The Lead Story

Paul Downing, my dad, is back! With 40 years of experience working in hotels internationally, Paul once again brings us lots of colourful stories about how he’s successfully handled cultural differences around the globe. There’s ice cream served in the desert from Lawrence of Arabia’s train, a goat stew brings a team together, and a manager must agree to hold meetings again, 25 years after the revolution*.What should companies be doing to prepare their managers to lead in new territories? What’s the key to assimilating into a culture (hint: we’ve talked about it before!) We also discuss how to build and maintain company culture and just what effect it has on recruitment and retaining of staff. *Which revolution? You’re going to have to tune in to find out. "The Lead Story" episodes 1-5 are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts and other podcast platforms. 

I had so much fun talking about positivity with Tiffany Bradbury and had to find out a little more. This bonus segment gets a few more insights into how she keeps positivity in her life:  with coffee, gratitude, 90’s grunge music and a whole lotta glitter. "The Lead Story" episodes 1-5 are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts and other podcast platforms. 

Who’s the most positive member of your leadership team? Ever think about the steel that’s supporting all that sunshine and smiles? We’re exploring *positive* leadership so it’s time to get down to the details and look at positivity. It’s a conscious way to approach the day, the attitude with which to tackle a challenge, the thing you can be known for. But how do you sustain the energy to always be the one bringing positivity into the workplace? How do you remain positive during challenging times? And are there times when perhaps a positive attitude is the last thing a person wants to face? If you’re bringing the glitter and unicorns to the table, are you being seen as soft or weak? I explore all that and more with one of the most positive people I know: Tiffany Bradbury. She was one of my very first managers and lead with a big smile and an even bigger heart. But that didn’t mean she was a pushover. So how has she brought that positivity and leadership to the fore every day, whether it be directing the evening news, teaching kids fire safety, or helping a community navigate a global pandemic? We discuss how important kindness is today not only in the workplace but in all aspects of our lives, how different people may want their kudos, why asking for help can show strength, and just how to fill that positivity bucket that everyone draws from. As always there are stories, laughter, and some really good advice. "The Lead Story" episodes 1-5 are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts and other podcast platforms. 

Pop quiz, hot shot! You didn't think I was going to speak to a teacher and not spring a pop quiz on him, did you? I put Mr Gartman into the hot seat to ask about first day superstitions, hidden talents, and the truth about the teachers' lounge. Grab a pencil, heads down, and begin! "The Lead Story" episodes 1-5 are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts and other podcast platforms. 

It’s back to school time! We’re sneaking into the teacher’s lounge to speak to Jeff Gartman, who left television news production to turn to teaching. We chat about working with bright stars and more challenging students, how an old dog has to constantly learn new tricks to keep up with ever-changing technology, the balance between respect and authority, and the ever-lasting effects a teacher can have on a student, and vice versa. It’s a semester-full of inspiration that’ll have you reminiscing about your first leaders – the teachers in your past. Time to put away your phones* and pay attention! (*don’t put away your phone if you’re listening to the podcast on it…) "The Lead Story" episodes 1-5 are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts and other podcast platforms. 

We're going back to school for episode three of the Lead story, exploring positive leadership in the classroom and beyond. Available from 9th September. "The Lead Story" episodes 1-5 are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts and other podcast platforms. 

Only celebrities need media training, right? Wrong. If you are in an upper management role, have a brand to protect, and your company provides a product or service to the public, you'll likely deal with the media at some point. It's one thing to speak to the press when you're promoting something. It's a different game when there's a crisis to manage. "The Lead Story" episodes 1-5 are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts and other podcast platforms. 

Did you know President Ronald Reagan had his post-presidency office in Fox Plaza, aka Nakatomi Tower, aka the Die Hard building? Here's a little bonus story from Paul about paying President Reagan a visit, with a nice takeaway we can all put to use. "The Lead Story" episodes 1-5 are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts and other podcast platforms. 

Die Hard is one of the most famous action films of all time, but what happens when you're working in Nakatomi Tower and a real hostage situation is taking place? Do you leave the building or work through lunch? Check out episode 2 of The Lead Story to hear what one guy did."The Lead Story" episodes 1-5 are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts and other podcast platforms. 

August 2023 - The Lead Story - Episode 3: “Crisis”How good are you at an emergency? Good leadership can really be put to the test when a crisis invades the workplace. How does a good leader prepare for the unknown? How you handle an active situation personally can really affect how everyone else responds.  Episode 2 of The Lead Story explores preparing for crisis. Paul Downing is back with over 40 years of global experience in hotel & regional management. He’s a mentor to many (including me) and has a lot to talk about in this episode, given he’s handled bomb scares, presidential visits, natural disasters, enraged mothers-of-the-groom, and protesters in the middle of a national revolution. We chat about how to prepare for an emergency, from crisis plans and hi-vis vests to how building respect amongst your team on a day-to-day basis can really come into play when crisis strikes. Stories include:Crisis Plan: bomb scare in DusseldorfMedia Training: faux terror attack in Washington DCCrisis Centre: getting practical in the ballroomLeadership: keeping calm after 7/7 bomb attacks in LondonBack to Basics: feeding 400 during LA RiotsLessons Learnt: real-life Die Hard hostage situationReal or Fake: movie bombs & the Secret ServiceKeeping your cool: blowing it with MI-5Not my job: handling potential presidential troublemakersRespect: keeping things real during Arab Spring protestsToo hot to handle: Penguins in the Venetian Lagoon Links:LA Times article about real-life Nakatomi Tower hostage situation: Enjoyed the episode? Please share! Instagram: theleadstorypodcastFacebook: The Lead Story Podcast"The Lead Story" episodes 1-5 are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts and other podcast platforms.