If the themes in these podcasts resonate, and you sense your mid-level managers could benefit from deeper reflection and peer exchange, consider joining our monthly online community. Hosted by Roddy Millar, it’s a relaxed yet purposeful space where leadership challenges are unpacked with insight and camaraderie. Each session offers structure without rigidity, and conversation without jargon. To learn more or explore joining, drop us a line at: admin@ideasforleaders.com __________________________________________ In this episode of The Power Between Podcast by Ideas for Leaders, host Roddy Millar speaks with Amanda Arrowsmith FCIPD, Executive Director, People & OD at the Royal British Legion, Founder of Sisterhood of Women and a Non-Executive Director of Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). She is also a doctoral candidate at the University of the West of England. Amanda shares her 30 year career in HR and organizational change, from starting in the civil service and moving into interim transformation roles across sectors including law, construction, pharmaceuticals, and transport. She talks about purpose driven organizations, the changing expectations of different generations at work, and why middle managers are the secret source of successful change. Amanda also reflects on leadership, culture, and the small daily habits that can improve performance, wellbeing, and long term impact. Amanda shares how her work focuses on helping organizations manage change through people, culture, and behaviour. She explains that many businesses struggle to balance performance, purpose, and the needs of a multigenerational workforce. Amanda highlights the importance of middle managers, calling them the secret source of successful change, and stresses the need to give them space, trust, and practical tools. She also reflects on how leaders can build stronger connections by understanding the real impact of their work and by creating time to pause and reflect. By focusing on small daily habits and clear purpose, Amanda shows how organizations can improve engagement, wellbeing, and long term results. Key Topics: -People Led Transformation: How Amanda supports organizations through change by focusing on culture, behaviour, and the people side of strategy. -Purpose and Performance: Why linking daily work to a clear purpose helps improve engagement, shareholder value, and long term impact. -Generations at Work: How shifting expectations across age groups are changing views on flexibility, output, and leadership. -Power of the Middle: Why middle managers are the secret source of successful change and need trust, space, and the right tools. -Small Habits, Big Impact: How simple daily reflection and disciplined routines can reduce burnout, build resilience, and improve wellbeing and results. Timestamps: [00:00] Teaser [01:23] Amanda’s career journey into HR [04:59] Studying for a DBA and returning to education [09:38] Generational shifts and changing expectations at work [14:06] From Personnel to People: how the role has evolved [16:39] The Royal British Legion and its evolving community [20:25] Commercial lessons from pharmaceuticals and shareholder value [27:01] Middle managers as the secret source of change [31:33] Connecting leaders to purpose and real impact [34:54] Daily reflection, discipline, and preventing burnout [36:29] The need for leaders to reflect and find balance in their roles 📚 Resources: 👉 Subscribe to DLQ just for $3 for 3 months - https://developingleadersquarterly.com/ 👉 Read this article from DLQ46 for free on ‘From Compete and Compare to Collaborate and Care’ - https://developingleadersquarterly.com/from-compete-and-compare-to-collaborate-and-care/?share=ccyoGhQUZSYB Follow our guest, Amanda Arrowsmith FCIPD: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandaarrowsmith/ Follow our Guest’s Companies: - Royal British Legion: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/royalbritishlegion/ Website: https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/ - Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS): LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/disclosure-and-barring-service/ Website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/disclosure-and-barring-service Follow the Host, Roddy Millar: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roddymillar/ Follow Ideas For Leaders: Website: https://ideasforleaders.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ideas-for-leaders/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ideasforleaders.dlq Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ideasforleaders/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/ideas4leaders Listening Links: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2NHgbWdUlJS8z1aSTgcIYt?si=d4f19ce12516420f Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-power-between/id1842080646 Podcast site: https://ideasforleaders.com/ Subscribe for more insights on organizational change, purpose driven leadership, and supporting middle managers. Share your thoughts or questions in the comments below.
