The Leader's Kitbag

In these ‘SHORTS’ episodes of my podcast, I select my favourite moments from previous episodes.

This one comes from episode 141, where I speak with Matt Abrahams, a renowned communication expert, Stanford lecturer and author of "Think Faster, Talk Smarter".

In this clip we unpack understanding the different thought processes certain ‘thinkers’ go through. Once you've listened to the 'short', why not click the link below and tune in to the full episode?

Enjoyed The Short?

Listen to the full episode here.

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This episode of "The Leaders Kitbag" is the last in a four-part series on incorporating coaching skills into leadership, I delve into the GROW coaching model.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Define clear and achievable goals with team members
• The difference between directing and coaching
• How to use the GROW framework as a flexible guide

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Previous Episodes on Feedback

• How To Get Your Team Thinking For Themselves
• The Difference Between Coaching and Mentoring
• Five Tips For Coaching Your Team

Introduction  

In this final episode of Season 11 of the show, I’ve hand-picked five of my favourite moments from the last thirteen episodes.  

These end-of-season highlight episodes allow me to expand upon the original episodes, adding even more insights to help you on your leadership journey.  

I’ve also got some BIG news about the future of the podcast.  

1. Highlight Clip One – The Best Way to Get Promoted  
2. Highlight Clip Two – Using Empathy to Hit Your Numbers  
3. Highlight Clip Three – Using Philanthropy as a Motivational Tool
4. Highlight Clip Four – Using Empathy to Make Tough Calls.
5. Highlight Clip Five – Knowing When to Quit  

Chapter Makers  

(04:54) Struggling to impress without getting noticed. 

(09:41) Why leadership lacking in empathy impacts company culture negatively. 

(13:12) How the Maine Beer Co. uses 1% of revenues for philanthropy. 

(16:33) Motivating employees through planet-friendly initiatives and empathy. 

(19:26) Time management and conflict resolution tools. 

(23:10) Understanding and empathy are crucial in resolving conflicts. 

(24:45) Leading with empathy avoids negative impact on others. 

Hire Ben to Develop Your Leadership Capability  

Learn more about how Ben can support you and your team via the links below and then email him via [email protected] to book a call.  

• Leadership Training – find out more here. 
• Executive Coaching - find out more here. 
• Keynote Speaking - find out more here.

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Introduction

In this episode, we are talking with Anna Eliatamby, a clinical psychologist and workplace well-being expert who has helped the UN and global organisations develop mental health and well-being strategies and tackle toxic behaviours in the workplace.  

In this episode we are discussing the practical tools and strategies she lays out in her new book, Healing-Self Care for Leaders and their Teams.  

One thing to say straight away that I’m sure will pique your interest is that very early on in that book, she says that we – leaders – should be selfish.  

Listen on...to lead on.  

Episode Highlights  

1. Understanding & Managing Your Stress Response  
2. Emotional Regulation, Control & Suppression  
3. Sharing Feedback: Is it about them or us?

Chapter Makers

(03:44) What you need to know about Anna to understand what she has to share.  

(05:40) It’s ok to be selfish  

(09:19) Building and maintaining your identity  

(10:03) Understanding your stress response  

(13:19) Managing your stress response at work & home  

(15:56) Emotional regulation, control & suppression  

(26:30) Feedback; is it about them or you?  

(29:31) The importance of reflection for leaders  

Engage Ben to Train Your Leaders and Managers

Find out more about Ben’s high-impact leadership and management training programmes here and then email to set up a call.  

Buy Anna’s Book on Amazon

Click here to get a copy of Anna’s book. As an Amazon affiliate, I earn a small commission for qualifying purchases.  

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More About Anna Eliatamby

Anna is the Director of Healthy Leadership CIC, a collective whose aim is to encourage ourselves and others to be more decent by looking at our positives and negatives and then working to make positive changes to ourselves and our organisations.  

Anna is a clinical psychologist, executive coach, and organisational well-being expert with a wealth of academic and experiential knowledge.  

She has worked with and provided guidance to multiple global initiatives, including responsible leadership for the NHS, International Red Cross and Red Crescent, and PwC. Anna has helped to develop mental health and well-being strategies for UN agencies, including the International Organization for Migration and was a member of the UN’s peacekeeping missions in Darfur, Sudan, and Afghanistan.  

She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts and an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society. Anna co-authors a new book with Grazia Lomonte: Healing-Self Care for Leaders and their Teams. 

This episode of "The Leaders Kitbag" is the 3rd in a four-part series, where Ben Morton shares the five essential strategies for transitioning from a manager to a coach.

In this episode, you will learn:

• How to ask better coaching questions
• Risk of the ‘Motivation Trap’ – and how to avoid it
• Master ‘Managerial Silence’

Join Ben's Community

If you found this episode valuable, join Ben's community here for regular leadership tips, tactics, and insights that are delivered straight to your inbox.

Previous Episodes on Feedback

• How To Get Your Team Thinking For Themselves 
• The Difference Between Coaching and Mentoring

Introduction

In this episode, we are talking with Kate Sikora, the Managing Director of Noble Studios in the UK (United Kingdom).  

In this episode, we are focussing in on what to do when stepping into a more senior role in order to be successful, engage our team and stay fit and healthy ourselves.  

Listen on...to lead on.  

Episode Highlights  

1. How to Lead People with More Experience Than You  
2. Using Empathy to Make Tough Decisions  
3. Advice for Aspiring MDs and CEOs  
4. Tips for Maintaining Your Energy and Motivation

Chapter Makers  

(03:34) How to lead & influence people with more experience than you.  

(07:43) What it actually means to lead with empathy  

(09:29) ‘Love languages’ and leadership  

(12:55) Leading people who are resistant to change  

(14:39) Using empathy to make difficult decisions  

(16:49) Overcoming the fear of delegation  

(21:16) The biggest surprise about becoming an MD  

(27:29) How to maintain your energy and motivation  

(31:43) The best mistake Kate ever made   

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What does it take to become the type of leader that people would do anything for?  

Why would two soldiers risk their lives in the most heinous way imaginable without hesitation when asked to do so?  

Book Ben to speak at your next event on ‘Why Connection Is the True Currency of Leadership’ and learn the answer to both of these questions, plus lots more. Find out more here.

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More About Kate Sikora

Kate Sikora is the co-founder and Managing Partner of Noble Performs, a digital performance marketing agency based in Bristol renowned for helping organisations achieve remarkable results.  

Highly commended as the Institute of Directors, Director of the Year 2023 and serving as a Taan European Governor, Kate is committed to driving excellence and innovation in the digital marketing landscape.   

Beyond her professional endeavours, Kate finds joy in family life, practising yoga, and exploring new culinary creations in the kitchen.

In this episode of "The Leaders Kitbag," Ben Morton dives deep into a fundamental topic: the difference between coaching and mentoring in the business world. 

In this episode, you will learn:

• Knowing when to use coaching versus mentoring
• The key qualities and skills of a good business coach
• How to effectively find the right mentor

Join Ben's Community

If you found this episode valuable, join Ben's community here for regular leadership tips, tactics, and insights that are delivered straight to your inbox.

Previous Episodes on Feedback

How To Get Your Team Thinking For Themselves 

Introduction

In this episode, we are talking with Debra and Ken Corey, co-authors of the book Bad Bosses Ruin Lives, The Building Blocks for Being a Great Boss.  

After my first scan of the book, I thought that the people who would most need to read it, were going to be the least likely to do so.  

But as I read it more deeply, and started to talk with Debra and Ken, I realised it’s a book for anyone who wants to be a great leader or boss.  

Why? Because we all have bad boss tendencies inside of us and can fall into the bad boss traps so easily.  

Listen on...to lead on.  

Episode Highlights  

1. The Shocking Statistics About Bad Bosses  
2. The Bad Boss Traps and How to Avoid Them  
3. The Ten Types of Bad Boss  
4. How to be a Great Boss  

Chapter Makers  

(03:06) How bad bosses can ruin lives  

(05:45) The shocking statistics about bad bosses  

(08:40) How and why, we can all be a bad boss  

(09:58) The most common bad boss traps  

(19:18) The ten types of bad boss  

(26:01) Being a great boss  

(32:03) The statistics about feedback  

(37:37) Advice for when you have a bad boss 

Engage Ben to Train Your Managers to Be Great Bosses  

Find out more about Ben’s high-impact leadership and management training programmes here and then email [email protected] to set up a call.  

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Please go and hit the ‘Follow’ button on your podcast player right so that we can grow the show and bring you more great interviews with leaders and global thought leaders.  

More About Debra and Ken Corey  

Debra Corey is a highly experienced and award-winning HR consultant, world-class speaker, and six-time author who has been named as one of the top 101 global employee engagement influencers numerous times.  

After over 20 years as an HR Leader, she now acts as the Chief Pay It Forward Officer at DebCo HR, where she inspires and works with others to drive cultural and business change through employee engagement and leadership.

Ken Corey is a seasoned Engineering Leader and a trailblazer in fostering innovative solutions, being at the forefront of cultivating high-performance teams, driving complex project deliveries and advancing cutting-edge engineering practices in companies ranging from startups to large enterprises.

Ken's leadership ethos is rooted deeply in people development, always striving to propel his team members' careers to new heights while ensuring utmost customer satisfaction.  

Buy the book on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/4bg3m9H. As an Amazon affiliate, I earn a small fee for every sale. 

In this episode of "The Leaders Kitbag," Ben Morton shares simple, actionable tips to shift from being just a manager to becoming a leader coach, helping your team become more proactive and autonomous.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Learning from the analogy of Pavlov’s dog
• Specific coaching questions you can ask your team
• Being a manager vs. being a leader-coach

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Introduction

In this episode, we are talking with Darren Cassidy, the Managing Director for Xerox UK & Ireland and senior vice president for the Global Document Services business across Europe, the Middle East & Africa (EMEA).

With an incredible 33 years at Xerox, he knows the business inside out, yet seems as hungry to grow and open to new thinking as the company's newest team member.

Episode Highlights

1. Leading Stars and Mavericks
2. The Benefits and Risks of Long Tenure
3. Lead for Tomorrow Instead of Managing Today
4. Understanding How to Play the Game of Business
5. How to Step Off the Hamster Wheel and Find Time to Think

Chapter Makers

(03:39) Darren’s first leadership experience

(09:14) Teamwork and the risks associated with ‘star’ performers

(13:15) Leading a ‘Brilliant Jerk’

(17:00) Managing pp

(18:00) The risks and benefits of long tenure

(19:18) How to maintain an external perspective as a leader

(25:15) Why leaders must be looking ahead

(26:00) The link between sport and business at Xerox

(34:41) Darren’s 3Ds of leadership

(35:20) How to step off the busyness ‘hamster wheel’

(38:09) The difference between responding and reacting

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Please go and hit the ‘Follow’ button on your podcast player right so that we can grow the show and bring you more great interviews with leaders and global thought leaders.

More About Darren Cassidy

Darren Cassidy is the managing director for Xerox UK & Ireland and senior vice president for the Global Document Services business across Europe, the Middle East & Africa (EMEA).

With 33 years of experience at Xerox, he has held various roles across Xerox Europe and Global, including direct sales management, channel leadership, learning and development. Darren's expertise lies in delivering document services and digital transformation solutions.

He is a sports enthusiast, having played national league rugby and semi-professional football, and in recent years, he has embraced Transcendental Meditation (TM) as a practitioner.

Darren has won many awards within Xerox, including multiple CEO awards, and has been recognised externally for channel and services leadership.