The Being Leader: Annabel Graham

This episode allows you to stop, pause and consider what is working well for you, what isn't and how you need to be going forward over the next 12 -18 months. It is a reflection episode, so have something to make notes with to hand, settle in and give yourself time to reflect on what the questions in the episode mean for you.

Welcome to Season 3 of The Being Leader, the podcast where we explore how we are showing up and being as leaders for ourselves, our teams and our organisations. In this season we will be exploring the new leadership agenda of change - and how this impacting us as we move further into the 2020s. This short intro is the minute to press pause, just for a moment, as we stop, draw breath, and consider how we need to go forward. Plus episode 2 is also now available to allow you to consider - what this means for you.  

Introduction to the Being Leader Podcast, and what it's about.

Is change affecting your team? Not sure? Well, have you had any new team members, change of mandate, change of environment, moving of goal posts in the last 3-6 months? All of that? Well - it probably is.  In this episode of the Being Leader with Nick Howell, we discuss the subject of how change impacts teams and share some of the things we’ve observed in our careers being in and leading teams, and also in our work together as Team coaches.  

Let's talk about something often ignores when we talk about change.  Transition – that sticky bit, the bit in between when people get stuck, frustrated and it all becomes a bit difficult.  Why don’t people talk about it?  Well we often view change as a linear entity, a journey from 1 point to another, with a series of steps in the middle that will get us there, but we forget we are dealing with humans, and we're just a bit messier. So in this episode we'll explore what transition is, the different phases, and steps to navigate it as best you can.

How does change impact organisations?  And if you are implementing a change project - large or small, what do you need to take into account. In this episode I'm joined by Chris Barrett, experienced Transformation Director, COO and board advisor who shares his experiences from 20 years of transformation and change initiatives. We explore change and transformation projects, and learn the key things we should and shouldn't be doing when we undertake small or large scale change.   Key learning - you can never communicate too much!

We're in a decade of change.  History tells us that by 2030 the world in which we work and live will be very different to the way it was at the start of the 2020s. How do I know this - well it's been the same for the last 4 centuries in the same decade, so why should the pattern stop now? That means, the world of work will be different - we're seeing that already with the rise in hybrid working and the gig economy.  Which necessitates us to change and adapt as leaders. Listen to find out more about the 2030 predictions and what that means for the essential skills we need to be demonstrating as 21st Century Leaders. 

Welcome to 2022! Not up for New Year's resolutions? Unsure of what your goals should be?  Word of the year not your thing? How about considering how you show up?  A simple change of state, mindset and focus that could transform how you lead, work and interact with others.   This short podcast will get you thinking about how you can be, rather than what you can do! Connect with me in the following ways: https://www.successfultraining.co.uk https://www.linkedin.com/in/annabelgraham-coach-trainer/ Instagram: @the_beingleader

We know the world has become increasingly more complex, and this is impacting how leaders approach the issues they are facing in their teams and businesses.  The problem is, we confuse complex issues with complicated ones, and when we try to apply the same approaches, wonder why they aren't working. In this fascinating conversation I am in conversation with Nicola Maxwell, Director of leadership consultancy edoMidas.  We explore how to lead in a complex world by zooming out, not going it alone, surfacing disagreement and questioning ourselves. I hope you enjoy listening, as we discuss the issues and the blue print we should all be using. Connect with us in the following ways: Annabel: www.successfultraining.co.uk https://www.linkedin.com/in/annabelgraham-coach-trainer/ Instagram: @the_beingleader Nicola: https://edomidas.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolasmaxwell/ 

In the last episode we looked at your attitude as a people manager to hybrid working, and the impact this can have on your team. In this episode we wrap up the topic by looking at how you can make it work for your team, examining: How you work and communicate? How you collaborate and meet as a team? how you make decisions? Who or what the office environment is for? How you measure performance? In all of this I assume that you have agreed as a business your approach. If you haven't then you can find a handy short guide here to get you started on the process. https://www.cipd.co.uk/knowledge/fundamentals/relations/flexible-working/planning-hybrid-working  You can continue the conversation with me via the following channels: www.successfultraining.co.uk https://www.linkedin.com/in/annabelgraham-coach-trainer/ Instagram: @the_beingleader

So we're back for series 2 - with topics generated by you the listener.  In this episode, part 1 of 2, we're exploring Hybrid Working and how it is impacting leaders and teams. In this expect to reflect upon: What are your attitudes to hybrid? How are you leading your teams, and what impact is it having? How are you approaching the route back to the office, and what conversations are you having. Part 2 will explore how to manage hybrid working within teams, once you've decided what it looks like for you. Find out more and connect with me at: www.successfultraining.co.uk https://www.linkedin.com/in/annabelgraham-coach-trainer/ Instagram: @the_beingleader

Leadership for a Brave New World!  In this final episode of series one I talk to Author and Executive Coach Joy Maitland, about the themes of her new book From Alpha to Zen.  Together we explore the different aspects that are necessary for today's leaders to get to grips with.  Such as:    Valuing your Values The ability to observe, then act  Understanding your unique perspective Having courage Learning - and seeing failure as something that just didn't go to plan We hope you enjoy this and you can connect with us in the ways below.  Also let me know the topics you'd like to hear about in series 2 later in the year either via messaging on LinkedIn, Instagram, or through the website.     https://www.linkedin.com/in/joymaitland/ www.inemmo.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/annabelgraham-coach-trainer/ Instagram: @the_beingleader www.successfultraining.co.uk  

In this episode, we pick up a theme started in #26 on empowering our people as leaders.  Join me to explore: how we mistake empowerment for abandonment, why empowering team members is worthwhile for leaders  what gets in the way of empowerment and how we can go about empowering people effectively And also how coaching can help you to do this. You can connect with me at www.successfultraining.co.uk  , @the_beingleader,  https://www.linkedin.com/in/annabelgraham-coach-trainer/          

What exactly is a coaching culture and why is it beneficial to have one in your organisation?  In this episode I'm joined by executive coach Nick Howell of Abintus to explore this further.  We chew over:  What coaching is and isn't and how it differs to mentoring  What a coaching culture is and isn't   Why a coaching culture is beneficial to leaders, teams and businesses and how to put one in place Why it's not just "HR's job" to do this but must be embraced by every leader  The pitfalls and what gets in the way And quick wins that can help moving forward.   You can speak to me or Nick on coaching and how to put in a coaching culture via any of the links below:  www.successfultraining.co.uk, @the_beingleader, https://www.linkedin.com/in/annabelgraham-coach-trainer/   www.abintus.co.uk, https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickhowell1/

What is culture, and why should we as leaders pay attention to it?  Delivering strategy and getting things done on the action plan is far more important right?  Well maybe – but let’s think about it for a minute. In this episode - there are no fancy models, instead we cut to the heart of culture - how we do things around here.  And that starts with us - how we show up as leaders. So listen to hear the questions we need to be asking ourselves and our teams to enable the right behaviours which will allow us to deliver our vision.     Time to look in the mirror!  Want to find out more? you can connect with me me on: www.successfultraining.co.uk   @the_beingleader https://www.linkedin.com/in/annabelgraham-coach-trainer/    

Who do you need to become as a leader who can navigate that cusp between the technological age and the information age? What does that mean for those of us who are leaders, and who will develop leaders ? What challenges are we facing in the now which will absolutely be different in the future and what does that mean for the leader we need to become? In this episode we look at the current reality, the future and what this means for our skills through 3 lenses: as individuals, with our teams or organisation, and with the wider systems which impact our environment, both physically, and ecologically.    Resources Some of the resources I reference are below:   https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/services/people-organisation/publications/workforce-of-the-future.html https://www.futureagenda.org/ David Attenborough - A life on our planet Yuval Harari - Homo Deus You can find out more about what I do as a coach & facilitator at www.successfultraining.co.uk and  https://www.linkedin.com/in/annabelgraham-coach-trainer/ #leadership #futureagenda #futureofleadership #coaching #systemsthinking #teams       

Have you got a strategy in place in your organisation? Have you taken that strategy and communicated it to your direct reports and then all the levels below you? Have you aligned the department and team objectives back to that strategy so that it links in and delivers business goals at their functional level? Have your direct reports then cascaded it down to the level below to make sure their departments deliver them and deliver your corporate goal? Have you answered yes to everything so far?  Really….? honestly…..? If not - then you are like many organisations - so this podcast is for you and will help you think about how to do it.  And if you are a small business owner, it's relevant too as you need to  have all those who support your business aligned with you too!  So listen to hear about the steps: Vision, Incentive, Capabilities, resources, execution and reflection.    #leadership #strategy #goal setting #coaching #development          

So how are your team at making decisions?  Dominated by the leader? Irrational and a bit random? Revisit them again and again? Or never make them? The behavioural science of decision making is challenged by social pressure cascade effect, low information and more. How then can we ensure as leaders we enable our teams to decide? In this wide ranging episode Giorgia Prestento and I explore this and more, and recognise the importance of having good information, governance, and group dynamics to make good and effective decisions.  #decisions #leadership #behaviour #teamdynamics #coaching #highperformance You can connect with me at www.successfultraining.co.uk, https://www.linkedin.com/in/annabelgraham-coach-trainer/   You can connect with Giorgia at https://www.linkedin.com/in/giorgiaprestento/ , https://www.giorgiaprestento.com/                    

We started the year thinking about intention, and our first dialogue takes us a bit further.  In this episode Preeta Cooley of DeNovo Performance and I discuss choice.   Does choice exist, and what challenges us & makes us think we don't have choice? From existentialist theory to diary management, from Frankl to Jack Canfield & Henry Ford this episode takes us across a wide range of views and thoughts on choice, culminating in 3 key themes:  How do we create space to notice? How increasing our self awareness can enable free will and our ability to choose How embracing possibility and diversity of views can open our eyes and mindsets to new thinking and better options. Got you thinking?  Well we hope you enjoy it, and if you do, subscribe on whatever platform to check out the interview with Giorgia Prestento on the behavioural science of decisions which is due out next month. Two cracking episodes! #choice #mindset #leadership #coaching #decisions You can connect with me at www.successfultraining.co.uk, @the_beingleader, https://www.linkedin.com/in/annabelgraham-coach-trainer/ you can connect with Preeta here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/preetacooley/

Sick of goals and the annual New Year's action list?  Feeling you've lost focus with the impact of the pandemic and ever shifting landscape we live in? If so, join me for a short journey to view things a different way, and explore your intention. #intention, #purpose #leadership #reflection    www.successfultraining.co.uk  https://www.linkedin.com/in/annabelgraham-coach-trainer/ @the_beingleader