The Lunch Break Coach

Hosted by Dragan Donkov

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May 2025

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About the show

The Lunch Break Coach is the podcast for leaders who are done with outdated leadership clichés—and ready for real talk. In each bite-sized episode, we unpack what it takes to lead well today: from managing high-performing teams and navigating tricky communication challenges, to embracing vulnerability and building psychological safety at work. Hosted by Dragan Donkov, a leadership and team coach with a no-BS approach, this show is made for managers, team leads, and growth-minded professionals who want practical, honest, and actionable insights—served up in under 30 minutes.

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26 recent

May 6, 202538 min

Humanising the Hiring Journey in the AI Era (ft. Fran Moisa)

In the latest episode of The Lunch Break Coach podcast, Fran Moisa and I explore recruitment as it slips into its retorage phase: stuck between outdated practices and a future driven by AI. Picture this - you're in an interview, the conversation is stiff, and the questions feel eerily familiar: "Where do you see yourself in five years?" 🤔 "What's your biggest strength and weakness?" 🤔 "If you were a tree, what would you be?" 🤔 Whether AI suggested the questions 🤖 or they’ve been inherited from outdated processes 👵🏻... ... That's where many companies make their first (and biggest) mistake. They stop 🛑 treating hiring as human - and start treating people as commodities. 🤷‍♂️ So here's your first 🥇 rule of hiring: Be conscious of the questions you ask and why you're asking them. In this episode, Fran and I talk about: What are the biggest recruitment challenges and trends for 2025? 🫣 How can you keep the human element while using AI wisely? 🤖 What simple steps can make interviews more engaging and meaningful? 👣 Why does the overall candidate experience shape your future brand? ⭐️ #LunchBreak #Coach #Recruitment #Podcast #HR #TalentAcquisition

March 31, 202542 min

Real Leadership Isn’t Safe — And That’s the Point (ft. Hari Haralambiev)

We keep hearing that leaders should be more vulnerable—but what happens when vulnerability gets mistaken for weakness? In this episode of The Lunch Break Coach , team coach and founder Hari Haralambiev joins me to unpack the tension between real leadership and feeling safe . We explore why so many tech managers avoid vulnerability, how team coaching can unlock performance, and what it takes to build trust in a high-pressure environment. Perfect for leaders navigating the messy, human side of team performance.

March 10, 202533 min

The Hidden Face of Success: One Big Win, Hundreds of Small Failures (ft. Niklas Ziliacus )

On the latest episode of The Lunch Break Coach podcast, Niklas Ziliacus and I discuss the hidden face of success: failure. Did you know that behind every “one big win” are hundreds of small mistakes? The key to overcoming them? Think like an athlete. Fall, get up, get better. Learn, adapt, and build the mental resilience to come back stronger.

February 28, 202534 min

Politics & Leadership: The Ripple Effect, The Uncertainty and How to Navigate the "Storm" (ft. Vicki Haddock)

Political changes create ripple effects in business and leadership. How do shifting policies, new leaders, and global uncertainty impact the way we lead? This episode breaks down the connection between politics and leadership, helping you stay steady, adapt, and make decisions with confidence—no matter the forecast. Stay informed. Stay in control. Lead with clarity.

February 5, 202534 min

Leadership and Parenting- Mom Guilt, Dad Guilt, and Returning to Work (ft. Laura Duggal)

👩‍👧‍👦 Mum Guilt? We’ve all heard of it. But what about Dad Guilt? 👨‍👦‍👦 We talk a lot about the pressures mums face when juggling work and family, but are dads really free from guilt? 🤔 In this episode, I sit down with Laura Duggal to dive into the corporate world, parenthood, and guilt. 🎙️ Laura is an experienced coach who supports employees returning from family leave with tailored 1:1 coaching.

January 27, 202535 min

Why Faith and Vulnerability Make Better Leaders ( ft. Nichole Lowe)

Leadership is often seen as setting visions and managing resources, but it’s so much more than that. In this episode of The Lunch Break Coach , Nichole Lowe joins me to uncover what it truly means to lead with faith and as a human-centric leader. Spoiler alert: it’s not an easy road—but it’s one of the most impactful journeys a leader can take. True leadership goes beyond being a “boss.” It’s about stepping into the trenches with your team, experiencing what they experience, and building authentic connections. It’s about showing up with empathy, vulnerability, and a commitment to doing life together within a business structure. Great leadership is about leading with presence, grounded in faith, and showing up as a fellow human. Together, Nichole and I explore the real purpose of coaching in leadership, how corporate cultures can thrive with a coaching mindset, and the trends shaping the future of coaching in 2025. Nichole also shares her powerful advice on cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset and how faith can serve as a guiding principle in leadership. If you’re ready to rethink leadership and discover how to lead with heart and faith, tune in now! More about Nichole and Zoee: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nichole-lowe-zoee/

January 10, 202538 min

Coaching Unplugged: Navigating Change - Traditions and Transitions (ft. Vicki Haddock)

Are you going through a change or a transition? Think about it! 💭 We haven't done this in a while, but we’re back with another episode of "Coaching Unplugged" 🎙️, "The Lunch Break Coach" mini-podcast! 🎧 This time, Vicki Haddock and I are diving into traditions and transitions. Now, back to my opening question... ❓ If you’re unsure about the difference between change and transition, don’t worry—you’re not alone! 🤷‍♂️ Most people mix them up. To get in touch with Dragan book an explorational call ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ To get in touch with Vicky look ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here

November 18, 202432 min

Coaching and Leading with Kindness (ft. Kelly McSherry)

Our job as coaches, the gaming industry and kindness, are some of the topics Kelly McSherry and I covered during this episode of the Lunch Break Coach podcast. 🎙🍽 In this episode, Kelly and I also discussed: The rewards and joy of coaching. ✨ How the gaming industry could benefit and grow through coaching. 🎮 Why investing in your people matters. 💸 Self-care is a foundation for leading with kindness. 💌

October 15, 202432 min

It’s never too late to invest in your team (ft.Christine Leclerc-Sherling, PhD)

🪡 What’s the common thread to keep every marriage, family, community, and team thriving? Individuals must all share the same foundational values. 🤝🌱 In this episode, Christine Leclerc-Sherling, PhD, and I discussed team resilience and post-traumatic growth. Can you distinguish between resilience and post-traumatic growth? 🤔 While post-traumatic growth is deeply personal and difficult to define, team resilience is something else entirely, as it's: Intentional growth, as the event itself, doesn't change you. 💪 Secure, where you don’t slip into survival mode during minor setbacks. 🦸‍♂️ A reflection of how the team was before the challenge. 🪞 So, how can leaders tap into team resilience to maintain stability and keep things running smoothly? Listen to the full episode to find out. Christine is a seasoned Psychologist and Coach (PCC, ACTC ICF) with over 25 years of experience, bringing extensive expertise in organizational psychology, academia, and clinical practice. Her career includes more than 1,500 hours of counselling and coaching, with a focus on post-traumatic growth, stress management, workforce reintegration, and neurodiversity. In addition to her practice, Christine conducts research and training on high sensitivity, facilitates mental health coaching, and offers supervision to fellow professionals. With over 4,000 hours of executive coaching, she specialises in leadership development and work-life balance, driven by a genuine passion for helping individuals achieve both personal and professional growth. To get in touch with Christine visit her website: https://christine-leclerc-sherling-phd.com/

September 3, 202435 min

Joining a Startup as an HR: Like Moving into an Empty Flat – Full of Potential, but Requiring Hard Work (ft. JP Xuereb)

In this episode, I’m joined by JP Xuereb, a seasoned HR professional working for a startup gaming company in Malta. We explore what it takes to dive into the startup world. We also tackle 4️⃣ key questions: What are the biggest challenges HR professionals face when working with startups? 🗻 How does company culture differ between startups and established businesses? ⚖️ What is the DNA of a startup leader? (Hint: The mindset is completely different.) 🧬 What role does coaching play in a startup environment? 👟