Send us a text What does good leadership really look like in the day-to-day? This short Leading People episode kicks off a brand-new One Simple Thing series on how to be brilliant at the basics of leadership. Because let’s face it — it’s the basics that often go missing. Click play to hear the one question that every leader should be asking themselves. Check out Team Leader Essentials here Follow Leading People on LinkedIn Leading People on FaceBook Connect with Gerry Website LinkedI...
Send us a text What if bringing in the dough doesn’t always mean having the power? In this episode, BBC journalist Melissa Hogenboom explores how breadwinning roles — in families and at work — are shaped by power dynamics, gender norms, and invisible expectations. Whether you’re a leader, a parent, or both, this conversation will challenge how you think about success, status, and sharing the load. Together, we discuss: Why power at home and power at work are more connected than we thinkHow ge...
Send us a text Ever typed a question into ChatGPT and gotten a weird or underwhelming response? You’re not alone. In this One Simple Thing episode, we explore why so many AI queries fall flat — and what leaders can do differently. There’s one small shift that makes all the difference… and no, it’s not about being a tech expert. This is the final part of our short series on how to use AI to enhance your leadership — without losing your human touch. 🎧 Curious? Hit play and find out what m...
Send us a text What if the biggest barrier to change isn’t strategy or communication — but biology? In this episode, organisational change expert Hilary Scarlett shares powerful insights from the 3rd edition of her book, Neuroscience for Organizational Change. She explains how understanding the brain can help leaders navigate resistance, foster trust, and lead transformation that sticks. Drawing on neuroscience and real-world examples, Hilary shows why getting brains onboard — not jus...
Send us a text What would you do with an extra 30–60 minutes in your day? In this One Simple Thing episode, Leading People host, Gerry Murray, explores how AI can give leaders back precious time - not by taking over, but by taking the heavy lifting out of your writing tasks. You'll be able to free up time for more important leadership tasks. Whether it’s an email, a proposal, or a tricky LinkedIn post, learn how to use AI to create smart starting points, enhance your clarity, and...
Send us a text What separates exceptional leaders from mediocre managers? This week's guest, Andrew Palmer, Senior Editor at The Economist and host of the Boss Class podcast, has spent years interviewing some of the world's most influential executives to answer this question. Drawing from his extensive experience writing the witty and insightful Bartleby column and developing the Boss Class podcast series, Andrew reveals that great leadership isn't only about charisma or authority - it...
Send us a text Ever asked ChatGPT a question, looked at its response and thought… “This isn’t what I wanted”? In this episode of One Simple Thing… Gerry Murray reveals why so many AI prompts fail - and what to do instead. Discover how to brief AI tools like ChatGPT as you would a colleague, so they become your assistant, not your replacement. You’ll learn: The six essentials of a good AI briefWhy vague prompts produce vague outputsHow to turn AI into a productivity partner (not a frustration...
Send us a text In this episode… How do you prove the value of your people programs when budgets are tight and leaders demand evidence? This week's guest is Dr. Alaina Szlachta, author of the book Measurement and Evaluation on a Shoestring. In this illuminating conversation, Alaina shares practical approaches to measurement and evaluation that don't require a PhD in statistics or massive resources. Drawing from her experience across corporate, non-profit and academic sectors, Alaina rev...
Send us a text Ever wonder if your message is landing the way you intend? In this episode of One Simple Thing… You'll discover how to use AI tools like ChatGPT to refine your writing, without losing your human voice. This isn’t about outsourcing your message. It’s about coaching yourself to be clearer, more intentional, and more confident in what you write and send to others. You'll learn: How AI can act as your writing mirrorThe power of asking better questionsWhy AI doesn...
Send us a text In this episode… Gerry Murray speaks with organisational psychologist and Chief Scientist at AIHR, Dieter Veldsman, about how to redesign work for a more human future. Drawing on his new book Work for Humans, Dieter shares why employee experience (EX) is much more than a buzzword, and how to make it a philosophy, a process, and a practice. Together, they discuss: • Why EX is now a core leadership issue, not just an HR function • How to measure EX meaningfully — without ma...
Send us a text What does it really take to become a top employer in today’s world of work? In this episode, Gerry Murray talks to Ammara Naeem, Client Experience Director at the Top Employers Institute, about what smart HR leaders are doing differently to stay ahead, from systems thinking to AI-powered leadership. In this fascinating conversation, you'll learn: What top employers are doing that others aren’tWhy HR needs to speak the language of the businessGen Z, talent fluidity, and t...
Send us a text In this episode… How often do you hit send on an email without considering how your words might land with the recipient? Leadership communication carries emotional weight, and without the benefit of facial expressions or body language, your carefully crafted emails can easily be misinterpreted. This episode tackles a deceptively simple yet powerful leadership practice. When you're in a position of leadership, your words carry extra weight and get amplified throughout you...
Send us a text In this episode… What makes some leaders genuinely inspiring while others leave us frustrated and disengaged? In this transformative conversation with Columbia Business School's Professor Adam Galinsky, we discuss his latest book: Inspire – The Universal Path for Leading Yourself and Others Along the way, we uncover the hidden psychology that determines whether you'll inspire or infuriate the people around you. Adam reveals the "Inspire-Infuriate Continuum"—a powerful fr...
Send us a text In this episode… Taking back control of your inbox might be the most important productivity shift you make as a leader. Have you noticed how email has transformed from a helpful tool into the central focus of your workday? That subtle shift has massive consequences for your effectiveness, focus, and the example you set for your team. In this actionable One Simple Thing episode, I tackle the modern challenge of email addiction that's plaguing knowledge workers everywhere....
Send us a text In this episode… Margaret Heffernan joins the Leading People podcast to challenge our dangerous addiction to certainty and predictability. Drawing from her latest book "Embracing Uncertainty," she reveals why the traditional management approach - forecast, plan, execute - is fundamentally broken in today's volatile world. When the first leg of this three-legged stool collapses, everything else follows. What makes this conversation so compelling is Margaret's unique perspective...
Send us a text Step into the revolutionary intersection of neuroscience and leadership with Professor Patricia Riddell and Ian McDermott as they shatter outdated brain myths and reveal how understanding neuroscience transforms leadership effectiveness. Most leaders operate on brain models that are 60-65 years out of date. This knowledge gap isn't just academic – it directly impacts how we develop talent, make decisions, and build organizational capacity. Patricia and Ian introduce "neu...
Send us a text Ever found yourself putting off an important task—only to scramble at the last minute? Procrastination isn’t just about being lazy. It’s a deeply ingrained habit fueled by brain chemistry, energy, and even our personal values. And if you’re in a leadership role, the stakes are even higher. In this episode of One Simple Thing, we break down: ✔️ Why procrastination happens (it’s not what you think!) ✔️ How our brains trick us into avoiding important work ✔️ What Enjoyment-Perform...
Send us a text In this episode… We challenge traditional views of midlife and explore how this phase can be a powerful transition for leaders. Aneace Haddad, a former tech CEO and an executive coach with extensive experience, invites listeners to rethink what it means to lead in the second half of life. He examines the cognitive shifts that occur as people enter their 40s and beyond, revealing that this period often marks the emergence of unique leadership superpowers that younger leade...
Send us a text Ever feel like there just aren’t enough hours in the day? You start with good intentions, but distractions, interruptions, and never-ending demands pull you in every direction. Before you know it, the day is gone - and your most important work is still unfinished. What if you could reclaim an hour (or more) every single day - without waking up earlier, working longer, or burning yourself out? In this One Simple Thing episode of Leading People, I share a practical strategy...
Send us a text Please subscribe and follow Leading People via the Podcast links In this episode: Unlock the secrets to becoming a "Supercharged Leader" as we chat with leadership gurus Mandy Flint and Elizabeth Vinberg-Hearn. Promising a unique take on leadership that veers away from traditional HR-driven methods, Mandy and Elizabeth enlighten us with strategies that synchronize personal leadership skills with business goals. They draw from their rich experiences at American...