Send us a text What separates exceptional leaders from mediocre managers? This week's guest, Andrew Palmer, Senior Editor at The Economist and host of the Boss Class podcast, has spent years interviewing some of the world's most influential executives to answer this question. Drawing from his extensive experience writing the witty and insightful Bartleby column and developing the Boss Class podcast series, Andrew reveals that great leadership isn't only about charisma or authority - it...

Send us a text Ever asked ChatGPT a question, looked at its response and thought… “This isn’t what I wanted”? In this episode of One Simple Thing… Gerry Murray reveals why so many AI prompts fail - and what to do instead. Discover how to brief AI tools like ChatGPT as you would a colleague, so they become your assistant, not your replacement. You’ll learn: The six essentials of a good AI briefWhy vague prompts produce vague outputsHow to turn AI into a productivity partner (not a frustration...

Send us a text In this episode… How do you prove the value of your people programs when budgets are tight and leaders demand evidence? This week's guest is Dr. Alaina Szlachta, author of the book Measurement and Evaluation on a Shoestring. In this illuminating conversation, Alaina shares practical approaches to measurement and evaluation that don't require a PhD in statistics or massive resources. Drawing from her experience across corporate, non-profit and academic sectors, Alaina rev...

Send us a text Ever wonder if your message is landing the way you intend? In this episode of One Simple Thing… You'll discover how to use AI tools like ChatGPT to refine your writing, without losing your human voice. This isn’t about outsourcing your message. It’s about coaching yourself to be clearer, more intentional, and more confident in what you write and send to others. You'll learn: How AI can act as your writing mirrorThe power of asking better questionsWhy AI doesn...

Send us a text In this episode… Gerry Murray speaks with organisational psychologist and Chief Scientist at AIHR, Dieter Veldsman, about how to redesign work for a more human future. Drawing on his new book Work for Humans, Dieter shares why employee experience (EX) is much more than a buzzword, and how to make it a philosophy, a process, and a practice. Together, they discuss: • Why EX is now a core leadership issue, not just an HR function • How to measure EX meaningfully — without ma...

Send us a text What does it really take to become a top employer in today’s world of work? In this episode, Gerry Murray talks to Ammara Naeem, Client Experience Director at the Top Employers Institute, about what smart HR leaders are doing differently to stay ahead, from systems thinking to AI-powered leadership. In this fascinating conversation, you'll learn: What top employers are doing that others aren’tWhy HR needs to speak the language of the businessGen Z, talent fluidity, and t...

Send us a text In this episode… How often do you hit send on an email without considering how your words might land with the recipient? Leadership communication carries emotional weight, and without the benefit of facial expressions or body language, your carefully crafted emails can easily be misinterpreted. This episode tackles a deceptively simple yet powerful leadership practice. When you're in a position of leadership, your words carry extra weight and get amplified throughout you...

Send us a text In this episode… What makes some leaders genuinely inspiring while others leave us frustrated and disengaged? In this transformative conversation with Columbia Business School's Professor Adam Galinsky, we discuss his latest book: Inspire – The Universal Path for Leading Yourself and Others Along the way, we uncover the hidden psychology that determines whether you'll inspire or infuriate the people around you. Adam reveals the "Inspire-Infuriate Continuum"—a powerful fr...

Send us a text In this episode… Taking back control of your inbox might be the most important productivity shift you make as a leader. Have you noticed how email has transformed from a helpful tool into the central focus of your workday? That subtle shift has massive consequences for your effectiveness, focus, and the example you set for your team. In this actionable One Simple Thing episode, I tackle the modern challenge of email addiction that's plaguing knowledge workers everywhere....

Send us a text In this episode… Margaret Heffernan joins the Leading People podcast to challenge our dangerous addiction to certainty and predictability. Drawing from her latest book "Embracing Uncertainty," she reveals why the traditional management approach - forecast, plan, execute - is fundamentally broken in today's volatile world. When the first leg of this three-legged stool collapses, everything else follows. What makes this conversation so compelling is Margaret's unique perspective...

Send us a text Step into the revolutionary intersection of neuroscience and leadership with Professor Patricia Riddle and Ian McDermott as they shatter outdated brain myths and reveal how understanding neuroscience transforms leadership effectiveness. Most leaders operate on brain models that are 60-65 years out of date. This knowledge gap isn't just academic – it directly impacts how we develop talent, make decisions, and build organizational capacity. Patricia and Ian introduce "neur...

Send us a text Ever found yourself putting off an important task—only to scramble at the last minute? Procrastination isn’t just about being lazy. It’s a deeply ingrained habit fueled by brain chemistry, energy, and even our personal values. And if you’re in a leadership role, the stakes are even higher. In this episode of One Simple Thing, we break down: ✔️ Why procrastination happens (it’s not what you think!) ✔️ How our brains trick us into avoiding important work ✔️ What Enjoyment-Perform...

Send us a text In this episode… We challenge traditional views of midlife and explore how this phase can be a powerful transition for leaders. Aneace Haddad, a former tech CEO and an executive coach with extensive experience, invites listeners to rethink what it means to lead in the second half of life. He examines the cognitive shifts that occur as people enter their 40s and beyond, revealing that this period often marks the emergence of unique leadership superpowers that younger leade...

Send us a text Ever feel like there just aren’t enough hours in the day? You start with good intentions, but distractions, interruptions, and never-ending demands pull you in every direction. Before you know it, the day is gone - and your most important work is still unfinished. What if you could reclaim an hour (or more) every single day - without waking up earlier, working longer, or burning yourself out? In this One Simple Thing episode of Leading People, I share a practical strategy...

Send us a text Please subscribe and follow Leading People via the Podcast links In this episode: Unlock the secrets to becoming a "Supercharged Leader" as we chat with leadership gurus Mandy Flint and Elizabeth Vinberg-Hearn. Promising a unique take on leadership that veers away from traditional HR-driven methods, Mandy and Elizabeth enlighten us with strategies that synchronize personal leadership skills with business goals. They draw from their rich experiences at American...

Send us a text Please subscribe and follow Leading People via the Podcast links Do you ever find yourself saying "Yes" to things that you really don't want to do?Do you feel that others sometimes take advantage of your goodwill and helpfulness?What if you could unlock the secret to protecting your time and energy by simply saying no? This week on Leading People it's another One Simple Thing - easy tips and insights that you can implement immediately. Today, you'll learn the essenti...

Send us a text Please subscribe and follow Leading People via the Podcast links On this episode of Leading People, we promise you’ll uncover the keys to building an exceptional workplace culture with our distinguished guest, Koen Dewettinck, CEO of Great Place to Work Belgium and a professor at Vlerick Business School. During our conversation, Koen walks us through his fascinating exploration into organizational psychology and shares his insights on creating environments where employees...

Send us a textPlease subscribe and follow Leading People via the Podcast linksDo you ever feel like your day slips away as soon as you open your email in the morning? Do you get to lunchtime and wonder where your morning went? Are you struggling to get your important things done every day? Leading People is the podcast for leaders who want to consistently bring out the best in themselves and others.These short One Simple Thing episodes have been created with recently appoi...

Send us a text Please subscribe and follow Leading People via the Podcast links Dr Marie-Hélène Pelletier, a renowned psychologist, leadership coach and author of the highly acclaimed book - The Resilience Plan - shares her groundbreaking approach to resilience in this thought-provoking episode of Leading People. Discover how resilience can be cultivated as a skill rather than just an inherent personality trait. Marie-Hélène explains why resilience is not a trait. We promise you'll...

Send us a textPlease subscribe and follow Leading People via the Podcast linksThis is the podcast for leaders who want to bring out the best in themselves and others.One Simple ThingImagine starting your day with a win that propels you closer to your goals, be it personal well-being, family priorities, or professional milestones. Tune in, test out this One Simple Thing, and witness the transformation it can bring to your day and your leadership journey. Connect with me on LinkedIn, share...