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In this episode, Bobby and Bridge are pulling at the threads of what leadership really looks like. Not the glossy, top-floor kind, but the kind that happens in the messy middle.
Being in the Weave explores how leadership shows up without titles, how power flows in every direction, and why being quietly influential might just be your superpower.
Expect laughs, truths, and a bit of mayhem (including a lost spreadsheet and a quilt metaphor you didn’t know you needed).
If you’re a middle-sitter, an edge-walker, or someone who just gets stuff done, this one’s for you.
Give and Take | Adam Grant | BooksRebel Ideas | Matthew Syed | Books
You Don't Need a Title to Be a Leader | Mark Sanborn | Books
Six Ways To Lead Even When You Aren't In A Leadership Position
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What if the voice in your head wasn’t running the show?
In this episode, award-winning coach and founder of Quiet the Hive, Jane Galloway, joins Bobby to explore the power of questions over should’s, statements, and stuckness. From NHS leadership to poetry and post-it notes, it’s a conversation full of honesty, humour, and permission tolive your one wild and precious life a little braver.
Links
Jane (Bellamy) Galloway | LinkedIn
Elizabeth Gilbert | Big Magic | Books
Tara Mohr | Playing Big | Books
23 Powerful Michael Jordan Quotes on Failure: Fuel for Success.
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Manglende episoder?
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What does it really mean to lead from below the neck?
In this funny, thoughtful, and occasionally inappropriate episode (sorry, Richard Strozzi-Heckler), Bobby and Bridgetexplore what it actually takes to lead with the body, not just the brain.
From control habits and emotional spirals to guinea pig impressions and the rhythm of excitement (yes, that kind), this episode is a gently clumsy invitation to pause, breathe, and reconnect.
If you've ever felt like a walking head or a premature fixer, this one's for you.
Links
The Leadership Dojo | Richard Strozzi-Heckler | Books
Your body language shapes who you are | Amy Cuddy 2020 | TEDx
Strozzi Institute for Somatics
The Art Of Leading With Intuition: Why Gut Feeling Is Your Best Ally
Podcast - On Being with Krista Tippett – Interviews with Bessel van der Kolk, Resmaa Menakem
Podcast - Coaching for Leaders – Episodes on embodied leadership and presence
Podcast - Unlocking Us with Brené Brown – Episodes on vulnerability and grounded confidence
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Maybe you’re not broken. Maybe you’re just shedding a little.
In one of our most delightfully random (yet sneakily profound) episodes, we explore what it means to outgrow old roles, identities, and expectations - in leadership and life. From liminal interludes to caterpillar wisdom, we talk transformation, coaching, and why sometimes, performance reviews need a total reboot.
Warning: contains butterflies, bureaucracy, and bread!
LinksAct Like a Leader, Think Like a Leader | Herminia Ibarra | Books
Transitions: Making Sense of Life's Changes | William Bridges | Books
Hagitude | Sharon Blackie | Books
Herminia Ibarra | The Authenticity Paradox | TEDtalk
The 5 Levels of Leadership | Maxwell LeadershipTop 5 Best John Maxwell Books for Leaders
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What happens when everything’s shifting, and you’re still expected to lead? In this episode, Bobby and Bridge dive intothe beautiful chaos of change. From being called a chaos pixie to learning how to hold space without fixing, this is a raw, real, and occasionally sweary look at change from the inside out. Expect giggles, grounded wisdom, and the kind ofhonesty you won’t find in your average change handbook.
Bridges Transition Model - William Bridges Associates
Bridges' Transition Model for Change: A Simple Summary - The World of Work Project
The Change Curve: A Simple Summary - The World of Work Project
Your Boss Thrives on Chaos. Here’s How to Protect Your Energy.
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What does it mean to be at your learning edge?
This throwback to Season 2 is full of wobbles, wisdom, and wonderfully weird metaphors (yes, there’s a goose, a javelin, and a cheeky nod to S&M). In this solo re-run, Bobby explores how learning is more than just knowledge - it's a messy, brave experiment in how we show up, stretch ourselves, and sometimes fall flat.And yes, this is the second ball dropped. No guest. No noble excuse. Just Bobby, a mic, and a beautifully imperfect adventure in learning.
References:
Visual Facilitation with - Jon McNestrie | LinkedInFind a Visual Facilitation course - Northern Shore Consulting
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So Bridge dropped the ball and didn't manage to record with a guest this week (and she didn't tell Bobby who is going to be mad!) so in an effort to mitigate the damage (you can tell she works in humanitarian security now ;-) ) she decided to share a past episode "Coping with Overwhelm" which she thought was apt. There are loads of gems in this episode from very early on in the MTALJ journey, most of which Bridge is putting to good use while bullets and bombs and peacocks are flying. Even if you're an avid fan there's still lots to revisit and if you're new then you get to hear some of the back catalogue that you may not have had a chance to catch up on
Links
How to Take Care of Yourself When You’re Feeling Overwhelmed - Mental Health FirstAid
Nalanda Institute for Contemplative Science | Compassion-Based Resilience
TrainingKindness to Self | Compassion Based Meditation
About Dr Libby Weaver - Nutritional biochemist
Rushing Woman's Syndrome | Dr Libby Weaver
The Pace of Modern Life versus our Cavewoman Biochemistry: Dr Libby Weaver: TedX
Life is a Verb | 37 Days to Wake Up, be Mindful and Live Intentionally | Patti Digh
Unwind with the 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Technique (mondaycampaigns.org)
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This week, Bobby chats with the wonderful Mandy McDowall - Headteacher of not one, but two primary schools.
What starts as playful banter about being “roped in” quickly unfolds into a rich, honest conversation about leadership in education, emotional regulation, the blur between managing and leading, and why schooling your face might just be the survival skill we all need.
Hooked early on by the camaraderie and humour of MTALJ, Mandy brings warmth, insight, and a touch of her South African roots to this episode.
Come for the headteacher chat, stay for the mic-drop moment: “It’s okay to take risks.”
Mandy McDowall |LinkedIn
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5fgBE43A70qeGPEyObD7Of?si=a6S2ccJtRlq6dr7RB6HnKg
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It's time for guests with gifts as Bobby and Bridge take a short break. This week we've invited back the inimitable Wendy Faux to the show. Wendy is a Military veteran and reservist, an artistic innovator, the curator of "Not just a Wife" photography exhibition and the creator of the show's logo. She loves the concept of bringing your true self to your leadership but hates the title "authentic" and she chats with Bridge about why differences are so important. She audaciously suggests that Matthew Syed could challenge Saint Simon Sinek to the top leadership spot with his book 'Rebel Ideas' and is totally to blame for Bridge's bad language in the episode.
Links
Not just a wife
Rebel Ideas Matthew Syed
Saint Simon Sinek
The Bren!
MTALJ Being your authentic self
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Play isn’t just for children! It’s a secret weapon for creativity, problem-solving, and resilience. But somewhere along the way, many of us started treating it like a luxury rather than a necessity.
In this episode, we’re flipping that narrative. We’ll explore why play matters in leadership and life, uncover the science behind it, and dive into Stuart Brown’s play personalities, because yes, you have one! And if you’ve ever Googled ‘adult play’… well, you might have found more than you bargained for!!
So, let’s get into it, because what if play wasn’t something tomake time for, but something that made time better?
Stuart Brown: Play: How it Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul | Amazon.co.uk
Stuart Brown: Play is more than just fun | TED Talk
The Importance of Play for Adults - National Institute for Play
The 8 Play Personalities that illustrate how we have fun
Dr Stuart Brown on The 7 Properties of Play | Human Performance
Can We Actually Develop Leadership Through Play? | Psychology Today
What is LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®? | Official LEGO® Shop CC |Official LEGO® Shop US
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Stories shape how we see the world and how the world sees us. But are we telling the right ones?
This week on More Than a Lumpy Jumper, we dive into the power of storytelling. How the narratives we craft influence our confidence, decisions, and leadership. From bedtime stories to boardroom strategy, we explore what makes a story stick and how to frame experiences in a way that resonates, persuades, and lasts long after we've left the room.
So, grab a cuppa and get comfy, because it’s time to Be the Story.
What Makes Storytelling So Effective For Learning? - Harvard Business Publishing
Influence Through Stories: The Leadership Power of Narrative
The magical science of storytelling | David JP Phillips | TEDxStockholm
Chip Heath & Dan Heath: Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die | Amazon
Storytelling Can Make or Break Your Leadership
The Importance of Stories | Simon Sinek
The Wise Crone's Cottage in the Woods: The Crone as theStoryteller
"Pentamerone: The Tale of Tales" Explained - Owlcation
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So many leaders wear exhaustion like a badge of honour. But what if sleep and self-care weren’t indulgences, what if they were leadership strategies?
This week on More Than a Lumpy Jumper, Bridget and I dive into the power of rest in honour of World Sleep Day. We’re tackling the myths, the science, and the impact of sleep onleadership, resilience, and emotional intelligence. Plus, we make a strong case for the noble art of napping (with a special shoutout to the 26-minute NASA nap!).
If you’ve ever pushed through fatigue thinking it was just part of the job, this one’s for you. Time to rethink what it really means to lead well, starting with a good night’s sleep.
Come and take a listen to Being Your Own Retreat
Want to Become a Better Leader? You Need to Sleep on It
8 Leadership Practices to Optimise Sleep and Productivity | CCL
Why Sleep Is Crucial For Good Leadership
Matt Walker: Sleep is your superpower | TED Talk
Matt Walker: 6 tips for better sleep | TED Talk
7 Reasons You Should Be Taking Daily Naps At Work In 2024
Actions Organisations Can Take to Improve Employee Sleep and Work Performance from Centre for Creative Leadership.pdf
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This week, in celebration of International Women’s Day 2025, we’re diving into the stories of six extraordinary women; leaders, visionaries, and change-makers whose impact still ripples through history.
From courtroom battles to political trailblazers, from radical educators to artistic revolutionaries, each woman’s story holds powerful lessons for leadership today. But which iconshave we chosen? And what unexpected insights do they reveal?
Tune in as we unpack resilience, influence, and what it really means to be a catalyst for lasting change.
Cornelia Connelly - Wikipedia
Stacy Schiff: Cleopatra | Amazon
Cleopatra: Stacy Schiff in conversation with Tim Gunn | 2020-05-21 | LIVE from NYPL
Remembering bell hooks and her Enormous Legacy | YouTube
Frida | Official Trailer (HD)
Frida Kahlo's Art in 8 Minutes: What Makes it So Special?
Frida Kahlo: Feminism's Influential Leader - had.com
Ruth Bader Ginsburg: Who was she and why was she so important? - BBC Newsround
Ruth Bader Ginsburg: Remembering Her Life And Legacy | YouTube
Madeleine Chapman: Just how cool was Jacinda Ardern in high school? | The Spinoff
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Leadership or management - are they really that different?
Or do we just love to put them in neat little boxes? In this episode, Bobby and Bridge attempt (with varying success) tobring some structure to the conversation, diving into mindset, skills, and the sometimes blurry lines between the two.
Expect metaphors (hello, glaciers!), a few rogue interruptions, and the big question: Can you be a leader without also being a manager? Or are the best leaders actually just really good at knowing when to roll up their sleeves and when to step back?
Oh, and if you ever wondered what’s worse - being on mute or snuffling like a badger in the background - we cover that too.
Hit play and join us!
What Leaders Really Do (HBR) - John P Kotter
Simon Sinek: Leaders Eat Last | Amazon
Peter Drucker: The Effective Executive | Amazon
Simon Sinek: Start With Why | Amazon
Simon Sinek: Start with Why | TED Talk
Seth Godin – Leadership vs. Management - What it means to make a difference
Roselinde Torres: What it takes to be a great leader | TED Talk
Moneyball: Building a Winning Team Through Numbers | Film
Invictus: The Poem that Inspired a Nation | Film
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Resilience and flexibility - are they two sides of the same coin, or do we just like overcomplicating things? In this episode, Bobby and Bridge dive into what it really means to bounce back and bend without breaking (hello, bamboo analogy!), why being too resilient can backfire, and the tiny habits that make a big difference.
Expect real talk, a few questionable metaphors (boats, trees, and maybe some unexpected fairy lights), and a deep dive into how your body holds resilience just as much as your mind.Plus, what happens when all your frustration ends up… on a tennis ball?
Join us for Being Flexibly Resilient!
Links
The Secret to Building Resilience | HBR
Dr Carol Dweck: Mindset - Changing The Way You think To Fulfil Your Potential |Amazon
Carol Dweck: Developing a Growth Mindset | TED Talk
Richard Strozzi-Heckler | The Embodied Leader
Teaching Grit Cultivates Resilience and Perseverance | YouTube
Simon Sinek: Build for Resilience | YouTube
Simon Sinek: Strength through Resilience and Accountability
Angela Duckworth: GRIT | Amazon
David Epstein: Range - How Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World | Amazon
James Clear: Atomic Habits | Amazon
Bessel van der Volk: The Body Keeps the Score | Amazon
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For this final week of reflections on our MTALJ library Bridge is thinking about love in the run up to Valentine's Day. Why do we often struggle to talk about leadership in terms of love when all of the actions of a good leadership are really the manifestation of love? - patience,care, kindness, humility, emotional balance, and honesty. While the general advice on speaking is to avoid politics and religion there's a little hint of both, but the focus is all on love with not a chocolate or a cupid in sight.
Links
Corinthians 13 v4-7
Love and Leadership - NCO Journal
Servant Leadership - James C Hunter
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This week Bridge is reflecting on blame and accountability. How blame can undermine teams, trust, innovation, problem-solving and avoiding making the same mistakes again. It's a ranty episode because lessons learned episodes that are simply blame exercises are a bug bear of both Bobby and Bridge. Both Bobby and Bridge admit they they are recovering blamers but they are in the good company of St Brene Brown. However with a little mindfulness and reflection it is possible to change your mindset from blame to reframe, focus on facts rather than fault and systemic causes rather then pointing the finger at people. If you want to improve your team's approach to lessons learned come and join us for Being Blame Free with Accountability.
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This week on More Than a Lumpy Jumper, Bridge revisits the “Being a stand for self-compassion ,” from June 2024. Self-compassion isn't selfish and it isn't a luxury. It's actually part of your job as a leader to ensure you have the resilience to be the leader your team need during a crisis. Check out the self-compassion guru Kristin Neff and Bobby's resilience practices and remember that you need to be reflective and proactive to be able to start being compassionate with your self. You ready to treat yourself with the same kindness, consideration and care that you would a dear friend? Have a listen
LinksSelf-Compassion by Kristin Neff: Join the Community Now
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This week on More Than a Lumpy Jumper, Bobby revisits the mini-episode, “Cultivating Play and Rest… but Mostly Play,” from Christmas 2023. Inspired by Brené Brown’s work and the National Institute of Play, she reflects on why play is essential for creativity, problem-solving, and leadership, how to rediscover play as adults (hint: it’s not lost, just forgotten!) and the fascinating “Play Personalities” and what they reveal about how we lead and connect. Play isn’t a luxury—it’s the key to joy, alignment, and even better leadership. Ready to bring more play into your life? Take a listen to this mini of a mini now!
Links
The Gifts of Imperfection: 10th Anniversary Edition: Brené Brown
Infographic for the 10 Guideposts for Wholehearted Living by Brene Brown
Stuart Brown: Play is more than just fun | TED Talk
The Importance of Play for Adults - National Institute for Play
The 8 Play Personalities that illustrate how we have fun
Hook - Food Fight Scene
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