In this episode, Sarah and Catherine Stothart discuss (1) how understanding a framework of four interaction styles helps you communicate with people whose personality or approach is very different to you own (whether at work or in your personal life); (2) how you can flex your style enabling you to build rapport, collaborate effectively and communicate even when the stakes go up; (3) some real-life stories of leaders and managers who adapted their communication style successfully and (4) top tips for hybrid working in teams so that communication stays strong and everyone feels valued in an inclusive working environment.

About Catherine Stothart

Catherine is a Leadership Coach with 30 years’ experience of leadership development in top multinational companies, including Airbus, Google and Audi. Her best-selling first book, How to Get On with Anyone, (2018, Pearson) is a practical guide to understanding others and communicating with confidence and charisma and is now out in a second edition, with new chapters on leadership and communicating inclusively and extra sections on virtual communication. Catherine’s third book, Motivation: The Ultimate Guide to Leading your Team, (2023, Routledge), is ideal for anyone who wants to know how to motivate their teams, improve their wellbeing, and feel motivated themselves. Catherine established Essenwood Consulting in 2004, after working for Ford Motor Company, Mercury Communications and ICL in senior Human Resource and Learning & Development roles for 16 years.

For more information, go to:

https://essenwood.co.uk

In this episode, Sarah and Klaudia discuss (1) what happiness is; (2) how we can grow our happiness through cultivating 'happiness habits'; (3) how to manage destructive self-talk and stop ruminating before a difficult conversation; and (4) how to develop a toolkit so that your happiness doesn't depend on any person, place or thing exterior to you.

About Klaudia Mitura

Klaudia is the author of the book "The Alphabet of Happiness: Create more happiness at work, in relationships and in your own skin" (publication date: September 2025.)

Klaudia is a work psychologist and the Learning and Development Manager at the Science Museum Group. For the last twelve years, she's been applying scientific research on employee engagement to design and implement energetic, creative and data-driven programmes to empower individuals to be at their best at work. During a difficult time in 2020, Klaudia started “The Happiness Challenge” podcast with a mission to interview leading wellbeing experts and test-drive the best happiness hacks that science has on offer.

In this episode, Sarah discusses with Alexandra Pope and Sjanie Hugo Wurlitzer, authors of Wise Power and Wild Power, (1) why cyclical awareness is an under-utilised resource that builds resilience in leaders, (2) how to pick your moment for a courageous conversation (3) how leader is able to be responsive by setting boundaries and standing their ground and (4) how to start a fresh chapter by staying true to you.

Sarah, Alexandra and Sjanie also discuss what leaders can learn from moving beyond politeness into a real conversation where everyone leaves feeling seen and heard.

About Alexandra Pope and Sjanie Hugo Wurlitzer

Alexandra Pope and Sjanie Hugo Wurlitzer are founders of Red School and co-authors of Wild Power: Discover the Magic of the Menstrual Cycle and Awaken The Feminine Path to Power. They are the creators of the Menstruality Medicine Circle™, a brand new healing modality.

For more information, please go to:

https://www.redschool.net

In this episode, Sarah discusses with Anne Power, author of Contented Couples and a couples therapist (1) why couples who learn how to navigate conflict strengthen their relationship, (2) how healthy couples repair after a rupture (3) what a difference it makes when a couple has a learning-together orientation and (4) how a long-term contented relationship is achievable for most of us if we’re willing to do our work and play our part in making authentic dialogue happen.

Sarah and Anne also discuss what leaders can learn from couples and the critical communication skills needed in perhaps the highest stakes context of them all: our intimate relationship.

About Anne Power

Anne is a couple therapist based in London UK, working online with couples and supervisees. She started her counselling work thirty years ago and originally worked with clients in the NHS and in voluntary settings. Anne has trained counsellors, psychotherapists and supervisors and written various books and papers, including Contented Couples (2022.) Anne has a special interest in attachment theory and integrates this with a systemic model in her psychotherapeutic work.

For more information, please go to

https://www.contentedcouples.com

To find out more about Anne’s book, Contented Couples, go to:

https://bit.ly/4b1NbhJ

To watch Anne's TEDx talk, 'Attachment theory is the science of love', go to:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9idayJyWCWs

In this episode, Sarah discusses with Dr Sarah Hill (1) why understanding our ‘childhood story’ unlocks stuck behaviour patterns in leaders (2) what a childhood story is (3) how we can start to notice in a high stakes situation that our childhood story has become activated, and (4) what we can do to create a new narrative so that we expand our behavioural repertoire and instead of a dialogue derailing, we can discuss what matters most.

About Dr Sarah Hill

Sarah is an expert dialogue facilitator and ‘Structural Dynamics Interventionist’ with individuals, teams and across whole systems. She coaches CEOs and senior leaders from different cultures and countries, within large and small, corporate and not-for-profit organisations to lead powerful and productive conversations. Sarah is the author of Where Did You Learn To Behave Like That? Behind every leader’s behaviour is a childhood story that can be a force for good, but also has the potential to wreak havoc, particularly when under pressure. Sarah is also co-author of ‘The Tao of Dialogue’ and a new journal, ‘Dare to…’ which was published in 2020. Sarah has taught at the Saïd Business School, Harvard Business School, Henley Business School and Ashridge and has been visiting Professor at William James College, Boston MA. She also teaches on the Senior Faith in Leadership programme at Windsor Castle and has facilitated deep inter-faith dialogues.

For more information, please go to

https://dialogix.co.uk

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

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

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

About Jan Rakowicz

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

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

https://matrixconsultants.co.uk

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

About Claus

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

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

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

Find out more about Claus and his work at:

https://www.sensingmind.com/

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

About Pete Burden

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

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