The Leader's Kitbag

In this episode we are talking about how leaders can incorporate the skills of a coach into their day-to-day leadership style with Teg Dosanjh from Samsung Electronics UK. 

Teg is the Director of Connected Services and Technology at Samsung Electronics UK, a role he’s held since 2016. Teg has over 20 years’ experience in the telecoms industry, having held senior roles with brands such as Telefonica O2, HTC and Vodafone. He has significant expertise in developing successful business strategy, commercial partner management and cross category innovation.

But that’s not why I was so keen to have Teg join me on the show. I’ve had the privilege of working with Teg and his team over the past few years, and I’ve been struck by his commitment to developing and coaching those that he leads. Having experienced the good, the bad and the ugly of leadership himself, Teg has modelled himself into a developmental leader. One who integrates the skills of a coach into his day-to-day leadership and management. 

By his own admission, he sets very high standards for his team and has high expectations of them, but he also works very hard to support, coach and mentor them.

In this episode we really get into the weeds of why he has adopted this approach, how he developed the skills he needed and what this looks like on a practical basis.

Links Mentioned:

Find out more about Teg’s work: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tegdosanjh/ 

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!

Mentioned in this episode:

If you enjoyed this episode:

I recommend episode 65 with Meredith Bell, the co-founder and President of Performance Support Systems where she talks about the power in listening. You can find the episode here: https://www.ben-morton.com/meredith-bell-how-to-be-a-better-listener/

I’m excited to have Andrew Nicholson, CEO and founder of Osprey Flight Solutions, join the show. Osprey Flight Solutions is an organisation that is driving a quantum shift in the capabilities available to the aviation industry for security risk management.

Andrew spent 12 years in the Royal Navy and 6 years with UK Special Forces, which included operational tours in all major conflict regions. Leaving the military at the height of the Somali Piracy phenomenon, for 3 years Andrew led the maritime and oil and gas divisions for the largest provider of maritime security in the industry.  

Andrew moved to International SOS and Control Risks in July 2014 to head up the aviation security team. Realising that the industry’s requirement for risk management support had changed in the wake of the MH17 disaster, Andrew co-founded Osprey, which is now recognised across the industry as the leader in open-source risk management data, developing innovative tools to support all operators, no matter their size or resource, in conducting comprehensive and accurate risk management.

One of the many highlights in this episode is Andrew talking freely about his leadership approach. It’s an approach that is founded on a belief that each individual in his organisation is more important than the commercial success of the company – and how this panned out practically during the pandemic.

As listeners of the show, stay tuned right to the very end as two of my former guests – Dr Vikki Barnes and Carole Barnes – have provided an exclusive offer for you.

Links Mentioned:

Find out more about Andrew’s work: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-nicholson-3143941b/  

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

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!

In this episode we are joined by Jan Gooding, one of the UK’s most experienced marketing leaders and is outspoken on a range of subjects from building global brands to inclusive leadership. During her successful marketing career, she has worked with FTSE 100 companies such as BT, British Gas, Diageo, Unilever and Aviva. 

In her final role at Aviva, as their first Global Inclusion Director, she was responsible for introducing the ground-breaking policy of equal parental leave. Jan now pursues a portfolio of interests as an executive coach, non-executive Chair of Given and PAMCo and is President of the Market Research Society. She is also on the CMI Race Committee, on the advisory board of Utopia and the former Chair of Stonewall.

I found my conversation with Jan fascinating and challenging in equal measure – it really pushed me to think about diversity and recruiting for a ‘cultural fit’ in an entirely new way. Tune in as we also discuss dealing with imposter syndrome and why all leaders should look into coaching.

Links Mentioned:

Find out more about Jan’s work: https://www.jangooding.com/  

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

Often described as a Millenial trapped in a Baby Boomer’s body, today we’re joined by Ira Wolfe, a prolific keynote speaker and author of multiple books including ‘Recruiting in the Age of Googalization’. Ira is the President of Poised for the Future Company, and President and Chief Googlization Officer at Success Performance Solutions. He ranks in the Top 5 Global Thought Leaders in the Future of Work, and HR on Thinkers 360. 

He also hosts his own podcast – ‘Geeks, Geezers and Googalization’, and is on a personal mission to unlock the secrets of human adaptability, ensuring no one is left behind living in the fastest period of change in history.

Ira and I spoke about the future of work, whether he thinks the Covid-19 pandemic is a one-off freak event, operating in a VUCA world, and why he believes adaptability is the most in demand skill for leaders right now.

Links Mentioned:

Find out more about Ira’s work: https://www.irawolfe.com/ and www.SuccessPerformanceSolutions.com

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

My good friend and modern communication specialist Nick Looby joins the show. With his potent and unique approach to communication, Nick  not only alters the way people think – but he transforms the way they act. Nick works with some of the world’s most influential organisations, including HSBC, Bayer Animal Health, Proctor & Gamble, The Property Ombudsman and the BBC. He helps his clients to communicate with more courage, influence and purpose.

If you find yourself drowning in an ocean of communication noise and your career depends on you being heard, Nick can help you to not just be heard but fully getting through.

Tune in to find why he refers to himself as the Modern Day Zombie Slayer, the work he does at UniEE, how we communicate as we emerge from the pandemic – and the impact of connecting on social media.

Links Mentioned:

Find out more about Nick’s work: https://www.linkedin.com/in/feetontheground/ 

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

In this episode we are joined by Dr Vikki Barnes – a Clinical Psychology Doctor, happiness and wellbeing consultant, positive psychologist, speaker, author, humanitarian and adventurer.

Vikki qualified in 2011 with a Doctorate in Clinical and Community Psychology, following a Masters in Neuropsychology and a BSc in Psychology and Social Studies and then worked in the NHS for over 10 years. In 2018 she worked with Sir Richard Branson in the British Virgin Islands supporting survivors of hurricane Irma. Then in 2019 she founded Positive Wellbeing, a business that focuses on proactive and preventative strategies for forward thinking organisations, enabling them to create long lasting, successful cultures by putting the health of people first.

Championing the Wellbeing Economy, Vikki promotes positive leadership and a movement towards a better world, by blending the wellbeing of people with the wellbeing of the planet. Join us as we discuss the practical application of positive psychology, returning to physical places of work, and the Media Psychology effect.

Links Mentioned:

Find out more about Vikki’s work: https://www.drvikkibarnes.com/ 

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

CEO of Octopus Energy for Business, Zoisa North-Bond, joins me today to share her leadership insights. Octopus Energy works with companies to provide future-proof energy services, supplying them with 100% renewable and fairly priced power.

Zoisa also runs Octopus Energy's renewable generation arm, which recently announced the acquisition of a 2.8GW portfolio of renewable energy assets across 5 countries. Prior to Octopus Energy, Zoisa was the UK Managing Director of the Dutch Utility Eneco B.V.

We cover a lot of ground in this conversation. Tune in as we discuss how to not be protective of what you do as a leader, ways to ensure that you’re not doing and thinking the same thing in a year's time, Zoisa’s top tips for leading in a crisis and why you should recruit people that scare you!

Links Mentioned:

Find out more about Zoisa’s work: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoisa-north-bond-33143a4/ 

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

In this episode we are joined by John Mark Williams who is the CEO of the Institute for Leadership and Management. John is a problem solver and strategist, working with senior leadership teams to help achieve effective delivery and competitive advantage. He was the architect of Santander’s unique Breakthrough programme for fast-growth SMEs, and is the former CEO of the Agile Business Consortium. John was appointed CEO of The Institute of Leadership & Management in September 2020. 

John has many years experience in leadership development and international business, and has lectured on Strategy and International Business at universities in the UK and Europe for over two decades. He is deeply curious about the leadership implications of business agility, predictive analytics, punctuated equilibrium, and artificial intelligence.

Tune in as we explore how to adapt your leadership style, as a result of working in different countries and cultures along with how Covid-19 is affecting leadership.

And there was no way I was going to have the CEO of the Institute of Leadership and Management on the show and not ask him about his thoughts on the difference between leading and managing – and whether the age old debate even matters.

Links Mentioned:

Find out more about John’s work: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jwglobal/ 

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

Louise Breed, Managing Director of Client Services for Karian and Box, joins the show today. Karian and Box is an employee engagement consultancy who support large, complex organisations with research, strategy and programmes that improve organisational culture and the employee experience.

Louise combines a wealth of experience in engagement, culture, research and communications, gained from senior roles for many leading British brands including M&S, HSBC and the Co-op. Throughout her career she’s worked closely with executive leaders and CEOs to develop and implement strategies that positively impact employee engagement and embed people-centred decision making within organisations.

In this episode we examine some of the latest research findings from Karian and Box and uncover some practical actions that you can take to improve your leadership capability and the performance of your team or organisation.

We look at what leaders need to do in order to build trust and engagement – as well as what doesn’t work. We also talk about balancing openness and honesty with the need to stay positive and keep those that we lead motivated.

Links Mentioned:

Find out more about Karian and Box: https://www.karianandbox.com/ 

Connect with Louise on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louisebreed/ 

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

In this episode we are joined by General Sir James Everard KCB, OBE. He became a commissioned officer in the British Army in 1983 and joined the 17th/21st Lancers and has extensive operational experience having commanded at every level in the British Army, including the Queen’s Royal Lancers, 20th Armoured Brigade, 3rd(UK) Division and the UK Field Army. 

He served in the UK Liaison Officer at the Pentagon as One-Star General, at the UK Ministry of Defence as the Assistant Chief of the General Staff, as Two-Star General,  and as the Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff (Military Strategy & Operations Three-Star General). His final appointment was as Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe. 

James recently took up the appointment of Lead Senior Mentor for NATO Allied Command Operations in January 2021, where along with the The Senior Mentors, he provides high-level coaching, advice and support to NATO Commanders.

This is a truly fascinating episode not least because James’ experience ranges from leading 11 soldier soldiers and 3 tanks to 10’s of thousands of troops and having influence over millions in his final role.

We unpack leadership transitions, operating in a VUCA world, discipline, high performing teams and the importance of happiness, which I didn’t expect a retired General to mention!

Links Mentioned:

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

Mentioned in this episode:

If you enjoyed this episode:

I recommend episode 57 with General David Petraeus, a Former Senior Officer in the US Military, where he went on to be director of the CIA. In the episode he talks about getting things done in complex, fast moving environments. You can find the episode here: https://www.ben-morton.com/general-david-petraeus-strategic-leadership-big-ideas/