In this episode following Sarah’s book launch at RADA in London, Sarah discusses with Jan Rakowicz (1) why she wrote her latest book Now We’re Talking (2) what makes conversations so difficult (3) why it’s important to cut through ‘avoidance syndrome’ and (4) the four secrets that enable a manager or leader to discuss what really matters. The four secrets are that help tackle the conversations people dread most are:

• • Find Your Ground – Preparing yourself mentally and emotionally.
  • Build a Bridge – Establishing rapport and connecting.
  • Read the Room – Effectively intervening in group dynamics.
  • Hold Space – Navigating conflict with courage and clarity.

These secrets can be applied in both professional and personal settings so that rather than avoiding or botching a difficult conversation, you have an authentic dialogue instead.

About Jan Rakowicz

Jan is a coach for young people, a fundraising consultant for charities, a tuner of organisations and a team coach. With over two decades of experience as a trusted advisor to business owners and CEOs across SMEs, non-profit organizations, and educational sectors, Jan fosters emotionally resilient leadership, high performance teams and sustainable growth.

With an MBA from Manchester Business School and a degree in mechanical engineering from Kings College London, Jan has more recently trained as an ‘Ollie’ coach. Jan has successfully coached senior executives and young individuals alike, enhancing emotional well-being and personal and professional development. Through collaborative efforts, including with Sarah Rozenthuler at Bridgework Consulting Ltd, Jan has crafted tailored strategies that resonate with stakeholders, securing partnerships that amplify social impact.

https://matrixconsultants.co.uk

In this episode, Sarah and Claus discuss (1) what inner criticism is (2) how we can detect inner criticism starting to operate inside us and (3) how we can manage this mechanism so that it no longer shuts down our dialogue but strengthens us to talk about what matters most.

About Claus

Dr. Claus Springborg is a thought leader in the field of leadership development and organizational change. Claus is an academic and practitioner who integrates his deep understanding of human consciousness with practical business insights. Claus is a lecturer at Copenhagen Business School with a PhD from Cranfield School of Management.

Claus is the author of several impactful books, including "Sensory Templates and Manager Cognition: Art, the Brain and Business," and "Art-Based Methods in Management Education." His work delves into how art and sensory awareness can transform leadership, helping managers become more attuned, effective, and innovative.

Claus is the founder of Sensing Mind Institute where he has over 10 years of experience teaching leadership and co-creation skills, management theory, systems of personal development, and entrepreneurship. Claus has spent years researching the inner landscape of leadership, focusing on how leaders can deal with their inner critic, improve dialogue, and create more meaningful connections with their teams. His unique approach combines insights from neuroscience, mindfulness, and creative practices with is wonderful sense of humour, making his teachings not only intellectually rigorous but also profoundly practical.

Find out more about Claus and his work at:

https://www.sensingmind.com/

Sarah and Pete Burden discuss (1) leading mindfully and the difference this makes; (2) cutting through power dynamics so that what needs to be discussed gets talked about; and (3) how to develop practices in teams and in your own leadership that foster reflection and a deeper level of noticing. We also reflect on what the growing movement of 'conscious business' means and share our hopeful aspirations for how leadership can change so that more people feel a sense of belonging at work.

About Pete Burden

Pete is the co-author of the book Leading Mindfully along with Professor Rob Warwick. Pete has over 30 years experience coaching teams, including senior leadership teams. He draws on a diverse set of leadership experiences, including being a manager at a Fortune 100 company; being an MD and a coach at the BBC. He’s also been the Executive Chairman of one of the UK's first social media agencies.

Pete is all about helping people build reflective, purposeful teams and brings a clear focus on being mindful and taking practical steps to try to bring about a fairer and kinder world. Pete hosts the podcast The Healthy Power Alliance podcast which is available on Spotify and Apple.

Reinhard Stelter (Professor of Sport & Coaching Psychology at University of Copenhagen in Denmark) and I discuss how dialogue is the art of opening up a reflective space, how listening is the most essential skill that a leader can bring to a conversation and how being attentive to yourself makes dialogue transformative for all. "In true dialogue, both sides are willing to change."

About Professor Reinhard Stelter

Reinhard is a renowned author, researcher and leading expert in coaching and dialogue. With over 20 years of experience in the field, Reinhard brings a wealth of knowledge and insights that have inspired countless coaches and practitioners around the world.

Reinhard is a Professor Sport & Coaching Psychology at University of Copenhagen in Denmark. He’s the author of several groundbreaking books, including his latest work, 'The Art of Dialogue in Coaching', which has been hailed as a must-read for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of coaching dynamics and foster more meaningful conversations.

Reinhard can be contacted at: rstelter@nexs.ku.dk and via LinkedIn.

Sarah and Megan explore how leaders create spaces for conversations that matter by (1) deepening their listening so that team members speak up and real issues are discussed; (2) being aware of power dynamics and their impact on a conversation; (3) paying attention to the incoming tide of employee activism and the use of generative AI in organisations.

About Megan Reitz

Megan is Founder of Reitz Consulting, Associate Fellow at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, and Adjunct Professor of Leadership and Dialogue at Hult Business School. She is listed on the Thinkers50 ranking of global management thinkers (and recently shortlisted for both the Radar and Breakthrough Idea Awards) and HR Magazine Most Influential Listing. Megan writes, speaks and consults in the areas of leadership, dialogue, mindfulness, culture, change, coaching and team effectiveness. She is author of 'Mind Time' and 'Dialogue in Organizations' and co-author with John Higgins of 'Speak Up: Say what needs to be said and hear what needs to be heard' for Financial Times Publishing, which was shortlisted for CMI Management Book of the Year 2020. A second edition of this book hit the shelves in spring 2024 with the new title, 'Speak Out, Listen Up.'

Megan is a regular contributor to Harvard Business Review, which has covered many of the themes of her books, and her research has recently been featured in the MIT Sloan Management Review, in Forbes, on the BBC, in a TEDx talk, and in numerous academic and practice-based journals.

As well as her life as a lecturer, doctoral supervisor and business owner, Megan is mother to two wonderful daughters, who test her regularly on her powers of mindfulness and dialogue.

For more information, go to www.meganreitz.com