Unleash Your Inner Leader

Randip Singh

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Are you stuck in the middle management trap? This podcast helps you make the transition from manager to leader. We tackle real challenges of leading from the middle, from managing up and influencing without authority to mastering executive presence. If you're ready to stop being a 'manager of metrics' and start being an inspiring leader,' this podcast is for you.

2d ago

Marcel Schwantes, From Paralyzed by Stress to Leading with Impact

This episode of Unleash Your Inner Leader features Marcel Schwantes, an acclaimed executive coach, speaker, and author of the book Humane Leadership. Marcel shares a harrowing personal wake-up call from his career that completely transformed his understanding of corporate culture and well-being. In This Episode, We Cover:The Corporate Breaking Point: Marcel recounts his health crisis where the extreme stress of a toxic, command-and-control management structure caused him to physically collapse.The Contrast of Leadership: How moving from an authoritarian boss to a true servant leader showed Marcel the polar opposite realities of the workplace.The 6 Building Blocks of Humane Leadership: Marcel breaks down the core framework from his book and courses:Authenticity: Leading with transparency and vulnerability.Value People: Serving your employees first so they can seamlessly serve your clients.Provide Leadership: Setting clear, consistent expectations and navigating strategic changes dynamically.Share Leadership: Relinquishing ego, pushing authority down the ranks, and removing operational bottlenecks.Develop People: Intentional mentoring and mapping out clear paths for long-term career growth.Build Community: Cultivating deep workspace relationships rooted in a true sense of belonging.Psychological Safety vs. Nodding Heads: Why the best leaders create environments where team members feel safe to push back, challenge ideas, and bring their full, authentic selves to work. The Leadership ChallengeHumanize Your One-on-Ones: Marcel's number one piece of advice for the next generation of leaders is simple: get to know your people. This week, bake 5 to 10 minutes into your regular 1-on-1 meetings to step away from status updates and ask simple, open questions like, "What's going on in your world?" As Randip notes, building this psychological safety requires you to actively listen and be willing to share a bit of your own human side aswell. Connect with MarcelWebsite: MarcelSchwantes.com LinkedIn: Marcel Schwantes Book & Newsletter: Look out for his book Humane Leadership and subscribe to his updates directly on LinkedIn.Connect with RandipLinkedIn: RandipSubscribe: Follow Unleash Your Inner Leader on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

39 min
May 31

David Selsky, The Click That Saved My Life: Intuition, Integrity, and Leading Change

This episode of Unleash Your Inner Leader features David Selsky, a Health and Safety leader with over 20 years of experience who takes pride in developing high-performance teams that can achieve aspirational goals in highly regulated, complex and matrixed organizations. David shares a gripping story of a near-death experience early in his career that redefined his perspective on leadership, safety, and the "gut feel". In This Episode, We Cover: The Click That Saved a Life: David recounts being inside a pressure vessel when he heard an unsettling "click".The Knowledge vs. Change Trap: Why a leader’s true value is found not in their technical brilliance or data, but in their ability to influence organizational change.Curing Imposter Syndrome: How radical honesty, admitting when you are the least knowledgeable person in the room, can act as "glue" for a team.The Orchestra Conductor Analogy: Reimagining the leader's role as a conductor who doesn't need to play every instrument but must know how to bring the orchestra sections into harmony.The Midnight Mentor: Lessons learned from a boss who met him at midnight to share insights, highlighting the joy of developing others beyond mere stock price or ROI. The Leadership Challenge Reflect on your "Change Value": Look at your current projects. Are you focusing more on the data you know or the behaviour you need to change? This week, identify one stakeholder and focus on how you can make them feel powerful and respected rather than just providing them with more information. Connect with David As well as being a Health and Safety leader, David has a long history of P&L responsibility managing construction, manufacturing, and large-scale power generation operations before transitioning to Risk and Safety where he uses his operational background to inform delivery of practical programs to support the business. An influential and caring leader, David is respected for empowering others, promoting accountability, and delivering world-class organizations. LinkedIn: David Selsky Connect with Randip LinkedIn: RandipSubscribe: Follow Unleash Your Inner Leader on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

33 min
May 24

Hannah Wilson, Leading Through the Noise: Integrity, Visibility, and Belonging

What happens when your commitment to inclusive leadership lands you in the Daily Mail? In this episode, I talk with Hannah Wilson, a dynamic strategic leader, author, and coach who turned a high-profile media storm into a powerful lesson on values-led leadership. We explore how to navigate criticism, break the "likability trap" and cultivate a genuine sense of belonging in any organization. IN THIS EPISODE, WE COVER: The Daily Mail Incident: How Hannah navigated intense public scrutiny after implementing inclusive practices as a new head teacher and why it solidified her commitment to DEIB.Alignment over "Fit": Why we should stop asking people to "shoehorn" themselves into existing cultures and instead focus on removing barriers before they are even flagged.The Likability Trap: A powerful reframing for leaders: focusing on being respected at work rather than liked, and how this shifts your leadership resilience.The "Compliment in Criticism": A practical technique for processing overly negative feedback by identifying the unstated affirmation hidden within it.Time as a Palette: Hannah’s strategy for energy management using a color-coded diary to balance output, travel, and essential "Hannah time."Belonging vs DEI: Why diversity and equity are processes, but belonging is a feeling that requires curiosity, listening, and disrupting the "majority identity" lens.Spotting the Gaps: Advice for the next generation on "diagonally" growing your career by volunteering for the projects no one else is leading.RESOURCES MENTIONED: Book: Cultivating Belonging in Schools by Hannah Wilson.Book: Diverse Educators: A Manifesto (Co-edited by Hannah Wilson).Concept: Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. CONNECT WITH HANNAH: LinkedIn: Hannah WilsonWebsite: thebelongingeffect.com CONNECT WITH RANDIP: LinkedIn: RandipSubscribe for free: Follow Unleash Your Inner Leader on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

36 min
May 17

Sandeep Das, Beyond the Job Description: Courage & Confidence

How do you transition from being a technical expert to an effective leader when the "unwritten" parts of the role feel the most daunting? In this episode, I sit down with Sandeep Das, a Chartered Accountant, Internal Audit Leader, an international speaker and author of Audit Alchemy. Sandeep shares his personal journey of navigating the "Pandemic Pivot," overcoming introversion, and finding the courage to lead with integrity. Whether you are a middle manager struggling with public speaking or an aspiring leader looking to make a bigger impact with your team, this conversation offers practical tips you’ve been looking for. In This Episode, We Cover:The Pandemic Pivot: How a 2020 career break led to a more fulfilling role in the charity sector and a direct connection to helping people. The Unwritten Leadership Requirement: Why the most important part of your job is having the courage to stand by your ethics and the willingness to walk away. Flipping the Skill Set: Why traditional "soft skills" like communication and listening are actually the "core skills" needed to survive and thrive in the age of AI. The Introvert’s Strategy for Confidence: Practical hacks for public speaking and networking. Audit Alchemy: How small teams can deliver a massive organizational impact by systemizing processes and focusing on value-add insights. AI as a Human Catalyst: A look at how technology can automate the mundane to create more space for human-to-human connection. SPECIAL OFFERFor 20% off Sandeep's book Audit Alchemy, use Promo Code: "26AEV1" before 30 June 2026. Order here: https://www.routledge.com/Audit-Alchemy-Small-Teams-BIG-Impact---A-Guide-to-Internal-Audit-Excellence/Das/p/book/9781032856520 Resources Mentioned:Book: Audit Alchemy: Small Teams, Big Impact by Sandeep Das Book: Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain and see Susan's Ted talk: The power of introverts Book: 21 Lessons for the 21st Century by Yuval Noah Harari Topic: The Olympus Scandal and whistleblower Michael Woodford, see more in his book: Exposure from President to Whistleblower Connect with Sandeep:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandeep-das-fca/ Connect with RandipLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randip/ For more episodes of Unleash Your Inner Leader, subscribe/follow on YouTube, Apple Podcasts or Spotify

32 min
May 10

Georgina Worrall OBE, POWERful Women: AI impact and finding purpose

In today’s fast-paced world, finding your purpose can be challenging. In this episode I speak with Georgina Worrall, OBE, Head of POWERful Women. She shares some personal experiences that shaped her approach to leadership. ## About Georgina Worrall Georgina is the Head of POWERful Women, an organization dedicated to promoting gender balance and diversity in the energy sector. Her extensive experience in leadership and advocacy has made her a respected voice in the industry. In 2025, Georgina was awarded an OBE. Georgina's personal journey, including her battle with breast cancer, has significantly influenced her leadership style and vision. ## The Power of Lived Experience in Leadership Georgina emphasizes the importance of lived experience in shaping effective leadership. Her own health challenges, including a breast cancer diagnosis in May 2024, have profoundly impacted her perspective on life and leadership. Through this experience, she learned not to sweat the small stuff and to focus on what truly matters in leading a team. ### Key Takeaways Role Modelling Leadership: Georgina believes in embodying the qualities of a good leader. This means creating a positive environment where team members can thrive and feel valued. Understand Your Purpose: Take time to reflect on what motivates you and aligns with your values. **Georgina highlights the importance of resilience and learning from challenges. She uses the analogy of a rose bush, where each bud blooms at its own pace, reminding us that everyone’s journey is unique. Listen to Your Gut: Pay attention to your instincts when making decisions. Links https://powerfulwomen.org.uk/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/powerful-women/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgina-worrall-obe-8b25772/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/randip/

25 min
May 3

Jonathan Bowman-Perks MBE: Stop Being an "Average" Leader and How to Up Your Game

Jonathan Bowman-Perks MBE shares his journey of leadership development, resilience and legacy. He draws inspiration from personal experiences and influential figures in his life. He emphasizes the importance of learning, discipline, and self-care in leadership and personal growth. The conversation covers a wide range of topics including leadership, coaching, emotional intelligence, and the importance of presence. It also delves into the concept of the CEO's Compass and the eight quotients that contribute to inspiring leadership. The discussion concludes with insights on leaving a legacy and the impact of helping others. Takeaways Resilience as a key component of leadershipThe value of discipline and self-care in personal and professional developmentPresence and active listening are essential qualities for effective leadership.The T-GROW coaching model andThe eight quotients of the CEO's Compass provide valuable frameworks for leadership development.

45 min
Apr 26

Petra Velzeboer on Leading with Vulnerability

Introduction: In a world where the pressures of life can often feel overwhelming, the journey of self-discovery and personal growth becomes essential. Psychologist and author Petra Velzeboer shares her profound insights on how pivotal life moments, particularly motherhood and overcoming addiction, have shaped her approach to leadership and personal accountability. Main Content: 1. Struggles and Addiction Petra's early career was marked by ambition but also with the struggles of parenting without much support. She candidly shared her battle with addiction, which led her to dark places, feeling isolated and lost. "I thought that my life was over at 23 because I didn't have an education," she admitted. It was through her journey of recovery that she learned the importance of honesty and accountability. 2. Finding Support and Breaking the Silence In discussing the importance of reaching out for help, Petra emphasized the "gift of desperation." Recognizing when one is at a breaking point can be a catalyst for seeking support, whether through therapy, recovery groups, or trusted friends. 3. Creating a Supportive Environment as a Leader Petra stressed the significance of having a "boardroom of support" outside of work. This boardroom can consist of friends, mentors, or therapists who provide a safe space to be oneself. As leaders, it’s crucial to model accountability and honesty within teams. By sharing personal struggles, such as parenting challenges, leaders can create an environment where team members feel safe to express their vulnerabilities. "We can't just leave that unspoken and assume that if we're super efficient, we’ll achieve team bonding," she noted. Conclusion: Petra Velzeboer’s experiences remind us that personal growth often springs from life's challenges. Through her journey of motherhood, addiction recovery, and leadership, she illustrates the power of vulnerability, accountability, and support in overcoming obstacles. Key Takeaways: - Embrace pivotal moments in life as opportunities for growth. - Seek support and be open about struggles to foster connection. - Create a supportive environment within teams by modelling vulnerability and accountability. - Recognize that personal growth often emerges from facing challenges head-on Links: https://www.petravelzeboer.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/petra-velzeboer https://www.instagram.com/petra.velzeboer/

43 min
Apr 26

Alex Staniforth, Adventurer on Conquering the Inner Everest

Learn how to turn adversity into opportunity through the inspiring story of adventure speaker Alex Staniforth. Discover key insights on resilience and purpose. In life, we all face challenges, but how we respond to them can define our journey. In this episode, we’ll explore the incredible story of Alex Staniforth, a keynote speaker and adventurer, who faced unimaginable adversity during his attempts to conquer Mount Everest. His experiences provide valuable lessons on resilience, perspective, and the importance of purpose that can inspire anyone to overcome their own challenges. ## About Alex Stanniforth Alex is not just an adventurer; he is a performance coach, author, and motivational speaker. With numerous climbing experiences under his belt, including two attempts on Mount Everest, Alex understands the fragility of life and the importance of pursuing one’s passions. His journey has not only shaped him but also offers insights into how to navigate life’s adversities. You can learn more about Alex at: https://www.alexstaniforth.com/http://www.mindovermountains.org.uk/ (Alex's Charity)https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-staniforth-b9680950/https://www.instagram.com/alexstaniforth_/

34 min

8 Episodes

Are you stuck in the middle management trap? This podcast helps you make the transition from manager to leader. We tackle real challenges of leading from the middle, from managing up and influencing without authority to mastering executive presence. If you're ready to stop being a 'manager of metrics' and start being an inspiring leader,' this podcast is for you.

Creator

Randip Singh
Years Active

2K
Episodes

8
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© 2026 Randip Singh