Leadership coach, mentor, and entrepreneur Chris Parry shares her journey from punk music enthusiast to founder of the Centre for High Performance Development. With a career punctuated by leading her consultancy to the Sunday Times' top 100 small businesses and its eventual acquisition by IBM, Chris opens up about the trials and triumphs of building a values-driven business. Her story is one of passion, transformation, and the relentless pursuit of purpose, making it a must-listen for aspiring leaders.

Chris dives into what makes an exceptional leader, emphasising the importance of recruiting potential over experience and fostering a developmental culture. She highlights the balance needed between personal well-being, team dynamics, and task completion to avoid burnout and create a positive work environment. With insights into the cognitive, people-oriented, inspiring, and action-focused behaviours essential for effective leadership, this conversation is packed with wisdom for anyone looking to elevate their leadership game.

As we navigate the complexities of modern leadership, Chris offers her take on the pressing challenges of 2024, including AI's transformative impact and the nuances of remote and hybrid work. She underscores the enduring importance of face-to-face communication and effective conflict resolution, sharing practical strategies to manage team dynamics and create a legacy that benefits employees, clients, and the community. This episode is an invaluable resource for leaders at all stages, from startup founders to seasoned executives.

Takeaways

• Leaders should focus on the 'I, We, and It' aspects of leadership, including self-awareness, building strong relationships, and managing tasks effectively.
• Creating a high-performance culture requires valuing diverse talent and understanding what motivates individuals.
• Remote and hybrid working environments present challenges in terms of maintaining productivity, innovation, and employee well-being.
• Leaders should prioritise face-to-face interactions for activities that benefit from in-person collaboration.
• Leadership styles should be adaptable and tailored to individual strengths and the needs of the organisation. Remote and hybrid work have become more prevalent in smaller businesses, and while they can be effective, face-to-face interactions and events are still important for building connections and relationships.
• The future of leadership will involve incorporating innovations in AI, neuroscience, biology, and peer development, while still focusing on the core skills of delegation and motivation.
• Conflict in the workplace is a natural part of human interaction, and it can be managed constructively through collaboration and understanding different perspectives.
• Toxic conflict arises when conflict is not managed properly or when cultural factors contribute to unhealthy dynamics. It is important to create a culture that encourages open communication and addresses conflict proactively.
• Conflict management requires skills such as conceptual flexibility, empathy, and the ability to collaborate. These skills can be developed through training and practice.
• Leaders can manage conflict by creating a clear process for addressing conflicts within teams, giving individuals space to express their perspectives, and encouraging collaboration and problem-solving.
• Emotional management and taking a deep breath can help individuals respond to conflict in a more constructive manner.
• A beautiful business leaves a positive impact on its employees, clients, and community, creating lasting relationships and contributing to personal and professional growth.

Chapters

(03:17 - 04:10) From Punk to Choral Music (53...

How do you balance profit with purpose in a high-stakes creative industry? Join us for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the inspiring journey of Dines, the co-founder and creative director of Studio BLUP. From its humble beginnings as a university project to becoming a multi-award-winning creative powerhouse, Dines shares his relentless drive and the personal motivations that fuel his quest to leave a lasting legacy, especially for his son. Learn how resilience and self-awareness have played crucial roles in overcoming the challenges of balancing financial success with a meaningful impact.

Ever wondered what it's like to navigate an acquisition while staying true to your creative vision? Dines opens up about the critical decisions Studio BLUP faced, including turning down lucrative offers to preserve their independence and ultimately joining a larger conglomerate. With candid insights into the internal struggles of maintaining authenticity, hear about the pressures of meeting financial targets and the toll it takes on creative freedom. Gain valuable perspectives on the internal conflict between commercial success and staying true to one's purpose.

Finally, discover how Studio BLUP is rebuilding with a renewed focus on purpose-driven success. Listen as Dines discusses the creation of BLUP Academy, an initiative aimed at inspiring and supporting young creatives. He shares the importance of aligning business goals with a greater cause, offering actionable advice on how to balance financial achievements with making a positive impact. Don't miss this episode filled with lessons on resilience, legacy-building, and the art of making decisions with both the heart and the head.

Takeaways

• Building a successful creative agency requires resilience, self-awareness, and a diehard attitude of never giving up.
• The tension between profit and purpose can arise when trying to build a legacy, and it's important to find a balance that aligns with your values.
• Selling a business can provide financial security, but it's crucial to carefully consider the terms and ensure that the acquiring company shares your ambitions and values.
• Joining a larger group can offer resources and expertise, but it can also lead to conflicts between creative vision and commercial demands.
• Maintaining creativity and innovation can be challenging when financial targets become the primary focus, and it's important to prioritise artistic integrity and the original vision of the business. When a business loses its purpose and becomes solely focused on profit, it's important to reassess and make changes.
• Exiting a group or partnership can be a challenging process, but it can lead to a fresh start and renewed excitement.
• Legacy is about creating work that has a lasting impact and inspires future generations.
• BLUP Academy was created to help students and postgraduates learn and make an impact with their talent.
• Studio BLUP is now thriving, working with purpose-driven brands and focusing on innovation and making a positive impact.

Chapters

00:00 - Building Studio BLUP

13:07 - Navigating Acquisition and Growth in Business

22:59 - Struggling With Business Growth and Pressure

29:45 - Rebuilding Studio BLUP Strategies

42:17 - Building a Lasting Legacy

49:32 - Creating a Legacy Through Beautiful Business

How do you grow a business from a bedroom startup to a thriving agency? In this episode we’re joined by Simon Barbato, CEO and founder of Mr B and Friends. Simon shares his incredible journey of building an agency, navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the strategic moves that led to significant milestones like acquiring Future Kings and launching a new London office.

Listen as Simon recounts the evolution of Mr B and Friends, how it bolstered its market presence and mastered the art of client engagement. Learn about the critical importance of cultural integration and operational synergy in ensuring successful mergers. Simon's insights into the competitive landscape of new business acquisition, the impact of external factors on client budgets, and the necessity of adapting agency models to emphasise outcomes over inputs are invaluable for anyone in the industry.

Simon also highlights the importance of resilience and patience in agency leadership, the shift toward value-oriented billing, and the joy of fostering a talented team. He passionately discusses the elements that make a business truly beautiful: significant impact, strong relationships, excellent employee experience, and having fun while achieving financial success. Whether you're an agency owner, a business leader, or someone interested in the intricacies of running a successful firm, this episode offers a treasure trove of insights and inspiration.

Takeaways

• Shaking up the traditional agency model is crucial for survival in the industry.
• Culture and leadership are key in integrating an acquired agency.
• Clean financials, strong governance, and a clear positioning are important for agency owners looking to sell.
• Having a growth opportunity and a compelling story can make an agency attractive for acquisition. New business development is tough in the current market, but agencies can still be successful by attracting inbound leads and maintaining a strong reputation.
• The agency model needs to change to move away from commoditising creative services and focus on delivering value and outcomes for clients.
• Resilience and patience are key qualities for agency leaders to navigate the challenges of the industry.
• Outsourcing and technology can be valuable tools in new business development, but they should be used in addition to, not instead of, human interaction.
• Shaking up the agency model requires unlearning old practices, educating clients about new approaches, and continuously fine-tuning the value proposition.
• Beautiful business for Simon means making a meaningful impact, building strong relationships, creating a positive employee experience, and having fun while delivering quality work.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Simon Barbato and Mr. B and Friends

08:24 Shaking Up the Traditional Agency Model

26:29 The Best and Worst Parts of the Acquisition

29:24 Key Considerations for Agency Owners Looking to Sell

31:24 Challenges of New Business Development

35:30 Resilience and Visibility in New Business

48:23 Transitioning to Outcome-Based Solutions

51:48 Shaking Up the Agency Model

01:00:29 Risks and Rewards of Changing the Agency Model

01:06:14 Defining Beautiful Business

Ever wondered how embracing failure can transform your career? Join us as Amy Sandler, the lead coach and podcast host at Radical Candor, reveals the secrets behind her remarkable journey from academia to executive coaching, and even stand-up comedy and firewalking. Through her personal anecdotes, Amy shares the significance of preparation, community, and intention-setting in overcoming extreme challenges, offering listeners a unique perspective on personal and professional growth.

Discover the foundational principles of Radical Candor and how they've evolved from a digital platform to impactful in-person workshops. Amy, along with insights from co-founder Kim Scott's experiences at Apple and Google, unpacks the delicate balance between caring personally and challenging directly to foster trust and collaboration in any organisation. Learn how these principles can be applied to create a culture of guidance through kind and clear feedback, making it essential not just for managers, but for everyone in the workplace.

Navigating career changes and leadership challenges can be daunting, but Amy’s story of transitioning from secure job roles to becoming a certified instructor for Google's "Search Inside Yourself" program provides invaluable lessons. We discuss the importance of honest feedback, the dangers of "ruinous empathy," and effective feedback models like SBI (Situation-Behavior-Impact). By addressing real-life struggles with identity and perfectionism, Amy offers practical strategies for managing transitions, fostering a culture of trust, and enhancing your leadership and communication skills.

Podcast: RadicalCandor.com/podcast

Book: RadicalCandor.com/the-book

Takeaways

• The principles of radical candor emphasise the importance of care personally and challenge directly in building trusting relationships at work.
• Feedback, both praise and criticism, should be specific, sincere, and focused on helping the individual grow.
• Building safety and trust in workplace relationships requires ongoing communication, asking for feedback, and rewarding candor.
• Coaching-style feedback allows for co-creation of next steps and encourages authenticity and understanding between individuals.
• Overcoming discomfort in giving and receiving feedback involves recognizing the intention to help the individual grow and building a culture of open communication and trust. The importance of expressing care personally and challenging directly in the workplace
• The significance of feedback and understanding intention versus impact
• The behavioural quadrants of radical candor and their impact on workplace dynamics
• The introduction of the new book 'Radical Respect' and its focus on creating respectful workplaces
• The concept of 'beautiful business' as the expression of humanity in the workplace

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Amy's Background

03:05 The Impact of Mindfulness and Emotional Intelligence on Leadership and Personal Growth

09:04 Amy's Career Journey and the Importance of Radical Candor

14:02 Understanding Radical Candor: Principles and Application

36:32 Exploring Radical Candor and Workplace Relationships

42:02 Understanding Feedback and Intention vs. Impact

57:17 Behavioral Quadrants of Radical Candor

01:06:21 Introducing 'Radical Respect'

In this episode of the Beautiful Business podcast, host Chloe interviews Nikki Gatenby, a leading figure in the agency world known for delivering outstanding results. Nikki shares her insights on building successful businesses that balance purpose, positioning, people, product, planet, and platforms.

Drawing from her experience transforming Propellernet into a global marketing organisation and SAAS provider, Nikki discusses the key elements of creating a thriving workplace culture that prioritises well-being and innovation. She also explores her passion for AI and its potential impact on the creative industry, addressing both its opportunities and challenges.

As a Non-Executive Director and Cognitive Behavioural Coach, Nikki brings energy, ideas, and execution expertise to help marketing, media, and tech businesses create impact. She works with ambitious founders, board directors, and leaders to develop strategies, realise ideas, and achieve business goals.

Throughout the conversation, Nikki highlights the need for future-focused leadership, urging leaders to take responsibility for their global impact and leave a positive legacy. She advocates for profits to stem from solving the world's problems, not creating them, and stresses the importance of prioritising action over inertia.

Chloe and Nikki also discuss the significance of collaboration between humans and machines, and the need for responsible and ethical use of AI in the workplace. This episode is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the intersection of culture, innovation, and AI in business, and how leaders can build unstoppable forces for good.

Takeaways

• Culture and engagement are crucial for creating a positive and productive work environment.
• Embracing well-being and innovation can lead to better work outcomes and employee satisfaction.
• Non-executive directors and cognitive behavioural coaches can provide valuable guidance and support to agency founders and leaders.
• Future-facing leadership involves being proactive and adaptable in the face of rapid technological advancements, such as AI. AI has the potential to enhance creativity and innovation in the creative industry.
• Collaboration between humans and AI is crucial for maximising the benefits of AI.

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In this episode of the Beautiful Business Podcast, host Yiuwin Tsang and guest, Gavin Willis, Founder of Search Seven, discuss the intricacies and benefits of balancing profit with purpose in business, particularly through charity partnerships and fundraising. Gavin shares insights and experiences from his journey, offering valuable perspectives on integrating social impact into a business model.

Gavin discusses the evolution of the company's charity initiatives, moving from a profit-based approach to dedicating a minimum percentage of profits to charitable causes. He touches upon the practical aspects of managing events and communities within a marketing agency, including the significance of passion, commitment, and structure in driving social impact initiatives. He shares success stories from past charity events, illustrating how such activities not only contribute to valuable causes but also foster a sense of purpose and unity among team members.

Listen to the episode now to learn more about:

-How to integrate charity partnerships and fundraising efforts strategically into your business model
-How to achieve a balance between profitability and social impact
-How to gain a genuine commitment to social impact from within your organisation
-How to foster team engagement in a remote-first environment through charity initiatives
-How prioritising CSR and charitable work can help attract clients aligned with your values, and foster long-term client retention.

About Gavin Willis

Gavin set up Search Seven in 2011 with a real passion for disrupting traditional search and client services. Gavin sees the company as a vehicle to make a difference, with a vision of giving back at least 7% of profits to charities and community projects every year.

Search Seven specialise in Paid Media and data driven SEO and work with clients and agencies throughout the UK, Europe and Globally to understand their business objectives and put together great search strategies that successfully engage with their target audience on the right channels, and with the right messaging, that leads to great results.

In this podcast episode, Ritam Gandhi, the founder of Studio Graphene, a digital product agency with a unique hybrid model of in-house and outsourced teams, shares his decade-long journey of growing an international agency. The discussion covers various aspects of entrepreneurship, leadership, and team building.

Hosted by Yiuwin Tsang, the episode provides valuable insights into the process of building and scaling an international agency and how you might go about navigating challenges and fostering a culture of innovation and excellence.

Listen to the episode now to learn more about:

- The importance of alignment, passion, and face-to-face interactions in a global work environment
- The significance of human connection in fostering creativity and building effective working relationships
- Why making leaders available for impromptu conversations is crucial for maintaining a sense of togetherness and empathy among team members
- How to build a leadership team and trust others to handle tasks
- The importance of hiring for attitude and alignment with company values over skill set
- The importance of creating a sense of belonging among team members across different locations

About Ritam Gandhi

For a decade, Ritam worked as a consultant for the likes of Accenture and Bank of America and Merrill Lynch before, in 2014, going on to found Studio Graphene – an agency that specialises in developing blank canvas tech products.

Working with many startups alongside some more established companies, the London-based agency plans, designs and builds amazing tech products for its clients. What’s more, Ritam and the team also use their experience and expertise to help leaders grow their businesses.

In our second podcast episode with Stephen Moffitt from We Are Atmosphere, we look at how to create visionary leadership amidst global uncertainty. Our host, Yiuwin Tsang, and Stephen talk about the critical skills of leaders which include being able to adapt to uncertainty and guide senior teams through the process of envisioning the future and embracing any necessary personal changes.

Stephen emphasises the delicate balance between visionary and relational leadership during times of change, stressing the significance of shared vision and collaboration among senior leadership teams. Furthermore, he explores the importance of incorporating generational perspectives into business leadership, advocating for the involvement of younger generations in shaping the future of work.

Listen to this podcast to learn more about:

- The leadership mindset and adapting to uncertainty with a clear vision
- How to create open and adaptive business models
- How to balance visionary and relational leadership
- Why future scenarios and generational perspectives in business leadership are so important
- Why leaders should develop humility and curiosity to effectively navigate change
- Why leaders should prioritise building rapport and gaining insights by talking to people around them

About Stephen Moffitt

Stephen describes himself as an "intrapreneur" and strategic advisor working with companies pivoting toward delivering digital or data products and services. He has experience in starting new digital ventures for both private and public sector organisations across a range of industries, including healthcare, financial services, media and publishing. He also consults on digital transformation strategies to create adaptive businesses that can thrive in uncertainty.

Stephen has a BA in communications from Temple University and a PhD in Law from Birkbeck, where his research was on developing a paradigmatic framework to analyse the disruptions taking place in copyright law. In addition to his academic publications, he has published articles on transformation and data, as well as given talks in North America, Europe and the Caribbean. He is also a published poet and author and his science fiction novel, Sea of Dreams, imagined a future Data Age.