Impactful Conversations

Dr Glenn P Wallis and Nejmi Alexander

Impactful Conversations, hosted by Dr. Glenn Wallis and Nejmi Alexander, delivers insightful discussions that inspire change. Drawing on their expertise and the latest research, they break down key concepts to enhance your daily effectiveness. Designed for leaders and drivers of transformational change, this podcast helps you elevate your leadership and achieve higher performance. We'd love to hear how these conversations have impacted the way you lead, so please get in touch with us via LinkedIn to feature anonymously on the podcast.

  1. Episode 28: Mastering adaptability for future-proof leadership

    21h ago

    Episode 28: Mastering adaptability for future-proof leadership

    Most leaders are overwhelmed by the rapid pace of change and uncertain environments, yet few are fully prepared to adapt proactively. What if mastering the art of adaptability isn’t just about responding, but about strategically pivoting before you’re forced to? This episode uncovers the hidden levers that can future-proof your leadership amidst chaos, showing you how deliberate internal shifts and external awareness can transform your influence—and your career. In this episode Dr. Glenn Wallis and Nejmi Alexander explore the internal beliefs and external practices that foster agility, including how to cultivate a growth mindset, develop career resilience, and implement lightweight experiments to validate new ideas swiftly. You'll learn concrete tactics, such as carving out time for deep reflection in a speed-driven world, leveraging AI without losing your thinking edge, and making strategic stopping decisions to free up energy for what truly matters. The episode reveals why adaptability isn't just a skill but a leadership identity that must be deliberately cultivated to thrive in VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous) landscapes. If you're a leader or ambitious professional feeling the pressure to keep pace—without losing sight of your core purpose—this episode is your strategic edge. It offers practical, battle-tested methods to build mental resilience, navigate uncertainty confidently, and position yourself as a future-ready leader. Those who master these adaptability principles will not only survive but thrive and lead the charge into the next era of work. Follow Glenn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Glenn LinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Exigence Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Nejmi: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nejmi LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We would love to hear how these conversations have had an impact on you, so please do get in touch with us.

    37 min
  2. Episode 27: How leaders earn trust when certainty is absent

    Jun 29

    Episode 27: How leaders earn trust when certainty is absent

    In a world where change accelerates and certainty diminishes, mastering adaptability isn’t just an advantage — it’s a necessity. If you’re a leader or ambitious professional feeling overwhelmed by the pace and unpredictability of today’s landscape, this episode is your blueprint for future-proofing your impact and career. Most leaders are used to steering with a clear sense of direction. But what happens when the ground shifts beneath your feet and certainty becomes a mirage? Join Nejmi Alexander and Dr. Glenn Wallis as they unpack the hidden dynamics of adaptive leadership. Discover how internal mindset shifts and proactive behaviours can position you at the forefront of change instead of falling behind it. From questioning your leadership identity to leveraging small experiments for big insights, they reveal the proven mental models and practical habits to cultivate resilience in uncertain times. You’ll learn: Why quick-reacting adaptation often isn’t enough and how to shift toward proactive, strategic flexibilityHow internal beliefs, fears, and labels can either speed up or hinder your ability to adaptThe importance of ‘slow thinking’ and deliberate reflection in decision-making, especially amidst AI-driven fast-paced environmentsHow to combat common traps like sunk cost fallacy and ego-driven decisions that stall growthConcrete tools such as experimentation, assumptions testing, and micro-trials to foster a culture of continuous agility This episode is perfect for high-performers, change-makers, and leaders who want to embrace uncertainty instead of fearing it. If you’re serious about staying relevant, building trust in turbulent times, and becoming an adaptable leader in the AI era, this conversation will shift your perspective and power up your resilience. Nejmi Alexander and Dr. Glenn Wallis bring decades of leadership experience, backed by research on trust, psychology, and organisational agility. Their insights cut through the noise and offer a clear path for action—whether you’re navigating new models, adopting AI tools mindfully, or developing your leadership identity. Don’t let the fast-moving world leave you behind. Tune in and learn how to turn volatility into your competitive advantage. Build the adaptability muscles that future-proof your success—starting today. Follow Glenn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Glenn LinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Exigence Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Nejmi: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nejmi LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We would love to hear how these conversations have had an impact on you, so please do get in touch with us.

    34 min
  3. Episode 26: Claire Croft - The role of 'othering' in leadership

    Jun 8

    Episode 26: Claire Croft - The role of 'othering' in leadership

    Unlock the hidden dynamics behind leadership and organisational transformation that could make or break your success. If you're navigating change—whether as a leader, a team member, or an organisation—this episode reveals the overlooked human factors that drive results or fuel disconnect. Dr. Glenn Wallis and Nejmi Alexander dive deep with transformation and leadership expert Claire Croft, who shares from over a decade of coaching and a unique approach that connects organisational strategy with human behaviour. She exposes the roots of leadership disconnects, from siloed C-suites to second-tier teams, and explains why misalignment often stems from deeper psychological and cultural barriers—like "othering" and learned helplessness. This episode is perfect if you're a leader feeling overwhelmed by digital innovation, a HR or OD professional seeking to nurture resilient teams, or anyone eager to understand how the emotional and psychological dimensions shape organisational change. Trust us, you'll come away inspired with concrete tactics to bridge gaps, activate your leadership potential, and harness the full power of your teams—even in turbulent times. Don’t miss the chance to rethink transformation from the inside out. Follow Claire: ⁠⁠Claire LinkedIn⁠⁠ Follow Glenn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Glenn LinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Exigence Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Nejmi: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nejmi LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We would love to hear how these conversations have had an impact on you, so please do get in touch with us.

    37 min
  4. Episode 25: The leadership reality check of 2026

    May 25

    Episode 25: The leadership reality check of 2026

    In this mid-year reflection episode of Impactful Conversations, Dr. Glenn Wallis and Nejmi Alexander explore three of the biggest leadership challenges shaping 2026: leader burnout, leading in an AI-driven world, and the growing credibility gap between leaders and employees. Drawing on their work with organisations ranging from fast-growing scale-ups to global enterprises, Glenn and Nejmi unpack the realities leaders are facing today — rising stress levels, constant ambiguity, pressure to “do more with less,” and rapidly changing employee expectations. The conversation explores: Why burnout is becoming a systemic leadership issueThe impact of uncertainty on teams and decision-makingHow organisations can create more clarity and consistencyWhy human-centred leadership matters even more in the age of AIThe importance of self-awareness, feedback, and adaptable leadership stylesPractical ways leaders can reduce pressure, improve communication, and lead more intentionallyPacked with real-world insight, practical reflections, and actionable ideas, this episode is designed to help leaders navigate complexity while staying effective, human, and impactful. Follow Glenn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Glenn LinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Exigence Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Nejmi: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nejmi LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We would love to hear how these conversations have had an impact on you, so please do get in touch with us.

    43 min
  5. Episode 23: Simon Hall - Transform leadership with storytelling

    Apr 20

    Episode 23: Simon Hall - Transform leadership with storytelling

    In this Impactful Conversation episode Glenn and Nejmi are joined by Simon Hall, a Cambridge storytelling expert with over 20 years of broadcasting and teaching. In the conversation he reveals how mastering stories can transform leaders into unforgettable influencers. Whether you're pitching ideas, inspiring teams, or making data memorable, this episode shows you how to craft stories that stick and inspire action. From Simon’s personal journey from troublemaker to top Cambridge instructor to a story-driven leader, discover why storytelling is an instinctive human power we all possess—and how to refine it. We explore concrete tactics like starting with relevance, weaving emotional depth, and using story structures that captivate. Simon shares practical tips: create a story bank, practice relentlessly, and balance facts with feelings for maximum impact. You'll learn how storytelling can bridge arid environments like data-heavy sectors or academic settings that often lack emotional connection. Simon emphasises that everyone is a natural storyteller—it's a craft you can develop fast with intention. Leaders will discover when and how to integrate stories into meetings, pitches, and one-on-one conversations to elevate influence and foster loyalty. This episode is perfect for busy executives, team leaders, and communicators eager to stand out. If you're ready to make your messages unforgettable and inspire genuine change, Simon’s insights will give you all the tools to turn everyday moments into powerful stories that stick. Follow Simon: Simon LinkedIn Follow Glenn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Glenn LinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Exigence Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Nejmi: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nejmi LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We would love to hear how these conversations have had an impact on you, so please do get in touch with us.

    37 min

About

Impactful Conversations, hosted by Dr. Glenn Wallis and Nejmi Alexander, delivers insightful discussions that inspire change. Drawing on their expertise and the latest research, they break down key concepts to enhance your daily effectiveness. Designed for leaders and drivers of transformational change, this podcast helps you elevate your leadership and achieve higher performance. We'd love to hear how these conversations have impacted the way you lead, so please get in touch with us via LinkedIn to feature anonymously on the podcast.