Stopgap Talks

Workplace Conflict: The Leadership Skills Nobody Teaches You

How do you handle difficult people, navigate workplace conflict and build a team where people feel safe to speak up?

Leadership isn’t just about setting direction, motivating people and delivering results. It also means navigating difficult conversations, managing competing personalities and knowing how to respond when tensions rise.

In fast-paced marketing teams and agency environments, unresolved conflict can affect far more than team morale. It can undermine trust, damage collaboration, and make it harder for people to do their best work.

In this episode of Stopgap Talks, Amanda McCarthy, Consultant at Stopgap, is joined by Eleanor Manuel, Leadership Development Consultant and Coach, and Head of People and Culture at independent media agency The Kite Factory.

Together, they explore how leaders can recognise unhealthy team dynamics, approach workplace conflict more effectively and build psychologically safe environments where people feel able to speak honestly.

They also discuss the importance of self-awareness, setting boundaries and managing your own emotional energy when you're responsible for leading others.

Whether you're managing a marketing team, leading in an agency environment or taking your first steps into leadership, this conversation offers a valuable opportunity to reflect on how you handle conflict, support your team and look after yourself in the process.

Connect with our guests:

• Eleanor Manuel: LinkedIn
• Amanda McCarthy: LinkedIn

We'd love to hear from you - what's the leadership skill you had to learn the hard way?

Join the conversation in the comments.

About Stopgap Talks

Stopgap Talks brings together marketing, digital and creative leaders to explore the people, skills, ideas and challenges shaping modern marketing teams and careers.

Follow Stopgap for more conversations with the people influencing the future of marketing.

Why are some marketing teams incredibly busy, but still struggling to deliver meaningful commercial impact?

Campaigns are going out. Content is being produced. Channels are active. Meetings are happening.

But activity doesn't always equal effectiveness.

In this episode of Stopgap Talks, Sibylle Harrison, Principal Consultant at Stopgap, is joined by Iain Morrison, a marketing leader with extensive agency and in-house experience, to explore what it really takes to transform a marketing function into a high-performing, commercially focused team.

Iain has worked with organisations including Greenwich Leisure, the University of Greenwich, The Big Issue, Anna Freud and the British Psychological Society, alongside experience across both agency and in-house leadership roles.

Together, Sibylle and Iain explore why marketing teams can become trapped in tactical "order-taking", where capability gaps emerge and how leaders can rethink team structures, processes and priorities around outcomes rather than simply channels.

🎧 Listen to Transforming Marketing Teams

If you're leading a marketing team, planning a restructure, reviewing your capability or simply wondering whether your current marketing function is set up to deliver what the business needs, this conversation offers plenty to think about.

And we'd love to hear from you:

What separates a busy marketing team from a genuinely high-performing one?

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About Stopgap Talks

Stopgap Talks brings together marketing, digital and creative leaders to explore the people, skills, ideas and challenges shaping modern marketing teams and careers. Follow Stopgap Talks for more conversations with the people influencing the future of marketing.

AI & Marketing: Two Marketers, Two Career Stages, One Changing Profession

AI is changing marketing. But does it change the way an early-career marketer approaches the profession compared with someone who has spent years building their marketing expertise?

In the final episode of our Stopgap Talks AI Recruitment Series, we bring together two marketers at very different stages of their careers to explore how they're approaching AI, what they're learning and how they think the profession is changing.

Jacinta Foreman, an early-career marketer, shares her experience of developing her marketing career at a time when AI is already becoming part of the everyday toolkit.

Jennifer Kennedy, a senior marketing professional with 15+ years' experience, reflects on how AI has changed her own approach to marketing — from content and SEO to strategy, research, podcast production and building more efficient marketing workflows.

Rather than asking whether AI will replace marketers, this conversation explores a more useful question:

What does it mean to become a great marketer when AI can increasingly help with the execution?

Two career stages. Two perspectives. One rapidly changing profession.

For marketers starting out, AI can feel like both an opportunity and a source of uncertainty.

For experienced marketers, it can mean rethinking established workflows and deciding which parts of the job should be automated, augmented or kept firmly human.

But there is common ground.

AI doesn't replace the fundamentals of marketing. It changes how quickly and effectively marketers can apply them.

The marketers who stand out may not necessarily be the ones who know the most AI tools.

They may be the ones who understand when to use AI, what to ask of it, what to challenge and where human judgement adds the most value.

Listen to the latest episode of Stopgap Talks and hear two very different perspectives on how marketers are adapting to the AI era.

And if you've been following our AI Recruitment Series, this conversation brings together the themes we've explored across the series - the candidate, the hiring manager and now the marketer.

Because the future of marketing isn't simply about AI. It's about the people who know how to work with it.

AI is changing marketing. But does it change the way an early-career marketer approaches the profession compared with someone who has spent years building their marketing expertise?

In the final episode of our Stopgap Talks AI Recruitment Series, we bring together two marketers at very different stages of their careers to explore how they're approaching AI, what they're learning and how they think the profession is changing.

Jacinta - an early-career marketer, shares her experience of developing her marketing career at a time when AI is already becoming part of the everyday toolkit.

Jennifer - a senior marketing professional with 15+ years' experience, reflects on how AI has changed her own approach to marketing - from content and SEO to strategy, research, podcast production and building more efficient marketing workflows.

Two career stages. Two perspectives. One rapidly changing profession.

For marketers starting out, AI can feel like both an opportunity and a source of uncertainty.

For experienced marketers, it can mean rethinking established workflows and deciding which parts of the job should be automated, augmented or kept firmly human.

But there is common ground.

AI doesn't replace the fundamentals of marketing. It changes how quickly and effectively marketers can apply them.

The marketers who stand out may not necessarily be the ones who know the most AI tools.

They may be the ones who understand when to use AI, what to ask of it, what to challenge and where human judgement adds the most value.

🎙️ Listen to the episode: AI & Marketing: Two Marketers, Two Career Stages, One Changing Profession

Listen to the latest episode of Stopgap Talks and hear two very different perspectives on how marketers are adapting to the AI era.

And if you've been following our AI Recruitment Series, this conversation brings together the themes we've explored across the series - the candidate, the hiring manager and now the marketer.

Because the future of marketing isn't simply about AI. It's about the people who know how to work with it.

AI Hiring: Do You Really Need to Hire an AI Specialist?

AI is rapidly changing the workplace, but for businesses looking to adopt it, there’s a big question that often gets overlooked:

Do you actually need to hire an AI specialist, or do you need to build AI capability across the organisation first?

In this episode of Stopgap Talks, Claudine, Lead Consultant at Stopgap, is joined by Amira Yehia, Founder of OMNAI Marketing, to explore what businesses should consider before creating their next AI role.

Working with CEOs and senior leadership teams, Amira helps organisations build AI as a strategic organisational capability, rather than simply adopting a collection of disconnected tools. Together, they look beyond the AI hype to explore what genuine AI readiness looks like and where hiring fits into the picture.

In this episode, some of the things we discuss:

🎧 Why hiring a Head of AI shouldn't necessarily be the first step

🎧 The foundations businesses need before investing in AI talent

🎧 How to identify whether you have a genuine AI skills gap

🎧 Whether AI should sit within Marketing, Technology, Operations or across the whole organisation

. . . and so much more!

For CEOs, founders, HR leaders, Marketing Directors and hiring managers considering their first AI hire, this is a practical conversation about building the right capability before adding another job title to the organisation chart.

Connect with our speakers -

Amira Yehia - Founder, OMNAI Marketing - LinkedIn | Website

Claudine Farrell - Lead Consultant, Stopgap Recruitment - LinkedIn | Stopgap

✨ Follow Stopgap Talks for more open, practical conversations about marketing careers, recruitment, leadership and the future of work.

Talent with a spark - www.stopgap.co.uk

AI is transforming recruitment — but what does that actually mean for the people looking for jobs?

From AI-powered CV screening and automated communication to AI-assisted interviews, candidates are already experiencing a very different recruitment journey. But alongside the potential for greater speed, personalisation and accessibility come new questions around trust, fairness and whether candidates are becoming less visible in an increasingly automated process.

In this episode of Stopgap Talks, Sarah Windsor is joined by Sarah Pieters, Founder of HeyMinty!, for a candid conversation about the human side of AI in recruitment.

Together, they explore what candidates are excited about, what they're worried about, and how marketers and other professionals can stay relevant as AI becomes increasingly embedded in the hiring process.

In this episode, some of the things we'll discuss:

• What candidates really think and feel about AI in recruitment
• The growing tension between recruitment efficiency and human interaction
• How AI is already changing CV screening, communication and interviewing
• Whether AI could make recruitment fairer and more accessible
• The skills candidates will need to stay relevant in an AI-shaped job market
• Why human skills, judgement and personal connection may become more valuable—not less
• How candidates can use AI to support their own job search and career development
• Whether AI is ultimately making recruitment better or worse
• What candidates should expect from employers as AI becomes more embedded in hiring
• Where Sarah thinks recruitment is heading next—and what we shouldn't lose along the way

It's a thoughtful conversation for anyone navigating the job market, hiring people, or trying to understand what the future of recruitment really looks like.

Connect with our speakers

• Sarah Pieters Founder, HeyMinty!
• Sarah Windsor Principal Consultant, Stopgap

✨ Follow Stopgap Talks for more open, practical conversations about marketing careers, recruitment, leadership and the future of work.

The way businesses hire is changing.

With tighter budgets, shifting priorities and increasing pressure to move quickly, many organisations are looking beyond permanent recruitment to find the skills they need.

But when should you hire on a fixed-term contract? When does an interim specialist make more sense? And where do freelancers fit into the picture?

In this episode of Stopgap Talks, Stopgap consultants Zoe Vannozzi and Lara break down the differences between FTC, interim and freelance hiring, helping marketing leaders and hiring managers understand which solution is right for different business challenges.

Whether you're covering maternity leave, delivering a transformation project, scaling a team quickly or simply need specialist expertise, this episode provides practical advice to help you make confident hiring decisions.

In this episode, we discuss:

🎧 The differences between FTC, interim and freelance roles—and when to use each

🎧 The advantages and challenges of every hiring option

🎧 Common misconceptions about flexible hiring

🎧 How businesses can access specialist skills without committing to permanent headcount

🎧 What marketing professionals should consider when choosing a contract, interim or freelance career

🎧 The current hiring landscape and what employers are looking for

🎧 Practical advice for hiring managers planning their next recruitment

Whether you're hiring your next marketer or considering your own career options, this episode will help you navigate today's increasingly flexible talent market with confidence.

Connect with our speakers

• Zoe Vannozzi Lead Consultant, Stopgap Recruitment
• Lara [Surname] Principle Consultant, Stopgap Recruitment

✨ Follow Stopgap Talks for practical conversations on marketing careers, recruitment, leadership and the future of work.

What does it really take to build a successful business when there's no safety net?

For leaders of small businesses and independent agencies, every decision carries weight. Every hire matters. Every client relationship counts. And the culture you create isn't something delegated to HR - it's something you live every day.

In this episode of Stopgap Talks, Amanda sits down with Richard Morris, Founding Partner of Whistlejacket, to explore the realities of building and leading an independent creative agency.

Having spent more than 20 years in senior leadership at global network agency DDB, followed by five years as CEO of Identica, Richard made the leap to launch Whistlejacket over a decade ago. The conversation explores what changed when the safety net disappeare, and the lessons he's learned about leadership, hiring and creating a culture where people can do their best work.

Whether you're a founder, hiring manager or business leader, this episode offers practical insight into building resilient teams and creating workplaces where creativity and commercial success go hand in hand.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why running a small agency is fundamentally different from working in a large network
• Why every hire has a bigger impact—and how to spot the right people beyond the CV
• The leadership lessons nobody tells you before you start your own business
• How curiosity fuels creativity, innovation and better client work
• Why Whistlejacket encourages its team to seek inspiration beyond the workplace
• The story behind Green With Envy and why celebrating great work matters
• Unlimited holiday, trust, and what Richard learned about creating a healthy culture
• Practical advice for founders and leaders building teams without the luxury of a corporate safety net

Connect with our speakers

Richard Morris Founding Partner, Whistlejacket 🌐 www.whistlejacket.studio 🔗 LinkedIn

Amanda Mc Carthy Consultant, Stopgap Recruitment 🌐www.stopgap.co.uk 🔗LinkedIn

✨ Follow Stopgap Talks for practical conversations with marketing, creative and business leaders on hiring, leadership and the future of work.

What does a high-performing team actually look like, and how do you build one in a way that feels human, not forced?

In this episode of Stopgap Talks, Sarah Windsor is joined by Matt Turner - founder, speaker and coach - to explore the reality behind building teams that deliver both performance and meaning.

Drawing on his experience scaling Clownfish Events into an award-winning business known for its exceptional culture, Matt shares honest insights into what truly drives team success; from leadership behaviours and trust, to the small, everyday actions that shape how people work together.

Through a mix of practical advice and storytelling, this conversation brings to life what great culture looks like in practice.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What high-performing teams really look like beyond the buzzwords
• Why culture is built through daily behaviours - not just strategy
• The small actions that have the biggest impact on team performance
• The role of leadership in shaping (or breaking) culture
• How to build trust, clarity, and accountability within teams

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music.

Connect with our speakers

Matt Turner: Founder & Entrepreneur - Connect on LinkedIn | Website | Youtube

Sarah Windsor: Principal Consultant, Stopgap - Connect on LinkedIn | Website

✨ Follow Stopgap Talks for more open, practical discussions about marketing careers, leadership, and life at work.

Customer experience is one of the most talked-about areas in modern business, but despite the buzz, many organisations still struggle to translate it into meaningful, measurable impact.

In this episode of Stopgap Talks, host John Hunt is joined by Charlie Sim, Partner at The Foundation, for a practical and thought-provoking conversation on what good customer experience actually looks like - and why so many businesses get it wrong.

Drawing on his experience helping organisations become truly customer-led, Charlie shares how companies can move beyond surface-level CX initiatives and embed customer thinking into the way their business operates, from strategy and structure through to day-to-day decision-making.

Together, John and Charlie explore the realities behind “customer-led growth”, unpacking the common mistakes organisations make, how different business models shape CX thinking, and where responsibility for customer experience should really sit.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What “customer-led growth” means in practice, and how it drives better business outcomes
• The most common mistakes organisations make when trying to improve customer experience
• Why CX often fails to move beyond presentations and into real behavioural change
• How different operating models (product-led, brand-led, sales-led, etc.) shape the way companies approach CX
• Where customer experience should sit within an organisation, and why it works best as a cross-functional effort
• A real-world example of a CX transformation project, what changed and what made the difference
• Charlie’s career journey into CX, and advice for marketers considering a move into the field
• The key skills and experience needed to build a career in customer experience today

Whether you’re a marketing leader looking to strengthen your organisation’s customer focus, or a professional curious about moving into CX, this episode offers clear, practical insight into one of the most important - and often misunderstood - areas of modern business.

Connect with our speakers:

John Hunt, Senior Consultant, Stopgap Recruitment. Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-hunt-2562ab4/

Charlie Sim, Partner, The Foundation. Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charliesim1/

✨ Follow Stopgap Talks for more open, practical conversations on marketing, customer experience, and building high-performing teams.