The Thoughtful Leader Podcast with Ben Brearley

I find that many thoughtful leaders are introspective and often stuck in their own heads. It goes with the territory of being thoughtful, I suppose! This can be problematic if we start to worry excessively about work. So in this episodes, I’ve collected some tips that have helped me over the years and hopefully they can help you too. 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: Black Dog Institute WebsiteThoughtful Leader Podcast #72: How You Can Be a More Thoughtful Leader Today.Thoughtful Leader Podcast #143: How to Stop Overthinking ThingsThoughtful Leader Podcast #200: How to Feel More Positive at WorkThe Happiness Trap.Waking Up.Box breathingHuberman Lab Podcast: How to breathe correctly for optimal health, mood, learning, and performance.

Company values have been around for years, but they can certainly attract a lot of cynicism. If they are just a poster on the wall which nobody reads, they probably aren’t doing much good. However, I think they can be valuable when you’re trying to get lots of people working in the same direction! In this episode, I take a look at why many people don’t care about company values, and some ways that you might start to make them more useful 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: Brene Brown.James Clear.Built to Last.Lead Better By Understanding Your Core Values.Why Even Good Leaders Can Show a Lack of Integrity.Seeing Negative Behaviour Patterns? Here’s How to Stop Them.Live Your Values Deck.Why Team Purpose Matters.

We all have stories that we carry around in our heads like baggage. Some of these stories are helpful, while others can actually work against us. In this episode, I take a look at the concept of stories and think about how we might challenge them to put ourselves in a better place. 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: How Are Your Stories Shaping Your Leadership?How to Manage Your Emotions For Better LeadershipThoughtful Leader Podcast #158: Let’s Build a Better Leadership Mindset.

Encouraging someone to change their behaviour or attitude is hard work, because there are a bunch of barriers that may get in the way. To help you understand and navigate your way through the process you can use the simple model in this episode. It’s simple, generic and can be used in many situations! 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: Encourage Change In Your Team With This Simple Model10 Simple & Effective Tips For Giving FeedbackThoughtful Leader Podcast #113: Do You Have a Victim Leadership Mindset?People Not Doing What You Want? Ask This Leadership Question

We often hear about controlling managers who micromanage people. But what about controlling employees, who hoard information and wield influence? In this episode, I take a look at trying to lead a controlling employee, as well as what might be beneath the surface for them. 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: How to Lead a Controlling EmployeeBuild Empathy With the Iceberg Model.Seeing Negative Behaviour Patterns? Here’s How to Stop ThemPower Dynamics: Are They Impacting Your Team?Stakeholder Management Tips For the Everyday Leader

Leadership is not easy, and sometimes we need a boost of courage and motivation to keep us going. In this episode, I take a look at some of my favourite motivational resources that I've collected over the last few years. Hopefully they can help you too! 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 Thoughtful Resources to Help Your Leadership“Everyone is Doing Their Best”4 Ways Leaders Can Build Empathy in the Workplace (and Why It Matters)Are You Too Busy to Lead Effectively?Time to Think.

There are many stereotypes we hear about younger generations. They’re lazy…. uncommitted…. have no loyalty. But are the younger generations actually just showing behaviours that can guide us towards better leadership? In this episode, I take a look at some lessons I think we can learn from younger generations which can make our workplaces 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: 4 Leadership Lessons to Learn From Younger GenerationsWant to Build Empathy? Use the Iceberg Model.Kouzes and Posner’s Exemplary Leadership modelMillennials – The Job-Hopping Generation.American Institute of Stress – Are You Experiencing Workplace Stress?

Leaders don’t set out to seem like they don’t care. They become that way because of stressful work environments and chaotic workplaces. Even thoughtful leaders can seem uncaring if they aren’t careful. In this episode, I take a look at my top 5 innocent uncaring leadership actions, so you can look out for, and 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: 5 Innocent Actions That Make You Seem Like An Uncaring LeaderDiscover the Top 5 Reasons Workers Want to Quit Their Jobs.The Cult of Busyness: How Leaders Can Kill ItThoughtful Leader Podcast #130: How to Make Your 1 to 1 Meetings Better.Why Leaders Don’t Delegate (and How to Do It More)5 Ways to Say No Without Getting Fired

Sometimes leaders can let their roles go to their heads, becoming wrapped-up in their own self-importance. This can be a trap which even thoughtful leaders can fall into! In this episode, I’ll take a look at some common warning signs that you might be taking yourself a little too seriously, so you can lighten up a bit. You never know, people might respect you more for it. 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: Are You Taking Yourself Too Seriously?The Art of Possibility.Rule #6Is Your Ego Damaging Your Leadership?Lessons Learnt From Career BurnoutThoughtful Leader Podcast #132: Would You Rather Be Liked or Respected?Thoughtful Leader Podcast #78: Want to Feel More In Control of Your Team? Try Letting Go.

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