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Leadership BITES

Leadership BITES

By: Guy Bloom
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About this listen

Welcome to ‘Leadership Bites’, with your host Guy Bloom. I have conversations with amazing people who impact on the world around them . Always about leadership and hopefully in such a way as to reinforce the good you do and to bring challenge to the things you might be able to calibrate. All links for Guy: www.livingbrave.com© 2025 Guy Bloom | Living Brave Economics Management Management & Leadership Personal Development Personal Success
Episodes
  • 12 Leadership Lessons from a busy Bee Hive with Philip Atkinson
    Jul 7 2025

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    In this episode of Leadership Bites, Guy Bloom sits down with Philip Atkinson, author of "The Twelve Leadership Lessons from a Busy Beehive" and founder of Hive Logic. They explore the fascinating parallels between beekeeping and organizational leadership, discussing how the wisdom of the hive can inform effective team dynamics and leadership strategies.

    • Philip Atkinson emphasizes the importance of effective leadership in team dynamics.
    • The metaphor of beekeeping provides valuable insights into organizational behavior.
    • Understanding the wisdom of the hive can enhance leadership practices.
    • Endings in projects and roles are crucial for organizational learning.
    • Communication lessons from bees can improve clarity in organizations.
    • Sensing the system is essential for effective leadership.
    • Leadership change requires careful succession planning.
    • Bees adapt to threats, offering lessons for organizational resilience.
    • Reflection and pausing are vital for effective leadership.
    • Emotional connections to beekeeping can engage teams in learning.

    Key Takeaways:

    • The Power of Metaphors: Philip shares how beekeeping serves as a powerful metaphor for understanding complex organizational systems and dynamics.
    • Communication and Alignment: Insights into how bees communicate effectively in a hive and the lessons leaders can draw for organizational communication.
    • System Thinking: The importance of viewing organizations as interconnected systems and the role of leaders in sensing and responding to changes.
    • Leadership and Succession: Exploring the concept of "supercedure" in beehives and its implications for leadership succession planning in organizations.
    • Adapting to Change: How bees adapt to new threats and what organizations can learn about resilience and adaptability.

    Memorable Quotes:

    "Every person deserves to be led well."

    "The wisdom of the hive is about understanding culture, purpose, and patterns of behavior."


    To find out more about Guy Bloom and his award winning work in Team Coaching, Leadership Development and Executive Coaching click below.

    The link to everything CLICK HERE
    UK:
    07827 953814
    Email: guybloom@livingbrave.com
    Web: www.livingbrave.com

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    40 mins
  • Cultivating Living Organisations with Paul Lambert
    Jun 29 2025

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    Summary

    In this episode of Leadership Bites, Guy Bloom interviews Paul Lambert, author of 'Alive', discussing the concept of living organizations and their importance in today's corporate landscape.

    Paul shares his personal journey, insights on leadership, and the characteristics that define a living organisation. He emphasises the need for purpose, trust, and adaptability within organizations, drawing on real-world examples, including Barack Obama's campaign, to illustrate how living organisations can thrive.

    The conversation highlights the challenges and benefits of adopting a living organization mindset, ultimately advocating for a more human-centric approach to leadership and organisational culture.

    Takeaways

    • Paul Lambert emphasizes the importance of purpose in organisations.
    • Living organizations are defined by their adaptability and human-centric approach.
    • Trust is a fundamental element for effective teamwork.
    • Organizations should be viewed as living systems rather than machines.
    • Barack Obama's campaign exemplifies a successful living organisation model.
    • The average lifespan of organizations is decreasing, highlighting the need for change.
    • Leadership should be plural, involving collaboration and shared goals.
    • Effective teams require a mix of trust, diversity, and effective ways of working.
    • Living organisations can lead to better employee well-being and productivity.
    • The concept of living organisations can be applied across various industries.


    To find out more about Guy Bloom and his award winning work in Team Coaching, Leadership Development and Executive Coaching click below.

    The link to everything CLICK HERE
    UK:
    07827 953814
    Email: guybloom@livingbrave.com
    Web: www.livingbrave.com

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    1 hr
  • Brad Englert-Spheres of Influence
    Jun 24 2025

    Send us a text

    Summary

    In this episode of the Leadership Bites podcast, Guy Bloom interviews Brad Englert, who shares his extensive career journey from Accenture to becoming a Chief Information Officer at the University of Texas at Austin.

    They discuss the importance of building authentic business relationships, the role of trust in influence, and strategies for effective networking. Brad emphasizes the need for intentionality in professional relationships and the significance of customer retention for business success.

    In this conversation, Brad Englert discusses the importance of understanding goals and aspirations in leadership, the significance of building relationships and managing expectations, and the necessity of creating a culture of openness and communication. He emphasizes the art of apology and accountability in leadership, and shares practical strategies for managing expectations effectively. The dialogue highlights the value of discretionary effort and the importance of fostering trust and collaboration within teams.

    Takeaways

    • Brad Englert has over 22 years of experience at Accenture.
    • He transitioned from a successful career to a CIO role at a university.
    • Building a culture of transparency and customer focus is crucial.
    • Trust is the foundation of effective influence in business.
    • Networking should focus on long-term relationships, not just transactions.
    • Intentionality in relationships leads to better outcomes.
    • Understanding others' goals is key to successful collaboration.
    • Repeat customers are a sign of successful relationship management.
    • Mentorship and continuous learning are vital in career development.
    • Authentic relationships can withstand the test of time. Understanding goals and aspirations is crucial for effective leadership.
    • People are not mind readers; communication is key.
    • Building relationships requires vulnerability and openness.
    • Discretionary effort comes from genuine care and interest in team members.
    • Creating a culture of communication helps in managing expectations.
    • The art of apology builds trust and accountability.
    • Managing expectations is an ongoing process, not just annual reviews.
    • Using techniques like 'Whoa' can help in managing urgent requests.
    • Introverts can be encouraged to engage through structured processes.
    • Fostering a supportive environment allows for innovation and challenge.


    Sound Bites

    • "Be strategic and intentional."
    • "Networking is longevity of relationship."
    • "Use your words."
    • "People are not mind readers."
    • "Discretionary effort is the difference."
    • "It's a muscle memory."
    • "You can still be somebody that people trust."
    • "I will get to the bottom of it."
    • "You have to wipe the slate clean with me."
    • "Just saying whoa gives the space and time."


    To find out more about Guy Bloom and his award winning work in Team Coaching, Leadership Development and Executive Coaching click below.

    The link to everything CLICK HERE
    UK:
    07827 953814
    Email: guybloom@livingbrave.com
    Web: www.livingbrave.com

    Show More Show Less
    54 mins

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