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. 1D AGO

    Why Most Leadership Training Doesn’t Work. And What to Do Instead | #41

    In this Leadership Unscripted episode, Dave and Rich explore one of the biggest myths in leadership development: that you can “train” people into becoming better leaders. They unpack why so many leadership programmes fail to create real behavioural change and deliver a return on both investment and expectation. They introduce a different approach, a concept that does work, transformational learning. Drawing on real-world examples, including Rich’s advanced motorcycle training with IAM RoadSmart, they discuss why leadership development must go beyond tools and content to focus on mindset, reflection, and cultural alignment. You’ll hear about Zentano’s SORTed learning model, adult development theory, and what it really takes for leadership growth to stick. This is an insightful, thought-provoking conversation for anyone who’s ever wondered whether their investment in leadership development truly makes a difference. Key Talking Points Why leadership “training” often fails to deliver lasting resultsThe crucial difference between transactional and transformational learningWhy mindset and motivation come before methods and modelsWhat Robert Kegan’s stages of adult development teaches us about leadership maturityThe importance of reflection, feedback, and real-world practice in shaping new habitsHow Zentano’s SORTed Model (Stuff happens → Objective view → Rethink & Challenge → Take Action) turns learning into behaviour changeWhy culture and context determine whether development succeeds or stallsHow organisations can design learning journeys, not isolated learning eventsThe importance of humility and self-awareness in adult learningWhy Zentano doesn’t sell training, it develops leaders

    33 min
  2. Leading with Purpose: Creating a profitable business from a strong focus on social value | #40

    OCT 10

    Leading with Purpose: Creating a profitable business from a strong focus on social value | #40

    In this Voices of Leadership conversation, Dave sits down with Daniel Walton, Founder and Managing Director of OLPRO, a certified B-Corp and one of the UK’s leading outdoor leisure brands. From growing up climbing in the Peak District to helping launch lastminute.com at the dawn of e-commerce, Daniel’s story is a rich blend of adventure, experimentation, and entrepreneurial courage. He shares how OLPRO was founded on a desire to “do things differently”, creating striking, sustainable camping gear while building a business that genuinely values people and the planet. We explore how Daniel embeds social value into everyday decisions, how staff voices shape boardroom decisions, and why humble, inclusive leadership drives stronger results than command and control ever could. A grounded, inspiring and practical conversation for leaders who want to grow their business with purpose. This is a real-life case study that demonstrates doing good and making money really can go hand in hand. Key Talking Points How Daniel’s childhood love of adventure and technology shaped his entrepreneurial mindsetLessons from working with Brent Hoberman and Martha Lane Fox during the early days of lastminute.comThe importance of planning ahead Action amid uncertainty: what OLPRO learned from the pandemicBuilding a purpose-driven brand and becoming a B-CorpTurning sustainability into a commercial advantageEmbedding social value through culture, education, and employee involvementWhy humility and collaboration are the true hallmarks of leadership

    1h 1m
  3. Beyond Profit: Why Social Value is Defining Modern Leadership | #39

    OCT 3

    Beyond Profit: Why Social Value is Defining Modern Leadership | #39

    In this Voices of Leadership episode, Dave speaks with Karen Nolan, founder of Bid Essentials, about the power of embedding social value into business strategy. Drawing on her background in construction, housing, and public sector tenders, Karen shares how leaders can move beyond the bottom line to create ripples of lasting impact in their communities. Dave & Karen explore why social value matters for business leaders, employees, customers, and investors alike. She offers practical insights into frameworks like the TOMS measurement system, the growing influence of younger generations’ values-driven expectations, and how even small actions, like volunteer days or local partnerships, can build trust, strengthen culture, and enhance profitability. This conversation is a timely reminder that leadership legacy is not measured solely in terms of financial success, but in the positive change we leave behind. Key Talking Points: Why social value matters to leaders beyond financial reportingHow to create positive ripples that impact employees, suppliers, customers, and communitiesPractical ways to benchmark and measure social value (including the TOMS system)The role of trust, innovation, and purpose in building resilient organisationsHow younger generations are shaping expectations for business sustainability and ethicsExamples from Karen’s work, including community partnerships, food bank support, and housing initiativesOvercoming barriers: moving from mindset and money myths to embedding social value in everyday cultureLeadership legacy: what stories and impact will you leave behind?

    50 min

  4. SEP 26

    The Courage to Lead: Choosing Boldness over Comfort | #38

    It’s the Heartbeat of Leadership: Why Courage Changes Everything. In this Leadership Unscripted episode, Dave and Rich explore one of the most essential, yet often misunderstood, qualities of leadership: courage. Drawing inspiration from a Harvard Business Review article, they unpack what it really means to be brave in today’s fast-changing world of uncertainty, disruption, and pressure. Far from reckless risk-taking, courage is reframed as a conscious choice to act boldly in service of a meaningful purpose. Through personal stories and practical strategies, Rich and Dave bring this theme to life showing how leaders can overcome hesitation, regulate natural fear, and step forward with grounded confidence. From reframing your inner narrative to seeking connection and staying calm under pressure, this conversation provides practical takeaways for any leader wanting to build courage as a lived skill rather than a rare trait. Key Talking Points Why courage is a conscious choice, not an innate traitThe link between courage, mindset, and stepping outside your comfort zoneHow to work with, not against, your inner critical voiceThe role of reframing language and narratives (both internal and external)Cultivating confidence through competence, preparation, and humilityThe power of small, deliberate steps when facing big challengesWhy courage is a “team sport”, building your “courage network”Staying calm under pressure by managing the fight–flight–freeze response

    35 min
  5. Seeing the World Differently – Why young leaders need a voice | #37

    SEP 19

    Seeing the World Differently – Why young leaders need a voice | #37

    How a young author’s journey with neurodiversity can help us reshape the way we think about leadership and inclusion. In this inspiring Voices of Leadership episode, Dave sits down with Daisy Merle, a young neurodiverse author and advocate, to explore what it really means to see the world differently. Daisy shares her journey of growing up with dyslexia, autism, and ADHD, and how these experiences inspired her book Pixo Escapes, a story about a neurodivergent Jack Russell terrier and his adventures. Through her candid reflections, Daisy highlights both the challenges and the unique strengths that neurodivergent individuals bring to friendships, classrooms, and workplaces. She discusses what leaders can do to support neurodiverse colleagues, why compassion and adaptability are vital traits, and how her own persistence and creativity drive her forward. This is a conversation that challenges stereotypes, normalises difference, and invites leaders to adopt a more inclusive mindset. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or business leader, Daisy’s message of acceptance and resilience offers valuable lessons for all. Key Talking Points: Daisy’s early experiences with dyslexia, ADHD, and autism, and how they shaped her view of herself and the world around her.The inspiration behind Pixo Escapes and why she chose to tell her story through Pixo and his friends.The importance of recognising neurodiversity as unique to each individual, “If you know one person with neurodiversity, you know one person.”How compassion and adaptability in leadership unlock loyalty, creativity, and resilience.Why many entrepreneurs are neurodivergent and how their traits bring innovation.Daisy’s vision for bringing her books into schools to raise awareness and empathy in children, in education professionals and in parents.Practical takeaways for leaders: focus on individual strengths, offer patience, and normalise difference.

    30 min
  6. Breaking the one size fits all leadership myth | #36

    SEP 12

    Breaking the one size fits all leadership myth | #36

    Why healthy scepticism and sense-making tools matter more than quick-fix models In this Voices of Leadership conversation, Dave speaks with Stephen E. Morris, author of Leaders, Believers and Expert Deceivers, about the risks of relying on “one right way” models for leadership and organisational development. Drawing on his IT background and later research, Stephen shares how frameworks like Tuckman’s team stages, Lean-Agile methodology, and other popular models often get applied uncritically, and why leaders need to resist the temptation of finding easy answers. Instead, he argues for curiosity, context awareness, and sense-making approaches which he brings alive through practical stories, Stephen shows how investing even a little time in understanding your environment can prevent wasted effort, unlock better decisions, and build healthier leadership cultures. This is a conversation that challenges assumptions, encourages humility, and reminds us that leadership isn’t about following a script, it’s about learning to read the landscape. Key Talking Points: Why popular leadership frameworks often lack the evidence we assume they haveThe danger of “one-size-fits-all” approaches to leadership and culture changeHow context (plural!) matters more than content, and why nuance is criticalStories of organisations struggling when servant leadership or agile were applied too rigidlySense-making tools leaders can use, including Cynefin and ConfluenceThe role of curiosity, diversity of perspective, and conversation in better decision-makingWhy good leadership is more about adaptability than certainty

    51 min
  7. Purpose, People & Profit – Reimagining Business with B-Corp & Regenerative Leadership | #35

    SEP 5

    Purpose, People & Profit – Reimagining Business with B-Corp & Regenerative Leadership | #35

    How Purpose-Led Leaders Create Positive Ripples In this first Voices of Leadership episode in season 2 of “Unleash Your Impact, Unlock Others”, Dave sits down with sustainability and B Corp expert Camilla Barnes, founder of Better Business, Better World to explore how purpose-led leadership can be a force for good. This thought-provoking conversation explores how businesses, particularly SMEs, can align purpose, people, and profit to drive meaningful change. Camilla shares her personal leadership journey, shaped by time in rural Spain, Latin America, and the UK development sector. Her deep-rooted passion for sustainability and justice has led her to champion the B Corp movement, not just as a certification, but as a community of companies building a more equitable and regenerative form of capitalism. Together, Dave and Camilla unpack what it means to lead regeneratively, how to involve employees in shaping company values and purpose, and why asking the right questions can unlock extraordinary innovation and impact. Whether you're leading a small business, a large team, or simply curious about how leadership and sustainability intersect, this episode offers grounded insights and real-world inspiration. Key Talking Points: Why business can be a powerful force for goodCamilla’s leadership journey: from farming in rural Spain, developing a passion for sustainable development, working in UK Research, to B-Corp consultancyWhat B Corp certification really involves, and why it’s more than just a badgeThe concept of regenerative leadership and why we need itThe importance of purpose, systems thinking, and involving your peoplePractical tips for making your business more sustainable, starting todayThe value of curiosity, courage, and humility in leadership

    40 min
  8. Rerelease | Are You Having an Energy Crisis? How Leaders Can Avoid Burnout | #11

    AUG 29

    Rerelease | Are You Having an Energy Crisis? How Leaders Can Avoid Burnout | #11

    Why energy management—not time management—holds the key to optimal performance. Do you feel like there just aren’t enough hours in the day? What if the problem isn’t time management—but how you manage your energy? In this Leadership Unscripted episode of Unleash Your Impact, Unlock Others, Dave and Rich dive into the powerful concept of Energy Management, exploring why managing energy always beats managing time when it comes to leadership performance. We break down: ✔️ The four dimensions of energy: Physical, Emotional, Mental, and Spiritual. ✔️ Why working longer hours is not the answer. ✔️ How to design energy-boosting habits and rituals. ✔️ Practical tips to build energy, resilience, and productivity. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, stretched too thin, or simply trying to perform at your best, this episode is packed with actionable strategies to help you renew, sustain, and focus your energy where it matters most.

    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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