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What happens in your brain when faced with complex choices? The average person makes 35,000 decisions daily, from trivial selections to career-defining judgments – yet a shocking 99.5% of leaders have never received formal training in decision-making.

Leadership coach Jon Bircher joins Dr. Amanda Potter to unpack the psychology and neuroscience behind effective decision-making at the executive level. With decades of leadership experience across industries, Bircher has developed a systematic approach that transforms how leaders approach choices under pressure.

Their conversation explores how our brains actually process decisions – revealing the interplay between our rational prefrontal cortex (the "CEO of the brain") and our emotional limbic system. You'll discover why decision fatigue leads to poor choices and learn to recognize when your brain needs rest before making important judgments.

Bircher introduces a powerful six-step decision framework beginning with "deciding how to decide" – a meta-decision that clarifies governance, stakeholders, and process before diving into solution-finding. This crucial first step is frequently overlooked, causing implementation failures and wasted resources. You'll also learn practical tools like Gary Klein's "pre-mortem" technique for anticipating potential pitfalls and the DAII model for involving implementers early in the decision process.

The conversation delves into how different decision styles impact leadership effectiveness, with Bircher explaining: "Decision-making shines a light on who we are as leaders – it holds together our rational thinking, emotions, values, beliefs, and character." Understanding your natural preferences allows you to flex your approach based on each decision's importance and complexity.

Whether you're leading a team, building a business, or navigating personal crossroads, this episode provides concrete strategies for making better, more confident decisions that align with your values and goals. As Bircher concludes, "The person that we become, the leader that we are, and the life we ultimately lead is made up of our choices. So treat decision-making seriously."

Episodes are available here https://www.thecpo.co.uk/

To follow Zircon on LinkedIn and to be first to hear about podcasts, publications and news, please like and follow us: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zircon-consulting-ltd/

To access the research white papers mentioned in this and other podcasts, please go to: https://zircon-mc.co.uk/zircon-white-papers.php

For more information about the BeTalent suite of tools and platform please contact: TheCPO@zircon-mc.co.uk

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What happens when a major financial merger puts wellbeing at the heart of its transformation strategy? Lucy Becque, Group Chief People Officer at Coventry Building Society, reveals the powerful impact this approach has had as they navigate combining with the Co-operative Bank – doubling their workforce overnight and bringing together distinctly different organizational cultures.

Lucy shares how focusing on resilience through deliberate "firebreaks" – pauses in the relentless pace of change – has enabled leaders to maintain perspective and support their teams effectively. Rather than treating wellbeing as peripheral, they've placed it at the center of their strategy, achieving remarkable results including 91% of employees reporting they receive empathy and support from their managers when needed.

The conversation explores practical, science-backed resilience techniques that don't create additional burden. From incorporating gratitude practices into commutes to walking meetings and authentic emotional conversations, these small habit changes have made a significant difference. Lucy explains how the neuroscience of change – particularly prefrontal cortex fatigue – influences decision-making and why addressing this physiological reality matters.

Perhaps most fascinating is the nuanced discussion about psychological safety. While embracing the principles of creating environments where people can speak up and contribute fully, Lucy shares her concerns about how the terminology can sometimes be "weaponized" to avoid accountability. This highlights the importance of thoughtfully translating psychological concepts into organizational language that resonates authentically.

Whether you're leading transformation or experiencing it, this episode offers valuable insights on building resilience, maintaining human connection during intense change, and creating cultures where people can truly belong and feel proud of their contribution.

Episodes are available here https://www.thecpo.co.uk/

To follow Zircon on LinkedIn and to be first to hear about podcasts, publications and news, please like and follow us: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zircon-consulting-ltd/

To access the research white papers mentioned in this and other podcasts, please go to: https://zircon-mc.co.uk/zircon-white-papers.php

For more information about the BeTalent suite of tools and platform please contact: TheCPO@zircon-mc.co.uk

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Ever wondered why traditional competency models often gather dust while organisations continue struggling with talent development? The answer might lie in a more holistic approach called "blueprinting" - a framework that's transforming how forward-thinking companies like Haven approach leadership development.

This eye-opening conversation with DeanO Giles, Head of Learning and Development at Haven, and Dr Amanda Potter, CEO of Zircon, reveals how blueprints differ fundamentally from competency frameworks by encompassing values, strengths, behaviours and skills while considering both external and internal organisational challenges. For Haven, with 39 unique holiday parks and a workforce that fluctuates from 5,000 to 14,000 seasonally, this flexibility proved crucial.

What truly sets blueprints apart is their ability to avoid the pitfalls of "profile matching" - that tendency to create homogeneous workforces by demanding everyone score at least average on all competencies. Instead, Haven's blueprint recognises that different roles, parks and situations require dialling up or down specific capabilities. The results speak for themselves: personalised learning journeys, improved recruitment outcomes, and enhanced succession planning.

Perhaps most impressively, Haven has kept their blueprint alive by embedding it throughout their talent cycle, from recruitment to development and performance conversations. As DeanO notes, "It can't just be a poster on a wall" - it must be a living document informing daily leadership practices. Their journey through 14 iterations before finalising their approach demonstrates the care needed to create something truly meaningful.

Whether you're frustrated with outdated competency models or simply seeking a more nuanced approach to talent development, this episode offers practical insights into creating a framework that truly reflects your organisation's unique purpose and challenges. How might your organisation benefit from seeing leadership through a blueprint lens?

Episodes are available here https://www.thecpo.co.uk/

To follow Zircon on LinkedIn and to be first to hear about podcasts, publications and news, please like and follow us: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zircon-consulting-ltd/

To access the research white papers mentioned in this and other podcasts, please go to: https://zircon-mc.co.uk/zircon-white-papers.php

For more information about the BeTalent suite of tools and platform please contact: TheCPO@zircon-mc.co.uk