Insights From the 'Cole' Face - Elevating Leadership Beyond the Boardroom

Sarah Cole
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Real Talk with Global Leaders: Honest Stories, Bold Lessons, No Filter - A Leadership Podcast with a difference bringing together extraordinary experts from diverse fields—neuroscientists, journalists, CEOs, ethicists, legal minds, television presenters and business strategists—to explore what it truly means to lead in today’s complex world.Expect real world, thought-provoking conversations, uncovering the science behind trust and motivation, the power of communication in shaping influence, the role of ethical leadership in driving sustainable success, presentation skills and tips for personal and professional development. Hear what makes the best leaders tick - from breaking down the biological factors that make great leaders from a neuroscientist, a journalist and television presenter revealing how clear, compelling storytelling can inspire action and build trust to how we can balance the professional demands of leadership with a fulfilling family life.

  1. 1D AGO

    S2 Episode 11 - Telling the Story That Matters: Leadership Lessons from Broadcaster Sian Lloyd

    Broadcaster and journalist Sian Lloyd joins Sarah for a thoughtful conversation about storytelling, resilience and the realities of performing under pressure. Known to audiences through her work on programmes such as BBC Breakfast, Crimewatch Roadshow and Panorama, Sian has spent decades reporting on major stories and presenting live broadcasts where composure, clarity and adaptability are essential. In this engaging episode, Sian reflects on her unconventional path into journalism. After qualifying as a solicitor, she made the bold decision to step away from law and pursue a career in media, beginning with work experience at a local radio station and gradually building the skills that would take her to national television. Together, Sarah and Sian explore what leaders can learn from journalism and broadcasting, including: • Why storytelling is at the heart of powerful communication • How preparation and curiosity help you stay calm in high pressure situations • What really happens behind the scenes when live broadcasts go wrong • How to manage nerves and present with confidence in front of any audience • Why resilience is built through experience, mistakes and the courage to seize opportunities Sian also shares insights from her work today helping organisations and leaders develop stronger communication and public speaking skills, explaining how the ability to tell a clear story can transform the way people connect with their teams, their audiences and the wider world. At its heart, this conversation is about helping others find their voice. Whether through journalism, leadership or public speaking, Sian believes the role of the communicator is to help people tell their stories in a way that informs, inspires and creates change. Want to elevate your leadership beyond the boardroom? Join the conversation. Connect with me for coaching, peer support, or leadership insights that drive real impact. 📩 Let's talk: https://www.coleforums.com/ 🔗 Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-cole4/ ☕Buy me a coffee: buymeacoffee.com/sarah.cole

    1h 1m

  2. FEB 18

    S2 - Episode 10 - Emotionally Charged Leadership: Dina Denham Smith on Leading Without Burning Out

    Dina Denham Smith, executive coach, organisational psychologist and author of Emotionally Charged: How to Lead in the New World of Work, joins Sarah to unpack the emotional reality of modern leadership. Drawing on 25 years of executive experience and behavioural science, Dina explores how the leadership role has fundamentally shifted. Virtual teams, AI integration, rising expectations around mental health and an increasingly complex workforce have all intensified the emotional demands placed on leaders. Yet most leaders have never been taught how to manage those demands effectively. In this deeply practical and honest conversation, Dina shares: * Why emotions are not weaknesses but valuable data * How to move from reactivity to intentional leadership using her BRAVE framework * The difference between emotional intelligence and emotional skills * The hidden drivers of burnout and how to intervene before you hit empty * What ethical fatigue looks like inside high-pressure organisations * How to rebuild trust by breaking it down into competence, consistency and character Dina also reflects on a pivotal moment in her own life. Stepping away from a high-powered career following her son’s premature birth reshaped her understanding of identity, ambition and what sustainable success really looks like. This episode is grounded in science and deeply human. It challenges outdated ideas of tough leadership and replaces them with something more sustainable, strategic and effective. If you are leading in complexity, feeling the emotional weight of your role, or questioning how to stay effective without burning out, this conversation will leave you better equipped and far less alone. Dina's Website: https://www.dinadsmith.com/ Dina's LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dina-denham-smith/ Book: Emotionally Charged: How to Lead in the New World of Work (Oxford Press, 2025) Want to elevate your leadership beyond the boardroom? Join the conversation. Connect with me for coaching, peer support, or leadership insights that drive real impact. 📩 Let's talk: https://www.coleforums.com/ 🔗 Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-cole4/ ☕Buy me a coffee: buymeacoffee.com/sarah.cole

    44 min

  3. JAN 28

    S2 - Episode 9 - A Marketers Perspective - Why Empathy and Clarity Matter More Than Ever

    Martin Wallace, International Marketing Director, joins Sarah to explore leadership in fast-moving, uncertain environments - and why empathy, clarity and boundaries matter more than ever. In this thoughtful and wide-ranging conversation, Martin reflects on a career built at the intersection of creativity, data and human behaviour. From scaling marketing functions in high-growth tech businesses to navigating uncertainty in ad tech, he shares what it really takes to lead teams, build trust and communicate clearly when everything is changing. They discuss the balance between creativity and analytics, why marketing must be seen as a strategic function rather than a tactical one, and how leaders can tell their story in a way that actually resonates. Martin unpacks the importance of understanding who you are speaking to, the risks of chasing shiny new ideas without a stable core, and why trust takes years to build but seconds to lose. The conversation also goes deeper into the human side of leadership - setting boundaries in hybrid working, protecting personal identity outside work, and why empathy is the single most important tool in any leadership toolkit. Martin shares hard-won lessons from running large-scale events with limited resources, collaborating across silos, and leading without certainty or excess budget. This episode is practical, reflective and deeply relevant - essential listening for leaders navigating complexity, rapid change and the responsibility of bringing people with them. Want to elevate your leadership beyond the boardroom? Join the conversation. Connect with me for coaching, peer support, or leadership insights that drive real impact. 📩 Let's talk: https://www.coleforums.com/ 🔗 Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-cole4/ ☕Buy me a coffee: buymeacoffee.com/sarah.cole

    54 min

  4. JAN 19

    S2 - Episode 8 - What Matters Most: Rob Parsons on Legacy, Love and Leadership

    Dr. Rob Parsons, OBE - bestselling author, speaker, and founder of Care for the Family - joins me in the studio to explore legacy, leadership, and the moments that matter most. With warmth, candour and hard-won perspective, Rob shares the lessons he’s learned from decades at the intersection of law, faith, family and business - including what nearly cost him everything, and what saved it. We reflect on: The myth of the “slower day” — and why we can’t wait to liveWhat childhood teaches us about time, presence and regretThe power of small gestures, and why they’re never really smallBuilding organisations rooted in kindness, not just competenceWhy the best leaders build trust through empathy, not ego This episode is quietly radical - a heartfelt invitation to reflect, reframe and reconnect with what matters most. A must-listen for any leader navigating ambition, legacy and love. Want to elevate your leadership beyond the boardroom? Join the conversation. Connect with me for coaching, peer support, or leadership insights that drive real impact. 📩 Let's talk: https://www.coleforums.com/ 🔗 Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-cole4/ ☕Buy me a coffee: buymeacoffee.com/sarah.cole

    53 min

  5. JAN 8

    S2 - Episode 7 - Reputation and Reality: Jonathan Coad on Power, Law and Protecting your Reputationion

    Jonathan Coad - media lawyer, litigator and advisor to many high-profile celebrities - joins Sarah to explore reputation, power and the deeply human stories behind the headlines. In this revealing conversation, Jonathan reflects on his unique career arc: from being a musician to defending and sometimes challenging the press on behalf of high-profile, celebrity clients. He shares his incredible experience acting on both sides of the divide and the moral and professional tensions that drive him after 35 years of media law experience. They discuss: The fine line between legal strategy and moral compromiseWhat really motivates some lawyers behind the scenesThe long-term cost of reputation management through threats and litigationThe role of courage in leadership - especially when defending reputation Find out more about Jonathan’s work: 🔗 jonathancoad.co.uk Check out his book How to Win Your Reputation Back, available now: 📖 Buy on Amazon Want to elevate your leadership beyond the boardroom? Join the conversation. Connect with me for coaching, peer support, or leadership insights that drive real impact. 📩 Let's talk: https://www.coleforums.com/ 🔗 Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-cole4/ ☕Buy me a coffee: buymeacoffee.com/sarah.cole

    46 min

  6. 12/04/2025

    S2 - Episode 6 - From Wikileaks to Snowden: Gill Phillips on Navigating the Legal Frontlines

    Gill Phillips, former Director of Editorial Legal Services at The Guardian, joins Sarah to explore the legal, ethical and human dimensions of journalism under pressure. For over a decade, Gill sat at the heart of the Guardian’s most high-stakes investigations - from the publication of the Wikileaks documents to the Edward Snowden files - where each legal decision carried profound consequences for national security, public interest, and press freedom. In this frank and quietly powerful conversation, Gill reflects on: The tension between caution and courage in editorial decision-makingHow the lawyer-editor relationship shapes what the public gets to knowThe emotional and ethical weight of defending stories that challenge powerWhy she believes in being “useful, not just right”The growing threats to independent journalism - from SLAPPs to surveillance They discuss the value of institutional memory, the risks of over-sanitising legal advice, and the quiet leadership it takes to stand behind stories that make waves. This episode is essential listening for anyone working at the intersection of truth, risk and public accountability - and a masterclass in integrity under fire. Want to elevate your leadership beyond the boardroom? Join the conversation. Connect with me for coaching, peer support, or leadership insights that drive real impact. 📩 Let's talk: https://www.coleforums.com/ 🔗 Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-cole4/ ☕Buy me a coffee: buymeacoffee.com/sarah.cole

    58 min

  7. 11/25/2025

    S2 - Episode 5 - Leading Neurodiverse Teams - a Conversation with Jens Bammel

    What if the traits you’ve spent years trying to “fix” were actually your strengths? In this sharp, eye-opening episode, Sarah speaks with Jens Bammel — former global publishing CEO turned neurodiversity coach — about ADHD, burnout, masking, and building workplaces where every brain type can thrive. 🔥 What You’ll Learn (Fast):1. Neurodiversity isn’t rare — it’s everywhereMost people sit somewhere on the spectrum. Leaders must stop waiting for diagnoses and start designing environments where different brains flourish. 2. Fixing weaknesses is a waste of energyJens argues for strength-based leadership: → Do more of what people enjoy → Reduce what drains them → Let teams self-identify what actually works for their brains 3. Burnout is usually misalignment, not failureJens explains why so many talented people hit a wall — and how joy, values, and identity must be rebuilt before re-entering the workplace. 4. Communication is the secret weaponOne action point per email. Clear language. No assumptions. Simple for neurodivergent brains — game-changing for everyone. 5. Confidence = Being Yourself DeliberatelyA line you’ll remember long after listening. 🎧 Listen InA fast, warm, deeply human conversation about how leaders can reduce exhaustion, unlock talent, and build psychologically safer teams. Want to elevate your leadership beyond the boardroom? Join the conversation. Connect with me for coaching, peer support, or leadership insights that drive real impact. 📩 Let's talk: https://www.coleforums.com/ 🔗 Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-cole4/ ☕Buy me a coffee: buymeacoffee.com/sarah.cole

    51 min

  8. 10/23/2025

    S2 - Episode 4 - Andrea Lattimore - Risk, Leadership and Why Authenticity Matters More than Ever

    Andrea Lattimore, Group Compliance Director at Vodafone, joins Sarah to explore risk, leadership and why authenticity matters more than ever. In this wide-ranging fascinating conversation, Andrea shares the personal experiences that shaped her values - from growing up in a family business to cancelling her honeymoon for an investigation, and how those moments refined her leadership style. They explore the complexities of compliance, the power of psychological safety, the case for culture as a competitive advantage, and why adaptive leadership is key in an AI-savvy, multi-generational workforce. The episode is full of warmth, candour and razor-sharp insight - a must-listen for leaders navigating ethics, ambition and the realities of modern business. Want to elevate your leadership beyond the boardroom? Join the conversation. Connect with me for coaching, peer support, or leadership insights that drive real impact. 📩 Let's talk: https://www.coleforums.com/ 🔗 Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-cole4/ ☕Buy me a coffee: buymeacoffee.com/sarah.cole

    42 min
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Real Talk with Global Leaders: Honest Stories, Bold Lessons, No Filter - A Leadership Podcast with a difference bringing together extraordinary experts from diverse fields—neuroscientists, journalists, CEOs, ethicists, legal minds, television presenters and business strategists—to explore what it truly means to lead in today’s complex world.Expect real world, thought-provoking conversations, uncovering the science behind trust and motivation, the power of communication in shaping influence, the role of ethical leadership in driving sustainable success, presentation skills and tips for personal and professional development. Hear what makes the best leaders tick - from breaking down the biological factors that make great leaders from a neuroscientist, a journalist and television presenter revealing how clear, compelling storytelling can inspire action and build trust to how we can balance the professional demands of leadership with a fulfilling family life.

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