Generative Leaders

Systemic change may feel like a daunting challenging, but when we break it down into smaller parts using a purpose-led approach, it becomes achievable. Change needs persistence, allyship, and strategic thinking to drive it, but focusing on symptoms rather than root causes can blind us to meaningful solutions.Dame Caroline Mason CBE is Chief Executive of the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, an organisation that aims to improve quality of life, particularly for people who face social and economic disadvantages. Caroline has a background in financial services and has lead other organisations that provide money to charities and social enterprises.In her conversation with Julia, Dame Caroline discusses the value of breaking down complex issues into manageable parts, the crucial role of persistence and strategic thinking in effecting change, and how focusing on outcomes – rather than personal gain – forms the essence of generative leadership.LinksConnect with Dame Caroline via LinkedInEsmée Fairbairn FoundationInvesting for Good

Authentic leadership, driven by personal beliefs and a genuine concern for the impact one's decisions and actions have on others, is crucial for building strong relationships and a sense of purpose and belonging in the workplace.Brendan McCafferty has run large insurance companies and broking businesses, and with smaller, more entrepreneurial ventures. After stepping back from the executive world, he now serves as a non-executive chair for the National Employment Savings Trust (NEST), which manages retirement savings for about 13 million people in the UK.In this episode, Julia and Brendan discuss authenticity in leadership and its impact on relationship building in the workplace, the power of acknowledging everyone's contributions, and how self-reflection can improve leadership skills and personal growth.

Effective leadership means more than just acquiring knowledge and seeking growth. It means understanding the human condition, simplifying our understanding of life, and realigning our priorities towards transformation. It means harnessing the unique aspects of humanity that can't be replicated by AI, like intuition and the capacity for non-linear creativity and insight.Jonathan Armes is a psychologist and chartered occupational psychologist who focuses on leadership, team, and personal development through coaching. He helps leaders in reducing the amount of noise and interference created in the workplace due to the growing digital landscape, and works with them to address the human condition.In this episode, Jonathan and Julia discuss the role of ego in leadership, and the importance of aligning leadership actions with a meaningful purpose beyond commercial growth alone.LinksConnect with Jonathan via LinkedInJonathan's website

Understanding different thinking styles can make teamwork smoother and facilitate powerful change. Generative listening means creating environments that encourage independent thought and respect individuals' perspectives. This means holding a space where each individual's unique thinking process is acknowledged and valued.Servane Mouazan is a 'thinking partner' for people who are interested in investing in social and environmental change. Her work revolves around listening to and collaborating with people who are working to make the world a better place.From this discussion, you'll learn how generative thinking can improve teamwork and facilitate powerful change, understand the importance of acknowledging and respecting individual perspectives in a group setting, and discover how our environment and mindset can influence how we think.LinksConnect with Servane via LinkedInBe & Think in the House of Trust – Servane's podcastServane's website

People receive and interpret information differently. By understanding how thinking styles and perspectives differ, leaders can create a space where everyone can contribute their best and thrive. This includes being open to feedback, seeking honest input from others, and adapting leadership approaches to suit different situations and team members' strengths.Effective leadership is not about being directive or controlling, but about empowering others, being transparent, and providing purpose-driven guidance that aligns with the broader goals of the organisation.Simon Merriweather is a physicist with a background in accounting and experience in the power industry. He has worked on coal, gas, and green power stations, and is now an advocate for renewable energy sources.Simon's interpretation of generative leadership focuses on purpose rather than on specific objectives. He believes in giving individuals the opportunity to contribute to a broader big-picture delivery. In this discussion with Julia, he shares his experience of implementing generative leadership in business, empowering his team to navigate an uncertain future and achieve exceptional operational and safety performance.LinksConnect with Simon via LinkedInTradle – Game from the OECLeave the World Behind (2023)The Day After Tomorrow (2006)The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, by Stephen Covey

Our current definitions of success and the pursuit of more – more wealth, more things – are not sustainable and do not lead to true fulfilment. We need to shift our orientation towards a more interconnected and accountable approach, where success is measured by the positive impact we have on society and the environment.Kresse Wesling is the co-founder of a social enterprise that's been at the forefront of the B-Corp movement. It was initially setup with the goal of rescuing London's decommissioned fire hoses and turning them into luxury bags. They've since expanded to rescue and transform 12 different materials and work with various charity partners.The award-winning business – Elvis & Kresse – is known for its commitment to social and environmental standards, with 50% of their profits going to charity. Kresse and her partner Elvis are pioneers in sustainable luxury and have been at the forefront of the B-Corp movement.In her discussion with Julia, Kresse highlights the importance of embracing transparency, telling the truth about so-called “green” products and practices, and striving for continuous improvement in all aspects of sustainable business. It also emphasises the need for a cultural shift that values collaboration, empathy, and sustainability over individual gain.LinksConnect with Kresse via LinkedInElvis & Kresse

Leadership is not about having all the answers, but about drawing the best out of people, allowing them to flourish, and creating a container for them to experiment and try new ideas.Generative leadership involves listening, creating psychological safety, removing barriers to growth, and adapting to changing circumstances. Generative leaders learn from mistakes, are open to feedback, and foster a culture of resilience and flexibility.Dave Hill is a transformational coach who has been on the front lines of the battlefield and in the boardroom. He's the founder of Simplicity in Mind, an organisation aiming to create more space to help veterans who are struggling, along with their families. Dave has a background in military leadership, having served as a platoon commander and company commander. He's passionate about drawing the best out of people, allowing them to flourish, and creating psychological safety.LinksConnect with Dave via LinkedInSimplicity in MindThe Simple Reflections podcast

Power, agency, and influence interplay at individual, group, and systems levels. Understanding their dynamics can help us navigate uncertain times and make better decisions.Tony Fish is a writer and researcher whose upcoming book delves into the complexities of these concepts. The episode delves into the complexity of power, the ability to act (agency), and the role of influence in shaping outcomes. It also highlights the importance of questioning our own framings and asking better questions to break free from biases.Tony's work aims to help individuals and organizations make better decisions in uncertain and changing environments. He emphasizes the importance of asking better questions, challenging framing, and fostering constructive relationships to navigate the dynamics of power, agency, and influence effectively.LinksConnect with Tony via LinkedInPower, agency and influence: a new framework about complex relationships – Medium article by Tony

Building trust and connecting with communities on a human level can bring about powerful and positive change. By approaching communities with an open mind and genuinely listening to their needs, leaders and organisations can tap into the abundance and resources within.This takes a shift in perspective and a willingness to challenge the status quo, rethinking traditional approaches to community development.Gary Loftus is a community developer who works with organisations and communities to bring about positive change. He believes in building trust and connections within communities and challenging traditional approaches to community development. Gary currently works for Our Happiness Factor, a community interest company focused on working with so-called deprived or underserved neighbourhoods. Their work empowers local people, explores their potential for change, and creates spaces for collaboration and exploration of ideas.Gary describes how, by empowering and investing in local ideas and projects without imposing bureaucratic barriers, communities can foster a sense of ownership and engagement from within, leading to meaningful and sustainable outcomes for the people involved.LinksConnect with Gary via LinkedInOur Happiness Factor

Effective leadership requires understanding that not everyone thinks like you and has the same perception of a situation. Effective leaders listen, communicate clearly, and ensure the message is consistently understood and aligned throughout their organisation.Slowing down to plan, communicate, and involve key stakeholders can help drive successful change and avoid inconsistencies. Trust, genuine passion, and embracing diversity are also crucial elements in leading a business and achieving desired outcomes.Alastair MacDonald is a retired CEO who spent over six years as the CEO of Syneos Health, which grew from a 300 person organisation to over 30,000. He is now an operating partner with GHO Capital and works as a chairman for various companies. Alastair is a widely experienced leader with insights into creating change that serves society.LinksConnect with Alastair via LinkedIn

Embracing neurodiversity and different ways of thinking, more often than not leads to innovative and successful organisations. One simple clue to understanding your own thinking style is to ask whether you're “drama club” or “chess club”.The "chess club" represents an analytical approach to problem-solving, while "drama club" is about big picture and storytelling. Implementing both thinking styles makes for a more balanced and effective approach to leadership and decision-making.Sally Bridgeland has a unique perspective and ability to bridge the gap between approaches, and in this discussion with Julia, highlights the importance of understanding the value of each individual's perception of reality.By encouraging diverse thinking and creating an inclusive environment, we can tap into the full potential of individuals and drive long-term positive change. If we don't, we limit the range of perspectives and approaches to problem-solving available to us.LinksConnect with Sally via LinkedInThinking, Fast and Slow, by Daniel Kahneman

Generative leadership means pushing beyond the status quo and creating something new. It means building environments where new ideas, new confidence, and new leadership can emerge. It needs us to face the realities and complexities of the problems we're here to tackle, and to engage with collective intelligence.For this episode's guest, Loughlin Hickey, effective leadership isn't about intellectual prowess, but about being in service, building relationships, and navigating the tensions between tasks and relationships. By recognising and questioning our own assumptions and being curious about the assumptions of others, we can create a space for collaboration and co-creation, leading to long-term transformation and solutions to the challenges we face.LinksConnect with Laughlin via LinkedInBlueprint for Better BusinessThe Economy of FrancescoThe Ladder of InferenceBoth/And Thinking: Embracing Creative Tensions to Solve Your Toughest Problems

According to the WHO and UNICEF, more than 2 billion people lack access to safely managed water. But it may be as high as 4 billion. Jonas Pilgaard is the CEO of a company that's working on a product that will dramatically reduce those numbers. But it's not an easy feat, and requires a lot of nuance and diplomacy in order to build trust with communities of people who are rightly suspicious of drinking water.In Jonas' experience, listening and learning from others helps us to be less judgmental and to find solutions to complex problems. It takes time to understand the needs of the people we're trying to help, and to not make assumptions about what's “best”.Jonas is the CEO of 4 Life Solutions, a social impact company that aims to provide affordable, sustainable, and reliable water purification solutions to those in need. The company has developed a plastic bag and a plastic can that use the power of the sun to purify water, which is especially targeted towards people in the lowest income groups who can't afford more expensive solutions.Jonas has a background in the IT industry as an entrepreneur and joined 4 Life after being introduced to the founders and their mission to provide safe drinking water to those in need. He believes in the importance of understanding people's perspectives and being less judgmental.LinksConnect with Jonas via LinkedInThe Sawa CanThe Sawa Bag

So many leaders face burnout, but there's an alternative to pushing through it. By understanding the deeper nature of who we are and learning to slow our busy minds down, we can tap into our innate creativity and resilience.Barbara Patterson has worked with thousands of leaders. She discovered that understanding one's inner world and who they ultimately are will transform the way they make decisions and show up.This leads to a more fulfilling and successful approach to leadership that doesn't sacrifice our mental health or wellbeing. By letting go of old constructs of success and being open to new ways of doing business, we can create environments where people thrive and are more productive.Key takeawaysBy becoming more familiar with our inner self, we can uncover new insights that can help us create the life we want.We often compromise our own minds by conforming to what we believe others or society expects of us as leaders. This unhealthy behaviour can lead to burnout, as well as damaged relationships with our loved ones.Are you listening to the voice that tells you you can't do something, or to the quieter voice that offers time to reflect, and invites you to do something other than worry?LinksConnect with Barbara via LinkedInBarbara's website

Generative leadership involves being present, connected, and adaptable to emergent situations. It requires a willingness to let go of one's own ideas and preferences, and instead be guided by a deeper wisdom that arises when we are open and accepting.Shruthi Vijayakumar is a coach and mentor who teaches people to be comfortable with the unknown and to listen for wisdom. She helps people simplify their lives by examining their fundamental drivers and parts of their identity. Shruthi encourages leaders to work with, listen to, and be guided by nature.Her journey towards generative leadership began with Theory U's Four Levels of Listening, and specifically the concept of generative listening. This is a moment when parties are in dialogue and listening from a place that's not just about oneself.For Shruthi, generative leadership means being open to working with nature, listening to and being guided by it.InvitationsHow can you let go of the "I" in your language? What would happen if you practiced this, even for a few sentences?What happens when you don't believe everything you think? What space opens up, and what wiser parts of yourself can you listen to?What would happen if you let go of the need to fix everything? What would be possible if you trusted that life has your back and allowed it to flow through you? How would this help you create, grow, and evolve?LinksConnect with Shruthi via LinkedInThe Four Levels of Listening

There are lots of different leaders and lots of different leadership styles - But then there's this category of generative leadership. It's an ordinary but special category. Ordinary in the sense that it's a capacity that lives within all of us. But special in the sense that when you can generate something inside another human being to get them to be who they really are, to get them to be their potential, that is a special thing. That's what generative leaders do. They bring out what's true. In us and what's true in humanity. They see something they may not even know they see, but they see something that then gets translated to pure potential by another person who then sees it in themselves. That can create incredible change and exceptional business results.Sandra Krot was introduced to the fundamental principles of Generative Leadership by a mentor. Despite initially struggling to understand them, Sandra eventually came to realize that our experience of life is created inside out and is designed for success. She has since worked with thousands of leaders and shares this understanding to help them lead from a place of truth in themselves and with others.Key takeawaysHow can we recognise others' wisdom and creativity, and help them see it in themselves?The ability to truly listen to the wisdom within yourself, recognise it, and act upon it is what sets successful people apart.Which leadership style do you thrive in the most? Which style do you see others thriving in? And how can you cultivate that style with the people around you?LinksThe Three Principles of Mind, Consciousness, and Thought - Sydney BanksModello: A Story of Hope for the Inner City and Beyond: An Inside-Out Model of Prevention and Resiliency in Action, by Jack Pransky (the story of Dr Roger Mills)Invisible Power: Insight Principles at Work, by Ken Manning, Robin Charbit, and Sandra KrotIt's That Simple: A User's Manual for Human Beings, by Mavis Karn

After being injured and out for four months, former Olympic fencer Laurence Halstead was unsure if he would be able to qualify. A sports psychologist helped him see that if he was giving his best effort in a performance, he didn't need to beat himself up if he made mistakes.This was a breakthrough for Laurence, who had always been incredibly hard on himself and struggled to get over a bad loss or mistake. He had thought that being hard on himself was what had helped him get to the elite level, but the psychologist helped him shift to a more self-compassionate mindset, so he could find more joy and freedom in his performance.As a result of this Laurence saw how sport could be a force for good in the world and is now a leader in his own right working as the Director of Mentoring with the True Athlete Project and working directly with leaders.InvitationsHow can you have more compassion for yourself?If you're trying your best, you don't need to beat yourself up.Mistakes are part of our design. What can we forgive ourselves for?LinksConnect with Laurence via LinkedInBecoming a True Athlete: A Practical Philosophy for Flourishing Through Sport – Laurence's bookThe True Athlete ProjectLaurence's Website

When faced with a terrible loss, Mara Gleason found her connection to the life force: the mother of creation. This would see her directly influencing the lives of inner city kids whose role models taught them that the only way to fight violence was with violence.Following the sudden death of her brother's wife and children, Mara experienced a profound shift in consciousness. She describes this experience as living without the untruths on her mind. She felt that her ego made everything so much more complicated, and that after coming to terms with her loss, she was more attuned to the nudges of her biology.This led her to helping people shift from the inside out, changing their state of mind in order to solve any problem they were up against. That includes tackling gun violence in the inner city of Chicago and beyond, with her One Solution Foundation.InvitationsCultivate a relationship with your biological signals to eat, sleep, take a break, and rest.Listen to those nudges; don't push through and try to solve everything quickly.Slow down, take a breath, and let life unfold the answers for you.Sometimes it's okay to not have all the answers.LinksConnect with Mara on LinkedInOne SolutionOne Thought Changes Everything – Mara's book

Nothing in the world can make you any more whole than you already are. That's the single insight that set Anna Debenham on her journey working with people in prison.Anna is the founder of Insight Alliance, an organisation that helps incarcerated individuals turn their lives around. Anna's realisation led her to stop putting her worth and value on anything outside of herself and to follow her intuition.Anna's story shows us that we don't always have to pay attention to our feelings. By following our intuition and being in tune with our bodies, we can gain valuable insights that can guide us towards success. And by understanding our own minds and finding a feeling of peace within ourselves, we can navigate difficult situations with grace and resilience.Things to considerWe experience various feelings throughout the day, which are just sensations in our body. But we can interpret them in many ways and assign meaning.Recognising that we are not our thoughts and are not obliged to believe everything we think opens up enormous potential.And the other thing that she shared, But we don't have to believe everything we think about ourselves. So if you are sitting there thinking, well, I could never blah, blah, blah, or this is just not possible for me, do you really have to believe that thought? and if you didn't, what potential might get released in you? What ideas might be sparked in you? What could happen as a result?LinksThree PrinciplesThe Insight AllianceEverything we need to thrive already exists within us – TEDx Portland

“Every business needs a maniac and a minder.” Following a friend's advice, Liam Black has been how to train the manic and feed the minder.Liam is a mentor, with a wealth of experience to draw on, who provides practical advice for generative leaders who want to make a difference in the world. In his conversation with Julia, he discusses understanding one's purpose, navigating difficult bureaucracies, and staying healthy while achieving great results.His book, How to Lead With Purpose provides detailed, practical guidance as well as real-world examples that illustrate how purposeful leadership can have a positive impact on society.Key takeawaysLiam has an incredible ability to detect bullshit, even in himself. He is self-reflective and asks tough questions, which can make people uncomfortable, but they can help us break through our current understanding and push us further.The only thing that can truly hinder you is yourself. Learning to stay grounded and move away from anxious, backward-looking thoughts is something we could all benefit from. Taking a moment to be present and focus on what we know to be true can help us more than we realise.Living your purpose is a feeling – you know it when you're in it. But it's easy to get lost and drift away from that feeling. That's why it's important to reflect on your own thinking. A mentor can help in exploring your own thinking when you can't do it on your own.LinksConnect with Liam on LinkedInLian's websiteHow to Lead with Purpose: Lessons in Life and Work from the Gloves-off Mentor – Liam's bookLeadership BS: Fixing Workplaces and Careers One Truth at a Time, by Jeffrey Pfeffer

Habit change starts in the mind, before any other change can happen. That's what fat loss coach Joe Robinson discovered for himself, that he now helps others understand.Joe Robinson is an agent of change, empowering women to take back control of their health and happiness. Through an understanding of human behavior, Joe has created a program that helps people to recognize, analyze, and modify the underlying causes of their behaviors. By guiding clients to make informed decisions, Joe is confident that his program can create lasting changes that will result in a healthier and happier life. Joe is passionate about helping people create the life they want to live and is committed to making a meaningful contribution to the world.LinksConnect with Jo on LinkedInSustain Nutrition's websiteSustain Nutrition on FacebookFollow @sustain_nutri on InstagramThis former Google X exec reverse engineered happiness — here's what he found (Mo Gawdat's story)Viktor FranklWhat is toxic positivity?

“Whether we are dealing with children's services, domestic violence, nursing, arts and culture, gambling, care services; so often the answer is staring them in the face. But they don't see it, can't see it, have convinced themselves that the answer isn't there and they can't find it.”When faced with problems, Jim Clifford OBE helps people reframe and reimagine what's possible. He does this by challenging assumptions, turning obstacles into assets, and harnessing the power of the story.Key takeawaysA problem is only a problem because of the way we look at it.When we can see around the other side of a problem, clarity, insight, and simplicity are available.The people suffering from problems are often the ones with the answers – the just don't know that they have them.Simple questions lead to solutions, but listening is the only place where change can happen,LinksConnect with Jim on LinkedInSonnet – Jim's consultancy

Leadership is a dance. For Darragh and Julietta of SAP, too much leadership advice focuses on the head and not the heart. They created their retreat to help leaders tap into their own source of courage and resilience, even – or especially – when they didn't think they had any.Darragh Power and Julietta Stotz have both had moments of realisation that their thoughts were just a movie projection. Along with Julia, they share some of those moments of serenity when – even in the darkest times – they realised that their experience wasn't shaped by the world, but the reverse.Key takeawaysWe often give power to the circumstances of our lives, when it fact it is us, and those around us, with the power.Ego is merely insecure thinking taken seriously.Insecure thinking is just thinking. And it can make us stupid.LinksConnect with Darragh on LinkedInConnect with Julietta on LinkedInThree PrinciplesInvisible Power: Insight Principles at Work, by Dr Ken Manning, Robin Charbit, and Sandra KrotLife Lessons: From Sport and Beyond, Simon Mundie's podcast

We so often think of our minds as capturing reality like a camera, whereas in reality it works much more like a film projector, creating its own reality that we then perceive. That insight helped Belu Water co-CEO Charlotte Harrington step into her role as a generative leader, and remove some of her self-limiting barriers.Putting that into practice for Charlotte meant saying yes to more opportunities, and using that positive response to gain momentum. But it's not always an easy process, and we can still fall back to old habits.Towards the end of this episode, Charlotte explores her feelings around presence when staring down the barrel of a big red record button, feeling that you have to come up with the right answer quickly, rather than giving time to think.Things to considerOur minds can flood us with insecure thoughts.Remembering that these thoughts are just images from our mental movie projector can help them clear.LinksConnect with Charlotte on LinkedInFollow Belu Water's story

Be a good team player. Don't ask questions. Don't cause trouble. These were the rules professional and Internationally capped Scotland rugby player Grayson Hart told himself he should live by in order to succeed. But this was at odds with his own sense of curiosity about the world.Today, Grayson is the founder of Puresport, a brand of natural healing products for sportspeople. During his 14-year rugby union career, he began to discover how many athletes were becoming addicted to painkillers, so started work on natural alternatives using mushrooms and CBD. Combined with his growing interest in Buddhism and other spiritual teachings, he continues his mission to disentangle feelings of happiness from attainment and achievement.Things to considerAre we the chatter, or are we the awareness of that chatter?Is happiness not within our reach, but already inside of us?Where does happiness come from, and what is its nature?LinksConnect with Grayson on LinkedInPuresportThe Power of Now, by Eckhart Tolle

The mind has an innate ability to bring us answers. It's this ability to listen for those insights that makes someone a generative leader.Rena Loizou had a moment of insight while she was trapped underground during the attacks on London of July 7, 2005. This encounter, and the lightbulb moment she experienced in her tube car, catalysed a change in frame of mind from a fixed mindset to a generative one.Things to considerFear can make us feel stuck, but we can begin to unstick ourselves by being curious about the situation, and giving it a little distance.The mind has the capacity to completely reframe a situation, and view it afresh, without the situation having changed at all.LinksConnect with Rena on LinkedInSeniors Helping Seniors

When conservationist Sacha Dench was asked to look into the decline of the Bewick's swan, she faced a problem – how to get engagement from industry, and members of the public? The key Sacha found was storytelling.Sacha – AKA “the human swan” – is the co-founder and CEO of Conservation Without Borders and a UN ambassador for migratory species. In her discussion with Julia, Sacha sets out the need for environmental NGOs to collaborate more, for people to come to an agreement making one party wrong, and sets out her style of regenerative leadership.Content warning: This episode contains mentions of contemplating suicide.Things to considerOur minds can provide us with entirely new thinking, and allow us to see a set of circumstances in a totally new way.We don't have all the answers, but we can ask people for help.Stories can help us wake up to our own thinking, and change it.LinksConservation Without BordersSacha's Wikipedia entryFlight of the Ospreys – BBC Radio 4

Julia and her guest have both had “aha!” moments, where steering a particular course of action no longer seemed viable in the face of a dramatically changing world.Lorna Davis is a coach who co-creates spaces with her clients to explore how we're really made. She shares her experiences of shifting perspectives and moving towards generative thinking, which took her from a global food brand to working one-to-one with people to help them discover their own insights.Things to considerSolving problems can be fun.Change comes from insight.LinksConnect with Lorna on LinkedInLorna's website