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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

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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12:33

#302: How open should you be with your team?

The Thoughtful Leader Podcast with Ben Brearley ·

2025/11/02

In this episode, Ben explores a common leadership dilemma: how open should you really be with your team? While transparency builds trust, oversharing can create confusion or discomfort. Ben offers practical advice for finding the right balance between honesty and professionalism. He discusses when to share challenges and when to protect your team from unnecessary stress, helping thoughtful leaders navigate openness with self-awareness and confidence. Resources: Brené Brown's

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16:23

#301: How knowing your values helps build your...

The Thoughtful Leader Podcast with Ben Brearley ·

2025/10/26

In this episode, Ben explains how knowing your personal values helps you lead with confidence. He shares how values act as a foundation, keeping you steady when challenges arise. Ben reflects on his own experiences and discusses how understanding your values can help you make decisions, handle pressure, and stop second-guessing yourself. He also introduces his small-group Values Discovery Sessions, designed to help leaders uncover their core values and use them to lead more authentically. Spaces are

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13:19

#300: Top tips for dealing with strong personalities.

The Thoughtful Leader Podcast with Ben Brearley ·

2025/10/19

For the 300th episode, Ben tackles one of the most common challenges thoughtful leaders face: dealing with strong personalities at work. These colleagues may be direct, dominant, or results-focused - all traits that can feel intimidating or frustrating. Ben shares five practical tips, from avoiding direct confrontation to preparing well for interactions, so thoughtful leaders can hold their ground without trying to overcompensate or act like someone else. He reminds us that strong personalities

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18:16

#299: Cautionary tales for leaders using A.I. tools.

The Thoughtful Leader Podcast with Ben Brearley ·

2025/10/12

AI tools like ChatGPT are everywhere, but what does that mean for thoughtful leaders? In this episode, Ben shares personal examples of using AI for marketing, podcasting, and even gardening - but he also issues a word of caution. Over-reliance on AI risks “deskilling” teams by removing valuable opportunities for learning and mentoring. Drawing on examples from law and medicine, he shows how bypassing junior staff development can have long-term consequences. Leaders can embrace AI, but must

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16:13

#298: How to adapt your style at work, without the...

The Thoughtful Leader Podcast with Ben Brearley ·

2025/10/05

Adapting your leadership style is essential but if you’re not careful, it can feel exhausting. In this episode, Ben explains how to shift your style to suit different situations - whether it’s being more direct in a crisis or more outgoing when networking, while keeping it sustainable. He draws on personality psychology research, including insights from Brian Little’s work on “personal projects,” to help leaders recognise when it’s worth stretching themselves and when to restore their energy.

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14:27

#297: Feel like you’re on a rollercoaster? Bring more...

The Thoughtful Leader Podcast with Ben Brearley ·

2025/09/28

In this episode, Ben explores why stability is such a powerful leadership trait. Drawing from his coaching and training experiences, he highlights how inconsistency erodes trust and creates uncertainty in teams. Ben shares his own routines, such as exercise, mindfulness, morning reading, and small rituals that help him maintain calm, dependable leadership, even under stress. He emphasises that your team needs to rely on you regardless of circumstances, and building stability through consistent

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14:45

#296: It’s time to stop owning other people’s problems.

The Thoughtful Leader Podcast with Ben Brearley ·

2025/09/21

In this episode, we look at a common challenge for thoughtful leaders – taking too much responsibility for other people’s problems. Reflection and self-awareness are powerful strengths. But when reflection turns into overthinking and self-criticism, leaders can start to “own” problems that aren’t really theirs to solve. I explore why thoughtful leaders are prone to this, how it increases stress and disempowers both you and your team, and what you can do to set healthy boundaries. You’ll also hear

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13:35

#295: Is your workplace a consequence-free environment?

The Thoughtful Leader Podcast with Ben Brearley ·

2025/09/14

What happens when poor behaviour or performance goes unchecked at work? In this episode, I cover the risks of working in a consequence-free environment, where team members face no real impact for their actions. I share why “trying everything” often fails without accountability, and why feedback, formal warnings, or performance improvement plans can all be necessary tools. Consequences aren’t about punishment – they’re about giving people a reason to change, and creating fairness for the whole team

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11:10

#294: Q&A - Why should I bother to understand my values?

The Thoughtful Leader Podcast with Ben Brearley ·

2025/09/07

A client once asked me a great question: “If my values are already part of who I am, why do I need to understand them better?” In this episode, I unpack the answer. Your values are always shaping your leadership, but when you understand them clearly, you can see what situations will help you thrive, and which will leave you drained or frustrated. With this awareness, you can prepare for challenges, choose the right environments, and stay true to what matters most. Resources mentioned in this

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13:10

#293: Lay the groundwork to build your credibility.

The Thoughtful Leader Podcast with Ben Brearley ·

2025/08/31

Leadership credibility isn’t built overnight, and there are no tricks that you can use to be respected in meetings or other forums at work. In this episode, I talk about the real groundwork which often happens before you need people to listen to you. That’s all about building trust and credibility with your key stakeholders. I share how to identify who your most important stakeholders are, how to map their influence and interest, and how to grow strong relationships over time. This groundwork makes

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17:00

#292: Yes, you can still lead effectively as a...

The Thoughtful Leader Podcast with Ben Brearley ·

2025/08/24

If you’ve ever been told you’re “too nice” to lead, this episode is for you. Being a people-pleaser doesn’t disqualify you from being an effective leader. It just means you need to develop a few key skills to protect your energy and set clear expectations. In this episode, I talk about: Why people-pleasing can feel like the easier option How it undermines your leadership (and what to do about it) Small steps to lead more assertively without losing your empathy. Leadership isn’t about

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16:00

#291: Why mindfulness is a must for thoughtful...

The Thoughtful Leader Podcast with Ben Brearley ·

2025/08/17

Mindfulness can feel like a buzzword, but it’s also a powerful tool for thoughtful leadership. In this episode, I explore how mindfulness helps leaders become more self-aware, less reactive, and better equipped to respond under pressure. I also share my story of mindfulness, including how and why I started using it and the benefits that came when I did. You’ll learn: What mindfulness really means in a leadership context Simple ways to bring more awareness into your day How mindfulness

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18:06

#290: Practical ways to build trust in your team

The Thoughtful Leader Podcast with Ben Brearley ·

2025/08/10

Trust is the foundation of a strong team, but how do you actually build it? In this episode, I share simple, practical actions you can take as a leader to start strengthening trust, especially if you're leading a team that’s been through some change or challenge. I also introduce a handy "trust equation" to help you think about ways to build trust. You’ll hear: What trust really looks like at work (and how it shows up) Small behaviours that create safety and connection How to build trust

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18:41

#289: What makes a high-performing team? A look at...

The Thoughtful Leader Podcast with Ben Brearley ·

2025/08/03

What really makes a team high-performing? In this episode, I take a look at recent research, including findings from McKinsey and Google’s Project Aristotle - to unpack what separates great teams from average ones. You'll learn: The 5 key factors that define high-performing teams How psychological safety influences performance What you can do as a leader to create the right conditions You don’t need everything to be perfect to lead a strong team. You just need to focus on the right

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15:00

#288: Why You Should Be Asking More, and Telling Less

The Thoughtful Leader Podcast with Ben Brearley ·

2025/07/27

Leadership isn’t about having all the answers, it’s about helping your team find them. In this episode, I talk about why shifting towards a coaching approach - asking more and telling less - can improve your leadership. It’s not always easy, but it’s worth it. You’ll discover: What a coaching approach looks like in everyday leadership The benefits for your team: ownership, confidence, and better ideas; and The common fears leaders have about this approach (and how to overcome them). If you want

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17:02

#287: My Top 5 Tips for Introverted Leaders

The Thoughtful Leader Podcast with Ben Brearley ·

2025/07/20

Many thoughtful leaders are introverted, and that’s not a weakness. It’s a strength. In this episode, I share my top five pieces of advice for introverted leaders. You don’t need to act like an extrovert to lead effectively. You just need to play to your strengths and manage your energy well. You’ll hear: How to protect your downtime so you don’t burn out Why being quieter doesn’t mean you can’t have presence; and Practical ways to feel more comfortable leading as your true self If you’ve ever

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306 results

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