140: Is Innovation Being Crushed by Control?

In this episode, Kul explores whether the future of work is genuinely about employee wellbeing - or simply productivity repackaged. Amid rapid change, AI adoption, and performance pressure, he challenges leaders to rethink wellbeing as a business-critical strategy rather than a “nice to have.” Drawing on research and real-world experience, he explains why psychological safety, trust, and human-centred cultures drive sustainable performance. Kul Mahay has over 3 decades experience in the leadership space.  He works with organisations and leaders to develop powerful cultures of high value, and performance which is built all around their people. _____________________________ ABOUT THE PODCAST SERIES During these shows, you‘ll hear Kul chatting with fellow leaders from around the world, who are recognised as being at the top of their game.  Together they‘ll explore what emotional intelligence in practice actually looks like, and the benefits it could bring to your teams. It‘s a movement to transform the way we see leadership, and to create powerful cultures where people feel seen, heard, valued and appreciated. Please join the movement and FOLLOW/SUBSCRIBE to this Podcast. FOLLOW ► https://www.linkedin.com/in/kulmahay-leadership/

In this episode, Kul explores whether innovation can truly flourish within cultures driven by fear, blame, and defensiveness. Through real-world examples and leadership insights, he uncovers how fear stifles creativity, fuels disengagement, and drives top talent away. He also highlights the transformative power of human-centred cultures - where psychological safety, curiosity, and courageous leadership enable experimentation and genuine learning. Kul Mahay has over 3 decades experience in the leadership space.  He works with organisations and leaders to develop powerful cultures of high value, and performance which is built all around their people. _____________________________ ABOUT THE PODCAST SERIES During these shows, you‘ll hear Kul chatting with fellow leaders from around the world, who are recognised as being at the top of their game.  Together they‘ll explore what emotional intelligence in practice actually looks like, and the benefits it could bring to your teams. It‘s a movement to transform the way we see leadership, and to create powerful cultures where people feel seen, heard, valued and appreciated. Please join the movement and FOLLOW/SUBSCRIBE to this Podcast. FOLLOW ► https://www.linkedin.com/in/kulmahay-leadership/

In this episode, Kul explores how leadership is becoming increasingly politicised in today’s polarised social and global climate. He examines how external political pressures, ideological division, and shifting cultural narratives are influencing organisational decisions - often at the expense of values, trust, and psychological safety. He argues for a return to human-centred leadership rooted in clarity, connection, and shared humanity. Kul Mahay has over 3 decades experience in the leadership space.  He works with organisations and leaders to develop powerful cultures of high value, and performance which is built all around their people. _____________________________ ABOUT THE PODCAST SERIES During these shows, you‘ll hear Kul chatting with fellow leaders from around the world, who are recognised as being at the top of their game.  Together they‘ll explore what emotional intelligence in practice actually looks like, and the benefits it could bring to your teams. It‘s a movement to transform the way we see leadership, and to create powerful cultures where people feel seen, heard, valued and appreciated. Please join the movement and FOLLOW/SUBSCRIBE to this Podcast. FOLLOW ► https://www.linkedin.com/in/kulmahay-leadership/

In this episode, Kul challenges the misconception that emotional intelligence is a weakness. He explores how self-awareness, empathy, and human connection underpin truly effective leadership, far beyond command-and-control approaches. Through powerful stories and real-world examples, he shows how emotionally intelligent leaders build trust, inspire performance, and create environments where people thrive. Kul Mahay has over 3 decades experience in the leadership space.  He works with organisations and leaders to develop powerful cultures of high value, and performance which is built all around their people. _____________________________ ABOUT THE PODCAST SERIES During these shows, you‘ll hear Kul chatting with fellow leaders from around the world, who are recognised as being at the top of their game.  Together they‘ll explore what emotional intelligence in practice actually looks like, and the benefits it could bring to your teams. It‘s a movement to transform the way we see leadership, and to create powerful cultures where people feel seen, heard, valued and appreciated. Please join the movement and FOLLOW/SUBSCRIBE to this Podcast. FOLLOW ► https://www.linkedin.com/in/kulmahay-leadership/

In this episode, Kul explores why “strongman” leadership is losing its influence in politics, workplaces, and society. He reflects on the rise of authoritarian, command-and-control leadership and contrasts it with a growing global shift toward emotional intelligence, connection, and people-first values. Through political examples and leadership stories, he shows why dominance may create short-term wins but never sustains trust or performance. Kul Mahay has over 3 decades experience in the leadership space.  He works with organisations and leaders to develop powerful cultures of high value, and performance which is built all around their people. _____________________________ ABOUT THE PODCAST SERIES During these shows, you‘ll hear Kul chatting with fellow leaders from around the world, who are recognised as being at the top of their game.  Together they‘ll explore what emotional intelligence in practice actually looks like, and the benefits it could bring to your teams. It‘s a movement to transform the way we see leadership, and to create powerful cultures where people feel seen, heard, valued and appreciated. Please join the movement and FOLLOW/SUBSCRIBE to this Podcast. FOLLOW ► https://www.linkedin.com/in/kulmahay-leadership/

In this episode, Kul redefines what true performance means in today’s workplaces. Moving beyond targets, KPIs, and quick wins, he explores how trust, consistency, and emotional intelligence drive sustained success. He argues that real performance is about people - their connection, motivation, and shared purpose - not just numbers on a chart. Kul Mahay has over 3 decades experience in the leadership space.  He works with organisations and leaders to develop powerful cultures of high value, and performance which is built all around their people. _____________________________ ABOUT THE PODCAST SERIES During these shows, you‘ll hear Kul chatting with fellow leaders from around the world, who are recognised as being at the top of their game.  Together they‘ll explore what emotional intelligence in practice actually looks like, and the benefits it could bring to your teams. It‘s a movement to transform the way we see leadership, and to create powerful cultures where people feel seen, heard, valued and appreciated. Please join the movement and FOLLOW/SUBSCRIBE to this Podcast. FOLLOW ► https://www.linkedin.com/in/kulmahay-leadership/

In this episode, Kul explores the crucial distinction between accountability and blame in organisational culture. He reveals how blame stifles trust, innovation, and honesty - while true accountability fosters growth, learning, and performance. Drawing on real-world examples and leadership insights, he discusses how emotionally intelligent leaders can build psychologically safe environments where mistakes are seen as opportunities, not failures. Kul Mahay has over 3 decades experience in the leadership space.  He works with organisations and leaders to develop powerful cultures of high value, and performance which is built all around their people. _____________________________ ABOUT THE PODCAST SERIES During these shows, you‘ll hear Kul chatting with fellow leaders from around the world, who are recognised as being at the top of their game.  Together they‘ll explore what emotional intelligence in practice actually looks like, and the benefits it could bring to your teams. It‘s a movement to transform the way we see leadership, and to create powerful cultures where people feel seen, heard, valued and appreciated. Please join the movement and FOLLOW/SUBSCRIBE to this Podcast. FOLLOW ► https://www.linkedin.com/in/kulmahay-leadership/

In this episode, Kul explores how excessive control and rigid structures can stifle creativity and innovation within organisations. He discusses why fear-driven leadership, outdated policies, and overregulation often lead to disengagement, “quiet quitting,” and lost potential. He shares insights from his own leadership journey, highlighting how trust, empowerment, and cognitive diversity can unlock innovation and resilience. Kul Mahay has over 3 decades experience in the leadership space.  He works with organisations and leaders to develop powerful cultures of high value, and performance which is built all around their people. _____________________________ ABOUT THE PODCAST SERIES During these shows, you‘ll hear Kul chatting with fellow leaders from around the world, who are recognised as being at the top of their game.  Together they‘ll explore what emotional intelligence in practice actually looks like, and the benefits it could bring to your teams. It‘s a movement to transform the way we see leadership, and to create powerful cultures where people feel seen, heard, valued and appreciated. Please join the movement and FOLLOW/SUBSCRIBE to this Podcast. FOLLOW ► https://www.linkedin.com/in/kulmahay-leadership/

In this episode, Kul challenges whether inclusion initiatives ever truly deliver on their promise. Drawing on decades of leadership experience, he explores the limits of traditional DEI approaches, the pitfalls of focusing solely on representation, and the risk of overlooking true belonging. Kul argues that genuine inclusion requires moving beyond metrics to create cultures where every individual feels valued, heard, and safe to contribute diverse perspectives. Kul Mahay has over 3 decades experience in the leadership space.  He works with organisations and leaders to develop powerful cultures of high value, and performance which is built all around their people. _____________________________ ABOUT THE PODCAST SERIES During these shows, you‘ll hear Kul chatting with fellow leaders from around the world, who are recognised as being at the top of their game.  Together they‘ll explore what emotional intelligence in practice actually looks like, and the benefits it could bring to your teams. It‘s a movement to transform the way we see leadership, and to create powerful cultures where people feel seen, heard, valued and appreciated. Please join the movement and FOLLOW/SUBSCRIBE to this Podcast. FOLLOW ► https://www.linkedin.com/in/kulmahay-leadership/

In this episode, Kul asks a critical question: is traditional leadership still fit for a rapidly changing world? Drawing parallels between global politics and workplace dynamics, he explores why hierarchical, transactional leadership is losing relevance and why trust, relationships, and emotional intelligence are becoming essential. Kul highlights the shift toward human-centred leadership - where people feel valued, heard, and empowered - as the foundation for thriving in uncertain times. Tune in to discover why the future of leadership depends on evolving with the needs of people. Kul Mahay has over 3 decades experience in the leadership space.  He works with organisations and leaders to develop powerful cultures of high value, and performance which is built all around their people. _____________________________ ABOUT THE PODCAST SERIES During these shows, you‘ll hear Kul chatting with fellow leaders from around the world, who are recognised as being at the top of their game.  Together they‘ll explore what emotional intelligence in practice actually looks like, and the benefits it could bring to your teams. It‘s a movement to transform the way we see leadership, and to create powerful cultures where people feel seen, heard, valued and appreciated. Please join the movement and FOLLOW/SUBSCRIBE to this Podcast. FOLLOW ► https://www.linkedin.com/in/kulmahay-leadership/