Episode 119: Higher Ground: Doing the Right Thing in a Turbulent World with Alison Taylor

In this episode of The Workplace Podcast, William Corless sits down with Colin Fisher, Associate Professor at UCL’s School of Management and author of The Collective Edge: Unlocking the Secret Power of Groups. Colin breaks down why most teams underperform, it's not because of motivation or conflict, but because leaders focus their energy in the wrong places. Drawing on decades of research in group dynamics, creativity, and decision-making, he explains: The 60–30–10 Rule and why team success is determined long before the team meets What “real teams” actually look like (and why most groups don’t qualify) Social loafing, the Ringelmann effect, and how structure prevents it Why norms shape more of our behaviour than personality ever will How polarization happens and what teams can do to prevent it The importance of shared leadership, psychological safety, and brokers across groups Packed with practical insights and backed by rich research and examples from sports, music, and organizational life, this conversation is essential for anyone building or leading teams. Listen now and unlock your team’s collective edge. Find out more about the work Colin does here: Colin M. Fisher

In this episode of The Workplace Podcast, William Corless is joined by Margaret C. Andrews, Harvard instructor and author of Manage Yourself to Lead Others: Why Great Leadership Begins with Self-Understanding. Margaret explores one of the biggest challenges in leadership today — the knowing–doing gap. Why do so many leaders know what to do, but fail to do it? Together, William and Margaret unpack how self-awareness, vulnerability, and modeling improvement can transform leadership from theory into practice. 💡 Key insights: Why “knowing better” isn’t the same as “doing better” How vulnerability builds credibility and trust The habits and feedback loops that close the knowing–doing gap Why real leadership starts with managing yourself This conversation will change the way you think about leadership development and what it really takes to grow. Find out more about the work Margaret does here: Transformative Leadership Insights | Margaret Andrews 𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐮𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞: 📲 𝐓𝐢𝐤𝐓𝐨𝐤: https://lnkd.in/e7w6k4t5 ▶️ 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐓𝐮𝐛𝐞: https://lnkd.in/eP2pfPBF 🌐 𝐖𝐞𝐛𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞: https://www.yellowwood.ie Support us on Patreon: The Workplace Podcast | Take A Different Path To Success | Patreon

In the latest episode of The Workplace Podcast, host William Corless sits down with Dr Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic - psychologist, author, and Chief Innovation Officer at ManpowerGroup -to explore the real meaning of authenticity at work. Tomas challenges the modern obsession with “just being yourself,” arguing that true leadership isn’t about self-expression, it’s about self-regulation. Drawing on his new book Don’t Be Yourself: Why Authenticity Is Overrated and What to Do Instead, he explains how humility, empathy, and self-awareness help leaders balance individuality with responsibility. 🔥 Key insights in this episode: When authenticity becomes an excuse for bad behaviour How to balance self-expression with professionalism Why leadership is about managing yourself, not indulging yourself How self-awareness and humility drive genuine influence 🎧 Listen now to discover why great leaders know where your right to be you ends and your obligation to others begins. Find out more about Tomas here: Dr. Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic | Psychologist, Author and Entrepreneur

In this episode, William Corless speaks with Dr. Vanessa Druskat, author of The Emotionally Intelligent Team: Building Collaborative Groups That Outperform the Rest. Vanessa reveals how high-performing teams use emotional intelligence as a system, not a personality trait. She shares the routines, rituals, and norms that help teams build trust, manage emotions, and create accountability from quick check-ins to playful “yellow and green card” feedback systems. 💬 In this episode: How emotionally intelligent teams handle conflict constructively The neuroscience of belonging and team motivation Turning everyday interactions into opportunities for trust and alignment How leaders can model vulnerability without losing authority A must-listen for anyone serious about creating teams that perform — and stay human. Find out more about Vanessa and her work here: Dr. Vanessa Urch Druskat

“Confidence is hard won and easily lost… so what comes after confidence?” This week I’m joined by David Forde — former Ireland international goalkeeper, Millwall legend, and now executive coach and author of Being the One. David opens up about resilience, transformation and leadership — and what it really takes to keep getting back up, on and off the pitch.   Find out more about the work David does here: Pathfinder Coaching | David

In this week’s episode of The Workplace Podcast, William Corless sits down with Dr. Karen Bridbord — licensed psychologist, Gottman-certified couples therapist, and author of The Relationship-Driven Leader. Karen blends cutting-edge psychology with organisational behaviour to show how leaders can strengthen workplace relationships for better productivity, resilience, and wellbeing. From navigating conflict to building trust, Karen offers powerful tools every leader can use to transform team dynamics. 💡 Topics covered: How to complain without blame Recognising the “Four Horsemen” of toxic communication Understanding attachment styles at work Why bids for attention can make or break trust Practical repair strategies for conflict This episode is packed with real-world insights to help you lead with connection and confidence.

In this episode of The Workplace Podcast, William Corless sits down with Alison Taylor, Clinical Associate Professor at NYU Stern School of Business and author of Higher Ground: How Business Can Do the Right Thing in a Turbulent World. Alison has spent two decades advising multinational companies on risk, corruption, sustainability, human rights, and workplace culture. Her book has been praised as a timely guide for leaders navigating today’s polarized, high-stakes world. 💡 Key insights from this episode: Why the role of business in society has shifted beyond profit The rise of employee activism and what younger generations expect from employers Why “bad apples” aren’t the problem—it’s the system and incentives that matter How leaders can build ethical infrastructure that fosters trust and accountability Why putting human rights at the centre creates a stronger foundation than jargon or KPIs This is an eye-opening conversation on how leaders can move beyond greenwashing and PR to create lasting impact rooted in dignity, respect, and values. 🎙️ Listen now to learn how to lead on higher ground.

In this week's episode of The Workplace Podcast, William Corless sits down with Jennifer Moss—award-winning author of The Burnout Epidemic and Why Work, and one of Thinkers50’s Top 10 management minds. Jennifer delivers incredible insights backed by cutting-edge research from Gallup, Oxford, and Deloitte. Her work helps leaders create workplace cultures that actually work—for performance and people. 🔥 Key insights from this episode: Hope Is a Strategy – Gallup’s newest research says hope is the #1 leadership skill today Purpose Gap – Why 85% of executives feel purpose, but only 15% of employees do Positive Gossip – Talking nicely behind someone’s back can boost innovation, onboarding & morale Social Engineering Isn’t Evil – How to intentionally rebuild culture with small rituals (and why Google slows down lunch lines) The Fear of Obsolescence – AI is creating silent anxiety in teams, and leaders aren’t talking about it The Cloak of Dissension – A genius way to build psychological safety and challenge groupthink 💡 Standout Quote: “We’re trying to galvanize young people for the future of work—but how can they do that if they feel no sense of themselves in that future?” Jennifer’s episode is packed with real-world examples and powerful reframes every leader needs to hear. Find out more about the work Jennifer does here: Why Are We Here - Creating A Work Culture Everyone Wants  

In this week's episode of The Workplace Podcast, William Corless sits down with Sabina Nawaz, elite executive coach and author of "You're the Boss: Become the Manager You Want to Be and Others Need." Sabina brings incredible credentials - 14 years at Microsoft where she advised Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer directly, plus extensive work with Fortune 500 companies. Her book has received high praise from Adam Grant, Marshall Goldsmith, and Rita McGrath! 📚 🔥 Key insights from this episode: The Container vs Content Mindset - Your job as a manager isn't the work itself, it's shaping HOW the work gets done Power Gap Distortions - How your strengths (being direct, confident, strategic) can be misinterpreted as weaknesses (callous, arrogant, manipulative) The "Ya But" Test - If you're using too many "ya buts" to justify your actions, you might be falling into toxic behaviors disguised as nobility Breaking Family Patterns - How childhood dynamics play out in our leadership style years later The Shut Up Muscle - The single biggest communication improvement? Speak less and listen more 💪 💡 Standout Quote: Sabina's insight about the myth of being exceptional vs excellent really hits home: "Excellent is producing great work. Exceptional is believing the rules don't apply to you." The book also includes a brilliant 360 assessment tool - pure gold for any manager! ⭐ Find out more about Sabina: sabinanawaz.com Support our podcast: patreon.com/WorkplacePodcast Follow us on: LinkedIn: Follow us on LinkedIn TikTok: The Workplace Podcast (@theworkplacepodcast) | TikTok YouTube: William Corless YellowWood - YouTube  

This episode's guest is Michael Chad Hoeppner, CEO of GK Training. He joins William to discuss his brilliant book "Don't Say Um: How to Communicate Effectively." Michael brings nearly 20 years of expertise helping people speak well when it matters most - from Columbia Business School to Fortune 500 companies and even former presidential candidates! 🔥 Episode Highlights: The Lego Drill: A game-changing exercise that forces you to slow down and communicate one idea at a time  Silent Storytelling: Unlock vocal variety by exaggerating your physical delivery before adding sound back in The 5 P's of Vocal Variety: Pace, Pitch, Pause, Power, and Placement - your roadmap to engaging communication Breathing Breakthrough: Learn to "put air into action" instead of just "taking a breath" Confidence vs. Competence: Stop chasing the mythical confidence beast and focus on building communication behaviours instead 💡 Key Takeaway: Your voice IS your body. When you engage your physical communication instrument, your words spring to life with natural variety and presence. The book is packed with practical exercises you can start using immediately - from finger walking to tackle verbal tics to mastering the art of strategic pauses. Download the nerves chapter FREE at HOME - Book Published - Don't Say Um | by Michael Chad Hoeppner📚 Find out more about Michael's work: Presentation Skills Training & Executive Coaching Services | GK Training #EffectiveCommunicationsMonth #TheWorkplacePodcast #Communication #Leadership #ExecutivePresence #PublicSpeaking #YellowWood