Episode 129: Why Kindness Isn't a Nice to Have with Dr. Nicki Macklin

"When a woman was seen having a hot flash, she was rated as less competent and less likely to be chosen as the leader.” That’s one of the research findings shared by Dr. Alicia Grandey - Organisational Psychologist and Professor at Penn State University - in the latest Episode of The Workplace Podcast. In this conversation, William and Alicia explore a topic that is still rarely discussed openly at work: menopause and leadership. Menopause affects half the population, yet many workplaces still struggle to talk about it or support employees navigating it. Drawing on decades of research and interviews with senior leaders, Alicia explains how stigma influences perceptions of competence, leadership opportunities, and workplace culture. Key insights from this episode: • Why naming menopause can reduce bias in leadership decisions • How stigma and silence can push experienced women out of leadership pipelines • The surprising ways many women become more confident and resilient leaders during this stage of life • What compassionate leadership actually looks like in practice • How organisations can create cultures that support people through major life transitions This conversation also builds on a previous discussion on menopause in the workplace with Loretta Dignum (Episode 46). If you care about leadership, workplace culture, psychological safety, and supporting women in mid-career, this is an important conversation.

In this episode of The Workplace Podcast, William Corless speaks with Dr. Nicki Macklin about the strategic power of organisational kindness. Often dismissed as “soft,” kindness is frequently misunderstood in leadership. But research featured in Harvard Business Review - co-authored with Amy Edmondson and Thomas Lee - shows the opposite: kindness drives performance. In this conversation, they explore: Why kindness is not the same as niceness The real cost of workplace incivility How managers lose up to seven weeks a year dealing with poor culture How to measure kindness using metrics you already track This is a practical, research-backed discussion for leaders who want to balance performance with humanity — and understand the real business case for culture.

In this episode of The Workplace Podcast, William Corless is joined by Mark C. Crowley - bestselling author and leadership expert - to explore why employee wellbeing has become one of the most critical leadership issues today. Drawing on insights from his latest book, The Power of Employee Wellbeing, Mark explains why traditional engagement approaches fall short, how wellbeing directly impacts performance and retention, and why belonging plays such a powerful role in how people show up at work. Together, William and Mark discuss burnout, leadership boundaries, emotional intelligence, and the small but meaningful actions leaders can take to create healthier, more sustainable workplaces. This episode is a practical, research-informed conversation for leaders who want to build teams that don’t just perform, but thrive. Find out more about the work Mark does here: Mark C Crowley - Heart 2.0 - New Book Is Coming - Mark C. Crowley

In this episode of The Workplace Podcast, William Corless speaks with Muriel M. Wilkins, executive coach, author of Leadership Unblocked: Break Through the Beliefs That Limit Your Potential, and host of the Harvard Business Review podcast Coaching Real Leaders. Muriel helps leaders understand why performance challenges so often stem from unexamined beliefs rather than skill gaps. She explains how “hidden blockers” shape leadership behaviour, why high performers resist looking inward, and how resolving conflict with yourself is a prerequisite for leading others effectively. This episode explores: The beliefs that quietly limit leadership potential Why behaviour change starts with assumptions, not actions How leaders can begin coaching themselves more effectively What it really takes to grow beyond control, perfectionism, and over-functioning A practical and reflective conversation for leaders, managers, coaches, and anyone serious about leadership development. Find out more about the work Muriel does here: MURIEL WILKINS | Helping people lead with more ease

In the latest episode of The Workplace Podcast, William Corless sits down with Rasmus Hougaard, CEO of Potential Project. In 2024, Rasmus was nominated by Thinkers50 as one of the eight most important leadership thinkers in the world today. Rasmus is the co-author of The Mind of the Leader, Compassionate Leadership, and his latest book, More Human. Together, they explore a question many leaders are grappling with: What do leaders do that AI can’t? 🔑 Key insights from this episode: Why leaders won’t lose their jobs to AI, but to leaders who use AI better How AI can make us more human, not less The risks of over-reliance on AI — from decision delegation to disconnection Why awareness, wisdom, and compassion are becoming leadership essentials A thoughtful conversation for leaders navigating an AI-accelerated world. Find out more about the work Rasmus does here: Potential Project – About Us  

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