Episodes
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Alongsider revisits Simon Acerson-Paine - Professional Trainer and expert running coach. When was the last time you were taught to run - Simon takes us through this transformation and shares what he learnt from the work of Russian, Dr Nicholas Romanoff. Learning to use gravity and the route of least resistance for peak performance. He also explores the energy that emerges from groups in harmony. 'Burning energy without the soul' is missing out. Exercise without an element of fun will not be sustainable. There is a sense that these lessons are transferrable to the workplace and our organisations. Attitude is key and is probably called morale or conductivity in other contexts. What we discern is that the quality of relationship between people is the necessary key focus for leaders in any context.
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Alongsider meets Richard J Roberts who he confides originally wanted to be a marine biologist. However, despite a fear of blood, he became a doctor and GP before adding Psychotherapy to his skillset. He shares about his recently published book on the remarkable life of St Patrick and Ireland. Kidnapped by pirates and taken as slave to the Emerald Isle, he managed to escape with some divine help and returned home. He felt a call to the priesthood, became a Bishop and returned to Ireland conquering the hearts of some 40 out of 150 tribal leaders. No mean feat in a culture where foreigners were not treated with kindness. Richard is an accomplished alongsider as spiritual accompanier and academic. This is a great open and informed conversation with someone of great passion and quiet energy. He says St Patrick's Alongsiider attributes would include - honesty, integrity and reliability - something he clearly shares with Richard himself.
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Missing episodes?
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Alongsider has something for everyone in this episode. The common ground is our body and how it connects to mind and belief. Simon Acerson-Paine is a highly skilled professional with a significant grounding in psychology as well as nutrition, anatomy etc, He talks about his fundamental compulsion to 'burn energy' with the end in mind. He is a 9 on the Enneagram - an adaptive peacemaker. He would never force anything, overthink it (he is a mature 9) or overdo it. Most injuries are caused by doing too much. Learning enough and when to say 'no' is key. These are as useful in the gym as much as in the boardroom or on the Exec team. He reframes exercise for people (often misconceived) as an opportunity to find out who they are, how they feel and what they could be. Questions as much for the individual and the team as for the organisation or community in which we find out selves perhaps. Simon is a consummate Alongsider and you will enjoy his company in part 1 of this 2 part podcast episode.
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Another Alongsider participant kindly introduced our guest this time, Cathi Raffaeli. She describes herself as 'eclectic' and someone who is tenancious - she never lets go. It is no surprise that she has established a global reputation for her talent with money and organising. Money, she shares, is an enabler to prosperity and we hear some stories that support this. She also delights to tell how baby elephants are taught to dance - a talent that only shows its value as adult elephants. She cites some senior mentors and influencers (Jack Welch of GE). She equally mentions peers as valuable Alongsiders. For many, peers are more perhaps the competition. Her family used their wealth to build schools in parts of Africa and this informs her sense of money as an enabler to prosperity. Each year she picks a new topic to study or new activity to take up (currently sailing as a neophyte)...A great boss, peer, mentor and advocate. There is much to enjoy and learn here.
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Alongsider has great pleasure in meeting one of life's natural enthusiasts. James Garner's many years as a QS and working with Data to gain insight in the built Environment has not left him static. His thirst for 'what next' and 'what's new' embraces an interest in his sector's collective learning with RICS Construction Property Group panel . He loves to decompose the complext and reassemble it with more understanding and clarity. He is deeply curious about the possibilities of AI and has not one, but 2 highly successful podcasts/Newsletters exploring AI's potential within construction. His wife finds him equally annoying and a great companion, especially in their band in which they both play. I forgot to ask the name of the band. Another time perhaps. For now, enjoy this great conversation with someone who is informed and carries it lightly and with good humour.
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If you would like real insight into Diversity Inclusion and Equity and how it plays out in the workplace and elsewhere, this is for you. Alongsider meets a gentle man of great diversity, meaning someone who is interested and interesting. A stand up comedian, campaigner for fairness, University Rector and much more. He is also really great company - meet Simon Fanshawe OBE. He speaks of his upbringing in an upper middle class family, with a father in the armed services and a mother who remained on close terms for life with those ladies who helped with the domestic chores. So Simon is someone of goodwill and who values good connection. He speaks to the corporate world about the value of diversity and what is missed when we don't intentionally include. As a founder of Stonewall, we hear of their real mission and how it was accomplished in a most spectacular way. This is so relevant for our times and shared with great joy and glee. I commend this conversation to you.
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If you are looking to develop your corporate life whilst also building an external personal reputation - this is for you. Alongsider meets Dr Florian who as an Alongsider and Loyal Sceptic (Enneagram 6) shares how he likes to 'take the steering wheel' and allow joy to rise in the workplace. This is someone who does not find most things difficult once there is belief. He momentarily disappointed his father when he decided not to practice Law. Florian's sights were on a place more fast paced and where change was a given. Also, a place where excellence was expected if one is to thrive. He made the move from consulting to people development and is much in demand. He says for him 'work is somehow play' and drives his curiosity. He has 'found his place' and shares how he has taken it and now encourages others to do the same. His place is both within one of the world's most renowned consulting firms alongside building a highly successful personal professional practice
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Welcome back to Alongsider in conversation with Debra Green OBE, a person of great inspiration and influence. She has been described as being "very ordinary" and yet her stories reveal some extraordinary results. These are often in community settings where there is a belief that change is 'impossible'. She has a special gift for coming alongside communities to build trust and opportunity to discuss critical issues affecting local lives. This safe listening space generates collaboration across cultures, organisations and neighbours. She characterises the common traits of these groups as being people of 'goodwill'. This sees a letting go of the need to control and allows transformation to happen. Like 'Gunchester' reclaiming and taking its place and real identity as Manchester, where she is now Deputy Lieutenant. Anyone who seeks to bring about positive change in their community, institutions or workplace will be moved to good action by Debra's inspiring and practical approach. This really is an Alongsider story for our times and acts as an antidote to the current, seeming lack of innovation and new ideas. Her energy and enthusiasm is infectious and brings about a rising belief that together local challenges can be faced and impacted significantly. Alongsider is in conversation with Debra Green OBE, a person of great inspiration and influence. She has been described as being "very ordinary" and yet her stories reveal some extraordinary results. These are often in community settings where there is a belief that change is 'impossible'. She has a special gift for coming alongside communities to build trust and opportunity to discuss critical issues affecting local lives. This safe listening space generates collaboration across cultures, organisations and neighbours. She characterises the common traits of these groups as being people of 'goodwill'. This sees a letting go of the need to control and allows transformation to happen. Like 'Gunchester' reclaiming and taking its place and real identity as Manchester, where she is now Deputy Lieutenant. Anyone who seeks to bring about positive change in their community, institutions or workplace will be moved to good action by Debra's inspiring and practical approach. This really is an Alongsider story for our times acts as an antidote to the current, seeming lack of innovation and ideas. Her energy and enthusiasm is infectious and brings about rising belief that together local challenges can be faced and impacted positively.
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For anyone seeking to make their OKRs work even more effectively (start or start again!) to achieve your desired outcomes - this is for you. Alongsider tries something new this episode and asks Master (gender neutral Google tells me) OKR coaches Melanie Wessels and Mark Richard to join us again (see Episodes 1 and 19). They share some deep insights into how OKRs are being adapted to fit the context of the organisation in which they are implemented. As opposed to a 'one size fit all approach'. They notice that where OKRs are being used successfully, there is less rigidity and uniformity. The pace adopted is more measured, less fast and task. This is in service of sound thinking and reflection before acting - almost 'contemplative'...human. Better decision making throughout will engender better more sustainable outcomes. This development, they notice, offers too higher levels of engagement and psychological safety in the mission of the organisation and in the planning to achieve it alongside business as usual. It also offers a deeper level of trust in the process - OKR mindset, skillset and tools - the cadence, reflection and resetting. They see more excitement and something bigger emerging for organisations who learn along the way and apply it effectively together with more humanity. I commend this to you - there are some great stories to learn from here.
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Alongsider meets Colin Newbold, a force to be reckoned with, who says we 'live in interesting times'. Clearly life is never dull around Colin who is at an age where most might be slowing down - Colin has merely moved from racing on the track to rallying in town and country. He has been dubbed 'crazyboy' by his partner who should know! A successful career in Pharmaceuticals starting at the bottom to become head of National Sales, inspired him to develop an interest in people and motivation. He believes that creativity, innovation and curiosity about people is key to creating better bosses - influential alongsiders. He has run his own Leadership development and training organisation for many decades. He describes an example of a good alongsider was an early supportive boss with a particular taste in eating venues. More recently, his race navigator - another alongsider who he values hightly is a man of few words, clear in what he means, good at maths (not Colin's strong point), very generous and fun. He is also a skilled HR professional in financial services. Colin's heart's desire has been to own a AC Cobra and he has learnt to moderate his desires. This is great fun and offers some deep learning for those who want and aim to be better bosses.
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Join Alongsider for a great collaborative conversation with Des Kennedy a highly creative, strategic designer and coach. Most of all, someone you would like to have alongside as you start something new - especially, if it involves technology and practical solutions. Des shares his story from Design school graduate to the lights of 80's London where he and his colleague creatively found a central place to live with their own front door - all without paying rent...also called squatting :) Low finances forced him back to the North East where he has since established an enviable reputatation and flourishing design consultancy. He is an accomplished OKR coach and published author on the methodology. Someone you would really want alongside as you face big new challenges that requires creative, 'can do' thinking and practical application. Des is also great fun and his gentle georgie accent hides the necessary steel and focus he possesses to achieve sustained success for his clients and teams. Curious, supportive and open to learn - some key traits of this Alongsider. Join us, you will pick up some valuable pointers.
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Alongsider meets Fr Nigel Mumford whose unlikely story he shares with great humour and groundedness. An early yearning to serve in the Police Force was thwarted and he turned to the Royal Marines - their demanding fitness test he passed. All this via Selfridges and a thriving framing business. As Royal Marine, he served in Northern Ireland, endured PTSD and experienced healing. This led him to US and priesthood where from Virginia he leads a church right alongside one of the largest naval bases in the world. There he comes alongside victims of trauma and now has a global reputation for bringing healing and wholeness - especially to service people. An enthusiast at heart, he shares his story with huge fun, vigour and a powerful of depth of conviction which is infectious. I commend this to you.
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Alongsider is in a rich and wide ranging conversation with, Mark Goyder, Founder of Tomorrow's Company formed to encourage business to find and take its place within the global and local community in which it seeks to flourish. The 8th child of parents who greatly influenced the young Mark - from his mother he received the gift of 'peacemaker' and from his father - 'battling'. All this has been foundational to Mark and built further by those who have come alongside him at University encouraging him to go further - instilling self belief. Also in his career at GEC (now BAE) and elsewhere where alongsiders have engendered courage to face situations he may have felt less equipped to navigate. A fluent and insightful guest who shares generously of his experience and learning, where the brave and direct approach of others has seen him grow. Mark weaves together a rich tapestry of threads, spanning silos and decades. An evident enthusiastic visionary (Enneagram 7) one of his closest friends, very sadly untimely lost, called him 'Joyboy'. This is a person very comfortable in his own skin who embraces the third stage of life with gusto. He brings an holistic view which is prescient, relevant and inspires brave action. Enjoy!
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Alongsider meets a global missionary, Brother James, whose heart is for the untouchables, the poor and needy in India. 'Christianity is not a religion its purpose is to connect people with themselves, each other and their Creator.' He speaks of Hinduism and identity and how the 'untouchables' were often excluded as the fifth level of the caste system. Whilst some of this has changed, these people are largely marginalised. 3 decades in US, married with 5 children, for last 16 years, he has returned to India and he shares what he observes - some very positive developments which is not always heard outside of the country. He shares of his innovation,'Discovery', to facilitate small groups and individuals to discover the 'truth' and be empowered. This is an inspiring story and connects centuries and culture. It illuminates and offers a new view on identity, secularism and freedom.
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Alongsider meets an expert who completely changes one's perception of a profession - in this case it is psychiatry and how it can impact the workplace. Dr Judith Mohring shares how she added coaching to her skillset and found the experience transformational. She has left her professional practice to pursue her passion to help organisations and individuals create an 'eco-system' where people can be at their best, alive and thrive. Her model of health goes beyond the head and embraces the whole being - allowing the spirit to rise. We all know when team spirit is absent - equally we know when it is present and we are firing on all cylinders. A very natural enthusiastic visionary with a personal and expert perspective on ADHD and much more beside. Join us to hear to her preferred Alongsider traits and insights. She brings winds of change.
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Alongsider has great pleasure in speaking with Hannah Grove, an elegant and seasoned Financial Marketing professional who now influences more from the Board than BAU. She hints that her teachers might not have seen her in a career in finance. She has a wide interest and brings her own shine to each place she choses to take. This extends to Libraries and the significant place they offer in community - even to the administration of vaccines. She shares her influencers and alongsiders who have provided a place for her to grow and learn and pass on the learning. The latter as Alongsider to others as she brings her own special touch to breakdown complexity and enable good decision making. It is also not too far into our conversation when laughter emerges and the joy that is Hannah Grove manifests. No wonder she is in demand on Boards and elsewhere with great impact and good effect. Enjoy!
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Alongsider is in conversation with Philippa White, CEO of TIE Leadership (The International Exchange). We hear how inspiration at her uncle's funeral (he was doctor to Nelson Mandela) moved her to start her business. TIE offers people an experiential challenge that brings them fully alive to who they are in a visceral way - quite unlike other development programmes. 'I take leaders and teams to edge of their mental maps, and gently nudge them off.' We hear how a programme in Malawi influenced not just the locality, the nation but then Global Community. This is a very different kind of intervention which has the potential to really influence the world of work forever. Her recent book 'ROH - return on humanity' captures stories across sectors and continents and seeks to influence and 'challenge broken systems'. An amazing conversation, Phillipa's enthusiasm is infectious.
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Alongsider is in conversation with Sir Steven Wilkinson, a very different energy within the financial and business community. Before the recording, he quoted from Deuteronomy 8 - Since there will never cease to be some in need on the earth, I therefore command you, "Open your hand to the poor and needy neighbour in your land". We meet a very different thinker and protagonist who encourages the pursuit of evolutionary growth only after some sound reflection. Considering the impact for ourselves as much as for all those particpating in the system. This is a very rounded view and seems at one level quite partial. It does not take long however, for the full breadth of his ambition and vision to emerge. This is in no way self seeking and reveals a holistic perspective that is refreshing, exihilarating and not without challenge. Enjoy!
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Alongsider meets a real hands on expert in OKRs, Coach and Considerate Helper with steel beneath an unassumingly benign exterior. No wonder she is in demand as an encourager and facilitator in Global OKR forums. Her approach is beguilingly quiet and gentle and brings with it a powerful impact. Mel is a refreshing and joyful energy which many of our organisations are seeking without knowing quite how to define it. Melanie gently guides me through a real OKR coaching session giving me solid next steps! Mrs C will be impressed and delighted! Mel is a mother of 2 small ones and has chosen a slower pace for now...until she choses to pick up the pace at the right time for herself, her family and those she seeks to influence. Join us, this is vintage Alongsider.
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Alongsider has a change of pace as we meet Mia Ganda, a highly accomplished polymath and intense creative - with expertise in Leadership Development, Mental Health and 'Emotional Granularity'. She started out as a Model, has worked in Fashion and Sports Management where she had a successful career and despite having 'little experience as a negotiator' was the preferred agent for some great national football talent. She returned to full time education and completed 3 degrees in Finance and Business and a Masters in 2 years. She now has a broad practice with CEO's and teams as coach. Interested in intimacy in the business context, she has collaborated with Deepak Chopra on an Emotional Intimacy course for the app Jiyo. She is based between Berlin and London and travels widely. A free spirit, Mia shares her story with significant gentleness of strength and elan. Enjoy!
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