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PODCAST

The Thoughtful Leader Podcast with Ben Brearley

Short, sharp and practical leadership support for thoughtful, reflective, people-focused leaders who want to lead with confidence, without pretending to be someone they"re not. Hosted by leadership coach Ben Brearley, each episode helps you build confidence, set boundaries, and stay true to your values in the workplace. No jargon, no hype. Just real strategies for thoughtful leadership.

business management

All Episodes

16:17

#321: Induction: Boring admin task, or really important?

The Thoughtful Leader Podcast with Ben Brearley ·

2026/04/05

In this episode, Ben discusses why induction (or onboarding) is more important than many leaders realise. While it can seem like a dry administrative task, it creates the first impression a new employee has of the team or organisation, and that impression can influence how connected and motivated they feel. Ben shares a personal story about a poor onboarding experience where nobody seemed prepared for his arrival, leaving a lasting negative impression. From there, he outlines several ways leaders

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10:51

#320: The silver bullet to deal with difficult team...

The Thoughtful Leader Podcast with Ben Brearley ·

2026/03/29

In this episode, Ben argues that while there is rarely a true "silver bullet" in leadership, respect comes close when dealing with difficult team members. Respect involves fairness, listening to the other person's perspective, and involving them in decision-making about solutions. He explains that respect must go both ways, and that leaders must also ensure they are respected. When respect is absent, issues often escalate into formal performance management. Ben also encourages leaders to focus on

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11:37

#319: How to be "authentic" in your leadership role.

The Thoughtful Leader Podcast with Ben Brearley ·

2026/03/22

In this episode, Ben unpacks the concept of authentic leadership and simplifies it into practical action. Rather than trying to "bring your whole self to work," he suggests selectively bringing the most useful parts of yourself in a professional context. He introduces the leadership shield exercise, where leaders define four "being" qualities they want to embody at work. Ben also emphasises understanding personal values, developing self-awareness through feedback, and using 360 feedback processes to

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14:59

#318: Tips to survive (and hopefully do well) in a...

The Thoughtful Leader Podcast with Ben Brearley ·

2026/03/15

Ben discusses how thoughtful leaders can survive and succeed in difficult workplace environments. Drawing on his own experience, he explains why some strong leaders may opt out of senior roles due to toxic cultures, and why that's a loss for organisations. Key strategies include knowing what you are getting from your current role, clarifying your personal values, connecting to a sense of purpose, and building a trusted support network. Ben also shares the example of rugby referee Hollie Davidson and

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15:11

#317: Focus on these factors to motivate your people.

The Thoughtful Leader Podcast with Ben Brearley ·

2026/03/08

In this episode, Ben explores Herzberg's Motivator Hygiene Theory and explains how leaders can use it to better understand team motivation. This is an older theory, but recently it has been re-examined with further research studies which tend to confirm it is still quite a valid way to think about motivation. Hygiene factors such as salary, a safe workplace, policies and procedures create a baseline for motivation, but do not generate high engagement on their own. Motivators such as interesting

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11:25

#316: How to motivate yourself to do hard things

The Thoughtful Leader Podcast with Ben Brearley ·

2026/03/01

Ben shares four ways to convince yourself to do hard things when leadership demands it. He explains how considering consequences, reflecting on identity, treating challenges as learning experiences, and asking what a good leader would do can increase motivation. The episode connects these techniques to motivation theory, including towards and away-from motivation, and encourages leaders to act even when discomfort is present. Resources mentioned in this episode: Towards and away-from motivation

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13:21

#315: How do you balance ambition with burnout?

The Thoughtful Leader Podcast with Ben Brearley ·

2026/02/22

In this episode, Ben addresses the tension between ambition and burnout for thoughtful leaders. He explains why ambition matters and why sustainable habits are essential for long-term success. Drawing on his own routines, he covers healthy habits such as meditation, exercise, sleep, and nutrition, as well as the concept of restorative niches from Brian Little's work. Ben also challenges rigid ideas of work-life balance, suggesting flexibility and long-term thinking instead. Resources mentioned in

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12:02

#314: Resisting something? You should probably do it

The Thoughtful Leader Podcast with Ben Brearley ·

2026/02/15

Ben explores the idea that resistance is often a sign you should lean in rather than avoid. He explains how the brain's threat response drives avoidance and how social threats can feel as real as physical ones. Using a personal story about working with a difficult colleague, Ben shows how pushing through discomfort can build capability, even if the outcome isn't perfect. He also discusses research on the anterior mid-cingulate cortex and how doing hard things strengthens your ability to do more hard

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21:28

#313: The best things I did for my career (that you...

The Thoughtful Leader Podcast with Ben Brearley ·

2026/02/08

In this episode, Ben reflects on four of the most important things he did for his career and what thoughtful leaders can learn from them. He explains how mindfulness helped him manage frustration and build emotional regulation over time, why joining Toastmasters reduced his fear of public speaking, and how listening to informal mentors shaped key career decisions. Ben also shares how studying for an MBA while working full time built discipline, healthy habits, and ultimately created the space to

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16:23

#312: Got a Ghostworking Problem? Here's What to Do

The Thoughtful Leader Podcast with Ben Brearley ·

2026/02/01

In this episode, Ben breaks down the concept of ghostworking (which is really modern-day presenteeism) and explains why it's usually a commitment issue rather than laziness. He draws on motivation theory, including hygiene factors and intrinsic motivation, and shares practical ways to rebuild commitment through connection, purpose, responsibility, and fairness. The focus of this episode is on addressing root causes rather than defaulting to control or punishment. Resources mentioned in this episode:

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13:25

#311: My Values Aren't Helping My Leadership. Can I...

The Thoughtful Leader Podcast with Ben Brearley ·

2026/01/25

In this episode, Ben explores whether personal values can be changed and what to do when they seem to hold you back. He explains that while values are relatively stable, we can adapt our behaviour regardless of what our values are. Through examples of conflicting values like ease versus growth, he shows how leaders can consciously choose which values to prioritise in different situations. This episode offers reflection questions to help identify your own values and use them more intentionally

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12:57

#310: How Long Should You Wait Before Enforcing...

The Thoughtful Leader Podcast with Ben Brearley ·

2026/01/18

This episode tackles a common leadership dilemma: how long to wait before enforcing consequences for poor performance or behaviour. Ben walks through a practical decision-making process, starting with curiosity and feedback, then moving to support, clarity, and finally consequences if behaviour doesn't change. He discusses the importance of stakeholder alignment, realistic follow-through, and why avoiding consequences can undermine trust and motivation across the team. Resources mentioned in this

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18:05

#309: What beliefs are holding you back this year?

The Thoughtful Leader Podcast with Ben Brearley ·

2026/01/12

In this episode, Ben explores how deeply held beliefs shape behaviour and can quietly limit leadership confidence. Using personal stories about fitness, public speaking, and career choices, he illustrates how untested assumptions can become self-imposed barriers. Ben explains the difference between fixed and growth mindsets, the role of self-talk, and how beliefs often become baked into identity. He encourages leaders to notice when they say "I can't do that" and get curious about whether those

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04:12

Farewell 2025... and a bit about principles.

The Thoughtful Leader Podcast with Ben Brearley ·

2025/12/17

In this short and sweet episode, Ben farewells 2025, says Thank You and talks a little bit about how principles (rather than goals) can help you set intentions about how you want 2026 to go. Thanks for listening in 2025, and Ben will be back around mid-January 2026.

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14:20

#308: 4 things to remember to support your team.

The Thoughtful Leader Podcast with Ben Brearley ·

2025/12/14

Supporting your people doesn't have to be complicated. In this episode, Ben shares four key reminders leaders often forget. He explains why these fundamentals matter more than dramatic leadership techniques and how thoughtful leaders can use them to build trust and stability. Ben draws from coaching conversations and real workplace examples to help you support your team with confidence. Resources mentioned in this episode: How to Lead Effectively as a People Pleaser Make the Most of

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12:36

#307: A better model for giving constructive feedback.

The Thoughtful Leader Podcast with Ben Brearley ·

2025/12/07

In this episode, Ben introduces a straightforward model to help leaders give challenging feedback in a way that hopefully helps the receiver get on board with it. He explains each of the parts of the model and shares practical examples to show how the model works in real conversations. Ben also talks about common mistakes thoughtful leaders make, like softening the message too much or delaying feedback out of discomfort. The episode links closely to The Useful Feedback Journal, which helps

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14:16

#306: Struggling to move from individual contributor...

The Thoughtful Leader Podcast with Ben Brearley ·

2025/11/30

Many new leaders struggle when moving from individual contributor to leadership. In this episode, Ben breaks down why the transition feels so difficult, especially for thoughtful, high-performing people. He covers key mindset shifts including letting go of control, redefining success, prioritising relationships over tasks, and stepping into visibility even when it feels uncomfortable. Ben also shares stories from coaching clients who found leadership hard because they still identified as

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15:49

#305: Is adapting your leadership style authentic?

The Thoughtful Leader Podcast with Ben Brearley ·

2025/11/23

In this episode, Ben explores whether it's possible to stay authentic while also adapting your leadership style. Drawing on coaching conversations and personality models like DISC and OCEAN, he explains why adaptability doesn't mean "changing who you are". Instead, adjusting your behaviour to meet the needs of different situations is both necessary and can still be genuine. Ben shares real examples from his facilitation and project management work, showing how leaders can honour their natural

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14:05

#304: Is leadership simply about finding the right...

The Thoughtful Leader Podcast with Ben Brearley ·

2025/11/16

In this episode, Ben talks about the importance of balance in leadership: knowing when to step in and when to step back. He discusses common traps, like micromanaging or being overly hands-off, and helps leaders identify their "sweet spot" where they can provide enough guidance without stifling independence. Ben offers practical reflection questions and strategies to help you stay balanced, effective, and confident as a thoughtful leader. Resources: Work with Ben: Thoughtful Leader Coaching.

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11:33

#303: Feedback got you down? Introducing The Useful...

The Thoughtful Leader Podcast with Ben Brearley ·

2025/11/09

In this episode, Ben introduces The Useful Feedback Journal, a digital tool designed to help leaders process, accept, or reject feedback thoughtfully. Drawing from his own painful experience receiving harsh feedback after a workshop, Ben explains how the journal guides you through four stages – Retreat, Reflect, Extract, and Act – to turn feedback into growth rather than frustration. He also shares success stories from pilot users and outlines how journaling can help you track patterns and improve

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322 results

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