The Thoughtful Leader Podcast with Ben Brearley
Episodes
#319: How to be "authentic" in your leadership role.
22 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Ben unpacks the concept of authentic leadership and simplifies it into practical action. Rather than trying to "bring your whole self...
#318: Tips to survive (and hopefully do well) in a difficult workplace.
15 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Ben discusses how thoughtful leaders can survive and succeed in difficult workplace environments. Drawing on his own experience, he explains why some ...
#317: Focus on these factors to motivate your people.
08 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Ben explores Herzberg's Motivator Hygiene Theory and explains how leaders can use it to better understand team motivation. This is an...
#316: How to motivate yourself to do hard things
01 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Ben shares four ways to convince yourself to do hard things when leadership demands it. He explains how considering consequences, reflecting on identi...
#315: How do you balance ambition with burnout?
22 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Ben addresses the tension between ambition and burnout for thoughtful leaders. He explains why ambition matters and why sustainable h...
#314: Resisting something? You should probably do it
15 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Ben explores the idea that resistance is often a sign you should lean in rather than avoid. He explains how the brain's threat response drives avoidan...
#313: The best things I did for my career (that you can apply to yours)
08 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Ben reflects on four of the most important things he did for his career and what thoughtful leaders can learn from them. He explains ...
#312: Got a Ghostworking Problem? Here's What to Do
01 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Ben breaks down the concept of ghostworking (which is really modern-day presenteeism) and explains why it's usually a commitment issu...
#311: My Values Aren't Helping My Leadership. Can I Change Them?
25 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Ben explores whether personal values can be changed and what to do when they seem to hold you back. He explains that while values are...
#310: How Long Should You Wait Before Enforcing Consequences?
18 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This episode tackles a common leadership dilemma: how long to wait before enforcing consequences for poor performance or behaviour. Ben walks through ...
#309: What beliefs are holding you back this year?
12 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Ben explores how deeply held beliefs shape behaviour and can quietly limit leadership confidence. Using personal stories about fitnes...
Farewell 2025... and a bit about principles.
17 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this short and sweet episode, Ben farewells 2025, says Thank You and talks a little bit about how principles (rather than goals) can help you set i...
#308: 4 things to remember to support your team.
14 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Supporting your people doesn't have to be complicated. In this episode, Ben shares four key reminders leaders often forget. He explains why these ...
#307: A better model for giving constructive feedback.
07 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Ben introduces a straightforward model to help leaders give challenging feedback in a way that hopefully helps the receiver get on b...
#306: Struggling to move from individual contributor to leader?
30 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Many new leaders struggle when moving from individual contributor to leadership. In this episode, Ben breaks down why the transition feels so diffic...
#305: Is adapting your leadership style authentic?
23 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Ben explores whether it's possible to stay authentic while also adapting your leadership style. Drawing on coaching conversations a...
#304: Is leadership simply about finding the right balance?
16 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Ben talks about the importance of balance in leadership: knowing when to step in and when to step back. He discusses common traps, li...
#303: Feedback got you down? Introducing The Useful Feedback Journal.
09 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Ben introduces The Useful Feedback Journal, a digital tool designed to help leaders process, accept, or reject feedback thoughtfully...
#302: How open should you be with your team?
02 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Ben explores a common leadership dilemma: how open should you really be with your team? While transparency builds trust, oversharing ...
#301: How knowing your values helps build your confidence.
26 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Ben explains how knowing your personal values helps you lead with confidence. He shares how values act as a foundation, keeping you s...
#300: Top tips for dealing with strong personalities.
19 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
For the 300th episode, Ben tackles one of the most common challenges thoughtful leaders face: dealing with strong personalities at work. These colle...
#299: Cautionary tales for leaders using A.I. tools.
12 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
AI tools like ChatGPT are everywhere, but what does that mean for thoughtful leaders? In this episode, Ben shares personal examples of using AI for ...
#298: How to adapt your style at work, without the exhaustion.
05 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Adapting your leadership style is essential but if you're not careful, it can feel exhausting. In this episode, Ben explains how to shift your style...
#297: Feel like you're on a rollercoaster? Bring more stable leadership to your team.
28 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Ben explores why stability is such a powerful leadership trait. Drawing from his coaching and training experiences, he highlights ho...
#296: It's time to stop owning other people's problems.
21 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we look at a common challenge for thoughtful leaders – taking too much responsibility for other people's problems. Reflection and s...
#295: Is your workplace a consequence-free environment?
14 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What happens when poor behaviour or performance goes unchecked at work? In this episode, I cover the risks of working in a consequence-free environmen...
#294: Q&A - Why should I bother to understand my values?
07 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A client once asked me a great question: "If my values are already part of who I am, why do I need to understand them better?" In this episode, I un...
#293: Lay the groundwork to build your credibility.
31 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Leadership credibility isn't built overnight, and there are no tricks that you can use to be respected in meetings or other forums at work. In this ep...
#292: Yes, you can still lead effectively as a people-pleaser
24 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If you've ever been told you're "too nice" to lead, this episode is for you. Being a people-pleaser doesn't disqualify you from being an effective ...
#291: Why mindfulness is a must for thoughtful leadership
17 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Mindfulness can feel like a buzzword, but it's also a powerful tool for thoughtful leadership. In this episode, I explore how mindfulness helps lea...
#290: Practical ways to build trust in your team
10 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Trust is the foundation of a strong team, but how do you actually build it? In this episode, I share simple, practical actions you can take as a le...
#289: What makes a high-performing team? A look at some recent research
03 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What really makes a team high-performing? In this episode, I take a look at recent research, including findings from McKinsey and Google's Project ...
#288: Why You Should Be Asking More, and Telling Less
27 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Leadership isn't about having all the answers, it's about helping your team find them. In this episode, I talk about why shifting towards a coaching a...
#287: My Top 5 Tips for Introverted Leaders
20 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Many thoughtful leaders are introverted, and that's not a weakness. It's a strength. In this episode, I share my top five pieces of advice for introve...
#286: You Have the Power to Choose Your Response
13 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ever reacted emotionally and regretted it? You're not the only one! In this episode, I talk about the powerful concept of "the gap" – the space betw...
#285: Common Misconceptions About Kind Leadership
06 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Kind leadership isn't about being nice all the time. It's about leading with respect and care, without falling into the trap of people-pleasing. In th...
#284: How to lead an ambitious employee
29 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ambitious team members can be exciting to lead, but they can also be tricky to manage. So how do you support them without burning out yourself? In ...
#283: Why Thoughtful Leaders stay in jobs for too long (and how not to)
22 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Are you staying in a job that no longer supports you, just because you feel loyal to your team or unsure of your next step? It's a common challenge...
#282: Feel confident without being the loudest
15 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Can you be a confident leader without being the loudest in the room? Absolutely. This is a common challenge for thoughtful, introspective leaders. ...
#281: Q&A - How do I speak up more in meetings?
08 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Feeling stuck in silence during meetings, even when you have something valuable to say? You're not alone. In this episode, I respond to a listener ...
#280: Do you know when to collaborate?
27 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Episode Summary Collaboration is often seen as the default approach in leadership, but it's not always the most effective choice. In this episode, Ben...
#279: Simple steps for a more effective week
13 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Episode Summary In this episode, Ben Brearley shares three straightforward strategies to help leaders feel more in control, reduce stress, and make be...
#278: How to help your overwhelmed team
29 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Episode Summary Feeling overwhelmed is a common challenge in today's workplaces. In this episode, Ben Brearley delves into practical strategies to sup...
#277: Are you enabling bad behaviour in your team?
15 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Episode Summary Sometimes, despite our best intentions, we can accidentally enable bad behaviour within our teams. In this episode, Ben explores three...
#276: How to stop taking things personally
01 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Episode 276 of the Thoughtful Leader Podcast! In this episode, we explore why thoughtful leaders tend to take things personally and how to...
#275: Not-so-obvious reasons for a "bad" employee
18 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Episode 275 of the Thoughtful Leader Podcast! In this episode, we explore why an employee might appear "bad" and uncover some hidden reaso...
#274: Should you be yourself, or adapt to your stakeholders?
04 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Episode 274 of the Thoughtful Leader Podcast! In this episode, we explore the balance between authenticity and adaptability in leadership....
#273: Q&A Episode - How do you motivate other leaders who work for you?
18 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this Q&A episode, we dive into an important topic: How to Keep Supervisors Motivated in Leadership Roles. Supervisors are the middle layer between...
#272: Feel like you need to micromanage your team? Let's stop it.
03 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Micromanagement is not a good thing, but I think it's natural to feel like doing it sometimes. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't try to reduce the ...
#271: Got a favourite employee? Watch out for these traps.
20 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If you have a favourite employee at work, you aren't the only one! Good employees are like gold – they help you out, make your job less stressful an...
#270: Why the blame game is not helping you (or your team)
06 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Blaming others is a common past time in many workplaces. And it's so easy to slip into the habit of blaming, because we want to protect ourselves an...
#269: How to accept feedback in a useful way
10 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The phrase "feedback is a gift" is pretty common in many workplaces. While feedback can be a great way to know how you're doing and to improve, it c...
#268: Why being low in confidence can be a good thing.
27 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Everyone wants to feel more confident, because we worry less and feel as if we've got everything under control. The problem is, we all have those se...
#267: Leadership beliefs that will help your team.
13 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Our beliefs shape the actions we take, which makes a big difference in how we lead. In this episode, I'm going to look at some key beliefs which can...
#266: How to get more thinking time (and why you need it)
30 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Leaders have a huge impact on the people they lead in terms of job satisfaction, morale and performance. So do we want leaders who are running aroun...
#265: How to motivate yourself as a thoughtful leader
16 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Self-motivation is an important ingredient in the leadership puzzle. After all, we generally know how we should be leading. We've read the leadershi...
#264: The 4-day work week, and what we can learn from it.
02 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The 4-day work week is becoming more popular these days, following several trials in various countries. There are a few characteristics of the 4-day...
Special Episode: The Useful Thinking Journal
19 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Regular reflection is generally regarded as a great thing to be doing, but I've found that the majority of leaders (that I speak to anyway) don't do i...
#263: Feeling guilty at work? Follow this simple process.
18 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Many thoughtful leaders find themselves feeling guilty at work. Not because they've necessarily done anything wrong – more that they are heaping p...
#262: Common phrases from an unproductive workplace
04 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
You might think of unproductive workplaces as ones where people aren't doing much. I've found it's quite the opposite – often people are running a...
#261: Why people "hate the boss" and what it means for us
21 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Bashing the boss is a favourite pastime for many employees. We don't want to be a boss that's worthy of this sort of treatment, so in this episode I t...
#260: Are you a time management problem for your team?
24 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Talk to many employees, and they'll tell you that their boss is one of their biggest time management challenges. So is this the case when it comes to ...
#259: Why leaders should have a reflective practice
10 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Reflection has significant benefits for leaders, but I find that many leaders don't engage in reflection very often. In this episode, I'll take a look...
#258: How to help your team find a sense of purpose
26 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Having a sense of purpose is critical according to several motivation theories and models. So how do we help our people find it? In this episode, I ...
#257: When should you push out of your comfort zone?
12 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Getting out of your comfort zone is a worthwhile thing to do. But being out of your comfort zone all the time is stressful and draining. So when i...
#256: How to solve the "quiet quitting" dilemma
29 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
"Quiet quitting" is a relatively recent term that describes people doing the bare minimum at work. They aren't exactly quitting, but they're no long...
#255: Stuck in the unhelpful thinking trap? Try these ideas
15 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Thoughtful leaders have the positive quality of being… well… thoughtful. This can be a great thing, but it can also come with challenges of overth...
#254: Let's prioritise that career conversation
01 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Having career conversations with your team members can make a huge difference in leadership. However, many leaders don't make the time for them and I ...
#253: Why leaders should show more vulnerability
17 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Displaying vulnerability takes courage, especially when you're in a leadership role. Many leaders feel an expectation to know all the answers or giv...
#252: Watch out for these common leadership excuses.
03 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's easy to fall prey to some common leadership excuses that stop us from taking action. But… doing nothing is a choice like any other! In this e...
#251: Dealing with people problems? Remember these things.
20 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dealing with people problems in a team can be stressful and frustrating. But to manage them effectively, you need to demonstrate persistence! So in ...
#250: Want to be an inspiring leader? It's easier than you think.
06 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Most of us don't feel like we're very inspiring. We tend to leave that to the "celebrity" leaders out there. But wait a minute – being an inspiring ...
#249: Challenging conversation? Follow these principles.
21 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Many people are looking for one thing: a perfect way to have a challenging conversation without people getting upset or saying the wrong thing. Unfort...
#248: Are You Avoiding Something Important?
06 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
"Pick your battles" is pretty good advice. Unless you use this statement to avoid tackling important issues, when you should be trying to solve them...
#247: How to Listen Better at Work (and Why It Matters).
23 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We know that communication is an important leadership skill. However, I think we sometimes get stuck on the speaking and writing more than the liste...
#246: Want to Display Confidence? Start by Noticing.
16 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
I think there is a difference between displaying confidence and being confident. One is within your control, the other isn't. In this episode,...
#245: Hearing "It's Not My Job"? Here's What to Do.
19 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Hearing "it's not my job" from a team member can be frustrating, and it's a common occurrence in many workplaces. But before we blame the team member,...
#244: How to Get the Most Out of Self-Assessment Tools
11 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
I'm a big fan of using self-assessment (or psychometric) tools to help people understand more about themselves and each other. However, they aren't pe...
#243: Be More Assertive By Watching Your Words
04 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Being assertive is important in leadership, because it helps us to look out for our own needs and those of our team. But it doesn't come naturally to ...
#242: Tips for Thoughtful Leaders Who Worry About Work
27 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
I find that many thoughtful leaders are introspective and often stuck in their own heads. It goes with the territory of being thoughtful, I suppose!...
#241: Nobody Cares About Your Company Values (and Here's What to Do About It)
20 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Company values have been around for years, but they can certainly attract a lot of cynicism. If they are just a poster on the wall which nobody reads,...
#240: How Are Your Stories Shaping Your Leadership?
13 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We all have stories that we carry around in our heads like baggage. Some of these stories are helpful, while others can actually work against us. ...
#239: Encourage Change With This Simple Model.
06 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Encouraging someone to change their behaviour or attitude is hard work, because there are a bunch of barriers that may get in the way. To help you ...
#238: Tips for Leading a Controlling Employee.
30 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We often hear about controlling managers who micromanage people. But what about controlling employees, who hoard information and wield influence? In...
#237: 5 Thoughtful Resources to Help Your Leadership.
23 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Leadership is not easy, and sometimes we need a boost of courage and motivation to keep us going. In this episode, I take a look at some of my fav...
#236: Leadership Lessons From Younger Generations
17 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
There are many stereotypes we hear about younger generations. They're lazy…. uncommitted…. have no loyalty. But are the younger generations actu...
#235: Innocent Actions That Make You Seem Like an Uncaring Leader
10 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Leaders don't set out to seem like they don't care. They become that way because of stressful work environments and chaotic workplaces. Even thoug...
#234: Could You Be Taking Yourself Too Seriously?
03 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sometimes leaders can let their roles go to their heads, becoming wrapped-up in their own self-importance. This can be a trap which even thoughtful le...
#233: The 5 Stages of Team Development and How to Navigate Them
26 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Tuckman's Team Development Model has been around for a while, but I find it to still be relevant and useful today. Some people think that you can whac...
#232: Trying to Give Your Team More Autonomy? Watch These Traps.
18 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It is fairly common knowledge now that providing people with more autonomy can drive big improvements in motivation. However, it's not as easy as it s...
#231: Tips to Set More Effective Team Goals.
11 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Goal setting is very common in most organisations, but that doesn't mean it's done very well. If you get it right it can provide a big motivational ...
#230: The Problem With Praise, and How to Do It Better.
04 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It's pretty common knowledge that recognising the contributions of your team can be a useful motivational tool. Praise is a cost-effective way to do t...
#229: Is a Direct Conversation Needed? Use This Checklist.
28 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
I think organisations could function more effectively if there were a few more direct conversations. But, as thoughtful leaders, direct conversation...
#228: Should You Be Friends With Your Team Members?
21 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Many leaders grapple with challenges that come with leading or working with people who they consider to be friends. So that begs the question: should ...
#227: Want Your People to Change? Ask This Leadership Question!
07 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
I receive a lot of emails asking for advice about difficult or disruptive team members. While all of these situations have their intricacies and qui...
#226: Simple Negotiation Concepts for Leadership (and Life!)
24 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Leaders often need to negotiate, even if they aren't involved in closing high-powered deals all the time. We might negotiate a pay rise for ourselves ...
#225: Confused About All This Leadership Stuff? Follow This Simple Process
16 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Reading about leadership can be quite confusing. There are lots of leadership styles, theories and models out there, which can make it hard to gain ...
#224: Are You a Quiet Leader? Use These Tips to Lead More Effectively.
10 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Leadership used to be about command and control. Over time, it has become much more inclusive and collaborative. However, I feel that the quiet le...
#223: Pull These 3 Levers to Motivate Your People.
03 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Motivating team members is an ongoing challenge for leaders. Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all motivation solution because everyone is di...
#222: Compelling Reasons to Say "No" Today.
26 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Saying "No" is a superpower in leadership (and in life), in my opinion. Many thoughtful leaders feel stressed at the prospect of pushing back or sayin...