At The Whiteboard

Whiteboard Consulting
  • 5.0 (3)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

At the Whiteboard is your one-stop-shop for everything Learning & Development. Nicole North interviews the best leadership experts to seek the "ONE THING" that we can do to be more empathetic, graceful, and impactful leaders that get results.

  1. Episode 4: This Could Have Been A Conversation

    18H AGO

    Episode 4: This Could Have Been A Conversation

    Silence doesn’t create compliance; it creates resistance. In constantly changing office environments, leaders often underestimate the psychological impact of unclear or top-down communication. Research consistently shows that return-to-office transitions are not just operational shifts — they are psychological and social adjustments. When leaders fail to acknowledge emotions, explain the “why,” or create space for dialogue, uncertainty increases. And uncertainty activates fear. In this episode, Paula and Nicole unpack: Why empathy reduces resistance The difference between explanation and justification What not to say during return-to-office conversations Why silence from leadership increases anxiety How to communicate decisions you didn’t make The phrases that build trust — and the ones that quietly destroy i Grounded in change management research and practical leadership strategy  , this episode translates “communicate with empathy and transparency” into what it actually sounds like in real life. Because sometimes the biggest resistance doesn’t come from the policy. It comes from one simple thought: “This could have been a conversation.”

    30 min
  2. Episode 3: Flexible....Not Unhinged

    FEB 10

    Episode 3: Flexible....Not Unhinged

    Flexibility has a branding problem. In Episode 3 of Return to Office, Nicole North and Paula Manolakakis unpack one of the most misunderstood concepts in today’s workplace: flexibility. Many leaders worry that flexibility means chaos, lower standards, or loss of accountability. Employees, on the other hand, experience the opposite problem: unclear boundaries, “always on” expectations, and burnout disguised as autonomy. This episode explores how flexibility and boundaries actually work together to protect energy, motivation, and trust during return to office. We talk about: Why boundaries are essential for performance, not a barrier to itThe difference between flexibility and inconsistency How “always available” cultures quietly drive burnout What healthy flexibility actually looks like in practice This conversation is for leaders who want to offer autonomy without losing accountability, and for teams trying to navigate new expectations without burning out. Because flexibility without boundaries isn’t empowering, it’s exhausting.

    30 min
  3. Episode 2: The Nervous System's Love Langauge is Certainty

    FEB 2

    Episode 2: The Nervous System's Love Langauge is Certainty

    Your Nervous System’s Love Language: Certainty Return to office isn’t just about where people work. It’s about how safe they feel while doing it. In Episode 2 of Return to Office, Nicole North and Paula Manolakakis explore why certainty and predictability are some of the most powerful leadership tools during times of disruption. When expectations are unclear, priorities keep shifting, or leaders rely on “we’ll figure it out as we go,” stress rises, mistakes increase, and trust erodes. This episode unpacks why structure doesn’t have to mean micromanagement — and how the right kind of consistency actually calms teams and protects performance. We cover: Why unpredictability increases stress and cognitive load How unclear expectations quietly undermine trust and engagement The difference between healthy structure and control Simple weekly rhythms and routines that help teams re-regulate This episode is for leaders navigating return to office who want to reduce anxiety, prevent burnout, and create stability without rigidity. Because when people know what to expect, their nervous systems finally get a break.

    30 min
  4. Episode 1: Slow and Steady Wins the Race

    JAN 26

    Episode 1: Slow and Steady Wins the Race

    Slow and Steady Wins the Race Return to office wasn’t just a policy shift. It was a nervous system shock. In Episode 1 of Return to Office, Nicole North and Paula Manolokakis unpack the reality that leaders and employees are quietly struggling with right now. The expectation to snap back into full, pre-2020 in-office productivity before people have actually re-regulated. We talk about: Why leaders are underestimating how disruptive this transition really is The neuroscience behind cognitive load, social jet lag, and burnout Why “we did it before, we can do it again” is missing the point How pace, patience, and realistic expectations matter more than ever This isn’t about resisting change. It’s about doing it well. No corporate fluff. No pretending this is easy. Just honest conversation, practical strategies, and a bit of humor for the awkward first stretch back. Welcome to the messy middle.

    27 min

  5. JAN 23

    Return to Office: The Trailer Episode

    Learn about how Return to Office came to be and meet your hosts, Nicole North and Paula Manolakakis.

    13 min
  6. Limitless Parenting with France Tailleur

    05/18/2023

    Limitless Parenting with France Tailleur

    Nicole is joined by France Tailleur who is a mom & Certified Conscious Parenting Coach. She has an innate gift at finding unconventional & practical solutions to parenting challenges that arise. She guides & challenges you to raise your parenting standards, challenges everything that takes away your freedom, to raise your standards for how your child experiences their childhood & how you reparent yourself, while you are parenting your child. Today they talk about the connection between how you were parented and how you parent as well as how all of that can translate into how you lead and manage a team. IG: @france_karianne Motherhood Unshackled Podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/539T9T5oDXMlKHtKMlFPtT?si=gNqP7SmiTb2CQMGKn-NgxQ

    41 min
  7. Limitless Mindfulness with Steve Ware

    05/11/2023

    Limitless Mindfulness with Steve Ware

    Nicole is joined by Steve Ware who is a Performance trainer, Coach and Podcast Host. He is all about improving employee well being through no BS mindfulness workshops. He's helped thousands of employees all across the globe build their resilience and lower their stress levels. Today they talk about what no-BS mindfulness really means and how you can build the practice into your everyday life! https://www.stevewaremindfulness.com

    46 min
  8. Limitless Sales with Elizabeth Stiles

    05/04/2023

    Limitless Sales with Elizabeth Stiles

    Nicole is joined by Elizabeth Stiles who is a fashion brand consultant with 15 years experience in the retail industry working for some of the biggest high street brands. She’s incredibly passionate about helping creatives make more money in their business to become financially independent! For the past 3 years she has focused on launching & scaling independent brands by focussing on their marketing, manufacturing & mindset. Today they talk about importance of sharing yourself as a part of your brand and how to do sales without feeling sleazy! https://www.elizabethstiles.co.uk

    46 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

At the Whiteboard is your one-stop-shop for everything Learning & Development. Nicole North interviews the best leadership experts to seek the "ONE THING" that we can do to be more empathetic, graceful, and impactful leaders that get results.

Information

  • Creator
    Whiteboard Consulting
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    85
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Whiteboard Consulting
  • Show Website
    At The Whiteboard