Get the Elephant Out of the Room: Outsmart Difficult People at Work

Hosted by Chris Webber

Business Management

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Episodes

100

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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About the show

In this practical and powerful podcast series, Christopher Webber talks to a variety of people about their experiences with difficult people and shares insights you can use to overcome the challenges they pose and the negativity they create. He reveals the lessons he has learned through a varied and illustrious career: success at work isn’t about what you say—it’s about how you say it. More About Chris Webber Chris is an author, business performance adviser and former sportsman. His mission is to give everyone the confidence they need to overcome the difficult moments at work. He talks about influence, negotiation, inspiring action and performance culture at work. He delivers 1:1 performance development programmes to executives, leaders and business people who want to raise performance at work. He runs training programmes for groups and offers advice for organisations preparing for key moments such as price changes, negotiations and launches. Ways to Stay Informed F ollow Chris on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Buy the book - Get the Elephant Out of the Room. Outsmart Difficult People at Work For exclusive content and behind the scenes insight and commentaries follow the WhatsApp Channel Receive the Email Newsletter⁠⁠⁠

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 3, 2026Episode 2248 min

How to Exceed Your Own Expectations

If you are passionate about developing people to their full potential this is an essential listen. Amazon through their culture, processes and programmes force out ego and politics and develop people. In this episode we hear one of their success stories. Jenny Schumacher is a Director at Amazon after starting 14 years ago as an Executive Assistant. She did not believe her manager who kept telling her to take on more. But with support and courage she developed into a respected leader. In this episode she shares her inspiring journey and tells us about how she coped with disrespectful leaders and how Amazon deals with that type of behaviour to stamp it out. More About Chris Webber Chris is an author, business performance adviser and former sportsman. His mission is to give everyone the confidence they need to overcome the difficult moments at work. He talks about influence, negotiation, inspiring action and performance culture at work. He delivers 1:1 performance development programmes to executives, leaders and business people who want to raise performance at work. He runs training programmes for groups and offers advice for organisations preparing for key moments such as price changes, negotiations and launches. Ways to Stay Informed Follow Chris on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Buy the book - Get the Elephant Out of the Room. Outsmart Difficult People at Work For exclusive content and behind the scenes insight and commentaries follow the WhatsApp Channel Receive the Email Newsletter⁠⁠⁠

May 6, 2026Episode 2120 min

How Predicting the Future Needs to be Your Superpower

We might not realise it, but when we are discussing plans and strategies with colleagues and customers we are trying to predict the future. People who have authority are people we trust to predict the future accurately If you are trying to influence others, you need to build your credibility as someone with knowledge that others need to listen to . In this episode I talk about how and why this matters More About Chris Webber Chris is an author, business performance adviser and former sportsman. His mission is to give everyone the confidence they need to overcome the difficult moments at work. He talks about influence, negotiation, inspiring action and performance culture at work. He delivers 1:1 performance development programmes to executives, leaders and business people who want to raise performance at work. He runs training programmes for groups and offers advice for organisations preparing for key moments such as price changes, negotiations and launches. Ways to Stay Informed Follow Chris on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Buy the book - Get the Elephant Out of the Room. Outsmart Difficult People at Work For exclusive content and behind the scenes insight and commentaries follow the WhatsApp Channel Receive the Email Newsletter⁠⁠⁠

April 22, 2026Episode 2054 min

Delivering an Impossible Vision

If you have ever wanted to deliver a strategy that would truly change the performance of your business but were unsure how to start, this episode is for you. Andy Gibson tells us about how he completely transformed a business in Australia. He expanded the category, stopped selling units, started selling fridges and turned a ready-to-drink spirit into a phenomenon. He challenged perception, built alliances, set a vision and was courageous in execution . He tells us about the 'fierce' conversations that helped and how building momentum through 'wins' really matters when the vision is HUGE. Andy Gibson is a business and marketing consultant who transforms global businesses and brands with world class brand-building tools and processes honed from 25+ years of global experience. He has worked with some of the worlds biggest brands leading their marketing teams and today is a consultant in demand around the world from businesses seeking to get an edge in performance. More About Chris Webber Chris is an author, business performance adviser and former sportsman. His mission is to give everyone the confidence they need to overcome the difficult moments at work. He talks about influence, negotiation, inspiring action and performance culture at work. He delivers 1:1 performance development programmes to executives, leaders and business people who want to raise performance at work. He runs training programmes for groups and offers advice for organisations preparing for key moments such as price changes, negotiations and launches. Ways to Stay Informed Follow Chris on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Buy the book - Get the Elephant Out of the Room. Outsmart Difficult People at Work For exclusive content and behind the scenes insight and commentaries follow the WhatsApp Channel Receive the Email Newsletter⁠⁠⁠

April 8, 2026Episode 1924 min

How to Do Hard Things at Work

Challenging situations are easy to avoid because we can deflect them to other people. But the people we really admire and the moments we are truly proud of are the ones who take personal accountability for doing hard things. In this episode I talk about what is required to take personal accountability for tough moments and share some lessons we have heard from previous guests. More About Chris Webber Chris is an author, business performance adviser and former sportsman. His mission is to give everyone the confidence they need to overcome the difficult moments at work. He talks about influence, negotiation, inspiring action and performance culture at work. He delivers 1:1 performance development programmes to executives, leaders and business people who want to raise performance at work. He runs training programmes for groups and offers advice for organisations preparing for key moments such as price changes, negotiations and launches. Ways to Stay Informed Follow Chris on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Buy the book - Get the Elephant Out of the Room. Outsmart Difficult People at Work For exclusive content and behind the scenes insight and commentaries follow the WhatsApp Channel Receive the Email Newsletter⁠⁠⁠

March 25, 2026Episode 1850 min

Solving an Unsolvable Customer Problem

Great salespeople turn doubters into advocates. In this episode, we learn how it can be done under incredibly challenging circumstances. How can you build trust with a customer who thinks you are exploiting them over price because they have no other options? That is what Anthony Carter was able to do, despite being unable to cut the price. He was faced with an angry customer, desperate to get a better deal and who's ego and status was threatened. He was patient, empathetic and demonstrated vulnerability to turn this angry customer into a long term partner who delivered sustained value to the business. Listen to find out how. Anthony Carter is an established sales leader currently building a team ahead of an exciting launch. His vision is a team of commercial people who can unlock difficult markets and solve customer problems. He joins us to talk about his experience of creating strong relationships and how deeper understanding and empathy can deliver opportunities for everyone. More About Chris Webber Chris is an author, business performance adviser and former sportsman. His mission is to give everyone the confidence they need to overcome the difficult moments at work. He talks about influence, negotiation, inspiring action and performance culture at work. He delivers 1:1 performance development programmes to executives, leaders and business people who want to raise performance at work. He runs training programmes for groups and offers advice for organisations preparing for key moments such as price changes, negotiations and launches. Ways to Stay Informed Follow Chris on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Buy the book - Get the Elephant Out of the Room. Outsmart Difficult People at Work For exclusive content and behind the scenes insight and commentaries follow the WhatsApp Channel Receive the Email Newsletter⁠⁠⁠

March 10, 2026Episode 1746 min

How to Drive Loyalty Even in Commodity Sales

How can you build powerful partnerships and drive loyalty in markets where prices should dominate? Michael Lange is a Sales Leader who has excelled in selling commodities for decades. How? He finds value based on true needs, not just costs. Then he is relentless in ensuring his teams deliver excellence. In this episode he shares his insights, wisdom and experience in sales and lets us in on the secret to sustained success when the products are the same. More About Chris Webber Chris is an author, business performance adviser and former sportsman. His mission is to give everyone the confidence they need to overcome the difficult moments at work. He talks about influence, negotiation, inspiring action and performance culture at work. He delivers 1:1 performance development programmes to executives, leaders and business people who want to raise performance at work. He runs training programmes for groups and offers advice for organisations preparing for key moments such as price changes, negotiations and launches. Ways to Stay Informed Follow Chris on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Buy the book - Get the Elephant Out of the Room. Outsmart Difficult People at Work For exclusive content and behind the scenes insight and commentaries follow the WhatsApp Channel Receive the Email Newsletter⁠⁠⁠

February 16, 2026Episode 1638 min

Surviving a Parental v Adult Onslaught

How to cope when a colleague shouts at you and becomes parental! In this episode I talk to Mary Gregory who shares her experience from the past. The lesson is that timing matters, but also that you need to respond with intention, not emotionally. The patience to allow them to vent and to allow them to exhaust the emotion is a great start. It is important to let them feel heard, but not to allow them to win. We discuss the mechanism of Transactional Analysis and how power can affect culture, with some very interesting currency! Mary talks about how meeting rooms can be used as a power lever. Mary Gregory is an award winning Executive Coach and author of the book Ego:Get Over Yourself & Lead. She works with senior leaders who want to lead with authenticity, navigate complexity with clarity, and grow real, grounded confidence. Much of her work focuses on supporting women and those navigating systemic barriers, but she also coaches male leaders committed to conscious, inclusive leadership. Follow Mary Gregory on LinkedIn Chris Webber - Founder Foxleigh Commercial Performance Follow Chris on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Buy my book - Get the Elephant Out of the Room. Outsmart Difficult People at Work www.gettheelephantout.com For exclusive content and behind the scenes insight and commentaries follow the WhatsApp Channel I share my experiences and insights into various profiles of difficult people at work. Through stories and my personal experiences, I explain how you can achieve success despite them. Receive my Newsletter⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

December 17, 2025Episode 1548 min

The Importance of Grit

Paula Tully is dedicated to creating leaders with intention, but her journey of success is an inspiring one littered with grit and vision. In this episode we discuss the 6 “C’s” that form the heart of her coaching, but we delve into some of the toughest times in her life and share how Paula’s grit and optimism fuelled her through some very tough moments and set her on the path to today. Now she shares her wisdom with others and her focus on happiness and the dance of life is an inspirational message to her dozens of senior clients.” More information about Paula: Website : https://escentia.co.uk/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paula-tully-18367313/ More About Chris Webber Chris is an author, business performance adviser and former sportsman. His mission is to give everyone the confidence they need to overcome the difficult moments at work. He talks about influence, negotiation, inspiring action and performance culture at work. He delivers 1:1 performance development programmes to executives, leaders and business people who want to raise performance at work. He runs training programmes for groups and offers advice for organisations preparing for key moments such as price changes, negotiations and launches. Ways to Stay Informed Follow Chris on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Buy the book - Get the Elephant Out of the Room. Outsmart Difficult People at Work For exclusive content and behind the scenes insight and commentaries follow the WhatsApp Channel Receive the Email Newsletter⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

October 9, 2025Episode 1452 min

Difficult Performance Management Discussions.

Performance Management. Every leader's responsibility, but not everyone can retain difficult people. Most destroy the motivation of the whole team and their own reputation by mishandling sensitive conversations. In this episode, I talk to Jose Aguilar about his experiences living and working in different cultures and how he managed a very difficult conversation with a team member who was no longer delivering up to standards. More About Chris Webber Chris is an author, business performance adviser and former sportsman. His mission is to give everyone the confidence they need to overcome the difficult moments at work. He talks about influence, negotiation, inspiring action and performance culture at work. He delivers 1:1 performance development programmes to executives, leaders and business people who want to raise performance at work. He runs training programmes for groups and offers advice for organisations preparing for key moments such as price changes, negotiations and launches. Ways to Stay Informed Follow Chris on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Buy the book - Get the Elephant Out of the Room. Outsmart Difficult People at Work For exclusive content and behind the scenes insight and commentaries follow the WhatsApp Channel Receive the Email Newsletter⁠⁠⁠

September 24, 2025Episode 1358 min

Get The Elephant Out Of The Room Book Launch Event

We invited an audience to join us at The Orchard for the launch of my book. In this episode, listen to an exclusive reading of an extract and hear an interview with me, Chris, talking about writing the book and answering audience questions about difficult people at work. ----more---- Buy my book - Get the Elephant Out of the Room. Outsmart Difficult People at Work I share my experiences and insights into various difficult profiles and explain how you can achieve despite them. www.gettheelephantout.com Receive my Newsletter⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Chris on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ----more----