episode 93 - the word is clothes

This week’s random word - clothes- invites a fresh look at how leaders present themselves, and more importantly, how they shape their leadership identity.

Inspired by the classic sayings “the clothes maketh the person” and “the emperor’s new clothes,” this episode explores the visible and invisible layers of leadership.

From Savile Row insights to the difference between off-the-peg, tailored, and bespoke suits, we uncover a metaphor for how leaders grow: from imitating others to customising their style, to ultimately creating leadership that fits them and inspires others.

True leadership isn’t about the uniform. It’s about what’s been made for you, and by you.

What kind of leader are you?

episode 92 - the word is listless

What if "listless" isn’t laziness, but leadership?

In this reflective episode, I explore the surprising upside of being listless (a state often dismissed as disengagement or lack of energy). Instead, I ask myself, and you, could stepping back, slowing down, and letting go of the constant doing actually lead to deeper insight, presence, and innovation?

From challenging productivity culture to rediscovering the space where creativity lives, this episode invites you to embrace moments of intentional stillness. Learn how releasing the grip of the to-do list might unlock a new kind of leadership rooted in awareness, presence, and possibility.

It’s not about doing less. It’s about being more.

episode 91 - the word is aloha

Step into episode 91 of "The Word is Leadership," where I explore the deeper meaning behind the Hawaiian word “aloha.” More than just a greeting for hello or goodbye, aloha embodies a way of being rooted in genuine presence, grace, and the powerful act of truly seeing others.

I draw parallels between Hawaiian and Indian welcoming rituals, highlighting how authentic acknowledgment transcends cultures and creates lasting impact.

Discover why leadership isn’t about posturing or performance alone, but about showing up emotionally, mentally, and energetically, for those you lead.

Learn how “aloha leadership” transforms workplaces: it’s about listening deeply, being intentional, and making others feel valued and seen. T

Sharing personal stories and reflections, from childhood movies to business frustrations, I show you how presence builds trust, engagement, and real results.

Whether you’re a leader or aspire to be one, this episode invites you to rethink what it means to lead. Can you bring aloha into your daily interactions? Tune in and ask yourself: when you enter a room, are you really there? Don’t miss this thoughtful journey into the heart of leadership.

episode 90 - the word is speed

What does “speed” really mean for leaders? In this 90th episode, I look into the many faces of speed. I explore why it is more than just moving fast, and how it shapes the way we lead teams and drive results.

Through personal stories (including my stint in the French Airforce!) and sharp business insights I gained from my clients, I explore the five key lessons of speed:

• Speed is relative: Doubling your pace doesn’t matter if you’re still half the competition’s.

• Speed is collective: True leadership means matching your team’s pace, not just racing ahead.

• Speed is addictive: Quick wins feel great but beware of valuing motion over meaning.

• Speed is external: It’s hard to judge your own speed. Are you moving fast enough, or too fast?

• Speed can kill: Sometimes, going too fast leads to mistakes or burnout.

Packed with practical lessons, this episode challenges you to rethink how you balance urgency with impact. Ready to lead at the right pace? Tune in and join the conversation!

episode 89 - the word is start

In this 89th episode of The Word is Leadership, I dive headfirst into the transformative journey of leadership, using our random word to explore how to truly “start” becoming the leader you aspire to be.

This isn’t about your first 90 days in a leadership role, or how to start in a new post. This is about laying the foundation for authentic leadership, whether you're already in a position of authority or just beginning to consider it.

Using our random word "START" as a framework, I break down five essential steps:

• Self-awareness: Understand your strengths, limitations, and motivations. Leadership begins within.

• Teachability: Stay curious and open to learning, even when it’s uncomfortable. Growth is key.

• Action: Leadership isn’t theoretical—take initiative and start small.

• Relationships: Build genuine connections rooted in empathy and mutual understanding.

• Tenacity: Prepare for setbacks and cultivate resilience to stay committed on your journey.

Packed with actionable insights, this episode challenges listeners to reflect deeply and take meaningful steps toward leadership. Whether you're leading today or preparing for tomorrow, ask yourself: Are you ready to start leading for real?

episode 88 - the word is provenance

What does it mean to truly be authentic as a leader?

In this week’s episode of The Word is Leadership, I explore the concept of "provenance" (the origin and authenticity of something) and how it applies to leadership.

I challenge the idea that authenticity is simply "being yourself." Instead, I introduce the concept of valuable authenticity: being yourself with intent and impact.

Through three key areas (your voice, pattern, and edge) you’ll learn how to uncover your authentic self by reflecting on your history, choices, and struggles.

Discover how your voice shapes influence, your patterns define value, and your edge, born from challenges, creates depth and credibility.

This episode invites you to question whether you’re showing up as your full self or just the easy, filtered version.

Are you being yourself or your best self? Tune in to gain practical tools for aligning authenticity with leadership impact. Perfect for anyone looking to lead with greater purpose, skill, and self-awareness!

episode 87 - the word is hammock

This week’s episode takes us to a beach as we explore the metaphorical power of the humble hammock. I unpack how the tension that makes a hammock both comfortable and precarious mirrors the challenges of leadership. I look into the duality of comfort and discomfort and how embracing tension can unlock resilience and adaptability.

I introduce the fighter pilot-inspired OODA loop (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act) and create a leadership version, CALM (Centre, Assess, Lead, Maintain). CALM offers a practical mindset for navigating uncertainty, fostering emotional intelligence, making decisive choices, and maintaining composure in evolving situations.

Whether you’re leading a team or facing personal challenges, this episode provides actionable insights to help you embrace ambiguity and thrive under pressure. Can you train your mindset to find comfort in any storm? And when life gets tense, can you still envision yourself in a hammock on a Caribbean beach?

Tune in to discover how to stay grounded, lead with intention, and maintain focus—no matter what comes your way.

episode 86 - the word is overnight

In this week’s episode of The Word is Leadership, given our random word ‘overnight’ I explore the concept of "overnight success", a term often misunderstood as instant achievement which, in reality, represents years of unseen effort. I break down the myth of sudden success and reveals six essential pillars that underpin true leadership and sustainable achievement.

Discover why relentless consistency, quiet resilience, and compound learning are the foundation of every successful leader’s journey. Learn how inner clarity and courageous patience can help you stay grounded and focused despite external pressures. Finally, uncover the power of authentic relationships and their role in amplifying your impact.

This episode isn’t just about chasing success; it’s about building it—brick by brick, moment by moment. Whether you’re leading a team or navigating personal growth, these insights will inspire you to redefine your approach to leadership and success.

Tune in to reflect on your own journey and answer the question: Are you chasing success or quietly building it?

episode 85 - the word is interim

In this episode of The Word is Leadership, we look into the concept of "interim" and its implications for leadership in uncertain times.

I unpack the critical differences between temporary, permanent, and interim decisions and why understanding these distinctions is essential for effective leadership.

I explore:

• Temporary vs. Interim: Why temporary fixes are about testing and tweaking, while interim measures are bridges to undefined outcomes.

• Decisive Patience: How leaders can navigate high uncertainty with structured experiments rather than rushing to conclusions.

• Key Decision-Making Framework: A four-part guide (Intent, Impact, Insights, Integration) to help leaders choose the right path for their organization.

Whether you're leading through crisis or planning for long-term success, this episode offers practical strategies and reflective questions to elevate your decision-making. Tune in to discover how embracing "interim" thinking can transform challenges into opportunities for growth.

Are you leading through uncertainty—or just reacting? Listen now to find out!

episode 84 - the word is mechatronics

Join me on "The Word is Leadership" as I explore the fascinating world of mechatronics - the fusion of mechanical engineering, computing, and electronics. This episode isn't just about technology; it's about how different fields come together to create something innovative and impactful.

Drawing inspiration from mechatronics, I look into the challenges and opportunities of interdisciplinary teams. How do you maximize their potential?

I share with you four key tactics:

1. Define Roles and Focus on Value

2. Develop Communication Strategies

3. Erect Scaffolding for Collaboration

4. Shape Team Behaviours

Tune in to discover how these tactics can transform your team's effectiveness and unlock new possibilities and help our community by sharing your own strategies at thewordisleadership.com. Don't miss this latest episode!

episode 83 - the word is boo

Another week and another thought-provoking random word on "The Word is Leadership." For this episode the focus is on the word "boo." Beyond its common use to startle or express dissatisfaction, "boo" offers valuable lessons for leaders.

When you stand for something, you'll inevitably face both cheers and boos. The question is, how do you respond?

The episode explores four strategies: Ignore, Confront, Explain, and Change. However, it challenges these approaches by suggesting that leaders should not be surprised by boos but instead welcome them as opportunities for growth. By reframing boos as "sense checks," leaders can turn criticism into a catalyst for improvement.

Tune in to discover how embracing boos can transform your leadership approach.

episode 82 - the word is lightsome

Join me for episode 82 of "The Word is Leadership" as I explore the concept of "lightsome," a term that embodies producing and reflecting light and is our random word of the week. This poetic idea reveals the essence of effective leadership, emphasising the importance of relationships and social interaction.

Leadership isn't just about personal traits; it's about how those traits impact others and create a mutual exchange of energy.

I use the ideas of charisma to illustrate this concept and show you three key strategies to become "lightsome": identify your unique strengths, understand how they are perceived by others, and ensure your impact aligns with your intentions.

Remember, leadership is not about shining brightly alone but about reflecting the light of those around you. Tune in to find out how to balance producing and reflecting light and unlock the true potential of your leadership.

episode 81 - the word is futile

Join me in episode 81 of "The Word Is Leadership" as I explore the concept of "futile" and how it can transform your approach to decision making.

 Discover how to avoid actions that yield no results and learn from the insights of Rita Gunther McGrath on the importance of learning faster than the rate of change.

 I introduce you to the "Luck Maximiser Framework," a practical tool to ensure your decisions aren't futile.

 This framework focuses on four dimensions: Alignment, Accountability, Alternatives, and Achievement. By integrating these elements, you'll be able to make more informed choices and maximize your chances of success.

 Tune in to find out how these simple yet powerful strategies can elevate your leadership skills and help you achieve your goals. Share your thoughts and join the conversation on how to minimise futile actions in your own journey. Listen now and take the first step towards more effective decision making!

episode 80 - the word is train

All Aboard: How Identity and Community Can Transform Your Job into a Vocation

Join me this week for a heartfelt episode of "The Word is Leadership" as I explore what insights we might get from our random word "train."

I take you on a personal journey through my childhood, growing up in a train community where my father was a proud train driver. From the nostalgia of toy trains to the high-speed TGV, I look into how identity and community can transform a job into a vocation.

Discover how training and identity intertwine to create peak performance and learn how even the most unexpected roles can become a source of purpose and passion.

Whether you're a leader or just starting out, this episode will challenge you to rethink your relationship with your work and ask: "How would you make a young you fall in love with your job?"

Tune in for a what I hope is a thought-provoking episode that blends personal stories with leadership insights, all set to the rhythm of life's journey!

Episode 79 - the word is muddle

Muddling through -  the secret leadership skill

In this episode I reframe "muddle" as a leadership strength rather than weakness.

I challenge the myth of perfectly coordinated organisations and reveal why most grand conspiracies fail the organisational behaviour test, while trying to make a compelling case for embracing muddle as the foundation of agility in our VUCA world.

I outline how "sense and respond" trumps "plan and control" in volatile environments and offer the two critical conditions that elevate muddling from chaos to advantage: maintaining a "bias for action" that prioritises progress over perfection and cultivating a "learning mindset" that transforms every action into data for improvement.

Using Jeff Bezos's elegant "two-way doors" concept that distinguishes between truly consequential decisions and those easily reversed, I argue that leaders consistently overestimate how many decisions are truly irreversible, creating unnecessary organisational paralysis.

As usual, I conclude with a question based on this week’s insight that leadership isn't about pretending certainty exists in an uncertain world but rather True leadership embraces muddle while maintaining clarity of intent: "Do you feel strong enough to muddle?"

Episode 78 - the word is monument

Would They Build a Monument to You?

In this episode of "The Word is Leadership," I explore the connection between monument (our random word) and leadership.

I am in a thoughtful mood today as I ask myself, and you, the question: who would you immortalise as a leader worthy of a monument? I challenge you to consider not just famous figures, but the everyday leaders who've shaped your own leadership approaches.

The episode unveils what I hope is a powerful insight – we don't build monuments to commemorate people, but rather to honour the feelings these individuals stirred within us.

Great leaders aren't remembered for what they said or did, but for how they made others feel. The most impactful leaders make people feel stronger and more capable, nudging them toward growth they didn't believe possible.

Through a guided thought experiment involving Trafalgar Square's empty fourth plinth, I encourage listeners to reflect on their leadership heroes and why these figures resonate so deeply. The episode concludes, as usual, with a question. This week I ask "Would they build a monument to you?"

This introspective journey reminds us that leadership isn't about grandeur – it's about the lasting impression we leave on others' hearts and minds. 

episode 77 - the word is hooligan

Debunking the Generational Myth

For this episode, our randomly selected word is "hooligan" (a rough lawless young person") which gives me the opportunity to challenge everything we think we know about generational differences in the workplace.

I dismantle three pervasive myths about workplace generations.

First, the "foundational myth" suggesting each generation possesses unique values and motivations, when research shows humans across generations share similar core desires.

Second, the "labelling myth" that assigns broad characteristics to arbitrary age brackets spanning 15+ years.

Third, the "static myth" ignoring how life stages, rather than generational identity, shape workplace attitudes.

I argue that generational stereotyping represents "the management consultant's equivalent of clickbait" - simplistic theories based on questionable research leading to ineffective leadership approaches. Instead of obsessing over generational differences, effective leaders should focus on universal human needs while respecting individual differences. 

My aim with this episode is to challenge you to reconsider your assumptions about workplace dynamics. By shifting focus from generational stereotypes to individual understanding, leaders can create more inclusive environments. I invite you to identify additional myths in how we approach generations at work, encouraging a more nuanced understanding of workplace relationships.

episode 76 - the word is raclette

In Episode 76 of "The Word is Leadership," a delicious Swiss dish becomes the gateway to profound leadership wisdom. The podcast explores raclette- that communal experience where everyone gathers to melt cheese onto their plates - as more than just a meal, but a powerful metaphor for workplace connection.

I contrast the formal Christmas dinner (meticulously planned, hierarchical, with designated roles) with my family’s more casual, egalitarian boxing day experience of raclette. This comparison illuminates the difference between structured business meetings and informal gatherings where genuine human connection flourishes.

When times get tough, social gatherings are often first to be eliminated, yet, these are precisely the environments where community and discretionary effort thrive. Communities rather than rules and procedures is where you will find the social and moral obligation needed to allow discretionary effort to flourish.

Our humanity becomes our leadership strength.

Think about how the coffee machine or water cooler conversations during workshops often yield more progress than structured sessions because workshops are "Christmas dinners" while coffee breaks are "raclette meals" (spaces where hierarchy dissolves).

True leadership requires both structured and informal interactions in the same way that Christmas Day needs Boxing Day.

The episode concludes with a challenge to every leader: "When did you have your last raclette at work?"

episode 75 - the word is macrophysics

In this milestone 75th episode I explain how the concept of "macrophysics" can transform your leadership approach.

Too many high achievers struggle in leadership positions because they focus too much on doing rather than enabling others. The solution? Adopt a physicist's mindset to see the forest, not just the trees.

Discover the Three Habits of Extraordinary Leaders

I introduce three powerful habits derived from the physicist's perspective that can dramatically elevate your leadership effectiveness.

"Think 10x" challenges you to consider the implications of every decision across three timeframes: 10 days, 10 months, and 10 years.

"Ask Beyond" encourages mapping the ripple effects of your actions throughout the organisation, expanding your perspective beyond immediate outcomes.

"Act Further" emphasises building capability in others while accomplishing tasks, ensuring sustainable results.

Special Announcement for Devoted Listeners

I can announce the release of the first Season 2 eBook on Amazon, featuring edited transcripts from the first 25 episodes of the new season (available free for a limited time only) you can get it here  https://amzn.to/44eFcMr or in your local amazon store.

episode 74 - the word is goblin

In this episode I offer you a framework for managing difficult relationships at work.

On my birthday week the dictionary gave me by a gift – the random word goblin – and I know a thing or two about Goblins, given some of my clients call me "Gobi the goblin" (affectionately I a told).

In this episode I tackle a universal workplace challenge - dealing with those difficult personalities who seem supernaturally skilled at making our professional lives complicated.

Rather than simply complaining about these "workplace goblins," I offer a new perspective by challenging us to examine whether these difficulties are real or constructs of our emotional responses.

At the heart of this episode is the practical BEAR framework - Behaviour, Effect, Alternative, Results - a step-by-step approach to having productive conversations with difficult colleagues.

I help you distinguish between actual bullies (who require formal intervention) and "goblins" (challenging personalities we can learn to better interact with through skilful communication).

I hope this episode helps you transform a potentially intimidating subject into an actionable strategy that any professional can implement immediately.