The extra-Ordinary Leader with Dolly Wainwright

In this episode of The extra-Ordinary Leader, I’m joined by Sophie Bowen, Head of Learning & Development at COOK Trading Ltd, a business widely recognised for its award-winning culture, human-centred leadership and long-term commercial success.Sophie has spent 15 years inside COOK, embedding learning and development into the fabric of the business rather than treating it as a bolt-on or a ‘nice to have’. Together, we explore what extra-Ordinary leadership really looks like when growth, culture and profit are genuinely aligned.We talk candidly about why learning fails when it sits on the sidelines, how values become meaningless when they’re written about people instead of with them, and why the most powerful leadership development often happens without classrooms, PowerPoint or big budgets.This conversation is for leaders who want to build organisations where people don’t just perform, but thrive.You’ll hear us explore leadership through context, reflection, constraint, culture and courage – and why the work always starts with the leader themselves.Inside This EpisodeWhat extra-Ordinary leadership really means in complex, multi-site organisationsWhy leaders must create conditions for growth, not control outcomesThe danger of treating learning and development as a KPI or add-onHow COOK embeds learning directly into business strategy and cultureWhy values fail when they’re written top-down instead of co-createdThe power of constraint: why small budgets often drive better leadership developmentWhy reflection matters more than content in leadership growthHow Gen Z is reshaping productivity, motivation and expectations of leadershipWhy learning doesn’t need classrooms to be effectiveThe leadership lesson hidden in a cricket ballGuest: Sophie Bowen – Head of Learning & Development, COOK Trading Ltd LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophie-bowen?originalSubdomain=ukReferenced concepts & resources: COOK Trading Ltd: https://www.cookfood.netIkigai (Japanese concept of purpose): https://positivepsychology.com/ikigai/My book: The extra-Ordinary Leader https://www.dollywaddell.com/store/p/the-extra-ordinary-leaderIf this episode resonates and you’re rethinking how leadership, learning and culture show up in your organisation, do reach out. I’d love to continue the conversation.

If you want a high-performing team, you cannot ignore the language you use.In this episode of Dolly in My Pocket, I unpack Tactic 8 from my book extra-Ordinary Leaders and explore the link between language and performance. Do our words shape our behaviour, or does our behaviour shape our words? More importantly: is the language you use helping your team move, or quietly creating friction?I look at:→ Why familiar phrases like “meeting” and “we just need to communicate better” aren’t specific enough for modern leadership→ How precise language transforms focus, pace and clarity→ Simple shifts you can make today to improve one-to-ones, collaboration and decision-making→ Why high-performing teams need a shared vocabulary for behaviour→ Tools that help create that shared language: Insights, DISC, Myers-Briggs, Giant and moreThink of language as WD-40 for your leadership. When you design it deliberately, every part of your organisation moves more smoothly.If this episode resonates and you want deeper, practical tactics to use with your team, you can find extra-Ordinary Leaders here: https://www.dollywaddell.com/store/p/the-extra-ordinary-leaderAnd if you’d like support applying these ideas inside your organisation, you can get in touch with me via dollywaddell.com.Listen, share, and let me know which language shifts you’re taking into your week.

In this episode of The extra-Ordinary Leader, I sit down with my first-ever returning guest, Roderic Yapp, former Royal Marine Commando and founder of Leadership Capital. Rod brings a razor-sharp perspective to leadership in complex, fast-moving environments, and this conversation expands how we think about context, decision-making, and performance.We explore why context is the overlooked foundation of leadership, how to tell whether your world is simple, complicated or complex, and why you may need to develop an unexpected capability: a small measure of strategic callousness.We also unpack the practical tools leaders can use to stay effective - from drawing systems on paper to understanding the Cynefin framework, experimenting for growth, and knowing when to empower…and when to take control.If you lead people, lead change, or lead yourself, this is one to keep coming back to.Inside This EpisodeWhy context shapes everything — and why most leaders miss itThe multi-tool metaphor: choosing the right behaviour for the momentHow the wrong leadership style destroys performanceThe Cynefin framework in clear, practical languageWhy experiments beat long-range plans in fast growthThree-year horizons and twelve sprints: a smarter way to planDrawing your systems to reveal bottlenecks fastWhere empathy helps — and where it holds leaders backBoundaries, accountability and the realities of performanceThe simplest tool for cutting overwhelm: write it downWhat to bin, what to put in: reflective habits for high-performing leadersRod Yapp: LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/rodericyappLeadership Capital: https://leadershipcapital.com/If you’d like to deepen your own leadership journey, my book The extra-Ordinary Leader is available here: https://www.dollywaddell.com/store/p/the-extra-ordinary-leader

Welcome to Episode 7 of Dolly in My Pocket, where we dive into one of the most overlooked elements of effective collaboration: how we think together.We often enter meetings with agendas, pre-reading, the right people in the room… but there’s almost never an agreed approach to how we should be thinking and communicating in that space.In this episode, I introduce two essential modes of thinking:Divergent Thinking – expansive, open, idea-generatingConvergent Thinking – narrowing, critical, decision-makingWe explore:What goes wrong when teams mix the two without clarityHow to introduce "thinking objectives" into your meetingsWhy this approach increases both creativity and efficiencyHow personality types naturally lean towards one mode — and how to flex between themIf you’ve ever felt frustrated in meetings where ideas get shut down too fast - or where nothing ever gets decided - this is the tool you didn’t know you needed.

In this episode of The extra-Ordinary Leader, I’m joined by the brilliant Maria Franzoni — communication strategist, former international speaker bureau owner, and creator of The Bookability Formula. With over 25 years of experience helping speakers get booked and rebooked, Maria knows exactly what makes communication memorable, impactful, and influential.Together, we explore how to elevate your communication — whether you’re speaking to a boardroom, pitching a new idea, or presenting to your team. Maria shares powerful lessons from the world of professional speaking that every leader can apply, from listening and storytelling to confidence, feedback, and reading your audience.We also talk about authenticity versus professionalism, what really gets people rebooked (and what doesn’t), and how to make data and presentations come alive. This conversation is full of practical insight and honesty from one of the best in the business.Inside This EpisodeThe trait every extra-Ordinary leader sharesWhy confidence and psychological safety matter mostThe biggest communication pitfall — and how to fix itHow to listen before you speakInfluence through attraction, not persuasionBalancing authenticity with professional presencePowerPoint, data and storytelling done rightHow language shapes culture and impactReading your audience and slowing downWhat keeps great speakers rebookedMaria’s teabag test for leadership under pressureFor more on Maria’s work, visit www.mariafranzoni.meIf you’d like to deepen your own leadership journey, my book The extra-Ordinary Leader is available here: https://www.dollywaddell.com/store/p/the-extra-ordinary-leaderMentioned Resources:The world over time -- in data | Hans Rosling | TEDxStockholmThe beauty of data visualization - David McCandlessGlow In The Dark - Mark LerusteNever Split The Difference - Chris Voss

Welcome back to Dolly in My Pocket. In this solo episode — tactic six from The extra-Ordinary Leader — I want to introduce you to a metaphor that’s shaped how I think about leadership recovery and performance: The Aeration Chamber.Just like red wine needs time to breathe to soften its compounds, release toxins, integrate flavours, and remove off-odours — so do we.This episode explores:Why stress compounds make us volatile, tight, and less creativeWhat “aeration” moments look like in the real world (especially if you’re busy)Why glimmer moments, coaching, and stillness are not luxuries — but leadership essentialsHow to create a regular rhythm of reflection that actually improves performanceThis one is deeply practical, and (if you’re honest with yourself) probably exactly what you need.Reach out to explore coaching: [email protected] book The extra-Ordinary Leader is available now: https://www.dollywaddell.com/store/p/the-extra-ordinary-leader

In this episode of The extra-Ordinary Leader, I sit down with my friend and inspirational business leader, Emma Wood — founder of Emma Wood Interiors and the soon-to-launch Emma Wood Home.Emma has taken her creative background in fashion and turned it into a thriving interiors business with a growing team, major commercial projects, and now a new product line. What strikes me about Emma’s leadership is her ability to balance vision and execution: she’s as sharp with processes, detail, and team structure as she is with aesthetics and passion.Our conversation goes far beyond interior design. We explore:Why being a visual detective matters in business and leadership.How to ignite curiosity and energy in your team when things feel flat.The power of executional excellence and why the “boring” details create freedom.Building scalable businesses without losing personality or authenticity.Why kindness, gut instinct, and curiosity are at the heart of great leadership.This episode will challenge you to zoom out of your day-to-day execution, notice the clues around you, and lead with greater clarity, creativity, and kindness.If you’re inspired by today’s episode, remember you can dive deeper into my book The extra-Ordinary Leader — a practical guide to unlocking your leadership potential.

Welcome to Dolly in My Pocket, tactic five. This time, I’m tackling something that either makes or breaks teams, culture, and performance: feedback.Let’s be honest — most of us aren’t doing it well. We either lobb it in with no care for the landing, loiter around it hoping people “get the hint”, or avoid it altogether because it’s awkward and uncomfortable.But here’s the truth: effective feedback is non-negotiable if you want to grow your team, your business, or yourself.In this episode, I unpack:Why feedback matters to your bottom lineThe three types of feedback styles: The Lob, The Loiter, and The LassoA cowboy-inspired metaphor you won’t forget (and that will radically shift how you give feedback)A practical structure you can use straight away: The BID Model (Behaviour, Impact, Do Differently)If you want high-performing teams, more accountability, and a culture that thrives — not tolerates — this episode is essential.Reach out to explore coaching: [email protected] book The extra-Ordinary Leader is available now: https://www.dollywaddell.com/store/p/the-extra-ordinary-leader

If you want a boost of inspiration for your leadership and management, this episode is for you. I sit down with the incredible Tasneem Bhamji — strategist, transformation leader, and founder of Office Real Talk — to unpack what it really takes to lead with impact in high-pressure environments.Tasneem’s journey from journalism graduate to senior leader in banking and digital strategy has been marked by resilience, determination, and a refusal to let labels define her. Together we explore: navigating loneliness in leadership, why one-to-ones matter more than you think, how to build frameworks and systems that actually help, and the underrated skill of simply being easy to work with.This is a conversation about leadership in the real world — one that blends strategy and humanity, and one that challenges you to stop working from someone else’s list and start building your own.If you’re ready to uncover your own extra-Ordinary approach to leadership, tune in now.Connect with Tas on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tasneem-bhamji-a1056390/Office Real Talk - https://www.instagram.com/officerealtalk/Inside This EpisodeTasneem’s unconventional journey from journalism to bankingWhat “Office Real Talk” is really about, and why tough love mattersWhy labels like “career woman” can be damaging — and what to do about itThe underestimated power of one-to-ones and how to make them workBuilding systems and frameworks that stop you drowning in the to-do listHow to balance strategy and humanity in leadershipThe underrated skill every leader needs: being easy to work withWhy coaching doesn’t always mean big set-piece sessions — it’s in the daily interactionsWhat to do when self-doubt creeps in, even as a senior leaderWhy leaving people (and places) better than you found them should be every leader’s goalIf you’re ready to go further, I coach executives and teams on precisely these challenges — systems, followership, performance, and culture. Reach out to explore coaching: [email protected] book The extra-Ordinary Leader is available now: https://www.dollywaddell.com/store/p/the-extra-ordinary-leader

Welcome back to Dolly in My Pocket — the solo series from The extra-Ordinary Leader podcast, designed to offer short, powerful reflections you can take straight into your leadership and life.In this episode, I’m talking about something I call the art of knowing yourself — but not in the “I like coffee and I’m a bit impatient” kind of way.I’m talking about truly understanding your personality, your wiring, your drivers, and how they influence your leadership, energy, decision-making, and ability to perform.This isn’t just self-awareness — it’s a strategic advantage. Because when you know how you recharge, how you process information, how you handle pressure, and what makes you tick (and trip!), you stop wasting time trying to be someone you’re not — and start leading from a place of clarity and energy.If you’ve ever felt like a square peg in a round hole, or found yourself mimicking leadership strategies that just don’t fit, this is the episode for you.Give it a listen — and let it challenge you to go deeper.The extra-Ordinary Leader book is out now. Buy it here: https://www.dollywaddell.com/store/p/the-extra-ordinary-leaderFor strategy, speaking or consultancy enquiries: [email protected] you're new to the podcast, The extra-Ordinary Leader is all about what it takes to lead with more clarity, energy, and purpose — whether in business, at home, or in yourself. Browse the back catalogue and take what you need.