Explore every episode of the podcast The Brave Next Step

In this episode, I’m exploring the difference between pressure that drains us and pressure that actually helps us perform better.

It started with something as simple as swimming, where I noticed that the targets I was setting for myself were creating more stress and fatigue without improving my performance.

I’ll share what happened when I removed those targets completely, and what changed again when I allowed a different kind of pressure in.

We’ll look at the self-authored deadlines, expectations and internal countdowns we create at work, and why real accountability, visibility and challenge can sometimes sharpen us far more effectively than the pressure we invent for ourselves.

Highlights:

(01:37) - The swimming experiment that made me question how much pressure I create for myself

(03:00) - Same pace, same ability, completely different stress levels

(04:40) - What happened when I stopped counting and just kept swimming

(06:25) - The surprising kind of pressure that actually improved my performance

(08:28) - How private deadlines and invented KPIs can create stress without creating better work

(10:20) - Three questions to help you work out which pressure to drop and which pressure to let in

Connect with Emma:

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This Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio

In this episode, I’m exploring the psychology underneath delegation and why it is about far more than giving someone a clear brief and trusting them to get on with it.

I’m looking at dependence, independence and interdependence, and what each one asks of us as leaders.

I’ll also share why some leaders accidentally create the very dependence they complain about, why other people struggle to receive responsibility, and what genuine interdependence can look like in practice.

This is really a conversation about trust, responsibility and being honest about what you are willing and able to hold in your working relationships.

Highlights:

(01:30) - Why the real question is not employee or associate, but what kind of dependence you can hold

(03:34) - The maturity continuum from dependence to independence to interdependence

(05:53) - How leaders can accidentally create the dependence they later resent

(07:14) - Why some people struggle to receive delegation even when they are completely capable

(08:18) - What genuine interdependence actually looks like in a working relationship

(10:12) - The leadership question worth asking: is this stance serving both of us, or just protecting me?

Connect with Emma:

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This Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio

In this episode, I’m getting practical about upward influence and what actually helps an idea land with senior decision-makers.

Building on the last episode, I’m looking at Yukl and Tracey’s influence tactics and the difference between simply having a strong argument and creating the conditions for someone to support it.

I’ll talk through the tactics that tend to work best when influencing upwards, including rational persuasion, inspirational appeals, consultation and coalition building.

I also share the mistakes I used to make, why consultation became one of the biggest shifts in my own approach, and how thinking carefully about timing, sequencing and what really matters to the other person can completely change the outcome of a high-stakes conversation.

Highlights:

(01:30) - Why being right is only half the job when you need someone senior to say yes

(02:32) - The tactic I used to skip because it felt slower, and why it now changes everything

(03:18) - Why building allies before the meeting is not manipulation, it is groundwork

(05:49) - The three influence tactics that work best upwards, and why the magic is in combining them

(06:41) - The three questions I now ask before any high-stakes conversation

(08:03) - Stop walking into the room with a good idea and hoping it lands, build the tactical plan first

Connect with Emma:

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This Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio

I’ve had to learn this one the hard way: having a good idea does not automatically mean people will get behind it.

For years, I often went straight to the decision maker, trusted the quality of my thinking to do the work, and skipped the slower job of bringing people with me. Sometimes that was impatience. Sometimes it was confidence. And sometimes, if I’m honest, it was arrogance.

In this episode, I’m looking at the five bases of power and what they teach us about influencing upwards.

We’ll explore where your influence actually comes from, why expert knowledge alone is rarely enough, and how mapping the power dynamic can completely change the way you approach a high-stakes conversation.

Highlights:

(01:30) - Why a strong idea can still fail if you haven’t brought people with you

(02:26) - The five different types of power shaping influence at work

(03:21) - Why titles, rewards and consequences matter more than we like to admit

(04:10) - The two forms of power you can rely on when influencing someone more senior

(05:20) - The mistake of trying to win the argument instead of building the relationship

(06:14) - The questions to ask before your next high-stakes conversation

Connect with Emma:

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This Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio

In this episode, I’m exploring why effective leadership is not about finding one perfect style and sticking to it. The people we lead are constantly changing, so the way we show up needs to change too.

Someone who needed direction last month might need space today, while someone who seemed confident may suddenly need more support.

I bring together situational leadership and co-active leadership to explain four practical ways of leading: from the front, beside, behind, and within the wider field.

This is really about attentiveness, self-awareness, and asking one honest question: am I giving this person what they need, or simply giving them the version of me that feels most comfortable?

Highlights:

(01:49) - Why one default leadership style will eventually hold people back

(03:24) - Matching your approach to someone’s confidence and competence

(04:33) - When clear direction is generous, not controlling

(06:20) - Supporting someone who already has the answer

(08:14) - Why delegation without autonomy is not really delegation

(10:02) - Spotting the difference between a conscious choice and an old habit

Connect with Emma:

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This Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio

I’m reflecting on one of the hardest questions in leadership: what do you do when there is no obvious right answer? After a decision in my own business did not work out as planned, I found myself asking not what I should do next, but what I actually want.

In this episode, I explore why ambiguity is not a problem to fix, but a condition to navigate. We’ll look at the tolerance, curiosity and courage it takes to stay with uncertainty, resist rushing into a comfortable answer and take the next step before you feel completely ready.

Highlights:

(01:30) - Asking what I actually want instead of what I should do

(03:13) - Why ambiguity is a condition, not a problem

(04:18) - The danger of pretending to have all the answers

(06:07) - The three qualities ambiguity demands from leaders

(07:27) - Why uncertainty pushes us towards premature decisions

(08:46) - Putting the answer down and staying in the question

Connect with Emma:

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This Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio

Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve been doing more things alone, from attending a wedding solo to driving across Germany and exploring Munich by myself. None of it felt completely comfortable, but that was exactly the point.

In this episode, I’m reflecting on the confidence that grows when there’s nobody else to lean on, navigate for you or absorb the social risk.

Sometimes being alone reveals just how capable you already are. It can also give you more freedom to trust your instincts, make different choices and connect more honestly with the people around you.

Highlights:

(01:35) - Realising confidence is not something you either have or don’t

(02:56) - The difference between being socially alone and cognitively alone

(04:28) - What happens when you can no longer outsource the decision

(05:25) - Choosing connection instead of staying where the energy feels flat

(06:19) - Why being alone can actually give you more freedom

(07:22) - The question that might reveal what you’re truly capable of

Connect with Emma:

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This Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio

In this episode, I’m exploring self-authorisation, what it really means, and why it matters so much in leadership and life.

I share one of the hardest decisions I made as a teenager, when I chose to protect my own wellbeing without anyone telling me I was allowed to.

We often wait to feel ready, senior enough or confident enough before we speak, act or set a boundary. But confidence comes and goes.

Self-authorisation is a choice. It is deciding to trust your judgement, act from your values and say the thing that needs to be said, even when it feels uncomfortable.

Highlights:

(01:34) - The brave boundary I set as a teenager

(02:48) - Why we are conditioned to wait for external validation

(03:52) - The crucial difference between confidence and self-authorisation

(05:35) - Saying the true thing when the relationship feels at risk

(06:42) - How staying silent slowly erodes trust in your own judgement

(08:02) - One decision, conversation or boundary to act on this week

Connect with Emma:

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This Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio

What if the thing holding your message back is not what you are saying, but how you are breathing while you say it?

In this episode, I’m joined by Melissa Thom, founder of Brava, to explore what leaders can learn from the world of broadcasting, voice work and performance.

We talk about why public speaking fear is so common, how breath can change the way you sound and feel, and why confidence is not the absence of fear.

Melissa also shares how authenticity and performance can work together, plus some brilliantly practical advice on vocal range, audience connection and becoming a more powerful communicator.

Highlights:

(01:31) - How a 30-year broadcasting career became a leadership superpower

(05:02) - Why public speaking fear affects even the most experienced leaders

(09:55) - The one communication tool every leader should understand

(14:54) - Why performance and authenticity are not opposites

(22:44) - Confidence is not the absence of fear, it is acting alongside it

(31:57) - Live feedback on voice, breath and becoming a stronger podcaster

Connect with Melissa:

https://www.brava.uk.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissathombrava/

Connect with Emma:

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This Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio

Why do people resist change, even when the change is positive?

In this episode, I’m exploring how the brain’s bias towards threat detection can shape behaviour at work, and why resistance, disengagement or conflict may not be an attitude problem at all.

I introduce the SCARF model and its five domains: status, certainty, autonomy, relatedness and fairness.

I also share practical examples of how leaders can unintentionally trigger threat responses, and how small changes in communication and behaviour can help people feel safer, more collaborative and more open to what comes next.

Highlights:

(01:31) - Why positive change can still feel threatening

(03:17) - An introduction to the SCARF model

(04:59) - How status can trigger threat or reward

(06:29) - Why certainty and autonomy matter during change

(08:25) - The role of belonging and relatedness at work

(11:47) - How a leader’s behaviour shapes other people’s responses

Connect with Emma:

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This Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio

When we talk about breaking a habit, we often make change feel like a battle. In this episode, I’m exploring why words such as stopping, removing and giving something up can create resistance before we have even begun.

I share a simpler approach: swap the old pattern for something that moves you towards the person or leader you want to become.

With a real example of replacing one high-intensity activity with a more restorative option, I show how a small change in language can make new behaviour feel lighter, more achievable and far less like punishment.

Highlights:

(01:31) - Why fighting your habits creates more resistance

(02:26) - The problem with relying on willpower

(03:08) - Why adding something can work better than giving it up

(04:02) - The question that connects change to your identity

(05:13) - How one simple swap improved energy and wellbeing

(06:37) - Turning a stopping goal into a towards statement

Connect with Emma:

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This Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio

In this episode, I’m continuing what has accidentally become a three-part mini series on psychological safety, trust, and what leaders can do when something in the team feels off.

I talk through why it is so important to diagnose first, rather than rushing straight into action with a generic fix that might miss the real issue.

We explore the difference between trust and psychological safety, the questions that help you work out what is really happening, and a simple four-quadrant map leaders can return to again and again.

This is about noticing patterns, looking honestly at your own behaviour, and taking brave, practical steps to strengthen the team.

Highlights:

(01:38) - Why leaders need to diagnose before jumping into action

(02:40) - The key difference between one-to-one trust and group safety

(06:42) - Why teams move around the map instead of climbing a ladder

(08:45) - What low trust and low safety can quietly look like

(15:27) - How leaders can accidentally turn meetings into performance spaces

(23:28) - Why honest self-reflection has to come before action

Connect with Emma:

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This Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio

In this episode, I’m talking about trust, and honestly, how have we got to episode 60 without giving it its own moment? After last week’s reflections on psychological safety, I wanted to pull apart the difference between feeling safe in a group and deciding whether we trust another person.

I look at why trust is really about prediction and risk, how it builds over time, and why leaders need to know whether they are dealing with a trust issue or a psychological safety issue.

I also share two helpful models, the trust equation and Brené Brown’s BRAVING acronym, to make trust feel a little less fluffy and a lot more practical.

Highlights:

(01:34) - Why trust and psychological safety are not the same thing

(05:14) - The leadership question that helps you spot what is really going on

(06:22) - The trust equation, made human and usable

(08:49) - Why self-orientation can quietly wreck trust

(11:10) - Brené Brown’s BRAVING model and what it teaches us

(13:15) - The generous assumption that helps trust grow

Connect with Emma:

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This Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio

In this episode, I’m sharing a reflective learning moment from one of my most extreme leadership testing grounds, supporting my son in his ambitions as an athlete.

It has had me thinking deeply about psychological safety, what it really means to create it, and how easy it is for good intentions to land as pressure instead of support.

I’m talking about the fine line between helping and over-engineering, why leaders need their own support structures, and how high performance is rarely as simple as the shiny moment we see at the end.

Real leadership often happens quietly, consistently and without fanfare, especially when things feel hard.

Highlights:

(01:42) - Why reflective learning matters so much for leaders

(03:00) - The unexpected leadership lessons in supporting an ambitious athlete

(05:17) - When coaching questions feel more like intervention than safety

(07:10) - Why psychological safety has to be about the other person

(10:07) - The importance of having your own scaffolding under pressure

(13:00) - What we forget about the messy road to high performance

Connect with Emma:

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This Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio

In this episode, I’m talking about accountability, one of those words we use all the time in business, but often mean very different things by it.

Rather than seeing accountability as something reactive, something we only drag out when things go wrong, I’m exploring how we can think about it as a proactive relationship with a commitment.

I unpack the difference between responsibility and accountability, why psychological safety matters so much, and how leaders can accidentally kill accountability through micromanaging, vague expectations or punishing mistakes.

This is a practical look at how we can create more clarity, ownership and trust, without making accountability feel like a sledgehammer.

Highlights:

(01:30) - What accountability really means beyond the usual business buzzword

(03:02) - The key difference between taking responsibility and owning the outcome

(05:13) - Four questions that help make accountability clearer and more human

(08:42) - Why conflict, blame and shame make accountability much harder

(10:14) - How psychological safety and accountability are more connected than we think

(13:05) - The leadership habits that quietly shut accountability down

Connect with Emma:

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This Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio

In this episode, I’m joined by Leah Boxell, CEO and founder of Enable Lists, for a conversation about legacy, impact and the people who shape us often without realising just how much they have done.

Leah begins with a powerful letter to her first boss, David, the person who saw something in her at 16 and gave her something that changed everything: hope.

Leah shares part of her personal story, from a difficult and traumatic childhood to building a successful career and founding her own business.

We talk about leadership, kindness, change, the impact our words can have, and why she is now paying that hope forward through Move Different, a charity created to help young people feel heard, supported and less likely to fall through the cracks.

Highlights:

(01:14) - Leah reads a letter to the boss who changed her life

(02:39) - How Leah’s childhood shaped her drive and resilience

(06:46) - Why David gave her hope, not just a job

(09:17) - What leaders need to understand about people going through change

(18:29) - The moment that led Leah to share her story publicly

(22:17) - Why Move Different is focused on systemic change for young people

Leah’s links:

Move Different - https://www.move-different.org/

Enablists - https://enablists.co.uk/meet-enablists/

Connect with Emma:

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This Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio

In this reflective episode, I’m talking about failure, or more specifically, whether we are sometimes too quick to call something a failure before we have actually understood what it came to teach us.

After a recent experience where the outcome was not what I had hoped for, I found myself thinking deeply about labels, judgement, shame and the way we respond when things feel messy.

I explore the difference between failure, error, mistake and unintended outcome, and how each word changes the way we think, feel and act. For leaders, this matters.

The language we use can either shut learning down or open up curiosity, reflection and better decision making. Sometimes the uncomfortable bit is exactly where the most useful insight is hiding.

Highlights:

(01:10) - Why a recent unintended outcome sparked this reflection

(02:18) - How pressure can distort our thinking patterns

(03:43) - Why the word failure can feel so heavy and final

(06:05) - How “unintended outcome” creates space for learning

(08:06) - The difference between shame and curiosity

(11:14) - Why messy moments can lead to better decisions

Connect with Emma:

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This Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio

In this episode, I’m taking a slightly lighter route, inspired by a book that made me laugh, made me feel a little bit seen, and reminded me how easy it is to question what success is supposed to look like.

It also got me thinking about gratitude, and why we have not really talked about it here before.

I’m sharing why noticing the positives matters, especially when life and leadership feel busy, messy or heavy. From a clearer-than-expected commute to a kind voice note from a colleague, the small things can genuinely shift your energy.

And as leaders, how we recognise and share those moments can make a real difference to the people around us too.

Highlights:

(01:50) - The book that sparked a bigger thought about success

(03:27) - Why we often dismiss what is going well

(04:22) - How tiny moments of gratitude can change the tone of your day

(05:42) - Three simple things worth being grateful for

(06:57) - Making gratitude part of your average week

(07:37) - How leaders can spread positivity through team wins

Connect with Emma:

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This Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio

In this episode, I’m talking about change, and why it can feel so much harder than we expect, even when we genuinely want it.

Whether you’re trying to shift something in yourself, your team, or a whole organisation, there’s usually an existing system quietly trying to pull everything back to how it was.

I revisit Kurt Lewin’s three-step change model, unfreeze, change, refreeze, but focus on the part that often gets overlooked: community. Because change is rarely just about process.

It’s about people, support, shared experience, and not feeling like you’re dragging the whole thing uphill on your own.

Highlights:

(01:36) - Why organisations naturally resist change, even with the best intentions

(02:31) - Revisiting Kurt Lewin’s three-step model with fresh eyes

(04:02) - The community piece that often gets missed in change theory

(05:24) - How a coaching cohort helped me become a new version of myself

(06:43) - Why workplace change feels easier when you know who you can lean on

(08:07) - Simple ways to build community around change, formally and informally

Connect with Emma:

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This Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio

In this episode, I’m exploring a simple but powerful tool that can help us understand how we’re really doing as leaders.

I’m talking about the energy emotion matrix, how our energy and emotions work together, and what they reveal about whether we’re performing, renewing, surviving or heading towards burnout.

This is a practical conversation, but it’s also a deeply human one. If you’ve been feeling stretched, flat or just slightly off, this framework can help you make sense of it and decide what you need next, with more honesty, self-awareness and care.

Highlights:

(05:36) - The zone where high energy and positive emotion help us do our best work

(06:18) - Why renewal matters just as much as performance

(08:17) - The signs you may be operating in survival mode

(09:33) - How low energy and negative emotion can lead to burnout

(11:25) - Why this matters so much for leaders and their teams

(12:08) - The question to ask yourself if you want to shift your zone

Connect with Emma:

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This Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio

In this episode, I’m talking about something easy to forget and impossible to escape as a leader, people are always watching. Not in a dramatic way, but in the everyday moments that quietly shape how others respond to you, trust you, and decide what feels safe around you.

I explore why leadership is never just about what we say, it is also about what our behaviour teaches people over time.

I also get into the habits leaders create without meaning to, from rushed decision making to cancelled one-to-ones and the signals we send about work, priority and trust.

This one is a reminder that if the responses you are getting from your team are not what you want, it may be time to look at what your own behaviour is inviting.

Highlights:

(00:48) - Why leadership means being watched more than we realise

(02:07) - The small behaviours people notice straight away

(04:17) - What cancelled one-to-ones might really be communicating

(05:44) - How leaders accidentally shape what feels safe at work

(07:57) - Why people stop making decisions around you

(09:42) - The reminder, your behaviour sets the tone

Connect with Emma:

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This Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio

In this episode, I’m reflecting on a few milestones that stopped me in my tracks, ten years since leaving corporate employment, the end of the first quarter of 2026, and the realisation that both have stirred up more reflection than I expected.

I talk about burnout, identity, purpose and what I have learned about myself through stepping away from employment and building something of my own.

I also share what this last quarter has brought up for me, from emotional heaviness and pressure to the reminder that pushing through is not always the answer.

This one is thoughtful, honest and full of those quieter leadership lessons that only seem to land when we finally slow down enough to hear them.

Highlights:

(03:11) - Why the last quarter felt heavier than I expected

(04:12) - What leaving corporate taught me about identity and self-discovery

(06:51) - How values became clearer once ambition stopped driving everything

(08:56) - Why fear can be data, not a stop sign

(11:03) - The reminder that you cannot just keep pushing through

(13:35) - What slowing down made possible for me this time

Connect with Emma:

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This Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio

In this episode, I’m talking about something so many leaders wrestle with, challenging conversations. The ones we know we need to have, but would often rather avoid.

I explore why we so often frame these moments as a choice between honesty and kindness, when actually the most effective leadership asks for both.

I also get into what really makes these conversations feel hard, from fear of conflict to worrying how the other person will respond, and why better preparation can change everything.

This one is practical, thoughtful and a really useful reminder that honesty does not have to damage trust when it is delivered with respect and care.

Highlights:

(03:10) - Why honesty and kindness are not opposites

(05:42) - The language shift that helps people stay open

(07:18) - Why safety matters in a difficult conversation

(08:05) - The trap of focusing on what you cannot control

(09:08) - What to focus on instead, if you want the conversation to go well

(10:06) - The reminder, you can be honest and kind at the same time

Connect with Emma:

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This Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio

In this episode, I’m reflecting on resilience from a deeply personal angle, after a sudden change of plans gave me an unexpected week back.

I talk about the pressure so many of us feel to fill every spare moment with work, and the quiet but important choice to do something different instead. It became a real test of boundaries, self-trust and what resilience actually asks of us.

I also unpack why I no longer think resilience is about bouncing back. As human beings, we do not return to some original state after pressure or disruption.

We carry experience, emotion and learning with us. This is really about becoming stronger, wiser and more able, and recognising that rest is not a distraction from performance, it is part of what makes it possible.

Highlights:

(02:32) - Why bouncing back is the wrong way to think about resilience

(03:31) - A more honest definition of resilience under pressure

(05:00) - The pull of all the things I thought I should do instead

(06:08) - Why I chose rest over work, and what that gave me

(08:59) - The fantasy that pushing harder will make us perform better

(10:00) - The pivot point that showed me my boundaries had really changed

Connect with Emma:

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This Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio

In this episode, I’m talking about something that can feel surprisingly uncomfortable, silence. Not the awkward kind we rush to fill, but the kind that creates space for better thinking, deeper reflection and more honest conversations.

I explore why so many of us treat silence like something has gone wrong, when actually it can be one of the most useful tools we have as leaders.

I also share how silence supports coaching, delegation, trust and problem solving, especially when the temptation is to jump in too quickly with answers.

This one is a reminder that leadership is not always about saying more. Sometimes the bravest and most helpful thing we can do is pause, stay present and let the silence do some of the work.

Highlights:

(01:38) - Why silence is more than just an awkward pause

(03:31) - How silence creates the space for quality thinking

(06:20) - Why leaders need to speak less and listen more

(08:05) - What often happens when you wait before jumping in

(10:34) - How silence stops you taking on someone else’s problem

(13:24) - Why silence can be one of the clearest signs of trust

Connect with Emma:

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This Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio

In this episode, I’m joined by Steve Hoblyn for a thoughtful, honest conversation about leadership, mental health, and what happens when life forces us to stop pretending we’re fine.

We talk about burnout, identity, recovery, and why so many workplaces still reach for surface-level fixes when what people actually need is real human connection.

We also get into the power of slowing down, asking better questions, and leading with more courage and less performance.

Steve shares his own story with so much generosity, and this one really stayed with me. It’s the kind of conversation that makes you pause, think, and maybe lead a little differently tomorrow.

Highlights:

(01:36) - Steve shares the personal story that took him from corporate HR into mental health work

(15:17) - Why businesses love quick fixes, and why real change takes much longer

(25:38) - The powerful shift from asking what is wrong with you to what happened to you

(36:49) - Why mental health struggles can become part of the bigger adventure of life

(46:07) - The healing practices Steve tried, and the ones that genuinely changed things for him

(49:12) - The brave conversation every leader should be ready to have with someone on their team

Connect with Steve:

https://www.igallos.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevehoblyn/

Connect with Emma:

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This Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio

Changing your boundaries at work can feel surprisingly uncomfortable, not just for you but for the entire organisation around you.

In this episode, I explore what actually happens when a leader shifts their boundaries and why systems often resist that change.

Using ideas from open systems theory, we look at how organisations instinctively try to restore their previous equilibrium when behaviour changes.

From guilt and escalation to subtle pressure to revert to old habits, I unpack why resistance is part of the process and how holding your nerve can ultimately create healthier teams, prevent burnout and drive real cultural change.

Highlights:

(01:58) Why boundary changes create disequilibrium in organisations

(03:24) The email after hours example and how systems push back

(05:47) When organisations rely on people with overly permeable boundaries

(07:42) Why sudden rigid boundaries can trigger organisational resistance

(09:03) Guilt, escalation and urgency as pressure tactics

(11:15) Holding your nerve long enough to create cultural change

Connect with Emma:

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This Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio

Last week, I explored boundaries from a personal perspective. This time, I’m widening the lens and looking at what boundaries really mean when you’re leading a team or a function.

Because whether we realise it or not, we are always standing at an interface. Between teams. Between expectations. Between pressure and performance.

In this episode, I talk about input gates, output gates, scope creep, and the uncomfortable but necessary negotiations that define great leadership.

If we do not manage the boundary, someone else will, and it is usually the loudest voice in the room. So the question becomes, where do you need to lean in and protect the integrity of your team’s mission?

Highlights:

(01:46) Why a boundary is really an interface, and why that changes everything

(03:58) Scope creep in action, how blurred lines quietly derail performance

(05:42) When work gets “thrown over the fence” and what that tells you

(07:10) Input gates, output gates, and defining what good actually looks like

(09:18) Are you a bottleneck or a shield? A leadership gut check

(11:06) If you do not stand at the boundary, the loudest voice will set your priorities

Connect with Emma:

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This Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio

I realised, slightly to my surprise, that we had never recorded a dedicated episode on boundaries.

Considering how often this shows up in my work with leaders and HR professionals, it felt well overdue. So this is part one of a deeper exploration into how boundaries shape the way we lead, grow, and protect what really matters.

In this episode, I share a simple systems theory lens to help you think about rigid boundaries, overly permeable ones, and what a healthy, semi permeable boundary looks like in practice.

If you have ever found yourself people pleasing, absorbing everyone else’s stress, or feeling cut off from feedback, this one is for you.

Highlights:

(02:08) Why boundaries kept resurfacing in my leadership work

(04:12) A simple systems theory lens to understand organisations as ecosystems

(06:35) What rigid boundaries look like, and how they quietly limit your growth

(08:24) The hidden cost of being too permeable, and saying yes to everything

(11:05) Strategic filtering, how to build a healthier leadership membrane

(13:42) Three powerful questions to reflect on before our next episode

Connect with Emma:

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This Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio

In this episode, I’m joined by Jenny Burns, CEO of Magnetic, for an honest and energising conversation about what it really means to “accidentally” step into the CEO role.

Jenny shares her journey from big corporates to running a design and innovation business, and why she never actually set out to become a CEO.

We talk about the myth of readiness, why avoidance quietly sabotages leaders, and how energy, not authority, often defines great leadership.

This is a conversation about confidence, feedback, AI, identity, and what it takes to lead in heavy, uncertain times without losing yourself in the process.

Highlights:

(06:13) How Jenny unexpectedly stepped into the CEO role

(08:44) The myth of readiness and why no one feels fully prepared

(14:41) Why avoidance is a silent leadership killer

(22:20) AI, leadership, and the future of human differentiation

(28:55) Energy as a leadership responsibility

(34:32) The advice Jenny would give herself on day one as CEO

Connect with Jenny:

Jenny Burns - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennyburns55/

The Accidential CEO - https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7285963386381561856/?displayConfirmation=true

Connect with Emma:

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This Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio

This is part two of my exploration into dependency, and this time I’m approaching it through a psychodynamic lens.

I reflect on how our earliest experiences of care and survival shape the way we relate to dependency as adults, and how those patterns quietly show up in leadership, teams, and organisations.

I also share some personal reflections on how dependency can surface under pressure, why some leaders lean into counter dependency, and how stress can pull us back into old relational patterns.

This episode is an invitation to notice where dependency may be helping you lead more effectively, and where it might be getting in the way.

Highlights:

(01:10) Why dependency is a developmental stage for all of us

(02:45) How early caregiving shapes secure or insecure dependency

(04:40) What happens to dependency under stress and pressure

(06:30) Counter dependency as a defence against vulnerability

(08:10) How dependency dynamics play out in leadership roles

(09:40) A reflective question for your own leadership practice

Connect with Emma:

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This Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio

This episode came straight from real life. As I watched my son move from dependence to independence, it made me pause and reflect on how dependency shows up in leadership and in the workplace.

What we expect from others, what we take on ourselves, and how easily those patterns shift without us really noticing.

I explore dependency through an emotional intelligence lens and look at why interdependence, not total independence or reliance, is where the strongest leadership sits.

This is a reflective, honest episode for leaders who want to understand how their behaviour shapes confidence, trust and performance in others.

Highlights:

(01:42) Why dependency is an emotional intelligence behaviour we rarely talk about

(03:45) Dependency, independence and interdependence explained simply

(06:58) How early life experiences shape our leadership style at work

(09:55) When leadership roles change and dependency shifts with them

(11:45) How leaders unintentionally create dependency, and how to reset it

Connect with Emma:

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This Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio

I sat down with Gabe Winn, founder of Blakeney, and honestly, his career path is a full plot twist marathon.

Actor dreams, Accenture, game ranger training in Zimbabwe, then yes, a BBC show that involved being trained like a spy, and somehow it all makes sense once you hear how he thinks about people, purpose, and influence.

We get into the courage it takes to call out what’s wrong (especially when it makes you unpopular), why vulnerability is a leadership strength, and what it really looks like to build a business when the buck stops with you.

Plus, Gabe shares the brutal lessons of a tough 2024, the reset that followed, and the kind of impact he wants his work to have.

Highlights:

(01:45) - Actor to consultant to game ranger to “spy”, the career path that makes zero sense, until it does

(05:20) - SAS style wake ups at 2am, and the moment he thought, hang on, is this real?

(11:19) - Why he’s calling out lobbying conflicts in the House of Lords, and why it matters

(13:37) - Going viral, getting backlash, and refusing to be bullied into silence

(21:45) - The leadership shift: vulnerability is not weakness, it’s trust

(32:21) - The worst year, the hard decisions, and how Blakeney turned 2025 into a pivot point

Connect with Gabe:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabewinn/

https://theblakeneygroup.com/

Connect with Emma:

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This Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio

This week I noticed something fascinating, I had several client conversations that all circled the same frustration: “My people just aren’t doing what I need them to do.” And I get it, that feeling can turn into pure exhaustion, and then resignation.

So today I’m talking about the part we usually skip, the connection between what you do and how others respond. If you want new behaviours in your team, you have to be the stimulus, consistently.

We’ll look at why empowerment fails when you’re still deep diving, how habit change really works in organisations, and a simple way to build feedback cultures without accidentally training people to stay quiet.

Highlights:

(02:05) - The question that changes everything: what am I doing that’s creating this outcome?

(03:25) - “I want you empowered”, while quietly micromanaging anyway

(05:12) - You trained them to rely on you, now you have to retrain the system

(07:35) - January blues check, how consistent have you actually been with your change?

(09:20) - Want honest feedback? Don’t wing it, design safety (start, stop, continue works)

(10:45) - The fastest way to kill feedback: get defensive, then wonder why it disappears

Connect with Emma:

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This Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio

I’m back with a more personal episode, sharing the self-reflection I’ve been doing over the last few months and the question that’s been steering it all: what do I need in place to do my best work?

After an intense stretch of travel and back-to-back client weeks, I realised I was running on fumes, and that’s not the energy I want to bring into the room.

I talk about why reflection builds resilience and emotional intelligence, plus the practical shifts that have helped me re-energise: protecting thinking time, planning so I feel in control, and using thought partners to sharpen the quality of my decisions.

I’ll leave you with a question to take into your own week.

Highlights:

(01:42) - Why self-reflection is a leadership tool, not a fluffy extra

(03:28) - The treadmill moment, when I realised “this pace isn’t sustainable”

(05:46) - Extrovert energy, and why I now need more quiet windows than I used to

(06:58) - The restorative week experiment, what changed when my diary finally had space

(08:34) - Planning as stress relief, how structure helps me feel calmer and sharper

(09:55) - Quality thinking needs conditions, and why a thought partner boosts my best work

Connect with Emma:

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This Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio

As we step into a new year, I wanted to pause and challenge the way we think about New Year’s resolutions. I share why I am not a huge fan of big, dramatic goals set in January, and why so many of them quietly fall away by the end of the month.

This episode is about reframing resolutions as habits, and giving yourself permission to start, stop, adjust and recommit without judgement.

I also reflect on the goals that have actually worked for me, and the common thread between them. Small steps, realistic expectations and accountability made all the difference.

If you are feeling pressure to overhaul your life right now, this conversation will help you take a calmer, more sustainable approach to growth this year.

Highlights:

(01:10) Why a New Year’s resolution is just a goal in disguise

(02:58) The problem with all or nothing thinking in January

(04:47) Why habits take longer than 21 days to stick

(06:12) How small, flexible goals create lasting change

(07:45) The power of accountability when building new habits

(09:10) A realistic approach to health, strength and consistency

Connect with Emma:

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This Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio

As we close out 2025, I wanted to slow things down and talk about gratitude, not in a cliched end of year way, but as a real, everyday leadership practice. 

I share research that shaped my own thinking, showing how much more weight negative thoughts and interactions hold compared to positive ones. Understanding this has changed the way I speak to myself and the way I show up for others.

In this episode I walk through my own weekly gratitude habits, the tiny moments that keep me grounded and the impact they have had on my mindset, resilience and leadership. I also explore what happens when we extend this practice to the people we lead, and how appreciation strengthens morale, engagement and trust. 

As the year wraps, I share the things I am most grateful for in 2025, what surprised me, what stretched me and the joy I have found in creating this podcast.

Highlights:

(01:42) The research that explains why negative thinking hits harder

(04:15) How I practise gratitude weekly in small, simple ways

(06:58) Why leaders must recognise what is going well, not just what needs fixing

(09:25) Building a team culture where appreciation is normal

(10:39) My personal reflections and wins from 2025

(12:55) A thank you to listeners and my hopes for 2026

Connect with Emma:

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This Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio

This episode is a little different, because instead of sharing my reflections, I am handing the space over to you.

As we reach the end of the year, it is the perfect moment to pause, look back and make sense of what shaped you as a leader in 2025. Reflection is one of the strongest predictors of leadership growth, yet it is the habit most people skip when the pace picks up.

Across twelve thoughtful questions, I guide you through the moments that tested you, surprised you and changed you. You will explore what worked, what wobbled and what you want to bring into 2026 with intention.

If you follow the prompts fully, you will finish with clearer insight, better self awareness and a leadership focus you can actually commit to next year.

Highlights:

(01:42) Why year end is the ideal moment for reflective practice

(02:55) The question that reveals your most defining leadership moment

(04:30) How hidden assumptions shaped your choices

(06:05) Spotting unintended consequences you may have missed

(07:48) What recurring habits say about your leadership style

(10:12) Choosing the behaviour that will matter most in 2026

Connect with Emma:

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This Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio

I loved recording this one because it is such a classic leadership trap. We rush straight into the topic, full of energy and opinions, but skip the one thing that would actually help us reach a decision. 

This episode came from a real moment on a rugby club committee where an innocent line in a terms of reference opened up a bigger question about what collective decision making truly means.

I talk through the simple shifts that help groups make decisions with far less friction. Whether you prefer consensus, majority rule or delegated accountability, the clarity you set at the start will shape everything that follows. 

If you want meetings that stop circling the drain and start creating momentum, this one is for you.

Highlights:

(01:32) The committee moment that sparked this whole episode

(02:40) Why groups stall when no one agrees the decision process

(04:05) The pitfalls of assuming consensus without saying so

(06:12) How majority rule works when not everyone agrees

(07:45) When one person should take the final decision

(09:10) The question to ask before any meeting with decisions ahead

Connect with Emma:

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This Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio

In this episode, I reflect on something sparked by my son's athlete review and how the four part athlete development model mirrors the gaps we often leave in our own leadership growth. 

We are brilliant at focusing on skills, outcomes and delivery, but far less disciplined when it comes to the mental and emotional fitness that actually keeps us performing well.

I share my own experiences with therapy, coaching, supervision and mentoring, along with the very human moments that nudged me towards each. 

No single method solves everything, but a thoughtful mix creates the resilience and clarity we need for sustainable leadership. This is about choosing not to leave your psychological development to chance.

Highlights:

(01:36) The athlete development model that shifted my thinking

(03:12) Why leaders often ignore the psychological side of performance

(06:05) My experience of therapy and how it supported major transitions

(09:48) Coaching as a thought partner when the mind feels noisy

(12:41) Supervision and the deep insights it opened up

(14:55) How informal relationships can quietly spark real change

Connect with Emma:

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This Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio

This episode starts with a moment at Twickenham that completely caught me off guard and ended up teaching me more about leadership than I expected. 

I was there to enjoy the Rugby match, not to learn a lesson, but what happened in those first few minutes made me stop and think about expectations, assumptions and how easy it is to react before you truly understand what is going on. It reminded me how important it is, especially in a new environment, to observe first and act later.

As I reflected on the woman behind me and her reaction, I realised how often we do this at work. We step into a new organisation or team and challenge something before we have taken the time to understand the culture, the behaviours or the unwritten rules. 

When we rush, we risk creating conflict or misjudgment that could have been avoided. Giving ourselves that brief pause, the one Viktor Frankl describes so well, helps us respond thoughtfully instead of reacting emotionally. 

This simple moment at the rugby became a powerful reminder that leadership often begins with noticing.

Highlights:

(01:22) The unexpected moment at Twickenham that made me stop and think

(03:41) How quick assumptions can create unnecessary tension

(06:31) Why observing a culture first helps me lead better

(08:34) What I learned about espoused values versus real behaviour

(10:00) How pausing helps me respond rather than react

(10:44) Why Viktor Frankl’s model now stays in my mind at work

Connect with Emma:

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This Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio

In this episode, I wanted to open up a conversation that has been pressing on my mind for months. 

So many HR leaders are running on empty, holding the emotional weight of organisations while feeling they have nowhere safe to take their own challenges. 

When I read the latest figures showing just how many people professionals are close to burnout and simply getting on with it, I knew we needed to talk about what is really happening and why the current system expects far too much from the people who support everyone else.

I invited Ben to step into the host seat so that he, Erica and I could explore this honestly. We discuss the isolation HR leaders face, the pressure of confidentiality, the emotional load of complex organisational decisions, and why supervision can offer the grounded support so many have been missing. 

This conversation means a lot to me, because HR deserves far better than carrying everything alone.

Highlights:

(01:32) The data around HR burnout that stopped me in my tracks

(03:23) Ben hosting as we dive into the emotional reality of HR work

(06:21) The invisible load people professionals are expected to hold

(11:02) How political and organisational pressures intensify the strain

(16:25) What supervision truly offers and why it is not a luxury

(31:12) Why we created The HR Space and what the year long container provides

https://mindvaluesleadership.co.uk/the-hr-space/

Connect with Emma:

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This Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio

In this episode, I sit down with consultant, coach and author Steve Hearsum to talk about the uncomfortable realities of leadership, change and why there really isn’t a “fix it fast” solution for complex problems. 

We dig into his book There’s No Silver Bullet and explore why the need for certainty often stops leaders from doing the deeper, inner work that actually matters.

It’s a conversation about courage, fragility and the importance of dialogue – the kind that helps us face the messiness of real organisational life without pretending we’ve got all the answers. 

It’s smart, honest and full of those moments that make you pause and think.

Highlights:

(02:00) – Steve’s serendipitous journey from The Guardian to organisational development

(06:00) – The myth of fixability and why leadership “solutions” often fail

(10:15) – The danger of pretending to know the answers

(17:40) – HR, consultants and the “magician” role inside organisations

(25:00) – Why dialogue is the real silver bullet

(33:50) – Supervision, shame and doing the inner work that sharpens your practice

Connect with Emma:

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This Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio

This week, I want to speak directly to the CEOs and managing directors out there - and honestly, to anyone leading a business. 

How often do you check in on your HR leader? Not just on their workload, but on their wellbeing? HR carries an invisible weight that so often goes unseen. They hold space for everyone else through restructures, grievances and endless waves of organisational change, but rarely have a space to process their own emotional load.

HR professionals deserve the same kind of reflective support that therapists and coaches receive - a safe, structured space for supervision where they can process what they’re holding. That’s what I’m committed to creating. 

So, if you’re a CEO or leader, I’m asking you to make this a priority. Give your HR team permission, budget and time to access proper support. When they thrive, your whole organisation does too.

Highlights:

(00:46) – A call to CEOs: are you checking in on your HR leaders?

(02:10) – The unseen emotional weight of the HR profession

(04:00) – My personal experience with burnout and what it taught me

(06:20) – Why HR needs supervision spaces, not just strategy

(08:10) – What real support could look like in practice

(09:30) – A direct invitation to CEOs to take action

Connect with Emma:

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This Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio

What kind of leader are you when no one’s watching? 

In this episode, I’m talking about what it really means to lead from within - starting with who you are, what you stand for, and the values that shape your decisions. 

I share the story of how a misalignment between my personal values and my corporate role pushed me to make one of the biggest pivots of my life, and how clarity on my values became the foundation of my leadership.

If you’ve ever felt that quiet tug of dissatisfaction or wondered why certain situations feel off, this episode will help you see what your inner compass might be trying to tell you.

Here are the highlights:

Why “leadership from within” is the only place to start (01:20)

The moment I realised my values and work didn’t align (05:15)

How knowing your triggers reveals what you truly value (09:00)

Simple questions to uncover what matters most to you (10:45)

Why your personal values shape your leadership impact (13:00)

Connect with Emma:

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This Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio

In this episode, I share a few powerful leadership lessons inspired by my recent trip to India. What began as a family adventure turned into an unexpected reflection on culture, adaptation, and legacy. 

From the overwhelming chaos of the streets to the quiet brilliance of the Taj Mahal, I found myself thinking deeply about what it means to lead, to adapt, and to leave something meaningful behind. 

This is a conversation about how quickly we adjust to new environments, the power of preserving craftsmanship, and why true leadership is measured not just by impact in the moment, but by the legacy that lasts long after we’re gone.

Here are the highlights:

Adapting to the unknown and finding your footing (03:20)

What chaos teaches us about leadership (05:10)

The artistry and legacy behind the Taj Mahal (07:45)

Passing down skills across generations (09:04)

Why legacy matters in leadership (11:00)

Reflecting on leaders who shaped us - for better or worse (12:10)

The question every leader should ask: what will I leave behind? (13:25)

Connect with Emma:

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This Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio

In this episode, I’m talking about one of the trickiest balances in leadership - knowing when to step in and when to step back. 

Inspired by a moment with my son’s sports coach, I reflect on how leaders can help others learn to make decisions without taking over. We explore how coaching through questions, rather than instructions, can create real ownership, accountability, and growth within a team.

I share practical examples and coaching prompts you can use right away to shift from “telling” to “asking,” build trust, and empower your people to take confident action - even when mistakes happen. 

If you’ve ever found yourself wondering whether to guide, protect, or let go, this episode will help you find that sweet spot between leadership and learning.

Here are the highlights:

When to let others take responsibility (02:30)

The parenting–leadership connection (04:12)

How to coach through questions, not answers (08:45)

Handling mistakes without blame (10:45)

Why curiosity creates growth (12:20)

Encouraging accountability through empathy (13:40)

Connect with Emma:

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This Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio

In this solo episode, I explore a perspective that might surprise you - that the solution to burnout isn’t always rest. 

Drawing on my own experience of hitting burnout as an HR leader, I share why stepping back isn’t always enough, and how real recovery often requires deeper reflection, change, and courage. 

Using insights from Nick Petrie’s research on the three degrees of burnout, I unpack how to recognise what stage you’re in and what kind of response will actually help you heal.

From setting boundaries to rethinking your purpose and even making bold life changes, this episode offers practical wisdom for leaders who are tired of running on empty. 

If you’re questioning whether a holiday is really what you need - or if it’s time for something more transformative - this conversation will give you both clarity and compassion as you take your next brave step.

Here are the highlights:

Sobering stats on leadership and HR burnout (01:34)

Understanding the three degrees of burnout (5:00)

My personal story: from thriving to survival mode (7:29)

When rest wasn’t enough (10:00)

The power of boundaries and saying no (12:30)

Building a business aligned with my values (15:00)

Why self-reflection, not escape, is the real medicine (17:01)

Connect with Emma:

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This Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio

“You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” We’ve all heard it, but is it really true? 

In this episode, I share why that phrase is more myth than fact, and how lifelong learning is not only possible but essential for leaders. 

Drawing on fresh research from the IMF and what it means for an ageing workforce, I explore how our brains and bodies remain more capable than we think, and why mindset and practice matter more than age.

I also dig into how neuroplasticity works, why instant gratification holds us back, and the practical ways leaders can keep learning - whether that’s through new experiences, creativity, or meaningful social connection. 

If you’ve ever caught yourself thinking “it’s too late for me,” this conversation will challenge that belief and give you permission to see growth as a lifelong journey.

Here are the highlights

What research says about ageing and brainpower (02:00)

Why lifelong learning is always possible (04:30)

The truth about brain training myths (07:10)

Leadership, mindset, and permission to grow (09:20)

Link to the IMF Article - https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/fandd/issues/2025/06/sustaining-growth-in-an-aging-world-bertrand-gruss

Connect with Emma:

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This Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio

Failure is never fun in the moment, but what if it could be the thing that makes you stronger? 

In this episode, I sit down with Peter Mols to talk honestly about the brutal lessons of failure, the pain of losing it all, and the resilience that comes from getting back up. We explore how focus, vulnerability, and simple daily habits can transform setbacks into fuel for growth.

Peter shares the raw story of building a business too young, too fast, and how it led him into depression before he found his way back. 

We talk about why resilience matters more than perfection, why failure isn’t the end unless you quit, and how leadership really starts with leading yourself. 

This is an inspiring, no-fluff conversation that will leave you thinking differently about what it means to fall and rise again.

Here are the highlights

From big dreams to rock-bottom reality (05:47)

The painful lessons of a first failed business (06:22)

Why focus beats chasing shiny ideas (14:05)

The truth about pain, resilience, and entrepreneurship (16:21)

How daily habits build armour for tough times (22:36)

Reframing failure and rewriting the story (33:33)

Recovery can be simple, but not always easy (38:06)

Pete’s brave next step (42:28)

Connect with Peter:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/petermols/

Connect with Emma:

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This Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio