Generative Leaders Julia Rebholz

Authentic leadership, driven by personal beliefs and a genuine concern for the impact one's decisions and actions have on others, is crucial for building strong relationships and a sense of purpose and belonging in the workplace.
Brendan McCafferty has run large insurance companies and broking businesses, and with smaller, more entrepreneurial ventures. After stepping back from the executive world, he now serves as a non-executive chair for the National Employment Savings Trust (NEST), which manages retirement savings for about 13 million people in the UK.
In this episode, Julia and Brendan discuss authenticity in leadership and its impact on relationship building in the workplace, the power of acknowledging everyone's contributions, and how self-reflection can improve leadership skills and personal growth.

The power of leadership lies in genuine humility, active listening, and a commitment to support others in their personal and professional growth. Generative leaders value and bring about participation, respect the dignity of individuals, and create environments that allows for robust debates, personal agency, and collective decision-making.
Loughlin Hickey was a cofounder of Blueprint, a charity dedicated to helping create a better world through business. He passed away in November 2023, and in this episode, Julia has conversations with some of the people he led, coached, influenced, and was friends with.
LinksBlueprintIn loving memory of Loughlin Hickey – Jericho Chambers

Effective leadership means more than just acquiring knowledge and seeking growth. It means understanding the human condition, simplifying our understanding of life, and realigning our priorities towards transformation. It means harnessing the unique aspects of humanity that can’t be replicated by AI, like intuition and the capacity for non-linear creativity and insight.
Jonathan Armes is a psychologist and chartered occupational psychologist who focuses on leadership, team, and personal development through coaching. He helps leaders in reducing the amount of noise and interference created in the workplace due to the growing digital landscape, and works with them to address the human condition.
In this episode, Jonathan and Julia discuss the role of ego in leadership, and the importance of aligning leadership actions with a meaningful purpose beyond commercial growth alone.
LinksConnect with Jonathan via LinkedInJonathan’s website

Understanding different thinking styles can make teamwork smoother and facilitate powerful change. Generative listening means creating environments that encourage independent thought and respect individuals’ perspectives. This means holding a space where each individual's unique thinking process is acknowledged and valued.
Servane Mouazan is a 'thinking partner' for people who are interested in investing in social and environmental change. Her work revolves around listening to and collaborating with people who are working to make the world a better place.
From this discussion, you’ll learn how generative thinking can improve teamwork and facilitate powerful change, understand the importance of acknowledging and respecting individual perspectives in a group setting, and discover how our environment and mindset can influence how we think.
LinksConnect with Servane via LinkedInBe & Think in the House of Trust – Servane’s podcastServane’s website

People receive and interpret information differently. By understanding how thinking styles and perspectives differ, leaders can create a space where everyone can contribute their best and thrive. This includes being open to feedback, seeking honest input from others, and adapting leadership approaches to suit different situations and team members' strengths.
Effective leadership is not about being directive or controlling, but about empowering others, being transparent, and providing purpose-driven guidance that aligns with the broader goals of the organisation.
Simon Merriweather is a physicist with a background in accounting and experience in the power industry. He has worked on coal, gas, and green power stations, and is now an advocate for renewable energy sources.
Simon’s interpretation of generative leadership focuses on purpose rather than on specific objectives. He believes in giving individuals the opportunity to contribute to a broader big-picture delivery. In this discussion with Julia, he shares his experience of implementing generative leadership in business, empowering his team to navigate an uncertain future and achieve exceptional operational and safety performance.
LinksConnect with Simon via LinkedInTradle – Game from the OECLeave the World Behind (2023)The Day After Tomorrow (2006)The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, by Stephen Covey

Our current definitions of success and the pursuit of more – more wealth, more things – are not sustainable and do not lead to true fulfilment. We need to shift our orientation towards a more interconnected and accountable approach, where success is measured by the positive impact we have on society and the environment.
Kresse Wesling is the co-founder of a social enterprise that’s been at the forefront of the B-Corp movement. It was initially setup with the goal of rescuing London's decommissioned fire hoses and turning them into luxury bags. They’ve since expanded to rescue and transform 12 different materials and work with various charity partners.
The award-winning business – Elvis & Kresse – is known for its commitment to social and environmental standards, with 50% of their profits going to charity. Kresse and her partner Elvis are pioneers in sustainable luxury and have been at the forefront of the B-Corp movement.
In her discussion with Julia, Kresse highlights the importance of embracing transparency, telling the truth about so-called “green” products and practices, and striving for continuous improvement in all aspects of sustainable business. It also emphasises the need for a cultural shift that values collaboration, empathy, and sustainability over individual gain.
LinksConnect with Kresse via LinkedInElvis & Kresse