Alison Balsom: Performing at the frontier

What does it take to perform at your best in critical moments?It’s what differentiates the great from the good. Being at the top of your game requires years of courage, skill, and discipline. This is why some falter whilst others shine.In this episode I am joined by the multi-award-winning trumpet soloist, Alison Balsom. She shares what it takes to get to, and sustain, the highest levels of performance. These are concepts and practises that leaders in all fields would do well to apply.Alison talks about how she chooses the right repertoires to play and people to work with. She also discusses the importance of finding your own interpretation of a piece and what it’s like to perform with the conductors and musicians.Music plays a huge role in all our lives, whether we know it or not.This conversation is for anyone looking to perform at the highest of levels and pushing the frontiers of their craft.“It’s certainly a high wire act” – Alison BalsomYou'll hear about:●      Alison's process for finding the right work●      How to know when the project is right for you ●      Building relationships in orchestras●      What helps Alison to excel?●      How do you know you've impacted people?●      Alison's mindset minutes before taking the stage●      You are not better in rehearsal●      Has Alison had moments of self-doubt?●      How Alison nurtures and looks after herself●      The impact Alison wants to have on the worldAbout Alison Balsom:Alison has performed as a solo trumpeter worldwide with many of the greatest conductors and orchestras of our time, including Pierre Boulez, Lorin Maazel, Claudio Abbado, the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra and London Philharmonic Orchestras, as well as The Balsom Ensemble, a handpicked group of leading Baroque soloists.Balsom has commissioned much music, and had hundreds of works written for her, including by composers such as Betsy Jolas, Dobrinka Tabakova, James MacMillan, and Thea Musgrave.She has been awarded an OBE for Services to Music, and has dedicated her career to broadening the artistic horizons of the trumpet.Resources:Profile: https://bit.ly/3LTvGV0Discography: https://bit.ly/3AbVE3DConcerts: https://bit.ly/3LXD026My resources:Take my new Becoming a Strategic Leader course (https://bit.ly/3KJYDTj)Sign up to my Every Day is a Strategy Day newsletter (http://bit.ly/36WRpri) for modern mindsets and practices to help you get ahead. Subscribe to my YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/3cFGk1k) where you can watch the conversation.For more details about me:●      Services (https://rb.gy/ahlcuy) to CEOs, entrepreneurs and professionals.●      About me (https://rb.gy/dvmg9n) - my background, experience and philosophy.●      Examples of my writing https://rb.gy/jlbdds)●      Follow me and engage with me on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/2Z2PexP)●      Follow me and engage with me on Twitter (https://bit.ly/36XavNI)

What does it take to master innovation in companies?It takes a lot of grit, skill, savviness and convincing.My guest in this episode, Jayshree Seth, has been leading the way in innovation in 3M for more than 30 years. So listen for a window into the world of innovation at one of the most successful companies and innovators out there.We talk about what it takes to make innovation really work using her three C's: constraints, context, and commitment. She explains what it takes to convince people to change. Also distilling how to identify the problems that really matter to customers.Jayshree also shares some of her personal journey and the mindset she has used throughout her career to progress and overcome barriers. “The biggest asset for bringing innovation to life is soft skills” – Jayshree SethYou'll hear about:Does it matter about having hard constraints?Context and innovationWhat commitment really works?Focusing on the problems that matterThe mosaic building processBringing people on the innovation journeyThe merits of self-managementJayshree on the 15%Staying vibrant and freshHow Jayshree has overcome barriersWhat does Jayshree's best day look like?About Jayshree Seth:Jayshree is the Corporate Scientist & first ever Chief Science Advocate at 3M. She has a PhD in Chemical Engineering from Clarkson University, New York and holds 80 patents for a variety of innovations. She uses her scientific knowledge, technical expertise and professional experience to communicate the importance and benefits of science in everyday lifeShe is a Distinguished Alumni Award recipient from her alma mater REC Trichy India. She is the author of the books, The Heart of Science – Engineering Footprints, Fingerprints, & Imprints, and The Heart of Science – Engineering Fine Print. Resources:• Profile: https://bit.ly/4bHsxCR• Books: https://bit.ly/3wxv1Vz and https://bit.ly/3UNFqEv• The Three Cs of Sustainable Innovation: https://bit.ly/3KaAh4u• TEDx talk – ‘Why I reframe my why’: https://bit.ly/4bi7K97• The Drucker Blog - https://shorturl.at/dwzkD My resources:Take my new Becoming a Strategic Leader course (https://bit.ly/3KJYDTj)Sign up to my Every Day is a Strategy Day newsletter (http://bit.ly/36WRpri) for modern mindsets and practices to help you get ahead. Subscribe to my YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/3cFGk1k) where you can watch the conversation.For more details about me:●      Services (https://rb.gy/ahlcuy) to CEOs, entrepreneurs and professionals.●      About me (https://rb.gy/dvmg9n) - my background, experience and philosophy.●      Examples of my writing https://rb.gy/jlbdds)●      Follow me and engage with me on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/2Z2PexP)●      Follow me and engage with me on Twitter (https://bit.ly/36XavNI)

How does business really work?We need to cut through the myths and misconceptions to get to the true nature of it. To make people shine we need to understand how to navigate how work gets done, how people think and behave, and how decisions are made.In this episode I am joined by Liz Kislik, a management consultant and coach, who brings refreshing clarity to the subject. She cautions that the work is hard, but we can use the power of language to express what we really want. She establishes the importance of stopping to think, to breathe, to get in control of our bodies, especially in difficult situations.She also shares why conflict is a natural part of the workplace and how we should look for self -determination and empowerment, not only of ourselves, but the teams we lead. “Conflict is a feature of humans” – Liz KislikYou'll hear about:·      How important is conflict at work?·      Being on the right side of conflict·      Showing respect takes real skill·      Outside influences on the professional self·      Calling out character types·      How do you develop self-awareness?·      How do you make politics work for you?·      The learnings Liz has had·      The impact Liz wants to have on the world·      What does Liz's best day look like? About Liz Kislik:Liz Kislik is a management consultant and executive coach, and a frequent contributor to Harvard Business Review and Forbes. Her TEDx “Why There’s So Much Conflict at Work and What You Can Do to Fix It” has received more than half-a-million views. She specializes in developing high performing leaders and workforces, and for 30 years has helped family-run businesses, national nonprofits, and Fortune 500 companies like American Express, Girl Scouts, Staples, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, and Highlights for Children solve their thorniest problems.Resources:• Profile: https://lizkislik.com/about/• Better at work with Liz Lislik animation: https://betteratworkwithliz.com/• Articles: https://lizkislik.com/articles/My resources:Take my new Becoming a Strategic Leader course (https://bit.ly/3KJYDTj)Sign up to my Every Day is a Strategy Day newsletter (http://bit.ly/36WRpri) for modern mindsets and practices to help you get ahead. Subscribe to my YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/3cFGk1k) where you can watch the conversation.For more details about me: ●      Services (https://rb.gy/ahlcuy) to CEOs, entrepreneurs and professionals.●      About me (https://rb.gy/dvmg9n) - my background, experience and philosophy.●      Examples of my writing https://rb.gy/jlbdds)●      Follow me and engage with me on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/2Z2PexP)●      Follow me and engage with me on Twitter (https://bit.ly/36XavNI)

As a leader how well do you craft stories that influence people to change?Storytelling is one of the most critical skills a leader needs, but is so often done badly. Failing to have the desired impact. Done well it convinces people to listen, commit and change.My guest in this episode, Neil Bearden, is a master in crafting and using stories to help meet an objective. Neal’s outlook on storytelling is influenced by his experience as a former professor, and the idea that to be truly authentic and intentional we just need to be real to ourselves.Neil shares his views on what a good story involves, looks, and feels like. Also, what it takes to be an interesting person that people want to listen to. Something all leaders need in order to up their game in influencing change in their organisations.“What drives changes in my life is boredom” – Neil BeardenYou'll hear about:·      The importance of good storytelling·      Making contingent judgements·      Syntax, semantics and styles of storytelling·      Getting to seamless authentic delivery·      Knowing someone is serious about improving·      What helps people to be real·      Neil's thoughts going through transitions·      How is Neil to be with during transitions?·      Life is a random series of transitions·      Living life both scientifically and realAbout Neil Bearden:Neil is the co-founder of Plot Wolf, which helps people think, speak, and act with clarity. He was a Decision Science professor at INSEAD for 15 years, where he taught Statistics, Behavioural Economics, and created the school’s award-winning Storytelling course. He’s published in Harvard Business Review and the Financial Times, and taught the Business Storytelling course for The Guardian. He’s helped people from Amazon, Apollo, BCG, Google, McKinsey, Sequoia.Resources:• Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nbearden/• Plot Wolf: https://plotwolf.com/My resources:Sign up to my Leading high-stakes meeting virtual masterclass series (https://bit.ly/3QBdn9R)Take my new Becoming a Strategic Leader course (https://bit.ly/3KJYDTj)Sign up to my Every Day is a Strategy Day newsletter (http://bit.ly/36WRpri) for modern mindsets and practices to help you get ahead. Subscribe to my YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/3cFGk1k) where you can watch the conversation.For more details about me:●      Services (https://rb.gy/ahlcuy) to CEOs, entrepreneurs and professionals.●      About me (https://rb.gy/dvmg9n) - my background, experience and philosophy.●      Examples of my writing https://rb.gy/jlbdds)●      Follow me and engage with me on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/2Z2PexP)●      Follow me and engage with me on Twitter (https://bit.ly/36XavNI)

Do you know somebody with autism, ADHD, a development delay or Tourette's?If you do, how well are they doing at work or indeed are they at work?Leaders have a responsibility to ensure conditions are flexible and enabling in their organisation or the job market to people with all aspects of neurodiversity.My guest in this episode, Ludmila Praslova, makes a convincing case for the benefits of more inclusion and belonging for all. Describing the damage caused by feeling excluded, leading to anxiety and for some people to take their own life.It doesn't have to be this way. It shouldn't be this way. So, listen and learn from Ludmila on this important topic.“Match someone well to a job and they can do it without any adjustments” – Ludmila PraslovaYou'll hear about:·      What neurodiversity means in practice·      How prevalent is neurodiversity?·      Neurodivergent people's workplace experience·      Why neurodivergent people are bullied more·      The response of HR leaders to neurodivergence·      Matching and crafting ·      Creating the conditions for people to share·      The challenge of dealing with diversity·      Where to start to make change?·      Misconceptions about neurodivergence·      The impact Ludmila wants to have on the world·      What does Ludmila's best day look like?About Ludmila Praslova:Ludmila N. Praslova, Ph.D., SHRM-SCP, is Professor of Psychology and the founding Director of Graduate Programs in Industrial-Organizational Psychology at Vanguard University of Southern California. Prior to her academic career, she built and led successful intercultural relations programs in global organizations.Her current consulting is focused on supporting organisations in creating systemic inclusion informed by an understanding of neurodiversity. Her other areas of expertise include organizational culture assessment and change. She is a member of the Thinkers50 Radar Class of 2024, a cohort of 30 up-and-coming thinkers whose ideas are predicted to shape management in the coming years.Resources:• Profile: https://shorturl.at/wqdkx• Book ‘The Canary Code: a guide to neurodiversity, dignity, and intersectional belonging at work’: https://amzn.to/3WeHW98 My resources:Take my new Becoming a Strategic Leader course (https://bit.ly/3KJYDTj)Sign up to my Every Day is a Strategy Day newsletter (http://bit.ly/36WRpri) for modern mindsets and practices to help you get ahead. Subscribe to my YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/3cFGk1k) where you can watch the conversation.For more details about me:●      Services (https://rb.gy/ahlcuy) to CEOs, entrepreneurs and professionals.●      About me (https://rb.gy/dvmg9n) - my background, experience and philosophy.●      Examples of my writing https://rb.gy/jlbdds)●      Follow me and engage with me on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/2Z2PexP)●      Follow me and engage with me on Twitter (https://bit.ly/36XavNI)

Be honest with yourself, how would you rate your meetings?More importantly how would those attending rate them?Too often executives and professionals have schedules full of them. They even see meetings as a sign of their status, their importance. Yet they still hate the thought of them. My guest in this episode, Steven Rogelberg, is a world-renowned authority and academic on the topic. He's pioneered some fascinating research, and he's found great ways to distil it into practice.He shares practical advice you will immediately be able to use in your next meeting to get the most out of them. From framing agendas with questions to making sure the right people are there. My personal belief is that mastery of meetings is available to everyone if you learn, do the hard work, practice, seek out feedback, and try and try again.“Leaders have to ultimately recognise that they are a steward of others' time.” – Steven RogelbergYou'll hear about:·      What are meetings actually here to do?·      How to set meetings up for success·      Ensuring people come with positivity·      How to get it going at its best·      Getting rid of group think·      Recovering from conflict in meetings·      Avoiding default timings of meetings·      Getting people to follow through·      The impact Steve wants to have in the worldAbout Steven Rogelberg:Steven G. Rogelberg is Chancellor's Professor at University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He has over 150 publications addressing issues such as team effectiveness, leadership, engagement, health and employee well-being, meetings at work, and organizational research methods. His book, The Surprising Science of Meetings, was named by The Washington Post as one of the 10 books to watch for in 2019. His latest book ‘Art & Science of 1:1 meetings’ unleashes the true potential of these transformative interactions.Resources:• Profile: https://shorturl.at/O28H0• Resources for your meetings: https://shorturl.at/S8kBb• Books: The Surprising Science of Meetings (https://shorturl.at/pE2ad) and Glad we Met (https://shorturl.at/780WT)My resources:Sign up to my Leading high-stakes meeting virtual masterclass series (https://bit.ly/3QBdn9R) Take my new Becoming a Strategic Leader course (https://bit.ly/3KJYDTj). Sign up to my Every Day is a Strategy Day newsletter (http://bit.ly/36WRpri) for modern mindsets and practices to help you get ahead. Subscribe to my YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/3cFGk1k) where you can watch the conversation.For more details about me:●      Services (https://rb.gy/ahlcuy) to CEOs, entrepreneurs and professionals.●      About me (https://rb.gy/dvmg9n) - my background, experience and philosophy.●      Examples of my writing https://rb.gy/jlbdds).●      Follow me and engage with me on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/2Z2PexP).●      Follow me and engage with me on Twitter (https://bit.ly/36XavNI).

Are you able to execute the vision you have for your life?For many creating a vision is hard enough, to then take action to get closer to it can seem near impossible. But if you knew how to develop your vision from the inside out you would see that it is indeed possible.In this episode I am joined by Caterina Kostoula, a vision coach and author. She shares what it takes to develop your vision and how to move towards it. She also shares her own obstacles she has had to overcome to achieve the vision she has for herself.We also delve into how to nurture your sense of purpose, your grounding, your inner voice to help guide you. Far from being woo woo, this is essential if you want to lead a great life, including work, and leave a positive impact in the world around you.“Vision is the navigational system that guides you through a fulfilling life” – Caterina KostoulaYou'll hear about:·      Caterina’s definition of vision·      Knowing where to start·      Getting rid of mental blocks·      Life working in harmony·      Internal vs external validation·      Caterina’s advice for those feeling under pressure·      What does Caterina struggle with?·      What impact doe Caterina want to have on the world?·      What does Caterina’s best day look like?About Caterina Kostoula:Caterina is the founder of The Leaderpath®. She is an executive coach and was previously a Global Business Leader at Google, who is now a client themselves. She also coaches leaders from Amazon, INSEAD, Vodafone, and many startups around the world.Caterina now heads The Leaderpath®, along with a handpicked team of Leaderpath coaches, providing executive one-to-one coaching, team coaching, live programs, and courses helping business leaders choose their own path to success. She holds an INSEAD MBA and an Executive Coaching MSc from Hult Ashridge Business School. She is accredited as a Senior Practitioner by the European Mentoring and Coaching Council. Resources:• Visionpath programme: https://shorturl.at/yRu7b • Book ‘Hold successful meetings’: https://shorturl.at/CkamQ• TEDX ‘Do your goals prevent your success? https://shorturl.at/nRycDMy resources:Sign up to my Leading high-stakes meeting virtual masterclass series (https://strategyshift.co.uk/course/leading-high-stakes-meetings/)Take my new Becoming a Strategic Leader course (https://bit.ly/3KJYDTj). Sign up to my Every Day is a Strategy Day newsletter (http://bit.ly/36WRpri) for modern mindsets and practices to help you get ahead. Subscribe to my YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/3cFGk1k) where you can watch the conversation.For more details about me:●      Services (https://strategyshift.co.uk/services/) to CEOs, entrepreneurs and professionals●      About me (https://strategyshift.co.uk/founder/) - my background, experience and philosophy●      Examples of my writing https://davidlancefield.com/writing/)●      Follow me and engage with me on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/2Z2PexP)●      Follow me and engage with me on Twitter (https://bit.ly/36XavNI)

Have you ever sat around a campfire?Sharing moments talking about what truly matters in life. No performance, no script, just being part of a community.My guest in this episode, Tony Martignetti's mission is to help people create these connections in work and life. Allowing people to feel part of the bigger picture and do their best work.Tony shares how to create those moments, emphasising the importance of curiosity and compassion. This can sometimes be difficult, so he gives insights into how best to manage them. As well as how you can open up and share something of yourself skilfully.This is an episode packed full of lessons to help you understand yourself and those around you even more.“The beauty is in the pauses and time to just listen more” – Tony MartignettiYou'll hear about:Campfires and communityCreating a safe environment for sharingHow to share skilfullyHow open should you be?Creating greater connection and community in teamsGetting to the real objectiveGiving everyone space to talkWhat would Tony tell his younger self?What impact does Tony want to have on the world?What does Tony’s best day look like?About Tony Martignetti:Tony is a leadership advisor, best-selling author, podcast host, speaker, entrepreneur, idea generator, people connector, and a curious adventurer. He bring together over 30 years of business and leadership experience and extreme curiosity to elevate leaders and equip them with the tools to navigate through change and unlock their true potential.Before becoming the founder and Chief Inspiration Officer of Inspired Purpose Partners, he was a finance and strategy executive with experience working with some of the world’s leading life sciences companies.Resources:• Profile: https://tinyurl.com/3bv8c9pj• Inspired leadership test: https://tinyurl.com/22wrvxxd • Podcast: https://tinyurl.com/5n7sjsn8• Book: ‘Campfire lessons for leaders’ - https://tinyurl.com/9d3vaduj• TEDx talk: ‘Don’t Check Yourself at the Door: How to Share Your True Self’ https://tinyurl.com/yk8a5328My resources:Sign up to one of my courses (https://bit.ly/3QHvlYm).Sign up to my Every Day is a Strategy Day newsletter (http://bit.ly/36WRpri) for modern mindsets and practices to help you get ahead. Subscribe to my YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/3cFGk1k) where you can watch the conversation.If you’re looking to work with me, check out my:Services (https://bit.ly/3QFOn1A) to C-Suite execs, entrepreneurs and professionals.Profile (https://bit.ly/3JUzrZk).Writing (https://bit.ly/3JTYnAi).Posts on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/2Z2PexP).

What can leadership learn from nature? And from fishing in particular?From operating in demanding, choppy waters with lives on the line to the individualised attention each catch needs, there are a great many similarities according to my guest in this episode, Oleg Konovalov.As you’ll hear it’s not just fishing but nature itself that can teach us about leadership. Oleg shares the lessons he has learned from his time as a fisherman that he now brings into his coaching practices.We talk about the mindset leaders need to have as they seek to create better futures and make important decisions day in, day out. He also discusses how he avoids taking on passengers and what he learned from falling in icy waters.“Leadership is about an ability to think and act for a better future” – Oleg Konovalov. You'll hear about:Words related to leadershipMyths about leadershipNature as a leadership coachHow do you keep a clear head?How being a master fisherman helps with mindsetHow to avoid hiring passengersRevealing Strengths: The Role of a LeaderDeveloping a servant based approach to leadershipOleg's experience falling into icy watersThe impact Oleg wants to have in the worldWhat helps Oleg do his best work?About Oleg Konovalov:Oleg is a global thought leader, author, business educator, consultant, and C-suite coach. He is named among the top eight global experts in leadership and shortlisted for the Distinguished Award in Leadership by Thinkers50. He is on Global Gurus Top 30 in Leadership, is the #1 Global Leading Coach (Marshall Goldsmith Thinkers50 Award), and has been named one of the Global 100 Inspirational Leaders 2022, along with Bill Gates, Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Oprah Winfrey.Having been named ‘the da Vinci of Visionary Leadership’ by many leading authorities of our time, Oleg is considered #1 in the world in the field of vision and visionary leadership.He is the author of The Fisherman’s Path to Leadership, The Vision Code, Leaderology, and other books.Resources:• Profile: https://www.olegkonovalov.com/• Leadership coaching: https://www.olegkonovalov.com/visionary-leadership-coaching-certification/• Books: https://www.olegkonovalov.com/author/My resources:Sign up to one of my courses (https://bit.ly/3QHvlYm).Sign up to my Every Day is a Strategy Day newsletter (http://bit.ly/36WRpri) for modern mindsets and practices to help you get ahead. Subscribe to my YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/3cFGk1k) where you can watch the conversation.If you’re looking to work with me, check out my:Services (https://bit.ly/3QFOn1A) to C-Suite execs, entrepreneurs and professionals.Profile (https://bit.ly/3JUzrZk).Writing (https://bit.ly/3JTYnAi).Posts on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/2Z2PexP).

How do you respond when you’re caught off guard?Imagine holding a meeting but you don’t know how to respond to a situation. The way you react to your anxieties can negatively impact the outcome you want to achieve. It doesn’t have to be this way; you can be prepared.In this episode I am joined by Matt Abrahams, an expert in communication. He says there are ways of preparing yourself and then responding, which is achieved through changing your mindset and having structures to follow.He discusses the common moments we get caught off guard at work and how we can prepare for them. He also shares ways that you can become a better listener, and his methods to talk smarter in the moment.It's about getting out of your head and finding ways to connect with the other person.“You actually have to prepare to be spontaneous” – Matt AbrahamsYou'll hear about:Moments we get caught off guard at workHow to be able to apply Matt’s methodsHow do you listen properly and attentivelyDealing with difficult situationsThe power of storytelling in these momentsMatt’s recommendations to perfectionistsMatt’s top tip for dealing with difficult situationsWhat Matt’s best day looks likeThe impact Matt wants to have on the worldAbout Matt AbrahamsMatt is a leading expert in communication with decades of experience as an educator, author, podcast host, and coach. As a Lecturer in Organisational Behavior at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business, he teaches popular classes in strategic communication and effective virtual presenting. Outside of the classroom, Matt is a sought-after keynote speaker and communication consultant. He has helped countless presenters improve and hone their communication, including some who have delivered IPO road shows as well as Nobel Prize, TED, and World Economic Forum presentations. His online talks garner millions of views and he hosts the popular, award-winning podcast Think Fast, Talk Smart The Podcast. Resources:• Profile: https://mattabrahams.com/about/• Book: ‘Think faster, talk faster’ - https://mattabrahams.com/books/• Podcast: https://mattabrahams.com/podcast/My resources:Sign up to one of my courses (https://bit.ly/3QHvlYm).Sign up to my Every Day is a Strategy Day newsletter (http://bit.ly/36WRpri) for modern mindsets and practices to help you get ahead. Subscribe to my YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/3cFGk1k) where you can watch the conversation.If you’re looking to work with me, check out my:Services (https://bit.ly/3QFOn1A) to C-Suite execs, entrepreneurs and professionals.Profile (https://bit.ly/3JUzrZk).Writing (https://bit.ly/3JTYnAi).Posts on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/2Z2PexP).