Works For Us is a podcast about the world of work — what’s changing, what’s challenging, and what’s actually working.

Through honest conversations and real-world insight, we explore leadership, culture, communication, and the decisions people face every day at work — with practical ideas you can take back to your desk.

New conversations coming soon. Welcome to Works For Us.

In Should We All Be Leaders? we unpack what leadership looks like in modern workplaces, where it adds value, and where it can create confusion or burnout. We talk influence, accountability, and whether great teams really need everyone to be a leader — or simply great at their role.

It sounds bold. Living it is another thing entirely.

In this episode of Works For Us, Craig and I talk honestly about the weight other people’s opinions can carry - and how easily they start shaping how we see ourselves and the decisions we make.

We dig into the difference between useful feedback and the kind of internal noise that holds people back. Why so many capable people lose trust in their own judgement. And what changes when you stop outsourcing your confidence.

We also ask a bigger question: what would be different if more people backed themselves? What does it really take to step up, challenge the norm, and be a game changer?

If you’ve ever second-guessed yourself, felt stuck by other people's expectations, or struggled to trust your own instincts, this episode is worth a listen.

In Optimism vs Realism we explore the balance between positive thinking and honest assessment in business. Craig and Helena discusses why blind optimism isn’t enough, how constructive pessimism can strengthen decision-making, and why clear purpose and direction are essential to moving teams and organisations forward.

Trigger Warning: This episode contains mention of suicide.

On this episode of Works For Us, for Men's Mental Health Week, we're sharing a conversation that took real courage.

Mark Matheson, Director of IT at Bell, sat down with us and talked openly about his mental health journey - the silence, the struggle, and what happened when he finally asked for help.

If you work in construction, you'll know the culture. Head down. Get on with it. Don't show weakness. But the truth is, we are all human. Every single one of us has hard days and no one should have to carry that alone.

Mark's story is proof that asking for help is not a sign of weakness, it's one of the bravest things a person can do and it can change everything.

All Bell employees, and their partners and dependents, have access to a confidential Employee Assistance Programme provided by Health Assured for wellbeing support.

Health Assured (EAP): 0800 030 5182

Resources:

• Samaritans — samaritans.org | Call 116 123 (free, 24/7)

• CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) — thecalmzone.net | Call 0800 58 58 58 (5pm–midnight daily) — specifically focused on men
• Shout — Text SHOUT to 85258 (free, 24/7 text-based support)
• MIND — mind.org.uk — information, guidance, and local support finder
• Movember — uk.movember.com — men's health charity with strong mental health resources
• Andy's Man Club — andysmanclub.co.uk — free peer-to-peer support groups for men, meet weekly across the UK
• Mates in Mind — matesinmind.org — the leading mental health charity dedicated specifically to the construction sector; employer resources too
• Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity — lighthouseclub.org | Call 0345 605 1956 (free, 24/7) — provides emotional, physical and financial support to construction workers and their families

Authentic leadership