Become a Global Leader

Victoria Rennoldson
  • 5.0 (3)
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Become a Global Leader is the podcast for ambitious professionals and leaders who want to increase their influence, visibility and impact across cultures. Succeeding as a global leader takes more than expertise. It takes the confidence to make your voice heard, the clarity to communicate what matters, and the Cultural Intelligence to build trust with people who may think, work and lead differently. Hosted by Victoria Rennoldson, CEO and Founder of Culture Cuppa and author of the book, Become a Global Leader, each episode explores the human side of global leadership, with fresh thinking and practical insights on confidence, influence, trust and connection across cultures. A top 10 UK careers podcast, ranked in the top 5% of podcasts globally. Lead confidently. Communicate clearly. Connect across cultures.

  1. 3h ago

    194 - How does storytelling travel across cultures? with Ned Legaspi

    What helps a story travel across cultures? In global organisations influenced by Western communication styles, leaders often rely heavily on data, logic, evidence and carefully structured presentations to create impact. Those things matter, but they are rarely what people remember most.  What people take away is the meaning they attach to your messages, and in leadership, storytelling shapes how you build trust, make ideas memorable, influence stakeholders, communicate change and help people connect with a shared purpose.  Yet a story that resonates in one cultural context may not land in another if the references, humour, metaphors, assumptions or emotional signals do not translate, even if you are communicating within one organisation. In this conversation with Ned Legaspi, cultural intelligence educator, author and former media executive from the Philippines, we explore why storytelling has become such an important leadership communication skill, especially for professionals working across cultures, markets and diverse teams. Ned brings over 30 years of experience in storytelling and cross-cultural communication, including senior media leadership experience and teaching communication. He is the author of Culturally Intelligent Storytelling for Southeast Asian Creators and a CQ Fellow. Together, we explore universal human themes, but why cultural translation is vital if your stories are to land. Hope, loss, family and belonging may be universal human experiences, but the way they are expressed, interpreted and emotionally received is deeply shaped by culture. Ned shares his Bamboo Framework as a practical way to think about culturally intelligent storytelling for leaders, and has clear relevance for global professionals who need their ideas to connect across cultural boundaries. Ultimately, storytelling is about audience awareness, cultural adaptation and the ability to communicate meaning in a way others can recognise and trust. What you will learn in this episode: Why storytelling is now one of the most important communication skills for leaders How stories help make strategy and business messages more memorable and meaningful Why universal themes do not automatically create universal connection How culture shapes attitudes to humour, authority, conflict, belonging and emotional expression Why metaphors, idioms and local references can create distance when they do not translate Ned's Bamboo Framework to help you think about storytelling across cultures Why understanding your own cultural DNA is the starting point for communicating across difference What Western leaders can learn from Southeast Asian perspectives on communication, relationships and time This conversation offers a great reminder that global influence is about understanding the cultural context in which your message lands and shows why culturally adjusted storytelling can help you connect, build trust, and make your ideas memorable. How culturally adaptable are the stories you tell? What idioms, humour, or metaphors could be limiting how your message lands across cultures? Resources: Connect with Ned Legaspi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nedlegaspi Visit Ned Legaspi's website: https://http://www.nedlegaspi.com Buy Ned Legaspi's book: https://nedlegaspi.com/buy/ Buy Victoria's book, Become a Global Leader:https://culturecuppa.com/book/ Follow Victoria on LinkedIn for more strategies, ideas and inspiration: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson Read this Episode's Blog post here: Cultural Intelligence in Storytelling - https://culturecuppa.com/cultural-intelligence-in-storytelling/

    194 - How does storytelling travel across cultures? with Ned Legaspi

  2. Aug 14

    193 - Neuroinclusive communication in the Workplace with Sara Bagheri

    What does neuroinclusive communication look like at work? Many leaders want to create inclusive teams, but do not always know what that means in everyday interactions and communication in meetings and conversations. It is one thing to value difference in principle, but another to understand how communication styles, meeting structures, sensory needs, processing time and psychological safety can be shaped so people feel able to speak and truly contribute. In this conversation with Sara Bagheri, Communication and Voice Consultant, we explore the intersection between communication and neuroinclusion, with a particular focus on ADHD in the workplace. Sara holds a Bachelor of Science in Speech, Language and Voice Therapy and works with professionals and organisations to transform how they communicate in speaking environments such as panels, conferences, podcasts and high-stakes interviews. Together, we explore why neurodiversity is part of the wider human experience of how our brains process information, behaviour and communication differently. Sara shares how ADHD may show up in workplace communication and how behaviours can be misinterpreted. This conversation connects closely to Cultural Intelligence because both require us to question assumptions. Whether we are working across cultures, languages, generations or neurotypes, leaders need to ask- whose communication style is being rewarded, whose voice is being missed, and what conditions allow more people to contribute their ideas? Sara's insights and strategies are a valuable reminder that inclusive communication benefits everyone, and improves clarity, participation and psychological safety for the whole team. What you will learn in this episode: What neurodiversity, neurotypical and neurodivergent mean, and why the language matters How ADHD can show up through communication, interaction and behaviour at work Why directness, urgency, going off on a tangent, or high energy can be misinterpreted   The ways in which meeting preparation, agendas and clear expectations invite better contribution The strengths of those with ADHD and the benefits to the whole team of different communication and participation styles  Ways for managers to support and reduce the cognitive load for neurodiverse team members How meetings can be adapted to support sensory needs and processing time This conversation is ultimately about creating workplaces where individuals have the space to communicate, contribute or lead in their own way. For leaders, this means becoming more aware of your own communication preferences, noticing the styles you may unconsciously reward, and creating spaces where different people can participate without having to mask, over-adapt or exhaust themselves to fit in. What assumptions could you be making about a team member's communication style? Whose voice is missing from your meetings? Resources: Visit Sara Bagheri's website: https://www.fluencecomms.co.uk/ Connect with Sara Bagheri on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarafluencecomms/ Find out more about Victoria's book, Become a Global Leader: https://culturecuppa.com/book/ Follow Victoria on LinkedIn for more strategies, ideas and inspiration: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson Read this Episode's Blog post here: ADHD & Neurodiversity: The Communication Barriers your Team could be Struggling with - https://culturecuppa.com/adhd-neurodiversity-the-communication-barriers-your-team-could-be-struggling-with/

    193 - Neuroinclusive communication in the Workplace with Sara Bagheri

  3. Aug 7

    192 - Are you outsourcing your judgement to AI? with Rahim Hirji

    What happens to human judgement with AI? Many of you I am sure are being encouraged to use AI more, embed it fully and become even more productive. Yet there is a deeper question sitting underneath the flurry of activity and hype: are we simply outsourcing the very human skills that make us so valuable? In this conversation with Rahim Hirji, author of 'SuperSkills: The Seven Human Skills for the Age of AI' and keynote speaker on AI and human capability, we explore the specific skills to focus on as AI becomes increasingly enmeshed in our work and lives. He shares a powerful leadership tension that AI can help us move faster, but it can also quietly, and without us even noticing, weaken our judgement as we forget where our own thinking begins and ends in 'algorithmic drift', those moments when we slowly hand over our agency. This conversation is not anti-AI, in fact, Rahim talks clearly about being both pro-human and pro-AI, and argues that the real opportunity is to develop an augmented mindset, knowing when to use AI, when not to use it, and where the human needs to remain firmly in the process. Rahim co-founded the skills platform EtonX, led international growth at Quizlet across more than 60 countries, and his SuperSkills research spans more than 200 organisations in over 30 countries. He also writes 'Box of Amazing', a weekly briefing on AI, technology and human capability read by more than 25,000 leaders. What you will learn in this episode: Why judgement has become one of the most important human skills in the age of AI How we are sleepwalking into 'algorithmic drift', unconsciously handing over decision-making Where humans belong in AI-enabled processes How leadership can help their people to focus on their agency and human capabilities The power of real curiosity  The opportunity of the augmented mindset - the power of both AI and humans together Why global adaptability still matters The inherent cultural values and biases in AI  A message of hope Where in your work are you already outsourcing more judgement to AI than you realise? How often do you pause to consider how to answer your questions, and if AI is the right channel? Resources: Find out more about Rahim Hirji's book 'SuperSkills': https://www.thesuperskills.com/book Learn more about Rahim's work: https://www.thesuperskills.com/ Connect with Rahim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahimhirji/ Connect with Rahim on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rahimhirji/ Find out more about Victoria's book, Become a Global Leader:https://culturecuppa.com/book/ Follow Victoria on LinkedIn for more strategies, ideas and inspiration: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson Find out more about Victoria's strategic communication programmes:https://culturecuppa.com/individuals Read this Episode's Blog post here: AI: from algorithmic drift to human agency: https://culturecuppa.com/ai-from-algorithmic-drift-to-human-agency/

    192 - Are you outsourcing your judgement to AI? with Rahim Hirji

  4. Jul 31

    191 - The Hidden Alignment Problem in Teams

    What if the reason your assignment is stuck is that there is a lack of alignment on the issue? I speak regularly with professionals who are under constant pressure to move at pace, demonstrate progress and deliver tangible and visible solutions. Yet in that rush to act, teams can easily jump into solutions before they have properly aligned on the problem they are trying to solve. In this podcast episode, I explore why better answers start with better questions, and why problem alignment is often skipped in the move to create momentum. I look at what happens when key decision-makers appear to be discussing the same mission, but are actually working from very different assumptions about its purpose and measure of success.  And this is not just a delivery issue because when stakeholders are not aligned on the problem, time is wasted, frustration builds and the team can feel as if they are looping backwards to initial phases which they thought they had completed.  This becomes even more complex in global and diverse teams, where different behavioural preferences, communication styles and cultural norms can influence how people define problems in the first place, express disagreement, manage risk, and their bias for action. What you will learn in this episode: Why teams often jump into solutions before agreeing on the real problem The individual and team impact of misalignment  The aligning challenge - defining the problem The culturally driven behavioural preferences that influence how people approach projects  Which cultural factors can create the greatest resistance, friction and misalignment How uncertainty avoidance can shape how people respond to risk The clarity questions you can use before moving into implementation Where might you be jumping into solutions before agreeing on the problem? How could cultural intelligence help you notice the hidden misalignment before it becomes an issue? Resources: The topics from today's podcast feature in Pillar 2 Clarity and Pillar 4 Cultural Intelligence from Victoria's book, Become a Global Leader. Explore deeper, get your copy: https://culturecuppa.com/book/ Follow Victoria on LinkedIn for more global leadership, strategic communication and Cultural Intelligence insights: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson Talk to Victoria about your team's communication and cultural challenges : https://culturecuppa.com/contact/ Read this Episode's Blog post here: Are you solving the wrong problem? https://culturecuppa.com/are-you-solving-the-wrong-problem/

    191 - The Hidden Alignment Problem in Teams

  5. Jul 24

    190 - Encouragement is Where Courage Begins with Helen Gibson MBE

    What happens when encouragement becomes a leadership capability, not just a nice thing to do? According to Helen Gibson MBE, encouragement is not soft or superficial, it is where we get our courage from. Many leaders and ambitious professionals are navigating what Helen calls 'the porridge (oatmeal) of life', those thick, heavy moments where progress feels slow, energy is low, you're losing momentum, and the way forward is not always clear. In complex organisations and uncertain times, this can show up as pressure, decision fatigue, or simply feeling stuck.  This is when encouragement is needed, as something we can practise, notice, capture and offer to others, not just receive.  In this conversation with Helen Gibson MBE, award-winning global entrepreneur, TEDx speaker, coach, international business leadership expert and author of 'Go for Goosebumps', we explore how encouragement can help individuals, teams and organisations move forward through difficult moments. Helen's leadership experience spans complex transformation programmes for governments around the world, including counter-terrorism, corruption, cybercrime, health crises and justice reform. As the former CEO of her family business, she led values-driven frontline change across nearly 30 countries for clients including the UK Government, the NHS, the EU and the United Nations. Recognised with an MBE for services to international trade, Helen brings deep experience in resilience, international business, women in leadership and meaningful change. What you will learn in this episode: Why encouragement matters in leadership, especially now How experiencing goosebumps (shivers of excitement) can signal momentum What happens when we get stuck in the 'porridge (oatmeal) of life' Her traffic light model to help you know where to move forward Showing people you care before trying to prove what you know How stories and legacy questions help people reconnect with what matters What to do if you have no time for the perfect pause 'Victories folders' to help build your evidence for confidence  How leaders can best encourage themselves and others  Where are you currently walking through 'the porridge of life'? What signs of encouragement might you be missing? How could you encourage someone else this week? Resources: Connect with Helen Gibson on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/helengibsonmbe Visit Helen Gibson's website: https://www.helengibsonmbe.com Find Helen Gibson's book 'Go for Goosebumps!': https://www.waterstones.com/book/go-for-goosebumps/helen-gibson/9781806340316 Listen to Helen Gibson's TEDx talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtbMDM33q2s Find out more about Victoria's strategic communication programmes: https://culturecuppa.com/individuals / Buy Victoria's book, Become a Global Leader: https://culturecuppa.com/book/ Follow Victoria on LinkedIn for more strategies, ideas and inspiration: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson Read this Episode's Blog post here: Why Encouragement is a Leadership Capability: https://culturecuppa.com/why-encouragement-is-a-leadership-capability/

    190 - Encouragement is Where Courage Begins with Helen Gibson MBE

  6. Jul 17

    189 - The Hidden Reality of Senior Leadership

    What happens when senior leaders have the conversations they rarely get to have? Many senior leaders carry questions, pressures and responsibilities that are not always visible from the outside. They may be managing organisational change, complex teams, at the same time as personal and family commitments and challenges. While they juggle difficult decisions, there is the pressure to appear composed, even when they are working things out themselves. In this podcast episode, I share my reflections and observations from my first senior leader dinner, a confidential and intimate evening for women leaders to come together, put job titles and organisations aside, and have a different kind of conversation about the realities of leadership today. This was not a networking evening, a general catch up, or even a formal leadership event. It was a space for honest conversation, good food, peer connection and deeper thinking in a very special experience. Respecting the confidentiality of the room, I draw on the broad themes that emerged from the dinner, exploring why leadership and life are not separate conversations, why senior leaders need trusted spaces to share, and how behaviours, language and signalling can shape the culture experienced by the people they lead. What you will learn in this episode: Why senior leaders need spaces for honest conversations beyond the usual networking places The human realities of leadership that are often hidden beneath visible exteriors Why leadership and life are not separate conversations How the work-life blend can be a more useful idea than work-life balance The opportunity to 'give permission' through signalling behaviour How language can reveal hidden assumptions about women in leadership The value of confidential peer spaces where leaders can share honestly Where do you currently go to have open conversations about the realities of your leadership? What are you carrying as a leader that is invisible to others? Resources: Who do you know who would value Victoria's next senior leader dinner for women? DM Victoria on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson Learn more about and buy Victoria's book, Become a Global Leader:https://culturecuppa.com/book/ Follow Victoria on LinkedIn for more global leadership, strategic communication and Cultural Intelligence insights: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson Talk to Victoria about global leadership coaching:https://culturecuppa.com/contact/ Read this Episode's Blog post here: The Conversations Senior Leaders Rarely Have: https://culturecuppa.com/the-conversations-senior-leaders-rarely-have/

    189 - The Hidden Reality of Senior Leadership

  7. Jul 10

    188 - Leadership is an Apprenticeship with Helen Brocklebank

    What does it take to grow into leadership? Leadership can look impressive from the title, but the reality is often far more complex. It can mean making decisions without having all the insight, shouldering responsibility without certainty, holding competing stakeholder needs, and recognising when the path you once wanted is no longer the right one. In this conversation with Helen Brocklebank, Chief Executive of Walpole, the sector body for the UK's leading luxury brands, we explore leadership as an evolving apprenticeship rather than the end goal or title you finally achieve. Since becoming Chief Executive in 2017, Helen has led significant growth and transformation, strengthening Walpole's advocacy, sustainability leadership and industry influence. She spearheaded the British Luxury Sustainability Manifesto, and serves on the Board of the European Cultural and Creative Industries Alliance and the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Women in Business Committee. Helen shares openly how a long-held ambition to run her own business ultimately taught her that success on paper does not always mean alignment in practice. That experience became a pivotal moment in understanding her values, strengths and the kind of leadership role in which she could make her greatest contribution. Together, we explore why leadership starts with knowing yourself, why physical strength, creativity and cultural curiosity can support better decision-making, and why listening is the essential first step in communication, storytelling and stakeholder influence. A core thought that emerged from this conversation- every role, relationship and difficult experience can become part of your leadership apprenticeship if you are willing to notice what it is teaching you. What you will learn in this episode: How to recognise when career ambitions no longer align with your strengths, values or wellbeing Why self-leadership is the foundation for leading others effectively The role strength, energy and personal habits play in sustaining leadership performance How your learning can strengthen empathy, problem-solving and strategic thinking Storytelling is fundamental to leadership How listening helps leaders unlock challenging situations The role of candid, uncomfortable conversations  Why leadership is a behaviour, not a job title What is your current role teaching you as part of your 'leadership apprenticeship'? Resources: Connect with Helen Brocklebank on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenbrocklebank/ Find out more about Victoria's strategic communication programmes:https://culturecuppa.com/individuals / Buy Victoria's book, Become a Global Leader:https://culturecuppa.com/book/ Follow Victoria on LinkedIn for more strategies, ideas and inspiration: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson Read this episode's Blog post: Leadership: the Journey, not the Job Title

    188 - Leadership is an Apprenticeship with Helen Brocklebank

  8. Jul 3

    187 - Creating Clarity in Uncertainty

    What happens when leaders can no longer offer certainty? Many professionals I speak to are navigating continuous waves of change with organisational restructures, constantly shifting priorities, AI changing ways of working, economic uncertainty and changing customer expectations all part of everyday working life. For many, it feels less like steering towards a destination on the high waves, constantly adjusting course, with no chance of calm seas. In this podcast episode, I explore one of the biggest questions that I hear emerging: how do leaders create certainty for their teams when nobody can confidently predict what comes next? As teams adapt to permanent change, leadership itself is changing too. The old expectation that leaders should always have the answers is not realistic.  Drawing on reflections from the recent CIPD Festival of Work conference, conversations with senior leaders and my own coaching work, I explore why your clarity has become one of the most important leadership skills in uncertain times. What you will learn in this episode: Why uncertainty means leaders have to be like Wimbledon tennis players  The difference between creating certainty and creating clarity How leaders can communicate direction honestly, while acknowledging what is still unknown Experimentation - a more effective leadership mindset than forecasting  The importance of alignment, communication consistency and transparency when priorities are changing What your team need most from you The questions you can answer to create clarity How the 4 Pillars of Global Leader Communication can help you through uncertainty  How can you create greater clarity for your team this week? Resources: Learn more about and buy Victoria's book, Become a Global Leader: https://culturecuppa.com/book/ Follow Victoria on LinkedIn for more leadership communication, confidence and Cultural Intelligence insights: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson Talk to Victoria about leadership coaching: https://culturecuppa.com/contact/

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About

Become a Global Leader is the podcast for ambitious professionals and leaders who want to increase their influence, visibility and impact across cultures. Succeeding as a global leader takes more than expertise. It takes the confidence to make your voice heard, the clarity to communicate what matters, and the Cultural Intelligence to build trust with people who may think, work and lead differently. Hosted by Victoria Rennoldson, CEO and Founder of Culture Cuppa and author of the book, Become a Global Leader, each episode explores the human side of global leadership, with fresh thinking and practical insights on confidence, influence, trust and connection across cultures. A top 10 UK careers podcast, ranked in the top 5% of podcasts globally. Lead confidently. Communicate clearly. Connect across cultures.

Information

  • Creator
    Victoria Rennoldson
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    204
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Culture Cuppa Ltd
  • Show Website
    Become a Global Leader

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