People First! with Morag Barrett

Hosted by Morag Barrett

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171

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Oct 2026

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About the show

People First! with Morag Barrett explores the human side of leadership: workplace relationships, leadership trust, Meaning-FULL Connectivity™, and the Ally Mindset™ practices that drive real results in business and life. In each episode, keynote speaker, executive coach, USA Today bestselling author, and Marshall Goldsmith 100 Coaches member Morag Barrett sits down with authors, business leaders, and everyday humans to uncover practical ways to strengthen connection, collaboration, and culture in an increasingly disconnected world. Because success in business is powered by relationships. And success in life is fueled by connection. Learn more at skyeteam.com/speaking

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60 recent

October 26, 2026Episode 17538 min

Stop Piloting AI. Start Leading It With Charlene Li

Everyone’s talking about AI strategy. According to Charlene Li … that’s already the problem. In this episode of People First! , Morag and Charlene unpack why most organizations are getting AI wrong—and why the real issue isn’t the technology. It’s leadership. They explore: Why you don’t actually need an AI strategy The dangerous gap between “use AI” and actual adoption Why 95% of AI pilots fail (and what that reveals) The fear leaders are ignoring—and why it matters What AI fluency really means (and why training isn’t enough) How leaders accidentally create confusion instead of clarity The difference between using AI and leading with it This isn’t a conversation about tools. It’s about whether leaders are prepared for the reality AI is creating inside their teams. (00:01) - Why “AI strategy” is the wrong starting point (03:19) - Shiny object syndrome and misaligned priorities (05:10) - Why AI adoption stalls (fear, confusion, no direction) (07:05) - The leadership gap no one is addressing (08:58) - AI fluency vs superficial training (10:25) - Why practice matters more than pilots (14:09) - The truth: 95% of AI pilots fail (16:57) - What good leadership looks like in an AI era (19:44) - The reality of job disruption (and what leaders should say instead) (22:37) - Using AI to enhance—not replace—people (26:19) - Creativity, curiosity, and why AI can’t replace them (31:08) - It’s not a tech problem. It’s a people problem

October 12, 2026Episode 17434 min

Relocation Reality: Moving Abroad with Gail Warrior & Christophe Suchy

Relocating internationally isn’t just about choosing a destination—it’s about designing a life. In this conversation, Morag sits down with Gail Warrior and Christophe Suchy to unpack the realities behind global mobility, tax optimisation, and building a life across borders. 💡 Key Takeaways Moving abroad is a strategic decision—not just a lifestyle choice What works for others rarely works for you The biggest risks are often invisible at the start A “dream location” can become a long-term constraint True freedom comes from optionality—not just relocation Learn more about Gail and Christophe's work at: globalcitizenconsult.com Their book is available from all retailers and at Amazon: The Global Freedom Blueprint: Live Free. Earn More. Pay Less. Anywhere. (00:01) - From dream careers to global freedom (03:37) - What the Global Freedom Blueprint actually is (06:57) - The biggest misconception: “I Googled it” (09:37) - Why relocation companies aren’t enough (10:47) - The truth about “popular” countries (13:11) - When your dream location isn’t the right choice (14:39) - Do you need wealth to move abroad? (16:18) - The hidden cost of staying vs moving (18:11) - Why outdated or incomplete info can cost you (19:28) - First steps before making a move (21:11) - The importance of non-negotiables (29:01) - Why everyone needs a Plan B (31:18) - The 48-hour question that changes everything

September 28, 2026Episode 17330 min

Kindness At Work Isn't Optional with Chester Elton

Recognition isn’t a new idea. And yet, engagement continues to decline. In this conversation, Morag and Chester Elton explore why gratitude and recognition remain underutilised—and how leaders can create meaningful change in the moments they control. ⏱️ Key Moments 00:01 From broadcasting to recognition 04:21 Why recognition creates real business impact 09:47 The disconnect: why engagement is still falling 12:09 Broken trust and the employer-employee relationship 14:23 What leaders can control (even in broken systems) 15:50 The ripple effect of appreciation 17:27 Why culture spreads through small teams 18:30 Designing a life of gratitude 20:33 The power of random acts of kindness 22:14 The “gratitude stone” story 25:22 Making kindness a daily discipline 26:48 “You have to choose to be offended” 💡 Key Takeaways Recognition is still seen as optional—and that’s the problem Leaders underestimate how much small moments matter Culture isn’t built at the top—it’s built in teams Gratitude isn’t a mindset alone—it’s a practice You don’t need permission to create a better culture around you (00:01) - From broadcasting to recognition (04:21) - Why recognition creates real business impact (09:47) - The disconnect: why engagement is still falling (12:09) - Broken trust and the employer-employee relationship (14:23) - What leaders can control (even in broken systems) (15:50) - The ripple effect of appreciation (17:27) - Why culture spreads through small teams (18:30) - Designing a life of gratitude (20:33) - The power of random acts of kindness (22:14) - The “gratitude stone” story (25:22) - Making kindness a daily discipline (26:48) - “You have to choose to be offended”

September 14, 2026Episode 17228 min

Busy Isn't Connected With Rhea Ong Yiu

We’re more connected than ever. So why do so many leaders—and teams—feel disconnected? In this episode of People First! , Morag speaks with Rhea Ong-Yiu about the growing gap between doing work and actually connecting at work. They explore: Why transformation doesn’t happen as quickly as leaders expect The difference between “doing” and “being” in leadership Why structure doesn’t restrict people—it can liberate them How AI is amplifying the need for human connection The role of community in creating meaningful work Why showing up matters more than joining another platform This isn’t about adding more to your day. It’s about changing how you show up in it. (01:55) - From expectations to finding your own path (03:39) - The human side of transformation (04:38) - Why change doesn’t happen overnight (05:53) - Structure vs hierarchy—what actually works (06:30) - Creating space for co-elevation (09:08) - AI and the rising need for human connection (10:22) - “Doing” vs “Being” in leadership (14:10) - The shift toward community-led work (16:07) - Building meaningful connection in a digital world (18:41) - Why disconnection isn’t about location (20:15) - Generosity as a leadership practice (21:47) - The power of small, intentional actions (22:14) - Leadership lessons from Coco

August 31, 2026Episode 17128 min

We're Not Talking About Menopause With Becca Borden

Menopause isn’t a moment. It’s a journey that can last years—and affect how people show up at work every day. So why are we still not talking about it? In this episode of People First! , Morag sits down with Becca Borden to unpack the reality of menopause—and why it’s often misunderstood, misdiagnosed, or ignored. They explore: Why menopause is more than a single point in time The wide range of symptoms most people don’t connect How women can go years without understanding what’s happening The role of hormone therapy—and why it’s often misunderstood What women can do to better advocate for themselves Why organizations need to start paying attention This isn’t just a health conversation. It’s a workplace conversation. 💡 Key Takeaways Menopause is a long-term transition—not a single event Symptoms are often misunderstood or misdiagnosed Women need better information—and better advocacy tools Small lifestyle changes can make a significant difference Organizations have a role to play in supporting this conversation Learn more about Becca: https://hotstuffcoaching.com/about-menopause-coaching

August 17, 2026Episode 17028 min

The People Who Frustrate You Are Your Advantage with Stephen Shapiro

We all have coworkers who frustrate us. Different styles. Different approaches. Different ways of thinking. According to Stephen Shapiro , that’s not a problem—it’s your advantage. In this episode of People First! , we explore why teams struggle not because of lack of talent, but because of lack of difference—and how misreading people leads to disengagement, poor performance, and stalled innovation. 🎯 What You’ll Learn Why teams become “cult-like” (and why that’s risky) How different thinking styles impact innovation The hidden cost of mislabeling people Why strengths can become weaknesses How to build teams that actually perform under pressure The real purpose behind Personality Poker 💡 Key Takeaways Innovation needs different perspectives, not agreement Teams often overvalue similarity Misalignment drains energy and performance The people who frustrate you often fill critical gaps High-performing teams value all contributions 🔗 Connect with Stephen Shapiro Website: theinnovationspeaker.com Personality Poker: personalitypoker.com Book: fulldeckbook.com (00:00) - Introduction (01:54) - Origin story: from game show host to innovation expert (03:19) - What is Personality Poker? (05:38) - The “aha moment” in teams (06:07) - Culture vs “cult” thinking (08:18) - The cost of misreading people (09:14) - Why people disengage or leave (12:17) - The four suits of innovation (13:58) - What happens when teams lack diversity of thinking (15:14) - Why you need people who complement you (17:40) - When strengths go too far (21:25) - Meetings have personalities (25:27) - What leaders should really pay attention to

August 3, 2026Episode 16931 min

Why Neurodiversity at Work Is Being Misunderstood With Sandra Crespo

We talk about performance, productivity, and potential. But what if we’re misunderstanding how some of our best people actually work? In this episode of People First! , Morag sits down with Sandra Crespo to explore how ADHD and neurodiversity show up in the workplace—and why many systems unintentionally create friction instead of support. 🎯 What You’ll Learn Why ADHD is often missed—even by high performers The hidden cost of “fixing” vs understanding How leaders misinterpret neurodivergent behaviours Simple workplace changes that unlock performance Why “reasonable accommodations” might be the wrong model How to design environments where people can actually thrive 💡 Key Takeaways Neurodiversity is often misunderstood as a deficit Success can mask underlying struggle Small environmental changes can have a big impact Leaders don’t need all the answers—but they need awareness Designing for difference benefits everyone 🔗 Connect with Sandra Crespo Website: theneurospicysw.com LinkedIn: Sandra N. Crespo (00:00) - Introduction (01:43) - Sandra’s origin story (03:35) - Late ADHD diagnosis and lived experience (06:01) - The moment everything changed (10:28) - Why high performers miss the signs (12:09) - Why this conversation is happening now (14:48) - What leaders get wrong about ADHD (16:01) - A real example of unlocking potential (19:45) - Workplace systems that create friction (23:12) - Rethinking “reasonable accommodations” (26:32) - The SPICY leadership framework

July 20, 2026Episode 16836 min

When Leaders Become The Bottleneck with Atiba de Souza

When Leaders Become the Bottleneck. Why Letting Go Is the Hardest and Most Important Leadership Skill. Most leaders I work with aren’t trying to control everything. But somewhere along the way they become the person every decision, every problem, and every stalled project flows through. Not because their teams are incapable. Because leadership quietly turns them into the hub of everything. In this week’s People First! podcast, I sit down with author and entrepreneur Atiba de Souza, who wrote The Delegation Trap: It’s Not Them, It’s You. We unpack a tension many leaders recognize: • Why leaders struggle to let go even when they know they should • The hidden cost of the “superhero leader” mindset • Why teams often perform at 80% when leaders don’t create ownership • The shift from doing the work → building a team that thinks like owners One line from our conversation stuck with me: “Good is the enemy of great— and most teams get stuck at good when leaders stay in the middle of everything.” And a question for you: Where might you be unintentionally acting as the bottleneck for your team? Learn more about Atiba here: Website: thedelegationtrap.com LinkedIn: meetatiba.com

July 6, 2026Episode 16729 min

Your Intentions Don't Matter with Trevor Blondeel

Intentions don’t matter. At least not as much as most leaders think. In this week’s episode of People First , I sat down with Trevor Blondeel, founder of Manufacturing Greatness, and we unpacked a moment many leaders quietly recognize. Trevor was running a plant meeting. He explained the plan. Gave direction. Walked out thinking everything was clear. Then his assistant pulled him aside. “You really pissed those guys off.” That moment led to a realization many leaders eventually face: Good intentions don’t guarantee good leadership. Because leadership isn’t judged by what we meant. It’s judged by how our actions land with others. In our conversation we explore: Why good leaders sometimes damage relationships without realizing it The disconnect that often exists between leadership and the front line Why curiosity is one of the most underrated leadership skills The three conversations that can transform how teams work together 1️⃣ How are we showing up? 2️⃣ What are the expectations? 3️⃣ Where does accountability sit? Simple conversations. But most teams never actually have them. If you lead people — whether in manufacturing, healthcare, tech, or anywhere in between — this episode is a reminder that the real work of leadership isn’t control. It’s connection. 🎧 Watch or listen here: [YouTube link] And a question for you: When was the last time you asked someone, “How am I showing up for you?”

June 22, 2026Episode 16623 min

Why Strong Workplace Relationships Create Contagious Culture with Kyle S. King and Daniel Freeman

Culture doesn’t grow from strategy decks or value statements. It spreads. In this episode of People First! , I sat down with Kyle S. King and Daniel Freeman , the organizers behind the Contagious Culture Conference —where I’ll also be speaking this year. Our conversation explored something many leaders overlook: Culture is built through relationships. Not policies. Not posters. Not slogans. Through how people treat each other every day. Kyle and Daniel describe three pillars they see in organizations that create lasting impact: Kindness — how we show up for one another Community — the relationships that hold teams together Capital — the resources that allow good ideas to scale Remove any one of those, and the culture weakens. But the idea that stayed with me most from our conversation is this: People are hungry for connection again. After years of disruption, remote work, and organizational change, many teams are operating with functional relationships—but very little real connection. And without connection, culture becomes fragile. If leaders want stronger cultures, the work isn’t abstract. It starts with the everyday interactions between people. 🎧 The new People First! episode is live.