clare is currently serving as the Deputy Military Secretary at the Army Personnel Centre in Glasgow. With career highlights such as being Co-Chair of the Army LGBT+ Network, and REME Corps Colonel (2016-2018), you know she has some interesting stories to tell.

I knew it was going to be a great chat when her answer to my first question began “Well, that happened by accident, which I think is the beginning of all good stories…”

Here are some timestamps:

07:45 Historical women's role stereotypes.

15:43 Motivation theory: competence, autonomy, relatedness, self-determination.

20:12 Resilience in high- and low-trust environments impact.

23:26 Reflections and advice on workplace trust.

29:47 Building trust and connections to inspire others.

35:02 Appreciating great leadership and the loneliness of command.

43:11 Realization of sexual orientation, changes in society.

47:43 Connection between trauma, leadership, and LGBTQ community.

53:53 Trauma-informed approach acknowledges suffering, but voices matter.

59:23 Gratitude for healing in community after inquiry.

01:04:15 Questioning male leadership, exploring gender and authenticity.

01:09:58 Strive to be positive and consistent daily.

01:15:30 1-on-1 support for mental health and leaders.

If you enjoyed this or found it useful please subscribe on the show website, https://refreshingleadership.buzzsprout.com/
You can listen on most platforms,  or scroll through all the episodes on my website here.
I write a companion blog to each episode - they are all on my website here. 

Do please share this link, and if you'd like, give it a rating or leave a review (wherever you listen) will help the podcast reach more people.

Thank you!

To continue the conversation go to:
Website: https://katebrassington.com/ (where you can easily message me)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-brassington/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/katebrassingto3
Email:  [email protected]

I saw a post recently that said “Have you missed your chance to set goals for 2024”… with a shudder I clicked onwards. No such negativity nonsense thank you!

We are still in midwinter (us Northern Hemisphere lot anyway) and this has a massively important role to play for our cyclical wellbeing… through nesting. 

I've been exploring the idea of nesting as a valuable part of our midwinter rituals. It's all about the process of arranging our surroundings and thoughts to create a sense of security and comfort, and I believe it's an essential step before setting goals. 

Join me as we explore how nesting can lead to gaining clarity, building confidence, and ultimately transitioning into action. I'll be sharing practical advice and exercises to help you take stock of your life and make deliberate choices about what to focus on as we move forward. 

Here’s some timestamps:

00:00 Let’s demystify nesting and midwinter rituals.

05:31 Arranging thoughts and ideas for successful launch.

07:31 Reflect on life's progress; embrace change.

09:46 Assess all areas of life for clarity.

14:29 Choosing to not do things for now.

17:19 Work one-on-one, leader support, mental health.

As always, if you’d like support in moving through nesting and into preparation for goal setting for this year, get in touch. I have a number of different options at the moment so we will find something that works!

If you enjoyed this or found it useful please subscribe on the show website, https://refreshingleadership.buzzsprout.com/
You can listen on most platforms,  or scroll through all the episodes on my website here.
I write a companion blog to each episode - they are all on my website here. 

Do please share this link, and if you'd like, give it a rating or leave a review (wherever you listen) will help the podcast reach more people.

Thank you!

To continue the conversation go to:
Website: https://katebrassington.com/ (where you can easily message me)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-brassington/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/katebrassingto3
Email:  [email protected]

I came across Ruth Culver during lockdown, when I was simultaneously exploring Internal Family systems-Inspired Coaching, and Polyvagal Theory. Ruth has trained in both disciplines and had developed the Thrive/Survive spiral which I continue to find super helpful (you can download it free from her website, link below).

In chatting with her by email I discovered she’s very down-to-earth and last year I did one of her online “Intuitive drawing” workshops called Drawing Into Self which was simply beautiful as I got to work with her 1:1 as the demo client.

Here's a sneak peek of what's in store:

• Shaking Up Trauma: Ruth dives into animal research on trauma recovery—turns out, a good shake can work wonders.
• Breakthrough Therapy: Ruth champions a fresh healing paradigm, blending the 'survive thrive spiral' with polyvagal theory and internal family systems.
• Unleashing Creativity: Discover the secret to unlocking creativity in leadership—spoiler: it's all about flow and regulation.
• Emotional Validation: We're calling it a superpower. Validating emotions isn't just kind; it's critical to coping and thriving.
• Mastering Self-Leadership: From group workshops to one-on-one sessions, Ruth and I unpack the power of self-guided growth within us all.
• Body Wisdom: Ruth highlights the body's role in emotional processing—listen to that gut feeling; it's smarter than you think.

This is a gentle, soulful episode, timed into the middle of midwinter as we Northern Hemisphere folk tune inwards. Tune in to embrace innovation, nurture self-awareness, and lead with heart and mind in harmony.

Here are some timestamps:

00:00 Promoting physical and mental health for empowerment.

09:28 Effective use of intuitive drawing in groups.

10:37 Women lead communities, using drawing for peace.

20:29 Magic happens in non-judgmental, creative listening spaces.

21:29 Mediating conflicts using learned couple counseling skills.

30:04 Therapist explains use of neuroscience in therapy.

32:19 Adrenaline response, fight or flight, submission, defense.

37:59 Overcoming old beliefs to achieve personal growth.

42:31 Anxious and depressed amid different spaces.

51:22 Acknowledge and release overwhelming energy for well-being.

57:31 Modern attachment theory challenges Western social norms.

01:03:29 Support for leaders and teams with mental health.

To check out more from Ruth and download her Thrive/Survive Spiral head to her website here.

If you enjoyed this or found it useful please subscribe on the show website, https://refreshingleadership.buzzsprout.com/
You can listen on most platforms,  or scroll through all the episodes on my website here.
I write a companion blog to each episode - they are all on my website here. 

Do please share this link, and if you'd like, give it a rating or leave a review (wherever you listen) will help the podcast reach more people.

Thank you!

To continue the conversation go to:
Website: https://katebrassington.com/ (where you can easily message me)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-brassington/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/katebrassingto3
Email:  [email protected]

“Temper your empathy and train your compassion”

This is one of Rutger Bregmans top tips for resolving the bias and friction that persist in the modern Western world.

It falls to leaders of all kinds to make changes everywhere that are so badly needed for fairness, equity, and progress of humankind. 

I re-listened to Rutger's book, Humankind, over the midwinter break, and I was struck by how powerful and simple this message is.

Key Takeaways:

• Distinguish empathy from compassion: Empathy involves feeling the pain with someone, while compassion entails feeling for someone, leading to constructive action, thoughts, and problem-solving.
• Harness the power of compassion through meditation: Simple meditation techniques, such as lovingkindness meditations, can train the mind for compassion. Seek resources on platforms like Insight Timer, Headspace, and YouTube.
• Embrace compassion in leadership: Leaders, including solo entrepreneurs, can benefit from cultivating compassion, fostering a controlled, constructive, and energized approach to helping.
• How compassion can transform our approach to leadership and our overall well-being.

I loved it so much I  bring it to life for you here with examples from the research and practical tips for you to use right away.

05:47 Civilization hangs by thin threads, but kindness persists.

08:52 Human evolution leads to natural empathetic tendencies.

13:39 Compassion drives action, thoughts, and problem-solving.

16:07 Train your mind with compassion through meditation.

20:05 Supporting leaders and teams for mental health.

For more from Rutger Bregman go to his website here.

To read my blog on why I picked this topic for this episode, and why this is relevant for Refreshing Leaders, click here. 

If you enjoyed this or found it useful please subscribe on the show website, https://refreshingleadership.buzzsprout.com/
You can listen on most platforms,  or scroll through all the episodes on my website here.
I write a companion blog to each episode - they are all on my website here. 

Do please share this link, and if you'd like, give it a rating or leave a review (wherever you listen) will help the podcast reach more people.

Thank you!

To continue the conversation go to:
Website: https://katebrassington.com/ (where you can easily message me)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-brassington/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/katebrassingto3
Email:  [email protected]

Want to listen to a thoroughly inspiring person who is down-to-earth, real, and fun? Then you are in the right place!

I bring you my chat with Jules - mum, Senior Corporate Security Executive, family person, Tropic Ambassador, Trustee of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and Chair of British Wheelchair Basketball… yet still completely relatable, funny, down-to-earth, and wise.

We go through a ton of stuff, here are some highlights:

🌱 Growth Mindset: Jules shares the aspirations for her children in their professional pursuits, emphasizing the significance of working in environments that foster empowerment, trust, and authenticity. This discussion extends into a broader conversation about instilling resilience and the art of pivoting in the face of challenges.

🎯 Leadership Goals: Drawing from a rich background including military service and corporate engagement, we delve into the nuances of leadership versus management, the journey of personal growth, and the search for satisfaction within one's work.

👣 Personal Reflections: Jules reflects on her transition from military to civilian life and the crucial need for leaders to prioritize self-work and inner reflection to shape an effective leadership style.

🔎 The Leader-Follower Dynamic: Both Kate and Jules ponder leadership’s pivotal role in creating growth-oriented environments, cultivating authenticity, and safeguarding team well-being.

🔄 Transition Challenges: Jules candidly discusses her struggles with work-life balance during the pandemic and the importance of setting boundaries, especially in a globally connected world.

💡 A Path to Empowerment: Jules’s upcoming role shift and excitement about new beginnings serve as a powerful testament to how personal adversity can seed future growth and confidence.

🧘‍♀️ Mindful Leadership: Don't miss out on the heartwarming segment where we explore self-awareness practices, managing stressors, and finding peace in the chaos of leadership roles.

We hope that you enjoy listening to this as much as we did chatting together!

Stressors - in Your Life?

On a personal note, I do think this episode highlights the many stressors and challenges that are especially faced by women in leadership roles (though this of course isn’t wholly restricted to women). In an unsupportive environment, these can lead to mental health issues. In great environments, we can stay stuck in cycles of perfectionism and self-doubt (yes, they feed one another).

I specialise in helping people identify their unhelpful thinking, to move beyond past adversities (and even traumas) to ease suffering and get the fun back… especially to get your inner fire re-lit in your work, personal, or family life.

If now is the time to sort this out for yourself, or provide this for your team, get in touch through LI or [email protected].

P.S. Do you have any questions for me or want to suggest a topic for future episodes? Message me on [email protected].

If you enjoyed this or found it useful please subscribe on the show website, https://refreshingleadership.buzzsprout.com/
You can listen on most platforms,  or scroll through all the episodes on my website here.
I write a companion blog to each episode - they are all on my website here. 

Do please share this link, and if you'd like, give it a rating or leave a review (wherever you listen) will help the podcast reach more people.

Thank you!

To continue the conversation go to:
Website: https://katebrassington.com/ (where you can easily message me)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-brassington/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/katebrassingto3
Email:  [email protected]