The SME Growth Podcast by Wellmeadow

Wellmeadow
  • 0.0 (0)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Co-hosts, Dave Parry and Rich Buckle have worked with over 100+ businesses at board-level through their growth consulting firm Wellmeadow. The SME Growth Podcast is an extension of the types of conversations we have in the boardroom. With a focus on marketing and sales strategies, we aim to give small and medium enterprise (SME) leaders tips, tools, and techniques that they can pick up and apply in their own business context. We also bring on business leaders and experts who tell their stories of the highs and lows in the world of business with a focus on the UK.

  1. 163: Why Policies Are The Guardrails Of Growth

    4D AGO

    163: Why Policies Are The Guardrails Of Growth

    In this episode, we explore a topic that often sits quietly in the background of growing businesses: policies. We discuss why clear policies act as the guardrails of growth, helping leadership teams make consistent decisions, manage risk, and scale sustainably. While strategy often gets the spotlight, we reflect on how policies quietly translate strategy into everyday behaviour across the organisation. We also talk about the role of the board and leadership team in defining these guardrails. As businesses grow, decisions become more complex and the cost of inconsistency rises. By setting clear policies around areas such as pricing, risk, hiring, governance, and operations, we create a framework that allows teams to move faster without losing control. Ultimately, policies aren’t about bureaucracy, they’re about enabling good decisions at scale. Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:01:42 - Why Policies Matter in Growing Businesses 00:04:18 - Policies as the Guardrails of Growth 00:07:05 - Strategy vs Policy: Understanding the Difference 00:10:12 - The Board’s Role in Setting Policy 00:13:47 - Common Policy Areas for SMEs 00:17:20 - How Policies Improve Decision-Making 00:20:08 - Balancing Structure with Flexibility 00:23:36 - Embedding Policies into Everyday Leadership 00:26:10 - Final Thoughts & Key Takeaways Key Topics Discussed: Why policies act as the “guardrails of growth”- The difference between strategy and policyThe board’s role in setting organisational guardrailsWhy growing companies need clear decision frameworksThe risks of scaling without agreed policiesExamples of common policy areas in SMEs (pricing, risk, governance, operations)How policies help leadership teams align behaviour across the businessThe balance between structure and flexibility in a growing companyConnecting policies to the future vision of the business. Who This Episode Is For: This episode is particularly useful for business owners, directors, leadership teams, and managers in growing SMEs. If you’re responsible for scaling a business, managing risk, or ensuring your team makes consistent decisions as the company grows, this conversation will give you practical perspective on how policies can support sustainable growth. Quotes to Remember: “Policies are the guardrails of growth.” “You’ve got to live the policies you put in place.” “Strategy sets the direction, but policy guides what we actually do every day.” Actionable Takeaways: 1.) Identify your key decision areas: List the decisions that repeatedly slow down leadership discussions. 2.) Create simple policy statements: Write down how the business will approach those areas moving forward. 3.) Align leadership around them: Ensure directors and senior managers understand and support the policies. 4.) Focus on the most important policies first: Avoid trying to document everything, prioritise the areas with the biggest impact. 5.) Link policies to your long-term vision: Make sure your guardrails support where the business wants to go. 6.) Review policies regularly: Growth changes the context, policies should evolve alongside the business. 📺 Watch the full episode here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxidTz-gZZeOglpIvvpCQRQ
 🎧 Listen on YouTube & Apple Music here: https://anchor.fm/wellmeadow 🤳 Like & Follow/Subscribe for weekly episodes on growth, marketing, and making smart business decisions. Got feedback or questions? Drop a comment below – we read them all! 👇 #BusinessGrowth #SMEs #Leadership #BusinessStrategy #CorporateGovernance #ScalingABusiness #Entrepreneurship #BusinessLeadership #DecisionMaking #BusinessPolicies #UKBusiness #FounderMindset #Management #BusinessAdvice #LeadershipDevelopment #BusinessPodcast #GrowthMindset #StrategicThinking #RunningABusiness #SMELeadership #smegrowthpodcast #wellmeadow #policies

    36 min
  2. 162: How Small Teams Can Create Big Change

    MAR 5

    162: How Small Teams Can Create Big Change

    In this episode, we explore a powerful but often overlooked idea: meaningful change in organisations does not always start at the top. Inspired by the BBC Reith Lectures from historian and writer Rutger Bregman, we discuss how some of the most significant shifts in society, and in business, have been driven by small groups of motivated individuals rather than formal leadership structures. The conversation focuses on what this means for businesses today, particularly small and medium-sized organisations where momentum and culture can quickly change through everyday actions. We reflect on the idea that organisations rarely stand still. Even when leadership becomes distracted or focused elsewhere, people within the business still want to do good work and serve customers well. That natural drive can create opportunities for positive change from within teams and departments. Rather than waiting to be told what to do, individuals can influence culture, collaboration and performance simply by helping others succeed and improving the way departments work together. Chapters: 00:00:00 — Accidental Apps, Rugby & Opening Banter 00:02:57 — Introducing the SME Growth Podcast 00:05:19 — Recap: Recent Episodes & The Dangers of Success 00:08:00 — The Reith Lectures & Rutger Bregman’s Ideas 00:09:40 — Can Change Come From Within an Organisation? 00:12:20 — Identifying Natural Leaders Inside Teams 00:16:00 — The “Starfish” Principle: Small Actions Matter 00:19:00 — Influencing Other Departments & Building Collaboration 00:23:10 — Handling Resistance When Driving Change 00:30:00 — Final Thoughts: Creating Positive Change From Within Key Topics Discussed: - Why meaningful change in organisations often starts with small groups, not senior leadership. - Lessons from the abolitionist movement and how grassroots movements shape systems. - The idea that organisations have “momentum” even when leadership steps back. - Identifying highly motivated individuals inside a business who naturally drive improvement. - Why collaboration between departments can unlock unexpected growth. - The “starfish principle”: focusing on small improvements that make a real difference. - Why resistance to change is inevitable and how to work through it. - How small gestures, even something as simple as bringing biscuits to the office, can spark collaboration and conversation. Who This Episode Is For: This episode is aimed at business owners, senior leaders, managers and ambitious team members inside growing businesses. It’s particularly relevant for those working in SMEs where roles overlap, collaboration matters, and individuals often have the chance to influence far beyond their job description. Quotes to Remember: “Even without leadership, there is agency within the rest of the organisation”. “No one has ever effected change without some form of resistance”. “Before you know it, without being told to do so, the whole culture of the organisation starts to change”.
 Actionable Takeaways: 1.) Look for small opportunities to improve how your team interacts with another department. 2.) Offer help outside your normal role; small gestures often unlock collaboration. 3.) Spend time understanding customers directly, even if your role doesn’t normally involve it. 4.) Encourage colleagues when they do something well; positive reinforcement spreads quickly. 5.) Focus on improving one process or relationship at a time rather than trying to change everything at once. 6.) Be prepared for resistance when trying to improve things, and keep going regardless. 7.) Think about how your work can make another team more effective, not just how you can do your own job better. 🎧 Listen on YouTube & Apple Music here: https://anchor.fm/wellmeadow 🤳 Like & Follow/Subscribe for weekly episodes on growth, marketing, and making smart business decisions. Got feedback or questions? Drop a comment below – we read them all! 👇

    33 min
  3. 161: The Danger Of Success - Why Thriving SMEs Still Fail

    FEB 26

    161: The Danger Of Success - Why Thriving SMEs Still Fail

    In this episode, we explore a paradox that many business owners quietly face: what happens when success itself becomes the problem? Drawing inspiration from the BBC Reith Lectures and historical examples such as the Roman and Venetian empires, we discuss how organisations often rise through clarity, discipline and value creation, only to drift once wealth, comfort and status take hold. We reflect on how easy it is for leaders to lose sight of what made them successful in the first place. We examine the warning signs within businesses, from vanity projects and ‘gentleman’s hours’ to over-complication and complacency, and ask how leaders can remain grounded as they grow. We consider generational shifts, the loss of entrepreneurial hunger, and the importance of deliberate mechanisms that reconnect leaders with customers, teams and the core mission. Ultimately, we challenge ourselves and our listeners to build in safeguards before success dulls the edge that built the business. Chapters: 00:00:00 – Building Sites & Business Foundations 00:03:26 – Introducing the Topic: When Success Becomes the Problem 00:06:00 – Lessons from History: The Rise and Fall of Civilisations 00:09:26 – Comfort, Cashflow & Losing the Edge 00:14:21 – Big Business Case Studies: Nokia, Apple & WeWork 00:15:56 – The Generational Drift in Family Firms 00:20:11 – Leadership “Bling” & Gentleman’s Hours 00:22:33 – Returning to the Start-Up Mindset 00:25:47 – Ego, Flattery & Losing Perspective 00:31:50 – Safety Valves: How to Stay Grounded as You Grow Key Topics Discussed: How civilisations, and companies, often decline not from external threats, but internal drift.The risk of comfort replacing hunger once financial pressure eases.Vanity projects and symbolic ‘bling’ as symptoms of deeper strategic distraction.The generational challenge: why businesses often fail to sustain momentum beyond the founder.The concept of “gentleman’s hours” and leadership disengagement.Why a vision should never be fully “achieved”, and what happens when it is.The cultural differences in risk appetite and how long periods of stability shape business behaviour.The importance of deliberate “reset” mechanisms to stay connected to reality. Who This Episode Is For: This episode is aimed at business owners, founders, managing directors and senior leaders of SMEs, particularly those who have experienced growth and are now navigating what comes next. It will also resonate with sales and marketing leaders, leadership teams in family-run firms, and anyone responsible for sustaining performance beyond the startup phase. Quotes To Remember: "When a company is struggling, it’s absolutely clear what it has to do… when you are successful, that clarity can fade”. “You can sometimes see that leadership team losing sight of what got them there” “I think you need to have mechanisms in place to bring you back almost to that start-up phase”. Actionable Takeaways: Define your “success drift” warning signs in advance (e.g. reduced customer contact, stalled innovation, leadership absence).Schedule regular time back on the frontline; with customers, on the shop floor, or in delivery.Refresh and stretch your vision, before you feel you have “arrived”.Ring-fence budget and time for R&D and next-stage growth initiatives, even when trading is strong.Invite honest external challenge; a non-executive, adviser or peer who will question ego-driven decisions.Build succession and leadership depth before you ease off operational intensity.Create a cadence (quarterly or annual) that deliberately revisits purpose, values and customer needs. 🎧 Listen on YouTube & Apple Music here: https://anchor.fm/wellmeadow 🤳 Like & Follow/Subscribe for weekly episodes on growth, marketing, and making smart business decisions.  Got feedback or questions? Drop a comment below – we read them all! 👇

    35 min
  4. 160: Why Your Busy Schedule Is Actually Sabotaging Growth

    FEB 19

    160: Why Your Busy Schedule Is Actually Sabotaging Growth

    In this episode, we explore a myth that quietly shapes far too many businesses: the belief that being busy equals being successful. We reflect on our own recent experiences of overloaded diaries, cancelled strategy time, the strong pull of client “emergencies”, and ask a difficult question; if our calendars are full, is our business actually thriving, or quietly starving? We discuss the tension between delivery and direction, and how easily important thinking time gets sacrificed in favour of urgent activity. We examine the deeper drivers behind busyness: the hero complex, the dopamine hit of clearing emails, the comfort of firefighting over strategy, and the fear that if we slow down, everything might collapse. Chapters: 00:00:00 – Encouragement, Leadership & Episode Introduction 00:07:03 – The “Busy Equals Successful” Myth 00:12:23 – Hero Complex, False Urgency and Firefighting 00:17:23 – Boundaries, Email and Distraction 00:19:13 – Delegation and Organisation Design 00:22:22 – Busywork vs Real Progress 00:25:17 – Why We Love Being Busy 00:29:07 – Leadership Is Not Busyness 00:30:07 – Practical Ways to Reclaim Strategic Time Key Topics Discussed: The myth that “I’m slammed, therefore I must be valuable”Why a full diary can signal a weak business model rather than a strong oneThe difference between urgent and important work (and how false urgency creeps in)The “dance floor vs balcony” metaphor for tactical vs strategic leadershipThe hero complex and the addiction to firefightingDelegating outcomes, not just tasksMeeting overload and the illusion of productivityWhy clearing your inbox can feel productive but achieve very littleDesigning the organisation intentionally rather than inheriting it by accidentSimple “rules of thumb” every business owner should know (win rates, cycle times, margins, etc.) Who This Episode Is For: This episode is for business owners, managing directors and senior leaders in small and medium-sized enterprises who feel permanently stretched. It will resonate with those juggling sales, delivery, people management and strategy, and wondering why, despite being flat out, the business still feels fragile. Quotes To Remember: “If your diary is full, your business is probably starving”. "If you’re overloaded, it’s the first sign that something’s wrong with your business model”. “Your job is not to work harder. It’s to remove work”. Actionable Takeaways: Audit your time honestly: Review your calendar and ask: which of these meetings and tasks truly required me?Schedule “balcony time”: Block regular thinking time as firmly as you would a client meeting, and treat it as non-negotiable.Create a NOT-To-Do list: Identify low-value habits and activities you will consciously stop.Delegate outcomes, not instructions: Give people ownership of results, not just tasks, and resist the urge to check every detail.Define clear rules of thumb: Know your win rates, deal cycle times, margins and cut-off points for chasing work.Systemise repeatable tasks: Reduce handcrafted processes where a standard approach would suffice.Challenge false urgency: Ask whether deadlines are genuinely business-critical or simply inherited pressure.Limit email availability: Protect deep work time by not being permanently “on”.Design your organisation deliberately: Map roles and responsibilities to ensure key outcomes are owned, not assumed.Resist the hero complex: Build a business that works without you solving every problem personally. 🎧 Listen on YouTube & Apple Music here:  https://anchor.fm/wellmeadow 🤳 Like & Follow/Subscribe for weekly episodes on growth, marketing, and making smart business decisions.  Got feedback or questions? Drop a comment below – we read them all! 👇 #BusinessGrowth #SMEs #Leadership #UKBusiness #Entrepreneurship #BusinessStrategy #Productivity #TimeManagement #OrganisationDesign #SmartGrowth #DiaryManagement  #Prioritisation #Burnout #Wellmeadow #SMEGrowth

    34 min
  5. 159: The Relationship Guide To Business Growth

    FEB 12

    159: The Relationship Guide To Business Growth

    In this episode, we take a seasonal prompt, Valentine’s Day, and turn it into a serious conversation about one of the most overlooked drivers of business growth: relationships. While modern business often reduces performance to dashboards, metrics and systems, we explore why sustainable growth is ultimately relational. From first impressions and intentional outreach, through nurturing and deal-making, to long-term client retention, we examine how the lifecycle of a business relationship mirrors that of a personal one. At its core, this conversation is about moving beyond transactions and building enduring partnerships, because whether in business or marriage, long-term success depends on communication, and trust. Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction & Valentine’s Theme 00:02:39 - Why Relationships Matter in Business 00:04:21 - Moving Beyond Metrics & Transactions 00:06:04 - Trust, Value & Modern Business Models 00:08:22 - The Relationship Framework Explained 00:11:47 - Inbound: Attraction & Positioning 00:14:00 - Outbound: Intentional Pursuit 00:17:26 - Referrals: The Power of Introduction 00:19:58 - Nurturing: Building Over Time 00:22:11 - The Sales Pipeline & Commitment 00:26:39 - Account Management as Long-Term Partnership 00:30:08 - Churn: What Breaks Relationships 00:32:08 - Final Reflections on Growth & Effort 00:33:28 - Closing Thoughts Key Topics Discussed: Why business growth is fundamentally relational, not just operationalThe parallels between dating and inbound marketing (brand, positioning, attraction)Outbound sales as intentional pursuit, and why value must come firstReferrals as the most natural and effective form of business developmentNurturing relationships over time rather than rushing transactionsThe sales pipeline as a progression of trust and mutual fitClosing the deal as commitment, not the finish lineAccount management as “business marriage”: evolving together over timeThe risks of neglect, poor communication and misaligned expectationsWhy retaining and deepening existing relationships often outperforms chasing new ones Who This Episode Is For: This episode is for business owners, managing directors, sales leaders and marketing professionals, particularly within SMEs, who want to build businesses that last. If you’re responsible for growth, client relationships or long-term strategy, and you’re wrestling with how to balance systems, targets and genuine human connection, this conversation is for you. Quotes to Remember: “People buy from people, but they stay because of trust” “The deal isn’t the destination; it’s the beginning of the relationship”. “If you want long-term clients, you have to keep evolving together”. Actionable Takeaways: Clarify your ‘ideal fit’: Be explicit about who you are for, and who you are not for. Strong relationships begin with alignment.Add value before asking for commitment: In outbound efforts, demonstrate relevance and insight before pushing for a meeting.Prioritise referrals intentionally: Build partnerships and networks that naturally introduce you to well-matched prospects.Strengthen your nurturing process: Maintain meaningful, consistent contact with prospects and clients, not just automated touchpoints.Revisit expectations early and often: Align on outcomes, responsibilities and long-term vision to avoid friction later.Invest in existing clients: Create structured ways to add fresh value to long-term relationships, reviews, strategy sessions, new ideas.Protect communication standards: Honest, timely and constructive communication prevents most forms of churn.Think in decades, not quarters: Sustainable growth comes from evolving alongside your clients, not simply acquiring new ones. 🎧 Listen on YouTube & Apple Music here: https://anchor.fm/wellmeadow 🤳 Like & Follow/Subscribe for weekly episodes on growth, marketing, and making smart business decisions. Got feedback or questions? Drop a comment below – we read them all! 👇

    34 min
  6. 158: Co-Intelligence: Is AI Going To Replace Me?

    FEB 5

    158: Co-Intelligence: Is AI Going To Replace Me?

    Artificial intelligence has moved beyond being a novelty or a specialist tool, it is now fast becoming a core part of how modern businesses operate. In this episode, we reflect on the book 'Co-Intelligence: Living & Working With AI' by Ethan Mollick, using it as a springboard to explore what it really means to work with AI rather than simply deploy it. Rather than focusing on tools or trends, we discuss how leaders should be thinking about AI as a colleague: capable, fast, sometimes flawed, and always in need of human judgement. We share practical experiences from our own work, particularly how AI is already reshaping decision-making, sales, strategy and leadership conversations. From the idea of the “jagged frontier”, where AI can be brilliant at one task but hopeless at a closely related others, to the risks of delay and the power of early learning, this conversation is about mindset, responsibility and competitive advantage in an age of rapid change. Chapters: 00:00:00 – Why AI Is No Longer Optional for Business Leaders 00:01:45 – Introducing Co-Intelligence by Ethan Mollick 00:03:30 – From Automation to AI Team-Mate 00:05:30 – Will AI Replace Jobs or Change How We Work? 00:07:45 – Treat AI Like a Junior (But Very Fast) Colleague 00:10:05 – What AI Is Surprisingly Good (and Bad) At 00:12:00 – The “Jagged Frontier” of AI Capability 00:14:15 – Experimentation Beats Prediction 00:16:45 – Bringing AI Into Sales and Commercial Decisions 00:19:10 – AI in Meetings, Proposals and Boardrooms 00:21:40 – Human in the Loop: Why Accountability Still Matters 00:24:00 – Treating AI Like a Person (and Why It Works) 00:26:20 – This Is the Worst AI You’ll Ever Use 00:28:45 – Risks, Ethics and the Bigger Picture 00:31:00 – Why Delay Is a Strategic Error 00:32:45 – Final Reflections on Living and Working with AI Key Topics Discussed: AI as a team-mate, not a replacementWhy delay is a strategic error when it comes to AI adoptionThe concept of the “jagged frontier” of AI capabilityTreating AI like a junior but very fast colleagueWhere human judgement, ethics and accountability must remainExperimentation as the only reliable way to understand AI’s strengthsThe risks of passive or superficial AI useHow AI is already changing sales, strategy and leadership workflowsWho Is This Episode For: This episode is aimed at business owners, directors, senior leaders, sales leaders and marketers who want to move beyond surface-level AI use and understand how it can genuinely improve the way they think, decide and operate. If you’re responsible for growth, performance or strategy, and wondering how AI fits practically into your role, this conversation is for you. Quotes To Remember: “Treat it like a junior, but a very fast one"."Delay is a strategic error, and early learning compounds”.“This will be the worst AI you’ll ever use”. Actionable Takeaways: Invite AI into more conversations, even when you’re unsure it can help.Stay firmly the ‘human in the loop’: sense-check outputs and own the decisions.Experiment broadly and cheaply, prediction is far less reliable than testing.Use AI to surface blind spots, not just to save time.Be specific with instructions: context, role and expectations matter.Review where AI adds insight, not just efficiency, especially in sales and strategy.Start now, early familiarity compounds into long-term advantage. 🎧 Listen on YouTube & Apple Music here: https://anchor.fm/wellmeadow 🤳 Like & Follow/Subscribe for weekly episodes on growth, marketing, and making smart business decisions. Got feedback or questions? Drop a comment below – we read them all! 👇 #SMEGrowth #BusinessLeadership #AIForGood #ArtificialIntelligence #FutureOfWork #BusinessStrategy #LeadershipDevelopment #DigitalTransformation #SMEBusiness #UKBusiness #GrowthMindset #SalesLeadership #MarketingStrategy #DecisionMaking #ProductivityAtWork #HumanInTheLoop #BusinessPodcast #LeadershipPodcast

    34 min
  7. 157: Company Vision in the Age of AI

    JAN 29

    157: Company Vision in the Age of AI

    In this episode, we explore how business leaders should be thinking about vision in an age where AI is no longer theoretical, but operational. We discuss whether AI should simply be treated as another productivity tool, or whether its growing influence means leaders must revisit more fundamental questions about purpose, values, and long-term direction. Drawing on recent Harvard Business Review research and real-world SME experience, we reflect on how quickly the ground is shifting beneath businesses of all sizes. We also examine the uncomfortable edge of this conversation. From the social implications of AI adoption to the hidden cultural barriers that stop teams using it effectively, we consider why clarity of vision matters more than ever. In a fast-moving, uncertain environment, we argue that values are not a “nice to have”, but an anchor, particularly as more judgement, prioritisation and decision-making is delegated to machines. Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction & why AI changes vision 00:04:45 - Habits, measurement & leadership thinking 00:07:55 - AI, work and the pace of change 00:11:12 - AI as a tool vs wider disruption 00:14:37 - HBR insights on AI adoption & perception 00:18:34 - Rethinking vision, values & time horizons 00:24:23 - Ethics, judgement & responsibility 00:27:28 - Using AI to challenge strategy 00:31:23 - Final reflections & closing thoughts Key Topics Discussed: How AI is changing the way businesses should think about vision and time horizonsWhy values and purpose matter more, not less, as automation increasesUsing AI as a “sparring partner” to challenge assumptions and stress-test strategyThe stigma and cultural barriers that can slow AI adoption inside organisationsInsights from Harvard Business Review on competence, perception, and AI useThe ethical dimension of AI-driven decision-making in everyday business scenariosWhy SMEs need to be more explicit about how decisions are madeThe risk of being left behind as competitors adopt AI faster and more deeply Who This Episode Is For: This episode is aimed at SME owners, managing directors, senior leaders, and anyone responsible for setting direction in a growing business. It will also resonate with strategy, operations, HR, and transformation leaders who are grappling with how AI fits into their organisation without undermining culture, trust, or long-term value. Quotes To Remember: "If you’ve got three or four competitors that really heavily adopt AI, then you’re probably going to have a problem”. “Values are probably more important than ever now because of the march of AI”. “We need to be much more precise about all sorts of bits of running our business”. Actionable Takeaways: Revisit your vision with a shorter time horizon (2–3 years) to reflect the pace of changeUse AI deliberately as a challenger, not just a helper – ask it to question your assumptionsMake your values more explicit, especially where they guide difficult trade-offsIdentify where AI is already influencing judgement calls in your businessAddress cultural stigma around AI use so adoption doesn’t create hidden divisionsReview your positioning and USP in light of competitors’ AI capabilitiesBe clear about what decisions remain human-led and why 🎓 SME Growth Podcast Homework: Further Reading & Resources Check out Harvard Business Review's latest articles for business leaders: 👉 https://hbr.org/archive-toc/BR2601 Learn how to create or revise your company vision: 👉 https://www.wellmeadow.co.uk/business-growth-engine 🎧 Listen on YouTube & Apple Music here: https://anchor.fm/wellmeadow 🤳 Like & Follow/Subscribe for weekly episodes on growth, marketing, and making smart business decisions. Got feedback or questions? Drop a comment below – we read them all! 👇 #SMEGrowth #BusinessLeadership #BusinessVision #AIinBusiness #FutureOfWork #LeadershipThinking #BusinessStrategy #UKBusiness #SMEOwners #ManagingDirectors #CompanyCulture #BusinessValues

    33 min
  8. 156: The Psychology of Business Meetings with Christen Gilchrist

    JAN 22

    156: The Psychology of Business Meetings with Christen Gilchrist

    Meetings are one of the biggest hidden costs in any organisation, yet they are rarely examined with the same rigour as finance, sales, or operations. In this episode, we’re joined by Christen Gilchrist, an organisational psychologist, to explore why so many meetings feel unproductive and what’s really going on beneath the surface. Together, we discuss why focusing solely on agendas, minutes, and process often misses the point. From who speaks first to how safe people feel challenging ideas, we explore how leaders can rethink meetings as an investment, not just a diary commitment, and use them to genuinely move the business forward. Chapters: 00:00:00 – Welcome & why meetings matter00:02:00 – Introducing Christen Gilchrist, organisational psychologist00:04:30 – The real cost of meetings00:06:45 – Meetings as social systems00:09:00 – Who speaks first and why it matters00:11:30 – Psychological safety in meetings00:14:00 – Preparation, pre-reads, and information overload00:17:30 – Why busy doesn’t mean productive00:20:30 – Too many people and social loafing00:24:30 – Transparency, trust, and leadership behaviour00:28:30 – Face-to-face vs online meetings00:33:30 – Practical ways to run better meetings00:36:00 – Final reflections & key takeaways Key Topics Discussed: The true financial cost of meetings and why most businesses underestimate itWhy “meetings for meetings’ sake”, damages focus and performanceHow hierarchy and senior voices can unintentionally shut down discussionPsychological safety and its role in better decisions and innovationWhy preparation and clarity of purpose matter more than slide decksThe limits of long, crowded meetings and the problem of cognitive overloadFace-to-face vs online meetings, and why hybrid meetings often fail Quotes To Remember: “A meeting is an investment, if you wouldn’t spend the money, why spend the time”? “When senior leaders speak too early, everyone else edits themselves”. “If people don’t feel safe to challenge, you don’t get better processes, you get silence”. Actionable Takeaways: Put a cost on your meetings: Calculate what recurring meetings actually cost and ask whether they deliver a return.Be ruthless about purpose: Every meeting should have a clear reason, outcome, and decision attached to it.Change who speaks first: Invite junior or quieter voices in early to avoid groupthink.Simplify pre-reads: Replace long slide decks with concise one-page summaries that focus on insight, not activity.Reduce numbers: Only invite people who are genuinely needed to recommend or decide, share outcomes with others afterwards.Lead by example: Show it’s acceptable not to have all the answers, and model curiosity over defensiveness.Rethink hybrid meetings: If some people are remote, consider making everyone remote to level the playing field. 🎓 SME Growth Podcast Homework: Further Reading & Resources Check out more of Christen’s thinking, along with FREE resources, including toolkits, guides and worksheets, on organisational psychology and improving meetings, at Core Potential Solutions: 👉 https://www.corepotentialsolutions.com/free-resources Read The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni, which discusses trust as the foundation for healthy teams and business culture: 👉 https://www.tablegroup.com/topics-and-resources/teamwork-5-dysfunctions/ Read Amy Edmondson’s Harvard Business Review article, to find out more around what Psychological Safety really is? 👉 https://hbr.org/2023/02/what-is-psychological-safety 🎧 Listen on YouTube & Apple Music here:  https://anchor.fm/wellmeadow 🤳 Like & Follow/Subscribe for weekly episodes on growth, marketing, and making smart business decisions. Got feedback or questions? Drop a comment below – we read them all! 👇

    37 min
See All (166)

About

Co-hosts, Dave Parry and Rich Buckle have worked with over 100+ businesses at board-level through their growth consulting firm Wellmeadow. The SME Growth Podcast is an extension of the types of conversations we have in the boardroom. With a focus on marketing and sales strategies, we aim to give small and medium enterprise (SME) leaders tips, tools, and techniques that they can pick up and apply in their own business context. We also bring on business leaders and experts who tell their stories of the highs and lows in the world of business with a focus on the UK.

Information

You Might Also Like