The Boardroom by Heather Elkington

Heather Elkington
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Management
  • Updated Daily

The conversations about leadership and work, that normally only happen behind those closed boardroom doors. The Boardroom is a podcast for managers navigating the parts of leadership no one talks about: bias, boundaries, burnout, and building high-performing teams.

Episodes

  1. 8h ago

    My 4 biggest productivity hacks to avoid burnout

    Being productive does not mean squeezing more work into every available hour. In this episode, Heather shares the four productivity rules that help her run two businesses while still protecting her health, relationships and life outside work. She also opens up about the period that pushed her dangerously close to burnout, and what she changed because of it. She explores: Why productivity is not about maximising every minuteThe word you need to become more comfortable sayingHow poor delegation quietly steals your future timeThe difference between urgent work and important workWhy unfinished important tasks eventually become emergenciesThe weekly calendar challenge that eliminates unnecessary meetingsHow Heather now protects her energy while running two businesses Listen now to discover how to get the right work done, protect your time and build a successful career without burning yourself out. Fresh Start is Heather’s proven six week bootcamp for managers who want to take control, earn respect and drive results. Join the waitlist here: https://www.freshleadershipworld.com/fresh-start-course/ And if you are a manager or business owner who wants a clearer picture of how your team is really doing, join the Custard here: https://www.itscustard.com?utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=waitlist_promo&utm_content=3rd_aug_reel Got a situation at work you do not know how to handle? Send it in at hello@theboardroompodcast.com, two lines or two paragraphs, whatever you need. Everything stays anonymous. New episodes every Wednesday at 8 AM. Follow us on socials: Instagram: @the.boardroompodcast & @leadershipheather

    My 4 biggest productivity hacks to avoid burnout

  2. Jul 29

    How I manage Gen Z at work (without lowering my standards)

    Is Gen Z really difficult to manage, or do they simply expect better management? Heather explores why Gen Z are often labelled lazy, entitled, or difficult to manage, and why the real problem may be the way workplaces try to lead them. In this episode, Heather covers: Why Gen Z are not as difficult to manage as people thinkHow to communicate with Gen Z more openly and honestlyWhy progression matters even when a promotion is not availableHow to offer flexibility without losing structure or accountabilityWhy psychological safety and high performance can exist togetherHow the TAPES framework can help you manage Gen Z more effectivelyWhat to do when someone still refuses to meet the required standard Because managing Gen Z is not about giving them everything they want. It is about understanding what helps them do their best work, then leading them with clarity, trust and accountability. And if you are a manager or business owner who wants a clearer picture of how your team is really doing, join the Custard here: https://www.itscustard.com/ Got a situation at work you do not know how to handle? Send it in at hello@theboardroompodcast.com, two lines or two paragraphs, whatever you need. Everything stays anonymous. New episodes every Wednesday at 8 AM. Follow us on socials: Instagram: @the.boardroompodcast & @leadershipheather And btw, Heather drops practical leadership tips to over 30,000 managers across the globe inside the Custard Culture Club. Join us here: https://custardlearns.com/custard-culture-club-home

    How I manage Gen Z at work (without lowering my standards)

  3. Jul 22

    How I smash public speaking at work (in meetings & presentations etc)

    Do you know exactly what you want to say, but still freeze when all eyes are on you? In this episode, Heather shares how she went from being terrified to speak in front of her class at school to confidently presenting on stages in front of hundreds of people. In this episode: How to hook your audience within the first few secondsWhy stories, examples and questions make presentations more powerfulHow to control your nerves before speakingWhy rehearsing your presentation out loud mattersHow asking for feedback can improve your public speakingWhy seeking one person’s approval could be holding you backHow to speak with confidence in meetings, presentations and on stage How confident do you feel about public speaking on a scale of 1 to 10? Let us know in the comment section below 👇 Got a situation at work you don’t know how to handle? Send it in at hello@theboardroompodcast.com, two lines or two paragraphs, whatever you need. Everything stays anonymous. New episodes every Wednesday, 8AM Follow us on socials: Instagram: @the.boardroompodcast & @leadershipheather BTW, if you want weekly leadership tips delivered straight to your inbox… Join 30,000+ managers inside the Custard Culture Club (It’s free): https://custardlearns.com/custard-culture-club-home

    How I smash public speaking at work (in meetings & presentations etc)

  4. Jul 15

    How to manage difficult employees at work

    Got a difficult employee in your team and no idea what to actually do about it? Before you jump straight to “do we fire them?”, Heather walks through the key steps every manager needs to take first and when it might be time to make a bigger decision. In this episode, Heather explores: How to work out whether someone is actually difficult, or whether the situation feels difficultWhy managers sometimes accidentally allow poor behaviour to buildHow to address a negative attitude at workThe 4P's method for having difficult conversationsWhen it might be time to take things further And download Heather’s free Four P’s Method of having difficult conversations: https://custardlearns.com/4ps-framework-home And if you’re a manager or business owner who wants a clearer picture of how your team is really doing, visit the Custard website here: https://www.itscustard.com/ Got a situation at work you don’t know how to handle? Send it in at hello@theboardroompodcast.com, two lines or two paragraphs, whatever you need. Everything stays anonymous. New episodes every Wednesday, 8 AM Follow us on socials: YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqkzDIhdiCT-NGag5k8FM_2VAgQwvB1Iv&si=U6PgZWfUTUof3CEb Instagram: @the.boardroompodcast & @leadershipheather And btw Heather drops practical leadership tips to over 28,000 managers every Tuesday morning, join the link here: https://www.inthemakingleadership.com/welcome

    How to manage difficult employees at work

  5. Jul 8

    How to say 'NO' more to protect your time

    If you’re a manager who constantly feels like there are not enough hours in the day, this episode is for you. Heather breaks down how managers can start buying back their time, from cutting unnecessary meetings and setting stronger boundaries, to delegating properly and learning when to say no. In this episode, Heather explores: Why busy does not always mean productiveHow managers get trapped in urgent workHow to protect your time and cut down on meetingsWhy saying no and setting boundaries helps you create more time to actually lead And if you’re a manager or business owner who wants a clearer picture of how your team is really doing, visit the Custard website here: https://www.itscustard.com/ Got a situation at work you don’t know how to handle? Send it in at hello@theboardroompodcast.com, two lines or two paragraphs, whatever you need. Everything stays anonymous. New episodes every Wednesday, 8AM Follow us on socials: YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqkzDIhdiCT-NGag5k8FM_2VAgQwvB1Iv&si=i0kbJFwLkMIU6Qxw Instagram: @the.boardroompodcast & @leadershipheather And btw Heather drops practical leadership tips to over 28,000 managers every Tuesday morning, join the link here: https://www.inthemakingleadership.com/welcome

    How to say 'NO' more to protect your time

  6. Jul 1

    How to ask for a pay rise with confidence (I went from 85k to 120k)

    Want to ask for a pay rise but have no idea where to start? In this episode, Heather breaks down how to prepare for the conversation, build a strong case, choose the right timing and ask with confidence. You’ll learn what to say, what not to say and how to follow up if the answer is “not yet”. In this episode: The exact steps Heather used to grow her salary from £85k to £120kWhy the pay rise conversation starts before you walk into the roomWhy your results matter in salary conversationsWhat to do if the answer is “not right now” Download the free Pay Rise PDF here: https://custardlearns.com/the-payrise-conversation-script And if you’re a manager or business owner who wants a clearer picture of how your team is really doing, visit the Custard website here: https://www.itscustard.com/ Got a situation at work you don’t know how to handle? Send it in → hello@theboardroompodcast.com New episodes every Wednesday, 8AM Follow us on socials: YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqkzDIhdiCT-NGag5k8FM_2VAgQwvB1Iv&si=xoSCRHg4ig2tmai6 Instagram: @the.boardroompodcast & @leadershipheather And btw Heather drops practical leadership tips to over 28,000 managers every Tuesday morning, join the link here: https://www.inthemakingleadership.com/welcome

    How to ask for a pay rise with confidence (I went from 85k to 120k)

  7. Jun 24

    Stop being nice at work (here’s how I stopped people pleasing)

    If you’ve ever avoided a difficult conversation because you didn’t want to upset someone, this episode is for you. Heather explores the difference between being nice and being kind at work, and why people-pleasing can quietly hold you back as a manager and leader. She shares personal stories from her own career, including uncomfortable conversations she has had to start, feedback that was difficult to hear, and the moments that helped her build confidence as a leader. In this episode, Heather covers: Why being “nice” is not always the same as being kindHow people-pleasing can damage trust and respectWhy avoiding difficult conversations often makes things worseHow honest feedback helps you growWhy great managers care enough to tell the truth Because leadership is not about keeping everyone happy BUT helping people grow. And if you’re a manager or business owner who wants a clearer picture of how your team is really doing, join the Custard waitlist here: https://custardlearns.com/launch-waitlist?utm_source=captivate&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=waitlist_promo&utm_content=stopbeingnice_startbeingkind_EP4 Got a situation at work you don’t know how to handle? Send it in at hello@theboardroompodcast.com, two lines or two paragraphs, whatever you need. Everything stays anonymous. New episodes every Wednesday, 8 AM Follow us on socials: YouTube: https://youtube.com/@leadershipheather?si=JB0X24-cDem23SKd Instagram: @the.boardroompodcast & @leadershipheather And btw Heather drops practical leadership tips to over 28,000 managers every Tuesday morning, join the link here: https://www.inthemakingleadership.com/welcome

    Stop being nice at work (here’s how I stopped people pleasing)

  8. Jun 17

    How I stop imposter syndrome getting in my way at work (the full guide)

    You go into the conversation with a plan. Then they push back, and suddenly you’re convincing yourself you were wrong all along. In this episode, Heather gets into the part of leadership nobody prepares you for, the moment a difficult conversation goes sideways, and your confidence completely disappears. She covers: Why imposter syndrome hits hardest in difficult conversationsHow to hold your position when someone pushes back hardWhy silence in a conversation is not weakness, it’s strategyWhat to do when a conversation gets heated and you don’t know what to sayWhy growth matters more than perfection in leadership Got a situation at work you don’t know how to handle? Send it in at hello@theboardroompodcast.com, two lines or two paragraphs, whatever you need. Everything stays anonymous. And if you’re a manager or business owner who wants a clearer picture of how your team is really doing, join the Custard waitlist here: https://custardlearns.com/launch-waitlist?utm_source=captivate&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=waitlist_promo&utm_content=podcast_EP3_showdescription New episodes every Wednesday, 8 AM (perfect for your commute) Listen & follow: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033uKbjXmIrXKCb0EuzXXg?si=58205f3097864d97 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-boardroom/id1896894691 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/628ce2c6-d282-45ef-80c9-c1132f67a57f/the-boardroom YouTube: https://youtube.com/@leadershipheather?si=JB0X24-cDem23SKd Instagram: @the.boardroompodcast And btw, Heather drops practical leadership tips to over 28,000 managers every Tuesday morning, join the link here: https://www.inthemakingleadership.com/welcome

    How I stop imposter syndrome getting in my way at work (the full guide)

  9. Jun 11

    The reasons your team will be accountable (or not)

    Some people grow through pressure. Others spend their careers blaming everyone else for where they’re stuck. In this episode, Heather breaks down the “above the line vs below the line” framework, the quickest way to see who on your team is genuinely growing and who is stuck in blame, excuses, and denial. In this episode: The “above the line vs below the line” framework and how to use it as a litmus testWhy blame feels so natural and why leaders can’t afford itThe difference between a reason and an excuse (this one matters)Why your disengaged team might actually be a one-person problemHow to use questions to pass accountability back without creating conflict Got a situation at work you don’t know how to handle? Send it in at hello@theboardroompodcast.com two lines or two paragraphs, whatever you need. Everything stays anonymous. New episodes every Wednesday, 8AM Listen & follow: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033uKbjXmIrXKCb0EuzXXg?si=58205f3097864d97 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-boardroom/id1896894691 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/628ce2c6-d282-45ef-80c9-c1132f67a57f/the-boardroom YouTube: https://youtube.com/@leadershipheather?si=JB0X24-cDem23SKd Instagram: @the.boardroompodcast And btw Heather drops practical leadership tips to over 28,000 managers every Tuesday morning, join the link here: https://www.inthemakingleadership.com/welcome

    The reasons your team will be accountable (or not)

  10. Jun 11

    I found managing my friends so hard (here’s how I made it work)

    Most leaders won’t admit this. But Heather will. Nobody tells you that becoming “the manager” changes everything your friendships, your confidence, and how you show up every single day. In this episode, Heather gets real about the moment anxiety nearly stopped her in her tracks, and why asking for help turned out to be her biggest leadership superpower. Why asking for help is actually your biggest leadership superpowerThe 5-minute conversation that can fix almost any work situationHow to spot the people who are quietly holding you backHow to act with courage even when anxiety is telling you not to Got a situation at work you don’t know how to handle? Send it in at hello@theboardroompodcast.com two lines or two paragraphs, whatever you need. Everything stays anonymous. And if you’re a manager or business owner who wants a clearer picture of how your team is really doing, join the Custard waitlist here: https://custardlearns.com/launch-waitlist?utm_source=captivate&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=waitlist_promo&utm_content=podcast_EP3_showdescription OR checkout our page @custardpeople New episodes every Wednesday, 8AM (best for your commute) Listen & follow: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033uKbjXmIrXKCb0EuzXXg?si=58205f3097864d97 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-boardroom/id1896894691 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/628ce2c6-d282-45ef-80c9-c1132f67a57f/the-boardroom YouTube: https://youtube.com/@leadershipheather?si=JB0X24-cDem23SKd Instagram: @the.boardroompodcast And btw Heather drops practical leadership tips to over 28,000 managers every Tuesday morning, join the link here: https://www.inthemakingleadership.com/welcome

    I found managing my friends so hard (here’s how I made it work)

  11. Jun 8

    The Boardroom Trailer: The Leadership Conversations Nobody Is Having with Heather Elkington

    The Boardroom is the podcast for anyone navigating the messy, real, and often unspoken side of leadership. Hosted by Heather Elkington, someone who's been at the bottom, fought her way to the top, and never forgot what the hard parts actually felt like. Whether you're a first-time manager finding your feet, a senior leader feeling the pressure, or somewhere in between, this is the podcast that helps you lead better without pretending it's always easy. New episodes drop every Wednesday at 8am perfect for your commute.

    The Boardroom Trailer: The Leadership Conversations Nobody Is Having with Heather Elkington

Trailer

About

The conversations about leadership and work, that normally only happen behind those closed boardroom doors. The Boardroom is a podcast for managers navigating the parts of leadership no one talks about: bias, boundaries, burnout, and building high-performing teams.

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