In this episode we sit down with Kristy Dean - a Contract Consultant with expertise across Business Analysis, People and Culture and Emotional Intelligence.

This was a really insightful and enjoyable conversation that covered a variety of subjects including:

• Active listening and why it is a superpower
• AI as a tool and not as a replacement for humans
• Emotional intelligence
• Individual agency and how we should all be taking accountability
• Why building relationships at work matters
• How choosing our words carefully can help foster great relationships and culture
• The pressures of leadership
• Building humans connections

Kristy's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristy-dean-uk/

Clem's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/clement-pickering/

James' LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmsmilner/

www.exalto-consulting.com

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In this episode we sat down with Helen Vale - Delivery Director at CDS UK

Helen has a wealth of experience building and leading technology teams, both for end users and consultancies.

This was a great conversation and we covered a real variety of topics including - why being direct and to the point is good for clarity and culture, understanding what motivates and drives you and how technology and teams are changing but humans are still central to every business.

In this open and honest conversation we also covered:

• Communicating bad news to teams
• How AI can enhance human interaction and not replace it
• Why there is a shift towards fixed outcome work in consultancy
• How jobs in tech are changing at the moment and what this might look like in the future
• Getting the balance of vulnerability right when you are leading teams

Helen's LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/he14ens

James' LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jmsmilner

Clem's LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/clement-pickering

www.exalto-consulting.com

https://www.youtube.com/@ExaltoConsulting

Building Better Teams Newsletter - https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/1331267/200496073060386343/share

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In this episode James and Clem chat with Shan Beerstecher (Senior Transformation and Change Director).

In this conversation Shan shared her approach to building high performing teams using a human centred approach with the African principle of Ubuntu at the core.

Topics covered include:

• Ubuntu philosophy of leadership
• Leading from the back
• Celebrating success together and celebrating individuals
• Interviewing for self awareness
• AI's impact on company culture
• Reverse coaching and mentoring

Shan's LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shan-beerstecher/

Clem's LinkedIn profile: linkedin.com/in/clement-pickering

James's LinkedIn profile: linkedin.com/in/jmsmilner

www.exalto-consulting.com

In this session we're joined by expert People Professional Charlotte Goulding.

Charlotte has a wealth of experience in senior HR and People positions, largely working in the technology sector. More recently she has started her own business providing expert advice and consultancy to businesses.

This is a fascinating chat covering everything from AI, leadership development, dispelling the myths of HR being "the internal police" to transformational ideas on creating more space for innovation and doing away with job descriptions. It is a must watch for anyone interested in leading and developing teams in todays world.

Topics include:

- Why soft skills are the hardest to master

- AI's impact on job descriptions (and whether we should use them at all)

- The type of support leaders need to be effective

- Why HR and People professionals should be at the heart of AI adoption and transformation in the business

- Why we should be shifting to outcome based roles rather than task based

- Why people centric cultures create high performing teams

- How can we give people more space to embrace innovation in a world full of distractions

- How to build great cultures that are people centric

Charlotte's LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/charlottegoulding

Charlotte’s company - https://www.thepeoplethread.co.uk/

James's LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/jmsmilner

Clem's LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/clement-pickering

www.exalto-consulting.com

Coaching Corner - Shaun Walsh - Embracing Recovery

In this episode James and Clem chat with Shaun Walsh - Co-Founder and Director at Perform Partners - Business Change and Tech Consultancy.

This was a great conversation covering a wide variety of topics including the trials and tribulations of running a business, leadership, coaching and training to be a psychotherapist.

Some of the topics covered include:

• Learning to be a psychotherapist
• Embracing recovery
• Emotional intelligence in uncertain times
• The weight of awareness
• Building resilience for business
• Balancing business success and personal identity

Shaun's LinkedIn profile: linkedin.com/in/shaun-walsh-performpartners

Perform Partners: https://perform-partners.com/

James's LinkedIn profile: linkedin.com/in/jmsmilner

Clem's LinkedIn profile: linkedin.com/in/clement-pickering

www.exalto-consulting.com

https://www.clementpickering.com/

In this episode we're joined by Caroline Turner.

Caroline is the founder and Managing Director of Creased Puddle - an awesome consultancy that specialises in neurodiversity in the workplace.

We had a brilliant discussion covering all aspects of leadership, coaching and environment - all from a neurodiversity slant.

Some of the topics include:

• How to practically support neurodiverse team members
• Overcoming fears and stigma
• Working environments and their impact
• How a "one size fits all" approach doesn't work
• The "have you got a minute?" - feedback ambush
• How lack of flexibility in processes is damaging in eduaction and in the workplace

Caroline's LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-turner-775b3715a/

Creased Puddle: https://www.creasedpuddle.co.uk/

Clem's LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/clement-pickering

James' LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmsmilner/

Exalto Consulting - www.exalto-consulting.com

Coaching Corner - Chloe Wood - Leadership Lessons

In this episode James and Clem chat with Chloe Wood - Vice President of Operations at Liberty Blume (part of Liberty Global).

It was a great conversation covering many topics, including:

• Navigating difficult conversations
• Hiring for values and culture add to the team
• The power of a morning routine
• How exercise and fitness can help in leadership
• What makes a great culture and how to build one
• How Finance and Operations overlap
• Being accountable for your own learning and growth

Chloe's Wood: linkedin.com/in/chloe-wood-73a1a94

James Milner: linkedin.com/in/jmsmilner

Clem Pickering: linkedin.com/in/clement-pickering

In this episode of Coaching Corner, James and Clem chat with Rachael Morgan - Head of Technology, Data.

Rachael shares her passion for leadership, self development and continuous improvement. She also shares some of her background story, love for gardening and coffee!

The conversation also includes:

• Embracing vulnerability in leadership
• AI in leadership
• Balancing tech and humanity
• Agreements v expectations
• Setting standards, pace and tone
• The evolving journey of leadership

Rachael Morgan:

linkedin.com/in/rachael-morgan-leader

James Milner:

linkedin.com/in/jmsmilner

Clem Pickering:

linkedin.com/in/clement-pickering

www.exalto-consulting.com

https://www.clementpickering.com/

Youtube:

www.youtube.com/@ExaltoConsulting