• The Commonality is Individuality – Angela Prentner-Smith
    Apr 3 2025

    Many companies are cancelling programmes and changing language about DE&I following Trump's messaging. Where do you stand on this topic?

    Angela Prentner-Smith, Managing Director of This is Milk brings her rich knowledge and experience of neurodiversity to the podcast, which is especially timely as yesterday was World Autism Awareness Day. She reminds us why it remains an important driver of business success.

    If you're still working out where you stand or how to plan for the future of DE&I, the key points we discuss will help:

    • Understanding Neurodiversity: Angela clarifies the difference between neurodiversity—the broad concept of varied brain functionality in society—and neurodivergence, typically associated with conditions like ADHD, autism, dyspraxia, and dyslexia.
    • Inclusivity in Leadership and Management: Angela emphasises the importance of recognising neurodivergent individuals who are already present in our organisations. She offers practical strategies that leadership and management can implement to foster inclusivity.
    • Creating a Work Culture That Promotes Thriving, High Performing Employees: We explore action that organisations can take to empower neurodivergent employees to thrive and achieve high performance. Businesses not only support neurodivergent employees but create a healthier, more productive work environment for everyone.
    • Challenges and Misconceptions: We discuss the pervasive stereotypes and complex language issues that neurodivergent individuals face, and how leadership can help address these challenges in order to enhance workplace culture.

    This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about building a more inclusive and diverse workplace.

    Tune in and learn how together, we can contribute to a more understanding and inclusive organisations. What will be your contribution to that cause?

    More about Angela:

    Angela Prentner-Smith is the award-winning managing director and founder of This is Milk, a consultancy, training and technology business. She is an adept and engaging trainer in project related skills such as management, business analysis, inclusion, neurodiversity, and digital leadership.

    Angela delivers digital leadership training for the Meirc Training in Dubai, Scottish Digital Academy, Kelvin College and a host of other partners. Since launching 10 years ago, Angela and her team have built a reputation as innovators and have created a brand and market position in a unique place in the Scottish market. In 2023 Angela was awarded the accolade of top 10 female entrepreneurs in Scotland

    Angela has become a vocal advocate of equities particularly in gender roles, neurodiversity and human-centred business practices. This focus has become a core part of the This is Milk family of products with the launch of Neve learning having won a prestigious CivTech challenge that aims to disrupt the world of workplace learning and deliver inclusive and personalised learning journeys.

    Links to contact Angela:

    LinkedIn:

    Angela Prentner-Smith

    This is Milk

    Website:

    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 2 mins
  • Why Is Work So Unhappy? – Matt Phelan
    Mar 20 2025

    Happy International Day of Happiness! 🎉

    There’s no better way to celebrate than exploring how happiness can make or break our workplace with insights from expert, Matt Phelan, co-founder of The Happiness Index.

    In this enlightening episode of the Beyond the Water Cooler podcast, I chat with Matt about the intricate relationship between happiness and organisational growth.

    Here's what we explore:

    1. Happiness and Growth: Understand why Matt believes organisations cannot grow without happy employees, and the key to success.
    2. Addressing Common Barriers: Learn about some of the main barriers organisations face in fostering a happy workforce and get practical advice on overcoming resistance within leadership teams.
    3. The Power of Acknowledgment: Matt sheds light on the importance of personalised acknowledgment and why recognising individual employee contributions is crucial.
    4. A Global Perspective: Gain insights from contrasting cultural approaches to raising happy communities.

    Matt also shares his candid thoughts about the future of workplace culture and the pivotal role leaders play in maintaining a thriving, happy organisation.

    Whether you’re a manager, business owner, or simply interested in organisational success, this episode is brimming with valuable takeaways. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to enhance your leadership skills and ensure your workplace is a hub of happiness and productivity.

    More about Matt:

    Matt Phelan is a Co-Founder of The Happiness Index, a platform that helps organisations measure the key employee engagement AND happiness drivers to power their people strategy. In his day-to-day role, he's responsible for the strategic direction of the business.

    Matt is the founder of The Happiness and Humans Community, host of The Happiness Index Podcast and author of Freedom To Be Happy: The Business Case for Happiness & The Happiness Index: Why Today's Employee Emotions Equal Tomorrow's Business Success"

    Matt recently completed a TEDx talk where he presented 12 million data points on happiness from 1 million human beings in 100+ countries in less than 15 minutes.

    Links to contact Matt:

    LinkedIn: Matthew Phelan

    Instagram: @matthewjphelan

    X: @matthewphelan

    Websites:

    mattphelan.co.uk

    www.thehappinessindex.com

    Resources & References

    Watch this episode on YouTube

    40 Activities Ranked by Happiness: Work Ranks 39th, Just Above Being Sick...

    Show more Show less
    46 mins
  • Women’s Equality 50 Years On: Actions for Employers – Prisca Bradley
    Mar 6 2025

    With Trump's very problematic attitude to women and DEI, is progress that's been made over the last 50 years about to do a massive U-turn?

    In case you've somehow managed to avoid his comments, here is just one example (there are sooooo many)...

    Talking about Kamala Harris during a Fox News appearance in September 2024, Trump said, "They put her in, and she somehow — a woman — somehow she's doing better than [President Joe Biden] did."

    With comments like this from an 'authority' figure, just what do employers need to do to ensure they continue to benefit from all that women bring to the world of work?

    Prisca Bradley joins me to share her perspective as an employment lawyer. She has brilliant insight that brings to life an essential discussion, turning ideology into practical action.

    From recruitment, critical thinking development and training for leaders and managers, to empowering women to speak up and encouraging men to be active allies, this is a thought-provoking discussion. It's about psychology, geo-politics, ethics, performance and so much more.

    Although we've recorded this for International Women's Day, this is a critical agenda that must be driven from the boardroom across the organisation, throughout all strategy and ops, across the employee lifecycle, 365 days a year.

    Accelerate Action for gender equality.

    How are YOU translating concepts into pragmatic practice?

    More about Prisca:

    Having been a solicitor and partner in private practice for several law firms. Prisca decided to set up her own consultancy in 2019 focussing on providing a blend of employment law advice and support and training to organisations and businesses primarily within the education, charity, technology and start-up sectors. She particularly enjoys supporting leaders and managers to develop their skills and working with organisations to create healthy working environments.

    Links to contact Prisca:

    LinkedIn: Prisca Bradley

    Website: www.bradleyemploymentconsulting.co.uk

    Resources & References

    Leadership Labs | It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)

    Watch this episode on YouTube

    New Research: Women More Effective Than Men In All Leadership Measures (www.forbes.com)

    Link to commentary on the rights of women survey: www.womensgrid.org.uk

    Seb Randle Podcast Episode: Men: Developing Allies

    Dr Shawn Andrews Podcast Episodes:

    7 Superpowers of Women in the Workplace (Part 1)

    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 1 min
  • The Challenges (and joys) Leading People in Another Country – Rosie Hawes
    Feb 13 2025

    Rosie Hawes is a business risk consultant who has worked in Russia, China and South Korea. In this conversation she brings a really interesting perspective to the challenges of managing people in different cultures.

    Her experience really shines a light on the range of pressures facing different cultures, from misogyny and gossip, to the 'entitlement' of gen Z.

    We explore the whether we need to accept or challenge practices that don't align with our values, particularly when they are perceived as some to be damaging.

    Rosie helps us think about how to sustain high performance in teams that are made up of individuals from different cultures, or who may be operating overseas to us. Is it really that difficult?

    It was fascinating hearing about some of Rosie's investigations and experiences and what she learnt about the diverse world of work. Find out for yourself. Listen to the podcast or watch on YouTube and meet Rosie's cat!

    More about Rosie:

    With a 20+ year career in risk and investigations spanning Russia, China and South Korea, Rosie Hawes brings a fascinating perspective on the challenges of being a foreign manager in a new environment and how to build a team of individuals from diverse backgrounds. Having supported multinational clients looking to expand in high risk jurisdictions, she shares her experience of the pitfalls firms fall into when expanding when failing to consider local fraud and corruption schemes, cultural nuances and even different concepts of trust.

    Links to contact Rosie:

    LinkedIn: Rosie Hawes

    Resources & References

    Leadership Labs | It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)

    Watch this episode on YouTube

    For free resources that you can use for yourself or your team, check out: itstimeforchange.co.uk/category/resources

    To be on the receiving end of new, free, downloadable resources, join the club here: itstimeforchange.co.uk/jointheclub

    Contact details for Lisa LLoyd:

    LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lisapsychology

    Website: itstimeforchange.co.uk

    Sign up to be kept in the loop: itstimeforchange.co.uk/jointheclub

    Contact me: itstimeforchange.co.uk/contact

    Email: lisa@itstimeforchange.co.uk

    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 1 min
  • Breaking the Silence: Empowering Leaders to Support Employees Affected by Cancer – Sharron Moffatt
    Jan 30 2025

    On average someone is diagnosed with cancer at least every 90 seconds in the UK. That's a hard-hitting statistic.

    What is also alarming is a finding by a Cancer@Work study that found 50% of people undergoing cancer treatment are too scared to tell their bosses they have cancer. Fear gets in the way.

    When you add to that the discomfort many line managers have about talking to employees about their cancer, we realise we have a BIG problem. But it shouldn't be.

    Like everything I talk about when advocating for a work culture where employees are able to show up with authenticity and experience what they need to feel and perform well... it's about simply being human.

    That does not require managers or colleagues to be subject experts. But it does require genuine care and curiosity. After all, cancer, like most things in life, is a unique experience, so it's about getting to know the individual's reality by asking.

    This podcast conversation with the brilliant Sharron Moffatt helps us understand what to say and do, what to avoid, and the very real difference that can make.

    Why? Because with stats like that above, cancer is definitely not a niche - you need to know your part.

    It will affect your workforce.

    It will affect your reputation.

    Sharron specialises in mental health and has lived experience of cancer. She is incredibly good at communicating what you need to know, usually with a sprinkling of her awesome energy and humour that makes her super easy to engage with. I can't recommend her highly enough if you're looking for workshops and support.

    More about Sharron:

    Sharron Moffatt, a Mental Health Trainer, Cancer Awareness Ambassador and Speaker brings 30 years of global experience in health and wellbeing, and her approach is as inspiring as it is relatable.

    Mental health and cancer can be challenging subjects, but Sharron has a unique way of breaking down barriers and making these conversations feel relatable, approachable, and empowering. Drawing on her professional expertise and a side of hard-earned wisdom, she’s passionate about sparking real, meaningful change—both in the workplace and in the lives of everyone she touches.

    Links to contact Sharron:

    LinkedIn: Sharron Moffatt

    Instagram: @50_bald_and_boobless

    Website: sharronmoffatt.co.uk

    Resources & References

    Leadership Labs | It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)

    Watch this episode on YouTube

    Managing Cancer in the Workplace (www.macmillan.org.uk)

    How to Create a Cancer Aware Workplace Culture (cancersupportuk.org)

    www.worldcancerday.org

    Show more Show less
    57 mins
  • TRADING PLACES: The Being Playful Podcast: Playfulness to Revolutionise Performance
    Jan 16 2025

    Ever wondered how playfulness and authentic communication could revolutionise workplace culture and accelerate outstanding leadership? In this episode I joined Chris Marshall, Behavioural Scientist and Founder of The Playfulness Institute, as a guest on his 'The Being Playful Podcast'.

    We talked about how creating the right environment enables both people and businesses to flourish. I shared my perspective on workplace dynamics, revealing how understanding and responding to human needs creates environments where creativity, innovation, and authentic connection can thrive. I explain how focusing on the human side of business leads to better performance and engagement.

    The conversation explores the deep connection between environment, emotional awareness, and performance, with key insights including:

    • The distinction between controlling performance and creating conditions for excellence
    • How acknowledging emotions can transform team dynamics
    • The importance of leaders modelling authentic behaviour
    • Why collective intelligence trumps individual brilliance
    • The power of understanding and working with our natural stress responses

    We deep dive into:

    • How creating psychologically safe environments enables peak performance
    • Why pausing and self-awareness are crucial for effective leadership
    • The importance of normalising emotional responses in professional settings
    • How playfulness naturally emerges when stress levels decrease
    • The role of curiosity in fostering innovation and connection

    The discussion takes fascinating turns into how both playfulness and emotional awareness can help manage uncertainty, encourage authentic expression, and create environments where innovation flourishes. This leads to more effective leadership and deeper workplace relationships.

    More about Chris:

    Chris Marshall is a Behavioural Scientist, Futurist and Psychologist and the founder of The Playfulness Institute, a not-for-profit organisation that helps organisations, teams and leaders cultivate places where humans can thrive through playfulness.

    Links to contact Chris:

    LinkedIn:

    Chris Marshall

    The Playfulness Institute

    Website: www.playfulnessinstitute.org

    Resources & References

    Podcast Survey

    Leadership Labs | It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)

    The Being Playful Podcast (Spotify)

    The Being Playful Podcast (Apple Podcasts)

    Playful Insights - Playfulness Institute Blog

    Three Pillar Playfulness Scale...

    Show more Show less
    49 mins
  • POWERED BY HAPPINESS: Award Winning Performance – Jaye Cowle
    Dec 19 2024

    This is a first! Recording in front of a live audience at Google HQ for part of the fantastic Alliance of Independent Agencies' Festival of Happiness was exciting if not slightly daunting. But my guest, Jaye Cowle of award-winning company Launch, was an absolute delight to talk with.

    Why listen? You get to hear about why Launch won the 'Independent Agency Purpose Award' recently. And that's not something to be sniffed at.

    Spoiler alert... it was about creating a happy performance agency, having a clear purpose, and setting out to measure the impact that work on culture has on performance.

    Jaye shares how she went about leading that, what she learnt, and how she overcame some of the pitfalls along the way. She provides sound advice for other business leaders who are thinking of embarking on a similar journey to become industry leaders in the future.

    More about Jaye:

    Jaye Cowle is the CEO & Founder of Launch, the happy performance agency. From kitchen table to £3m+, she has scaled Launch without investment and has set targets to double revenue in the next two years. Her ethos is happy people do great work. Jaye has created a high performing team at Launch by being a champion for both employee well-being and professional growth. Jaye speaks widely about leadership, team motivation, and building a thriving agency culture powered by happiness. Her infectious positivity and commitment to excellence makes her standout in the industry and a role model for female entrepreneurs. Under her guidance, Launch has become a trusted partner for brands looking to drive growth through their digital advertising and connect meaningfully with their potential customers. She sits on the Google Exec Circle as the only sole female founder.

    Links to contact Jaye:

    LinkedIn:

    Jaye Cowle

    Launch

    Website: www.launchonline.co.uk

    Resources & References

    For leaders and managers looking to develop their practice within their individual context, Labs are a brilliant opportunity to learn, experiment and evaluate, focused on the specific challenges you face. Find out more: Leadership Labs | It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)

    Festival of Happiness 2024: Main stage panel session: ‘How Happy People Drive Performance'

    People First for Business Success (itstimeforchange.co.uk)

    Psychological Safety (itstimeforchange.co.uk)

    Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us - Daniel H. Pink (amazon.co.uk)

    Watch this episode on YouTube

    For free resources that you can use for yourself or your team, check out: itstimeforchange.co.uk/category/resources

    To be on the receiving...

    Show more Show less
    57 mins
  • The F Word: Finding calm amidst a Financial crisis – Sophie Lodge
    Dec 5 2024
    Did you know that the Social Metrics Commission found the current rate of poverty in the UK to be higher than at any other point in the 21st Century? A staggering 24% (nearly one in four) people in the UK are now judged to be in poverty. That statistic means the impact of the financial crisis is likely to be closer to home than you may originally have thought. And with personal finances being an uncomfortable subject to talk about, the consequences can be significant. Distraction, anxiety and depression are all too common when people have money-worries. So like anything, start with asking your employees what will help them. That's just one tip from Sophie Lodge of Eight Wealth Management who joins me to discuss a practical approach to financial wellbeing. It's easy to fall into the trap of having the ideal 'support' mapped out, guessing what provision will be most impactful. But that approach can miss the mark. Sophie encourages us to think differently. Here she shares advice about how to reduce the stigma that surrounds money-talk and increase help that makes a real difference. Listen or watch, and plan how you're going to ease a potentially stressful time for your workforce.More about Sophie:Sophie Lodge is your big sister in finance, helping you feel comfortable and confident with your finances.Links to contact Sophie:LinkedIn:Sophie LodgeEight Wealth ManagementInstagram: @sophie_financialadviserFacebook: Eight Wealth Management MarlowWebsite: Eight Wealth Management MarlowResources & ReferencesTackling Anxiety Collectively - A Team Discussion Framework (itstimeforchange.co.uk)Stress Mapping (itstimeforchange.co.uk)Never Just a Survey - Kieran Innes, Stribe (itstimeforchange.co.uk)Leadership Labs | It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)Social Metrics Commission 2024 Report (socialmetricscommission.org.uk)The Money Pizza by Fleur IannazzoWatch this episode on YouTubeFor free resources that you can use for yourself or your team, check out: itstimeforchange.co.uk/category/resourcesTo be on the receiving end of new, free, downloadable resources, join the club here: itstimeforchange.co.uk/jointheclubContact details for Lisa LLoyd:LinkedIn:
    Show more Show less
    54 mins