The Courageous Leaders Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Feeling lost or low on confidence? 

Patrick Jeffery, MD of Contagious, shares his journey of overcoming self-doubt and embracing the power of being a generalist. 

Patrick reveals how he turned his fear of failure into a driving force for success, drawing inspiration from sports legend Roger Federer on the importance of resetting and letting go.

Whether you're at a career crossroads or looking to boost your confidence, Patrick's story will inspire you to embrace your unique path and find strength in your versatility.


02:07 The risk of driving change too quickly 

07:32 Becoming a ‘specialist generalist’ leader.

10:20 Soft skills being a leaders superpower 

15:15 How to make lots of decisions 

17:40 The ability to build confidence 

23:44 Being terrified of failure and how to navigate this 

26:26 Imposter syndrome as a positive 

31:01 Letting go of ‘what if’s’ and focusing on controllables 

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

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In this episode, we sit down with Alex Grieve, CCO at BBH, who shares his transformative journey from a creative role to a leadership position.

Alex opens up about the challenges he faced in his early career, navigating a highly competitive and alpha-male dominated industry. 

He discusses the immense pressure to constantly prove himself and deliver exceptional creative work, which often led to self-doubt and burnout.

Alex also reflects on his initial reluctance to step into leadership and his experiences of learning from failures as a new leader. He reveals how he found his flow, leading with calm, clarity, and conciseness.


00:00 Getting out of bed even on the difficult days

04:16 The challenge of working in an elite performance culture

09:35 Finding a collaborative environment at AMV

12:01 Reluctant transition from creative to leadership

16:14 Learning from early failures

19:43 Importance of rest in combating burnout.

22:21 Learning to be calm, enjoying the process and letting go of the outcome.

25:00 Kindness and support in leadership is crucial 

29:28 Learning to be honest and candid with people.

33:50 Gratitude for teamwork is crucial in leadership.

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
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Have you fully stepped into your leadership identity? 

In this episode, I delve into the common challenge faced by leaders struggling to empower themselves and embrace their evolving identity.

I share key insights from Check Warner and Harjot Singh, who were part of our panel at Courageous Leaders LIVE, and inspired a whole room to back themselves. 

Key Discussion Points:

• Understanding the identity walls that can hinder personal growth.
• Freeing yourself to embody the person you aspire to be.
• Exploring how high performers continuously shape their evolving identities.
• Reflecting on the labels we allow to define us.
• Leveraging evidence to propel yourself forward in your leadership journey.

Let's empower your leadership journey together! 🌟
 

Content Overview
00:00 Leaders evolving through organizational transitions and self-identity.

05:49 Nurture positive thoughts for self-empowerment and success.

06:39 Nurture the positive wolf for personal success.

09:49 Prioritizing personal boundaries, speaking truth, and building trust.

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

Anna led Analog Folk in accelerating and developing effective digital strategies for brands; and they were recognised by Contagious Pioneers as one of the best and bravest agencies of 2022 - what an accolade to have!

In this episode we chat about the future of leadership and what is required for that vision to happen; as well as the incredible work that Anna has been involved in around helping women in leadership to self promote themselves with impact.

Key takeaways include:

• Why we all need to take brave leaps
• How to learn important leadership lessons, much quicker
• How to create a culture that de-risks, risk taking
• The importance of showing humility as a leader
• How feminine and masculine energy show up in leadership
• Why the future of leadership needs more feminine energy
• A new tool that helps women speak with confidence
• Why you need to show compassion to yourself
• Why you should spend time on supercharging your strengths

Useful links:

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com

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

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
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Over the last few decades Harjot has held senior regional and global strategy leadership roles in Europe, UK, North America, China and Asia. He joined McCann New York in 2011, and prior to being named global CSO of McCann, he served as CSO McCann EMEA, leading it to be the number one most creatively effective Agency Network for five years! This led to the 2020 CSO of the year for Campaign.

This is such a feel-good episode, and you are guaranteed to come away feeling better! Harjot speaks beautifully about how he learned what it was like to not be friends with his inner voice, the importance of gratitude and starting with thanks and why we need to stop protecting the myth that we have it all together.

Key takeaways include:

• How the absence of fear creates courage
• How to stop self-sabotaging
• Why it’s ok to change the label you are given
• Why feedback isn’t always fact
• The importance of gratitude and starting with thanks
• How you can Marie Kondo your life and your leadership
• The lessons from the pandemic that we need to take forward in our leadership

Useful links:

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators:

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com

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

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

Steve Bell is the Global CEO of Iris

Steve oversees Iris’ 17 offices and 1,000 employees within the network. In the 25 years that he has worked in the marketing and communications industry, he has worked with some of the most innovative, ambitious and creatively driven businesses in the automotive, sports, FMCG, beer, retail spirits, and Telco sectors.

In this episode ‘The truth behind building a culture that works globally’, Steve shares so much wisdom that you will find helpful. He talks openly and honestly about the lessons he has learned throughout his career, and in particular, from setting up Iris to achieve the success it has today.

Key takeaways include:

• the value of bringing your authentic self
• the difference between leadership and management
• how Iris created clear lines of responsibility
• how to evolve a culture in global organisation
• the need to feel good about what you’re doing as a leader
• how to value your time, to be an effective leader
• knowing when to lead from the front and when to step back
• how to make board meetings more effective
• the parallel between sport and business

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators: 

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com

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

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

Laura Jordan Bambach is the President and Chief Creative Officer at Grey

In this episode Laura talks about how to have difficult conversations as a leader, and the importance of working as a collective, and not doing it all on your own.

She also shares her I Am Enough challenge, that she does daily to help her focus on the good, and all that she has achieved.

Laura has enhanced the advertising industry through her fresh pioneering spirit, combining technical skill with her innate human understanding and passion for storytelling.

She is also part of the OKO community, where mentors and mentees are supported to find their path to success. To find out more about how OKO can support your business, check out their website: Weareoko.com

She is recognised globally as an innovator and industry leader, has been twice named one of Britain's most influential people with a Debrett's 500 annual list, and was recognised as Individual of the Year at the Dadi awards.

Laura is also honoured in campaign UK female frontier awards for championing change. And as a true champion of diversity, Laura is co-founder of The Great British Diversity Experiment, and co-founder of SheSays, the world famous volunteer network that works to encourage more women into the creative industry.

In a nutshell - you want to listen to this episode, learn from her insights, and be inspired by her energy!

Topics Covered Include:

• The value of having difficult conversations
• How we’re all set at a dial
• We’re not here by accident
• The ‘I am enough’ challenge
• You don’t have to do it on your own, we are a collective

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators: 

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com

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

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

Brie Stewart is a Creative Director, formerly at Wunderman Thompson

In this episode Brie talks openly about her experience with high functioning depression, the importance of talking about it, and the support she received from the industry when she did.

She also shares how she became a better leader by no longer trying to be a hero, unlearning past behaviours and saying no.

Brie is an award winning Creative Director with over 13 years experience including working at esteemed Public Relations Agency Edelman, and the advertising agencies Ogilvy, Clemenger BBDO, and most recently Wunderman Thompson.

This episode is filled with so much wisdom, insights and important messages, and really is a must listen for all creative leaders.

Topics covered include: 

• How to be comfortable with not being perfect
• The courage to say “I’m not ok”
• Being busy is not a badge of honour
• There is a ‘no’ in every ‘yes’
• The courage to be disliked

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators: 

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com

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

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

Nils Leonard is Founder of Uncommon Creative Studio

In this episode  Nils shares his wealth of experience and some powerful insights into how to remove fear from your leadership.

He also talks candidly about why we need to differentiate between being in a client services business and the creativity business, the importance of having a view of the world, to really create impact and make your work matter and why you need to let go of the need to be dependent on other people to achieve your dreams.

Just in case there is anyone out there who doesn’t know who Nils is, he is the Co-Founder of the fastest growing startup in advertising history, Uncommon Creative Studio.

He also spent time as Chief Creative Officer of Grey LDN, where he oversaw the most profitable and awarded years in the agency’s 52 years history and became one of the youngest agency chairmen in the world leading its brands globally and locally.

He was voted into the Ad Age creativity 50 and named the most creative person in advertising globally by Business insider, is on the advisory group for the Royal Academy, and is listed as one of Sunday Times 500 Most Influential People in the UK.

Topics covered include: 

• Embracing change
• Converting frustration into success
• The importance of conviction
• The courage to be your authentic self
• Need for change
• Standing by your values
• How being open about company standards provides clarity of expectations

Follow Joanna Howes and The Change Creators: 

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com

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

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

Luke D'Arcy is the EMEA Growth Officer at Momentum Worldwide

In this episode Luke gives us an insight into how he felt being in a room with Astronauts and Generals who have served in Afghanistan and yet all had the same fears and beliefs about being good enough and what a humbling experience this was.

Luke shares that the minute you think you have nailed it as a leader you are at a loss. He explains that you can’t know all the answers. We are human beings and a lot of people forget that. 

Luke explains that accepting that leadership is not about one’s self, is a valuable lesson he has learnt and one that continues to shape him and his leadership style. 

Luke runs Momentum UK, the most awarded global experiential advertising agency in the world, working for clients such as American Express, Microsoft, SAP and Samsung.

Under Luke’s guidance, in 2020, Momentum UK won The Drum’s Marketing Agency of the Year and Creativepool’s Best Agency to Work for. Previously, the agency has won 18 x Cannes Lions amongst many other awards.

Named one of their Global Agency Innovators of the Year by Internationalist Magazine, Luke is also a Harvard Business School Alumni, has worked across numerous global networks and independents and is a Trustee of military charity Walking With The Wounded.

Topics Covered include:

• Setting clear standards and values
• Embracing courage
• It's ok to not know the answer
• Embracing your weaknesses
• The role of perspective
• How to empower your team 
• The power of trusting your gut instinct

website: https://www.thechangecreators.com

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

LIVE LONDON EVENT: https://www.thecourageousleaderclub.com/

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54