The Boardroom by Heather Elkington

Hiring someone is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make as a manager, but how do you actually know who’s going to be great once they’re in the role? In this episode, Heather breaks down the interview process she uses to hire brilliant people, from attracting stronger candidates to making the final decision with confidence. She covers: The interview questions that help you spot great candidates What to look for beyond skills, experience and a polished CV How to structure an interview process that actually works How to score candidates and make more confident hiring decisions How to reduce bias and avoid relying too heavily on “gut instinct” If you’re hiring someone soon, growing your team or want to get much better at recognising great people in interviews, this episode gives you a practical process you can actually use. Got a situation at work you don’t know how to handle? Send it in at hello@theboardroompodcast.com , two lines or two paragraphs, whatever you need. Everything stays anonymous. New episodes every Wednesday at 8AM. Follow us on Instagram: @the.boardroompodcast & @leadershipheather If you’re struggling to know what’s really going on in your team, Custard gives you clear weekly insight into your team’s culture, wellbeing and performance, plus practical actions to help you know where to step in. Find out more at Custard . And btw, Heather drops weekly leadership tips to over 32,000 managers every week. Join here: https://custardlearns.com/custard-culture-club-home

How do you support someone struggling with their mental health while still holding them accountable for their performance? In this episode, Heather shares: How to balance empathy and accountability Supporting mental health and burnout When performance conversations are needed Supporting the team without becoming the therapist What ruinous empathy looks like How underperformance impacts team trust Because being a supportive leader doesn’t mean avoiding hard conversations. Sometimes the kindest thing you can do is be clear about what needs to change, while still treating someone with empathy. If you’re struggling to know what’s really going on in your team, Custard gives you clear weekly insight into your team’s culture, wellbeing, and performance, plus practical actions to help you know where to step in. Find out more at Custard . Got a situation at work you don’t know how to handle? Send it in at hello@theboardroompodcast.com, two lines or two paragraphs, whatever you need. Everything stays anonymous. New episodes every Wednesday at 8 AM. Follow us on Instagram: @the.boardroompodcast & @leadershipheather And btw, Heather drops weekly leadership tips to over 32,000 managers every week; join here: The Custard Culture Club

Is AI really coming for middle management? Heather believes that is the wrong question. The better question is which parts of management AI will replace, and which human leadership skills are about to become more valuable than ever. In this episode, Heather covers: Why some parts of management are more vulnerable to AI than others Being a manager vs a leader at work How to stay valuable Build visibility as a manager How to stop feeling overwhelmed by AI AI may change how managers work, but the leaders who combine human judgement with new technology could become more valuable than ever. Got a situation at work you don’t know how to handle? Send it in at hello@theboardroompodcast.com , two lines or two paragraphs, whatever you need. Everything stays anonymous. New episodes every Wednesday, 8AM And btw Heather sends practical leadership tips to over 30,000 managers across the globe, join the link here: https://custardlearns.com/custard-culture-club-home Follow us on Instagram: @the.boardroompodcast & @leadershipheather And if you are a manager or business owner who wants a clearer picture of how your team is really doing and what to do about it, find out more at Custard .

Stoicism has changed the way I lead, handle failure, and respond when things don’t go to plan. In this episode, I’m sharing the Stoic principles I’ve used for years to become calmer, more resilient and more intentional in the way I lead. Breakdown of this episode: How to separate what you can control from what you can’t How to respond when things go wrong instead of reacting emotionally Why failure and mistakes can actually make your team stronger How to take ownership without constantly blaming yourself The role ego, comparison and other people’s opinions can play in your decisions The simple habits I use to manage my thoughts If you want to handle pressure better, overthink less and become a calmer leader, this episode is for you. And if you’re a manager or business owner who wants a clearer picture of how your team is really doing, and what to do about it, find out more at Custard . Got a situation at work you don’t know how to handle? Send it in at hello@theboardroompodcast.com , two lines or two paragraphs, whatever you need. Everything stays anonymous. New episodes every Wednesday, 8AM Follow us on Instagram: @the.boardroompodcast & @leadershipheather And btw Heather drops practical leadership tips to over 30,000 managers every week, join the link here: https://custardlearns.com/custard-culture-club-home

Becoming a manager is one of those career milestones everyone congratulates you on, but very few people actually prepare you for. Whether you’ve just become a manager, you’re about to step into your first leadership role, or you simply want to become better at leading your team, this episode is your practical guide to getting it right. You’ll learn the 7 foundations Heather believes make the biggest difference when you’re learning how to manage people well, plus the mistakes she made herself while figuring it all out. Key learnings: How to make the shift from doer to manager Why being liked isn’t the goal How to earn trust and respect from your team How to delegate without micromanaging How to handle feedback and difficult conversations How to build real accountability in your team Download Heather’s free 90 Day 1-on-1 agenda to run better, more meaningful conversations with your team: https://custardlearns.com/90-day-agenda-download And btw, Heather drops practical leadership tips to over 30,000 managers across the globe inside the Custard Culture Club, join us here: https://custardlearns.com/custard-culture-club-home Got a situation at work you do not know how to handle? Send it in at hello@theboardroompodcast.com, two lines or two paragraphs, whatever you need. Everything stays anonymous. New episodes every Wednesday at 8AM. Follow us on Instagram: @the.boardroompodcast & @leadershipheather And if you’re a manager or business owner who wants a clearer picture of how your team is really doing and what to do about it, find out more at Custard .

Being productive does not mean squeezing more work into every available hour. In this episode, Heather shares the four productivity rules that help her run two businesses while still protecting her health, relationships and life outside work. She also opens up about the period that pushed her dangerously close to burnout, and what she changed because of it. She explores: Why productivity is not about maximising every minute The word you need to become more comfortable saying How poor delegation quietly steals your future time The difference between urgent work and important work Why unfinished important tasks eventually become emergencies The weekly calendar challenge that eliminates unnecessary meetings How Heather now protects her energy while running two businesses Listen now to discover how to get the right work done, protect your time and build a successful career without burning yourself out. Fresh Start is Heather’s proven six week bootcamp for managers who want to take control, earn respect and drive results. Join the waitlist here: https://www.freshleadershipworld.com/fresh-start-course/ And if you’re a manager or business owner who wants a clearer picture of how your team is really doing, and what to do about it, find out more at Custard. Got a situation at work you do not know how to handle? Send it in at hello@theboardroompodcast.com, two lines or two paragraphs, whatever you need. Everything stays anonymous. New episodes every Wednesday at 8 AM. Follow us on socials: Instagram: @the.boardroompodcast & @leadershipheather

Is Gen Z really difficult to manage, or do they simply expect better management? Heather explores why Gen Z are often labelled lazy, entitled, or difficult to manage, and why the real problem may be the way workplaces try to lead them. In this episode, Heather covers: Why Gen Z are not as difficult to manage as people think How to communicate with Gen Z more openly and honestly Why progression matters even when a promotion is not available How to offer flexibility without losing structure or accountability Why psychological safety and high performance can exist together How the TAPES framework can help you manage Gen Z more effectively What to do when someone still refuses to meet the required standard Because managing Gen Z is not about giving them everything they want. It is about understanding what helps them do their best work, then leading them with clarity, trust and accountability. And if you are a manager or business owner who wants a clearer picture of how your team is really doing, find out more at Custard. Got a situation at work you do not know how to handle? Send it in at hello@theboardroompodcast.com, two lines or two paragraphs, whatever you need. Everything stays anonymous. New episodes every Wednesday at 8 AM. Follow us on socials: Instagram: @the.boardroompodcast & @leadershipheather And btw, Heather drops practical leadership tips to over 30,000 managers across the globe inside the Custard Culture Club. Join us here: https://custardlearns.com/custard-culture-club-home

Do you know exactly what you want to say, but still freeze when all eyes are on you? In this episode, Heather shares how she went from being terrified to speak in front of her class at school to confidently presenting on stages in front of hundreds of people. In this episode: How to hook your audience within the first few seconds Why stories, examples and questions make presentations more powerful How to control your nerves before speaking Why rehearsing your presentation out loud matters How asking for feedback can improve your public speaking Why seeking one person’s approval could be holding you back How to speak with confidence in meetings, presentations and on stage How confident do you feel about public speaking on a scale of 1 to 10? Let us know in the comment section below 👇 If you’re struggling to know what’s really going on in your team, Custard gives you clear weekly insight into your team’s culture, wellbeing, and performance, plus practical actions to help you know where to step in. Find out more at Custard . Got a situation at work you don’t know how to handle? Send it in at hello@theboardroompodcast.com , two lines or two paragraphs, whatever you need. Everything stays anonymous. New episodes every Wednesday, 8AM Follow us on Instagram: @the.boardroompodcast & @leadershipheather BTW, if you want weekly leadership tips delivered straight to your inbox. Join 30,000+ managers inside the Custard Culture Club (It’s free): https://custardlearns.com/custard-culture-club-home

Got a difficult employee in your team and no idea what to actually do about it? Before you jump straight to “do we fire them?”, Heather walks through the key steps every manager needs to take first and when it might be time to make a bigger decision. In this episode, Heather explores: How to work out whether someone is actually difficult, or whether the situation feels difficult Why managers sometimes accidentally allow poor behaviour to build How to address a negative attitude at work The 4P's method for having difficult conversations When it might be time to take things further And download Heather’s free Four P’s Method of having difficult conversations: https://custardlearns.com/4ps-framework-home And if you’re a manager or business owner who wants a clearer picture of how your team is really doing, find out more at Custard. Got a situation at work you don’t know how to handle? Send it in at hello@theboardroompodcast.com, two lines or two paragraphs, whatever you need. Everything stays anonymous. New episodes every Wednesday, 8 AM Follow us on socials: YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqkzDIhdiCT-NGag5k8FM_2VAgQwvB1Iv&si=U6PgZWfUTUof3CEb Instagram: @the.boardroompodcast & @leadershipheather And btw Heather drops practical leadership tips to over 28,000 managers every Tuesday morning, join the link here: https://www.inthemakingleadership.com/welcome

If you’re a manager who constantly feels like there are not enough hours in the day, this episode is for you. Heather breaks down how managers can start buying back their time, from cutting unnecessary meetings and setting stronger boundaries, to delegating properly and learning when to say no. In this episode, Heather explores: Why busy does not always mean productive How managers get trapped in urgent work How to protect your time and cut down on meetings Why saying no and setting boundaries helps you create more time to actually lead And if you’re a manager or business owner who wants a clearer picture of how your team is really doing, find out more at Custard. Got a situation at work you don’t know how to handle? Send it in at hello@theboardroompodcast.com , two lines or two paragraphs, whatever you need. Everything stays anonymous. New episodes every Wednesday, 8AM Follow us on socials: YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqkzDIhdiCT-NGag5k8FM_2VAgQwvB1Iv&si=i0kbJFwLkMIU6Qxw Instagram: @the.boardroompodcast & @leadershipheather And btw Heather drops practical leadership tips to over 28,000 managers every Tuesday morning, join the link here: https://www.inthemakingleadership.com/welcome

Want to ask for a pay rise but have no idea where to start? In this episode, Heather breaks down how to prepare for the conversation, build a strong case, choose the right timing and ask with confidence. You’ll learn what to say, what not to say and how to follow up if the answer is “not yet”. In this episode: The exact steps Heather used to grow her salary from £85k to £120k Why the pay rise conversation starts before you walk into the room Why your results matter in salary conversations What to do if the answer is “not right now” Download the free Pay Rise PDF here: https://custardlearns.com/the-payrise-conversation-script And if you’re a manager or business owner who wants a clearer picture of how your team is really doing, find out more at Custard Got a situation at work you don’t know how to handle? Send it in → hello@theboardroompodcast.com New episodes every Wednesday, 8 AM. Follow us on socials: YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqkzDIhdiCT-NGag5k8FM_2VAgQwvB1Iv&si=xoSCRHg4ig2tmai6 Instagram: @the.boardroompodcast & @leadershipheather And btw Heather drops practical leadership tips to over 28,000 managers every Tuesday morning, join the link here: https://www.inthemakingleadership.com/welcome

If you’ve ever avoided a difficult conversation because you didn’t want to upset someone, this episode is for you. Heather explores the difference between being nice and being kind at work, and why people-pleasing can quietly hold you back as a manager and leader. She shares personal stories from her own career, including uncomfortable conversations she has had to start, feedback that was difficult to hear, and the moments that helped her build confidence as a leader. In this episode, Heather covers: Why being “nice” is not always the same as being kind How people-pleasing can damage trust and respect Why avoiding difficult conversations often makes things worse How honest feedback helps you grow Why great managers care enough to tell the truth Because leadership is not about keeping everyone happy BUT helping people grow. And if you’re a manager or business owner who wants a clearer picture of how your team is really doing, join Custard now Got a situation at work you don’t know how to handle? Send it in at hello@theboardroompodcast.com , two lines or two paragraphs, whatever you need. Everything stays anonymous. New episodes every Wednesday, 8 AM Follow us on socials: YouTube: https://youtube.com/@leadershipheather?si=JB0X24-cDem23SKd Instagram: @the.boardroompodcast & @leadershipheather And btw Heather drops practical leadership tips to over 28,000 managers every Tuesday morning, join the link here: https://www.inthemakingleadership.com/welcome

You go into the conversation with a plan. Then they push back, and suddenly you’re convincing yourself you were wrong all along. In this episode, Heather gets into the part of leadership nobody prepares you for, the moment a difficult conversation goes sideways, and your confidence completely disappears. She covers: Why imposter syndrome hits hardest in difficult conversations How to hold your position when someone pushes back hard Why silence in a conversation is not weakness, it’s strategy What to do when a conversation gets heated and you don’t know what to say Why growth matters more than perfection in leadership Got a situation at work you don’t know how to handle? Send it in at hello@theboardroompodcast.com , two lines or two paragraphs, whatever you need. Everything stays anonymous. And if you’re a manager or business owner who wants a clearer picture of how your team is really doing, join Custard now. New episodes every Wednesday, 8 AM (perfect for your commute) Follow us on Instagram: @the.boardroompodcast & @leadershipheather And btw, Heather drops practical leadership tips to over 28,000 managers every Tuesday morning, join the link here: https://www.inthemakingleadership.com/welcome

Some people grow through pressure. Others spend their careers blaming everyone else for where they’re stuck. In this episode, Heather breaks down the “above the line vs below the line” framework, the quickest way to see who on your team is genuinely growing and who is stuck in blame, excuses, and denial. In this episode: The “above the line vs below the line” framework and how to use it as a litmus test Why blame feels so natural and why leaders can’t afford it The difference between a reason and an excuse (this one matters) Why your disengaged team might actually be a one-person problem How to use questions to pass accountability back without creating conflict If you’re struggling to know what’s really going on in your team, Custard gives you clear weekly insight into your team’s culture, wellbeing, and performance, plus practical actions to help you know where to step in. Find out more at Custard Got a situation at work you don’t know how to handle? Send it in at hello@theboardroompodcast.com , two lines or two paragraphs, whatever you need. Everything stays anonymous. New episodes every Wednesday, 8 AM Follow us on Instagram: @the.boardroompodcast & @leadershipheather And btw, Heather drops practical leadership tips to over 28,000 managers every Tuesday morning. Join via the link here: https://www.inthemakingleadership.com/welcome

Most leaders won’t admit this. But Heather will. Nobody tells you that becoming “the manager” changes everything your friendships, your confidence, and how you show up every single day. In this episode, Heather gets real about the moment anxiety nearly stopped her in her tracks, and why asking for help turned out to be her biggest leadership superpower. Why asking for help is actually your biggest leadership superpower The 5-minute conversation that can fix almost any work situation How to spot the people who are quietly holding you back How to act with courage even when anxiety is telling you not to Got a situation at work you don’t know how to handle? Send it in at hello@theboardroompodcast.com in two lines or two paragraphs, whatever you need. Everything stays anonymous. And if you’re a manager or business owner who wants a clearer picture of how your team is really doing, join Custard now. New episodes every Wednesday, 8 AM (best for your commute) Listen & follow: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033uKbjXmIrXKCb0EuzXXg?si=58205f3097864d97 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-boardroom/id1896894691 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/628ce2c6-d282-45ef-80c9-c1132f67a57f/the-boardroom YouTube: https://youtube.com/@leadershipheather?si=JB0X24-cDem23SKd Instagram: @the.boardroompodcast And btw Heather drops practical leadership tips to over 28,000 managers every Tuesday morning, join the link here: https://www.inthemakingleadership.com/welcome

The Boardroom is the podcast for anyone navigating the messy, real, and often unspoken side of leadership. Hosted by Heather Elkington, someone who's been at the bottom, fought her way to the top, and never forgot what the hard parts actually felt like. Whether you're a first-time manager finding your feet, a senior leader feeling the pressure, or somewhere in between, this is the podcast that helps you lead better without pretending it's always easy. New episodes drop every Wednesday at 8am perfect for your commute.