The Sticky From The Inside Podcast

Hosted by Andy Goram

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Jun 2026

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Sticky From The Inside is the go-to podcast for anyone looking to transform their workplace into a thriving, competition-crushing powerhouse. We’re on a mission to change the fact that 65% of employees worldwide are disengaged from their work—because that’s not just bad for business, it’s a waste of time and talent. Each episode, we bring you dynamic conversations with global experts, thought leaders, and innovative thinkers who share their strategies, stories, and secrets for building a “Stickier Business”—a place where employees are passionate, customers are loyal, and success is the norm. If you’re ready to boost employee engagement, create an unbeatable workplace culture, and lead with impact, tune in and discover how to build a business that people love from the inside out.

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June 4, 2026Episode 14746 min

The Art Of Trust Building: Why Trust Matters More Than Ever

Trust affects everything. How we lead. How we communicate. How we collaborate. How safe people feel to contribute. And ultimately, how organisations perform. Yet despite its importance, most organisations still leave trust to chance. In this first part of a special two-part conversation, I speak with Dr Dennis Reina and Dr Michelle Reina, pioneers in the field of workplace trust and authors of The Art Of Trust Building, to explore why trust has become one of the defining leadership challenges of our time. Together, we unpack: Why leaders are finally waking up to trust The hidden erosion caused by small behaviours The role of vulnerability and self-awareness Why self-trust matters in the age of AI How disruption changes human connection And why trust must become an intentional daily discipline This conversation is thoughtful, practical, deeply human and shows why trust is more relevant than ever. And in Part 2, which follows, we move into the practical frameworks and behaviours that help leaders intentionally build and repair trust at work. ----more---- Key Takeaways Trust Is Earned, Not Assumed. Leadership titles and expertise may create credibility, but trust is built through consistent behaviour over time. Small Behaviours Shape Trust. Most trust breakdowns happen gradually through repeated small moments rather than dramatic betrayals. Self-Trust Matters More Than Ever. In a world shaped by disruption and AI, people need confidence in their own judgment and contribution. Trust Requires Intentional Practice. Trust-building becomes sustainable when it turns into conscious, repeatable behavioural habits. ----more---- Key Moments The key moments in this episode are: 00:11 — Why Trust Shapes How We Live, Work And Connect 03:40 — Michelle Reina’s Story Of Service, Disruption And Human Connection 08:59 — Dennis Reina’s Early Lessons About Trust And Vulnerability 12:16 — Why Leaders Are Finally Paying Attention To Trust 16:10 — Self-Trust In The Age Of AI And Constant Change 18:07 — Defining Trust And Why It Must Be Earned Intentionally 20:00 — Why Expertise And Leadership Titles Don’t Automatically Create Trust 23:55 — Self-Discovery, Awareness And Intentional Behaviour 27:56 — Why Trust Is Felt Emotionally And Physically 29:42 — Capacity For Trust And How Early Experiences Shape Us 35:10 — How Trust Expands And Contracts Throughout Life 40:42 — Why Reflection And Vulnerability Strengthen Trust 44:02 — The Hidden Cost Of Leaving Trust To Chance ----more---- Join The Conversation Find Andy Goram on LinkedIn here Listen to the Podcast on YouTube here Follow the Podcast on Instagram here Follow the Podcast on Twitter here Follow the Podcast on Facebook here Check out the Bizjuicer website here Get a free consultation with Andy here Check out the Bizjuicer blog here Download the podcast here ----more---- Useful Links Follow Dr Dennis Reina on LinkedIn here Follow Dr Michelle Reina on Linkedin here Find the Reina Trust Building website here Find the book The Art of Trust Building here Take the Personal Trust Assessment here ----more---- Full Episode Transcript Get the full transcript of the episode here

May 21, 2026Episode 14648 min

Creating A Culture Of Ownership - One Choice At A Time

What if creating a culture of ownership had nothing to do with your organisation and everything to do with you? In this episode of Sticky From The Inside, Andy Goram is joined by Greg Hawks to challenge one of the biggest assumptions in workplace culture today, that ownership is something leaders create and employees receive. Greg flips that thinking on its head. This conversation explores why ownership isn’t a corporate initiative, a leadership tactic, or something written into a job description. It’s a personal choice. One that shapes how we respond to challenges, how we engage with others, and ultimately, how fulfilling our work feels. Together, Andy and Greg unpack: Why disengagement often comes from a “done to me” mindset The difference between owners, renters, and vandals in organisations Why most companies are trying to fix the wrong problem How language, trust, and mindset shape our daily experience at work What it really takes to create a culture where people care, contribute, and step up If you’ve ever felt frustrated, disengaged, or like work is something that happens to you, this episode offers a powerful reframe. Because creating a culture of ownership doesn’t start with leadership. It starts with a choice. ----more---- Key Takeaways Ownership starts with personal choice. Ownership is not given by organisations, it’s a decision individuals make to regain control, perspective and fulfilment. Culture is shaped by everyday behaviour. A culture of ownership emerges from consistent individual choices to care, contribute and take responsibility. Not all disengagement is equal. Owners, renters and vandals influence culture differently, and unchecked vandals can actively undermine engagement. Leaders create the conditions for ownership. Ownership grows when people experience meaningful return, hear specific recognition, and see clear behavioural standards upheld. ----more---- Key Moments The key moments in this episode are: 00:01:11 – Should Employees Really Care Like Owners? 00:02:56 – Setting the Stage: What Drives Ownership at Work? 00:06:05 – Ownership Isn’t for the Company—It’s for You 00:08:04 – Breaking Free from the “Done To Me” Mindset 00:12:22 – What a True Culture of Ownership Actually Feels Like 00:14:49 – Unlock #1: Why Risking Bold Commitments Changes Everything 00:17:16 – Owners, Renters and Vandals: The Mindsets That Shape Culture 00:20:16 – Why Most Organisations Are Fixing the Wrong Problem 00:22:30 – Unlock #2: Activating Lasting Value Through Words 00:27:30 – From Mindset to Behaviour: Ownership, Trust and Personal Return 00:39:30 – Designing the Conditions for a Culture of Ownership 00:44:35 – Sticky Notes: Three Truths About Ownership and Fulfilment ----more---- Join The Conversation Find Andy Goram on LinkedIn here Listen to the Podcast on YouTube here Follow the Podcast on Instagram here Follow the Podcast on Twitter here Follow the Podcast on Facebook here Check out the Bizjuicer website here Get a free consultation with Andy here Check out the Bizjuicer blog here Download the podcast here ----more---- Useful Links Follow Greg Hawks on LinkedIn here Find Greg's website here Find the book Act Like An Owner here ----more---- Full Episode Transcript Get the full transcript of the episode here

May 7, 2026Episode 14550 min

Accidental Manager To Beautiful Leader

Most of us don’t set out to become leaders. We get good at something. We get recognised. Then one day, we’re handed a team and expected to just… figure it out. That’s the reality behind the term accidental manager, and according to today’s guest, it’s where the vast majority of leadership journeys begin. In this episode, Andy sits down with Dawn Stallwood, corporate lawyer, advisor, and author of Beautiful Leadership, to explore what really happens when capable people are promoted into leadership roles without the preparation or support they need. This isn’t about blaming leaders. It’s about understanding the system that creates them. Dawn shares her own experience of stepping into leadership feeling ill-equipped, the pressure and self-doubt that follows, and why so many well-meaning leaders end up struggling in silence. But more importantly, she offers a way forward. Together, they explore how leadership can shift from something we fall into… to something we intentionally choose to take on. From firefighting and self-doubt to clarity, capability, and impact. And at the heart of that shift is Dawn’s Beautiful Leadership framework, a practical, human approach to leading with intention, courage, and purpose. ----more---- Key Takeaways Most leaders are accidental, not intentional. Leadership is rarely planned. It’s something people fall into without the training or support they need. The cost of poor leadership is human. Pressure, self-doubt, and lack of capability don’t just impact performance, they affect health, confidence, and retention. Leadership isn’t about having all the answers. The best leaders don’t do everything, they create the conditions for others to succeed. Intentional leadership is a choice. You may not choose to become a leader, but you can choose how you show up once you are. ----more---- Key Moments The key moments in this episode are: 00:01:11 – Why most of us become accidental managers 00:03:00 – Introducing Dawn Stallwood and the idea of Beautiful Leadership 00:07:33 – The realisation moment: feeling ill-equipped to lead 00:09:22 – The hidden pressure and personal cost of leadership 00:11:50 – Why struggling leaders don’t ask for help (and choose to leave) 00:14:17 – Why organisations keep creating accidental managers 00:17:49 – The cycle of accidental leaders creating more accidental leaders 00:18:55 – Rethinking leadership: it’s not about having all the answers 00:22:14 – Letting go of past success to step into leadership 00:24:42 – Moving from accidental manager to intentional leader 00:27:24 – The Beautiful Leadership framework: qualities and practices explained 00:47:51 – Sticky Notes: courage, growth, and getting your brave on ----more---- Join The Conversation Find Andy Goram on LinkedIn here Listen to the Podcast on YouTube here Follow the Podcast on Instagram here Follow the Podcast on Twitter here Follow the Podcast on Facebook here Check out the Bizjuicer website here Get a free consultation with Andy here Check out the Bizjuicer blog here Download the podcast here ----more---- Useful Links Follow Dawn Stallwood on LinkedIn here Find the Beautiful Leadership website here ----more---- Full Episode Transcript Get the full transcript of the episode here

April 23, 2026Episode 14445 min

The Success Complex: The Hidden Biases Holding You Back

What if the biggest thing standing between you and success… is you? In this episode of Sticky From The Inside, Andy Goram is joined by performance psychology student and author Adrian Kelly to explore The Success Complex. The hidden biases, blind spots, and behaviours that shape how we define, pursue, and sometimes even avoid success. From the illusion of external achievement to the quiet dissatisfaction many high performers feel, Adrian challenges the idea that success is something we can measure from the outside. Instead, he reveals how deeply personal it really is and how often we get in our own way without even realising it. Together, Andy and Adrian unpack the psychological traps that hold us back, including anchoring bias, the myth of IQ as potential, and our reluctance to reflect on past performance. They also explore why motivation is so often misunderstood and what actually helps people move forward. Through powerful stories including a remarkable lesson from the origins of Top Gun this episode brings performance psychology to life in a practical, relatable way. If you’ve ever chased success but still felt something was missing… this conversation might just change how you think about it. ----more---- Key Takeaways Success is personal, but we measure it socially. We often define success using external benchmarks, not what actually matters to us. We are often our own biggest barrier. Blind spots, biases, and ingrained thinking patterns quietly hold us back. Reflection is the missing link in performance. Most people avoid analysing failure, but that’s where growth happens. Motivation isn’t the problem; direction and confidence are. People aren’t unmotivated; they often just lack clarity, belief, or momentum. ----more---- Key Moments The key moments in this episode are: 0:01:10 – Rethinking success: pressure, comparison, and hidden cost 0:03:58 – Adrian Kelly’s journey: from law to performance psychology 0:08:15 – Why success fascinates us (and why we rarely question it) 0:09:11 – The illusion of success and the “I’ll be happy tomorrow” trap 0:10:45 – The Success Complex: blind spots and self-sabotage 0:13:07 – Anchor bias: how our environment limits our thinking 0:15:30 – Reflection as the missing link in performance improvement 0:16:24 – The Top Gun story: deliberate practice in action 0:22:42 – When success becomes a limiter: confirmation bias and stagnation 0:27:17 – The myth of unmotivated people and the law of small wins 0:29:35 – Motivation, alignment, and the role of leaders 0:37:30 – Building systems for success: making good habits easier 0:39:19 – Redefining happiness: hedonic vs eudaimonic success 0:41:44 – Sticky Notes: progress, consistency, and long-term thinking ----more---- Join The Conversation Find Andy Goram on LinkedIn here Listen to the Podcast on YouTube here Follow the Podcast on Instagram here Follow the Podcast on Twitter here Follow the Podcast on Facebook here Check out the Bizjuicer website here Get a free consultation with Andy here Check out the Bizjuicer blog here Download the podcast here ----more---- Useful Links Follow Adrian Kelly on LinkedIn here Find the Ask More website here ----more---- Full Episode Transcript Get the full transcript of the episode here

April 9, 2026Episode 14348 min

Dance Floor Theory: A Simple Way To Solve The Complexity Of Employee Engagement

Why does employee engagement still feel so hard? Despite decades of focus, surveys, and initiatives, the data tells us something uncomfortable: engagement isn’t improving. In fact, in many places, it’s getting worse. So what are we missing? In this episode, Andy Goram is joined by Tom Krieglstein, creator of Dance Floor Theory. A brilliantly simple, yet deeply insightful way of understanding how people actually engage at work. Tom’s model reframes engagement as something fundamentally human. Not a metric to track, or a programme to roll out, but a dynamic social experience. One where people exist at different levels of engagement, just like a dance floor. And where leaders need to meet them where they are, not where they wish they were. From tackling disengaged “Negative Nellies” to creating momentum through connection, Tom shares practical, actionable ways to build workplaces people actually want to be part of. If you’ve ever wondered why engagement feels so complex and how to make it simpler, more human, and more effective, this conversation is for you. ----more---- Key Takeaways Engagement isn’t broken. Our approach to it is. Too many organisations treat engagement as a system or survey, rather than a human experience. Connection is the real driver of engagement. We are biologically wired for connection and workplaces often ignore that fundamental truth. People engage at different levels. Like a dance floor, some are in the middle, some on the edge — and each requires a different approach. Great leaders meet people where they are. You can’t force engagement. You build it step-by-step, understanding what each person needs next. ----more---- Key Moments The key moments in this episode are: 0:01:11 – Why employee engagement still isn’t improving 0:03:00 – Meet Tom Krieglstein and the power of connection 0:08:44 – More friends equals more fun: the social truth of engagement 0:11:00 – The uncomfortable data behind disengagement 0:14:50 – The decline of community and its impact on work 0:16:52 – What great workplace cultures actually feel like 0:25:31 – Introducing Dance Floor Theory 0:27:27 – The six levels of engagement explained 0:28:24 – Dealing with disengagement: Negative Nellies 0:31:16 – Hiring for contribution vs competency 0:35:57 – The role of energy, momentum and leadership influence 0:37:34 – What each engagement level is really thinking 0:39:08 – How to engage each level effectively 0:44:46 – Tom’s three Sticky Notes for better engagement ----more---- Join The Conversation Find Andy Goram on LinkedIn here Listen to the Podcast on YouTube here Follow the Podcast on Instagram here Follow the Podcast on Twitter here Follow the Podcast on Facebook here Check out the Bizjuicer website here Get a free consultation with Andy here Check out the Bizjuicer blog here Download the podcast here ----more---- Useful Links Follow Tom Krieglstein on LinkedIn here Follow Tom on YouTube here Follow Tom on Instagram here Find the SwiftKick website here ----more---- Full Episode Transcript Get the full transcript of the episode here

March 26, 2026Episode 14249 min

What Does Global Leadership Really Mean?

What does global leadership really mean? Is it simply about managing teams in different countries? Or is it something deeper; the ability to understand cultural nuance, adapt communication, and create an environment where people from very different contexts can contribute their best work? In this episode of Sticky From The Inside, Andy Goram speaks with global leadership coach Crispin Thompson, founder of The Leadership Studio. With more than 25 years of experience working in multinational organisations, Crispin shares what it really takes to lead effectively across cultures, time zones, and languages. From avoiding the tokenism trap in global teams to understanding why communication can easily be misinterpreted across cultures, this conversation explores the hidden complexities of leading internationally. Crispin explains why global leadership always starts with listening, how cultural intelligence helps leaders navigate nuance, and why the best leaders focus on creating environments where every voice genuinely matters. If your teams span borders, languages, and cultures, this episode offers practical insights into how leadership can truly travel. ----more---- Key Takeaways Global leadership starts with listening. Leading across cultures requires curiosity and humility. Listening helps leaders understand what’s really happening inside teams and uncover barriers to honest feedback. Tokenism damages trust and contribution. When people feel they’re included only for representation rather than merit, confidence and engagement disappear. Global leaders must ensure every voice genuinely matters. Communication across cultures needs intention. Even when teams share the same language, tone, nuance, and phrasing can create misunderstanding. Leaders must clarify intent and encourage dialogue. Cultural intelligence unlocks performance. Understanding local context, culture, history, and working norms helps leaders build stronger relationships and align global teams effectively. ----more---- Key Moments The key moments in this episode are: 0:01:10 – What does global leadership really mean? 0:03:46 – Crispin Thompson’s multinational leadership journey 0:08:14 – Why listening is the starting point for global leadership 0:09:52 – A leadership lesson from managing teams across Mexico and India 0:11:54 – Understanding the tokenism trap in global teams 0:16:00 – Bringing distributed teams together around decisions 0:23:06 – Why global leadership amplifies normal leadership challenges 0:24:35 – Emotional intelligence when delivering tough messages 0:30:26 – The unseen effort behind leading global teams 0:31:35 – Cultural intelligence and understanding local context 0:43:04 – A leadership rule: praise goes down, blame goes up 0:45:22 – Crispin’s three Sticky Notes for global leaders ----more---- Join The Conversation Find Andy Goram on LinkedIn here Listen to the Podcast on YouTube here Follow the Podcast on Instagram here Follow the Podcast on Twitter here Follow the Podcast on Facebook here Check out the Bizjuicer website here Get a free consultation with Andy here Check out the Bizjuicer blog here Download the podcast here ----more---- Useful Links Follow Crispin Thompson on LinkedIn here Find The Leadership Studio website here ----more---- Full Episode Transcript Get the full transcript of the episode here

March 12, 2026Episode 14148 min

Is Your Survival Brain Sabotaging Your Success?

We all get stuck. Even smart, capable, high-performing people. Not because we lack ideas or intelligence, but because pressure narrows our thinking. When stress kicks in, our survival brain takes over. And while that part of the brain is brilliant at keeping us alive, it’s not always great at helping us succeed. In this episode of Sticky From The Inside, Andy Goram sits down with Mitch Weisburgh, creator of the Mind Shifting method, to explore what really happens when we slip into reactive, limbic-mode thinking and how to deliberately move back into a calmer, more resourceful state. Mitch breaks down the difference between the survival brain and the higher-order, prefrontal cortex. He explains why certainty can be a warning sign, how stress hormones shut down curiosity and empathy, and what we can do in the moment to shift from reaction to response. This isn’t about mindset hacks. It’s about understanding your own operating system and learning how to stop your brain sabotaging your success. If you care about personal growth, fulfilling work, and staying resourceful under pressure, this one’s for you. ----more---- Key Takeaways Your brain defaults to survival. The limbic system reacts in milliseconds, often before logic gets a say. Certainty can be a warning sign. When you’re absolutely sure of something, you may already be in survival mode. The pause is powerful. Self-awareness, internal dialogue, and changing focus can help flush stress hormones and restore clarity. Success requires shifting, not striving harder. Resourcefulness comes from accessing curiosity, empathy, and long-term alignment, not gripping tighter. ----more---- Key Moments The key moments in this episode are: 0:01:16 – Why smart people still get stuck 0:03:14 – Meet Mitch Weisburgh and the Mind Shifting mission 0:10:06 – Why resourcefulness, resilience and collaboration matter 0:15:59 – The survival brain vs the prefrontal cortex 0:19:35 – The decision is made before the logic arrives 0:20:24 – The crux of mind shifting explained 0:21:18 – From reaction to calmer, reasoned response 0:23:23 – The pause: breath, focus and resetting 0:26:54 – Using visualisation to get unstuck 0:38:09 – Working with triggering people 0:42:29 – Three Sticky Notes for staying resourceful ----more---- Join The Conversation Find Andy Goram on LinkedIn here Listen to the Podcast on YouTube here Follow the Podcast on Instagram here Follow the Podcast on Twitter here Follow the Podcast on Facebook here Check out the Bizjuicer website here Get a free consultation with Andy here Check out the Bizjuicer blog here Download the podcast here ----more---- Useful Links Follow Mitch Weisburgh on LinkedIn here Find Mitch's Mind Shifting Blog here Find Mitch's website here ----more---- Full Episode Transcript Get the full transcript of the episode here

February 26, 2026Episode 14045 min

Remote and Hybrid Didn’t Break Your Culture, They Revealed It

Did remote and hybrid working really break your culture, or did they simply expose what was already fragile? In this episode, Andy Goram sits down with Ellie Holbert, founder of Impact Advisory Services, to challenge one of the most common narratives in modern leadership. When teams went remote or hybrid and performance dipped, trust wobbled and misunderstandings grew, many leaders blamed distance. But Ellie argues something far more uncomfortable: remote didn’t create dysfunction, it revealed it . Together they explore the neuroscience of ambiguity, why unclear systems trigger threat responses in the brain, and how leaders often misinterpret perfectly human reactions as performance problems. You’ll hear why a lack of clarity around roles and “definition of done” drives behaviours that frustrate leaders and what to do instead . Most powerfully, Ellie shares a case study where addressing simple team fundamentals transformed performance from a 2.4 to a 4.8 team health score in eight weeks, delivering zero regrettable turnover, a critical project six months early, and a 45x return on investment. This isn’t an episode about remote versus office. It’s about clarity versus assumption. Systems versus personalities. And leadership that unlocks value already sitting inside your team. ----more---- Key Takeaways Remote and hybrid exposed fragile systems. Distance removed the informal cues that were masking ambiguity. Ambiguity triggers threat, not laziness. Feedback-seeking behaviour is often a signal the system lacks clarity. Clarity reduces friction and unlocks performance. Shared roles and a defined “definition of done” dramatically improve team effectiveness. Fixing fundamentals delivers serious ROI. From 2.4 to 4.8 in eight weeks. $4.5 million of added value and a 45x return. ----more---- Key Moments The key moments in this episode are: 0:01:11 – Did Remote and Hybrid Break Culture? 0:06:04 – Remote Revealed Gaps That Were Already There 0:07:26 – Culture Is “How We Get Work Done Around Here” 0:08:06 – Why Hybrid and Remote Reduce Communication Signals 0:10:23 – The Neuroscience of Ambiguity and Threat 0:23:14 – When Ambiguity Drives Feedback-Seeking Behaviour 0:23:38 – The Power of a Shared Definition of Done 0:30:14 – A Team in Crisis: Starting at 2.4 Out of 5 0:32:15 – From 2.4 to 4.8: Unlocking Hybrid and Remote Team Performance 0:33:53 – The 45x Return on Clarity and Leadership 0:42:30 – Three Fundamentals for Stronger Hybrid Leadership ----more---- Join The Conversation Find Andy Goram on LinkedIn here Listen to the Podcast on YouTube here Follow the Podcast on Instagram here Follow the Podcast on Twitter here Follow the Podcast on Facebook here Check out the Bizjuicer website here Get a free consultation with Andy here Check out the Bizjuicer blog here Download the podcast here ----more---- Useful Links Follow Ellie Holbert on LinkedIn here Find the team effectiveness assessment tool here ----more---- Full Episode Transcript Get the full transcript of the episode here

February 12, 2026Episode 13949 min

Springing Forward: Why Resilient Leadership Lives in Everyday Relationships

Pressure at work feels higher than ever. Change is constant, expectations are relentless, and leaders are often told they simply need to be more “resilient”. But what if resilience isn’t about coping, endurance, or pushing through at all? In this episode of Sticky From The Inside, Andy Goram is joined by Russell Harvey, often known as "The Resilience Coach", to explore a far more human take on resilience. One that places leadership behaviour and the manager–employee relationship right at the centre of the conversation. Russell reframes resilience as springing forward with learning, not bouncing back to how things used to be. Together, they unpack why people’s experience of pressure and change is shaped far less by big organisational strategies and far more by how their line manager shows up day-to-day. They discuss what resilient leadership actually looks like in practice, why “shut up and move on” cultures are so damaging, and how optimism, grounded firmly in reality, can help people face difficult situations without pretending everything is fine. If you care about performance, wellbeing, and creating workplaces where people can genuinely say “I’m okay”, this conversation is a powerful reminder that resilience starts with relationships. ----more---- Key Takeaways Resilience isn’t coping, it’s learning. Russell reframes resilience as springing forward with learning, not enduring more or bouncing back to how things used to be. Leadership behaviour shapes resilience more than strategy. People experience pressure and change through how their manager shows up day-to-day, not through lofty organisational initiatives. Line managers aren't responsible for other people’s happiness, but they hugely influence it. An individual’s ability to say “I’m okay” at work is strongly shaped by the quality of their relationship with their manager. Optimism is a leadership skill, not forced positivity. Grounded, realistic optimism helps people face hard truths without slipping into denial or despair. ----more---- Key Moments The key moments in this episode are: 0:01:16 – Pressure, burnout and why resilience gets misunderstood 0:02:57 – Why managers shape how work really feels 0:09:27 – Defining resilience as springing forward with learning 0:12:01 – The three things resilient leaders are responsible for 0:14:25 – The disproportionate power of the line manager relationship 0:18:00 – Optimism vs toxic positivity 0:22:43 – Recovery, resilience and the danger of “shut up and move on” 0:26:18 – How personal resilience gives leaders the confidence to challenge upwards 0:30:00 – Why resilience shouldn’t feel like ‘one more thing to do’ 0:36:40 – How resilience builds the confidence to challenge unsustainable systems 0:41:45 – Sustainable work practices as a leadership responsibility 0:47:08 – Russell Harvey’s Sticky Notes ----more---- Join The Conversation Find Andy Goram on LinkedIn here Listen to the Podcast on YouTube here Follow the Podcast on Instagram here Follow the Podcast on Twitter here Follow the Podcast on Facebook here Check out the Bizjuicer website here Get a free consultation with Andy here Check out the Bizjuicer blog here Download the podcast here ----more---- Useful Links Follow Russell Harvey on LinkedIn here Find the Russell's website here ----more---- Full Episode Transcript Get the full transcript of the episode here

January 29, 2026Episode 13845 min

Curiosity Is Not a Soft Skill: Why Great Leaders Ask Better Questions

We all start life curious. Asking questions. Exploring. Wondering why. Yet somewhere along the way — especially at work — curiosity can begin to fade. Not because we stop caring, but because we’re rewarded for certainty, speed, and having the answers. In this episode of Sticky From The Inside, Andy Goram is joined by leadership strategist, researcher, and TEDx speaker Dr Debra Clary to explore why curiosity isn’t a “nice-to-have”, it’s a leadership superpower. Drawing on decades of experience inside global organisations like Frito-Lay, Coca-Cola, Jack Daniel’s, and Humana, Debra shares why curiosity can be learned, measured, and deliberately strengthened. Together, they unpack how curiosity drives performance, engagement, trust, and better decision-making — and why leaders who stop asking questions often unintentionally shut others down. They also explore Debra’s research-backed Curiosity Curve, the four drivers of optimal curiosity, and why curiosity matters even more in a fast-moving, AI-driven world. If you care about building teams where people feel seen, heard, and able to contribute, this conversation will change how you think about leadership. ----more---- Key Takeaways Curiosity is learned, not innate. Debra’s research shows curiosity can be developed, measured, and strengthened at every level. Certainty kills contribution. When leaders prioritise speed and answers over questions, they unintentionally shut people down. Great leaders play the long game. Asking questions builds confidence, capability, and future leaders — not just short-term efficiency. Curiosity is a human advantage in the AI age. AI delivers answers; humans still need to ask the right questions and apply discernment. ----more---- Key Moments The key moments in this episode are: 01:11 – Why curiosity is natural — and why it matters at work 07:57 – “Can curiosity be learned?” The question that changed everything 10:54 – What an Italian train journey taught Debra about certainty 13:36 – “Curiosity killed the cat” — the part we all missed 17:41 – Why disengaged employees feel unseen and unheard 26:15 – The Curiosity Curve explained 34:30 – Why senior leaders score higher on curiosity 38:51 – Curiosity, AI, and discernment 42:49 – Debra’s 3 Sticky Notes for curious leadership ----more---- Join The Conversation Find Andy Goram on LinkedIn here Listen to the Podcast on YouTube here Follow the Podcast on Instagram here Follow the Podcast on Twitter here Follow the Podcast on Facebook here Check out the Bizjuicer website here Get a free consultation with Andy here Check out the Bizjuicer blog here Download the podcast here ----more---- Useful Links Follow Dr Debra Clary on LinkedIn here Follow Dr Debra Clary on Facebook here Follow Dr Debra Clary on YouTube here Find the Dr Debra Clary's website here Find The Curiosity Curve here ----more---- Full Episode Transcript Get the full transcript of the episode here