Life Beyond The Numbers

Beyond the Status Quo - Compilation

In this year-end episode of 'Life Beyond the Numbers,' I explore the theme of going beyond the status quo. The episode features a compilation of interviews and stories from previous episodes focused on creating a more fulfilling work life by emphasising the human side of our work-lives. I share a selection of snippets with insights on topics such as the importance of avoiding short-termism, the value of shifting perspective, the impact of intentionality and care in interactions, fostering high-performing teams, and the crucial link between psychological safety and innovation.
Approximate timings:
05:00 Kevin Chevis on Beyond the Short-Term
14:00 Alison Smith on Shifting Perspectives
21:00 Marc Haine on Intentional Interactions
26:00 Liz Jarman on Building High-Performing Teams
33:00 Helen Joy on Psychological Safety & InnovationPrevious Episodes:
#176 Trust with Kevin Chevis
#178 A Metaphor for our Lives with Alison Smith
#190 A Couple of Centimetres of Care with Marc Haine
#187 Willing to Take Risks with Liz Jarman
#170 Leaping Forwards with Helen Joy

The Actions That We Take - Katie McLaughlin

"The actions that we take are the things that are going to get us results, whether we like it or not. And so looking at those results, which business leaders are looking at all the time. We're always looking at those results. Are we meeting our outcomes? Are we meeting our metrics? And if we're not getting those results, well, we're not taking the right actions." Katie McLaughlin
 
Katie McLaughlin returns to Life Beyond the Numbers to chat to me about the team dynamics and how our emotions and actions driver our results. We cover the role emotions play in shaping team performance and the link between emotional awareness and intentional action in the workplace. Katie speaks of her unique use of theatre techniques to help teams explore and transform workplace dynamics. We chat about the importance of having fun and creating moments of levity to improve team culture and how leaders can foster psychological safety and trust within their teams. A key takeaway from this episode is the common misconception we might have that if our actions got results there's this assumption that those actions are correct ... however, there's a lot of different actions that could be taken to get the same results.
 
Katie McLaughlin is an engaging speaker, workshop facilitator, and strategy consultant with over 15 years of experience in high-growth companies such as Wayfair, Upserve, and Rocket Lawyer. In 2020, Katie founded McLaughlin Method, a boutique consulting firm specializing in improving team and company culture through actionable, interactive, skill-building programs. She facilitates team workshops as the core focus of her practice, customizing sessions to fit specific industries, team dynamics, and outcomes. Leveraging her background in theater, Katie creates a fun, judgment-free environment where teams can improve collaboration and achieve goals through empathy, open communication, and conflict resolution. She has facilitated thousands of workshops, helping teams build collaborative cultures and achieve immediate improvements in empathy and connectivity.
 
Connect with Katie:
Her website: www.mclaughlinmethod.com 
On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mclaughlinkatie/
 
Resources Mentioned:
Free Team Health Score Quiz www.teamhealthscorequiz.com 
Episode 104 Your Intention https://www.beyond-thenumbers.com/podcast-episodes/104 
 

Just a Couple of Centimetres of Care - Marc Haine

"For everything that we do, if you cared this much - just a couple of centimetres of care - it would make all the difference in the world". Marc Haine
 
Marc Haine and I discuss how small, intentional acts of care can transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. From building trust to creating a culture of excellence, this episode is packed with insights on why daring to care just a little bit more matters so much. From his journey in hospitality to leading teams in high-pressure environments, Marc illustrates how intentionality and connection can bridge the gap between mediocrity and excellence. He challenges us all to approach every experience — whether a banquet or a brief conversation — with the same care and dedication. Marc shares a story of Orlando Airport staff handing out free ice cream during a heatwave — an example of how thoughtful gestures, even as small as a scoop of ice cream, can leave a lasting impression. If you’ve ever wondered how small changes can lead to big impacts, this episode will inspire you to approach interactions with more intentionality and care, no matter the context.
 
Marc Haine is a customer experience expert, keynote speaker, consultant, and author of Lights! Camera! Action! With 35 years of experience in hospitality, retail, and other customer-facing industries, Marc has created unique frameworks to help organizations build lasting connections to become THE brand of choice. Marc’s energetic, humorous, and authentic delivery makes him relatable and fun. He empowers business operators with unique tools to create jaw-dropping, show-stopping experiences their customers and employees deserve. Marc’s podcasts, Marc Haine Live and Experience Leadership: The Small Business Podcast, have over 150,000 views world-wide. Marc is the 2023 Community Spirit Award recipient in his local community. He is the co-founder and president of several non-profit organizations, such as: Walk the Talks, East of 60 Productions Society, and sits on the national board of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers (CAPS). During his free time (if he has any), you can find Marc tossing a mean pizza, or showing off his mad sourdough skills. If you are lucky, you might even see him on a comedy stage near you. Marc lives in the quaint town of Devon, Alberta with his beautiful wife and his menagerie of pets.
 
Connect with Marc:
https://meetwith.marchaine.com
Marc@MarcHaine.com
Http://MarcHaine.com
FB: / masterofexperiences
IN: https:// www.instagram.com/MarcJLHaine
TW: / marchaine2
 
Resources Mentioned:
Lights! Camera! Action! Business Operational Excellence Through the Lens of Live Theatre by Marc Haine
Leading Beyond the Numbers by Susan Ni Chriodain

Fulfilment - Kate Jones

"We can do so much better for ourselves in terms of the way in which we live and the degree of fulfilment and meaning that we derive from life." Kate Jones
 
Kate Jones shares her unique approach to fostering personal and organisational fulfilment. We explore her Wheel of New Horizons, a framework for helping successful yet unfulfilled individuals reconnect with their heart's desires and navigate life changes with purpose. Kate also unveils her Work Thrivometer, a tool that pinpoints 10 ingredients for thriving in the workplace. From redefining success to balancing sensitivity with strength, Kate offers a fresh perspective on achieving a deeply fulfilling life. Her story of a transformative trek in the Himalayas brings these insights to life, highlighting the interplay of leadership, followership, and inner purpose.
 
Kate Jones is a certified leadership and life coach, consultant and facilitator that specialises in helping purpose-led leaders create more Deeply Human® organisations where more people can thrive and do their best work without burning out. She is on a mission to change the world of work, and to help as many people as possible to live, lead and work well. She founded Neon in 2013 after ten years in corporate consulting and a further ten in social care. She is the architect of the Deeply Human® leadership model and leads The Deeply Human Culture Club, a community of like-minded leaders who want more organisations to be a force for good on the inside and out.
 
Connect with Kate: 
Through her website Deeply Neon
On LinkedIn  
Kate's Linktree
 
Resources Mentioned:
The Wheel of New Horizons & The Neon Work Thriveometer 
Simon Sinek
Brene Brown
The Olympics
 

Creating New Knowledge - Jackie Eaton

"If they're not applying creative and intuitive thinking in addition to critical and judgmental thinking, then they're not creating new knowledge for the organisation. They're just taking old knowledge and rearranging it. And for me, that's not adding value." Jackie Eaton
 
Jackie Eaton shares her unique career path from obtaining a mathematics degree to working in operational research for NATO. She discusses her affection for solving complex problems, her initial struggles to discover a career-fit and the compelling nature of public service. Jackie and I chat about gender dynamics in the workplace, the challenges and rewards of working in a male-dominated, multicultural environment, the importance of effective communication, the role of psychology in leadership and the impact of AI on analytical work. Jackie shares insights on maintaining optimism and tips for those aspiring to work in organisations like NATO. 
 
Jackie Eaton works at NATO. She is a specialist in analysis of public sector issues including defence and health sectors or anything else messy and complex with excellent communication and interpersonal skills. She describes herself as an eternal optimist, smart problem solver, data geek and psychology nerd. She is also a mentor, trainer and ray of sunshine in the office.
 
Connect with Jackie
On LinkedIn
 
Resources Mentioned
NATO
Leading Beyond the Numbers by Susan Ní Chríodáin 
 

Willing to Take Risks - Liz Jarman

"...they were willing to take risks for the experience .... and I think I've really taken that on." Liz Jarman
 
Liz Jarman and I discuss her planned departure as CEO of Living Goods at the end of 2024. She shares her fascinating approach to succession planning, leadership transitions and a non-linear career path. We chat through some of her achievements, including fostering a strong organisational culture, scaling operations sustainably and spearheading a digital transformation in community health. Liz reflects on the influence of her upbringing on her leadership style, her emphasis on a high-performing team and giving people recognition - all offering invaluable lessons on leadership and managing change. 
 
Liz Jarman was named CEO of Living Goods in 2018 and is a member of the Living Goods Board of Directors. Liz has 25 years of experience from various sectors, Liz joined Living Goods in 2014 as Director of Product Strategy and was promoted to Kenya Country Director in 2015 and at the end of 2017, she was promoted to Chief Strategy Officer. Born in Zambia, Liz spent a large portion of her career at Sainsbury’s, a $30 billion UK grocery business where she rose to lead Sainsbury’s Product Development and Fairtrade strategy and worked with thousands of global suppliers with a particular focus on African sustainable supply chains. 
 
Connect with Liz
On LinkedIn
 
Resources Mentioned
Living Goods
Squiggly Careers Podcast

Sense of Humour - Beth Sherman

"Don't be funny, be human -  you don't have to force it. Have a sense of humour. Have the ability to look at situations and see the humour that you do when you're outside of work. How often do you go home from work and you're sitting at the dinner table saying to your partner, or your family, you just wouldn't even believe what happened today..." Beth Sherman
 
Beth Sherman and I place a lens on the transformative power of humour in our work-lives. Beth shares insights from her career as a comedy writer and stand-up comedian, illustrating how humour can be a powerful tool for leaders to build trust, reduce tension and foster team dynamics. We touch on practical applications such as using humour to make interactions more human, make connections in diverse environments and improve workplace resilience. She emphasises the importance of self-awareness and authenticity in using humour effectively. Beth believes humour is a love-language, it can be used like a seasoning and that there is a lot of truth in humour. 
 
Beth Sherman is a speaker, comedian, and seven-time Emmy Award-winning Hollywood comedy writer who's written for the biggest shows in American television, including Late Show with David Letterman, The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, Ellen, and the Academy Awards. As a speaker, she helps individuals and organizations harness the power of humor to create meaningful connection and genuine engagement with clients, colleagues and audiences.
 
Connect with Beth
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beth-sherman/
Website: https://www.bethsherman.com/ 
 
Resources Mentioned:
Professional Speakers Association
Victor Borge

Your Experiences - David Lee & Me

"This is about what you are experiencing. And I think the beauty of your experience is it's your experience and no one can argue with that."
 
David Lee and I delve into the significance of emotional self-regulation and co-regulation, highlighting the impact they have on psychological safety and productive workplace environments. We discuss concepts from my book 'Leading Beyond the Numbers' including the importance of emotional granularity and how subtle changes in language can shape one's perception and interactions. We also cover the value of reflection and curiosity, and the cultural impact of emotions in an organisation. Through relatable examples and research, our discussion offers practical techniques for managing emotions and enhancing workplace culture. 
 
David Lee is a coach, consultant, workshop facilitator, keynote speaker, and author of Dealing with a Difficult Co-Worker, who loves creating a win/win/win relationship between people and the organizations they work for. He helps leaders and leadership teams learn how to become "people whisperers", and by doing so, increase their ability to make their organization THE choice for "A List Talent" and inspire the best in their people. 
 
Connect with David
On LinkedIn
Through his website, SoulSatisfyingWork
 
Resources Mentioned
How to Up Your People Game at Work: LinkedIn Live Series (Forthcoming onOct 7th, 14th, 21st & 28th 5pm UK/12pm EST)
Leading Beyond the Numbers, Susan Ní Chríodáin
The Book of Human Emotions, Tiffany Watt Smith
The Emotional Dictionary, Susie Dent
Lisa Feldman Barrett, How Emotions are Mad
Daniel Goleman
Steven Porges and Polyvagal Theory
Don't Bite the Hook, Pema Chodron
Ted Lasso on Apple TV
Emotional Agility, Susan David

#184 Finding Your Way - A Solo Episode

I am thoroughly enjoying reading "Wayfinding: The Art and Science of How We Find and Lose Our Way" by Michael Bond and have drawn from it to put together this episode. The parallels between how we do this out there in the wild and within the daily confines or our work-life struck me. 
I've used excerpts from this book, in particular the psychology of being lost, for this episode and added some of my own thoughts, stories and poems. 
Please note that I will be taking a break for the month of August. Until September .... happy wandering!
 
Resources Mentioned
Wayfinding: The Art and Science of How We Find and Lose Our Way by Michael Bond
 

Energy Levels - Steve Wright

"There's schools of thought around us; the quantum nature of humanity in terms of us being energy and vibrations. And whether you think of it as woo-woo, pseudoscience or whatever, I'm not concerned about that as much as understanding that when we got on this call, our energy levels were higher than usual and matching each other. And I think that is something that as people we really need to tap into. Being able to empathetically match our energy and also have the ability to shift it up or down as we see fit and that serves the environment that we're in." Steve Wright
 
Steve Wright and I have a dynamic discussion on his career journey from IT to coaching, and the intersection of human and information technology. We delve into how upbringing influenced Steve's interest in people and the importance of human interaction in technology. We explore leadership, the psychology-physiology connection, life's valleys and peaks and the significance of personal responsibility. We discuss the significance of energy in interactions, both personally and professionally. Steve also shares insights into his coaching practice, particularly around being a thinking partners to help managers become effective leaders. 
 
Steve Wright's career path took him into Information Technology (IT) but the lessons of Human Technology remained, and have been a thread throughout his life. He experienced the transformation that can be achieved with a change in our physiology and psychology. Steve with over 25 years of experience is now a seasoned IT manager turned business and life coach based in Lancaster, UK. He empowers managers to become inspiring leaders through his company, SAWright Coaching.
 
Connect with Steve
On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sawright/ 
Through his website: https://sawrightcoaching.com
 
Resources Mentioned:
The 1 to One Thing Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-1-to-one-thing/id1696216009
Episode 45 of The 1 to One Thing Podcast, Leading Beyond the Numbers with Susan Ní Chríodáin: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/ep-45-leading-beyond-the-numbers-susan-ni-chriodian/id1696216009?i=1000657301125 
Tony Robbins https://www.tonyrobbins.com/