The Leader Unmasked is the podcast where leaders strip away the persona and share the turning points that changed everything.
Hosted by Angela Cox, Paseda360 Founder and award-winning coach, each conversation goes beneath the surface to uncover what happened when they retired the pretender and chose to lead as their true selves. These are the stories behind the success—the brave decisions, the uncomfortable truths, and the defining moments that shaped who they are today.
This is leadership unfiltered.
Real people. Real turning points. Unmasked.
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#1 The Leader Unmasked: Stop Pretending & Find the Real You
Episode 100
Thursday, July 3, 2025 • Duration 28:01
The Leader Unmasked: Stop Pretending & Find the Real You
Feel like you’re leading with a mask to hide your struggles?
Stuck in a cycle of perfectionism or people-pleasing that’s burning you out?
This solo episode of The Leader Unmasked is your wake-up call. Host Angela Cox, a Master Coach for Executives, Founder of Paseda360 and creator of the Paseda360 coaching approach dives deep into the "silent middle"—high-functioning leaders quietly unraveling under pressure.
She unveils the four "Pretender Masks" (Perfectionist, People Pleaser, Persecutor of Self, Persecutor of Others) that keep you from leading authentically. Through her "The Pretender Model," Angela reveals how these masks, rooted in limiting beliefs, harm your health and leadership. Whether you’re a senior leader or an aspiring professional, this episode will inspire you to shed inauthentic behaviors and embrace your true self.
Get ready to discover how vulnerability can transform your leadership into a source of resilience and connection. Tune in to learn why unmasking is the key to leading well and living well.
Subscribe now for more insights to be brilliant by being you!
Here are three reasons why you should listen to the full episode:
1. Uncover the "Pretender Masks" holding you back and learn how to lead with authenticity.
2. Understand the "silent middle" and how to break free from burnout’s hidden toll.
3. Gain insights into the beliefs and values shaping your leadership for lasting change.
Episode Highlights:
[00:00:03 - 00:00:56] Why the Podcast Rebranded: Angela shares the evolution from Mindset Mentor Meets to The Leader Unmasked, explaining her shift to focus on the deeper stories and beliefs beneath mindset that shape leadership.
[00:01:52 - 00:02:59] Introducing the Silent Middle: Angela defines the "silent middle"—leaders who function well but are quietly unraveling—and highlights the harm of masking struggles in leadership.
[00:03:52 - 00:08:49] The Pretender Masks: Angela breaks down the four "Pretender Masks" (Perfectionist, People Pleaser, Persecutor of Self, Persecutor of Others), detailing their exhausting impact on leaders’ health and effectiveness.
[00:23:56 - 00:26:44] A Call to Authentic Leadership: Angela urges listeners to share their struggles, align with their true values, and lead vulnerably to inspire others and build resilience.
Three Powerful Quotes:[00:08:49] “These are not your identity… They’re behaviors, protective behaviors that you have tried on earlier in your life. And it fitted, the mask fitted. And so you’ve just kept it on.”
[00:22:06] “If you’re feeling like you mask in some way, it is just something that has happened throughout your life to keep you safe… But you get to a point in life where you think, this just doesn’t work for me anymore.”
[00:26:44] “The most powerful leaders that I know have done the work, have taken the mask off. They’re not the loudest in the room. They’ve stopped performing. They’ve stopped pretending, and they’ve started showing up as themselves.”
About the Host:
Angela Cox, a Master Coach for Executives, Founder of Paseda360 and creator of the Paseda360 coaching approach is on a mission to help leaders unmask their true potential. Having worked with hundreds of leaders worldwide, Angela brings a unique blend of empathy and insight to her coaching, guiding executives and aspiring leaders to shed inauthentic behaviors like perfectionism and people-pleasing.
Her journey from a corporate role to founding The Leader Unmasked stems from her own "enough moment" in 2018, when she left behind the masks that fueled burnout. Angela’s "Pretender Model" and focus on the "silent middle" empower leaders to uncover the beliefs and values shaping their leadership, fostering emotional intelligence and resilience.
As the host of The Leader Unmasked, she shares stories and strategies to help leaders lead well, live well, and stay well by being their authentic selves.
Failure is not the end of things. What makes leaders great is their ability to embrace them and be more open to admitting them. If you learned something new from today's episode hit subscribe and share it with your friends!
Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast episode, share your thoughts with us online and tell us your stories of how innovative thinking boosted your business or improved your life. You can also share it to help your family and friends.
Ever feel like success means never messing up? Stuck in a dead-end job and dreaming of something more? This episode of the Mindset Mentor Meets Podcast is your wake-up call. Host Angela Cox chats with Tim Davies, the forward-thinking CEO of ivolve Group. Together, they bust the myth of flawlessness and show you the power of embracing your mistakes and innovative thinking.
This episode is your roadmap to redefining success. Whether you're a student, an entrepreneur, or somewhere in between, Angela and Tim will inspire you to ditch the masks and lead with authenticity.
Get ready to discover how vulnerability can be your superpower, not your weakness. This episode is all about unlocking your true potential and turning your stumbles into stepping stones. Plus, Tim shares his incredible journey – from navigating different careers to leading with a pioneering spirit. Tune in to be inspired to lead with innovative thinking and more.
Here are three reasons why you should listen to the full episode:
Discover how embracing failure can be a powerful tool for growth.
Learn how authenticity and vulnerability in leadership can transform your professional relationships and organizational culture.
Gain insights into the innovative thinking fostered by embracing DIY projects and other hands-on activities.
Overcoming Adversity: The Accidental Birth of Entrepreneurs Circle with Nigel Botterill
Adversities can either break or make you. They can bring out your worst, but they can also lead you to become the best version of yourself. The choice is entirely yours. One thing’s certain: avoiding the issue will not bring you success.
In this episode, Nigel Botterill talks about his journey and how he ‘accidentally’ built Entrepreneurs Circle. He shares how he overcame losing £600,000 of his business’s funds to build a business that has made dozens of millionaires. Nigel also lets us in on the importance of using a values-based approach to business decisions and keeping your staff aligned with your vision. He then shares the 90-minute morning habit that makes his personal and business success possible.
Tune in to this episode to learn how you can turn life’s adversities to personal and business advantage!
Here are three reasons why you should listen to the full episode:
Discover the power of overcoming adversities.
Learn the importance of a values-driven approach to adversities.
Find out how to use your time properly for personal and professional success.
Learn more about Entrepreneurs Circle: Website | Facebook | | |
#90 - Rob Birkhead- Co-Founder Trinity Transformations
Episode 89
Tuesday, September 20, 2022 • Duration 42:12
The Winning Mindset: How to Break Free from Your Limiting Beliefs with Rob Birkhead
The first step is always the hardest, but that first stride you take towards your goals will bring you places. The beginning of your journey will feel like a million miles away from success, and you may feel discouraged. But progress, no matter how small, is still progress. You can only accomplish your goals and visions through action. And if you focus on that first step, it becomes easier to take the next steps and move up to success.
In this episode, Rob Birkhead talks about the winning mindset he developed at 16, working towards acing his GCSEs. He shares how he applied the realisations from that time later on in his life and career. Rob also lets us in on how constantly pushing himself to get better led to his proudest moments in his business and fitness journey. He then shares the three secrets to success that guide his every step.
If you want to learn the winning mindset behind freeing yourself from limiting beliefs and achieving any goal you set for yourself, this episode is for you!
Here are three reasons why you should listen to the full episode:
Discover the power of breaking free from your limiting beliefs.
Learn why taking a step back can be a big leap forward.
Find out the importance of having a plan and vision in reaching goals.
In this special podcast episode, you will be a fly on the wall in Angela’s coaching room.
Angela is working with Rob, an entrepreneur and co-founder.
Rob explained how he often feels under threat in situations that involve conflict, and this causes him to shut down. He finds it difficult to speak up and this results in a feeling of weakness.
We use a recent event during which Rob felt he couldn’t speak up as our gateway memory. I asked Rob replay the event and observe himself in the memory. He recalled the feelings and was able to pinpoint how these showed up in his body. Using this visceral feeling we tracked back through other memories until we found a much earlier one which formed the basis for the beliefs he formed about speaking up.
It’s a fascinating episode which allows you to hear the impact that events in the past can have on the here and now.
If you would like to do a coaching session with Angela, check out the breakthrough session here
In this special podcast episode you will be a fly on the wall in Angela’s coaching room.
Angela is working with Lesley, a client she has worked with in the past. Lesley came with a very transactional wish, to incorporate journalling into her routine.
We explored why she wants to do the journaling and soon uncovered some deeper blocks. Lesley feels she doesn't deserve the things she has in her life. You’ll hear Lesley open up about a memory from her past in which she was left disappointed and like her happiness was taken away.
Angela and Lesley worked on the memory together so Lesley is able to move forwards without feeling her happiness will be taken away. Lesley realised she doesn't actually want to journal as it's not something that feels congruent with her character. We explored other ways she can connect with her feelings instead.
It’s well worth a listen and there will be some tips and tricks you can take away.
If you would like to do a coaching session with Angela, check out the breakthrough session here https://angela-cox.co.uk/breakthrough/
#87 Fly on the wall coaching session with Suzanne
Episode 86
Monday, July 11, 2022 • Duration 55:24
In this special podcast episode you will be a fly on the wall in Angela’s coaching room
Angela is working with Suzanne, a client she has never met before.
Suzanne has some challenges with self doubt, saying what she really feels, and being her authentic self. Suzanne talks about wearing many masks and acting her way through life.
You’ll hear Suzanne open up about past traumas and together, Angela and Suzanne work on these which provides her with instant freedom.
Angela explores Suzanne’s need to be liked, and they dig under the skin of this, identifying how it manifests and where the root cause lies. Working in a therapeutic way, Angela helps Suzanne neutralise an event in her past that causes her to behave in ways she isn’t fond of.
It’s well worth a listen and there will be some tips and tricks you can take away.
If you would like to do a coaching session with Angela, check out the breakthrough session here
#86 - Martin Gibson - Managing Director, GoBeyond Partners
Episode 85
Monday, March 21, 2022 • Duration 39:18
The Power of Knowing What You Can and Can’t Control with Martin Gibson
It's nice to think that we can achieve anything we set our minds to, but the truth is, there are a number of things we just can't control. Oftentimes, it's a struggle to let go of things we don’t even have power over. We hold on to them relentlessly in hopes that it will all work out in the end. However, it's essential to accept our limitations and focus on what we can change in order to find success. This will help you reach greater heights with ease.
In this episode, Martin Gibson shares the three proudest moments that shaped him into the superhuman he is today. He talks about navigating his military background and the values he learned from it. Martin then paints us a picture of how he brought these principles into consultancy. He also highlights the importance of creating human-level connections. Finally, he spills the secrets to his approach to achieving success.
If you want to adopt the mindset behind achieving massive outcomes, this episode is for you!
Here are three reasons why you should listen to the full episode:
Find out how you can build resilience when faced with challenging times.
Discover the importance of creating human-level connections.
Embrace Change to Foster Growth with Leanne Culloden
Change is scary. When we were young, trying out new things was exciting. But as we grow older, we develop a fear of placing ourselves in unfamiliar situations. Getting out of our comfort zone is daunting. But do you know what is much scarier? It's when your fear stops your growth and progress. Fear kills our potential and hinders us from striving in our career, life, and relationships — but this should not be the case. Instead, we should embrace change.
In this episode, Leanne Culloden shares the three proudest moments that led her onto her current path today. She talks about deciding to embrace change, be independent at a young age and how it shaped her view of the world. She also lays down the most significant milestones in her career and how they honed her leadership skills. Finally, Leanne discusses how she balances handling a massive job and being a mum and wife.
If you want to know how you can embrace change and enable progress in your work and personal life, then this episode is for you!
Here are three reasons why you should listen to the full episode:
Discover why you should embrace change and overcome fear to grow.
Find out the most efficient way to choose team members.
Learn how you can build trust between your team and your clients.
Leanne considers her first real taste of independence at 19 as her first proudest moment.
#84 - Dr Simon Ratcliffe - Managing Partner, Kelperland Veterinary Centre
Episode 83
Monday, February 21, 2022 • Duration 36:49
How to Balance Business and Family Life
Having a growing business is thrilling. It brings you to great heights that you could never imagine. From moving to a larger facility, hiring new staff members, and increasing production capacity — you are gradually witnessing the fruit of your labour come to life. Indeed, it's tempting to preoccupy yourself with a business once you've poured your heart and soul into it. However, what should you do if your family grows just as fast as your company?
In this episode, Simon Ratcliffe shares how he and his wife balance their family life while being business partners. He also talks about manifestation and how we, as entrepreneurs, can work towards our business goals. Finally, he discusses the importance of learning the growth mindset.
If you're a budding entrepreneur looking for ways to balance work and personal life, this episode is for you!
Here are three reasons why you should listen to the full episode:
He runs a veterinary business with his wife, Camilla.
[04:27] Simon’s First Proudest Moment
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[2:37] Tim's First Proudest Moment: When Failure Became Tim's Greatest Teacher
Tim shares that openness about failures and challenges can strengthen personal and professional connections.
He discusses a specific instance, "Leaders Unplugged," where he openly talked about his failures, leading to an unexpectedly positive response from the audience.
Tim observed that this openness about failures and vulnerabilities led to an outpouring of gratitude from listeners, who felt more seen and understood.
[12:47] Tim's Second Proudest Moment: Transitioning to CEO and Changing Sectors
Tim narrates his journey of becoming CEO of ivolve Group and the challenges of entering a new sector with a fresh perspective.
He emphasizes the importance of being commercially sensible without compromising on quality care.
Discussing the integration of businesses within Ivolve Group, Tim explains the importance of developing a new team and culture focused on transparency, vulnerability, and error admission to foster psychological safety.
Tim discusses the impact of organizational trauma and the importance of reassurance, innovative thinking, and calm leadership in times of transition and uncertainty.
[22:15] Tim's Third Proudest Moment: Personal Growth Through a DIY Project
Tim shares his experience of renovating a static caravan, which served as a metaphor for personal growth and the value of investing effort into a project.
He describes how hands-on activities, like DIY projects, can be an exercise in innovative thinking and provide a sense of achievement.
Tim reflects on the importance of such activities for balancing professional responsibilities and personal well-being.
[28:30] Overcoming Perfectionism and the Value of Authentic Leadership
Tim and Angela delve into the pitfalls of perfectionism, discussing how striving for flawlessness can hinder personal and professional development rather than foster it.
They touch upon the challenge of public speaking and the realization that perfection in communication is less important than authenticity and connection with the audience.
Tim advises against overpreparation and stresses the importance of being relatable and human in professional settings.
We must understand the role of EQ (emotional intelligence) over IQ in leadership success and the continuous journey toward personal and professional growth.
5 Powerful Quotes
[3:03] “I realized that [to] be more open about one's failures, or the challenges that have happened over your career or over your life, rather than being something that you need to hide and push down… if you have the confidence and courage, and it does take some to be a bit more open about is something that actually can connect you to people and takes a lot of anxiety away from you as well.
[7:21] “…there was a really fine line between being so overly open, that you actually discredit yourself and being vulnerable enough and human enough or grounded enough to make people feel relatable to you. And that you also are not perfect, and you've [never had been] perfect to get that position.”
[9:59] “I do think that you only really learn with it when things are bad. No, of course, you do some learning and some developing when things are all right, and things are going okay. But it's tiny in comparison to when things are tough… or things are going wrong or something's failed, that is where the real development happens.”
[28:43] “...perfectionism gets in the way of a lot of things…I think it is to some extent, a strength because you meet people who've got high standards. They put lots of pressure on themselves. They want to deliver things and that's great, but when it tips over, and often it does, I think it really is an inhibitor.”
[31:45] “There are some technical roles where actually it's all about IQ…you have to have enough IQ to be competent. Beyond that, more and more and more IQ does not equal more and more and more performance. Yeah. But EQ is what it's about.”
About the Guest
Tim Davies, a healthcare leader with over 20 years of experience, stands at the forefront of modern leadership. He brings a unique blend of emotional intelligence and innovative thinking to complex, regulated environments.
As CEO of ivolve Group, Tim has redefined leadership within the care sector. He spearheaded transformative changes, including significant rebranding and integrating diverse operations under the ivolve Care and Support banner.
Tim's passion for digital innovation and human-centric management and his proven track record of success positions him as a thought leader in modern healthcare. Don't miss his insights on embracing failure and leading with authenticity!
Failure is not the end of things. What makes leaders great is their ability to embrace them and be more open to admitting them. If you learned something new from today's The Mindset Mentor Meets episode, hit subscribe and share it with your friends!
Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast episode, share your thoughts with us online and tell us your stories of how innovative thinking boosted your business or improved your life. You can also share it to help your family and friends.
He is the CEO and founder of the Entrepreneurs Circle
He is also the author of Botty’s Rules, which sold over 100,000 copies in 2012.
Outside his business, Nigel is a husband and father of four.
[05:40] Nigel’s First Proudest Moment
Nigel’s first proudest moment is winning the Wind Cup. It’s the first trophy he won as an aspiring football player.
Growing up, he wanted to be a professional football player. He was so proud when he was invited to the Saturday soccer at his primary school.
Experiences like these shaped him as he grew to do bigger and better things. Now, he helps other people become entrepreneurs.
[08:42] The Beginning of Entrepreneurs Circle
The Entrepreneur’s Circle was created in 2010 through an accident.
After losing his business to the economic turndown in 2008, Nigel wanted to help other franchisees prepare for challenging times through recession training.
His team mistakenly sent a video meant for the franchisees to the franchisees’ customers.
After seeing the learning gap and ‘appetite’ of the email recipients, Nigel offered training for the customers of the franchisees.
The Entrepreneurs Circle now has over 1,000 members from all over the world who are living more fulfilled, more comfortable, and happier lives.
[15:14] Nigel’s Second Proudest Moment
All businesses need a team that works together towards the same goal. The biggest challenge is building and keeping the team.
Nigel is grateful and proud that he could do this with his team at Entrepreneurs Circle.
His team’s dedication energises and inspires him.
[19:31] Making the Most Out of Life
Attack every day with gusto and find things that energise you.
Life is too short to spend it doing things that do not make you feel better about yourself.
Always be prepared so you can overcome adversity, including those that are not of your own doing.
Nigel used to work for large corporations and abide by policies and decisions that did not align with him.
Having his own business allowed him to ‘do things the right way.’ Money will flow if your business is doing the right thing.
[22:58] Nigel’s Third Proudest Moment
In 2015, Nigel’s business lost £600,000 to a ‘systematic management of accounts and bookkeeping.’
This forced him to take the Entrepreneurs Circle to a Creditors Voluntary Agreement (CVA).
CVAs often end in the company closing and people losing money. However, with hard work, Nigel cleared the CVA a year early.
Nigel considers the exit certificate as his single proudest moment as a business owner.
He displays the exit certificate in his office as a reminder of his triumph.
[31:42] Lessons from Major Adversities
Major adversities will change you for the better and teach you the biggest lessons.
Doing the right thing and using a values-driven approach to any adversity will create trust between you and your clients.
The only way out is through.
No matter how empathetic you are, you can never understand a situation as well as somebody who experienced it.
[33:22] Business and Numbers
You can never avoid numbers as a business owner.
Any business owner can learn to drive their numbers with focus and guidance.
[34:58] Nigel’s Secret to Success
The secret to success all comes down to how you use your time.
People have built businesses bigger than themselves by spending time on the right things.
Get away from the daily tasks and work on moving the business forward.
Mistakes are normal. Just make sure to spend enough time on the things that will make a difference.
Nigel uses the first 90 minutes of his day to do things that will make his business more successful and move him and his family to where he wants it to be.
5 Powerful Quotes
[16:11] ‘There's not a business that's traded that can't generate an extra 10 or 12 grand a margin in the next 12 months if the business owner really wants to do it.’
[20:12] ‘Life is really short to spend it doing things that don't make you feel better about yourself.’
[22:34] ‘[When] you do the right things, the money then flows.’
[31:27] ‘There are many things in life that impact you and shape you, and we are who we are and what we are to a large extent because of [these things].’
[32:43] ‘No matter how empathetic you are or how much you try, if you’ve never actually had to face the situation, you can never understand it quite as well as somebody that has gone through it.’
About Nigel
Nigel Botterill is the founder and CEO of Entrepreneurs Circle where he mentors UK business owners and entrepreneurs to grow their business dramatically. Since 2010, he was able to start nine brands from scratch and grow them into million-pound businesses within a few years.
He also authored the Sunday Times bestseller Botty’s Rules in 2011, which became the biggest selling business book of the year. Outside his business, Nigel is a family man. He is a husband to his wife, Sue, and a father to his four kids.
If you enjoyed today's episode of The Mindset Mentor Meets, hit subscribe and share it with your friends!
Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast episode, share your thoughts with us online. You can also share it to help your family and friends achieve massive outcomes.
Have any questions? You can contact me through LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook. Thanks for listening!
Rob had a lot of limiting beliefs academically until he completed his GCSE.
He wanted to buy a car back then. His dad promised him a certain amount of money or penalty payments, depending on his exam results.
Rob revised for the first time to prepare for the exam. His hard work resulted in seven A*s and five As.
Beyond being able to buy the car, he realised that there’s a lot more he can do than he thought.
Working towards achieving the incentive made him realise his potential and the power of structure and planning.
[09:49] Applying His Realisation to His Clients’ Success
Rob helps clients see that believing they can do it is the biggest thing they can do on their journey.
We need to question our beliefs because many of these stories are not factual.
There is a narrative that women over 40 are naturally going to gain weight because of menopause.
Rob’s programme is trying to change this. He wants these women to know that they can achieve results as long as they keep going and adapt.
[13:42] Rob’s Second Proudest Moment
His second proudest moment is having their first team get-together in April this year.
In 2019, he and his partner had to let their whole team go due to tax issues caused by inexperience. They didn’t get paid for 9 months while sorting it out.
Currently, they have 10 people on the team.
They went to an escape room, had lunch, wore matching TRINITY clothing, and did a team photoshoot.
Rob realised they have grown and come a long way from the tough times they went through.
[17:49] Grow with the Challenges
Whatever path you take is hard.
There will always be issues working with a team, but you have to grow with it.
It’s about constantly pushing yourself to get better.
Hard work is an element of success, but it’s not enough on its own. Otherwise, you will get burnt out.
[20:10] Rob’s Third Proudest Moment
The most complicated movement for Olympic weightlifting is the ‘snatch’.
Rob’s goal when he started CrossFit was to do an 80-kilo bodyweight snatch. But he couldn’t increase the weight from 75 kilos for some time.
Going through lockdowns sent him back even more. Thus, he went back to basics and refined his technique because he knew that was his issue.
Weightlifting is not about strength; it’s all about technique.
After five years, Rob was able to do the 80-kilo snatch this year at their gym’s weightlifting competition. Tune in to the full episode for the complete story!
[25:54] Stress and Weight Loss for Women Over 40
Female hormones change as early as 10 years before menopause. The average age of menopause in the UK is 51.
Overstressing the body around this age can cause chronically elevated cortisol levels.
Constant high-stress hormone levels trigger the weight gain triangle, involving leptin, insulin, and thyroid. Listen to the full episode to learn how it works!
Rob doesn’t recommend CrossFit and intense training for clients because they’re very stressful on the body.
They focus on LIST or low-impact strength training, which you can efficiently do at home or the gym.
[30:03] Rob’s Three Secrets to Success
You need to have a vision for where you’re going. Keep moving forward no matter what happens, and try not to put time pressure on yourself.
Second, get help from people with a track record of your goals.
Lastly, just be patient. It may take longer than you thought, but it will be worth it.
If you don’t know what the next best step is, find someone knowledgeable who can help you.
Tune in to the episode to hear more about Rob’s three secrets to success!
5 Powerful Quotes
[05:47] “If you work hard in a structured way, and you make it enjoyable, and you have a reason to do it — there’s a strong goal — then it can all come together.”
[10:38] “You should question everything you believe because, as you know, it’s all just stories; there [are] usually no facts to it.”
[18:05] “Whatever path you take is hard. It not going well is hard. It also going well is hard.”
[40:29] “It's having that vision and then going, ‘It's there. I don't know how we're going to do it, but we'll get there, and I'll just keep going no matter what.”
[42:19] “If you don't know what the next step is, find someone who knows what the next step is because they will be able to tell you.”
About Rob
Rob Birkhead is the co-founder of TRINITY Transformation and is UK's #1 women's health coach and weight loss expert for working women over 40. Rob's weight loss expertise expands across the domains of nutrition, exercise, and mindset. In the last 6 years, he has transformed the lives of over 6,500 clients across the globe. Rob is also the Amazon bestselling author of Fit Over 40 For Women.
You can learn more about Rob by visiting his website.
Enjoy this Podcast?
You are more than your limiting beliefs — Rob Birkhead shows how you can live up to your potential by changing your mindset. If you enjoyed today's episode of The Mindset Mentor Meets, hit subscribe and share it with your friends!
Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast episode, share your thoughts with us online. You can also share it to help your family and friends achieve massive outcomes.
Martin’s first proudest moment was living through and overcoming some of the most challenging periods in his life.
He took up a master’s in defence administration (MDA) for two years while working in the Royal Air Force.
Many changes and challenges with his family and job came about during that period.
He made it to the other side, finished his MDA and moved on to another job post.
He's proud of how his family helped him get through that time.
[08:06] Finding Resilience
Martin’s family worked together as a group. Fitness was also a key factor for him.
Don’t let everything around you weigh upon you.
There are things you can and can’t control.
“Just going with it” is his way of dealing with his career over the years.
He also built resilience and understanding from his high-pressure military background.
[11:26] Graduating with an MDA
Martin’s graduation was one of the things that inevitably got photographed into his mind.
He wore a cap and gown over his military uniform on his graduation day.
His family was there to celebrate with him.
[12:35] Martin’s Second Proudest Moment
Martin was deployed in Iraq as a Senior Engineering Officer in a helicopter squadron.
His second proudest moment was when he overcame an incident with a couple of helicopters.
That moment was the culmination of all his military training. He was the senior person everyone looked up to at the time for leadership.
Everything came together as an engineer, officer, leader of men, and a person wanting to achieve an outcome.
They had to move on quickly after the incident as operations were still underway. In retrospect, Martin feels content with how they handled it.
[18:49] Taking His Military Background into Consultancy
The key is role modelling in working together to achieve outcomes.
Consultancy is working alongside clients to bring them to a place where they can do a certain thing themselves.
Leaving the client not knowing more than they did at the start is a failure.
Role modelling played a big part for Martin in his role in the military and in the world of consulting.
We need to be serious in moments that require it, but some moments require light-heartedness.
[23:19] Martin’s Third Proudest Moment
Martin’s third proudest moment was working together and delivering a massive outcome for a client in the service industry.
They worked in the catering and restaurant business.
They worried that the team would not engage in the process, but the opposite happened.
The whole team was involved, making it easier for ideas and suggestions to come in.
Tune in to the full episode to hear more about Martin and the team's story!
[26:23] Getting Clients to Understand the Full Journey
One thing Martin learned in his consulting career is to not assume people know things.
You have to understand the circumstances of every individual in your team.
Some people are not doing wrong; they may just not have an understanding of the full situation.
The full journey is what the customer goes through from the point they think about and receive the service.
[29:04] Creating Human-Level Connections
Technologies work well when applied correctly.
It doesn't matter how much you spend on technology if you don’t understand how it works with your process.
Everything has a human dimension behind it. You will lose out if you don’t understand and build around that.
[31:32] Martin’s Secret to Success
Martin breaks down what he needs to do to get to the challenge. He goes for opportunities.
He identifies who he needs to talk to, what he needs to do and learn, and who he can bring in.
Bringing the right people in is key to moving forward and building outcomes.
He always finds a path to get to the outcome he wants to achieve.
5 Powerful Quotes
[08:49] “There's things you could control and things you should worry about, and you need to do something about. Other activities, other issues, you don't have control over. And I think, again, people can let those build up on, where you have no — there's nothing you can do about it.”
[19:35] “We aren't in consultancy that is purely about, ‘Well, we’ll come and do it. We know it. We’ll leave you not knowing anything’ — that's a failure for us.”
[21:24] “We absolutely need to be serious, and we can be serious in those moments that require it, but the world had put enough of that.”
[22:35] “We want to have a life and be a person outside of this thing called work.”
[30:09] “Everything has got a human involved in it. And if you don't understand that or bring that to the fore and then build around that, you're going to lose out.”
About Martin
Martin Gibson is the Managing Director of Consulting at Gobeyond Partners, a business management consultant firm part of the Webhelp group. He is a decisive executive with strong management skills and a wealth of wide-ranging experience within the realm of financial services consultancy. Throughout his career, Martin has built a proven track record of impeccable, strong leadership and driving improvements in performance.
Martin also has experience in operational military service and had worked at the Royal Air Force for 22 years.
You can learn more about Martin by visiting his LinkedIn profile.
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She and her friend booked a two-week holiday to Majorca and decided to live and work there shortly after.
Everyone should embrace change and experience taking themselves out of the environments they grew up in.
Leanne already knew that she didn't want to go to university and would instead get a job and work.
Her pride comes from making the massive decision to put herself into a different situation at a young age.
[05:52] What She Learned from Being Independent at a Young Age
She met a lot of amazing people from different parts of the world.
She was able to learn a lot about human behaviour.
Learning how to manage money without her parents was a big thing.
Independence is learning how to live as an adult.
Taking that courageous step to embrace change led her onto the path she’s presently walking.
[07:20] How It Shaped Her Relationships
She met many people from all over the world with different personalities and characters.
While growing up, society conditioned us to show up in a certain way.
Leanne learned about people’s differences and diversity during that time.
The experience helped her understand and collaborate with other people on a work and personal level.
[08:56] Why Adults Don’t Embrace Change
We were bolder in trying out new things when we were younger. But fear develops as we grow older.
Allowing fear to take over stops you from progressing in many areas of life, especially at work.
Leanne is a big believer in always trying to push yourself out of your comfort zone.
Recognise what your fears are, and try to show yourself out there. That's what growth is.
[10:27] The Progression of Her Career at Mitie
Her second proudest moment is her career at Mitie. She has been working at Mitie for 12 years, starting as a temp and working her way up to a management role.
She took the opportunity to lead a project around mobilising a contract in the nuclear industry.
Leanne took the role for two reasons: (1) she’s a people pleaser, and (2) it was a real opportunity.
They were awarded the contract and set up a team of 30 people. She takes pride in it because it was the first time she had been in complete control of an end-to-end project.
The contract is still ongoing nine years after. Leanne takes pride in having the ability to support people in their passion and careers.
[14:05] What to Look for When Handpicking Team Members
Not everyone is cut out for the roles available in the facilities world.
They held an open day in the local community and interviewed around 250 people.
The project required customer-focused security roles. The interview process focused on soft skills.
Some people may not look like someone fitting for the role at first glance. But asking them probing questions can make you realise they’re perfect for the team.
Balancing people's strengths is key to creating a great team.
[16:10] Learnings from the Interview Process
Leanne learned what not to do in an interview situation.
She also met people with great potential who were in the wrong jobs and gave them an opportunity.
A good interviewer can uncover the mask the interviewee is wearing.
[18:44] Her Role as a Strategic Account Director
Her third proudest moment is her role as a Strategic Account Director.
Leanne works in the security business of Mitie. She provides security services to large customers across the UK.
Her proudest moment is working through the pandemic while still delivering excellent service.
They decided to collaborate at every level by setting up different degrees of communication.
It means a lot to thank the people involved in a project for their contributions.
[21:55] Building a Great Customer and Team Relationship
They continue to provide amazing service to their customers.
Hearing good feedback fills Leanne with pride because it means she’s doing her job well.
She feels lucky and proud to work with amazing team members.
[23:16] Managing the Transition of On-Site to Work from Home Leadership
Leanne got used to being a hands-on leader and getting out there. Their clients were not working on-site and didn’t want them to come there as well.
She has an open-door policy and keeps her lines of communication open at all times.
People can sometimes be in their little bubble, making it hard to see what's outside it.
Having open trust and visibility is critical in leadership. Leanne's team put video communication in place early on for easy access to one another.
They also issue a quarterly newsletter that incorporates employee interviews and photographs.
[27:54] Creating Work and Life Balance
Leanne is a mum and a wife to a husband with an equally massive job. Organising is key to keeping work and life balanced.
Mum guilt is a real thing.
She sees it as having different areas of life that are equally important.
Knowing your priority at the time, having open communication, and not letting guilt consume you is key to creating balance.
Doing the inner work leads to getting outward results. Leanne has a few non-negotiables in terms of self-care.
[30:51] Leanne’s Secret to Success
Her secret to success is not having or not believing that you have all the answers.
You are letting your ego take over when you believe you have all the answers. It leaves no room for growth, learning, and making wrong decisions.
Always be humble and seek out more in terms of knowledge and learning.
One big secret of success is understanding the people around you at work.
Always take help when offered; showing vulnerability is something that resonates with people.
5 Powerful Quotes
[04:07] “I would absolutely encourage everybody to take themselves out of their environments where they grew up, go to school, hang around with the people that are around them where they grow up, and go and meet new people, go off to a different place.”
[07:33] “I think when we grow up, we're conditioned to believe that we need to behave in a certain way, act in a certain way, speak in a certain way to people, look a certain way to a degree as well."
[09:51] “You have to recognise what your fears are and then really try and show yourself out there. That's what growth is.”
[15:53] “It's about balancing people's strengths to create a great team.”
[30:16] “If you do that inner work — that's the journaling, the personal development, the self-care — you will get the outer results.”
About Leanne
Leanne Culloden is the Strategic Account Director of Mitie, the UK's leading facilities management and professional services company. She handles developing strategic visions and delivering operational excellence. Leanne develops client relationships and strengthens the company's mission as a trusted service partner while serving as a coach and mentor to her team.
You can know more about Leanne by visiting her LinkedIn profile.
Enjoy this Podcast?
Change brings fears, but Leanne Culloden shows how it can lead us to growth. If you enjoyed today's episode of The Mindset Mentor Meets, hit subscribe and share it with your friends! Everyone can find success by looking at their origins and building new connections.
Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast episode, share your thoughts with us online. You can also share it to help your family and friends, help them embrace change, and show them all that life has to offer.
Simon considers his wedding day as his first proudest moment.
It’s a constant challenge to juggle the roles of being a husband, a father, and an entrepreneur.
His wife advises him to look after his health and family relationships because he gets engrossed with his business.
[07:12] Running the Business with His Wife
Camilla was a successful Biology teacher before joining Simon’s veterinary practice.
Running a business means experiencing many frustrating moments. But the couple learned to grow along the way.
Currently, they are thinking of changing their business’ managing structure.
[08:25] Simon, The Veterinarian
Since he was young, Simon wanted to be a veterinarian.
His love for animals stemmed from growing up on a dairy farm surrounded by animals.
It took a while for Simon to realise that he wanted to set up his own business.
[09:35] Simon, The Entrepreneur
Practising a profession and running a business requires different sets of skills.
In 2021, his business grew by 20% despite the pandemic.
There were winners and losers in the veterinary profession when COVID-19 struck.
Hiring staff members and facility renovations were positive challenges for Simon and Camilla during the pandemic.
[10:43] Separating Business and Family
Simon's family often had their spouses as business partners.
His family is still trying to compartmentalise both business and family matters.
There’s no magic formula to balancing your role as a spouse and business partner. Couples can learn along the way.
[12:42] Simon’s Second Proudest Moment
His second proudest moment is buying his own Land Rover Defender.
In retrospect, Simon believes asking his sister to include the Defender in his business’ logo manifested his dream of buying the car.
Ever since he became environmentally conscious, Simon felt bad about buying the car. However, he couldn’t let it go.
[17:20] On Growing the Business
There are limiting factors in expanding a business.
Simon wants to maintain a profitable practice while keeping his staff happy.
There should be an endpoint to how many clients a company can take.
Assessing your core values and business goals is essential to understanding your limits as a growing entrepreneur.
[21:44] Simon’s Third Proudest Moment
Simon’s third proudest moment is finding the growth mindset.
Listen to the whole episode to hear Simon’s stories of working as an untrained farmer!
Having a growth mindset shows that you can learn and improve from your mistakes.
Doctors must balance maintaining a growth mindset and refraining from committing mistakes when dealing with patients.
[26:01] The Growth Mindset
It’s normal to fail when starting. Things get better through practice.
Everyone is capable of learning.
The consequences of our mistakes are usually trivial. They appear more severe than they really are because of the stories we make ourselves believe.
No one is born with a growth mindset. Everyone must find their own way.
[31:10] The Secret to Success
Hard work is necessary to build a successful business.
There will always be a few bumps and challenges along the road.
It’s a challenge to balance maintaining a happy family life and a flourishing business.
Working efficiently gives you more time to focus on things that matter.
[33:02] Benefits of Efficient Work
Less time for work.
More time to spend with family.
Provides other avenues to explore.
5 Powerful Quotes
[16:00] 'It's interesting to have goals and ambitions and quite tangible things that are doable. And then it's interesting that you can achieve them if they're there, and you want them enough.'
[19:00] ‘There are so many businesses who grow and grow and grow. But then, actually, its directors aren't in any better of a position. It's just they've got a bigger empire. That's adding value to more and more people, but not necessarily to them and their lifestyle.’
[22:17] ‘The whole point about the growth mindset is you learn from your mistakes and mistakes are okay. And that's how life goes.’
[26:15] ‘It's that sticky middle part where we're rubbish at it, where we feel people are looking at us, we're being humiliated, we look stupid, or whatever the story is, that prevents us from being open to learning anything and knowing that we can.’
[27:54] ‘But what I see with most people around fixed and growth mindset is, the mistakes that they view as being threatening to their well-being are often so tiny. But they appear to be so huge, and so damaging based on those stories that we tell ourselves.’
About Simon
Simon Ratcliffe is a veterinarian and business owner of Kelperland Vet Centre. His company has provided exceptional care to animals for more than 50 years.
His main clinical interest is surgery, especially orthopaedics. Simon is also recognised by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) as an “Advanced Practitioner in General Small Animal Surgery”. Because of his great work for the community, he has been nominated multiple times for the Petplan Vet of the Year awards from 2015 to 2020.
Outside of work, he is a loving husband to Camilla and a doting father to Elena and Theo. He is also a sportsman who enjoys swimming, surfing, cricket, and golf.
You can know more about Kelperland by visiting their website.
Enjoy this Podcast?
It’s tough to balance a growing business and a family life, but Simon Ratcliffe shares with us how he did it. If you enjoyed today's episode of The Mindset Mentor Meets, hit subscribe and share it with your friends! Everyone can find success by looking at their origins and building new connections.
Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast episode, share your thoughts with us online. You can also share it to help your family and friends discover all the learning experiences that life has to offer.
