The Leaders Podcast

After an unexpected cancer diagnosis in January 2026, host Laura MacDonald returns to the podcast to share a deeply personal story - not about illness, but about leadership.

In this special episode, recorded during what was supposed to be a milestone birthday year, you'll hear how an ordinary waiting room conversation, a surgeon's careful words, and countless small acts of purposeful kindness transformed one of the most terrifying experiences of a lifetime into a masterclass in human connection.

This isn't a medical episode. It's a leadership one.

From chemotherapy suites to surgical planning meetings, the extraordinary people who showed up - strangers, colleagues, doctors, and friends - demonstrated that leadership isn't a job title. It's a moment.

P.S. If today’s episode highlighted a gap in your leadership, let’s close it together. Book a call with me and we’ll map out the exact support you need — whether that’s coaching, mentoring, or a bespoke programme for your organisation.

P.S. Want to explore how I help leaders strengthen influence, confidence, and team culture? Visit my website to see my services for both private and corporate clients.

P.S. If this episode reminded you that leadership is human first, let’s talk. Book a call and let’s explore how you can build deeper connection and influence in your team.

Want my support to build stronger connection and influence with your team?

Visit my website Leadership Consultant | Laura the Leaders Coach to discover all my services for both private and business clients, catch up on the latest episodes of The Leaders Podcast, and access my free resources.

Follow me on LinkedIn for regular updates and offers on my services Laura MacDonald | LinkedIn

In this round table episode, Laura is joined by Jenni Field - internal communication and leadership credibility expert, author of the multi-award nominated Nobody Believes You, co-host of the Frequency podcast, and co-founder of the Belief Builders, and James Moffatt, certified business psychologist, executive and performance coach, and Managing Director of Embed Learning and Clear Training Limited.

Together, they dig into one of leadership's most persistent tensions: why profit-driven cultures so often sideline the very people who make those profits possible.

The conversation covers why numbers feel easier to manage than people, the role of fear, habit, and "reverting to type" in leadership behaviour, how high turnover is a hidden financial burden hiding in plain sight, what it really means to champion people-centred leaders from within a profit-first culture, the power of psychological safety, freedom within a framework, and knowing your people, real-world examples that prove people-first is profit-first, and why consistent, intentional effort is the only path forward.

Whether you're navigating a culture that worships spreadsheets or trying to protect your people-centred approach when budgets tighten, this episode is packed with practical insight, honest reflection, and a strong strategic case for leading with people at the centre.

Connect with the guests:

- Jenni Field: thejennyfield.com | LinkedIn

- James Moffatt: Embed Learning & Clear Training Limited | LinkedIn

P.S. If you’re navigating a culture that values profit over people, my Strategic Middle Leaders Toolkit will help you lead with humanity without losing impact. Download it free via my website.

P.S. Want to explore how I help leaders strengthen influence, confidence, and team culture? Visit my website to see my services for both private and corporate clients.

P.S. Leadership doesn’t have to feel heavy. If you’re ready for clarity, direction, and momentum, book your call today.

Want my support to build stronger connection and influence with your team?

Visit my website Leadership Consultant | Laura the Leaders Coach to discover all my services for both private and business clients, catch up on the latest episodes of The Leaders Podcast, and access my free resources.

Follow me on LinkedIn for regular updates and offers on my services Laura MacDonald | LinkedIn

In this powerful roundtable discussion, host Laura welcomes back two exceptional leadership experts - Joanna Rawbone, TEDx speaker and owner of Flourishing Introverts, and Jacqui Frost, ICF-accredited coach and director of Leadership 43 - to explore why kindness isn't just a "nice-to-have" in leadership, but a strategic business imperative.

In this important episode, we explore:

• Redefining Kindness in Leadership: Why kindness isn't soft or permissive—it's about leading with humanity while maintaining high standards and accountability
• The Strategic Case for Kindness: How kind leadership directly impacts retention, productivity, mental health, succession planning, and company reputation
• The Cost of Unkindness: From toxic workplace cultures to talent exodus, the measurable business consequences of unkind leadership
• Self-Leadership First: Why leaders must be kind to themselves before they can authentically lead others with kindness
• Practical Implementation: How to embed kindness in ways that stick, even during crisis and pressure
• Courage and Authenticity: Why being kind in unkind cultures requires bravery and intentionality

This episode challenges conventional leadership thinking and provides compelling evidence that kindness isn't just morally right, it's strategically smart. Whether you're a seasoned leader or aspiring to leadership, this conversation will inspire you to lead with both heart and effectiveness.

Want to connect with Jo and Jacqui? Find them here...

Joanna Rawbone - Home - Flourishing Introverts

Jacqui Frost - Global Leadership Coaching: Unlock Potential & Build Resilience with Leadership 43

P.S. If you want practical tools to apply what you learned today, download my free Strategic Middle Leaders Toolkit — packed with templates, scripts, and leadership boosters, or my Guide to Delivering Effective Feedback — one of my most-used resources for leaders who want to communicate with clarity and confidence.

P.S. Both are free when you join my email list — perfect if you love learning and want ongoing leadership support.

P.S. If you want to embed kindness into your leadership in a way that actually shifts performance, join my Drop‑In Mentoring Group — a space to practise people‑centred leadership with real support.

Want my support to build stronger connection and influence with your team?

Visit my website Leadership Consultant | Laura the Leaders Coach to discover all my services for both private and business clients, catch up on the latest episodes of The Leaders Podcast, and access my free resources.

Follow me on LinkedIn for regular updates and offers on my services Laura MacDonald | LinkedIn

Start 2026 with renewed leadership intention. In this episode, we explore why leaders default to quick fixes and easy options, and why choosing the harder, more impactful route is what transforms teams and builds lasting legacies.

Discover: 

·        Why we avoid difficult conversations and deeper engagement

·        The real risks of transactional "quick fix" leadership

·        How to motivate yourself to consistently choose quality over quantity

·        Building resilience through micro-wins and intentional reflection

·        Creating cultures of trust, innovation, and joyful performance

·        The legacy you leave when you invest time, energy, and effort in your people

Whether you're battling time pressures, lacking confidence in difficult conversations, or feeling stuck in old patterns, this episode offers a roadmap to shift from firefighting to transformational leadership. Because leadership isn't about perfection - it's about persistence, consistency, and choosing the harder, more human route.

Perfect for leaders ready to move beyond shortcuts and build teams that thrive through change, challenge, and growth.

P.S. If today’s episode highlighted a gap in your leadership, let’s close it together. Book a call with me and we’ll map out the exact support you need — whether that’s coaching, mentoring, or a bespoke programme for your organisation.

P.S. Want to explore how I help leaders strengthen influence, confidence, and team culture? Visit my website to see my services for both private and corporate clients.

P.S. If you’re ready to stop choosing quick fixes and start leading with intention, book a call and let’s map out the leadership habits that will transform your impact.

Want my support to build stronger connection and influence with your team?

Visit my website Leadership Consultant | Laura the Leaders Coach to discover all my services for both private and business clients, catch up on the latest episodes of The Leaders Podcast, and access my free resources.

Follow me on LinkedIn for regular updates and offers on my services Laura MacDonald | LinkedIn

In this special anniversary episode of The Leaders Podcast, we celebrate a year of insights, strategies, and growth with 39 episodes and 24 inspiring guests. Laura dives deep into the art of reclaiming your time, energy, and influence as a leader - moving from a reactive, overloaded calendar to a brave, intentional one that reflects your true values.

Discover practical frameworks for energy management, stakeholder mapping, and effective feedback, plus get access to a brand new, free Strategic Middle Leaders Toolkit packed with templates and resources to help you lead with impact. And as a thank you for supporting The Leader’s Podcast for the last year, inside is an
exclusive bonus just for you…

Tune in to learn how to shift from busy to brave, set the right example for your
team, and make the impact you know you’re capable of. Don’t miss this milestone
episode and your chance to level up your leadership!

P.S. If you’re tired of being reactive and want a braver, more intentional leadership rhythm, download my free Strategic Middle Leaders Toolkit — it will help you reclaim your influence.

P.S. Want to explore how I help leaders strengthen influence, confidence, and team culture? Visit my website to see my services for both private and corporate clients.

P.S. Leadership doesn’t have to feel heavy. If you’re ready for clarity, direction, and momentum, book your call today.

Want my support to build stronger connection and influence with your team?

Visit my website Leadership Consultant | Laura the Leaders Coach to discover all my services for both private and business clients, catch up on the latest episodes of The Leaders Podcast, and access my free resources.

Follow me on LinkedIn for regular updates and offers on my services Laura MacDonald | LinkedIn

Bad Managers Aren’t Born — They’re Built

In this episode, Laura unpacks the uncomfortable truth: bad management is often a product of organisational systems, not personal flaws. From promoting technical experts without leadership training to rewarding control and short-term wins over collaboration and emotional intelligence, many companies unknowingly create dysfunctional leaders.

You’ll discover:

• The common archetypes of bad managers — and how they’re shaped by culture
• Why control and compliance are rewarded over empathy and trust
• The hidden costs of poor leadership: burnout, disengagement, and lost innovation
• How structured coaching and models like Lewin’s Ice Cube Change Model can transform leadership behaviours

If you’re an HR leader or L&D professional ready to shift from reactive management to proactive leadership development, this episode offers both insight and action.

P.S. If you want to break the systems that create poor leadership in your organisation, explore my coaching and consultancy services — we can build the structures your leaders need to thrive.

P.S. Want to explore how I help leaders strengthen influence, confidence, and team culture? Visit my website to see my services for both private and corporate clients.

P.S. Leadership doesn’t have to feel heavy. If you’re ready for clarity, direction, and momentum, book your call today.

Want my support to build stronger connection and influence with your team?

Visit my website Leadership Consultant | Laura the Leaders Coach to discover all my services for both private and business clients, catch up on the latest episodes of The Leaders Podcast, and access my free resources.

Follow me on LinkedIn for regular updates and offers on my services Laura MacDonald | LinkedIn

In this episode of The Leaders Podcast, Laura welcomes Rebecca Sangster-Kelly, principal consultant, coach, and owner of Studium Consulting, for a candid and insightful conversation on stakeholder relationships and communication. Rebecca shares her journey from international student to communications expert, offering practical wisdom on navigating office politics, building trust, and influencing others with authenticity and consistency.

Together, Laura and Rebecca explore the nuances of effective communication, the
importance of understanding stakeholder motivations, and why true leadership is
rooted in service and genuine care. Rebecca provides actionable advice for
leaders on setting boundaries, fostering alignment within teams, and creating
environments where people feel heard and valued.

Whether you’re a seasoned executive or an aspiring leader, this episode is packed with real-world examples, memorable anecdotes, and direct strategies to help you
strengthen your stakeholder relationships and communicate with greater impact.
Tune in for a masterclass in honest leadership, delivered with Rebecca’s
trademark enthusiasm and clarity.

Want to connect with Rebecca? 

(1) Rebecca Sangster-Kelly | LinkedIn

Home - Studium Consultancy

P.S. If stakeholder influence is a growth edge for you, join my Drop‑In Mentoring Group — bring your real‑world challenges and get practical, strategic support.

P.S. It’s the easiest way to experience working with me — supportive, practical, and designed for leaders who want clarity fast.

P.S. Come join us. You don’t have to lead alone.

Want my support to build stronger connection and influence with your team?

Visit my website Leadership Consultant | Laura the Leaders Coach to discover all my services for both private and business clients, catch up on the latest episodes of The Leaders Podcast, and access my free resources.

Follow me on LinkedIn for regular updates and offers on my services Laura MacDonald | LinkedIn

In this special round table episode of the Leaders Podcast, host Laura MacDonald is joined by an inspiring panel: Drew Povey (DPC Limited), Zoe Thompson (Phoenix Coaching Limited), and Tony Smith (former GB Rugby League coach and leadership mentor). Together, they dive deep into the psychology of resistance - exploring why leaders struggle with change, how different sectors experience resistance, and what it really takes to lead through uncertainty.

The conversation covers generational perspectives on change, the importance of communication and curiosity, and the value of learning from both failure and success. The guests share personal stories, practical strategies, and candid insights on managing energy, embracing adversity, and fostering resilient teams. Whether you’re a seasoned leader or just starting out, this episode is packed with wisdom to help you navigate change with confidence and authenticity.

Connect with the guests on LinkedIn (links below) and join Laura for more empowering leadership conversations!

(2) Drew Povey | LinkedIn 

(2) Zoë Thompson | LinkedIn 

(2) Tony Smith | LinkedIn 

P.S. If you want tools to help your team move through resistance, grab my free Guide to Delivering Effective Feedback — it will help you communicate change with clarity and confidence.

P.S. If you want practical tools to apply what you learned today, download my free Strategic Middle Leaders Toolkit — packed with templates, scripts, and leadership boosters.

P.S. Both are free when you join my email list — perfect if you love learning and want ongoing leadership support.

Want my support to build stronger connection and influence with your team?

Visit my website Leadership Consultant | Laura the Leaders Coach to discover all my services for both private and business clients, catch up on the latest episodes of The Leaders Podcast, and access my free resources.

Follow me on LinkedIn for regular updates and offers on my services Laura MacDonald | LinkedIn

In this episode, we dive deep into the evolving landscape of people-centred leadership and the growing pressures faced by today’s leaders. Discover why self-motivation is the most essential skill for anyone in a leadership role - and why it’s often overlooked. We explore the myths around what truly motivates teams (hint: it’s not money), the dangers of relying solely on extrinsic motivators, and the importance of understanding your own intrinsic drivers.

You’ll learn practical strategies for uncovering what motivates you, how to build
sustainable commitment, and why leading by example is the key to empowering
your team. Whether you’re an aspiring leader or a seasoned manager, this
episode will help you reclaim your motivation, foster a more engaged team, and
create lasting impact in your organisation.

Tune in to start serving yourself so you can better serve others.

P.S. If you want practical tools to apply what you learned today, download my free Strategic Middle Leaders Toolkit — packed with templates, scripts, and leadership boosters.

P.S. You can also grab my Guide to Delivering Effective Feedback — one of my most-used resources for leaders who want to communicate with clarity and confidence.

P.S. If you want to build self‑motivation and team motivation that actually lasts, book a call — we’ll identify the exact levers that will shift performance in your context.

Want my support to build stronger connection and influence with your team?

Visit my website Leadership Consultant | Laura the Leaders Coach to discover all my services for both private and business clients, catch up on the latest episodes of The Leaders Podcast, and access my free resources.

Follow me on LinkedIn for regular updates and offers on my services Laura MacDonald | LinkedIn

In this enlightening episode of the Leaders Podcast, host Laura MacDonald welcomes Anita Arscott Brookes - Licensed Menopause Champion, Insights Discovery practitioner, and founder of Arscott Brookes Consultancy. Together, they dive deep into the often-misunderstood topic of menopause, exploring its impact on women in the workplace and beyond

Anita shares her personal journey, the challenges she faced, and how her experiences inspired her to empower others through education and open conversation. The discussion covers the importance of supportive leadership, the need for workplace policies, and practical strategies for both individuals and organisations to better support those experiencing menopause

Whether you’re a leader, a team member, or simply curious about how to foster more inclusive and understanding workplaces, this episode offers valuable insights, actionable advice, and a reminder that every person’s experience is unique. Tune in to learn how knowledge, empathy, and open dialogue can make a real difference

Guest links:

• Website: arscottbrookes.co.uk
• LinkedIn: Anita Arscott Brookes | LinkedIn

P.S. If you want to build a more inclusive, supportive culture for your team, explore my services — I help leaders create environments where people can thrive through every life stage.

P.S. If you’d love support but aren’t ready for full coaching, join my Drop‑In Mentoring Group. It’s a low‑ticket, high‑impact space where you can bring real leadership challenges and get real solutions.

P.S. It’s the easiest way to experience working with me — supportive, practical, and designed for leaders who want clarity fast. Come join us. You don’t have to lead alone.

Want my support to build stronger connection and influence with your team?

Visit my website Leadership Consultant | Laura the Leaders Coach to discover all my services for both private and business clients, catch up on the latest episodes of The Leaders Podcast, and access my free resources.

Follow me on LinkedIn for regular updates and offers on my services Laura MacDonald | LinkedIn