In this episode, our hosts Martin Osler and Jude Lean are joined by a guest who not only leads, but teaches leaders – Mary Galbraith. Currently the Programme Director at the University of Strathclyde Business School, Mary designs and facilitates executive education programmes.

From her roots on a farm in the west coast of Scotland to the boardrooms of international consulting firms, Mary has worn many hats – consultant, changemaker, strategist, adviser. She was also the inaugural Chair of the new Scottish Women’s Premier League – a role she still held at the time of filming this episode, with her three-year term completing in June 2025.

Mary discusses her role as Chair, and the importance of sport and the lessons it teaches about leadership and teamwork. She also shares what she’s learned about how to make real change and why asking better questions might be the most underused superpower in the workplace.

And as a bonus? As well as Mary’s sharp insights on leadership, you might just pick up some gardening tips too…!

Visit our website at www.johnstoncarmichael.com for more insights from our sharp minds and to find out more about what we do as a UK firm of chartered accountants and business advisers.

One of the UK’s most sought-after leadership coaches; a best-selling author; an organisational psychologist; a business founder; a former accountant; a former restaurateur – Anurag Rai’s career experience is remarkable. What’s even more remarkable, is the story of how he achieved all of this after losing everything.

In this inspiring episode, Anurag explains how he started out with £100 and a dream of owning a restaurant business – a dream he accomplished, until bad luck struck. Finding himself at rock bottom and asking, “Why me?”, Anurag faced a choice: give up, or shift perspective. So he decided to change his question to, “Why not me?” – and rebuild.

Driven by his mission to positively impact one billion lives, Anurag has spent years developing his expertise in psychology, leadership, and high performance. His conversation with our hosts explores the mindset behind resilience, the power of reframing failure, the importance of human connection in leadership, and what it really takes to lead well.

Whether you're leading a team or leading yourself through change, this is a story – and a conversation – you won't want to miss.

Find out more about Anurag’s businesses, Superhuman In You and AMHWAL Academy, and his books, on his websites below:

Superhuman In You - www.superhumaninyou.com – executive coaching for leaders.

AMHWAL Academy - AMHWAL Academy - one of the leading training providers in Scotland for Mental Health, Wellbeing and Leadership Development.

Books by Anurag Rai:

‘The Power Within’

‘Leading with Human Quotient’

‘Mind 2.0’

‘How To Become The Best Version of You’

‘Organisational Compass’ (coming soon)

Visit our website at www.johnstoncarmichael.com for more insights from our sharp minds and to find out more about what we do as a UK firm of chartered accountants and business advisers.

In this first episode of ‘Who’s Steering This Thing?’, our hosts Martin Osler and Jude Lean talk to our very own Chief Executive, Lynne Walker, about how she has built the resilience to lead through life’s most challenging moments.

In 2018, Lynne’s plans and priorities were turned on their head when her husband was diagnosed with testicular cancer. Spinning the plates of family, work, and emotional support, she learned lessons about herself and about leadership that she still carries with her. A few short years later, Lynne was thrown in at the deep end once again when the COVID-19 pandemic hit and she – as a department head and a newly-promoted Partner of the firm – was faced with teams of people looking to her for direction.

Lynne shares how she came out of the other side of these challenges with different mindsets and new habits. This candid conversation touches on everything from what ‘leadership’ really means to Lynne, to the importance of coaching and surrounding yourself with the right people, tackling imposter syndrome, how to keep juggling life when you’re not sure if you can - and the power of a good tune!

Visit our website at www.johnstoncarmichael.com for more insights from our sharp minds and to find out more about what we do as a UK firm of chartered accountants and business advisers.

Book mentioned: ‘Ego is the Enemy’ by Ryan Holiday.