The Leader's Kitbag

Have you ever been in a conversation where someone nodded, said “yep” or “go on”… but you knew they weren’t really listening? 

In this episode of The Leader’s Kit Bag, I take a look at what real listening feels like for the person on the receiving end. 

I unpack common “active listening” techniques we’ve all been taught, and explain why they’re not enough on their own. 

You’ll learn: 

• Why gestures like nodding and affirmations can feel hollow 
• How to use paraphrasing and summarising to prove you’re listening 
• The subtle pitfall of focusing too much on “looking like” a good listener 
• The number one shift you need to stay fully present in conversation 

If you want the people you lead to feel genuinely heard and understood, this short episode is packed with practical insight. 

Need Support With Leadership Training, Coaching or a Conference Speaker? 

If this episode resonated with you and you're looking to strengthen your leadership culture, let's talk. 

Whether it’s a bespoke leadership programme, executive coaching, or a keynote that connects on a human level, I’d love to support you. 

Drop me a line at [email protected] or fill in the contact form on my website. 

Let’s build leadership that listens — and leads. 

In these ‘SHORTS’ episodes of my podcast, I select my favourite moments from previous episodes. This one comes from episode 181, with Georgia Aubrey, Co-Founder & Partnerships Director at Lovetovisit.com, as she shares how she ensured Lovetovisit.com has stayed true to its mission and culture while expanding internationally. 

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.  

When was the last time you truly felt heard, without judgment, interruption, or unsolicited advice? 

In this episode of The Leader’s Kit Bag, I explore the transformative power of listening. 

Drawing on a powerful exercise I ran during a recent leadership programme, I share how simply holding space for someone to speak, without fixing, advising, or interrupting, can lead to deeper self-awareness, clarity, and connection. 

You’ll learn: 

• Why silence can be your most powerful leadership tool 
• How to resist the urge to "fix" and instead be fully present 
• What really happens when people feel heard 

If you want to lead with more impact and humanity, this episode will give you a simple (but not always easy) practice that can change the way you show up in every conversation. 

Need Support With Leadership Training, Coaching or a Conference Speaker? 

If this episode resonated with you and you're looking to strengthen your leadership culture, let's talk. 

Whether it’s a bespoke leadership programme, executive coaching, or a keynote that connects on a human level, I’d love to support you. 

Drop me a line at [email protected] or fill in the contact form on my website. 

Let’s build leadership that listens — and leads. 

In this episode of The Leaders’ Kit Bag, I’m exploring a deceptively simple yet profoundly impactful skill: listening. 

In today’s workplace, with its relentless pace and constant distractions, it’s all too easy to rush into meetings, tick off agendas, and miss what really matters. 

We may be hearing our team, but are we truly listening? 

In this short, tactical episode, I share practical strategies to help you: 

• Shift mental gears between meetings to show up with intent. 
• Choose the right energy to bring into every interaction. 
• Remove everyday distractions (like your phone!) to boost connection and clarity. 

You'll also hear about a fascinating University of Chicago study that shows even seeing your phone reduces your brain’s ability to focus; a reminder of how small changes in behaviour can make a big difference in leadership impact. 

This episode is all about creating space, not just in your diary, but in your mind, so your people feel valued, heard, and inspired. 

Need Help with Training, Coaching or a Speaker for Your Next Event? 

If this episode resonated with you and you're serious about building a stronger, more connected leadership culture, let’s talk. 

Whether you’re planning a leadership development programme, looking for executive coaching, or want a keynote speaker who truly connects with audiences, I’d love to support you. 

Just drop me an email at [email protected] or complete the contact form on my website. 

In this episode, Ben Morton sits down with Georgia Aubrey, Co-Founder and Partnerships Director at Love To Visit, the UK’s first digital platform for discovering and booking attractions and experiences. 

From a print marketing background to building a tech platform with over 3.2 million users and 2,700+ live experiences, Georgia shares the remarkable scale-up journey she’s taken alongside her twin sister and co-founder, Alice. 

They’ve raised over £3.2M in funding, built strategic partnerships with iconic UK venues, and are now gearing up for international expansion. 

What makes this episode stand out is Georgia’s refreshingly candid approach to leadership. 

She opens up about learning to be a “straight talker,” the emotional challenge of letting go of favourite parts of the business, and the deeply human impact of leading a values-driven team. 

In this episode, you’ll learn: 

• Why holding on to a startup mindset fuels their scale-up success 
• How Georgia navigates decision-making and leadership with her identical twin sister 
• The role AI plays in enabling scale without sacrificing the human touch 
• Why “getting the right people on the bus” is still central to their growth 
• What Georgia’s favourite failure taught her about transparency and resilience 

Whether you’re scaling a business or leading through complex growth, Georgia’s story is a rich source of practical wisdom, humility, and real-world insight. 

Leadership Capability Scorecard 

If you’re leading a growing business or team, take five minutes to complete the Leadership Capability Scorecard. 

It’s a free diagnostic tool designed to help you assess your organisation’s leadership strengths and gaps across nine essential areas. 

You can access it here. It might just spark your next leadership breakthrough! 

This episode of The Leader’s Kitbag is a little different. 

It’s a direct response to a brilliant question I received from Suma on TikTok about accountability, specifically, what to do when things fall through the cracks and your colleagues perceive you as not being accountable. 

In this episode, you’ll learn: 

• What accountability really means, and why it’s about everything we do 
• The power of a genuine, no-excuses apology 
• Why context matters, and how to offer it without deflecting 
• How to ask what I can do to fix this, and really mean it 
• The critical step we often skip: learning and adapting 

Whether you've been in this situation before or want to be ready for when it inevitably happens, this episode is packed with practical tips you can use immediately. 

If this episode resonated with you, you’ll love my Leader’s Kitbag email series. 

Each week, I’ll send you one high-impact leadership insight, along with tools, tips, and strategies to help you lead with confidence and clarity. 

There’s no spam, just proven tactics and insight to help you be a great leader. 

Join The Leaders Kitbag email community here and get practical leadership support delivered straight to your inbox. 

Until next time, lead on. 

In these ‘SHORTS’ episodes of my podcast, I select my favourite moments from previous episodes. This one comes from episode 180, with James Collier, Co-founder of Huel and Registered Nutritionist, who explores the parallels between nutrition and leadership. Discover how principles of balanced nutrition can be applied to building sustainable leadership and personal well-being. 

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.

We often focus on how to lead and support our own teams, but what if one of the most impactful things we could do as leaders is to support those above us? 

In this episode of The Leaders Kitbag, I explore a powerful idea: helping your boss make better, more informed decisions. 

Because when we do that well, we not only improve outcomes across the board, but we also earn greater trust and influence. 

Here are the three practical tips I share: 

#1. Provide insights, not just data 

It’s not enough to simply report the numbers. 

Real value comes from interpreting the data, highlighting patterns, trends, risks, and opportunities that may not be visible from above. 

#2. Offer options, not just obstacles 

No one wants to hear about problems with no proposed solutions. 

Instead, present viable options so your boss can make informed choices, and you position yourself as a solutions-focused leader. 

#3. Ask future-focused questions 

Show you’re thinking beyond the task at hand. 

Ask smart questions about long-term goals and success metrics to help shape better decisions from the top down. 

These aren’t just management tricks; they’re practical ways to demonstrate leadership at every level. 

The Leaders Kitbag Email 

If you found this episode helpful, don’t miss out on future insights and tools.  

Sign up for The Leaders Kitbag Email via the link below for more tips, insights, and tools like this delivered directly to your inbox so you never miss a thing. 

https://mailchi.mp/ab0a5c279d78/bml 

#LeadOn  

In these ‘SHORTS’ episodes of my podcast, I select my favourite moments from previous episodes. This one comes from episode 179, with James Collier, Co-founder of Huel and Registered Nutritionist, to explore the concept of “dietology” – the dogmatic beliefs around nutrition – and why food choices can become so polarising. 

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.

Have you ever found yourself so caught up in leading your team that you've forgotten to keep your boss updated on the great work you’re doing? 

Or perhaps your boss asks for updates you've already given, and you’re left wondering why your messages aren’t landing? 

In this episode of The Leaders Kitbag, I’m sharing three practical strategies to help you manage upwards more effectively. 

These aren’t about office politics or overcommunicating; they’re about building trust, maintaining your autonomy, and reducing the risk of being micromanaged. 

Here’s what I cover: 

Tip 1: Focus on what they care about most 

Learn how to spot your boss’s top priorities and ensure you’re giving them the updates they value, before they even have to ask. 

Tip 2: Create a rhythm of updates they can rely on 

Whether it’s a weekly email, a structured check-in, or a monthly report, consistency builds trust and helps your boss feel informed and confident in your leadership. 

Tip 3: Share the wins and flag the risks early 

Celebrate your team’s successes and be proactive about highlighting risks. Doing so not only demonstrates your competence, it also shows you’re not hiding anything, strengthening the trust between you and your boss. 

Remember, proactively managing upwards isn’t just about making your life easier. 

It’s about strengthening relationships, building your reputation, and creating the space you need to lead effectively. 

The Leaders Kitbag Email 

If you found this episode helpful, don’t miss out on future insights and tools. 

Sign up for The Leaders Kitbag Email via the link below for more tips, insights, and tools like this delivered directly to your inbox so you never miss a thing. 

https://mailchi.mp/ab0a5c279d78/bml 

#LeadOn