Episode 133: The Octopus Organization with Phil Le-Brun

In this episode of The Workplace Podcast, William Corless is joined by Phil Le-Brun, co-author of The Octopus Organization and former International CIO at McDonald’s. Together, they explore the realities of organisational transformation - why so many initiatives fail, and how leaders can build more adaptive, empowered, and high-performing teams. Phil shares practical insights on ownership, decision-making, and culture, including why “artificial ownership” is so common in organisations, how gatekeepers slow progress, and what it really takes to create clarity of purpose at scale. From the concept of “pigs and chickens” to the dangers of “watermelon reporting,” this episode is packed with memorable frameworks and real-world examples that challenge traditional ways of working. A must-listen for leaders looking to empower their teams, improve accountability, and navigate complexity more effectively. Find out more about the book here: The Octopus Organization | a guide to thriving in a world of continuous transformation

In this episode of The Workplace Podcast, William Corless sits down with Scott D. Anthony-Leading Expert on Disruptive Innovation-to explore why even the most successful organisations struggle to adapt in times of change. Drawing on stories from Epic Disruptions, Scott brings innovation to life-from Julia Child’s journey to mastery, to Florence Nightingale’s data-driven impact, and the decades-long story behind Gorilla Glass. Together, they unpack why great companies miss disruption, the myths that hold organisations back, and the behaviours that drive real innovation. 🔥 You’ll learn: Why innovation is about value-not just ideas Why successful companies miss major shifts How your best customers can hold you back The behaviours that drive innovation in any role 💡 A powerful episode for anyone looking to lead, adapt, and innovate in a rapidly changing world. Find out more about the Scott here: Epic Disruptions

In this episode of The Workplace Podcast, William Corless sits down with Thinkers50 Award-Winning Leadership Expert and co-author of The Science of Leadership, Jeffrey Hull. Jeffrey brings over 30 years of experience translating cutting-edge research into practical leadership impact. Together, they explore what leadership really means today—and why it’s no longer about the individual, but about how we bring others with us. From quieting the ego to navigating conflict and building high-performing teams, this episode is packed with powerful insights for leaders at every level. 💡 In this episode, you’ll learn: Why leadership is no longer about “I” but about “we” How to balance performance with people—and why winning alone isn’t sustainable The concept of the “noisy ego” and how it impacts your leadership Why conflict is essential for innovation and growth How to build alignment through shared leadership This is a must-listen for anyone looking to expand their leadership impact in a complex, fast-changing world.   Find out more about the work Jeffrey does here: JEFFREY HULL Thanks to Resolution Intelligence for sponsoring this episode. For more information visit: resolution-intelligence.com

"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