The Leader's Kitbag

Leadership experts Debbie Cohen and Kate Roeske-Zummer join the show to talk about their new book, ‘Humanity Works Better’, which is due for release on 26th October 2021. 

Debbie and Kate are on a mission to help leaders chart a new path forward, one that brings humanity to the workplace through awareness, choice, and courage. They suggest that the results of this approach will be a healthier, more productive work environment that draws the best — rather than squeezes the most — out of people.

After decades of working with leaders, they have a view that the modern workforce is suffering. They believe organizations and leaders have spent too many years seeking success through a focus on efficiency and productivity, and it’s costing us dearly. Workplaces have become toxic and getting work done is a lot harder than it needs to be. Bullying and abuse has reached epidemic levels—along with high rates of burnout, turnover, and fatigue. Clearly, something needs to change and their work aims to provide part of the solution.

Links Mentioned:

Humanity Works website and book details: www.humanityworks.com  

Book Competition Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/JBCR52M  

Ben’s Website: www.ben-morton.com

James is the author of six internationally best-selling books including his New York Times bestseller ‘Harmonic Wealth: The Secret to Attracting the Life You Want’, and a co-author and contributor to ‘The Secret’, which many of you will be familiar with.

James has worked with over 1 million people from 145 countries through his audio, video, coaching, and life and business leadership programs. Over 1 million people have attended his live events worldwide.

His company hit the Inc. 500 in 2009 as one of the fastest growing most successful privately held companies in the United States. He has appeared numerous times on Larry King Live, Piers Morgan, The Today Show, Good Morning America, CNN and Oprah.

And then, after rising to the pinnacle of his profession, he and his company were involved in a tragic accident in 2009 and he lost everything. He shares that journey of his rise and fall in his latest book, ‘The Business of Redemption’, that I highly recommend.

James speaks very candidly about his experience, and told me prior to the recording that nothing was off-limits. Our conversation is longer than most episodes as we explore the topic of resilience and purpose on an entirely new level… and I can’t think of many people who have more experience than James on this topic.

Links Mentioned:

The Business of Redemption: https://amzn.to/38OQcCP 

Man’s Search for Meaning: https://amzn.to/2Vopm1d 

Book Competition Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/JBCR52M 

Ben’s Website: www.ben-morton.com

With episode 50 being such a milestone episode, I wanted to use this episode as an opportunity to pause, reflect and share some of the themes I’ve noticed in all of the amazing conversations I’ve had, and share some of my personal highlights from the second season… that being episodes 14 onwards.

From nutritionists, psychologists to retired military generals and many more, I have learned something from every single guest, and hope you have too. Tune in to find out more about the two underlying themes throughout this season, and what guests have shared about having a diversity of thought, dealing with imposter syndrome and energy slumps, embracing wobbly moments, and the power of principles – not rules.

I want to mark it by also saying thank you, to you, for listening, and to all of the incredible guests who have joined me. I’d love to hear your personal highlights on social media with hashtag #LeadOn.

Links Mentioned:

Check out all Season 2 episodes: https://player.captivate.fm/collection/5a1b4ad7-f234-4a3c-a67a-4fef0403b931/ 

Book Competition Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/JBCR52M

Find out more about Ben’s work: https://linktr.ee/BMLeadership

Today we are talking about moving from being a manager who focussed solely on the numbers, to being a leader who focuses on the people and as such, shifts the numbers in the right direction. I’m excited to bring on Brij Thankey, founder and CEO of Precision FM.

Precision FM is a fast-growing SME with its total focus on employees, who in turn have a total focus on their customers. Brij wants to have the most employee-centric company in the country, delivering exceptional facilities management, which he plans to do through recruiting and developing brilliant people to deliver outstanding customer service.

Set up in Leicester in 2012, the company offers a total facilities management service spanning the entire building and property management environment. Experienced in delivering FM services to many different sectors, from commercial maintenance, defence facilities, public sector services and beyond, they handle the complexities of specialised building usage operations

Before we get into the interview, let me tell you about the competition I’m running to win one of three sets of the five most recommended books by guests of the show… plus my two books.

All you have to do to enter is complete the two-minute listener survey via the link in the show notes below. Winners will be announced in late September 2021.

Links Mentioned:

Book Competition Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/JBCR52M 

Precision FM: https://www.precisionfm.co.uk 

Ben’s Website: www.ben-morton.com 

Charismatic to the Core by Nikki Owen: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Charismatic-Core-Approach-Authentic-Leadership/dp/1909116483/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=charismatic+to+the+core&qid=1630073203&sr=8-1

In this episode we explore how we can boost our energy levels, and what changes we can make that will have an impact on our long-term health with Emily Turnbull.

Emily is an energy coach and personal trainer based in Hertfordshire. She works with clients who want to develop healthier habits around exercise, nutrition, sleep and stress management so they feel fitter, healthier and more energised.

In addition to her coaching and PT work, she also writes and speaks about women’s energy, fitness and wellbeing. She's originally from Auckland in New Zealand but she's coming up to her 20 year anniversary of life in the UK!

This episode is packed full of practical tips and ideas to help us improve our energy levels through simple, healthy food choices – whether we’re working from home or grabbing something on the go at the office.

As a listener to the show, Emily has also provided you with a 50% discount on her 12-week “Elevate Your Energy'' online programme. The programme comes with 12 exclusive home workout videos, delicious recipes and a 4 week meal plan, Emily's exercise and nutrition ebooks plus, some bonus goodies. So if you're looking to get fitter, eat better and feel more energised this summer, this is for you! You can check out the details and exclusive discount code at the end of the show notes.

And before we get into the episode let me tell you about a competition I’m running to win one of three sets of the five most recommended books by guests of the show, plus my two books.

To enter, you simply need to complete the two-minute listener survey via the link in the show notes below which is designed to help us find relevant sponsors for the podcast.

But don’t worry! I’ll never share your data, I’ll never put an ad in the middle of the interview and I’ll only ever work with sponsors whose products and services I use personally, or believe you’ll find valuable.

Without this, I simply won’t be able to continue the podcast, which I desperately want to do.

Links

Listener Survey – https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/JBCR52M  

Emily’s Website: https://energisewithemily.com  

Join Ben’s mailing list: https://mailchi.mp/ab0a5c279d78/bml    

Energise With Emily Special Offer

We have an exclusive offer on Emily's Elevate Your Energy Online Programme for podcast listeners.  

This is a super energising online programme that will turbo-charge your energy, nutrition and fitness and it can all be done from home. So if you're looking to get fitter, eat better and feel more energised this summer, this is for you!

The programme comes with 12 exclusive home workout videos, delicious recipes and a 4 week meal plan, Emily's exercise and nutrition ebooks plus some bonus goodies. 

To get started with Emily's programme for 50% off the website price, go to the show notes for the link and discount code.

Link: https://energisewithemily.com/elevateprogramme/ 

Discount code: LEADON

Mentioned in this episode:

If you enjoyed this episode:

I recommend episode 12 with Professor Greg Wells where he talks about optimizing human performance and health....

Richard is the founder and CEO of APMG, one of the few privately owned international accreditation and certification bodies. Started in 1995, APMG has expanded its portfolio to 66 products across the management spectrum on behalf of many National and International organisations and has offices in 14 countries.  

Richard believes APMG’s success is due to the organisation’s focus on innovation and customer service. He was delighted when in 2012 APMG was recognised for the hard work and commitment of everyone within the company by being granted The Queens Award for Enterprise in the International trade category.

I was particularly struck by Richard’s strong sense of morals, the courage of his conviction and how this has allowed him to make some tough calls as a leader.

And before we get into the episode let me tell you about a competition I’m running to win one of three sets of the five most recommended books by guests of the show, plus my two books.

To enter, you simply need to complete the two-minute listener survey via the link in the show notes below which is designed to help us find relevant sponsors for the podcast.

But don’t worry! I’ll never share your data, I’ll never put an ad in the middle of the interview and I’ll only ever work with sponsors whose products and services I use personally, or believe you’ll find valuable. Without this, I simply won’t be able to continue the podcast, which I desperately want to do.

Links

Listener Survey – https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/JBCR52M  

APMG International - https://apmg-international.com 

Join Ben’s mailing list: https://mailchi.mp/ab0a5c279d78/bml

Today we are talking about how a focus on happiness can improve productivity, leadership capability, effectiveness in negotiation, and countless other benefits for businesses and individuals with Professor Sonja Lyubomirsky.

Professor Lyubomirsky is a Russian-born, American professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of California and author of the bestseller The How of Happiness: A Scientific Approach to Getting the Life You Want – a book of strategies backed by scientific research that can be used to increase happiness. 

Sonja is also an associate editor of the Journal of Positive Psychology and is often quoted in news articles about positive psychology and happiness.

I’m delighted that we were able to get Sonja to join us for this short episode that really does pack a weighty, scientific punch. 

We explore what determines our happiness, strategies for improving happiness and the benefits to individuals and organisations. And if that wasn’t enough, I also asked her about the links between happiness and COVID, and what we can do as leaders to smoothly welcome people back to our physical places of work.

Links Mentioned:

Find out more about Sonja’s work: http://sonjalyubomirsky.com

‘The How of Happiness’ by Sonja Lyubomirsky: https://amzn.to/3iDx7YK 

Find out more about Ben’s work: https://linktr.ee/BMLeadership

Today we are talking about having difficult conversations and looking after our teams with Lesslie Young, CEO of Epilepsy Scotland – a role she’s been in since 2009.

Her interest in improving the lives of those who live with epilepsy is born out of professional and personal experience. As a qualified nurse and midwife, she has seen the impact that this long-term condition has had, and as the mother, she has experienced the real impact epilepsy has on the individual, the family and the community they live in.

Lesslie is a long-standing member of the Institute of Directors, the Criminal Justice Disability Advisory Group, the Police Scotland Independent Ethics Advisory Group and a panel member in the Social Entitlement Chamber of the judiciary.

In this episode we speak about the challenges and opportunities associated with leading in the charitable or third sector, along with creating an organisational culture that enables the people to quickly and successfully adapt to change. In addition, we dive deep into Lesslie’s thoughts and approach to having difficult conversations and looking after the people that you lead.

Links Mentioned:

Find out more about Lesslie’s work: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesslie-young-69418135/   

Find out more about Ben’s work: https://linktr.ee/BMLeadership

Epilepsy Scotland: https://www.epilepsyscotland.org.uk 

‘The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse’ by Charlie Mackesy: https://amzn.to/3i6VsWC

We explore leadership and operating in a VUCA world with Lieutenant General (Retired) Ben Hodges who holds the Pershing Chair in Strategic Studies at the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA), that he joined in February 2018.

A native of Quincy, Florida, General Hodges graduated from the United States Military Academy in May 1980 and was commissioned in the Infantry. After his first assignment as an Infantry Lieutenant in Garlstedt, Germany, he commanded Infantry units at the Company, Battalion, and Brigade levels in the 101st Airborne Division, serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

General Hodges has also served in a numerous Joint and Army Staff positions including Aide-de-Camp to the Supreme Allied Commander Europe; Chief of Staff, 18th Airborne Corps; Director of the Pakistan Afghanistan Coordination Cell on the Joint Staff; Chief of Legislative Liaison for the United States Army; and Commander, NATO Allied Land Command (İzmir, Turkey). 

His last military assignment was as Commanding General, United States Army Europe from 2014 to 2017. He retired from the U.S. Army in January 2018 before taking up his role at CEPA.

I know I probably shouldn’t say this, but this episode ranks in my personal top 5 as I found Ben to be an incredibly humble and erudite man. There is so much practical wisdom and leadership advice in this episode that comes directly from him of those he has worked with and for. Enjoy!

Links Mentioned:

Find out more about Ben’s work: https://twitter.com/general_ben 

Find out more about Ben’s work: https://linktr.ee/BMLeadership

The Colorado Retreat with Carola Becker and Dr Vikki Barnes

Join nutritionist Carola Becker and psychologist Dr Vikki Barnes for the ski trip of a lifetime in Keystone, Colorado.

Because they are experts in health and wellbeing, this trip will be the kickstart to your healthy year – relax, have fun and learn how you can make wellbeing a part of your daily life!

Vikki will teach you the benefits of positive psychology and mindset whilst Carola will share how food and nutrients increase your performance for clearer thinking and better decision making. A massage therapist will be on hand to help you relax after a long day of skiing. Together, the team will help you to embrace wellbeing and take it home with you after an amazing holiday. 

Are you ready for the time of your life? 

You can find all the details here: https://www.carolabecker.com/award-winning-retreats/luxury-ski-retreat-in-colorado-20-30-jan-2022

For an exclusive 15% discount use the code RETREAT15BM when you book your space!

Today we are talking about leadership skills and building resilience with Colonel Caroline Woodbridge-Lewin, MBE of the British Army. 

Caroline was commissioned into the Royal Signals in 1995 and has held various Regimental appointments serving in the United Kingdom, USA, Cyprus, Germany, Bosnia and Iraq. 

As a staff officer, she has worked within the Special Forces Directorate as a Capability & Acquisition officer, she was Chief of Staff of the Defence Academy and recently assumed the role of Head of the Information Warfare Group. 

Amongst all of this she has attained a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree whilst serving, was the co-Chair of the Army Service Women’s Network and is currently Chair of Hut Eighteen, a Defence led Information Warfare Network. 

Outside of work she enjoys playing and coaching hockey, cycling, skiing and walking in the hills with her two daughters and Springer Spaniel, Harley.

There are so many pearls of wisdom in this episode. A few personal highlights for me are Caroline’s thoughts around building resilience – and not being overly critical of ourselves, the need to lead management activity and being very intentional about where she positions herself as a leader… and why.

Links Mentioned:

Find out more about Caroline’s work: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-woodbridge-lewin-mbe-5aa73048/ 

Find out more about Ben’s work: https://linktr.ee/BMLeadership

Book: Who's In Your Personal Boardroom: https://amzn.to/2UfPCtM 

The Colorado Retreat with Carola Becker and Dr Vikki Barnes

Join nutritionist Carola Becker and psychologist Dr Vikki Barnes for the ski trip of a lifetime in Keystone, Colorado.

Because they are experts in health and wellbeing, this trip will be the kickstart to your healthy year – relax, have fun and learn how you can make wellbeing a part of your daily life!

Vikki will teach you the benefits of positive psychology and mindset whilst Carola will share how food and nutrients increase your performance for clearer thinking and better decision making. A massage therapist will be on hand to help you relax after a long day of skiing. Together, the team will help you to embrace wellbeing and take it home with you after an amazing holiday. 

Are you ready for the time of your life? 

You can find all the details here: https://www.carolabecker.com/award-winning-retreats/luxury-ski-retreat-in-colorado-20-30-jan-2022

For an exclusive 15% discount use the code RETREAT15BM when you book your space!

Mentioned in this episode:

If you enjoyed this episode:

If you have enjoyed this episode, I recommend episode 44 with Lieutenant General (Retired) Ben Hodges where he talks about operating in a VUCA world. You can find the episode here: https://www.ben-morton.com/episode44/