The Sticky From The Inside Podcast

Hosted by Andy Goram

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152

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Aug 2026

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About the show

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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September 10, 2026Episode 15447 min

Leadership Identity: Is Leader You're Being Blocking The One You Could Be?

What if some of the effort you're putting into being a “good leader” is actually making leadership harder? In this episode of Sticky From The Inside, Andy Goram talks with former RAF pilot, executive coach and Free to Lead author Will Steel about leadership identity, pressure, internal narratives and the mental capacity leaders can lose when they're busy trying to be who they think they're supposed to be. Drawing on stories from Will's childhood, RAF officer training, flying career and coaching work, the conversation explores why “be yourself” may be good advice but is much harder than it sounds, particularly when old beliefs, external expectations and the voice in your own head all feel completely real. They also explore what happens under pressure, how separating circumstances from interpretation can create greater choice, and why becoming free to lead may require both self-awareness and discipline. A conversation about who you're being, what's driving it, and whether it's leaving enough capacity to lead what's actually in front of you. Key Takeaways Your leadership identity can consume capacity. The more energy you spend managing how you lead, the less you have for what's in front of you. “Be yourself” is harder than it sounds. Old beliefs, expectations and internal narratives can shape who you're being without you realising it. Pressure can make interpretation feel like fact. Separating what's happening from the story in your head creates more room to choose your response. Freedom to lead takes practice. Self-awareness isn't a one-off insight; noticing what's running you and choosing differently is an ongoing discipline. Key Moments The key moments in this episode are: 01:11 – Could the Leader You're Trying to Be Be Getting in the Way? 03:09 – From RAF Pilot to Transformational Coach 06:38 – What Happened and What Did You Make It Mean? 10:09 – When Hidden Beliefs Become the Lid on Growth 12:53 – What Does It Actually Mean to Be a Leader? 16:11 – What Changed When Will Stopped Trying to Fit the Leadership Mould? 18:03 – Why Leadership Needs Spare Capacity 20:23 – Are Your Thoughts, Feelings and Identity Really “You”? 25:40 – Creating a Context That Changes How You Meet the Moment 30:25 – What Is Pressure Actually Doing to Us? 33:21 – From Overwhelm to What's Actually in Front of You 38:32 – Free to Lead: Clearing Space to Choose Who You're Being 41:21 – Sticky Notes: Schedule It, Do What You Said and Choose the Context 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 Useful Links Follow Will Steel on LinkedIn here Find Will's website here Full Episode Transcript Get the full transcript of the episode here

August 27, 2026Episode 15347 min

Leadership Influence: Finding Your Voice Without Losing Yourself

Why do so many capable people stay silent at work? It's rarely because they don't have something valuable to contribute. More often, it's because they're unsure how their ideas will be received, they question whether it's their place to speak, or they worry about saying the right thing in the wrong way. In this episode of Sticky From The Inside, Andy Goram is joined by executive coach and leadership advisor Corinne Gavlinski to explore why leadership influence begins long before we speak. Drawing on her own leadership journey, including a pivotal leadership moment that fundamentally changed how she thinks about influence, Corinne explains why leadership isn't simply about having the confidence to speak up. It's about understanding the impact you want to have, reading the room, managing your emotions and communicating with intention. Together, Andy and Corrine explore why capable people often stay silent, why curiosity may be one of leadership's most overlooked skills, how vulnerability is often misunderstood, and why every leader benefits from having someone they can think out loud with before the highest-stakes conversations. If you've ever walked away from a meeting wishing you'd spoken up, or wishing you'd said the same thing differently, this conversation will help you think about leadership influence in a completely new way. ----more---- Key Takeaways Influence begins before you speak. The most effective leaders think about the impact they want to have before deciding what they want to say. Confidence isn't the missing ingredient. Many people already have valuable ideas but stay silent because fear, uncertainty or organisational dynamics get in the way of expressing them. Curiosity creates better conversations. Leaders who seek to understand before they persuade build stronger relationships, make better decisions and create greater influence. Leadership starts with intention. Whether you're giving feedback, challenging upwards or navigating change, being clear about your purpose shapes how your message is received. ----more---- Key Moments The key moments in this episode are: 01:11 – Missed influencing opportunities we can relate to 03:49 – Why finding your voice is really about leadership influence 06:55 – The meeting that changed Corinne's approach to leadership forever 10:20 – Learning from leadership's darker side 13:23 – Why curiosity is one of leadership's most underrated skills 14:43 – Why capable people struggle to challenge upwards 19:20 – Why communicating intention creates better influence 21:21 – Why we teach feedback but not intention 23:07 – Is vulnerability changing in leadership? 30:18 – Why a thinking partner is a competitive advantage 32:17 – The hidden cost of staying silent 35:59 – The Four Leadership Zones 42:12 – Why every leader needs someone outside the organisation 44:04 – Sticky Notes: Three questions every leader should ask themselves ----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 Corinne Gavlinksi on LinkedIn here Find The Gav Group website here ----more---- Full Episode Transcript Get the full transcript of the episode here

August 13, 2026Episode 15244 min

Innovation Culture: Where Everyone Believes Their Ideas Matter

Artificial Intelligence may be changing the way we work, but it isn't replacing the one thing organisations need most: human imagination. In this episode of Sticky From The Inside, Andy Goram is joined by innovation expert, former Hewlett-Packard executive and author Stephen W. Hinch to explore why the organisations that succeed won't simply be the ones with the best technology, they'll be the ones that build an innovation culture where everyone believes their ideas matter. Drawing on decades of experience leading billion-dollar product innovations, Steve explains why innovation isn't reserved for R&D teams or senior leaders. Instead, it's a leadership responsibility that depends on creating environments where people feel trusted, encouraged and empowered to think differently. Together, Andy and Steve discuss the growing fear of becoming obsolete in the age of AI, why AI is a powerful tool but not a replacement for human creativity, the difference between incremental and disruptive innovation, and the organisational structures that help great ideas thrive instead of being quietly buried. If you've ever wondered why some organisations consistently innovate while others struggle despite investing heavily in technology, this conversation offers a practical and refreshingly human answer. ----more---- Key Takeaways Innovation begins with belief. Innovation starts by creating a culture where people believe their ideas are welcomed, valued and worth sharing. AI supports innovation. It doesn't replace it. AI can accelerate knowledge and insight, but human imagination remains the true driver of breakthrough innovation. Different innovation needs different leadership. Incremental improvements and disruptive breakthroughs require different structures, expectations and measures of success. Innovation culture is built deliberately. Leaders create innovation by giving people the clarity, confidence and space to think differently. ----more---- Key Moments The key moments in this episode are: 01:11 – Why Innovation Matters More Than Ever in the Age of AI 04:13 – A Career Built on Turning Innovation into Business Growth 06:05 – Why Innovation Remains a Competitive Advantage 09:23 – FOBO The Fear of Becoming Obsolete 11:10 – Why AI Can Support Innovation But Not Replace Human Imagination 14:29 – Different Types of Innovation Need Different Leadership 19:19 – The Curse of the Corporate Business Model 25:16 – Creating an Innovation Culture Where Everyone Believes Their Ideas Matter 31:09 – Giving People Permission to Innovate: Steve's 5% Rule 36:29 – Leadership Isn't About Having the Best Ideas 40:18 – Sticky Notes: Three Principles for Building an Innovation Culture ----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 Stephen W. Hinch on LinkedIn here Find Stephen's website here ----more---- Full Episode Transcript Get the full transcript of the episode here

July 30, 2026Episode 15146 min

Why a Great Workplace Culture Is Built Two People at a Time

For years, organisations have invested heavily in defining their culture through mission statements, corporate values and engagement initiatives. But leadership speaker, trainer and author Bruce Mayhew believes great workplace culture isn't truly created like that. It's built much closer to where work actually happens. In this episode of Sticky From The Inside, Andy Goram explores Bruce's concept of micro-cultures: the relationships, habits and everyday interactions that shape how people experience work. Through the story of a challenging relationship with a colleague that ultimately became one of the strongest partnerships of his career, Bruce explains why trust matters more than chemistry, why fear quietly undermines collaboration, and how leaders can intentionally create environments where people thrive. Together they discuss why the opposite of trust isn't distrust but fear, the surprising power of ten-minute one-to-one conversations, and how organisations can scale a healthy workplace culture without trying to control every behaviour. If you've ever wondered how culture really develops, or what practical steps you can take to improve it, this conversation offers a refreshingly human perspective. ----more---- Key Takeaways Great workplace culture starts locally. People don't experience culture through values posters or corporate statements. They experience it through the quality of their everyday relationships. Trust is built before chemistry. High-performing teams aren't created because everyone naturally clicks. They're created when people understand one another's goals, strengths and intentions. Fear quietly erodes culture. When people fear judgement, competition or hidden agendas, collaboration suffers. Reducing fear creates the conditions where trust can grow. Leaders create environments. The most effective leaders don't try to control culture. They intentionally create the conditions where healthy relationships, shared ownership and strong team cultures can flourish. ----more---- Key Moments The key moments in this episode are: 01:10 – Why a Great Workplace Culture Is Built Two People at a Time 03:03 – Meet Bruce Mayhew and the idea of micro-cultures 04:27 – What is a micro-culture and why does it matter? 09:40 – The Merike story: how trust transformed a difficult relationship 13:44 – What Bruce would tell his younger self about building trust 16:19 – Trust before chemistry: why fear is the real barrier 20:22 – The simple leadership habit that strengthens trust every week 28:54 – Can micro-cultures build a great workplace culture? 35:20 – Lessons from The Path of an Inspired Leader 41:05 – Bruce's three Sticky Notes for creating healthier workplace cultures 45:24 – Final reflections and where to learn more ----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 Bruce Mayhew on LinkedIn here Find the Bruce's website here ----more---- Full Episode Transcript Get the full transcript of the episode here

July 16, 2026Episode 15047 min

Why A.I. Makes Human Collaboration More Important

AI is making individuals more productive than ever before. But could it also be making organisations less connected? As every function gains access to increasingly powerful AI tools, there's a growing risk that teams become more efficient at working independently while becoming less aligned with one another. Chris White believes that's one of the biggest leadership challenges of our time. In this episode of Sticky From The Inside, Andy Goram speaks with the former Cisco executive and author of Non-Optional Collaboration about why human collaboration is becoming more important, not less, in the age of AI. Drawing on lessons from helping scale Cisco from $1 billion to $50 billion, leading global transformation programmes and building high-performing teams across multiple industries, Chris explains why collaboration can no longer be viewed as a soft skill or leadership nice-to-have. Together, Andy and Chris explore the dangers of organisational silos, the myth of the hero leader, the lessons business can learn from elite rowing teams, and why the organisations that thrive in the future will be those that combine two powerful forces: Artificial intelligence and human collaboration. ----more---- Key Takeaways AI may be making silos stronger. AI can dramatically improve productivity, but without intentional leadership it may also accelerate disconnection between teams. Collaboration is an operating system. High-performing organisations don't leave collaboration to chance. They build structures, habits and processes that encourage alignment. Great leaders improve people. The leaders who leave lasting impact are those who help people achieve more than they thought possible. Team success beats individual heroics. Whether in rowing, business or transformation, sustainable success comes from coordinated effort rather than individual brilliance. ----more---- Key Moments The key moments in this episode are: 01:11 – Why collaboration has become non-optional 03:22 – Meet Chris White and the lessons of a global career 08:25 – The Cisco experience: learning to unlock team performance 11:07 – Why collaboration is no longer a nice-to-have 15:36 – What rowing teaches us about trust, rhythm and teamwork 18:28 – Inside the Non-Optional Collaboration framework 21:20 – The planning exercise that exposes hidden risks 24:03 – Why strategy fails when operating models don't align 28:32 – Collaboration versus teamwork: understanding the difference 30:43 – The myth of the hero leader 37:07 – Human collaboration: the second superpower 40:44 – Cancer, perspective and why the book had to be written 42:20 – Chris White's three 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 Chris White on LinkedIn here Find the Non-Optional Collaboration website here ----more---- Full Episode Transcript Get the full transcript of the episode here

July 2, 2026Episode 14946 min

Why Modern Work Is Exhausting Us

We've never had more workplace wellbeing initiatives. More employee assistance programmes. More mindfulness apps. More resilience training. More engagement surveys. And yet burnout remains stubbornly high, stress-related absence continues to rise, and employees seem more exhausted than ever. So what's really going on? In this episode of Sticky From The Inside, Andy Goram is joined by workplace wellness and organisational culture expert Andria Barrett to explore why the answer may have less to do with individual resilience and more to do with how modern work is designed. Together they unpack the hidden causes of workplace exhaustion, why burnout is becoming harder to spot, the role leaders play in creating healthier environments, and why genuine human connection remains one of the most powerful drivers of performance and wellbeing. They also explore the opportunities and anxieties surrounding AI, and why technology should help people reclaim time rather than simply increase workloads. If you've ever wondered why people seem to be working harder than ever but feeling less energised than before, this conversation offers a timely and practical perspective. ----more---- Key Takeaways Burnout Has Gone Underground. Employees may still be showing up and performing, but many are quietly reaching their limits and considering their next move. Wellbeing Is A Design Choice. Sustainable wellbeing comes from how work is structured, not from occasional initiatives or one-off programmes. Connection Drives Performance. People do their best work when they feel supported, valued, and able to reach out for help when they need it. Leaders Set The Tone. Employees take their cues from leaders, making healthy behaviours and sustainable ways of working essential to model. ----more---- Key Moments The key moments in this episode are: 0:01:11 – Why are so many people exhausted at work? 0:03:45 – Meet Andria Barrett and her approach to workplace culture 0:05:26 – Why feeling better helps people perform better 0:07:34 – The growing challenge of leadership and management burnout 0:09:51 – Burnout has gone underground 0:13:44 – Productivity, pressure and the modern work dilemma 0:17:22 – Why leaders must take responsibility for healthier workplaces 0:19:49 – Why workplace wellbeing initiatives often miss the mark 0:23:03 – Better hours, not more hours 0:26:01 – Using creativity and sensory learning to unlock innovation 0:31:05 – Stress, cortisol and the physical impact of overwork 0:35:35 – The six personal batteries behind sustainable performance 0:36:09 – Why leaders must model healthy behaviours 0:37:30 – Connection as a workplace superpower 0:39:45 – AI anxiety and the future of work 0:42:41 – Andria’s 3 Sticky Notes for healthier workplaces ----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 Andria Barrett on LinkedIn here Find the Andria's website here ----more---- Full Episode Transcript Get the full transcript of the episode here

June 18, 2026Episode 14850 min

The Art Of Trust Building: How To Build And Repair Trust

In Part 2 of this special conversation on The Art Of Trust Building, Dr Dennis Reina and Dr Michelle Reina move from awareness into action. If trust matters more than ever, how do we actually build it? In this episode, Dennis and Michelle unpack their practical 3Cs framework for trust-building: Character Communication Capability Together, we explore: The behaviours that strengthen trust Why trust must become habit How trust can be measured intentionally What high-trust cultures actually look like Repairing trust when things go wrong And why leaders must live trust, not simply demand it or talk about it This conversation is practical, actionable, and full of immediately usable insight for leaders, teams, and organisations. ----more---- Key Takeaways Trust Needs A Shared Language. The 3Cs framework gives leaders and teams practical ways to discuss trust behaviourally and constructively. Character Is The Foundation Of Trust. Trust begins when people consistently honour commitments, clarify expectations, and follow through. Trust-Building Must Become Habit. Trust grows through repeated behaviours that become embedded into everyday organisational life. Leaders Must Model Trust. High-trust cultures emerge when leaders actively demonstrate, teach, and reinforce trust-building behaviours themselves. ----more---- Key Moments The key moments in this episode are: 00:00 — Returning To The Conversation And Why Part 2 Gets Practical 03:24 — Introducing The 3Cs Of Trust Building 05:11 — Trust Of Character And Why Behaviour Matters 06:07 — Trust Of Communication And Psychological Safety 06:44 — Trust Of Capability And Helping People Grow 08:08 — Why The 3Cs Create Shared Language Around Trust 11:16 — Turning Trust-Building Behaviours Into Habit 13:18 — Expectations, Clarity And The Family Vacation Story 15:43 — Measuring Trust And Creating Awareness 20:16 — Why Trust Data Creates Better Conversations 27:25 — Building Developmental Energy Through Trust Assessments 28:00 — Transforming Culture Through Trust-Building Leadership 32:26 — Leaders Becoming Teachers Of Trust 39:10 — How High-Trust Cultures Accelerate Growth And Collaboration 45:06 — Repairing Trust And Rebuilding Relationships 48:12 — Why Trust-Building Is A Lifelong Leadership Discipline ----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

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