4: Management and organisational culture

Teaching is a famously difficult career. From crowd control in the classroom to never-ending late-night marking sessions, the pressures of working in a school have driven many a capable teacher to their limits – or even right out of the profession. So what does it look like to maintain your balance and your faith in this trying but crucial sector? In this episode, host Mark Greene is joined by Hannah Baldry, a primary teacher working in an inner-city school, and Kim Hall, a former teacher, headteacher, and inspector who now offers consultancy to leadership teams in education. Together, they discuss healthy rhythms of work, the inspiration that keeps them going, and the massive difference education can make in the world.As Hannah and Kim explain, a good education is one of the most powerful ways of lifting people out of poverty and improving their self-image and confidence. For both of them, their work is an opportunity to mirror Jesus’ concern for the marginalised – whether that’s recently-arrived refugees, those from underprivileged backgrounds, or simply those struggling with the demands of their schoolwork. Together, they unpack how God works in and through them in the detail of their ordinary work. Whether you’re in education yourself or just interested in how Christians can make a difference in the workplace, there’s plenty here to inspire you!

Deep thinking meets gritty reality as A&E registrar Ben Chang and former neonatology consultant John Wyatt discuss the pain – and the joy – of trying to be a Christlike doctor.Working in the NHS is emotionally and physically stressful. In their fields, Ben and John regularly face life-and-death decisions, all while under immense pressure to perform in a tough work culture. How do they avoid drowning in it all? How do they sustain their faith – and how do they maintain a sense of purpose?Together with host Mark Greene, Ben and John explore how they see God at work in everything from major treatment decisions to small acts of kindness towards colleagues and patients, and the opportunities they get to improve the often negative culture in hospitals. They chat about the massive difference a little positive feedback can make, and wrestle with the tricky ethical questions they have to navigate in their work.Outside the hospital, Ben and John both write and research on ethics. Ben recently published ‘Christ and the Culture Wars: Speaking for Jesus in a World of Identity Politics’ (www.benchangblog.com). John is Emeritus Professor of Neonatal Paediatrics, Ethics, and Perinatology at University College London, and has published many books on medicine and ethics (www.johnwyatt.com). 

Mark Greene chats with Katherine Ladd and Yolanda Ibbett - two leaders shaping godly culture in the civil service and business. Katherine is Senior Strategic Communications Advisor at Crown Prosecution Service, and Yolanda is Director of the Bedfordia Group.Whether you’re at the start of your career or have decades of experience, it’s not easy to influence the culture around you at work. People get set in their ways, and if gossip and negativity are ‘just the way it is’, how do you start to turn the ship? Yolanda and Katherine share the practical ways they’ve been able to bring something of God’s kingdom to their workplaces - making them better for all involved.

In our third episode, Mark Greene chats with two entrepreneurs in the retail sector. Gary Grant, founder of the much-loved toy store chain The Entertainer, and Anneka Wallington, who started up social impact gifting business, Recognise, five years ago. You’ll be inspired by the ways in which they are trusting and seeking God's guidance, generous with their resources, and honouring God and others even in the most difficult business decisions.

In our second episode, resilience and trust, we hear from two people in executive search. Joëlle Warren MBE, is founder and Chair of Warren Partners and has been in the sector for over twenty years, whilst Josh Green is a relative newbie, with just two years’ experience in the world of recruitment. Together with Mark Greene, they explore how we can glorify God through our work by speaking honestly and treating people with dignity.Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter to find out more about  LICC and to get further updates on future podcast episodes.

In our very first episode, we get pearls of wisdom from two people in the rescue business. Jon Templeman, Chairman of Whittan Shelving, has made a career of turning round ailing manufacturing companies, and Micah Wright is eight years into his career as a senior analyst in a restructuring consultancy. Together with Mark Greene, they explore how we can grow resilience, build trust, and glorify God through our work.Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter to find out more about LICC and to get further updates on future podcast episodes.