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Leading with Humanity is series 4 of The People Mentor's Podcasts. These Podcasts look at leading more humanely, using empathy and compassion to get results for both individuals and the business. Nicola taps into her operational days of leading and how taking people with her got the results. Nicola has over 30 years experience leading and managing including change projects. Now, she helps small and medium-sized businesses grow their business by tapping into their teams. Listen now for insights.
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Our mission is Thriving Companies, Great Leaders. Avoiding Tough Conversations as leaders keeps us stuck and small, and is horrendously expensive. Our teams and companies are less engaged, experiencing conflict, and sometimes even quitting. But having Tough Conversations with courage and skill can become the defining moments of our careers, our relationships, and our lives. And employees become happier, thriving contributors who want to stick around because they love their job. David Wood ta ...
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In this episode, Nicola from The People Mentor tackles the challenge of managing an underperforming team member when your boss undermines your efforts. She provides practical strategies for: - Documenting performance issues systematically - Having constructive conversations with underperforming employees - Creating and implementing effective Person…
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Struggling with employee social media issues? In this must-listen episode, Nicola from The People Mentor tackles the challenge of confronting staff about inappropriate online behaviour. You'll learn practical strategies for professionally addressing social media concerns, protecting your business, and strengthening team relationships. Discover how …
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In this episode, Nicola from The People Mentor tackles the thorny issue of being 'too nice' in the workplace. With her signature blend of warmth and straight-talking advice, Nicola explains why avoiding difficult conversations can hurt your business. She shares practical strategies for delivering constructive criticism effectively, including the po…
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Nobody enjoys difficult conversations, and if you need to have such a conversation with your boss, it can intensify the feelings of dread and anxiety you might have. In this podcast, I share my tips and techniques for having successful, difficult conversations with your boss that will help improve your relationship.…
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Join Nicola from The People Mentor as she shares valuable insights on creating an inclusive workplace for neurodiverse individuals. Learn practical strategies to support employees with ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and other neurological differences during difficult conversations. Discover how small adjustments alongside empathy can lead to better commun…
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Difficult conversations trigger our fight-or-flight response, so it’s not surprising that managing emotions can feel difficult. In this episode of The People Mentor podcast, Nicola shares some strategies for staying calm, empathetic, and focused on constructive solutions.Nicola Richardson
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If recent years have taught us anything, it’s that you can never be too prepared for a crisis. But how prepared are you? How can you be the leader that people need in times of crisis so that everyone thrives instead of just surviving? In this podcast, I share some strategies for thriving in volatile times.…
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Compassionate leadership is badly needed in an increasingly stressful world. However, how do leaders balance compassion with strength and professionalism? I explore this, particularly in relation to difficult conversations.Nicola Richardson
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You love your job. But the one thing that takes the shine off it is the office politics. The taking credit for people’s work. The blame culture. The gossiping and the backbiting. It can really discourage people and affect performance, and it can even affect your integrity as a leader. Here’s how you can navigate negative office politics while maint…
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What if I told you that the single most important factor in your success as a leader is knowing yourself? That understanding how you think and react can make you a more effective, compassionate, and innovative leader? This episode of The People Mentor podcast is all about mindful leadership and how to use this self-knowledge to be present and culti…
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Welcome to my podcast, your go-to guide for leading with heart and results in high-pressure times. Today I am chatting about all things burnout prevention, handling tough conversations, and boosting team well-being. Peppered with actionable advice, expert insights, and a hearty dose of empathy, this is your essential toolkit to navigate leadership …
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Are you struggling to manage long-term employees who have become challenging in your business? In my latest podcast, I provide you with valuable strategies and insights on effectively navigating this situation. Discover how to unlock the potential of these employees, foster a positive work environment, and drive the continued success of your team. …
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Looking to boost productivity in your SME team? Look no further! My podcast, "How to Increase Productivity in Your SME Team to Achieve the Results You Want," is packed with actionable strategies to optimise your team's efficiency. Join me as I explore time management, effective delegation, and productivity that will help you achieve outstanding res…
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Today I’m sharing some insights today about building a powerful culture in your SME business. A strong company culture is the secret sauce that can take your business to new heights. It's not just about having a cool office or fancy perks; it's about creating an environment where your employees can thrive, be engaged, and deliver their best work. A…
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Can leadership skills be learned or are they innate? In this episode of The People Mentor podcast, I talk about whether leadership is in our nature or whether leadership skills can be nurtured. Here’s my take on it.Nicola Richardson
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What impact do your leadership skills have on the performance of your team? In leadership, how you speak, how you act, and the decisions you make can have a direct effect on your employees, in positive and negative ways. In this podcast, we’ll be looking at the leadership skills to develop for high-performing teams and the leadership behaviours you…
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Do you enter into a difficult conversation with the intention of ‘winning?’ If you want a positive outcome, that’s not the best way to go about it. The art of having successful difficult conversations is in finding common ground and a way forward that’s acceptable to all parties. Here are my tips on how to get the best out of tough conversations.…
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The benefits of having neurodiverse people on your team are increasingly being recognised. However, along with these benefits, there are challenges, one of which is communication. In this podcast, I’m looking at how to have a successful and productive conversation with a neurodiverse employee.Nicola Richardson
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Does your confidence as a manager of people need work? Behind every confident team is a confident manager. In this podcast, I’ll be sharing tips on how to increase your confidence so that in turn, your team becomes happier, more innovative, and more productive.Nicola Richardson
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As a new manager, it's crucial you understand how to lead your team to success. Effective leadership has a far-reaching impact, not just on the immediate team, but on the overall business and its success. That's why I have pulled together in this podcast, 10 tips for new managers to help you get started on the right foot…
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Difficult conversations are challenging enough and holding them remotely adds another layer of difficulty. There’s more room for misunderstanding and feelings getting hurt, not to mention the difficulties that trying to read body language when you’re not in the same room can bring. Here’s why I think holding difficult conversations virtually is nev…
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Managers in SME businesses tend to wear a lot of hats. In the space of a day, they deal with daily trivia as well as the higher-level strategic stuff and coordinating all the different parts of the business. All of that against a backdrop of constant and sometimes seismic change. It’s a balancing act that requires the right leadership skills. But w…
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Nobody likes delivering bad news. But how do you deliver bad news without upsetting the whole team? In this podcast, I look at how delivering bad news successfully is all in your approach and give you some examples of scenarios and how to deal with them.Nicola Richardson
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How meaningful are the conversations you have at work? How can you go from superficial small talk and dancing around the real issues to talking about what matters the most at work? In this podcast, I look at how to make your conversations more meaningful, and how you can use them to create that welcoming and productive culture in your team.…
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What is your worst fear about difficult conversations? For many people, it’s the fear that they’ll lose control of their emotions. They worry they’ll storm out, get angry, or start crying. While it can be tough to keep your cool during an intense conversation, it is possible to have difficult conversations at work without crying. Here’s how.…
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What is the key to handling those crucial conversations better? Is radical candour the way forward? In this podcast, I look at some approaches to dealing with difficult conversations to get the best outcome for you and for the other person.Nicola Richardson
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Managing relationships with team members can be tricky at the best of times, but what about when you add managing people you consider as friends to the mix? This podcast looks at how to navigate the difficult conversations and situations that can arise.Nicola Richardson
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The state of your working relationships can be an important factor in whether you are happy and productive at work, or not. When a co-worker undermines you it can make you feel isolated and excluded at best. At worst, it can affect your mental health and even make you want to leave your role. So what should you do when a co-worker undermines you?…
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Episode 25: Difficult Conversations Series - When Personal Relationships at Work Become a Problem
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Have you ever had a personal relationship at work? We all spend a lot of time at work so it’s inevitable that relationships will happen. Today’s podcast looks at whether managers need to get involved in such a private thing and what to do when relationships at work become a problem.Nicola Richardson
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The death of someone close is always painful and can spill over into the workplace. As a manager and leader knowing how to support your team member can seem hard and often the person's grief is acknowledged when they return to the office and then a few days later forgotten. This podcast looks at what we need to do to support our team members in the…
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Whatever team you have there will be a point when a team member has personal problems. How to support the team member is a key question for managers and leaders.Nicola Richardson
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Want to grow the business? Then you need your team behind you and fully engaged? Are you seeing signs that indicate that you may have a problem? This podcast looks at what signs need taking noticing of and then some ideas to help you re-energise your team.Nicola Richardson
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I was recently interviewed about my new book by Kathryn Thompson, host of Be the Sought After Entrepreneur. We had an exciting conversation about my book, Mouse in the Room, and I went over some key points on being the bad-ass leader people want to follow! We discuss: How to have radical personal transformation. The RIGHT way to say what's on your …
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It can be hard to have a tough conversation. You want to be direct, but you don't want to seem disrespectful. You want to get your point across, but you don't want to offend the other person. Today's podcast talks about maintaining respect in the workplace when having a tough conversation.Nicola Richardson
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We’ve all been there. We’ve all had a difficult conversation at work with employees or our boss. That feeling that your stomach is in knots and of not being in control of your emotions can be awful. Even though you feel relieved when the conversation is over, it’s important to check in with yourself and with the other person; to debrief and decompr…
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Episode 19: Do You Really Know What’s Going Around You? A Manager’s Guide to Being More Observant and Effective
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Being observant is one of the most important skills that a manager and leader can have. But do we really know what this involves? Listen to the podcast to gain more insight.Nicola Richardson
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Giving feedback, especially when it’s not going to be easy for someone to hear is something you’ll never relish. But what makes it so much harder is knowing even before you start that someone won’t accept what you say. This episode looks at what to do when a team member can’t or won’t accept your feedback.…
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“ Sorry to put you out, but would you mind…” How many times have you started a conversation or an email like this? Being assertive about your needs is not wrong, so why do so many of us find it difficult? Here are 9 ways to increase your assertiveness in the workplace.Nicola Richardson
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I'm excited to announce that my latest project - Mouse in the Room Book - has been funded. My co-author, Shaina List, and I thank you for your support! Tune in to this special episode of Tough Conversations, where I'm joined by Zach Kellum and Lauren Rayburn. I cover: What is a mouse? Why naming your mouse (aka feelings) can give you more confidenc…
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When you started your business were you excited about the lifestyle and the freedom it would bring? A few years in are you now feeling like there is no let-up and it is all down to you and not your team? It doesn't have to be like this. Listen to the latest podcast for tips on how to change this situation with the support of your team.…
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Do you dread having difficult conversations at work? You're not alone. Many people find these conversations challenging, but they're essential for progress. That's why I've created this podcast – to help you have the tough talks you need to have. In my podcast, I take you through the preparation for the conversation so that you feel confident and r…
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Today I'm talking about how authenticity is one of the most important characteristics that any business owner or leader can have. You might be a business owner but you’re also a human being, and that means that sometimes we can be influenced by our ego. In this podcast, I look at the key traits of leadership and how authenticity ranks highly. How y…
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Are you fed up of being disturbed every five minutes by employees asking you for help and advice? Do you wish they could just get on with it and leave you to focus on what’s really important? You need to empower them. Maybe you’ve created the situation with micromanaging or failing to delegate. But now you have to turn it around. Here’s why coachin…
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Someone on your team is not pulling their weight. They’re not turning in work on time and it’s definitely not up to the standard you expect. You have to confront them about their performance. But wait. Is it really poor performance you’re seeing, or something else? In this podcast, I want to take the mystery out of how to identify and manage poor p…
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When you own your own business, you’re probably so used to doing everything yourself that when the time comes to embrace growth and let go of the reins a little, you can find it very difficult, or even impossible. Understanding your blockers to delegation is key. Once you have done that then looking at the steps to delegate to make it effective com…
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Do you feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders? Have profits taken a hit? Are costs up? In this episode I explore how your team can help turn things around and being open to change is important.Nicola Richardson
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Understanding what will help you influence and lead your employees to do their best is essential for your business to grow and scale. In this podcast, we explore the components of an influential leader.Nicola Richardson
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It took you a while to find your dream employee. They came on board and things were great for a while. Until one day, they weren’t. Their performance dipped, they started calling in sick, and it just felt like they’d lost their passion. Sounds familiar? In this podcast, I want to share with you the secret to retaining employees in your small busine…
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If you feel like your anxiety is getting in the way of life, then this podcast episode might be for you. Join me as I chat with Dr Susan Campbell on a therapy-tested approach that can defuse anger and stress reactions when it comes to dealing with anxiety. Topics covered include: How to get clear on your micro triggers. How asking for what you want…
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You’ve probably read about ‘the great resignation’ online. As an employer, does it worry you that people might want to leave your business? Are engagement and morale not what they could be? In this podcast, I want to show you how you can do engagement better and show your people that the grass is not greener on the other side of the fence.…
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