Unlocking More from AI

What can climbing some of the world's toughest mountainsteach us about resilience, confidence and leadership?  Quite a lot, as it turns out.In this episode of Lead with Curiosity, I'm joined by Sarka Wilde, founder and owner of Distinct Property Consultants, whose professional experience helping people navigate major decisions is matched by a remarkable appetite for personal adventure.From Kilimanjaro and Everest Base Camp to Chola Pass and Aconcagua, Sarka has experienced situations where determination, uncertainty, fear and self-belief became very real indeed.Together, we explore what resilience actually means, why being resilient doesn't necessarily mean being mentally tough, and how we can learn to manage fear rather than allowing it to make our decisions for us.We also discuss the importance of self-awareness, the difference between real limitations and those we place on ourselves, and what separates people who remain calm under pressure from those who become overwhelmed.Sarka shares her lived experience on how the lessons learnt on a mountain can help us navigate the challenges we face much closer to home, whether that's making a difficult decision, leading a team through uncertainty or finding the confidence to do something we previously thought was beyond us.Sarka also tells us about her passion for The Propertymarktrust charity, which actively helps past & present members suffering from severe financial hardship, whether that be as a consequence of physical or mental illness, the death of the family breadwinner, a natural disaster, or any other event or sequence of events of catastrophic impact on family finances. Content warning: Please be aware that suicide isreferenced in this episode.If you would like to learn more about Distinct PropertyConsultants, you can find their website here https://www.distinctpropertyconsultants.co.uk/You can contact Sarka directly via her LinkedIn profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/sswilde/If you are interested in learning more about The PropertymarkTrust, you can find a link to their website here https://www.propertymark-trust.co.uk/To find out more about Donovan Training Associates, please visit https://www.donovantrainingassociates.co.uk/We'd love to know what you think of the episode and if you have any questions for Sarka or I, please get in touch in the comments section.

The higher you climb in leadership, the more you have to learn to let go.  But that's easier said than done, particularly when you've built your career on being good at gettingthings done.In this episode of Lead with Curiosity, I'm joined by Ian Nicholas from Reed, whose journey from HR and Learning & Development into global executive leadership offers a fascinating perspective on what great leadership really looks like.We explore leading through change, balancing commercial performance with culture, developing talented people and why the best leaders aren't necessarily the ones with all the answers.Ian also candidly shares what he wishes he'd learned earlier in his career, and how his definition of great leadership has evolved along the way.If you would like to learn more about Reed, you can find their website here https://www.reed.comYou can contact Ian directly via his LinkedIn profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-nicholas/To find out more about Donovan Training Associates, please visit https://www.donovantrainingassociates.co.uk/We'd love to know what you think of the episode and if you have any questions for Ian or I, please get in touch in the comments section.

It's easy to talk about trust, accountability and empoweringpeople. It's quite another thing to put those principles into practice when the pressure is on, the decisions are difficult and everyone is looking to you for answers.In this episode of Lead with Curiosity, I'm joinedonce again by Louise Wane, Managing Director of Rainbow Dust, for an honest conversation about the realities of leading people and running a business.This time Louise specifically requested not seeing anyquestions in advance.  We explore the everyday behaviours that shape workplace culture, how leaders balance empathywith accountability, and why building a successful team sometimes means learning to step back rather than stepping in.We also discuss something that many leaders will recognise,the pressure of making decisions when you don't have all the information, supporting others through uncertainty while managing your own doubts, and nowing when to trust your judgement.And we reflect on the lessons that experience teaches us, thebeliefs we change our minds about, the mistakes that help us grow, and the advice we'd give ourselves if we could go back to our first leadership role.If you would like to learn more about Rainbow Dust, you canfind their website here https://www.rainbowdust.co.uk/You can contact Louise directly via her LinkedIn profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-wane-mba-58173772/To find out more about Donovan Training Associates, pleasevisit https://www.donovantrainingassociates.co.uk/We'd love to know what you think of the episode and if youhave any questions for Louise or I, please get in touch in the comments section.

Is your marketing actually growing your business, or just keeping you busy?It's easy to get caught up in website traffic, social media followers, clicks and impressions. But how much of that activity is genuinely making a difference to your business?In this episode of Lead with Curiosity, I'm joined by Natasha Ellard from Urban Element to explore what effective marketing really looks like, and why business owners need to look beyond the numbers that make them feel good to understand the ones that actually matter.We discuss why so many businesses struggle to know where to invest their marketing budget, how to make sense of SEO, paid advertising, social media and content, and what it takes to turn marketing activity into meaningful commercial results.We also explore the growing influence of AI. Where can technology genuinely help businesses become more effective, and where do we risk losing the creativity, authenticity and human connection that make great marketing work?And perhaps most importantly, we consider why marketing, sales and customer experience need to work together if businesses want to achieve sustainable growth.Whether you're running your own business, leading a team or simply trying to understand whether your marketing investment is delivering, this conversation is designed to help you ask better questions, focus on what matters and make more confident decisions.If you would like to learn more about Urban Element, you can find their website here https://www.urbanelement.com/You can contact Natasha directly via her LinkedIn profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/natashaw/To find out more about Donovan Training Associates, please visit https://www.donovantrainingassociates.co.uk/We'd love to know what you think of the episode and if you have any questions for Natasha or I, please get in touch in the comments section.

In this episode of Lead with Curiosity, I’m joined by Phil Walker, Co-Founder and Fractional CFO from Mettryx to explore how business finance can feel a little less intimidating, and considerably more useful.We explore the financial blind spots that can hold otherwise successful businesses back, why so many owners avoid engaging with their numbers, and whether the old saying “turnover is vanity, profit is sanity” actually tells us enough.Phil shares the financial measures every business owner should understand, the early warning signs of cash flow problems, and the habits that can increase the value of a business long before anyone starts thinking about investment or exit.We also explore the theme of confidence. As the decisions get bigger, how can better financial information help leaders move beyond gut instinct and make bold decisions with greater confidence?And, inevitably, we talk about AI, where it can improve financial decision making, and where human judgement still matters.If you would like to learn more about Mettryx, you can find their website here https://mettryx.com/You can contact Phil directly via his LinkedIn profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/philwalkermettryx/And if you would like to learn more about Phil's wine making venture, you can learn more here https://vyndene.com/To find out more about Donovan Training Associates, please visit https://www.donovantrainingassociates.co.uk/We'd love to know what you think of the episode and if you have any questions for Phil or I, please get in touch in the comments section.Thank you for watching or listening and enjoy the episode.

What if the best networking had very little to do with selling?In the first episdoe of the new series of Lead with Curiosity, I had the pleasure of being joined by Cathy Dunbabin, founder of Opendoorz, to explore what more than 25 years of building professional relationships has taught her about networking, trust and genuine human connection.We discussed why collecting contacts isn’t the same as building a network, why walking into a room looking for someone to sell to is often the wrong place to start, and what happens when you create a culture where people genuinely want to help one another succeed.Cathy also shares lots of practical advice for anyone who finds networking uncomfortable, including how to build confidence when walking into a room full of strangers.Finally, we looked ahead. As AI and technology increasingly influence how we find, meet and communicate with people, what happens to the human relationships behind great businesses?If you would like to learn more about Opendoorz and whether this might be the right networking fit for you, you can find their website here https://opendoorz.biz/You can contact Cathy directly via her LinkedIn profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathydunbabin-networkingexpert/To find out more about Donovan Training Associates, please visit https://www.donovantrainingassociates.co.uk/We'd love to know what you think of the episode and if you have any questions for Cathy or I, please get in touch in the comments section.Thank you for watching or listening and enjoy the episode.

For many Organisations, the biggest challenge with AI is not the technology, it is having people with the skills and confidence to use it effectively.In this episode of Lead with Curiosity, I had the pleasure of speaking with Richard Lambden, Director of Business Development at Cambridge Spark about how Data and AI apprenticeships are transforming the way Organisations develop talent. We discussed how and why apprenticeships have evolved far beyond traditional trades, the misconceptions many employers still hold, and how businesses of every size can benefit from investing in digital capability.Richard also shares some insights on what great employers do to help apprentices thrive, how blended learning creates lasting workplace performance and the measurable business outcomes that come from developing Data and AI skills from within. Whether you are considering apprenticeships for the first time or looking to build an AI ready workforce, this episode offers practical insights into preparing your Organisation for the future.If you would like to learn more about Cambridge Spark and how they can support you with apprenticeships, you can find their website here https://www.cambridgespark.com/You can contact Richard directly via his LinkedIn profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardlambden/To find out more about Donovan Training Associates, please visit https://www.donovantrainingassociates.co.uk/We'd love to know what you think of the episode and if you have any questions for Richard or I, please get in touch in the comments section.Thank you for listening and enjoy the episode.

In this episode of Lead with Curiosity, I sat down with Daniel Barnes, Chartered Financial Planner and a Director at Barnes Wealth Management, to explore why financial planning is about far more than building wealth. From debunking common myths about who financial advice is really for, to discussing retirement, inheritance, and protecting your future, our conversation offers practical guidance for professionals, business owners, and families alike. We also reflect on the experience of taking over a family business, the leadership lessons passed from one generation to the next, and the small financial habits that can make a lasting difference. Whether you're just starting your career or planning for the future, this episode will leave you with practical insights and plenty to think about.If you would like to learn more about Daniel and how his team at Barnes Wealth Management can support you with your financial planning, you can visit their website here https://www.barneswealthmanagement.co.uk/You can also contact Daniel via his LinkedIn profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-barneswealth/To find out more about Donovan Training Associates, please visit https://www.donovantrainingassociates.co.uk/We'd love to know what you think of the episode and if you have any questions for Daniel or I, please get in touch in the comments section.Thank you for listening and enjoy the episode.

What separates good teams from truly exceptional ones? In this episode, I sat down with Lisa-Marie Mallier to explore what it really takes to build high performing teams, where people feel empowered, accountable, and motivated to succeed. From creating a culture of trust and high standards, to balancing support with accountability, Lisa shares some practical leadership insights and lived experience that will help people, teams, and Organisations perform at their very best.If you would like to learn more about Lisa and how she can support your business, you can contact her via her LinkedIn profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisamariemallier/.Alternatively you can email Lisa at [email protected] find out more about Donovan Training Associates, please visit https://www.donovantrainingassociates.co.uk/We'd love to know what you think of the episode and if you have any questions for Lisa or I, please get in touch in the comments section.Thank you for listening and enjoy the episode.

Building on the foundations from episode one, I sat down with Marnie Wills, an AI strategist and trainer to explore how business owners can move beyond basic AI use and unlock greater value. From better prompting and practical workflows to creativity and the future of work, this episode focuses on turning AI from a useful tool into a strategic advantage.If you would like to learn more about Marnie and how she can support you with your AI requirements, you can find her here https://brand.contact/marnie-wills or you can contact Marnie via her LinkedIn profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/marnie-wills-ai-activist/To find out more about Donovan Training Associates, please visit https://www.donovantrainingassociates.co.uk/We'd love to know what you think of the episode and if you have any questions for Marnie and I, please get in touch in the comments section.Thank you for listening and enjoy the episode.