Life Beyond The Numbers

On Purpose - Phil Brown

"It's doing it on purpose, and knowing you can do it on purpose; that's what's really important when it comes to negotiations." Phil Brown
 
Phil Brown and I delve into the nuances of negotiation. Phil emphasises the significance of human interaction, confidence-building, and specific skills such as active listening, questioning, and observation. He shares insights on purposeful negotiations versus everyday interactions, the importance of practical experience in building negotiation skills, and various tactics, including the power of odd numbers and summarising during discussions. He also introduces the concept of the Negotiation Club, an innovative platform where individuals can practice and enhance their negotiation skills in a supportive environment, leveraging simple negotiation cards for realistic and engaging practice sessions. The episode is filled with practical advice, personal anecdotes, and a deep dive into the art of negotiation, making it a must-listen for anyone who would like to know more about the power of negotiation and practice.  
 
Phil Brown is a Negotiation Trainer and Inventor of Negotiation Cards which is The ONLY resource helping businesses practice their negotiation skills, grow revenue, boost profits & build confidence. With over 30 years professional procurement experience he is using this to create an incredible new following of those who want to improve their negotiation skills through a unique approach to negotiation practice. He works across industries as well as educational sectors to deliver a unique coaching and workshop approach based on a philosophy of “Practical Practice”.
 
Connect with Phil
On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/the-negotiation-club/?jobid=1234
Through his website: https://www.thenegotiationclubs.com/ 
 
Resources Mentioned
Toastmasters International
The Association of Speakers Clubs (ASC)

Human Dynamics - Tasneem Virani

"So even in that dynamic of a relationship, how can I have a growth mindset and see my mother or father in the way they are now? How can I have conversations that may have triggered me in the past? But now I know I'm an adult, not that child reacting, to build my parent in the future. It's the same with organizations. It's the human dynamics." Tasneem Virani
 
Tasneem Virani and I speak about the critical need for maintaining human connection in an increasingly AI-dominated world advocating for a balanced integration of technology and human qualities in leadership. We discuss the integral role of emotional intelligence, the neuroscience behind human behaviours, and the importance of reflective and conversational intelligence in leadership. We talk about Tasneem's book 'Human Touch Leadership' and the value of nurturing human potential, fostering creativity, and the transformative power of positive human interactions in enhancing organisational performance. 
 
Tasneem Virani is a dedicated proponent of a more human-centred approach to the workplace. She published Human Touch Leadership and developed a programme: "The Human Touch Leadership Accelerator Programme." Through this, Tasneem collaborates with companies to introduce the principles of "human touch leadership," striving to create meaningful changes in people, performance, and profits. Tasneem's focus is on partnering with senior leaders and professionals, aiding them in discovering clarity and purpose. Her skill set encompasses Leadership Development, Change Management, Organizational Coaching, Facilitation, Mediation, and Career Management.
 
Connect with Tasneem
Through her website: https://clariscoaching.com/home
 
Resources Mentioned
Human Touch Leadership by Tasneem Virani
Conversational Intelligence by Judith E. Glaser
Leading Beyond the Numbers by Susan Ni Chriodain
 
Episode #181

Top 10 of 10k

The podcast reached a milestone of 10,000 downloads during the month of June. 
It has been listened to in 80+ countries and of those 10 what are the top 10 by downloads?  And do those top 10 have a central theme to them?  
I was delighted to find that yes, of course they did. 
Many of the guests that I speak to talk about aspects of their work-life journeys and graciously share with us how they navigated pivotal turning points,  how they discovered their true self and ultimately how they expanded their work-life horizons. 
In this episode you will hear snippets from:
Episode 1 Sue Rosen - Stepping into the Unknown
Episode 18 John Purkiss - Letting Go
Episode 68 Anna Haslock - Extreme Experiences
Episode 31 Robin Kiziak - Showing Your Personality
Episode 64: Eamon FitzGerald - Being Yourself
Episode 26 John Collins - Guinness & Tea
Episode 32 Kevin Ashley - Serial Entrepreneur
Episode 92 Dougal Freeman - A Common Goal
Episode 27 Sheila Walsh - Healthy High Performance
Episode 132 Katharina Moser Inner Development Goals

#179 Compassion - A Solo Episode

In this episode I explore the concept of compassion and self-compassion.
I unpack what compassion is and why it’s crucial in our lives, the incredible benefits of self-compassion for both mental and physical health and cover some ways you can begin to cultivate compassion for yourself and others.
Special insights from the work of Kristin Neff and David Whyte as well as some books enrich the examination of compassion, shedding light on how self-awareness and compassion go hand-in-hand.
 
Resources:
Mindful Compassion by Choden and Paul Gilbert
David Whyte on On Being with Krista Tippet and 3 Sundays in March
The Book of Human Emotions by Tiffany Watt
Dr Kristin Neff https://self-compassion.org
Leading Beyond the Numbers by Susan Ní Chríodáin
 

#178 A Metaphor For Our Lives - Alison Smith

"I then realised that if gardening can be a metaphor for supplier management, nature's landscapes could be a metaphor for our lives." Alison Smith
 
Alison Smith and I discuss her unique approach as a facilitator, coach, and author, of using nature and its landscapes as powerful metaphors to bridge understanding in business and life. Over a 24-year journey, Alison has developed various techniques, including drawing, walking, and storytelling metaphors, to help individuals gain insights while leaving their logical minds aside. Alison also highlights the significance of language, mindset, and creativity, and shares how her journey from 'sleepwalking' through life to embracing her creativity has unfolded. We also explore the importance of allowing space for internal wisdom and the benefits of stepping outside the traditional confines of a work environment.
 
Alison Smith wears a number of hats - facilitator, coach, trainer, author, podcaster, and poet. She helps people, inside and outside of organisations, see situations from a different perspective to see the wood for the trees and get back on track. She has over 35 years of applying these in a procurement environment but they're no longer exclusively applied there. Her work with others is done in nature, parks, museums, offices and virtually. She mainly works in Scotland and the rest of the UK but has also ventured further afield. Connect with Alison
Through her website
On LinkedIn
 
Resources Mentioned
Landscaping Your Life Podcast
Can't See the Wood for the Trees by Alison Smith 
Start Close In by David Whyte

#177 Sleep - Dan White

"There's four key components that I focus on in my work and my programs. The environment [ ]. There's behaviour. You would be shocked if I told you that almost every single thing that we do from the moment we wake up until the moment we go to bed, is an amalgamation of the quality later that night of how we sleep." Dan White
 
Dan White and I discuss the critical role of sleep in our daily lives. He outlines four key components - environment, behaviour, psychology, and culture - that influence sleep. We delve into Dan's personal experiences with sleep, why quality trumps quantity, and how our modern lifestyles impact our sleep and circadian rhythms. Dan shares valuable insights into the interplay between sleep, health and well-being, and performance at work. We also touch on Dan's initiatives with Sleep Better, Live Better Foundation which focuses on educating younger generations about the benefits of proper sleep habits. Throughout, Dan stresses the value of simple solutions, like spending time outdoors and integrating natural light into daily routines, to improve sleep and health.
 
Daniel White is a Registered Nutritionist (MSc, ANutr) and Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach (FMCHC) with extensive educational, research and clinical experience in the fields of nutrition, psychology, stress management, sleep science, health education and human behaviour change. Daniel educates people on how to radically transform their lives whilst spreading his passion for a natural and holistic evidence-based approach to health and well-being. 
 
Connect with Daniel
Through social media: LinkedIn and Instagram
Visit his website
Check out Sleep Better Live Better Foundation
 
Resources Mentioned
Why We Sleep, Matthew Walker
The Biology of Sleep & Your Unique Sleep Needs | Huberman Lab Guest Series with Dr. Matt Walker

#176 Trust - Kevin Chevis

"The one thing ..... there's so many. I would probably say, as a reaction to your question, trust yourself and other people." Kevin Chevis
 
Kevin Chevis shares valuable insights from his extensive career in a variety of leadership roles, highlighting his diverse experiences, including with mergers, acquisitions, and navigating financial challenges. He discusses the significant shift he experienced from merely selling products, like speed cameras, to engaging in initiatives that make the world safer. Kevin emphasises the importance of developing intimate, trusting relationships with clients and suppliers, focusing on long-term goals, and fostering open communication. He discusses the impact of a strong internal company culture that values empathy, trust, and effective communication and fosters environments where people are motivated to contribute and succeed. Kevin recounts the challenges and successes of working in international and diverse environments, including navigating cultural differences in multinational teams. Throughout the episode, Kevin reflects on his career milestones, the impact of mentorship, and his belief in trusting and supporting employees for better business outcomes.
 
Kevin Chevis has extensive international experience running technology-based companies. He has been involved in several MBO/MBI deals involving Private Equity, all with successful exits. He is an innovative thinker, with excellent communication skills, P&L experience and a proven ability to lead and drive strategic development, cultural change, sales and client service on a global basis.
 
Connect with Kevin:
Reach out to him on LinkedIn 
 
Resources Mentioned:
Leading Beyond the Numbers by Susan Ni Chriodain 
Helen Joy at People Spark

#175 Book Launch - LinkedIn Live Replay with Introduction

"Susan, I've taken enough time with these questions. Firstly, I just want to say, I'm thankful that I've met you. And two, this is an absolutely brilliant book and I love it." Matt Phelan
In this episode I celebrate the launch of my new book Leading Beyond the Numbers: How accounting for emotions tips the balance at work. The book was launched during a LinkedIn Live on Monday May 13th with the help of Matt Phelan, who wrote the foreword to the book, and Dr. Susanne Evans. The book has already achieved bestseller status in three Amazon categories in the UK. We explore the key themes, some takeaways and personal reflections including the creative process, navigating self doubt and what I hope the legacy of the book will be. Please do purchase, read and review the book to help spread its impactful message.
 
Matt Phelan is a dad, founder, business adviser & keynote speaker as well as being a proud geek (his words!) and supporter of decent people. He believes that the future of tech is human and co-founded The Happiness Index to try and positively shape the future of work in a small but important way. Matt has written two books ‘Freedom to be Human: The business case for happiness’ and most recently ‘The Happiness Index: Why today's emotions equal tomorrow's business success.’ He also hosts the insightful ‘Happiness and Humans’ podcast.
 
Dr Susanne Evans creates change, one story at a time. She is on a mission to change the way transformations are managed in organisations. She founded Feldspar Consulting in 2007 to help her clients lead change in a more human, effective way through her work as an organisation change consultant, trainer, coach and researcher. Susanne is a storyteller and is writing ‘ChangeStories: How to have powerful conversations, tell inspiring stories and build engagement for transformation’ which is due to be published in November and is the host of the engaging ChangeStories podcast.
 
Resources Mentioned 
Follow this link to purchase Leading Beyond the Numbers: How accounting for emotions tips the balance at work
If you would like to read a preview of this book follow this link.
If you would like to watch the LinkedIn Live click here

#174 Variation is the Norm - Susan Ni Chriodain

"Variation is the norm, that actually we're all unique. We are all different. And even how we approach learning and decision making, we're all different." Susan Ni Chriodain
In this special episode of 'Life Beyond the Numbers,' I take on a unique role as the interviewee, giving Dr. Susanne Evans the reins to explore the themes, inspirations, and key takeaways from my about to be launched book, 'Leading Beyond the Numbers.' This episode not only showcases the book's concepts but also reflects on the broader implications for personal development and organisational change. We shed light on why embracing individual differences and genuine self-expression in professional settings is not just beneficial but essential for creating more engaging and effective workplaces. We conclude with emphasis on the SEE-SAW acronym (Sleep, Eating & Hydration, Exercise, Sense-making, Awareness, Wisdom) as a practical framework for capturing the essence of this book.
 
Susan Ni Chriodain is a leadership coach, facilitator and experienced finance director Susan Ní Chríodáin who sits at the nexus of business and emotion and in her book Leading Beyond the Numbers she reveals how to reintroduce humanity into the workplace, for improved engagement and fulfilment, benefiting both individuals and organisations.
Dr. Susanne Evans, host of ChangeStories podcast and founder of Feldspar Consulting, was the guest host on this episode.
 
Connect with Susan
On LinkedIn
 
Resources Mentioned
Leading Beyond the Numbers: How accounting for emotions tips the balance at work is published on May 14th 2024 and can be purchased from https://mybook.to/LBTN
Lisa Feldman Barrett
Episode #126 Slowing Down - Professor Giana M. Eckhardt
Episode #127 The Performance Paradox - Kerry Cullen
Episode #128 Alignment - Ana Bernardes
Episode #134 I Feel Like Me Again - Jo Hunter
Episode #67 Being Yourself - Eamon FitzGerald

#173 Momentum - a solo episode

"When momentum really comes into play so much of the background noise fades further into the background. And then momentum builds momentum. You become unstoppable, mostly!" Susan Ni Chriodain
 
In this episode you are invited to explore the multifaceted journey of writing and self-discovery, offering a glimpse into the challenges and rewards. I delve into the inner and outer challenges faced during the writing process, including self-doubt, perfectionism, and the importance of acknowledging progress. And I discuss the transformative impact of sharing the manuscript. I also emphasise the value of commitment, momentum, asking for help, and adapting personal routines to enhance your creativity and productivity. And I talk about celebrating the arrival of the book!
 
Leading Beyond the Numbers: How Accounting for Emotions Tips the Balance at Work will be published by Practical Inspiration Publishing on May 14th, 2024.
 
Connect with me:
On LinkedIn
Through my website: Beyond the Numbers
 
Resources Mentioned:
Leading Beyond the Numbers: How accounting for emotions tips the balance at work will be published on May 14th 2024 by Practical Inspiration Publishing. It is available for pre-order online at major booksellers and on Amazon.
David Whyte: Consolations and Start Close In