Lead Well with Mark O'Reilly

Mark O'Reilly
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The Lead Well Podcast, hosted by Mark O'Reilly, explores the intersection of leadership, performance, and well-being. Through engaging conversations with business leaders, entrepreneurs, and experts across industries, the podcast delves into how leaders can thrive in high-pressure environments while maintaining balance and resilience. Each episode offers practical insights, personal stories, and actionable strategies to help listeners enhance their leadership skills, boost performance, and prioritise mental and physical well-being.

  1. How to Navigate Difficult Conversations

    AUG 18

    How to Navigate Difficult Conversations

    In this solo episode, I explore one of the biggest barriers to leadership and team performance: avoiding tough conversations. The truth is, the biggest problem in communication is often the illusion that it is happening. When difficult conversations are handled poorly, or not at all, we see misunderstandings, low morale, stalled innovation, and a breakdown of trust. I share insights from psychology and neuroscience on why people shut down or get defensive under stress, and how leaders can shift conversations from threat to trust. We look at the difference between healthy debate and destructive conflict, and why creating psychological safety is the foundation of open dialogue and collaboration.

    10 min

  2. JUL 21

    The Power of Storytelling in Leadership

    Why do some leaders inspire action, while others struggle to get their message across? In this solo episode, Mark O’Reilly unpacks the real reason: stories beat stats every time. Drawing from the science of memory, the psychology of influence, and years of hands-on experience, Mark explores why even the best ideas get lost in translation unless they’re wrapped in a compelling narrative. He breaks down: The What–So What–Now What framework: a simple way to structure your message so it actually lands How to use presence—voice, body language, and energy—to become instantly more engaging The pitfalls of jargon, data-dumping, and assuming you’ve been understood How the “Hero’s Journey” applies to everyday leadership (and customer conversations) Using SCARF and the STATE model to handle resistance, objections, and tough conversations Practical ways to hook any audience—whether you’re presenting to your team, your board, or that one stakeholder who never listens If you want to influence, not just inform, this episode will help you rethink the way you communicate—so your ideas actually make an impact.

    9 min

  3. JUL 14

    Barbara Brennan - Mental Health Matters & Mentis One

    Today on Lead Well, I’m joined by Barbara Louise Brennan a seasoned mental health advocate, trainer, speaker, and consultant who has spent close to two decades leading the charge on stigma reduction and inclusion across Ireland. Barbara has led Ireland’s national programme to reduce mental health-related stigma, worked with major organisations like An Post, Boots, IBEC, and the HSE, and lectured in leading universities including Trinity, UCC, Maynooth, and DCU. She’s also the founder of Mentis One—a platform focused on helping companies move beyond one-off wellbeing initiatives and embed meaningful, lasting cultural change. In today’s conversation, we’re going to explore the current state of workplace mental health and the gap that inspired Barbara's entrepreneurial journey. We also dive into Barbara's lived experience with mental health, having been a suicide survivor herself, she delves into the daily non negotiables for managing our mental health.

    59 min

  4. JUN 14

    Building Stress Tolerance

    In this short episode, I explore stress tolerance as a critical skill for leaders navigating the pressures of modern work. With nearly 60% of employees reporting they feel stressed most of the time, the cost of ignoring stress in leadership is rising. But this isn’t about pushing through or waiting for the next break. I unpack why expanding your Window of Tolerance—a concept from Dr. Dan Siegel—is key to staying composed, thinking clearly, and leading effectively under pressure. We also dig into simple, practical ways to build stress tolerance through goal setting, daily planning, and visualisation—tools that sharpen focus, reduce overwhelm, and keep you grounded in purpose.

    10 min
  5. The Leadership Paradox

    JUN 9

    The Leadership Paradox

    In this first episode of The Leadership Paradox series, I introduce the core idea: why today’s most effective leaders are increasingly at risk of burnout — and why achieving both high performance and personal wellbeing is not a given, it’s a skillset. I’ll share why I believe this is one of the most urgent leadership challenges of our time, based on research and what I see in boardrooms, coaching conversations, and leadership teams. We’ll explore the key tension at the heart of the paradox: the more trusted, capable, and high-performing you become, the greater the risk to your own energy, clarity, and wellbeing — unless you consciously develop new habits and skills. And I’ll outline the roadmap for this series: the core skills transformational leaders need to master to thrive sustainably — not just perform, but grow and stay well while leading. If you’re a leader who wants to scale your impact without sacrificing yourself in the process, this series is for you.

    10 min
  6. David Crimmins - former CEO WebDoctor

    MAR 10

    David Crimmins - former CEO WebDoctor

    Today on the Lead Well podcast my guest is David Crimmins, a seasoned leader with a deep track record in health-tech, scaling businesses, and securing investment for high-growth companies. As the former CEO of WebDoctor—now Medihive—David led the company through two major investment rounds, growing its valuation to over €60 million and strengthening its position in the digital healthcare space. Before that, he was a key player in the success of GloHealth, helping to build one of Ireland’s most innovative health insurance providers. His leadership journey also includes earlier roles at Tesco and Citibank, where he honed his skills in marketing, sales, and commercial strategy. In this conversation, we’re diving into what it takes to scale a business, make tough leadership decisions, and stay resilient under pressure. We’ll talk about: The biggest lessons David learned transitioning into the CEO role. How to balance growth and culture while leading in a high-stakes industry. His personal strategies for handling pressure, maintaining focus, and leading through uncertainty. Whether you’re a CEO, an aspiring leader, or just interested in how high-growth businesses succeed, there’s a lot to take away from this conversation.

    53 min
  7. Maura McAdam - Professor of Management & Director of Entrepreneurship at Dublin City University

    FEB 20

    Maura McAdam - Professor of Management & Director of Entrepreneurship at Dublin City University

    Today, on the Lead Well podcast I am joined by Professor Maura McAdam, a globally recognised expert on entrepreneurship, gender, and leadership. Maura is a Professor of Management at Dublin City University (DCU) and Director of Entrepreneurship at the university. She has spent her career challenging traditional narratives around entrepreneurship, examining how gender, identity, and power dynamics shape access to funding, networks, and leadership opportunities. Her research has covered everything from women’s entrepreneurship and venture accelerators to business model innovation and entrepreneurial identity. Maura has been named among the top 2% of global researchers for impact and is a sought-after voice on how we need to redefine success in leadership and business. In today’s conversation, we’ll explore: The myth of the ‘underperforming female entrepreneur’—why the real issue isn’t capability, but systemic bias. How start-up culture and venture accelerators reward a narrow, hyper-competitive leadership style—excluding those who don’t fit the mould. Why success in entrepreneurship shouldn’t always be measured by rapid scaling and aggressive growth. How leaders can sustain high performance without burning out. If you’re an entrepreneur, a leader, or someone who wants to challenge outdated leadership models, this episode is for you.

    49 min
  8. Fredericka Sheppard - Voltedge Management

    12/17/2024

    Fredericka Sheppard - Voltedge Management

    In this episode of the Lead Well Podcast, I’m joined by Fredericka Sheppard, co-founder and Managing Director of Voltedge Management, to discuss her journey as a leader and entrepreneur. Fredericka shares the challenges and lessons she’s learned while building her business and navigating the evolving landscape of leadership and HR. We explore how HR must evolve to meet the challenges of modern leadership, the role of empowerment in high performing teams and what it takes to unlock people potential in today’s workplace. Packed with insights on leadership, resilience, and growth, this episode is a must-listen for leaders, entrepreneurs, and HR professionals alike. To find out more about Fredericka and Voltedge https://www.voltedge.ie/

    56 min
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About

The Lead Well Podcast, hosted by Mark O'Reilly, explores the intersection of leadership, performance, and well-being. Through engaging conversations with business leaders, entrepreneurs, and experts across industries, the podcast delves into how leaders can thrive in high-pressure environments while maintaining balance and resilience. Each episode offers practical insights, personal stories, and actionable strategies to help listeners enhance their leadership skills, boost performance, and prioritise mental and physical well-being.

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