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The Leadership Surgery

Author: The Leadership Surgery

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Real leaders. Real talk. Real solutions.

Welcome to Leadership Surgery — the podcast where leadership challenges are laid on the table and dissected with honesty, heart, and a dose of humour.

In each episode, four leaders (Paul, Ant, Dan and Sally) gather around the mic to tackle the everyday dilemmas leaders face — from imposter syndrome and difficult conversations to managing change and reclaiming your time.

With no scripts or sugar-coating, they break down what’s really going on and offer practical ideas to help leaders at every level navigate with confidence, courage, and clarity.

Expect human stories, lightbulb moments 💡, and straight-talking insights you can actually use.

Pull up a chair. The conversation’s about to begin 🩺🎙️

14 Episodes
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In this episode of The Leadership Surgery, Paul, Anthony, Sally, and Dan respond to Tom’s pressing dilemma: as a field-based crew manager in the UK, he’s battling low morale among his team who work outdoors in tough, unpredictable weather. The panel unpacks the realities of leading teams in challenging conditions, sharing personal stories and expert coaching insights.They explore how to keep motivation high when the environment is against you, the power of genuine empathy, and why recognition and purpose matter more than gimmicks. The team discusses practical ways to connect with your crew, avoid “us vs. them” divides, and make every team member feel valued. Listeners will discover actionable strategies for boosting morale, building trust, and leading with authenticity—even when the sun isn’t shiningHave a leadership dilemma? Send it to TheLeadershipSurgery@gmail.com for future episodes.
In this episode of The Leadership Surgery, Paul, Anthony, Sally, and Dan respond to Jack’s timely question: should leaders share their past mistakes, or does it risk undermining their credibility? The panel dives into the evolving world of leadership vulnerability, reflecting on their own journeys and the balance between authenticity and authority.They discuss how sharing failures can build trust, foster psychological safety, and encourage openness within teams—while also exploring the importance of context, self-confidence, and knowing where to draw the line. Have a leadership dilemma? Send it to TheLeadershipSurgery@gmail.com for future episodes.
What happens when a leader holds back a top team member out of fear of being left exposed, only to realise it’s stifling growth and causing frustration?In this episode of The Leadership Surgery, Paul, Anthony, Sally, and Dan tackle Sanjay’s honest dilemma about balancing his own needs with doing what’s right for his team. The panel explores the risks of relying too heavily on one person, the importance of succession planning, and the value of open, ongoing career conversations.Have a leadership challenge you’d like the team to dissect? Submit your scenario for a future episode at Theleadershipsurgery@gmail.com
How do you handle a colleague who excels in some tasks but neglects others, causing frustration and impacting team dynamics? In this episode of The Leadership Surgery, Paul, Anthony, Sally, and Dan dive into Nicola's real-life challenge of dealing with a peer who openly avoids certain responsibilities. They offer expert advice on self-reflection, clear communication, and understanding task priorities.The team discusses the importance of preparing for constructive conversations, setting clear expectations, and having agreed-upon approaches to conflict resolution. They share practical tips on handling tough conversations and fostering a high-performing team environment. Have your own leadership dilemma? Submit it to the team for discussion in a future episode at Theleadershipsurgery@gmail.com
Buddy or Boss?

Buddy or Boss?

2025-07-0135:43

When you're promoted to lead a team of your former peers, how do you balance friendships with leadership responsibilities? How do you establish authority without losing camaraderie? In this episode of The Leadership Surgery, Paul, Anthony, Sally, and Dan dive into Lauren's real-life challenge of transitioning from a team member to a team leader. They offer expert advice on setting boundaries, being transparent, and maintaining self-awareness.They discuss the importance of having upfront conversations about new boundaries and expectations, the role of self-awareness and reflection in developing leadership identity, and strategies for delegating tasks to avoid burnout. They also emphasize the need for support from line managers and peers during this transition.Have your own leadership dilemma? Submit it to the team for discussion in a future episode. TheLeadershipSurgery@gmail.com
When you're passionate about developing your team but unsure where to step in, how do you maintain culture and standards? How do you avoid creating mini versions of yourself? In this episode of The Leadership Surgery, Paul, Anthony, Sally, and Dan into the second part of Becky's real-life challenge (As they didn't quite cover everything last time), offering expert advice on fostering growth without losing individuality.They discuss why a learning mindset is essential, how to balance delegation with empowerment, and practical strategies for effective feedback.Have your own leadership dilemma? Submit it to the team for discussion in a future episode.TheLeadershipSurgery@gmail.com
When a talented team member starts cutting corners and resisting feedback, how do you address it while maintaining trust and standards? How do you reign in your racehorses?In this episode of Leadership Surgery, Anthony, Sally, Paul, and Dan tackle Becky's real-life challenge, offering expert advice on setting clear expectations and providing constructive feedback. Discover why early intervention is crucial, how to balance high performance with maintaining boundaries, and practical strategies for supportive dialogue. Learn to use frameworks like COASTAR to empower your team and ensure alignment. Have your own leadership dilemma? Submit it to the team for discussion in a future episode.Theleadershipsurgery@gmail.com
Join us for another insightful episode of the Leadership Surgery , where we tackle your most pressing leadership challenges. In this episode, Paul, Anthony, Sally, and Dan dive into the complexities of leading a remote-first team.Their patient, Tom, shares his struggles with team disengagement, cameras-off culture, and the challenge of maintaining productivity without micromanaging. The team offers practical advice on setting clear expectations, fostering open communication, and addressing performance issues with empathy and firmness.Tune in to hear actionable strategies for re-energizing your remote team, building trust, and ensuring everyone is aligned with the team's goals and values. Whether you're a seasoned leader or new to managing remote teams, this episode is packed with valuable insights to help you navigate the modern workplace.Got your own leadership dilemma? Submit it to TheLeadershipSurgery@gmail.com for the team to discuss in a future episode.
When a valued team member is struggling with menopause symptoms like brain fog, fatigue, and anxiety, how do you balance empathy and accountability?Join Paul, Anthony, Sally, and Dan as they dissect the very real leadership challenge of supporting team members through menopause. Listen as they diagnose the symptoms, including:The stigma associated with coversations around menopauseHow to adjust to ensure they stay valuedThe tension with colleagues.The struggle to maintain performance standards.Got your own leadership dilemma? Submit it to TheLeadershipSurgery@gmail.com for the team to discuss in a future episode.
Your team is facing a significant shake-up:Roles are shifting, reporting lines are changing, and anxiety about job security is palpable. How do you, as a leader, navigate this turbulent period?Join Anthony, Sally, Paul and Dan who share their expertinsights on acknowledging team fears, communicating clearly (even when it'sdifficult).Listen as they diagnose the symptoms and offer their advice:Be transparent yet positive. Address job security concerns.Focus on what's not changing.Build trust and lead with clarity.Got your own leadership dilemma? Then submit it to ⁠⁠TheLeadershipSurgery@gmail.com⁠⁠ the team to discuss in a future episode.
Feeling Pulled in a Million Directions? You're Not Alone.When you're constantly battling overflowing inboxes, urgent requests, and being there for you team, how do you find a way through?Join Anthony, Sally, Paul and Dan as they dissect the very real leadership challenge of feeling overwhelmed and losing control.Listen as they diagnose the symptoms, including:The pressure of constant interruptions.The struggle to balance daily tasks with long-term strategy.The feeling of never getting to your own important work.Got your own leadership dilemma? Then submit it to TheLeadershipSurgery@gmail.com the team to discuss in a future episode.
When a top performer falters due to personal challenges, how do you address it empathetically yet effectively?This Leadership Surgery episode tackles this dilemma, offering expert advice on having those tough conversations. Join Anthony, Sally, Paul and Dan as they dissect a real case, revealing why early intervention is key, how to balance empathy with accountability, and practical strategies for supportive dialogue. Learn to ask "What do you need?" and embrace the discomfort of clear feedback.Got your own leadership dilemma? Then submit it to TheLeadershipSurgery@gmail.com the team to discuss in a future episode.
“You shouldn’t be here.”That’s what Imposter Syndrome whispers, even after you’ve nailed the interview, signed the contract, and shown up.In our very first episode, Paul, Sally, Anthony and Dan get real about the voice so many leaders hear and provide thier thoughts, recommendations and own personal stories on how to combat this.Hit play. And if it resonates? You’re not alone.
What do you do when you suddenly feel disconnected from a workplace you've called home for years?In this episode of The Leadership Surgery, Paul, Anthony, Sally, and Dan tackle Emma's heartfelt dilemma: after a decade with her organization, she feels isolated and questions whether she still belongs.The team explores the emotional and practical sides of workplace disengagement, discussing the impact of shifting values, organizational change, and personal growth.Listeners will hear expert advice on self-reflection, the power of coaching, and strategies for realigning with your role or making a graceful exit. The conversation covers how to challenge company values, the importance of leaving well, and tips for regular self-assessment to prevent burnout.Have your own leadership challenge? Submit it for future episodes at theleadershipsurgery@gmail.com
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