The Green Room: Questions That Matter Most In Business – Details, episodes & analysis

Setting timers. Downloading apps. Standing desks. Getting up at 5am.

A new week, a new productivity ‘hack’. But is chasing productivity actually helping us to get more done? Or simply giving us more to do?

Feeling productive can mean different things on different days. Sometimes it’s flying through our to-do list. Sometimes it’s spending hours thinking of an idea that will go on to change everything. But do we value one type of productivity more than the other? And could doing so be holding us back?

Solving the productivity puzzle seems like it could benefit everyone, so how do we do it? Does getting more done really come down to where and when we work? What role can AI and technology play in boosting productivity? How does company culture affect our output? And where can businesses and leaders invest their resources to help improve productivity in a way that works for all of us?

That’s what we’re exploring with guests Professor Michael Clinton, Professor of Work Psychology at King’s College London and Deloitte partner, Shivani Maitra, in this episode of The Green Room, as we ask: What’s the secret to doing our best work?
 

Tune in to find out:

• What we need to understand about ourselves to be more productive 
• The difference between performance and productivity 
• How we can ‘craft’ our roles – while doing them 
• What leaders can do to help their teams get more done  

Enjoyed this episode? Check our website for our recommendations to learn more about this topic: deloitte.co.uk/greenroompodcasts

You can also watch our episodes over on YouTube: youtube.com/@DeloitteUK 

Guests: Michael Clinton, Professor of Work Psychology at King’s College London and Deloitte partner Shivani Maitra

Hosts: Steph Dobbs and Oli Carpenter

Original music: Ali Barrett

We’re all familiar with change.

Our schedules change. Projects change. The world changes. It’s the only constant, as they say.

And so, we learn how to adapt to new landscapes, adjusting our plans and executing accordingly.

But transforming something and making real progress – that’s another beast altogether.

It’s about moving from who you are to who you want to be. About reinventing a business for the future. Or shaping a project that will impact lives for years to come.

Making progress involves risk. Trying new things. Stepping outside of your comfort zone. All while making sure it’s ultimately helping society and business move forward.

It starts from a vision, but the road to get there is often winding and unexpected.

So, what can we learn from those who’ve been there and done it?

We’re joined in this episode by Mark Wild, CEO of HS2, and Lorraine Mackin, UK Lead Partner for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Government, to ask: What's the difference between change and transformation?

Tune in to find out:

• Why Mark doesn’t like “the T word”  
• The biggest transformation project facing the world   
• The vision behind some of society’s biggest transformations
• What Mark’s learnt from managing high-profile and large-scale transformation projects 

Enjoyed this episode? Check our website for our recommendations to learn more about this topic: deloitte.co.uk/greenroompodcasts

You can also watch our episodes over on YouTube: youtube.com/@DeloitteUK

Guests: Mark Wild, CEO of HS2 and Lorraine Mackin, UK Lead Partner for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Government

Hosts: Annie Wong and Lizzie Elston

Original music: Ali Barrett

“In a world where you can be anything, be kind.” 
 
It’s a famous saying. And it sounds simple enough. But is it? And is there room for it at work if we want to achieve our career goals?

Being kind to others may come easy, but what about being kind towards ourselves while chasing our dreams? 

But this isn’t just a nice to have. In the UK alone, mental health problems cost employers £51 billion per year.

So how can we get better at looking after ourselves? And what roles do leaders play in cultivating healthy environments and where people can thrive and reach their potential?

And how can we prioritise our mental wellbeing at work and create an environment where we all bring our best – with brilliant results? 

In this episode, we’re joined by David Beeney, Founder of Breaking the Silence and mental health consultant, and Elizabeth Hampson, a Life Sciences and Health partner at Deloitte and leader of Deloitte Health Equity Institute Europe as we ask: Can you be kind and high-performing?

As individuals, how can we best manage stress at work? How can we best support ourselves and our colleagues? What’s the key to strengthening our resilience and adopting a positive mindset? And is the key to being able to look after others to look after ourselves first?

How can businesses foster better working environments while still encouraging people to perform at their best? What role do line managers and those above play? And is modern-day technology helping or hindering? What’s the cost benefit of investing in mental health? And are businesses promoting mental wellbeing as well as they could?

Tune in to find out:

• How to look after yourself and others at work
• How businesses and leaders can help cultivate healthy working environments
• The role technology plays in our mental wellbeing
• How to unlock your potential and adopt a positive mindset

Enjoyed this episode? Check our website for our recommendations to learn more about this topic: deloitte.co.uk/greenroompodcasts

You can also watch our episodes over on YouTube: youtube.com/@DeloitteUK 

Guests: David Beeney, Founder of Breaking the Silence and mental health consultant, and Elizabeth Hampson, a Life Sciences and Health partner at Deloitte and leader of Deloitte Health Equity Institute Europe
Hosts: Annie Wong and Lizzie Elston

Original music: Ali Barrett

Success and glory.

Blood. Sweat. And tears.

A legacy left behind.

It’s built on the truth that winning is a win for one. But the reality is that firsts are a win for everyone.

Our athletes have each left their own legacy, but what is the true power of doing something of such magnitude for the first time?

In the final episode of the series, we reflect on what life is like after “the first”. What does it mean for the world and what legacy does it leave behind? What’s the inspiration for others who follow in their footsteps? How do we ensure that what we leave behind is better than how we found it? 
In this series, we explore the story of four incredible Olympians and Paralympians – Nicola Adams, Sarah Attar, Natalie Du Toit and Rose Lokonyen as we explore - what’s the power of being first?

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Enjoyed this episode? This is episode five in a five-part series. Hear the rest of Bigger Questions wherever you found this podcast.

Bigger Questions is a spin-off series from our award-winning podcast The Green Room – check out full episodes now or check out our website: deloitte.co.uk/greenroompodcasts

You can also watch our episodes over on YouTube: youtube.com/@DeloitteUK 

Any reference in this podcast to any current or former athlete is for informational and/or discussion purposes only and does not represent an express or implied sponsorship relationship between the Deloitte organisation and such athlete.

Deloitte, Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Management Consulting Partner.

They’ve done it. They’ve become the first.

Now what?

Sometimes you have to take a step back to see the impact that you’ve made.

But what is it really like being at the centre of it all? What emotions do you go through and when are you finally able to realise the importance of what’s just happened?

Episode four looks at the immediate aftermath of their first. What do they remember from that moment? Was it all about the singular event or did they see the wider impact it would have?

Does it leave a sense of fulfilment or is there a hole where the aim and ambition once was? What did they feel in the days after the event? What is it like knowing that everything you’d worked for had finally been accomplished?

In this five-part series, we explore the story of four incredible Olympians and Paralympians – Nicola Adams, Sarah Attar, Natalie Du Toit and Rose Lokonyen as we explore - what’s the power of being first?

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Enjoyed this episode? This is episode four in a five-part series. Hear the rest of Bigger Questions wherever you found this podcast.

Bigger Questions is a spin-off series from our award-winning podcast The Green Room – check out full episodes now or check out our website: deloitte.co.uk/greenroompodcasts

You can also watch our episodes over on YouTube: youtube.com/@DeloitteUK 

Any reference in this podcast to any current or former athlete is for informational and/or discussion purposes only and does not represent an express or implied sponsorship relationship between the Deloitte organisation and such athlete.

Deloitte, Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Management Consulting Partner.

It’s what they’ve worked towards.

But it’s more than that. It’s a moment not just for them, but for everyone.

That moment of realisation. The dream achieved. A generation inspired. A moment that will go down in history, not just for the result but for what it means.

Episode three, in our five-part series, takes our athletes back to the moment where they became “the first” and asks them to talk us through that moment – their feelings, their memories, the barriers they overcame. Did they realise at the time how big that moment was? We recount the nerves, pride, and excitement that set the scene for their big moment.

In this series, we explore the story of four incredible Olympians and Paralympians – Nicola Adams, Sarah Attar, Natalie Du Toit and Rose Lokonyen as we explore - what’s the power of being first?

--- 
Enjoyed this episode? This is episode three in a five-part series. Hear the rest of Bigger Questions wherever you found this podcast.

Bigger Questions is a spin-off series from our award-winning podcast The Green Room – check out full episodes now or check out our website: deloitte.co.uk/greenroompodcasts

You can also watch our episodes over on YouTube: youtube.com/@DeloitteUK 

Any reference in this podcast to any current or former athlete is for informational and/or discussion purposes only and does not represent an express or implied sponsorship relationship between the Deloitte organisation and such athlete.Deloitte, Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Management Consulting Partner.

When does a dream become a realistic goal?

And once it becomes a goal, how hard is the work to get there?

Episode two, in our five-part series, explores when our athletes first realised their dreams could become a reality and the path they took to shape their careers.  

How did they come to that decision and what did their friends and family think? How did they decide to make the jump into the unknown and follow their heart? Did they have to overcome thoughts of doubt and what did they tell themselves at the time?

In this series, we explore the story of four incredible Olympians and Paralympians – Nicola Adams, Sarah Attar, Natalie Du Toit and Rose Lokonyen as we explore - what’s the power of being first?

--- 
Enjoyed this episode? This is episode two in a five-part series. Hear the rest of Bigger Questions wherever you found this podcast.
Bigger Questions is a spin-off series from our award-winning podcast, The Green Room – check out full episodes now or check out our website: deloitte.co.uk/greenroompodcasts

You can also watch our episodes over on YouTube: youtube.com/@DeloitteUK 

Any reference in this podcast to any current or former athlete is for informational and/or discussion purposes only and does not represent an express or implied sponsorship relationship between the Deloitte organisation and such athlete.

Deloitte, Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Management Consulting Partner.

Nicola Adams, Natalie du Toit, Sarah Attar and Rose Lokonyen were all first - they share their story in this powerful and emotional documentary.

But what does being first actually mean?

Winning is a win for one. But firsts are a win for everyone.

They unlock something in humanity and move the world forward.

Breaking through. Breaking the cycle. Breaking the glass ceiling. Speaking about the power of firsts can change the world.

In this series, we explore the story of four incredible Olympians and Paralympians – Nicola Adams, Sarah Attar, Natalie Du Toit and Rose Lokonyen as we explore - what’s the power of being first?

Episode one explores the dreams they had as children and starts to peek at their journeys.
Is there something that links these athletes together to help them achieve their firsts? How did their childhoods set them up for success and what were the early signs and memories for those around them?

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Enjoyed this episode? This is episode one in a five-part series. Hear the rest of Bigger Questions wherever you found this podcast.

Bigger Questions is a spin-off series from our award-winning podcast, The Green Room – check out full episodes now or check out our website: deloitte.co.uk/greenroompodcasts

You can also watch our episodes over on YouTube: youtube.com/@DeloitteUK 

Any reference in this podcast to any current or former athlete is for informational and/or discussion purposes only and does not represent an express or implied sponsorship relationship between the Deloitte organisation and such athlete.

Deloitte, Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Management Consulting Partner.

What does being first actually mean?

Winning is a win for one. But firsts are a win for everyone.

They unlock something in humanity and move the world forward.

Breaking through. Breaking the cycle. Breaking the glass ceiling. Speaking about the power of firsts can change the world.

This all-new five-part series explores the power of firsts with intimate conversations with four inspiring Paralympians and Olympians who’ve helped change the world by being first.

Join them - and us - for the whole series, coming 16 July.

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The Green Room: Bigger Questions is a five-part series, launching 16 July. Hear the series here or find us on YouTube: youtube.com/@DeloitteUK

Bigger Questions is a spin-off series from our award-winning podcast, The Green Room – check out full episodes now or check out our website: deloitte.co.uk/greenroompodcasts 

Any reference in this podcast to any current or former athlete is for informational and/or discussion purposes only and does not represent an express or implied sponsorship relationship between the Deloitte organisation and such athlete.

Deloitte, Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Management Consulting Partner.

As we get older, work and play feel worlds apart. But as kids, playing is our job – and many of us played at having jobs.  

We set out shops. Operated on our teddies. Cut our dolls’ hair. Explored the outer edges of space in the garden.  

And although we might not have gone on to be any of the things that we pretended to be, those early experiments still shaped us into who we are today – and how we work. They gave us the chance to try new things, learn new things and feel new things.

But not every child gets those chances. Our freedom to play and develop as children depends on things like financial stability, access to early education and the availability and wellbeing of our parents.  

So, we need to take play seriously.  

How do we trace the link between our early experiences and our later lives? Is how we played as children, how we work today? And if so, then how do we make sure that all children can play in a way that allows them to learn, grow and develop skills that will shape their future? 
That’s what we’re exploring with Christian Pau, Vice President and General Manager for the UK and Ireland at LEGO Group, and Emma Franklin, Director at Deloitte in this episode of The Green Room.

Tune in to find out: 

• What conditions are needed for the very best playtime
• The most influential factors of our early childhoods
• Which skills we develop the most through play – and how we use them at work 
• The one step businesses can take to better support families

Enjoyed this episode? Check our website for our recommendations to learn more about this topic: deloitte.co.uk/greenroompodcasts

You can also watch our episodes on Youtube: youtube.com/@DeloitteUK 

Check out From Babies With Love here.

Guests: Christian Pau from The Lego Group and Emma Franklin from Deloitte
Hosts: Annie Wong and Lizzie Elston
Original music: Ali Barrett