The Leader's Kitbag

In these ‘Shorts’ episodes of my podcast, I’ll be selecting my favourite moments from previous episodes. This one comes from Episode 128, where I speak with Rob Moore, a self-made property investor, businessman and entrepreneur. In this clip, he shares his daily practice that enables him to deliver high performance energy consistently.

LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE HERE.

In this episode, we have the privilege of speaking with Stephanie Sirr MBE, an accomplished leader with a diverse career spanning from acting and stage management to her current role as Chief Executive of Nottingham Playhouse.

Stephanie's remarkable journey reflects her adaptability and leadership acumen, which has earned her a well-deserved MBE. Her extensive experience in the arts and cultural sector, combined with her commitment to diversity, ethics, and the future impact of AI, makes her a valuable source of wisdom for aspiring leaders.

Episode Highlights:

1. Shaping Leadership Through Varied Careers: Stephanie shares how her diverse career experiences, from acting to stage management and cultural leadership, have influenced her leadership style and approach.
2. Navigating Change and Uncertainty: Learn from Stephanie's insights on leading through periods of significant change and uncertainty. Discover strategies for managing transformation effectively.
3. Ethical Decision-Making in Leadership: Stephanie discusses the importance of making morally and ethically sound decisions as a leader and shares her approach to ethical leadership.
4. The Impact of AI on the Arts: Explore Stephanie's perspective on the intersection of artificial intelligence and the arts. Discover why she emphasizes keeping 'purpose' at the forefront when delegating tasks to AI.
5. Balancing Hands-On and External Leadership: Stephanie provides valuable insights into striking the right balance between being a hands-on leader and maintaining an outward-looking perspective, particularly in leadership roles.
6. Authenticity vs. Acting as a Leader: Delve into the nuanced discussion of authenticity in leadership. Stephanie shares her thoughts on being authentic while recognizing the need for strategic 'acting' as a leader.

Join me for a thought-provoking conversation with Stephanie Sirr as we explore the multifaceted aspects of leadership, ethics, AI, and authenticity.

If you found value in this episode, be sure to subscribe to The Ben Morton Leadership podcast on your preferred podcast platform. We encourage you to share this episode with your network and leave a review to help us reach more leaders like you.

Episode Resources

• Find out more about Ben’s all-new, Delegation Mastery course and master this skill once and for all: https://benmortonleadership.thinkific.com/courses/delegation-mastery
• Visit Ben’s website: https://www.ben-morton.com/online-courses/
• Connect with Stephanie on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-sirr-mbe-948a157/) to learn more about her remarkable leadership journey

Looking for an inspiring speaker for your next event or company conference?

Click here to learn more about Ben's keynote talks, and then contact his team via [email protected] to discuss fees and secure your date.

In these ‘Shorts’ episodes of my podcast, I’ll be selecting my favourite moments from previous episodes. This one comes from episode 92, which comes from an interview I did on the Evolve To Succeed Podcast hosted by Warren Munson. In this clip, I reflect on understanding what resilience means, and how we can all enhance resilience.

LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE HERE.

In this episode, we're joined by Matt Abrahams, a renowned communication expert, Stanford lecturer and author of "Think Faster, Talk Smarter."  

Matt's research and expertise focus on helping individuals conquer the fear of public speaking and excel when speaking spontaneously. With his engaging insights and practical advice, Matt empowers leaders to communicate with confidence in any situation.  

Episode Highlights:  

1. Demystifying Speaking Anxiety:  

Matt reveals the research findings about the prevalence of speaking anxiety, shedding light on just how many people experience this common fear in both planned and spontaneous speaking scenarios.  

2. Onions and Emotional Reactions:  

Discover a unique and personal story as Matt shares an experience where an onion evoked a particularly strong emotional reaction and the lessons learned from that moment.  

 3. Unmasking Speaking Anxiety:  

Explore the three primary ways speaking anxiety manifests and learn effective strategies for tackling each manifestation head-on.  

 4. Catering to Different Thinkers:  

Matt and I share our combined insights into how both internal and external thinkers can navigate impromptu speaking situations effectively, ensuring their messages resonate with their audience.  

5. Making Decisions on the Spot:  

Gain practical tips and tactics for making quick, well-informed decisions and knowing what to say when faced with unexpected questions or situations.  

6. The Self-Interview Question:  

Matt shares the insightful questions he would ask if he were interviewing himself, providing a unique perspective on his expertise and experiences.  

Join me for an illuminating conversation with Matt Abrahams as we explore the art of mastering impromptu speaking. Whether you're a seasoned leader or aspiring to greatness, Matt's insights will help you communicate with confidence in any situation.  

Episode Resources  

• Find out more about Ben’s all-new, Delegation Mastery course and master this skill once and for all. https://mailchi.mp/ben-morton.com/dm  
• Visit Ben’s website: https://www.ben-morton.com/online-courses/   
• Find Matt’s podcast here: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ll0MwobDt1JW9gYaOONEo?si=ba9a0fe59ba844ee    
• Buy Matt’s book here: https://amzn.to/48pB0tA    

If you find value in this episode, make sure to subscribe to the Ben Morton Podcast on your preferred podcast platform.  

Share this episode with your network and leave a review to help us reach more leaders like you. 

Looking for an inspiring speaker for your next event or company conference?

Click here to learn more about Ben's keynote talks, and then contact his team via [email protected] to discuss fees and secure your date.

In these ‘Shorts’ episodes of my podcast, I’ll be selecting my favourite moments from previous episodes. This one comes from Episode 110, where I speak with Sophie Wade, a work futurist, international keynote speaker, author, and authority on Future-of-Work issues. In this clip, she delves into the impact of the pandemic’s shift towards more compassion and empathy at work.

LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE HERE.

In this episode, we sit down with Tim Creswick, a visionary leader who is the CEO and founder of Vorboss, London's only dedicated business fibre network and internet service provider.

Tim's journey is nothing short of remarkable.

He initially launched Vorboss as a software consultancy and managed service provider in 2006. However, it was in 2019 that he recognized the limitations of London's existing internet providers and infrastructure in the business district. This realization propelled him to transform the telecoms sector.

Since 2020, Vorboss, now a part of the Fern Trading Group, has invested over £300 million into a full-fibre network, providing businesses with direct access to essential fibre infrastructure, accompanied by transparent pricing. The company has laid over 500km of fibre optic cable, connecting all commercial buildings in Central London, creating an unrivalled network in terms of both scale and quality.

Episode Highlights

1. Defining Leadership

Tim Creswick shares his perspective on what leadership means to him, drawing from his journey as the CEO of Vorboss and a transformative figure in the telecoms industry.

2. Growth and Leadership Development

Explore how Tim has grown and evolved as a leader throughout his career. Discover the pivotal moments and lessons that have shaped his leadership style.

3. Navigating Loneliness as the Helm

Tim opens up about the challenges and emotions associated with being the ultimate leader. Learn how he copes with the unique isolation that comes with the role.

4. Scaling a Company: From 25 to 400 Employees

Delve into the remarkable journey of scaling Vorboss from a modest team to a workforce of over 400 employees in just two years. Tim shares the strategies and insights that fuelled this rapid growth.

5. Culture Building and Maintenance

Building and maintaining the right company culture is crucial. Tim discusses his approach to fostering and preserving a culture that aligns with Vorboss's business objectives and values.

Join us for an insightful conversation with Tim Creswick as we explore his leadership journey and the remarkable transformation of Vorboss in the telecoms sector. Whether you're an experienced leader or aspiring to greatness, Tim's experiences and insights will inspire and inform your own leadership path.

Episode Resources

• Find out more about Ben’s all-new, Delegation Mastery course and master this skill once and for all. https://benmortonleadership.thinkific.com/courses/delegation-mastery
• Visit Ben’s website: https://www.ben-morton.com/online-courses/
• Find out more about Vorboss here: https://vorboss.com/

If you find value in this episode, make sure to subscribe to the Ben Morton Podcast on your preferred podcast platform.

Share this episode with your network and leave a review to help us reach more leaders like you.

Looking for an inspiring speaker for your next event or company conference? Click here to learn more about Ben's keynote talks, and then contact his team via [email protected] to discuss fees and secure your date.

In these ‘Shorts’ episodes of my podcast, I’ll be selecting my favourite moments from previous episodes. This one comes from Episode 112, where I speak with Mark Miller, the co-author of ‘Legacy in the Making: Building a Long-Term Brand to Stand Out in a Short-Term World’. In this clip, he reflects on some common themes from interviewing entrepreneurs for his book.

LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE HERE.

Philippa McNamara is a seasoned business leader renowned for her commercial acumen, marketing expertise, and brand leadership in both retail and wholesale sectors.  

In this episode you will learn about:

1. Defining Leadership and Success:  

Philippa McNamara shares her perspective on leadership, what it means to her, and the key traits that have propelled her to success in her diverse career.  

2. The Power of Listening in Leadership:  

Discover the significance of active listening in leadership, a skill that Philippa highlights as invaluable for fostering effective collaboration and informed decision-making.  

3. Navigating Challenges and Learning from Them:  

Philippa reflects on her most significant leadership challenges and the invaluable lessons she has gleaned from these experiences.  

4. Balancing Collaboration and Decision-Making:  

Gain insights into the delicate art of balancing collaboration with decisive leadership. Philippa explores strategies for making well-informed decisions while involving others in the process.  

5. Trust and Gut Instinct:  

Explore the nuanced aspects of trust and gut instinct in leadership. Philippa offers her perspective on how these elements can guide leaders to make impactful choices.  

Join us for an enriching conversation with Philippa McNamara as we delve into the multifaceted world of leadership, brand management, and sustainable transformation.      

If you found value in this episode, be sure to subscribe to The Ben Morton Leadership podcast on your preferred podcast platform. We encourage you to share this episode with your network and leave a review to help us reach more leaders like you.  

Episode Resources  

Find out more about Ben’s online Delegation Mastery course and master this skill once and for all. https://benmortonleadership.thinkific.com/courses/delegation-mastery  

Visit Ben’s website: https://www.ben-morton.com/online-courses/  

Connect with Philippa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philippa-mcnamara-82b8a16/ 

Are you looking for an inspiring speaker for your next event or company conference?

Click here to learn more about Ben's keynote talks, and then contact his team via [email protected] to discuss fees and secure your date.

More about Philippa McNamara

Philippa is a dynamic change agent with a portfolio spanning business startups, brand management, product development, B2C and B2B sales and marketing, sourcing, and distribution.   

She also boasts a wealth of experience as an executive and non-executive director, with a unique role as the Governor of a prestigious independent day school that transitioned to co-education after 500 years, where she serves as the first woman chair of the school committee.  

Philippa's leadership journey includes her former role as a founding director of Kin, a part of the Wilko group of companies. At Kin, she spearheaded transformative initiatives that empowered hardworking families to enhance their homes and gardens using sustainable products crafted by an in-house team of award-winning product designers.  

In these ‘Shorts’ episodes of my podcast, I’ll be selecting my favourite moments from previous episodes. This one comes from Episode 130, where I speak with Sophie Hooper, the CEO and Founder of a breakthrough patented stretch mark prevention-wear product – Secret Saviours. In this clip, she talks about dealing with wobbly moments and having a clear vision.

LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE HERE.

Delegation is a critical leadership skill, yet it’s one that many leaders struggle to master. The truth of the matter is, there are some managers that don’t manage, and there are plenty of leaders that don’t lead. 

Instead, these ‘sudo’ leaders and managers try to do everything themselves by working a little longer, harder and faster than they did prior to getting their last promotion.

But this approach never works because there will always be too many tasks and not enough time.

In contrast, Leaders and managers who delegate have more time to focus on high-impact tasks, thereby maximizing their own effectiveness. And assigning work to staff members also increases the output and value of the entire team, as it allows concurrent activity.

You're about to hear from six highly successful leaders who have all previously appeared on the show, sharing their first-hand, hard-won tips for effective delegation:

You will hear from:

• Sophie Hooper, CEO and Founder of Secret Saviours
• Rob Moore, property investor, businessman, author, speaker and pilot
• Craig Moody, Managing Partner at the Verdis Group
• Luke Doherty, Managing Director at Mindful Peak Performance
• Garik Tate, AI Futurist, Serial Entrepreneur, and Product Development Coach
• Lisa Bragg, Founder and CEO of MediaFace and author

Delegation Skills Training

Learn more about Ben's online Delegation Master course here:

Listen to the full episodes here:

• Leading from Within: Nurturing Success and Kindness with Sophie Hooper: https://www.ben-morton.com/leading-from-within-nurturing-success-and-kindness-with-sophie-hooper/
• Mastering Risk and Leadership with Rob Moore: https://www.ben-morton.com/mastering-risk-and-leadership-with-rob-moore/
• Fostering an Environment of Healthy Challenge with Craig Moody: https://www.ben-morton.com/fostering-an-environment-of-healthy-challenge-with-craig-moody/
• Mindfulness Unleashed: Transforming Performance and Leadership with Luke Doherty: https://www.alive-projects.com/ben-morton-5/podcast/mindfulness-unleashed-transforming-performance-and-leadership-with-luke-doherty/
• The AI Revolution: Insights and Perspectives with Garik Tate: https://www.ben-morton.com/the-ai-revolution-insights-and-perspectives-with-garik-tate/
• Purposeful Self-Promotion with Lisa Bragg: https://www.ben-morton.com/purposeful-self-promotion-with-lisa-bragg/

Looking for an inspiring speaker for your next event or company conference? Click here to learn more about Ben's keynote talks, and then contact his team via [email protected] to discuss fees and secure your date.