The Roots of Leadership Podcast

Today we're joined by Precious Mshengu, a woman with a story that everyone should hear. Aged just 35, Precious has already achieved so much to be proud of, including being a part of the Enterprise Innovation Academy in Portugal, gaining a Master's degree in Corporate Governance and Law, and she's only getting started. Growing up in South Africa, Precious moved to the UK aged  15, during what would be her final year of high school. The transition into a new academic structure and confronting a new culture was one of vast change, but Precious faced this adversity head on and continued to thrive. She recalls the steps she had to take to ensure that the difficulties of this time didn't define her or the path she would take. Throughout, Precious touches on sense of purpose and the importance of this when navigating through life. She talks about always wanting to be the best version of herself, and how she juggled the desire to perform at the highest level, while being a single parent. This episode is proof that with discipline, determination and grit, we can overcome the challenges that we face and become the best possible version of ourselves. While it may not be easy, it is possible, and Precious is proof of this sentiment.

Today we're joined by Andrea Kind, heralded communicator, strategist, advisor and yoga teacher who is passionate about helping others, using her personable leadership and coaching skills. Opening the show with some comments made by those Andrea has mentored, her natural ability to listen, understand and help others shines through. Described as ‘compassionate and tough' – she believes this is an accurate description of her, but also encompasses what she hopes to teach those around her. When discussing what it means to be empathetic, Andrea talks about the importance of this to all aspects of leadership, whether with employees, family, or those that you mentor. Balancing empathy with learning to ‘get on with it' is something that Andrea has mastered through personal encounters with hardship, meaning she speaks from a place of genuine experience. Yoga means a lot to Andrea, and as well as being a student, she is also a teacher. She attributes the techniques she's learned to move forward and be resilient, to yoga. Yoga has enabled her to learn, master and practice looking through a different lens and having different perspectives. In the face of both personal and professional adversity, Andrea has continued to power through, crediting her optimistic ‘set point' as something she can always find her way back to when needed. This episode is empowering, refreshing and uplifting, giving us all a different outlook and a revitalising take on how to view our own lives.

Today we're joined by Richard Medcalf, leader, coach and Founder of Xquadrant; helping elite CEOs and their teams multiply their impact and take their influence to a new level. When touching on his experiences as a coach to CEOs and high level leaders, Richard shares his belief that we can all think like a CEO and take ownership and control of our destiny, regardless of our job title. He uncovers that one of the most common themes he addresses among those he coaches, is the need to perfect the art of letting go of the nitty gritty, and expresses the strategic benefits that can be achieved by doing this. One key message he shares with those he works with is the importance of fully formed requests. A simple yet important element of leadership, encouraging clear boundaries and freeing headspace for the things we should be focussing on – something everyone can take away and begin implementing immediately. This episode provides invaluable insight into the skills and traits you need to be a successful leader, regardless of job title or position. Discussing the importance of culture (and what it actually means), accountability, forming agreements and so much more, this is a leadership masterclass that everyone should hear.

On today's episode we're joined by 16 year old Zak O'Sullivan, racing driver and British Racing Drivers' Club (BRDC) superstar, who was recently crowned the youngest ever GB3/British F3 champion. By the age of eight, Zak was already karting. His dad's interest in cars sparked his own passion which quickly grew; it wasn't long before Zak himself was in the driving seat. Aged just 14, Zak raced some of the UK's most renowned racetracks as part of the Ginetta Junior Championship. This year he has celebrated winning the most races, having the most podiums, the most pole positions, and leading the most laps – it's incredible to see what Zac has achieved in such a short space of time. When discussing ‘Man vs Machine', Zak explains that he believes adaptability is what separates the good from the great. In a sport where no two laps are the same, he emphasises the need to adapt quickly and seamlessly, as well as using his senses to make decisions. Weather is something that Zak is more than used to adapting to. He was once dubbed ‘Rain Man' due to the speed he managed to reach when racing in wet weather - he attributes this to living in the UK, believing the UK weather has helped him perfect this talent! This episode is a leadership seminar covering trust, adaptability, reactions, relationships and more. With an already accomplished career at such a young age (all while juggling school, exams and day-to-day life) and a promising future, Zak serves as an example to us all that hard work and dedication really does pay off.

On today's episode we're joined by Jackie Wendleken, a leader and networker, unafraid of breaking down barriers. Jackie begins by taking us back to when she moved to London as she recalls being a ‘green behind the ears' 18 year old. She credits her time working in customer service and retail as the core foundation for enabling her to excel within future positons, including the all-important people skills she mastered at this time and continues to utilise today. Now working as a Senior Vice President within the UK Risk Management team at Marsh, Jackie's passion for working with clients shines through as she continues to speak to us. Working as a team leader and supporting new colleagues joining the business, Jackie's past experiences have enabled her to now meaningfully mentor those around her. Jackie tells us that she was once incredibly shy and found networking challenging. A far cry from now as she highlights her passion to embrace opportunities to be put out of her comfort zone. She explains that it was through experiences like these, that she was able to find inner confidence and become a true people person. Jackie describes herself as someone who always wants a ‘bigger table'. Speaking about the importance of proving to her daughter that she can break down barriers, Jackie explains the importance of hard work, ‘showing up', and the belief that you really can achieve anything you put your mind to. This episode is inspiring, powerful and motivational – pushing us all to find and fulfil our true potential.

On today's episode we're joined by Paula Lopes, insurance expert, lifelong leader and professional, built for challenge and adventure. Starting from the beginning, Paula takes us back to growing up in Brazil and the inspiring work ethic she saw in her father. Working multiple jobs was a way of life where she lived, and it wasn't out of the ordinary for Paula to watch her dad work five jobs at a time. This work ethic more than rubbed off on Paula, and her impressive career is testament to this. Her passion for making people happier is something that sits at the core of all she does, and during 22 years in the insurance industry, this unwavering passion has remained solid throughout. Paula sees change as opportunity, and when touching on this, she explains the importance of observation and learning from others, and how invaluable this can be during these times. Her willingness to learn, and take on feedback and critique, has enabled her to build a successful career, as well as an open and honest family environment. Discussing reflection, Paula shares the exercises she uses to practise this. Whether it be turning off the radio while driving home, or other ways of factoring in the time, she explains how important it is to her to reflect on the day's conversations and think of what she may have done differently in hindsight. Covering topics including fixed mindset, diversity of thought and so much more, this episode explores avenues familiar to all of us. Listen today.

On today's episode we're joined by, author, activist, television presenter and personality, Katie Piper, who encompasses the true essence of being a leader. Delving straight in to discuss the driving force behind the charity she founded, The Katie Piper Foundation, Katie explains that establishing a charity was never a route she expected to go down. A life-changing experience gave her clear insight of the support those dealing with burn injuries need. When her life changed overnight, she quickly became aware of treatments she needed that weren't available to her in the UK. So the idea behind her foundation was born – to help make what she had to travel for, more easily accessible for others. After a documentary about her story aired, Katie found that people wanted to help. She and her family paid any donations they received into a bank account with charitable status, with the view to donate this to other survivors of burns and enable them to receive the treatment she had in France. The generosity of these people was a healing experience for Katie and her gratitude to those who helped her was palpable. As time went on, Katie's platform expanded and support never stopped. Eventually, The Katie Piper Foundation became a formalised charity, and she and her team worked on setting up mentoring and workshops, eventually leading to opening their very own centre, enabling treatment to happen in the UK instead of abroad. From being in a coma and having to rebuild her life, to becoming a best-selling author among so many other achievements, Katie's excitement for life and love for connecting with people is infectious. When discussing the importance of consistency and showing up for ourselves, her words are incredibly powerful – “trauma is a part of life, but it doesn't have to be a life sentence”. As Katie shares her closing messages with us, she encourages listeners not to fear the dark times and instead to embrace them. Some of the best times of your life will be the hardest ones, but they can be a catalyst for change – something Katie proves in her own experiences. “Don't just dream and wish, make it happen”.

Today we're joined by Roianne Nedd, Global Inclusion and Diversity Leader, motivational speaker, and author of ‘The Trusted Black Girl'. Taking us right back to the beginning, Roianne tells us about her childhood within a patriarchal society in Guyana, born to a family with incredible work ethic. Her father part of the second generation free of slavery, her grandmother a descendant of Indian indentured workers - Roianne explains that her multicultural background provided her with a mindset that you can achieve anything if you work hard… and that's exactly what she did. As the conversation progresses, Roianne delves into the elements of her leadership style and how she developed this, including the part active listening plays. Discussing the actions we need to take with regards to diversity and inclusion, Roianne touches on the importance of seeing talent in a different way, and ensuring organisations take time to step back and look at the people they need to bring in for the next generation. Moving on to talk about her book, ‘The Trusted Black Girl', Roianne tells us the concept, including the twists and turns she took while writing, and the philosophical shift that occurred when she realised the audience for the book should not be black women as she'd originally thought. As she recalls being told by colleagues that they would ‘forget she was black', Roianne discusses the realisation that she had transcended race for people, the internal battle this created, and the meaning behind the name of her book. Speaking about the work she does with women in Guyana, the importance of expecting more, the collective courage that drives change and so much more, this show is as powerful as it is inspiring. Listen now.

On today's show we're joined by Kevin Dedner, founder and CEO of Hurdle, award-winning public speaker and true leader in all he does. As he discusses the evolution of his business, Kevin takes us back to his own experience with depression, and not only what this taught him, but the gaps in mental healthcare this period highlighted. Following this journey, he set about creating culturally intentional mental healthcare, and Hurdle was born. As Kevin touches on the increase in company commitments to diversity and inclusion, especially during the last year or so following the death of George Floyd, he explains the importance of making these promises tangible. He tells us that while a diverse team will not be without its challenges, it will be a team that does not burn out easily and that provides beautiful outcomes. Discussing mental health, diversity, outcomes and so much more, this episode brings important topics to the forefront, breaking down barriers and highlighting the importance of culture within therapy, among other key messages. Sharing statistics, facts and findings, Kevin provides us with takeaways and talking points that we all have a responsibility to listen to, and act on.

Today we're joined by Dan Stanley, expert in human development and performance, retired senior Army Commando, and coach – just to name a few! Owner of ‘Better Men', a business focused on enabling men to live a happier and healthier life, Dan's journey has been anything but smooth sailing. During the darkest time in his life, Dan found himself in a suicidal state. Speaking candidly with us, he explains the depths of this time, and the collateral damage this created. Following a conversation by chance on holiday, Dan made the decision to shut down the business he owned at the time, and within four weeks of landing back in the UK, began an eight month period of ‘time out'. Reflecting on the opinions he received following this decision, Dan highlights the importance and power of this period in his life. Discussing fear, blueprint for success, and so much more, Dan's message is as important as it is clear. Dial down the volume of your inner critic. Take off the masks. Create space and capacity for thought. Alone you'll go faster, together you'll go further.

Today we're privileged to be joined by Sir David King, Co-Founder of the Clean Growth Leadership Network and founder and Chair of The Centre for Climate Repair in the University of Cambridge. Sir David's vast accomplishments include, being elected Fellow of the Royal Society in 1991, receiving his Knighthood in 2003, working as the UK Government Chief Scientific Adviser (2000-2007), and being the Foreign Secretary's Special Representative on Climate Change (2013-2017) - his achievements and work are as inspiring as they are important. Sir David's message is clear; we are dealing with a crisis of enormous proportions with regard to climate change. He believes “our civilisation has never had to face up to a challenge as big as this one, and what we do over the next five to ten years will determine the future of humanity for the next millennium”. As the discussion progresses and we deep dive into the complexities and facts around this important subject, Sir David explains more about the Conference of the Parties meeting, explaining that the 26th session is due to take place in November of this year and world leaders will come together with one focus – to discuss climate change. As he highlights scary statistics, it's clear just how important these meetings and subsequent actions are, and the speed at which they're executed. This episode will open your eyes more than ever before, to the crisis that confronts us regarding climate change, and the importance of the part we play. Speaking candidly, openly and informatively, Sir David shares incredibly thought-provoking findings and experiences with us, in a message we all need to hear.

Today we're joined by Kay White, career coach, mentor and author, recently recognised as one of the top 49 Elite Women in Insurance 2021.  Her success as a global podcast host and motivational speaker demonstrates that Kay truly is a leader in all she does. It seemed truly fitting she joined us on International Women's Week. Starting her career as an ‘enthusiastic and naïve' secretary in Willis, Kay spent over 20 years working her way up the ladder, eventually becoming a global director in the Global Property and Casualty sector. As she reflects on being one of just six broking women at the time, Kay recalls the twists and turns, rollercoasters and experiences gained during that stage of her life. As she discusses her journey into the world of coaching, Kay tells us about the safe space she strives to create for her clients highlighting how beneficial this can be for an individual. Her passion for neurolinguistics has further strengthened her approach to the way she coaches, and the time taken to understand and learn more about this has proven invaluable. This discussion touches on powerful subjects, one of which encourages women to stop waiting to be asked and instead to take the power into their own hands. Kay's wealth of knowledge, passion for diversity & inclusion, and natural mentoring ability makes this a captivating conversation that's not to be missed.

On today's show we're joined by Gail Lowney Alofsin, Keynote Speaker, Author, University Professor, Humanitarian, and Sales & Marketing Executive. Gail begins by talking about always having been a people person, even from a young age. Gail takes us back to when she was a student in a Catholic school, door knocking, trying to sell religious items, and highlighted that even those who said ‘no' got a ‘thank you for opening the door' note from her. Fondly remembering the connection she made with individuals so early on, it's easy to see where her passion for working with people began. Fast forward a few years, aged only 19, Gail's father took her to volunteer on a medical mission in Haiti.  Following the news that he only had a year to live, Gail's father chose to travel to Haiti every three months, as a practising dentist outside Mother Theresa's ‘Home for the Dying'.  When asked by Mother Theresa to help the people of Jeremie in Haiti, he did just that, founding the Haitian Health Foundation, an outpatient clinic providing healthcare to 200,000 patients a year and where Gail still volunteers to this day. As a true believer of ‘eat the frog for breakfast', Gail explains why she thinks addressing the things you don't look forward to, first thing every day, is so important for productivity. Her various personal and professional triumphs are a clear indication that this approach to life has really worked for her. Sharing her tips for success and her infectious energy with us, this episode will reshape your mind set and make you look at life differently. Even in the face of pain and adversity, Gail's constant drive and determination has seen her through the hard times, and into the life she now leads with so many achievements under her belt.

On today's show, we welcome Rachael Flanagan, leader, entrepreneur and CEO of Mrs Buckét Cleaning Services. In 2005, Rachael was 18, sitting her A-Levels, and helping her mum clean the family home. Originally seeing this as a means to earn ‘beer money' for the local pub, Rachael quickly recognised the positive impact her help was having around the house, and her dream began to grow and take shape. As Rachael explains her humble beginnings, she tells us how her entrepreneurial spirit sparked as a seven-year-old selling sweets in her dad's shop, and how this evolved to become a 300-strong team of staff based across Wales and Bristol, offering commercial cleaning. It's incredible to believe she started aged 18, armed with just £20 worth of fliers and a hoover. Rachael's energy is infectious and her success is truly down to her determination, motivation, sacrifice and drive. Reflecting on a quote a swimming teacher once told her, she explains how she applied the words “there's no way of improving yourself unless you're in the pool first, and leave the pool last” to everything in her life. This episode is a stark reminder that with fire in your belly and a determination to succeed, you can and will be a success. Rachael's fantastic energy and perseverance to prove her doubters wrong has been the catalyst for a business empire, and we look forward to seeing what's next in store for her. You can find Rachael on LinkedIn and keep up to date with her latest updates!

Today we're joined by Joanne Collins, former military personnel, woman in technology, and born leader. Having grown up in a military family, Joanne followed suit and worked as both Military Police and Telecommunications Officer during her time in the forces. Looking back, Joanne explains that on graduation from Airborne School, she was one of just five women, compared to 400 men. She credits this part of her life for teaching her resilience, how to think on her feet, and the importance of teamwork. Speaking of the challenges she's faced along the way, and the mind set instilled within her, Joanne touches on the importance of feeling the fear and doing it anyway. Her refreshing take on failure, and the idea that it really isn't something to be afraid of, is a key part of the success she's achieved throughout her life. Becoming a single mother when her children were ages five and seven, Joanne was running a national support desk while trying to move it to a 24/7 model. While touching on the support she cobbled together from family, friends and social groups, Joanne explains the importance of diversity of thought within organisations, and the challenges around outdated systems that prevent this happening. Joanne covers powerful topics with passion and candour. This episode brings the importance of diversity, inclusion and thought leadership to the forefront of discussion, providing us with lessons we can learn from and build upon.

Today we're joined by Touker Suleyman, fashion retail entrepreneur, investor, business owner and of course one of the highly respected moguls on hit television programme, ‘Dragons' Den'. From a young age, Touker explains that he was always ambitious. After leaving the world of accountancy in his late teens, he asked himself two questions; ‘how am I going to be successful?' and ‘how am I going to be recognised?'. From there, Touker embarked on a journey comprising of successes, challenges and above all, opportunities to learn. In his twenties, Touker was the chairman of two public companies and as the youngest in this role at the time, would regularly be referred to as a ‘tycoon' by the press. However, after investing into a business that went bust, Touker lost everything. In his own words, he had to start again, but with a very important lesson under his belt – always do due diligence. Looking back, Touker still has a deep appreciation for the lessons he learned from loss. When offering advice to others, he says that listening to your gut is paramount, and that taking risk is a must in business, but not until you've done your research. In Touker's eyes, the importance of having passion and wanting to add value is high on the priority list, and this paired with hard work and an all-important mentor, is a winning combination. From earning £5 a week in his teens, to being the owner of a multi-million pound empire, Touker's business acumen, approach to leadership and positive energy, makes this a must listen episode for all. Are you in?

Today we're joined by Jeff Nischwitz, founder and ‘chief story debunker' of The Nischwitz Group, speaker, motivator, and facilitator of truth. Starting out in the legal world, Jeff now describes himself as a ‘snow globe shaker' for those that he serves. Following a very successful career in law, Jeff came to the realisation that although he was good at what he did, he didn't enjoy it, and so began a journey in search of something he loved. Traditional success wasn't what he was striving for, and in the pursuit of something he was both good at and enjoyed, he came to be where he is today. Growing up in a culture where it was deemed crazy to enjoy what you did for a living, Jeff describes how dangerous he finds this mindset and how it can stifle a person's growth and development. Perhaps one of the most inspiring things to takeaway from listening to Jeff speak is the passion he has for what he does, and his belief that extreme discomfort, always precedes great things. Speaking of the stories he debunks for those around him, Jeff helps people ‘cut the chain' to what is holding them back. His passion for helping people and leaders that are willing to improve themselves has enabled him to build The Nischwitz Group, a platform where he helps to transform individuals and organisations ‘one truth at a time'. Jeff's mission is clear and powerful – to stop people basing their success on stories they've been told, and instead encouraging them rewrite their own. Passionate, motivational, and jam-packed with golden nuggets of advice, this show isn't one to miss.

On today's episode, we're joined by Jamie Peacock MBE, former Rugby League player, motivational speaker and mentor. During his career, he played for the Leeds Rhinos, the Bradford Bulls, captained Great Britain and England at international level, and that's just a handful of his achievements. In 2011, he was awarded an MBE for services to the game. From the get-go, Jamie's motivation shines through. He explains the route he had to take to break through into the first team, and how this was as much to do with his mindset and self-discipline, as his rugby skill – and sometimes even more so. Jamie's dedication is no doubt a large factor in his continued success, on, and off the pitch. Now an accomplished motivational speaker and mentor, Jamie's career and life experience has enabled him to share his knowledge with others, with the focus on making them better. The leadership fundamentals he gained during his time as a captain and team member, and the challenges he faced, have allowed him to build a successful empire, all based around helping others. In his own words, Jamie overcame a lack of natural “sporting” talent and became one of England's best captains. His achievements speak volumes and his infectious energy and drive makes him a true pleasure to listen to. The overarching message is to BELIEVE - believe in yourself, play to your strengths, listen and learn from those around you, practice self-discipline, and be patient.

Today we're joined by Leigh Ashton, CEO and founder of The Sales Consultancy, a business focussed on shifting the way people think and giving them a Sales Growth Mindset. Casting her mind back to 1985, Leigh explains that as she stepped into a sales role, she felt like she was living a dream come true. The one to one conversations, people she got to meet and businesses she engaged with made her feel as though she was getting ‘paid to chat' and her passion for sales only grew from here. But so did the frustration with the inconsistent performance of her sales team. Driven to find out what was causing and contributing to these inconsistencies in her team, she became motivated and inspired to find solutions to fix these, and in 1995, The Sales Consultancy was born. Specialising in mindset, Leigh now shares her expertise and experience with others. She explains that as times have changed, and technology has become such a core part of our lives, that people's fear often takes over. Back in 1985, people could only compare themselves with their immediate peers, and now we're able to compare to anyone, anywhere – all via our phones or computers. Leigh believes her experience of feeling like a failure at times, and learning from the ‘gurus' around her has allowed her to share her wisdom and learnings with others, to enable them to be better. She tells us that ‘frustration is what happens just before growth', and that if we don't let that frustration pull us down, we will benefit from the opportunity to learn something that takes us to the next level. This episode is powerful beyond measure. Leigh's passion for helping others, dispelling the myths of ‘sales people', and sharing her experience has allowed her to create a culture where people ‘have a go'. With a refreshing view on how people should be lead, and a focus on helping people grow, Leigh is a pleasure to listen to.

Today, the fantastic Jennifer Walsh (photographed above with Becki Lammond, podcast producer), innovative thinker, world wanderer and leader in life, joins us for her second time on the show. Since her last appearance on the show back in 2018, Jennifer has been as busy as ever, and a pandemic wasn't going to get in her way. Talking about her current projects, including consulting for beauty brands, writing, and appearing on various TV segments, Jennifer speaks about her passion for nature, and how this has translated across into her business. ‘Walk with Walsh' is an initiative started by Jennifer to get people out and about. The video series features Jennifer and different guests, from CEOs to philanthropists, as they discuss how they're using nature in all that they do, while also making an effort to protect it. The ‘why', is Jennifer's belief that “healthy, positive leadership with an awareness of the importance of nature not only builds healthy teams, but also a strong bottom line, and a healthy thriving community.” This episode puts a refreshingly positive spin on what's been a tough time for everyone. Time with, and awareness of nature is something that Jennifer believes is needed now, more than ever. Giving us the opportunity to learn about our surroundings, and exploring our own backyards, is something that has enabled us to learn about and appreciate the eco-systems that surround us. Listening to Jennifer will leave you feeling motivated to get outside, breathe in fresh air and learn about the nature surrounding us. Her infectious passion, experiences, and portfolio of exciting projects, come together, which makes listening to Jennifer a true joy.

Today, business leader and courageous thinker, Jemma McCarthy joins the show as she tells us about some of the incredible things she has achieved in her lifetime. As a gifted athlete, professional photographer and community worker (alongside her full time job), it's a wonder that Jemma finds the time to juggle all that she does. However, as her story unfolds, it's clear that Jemma believes you have to grab what life has to offer with both hands as she talks about her experiences and how she came to that conclusion. Following a car accident in 2018, Jemma was recovering at home from a carotid artery dissection, which caused some loss of vision. Not wanting to give up her beloved exercise, her main goal was to get back on her bike. She persevered and when out on her first outside cycle, she was involved in an accident with a van. Some may wonder how Jemma overcame such scary experiences in such a short space of time, but when listening to her talk, it's clear. Her mindset and self-belief is the key. When explaining why she's so positive, Jemma talks about wanting to be a person that helps to make others' days brighter. She's a firm believer of being kind, and never forgetting when others have been kind to you. Jemma's experiences have helped her gain a positive and strong mindset that she shares and passes onto others, to lift them up. This episode will have you hooked from the offset, and refresh your outlook on life. Get ready for your ‘can-do' attitude to have a complete overhaul!

Today you'll hear from Dave Adams, business leader, military veteran, and an individual who made an inspiring comeback when the odds were against him. Speaking about his time in the military, Dave explains the various forms of leadership he was exposed to during his time in position, and on the battlefield. Understanding, adaptation and overcoming challenges, are all things Dave has harnessed, enabling him to become a successful leader in all areas of his life. Dave's experience in the military wasn't without its challenges, perhaps provoking one of the hardest things for him to confront – his mental health. Speaking candidly with Anthony, Dave takes us through an experience in 2014, when he tragically lost an aircraft and five people, along with it. The emotion surrounding this experience is palpable, and Dave's honesty around his battles with mental health illness following this incident, even after returning home, is testament to how far he's come. The journey on a new career path has been Dave's opportunity to use the experiences gained from his hardships, to lead and help others. Aged just 16 when he joined the military, a new career may have seemed impossible for some, but in true Dave fashion, he's made a home for himself in the world of insurance. Alongside this, he was the driving force behind a military resource group within Marsh, a space for people to learn from, and support each other. This episode is emotional, thought provoking and above all, inspiring. Dave's strength and resilience in the face of adversity serves as a reminder of the power within all of us.

On this episode, developing leader, Ellie Harrison joins us for an honest discussion around leadership, learning, and the challenges young professionals will face as they climb the career ladder. Growing up with three brothers, Ellie experienced leadership from a young age. Whether it was fighting for the rights to the TV, or practising sharp negotiation skills, she had the fundamentals of a successful leader engrained, from the get go. Starting her career as a graduate, Ellie explains the fascination she felt around leadership. That fascination quickly turned to passion for guiding others, being on the front foot, and developing her ideas. During the episode, Ellie discusses various experiences and lessons learned outside of the comfort zone, something she knows well and promotes. When the organisation Ellie worked within joined the Marsh family, she was told to look at this as a ‘village of opportunity', and that she did. Describing the ‘Colleague Resource Groups' available to her as a ‘map' of the business, Ellie was keen to get involved in these to grow her network and help others. This episode is a hub of advice and inspiration for people of all ages. Whether you're a young professional getting started in your career, or you're established within your sector, Ellie gives a refreshing and important view on growth and leadership. You'll also hear an optimistic spin on the current situation the world faces, and the ways we can use it to our advantage.

Speaking from the USA, Beth A. Miller joins us on The Roots of Leadership. Founder and CEO of Executive Velocity, an accomplished author and speaker, Beth's business acumen is one to be admired. Beginning her career in financial management, Beth founded Executive Velocity in 2006. It has proven a fantastic outlet for her enthusiasm and energy as she assists clients in helping their people thrive. Speaking about her time in executive coaching, Beth tells us about her overall coaching process while explaining the importance of never letting ego get in the way, and always remaining humble throughout life's journey. Perhaps one of the most notable points from this interview is Beth's principle of being a ‘lifetime learner'. Despite her extensive experience and knowledge, she is always on a journey of learning. It's clear to see how this belief has enabled her to go from strength to strength, helping countless clients, and building a fantastic career along the way. Beth's passion for leadership development and succession planning is evident throughout this episode, as she highlights the importance of communication as the ‘cornerstone of leadership' and the many techniques she uses when coaching clients. She explains that leaders who leave a legacy are those that leave other leaders, creating a culture that develops the people around them. This episode will leave you motivated, self-aware and ready to learn – don't miss it.

In today's episode, Ryan Berman, motivational keynote speaker, author and founder of ‘Courageous', joins us from San Diego. In 2019, Ryan founded ‘Courageous', a movement geared towards reinventing businesses and inspiring leaders. Since then, Ryan has gone from strength to strength and has delivered talks at Google and Snapchat to name just a couple, as well as speaking all over the USA to Csuite, marketing and professional services audiences. During this episode, Ryan explains his belief that he is doing exactly what he should be doing at this moment in time. Alongside consulting companies to reinvent their tomorrow, and being a ‘digital handyman', he also finds time to write his books and is already the author of best-seller ‘Return On Courage'. It doesn't stop there, as if he's not busy enough, Ryan is also the founder of ‘Sock Problems' – an altruistic sock company that strives to “sock” world problems. Each sock design targets a different issue going on in the world and donates 25% of every sale to charity. Ryan's passion and determination for courageous change is displayed throughout his work and businesses. This show will inspire you to look within and challenge your beliefs on driving change within your own life. If you're willing, you're open.

On today's episode, Michelle Sims, business leader at Marsh Commercial, joins us to share her story on how to be leaders in all aspects of life, including family. At 29 years old and preparing for her 30th birthday celebrations, Michelle was in her own words, a ‘chick about town'. Living in a two-bedroom apartment and driving a two-seater sports car, she couldn't have been further removed from being a parent at that stage in her life. However, when Michelle's niece and nephew were placed into the care system aged five and seven, she made the courageous decision to adopt them, and became a mum overnight. As Michelle recalls the various hoops she had to jump through and hurdles she faced, the emotion is palpable. Fourteen years on from their ‘moving in day', Michelle talks us through the lessons learned and the way her personal and professional leadership has grown and developed. Her dedication to coaching, supporting and nurturing others is clear, as are the experiences that enabled her to be an honest and open leader in all aspects of her life. Emotional, empowering and inspirational, this episode is not one to miss.

Áine Kerr, teacher-turned-entrepreneur, coach, speaker, advisor and broadcaster, joins us on the Roots of Leadership podcast for an insightful and impactful episode – this is not one to be missed! Previously the leader of global journalism partnerships at Facebook, Áine wanted to focus on a new form of journalism, and is now the CO-Founder and COO of Kinzen. Kinzen is an organisation that offers content moderation and content engagement solutions with one clear mission – to ensure every individual has confidence in the quality and transparency of the information they consume every day. Throughout her fantastic career, the common thread is clear, Áine wants to play her part in building sustainable journalism, and journalism that will thrive, for people to understand the world around them and make decisions in their everyday lives. On Kinzen and its ideology, Áine explains the importance of taking a step back and thinking about what she and her business partner would do if they could ‘start again' knowing what they know now. While we live through a global pandemic, this episode provides some valuable takeaways. In a fitting sentiment, Áine explains her belief that the only constant in life is change, and the importance of knowing your ‘why' and purpose. As you listen to this conversation, you'll ask yourselves powerful questions, thinking about what life you want, and how you might ensure you live a fulfilling one.

In this episode, we're joined by entrepreneur, James Dawes. Once a frontline police officer in central London, James is now the CEO of Dawes Highway Safety, a company with the safety of vulnerable road users at its heart. During a heroic 15 year career, James attended multiple road traffic collisions and quickly spotted a glaring gap in the market. He's now the successful CEO of a company that focuses on making vulnerable road users safe, working alongside former public servicemen and women to serve the community. James' dedication and determination for his job and life are reflected in the success he's achieved. He teaches us the importance of resilience and ensuring you're able to adapt to your surroundings and circumstances. The lessons he's learned have enabled him to create a flexible working environment for his workforce which welcomes a positive work-life balance.  This includes parents being able to bring their children into work should they need to, working from home, and much more. This episode will encourage you to be fearless and listen to your instincts; you don't want to miss it!

In this episode, we sit down for an insightful discussion with former Virgin Media COO, Peter Wilcock. A successful mentor, author and podcast host, Peter believes that the key to leading people is good communication, and explains how this belief led to the use of analogies throughout his career and eventually within his book, ‘Camel in the Tent'. These analogies lend themselves to be used as a way to understand certain situations or circumstances, and how these can be overcome or viewed with a different perspective. A father of two girls, Peter's mission is to teach them not to react to judgement and not to seek approval. This sentiment is something that he carries through his daily life and career, whether it be mentoring or writing, Peter's beliefs are clear – ‘you are who you are'. This episode is a fantastic session that proves being out of your comfort zone and facing fear head on, can lead to amazing results.

Originally broadcast in June 2019, this episode highlights the inspirational story of NFL linebacker, Tahir Whitehead. As he entered his eighth year in the NFL, Tahir joined us to discuss the obstacles he'd overcome to become the person he is today. Growing up in Newark, New Jersey, Tahir was determined not to let his surroundings define him. Motivated and driven, he realised that with the right opportunity he could become the first person in his family to go to college. Attending Temple University, Tahir worked hard to ensure he didn't become another statistic, tackling important lessons on and off the field. An Oakland Raiders player when this episode originally aired, Tahir has always been focused on giving back, and was chosen as the team's Walter Payton Man of the Year Nominee for his contributions to the community of Oakland in 2019. Alongside this, he's delivered toys to local hospitals, hosted a 5k to support homeless veterans, and hosted a free youth football camp for five years in his home town, just to name a few. Now playing for the Carolina Panthers, Tahir is an example of how you can achieve greatness through hard work and determination.

Today on the Roots of Leadership, we bring you Cara-Jane Lynch... from our homes to yours! Cara-Jane is a life and progress coach. She helps women to re-write negative self-talk, move on from their limiting beliefs, and find their purpose in life... alongside delivering transformational and inspiring workshops to young women.   She believes strongly in the power of choice - you are not at the mercy of your mind or of your life. You are able to choose your friends, your career, your achievements, even your feelings!   In this episode we talk about how to listen to your inner self instead of shutting it up, and how to live a life that makes you happy and fulfilled. We also talk about the importance of the Black Lives Matter movement through Cara-Jane's lived experience as a mixed race woman, and the different ways she has seen family members be treated due solely to the colour of their skin.   This is an incredibly inspiring episode, which will encourage all who listen to it to harness their own power.   If you are interesting in Cara-Jane's 1-2-1 coaching, please visit https://www.carajanecoaching.com/

This episode, originally broadcast in May 2018, tells the incredible transformation story of Sarah Keen Post. A journey from weighing 200lbs to becoming a fitness professional would be a big undertaking for many people - let alone a mother of five. But Sarah is not 'many people', and her drive knows no bounds. Overhauling her mental and physical state, she knew that simply 'wanting' to change would not be enough. It would be hard, demanding a great deal of time. She also needed to surround herself with people who supported her mission. In 2018 we spoke to Sarah about her new venture - a project with MMA to promote a new wellness and nutrition model, The Keen Model of Transformational Evolution (KMTE). Listen closely to how her transformation and evolution was based on leadership, and began just by adding an “extra step”.

On today's episode of The Roots of Leadership, we are delighted to have the Queen of networking herself, Tracey Smolinski. Tracey Smolinski is an entrepreneur, investor, and founder of award-winning global business network Introbiz. Introbiz works with a compelling vision – to make an impact on the business community by placing businesses with their target audiences at five-star events and locations. The business network is now one of the most respected in the UK, hosting weekly networking events as well as Wales' national business exhibition every autumn. Despite her love for meeting and talking to new people, networking didn't initially come easy for Tracey. Used to the pushy world of sales, Tracey went to her first networking event with a game plan - introduce herself to as many people as possible, and tell them what she and the business she worked for sold. It didn't work. With the help of constructive feedback, Tracey learned the difference between sales and networking, and came up with a new game plan. Get them to know you, to like you, to trust you… the business will follow. In this episode, Tracey lays out a framework for efficient networking, based on her experiences creating Introbiz. Grab a pen and paper for this one!

This episode was originally shared in March 2018, and was the second ever Roots of Leadership episode. In this show, Anthony is joined by Chantal Raineri, top-selling insurance business woman. The Italian-born wife and mother of two is living proof that you can have fun and be successful at any age in your profession. Chantal's authenticity and tenacity guided her through both the good and bad in her life. She discusses the factors that led to her success, whilst also discussing the biggest challenges that she continually sets before herself. If her life has taught her anything, it is that past experiences do not define your future. Your future is what you make it out to be. Chantal continues to prove that her own personal brand is more valuable than any sales commission.

Alidor Gaspar - known by his stage name A Star - has overcome a lot in his life. Growing up in the east end of London, in a community surrounded by gang violence, poverty, and crime, it may have seemed to some like Ali's path was set for him. As he explains to us, gang violence is a cycle - an endless circle of young teens being pulled into gangs, seeing their friends get hurt and even die to protect what they feel is their identity, doing what they can to fight for the block they grew up on. A mindset passed from generation to generation. Some people make it out, many don't - but what does it take for a person to re-write their path? To change the story people expect them to read from? Through his passion for grime music, and the chance to express himself through music, Ali created a better life for himself and for others. Sharing his experiences with sickle cell anaemia is a big focus - recent statistics show that only 1% of black people in the UK donate blood. For someone like Ali who needs regular blood transfusions due to his illness, having blood available is life or death. Ethnicity plays a big role in precisely matching blood to patients - 'Ro' is a blood sub-type more common in people of African/Caribbean descent, and the need for it in transfusions has increased by 75% since 2014. However, only around 2 per cent of donors have this rare sub-type. This is an eye opening and inspirational episode, which we know you will learn a lot from.

Originally released in May 2019, this episode talks about what it's like to be a carer for an unwell relative, and how that turned into a powerful mission to help other carers for one amazing woman. At 9 years old, Lindsay Jurist-Rosner became a caregiver for her mother when she was diagnosed with primary progressive multiple sclerosis. While caring for her mother for over 25 years, Lindsay became obsessed with the topic. 66 million Americans take care of ageing, chronically ill, or disabled loved ones, and Lindsay created a company to help take the pressure off of them. Lindsay is the CEO for Wellthy, a mission driven organisation, which provides support and expertise for caregivers and their loved ones. While building Wellthy from the ground up, Lindsay realised sales skills were vital to the company's success. Her best advice for entrepreneurs is to make sure they know how to sell and pitch ideas, concepts, and products. Although sales can have a negative connotation, leaders are constantly selling. Whether Lindsay is selling the concept of Wellthy to potential investors, selling products to potential customers, or selling the mission of the company to potential team members, Lindsay incorporates her passion into sales. Lindsay also encourages listeners to empathise with their audiences and think about what they are looking for and how to meet their needs. From one caregiver to another, Lindsay shares advice for those who tend to put the weight of the world on their shoulders. It is important to put your own needs first. Do not feel like you are being selfish. Even Lindsay had to have the hard conversation with her mum about moving out of the house. Lindsay explained how her decision to move out helped her to regain the mother/daughter relationship, instead of only serving as her mum's aide. Women tend to take on the role of caregiver, and it is important for their families to also remember to step in and help take some pressure off of them. Lindsay hopes to instil the idea of delegating tasks in order to share responsibilities with others and not carry the burden of caregiver alone. Using the mission of the company as their driving factor, Wellthy has a built in culture and their workforce is truly one big family. Many of Wellthy's founding team members never worked in health care, including Lindsay, but they all have a personal connection to the mission. In forming the company, they used their passion for the topic to help them research and develop a way to create a better healthcare experience. Wellthy was founded on a completely different approach from the standard health care system and was launched direct to consumer, with the position of being a family first service. Now, Wellthy services are also offered as an employee benefit to help organisations address the care-giving crisis, which has previously been widely ignored. Being a tech powered company, Wellthy is able to deliver consistent service across the country. Every day, Wellthy team members are excited to set out to develop an experience for families to provide what the family may need. To learn more about Wellthy's mission, products, and services, visit their website: www.wellthy.com.

Today's ground-breaking episode involves an extremely important, yet often overlooked aspect of intimate partner violence - economic abuse. Dr Nicola Sharp-Jeffs is the founder and CEO of charity Surviving Economic Abuse, and we are honoured to have her on the show to talk about her incredible - and vital - work. Domestic abuse can take many forms. Some aspects of this are well-known and recognised, such as physical violence and verbal abuse. However, a very damaging form of domestic abuse is economic abuse, where an abuser restricts how their partner acquires, uses, and maintains money and economic resources. They may prevent their partner from being in education or employment, take their pay, control their bank accounts, control how and when money is spent, or build up debt in their partner's name. Economic abuse is almost always carried out by a male abuser against a female victim. Economic abuse can reinforce or create economic instability. In this way, it limits women's choices and ability to access safety. Lack of access to economic resources can result in women staying with an abusive partner for longer than they would like and experiencing more harm as a result. The impact of economic abuse makes rebuilding lives challenging. Many women leave with nothing – having no money even for essentials – and have to start again from scratch. In this episode, Dr Nicola talks to us about why she started Surviving Economic Abuse, the work the charity does, and the impact they have on the lives of survivors. The importance of this episode cannot be overstated.   If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this episode, please know that support is available to you. Resources, including organisations that can support you, can be found at https://survivingeconomicabuse.org/resources/.

'At HiyaCar, we actually don't have goals, we don't have targets. We'll have a direction of doing good things, but not a target'. Often on this podcast, we'll talk to people about the goals they set for themselves - both professionally and personally - and what about them as a person makes achieving those goals possible. Rob Larmour, and his company HiyaCar, is a different kettle of fish. HiyaCar is a company that has no targets, no financial goals, and got its £2.2 million of financial backing from crowd-sourcing. Founded by Rob and his business partner Graeme in 2016, HiyaCar is described as the 'Airbnb of cars'. It aims to make car ownership more economical and environmentally friendly through peer-to-peer car sharing. Rob's leadership style is calm and collected. He understands that having a 'number' to hit won't motivate his team. He focuses on doing the right thing, over pushing people to achieve arbitrary figures. This episode is unusual, inspiring, and thought-provoking. We can't wait for you to hear it.

For many people, the new year bring new ideas. New beginnings. A new chance to think of what you want for your future. In this episode from October 2018, we sat down with serial entrepreneur Barry Beck. Barry, the co-founder Bluemercury Inc., started his first business at as a child, shovelling snow in his Philadelphia neighbourhood. His entrepreneurial spirit was encouraged by his father, who told him that he could be "anything, as long as he owns it”. Before starting Bluemercury with his wife Marla, Barry already had three successful business ventures under his belt. 20 years on, Bluemercury is credited with putting a dent in the cosmetic universe and disrupting mainstream retail! Macy's has since acquired the company, and lends its resources to the innovative retailer. Barry credits his personal board of directors for challenging him to strive for 'more'. He explains that he always had a drive to succeed and thinks his leadership and entrepreneurial qualities are a mix of both nature and nurture. During this episode of the Roots of Leadership, Barry discusses the most important characteristics of a leader, when the best business decisions are made, and also shares some advice he received from Bill Gates before starting Bluemercury.

For our first episode of the new decade, we are delighted to bring you Alistair Fraser, the UK CEO for Marsh Corporate. Alistair is a true citizen of the globe, having held positions in the UK, Singapore, and Indonesia. When asked to move across the world with 2 very young children in tow, many would have said no. Alistair, however, immediately packed his bags for adventure. As he explains in the show, 'you can always go back home'! This is a fascinating episode in which Alistair lays out the road map to achieving success. A big theme for this is community - how we interact with others, how we appreciate diversity of person and of thought, and the importance of knowing that you're different - but that doesn't mean you're better. Another great theme of this show is legacy. We don't own our space in humanity or in our career. We merely rent it, and our job is make that space better for the next person. This drive for improvement and for making the world better than you found it is what makes Alistair such an inspiring leader. What an honour it was to have him on the show!

As we enter the festive season, this episode from August 2018 feels more and more relevant. With his 10-year-old co-host (and granddaughter!) Ainsley Jane, Anthony reminds us of the importance of play and imagination. Through her love of Frozen and memories of building sandcastles with “Wolvie”, Ainsley's perspective is vital to understanding not only the key leadership points that childlike wonder has to teach us, but also the importance of retaining our creativity, curiosity, and determination. How can we tap back into those childlike lessons of leadership? The ones that come so intuitively to us as kids, but that we lose sight of as we enter adulthood? As Jim Henson once said, “the most sophisticated people I know — inside they are all children”. Happy Holidays, and have a wonderful New Year.

It's normal for our guests on this show to have inspiring stories to tell, but this one is nothing short of incredible. Nabil Mankarious landed in the UK in 1987, with only a small amount of cash in his pocket, and a plan to provide for his family back in Egypt. Whilst working in a fruit and vegetable market in his spare time, a small opportunity to exceed expectations started Nabil down his path to leadership; a journey that would take him to senior management, starting his own successful business, and becoming a brilliant example of a leader who puts others first. This is not a story of luck or of handouts. This is a story of hard work, dedication, and one man's mission to make his mother happy. Nabil Mankarious is the managing director of The Fulham Shore Plc, overseeing specialist restaurants Franco Manca, and The Real Greek. We are beyond honoured to share his words of wisdom.

Each month, we will be delving back through the archives of the Roots of Leadership, to bring you one of our favourite episodes from the past. This episode was originally released to commemorate the 1-year anniversary of the Roots of Leadership Podcast. Bringing together some of the ideas presented by guests over 12 months' prior, Anthony talks about being comfortable with discomfort, and about finding your “edge” of risk. Do you go about the same routine every day, staring at your screens, spending hours of your life in ways that don't actively help you grow and develop? This episode asks you to think about where you can take a leap in life. How you can defy the odds, how you can define your way to greatness. You can live in the moment you stand in right now, and learn to win in that moment. Do not make excuses for what has happened in your past, and do not make excuses to prevent what could happen in your future. It's time for you to find the edge – of risk, of reward, and of greatness.

In this episode of The Roots of Leadership, we talk to Chris Lay - CEO of Marsh UK and Ireland. Throughout his 30-year career with Marsh, Chris has held a variety of senior leadership positions across the globe - including CEO roles in the UK, Middle East, Eastern Europe, Russia, the Nordics, and Canada. Energised by those around him, Chris is a brilliant advocate for teamwork and for humility. Becoming a great leader isn't something you can do just by yourself - we need the support and help of others. Chris hasn't forgotten this, and talks us through his enthusiasm for working with young graduates, and helping them on their leadership journeys too. Anthony and Chris also discuss the importance of making things better: how you leave your space - both in humanity and in your career - better for the next person, so they can go even further than you did? Covering the importance of good pressure, attention to detail, and having deep respect for the things you have and the people you know; this is an episode jam-packed with tips and tricks for success, that we know you'll love!

Each month, we will be delving back through the archives of the Roots of Leadership, to bring you one of our favourite episodes from the past. In this episode from April 2018, Anthony and guest Zara Lone explored how generational diversity and integration could be the foundation for greatness. They discussed the danger of attaching labels and of the fear of change, as well as offering great solutions for working together - regardless of change. As relevant now as it was 18 months ago, this episode celebrates the talents of humanity, and the differences which make us better together.

Welcome to the first UK-based episode of the Roots of Leadership! In this episode, Anthony is joined by one of his new colleagues at Jelf, Anna Frost. Alongside her role as a Digital Marketing Assistant, Anna is also a pole dance instructor, teaching people of all backgrounds how to love and look after themselves through movement. When we think of learning about leadership – and the qualities it requires – we often look only towards the people already at the ‘top'. We talk to CEOs, to company directors or founders. But the truth is that great leaders are made, not born – and they can be found at any rung of the career ladder. Talking to a guest at the beginning of their leadership journey can give us new insight into what the word really means, as well as a look into the future of how businesses will be run. During the course of this episode, we talk about what it means to be fearless, how to let the ‘fires' in your life forge who you are, the importance of being a defender of others, and the rights that people deserve – regardless of their lot in life. Together, we can all learn to ‘live life as a movement'.

As a professor of literature and film, Dr. Marni Gauthier took a facilitative approach to learning. She met her students where they were, understood what they brought to the table, and knew where they needed As a professor of literature and film, Dr. Marni Gauthier took a facilitative approach to learning. She met her students where they were, understood what they brought to the table, and knew where they needed to go. Marni aligned her students' needs with the goals of the curriculum and university in order to facilitate them on their journey. Her goal as a professor and now as a leadership coach are one in the same: to empower others and set them up for success. Marni founded Four Site Leadership in 2012. Since then she has developed a set of programs that create a holistic approach to leadership development. Marni defines Holistic Leadership as inner growth for outer impact. She teaches a holistic approach to life and work by connecting individuals to their unique purpose. She works with her clients to help them find why they are here in the world and what they are here to do. Marni has found a systems approach to the self as well as those we are leading make good leaders great. One-on-one coaching allows Marni to have a special connection with each client. The unique difference from group training is innate in that we as humans are wired for relationships. Witnessing and facilitating clients identify and break through patterns which had limited them previously gives Marni energy to keep doing what she loves. Her leadership retreats are also spectacular and focus on specific topics. The first job of a leader is to get a clear understanding of what the current state of the company is and then establish the desired future state. Exercises at the retreats are both individual and collaborative and include reflection time and visualizations. After tapping into the current reality and future vision, strategy and action can come into play. Every time Marni is able to observe a leader close the gap between current and future state she honored and filled with joy. Marni is currently working on a new book which explores the crisis of leadership and inter-gender relationships in the workplace. Examples of topics included in this project include: changing your mind about what constitutes male and female qualities. and the idea that the loudest voice in the room no longer wins; instead it is the best listener and collaborator who wins. To find out more about Marni, her thoughts on leadership, information about her retreats, and more visit: foursiteleadership.com.

On this episode of The Roots of Leadership, two Gruppo's join forces to give listeners a bounty of information regarding entrepreneurship, business success and secrets about the recruitment process. Anthony is joined by his cousin, Danielle Gruppo, who is the CEO and founder of InternAlliance. After 25 years in human resources, Danielle saw gaps and issues within the recruitment process. She founded InternAlliance as a platform to connect college students directly with employers.  With a team she developed a patented algorithm that matches students job skills with job postings. Danielle also built the platform with the recruiters in mind so they can focus more on whether the candidate will fit into the company culture. Danielle advises candidates to also consider the companies culture before accepting a job offer. It is so important for long term success for applicants make sure the companies mission, policies and ethics match with your ideals. Danielle shares so many important secrets and tips, not only for young professionals just out of college, but general advice for everyone to grow personally and professionally. Some of the areas that Danielle and Anthony discuss include: marketing yourself and your brand, never stop learning, do what you love, don't forget the basics, and so much more. Check out Danielle's book: Recruiter Secrets to learn more tips to land the job you want. 

Dr. Ken Keis is a global authority on behavioral assessment strategies and process and an expert in leadership, purpose and wellness. He is an author, speaker, podcast host and life coach who focuses on holistic living, self-awareness, self-mastery, and Dr. Ken Keis –Live, Lead & Work with Purpose emotional intelligence. As the President and CEO of Consulting Resource Group International, Inc., Dr. Ken believes his purpose in life is to help others live, lead & work with purpose. At his core, Dr. Ken believes every person is here for a reason and every single person has a contribution to make. Dr. Ken himself spent 6 months with a coach to find his purpose. He even hand wrote over 60 pages of narrative to get a clear direction of his purpose. Before hiring a coach, Dr. Ken grew up on a dairy fam and woke up one morning asking himself, “Would it be okay if I was doing what I am doing now 20 years from now?” The answer was no, and Dr. Ken went on his self-discovery journey to determine what to do next. Driven by the data which states only 13% of the global workforce is engaged in their work, Dr. Ken is motivated to make a difference. Not only are you doing a disservice to your employer if you are unfulfilled working 6-10 hours a day, but you are doing a greater disservice to yourself. Meaning really comes into engaging and doing what you love. Dr. Ken asks you to ask yourself: Can the majority of what I'm doing have an intrinsic meaning? He encourages everyone take responsibility of their life and to find their true purpose and passion.  So many people are confused. They are not willing to do the work to find their purpose or passions. So many people are too busy being busy. Many people have jobs to pay the bills, but are live in fear to change what they are doing. The certainty of misery versus the misery of uncertainty. Sometimes when someone is on a new path, they feel like they constantly have to explain themselves. Dr. Ken encourages you to make the changes best for you. Keep your relationships, but understand you are not going on the same path your loved ones may be on. Seek advice from those who have been in your position before, in your desired field, and those who have “been there and done that”. Do not expect past relationships to continue as your journey goes. You may feel guilty about leaving people behind, but remember you have left them stronger and better. You are on your own journey and you cannot always take everyone with you.  Part of Dr. Ken's work is to develop the whole person and a person's whole potential. All of the cogs in the wheel are important as part of the development pathway. Dr. Ken explains how important it is to be a lifetime learner and to not get too focused on certain things. As clarity increases, performance increases. High performers know who they are and where they are going. Dr. Ken helps his clients to create clarity to have them optimize and realize their potential. We all have talent and something valuable to say, find your pathway to say it. If you do not know what your purpose is, then your first purpose is to find your purpose.  As a free gift to the listeners of the Roots of Leadership, Dr. Ken is providing an electronic copy of his newest book: The Quest for Purpose. Please visit: www.kenkeis.com/roots to access the book and begin your journey to live, lead, and work with purpose.  

Andrea March is a self-claimed serial entrepreneur. A gifted woman with a mission, her goal is to help bring entrepreneurs like herself together. After running a jewelry business with her husband, Andrea was watching CNBC and did not understand what they were discussing. As someone who invested her money, Andrea realized there was a need for more information on the topic and founded Investment Expo, the largest financial strategies trade show and seminar program. During one of her trade shows, she met another business woman who had an idea to bring women leaders together. In 2002, Andrea cofounded the Women's Leadership Exchange. Women's Leadership Exchange is a social entrepreneurship organization for successful businesswomen. The organizations goal was to fill information gaps and build connections. At the center of the program Women's Leadership Exchange held conferences that feature leading experts, business coaches and interactive programming in multiple cities across the U.S. Through the Women's Leadership Exchange, Andrea founded LEXCI, a leadership development program whose aim was to connect professionals with each other. Participants in LEXCI made connection circles and served as advisory boards for one another.  In her current project, Andrea continues to strive to unite women leaders. She will be launching in the Fall of 2019 The “ExchangeWay” platform and app, a new way of doing business, will be accessible from your mobile device and desktop. The ExchangeWay is a global peer supportive community comprised of accomplished women business leaders from diverse industries and professions who are committed to advancing themselves and each other to shift the paradigm of the way women are perceived as leaders in the world. The 24/7 accessibility of the ExchangeWay app will allow its users to communicate, contribute, and collaborate with each other to achieve collective success, sharing the tools, resources and life lessons to take their businesses to the next level. Educate, Empower. Inspire, Share - This is the NEW WOMEN'S NETWORK!  It is an unprecedented digital forum to build and strengthen professional networks and it offers an opportunity for women to exchange ideas, challenges & solutions. If you would like to hear more about the “ExchangeWay” please contact Andrea March, amarch@womensleadershipexchange.com. Throughout this episode of the Roots of Leadership, Andrea shares her strong ideals on the key components of what makes a great leader. For Andrea, it all starts with a clear and articulate vision. To be a successful leader, you must also be an authentic communicator.  Another component of a leader that Andrea possess, which makes her a great leader, and which she thinks all leaders need is courage. A leader cannot be afraid to take risks. They need to have steadfastness and not give up, but Andrea acknowledges that leaders must also be flexible. Not giving up does not mean that you have to stick to the same path when you hit a barrier, but using creativity to find another way around it. She believes leaders need to be someone who other people want to follow and represent someone who their colleagues admire, want to be and want other people to understand. Andrea believes that an organization's culture is created at the top and a leader will exemplify the attributes of the culture they want to create. It is important for leaders to surround themselves with people who believe in their culture, but can also help to broaden it. Listen for more on this episode of The Roots of Leadership, where Anthony and Andrea address many traits of what makes a great leader, the risk it takes to be an entrepreneur and their thoughts on some of the issues that many companies struggle with today.  

Anthony sits down with Nicolás Delgado, the regional corporate and sales leader for Marsh Latin America and Caribbean, and Nicolás shares multiple gems of wisdom for both personal and professional development and his story builds out a perfect platform for a personal strategic plan. As a lifetime learner, Nicolás' schooling began in a very unique way. Growing up in Colombia, his parents wanted what was best for him and enrolled him into a very competitive landscape studying under Benedictine monks. The school's motto was “ora et labora” which means “pray and work”. There were no shortcuts and he learned you must work really hard to make things happen. This drive was imbedded in the way he was raised. Looking back, Nicolás realized the Benedictine monks, along with his parents, were responsible in planting the little seeds inside him to make him the person he is today. During his summers off of school, Nicolás' father would send him to the US to stay with family and attend summer school. Nicolás dreamed of getting a fulltime educational experience in the US. Before high school started, he asked his father if he could attend high school in the US and his father said no. Then, when it was time to apply for his undergraduate, he applied to schools in the US, but his father influenced him to stay in Colombia. When it came time to enroll for his MBA, promotions and added responsibilities at work kept pushing Nicolás' dream of education backwards. Once he was ready to apply, the school told him he was now too old and too seasoned to enroll in the graduate program. Nicolás did not let these setbacks stop him from perusing his dreams, instead, he found a program at Northwestern University for executive type graduate students and finally was able to continue his learning journey. Although it was not what he had originally envisioned, Nicolás would not let his dream fail. Nicolás advises others to always have an end goal in mind, and although the plan will get altered, to never give up on the dream. Remember your dreams and ultimately your decisions will affect all of those around you. Be as responsible as possible, but also remember to have fun and enjoy every stage of life while you are in it. As a leader of 11 countries, Nicolás has found although there are many differences in each geographical location, there are commonalities which help us come together. We are all going through this journey of life together. It is important not to forget we are more basic than we think. We have common goals and aspirations and we need to find the purpose of life that motivates us to do things which will be self-satisfying and also deliver for the greater good of the community. Nicolás is a one of a kind leader whose personal story has lead him to success. He is excited for the future, to keep learning and growing and to keep driving forward to leave his mark on the universe.