Season 3 – Episode 11: With Elana Friedman Elana Friedman, an expert in organisational development and team dynamics, continues her conversation with James Lawther and Jimmy Barber this week to discuss the secrets of high-performing teams. (Listen to part 1 here) Building on their previous discussion, this episode explores the second half of Elana’s Adaptable Team framework, focusing on two key areas: the learning rhythm within teams and the dynamics of team leadership. Elana shares practical insights on how high-performing teams create habits of reflective learning—emphasising the importance of regularly pausing to consider not just what the team is doing, but how they are working … [Read more...]
How to Create a High-Performing Team (Part 1)
Season 3 – Episode 9: With Elana Friedman Elana Friedman, an expert in organisational development and team dynamics, joins James Lawther and Jimmy Barber this week to discuss the secrets of high-performing teams. Elana shares her journey from South Africa to the UK, and how her experiences shaped her desire to help teams and organisations thrive. Together, the hosts and Elana explore the Adaptable Team Framework model and the elements that drive team success: clear outcomes, practical actions, and the right mindset. Some of the key points include: This episode is packed with insights, real-world examples, and actionable tips for anyone looking to boost their team’s performance and … [Read more...]
Can You Make Work a Source of Vitality?
Season 3 – Episode 5: With Ben Simpson Do you end each day full of energy or drained and in need of recovery? This week's guest, Ben Simpson, believes that our working lives should be a source of vitality, and not something we have to recover from, and he shares his insights on how to achieve that. Ben is the Chair of the Deming Alliance in the UK and co-founder of VitalOrg, so he knows plenty about what makes organisations and people tick. Plus, you hear from hosts James Lawther and Jimmy Barber to see if their working lives were ever a source of vitality. If that isn't enough, James takes a walk down memory lane, visiting universities with his daughter, whilst Jimmy is just back … [Read more...]
The Power of Innovation
Season 2 – Episode 42 In this episode, James Lawther and Jimmy Barber delve into the topic of innovation, dispelling common misconceptions and emphasising its true value in enhancing performance and enjoyment at work. They share personal experiences and discuss both successful and failed innovations, highlighting the importance of involving all employees in the innovation process. They then also discuss the necessary cultural and procedural changes required to create a genuinely innovative environment. Tune in for practical tips on generating ideas, testing them, and scaling successful innovations. Don't just leave it to the 'Innovation Team', everyone has a role to … [Read more...]
Mastering Collaboration
Season 2 – Episode 30: With Amanda Gilbert In this episode, we are joined by Amanda Gilbert, and we dive deep into collaboration in the workplace. We discuss the importance of collaboration, how to achieve it, and the common corporate pitfalls that can prevent it. We share practical steps for setting up collaborative environments, building trust among team members, and achieving shared goals. We also highlight real-world examples of successful collaboration and provide insights on leveraging collaboration tools and techniques. Tune in to learn how to enhance your team's performance and achieve better results through effective collaboration. Plus, we discuss what treats Mrs … [Read more...]




