Unleash Your Impact, Unlock Others

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Welcome to Unleash Your Impact: Unlock Others, the podcast where leadership gets real. Hosted by Dave Morris and Rich Horton from Zentano, this series is all about helping leaders like you create thriving teams, shape positive workplace cultures, and make a genuine difference in the world. We believe that better leadership creates better organisations—and ultimately, a better world. Each episode brings you grounded wisdom, practical tips, and inspiring stories from real leaders. Expect a mix of unscripted chats, actionable insights, and fascinating guest interviews. Whether you’re navigating the challenges of modern leadership, exploring emotional intelligence, or looking to unlock your own potential, we’ve got you covered. Connect with us: 📍 Website: www.zentanogroup.com 📍 LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/zentano/ 📍 Instagram: @zentanogroup So, grab a cuppa, hit play, and join us every week as we explore what it takes to lead with impact.

  1. Why Leaders Under Pressure Make Worse Decisions | #50

    4D AGO

    Why Leaders Under Pressure Make Worse Decisions | #50

    Why Leaders Under Pressure Make Worse Decisions As leaders, we’re expected to make good decisions, even when we’re tired, stressed or running on empty. But what if that expectation is fundamentally flawed? In this reflective end-of-year episode, we explore a provocative truth: tired, stressed and sick people don’t make good decisions. Drawing on leadership psychology, decision-making research and lived experience, we unpack why energy, not time, is the real constraint on leadership effectiveness. As we head into Christmas, when fatigue often catches up with us, we look at why leaders are especially vulnerable to decision fatigue, how depleted energy quietly shapes judgement, and what it costs organisations when leaders “power through”. This isn’t about resilience or weakness. It’s about biology, behaviour and leadership responsibility, and how protecting energy is one of the most strategic decisions leaders can make going into the year ahead. Key Talking Points Energy, not effort, determines decision qualityWhen energy drops, leaders don’t just decide worse, they decide differentlyWhy leaders are uniquely vulnerable to decision fatigueEnergy management matters more than time managementProtecting decision quality requires deliberate leadership shifts

    36 min

  2. DEC 12

    Why Quitting is Good for You - The Paradox of Perseverance | #49

    “Never give up” is a phrase often used in leadership, sport, and business. But what if that mantra sometimes does more harm than good? In this episode of Unleash Your Impact, Unlock Others, Rich and Dave explore the often-ignored wisdom of knowing when to quit. Drawing on recent research, real leadership experience, and cultural examples from sport and business, they challenge the idea that perseverance is always virtuous. The conversation looks at the hidden costs of relentless goal-pursuit, how fear can disguise itself as ambition, and why adaptive leaders hold goals lightly rather than gripping them at all costs. Along the way, Rich introduces a simple set of reflective questions to help leaders decide whether they are persevering wisely or persisting unhealthily. This episode is not about giving up easily. It’s about discernment, perspective, and the leadership maturity to let go of the wrong goal to make space for the right one. Why a “never give up” mentality can damage your healthThe difference between healthy ambition and fear-driven persistenceHow identity becomes unhelpfully tied to goals and achievementSurvivorship bias: why success stories distort our understanding of perseveranceWhy sporting metaphors don’t always translate well into leadershipHolding goals lightly without losing focus or directionA practical “Goal Adjustment” checklist to assess when it might be time to let goWhy quitting can be a strategic leadership decision, not a sign of failure

    32 min

  3. DEC 5

    Agile and Lean Leadership: Lessons from the F1 Pit Lane | #48

    In this episode, Rich and Dave explore what leaders can learn from the fast, disciplined, and constantly evolving world of Formula 1. Using the pit lane as a practical metaphor, they unpack how the best teams blend precision with adaptability, and why the same mindset is essential for leaders navigating rapid change. Drawing on real F1 case studies, they examine why agility isn’t chaos, why lean isn’t about cutting jobs or removing people, and how data and intuition can work together rather than compete for air space. They also dig into four vital areas of leadership, decision making, team culture, strategy execution, and personal effectiveness, and show how agile and lean thinking combine to drive clarity, focus, and momentum. Balancing structure with flexibility lies at the heart of Connected Leadership, and this conversation brings that principle to life in a grounded, accessible way. Whether you follow F1 or not, the insights apply to every leader looking to stay responsive, purposeful, and effective in an unpredictable world. Key Talking Points Why F1 is a powerful (and accessible) metaphor for modern leadershipThe difference between agile and lean thinking, and why both matterHow organisations can get trapped in rigid systems, KPIs, and legacy thinkingThe danger of over-relying on data while ignoring intuition (and vice versa)Case studies: Williams, Ferrari, Mercedes, how cultures help or hinder learningHow the best F1 teams balance feedback, discipline, and flexibility in real time  Four vital leadership dimensions:Decision making: learning fast, avoiding analysis paralysisTeam culture: empowering challenge, building psychological safetyStrategy execution: evolving goals, focusing on what adds valuePersonal effectiveness: simplifying, staying self-aware, adapting Common leadership myths about agile and leanThree practical tools to embed agility and focus:Stop / Start / ContinueRegular retrospectivesMaking priorities actual priorities

    38 min

  4. NOV 28

    The Power of 30 Minutes - Redefining Leadership Time | #47

    In this episode of Unleash Your Impact, Unlock Others, Rich and Dave explore a leadership challenge that almost everyone recognises: the gap between being busy and adding value. Prompted by a simple question in the gym about why Dave prefers 30-minute classes, they dig into how short, deliberate pockets of time can fuel clarity, connection, creativity, and renewal. Drawing on Stephen Covey’s distinction between urgent and important work, as well as the “sharpen the saw” mindset, the conversation reframes 30-minute windows as powerful leadership levers. Across ten practical ideas, Rich and Dave show how leaders can use half an hour to build trust, develop others, widen their strategic lens, break silo thinking, reset wellbeing, and reconnect with long-term purpose. This episode offers grounded, realistic approaches that fit into busy schedules and challenges the culture of busyness as a badge of honour. Listeners are encouraged to pick one or two of the ten ideas, place them intentionally in the diary, and form new habits that make a difference. Key Talking Points How 30-minute blocks of time can be used for developing capability, engaging in strategic thinking, and focusing on personal renewalAvoiding the trap that “being busy = adding value” and the importance of intentional effortWhy, according to Stephen Covey, you should “Sharpen the Saw”Connection Time: building trust and psychological safety through genuine check-insMicro-Coaching: turning quick chats into developmental conversationsRecognition Rituals: using focused appreciation to reinforce culture and motivationStrategic Thinking Blocks: creating protected space to think beyond the day-to-dayCreative Sprints: idea-generation sessions done solo or with othersLearning Conversations: cross-team or cross-industry exchanges that spark innovationCustomer or Stakeholder Curiosity: intentionally understanding the world of the people you serveDeclutter & Prioritise: how to reset, clear your mind and find new energyWellbeing Resets: micro-moments that regulate the nervous system and prevent burnoutFuture Self Sessions: using a future perspective to align with purpose nowFinal challenge: pick one or two habits, schedule them, and build consistency

    36 min

  5. NOV 21

    Who’s Driving the Conversation: Is your PAC-Man out of control? | #46

    In this Leadership Unscripted episode, Rich and Dave dig into one of the most enduring psychological models for understanding workplace behaviour: Transactional Analysis and its Parent–Adult–Child (PAC) ego states. Using a playful PAC-Man analogy as the gateway into a deeper conversation, they explore how our internal “mini-me’s” influence tone, behaviour, decision-making, feedback conversations, and ultimately the quality of our relationships at work. Drawing on real examples and decades of leadership experience, they unpack: • how our early scripts shape present-day responses • why triggers matter more than we think • how even well-intended habits (like be the rescuer) can quietly undermine autonomy • How emotionally intelligent leaders learn to “press stop” on unhelpful patterns of behaviour and choose intentional, grounded behaviour instead. At the heart of the conversation is the Adult Mindset, the “power pellet” that enables clarity, curiosity, mutual respect and better problem solving. Whether you’re navigating tricky workplace dynamics, giving feedback, or trying to avoid slipping conflict, this episode offers practical, compassionate insight into leading with emotional intelligence. Key Talking Points • The PAC framework explained: Parent, Adult, and Child ego states in everyday leadership • How early-life scripts shape unconsciously triggered responses at work • The difference between nurturing vs controlling parent, and adaptive vs rebellious child • Why negative parent ego states often trigger negative child-like mindsets in others • The cassette-tape metaphor: noticing when your script has started playing • Adult-to-Adult communication as the foundation of emotionally intelligent leadership • Feedback conversations: spotting defensiveness, rescuing, and subtle power dynamics • Decision making, how unconscious ego states limit contribution and stifle challenge • Practical tools for shifting back into the Adult Mindset • Identifying triggers, building reflection practices, and creating shared team language

    38 min

  6. NOV 14

    The Five Communication Faux Pas Leaders Make | #45

    In this episode of Unleash Your Impact, Unlock Others, Rich and Dave explore five common communication mistakes that quietly derail leadership impact. Despite endless tools and channels, teams still point to communication as the number one problem that impacts productivity and efficiency. Why is communication so hard? And why do good intentions so often get lost in translation? Drawing on real examples from coaching, mediation, and organisational life, Rich and Dave unpack how these communication “false steps” show up in human interactions and that it is not dependent on any one personality type. From filling silence because of social anxiety to assuming shared meaning because of language shortcuts. Thery explore how leaders can become more conscious, more intentional, and ultimately more influential. The conversation offers grounded, practical guidance on listening, context-setting, adapting to different thinking styles, and handling difficult conversations. Through stories, metaphors, and honest reflection, they outline how small shifts can dramatically improve respect, trust, and positive influence in everyday leadership. This episode is a practical guide for leaders who want to build better relationships, reduce misunderstanding, and communicate with clarity and confidence. Key Talking Points Why communication faux pas remain common despite more tools and channelsMistake 1: Talking too much and filling silence (social anxiety, ego, or habit) Mistake 2: Not really listening (distraction, “squirrels,” and lack of intentionality)Mistake 3: Assuming shared understanding and skipping contextMistake 4: Communicating through your own thinking style rather than adapting to othersMistake 5: Avoiding difficult conversations and why we do it!

    36 min

  7. NOV 7

    Leading with Influence and Connection: Why Every Stakeholder Matters | #44

    Why leadership today is about influence and connection rather than hierarchy In this episode of Unleash Your Impact, Unlock Others, Dave and Rich explore what it really means to lead beyond the organisational chart. Together, they challenge traditional notions of hierarchy and shareholder-driven thinking, arguing that true leadership today means viewing your organisation as an ecosystem, one where influence, humility, and collaboration extend across a wide constellation of stakeholders. They discuss the growing movement towards stakeholder capitalism, the mindset shift from “inside-out” to “outside-in,” and how leaders can navigate this complexity through a focus on empathy, connection, and a systems-thinking approach. They discuss powerful tools like stakeholder mapping, an engaging, creative, practical tool that combines left and right brain thinking to visualise and calibrate relationships and assess the influence you need to have to create great outcomes. They introduce the principle of reciprocity as key to stakeholder focused leadership which helps leaders at all levels build trust and foster collaboration. Whether you lead a small team or an entire organisation, this episode will help you think differently about the responsible use of power, adopting a service-orientated mentality, and how to create positive impact for the many rather than the few in an interconnected world. Key Talking Points The evolution from shareholder to stakeholder-focused leadershipWhy hierarchy limits influence, and how to lead through connection insteadThe mindset shift from “I’m at the centre” to “I’m part of an ecosystem”Balancing healthy power: directing others vs. empowering othersThe role of humility, empathy, and collaboration in stakeholder relationshipsHow to map your stakeholder landscape visually (not in a spreadsheet!)The principle of reciprocity, understanding what others need from youUsing empathy and curiosity to rebuild spiky relationshipsWhy leadership isn’t about who reports to you, it’s about who you impact positively

    31 min

  8. OCT 31

    Leading with Possibility – Why Solutions Focused Leadership Matters More Than Ever | #43

    How reframing challenges builds confidence, creativity, and momentum. In this episode of Unleash Your Impact, Unlock Others, Rich and Dave explore what it means to move from problem-centric leadership to leading with possibility. They unpack how a reactive, firefighting culture where everything is urgent and important drains energy, stifles innovation, and erodes confidence and how a solutions-focused approach can restore engagement, create empowerment and build a culture that positively impacts confidence. Drawing from coaching practice and real-world leadership experience, they share how reframing problems, asking generative questions, and focusing on small steps forward can shift culture at every level. From the “magic wand” question to scaling and strength-spotting, this episode is packed with practical tools to help leaders energize conversations, create forward momentum, and build collective capability. The possibilities are endless. Key Talking Points Why reactive, problem-focused leadership creates a downward spiral of disempowerment and fatigue.The mindset shift from “everything’s urgent” to “leading with possibility”How to use generative questions to unlock creativity and ownershipThe power of small steps and chunking down big tasks to build momentumHow scaling questions and strengths-based dialogue build confidenceUsing future-focused conversations to shift culture and engagementPractical tools: the Magic Wand Question, scaling, and the art of ask, don’t tellHow leaders can avoid colluding with negative narratives and reframe team stories

    36 min
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About

Welcome to Unleash Your Impact: Unlock Others, the podcast where leadership gets real. Hosted by Dave Morris and Rich Horton from Zentano, this series is all about helping leaders like you create thriving teams, shape positive workplace cultures, and make a genuine difference in the world. We believe that better leadership creates better organisations—and ultimately, a better world. Each episode brings you grounded wisdom, practical tips, and inspiring stories from real leaders. Expect a mix of unscripted chats, actionable insights, and fascinating guest interviews. Whether you’re navigating the challenges of modern leadership, exploring emotional intelligence, or looking to unlock your own potential, we’ve got you covered. Connect with us: 📍 Website: www.zentanogroup.com 📍 LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/zentano/ 📍 Instagram: @zentanogroup So, grab a cuppa, hit play, and join us every week as we explore what it takes to lead with impact.

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