The Progressing Lives Everywhere Podcast

Why should businesses and business leaders even be interested in thinking about the language they use?

In this episode of The Progressing Lives Everywhere Podcast, we’re joined by Felicity Wingrove, Founder and Managing Director of Zen Communications to discuss precisely this.

Felicity's go-to inspirational quote is "the world is changed by your example, and not your opinion" - and this is certainly reflected in the actionable advice and practical steps she provides in this episode.

Felicity explores the logistics and importance of communicating your employer brand, why language is fundamental to the concept of progression, how her clients have reaped the rewards of good communication plus why she took the bold decision to abolish the working day within her business, and the incredible impact it has had.

Hosted by Natasha Crump, Strategic Programmes Board Advisor, Global Diversity and Inclusion Lead, and Co-Founder of AB ASCEND at Amoria Bond, this instalment is a must-listen for leaders and managers in any field looking to up their communication game and see the business benefit.

Timestamped guide:

02:25 - Where does your passion and drive come from?

03:29 - Why did you decide to set up Zen Communications?

04:19 - Is there a responsibility associated with the use of language?

05:19 - What's your go-to inspirational quote?

06:02 - Tell us more about your decision to abolish the working day?

07:56 - How have you seen this impact your employees mental health?

09:53 - Who is your progression inspiration?

10:55 - Why is language so fundamentally significant to progression? And why should businesses and business leaders even be interested in thinking about the language they use?

12:42 - How have you/your clients used language to attract and retain more diverse talent in their organisations?

19:02 - What advise would you give to any leaders and managers when they have to deliver difficult messages?

22:34 - In your opinion, what are the most impactful and important ingredients in communicating effectively? The tricks of the trade to help us get it right?

26:07 - Are there any kind of tools or books or resources that you would recommend?

27:39 - How the words you choose and the way you deliver them can impact somebody's equity of opportunity

31:15 - Can you talk about what you think businesses and leaders can expect to be seeing in terms of brand reputation and talent strategy trends?

Resources mentioned - 

Dr Robert Cialdini; Book on Persuasion - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Influence-Psychology-Robert-Cialdini-PhD/dp/006124189X

Dr Robert Cialdini; Book on Presuasion - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pre-Suasion-Revolutionary-Way-Influence-Persuade/dp/150115205X/ref=sr_1_10?dchild=1&qid=1606988871&refinements=p_27%3ARobert+B+Cialdini+PhD&s=books&sr=1-10&text=Robert+B+Cialdini+PhD

You can also watch some of his talks here:

- https://www.influenceatwork.com/principles-of-persuasion/

- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e57X7GCFafo 

- https://www.influenceatwork.com/robert-cialdini-videos/

Satir Hand Gestures Videos

- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ow_EQxLcnYo

- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfkWnQNWCRE

Connect with your host, Natasha Crump, on LinkedIn.

Find your guest, Felicity Wingrove, on LinkedIn.

Thanks for listening to The Progressing Lives Everywhere Podcast, brought to you by Amoria Bond.

This podcast is a Loaded Hype production.

In this episode of The Progressing Lives Everywhere Podcast, we’re joined by Dr Joanna Abeyie, MBE, Founder and CEO of Blue Moon and Co-Secretariat APPG for Creative Diversity, co-founder of the Diversity & Inclusion Charter, to discuss Diversity and Inclusion. 

Covering the danger of promising D&I without action, how to ensure everyone's voices are heard and why education is so important in progressing the diversity inclusion and equality agenda, Natasha and Joanna also discuss the fact "it's interesting that for so long you're told that the business case is the one we need to explain, when in actual fact the one that's pushed activity has been the human and ethical reason for it".

Hosted by Natasha Crump, Strategic Programmes Board Advisor, Global Diversity and Inclusion Lead, and Co-Founder of AB ASCEND at Amoria Bond, this instalment is an insightful listen for anyone seeking actionable insights on organisational D&I or just looking to learn generally, as we can all do better.

Timestamped guide:

00:32 - Introduction

02:38 - Who are your inspirations?

08:09 - Why do you think that that spirit of giving is so important in the in a professional capacity & how do you approach it in your work?

11:15 - How would you go about helping businesses to empower people to feel that it’s okay to make mistakes?

18:45 - Why you choose to support educational institutions, and why education is so important in progressing the diversity inclusion and equality agenda, and how that will shape creating tomorrows leaders?

24:13 - Do you think it’s important for organisations to look externally swell as internally when thinking bout how do we become more diverse and inclusive?

31:21 - How important is it for organisations to share how they’re creating an inclusive workplace with the outside world to then attract more diverse talent naturally?

33:14 - How do you ensure everyone within a company feels included and has their voice heard?

35:06 - What’s the danger of organisations approaching diversity and inclusion the wrong way and aren’t prepared to follow through with action?

43:03 - How to encourage business leaders to think about what’s their reason for wanting to create inclusion, diversity and equality in their organisations? 

45:19 - Why you think it’s so important for businesses to publicly sign up to the Diversity and Inclusion Charter?

Resources mentioned - 

https://diversityandinclusioncharter.com/our-story 

Connect with your host, Natasha Crump, on LinkedIn.

Find your guest, Dr Joanna Abeyie, MBE, on LinkedIn.

Thanks for listening to The Progressing Lives Everywhere Podcast, brought to you by Amoria Bond.

This podcast is a Loaded Hype production.

This special episode of The Progressing Lives Everywhere Podcast, features not one, not two, but four industry leaders to discuss the apt topic of business change - plus snippets from the world number 3 CEO.

First up is Jeff Grout. Jeff is an independent business consultant specialising in leadership, people management, team building performance, recruitment and retention and he is also listed in the 100 best business speakers in Britain.

Following Jeff is Chris Hart, an independent specialist in turnaround, business transformation and Consultancy Services.

Next up is Otto Guth. Otto is an independent HR director specialising in business transformation. 

Finally is David Warner, Director of Self Development at Chimp Management. David is a trained psychological skills coach, specialising in performance, wellbeing and happiness. 

You'll also hear from number 3 CEO, Bob Chapman, who leads Barry-Wehmiller.

In the two clips from Bob, you'll hear his perspective on leading in uncertain times, plus his infamous wedding followed by how he sees business can improve society as a whole.

Hosted by Andrew Beard, Associate Director of Amoria Bond's Engineering Division Europe, this instalment is the perfect listen for those interested in or going through a business change or transformation, and insightful for those interested in business as a whole and the impact of COVID-19.

Timestamped guide:

03:09 - Introduction to Jeff Grout

03:31 - What are three key steps to ensure a successful outcome to a business change initiative?

08:44 - What would be your pay-it-forward advise to business leaders post-pandemic so that we can continue to try and make the business world a better place?

12:24 - Introduction to Chris Hart

12:40 - What are your top three tips for leading a company through business transformation?

13:28 - Tell us about leading a business by example through a transformation

15:59 - Do you have any other tips on role modelling that you'd like to pay forward?

16:28 - As we look to build a better future for business post-pandemic, what advice would you have to fellow business leaders in your field and beyond?

17:16 - Introduction to Otto Guth

17:35 - What would you say are your top three tips would be to a company that is going through a business transformation currently?

21:04 - What would your advice be to business leaders post-pandemic as we look to build a better future for business?

22:35 - Introduction to David Warner

22:52 - What role do you see that psychological contracting can play in a business change process?

24:36 - How would leaders go about undertaking this with their teams right now? So what practical steps could they take today in order to put this into practice?

27:22 - Should we see psychological contracting as a fundamental part of "primal" leadership? 

29:13 - What would your advice be to leaders to help them build a better future for business?

31:26 - Introduction to Bob Chapman

33:43 - Bob Chapman discussing communication during times of uncertainty

37:49 - Bob sharing his infamous wedding story, followed by how he sees business can improve society as a whole

Thanks for listening to The Progressing Lives Everywhere Podcast, brought to you by Amoria Bond.

This podcast is a Loaded Hype production.

In this episode of The Progressing Lives Everywhere Podcast we're joined by Lisa Harrington, NED to the Post Office, Advisor to Tech Pixies and a champion of diversity in all its forms.

Hosted by Natasha Crump, Strategic Programmes Board Advisor, Global Diversity and Inclusion Lead, and Co-Founder of AB ASCEND at Amoria Bond, this episode sees Natasha and Lisa explore the timely topic of women in tech.

With sage advice on leadership, mentoring and closing the digital skills gap, Lisa explores her career into tech, how you can make a move into the industry, increasing diversity within tech plus the wider tech landscape and future outlook.

This instalment is the perfect listen for those in the tech sector or looking to move into the sector, and anyone wishing to hear more about progressing their careers and the careers of others. 

Timestamped agenda:

00:50 - Introduction to Lisa

02:48 - What does progression mean to you personally, and who has inspired your own progression?

04:17 - Was working across multiple sectors in your career by design, and in what ways do you think it's benefited your progression to take that path?

05:55 - What is it that that drives you? Where does your ambition come from?

07:23 - What would you say you've learned through failure?

08:47 - Do you think that having a family has helped you get better at getting things wrong?

09:58 - If you could simplify your methodology on effective mentorship into two or three steps, what would they be? 

14:24 - What have you learned about yourself through mentoring others?

16:57 - Thinking about when you've supported others with their progression, is there an example that really stands out for you when you felt "Yes, I've made a real difference here"?

18:57 - How important do you think it is in attracting and retaining female talent that companies facilitate and support networks for their female employees?

20:40 - What advice or tips would you give to professional working women or other groups who want to set up their own network in their own organisation, but are coming up against resistance - whether at board level or the wider organisation?

23:18 - What are the main causal factors that have contributed to the digital talent shortage?

26:08 - What is your opinion on the role or responsibility businesses could and should be taking to help address the digital divide?

27:40 - Is there anyone you'd recommend listeners look up as a really good example of achieving in this space without a University degree?

29:43 - What key trends do you expect to see in digital technology in the next few years?

33:24 - Do you think that women in very senior executive positions, like yourself, feel more under the microscope than their male peers?

34:13 - What you would say to board members of STEM companies who be listening, listening to the board, this podcast, in making a compelling business case for them to prioritise diversity in their organisation.

35:58 - What's the most significant lesson you've learned or piece of advice you'd give, that might help someone progress, a goal or ambition or area of their own life?

37:50 - What are you reading? Or what was the last book that made an impact and made you think?

Connect with your host, Natasha Crump, on LinkedIn.

Find your guest, Lisa Harrington, on LinkedIn.

Thanks for listening to The Progressing Lives Everywhere Podcast, brought to you by Amoria Bond.

This podcast is a Loaded Hype production.

In this episode of The Progressing Lives Everywhere Podcast, we’re joined by Katie Howard Cross, Co-founder of Eva Talent, to discuss the pertinent topic of conscious/unconscious bias.

A real advocate for empowerment, change, and the awareness of bias in the workplace, in the episode Katie covers the impact conscious and unconscious bias can have, the different types of bias and the way bias can manifest.

Katie also provides actionable advice for business leaders and individuals in becoming aware of, breaking down and overcoming bias, as well as sharing her own experiences.

Hosted by Andrew Barrow, Associate Director of Amoria Bond Life Science, this instalment is sector-agnostic, making it an insightful listen for anyone wanting to understand more about unconscious and conscious bias.

Timestamped guide:

00:50 - Introduction to Katie

01:38 - What does progress you mean to you?

04:08 - Who inspires you? Or who has inspired you with their story?

07:11 - Has your journey so far been quite organic or did a series of circumstances/event drive you?

10:12 - What impact can unconscious and conscious bias have on progression?

12:15 - Have you personally experienced bias?

14:44 - How do you feel that bias can hinder or progress a company? Have you seen any examples where it can have a major positive impact or an adverse impact?

18:41 - "Similar to me" bias and culture fit

22:29 - Would there be some tips or advice that you believe would really help drive businesses in terms of breaking down those biases and helping that progression?

25:18 - What are the key lessons around bias, in terms of breaking those down from an individual perspective?

29:05 - What does the future hold for you, and what do you think the future is around bias and unconscious bias?

Connect with your host, Andrew Barrow on LinkedIn.

Find your guest, Katie Howard Cross on LinkedIn.

Thanks for listening to The Progressing Lives Everywhere Podcast, brought to you by Amoria Bond.

This podcast is a Loaded Hype production.

Welcome to Progressing Lives Everywhere, brought to you by Amoria Bond.

Take a listen to this trailer episode to discover more about our brand-new podcast centred on progression.

With the first episodes launching soon, subscribe or follow now to be notified as soon as they’re available.

This, is Progressing Lives Everywhere.