Human Wise

Hosted by Helen Wada

Business ManagementInterviews guests

Website RSS feed

Episodes

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN-GB

About the show

Host and expert coach Helen Wada is a strong believer in the commercial advantage of being human at work. With over 25 years commercial experience, Helen has seen an opportunity for businesses to do things differently – a sweet spot where a coaching approach and commercial focus can co-exist to build a more human working world. This podcast is for anyone in business who believes that a better way of working is out there: better for teams, for organisations and, ultimately, for society as a whole. We'll hear from senior leaders, founders, people on the ground and professionals from a variety of different disciplines, learning from their unique wisdom and experience. So, if you're ready to make the human advantage your commercial advantage, join Helen and guests every other week on all major podcast directories.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 9, 2026Episode 6353 min

Ep63: Leading Through Uncertainty Without Losing Yourself with Sally Henderson

Recommended EpisodesEp45: Human-Centred Leadership & Resilience – How to Build Sustainable High Performance with Lisa BoydEp61: What It Takes to Lead in the Boardroom Today with Shefaly YogendraEp62: Sustainable Success at Work Starts with Being Human with Dr. Emma WaddingtonWhat happens when uncertainty becomes the norm rather than the exception? In this episode of Human Wise, Helen Wada is joined by high-stakes leadership mentor, speaker, and author Sally Henderson to explore what it takes to lead, perform, and thrive when pressure never seems to let up.Drawing on 25 years of experience working with senior leaders and executive teams, Sally shares why many traditional leadership approaches have not kept pace with the realities of today's world. Together, Helen and Sally explore the importance of boundaries, identity, recovery, and self-awareness, and why sustainable performance starts with understanding not just how you lead, but how you live.This is a thought-provoking conversation for leaders, founders, commercial professionals, and anyone navigating uncertainty while trying to stay true to themselves.Topics DiscussedWhy uncertainty has become a permanent feature of leadershipThe relationship between personal identity and professional identityWhy boundaries are essential for sustainable performanceThe difference between purpose and actionHow leaders can reframe high-stakes situationsThe role of emotional awareness and embodied leadershipUsing breath, reflection, and recovery to improve performanceWhy rhythm matters more than time managementBalancing commercial success with personal wellbeingHow trust, courage, and energy shape high-performance leadershipView extended shownotes hereFurther links to follow:Read HUMAN-WISE: How to lead from within and sell with confidenceHelen Wada: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/helen-wadaThe Human Advantage: https://www.thehumanadvantage.co.uk/

May 20, 2026Episode 6239 min

Ep62: Sustainable Success at Work Starts with Being Human with Dr. Emma Waddington

Recommended EpisodesEp45: Human-Centred Leadership & Resilience – How to Build Sustainable High Performance with Lisa BoydEp59: We Cannot Leave Meaning to Machines with Kate O’NeillEp61: What It Takes to Lead in the Boardroom Today with Shefaly YogendraWhat happens when high performance becomes unsustainable? In this episode of Human Wise, Helen Wada is joined by clinical psychologist and founder of Us Therapy, Dr. Emma Waddington, to explore the growing tension between commercial success and human wellbeing in today’s workplace.Drawing on years of experience supporting leaders, teams, and high-performing professionals in Singapore, Emma shares why burnout, anxiety, and overwhelm are becoming increasingly common in modern organisations. Together, Helen and Emma unpack why human-centred leadership is no longer optional, how trust and psychological safety shape performance, and why rest, reflection, and connection are essential for sustainable success.This is a powerful conversation for leaders, commercial teams, and organisations navigating pressure, change, and the growing complexity of modern work.Topics DiscussedWhy burnout and overwhelm are increasing in modern workplacesThe connection between high performance and psychological safetyHow leaders create cultures where people can speak upBalancing commercial success with human-centred leadershipThe importance of reset, reflection, and deliberate restHow trust shapes customer relationships and team performanceWhy listening is one of the most underrated business skillsAI, relationships, and the future of human connection at workHow identity, belonging, and purpose influence wellbeingWhy sustainable success requires both performance and humanityView extended shownotes hereFurther links to follow:Read HUMAN-WISE: How to lead from within and sell with confidenceHelen Wada: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/helen-wadaThe Human Advantage: https://www.thehumanadvantage.co.uk/

May 12, 2026Episode 6153 min

Ep61: What It Takes to Lead in the Boardroom Today with Shefaly Yogendra

Recommended EpisodesEp43: Finding Your Voice in Leadership – The Human Advantage of Conscious Communication with Alan RobertsonEp57: Curiosity as Competitive Advantage – How Leaders Stay Relevant in the Age of AI with David FeavearyearEp59: We Cannot Leave Meaning to Machines with Kate O’NeillWhat does it really take to lead in today’s boardroom? In this episode of Human Wise, Helen Wada is joined by Shefaly Yogendra, experienced independent board director, governance adviser, and author of Uncharted Spaces: Reset the Agenda. Reimagine the Boardroom. Together they explore the growing complexity leaders face as organisations navigate AI, uncertainty, competing priorities, and long-term stewardship.This conversation goes beyond governance frameworks and compliance checklists. Shefaly shares why curiosity, patience, courage, and self-awareness are becoming critical leadership capabilities in modern boardrooms. As organisations face increasingly uncharted territory, this episode explores how leaders can strengthen judgement, improve decision-making, and bring more humanity into the conversations shaping the future.Topics Discussed:What it means to lead in today’s boardroomWhy curiosity and patience are essential leadership skillsThe importance of knowing yourself as a leaderGovernance, stewardship, and long-term value creationHow leaders navigate competing priorities and agendasWhy conversational skills shape better decision-makingThe risks of cognitive outsourcing in the age of AICreating more inclusive and future-focused boardroomsHow observation, reflection, and listening improve leadershipView extended shownotes hereFurther links to follow:Read HUMAN-WISE: How to lead from within and sell with confidenceHelen Wada: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/helen-wadaThe Human Advantage: https://www.thehumanadvantage.co.uk/

April 28, 2026Episode 6046 min

Ep60: Rethinking Sales in Professional Services: Finding Your Way to Grow Your Business with Rachel Harrison

Recommended EpisodesEp56: The Human Side of Sales with Jim BloomfieldEp57: Curiosity as Competitive Advantage with David FeavearyearEp59: We Cannot Leave Meaning to Machines with Kate O’NeillWhat if the reason so many professionals struggle with sales is not capability, but how it has been taught? In this episode of Human Wise, Helen Wada is joined by Rachel Harrison, IP lawyer and founder of Your IP, to explore why business development feels uncomfortable for so many experts and how that can change.After more than 20 years in law firms, Rachel stepped away to build her own business and discovered something unexpected. Sales did not have to feel forced or transactional. Instead, it could be human, relationship-led and even enjoyable. Together, they unpack how professionals can shift their mindset, build confidence and develop business in a way that feels authentic and aligned.This is a powerful conversation for anyone in professional services, leadership or sales who has ever thought, this is not me.Topics Discussed:Why sales feels uncomfortable for technical expertsThe gap in sales and leadership training in professional servicesReframing business development as human connectionHow confidence grows through action and coachingThe role of mindset, identity and self-belief in salesWhy relationships and referrals drive sustainable growthThe impact of AI on technical roles and human differentiationHow leaders can retain talent by changing how sales is taughtView extended shownotes hereFurther links to follow:Read HUMAN-WISE: How to lead from within and sell with confidenceHelen Wada: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/helen-wadaThe Human Advantage: https://www.thehumanadvantage.co.uk/

March 31, 2026Episode 5941 min

Ep59: We Cannot Leave Meaning to Machines – Human Skills in the Age of AI with Kate O’Neill

Recommended EpisodesEp41: Reimagining Success Through Kindness, Connection, and Core Human Skills with Natalie SemmesEp50: What Is Your Shadow at Work and Why Does It Matter?Ep54: Becoming Unapologetically You – Embracing Growth, Discomfort, and Authentic Leadership with Alison Maitland & Liz WalkerIn a world racing toward automation, what does it truly mean to be human at work?In this powerful and timely episode of Human Wise, Helen Wada sits down with tech humanist, author, and TEDx speaker Kate O’Neill to explore the evolving relationship between artificial intelligence and human meaning. As organizations invest heavily in AI and automation, Kate challenges us to pause and ask a deeper question: what human outcomes are we protecting as we scale technology?Drawing on insights from her latest book What Matters Next and her TEDx talk We Cannot Leave Meaning to Machines, Kate shares why contextual awareness, emotional intelligence, and good judgment are becoming even more critical in an AI-driven world. Together, Helen and Kate explore the tension leaders feel between speed and reflection, efficiency and ethics, automation and authenticity.This conversation is not about resisting technology. It is about leading it wisely. It is about ensuring that meaning, purpose, and human connection remain firmly in the driver’s seat.Topics Discussed: What it means to be a “tech humanist” Why AI is forcing us to redefine human value at work The human skills that cannot be automated Why investment in people is lagging behind investment in technology The Now–Next Continuum and disciplined reflection Using AI as a thinking partner rather than a replacement Meaning as the core human skill Purpose, values, and the power of meaningful questions Unhiding at work and bringing your whole self into professional spaces Why AI’s “averaging effect” makes human quirkiness more valuable than everAbout Kate O'NeilKate is the founder of KO Insights, helping leaders and organizations make future-ready, meaningful, and ethical decisions about technology and innovation. She’s a former digital strategist for Netflix and early Google, and the author of 6 books, 4 of which are in tech and business including Tech Humanist and What Matters Next.About page: https://www.koinsights.com/about-kate/*LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/kateoneill*Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kate_O'Neill_(author)View extended shownotes hereFurther links to follow:Read HUMAN-WISE: How to lead from within and sell with confidenceHelen Wada: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/helen-wadaThe Human Advantage: https://www.thehumanadvantage.co.uk/

March 18, 2026Episode 5834 min

Ep58 - The Human Side of Fatherhood at Work with George Gabriel

Recommended EpisodesEp43: Finding Your Voice in Leadership – The Human Advantage of Conscious Communication with Alan RobertsonEp45: Building Sustainable High Performance – The Power of Human-Centred Leadership and Resilience with Lisa BoydEp57: Curiosity as Competitive Advantage – How Leaders Stay Relevant in the Age of AI with David FeavearyearWhat does it really mean to support people in bringing their humanity to work? In this episode of Human Wise, Helen Wada is joined by George Gabriel, co-founder of The Dad Shift, a UK campaign mobilising fathers to advocate for better paternity leave and greater gender equality in the workplace.Together they explore how fatherhood, leadership and workplace culture intersect. George shares his perspective on why supporting fathers at work is not just a social issue but a leadership and organisational one. From challenging outdated policies to encouraging men to actively participate in equality conversations, this episode highlights how workplaces can evolve to better support families while strengthening performance and trust.At the heart of the discussion is a powerful idea: when organisations enable people to show up as human beings, not just employees, everyone benefits.Topics DiscussedThe evolving role of fathers in modern workplacesWhy paternity leave policies matter for equality and performanceThe connection between leadership, trust and human-centred workplacesThe impact of parenthood on leadership perspective and decision makingHow workplace culture shapes gender equalityThe barriers organisations face when implementing flexible workingWhy supporting fathers benefits businesses as well as familiesTurning conversations about equality from zero-sum to win-win outcomesView extended shownotes hereFurther links to follow:Read HUMAN-WISE: How to lead from within and sell with confidenceHelen Wada: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/helen-wadaThe Human Advantage: https://www.thehumanadvantage.co.uk/

March 4, 2026Episode 5742 min

Ep57: Curiosity as Competitive Advantage - How Leaders Stay Relevant in the Age of AI with David Feavearyear

Recommended EpisodesEp43: Finding Your Voice in Leadership: The Human Advantage of Conscious Communication with Alan RobertsonEp44: Blending Commerciality with Humanity: How to Work with Procurement with Steve DayEp56: The Human Side of Sales: Psychometrics, Authenticity and Sustainable Commercial Growth with Jim BloomfieldWhat does it take to stay relevant in a world where technology is accelerating faster than ever? In this episode of Human Wise, Helen Wada is joined by David Feavearyear, commercial leader, Chief Procurement Officer at Liberty Global, and MD of Procurement Solutions at Liberty Bloom. Together, they explore the intersection of strategy, AI, leadership and human capability.Drawing on over 25 years of experience across commercial negotiation, procurement and enterprise technology, David shares why curiosity, long-term thinking and human judgement are becoming the true competitive differentiators. As AI increasingly handles technical and repeatable tasks, leaders must double down on the human layer. This conversation challenges leaders to rethink relevance, resilience and the way they create sustainable commercial value.Topics DiscussedWhat it means to stay relevant in the age of AIThe difference between hard skills and human skillsWhy curiosity drives commercial growth and leadership impactBalancing short-term shareholder pressure with long-term strategyHow AI creates efficiency but not connectionBuilding trust in hybrid commercial relationshipsCreating space for thinking in high-pressure environmentsThe link between leadership, sales and sustainable growthView extended shownotes hereFurther links to follow:Read HUMAN-WISE: How to lead from within and sell with confidenceHelen Wada: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/helen-wadaThe Human Advantage: https://www.thehumanadvantage.co.uk/

February 18, 2026Episode 5643 min

Ep56: Human-Centred Sales - Rethinking Commercial Growth Through Psychometrics with Jim Bloomfield

Recommended EpisodesEp43: Finding Your Voice in Leadership: The Human Advantage of Conscious Communication with Alan RobertsonEp44: Blending Commerciality with Humanity: How to Work with Procurement with Steve DayEp45: Human-Centred Leadership & Resilience – How to Build Sustainable High Performance with Lisa BoydWhat if the problem with sales is not the activity itself, but the story we tell ourselves about it? In this episode of Human Wise, Helen Wada is joined by Jim Bloomfield, founder of Bloojam and psychometrics specialist with over 20 years’ experience developing top talent across leadership and sales.Together, they unpack why so many professionals feel uncomfortable with selling, and how reframing sales as value creation, not self-promotion, transforms both confidence and results. Drawing on behavioural science, psychometrics, and real-world commercial experience, Jim explains why high-performing salespeople are not the most money-driven, but the most client-focused. This conversation challenges the myths around sales and shows how leadership and sales share the same human DNA.If you work in professional services, lead a commercial team, or are building your own business, this episode will help you sell in a way that feels authentic and aligned to who you are.Topics DiscussedWhy sales feels “icky” and where that mindset comes fromThe psychology behind high-performing salespeopleAuthenticity and trust in commercial conversationsHow psychometrics reveal sales strengths and blind spotsWhy leadership and sales skills are more aligned than we thinkBuilding intentional, consistent business development habitsHow AI changes sales, but does not remove the human interfaceTurning technical experts into confident business developersView extended shownotes hereFurther links to follow:Read HUMAN-WISE: How to lead from within and sell with confidenceHelen Wada: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/helen-wadaThe Human Advantage: https://www.thehumanadvantage.co.uk/

February 4, 2026Episode 5540 min

Ep55: Leading with Purpose – Building Human-Centred Cultures in a Commercial World with Dr. Corrie Block

Recommended EpisodesEp38: The Human Side of High Performance with Steve McCreadyEp41: Reimagining Success Through Kindness, Connection, and Core Human Skills with Natalie SemmesEp45: Human-Centred Leadership & Resilience – How to Build Sustainable High Performance with Lisa BoydWhat does it truly mean to lead with purpose in a fast-paced, commercial world? In this compelling conversation, Helen Wada is joined by Dr. Corrie Block, award-winning business strategist, executive coach, and best-selling author of Love at Work and Spartan CEO. Together, they explore how leaders can balance profitability with humanity, and why authentic connection—not authority—is the true currency of leadership.Dr. Block shares a fascinating perspective on what it means to be human at work, describing every employee as “the product of 10,000 successful iterations of survival and adaptation.” From redefining trust and vulnerability at the executive level to understanding the measurable ROI of coaching, this episode challenges leaders to think differently about performance, purpose, and the culture they create.This is an inspiring conversation for anyone ready to lead with heart, build meaningful teams, and embrace the full human experience of work.Topics DiscussedWhat it means to lead with purpose in a commercial worldRedefining human value and authenticity at workThe science and psychology behind trust and credibilityCoaching for performance and the ROI of executive growthWhy vulnerability changes as leadership responsibility growsBuilding human-centred cultures through alignment and meaningView extended shownotes hereFurther links to follow:Read HUMAN-WISE: How to lead from within and sell with confidenceHelen Wada: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/helen-wadaThe Human Advantage: https://www.thehumanadvantage.co.uk/

January 21, 2026Episode 5442 min

Ep54: Becoming Unapologetically You – Embracing Growth, Discomfort, and Authentic Leadership with Alison Maitland & Liz Walker

Recommended EpisodesEp48: The Human Side of Risk and Relationships with Alisa VozyanaEp51: The Courage to Create – Finding Your Voice and Sharing Your Wisdom with Alison JonesEp42: From Self-Doubt to Self-Belief – Building Confidence and Authentic Leadership with Dr. Mary Collins What does it really mean to become unapologetically you — and how can embracing discomfort lead to deeper growth and authenticity?In this inspiring episode of Human Wise, host Helen Wada sits down with Alison Maitland and Liz Walker, co-founders of Becoming International, to explore what it means to lead and live with authenticity. Together, they unpack how Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) can help leaders break free from old narratives, reconnect with their values, and build the confidence to show up as their full selves — at work and in life.Helen, Alison, and Liz dive into the uncomfortable, yet transformative, process of growth: learning to notice emotions rather than suppress them, opening the “doors of the castle” to rediscover forgotten parts of ourselves, and recognising that the most human leaders are those willing to be vulnerable.Whether you’re navigating leadership, change, or self-doubt, this episode offers a powerful reminder that authenticity isn’t something we perform — it’s something we practise.Topics DiscussedWhat it means to be unapologetically human at workHow Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) can support leadership growthThe difference between horizontal and vertical developmentEmbracing discomfort as a pathway to self-awarenessReconnecting with your body and emotions as sources of intelligenceHow authenticity transforms confidence and leadership impactView extended shownotes hereFurther links to follow:Read HUMAN-WISE: How to lead from within and sell with confidenceHelen Wada: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/helen-wadaThe Human Advantage: https://www.thehumanadvantage.co.uk/