Peas in a Podcast

Kay Coombs & Rebecca Beard
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Business
  • Updated Weekly

Before starting our own People and Culture business, we were managers on the other side of the table — held accountable for performance and results, but without the HR advice we actually needed to achieve them. So we became the people we needed. We built Peas in a Pod from scratch and went on to work with hundreds of small business owners, seeing just about every workplace drama you can imagine (and some you probably shouldn’t). We don’t sugar-coat, we don’t sit on the fence, and we don’t just hand you a process and tell you to get on with it. This podcast is candid chats between two female founders — who know exactly what leadership looks like when there’s nowhere to hide and no one coming to do it for you. Expect candid perspectives, qualified advice, strong opinions and occasional rants backed by real life experience, without the LinkedIn leadership guff. We’re passionate about people, serious about results, and the ones you want in your corner when shit’s hitting the fan.

Episodes

  1. 6d ago

    Ep.10 Who's Holding the Ball? Driving True Employee Accountability | Peas in a Podcast

    We’ve made it to Episode 10, and what a rollercoaster of a first season it has been! To celebrate hitting this milestone, Rebecca and Kay are tackling one of the single biggest hurdles managers face: holding employees accountable for their performance. Too many managers fall into the trap of thinking it’s their job to solve every employee problem, carry the emotional labour, and fix every mistake. In this episode, we unpack why performance is a two-way contractual relationship and how to stop playing what we call "s****y tennis" (where the ball of responsibility keeps getting smacked back into your court!). In this season finale, we discuss: The Performance Triangle: Balancing organisational framework, managerial guidance, and the employee’s ultimate responsibility.Enablement vs. Accountability: Why you can’t have one without the other (and how to do your due diligence first).You-Centred Questioning: Moving away from fixing things and using coaching skills to keep the ownership firmly with the employee.The GROW Framework Shortcut: How to walk through Goal, Reality, Options, and Way Forward without drowning in corporate jargon. Note: We are taking a quick 4-week summer breather to compile your burning questions and plan Season 2! We will be back in your ears on the first Tuesday of July. Have a topic you want us to cover? Drop a comment below or message us on our socials! Connect with us: peasinapodconsulting.org.uk instagram.com/peasinapodconsulting Subscribe for weekly HR advice without the corporate wank!

    31 min

  2. Jun 2

    Ep.9 Stop Calling It a 'Bad Attitude' – Handling Employee Misconduct | Peas in a Podcast

    Ever experienced that heavy sinking feeling in your stomach when you walk into a team meeting and immediately get hit with eye-rolling, heavy sighing, or a wall of passive-aggressive silence? As business owners and managers, we have all been there. You might pick up the phone to your HR team out of sheer frustration and say that an employee has a terrible attitude. But as we unpack in this episode, labelling someone like that is actually the quickest way to guarantee a feedback session fails. It feels personal, it triggers defensive deflection, and it completely kills accountability. In this penultimate episode of Season 1, we drop the corporate guff to look at the messy, human reality of behavioural misconduct. We talk about why your most technically astute high performers are often your worst cultural offenders, and we break down how to handle the staff members who simply refuse to listen to reasonable instructions. You will learn how to use the 'CCTV method' to swap subjective opinions for undeniable, physical facts. We also discuss how to balance genuine empathy for an overworked team member with the firm boundaries of your disciplinary policy. Finally, we share how to handle outright belligerence, including the art of holding a terrifyingly uncomfortable silence to make a difficult employee take responsibility for their actions. Your team is watching how you handle disruption. Protecting a toxic person does not save your business, it just destroys your credibility with everyone else. Connect with us: peasinapodconsulting.org.uk facebook.com/piapconsulting instagram.com/peasinapodconsulting Subscribe for weekly HR advice without the corporate wank! #PeopleManagement #DifficultEmployees #WorkplaceCulture #HRAdvice #SmallBusinessOwner #LeadershipTips #PeasInAPodcast #ConflictResolution #Misconduct

    34 min

  3. May 26

    Ep.8 The Legal Risks in Recruitment You Must Know | Peas in a Podcast

    Think employment law obligations only kick in once someone signs a contract? Think again. In this episode of Peas in a Podcast, Rebecca and Kay unpack the minefield that is legal risk in recruitment. From discriminatory job adverts on shopfronts to the subtle ways unconscious bias sneaks into your yes and no piles, we break down the three critical stages where small business owners accidentally trip up: the terms, the assessment, and the decision. We also dive into data protection rules, the right to work checks you absolutely must run for everyone, and how a poorly worded offer letter might accidentally lock you into paying a notice period for someone who hasn't even started. It's compliance, candidate experience, and a heavy dose of common sense (minus the corporate wank). Connect with us: peasinapodconsulting.org.uk facebook.com/piapconsulting instagram.com/peasinapodconsulting Subscribe for weekly HR advice without the corporate wank! #Recruitment #SmallBusinessUK #EmploymentLaw #CompanyCulture #PeasInAPodcast #HRAdvice #FounderTips

    31 min

  4. May 19

    Ep.7 What Really Drives Employee Performance? | Peas in a Podcast

    Ever feel like you are chasing your tail trying to boost employee productivity? When performance dips, it is easy to assume your team either needs more training or a firmer set of targets. But true employee performance is actually a triangle made up of three essential components: direction, skills, and motivation. If just one of those corners is missing, the whole structure falls apart. In this episode of Peas in a Podcast, we sit down with training and coaching specialist Nikki Prentice-Jones to break down the human side of management. Nikki introduces us to a brilliant tool called Motivational Maps, which helps you move past the guesswork and pinpoint exactly what makes each individual member of your team tick. Whether you are looking to boost productivity, improve staff retention, or simply create a happier workplace culture, this episode offers practical, jargon-free advice you can start using today. If you are ready to find out what truly motivates your own team, reach out to us at Peas in a Pod Consulting and we can help you get started. Connect with us: peasinapodconsulting.org.uk facebook.com/piapconsulting instagram.com/peasinapodconsulting Subscribe for weekly HR advice without the corporate wank! #EmployeePerformance #SmallBusinessUK #TeamMotivation #HRAdvice #ManagementTips #PeasInAPodConsulting

    29 min

  5. May 12

    Ep.6 Stop Winging Your Probations (Before It Costs You) | Peas in a Podcast

    "I thought I had two years to decide if they were right?" Think again. In this episode of Peas in a Podcast, Becky and Kay (and a very special guest, office dog, Simba) are tackling the massive shake-up hitting the UK legal landscape. With the Employment Rights Act coming into force, the old "two-year rule" for unfair dismissal is being slashed to just six months. If you’ve been quietly ignoring the headlines, the legal updates, and the endless HR noise - honestly, we get it. There's a lot out there. But this shift in employment law is the one you actually need to pay attention to, and more importantly, you need to know how to get it right before it bites you. We’re moving past the boring induction checklists and dusty HR handbooks. We’re talking about the human stuff: how to spot amber flags early, why you need to stop writing people off before you’ve coached them, and why your Month 6 deadline is actually a Month 5 deadline once you factor in notice periods. In this episode, we tackle: The Notice Period Math: Why your Month 6 decision actually has to happen in Month 5.  Amber Flags: How to spot behavioral issues before they become permanent nightmares.  Straight-Talk Feedback: Why coaching is a manager's most important tool right now.  Rigor vs. Oblivion: Moving from "guessing" to a robust, intentional plan. Don't get caught out by a legal headache you could have avoided with a bit of rigor and better planning. Connect with us: peasinapodconsulting.org.uk facebook.com/piapconsulting instagram.com/peasinapodconsulting Subscribe for weekly HR advice without the corporate wank! #UKEmploymentLaw #HumanResources #SmallBusinessUK #EmploymentRightsAct #ProbationPeriod #UnfairDismissal #HRTips #ManagementSkills #PeasInAPodcast #UKBusinessOwner #HROnboarding

    33 min

  6. May 5

    Ep.5 From Storming to Soaring: Build a High-Performing Team | Peas in a Podcast

    In this episode of Peas in a Podcast, we tackle a question most leaders don't think to ask: is your team actually a team… or just a group of people sharing Wi-Fi? If you’re trying to build a high-performing team but keep running into friction, silos, or passive-aggressive Slack messages, the problem isn’t talent—it’s team dynamics. High team performance doesn’t magically appear; it’s built (and often rebuilt) through understanding the stages of team development. We break down why so many teams get stuck in the dreaded storming stage, how team conflict can either destroy performance or fuel it, and what your leadership style has to do with all of it (spoiler: quite a lot). You’ll learn: The critical difference between a team vs group (yes, there is one—and it matters)Why accountability in teams often fails (and how to fix it without becoming a micromanager)How to create real team alignment using simple, practical toolsWhy most attempts at team development stall before they ever reach high performance If you’ve ever wondered why your team isn’t performing, or how to turn a group into a team, this episode gives you the straight answer—no fluff, no theory overload. Because building a high-performing team isn’t luck. It’s leadership.

    40 min

  7. Apr 28

    Ep.4 It's Not a Flexible Working Problem - It's a Leadership Problem | Peas in a Podcast

    Most managers view flexible working as a threat to productivity. The reality? It’s the single biggest competitive advantage you can secure for your business. Employment laws have shifted, making flexible working a day-one right for employees. The business justification process is gone, and the old way of managing (through presence and surveillance) is failing to attract the talent you need. In this episode, we move past the fear. We break down the legal realities of the new flexible working reforms and, more importantly, the leadership mindset shift required to make them work. What you’ll learn in this episode: - How the "day-one" right to flexible working changes your hiring and management process. - The legally defensible reasons to reject a request, and how to communicate them fairly. - Why fear of losing control is costing you your best people and fuelling the 'presenteeism' myth. - How to pivot from tracking hours to tracking results, and why this is the secret to higher engagement and retention. Don't let outdated beliefs or legal anxiety hold your business back. Learn how to transform flexibility into your organization’s greatest asset. Listen now to future-proof your leadership approach.

    30 min

  8. Apr 21

    Ep.3 Avoiding Conflict Kills Team Culture - Navigating Difficult Conversations | Peas in a Podcast

    Does the thought of giving tough feedback give you the "ick"? You aren't alone. Most managers avoid difficult conversations to protect morale, but procrastination actually breeds resentment and toxic culture. In this episode, we dive into the psychology of why we avoid conflict and provide a step-by-step framework to handle performance issues, redundancies, and behavior problems without breaking trust. Postponing a tough talk with an employee might feel like you’re keeping the peace, but you’re actually building a pressure cooker. Today, we’re sharing a practical guide on how to navigate difficult workplace conversations with confidence. Whether you’re a new lead or a seasoned exec, learn how to use objective evidence, "I" statements, and radical curiosity to transform awkward confrontations into productive growth opportunities. Stop dreading the "ick" and start building a culture of radical transparency.

    28 min

  9. Apr 15

    Ep.2 The Real Reason You Can't 'Get Good Staff' | Peas in a Podcast

    Struggling to find the right people for your small business? You're not alone. Hiring the wrong person can be costly, not just financially, but in reputation, morale, and future growth. The real secret? It all starts with defining who you are as a business — your values, your purpose, and the behaviours that make your culture unique. Yet, so many small teams rush into recruitment without this crucial clarity, leading to mis-hires, wasted time, and long-term damage. In this episode, we uncover how failing to properly scope roles and articulate your company's core identity is the biggest pitfall for scaling businesses. You’ll discover why the best recruitment strategies begin long before you post a single job ad. We break down: How to craft compelling role profiles rooted in your company’s “why”The importance of values-based hiring over mere skill set checksPractical ways to avoid bias and legal risks by focusing on objective, observable behavioursThe secret to creating emotional buy-in through your employer value proposition (EVP)Why small businesses are uniquely positioned to attract loyal, motivated talent with creative perks like “Hot Food Fridays” and flexible culture, not just big benefits If you’re tired of hiring cycles that lead nowhere, or if you want to genuinely connect with candidates who believe in your mission, this episode is essential listening. We show how a small investment upfront pays off in building a resilient, diverse team that accelerates growth and sustains your culture. Perfect for entrepreneurs, HR leaders, and anyone involved in hiring. Learn how to stop wading through the wrong applicants and start attracting the right ones, every time. Don’t miss out on transforming your recruitment approach from reactive to strategic. Because in this competitive talent market, everything starts with clarity (and that includes your perfect hire).

    32 min

  10. Apr 7

    Ep.1 Management is about who, not what | Peas in a Podcast

    Most leaders rely on a single leadership style, mistakenly believing it is a one-size-fits-all solution. But what if the secret to true influence lies in mastering six distinct emotional styles and knowing exactly when to switch? In this episode, Kay and Rebecca explore how strategic style-shifting leads to better results, happier teams, and significantly less burnout. You will dive into the world of Goleman’s six leadership frameworks to understand why the most successful leaders act as chameleons, adapting their approach to meet the specific needs of the moment. Over-relying on one mode can damage your effectiveness. We discuss the dangers of the pace-setting style, why a shared vision can sometimes hinder progress, and how flexibility fuels innovation. Whether you are managing a small team or scaling a global organisation, this conversation provides a practical blueprint for navigating complex challenges with confidence. In an era of unavoidable complexity, the ability to switch gears effortlessly is the ultimate game-changer. Perfect for managers, business owners, and aspiring leaders: this episode unlocks the hidden power of style agility. Refine your toolkit, raise your self-awareness, and start making every interaction more impactful today.

    30 min

  11. Trailer

    Welcome to Peas in a Podcast: Real Talk for Leaders with Nowhere to Hide

    Welcome to Peas in a Podcast. We’re two female founders who spent years as managers on the other side of the table—held accountable for results, but without the HR advice we actually needed to achieve them. So, we became the people we needed. We’ve seen every workplace drama you can imagine (and some you shouldn’t). We don’t sugar-coat, we don’t sit on the fence, and we definitely don’t do "LinkedIn leadership guff." We’re passionate about people, serious about results, and the ones you want in your corner when things go wrong. Our first episode drops this Tuesday, with new episodes coming your way every week. What to expect: Candid perspectives and qualified advice.Strong opinions and the occasional (necessary) rant.Zero-fluff strategies for small business owners and leaders. Subscribe now and get the real-world leadership advice you’ve been looking for.

    1 min

Trailer

About

Before starting our own People and Culture business, we were managers on the other side of the table — held accountable for performance and results, but without the HR advice we actually needed to achieve them. So we became the people we needed. We built Peas in a Pod from scratch and went on to work with hundreds of small business owners, seeing just about every workplace drama you can imagine (and some you probably shouldn’t). We don’t sugar-coat, we don’t sit on the fence, and we don’t just hand you a process and tell you to get on with it. This podcast is candid chats between two female founders — who know exactly what leadership looks like when there’s nowhere to hide and no one coming to do it for you. Expect candid perspectives, qualified advice, strong opinions and occasional rants backed by real life experience, without the LinkedIn leadership guff. We’re passionate about people, serious about results, and the ones you want in your corner when shit’s hitting the fan.

Information

  • Creator
    Kay Coombs & Rebecca Beard
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    11
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Kay Coombs & Rebecca Beard
  • Show Website
    Peas in a Podcast