The Workplace Podcast in association with Dynamic Partners

In this episode of The Workplace Podcast, William Corless sits down with Rebecca Hinds, organizational behaviour and future-of-work expert and author of Your Best Meeting Ever: Seven Principles for Designing Meetings That Get Things Done. From meeting overload and “Meeting Doomsdays” to multitasking, productivity theatre and the rise of AI, Rebecca shares practical, research-backed ways to rethink one of the most common—and costly—parts of working life. They explore why bad meetings were once recommended as a wartime sabotage tactic, how organizations can reclaim hours of lost time, why standing meetings can be more effective, and the simple 4D CEO test for deciding whether a meeting deserves to exist at all. A practical conversation for anyone who has ever looked at their calendar and wondered: Does this really need to be a meeting? Find out more about the work Rebecca does here: Rebecca Hinds | Leading Expert on Meetings & the Future of Work This episode is brought to you in association with Dynamic Partners: We are ambitious for your leadership, are you? - Dynamic Partners

In this episode of The Workplace Podcast, William Corless is joined by Oscar de Bos, author of Focus: Fuel Your Attention to Get More Done, to explore the neuroscience behind focus, distraction and productivity. Why are our brains so easily distracted? Why can doing nothing actually make us more productive? And could the way we manage our time be part of the problem? Oscar shares practical insights into focus management rather than time management, including the four “concentration leaks” that drain our attention, the importance of mind wandering and boredom, the impact of interruptions on deep work, and why managers have an important role to play in protecting their teams’ focus. They also discuss decision fatigue, digital distractions, power naps, creativity and simple ways to design our working environments and habits around how our brains actually work. A practical conversation for anyone who wants to work with their attention rather than constantly fighting against it. Find out more about Oscar and his work here: Oscar de Bos This episode is brought to you in association with Dynamic Partners: We are ambitious for your leadership, are you? - Dynamic Partners

In this episode of The Workplace Podcast, William Corless welcomes back Morra Aarons-Mele, speaker, executive coach, host of The Anxious Achiever podcast, and author of The Anxious Achiever, to explore how leaders can unlock the potential of neuro strengths in the workplace. Together, they discuss why understanding how different brains work isn't just about inclusion, it's about creating environments where people can do their best work. From anxiety and ADHD to psychological safety, self-awareness and team dynamics, this conversation challenges traditional thinking about performance, leadership and what it really takes to help people thrive. Whether you're a leader, manager or simply looking to better understand yourself and those around you, this episode is packed with practical insights on building stronger teams through empathy, flexibility and honest conversations. Tune in for an engaging discussion on leadership, neuro strengths and creating workplaces where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. Find out more about Morra and her work here: Morra Aarons-Mele | The Anxious Achiever This episode is brought to you in association with Dynamic Partners: We are ambitious for your leadership, are you? - Dynamic Partners

In this episode of The Workplace Podcast, William Corless is joined by Camilla Kring, Thinkers50 Radar thinker, author of ChronoLeadership, and one of the world's leading experts on chronobiology and productive work rhythms. Why do some people thrive at 6 a.m. while others do their best thinking late in the evening? And what if the traditional 9-to-5 workday is holding back both productivity and wellbeing? William and Camilla explore the science of chronotypes, the impact of our natural body clocks on performance, and why organisations need to rethink how work is designed in today's knowledge economy. They discuss everything from early-riser bias and social jet lag to flexible work, team productivity, leadership, and creating workplaces that help people perform at their best. Whether you're a leader looking to unlock your team's potential or simply curious about your own work rhythms, this conversation offers practical insights that could change the way you think about work and time itself. Find out more about the work Camilla does here: About – appliedchronobiology.com Thanks to Dynamic Partners for sponsoring this episode: We are ambitious for your leadership, are you? - Dynamic Partners

In this episode of The Workplace Podcast, William Corless is joined by Professor Linda Hill, one of the world's leading experts on leadership and innovation, to explore what it really takes to build organisations that innovate consistently. Drawing on over 25 years of research and insights from her latest book, Genius at Scale, Linda explains why innovation isn't about having all the answers, it's about creating the conditions where people are willing to contribute their ideas, challenge each other constructively, and solve problems together. Together they discuss why innovation is a voluntary act, the leadership behaviours that foster creativity, the roles of the Architect, Bridger and Catalyst, leading through uncertainty, and why healthy conflict is essential for breakthrough thinking. Whether you're leading a team, navigating organisational change, or looking to create a more innovative culture, this episode is packed with practical ideas you can apply immediately. Find out more about the book here: Genius at Scale – What makes a great leader? This episode is in association with Dynamic Partners: We are ambitious for your leadership, are you? - Dynamic Partners

In this episode of The Workplace Podcast, William Corless sits down with Joe O’Connor, CEO & Co-Founder of Work Time Revolution and author of Do More in Four, to explore one of the most debated ideas in modern work - the four-day work week. But this conversation goes far beyond working fewer hours. Joe shares powerful insights on AI adoption, productivity, burnout, and why the future of work may depend less on hours worked and more on how effectively we think, collaborate, and create. Together, William and Joe explore: • Why the four-day work week is really an operational excellence strategy • How AI is changing the value of human work • Why “performative busyness” is damaging productivity • What leaders must do to build sustainable high performance If you’re thinking about the future of leadership, productivity, and workplace culture, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Find out more about the work Joe does here: Work Time Revolution Thanks to Dynamic Partners for bringing this episode: We are ambitious for your leadership, are you? - Dynamic Partners

In this episode of The Workplace Podcast, William Corless is joined by Martin Dubin—clinical psychologist, entrepreneur, executive coach, and author of Blindspotting: How to See What's Holding You Back as a Leader. Together, they explore the hidden blind spots that can derail leadership effectiveness, why our greatest strengths can sometimes become our biggest weaknesses, and how greater self-awareness can unlock stronger performance, better relationships, and more effective leadership. Topics include: The difference between strengths and "supernovas" Why self-awareness is a leadership superpower The role of emotions in decision-making Identity shifts when moving into leadership roles How blind spots impact teams, culture, and performance Practical strategies for creating meaningful behaviour change A thought-provoking conversation packed with practical insights for leaders at every level. Find out more about the work Martin does here: Martin Dubin – Author of Blindspotting™, Psychologist, and Executive Coach Sponsored by Dynamic Partners 🌐 Dynamic Partners: We are ambitious for your leadership, are you? - Dynamic Partners

In the latest episode of The Workplace Podcast, William welcomes back Amy Gallo, bestselling author of 𝐆𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 and one of the leading voices on conflict and communication at work. This conversation explores a topic many teams still struggle with: 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐝𝐨 𝐰𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥? Amy shares practical insights on why healthy conflict is often a sign of trust, not dysfunction, and how avoiding difficult conversations can quietly damage team performance, relationships, and psychological safety. 🔥 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞: 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐭 𝐈𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐮𝐫𝐞 – Strong teams don’t avoid disagreement; they learn how to navigate it 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐭 𝐃𝐞𝐛𝐭 – Avoiding issues today creates bigger problems later 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 – How gossip and backchannel conversations undermine trust 𝐏𝐬𝐲𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 – Why honest feedback and reflection actually strengthen relationships 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐬 – The simple habits high-performing teams use to create healthier conversations A hugely practical conversation for leaders, managers, and teams navigating pressure, disagreement, and collaboration in modern workplaces. Find out more about Amy: AMY GALLO Sponsored by Dynamic Partners We are ambitious for your leadership, are you? - Dynamic Partners

In this episode of The Workplace Podcast, William Corless sits down with Nelson P. Repenning — Distinguished Professor at MIT Sloan, Director of MIT’s Leadership Center, and coauthor of There’s Got to Be a Better Way: How to Deliver Results and Get Rid of the Stuff That Gets in the Way of Real Work. Together, they explore why so many organizations become trapped in constant firefighting, overload, and reactive working — and what leaders can do instead to create workplaces that are dynamic, adaptive, and capable of continuous learning. Nelson shares practical insights from decades of research and consulting work with organizations including Harley-Davidson, Toyota, and leading innovation teams. 🔥 Key topics in this episode include: Why most organizations are designed for a predictable world that no longer exists The hidden dangers of “firefighting culture” Why keeping everyone busy actually reduces performance The concept of “firefighting arsonists” How overload creates chaos and burnout Why psychological safety is essential for organizational learning The power of visual management and better workflow design How leaders can create more focus, alignment, and adaptability This episode is packed with practical leadership insights for anyone managing teams, leading change, or trying to create healthier and more effective ways of working. Find out more about Nelson: MIT Sloan: MIT Sloan School of Management Nelson P. Repenning | MIT Sloan Shift Gear: The ShiftGear Mission - ShiftGear 🎧 The Workplace Podcast is proudly brought to you in association with Dynamic Partners - contact us today to start the conversation about leadership in your organisation.

In this episode of The Workplace Podcast, William Corless is joined by Phil Le-Brun, co-author of The Octopus Organization and former International CIO at McDonald’s. Together, they explore the realities of organisational transformation - why so many initiatives fail, and how leaders can build more adaptive, empowered, and high-performing teams. Phil shares practical insights on ownership, decision-making, and culture, including why “artificial ownership” is so common in organisations, how gatekeepers slow progress, and what it really takes to create clarity of purpose at scale. From the concept of “pigs and chickens” to the dangers of “watermelon reporting,” this episode is packed with memorable frameworks and real-world examples that challenge traditional ways of working. A must-listen for leaders looking to empower their teams, improve accountability, and navigate complexity more effectively. Find out more about the book here: The Octopus Organization | a guide to thriving in a world of continuous transformation

In this episode of The Workplace Podcast, William Corless sits down with Scott D. Anthony-Leading Expert on Disruptive Innovation-to explore why even the most successful organisations struggle to adapt in times of change. Drawing on stories from Epic Disruptions, Scott brings innovation to life-from Julia Child’s journey to mastery, to Florence Nightingale’s data-driven impact, and the decades-long story behind Gorilla Glass. Together, they unpack why great companies miss disruption, the myths that hold organisations back, and the behaviours that drive real innovation. 🔥 You’ll learn: Why innovation is about value-not just ideas Why successful companies miss major shifts How your best customers can hold you back The behaviours that drive innovation in any role 💡 A powerful episode for anyone looking to lead, adapt, and innovate in a rapidly changing world. Find out more about the Scott here: Epic Disruptions

In this episode of The Workplace Podcast, William Corless sits down with Thinkers50 Award-Winning Leadership Expert and co-author of The Science of Leadership, Jeffrey Hull. Jeffrey brings over 30 years of experience translating cutting-edge research into practical leadership impact. Together, they explore what leadership really means today—and why it’s no longer about the individual, but about how we bring others with us. From quieting the ego to navigating conflict and building high-performing teams, this episode is packed with powerful insights for leaders at every level. 💡 In this episode, you’ll learn: Why leadership is no longer about “I” but about “we” How to balance performance with people—and why winning alone isn’t sustainable The concept of the “noisy ego” and how it impacts your leadership Why conflict is essential for innovation and growth How to build alignment through shared leadership This is a must-listen for anyone looking to expand their leadership impact in a complex, fast-changing world. Find out more about the work Jeffrey does here: JEFFREY HULL Thanks to Resolution Intelligence for sponsoring this episode. For more information visit: resolution-intelligence.com

"When a woman was seen having a hot flash, she was rated as less competent and less likely to be chosen as the leader.” That’s one of the research findings shared by Dr. Alicia Grandey - Organisational Psychologist and Professor at Penn State University - in the latest Episode of The Workplace Podcast. In this conversation, William and Alicia explore a topic that is still rarely discussed openly at work: menopause and leadership. Menopause affects half the population, yet many workplaces still struggle to talk about it or support employees navigating it. Drawing on decades of research and interviews with senior leaders, Alicia explains how stigma influences perceptions of competence, leadership opportunities, and workplace culture. Key insights from this episode: • Why naming menopause can reduce bias in leadership decisions • How stigma and silence can push experienced women out of leadership pipelines • The surprising ways many women become more confident and resilient leaders during this stage of life • What compassionate leadership actually looks like in practice • How organisations can create cultures that support people through major life transitions This conversation also builds on a previous discussion on menopause in the workplace with Loretta Dignum (Episode 46). If you care about leadership, workplace culture, psychological safety, and supporting women in mid-career, this is an important conversation.

In this episode of The Workplace Podcast, William Corless speaks with Dr. Nicki Macklin about the strategic power of organisational kindness. Often dismissed as “soft,” kindness is frequently misunderstood in leadership. But research featured in Harvard Business Review - co-authored with Amy Edmondson and Thomas Lee - shows the opposite: kindness drives performance. In this conversation, they explore: Why kindness is not the same as niceness The real cost of workplace incivility How managers lose up to seven weeks a year dealing with poor culture How to measure kindness using metrics you already track This is a practical, research-backed discussion for leaders who want to balance performance with humanity — and understand the real business case for culture.

In this episode of The Workplace Podcast, William Corless is joined by Mark C. Crowley - bestselling author and leadership expert - to explore why employee wellbeing has become one of the most critical leadership issues today. Drawing on insights from his latest book, The Power of Employee Wellbeing, Mark explains why traditional engagement approaches fall short, how wellbeing directly impacts performance and retention, and why belonging plays such a powerful role in how people show up at work. Together, William and Mark discuss burnout, leadership boundaries, emotional intelligence, and the small but meaningful actions leaders can take to create healthier, more sustainable workplaces. This episode is a practical, research-informed conversation for leaders who want to build teams that don’t just perform, but thrive. Find out more about the work Mark does here: Mark C Crowley - Heart 2.0 - New Book Is Coming - Mark C. Crowley

In this episode of The Workplace Podcast, William Corless speaks with Muriel M. Wilkins, executive coach, author of Leadership Unblocked: Break Through the Beliefs That Limit Your Potential, and host of the Harvard Business Review podcast Coaching Real Leaders. Muriel helps leaders understand why performance challenges so often stem from unexamined beliefs rather than skill gaps. She explains how “hidden blockers” shape leadership behaviour, why high performers resist looking inward, and how resolving conflict with yourself is a prerequisite for leading others effectively. This episode explores: The beliefs that quietly limit leadership potential Why behaviour change starts with assumptions, not actions How leaders can begin coaching themselves more effectively What it really takes to grow beyond control, perfectionism, and over-functioning A practical and reflective conversation for leaders, managers, coaches, and anyone serious about leadership development. Find out more about the work Muriel does here: MURIEL WILKINS | Helping people lead with more ease

In the latest episode of The Workplace Podcast, William Corless sits down with Rasmus Hougaard, CEO of Potential Project. In 2024, Rasmus was nominated by Thinkers50 as one of the eight most important leadership thinkers in the world today. Rasmus is the co-author of The Mind of the Leader, Compassionate Leadership, and his latest book, More Human. Together, they explore a question many leaders are grappling with: What do leaders do that AI can’t? 🔑 Key insights from this episode: Why leaders won’t lose their jobs to AI, but to leaders who use AI better How AI can make us more human, not less The risks of over-reliance on AI — from decision delegation to disconnection Why awareness, wisdom, and compassion are becoming leadership essentials A thoughtful conversation for leaders navigating an AI-accelerated world. Find out more about the work Rasmus does here: Potential Project – About Us

In this episode of The Workplace Podcast, William Corless sits down with Colin Fisher, Associate Professor at UCL’s School of Management and author of The Collective Edge: Unlocking the Secret Power of Groups. Colin breaks down why most teams underperform, it's not because of motivation or conflict, but because leaders focus their energy in the wrong places. Drawing on decades of research in group dynamics, creativity, and decision-making, he explains: The 60–30–10 Rule and why team success is determined long before the team meets What “real teams” actually look like (and why most groups don’t qualify) Social loafing, the Ringelmann effect, and how structure prevents it Why norms shape more of our behaviour than personality ever will How polarization happens and what teams can do to prevent it The importance of shared leadership, psychological safety, and brokers across groups Packed with practical insights and backed by rich research and examples from sports, music, and organizational life, this conversation is essential for anyone building or leading teams. Listen now and unlock your team’s collective edge. Find out more about the work Colin does here: Colin M. Fisher

In this episode of The Workplace Podcast, William Corless is joined by Margaret C. Andrews, Harvard instructor and author of Manage Yourself to Lead Others: Why Great Leadership Begins with Self-Understanding. Margaret explores one of the biggest challenges in leadership today — the knowing–doing gap. Why do so many leaders know what to do, but fail to do it? Together, William and Margaret unpack how self-awareness, vulnerability, and modeling improvement can transform leadership from theory into practice. 💡 Key insights: Why “knowing better” isn’t the same as “doing better” How vulnerability builds credibility and trust The habits and feedback loops that close the knowing–doing gap Why real leadership starts with managing yourself This conversation will change the way you think about leadership development and what it really takes to grow. Find out more about the work Margaret does here: Transformative Leadership Insights | Margaret Andrews 𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐮𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞: 📲 𝐓𝐢𝐤𝐓𝐨𝐤: https://lnkd.in/e7w6k4t5 ▶️ 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐓𝐮𝐛𝐞: https://lnkd.in/eP2pfPBF 🌐 𝐖𝐞𝐛𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞: https://www.yellowwood.ie Support us on Patreon: The Workplace Podcast | Take A Different Path To Success | Patreon

In the latest episode of The Workplace Podcast, host William Corless sits down with Dr Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic - psychologist, author, and Chief Innovation Officer at ManpowerGroup -to explore the real meaning of authenticity at work. Tomas challenges the modern obsession with “just being yourself,” arguing that true leadership isn’t about self-expression, it’s about self-regulation. Drawing on his new book Don’t Be Yourself: Why Authenticity Is Overrated and What to Do Instead, he explains how humility, empathy, and self-awareness help leaders balance individuality with responsibility. 🔥 Key insights in this episode: When authenticity becomes an excuse for bad behaviour How to balance self-expression with professionalism Why leadership is about managing yourself, not indulging yourself How self-awareness and humility drive genuine influence 🎧 Listen now to discover why great leaders know where your right to be you ends and your obligation to others begins. Find out more about Tomas here: Dr. Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic | Psychologist, Author and Entrepreneur