The Thoughtful Leader Podcast with Ben Brearley

Tuckman’s Team Development Model has been around for a while, but I find it to still be relevant and useful today. Some people think that you can whack people together and become high-performing straight away. This just ain’t true, and this model helps to understand what stages a team goes through to get to that high-performing point. In this episode, I’ll take a look at the stages and how you can navigate them. Like the Show? Please Leave a Review! ✅ If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below. Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏 >>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. >>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify. Apply For Your Complimentary Coaching Session I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will: You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward. There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do! >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. Show Links: The 5 Stages of Team DevelopmentDon’t Have a Team Operating Model? Here’s Why You Need One.Team Accountability Builder Online CourseMotivation at Work: Moving Your People Along the Motivation Spectrum

It is fairly common knowledge now that providing people with more autonomy can drive big improvements in motivation. However, it’s not as easy as it sounds. Sometimes providing your team with more autonomy is daunting and frustrating. In this episode, I take a look at some of the common traps and what we can do to avoid them. Like the Show? Please Leave a Review! ✅ If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below. Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏 >>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. >>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify. Apply For Your Complimentary Coaching Session I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will: You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward. There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do! >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. Show Links: Struggling to Foster Autonomy In Your Team? Here’s WhyThoughtful Leader Podcast #215: Why Autonomy Matters For Your People and How to Provide It.Want to Build Empathy? Use the Iceberg ModelProactive vs Reactive Team Members: Make the SwitchPeople Not Doing What You Want? Ask This Leadership Question

Goal setting is very common in most organisations, but that doesn’t mean it’s done very well. If you get it right it can provide a big motivational boost, but when it goes wrong it can have the opposite effect. In this episode, I take a look at some tips to help you set more effective goals for your team. Like the Show? Please Leave a Review! ✅ If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below. Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏 >>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. >>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify. Apply For Your Complimentary Coaching Session I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will: You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward. There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do! >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. Show Links: Setting Team Goals: Tips for Thoughtful Leaders5 Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni.Drive by Dan Pink.Thoughtful Leader Podcat #165: How to Provide Development Opportunities For Your Team.Want a Committed Team? Check These Factors

It’s pretty common knowledge that recognising the contributions of your team can be a useful motivational tool. Praise is a cost-effective way to do this, but sometimes I notice it falls flat. In this episode, I take a look at some situations where praise becomes ineffective and how you might use it better. Like the Show? Please Leave a Review! ✅ If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below. Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏 >>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. >>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify. Apply For Your Complimentary Coaching Session I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will: You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward. There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do! >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. Show Links: Praising Employees Is Good – But Here’s Why It Isn’t WorkingA Little Recognition Can Provide a Big Morale Boost3 Ways That False Praise is Ruining Your TeamStart Being Trustworthy For Your Team: Here’s How10 Simple & Effective Tips For Giving Feedback

I think organisations could function more effectively if there were a few more direct conversations. But, as thoughtful leaders, direct conversations can be daunting, and we don’t want to have them when they’re not really needed or appropriate. In this episode, I look at some of the factors to help you decide whether a more direct conversation is the answer for your situation. Like the Show? Please Leave a Review! ✅ If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below. Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏 >>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. >>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify. Apply For Your Complimentary Coaching Session I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will: You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward. There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do! >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. Show Links: Should You Have a Direct Conversation? Try This ChecklistAvoiding a Difficult Conversation? Ask Yourself These 3 QuestionsThoughtful Leader Podcast #149: Steps to Break Negative Behaviour Patterns.People Not Doing What You Want? Ask This Leadership Question

Many leaders grapple with challenges that come with leading or working with people who they consider to be friends. So that begs the question: should you be friends with your team members? Or should you try not to let that happen? In this episode, I take a look at some of the challenges that can come from being friends with team members, and what you could potentially try to do about them. Like the Show? Please Leave a Review! ✅ If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below. Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏 >>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. >>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify. Apply For Your Complimentary Coaching Session I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will: You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward. There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do! >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. Show Links: Should You Be Friends With Your Employees?The Increasing Importance of a Best Friend at WorkAvoiding Groupthink.Thoughtful Leader Podcast #132: Would You Rather Be Liked or Respected?Why Even Good Leaders Can Show a Lack of Integrity

I receive a lot of emails asking for advice about difficult or disruptive team members. While all of these situations have their intricacies and quirks, I reckon that underlying them all is a simple idea. And this simple idea is the basis for a very useful leadership question that I like to ask people when they have these sorts of issues. You can ask it too, so listen to this episode and let me know what you think. Like the Show? Please Leave a Review! ✅ If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below. Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏 >>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. >>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify. Apply For Your Complimentary Coaching Session I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will: You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward. There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do! >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. Show Links: People Not Doing What You Want? Ask This Leadership QuestionThoughtful Leader Podcast #149: Steps to Break Negative Behaviour Patterns.Why Leaders Must Drive Consequences in the WorkplacePower Dynamics: Are They Impacting Your Team?

Leaders often need to negotiate, even if they aren’t involved in closing high-powered deals all the time. We might negotiate a pay rise for ourselves or with our team members, negotiate for extra resources on a project or even when buying a used car. Whatever the negotiation situation, these 3 simple concepts will help you prepare and hopefully get a better outcome for you and the other party. Like the Show? Please Leave a Review! ✅ If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below. Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏 >>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. >>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify. Show Links: 3 Useful Negotiation Concepts For the Everyday LeaderHow to Influence People to Achieve Your Leadership Goals

Reading about leadership can be quite confusing. There are lots of leadership styles, theories and models out there, which can make it hard to gain a basic understanding of what it all means. So in this episode, I go back to basics with a simple 4-step process which covers what I believe are the core parts of leadership to concentrate on. Like the Show? Please Leave a Review! ✅ If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below. Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏 >>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. >>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify. Show Links Overwhelmed? Follow This Simple Leadership ProcessLeadership Weaknesses: Use Them to Lead BetterHow to Delegate Work to Improve Your Team.

Leadership used to be about command and control. Over time, it has become much more inclusive and collaborative. However, I feel that the quiet leaders among us still feel the pressure to be louder and more outgoing than they may naturally be. In this episode, I look at the benefits of quiet leadership and offer some tips for those quiet leaders out there. Apply For Your Complimentary Coaching Session I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will: You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward. There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do! >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. Like the Show? Please Leave a Review! ✅ If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below. Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏 >>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. >>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify. Show Links: 5 Tips For Quiet LeadersIntroverted Leaders vs. Extroverted Leaders. Who Wins?Brian Little – Free Traits.Thoughtful Leader Podcast #28: Why Softly Spoken Leaders Make a Big Impact.Thoughtful Leader Podcast #206: Lead Better By Understanding Your Core ValuesWhy You Need to Speak Up at Work and Why You Don’tEssential Daily Habits to Maintain Your Workplace Wellbeing.

Motivating team members is an ongoing challenge for leaders. Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all motivation solution because everyone is different. In this episode, I cover three factors that you can use to try to motivate your people. Hopefully you can use these as a guide to develop more specific strategies to help your people feel more engaged with the work that they do. Apply For Your Complimentary Coaching Session I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will: You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward. There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do! >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. Like the Show? Please Leave a Review! ✅ If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below. Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏 >>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. >>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify. Show Links: Motivate Your People Using These 3 LeversThoughtful Leader Podcast #71: A Simple Model for Team Motivation.Job Characteristics model.“Drive”, by Dan Pink.4 Ways to Provide Autonomy For Your PeopleRisk & Reward: How to Provide Development Opportunities For Your Team

Saying “No” is a superpower in leadership (and in life), in my opinion. Many thoughtful leaders feel stressed at the prospect of pushing back or saying no, especially to someone like their own boss. This episode is a little encouragement for you to start saying “No” a little more often, so you can create space for the most important work and set a positive example for the people around you. Like the Show? Please Leave a Review! ✅ If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below. Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏 >>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. >>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify. Apply For Your Complimentary Coaching Session I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will: You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward. There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do! >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. Show Links: 4 Great Things That Happen When You Start Saying NoThoughtful Leader Podcast #92: Struggling to Say No? Try These 5 Ways!Too Many Priorities: What to Do When You’re Asked to Do It AllDo You Have a Victim Leadership Mentality?

Staff turnover is a natural part of life, even for excellent leaders. Even so, it can have a big impact on the functioning of a team if we aren’t careful. In this episode, I take a look at some ideas to help reduce the impact of turnover in your team, so that the wheels don’t fall off when someone says goodbye. Sample RACI Matrix Like the Show? Please Leave a Review! ✅ If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below. Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏 >>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. >>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify. Apply For Your Complimentary Coaching Session I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will: You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward. There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do! >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. Show Links: 4 Ways to Reduce the Impact of Staff TurnoverThoughtful Leader Podcast #33: Employee Turnover: Why It’s Good and When You Should Worry.Process Mapping – Lucidchart.Roles and Responsibilities Unclear? Do This.How Leaders Can Improve Team Performance Through Cross TrainingThoughtful Leader Podcast #64: Overwhelmed? Start Working at 80%.

In many respects, it’s good to be a nice leader. But what happens if you’re one of those leaders who is perceived as “too nice”? In this episode, I take a look at some tips for nice leaders, to help to counter some of the common perceptions that can hold them back in the workplace. Like the Show? Please Leave a Review! ✅ If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below. Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏 >>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. >>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify. Apply For Your Complimentary Coaching Session I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will: You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward. There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do! >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. Show Links: 4 Critical Considerations for “Nice” Leaders.Struggling as a Kind Leader? Ask Yourself These 3 Questions.Hiring People? Here Are 5 Essential Personality Traits to Watch Out ForCNBC Interview With David Kawasaki.Jacinda ArdernThoughtful Leader Podcast #83: Handling Emotions in Leadership.How to Manage Your Emotions For Better Leadership

Feeling confident in your leadership role always makes leading a whole lot easier. So in this episode, I take a look at the four steps I believe are necessary to grow in confidence. I share a few personal examples from my own journey in confidence-building, and hopefully you can view some of your challenges in a different light, and use these four steps to build your own confidence. Like the Show? Please Leave a Review! ✅ If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below. Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏 >>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. >>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify. Apply For Your Complimentary Coaching Session I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will: You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward. There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do! >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. Show Links: 4 Critical Steps to Grow Your Confidence In LeadershipThoughtful Leader Podcast #90: Beating Leadership Imposter Syndrome.Working For An Insecure Manager? Here’s What to DoDISCPRINTMBTIClifton’s StrengthsHoganWhy You Need to Know Your Values In Leadership.5 Questions Confident Leaders AskLeadership Confidence Problem? Let’s Diagnose ItThoughtful Leader Podcast #56: Why Thoughtful Leaders Need the Most Confidence.Leadership Confidence Online Course.(Discount ends June 30th 2023!)

Many people are looking for a quick fix for their time management challenges, in the form of tools and technologies. While these can be helpful for working more efficiently, nothing beats having the skills and mindset to actually set clear boundaries and become more effective. The only thing is… it’s much harder, takes effort… and might even involve a few challenging conversations. In this episode, I take a look at the top 3 time management skills I think will *really* help you become more effective. Like the Show? Please Leave a Review! ✅ If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below. Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏 >>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. >>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify. Apply For Your Complimentary Coaching Session I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will: You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward. There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do! >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. Show Links: Forget the Tools, Master These Top 3 Time Management SkillsHow to Be More Productive at Work: A Simple Tool for LeadersHow Better Time Management Will Help Your Team (Not just you!)Thoughtful Leader Podcast #80: What to Do When You Have Too Many Priorities.Why Leaders Must Push Back and Say “No”.Thoughtful Leader Podcast #18: How to Delegate to Improve Your Team.Thoughtful Leader Podcast #105: Downsides of Delegation.

Communication skills are a hot topic in leadership, and are often one of the most sought-after skills for leaders. However, we don’t usually dig much into what good communication means. So in this episode, I thought I’d look into what it means (Thoughtful Leader style, that is) and how you bring it more often. Like the Show? Please Leave a Review! ✅ If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below. Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏 >>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. >>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify. Apply For Your Complimentary Coaching Session I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will: You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward. There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do! >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. Magnifying Effect of Communication Show Links: What Good Communication Means, and How to Do ItTop Skills to Future Proof Your Career.5 Leadership Communication Principles to Help Your TeamEmails Sent Per Day Stats.Thoughtful Leader Podcast #122: Suffering From a Communication Breakdown? Let’s Fix It.5 Communication Skills Every Leader NeedsThoughtful Leader Podcast #35: How to Create Open Communication in Your Team.

We often talk about the actions that leaders should take to get the best out of their teams. But it’s worth thinking about the things we choose *not* to do which can make a real difference. In this episode, I take a look at why leaders sometimes struggle to restrain themselves from taking instinctive actions, and take a look at some ways you might be able to add a little restraint into your leadership. Like the Show? Please Leave a Review! ✅ If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below. Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏 >>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. >>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify. Apply For Your Complimentary Coaching Session I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will: You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward. There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do! >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. Show Links: Why Exercising Restraint Is Important For Good Leadership.Want to Build Empathy? Use the Iceberg ModelHow to Manage Your Emotions For Better LeadershipThe Impact and Importance of Emotions in LeadershipPRINT assessment.Live Your Values deckThoughtful Leader Podcast #124: How to Stay Calm In Tricky, Stressful and Uncertain Situations

Autonomy is a key factor when it comes to team member motivation at work. But unfortunately, it can feel daunting to let go and provide your people with the autonomy they want. In this episode, I take a look at some simple options for providing greater autonomy to your people, without necessarily saying “Go do whatever you want!” Like the Show? Please Leave a Review! ✅ If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below. Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏 >>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. >>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify. Show Links: 4 Ways to Provide Autonomy For Your PeopleJob Characteristics model.“Drive” by Daniel Pink.Why Leaders Struggle to Provide Autonomy at Work5 Empowering Leadership Actions to Try In Your Team.Thoughtful Leader Podcast #78: Want to Feel More In Control of Your Team? Try Letting Go.

Trust is important in leadership. After all, it’s tiring and stressful when people are questioning our motives all the time. But we can’t just ask people to trust us. We need to show up as being trustworthy. Otherwise, we’re just the person who says “trust me”, with nothing to back it up. And you don’t trust people like that, do you? Like the Show? Please Leave a Review! ✅ If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below. Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏 >>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. >>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify. Apply For Your Complimentary Coaching Session I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will: You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward. There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do! >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. Show Links: Start Being Trustworthy For Your Team: Here’s HowThoughtful Leader Podcast #125: How to Build Trust In Your Team.Thoughtful Leader Podcast #130: How to Make Your 1 to 1 Meetings Better.The #1 Way That Leaders Damage Team TrustTeam Improvement: 5 Reasons Smart Leaders Love ItIs a Lack of Trust Ruining Your Team? Here’s 3 Ways to Fix It“Trust Equation” by Trusted Advisor.