Be a Better Boss is the podcast for business leaders, CEOs, entrepreneurs, and
managers who aspire to create thriving workplaces and happier teams. Hosted by Iain
Highfield—renowned sports psychologist, Harvard-trained expert in organizational
behavior, and small business leader—this podcast addresses one of the biggest
workplace challenges: people are unhappy at work. Iain draws on his career coaching U.S.-based sports academies, elite college teams,national teams, and professional golfers competing at The Masters and The BritishOpen. He’s helped athletes win on the world stage using evidence-based methods learned from mentors like Dr. Anders Ericsson.
But Iain’s expertise isn’t limited to sports. He’s led businesses, directed sports
academies, and faced the reality of his own business failing during COVID-19. These
experiences revealed a universal truth: just as athletes need engagement, motivation,
and purpose to perform, so do employees. Now, Iain’s mission is to transform the world by transforming the workplace. Combining lessons from sports psychology, Harvard education, and real-world leadership, *Be a Better Boss equips leaders with actionable strategies to boost motivation, engagement, and well-being.If you’re ready to revolutionize your workplace and help your team thrive, subscribe now and join the mission to make work better for everyone.
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Be a Better Boss is the podcast for business leaders, CEOs, entrepreneurs, and
managers who aspire to create thriving workplaces and happier teams. Hosted by Iain
Highfield—renowned sports psychologist, Harvard-trained expert in organizational
behavior, and small business leader—this podcast addresses one of the biggest
workplace challenges: people are unhappy at work. Iain draws on his career coaching U.S.-based sports academies, elite college teams,national teams, and professional golfers competing at The Masters and The BritishOpen. He’s helped athletes win on the world stage using evidence-based methods learned from mentors like Dr. Anders Ericsson.
But Iain’s expertise isn’t limited to sports. He’s led businesses, directed sports
academies, and faced the reality of his own business failing during COVID-19. These
experiences revealed a universal truth: just as athletes need engagement, motivation,
and purpose to perform, so do employees. Now, Iain’s mission is to transform the world by transforming the workplace. Combining lessons from sports psychology, Harvard education, and real-world leadership, *Be a Better Boss equips leaders with actionable strategies to boost motivation, engagement, and well-being.If you’re ready to revolutionize your workplace and help your team thrive, subscribe now and join the mission to make work better for everyone.
In this episode of the Be a Better Boss Podcast, Iain Highfield explores how consistent habits—not big breakthroughs—drive long-term success in leadership and team performance. Drawing from his experience coaching high performers, Iain breaks down why the small things leaders do daily have the biggest impact. Whether it’s the way you start meetings, give feedback, or […]
In this episode of the Be A Better Boss Podcast, Iain Highfield discusses the dangerous untold truths about confidence. He covers what many fail to recognize when promoting confidence as the only key to success. Discover how to use confidence in the best way to get more out of your work and maximize success.
In this episode of the Be a Better Boss Podcast, Iain Highfield breaks down the power of flow – the mental state where focus, creativity, and productivity peak. He explores how leaders can create the right environment for their teams to enter flow more consistently, and why doing so leads to higher performance, greater satisfaction, and […]
In this episode of the Be a Better Boss Podcast, Iain Highfield explores the connection between purpose and performance in the workplace. He breaks down how employees who feel connected to a deeper “why” don’t just meet expectations—they exceed them. From boosting engagement to creating a culture where people thrive, Iain shares practical insights on how […]
In this episode of the Be a Better Boss podcast, Iain Highfield explores the hidden dangers of hustle culture and how the constant pressure to “do more” can lead to burnout, disengagement, and poor leadership. Learn why glorifying overwork is bad for business—and how smart leaders create cultures of balance, sustainability, and real productivity.
Could one of the most powerful leadership tools be found in something practiced for thousands of years? In this episode of the Be A Better Boss podcast, we explore how meditation is becoming an impactful tool in the workplace—especially for leaders. Far from being just a wellness trend, meditation offers a strategic advantage: improving focus, […]
Did you know your body language can say more than your words ever will? In this episode of the Be a Better Boss Podcast, we dive into the subtle yet powerful world of non-verbal communication. Drawing on insights from Amy Cuddy’s groundbreaking book, Presence, we explore how your posture, gestures, and facial expressions shape perceptions, influence outcomes, […]
Ever noticed how elite athletes thrive under pressure? Their secret lies in mastering self-talk—the internal dialogue that shapes mindset and drives performance. In this episode, we bring proven lessons from the locker room directly to the boardroom, teaching you how to harness your self-talk through powerful Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques, including positive reframing and […]
What if the key to unlocking better performance, clearer thinking, and a calmer mind wasn’t in your morning coffee or your to-do list—but in your next breath? In this episode of Be a Better Boss, we explore how a practice once reserved for elite athletes is now transforming boardrooms. Breathwork—intentional, controlled breathing—has emerged as one of […]
Discover how psychological interventions—such as mastering body language, intentional breathing techniques, positive self-talk, intrinsic motivation, process focus and fostering a shared vision—can transform workplaces from ordinary to extraordinary. In each episode, we explore the science and real-world application behind these evidence-based strategies, uncovering how they boost employee well-being, enhance productivity, and create thriving company cultures. […]
Presenteeism—employees showing up but not fully engaging—costs organizations billions annually. In this episode, I dive into the causes of presenteeism and connect it to previous topics like intrinsic motivation, process goals, and mentorship. I also share actionable strategies to reduce presenteeism, improve workplace efficiency, and create happier, more engaged teams.
Great leaders aren’t just bosses—they’re mentors. In this episode, I explain what mentorship truly is (and isn’t) and why leaders must embrace this role to inspire growth and trust. Drawing on insights from Harvard research, I share practical strategies to become a mentor who empowers employees to achieve their full potential.
Athletes achieve greatness by focusing on what they can control—the process, not the outcome. In this episode, I explain how this principle has helped athletes I’ve coached win on the world stage and why businesses must adopt the same mindset. Learn how process-focused strategies can reduce stress, build resilience, and drive success in the workplace.
What drives sustainable success? In this episode, I share my theory: intrinsic motivation trumps all. Drawing on sports psychology, Harvard research, and real-world leadership experience, I explore how intrinsic motivation leads to engagement, resilience, and flow states. Discover how leaders can foster intrinsic motivation to build happier, higher-performing workplaces.
In this episode, we explore the arrival fallacy — the mistaken belief that happiness lies in achieving future goals. Drawing on lessons from sports psychology and leadership, I explain how focusing on the present moment and process goals can free leaders and employees from this trap, creating more engaged and fulfilled teams.
Leadership isn’t about being a good salesperson or climbing the corporate ladder—it’s about helping others achieve more than they ever thought possible. In this episode, I define what true leadership means and explain why traditional corporate strategies often miss the mark. We’ll explore how effective leaders focus on mentoring and influencing behavior, not just managing […]
A company’s mission, vision, and values are essential—but they’re only part of the equation. In this episode, I explain why leaders should also help employees craft their own personal mission, vision, and values. By aligning these with the company’s goals, organizations can create deeply engaged teams that thrive together.
In this episode, we examine why traditional SMART goals often lead to stress and burnout. I share stories from my career in sports psychology, where focusing on controllable process goals helped athletes win on the world stage. Discover how leaders can apply this same strategy to the workplace, creating a culture of resilience, focus, and […]
Performance reviews often miss the mark, focusing on outputs rather than understanding what truly drives employees. In this episode, I introduce the **Motivational Pie Chart**, a tool to help leaders uncover what motivates their team members—whether it’s recognition, creativity, or personal growth. By aligning employee motivations with roles andgoals, leaders can foster engagement and happiness […]
Welcome to the first episode of *Be a Better Boss*! In this introduction, I share the story behind my mission: to transform the world by transforming the workplace. Drawing on my experience as a sports psychologist, my Harvard education, and my successes (and failures) in business leadership, I explore the key problem I’ve identified—disengaged and […]
Be a Better Boss is the podcast for business leaders, CEOs, entrepreneurs, and
managers who aspire to create thriving workplaces and happier teams. Hosted by Iain
Highfield—renowned sports psychologist, Harvard-trained expert in organizational
behavior, and small business leader—this podcast addresses one of the biggest
workplace challenges: people are unhappy at work. Iain draws on his career coaching U.S.-based sports academies, elite college teams,national teams, and professional golfers competing at The Masters and The BritishOpen. He’s helped athletes win on the world stage using evidence-based methods learned from mentors like Dr. Anders Ericsson.
But Iain’s expertise isn’t limited to sports. He’s led businesses, directed sports
academies, and faced the reality of his own business failing during COVID-19. These
experiences revealed a universal truth: just as athletes need engagement, motivation,
and purpose to perform, so do employees. Now, Iain’s mission is to transform the world by transforming the workplace. Combining lessons from sports psychology, Harvard education, and real-world leadership, *Be a Better Boss equips leaders with actionable strategies to boost motivation, engagement, and well-being.If you’re ready to revolutionize your workplace and help your team thrive, subscribe now and join the mission to make work better for everyone.
