Episodios

  • episode 72 - the word is ferment

    episode 72 - the word is ferment
    Jun 1 2025
    What if the key to transformative leadership lies in a barrel of fermenting wine? In this week’s episode of The Word Is Leadership, I uncork a surprising metaphor for organisational innovation: the science and art of fermentation. Drawing on Burgundian winemaking traditions and a revealing conversation with a South African master maker, the episode dissects how leaders can cultivate environments where creativity thrives based on the random word “ferment”. Like winemakers adding cultured yeast to grape must, businesses often rely on external consultants or hires to spark change. But I argue that this “inoculation” risks homogenising strategies into bland corporate copycats. I suggest that the real magic emerges from nurturing “wild yeast” - the latent potential within teams. Leaders, like wine makers, must curate conditions where organic ideas bubble up, blending terroir (a company’s unique culture) with trust in their people’s innate ingenuity. Weaving wine trivia with hard-won leadership truths (from the pitfalls of commoditised innovation to the quiet power of minimal intervention) I challenge you to rethink how you foster transformation. A must-listen for leaders thirsty for originality - and anyone who’s ever wondered what vineyards know about building resilient, adaptive teams. Press play, and let this episode ferment your approach to change.
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    18 m
  • episode 71 - the word is espresso

    episode 71 - the word is espresso
    May 25 2025
    In Episode 71 of The Word is Leadership, I serve up a steaming blend of wisdom and practical strategies to energise your team inspired by this week’s random word: espresso. Drawing on my nostalgic mornings in French cafés, I show you how intentional rituals can ignite focus, connection, and innovation in your daily routine. This isn’t just about caffeine; it’s about crafting moments that sharpen your mindset and amplify your impact. Discover the 5 Espresso Shots every leader needs: • Game Face On: Transform your mindset before stepping into the fray • Meet & Greet: Move beyond polite "hellos" and create space for authentic connections. • Wander & Wonder: Channel Tom Peters’ "Managing by Wandering Around" to spark curiosity and uncover hidden insights. • Ask & Receive: Invite ideas from your team to fuel collaboration and growth. • Power of a Smile: A simple grin can defuse tension, uplift morale, and ripple positivity through your team. Whether you’re savouring an actual espresso or your morning tea, today’s insights will leave you energised to lead with intention—no "weird" gimmicks, just strategies that stick. Ready to brew your best leadership day? Press play and transform your routine into a catalyst for impact.
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    22 m
  • episode 70 - the word is simple

    episode 70 - the word is simple
    May 18 2025
    In this milestone 70th episode of The Word is Leadership I am faced with the random word simple - a concept every leader champions but rarely masters. I argue that far from superficial; simplicity emerges as a strategic balancing act between subtraction and coherence, dissected through analogies that reframe how we tackle complexity. The episode begins by untangling “complicated” from “complex”: a watch, with its myriad parts, exemplifies complication, while a murmuration of starlings - a self-organising system where the whole transcends its parts - embodies complexity. This distinction matters because leaders often misdiagnose challenges, applying subtraction (removing parts) to problems requiring coherence (reimagining relationships). Take the modern washing machine: its labyrinth of settings isn’t inherently flawed - it’s the incoherent user experience that frustrates. Drawing from Apple’s iconic one-button remote, I illustrate how brilliance lies in marrying minimalism with intuitive design. Apple’s engineers didn’t just strip buttons; they reorganised functionality into a seamless menu, proving that simplicity isn’t about less but about clarity. For leaders, this means resisting the allure of endless cost-cutting and instead fostering alignment through purpose - a lesson echoed in last week’s discussion on preserving institutional memory. Packed with actionable insights, this episode challenges leaders to rethink simplification as a dual discipline. Whether streamlining workflows or reigniting team purpose, the path to simplicity demands both the scalpel and the blueprint. Ready to transform complexity into clarity? Tune in and discover why “simple” might just be the most sophisticated leadership tool you’ll wield.
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    18 m
  • epsiode 69 - the word is immemorial

    epsiode 69 - the word is immemorial
    May 11 2025
    In what I hope is another thought-provoking episode of The Word is Leadership, I challenge leaders to combat institutional amnesia by rediscovering their organisation’s founding purpose. The discussion centres on the organisational flip law – the tendency for companies to transition from being “a purpose in search of assets” to “assets in search of purpose” as they grow. This shift creates bureaucratic processes that bury the original mission that once fuelled innovation. The solution lies in in memoriam im memoria– a Latin-inspired principle meaning “no memory in memory of.” Leaders must become organisational archaeologists, reviving core values through founder story rituals. I argue that true leadership requires temporal stewardship – using historical purpose as an “acid test” for modern decisions. Rather than chasing futuristic visions, sustainable success comes from answering: What has been true in your organization since time immemorial?1. In an age of AI disruption, this episode offers a contrarian anchor: the past holds keys to undying relevance. For CEOs, HR directors, and scaling startups, it’s a clarion call to transform dusty archives into living legacies. I hope that this episode will show you how excavating yesterday’s dreams can fuel tomorrow’s breakthroughs – because purpose remembered is future reimagined.
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    17 m
  • episode 68 - the word is empty

    episode 68 - the word is empty
    May 4 2025
    In this episode of "The Word is Leadership," I explore the implications of our random word "empty" for leaders. I share three key insights to challenge conventional leadership wisdom: The Empty Generalist Do leaders need to be experts in everything? I argue that credibility stems not from encyclopaedic knowledge, but from your ability to: • Codify your experience • Articulate expertise in broader contexts • Demonstrate how diverse experiences apply to current challenges The Empty Raincoat Inspired by Charles Handy's work, I examine the human element in leadership: • The risks of treating employees as "empty vessels" • The importance of preserving humanity in an AI-driven world • Why leaders must grapple with philosophical questions about their impact The Empty Cup Finally I emphasise the critical role of energy management in leadership: • Leadership as an exchange of energy • The dangers of becoming "drained" and how to refill your cup • Why focusing on organisational energy flows is key to long-term success I hope this episode serves as a powerful reminder that effective leadership requires a delicate balance of expertise, humanity, and personal energy management. I conclude by challenging you to reflect on your own leadership journey, asking: "What comes to mind for you, as a leader, when you hear the word empty?"
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    19 m
  • episode 67 - the word is jam

    episode 67 - the word is jam
    Apr 27 2025
    Discover the secret to breaking free from your career jam in this week's episode of "The Word is Leadership"! Are you feeling stuck in your professional life? Do you wonder why you're not getting that promotion you deserve? In this week’s episode I discuss the concept of being "jammed" in your career and offer insights on how to escape this all-too-common predicament. Highlights of this episode: Uncover the paradox of why your greatest strength might become your biggest weakness Learn about the intriguing "hired, mired, fired" cycle that affects leaders Explore the Japanese concept of "ikigai" and how it relates to career fulfilment Discover the JAM principle: Joy, Ability, and Money - your key to professional satisfaction Don't miss this opportunity to reassess your career path and find your true calling. Whether you're a seasoned executive or an aspiring leader, this episode will challenge your perspective and inspire you to take control of your professional destiny. Tune in now and ask yourself: "Have you found your jam?"
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    Menos de 1 minuto
  • episode 66 - the word is optic

    episode 66 - the word is optic
    Apr 20 2025
    This week on The Word is Leadership, we explore the word “Optic” and how it connects to the idea of vision and focus in leadership. While “visionary leadership” is often romanticised as the ability to foresee the future, this episode argues that focusing on clarity, culture, and climate - the Three Cs - can deliver far more tangible results than the often elusive notion of vision. Our word, optic, reminds us that successful leadership requires a clear focus. Here’s how clarity, culture, and climate provide that focus: Clarity is about setting clear goals and expectations. Unlike vision, clarity is practical and immediate. It provides a roadmap that teams can act on today. Culture is about the unspoken rules and shared beliefs that guide behaviour in an organisation. It shapes how employees work together, make decisions, and solve problems. If culture is “how we do things,” climate is “how it feels to work here.” While clarity and culture contribute to climate, it’s the human connections that create a sense of belonging and engagement. People work better when they feel valued and supported. Clarity, culture, and climate work together to create an environment where people can thrive. While vision can inspire, it’s often fuzzy and difficult to operationalise. Instead of striving to predict the future, focus on leading effectively in the present by ensuring clarity of goals and expectations, a culture that embodies shared values and a climate where people feel engaged and supported. As promised here is a link to mind friends at mindtools https://www.mindtools.com and one to our season 1 edited transcripts https://amzn.to/4hwCUwd
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    17 m
  • episode 65 - the word is artificial

    episode 65 - the word is artificial
    Apr 13 2025
    This week on The Word is Leadership, our random the word is “Artificial” which leads me to talk about artificial intelligence (AI). However, instead of adding to the noise, this episode focuses on the four key questions leaders must ask before engaging with AI AI is not magic—it’s made by humans, trained by humans, and marketed by humans. Leaders must critically ask: “Who designed this AI and for whose benefit?” in order to assess the credibility of claims and the true value AI brings. AI often claims to enhance efficiency or innovation, but leaders need to ask: “What exactly does this AI do and What is it replacing?” to know whether AI is solving a real problem, or is it being implemented for the sake of novelty? AI mimics intelligence but lacks true creativity, emotional depth, or critical thinking which forces leaders to ask “What aspects of humanity remains irreplaceable?” to understand where the depth of human insight and connection remains critical. Finally, as leaders, we must ask “What is intelligence?” to think critically about whether we want to shape our future or just maximise the benefits from a future shaped for us. Thank you for listening, and as always, if you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and share. Until next time!
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    23 m
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