In this episode of the Love Lead Change podcast, Simon Phillips and Renée Smith engage with Chris Hirst, CEO of Bespak, discussing the importance of love in leadership and workplace culture. Chris shares his journey from laboratory work to CEO, emphasizing the significance of trust, care, and values in fostering a positive work environment. The conversation explores the impact of a loving workplace on employee engagement, loyalty, and overall company success, highlighting the need for leaders to prioritize their own well-being while nurturing their teams.

Takeaways

• Love is central to effective leadership.
• A positive workplace culture fosters trust and care.
• Engagement and loyalty are results of a caring environment.
• Leaders should reflect on their own experiences to shape their approach.
• Celebrating small wins is crucial for team morale.
• Transparency and open communication build trust.
• Values-driven leadership attracts and retains talent.
• Creating a sense of belonging enhances employee satisfaction.
• Self-care is essential for effective leadership.
• Leading with love correlates with high performance.

Sound Bites

• "A loving workplace means trust and care."
• "I respond better to leaders who trust me."
• "It's a journey of everyone, not just me."
• "Celebrating small wins is important."
• "We owe it to people to make work a good place."
• "Leading with love drives performance."

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction to Loving Leadership

02:48 - Chris Hirst's Journey to CEO

06:08 - Defining a Loving Workplace

08:56 - The Impact of Trust and Care

11:50 - Personal Experiences Shaping Leadership

15:11 - Practices of Loving Leadership

18:04 - Self-Care and Leadership Challenges

20:47 - Building a Positive Company Culture

24:03 - Values-Driven Leadership

26:55 - Creating a Fulfilling Work Environment

29:48 - Reflections and Insights

Subscribe at this link to get regular emails with proven insights to transform your workplace by leading with love from your hosts Simon Phillips and Renée Smith. https://a-human-workplace.myflodesk.com/love-lead-change-email

Connect with the Guest and the Hosts:

Chris Hirst - LinkedIn Profile

Renée Smith - LinkedIn Profile

Simon Phillips - LinkedIn Profile

All Music composed by Adam Phillips

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Love Lead Change podcast, Simon Phillips and Renée Smith engage with Gary Keough, a former Global Marketing Director and a leader in psychological safety. They explore themes of leadership, kindness, self-love, and the importance of diverse perspectives in decision-making. Gary shares his journey and insights on how to unlock potential in teams, the significance of creating a psychologically safe environment, and the balance between compassion and accountability in leadership. The conversation emphasizes the need for leaders to listen actively and to foster an environment where team members feel valued and empowered to share their ideas.

Takeaways

• Unlocking potential is a key leadership goal.
• Kindness in leadership is about empathy and honesty.
• Psychological safety allows for open communication.
• Diverse perspectives lead to better decision-making.
• Self-love is essential for effective leadership.
• Leaders should actively listen to their teams.
• Feedback should be constructive and supportive.
• Creating a safe environment encourages innovation.
• Compassion and accountability can coexist in leadership.
• Leadership is about empowering others, not just making decisions.

Sound Bites

• "Kindness is a level of empathy."
• "Self-care is a holistic view."
• "Stop guessing about your team's feelings."
• "Listen really, really well."
• "You can do compassion and accountability."
• "Be your authentic self."

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction and Weekend Reflections

02:25 - Introducing Gary Keough: A Leader in Psychological Safety

03:50 - Unlocking and Igniting Potential in Leadership

06:46 - The Importance of Kindness in Leadership

08:09 - Experiences Shaping Leadership Philosophy

12:48 - Loving Your Team: Practices and Impacts

15:33 - The Role of Diverse Perspectives in Decision Making

18:22 - Launching a 60-Year-Old Whiskey: A Case Study

20:17 - Self-Love and Its Challenges for Leaders

22:42 - Measuring Psychological Safety in Teams

25:31 - Positive Feedback Loops in Leadership

27:56 - Pride in Leadership: Making a Difference

29:25 - Advice for New Leaders: The Power of Listening

33:46 - Balancing Compassion and Accountability in Leadership

36:30 - Final Thoughts on Authentic Leadership

Subscribe at this link to get regular emails with proven insights to transform your workplace by leading with love from your hosts Simon Phillips and Renée Smith. https://a-human-workplace.myflodesk.com/love-lead-change-email

Connect with the Guest and the Hosts:

Gary Keogh - LinkedIn Profile

Renée Smith - LinkedIn Profile

Simon Phillips - LinkedIn Profile

All Music composed by Adam Phillips

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Love Lead Change podcast, Simon Phillips and Renée Smith engage with Kate Blackburn, the Director of Public Health for Wiltshire. They explore the essence of loving leadership, the importance of team dynamics, and the personal experiences that shape leadership philosophies. Kate shares her journey, emphasising the significance of love in the workplace, the challenges of self-love, and practical strategies for fostering a supportive team environment. The conversation highlights the transformative power of laughter, connection, and purpose in leadership, offering valuable insights for current and aspiring leaders.

Takeaways

• Purposeful people bring about change.
• Co-regulating with your team fosters connection.
• Love in the workplace is about respect and guidance.
• Personal experiences shape leadership philosophies.
• Development days can enhance team bonding.
• Celebrating small wins boosts team morale.
• Creating a safe space encourages open communication.
• Self-love is crucial for effective leadership.
• Finding joy in work enhances overall performance.
• People are the source of hope in challenging times.

Sound Bites

• "Listen to the way that Kate talks about her team."
• "It's not just the fluffy being nice to each other."
• "I think love is a tricky word, isn't it?"
• "People give me hope each and every day."
• "Keep changing your world by leading with love."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Loving Leadership

03:42 Kate Blackburn's Leadership Journey

06:37 The Importance of Love in Leadership

08:02 Personal Experiences Shaping Leadership Philosophy

10:23 Practices for Loving Your Team

16:54 Challenges of Self-Love in Leadership

20:42 Pride in Leadership and Team Growth

22:04 Advice for New Leaders

24:27 Finding Hope in Challenging Times

Subscribe at this link to get regular emails with proven insights to transform your workplace by leading with love from your hosts Simon Phillips and Renée Smith. https://a-human-workplace.myflodesk.com/love-lead-change-email

Connect with the Hosts:

Renée Smith - LinkedIn Profile

Simon Phillips - LinkedIn Profile

All Music composed by Adam Phillips

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.