As we wrap up Season 3 of The extra-Ordinary Leader , I wanted to pull together the most transformational threads from this series—ideas and insights that have helped me grow as a leader and that I believe can do the same for you. This episode explores how we can move from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset in leadership, the power of pausing, mastering stress, building self-awareness, and the paradox of holding authority and authenticity in tandem. You’ll hear highlights from brilliant guests including Helen Brocklebank, Gareth Anderson, Cathy O’Dowd, Russell Harvey, Noa Maxwell and Dan Maudhub. I also share personal reflections and leadership tools you can begin using today to become the kind of leader others want to follow. If you’ve been wondering how to add something extra to your everyday leadership, this episode is for you. Inside This Episode How to spot and shift a fixed mindset in yourself or others Why conversations are the gateway to growth A powerful analogy for measuring failure in teams What cognitive overload is doing to your performance The link between stress mastery and great decision-making A practical team exercise using just Post-its The difference between knowing your stress habits vs. true self-awareness Why authority isn’t a dirty word when grounded in good character How simple questions can transform team performance Listen to the full episodes mentioned: S3 10: Legacy and Craft: Walpole's Helen Brocklebank on the Mindset of extra-Ordinary Leadership S3 07: Culture doesn't just happen. Here's how to create it | with Gareth Anderson S3 09: Mountains, Mindsets and Mastery: The Small Steps of an extra-Ordinary Life with Cathy O'Dowd S3 01: How To Be A Resilient Leader With Russell Harvey S3 03: How To Tell a Business Story | with Noa Maxwell S3 04: Balancing Creativity, Trust, and Leadership | with Dan Maudhub Don’t forget to grab a copy of my book extra-Ordinary Leaders , for more practical insight into becoming the kind of leader people want to follow.…

This week I’m joined by Tanya Gallagher, MD and founder of Limitless Leadership, an award-winning leadership development consultancy. Tanya brings a wealth of wisdom to the space of leadership development, and what stood out to me most in our conversation is just how practical and human her definition of extra-Ordinary leadership is. We dig into the difference between good, bad, and terrible leadership, and what it really means to take ownership. It’s a conversation that will shift how you see your role as a leader. We discuss psychological safety, promotion dynamics, and the underrated power of what Tanya calls “contracting conversations”—those small yet powerful exchanges that can transform working relationships. If you've ever avoided a conversation because it felt awkward, if you’ve ever felt resentment building under the surface, or if you're leading people without ever asking what they need from you, this episode is for you. 🔗 Connect with Tanya: https://www.limitless-ltd.com/ Inside The Episode: What it really means to “go beyond” as an extra-Ordinary leader How to spot bad and even terrible leadership (in yourself too) Why avoidance is the silent killer of team culture How to lead when you’ve been promoted within your peer group The art of the “contracting conversation”—and why it’s essential Why leadership is often hidden, unglamorous, and deeply human Coaching advice for leaders who’ve never had difficult conversations Creating urgency around what’s truly important in leadership How to rewire your mindset around responsibility, communication and growth If this episode sparked something in you—if you’re realising there’s a new standard of leadership you want to step into—get in touch. I partner with leaders to help them go again and again. New mindset. New behaviours. Real results. Start your journey here: https://www.dollywaddell.com Don’t forget to grab a copy of my book extra-Ordinary Leaders , for more practical insight into becoming the kind of leader people want to follow.…

You’re in for a treat. This week I’m joined by the incredible Oleg Konovalov — a globally respected business educator, leadership expert, and author of The Vision Code . Oleg doesn’t just talk about leadership; he embodies it through his work helping C-suite leaders across the world create meaningful, enduring impact. In this episode, we take apart the familiar terms — vision, value, strategy — and rebuild them with depth, clarity and fresh meaning. We explore how leadership is not about ego or output, but about building a space others want to grow into. Oleg generously shares the "CAVIAR" model — a framework for visionary leadership grounded in wisdom and impact. If you’ve ever struggled to define your aspirations versus your desires, or want to learn how to craft a vision that inspires others, this conversation is for you. You can find out more about Oleg and his brilliant work at olegkonovalov.com Inside This Episode: What it really means to add value as a leader The distinction between desire and aspiration Why vision is a space , not a statement The "CAVIAR" model for practical visionary leadership How wisdom trumps intelligence in business The difference between inspiration and motivation The role of simplicity and space in decision-making Reclaiming fear and redefining what it means to ‘play big’ Mentioned In This Episode: The Vision Code by Oleg Konovalov Connect with Oleg on LinkedIn The extra-Ordinary Leader: 12 Tactics for Finding Your Extra in Business, Leadership, and Life…

This week, I’m joined by Kate Thrumble, SVP and Head of People and Experience at VaynerMedia – a creative agency where leadership is lived out daily in real, human ways. In this episode, Kate shares what it means to lead not with the weight of being the “log”, but as the kindling – the spark that ignites others. We talk candidly about feedback, connection, culture, performance and the sweet spot between kindness and accountability. Kate brings such clarity to what I often see muddied in corporate rhetoric: how the "ordinary things done well" truly are the markers of extra-Ordinary leadership. From practical tools like quarterly reviews and personality insights, to the deeper philosophical shifts required to build businesses that feel like spring – full of light, momentum and growth – this conversation is rich with wisdom and grounded honesty. We also explore what it takes to create a happy, high-performing team, how Vayner Media balances business with deep respect for people, and what they call the marriage of the honey and the empire. Inside This Episode: What extra-Ordinary leadership really means Why the "little things" done consistently create the biggest impact The relationship between happiness and high performance Feedback as a normal rhythm, not a big scary ‘thing’ The shift from annual reviews to quarterly check-ins Using tools and coaching styles to build culture Creating ‘spring-like’ businesses where people thrive The art of kind candour and the analogy of the lob, the loiter and the lasso How Kate defines the role of experience in people leadership Being the kindling, not the log – a beautiful metaphor for modern leadership Mentions & Links: VaynerMedia – Creative & Media Agency Insights Discovery (personality profiling tool) Performance Climate System (team performance tool) My Book – The extra-Ordinary Leader: 12 Tactics for Finding Your Extra in Business, Leadership, and Life…

In this episode of The extra-Ordinary Leader , I had the enormous pleasure of speaking with Helen Brocklebank, CEO of Walpole—the official body for British luxury. Helen works closely with over 250 of the UK’s most iconic high-end brands, and in our conversation, she shares the leadership behaviours, values, and mindset that make these businesses so resilient and remarkable. We explored what we can all borrow from the luxury sector—whether we’re running heritage businesses or leading fast-paced teams with no historical playbook. Helen spoke beautifully about creativity, long-term thinking, emotional intelligence, and the importance of knowing your own strengths. She also reminded me why storytelling, craftsmanship, and deep human connection remain at the heart of excellent leadership. You’ll hear us reflect on everything from scented candles and bespoke tailoring to the power of fiction and the role of culture in the workplace. Whether you lead a team of two or two thousand, this episode is full of insights to help you lead with clarity, creativity and care. Inside This Episode: What working with 250 luxury CEOs has taught Helen about extra-Ordinary leadership Why understanding your own strengths is the foundation of influence The long-term mindset behind British luxury’s £81 billion impact Why fiction (yes, even Jilly Cooper!) can sharpen your leadership instincts How resilience, creativity, and curiosity define high-performance leadership What leaders in fast fashion and retail can borrow from heritage brands The value of “dual thinking”: acting in the now while planning for the next How memory-making and sensory detail create unforgettable customer experiences Why culture-building and empowerment matter more than ever Mentions & Links: Walpole – https://www.thewalpole.co.uk Learn more about Attachment Theory – https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-attachment-theory-2795337 Black Box Thinking by Matthew Syed – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Black-Box-Thinking-Surprising-Success/dp/1473613779…

In this episode of The extra-Ordinary Leader , I’m joined by the incredible Cathy O'Dowd – the first woman to climb Mount Everest from both the north and south sides. But this conversation isn’t just about physical mountains; it’s about the emotional and professional peaks we all face. Cathy’s story is one of grit, humility and mindset, and I couldn’t have been more inspired by the way she talks about doing extra-Ordinary things by simply taking the next right step. Whether it’s writing a book, leading a business, or learning to kitesurf at 42 (yes, I really did that), this conversation is a reminder that success is not about fairy dust – it’s about steady, consistent, powerful choices. We spoke about what happens when life feels like a cul-de-sac, when perfectionism gets in the way of progress, and how sometimes saying yes to uncomfortable opportunities is the very thing that takes you to the next level. Cathy shares how she navigated being parachuted onto the first South African Everest team – as the only woman – and how she’s learned to let go of the “token” label and find confidence through action. We also dove into the power of physical challenge – why sports like climbing or kitesurfing can be an antidote to rumination, stress, and even imposter syndrome. Cathy had so much wisdom to share about how we lead ourselves and others, how we perform under pressure, and why empathy isn’t a gift – it’s a tool. This one will stick with me for a long time, and I hope it stays with you too. Inside this episode: What extra-Ordinary leadership really means Why we need to let go of perfectionism How to reframe tokenism and self-doubt The difference between stress responses – and how to manage them Why physical adventure can transform your mindset How to use empathy as a tool – especially in high-stakes leadership The 'STOP' technique Cathy uses in moments of pressure The surprising link between coffee, presence, and performance Mentions & Links: Learn more about Cathy: https://www.cathyodowd.com Book Cathy to speak: https://www.cathyodowd.com/keynote-speaking/ My book The extra-Ordinary Leader : https://www.dollywaddell.com/store/p/the-extra-ordinary-leader…

In this thought-provoking episode of The extra-Ordinary Leader , I sat down with Daniel Hulme , AI expert and CEO, to explore what leadership looks like in the age of artificial intelligence, data-driven decisions, and flatter, decentralised organisations. Together, we unravelled: Why extra-Ordinary leadership starts with getting out of the way How to use AI to surface team dynamics and friction points What digital twins are (and why your employees might love them) How to lead without hierarchy Practical ways to integrate AI into leadership, L&D, and performance management The power of frameworks (data → information → knowledge → understanding → wisdom) Why pressure should come from clients, not internal politics Daniel also shares how his leadership philosophy has been influenced by Jean-Luc Picard , agile methods, and a desire to grow organisations that get faster and smarter with scale. If you’re a leader looking for practical wisdom on staying future-fit, creating meaningful work environments, and navigating AI without losing the human touch—this one is for you. If something in this conversation resonated, I’d love to hear from you. Get in touch, and let’s talk about how extra-Ordinary leadership could look in your team: https://www.dollywaddell.com/ Find Out More about Satalia: https://www.satalia.com/about-us/ Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome 02:00 – What extra-Ordinary leadership means to Daniel 04:45 – Creating “fertile ground” and removing blockers 06:30 – How AI is reshaping organisational design 08:00 – The 3 ways AI is impacting business (productivity, supply chains, disruption) 10:00 – How to apply AI to solve real business frictions 12:30 – The Pyramid of Understanding (Data → Wisdom) 14:45 – How AI helps predict and understand behaviour 17:00 – The magic of assigning people to projects 19:00 – Building digital twins of employees 21:00 – Bridging the “intention-impact” gap with AI 23:00 – Feedback, skill-mapping, and performance through AI 26:00 – Can AI get it wrong? 28:00 – The L&D world and using AI for behaviour change 31:00 – Dolly’s approach to team transformation & where AI can enhance it 34:00 – When the data shows us what ego and culture try to hide 36:00 – Starting digital twin implementation—what’s step one? 38:00 – Attachment styles & leadership dysfunctions 40:00 – Why the “gardener” is the best kind of leader 41:20 – Structured naming systems & the tech you actually need 43:00 – It’s not a tech problem—it’s a leadership one 45:00 – Why organisations reflect the personality of their leaders 47:00 – Are hierarchies really helping decision-making? 48:00 – Teal, Humanopathy & fluid teams 50:00 – Why pressure should come from clients , not internal structures 51:00 – The power of seven & ambidextrous leadership 53:00 – Dolly’s final question: What item at home reflects extra-Ordinary leadership? 54:00 – Star Trek’s Jean-Luc Picard and leadership lessons 54:30 – Wrap-up and thank you…

Iona Ledwidge is CEO of Resurgo Trust, an organisation that exists to build sustainable social change. She joins Dolly Waddell to break down what makes great leadership - hint: it's a lot of trust, consistency, and tapping in to the power of listening. They explore the impact of small actions, the importance of investing in people, and how diversity strengthens organisations. Iona shares her journey as a CEO, while Dolly highlights the balance between respect and likability in leadership. They also discuss overcoming imposter syndrome, tackling toxic cultures, and how mentorship drives growth. Follow The extra-Ordinary Leader wherever you get podcasts, and if you'd like to book Dolly to speak at your next event please visit dollywaddell.com…

Can you build something well and build it fast ? Can a high-performance culture also be a high-trust culture? I’m joined by Gareth Anderson, Head of Business Management at Allica Bank , to unpack what it takes to lead in a fast-scaling, high-growth business—without burning out your people or losing sight of what really matters. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll take away from this episode: Why real leadership starts with trust, not control. How celebrating failure creates a culture of innovation and growth. The shift from managing schedules to managing energy. How to balance results with sustainable leadership If you’ve ever wondered how to grow a business without losing its soul, this episode is for you.…

Did you know you can create your own GPT bot that's trained on your personal values, leadership lessons and more? Dr Gary Crotaz is host of The Unlock Moment podcast and a leadership speaker and coach. He joins me on the show to talk it through. You will: Discover how AI tools like ChatGPT can dramatically increase productivity and reshape leadership roles. Understand the intersection of AI and leadership from Gary’s perspective as a seasoned executive coach. Learn about the "Unlock Moment"—a concept fundamental to transformational leadership and personal breakthrough. Hear our debate on the potential and ethics of AI in the workplace, and how leaders can harness new technologies while maintaining a human touch. Will it be a revolution in leadership? Listen to find out, and try Gary's GPT (that's a G enerative Pre-trained Transformer - a type of large language model) here: https://chatgpt.com/g/g-6772e5e140948191b7767f29035328d4-executive-coach…

Dolly Waddell chats with former rally champion, TV presenter, and mental toughness expert Penny Mallory. Together, they unpack the secrets of mental resilience, the surprising power of sensitivity, and how to embrace challenges like a champion. You'll hear how to: Strengthen your mentality: it’s about managing stress, pressure, and adversity while staying empathetic and grounded. Build resilience: Penny explains how toughness evolves across life’s challenges and how to build it daily. Prepare for success: Rally driving taught Penny that 95% of success is preparation, and she shares how this applies to leadership and life Want to transform your team or audience into extra-0rdinary leaders? Dolly brings her unique insights and dynamic energy to every business consultancy and talk. Her approach combines real-world leadership expertise with a fresh, human perspective that inspires change. Visit dollywaddell.com to book a chat. For more from Penny please check out her website, it's https://pennymallory.co.uk/ and to purchase her incredible book, go to https://pennymallory.co.uk/buy-books…

Creativity is such a powerful driver for impactful leadership. Tapping into it is the hard the part. Dolly joins Dan Maudhub, founder & CEO of the Wonderful Group, a group of companies with a common mission to help change lives and businesses, to find out how it's done. In this episode, you'll hear the importance of challenging assumptions, adopting divergent thinking (and what this means in 2025), and integrating consistent effort to achieve meaningful change. Dan shares his story on uncovering organisational “wonder,” balancing big ideas with practical implementation, and drawing inspiration from diverse industries.…

Storytelling is a business essential. So how do you do it? Dolly talks to Noa Maxwell, presentation coach and consultant, to find out. Noa, a former actor, prepares executives to handle tough Q&A sessions with investors, shareholders and reporters, and provides clients with techniques which provide the winning edge in bids for new business. Together Noa and Dolly discuss the ways to make sure authority and authenticity coexist in your leadership, how to transform your presentations, and how your personal experiences can shape your brand.…

This season of The extra-Ordinary Leader, we are doing things a bit different, so our extra-Ordinary is coming from some unique places. This week, Dolly is joined by Julia Parker, author, educator and gardener. Julia has spent a career creating safe spaces for growth, and here she explains, using the metaphor of a greenhouse, how she drives creativity. As we discuss gardens and nature, we learn how in a similar vein, we need to consider how to grow the people and cultures we are a part of.…

Welcome to Season 3 of The Extra-Ordinary Leader. Experienced business consultant, speaker, and founder of The People Performance Consultancy , Dolly Waddell, is on a mission to revitalise leadership and help you find the extra in your extra-Ordinary. To kick off the new season, Dolly is joined by Russell Harvey, the Resilience Coach. What does it mean to be a resilient leader? What exactly is resilience in business? Harvey shares his tips on delegating effectively, and how to have quality conversations to improve performance. Leaders should focus on three responsibilities, listen to the episode to hear what traits Russell values the most. Embrace your unique qualities as a leader to make a positive impact, and unlock the extra in your extra-Ordinary.…