In this episode of Sparks, Milly is joined by a very familiar guest — someone she’s managed projects with for years, our very own creative director.

This episode is an honest, funny and surprisingly practical conversation about what really goes on behind the scenes of getting big ideas over the line.

From the tools and methodologies that actually make a difference, to demystifying Kanban, habit building and setting review rhythms that don’t become box-ticking exercises, this episode gets into the nuts and bolts of project management without the corporate jargon.

They also tackle the harder stuff: how to make better decisions under pressure and what to do when milestones slip (because they will).

If you’ve ever found yourself firefighting a deadline, overcomplicating your workflow, or wondering why a project that looked great on paper is quietly derailing, this one’s for you.

Settle in for candid stories, practical insights and a few “we’ve definitely done that” moments.

Chapters:

0:0 welcome to sparks

3:41 What kind of tools and methodologies to use when project managing

10:35 What’s a Kanban?

15:35 habit building

18:08 Review rhythms

25:53 Decision making

35:00 Not meeting the milestonesFollow us on

LinkedIn:

Milly Gladstone: https://www.linkedin.com/in/milly-gladstone/

Emily Larson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larson-emily/

Interested in sparking something with us? Get in touch info@cegos.uk

Welcome to Sparks.

In this special episode, Sam takes a step back to revisit the moments that really shaped our conversations in 2025.

We’ve pulled together ten standout insights from across the year that challenged assumptions, sparked debate and changed the way leaders think about learning, leadership and work.

From why over-communication might be underrated, to the quiet signals of struggling leaders, to the surprising power of saying no, this is a fast-paced highlight reel that connects the dots without giving everything away.

Whether you’ve been with us all year or you’re new to Sparks, this episode is a great place to reflect, reset and get inspired for what’s next.

Chapters:

0:0 welcome to sparks

0:21 You need to balance alignment with out of the box thinking.

1:18 There is no such thing as over communication.

2:30 Encourage experimentation and don't penalise mistakes.

4:06 Show vulnerability and stay calm.

5:56 How to spot struggling leaders.

7:21 It’s all about employee fulfilment

8:08 Your job specs could be the problem

9:10 The most common misconception about accessible design is…

10:24 The science of selling. biases can be helpful.

11:30 Transform transactions into true partnerships

12:45 The power of saying no!

Subscribe for more conversations on learning, leadership and the ideas shaping the modern workplace.Interested in sparking something with us? Get in touch: info@cegos.uk or follow us on LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/cegosuk

In this episode of Sparks, Milly is joined in the studio by Em, an Executive Learning Director with plenty of experience in turning client relationships into long-term, high-trust partnerships. Together they dig into what really strengthens a new relationship, the subtle signs that things are shifting into true partnership territory, and how to navigate the tricky moments that inevitably come with collaborative work.From early foundations and essential qualities to balancing friendship with professionalism, this conversation offers grounded, honest insight without sugar-coating the challenges. If you’ve ever wondered how to build better client relationships—or how to rescue one when it hits a rough patch—you’ll want to listen in.Chapters:00:00 Welcome to sparks.2:51 how to build a strong client relationship.07:29 signs that your client relationship might be becoming a partnership.10:17 what are some things you do at the start to build a strong relationship with clients?13:10 the qualities you need to build aa great partnership15:01 example of a challenging situation with a partner22:00 signs of a true partnership emerging26:45 how do you strike the balance between a friendship and professional partnership?33:15 Advice to someone going through a rough patch with a client.Follow us on LinkedInMilly Gladstone https://www.linkedin.com/in/milly-gladstone/Emily Link https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-link-b576a246/Interested in sparking something with us? Get in touch: info@cegos.ukDon't forget to stay subscribed for more!