Helping Organisations Thrive with Julian Roberts

In this episode of Helping Organisations Thrive, Julian speaks with Alex Panayotou, one of only five women globally to complete extreme solo running challenges including a 400km non-stop run. Alex shares her transformation from a place of repeated failures and pessimism in her 30s to becoming an endurance mindset expert who has developed leaders at companies like Coca Cola, Uber, and Microsoft. She reveals how her eight years of solo extreme challenges became a strategic process for personal development, ultimately shaping her approach to leadership resilience and burnout prevention. Alex takes listeners inside her most challenging moment during the 400km run when everything went wrong simultaneously; team member absences, accidents, equipment failures, and near heat stroke. Through vivid storytelling, she demonstrates how mental clarity under extreme pressure translates directly to business crisis management. The conversation explores practical strategies for developing what Alex calls the real "hard skills" - emotional regulation, strategic thinking under stress, and building teams based on attitude rather than just technical competence. Alex's insights on preparation, pivoting under pressure, and maintaining clarity during both professional challenges and personal crises like her cancer diagnosis offer actionable frameworks for anyone facing significant obstacles.   Connect with Alex: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexpanayotou/ Website:  https://alexandrapanayotou.com/     ##########   If you are looking for a Blueprint to help you and your business manage uncertainty, deal with failure and navigate change then reach out to Julian at: julian@julianrobertsconsulting.com   You can buy my book "Weathering the Storm: A Guide to Building Resilient Teams" on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DFTYN2Y2   ##########

In this eye-opening episode of Helping Organisations Thrive, we talk with Angela Cox, founder of Paseda 360 coach training academy, multi-award winning executive coach, therapist, and two-time bestselling author. Angela shares her powerful journey from corporate exhaustion to authentic leadership, revealing how she transformed her life after walking away from a lucrative consulting role when the weight of "pretending" became unbearable. Her story of losing eight stones while searching for fulfillment, only to realise that external changes couldn't fix internal disconnection, sets the stage for a profound exploration of workplace authenticity. Angela unveils her groundbreaking research showing that 97% of leaders wear masks at work, identifying four primary personas: the Perfectionist (driven by fear of mistakes), the People Pleaser (seeking approval at all costs), the Persecutor of Self (engaging in constant self-blame), and the Persecutor of Others (deflecting blame when things go wrong). She explains how these protective mechanisms, born from our fundamental need to belong and avoid rejection, create an exhausting cycle that hampers both individual resilience and organisational effectiveness. The conversation provides practical tools for breaking free from these patterns, including exercises to build self-value and self-trust, while acknowledging the challenging but ultimately rewarding journey of removing the masks we've worn for decades to reveal our authentic leadership potential.   Connect with Angela: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelacoxpaseda360/ Website:  https://angelacoxcoaching.com/     ##########   If you are looking for a Blueprint to help you and your business manage uncertainty, deal with failure and navigate change then reach out to Julian at: julian@julianrobertsconsulting.com   You can buy my book "Weathering the Storm: A Guide to Building Resilient Teams" on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DFTYN2Y2   ##########

In this compelling episode, seasoned fractional COO and business strategist Melissa Franks shares her unique perspective on developing resilience in leadership through what she calls "strengthening your resilience muscle." Drawing from her 20+ years of operational excellence, including her journey from administrative assistant to CEO of a $350 million business, Melissa reveals how resilience is fundamentally about problem-solving and adapting to our rapidly changing world. She introduces her powerful basketball analogy, where leaders must learn to "plant their pivot foot" when original plans don't work out, then look up and assess the ever-changing landscape around them to determine their next right move. This framework helps leaders avoid the paralysis that often comes with unexpected challenges and instead maintain momentum through uncertainty. Melissa dives deep into practical leadership strategies for building resilient teams, emphasising the critical importance of vulnerability, observation, and creating psychological safety. She shares a memorable story about publicly apologising to her team after making a major procurement mistake, demonstrating how authentic leadership builds trust and encourages innovation. The conversation explores how successful leaders must transition from doing everything themselves to becoming facilitators who leverage the collective strengths of their teams. Melissa argues that at the executive level, leadership becomes fundamentally "a people business" focused on developing, coaching, and growing individuals rather than hands-on operational work. Her insights offer actionable guidance for leaders navigating today's complex business environment while building organisations that can thrive through change.   Connect with Melissa: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissafranks/ Website:  https://www.melissafranks.com/     ##########   If you are looking for a Blueprint to help you and your business manage uncertainty, deal with failure and navigate change then reach out to Julian at: julian@julianrobertsconsulting.com   You can buy my book "Weathering the Storm: A Guide to Building Resilient Teams" on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DFTYN2Y2   ##########

In this compelling episode, Dr. Torben Norby shares his expertise on contextual leadership, drawing from over two decades of experience spanning military service, retail management, and international business transformation. Torben breaks down contextual leadership into three core disciplines: understanding your context by identifying crucial performance factors, matching your leadership style through the balance of opening/closing and directing/sharing approaches, and actively shaping organisational structures and culture to promote performance. He reveals how military concepts like "leading through intent" have evolved into civilian applications, and shares a powerful real-world case study of helping a European organisation adapt during the Ukraine conflict by decoupling interdependencies and building contingent responses. Throughout the conversation, Torben addresses the challenge every leader faces: how to remain authentic while adapting to different contexts, whether leading a production team versus a marketing department, or managing across cultures from Denmark to China. He emphasises that successful contextual leadership requires building common ground around shared values and principles, then leveraging diversity rather than being fragmented by it. The episode concludes with Torben's warning about the most common implementation mistake: failing to involve people in organisational alignment, reminding us that "you can't tell an organisation to align - you can only do that by mobilisation and enrollment."   Connect with Torben: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drnoerby/ Website:  https://drnoerby.com/     ##########   If you are looking for a Blueprint to help you and your business manage uncertainty, deal with failure and navigate change then reach out to Julian at: julian@julianrobertsconsulting.com   You can buy my book "Weathering the Storm: A Guide to Building Resilient Teams" on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DFTYN2Y2

I had an extraordinary conversation with two remarkable women who conquered the world's highest marathon while battling their own personal challenges. Sally Orange MBE, a former British Army major turned mental health campaigner, completed the grueling 12-hour Everest Base Camp Marathon dressed as a breast costume just weeks after her cancer diagnosis, using her signature approach of sparking vital conversations through humour and vulnerability. Felicity Ashley, a transatlantic rower and cancer survivor, marked her three-year cancer anniversary by tackling the same brutal challenge, drawing on the deep inner confidence she's developed through overcoming adversity. Together, they share how they navigated altitude sickness, unexpected climbs, and physical exhaustion while supporting each other and fellow runners from 32 different nationalities. This powerful episode reveals how both women transformed their approach to challenges - Sally by accepting her diagnosis "on her own terms" and Felicity by reframing adversity from "why me?" to "why not me?" Their stories demonstrate the profound impact of community support, the importance of building a "cookie jar" of past achievements to draw strength from, and how authentic vulnerability can create life-changing conversations. From Sally's fruit costumes that have inspired four women to get checked for breast cancer, to Felicity's unshakeable belief that she can overcome anything, this conversation offers practical insights on resilience, gratitude, and finding purpose in life's toughest moments. Whether you're facing your own challenges or supporting others through theirs, their combined wisdom on mental preparation, community building, and maintaining hope will leave you feeling empowered to tackle whatever lies ahead.   Connect with Sally: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sally-orange-mbe-95948741/ Website:  https://www.sallyorange.com/   Connect with Felicity: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/felicityashley/ Website:  https://www.felicityashley.com/   Also here is a link to buy Felicity's new book - Stronger than the storm: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1068489103     ##########   If you are looking for a Blueprint to help you and your business manage uncertainty, deal with failure and navigate change then reach out to Julian at: julian@julianrobertsconsulting.com   You can buy my book "Weathering the Storm: A Guide to Building Resilient Teams" on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DFTYN2Y2

In this powerful episode, Dr. Laura Gallaher takes us inside one of NASA's darkest moments and reveals how it became a catalyst for revolutionary change in organisational culture. Following the 2003 Columbia space shuttle disaster that claimed seven astronauts' lives, NASA's investigation uncovered a shocking truth: the agency's culture was as much to blame as the technical failure itself. What makes this even more striking is that NASA had been rated the #1 place to work in the federal government just months before the tragedy, challenging everything we think we know about workplace culture. Dr. Gallaher, who spent nearly eight years leading NASA's culture transformation, shares how invisible forces like the "save the programme" mentality and lack of psychological safety prevented engineers from speaking up about critical safety concerns. She provides actionable insights on creating psychological safety, the power of leader vulnerability, and why optimising human dynamics is the ultimate competitive advantage. Her key message: culture change isn't a one-time fix—it's an ongoing commitment that can literally be the difference between success and catastrophic failure.   Connect with Laura: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-gallaher-phd/ Website:  https://drlauragallaher.com/     ##########   If you are looking for a Blueprint to help you and your business manage uncertainty, deal with failure and navigate change then reach out to Julian at: julian@julianrobertsconsulting.com   You can buy my book "Weathering the Storm: A Guide to Building Resilient Teams" on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DFTYN2Y2   ##########

Tracy Clark discovered that two simple words - "let's play" - consistently transformed her stressed, visionary clients by shifting them from fear into a creative, exploratory mindset. Rather than frivolous activity, play represents a powerful leadership state built on intense curiosity, radical open-mindedness, and proactive experimentation. Tracy emphasises that effective leadership starts with self-leadership, using her "tree model" where visible strategy and actions (the trunk) must be supported by deeper roots of mindset and self-concept to weather storms. Practical applications include challenging assumptions by asking "what if that's not true?", entering meetings with questions rather than answers, and creating psychological safety for team co-creation. For skeptics, play isn't about ping pong tables but about removing the "straight jacket" of limitations to use your whole brain - logic plus intuition, imagination, and creativity - ultimately slowing down to speed up through better ideas and breakthrough solutions.   Connect with Tracy: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracyclarkcoach/ Website:  https://tracyclark.scoreapp.com/     ##########   If you are looking for a Blueprint to help you and your business manage uncertainty, deal with failure and navigate change then reach out to Julian at: julian@julianrobertsconsulting.com   You can buy my book "Weathering the Storm: A Guide to Building Resilient Teams" on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DFTYN2Y2   ##########  

In this episode of Helping Organisations Thrive, Julian sits down with consultant, coach, and facilitator Yvonne Guerinaeu to explore what it means to get people "in their element" at work. Yvonne, author of "People in Their Elements," shares her passion for creating authentic human connections in the workplace and discusses how leaders can help their teams perform at their best by fostering psychological safety and genuine relationships. She emphasises the importance of face-to-face interaction, describing herself as working "tech-free wherever possible" to create those magical moments when people truly connect and feel understood. The conversation delves into practical strategies for leaders looking to build stronger teams through human connection. Yvonne explains how normalising different behaviours and thinking styles can create psychological safety, allowing team members to bring their authentic selves to work. She offers concrete advice on moving beyond the traditional "open door policy" to more intentional relationship-building, such as changing your daily routine to naturally encounter team members and creating meaningful one-to-one meetings that serve the individual rather than just the manager's agenda. Throughout the discussion, both of us highlight the critical role of presence, active listening, and the power of silence in building trust and understanding within teams.   Connect with Yvonne: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yvonneguerineau/ Website:  https://goldencatalyst.co.uk/     ##########   If you are looking for a Blueprint to help you and your business manage uncertainty, deal with failure and navigate change then reach out to Julian at: julian@julianrobertsconsulting.com   You can buy my book "Weathering the Storm: A Guide to Building Resilient Teams" on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DFTYN2Y2   ##########

Julian interviews Adam Waterworth, CEO of the Goodwood Estate, about leadership, innovation, and balancing heritage with modern expectations at this iconic British sporting venue. Adam shares his approach to leadership at Goodwood, emphasising the importance of creating psychological safety where teams feel confident to take risks without fear of punishment for genuine mistakes. He discusses the delicate balance between using data and trusting gut instinct when planning events, noting that becoming too data-driven can remove the magic that makes Goodwood special. Despite being a 300-year-old estate, Adam explains how innovation has always been part of Goodwood's DNA, allowing them to honour tradition while constantly evolving. His leadership philosophy prioritises people and customer experience first, believing financial success naturally follows when these elements are done right.   Connect with Adam: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-waterworth-8b10ba45/ Website:  https://www.goodwood.com/     ##########   If you are looking for a Blueprint to help you and your business manage uncertainty, deal with failure and navigate change then reach out to Julian at: julian@julianrobertsconsulting.com   You can buy my book "Weathering the Storm: A Guide to Building Resilient Teams" on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DFTYN2Y2   ##########

In this episode of Helping Organisations Thrive, I Andrew Green, CEO of Chichester College Group, who shares insights from his 26-year career in education leadership. Andrew discusses how his organisation serves 25,000 learners across seven colleges with a purpose-driven approach of "changing lives through learning." He reveals key leadership strategies including maintaining local college identities while leveraging shared resources, implementing employee engagement initiatives like wellness days and recognition programmes, and addressing the challenges of chronic underfunding in further education. Andrew emphasises the importance of holistic student support, building resilient leadership through self-care and boundaries, recruiting for attitude over skills, and perhaps most significantly, establishing "kindness as a superpower" as a core organisational value. He believes true leadership comes through experience, focusing on outputs rather than hours worked, and creating a people-centered culture where small acts of kindness can transform someone's day.    Connect with Andrew: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewgreen1968/ Website:  https://www.chigroup.ac.uk/     ##########   If you are looking for a Blueprint to help you and your business manage uncertainty, deal with failure and navigate change then reach out to Julian at: julian@julianrobertsconsulting.com   You can buy my book "Weathering the Storm: A Guide to Building Resilient Teams" on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DFTYN2Y2   ##########

In this episode of Helping Organisations Thrive, we are joined by Terence Clarke, a transformational executive coach with more than 20 years of experience in the Asia-Pacific region as we explore how to transform cultural challenges into your greatest strengths. Now based in China, Terence shares his personal story of cultural adaptation—moving from frustration and misunderstanding to a place of connection, resilience, and professional growth. The conversation centres around Terence’s AAA model: Awareness, Appreciation, and Adaptation. He explains how these principles help individuals and organisations navigate cultural differences without losing authenticity. From communication breakdowns to power dynamics in leadership, Terence offers practical insights on how to build trust, create psychological safety, and embrace diversity in global teams. This episode is a must-listen for leaders navigating cross-cultural environments and for anyone looking to foster more inclusive, responsive, and resilient organisations.     ##########   If you are looking for a Blueprint to help you and your business manage uncertainty, deal with failure and navigate change then reach out to Julian at: julian@julianrobertsconsulting.com   You can buy my book "Weathering the Storm: A Guide to Building Resilient Teams" on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DFTYN2Y2   ##########  

In this episode of Helping Organisations Thrive, we welcome leadership development expert Amanda Downs to discuss the key factors that contribute to strong and effective leadership in organisations. Amanda highlights the importance of self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and trust-building in leadership, explaining how these qualities help create a positive and high-performing workplace culture. We also explore the value of continuous learning, emphasising that organisations investing in leadership development see improved engagement, productivity, and adaptability. Amanda shares practical strategies for fostering a culture of learning, supporting employees through change, and navigating challenges in today’s fast-paced business world. Throughout the conversation, Amanda provides actionable insights on how leaders can enhance communication, manage resistance to change, and create an environment where teams feel empowered and motivated.   Connect with Amanda: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandadowns2/ Website:  https://theuspiregroup.com/     ##########   If you are looking for a Blueprint to help you and your business manage uncertainty, deal with failure and navigate change then reach out to Julian at: julian@julianrobertsconsulting.com   You can buy my book "Weathering the Storm: A Guide to Building Resilient Teams" on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DFTYN2Y2   ##########

In this inspiring episode of Helping Organisations Thrive, we are joined by Felicity Ashley, a seasoned marketing leader, mother of three, and extraordinary individual who faced incredible challenges with remarkable resilience. Felicity shares the story of her incredible journey rowing across the Atlantic, a feat that tested her physically, mentally, and emotionally, all while unknowingly battling stage 3 bowel cancer. Throughout our conversation, Felicity discusses how her experiences with ocean rowing and overcoming cancer shaped her approach to leadership and resilience. She shares valuable insights on breaking big challenges into manageable steps, the importance of mindset in overcoming adversity, and the crucial role of support networks in facing life’s toughest moments. Felicity's story is a testament to the power of a positive mindset and how it can help us push through even the most difficult of times. Her upcoming book, “Stronger than the Storm”, and her latest endeavour, running the Everest Base Camp Marathon, are proof that life’s biggest challenges can become opportunities for growth and transformation.   Connect with Felicity: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/felicityashley/ Website:  https://www.felicityashley.com/     ##########   If you are looking for a Blueprint to help you and your business manage uncertainty, deal with failure and navigate change then reach out to Julian at: julian@julianrobertsconsulting.com   You can buy my book "Weathering the Storm: A Guide to Building Resilient Teams" on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DFTYN2Y2   ##########

In this episode of Helping Organisations Thrive, we explore the future of work with Heather Jerrehian, diving into the impact of AI on the workforce and why talent viability is crucial for business agility. Heather challenges common misconceptions about AI, emphasising that rather than replacing human workers, AI can make work more human by taking over mundane tasks and allowing employees to focus on high-value, human-centric skills. These "power skills"—like creativity, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence—will become even more essential as AI adoption grows. We also discuss how leaders can ease AI-related fears through effective change management and by actively involving employees in conversations about AI’s role in their work. Heather highlights the importance of talent visibility, showing how understanding workforce capabilities can drive better business agility. Heather also cautions leaders to navigate common pitfalls, including the need for ethical AI governance and responsible implementation. Heathers message to leaders? Don’t let fear slow you down—AI is a powerful tool for innovation and growth.   Connect with Heather: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heatherjerrehian/ Website:  https://www.sailtoscale.com/    Buy Heather's book "Sail to Scale" on Amazon:  http://h2c.ai/xmd     ##########   If you are looking for a Blueprint to help you and your business manage uncertainty, deal with failure and navigate change then reach out to Julian at: julian@julianrobertsconsulting.com   You can buy my book "Weathering the Storm: A Guide to Building Resilient Teams" on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DFTYN2Y2   ##########  

In this episode of Helping Organisations Thrive, we welcome Dr. Laura Gabayan to discuss resilience through the lens of her Common Wisdom study. Inspired by her struggle with chronic Lyme disease and the lack of thinking outside the box during this time, Dr. Gabayan interviewed wise individuals to uncover the eight key elements of wisdom. As we delve into the eight key elements of wisdom, Dr. Gabayan shares how resilience is not just about enduring hardship but about shifting perspective—from “Why me?” to “Why not me?”. Many of the wise individuals she interviewed in her study had faced significant life challenges but moved forward with a sense of peace and kindness toward themselves. She emphasises that kindness is a strength, humility is a skill, and living in faith over fear fosters resilience. As the conversation continues, we discuss how leaders can cultivate wisdom by serving as role models, the importance of self-awareness in developing humility, and how younger generations can nurture wisdom in an era that often prioritises ego over growth.   Connect with Laura: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauragabayan/ Website: https://lauragabayan.com/   Buy Laura's book "Common Wisdom" on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Common-Wisdom-Scientific-Elements-Meaningful/dp/1956470913     ##########   If you are looking for a Blueprint to help you and your business manage uncertainty, deal with failure and navigate change then reach out to Julian at: julian@julianrobertsconsulting.com   You can buy my book "Weathering the Storm: A Guide to Building Resilient Teams" on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DFTYN2Y2   ##########

In this episode of Helping Organisations Thrive, we explore resilience through the lens of acceptance with guest Aaron Hill. Drawing from his military background, Aaron shares how resilience is not just about endurance but also about learning, self-awareness, and accepting where you are in life. Aaron discusses how a lack of awareness often holds people back from true acceptance and how shifting one’s perception of resilience can be transformative. Aaron highlights the daily habits that have helped him build resilience, including asking for help, understanding what works best for him, and maintaining the basics consistently. Reflecting on his own journey, Aaron emphasises the importance of questioning and self-exploration in developing awareness. His key advice? Go back to the basics. Take the time to understand what you need to care for yourself, how that impacts those around you, and embrace resilience as an ongoing journey of learning and growth.   Connect with Aaron: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-hill-synergy-coaching/     ##########   If you are looking for a Blueprint to help you and your business manage uncertainty, deal with failure and navigate change then reach out to Julian at: julian@julianrobertsconsulting.com   You can buy my book "Weathering the Storm: A Guide to Building Resilient Teams" on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DFTYN2Y2   ##########

In this episode of Helping Organisations Thrive, we are joined by Brendon Prince as he shares his journey as the first person to stand-up paddleboard around mainland Britain, breaking five world records in the process. Driven by his mission to prevent accidental drownings, Brendon explains how this ambitious challenge was designed to raise awareness for water safety. Brendon opens up about the fears and mental strain of the journey, from navigating dangerous headlands to losing his paddle far from shore. Brendon reveals how preparation, positivity, and breaking the challenge into manageable mental steps helped him stay focused on his goal. He also reflects on the concept of resilience itself, arguing that good preparation minimises the need for it, while poor planning forces reliance on it. Finally, Brendon shares humbling moments, such as his “orca moment,” that cut through ego and offered a fresh perspective on life’s challenges. His story highlights the power of consistency, showing how even small, steady steps can lead to extraordinary achievements.   Connect with Brendon: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendonprince/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brendonprincesup/ Website: https://brendonprince.com/   Here is a link to more about the water safety that Brendon shares about in the interview: https://brendonprince.com/pages/water-safety-1       ##########   If you are looking for a Blueprint to help you and your business manage uncertainty, deal with failure and navigate change then reach out to Julian at: julian@julianrobertsconsulting.com   You can buy my book "Weathering the Storm: A Guide to Building Resilient Teams" on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DFTYN2Y2   ##########

In this episode of Helping Organisations Thrive, I am joined by Sarah Katherine Schmidt as we explore the fascinating science of how our brains respond to change. Sarah dives into the psychology and neuroscience behind change management, offering actionable insights for leaders navigating transformation in their organisations. Sarah highlights the importance of self-awareness in leaders—understanding their own emotions and how they influence their response to change. Equally crucial is developing empathy for others, recognising the diverse ways team members process change. By fostering psychological safety, leaders can create a sense of inclusion and belonging, encouraging open conversations. The discussion unpacks strategies to elevate positive brain chemicals, like fostering excitement and championing change. Sarah also addresses the unique needs of those who feel more anxious about change, emphasising the need for structure, clear goals, and inclusive conversations to help them feel empowered and impactful.   Connect with Sarah: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahkatherineschmidt/ Website: https://peoplelogic.ai/     ##########   If you are looking for a Blueprint to help you and your business manage uncertainty, deal with failure and navigate change then reach out to Julian at: julian@julianrobertsconsulting.com   You can buy my book "Weathering the Storm: A Guide to Building Resilient Teams" on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DFTYN2Y2   ##########

In this episode of Helping Organisations Thrive, we welcome former Xero CEO Steve Vamos to discuss how leaders can navigate change effectively. Steve delves into the difference between gradual shifts and sudden shocks, emphasising that leaders who are comfortable with change can respond to shocks with a more measured approach. He shares strategies for avoiding overwhelm during constant change, such as focusing on what’s important and managing energy wisely. Steve highlights the critical role of mindset, stressing the importance of caring, connecting, and enabling others through vulnerability-based trust and genuine respect. Drawing on his experiences, Steve discusses how prioritisation, clear communication, and empathy are key to keeping teams motivated and rebuilding confidence after difficult situations. Reflecting on his career, Steve shares the lessons he’s learned: success comes from prioritising people and embracing a learner’s mindset.   Connect with Steve: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevevamos/ Website: https://www.stevevamos.com/     ##########   If you are looking for a Blueprint to help you and your business manage uncertainty, deal with failure and navigate change then reach out to Julian at: julian@julianrobertsconsulting.com   You can buy my book "Weathering the Storm: A Guide to Building Resilient Teams" on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DFTYN2Y2   ##########    

In this episode of Helping Organisations Thrive, Dr. Alia Bojilova, a former special forces psychologist, shares her unique insights on resilience through the lens of psychology and her military background. Alia highlights the critical role of curiosity in building resilience, helping individuals move beyond the fight, flight, or freeze response and engage more deeply with their environment. Reflecting on her experience of being taken hostage in Syria, Alia explains how curiosity enabled her to understand her captors' intentions and communicate effectively. She also shares how small acts of positivity, like a glance or a smile, can serve as powerful survival mechanisms in the face of challenges. We explore how leaders can cultivate curiosity within teams by fostering awareness, encouraging questions, and creating collaborative environments. Drawing further on Alia’s military background, we discuss the key traits that make special forces personnel elite and resilient: Self-awareness, a deep sense of belonging, curiosity, and the ability to maintain "subjective equilibrium." Alia also offers practical tools for leaders and team members to develop and enhance these traits within themselves.   Connect with Alia: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandrina-alia-bojilova/   Alia has published a book called "The Resilience Toolkit", here is a link to buy on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Resilience-Toolkit-four-step-process-potential/dp/1035415461/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3EXZMCOLEYEVU&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Xmfqt3PK3AGKd8OGRHisQew4DzwsVBdO2VWCUx5gTRKCk5sMDyDdjaf1JiyChLnyqK4O_4WFcxeaCGw_E7Y5Kw.jQdgWgycJtcl08xiVg4fx4DwZ4tPS4SRc-WPoSTXVVQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+resilience+toolkit+alia&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1733578887&sprefix=the+resilience+toolkit+alia%2Caps%2C66&sr=8-1     ##########   If you are looking for a Blueprint to help you and your business manage uncertainty, deal with failure and navigate change then reach out to Julian at: julian@julianrobertsconsulting.com   You can buy my book "Weathering the Storm: A Guide to Building Resilient Teams" on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DFTYN2Y2   ##########