The Roots of Leadership Podcast

Today we’re joined by Andrea Kind, heralded communicator, strategist, advisor and yoga teacher who is passionate about helping others, using her personable leadership and coaching skills. Opening the show with some comments made by those Andrea has mentored, her natural ability to listen, understand and help others shines through. Described as ‘compassionate and tough’ – she believes this is an accurate description of her, but also encompasses what she hopes to teach those around her. When discussing what it means to be empathetic, Andrea talks about the importance of this to all aspects of leadership, whether with employees, family, or those that you mentor. Balancing empathy with learning to ‘get on with it’ is something that Andrea has mastered through personal encounters with hardship, meaning she speaks from a place of genuine experience. Yoga means a lot to Andrea, and as well as being a student, she is also a teacher. She attributes the techniques she’s learned to move forward and be resilient, to yoga. Yoga has enabled her to learn, master and practice looking through a different lens and having different perspectives. In the face of both personal and professional adversity, Andrea has continued to power through, crediting her optimistic ‘set point’ as something she can always find her way back to when needed. This episode is empowering, refreshing and uplifting, giving us all a different outlook and a revitalising take on how to view our own lives.

Today we’re joined by Richard Medcalf, leader, coach and Founder of Xquadrant; helping elite CEOs and their teams multiply their impact and take their influence to a new level. When touching on his experiences as a coach to CEOs and high level leaders, Richard shares his belief that we can all think like a CEO and take ownership and control of our destiny, regardless of our job title. He uncovers that one of the most common themes he addresses among those he coaches, is the need to perfect the art of letting go of the nitty gritty, and expresses the strategic benefits that can be achieved by doing this. One key message he shares with those he works with is the importance of fully formed requests. A simple yet important element of leadership, encouraging clear boundaries and freeing headspace for the things we should be focussing on – something everyone can take away and begin implementing immediately. This episode provides invaluable insight into the skills and traits you need to be a successful leader, regardless of job title or position. Discussing the importance of culture (and what it actually means), accountability, forming agreements and so much more, this is a leadership masterclass that everyone should hear.

On today’s episode we’re joined by 16 year old Zak O’Sullivan, racing driver and British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC) superstar, who was recently crowned the youngest ever GB3/British F3 champion. By the age of eight, Zak was already karting. His dad’s interest in cars sparked his own passion which quickly grew; it wasn’t long before Zak himself was in the driving seat. Aged just 14, Zak raced some of the UK’s most renowned racetracks as part of the Ginetta Junior Championship. This year he has celebrated winning the most races, having the most podiums, the most pole positions, and leading the most laps – it’s incredible to see what Zac has achieved in such a short space of time. When discussing ‘Man vs Machine’, Zak explains that he believes adaptability is what separates the good from the great. In a sport where no two laps are the same, he emphasises the need to adapt quickly and seamlessly, as well as using his senses to make decisions. Weather is something that Zak is more than used to adapting to. He was once dubbed ‘Rain Man’ due to the speed he managed to reach when racing in wet weather - he attributes this to living in the UK, believing the UK weather has helped him perfect this talent! This episode is a leadership seminar covering trust, adaptability, reactions, relationships and more. With an already accomplished career at such a young age (all while juggling school, exams and day-to-day life) and a promising future, Zak serves as an example to us all that hard work and dedication really does pay off.

On today’s episode we’re joined by Jackie Wendleken, a leader and networker, unafraid of breaking down barriers. Jackie begins by taking us back to when she moved to London as she recalls being a ‘green behind the ears’ 18 year old. She credits her time working in customer service and retail as the core foundation for enabling her to excel within future positons, including the all-important people skills she mastered at this time and continues to utilise today. Now working as a Senior Vice President within the UK Risk Management team at Marsh, Jackie’s passion for working with clients shines through as she continues to speak to us. Working as a team leader and supporting new colleagues joining the business, Jackie’s past experiences have enabled her to now meaningfully mentor those around her. Jackie tells us that she was once incredibly shy and found networking challenging. A far cry from now as she highlights her passion to embrace opportunities to be put out of her comfort zone. She explains that it was through experiences like these, that she was able to find inner confidence and become a true people person. Jackie describes herself as someone who always wants a ‘bigger table’. Speaking about the importance of proving to her daughter that she can break down barriers, Jackie explains the importance of hard work, ‘showing up’, and the belief that you really can achieve anything you put your mind to. This episode is inspiring, powerful and motivational – pushing us all to find and fulfil our true potential.

On today’s episode we’re joined by Paula Lopes, insurance expert, lifelong leader and professional, built for challenge and adventure. Starting from the beginning, Paula takes us back to growing up in Brazil and the inspiring work ethic she saw in her father. Working multiple jobs was a way of life where she lived, and it wasn’t out of the ordinary for Paula to watch her dad work five jobs at a time. This work ethic more than rubbed off on Paula, and her impressive career is testament to this. Her passion for making people happier is something that sits at the core of all she does, and during 22 years in the insurance industry, this unwavering passion has remained solid throughout. Paula sees change as opportunity, and when touching on this, she explains the importance of observation and learning from others, and how invaluable this can be during these times. Her willingness to learn, and take on feedback and critique, has enabled her to build a successful career, as well as an open and honest family environment. Discussing reflection, Paula shares the exercises she uses to practise this. Whether it be turning off the radio while driving home, or other ways of factoring in the time, she explains how important it is to her to reflect on the day’s conversations and think of what she may have done differently in hindsight. Covering topics including fixed mindset, diversity of thought and so much more, this episode explores avenues familiar to all of us. Listen today.

On today’s episode we’re joined by, author, activist, television presenter and personality, Katie Piper, who encompasses the true essence of being a leader. Delving straight in to discuss the driving force behind the charity she founded, The Katie Piper Foundation, Katie explains that establishing a charity was never a route she expected to go down. A life-changing experience gave her clear insight of the support those dealing with burn injuries need. When her life changed overnight, she quickly became aware of treatments she needed that weren’t available to her in the UK. So the idea behind her foundation was born – to help make what she had to travel for, more easily accessible for others. After a documentary about her story aired, Katie found that people wanted to help. She and her family paid any donations they received into a bank account with charitable status, with the view to donate this to other survivors of burns and enable them to receive the treatment she had in France. The generosity of these people was a healing experience for Katie and her gratitude to those who helped her was palpable. As time went on, Katie’s platform expanded and support never stopped. Eventually, The Katie Piper Foundation became a formalised charity, and she and her team worked on setting up mentoring and workshops, eventually leading to opening their very own centre, enabling treatment to happen in the UK instead of abroad. From being in a coma and having to rebuild her life, to becoming a best-selling author among so many other achievements, Katie’s excitement for life and love for connecting with people is infectious. When discussing the importance of consistency and showing up for ourselves, her words are incredibly powerful – “trauma is a part of life, but it doesn’t have to be a life sentence”. As Katie shares her closing messages with us, she encourages listeners not to fear the dark times and instead to embrace them. Some of the best times of your life will be the hardest ones, but they can be a catalyst for change – something Katie proves in her own experiences. “Don’t just dream and wish, make it happen”.

Today we’re joined by Roianne Nedd, Global Inclusion and Diversity Leader, motivational speaker, and author of ‘The Trusted Black Girl’. Taking us right back to the beginning, Roianne tells us about her childhood within a patriarchal society in Guyana, born to a family with incredible work ethic. Her father part of the second generation free of slavery, her grandmother a descendant of Indian indentured workers - Roianne explains that her multicultural background provided her with a mindset that you can achieve anything if you work hard… and that’s exactly what she did. As the conversation progresses, Roianne delves into the elements of her leadership style and how she developed this, including the part active listening plays. Discussing the actions we need to take with regards to diversity and inclusion, Roianne touches on the importance of seeing talent in a different way, and ensuring organisations take time to step back and look at the people they need to bring in for the next generation. Moving on to talk about her book, ‘The Trusted Black Girl’, Roianne tells us the concept, including the twists and turns she took while writing, and the philosophical shift that occurred when she realised the audience for the book should not be black women as she’d originally thought. As she recalls being told by colleagues that they would ‘forget she was black’, Roianne discusses the realisation that she had transcended race for people, the internal battle this created, and the meaning behind the name of her book. Speaking about the work she does with women in Guyana, the importance of expecting more, the collective courage that drives change and so much more, this show is as powerful as it is inspiring. Listen now.

On today’s show we’re joined by Kevin Dedner, founder and CEO of Hurdle, award-winning public speaker and true leader in all he does. As he discusses the evolution of his business, Kevin takes us back to his own experience with depression, and not only what this taught him, but the gaps in mental healthcare this period highlighted. Following this journey, he set about creating culturally intentional mental healthcare, and Hurdle was born. As Kevin touches on the increase in company commitments to diversity and inclusion, especially during the last year or so following the death of George Floyd, he explains the importance of making these promises tangible. He tells us that while a diverse team will not be without its challenges, it will be a team that does not burn out easily and that provides beautiful outcomes. Discussing mental health, diversity, outcomes and so much more, this episode brings important topics to the forefront, breaking down barriers and highlighting the importance of culture within therapy, among other key messages. Sharing statistics, facts and findings, Kevin provides us with takeaways and talking points that we all have a responsibility to listen to, and act on.

Today we’re joined by Dan Stanley, expert in human development and performance, retired senior Army Commando, and coach – just to name a few! Owner of ‘Better Men’, a business focused on enabling men to live a happier and healthier life, Dan’s journey has been anything but smooth sailing. During the darkest time in his life, Dan found himself in a suicidal state. Speaking candidly with us, he explains the depths of this time, and the collateral damage this created. Following a conversation by chance on holiday, Dan made the decision to shut down the business he owned at the time, and within four weeks of landing back in the UK, began an eight month period of ‘time out’. Reflecting on the opinions he received following this decision, Dan highlights the importance and power of this period in his life. Discussing fear, blueprint for success, and so much more, Dan’s message is as important as it is clear. Dial down the volume of your inner critic. Take off the masks. Create space and capacity for thought. Alone you’ll go faster, together you’ll go further.

Today we’re privileged to be joined by Sir David King, Co-Founder of the Clean Growth Leadership Network and founder and Chair of The Centre for Climate Repair in the University of Cambridge. Sir David’s vast accomplishments include, being elected Fellow of the Royal Society in 1991, receiving his Knighthood in 2003, working as the UK Government Chief Scientific Adviser (2000-2007), and being the Foreign Secretary’s Special Representative on Climate Change (2013-2017) - his achievements and work are as inspiring as they are important. Sir David’s message is clear; we are dealing with a crisis of enormous proportions with regard to climate change. He believes “our civilisation has never had to face up to a challenge as big as this one, and what we do over the next five to ten years will determine the future of humanity for the next millennium”. As the discussion progresses and we deep dive into the complexities and facts around this important subject, Sir David explains more about the Conference of the Parties meeting, explaining that the 26th session is due to take place in November of this year and world leaders will come together with one focus – to discuss climate change. As he highlights scary statistics, it’s clear just how important these meetings and subsequent actions are, and the speed at which they’re executed. This episode will open your eyes more than ever before, to the crisis that confronts us regarding climate change, and the importance of the part we play. Speaking candidly, openly and informatively, Sir David shares incredibly thought-provoking findings and experiences with us, in a message we all need to hear.

Today we’re joined by Kay White, career coach, mentor and author, recently recognised as one of the top 49 Elite Women in Insurance 2021. Her success as a global podcast host and motivational speaker demonstrates that Kay truly is a leader in all she does. It seemed truly fitting she joined us on International Women’s Week. Starting her career as an ‘enthusiastic and naïve’ secretary in Willis, Kay spent over 20 years working her way up the ladder, eventually becoming a global director in the Global Property and Casualty sector. As she reflects on being one of just six broking women at the time, Kay recalls the twists and turns, rollercoasters and experiences gained during that stage of her life. As she discusses her journey into the world of coaching, Kay tells us about the safe space she strives to create for her clients highlighting how beneficial this can be for an individual. Her passion for neurolinguistics has further strengthened her approach to the way she coaches, and the time taken to understand and learn more about this has proven invaluable. This discussion touches on powerful subjects, one of which encourages women to stop waiting to be asked and instead to take the power into their own hands. Kay’s wealth of knowledge, passion for diversity & inclusion, and natural mentoring ability makes this a captivating conversation that’s not to be missed.

On today’s show we’re joined by Gail Lowney Alofsin, Keynote Speaker, Author, University Professor, Humanitarian, and Sales & Marketing Executive. Gail begins by talking about always having been a people person, even from a young age. Gail takes us back to when she was a student in a Catholic school, door knocking, trying to sell religious items, and highlighted that even those who said ‘no’ got a ‘thank you for opening the door’ note from her. Fondly remembering the connection she made with individuals so early on, it’s easy to see where her passion for working with people began. Fast forward a few years, aged only 19, Gail’s father took her to volunteer on a medical mission in Haiti. Following the news that he only had a year to live, Gail’s father chose to travel to Haiti every three months, as a practising dentist outside Mother Theresa’s ‘Home for the Dying’. When asked by Mother Theresa to help the people of Jeremie in Haiti, he did just that, founding the Haitian Health Foundation, an outpatient clinic providing healthcare to 200,000 patients a year and where Gail still volunteers to this day. As a true believer of ‘eat the frog for breakfast’, Gail explains why she thinks addressing the things you don’t look forward to, first thing every day, is so important for productivity. Her various personal and professional triumphs are a clear indication that this approach to life has really worked for her. Sharing her tips for success and her infectious energy with us, this episode will reshape your mind set and make you look at life differently. Even in the face of pain and adversity, Gail’s constant drive and determination has seen her through the hard times, and into the life she now leads with so many achievements under her belt.

On today’s show, we welcome Rachael Flanagan, leader, entrepreneur and CEO of Mrs Buckét Cleaning Services. In 2005, Rachael was 18, sitting her A-Levels, and helping her mum clean the family home. Originally seeing this as a means to earn ‘beer money’ for the local pub, Rachael quickly recognised the positive impact her help was having around the house, and her dream began to grow and take shape. As Rachael explains her humble beginnings, she tells us how her entrepreneurial spirit sparked as a seven-year-old selling sweets in her dad’s shop, and how this evolved to become a 300-strong team of staff based across Wales and Bristol, offering commercial cleaning. It’s incredible to believe she started aged 18, armed with just £20 worth of fliers and a hoover. Rachael’s energy is infectious and her success is truly down to her determination, motivation, sacrifice and drive. Reflecting on a quote a swimming teacher once told her, she explains how she applied the words “there’s no way of improving yourself unless you’re in the pool first, and leave the pool last” to everything in her life. This episode is a stark reminder that with fire in your belly and a determination to succeed, you can and will be a success. Rachael’s fantastic energy and perseverance to prove her doubters wrong has been the catalyst for a business empire, and we look forward to seeing what’s next in store for her. You can find Rachael on LinkedIn and keep up to date with her latest updates!

Today we’re joined by Joanne Collins, former military personnel, woman in technology, and born leader. Having grown up in a military family, Joanne followed suit and worked as both Military Police and Telecommunications Officer during her time in the forces. Looking back, Joanne explains that on graduation from Airborne School, she was one of just five women, compared to 400 men. She credits this part of her life for teaching her resilience, how to think on her feet, and the importance of teamwork. Speaking of the challenges she’s faced along the way, and the mind set instilled within her, Joanne touches on the importance of feeling the fear and doing it anyway. Her refreshing take on failure, and the idea that it really isn’t something to be afraid of, is a key part of the success she’s achieved throughout her life. Becoming a single mother when her children were ages five and seven, Joanne was running a national support desk while trying to move it to a 24/7 model. While touching on the support she cobbled together from family, friends and social groups, Joanne explains the importance of diversity of thought within organisations, and the challenges around outdated systems that prevent this happening. Joanne covers powerful topics with passion and candour. This episode brings the importance of diversity, inclusion and thought leadership to the forefront of discussion, providing us with lessons we can learn from and build upon.

Today we’re joined by Jeff Nischwitz, founder and ‘chief story debunker’ of The Nischwitz Group, speaker, motivator, and facilitator of truth. Starting out in the legal world, Jeff now describes himself as a ‘snow globe shaker’ for those that he serves. Following a very successful career in law, Jeff came to the realisation that although he was good at what he did, he didn’t enjoy it, and so began a journey in search of something he loved. Traditional success wasn’t what he was striving for, and in the pursuit of something he was both good at and enjoyed, he came to be where he is today. Growing up in a culture where it was deemed crazy to enjoy what you did for a living, Jeff describes how dangerous he finds this mindset and how it can stifle a person’s growth and development. Perhaps one of the most inspiring things to takeaway from listening to Jeff speak is the passion he has for what he does, and his belief that extreme discomfort, always precedes great things. Speaking of the stories he debunks for those around him, Jeff helps people ‘cut the chain’ to what is holding them back. His passion for helping people and leaders that are willing to improve themselves has enabled him to build The Nischwitz Group, a platform where he helps to transform individuals and organisations ‘one truth at a time’. Jeff’s mission is clear and powerful – to stop people basing their success on stories they’ve been told, and instead encouraging them rewrite their own. Passionate, motivational, and jam-packed with golden nuggets of advice, this show isn’t one to miss.

On today’s episode, we’re joined by Jamie Peacock MBE, former Rugby League player, motivational speaker and mentor. During his career, he played for the Leeds Rhinos, the Bradford Bulls, captained Great Britain and England at international level, and that’s just a handful of his achievements. In 2011, he was awarded an MBE for services to the game. From the get-go, Jamie’s motivation shines through. He explains the route he had to take to break through into the first team, and how this was as much to do with his mindset and self-discipline, as his rugby skill – and sometimes even more so. Jamie’s dedication is no doubt a large factor in his continued success, on, and off the pitch. Now an accomplished motivational speaker and mentor, Jamie’s career and life experience has enabled him to share his knowledge with others, with the focus on making them better. The leadership fundamentals he gained during his time as a captain and team member, and the challenges he faced, have allowed him to build a successful empire, all based around helping others. In his own words, Jamie overcame a lack of natural “sporting” talent and became one of England’s best captains. His achievements speak volumes and his infectious energy and drive makes him a true pleasure to listen to. The overarching message is to BELIEVE - believe in yourself, play to your strengths, listen and learn from those around you, practice self-discipline, and be patient.

Today we’re joined by Leigh Ashton, CEO and founder of The Sales Consultancy, a business focussed on shifting the way people think and giving them a Sales Growth Mindset. Casting her mind back to 1985, Leigh explains that as she stepped into a sales role, she felt like she was living a dream come true. The one to one conversations, people she got to meet and businesses she engaged with made her feel as though she was getting ‘paid to chat’ and her passion for sales only grew from here. But so did the frustration with the inconsistent performance of her sales team. Driven to find out what was causing and contributing to these inconsistencies in her team, she became motivated and inspired to find solutions to fix these, and in 1995, The Sales Consultancy was born. Specialising in mindset, Leigh now shares her expertise and experience with others. She explains that as times have changed, and technology has become such a core part of our lives, that people’s fear often takes over. Back in 1985, people could only compare themselves with their immediate peers, and now we’re able to compare to anyone, anywhere – all via our phones or computers. Leigh believes her experience of feeling like a failure at times, and learning from the ‘gurus’ around her has allowed her to share her wisdom and learnings with others, to enable them to be better. She tells us that ‘frustration is what happens just before growth’, and that if we don’t let that frustration pull us down, we will benefit from the opportunity to learn something that takes us to the next level. This episode is powerful beyond measure. Leigh’s passion for helping others, dispelling the myths of ‘sales people’, and sharing her experience has allowed her to create a culture where people ‘have a go’. With a refreshing view on how people should be lead, and a focus on helping people grow, Leigh is a pleasure to listen to.

Today, the fantastic Jennifer Walsh (photographed above with Becki Lammond, podcast producer), innovative thinker, world wanderer and leader in life, joins us for her second time on the show. Since her last appearance on the show back in 2018, Jennifer has been as busy as ever, and a pandemic wasn’t going to get in her way. Talking about her current projects, including consulting for beauty brands, writing, and appearing on various TV segments, Jennifer speaks about her passion for nature, and how this has translated across into her business. ‘Walk with Walsh’ is an initiative started by Jennifer to get people out and about. The video series features Jennifer and different guests, from CEOs to philanthropists, as they discuss how they’re using nature in all that they do, while also making an effort to protect it. The ‘why’, is Jennifer’s belief that “healthy, positive leadership with an awareness of the importance of nature not only builds healthy teams, but also a strong bottom line, and a healthy thriving community.” This episode puts a refreshingly positive spin on what’s been a tough time for everyone. Time with, and awareness of nature is something that Jennifer believes is needed now, more than ever. Giving us the opportunity to learn about our surroundings, and exploring our own backyards, is something that has enabled us to learn about and appreciate the eco-systems that surround us. Listening to Jennifer will leave you feeling motivated to get outside, breathe in fresh air and learn about the nature surrounding us. Her infectious passion, experiences, and portfolio of exciting projects, come together, which makes listening to Jennifer a true joy.

Today you’ll hear from Dave Adams, business leader, military veteran, and an individual who made an inspiring comeback when the odds were against him. Speaking about his time in the military, Dave explains the various forms of leadership he was exposed to during his time in position, and on the battlefield. Understanding, adaptation and overcoming challenges, are all things Dave has harnessed, enabling him to become a successful leader in all areas of his life. Dave’s experience in the military wasn’t without its challenges, perhaps provoking one of the hardest things for him to confront – his mental health. Speaking candidly with Anthony, Dave takes us through an experience in 2014, when he tragically lost an aircraft and five people, along with it. The emotion surrounding this experience is palpable, and Dave’s honesty around his battles with mental health illness following this incident, even after returning home, is testament to how far he’s come. The journey on a new career path has been Dave’s opportunity to use the experiences gained from his hardships, to lead and help others. Aged just 16 when he joined the military, a new career may have seemed impossible for some, but in true Dave fashion, he’s made a home for himself in the world of insurance. Alongside this, he was the driving force behind a military resource group within Marsh, a space for people to learn from, and support each other. This episode is emotional, thought provoking and above all, inspiring. Dave’s strength and resilience in the face of adversity serves as a reminder of the power within all of us.

On this episode, developing leader, Ellie Harrison joins us for an honest discussion around leadership, learning, and the challenges young professionals will face as they climb the career ladder. Growing up with three brothers, Ellie experienced leadership from a young age. Whether it was fighting for the rights to the TV, or practising sharp negotiation skills, she had the fundamentals of a successful leader engrained, from the get go. Starting her career as a graduate, Ellie explains the fascination she felt around leadership. That fascination quickly turned to passion for guiding others, being on the front foot, and developing her ideas. During the episode, Ellie discusses various experiences and lessons learned outside of the comfort zone, something she knows well and promotes. When the organisation Ellie worked within joined the Marsh family, she was told to look at this as a ‘village of opportunity’, and that she did. Describing the ‘Colleague Resource Groups’ available to her as a ‘map’ of the business, Ellie was keen to get involved in these to grow her network and help others. This episode is a hub of advice and inspiration for people of all ages. Whether you’re a young professional getting started in your career, or you’re established within your sector, Ellie gives a refreshing and important view on growth and leadership. You’ll also hear an optimistic spin on the current situation the world faces, and the ways we can use it to our advantage.