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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/

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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

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Dr. Amanda Potter and guest Dr. Stewart Desson, CEO of Lumina Learning, explore the complex relationship between personality testing, neurodiversity, ethical assessment practices, and strengths-based approaches in the workplace.

• The Big Five personality model (Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Neuroticism) remains the most empirically validated framework for understanding personality
• Both experts challenge traditional views of personality as static, suggesting a more dynamic understanding that incorporates conscious choice
• Evaluative bias in psychometrics can lead to one end of personality spectrums being seen as "good" while the other end is viewed negatively
• Profile matching in recruitment creates dangerous homogeneity in organizations, reducing diversity of thought and stifling innovation
• The "shadow" concept from Jungian psychology represents disowned aspects of ourselves that we project onto others
• Personality labeling (like being called "the creative type") can limit career opportunities and development
• Ethical psychometric practice must acknowledge human complexity and avoid oversimplified categorization
• The best assessments expand possibilities rather than constraining them, recognizing we can demonstrate seemingly opposite traits depending on context

If you like our podcast, please click on that follow button and share this episode with someone who would really enjoy it.

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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Have you ever been accused of "selective hearing" or caught zoning out during an important conversation? You’re not alone. Our brains constantly filter information, deciding what deserves attention, often without us realizing it.

This episode unpacks selective listening; choosing what we focus on—versus selective hearing (unconscious filtering) and selective attention (our ability to stay focused despite distractions). These patterns shape workplace dynamics, often amplifying senior voices while drowning out fresh perspectives, and sometimes stifling innovation.

Neuroscience reveals our prefrontal cortex prioritizes conversations based on goals, while the default mode network pulls us into mental drifting. Gender and neurodiversity can influence how we process environmental stimulation, explaining why some struggle more with distractions.

With useful tips to help you master selective listening, this episode could help you gain awareness of the biases that are often barriers to truly inclusive communication.

What valuable insights might you be missing? Tune into the people around you and improve your relationships at home and work.

Listen now to discover how becoming aware of your selective listening patterns could transform your communication effectiveness and help create environments where everyone feels heard. What conversations might you be missing that could change everything?

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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The battle to attract and retain high-quality early talent has never been more challenging. With 95% of organizations acknowledging that early career candidates quickly move on when expectations aren't met, understanding what truly drives these professionals has become crucial for business success.

Dr. Amanda Potter, the Chief Psychology Officer sits down with Angela Malik to discuss groundbreaking research that challenges common assumptions about what early career talent wants from employers. Their conversation reveals surprising disconnects between organizational perceptions and reality—like the fact that while companies believe early talent demands remote work, 74% are actually willing to consider office-based roles when properly engaged.

The discussion dives deep into neuroscience, exploring how the still-developing prefrontal cortex of young professionals impacts their decision-making. This physiological reality helps explain why some accept job offers only to withdraw when better opportunities arise—it's not about negotiating tactics but about impulsivity and emotional responses to uncertainty.

Perhaps most compelling is the research on what truly matters to early talent: purpose alignment, authentic sustainability commitments, and meaningful development opportunities. With 88% researching an organization's diversity initiatives before applying, this generation votes with their applications, gravitating toward companies that demonstrate genuine social responsibility.

The conversation also tackles the critical gap in line management training, with data showing 82% of new managers receive zero formal training despite being the primary connection between early talent and the organization. This deficiency directly impacts retention, as the research confirms: "You don't quit a job, you quit a boss."

Whether you're struggling with early talent recruitment, facing retention challenges, or simply wanting to better understand the expectations of the next generation of professionals, this episode provides evidence-based strategies that go beyond assumptions and address what young talent actually wants. Listen for practical recommendations that can transform your approach to early career talent management.

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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In this episode, Rev. Mike Wright from Network Rail joins award-winning Business Psychologist Amanda Potter and co-host Caitlin Cooper to explore what makes high-performing teams thrive. We dive into Project Speed, a post-pandemic initiative that boosted efficiency and reduced costs, saving £1.5 billion! We also examine how cognitive diversity enhances problem-solving when the need to balance essential yet competing priorities is crucial to success.

Additionally, we highlight the vital role of psychological safety—creating an environment where people feel safe to speak up leads to greater innovation and stronger results.

Discover how our work together helps to drive continuous engagement and open dialogue at Network Rail as we continue to define the factors that inhibit and enable high performance.

Join us as we unpack these key themes and the power of teamwork in driving organisational success. Listen, reflect, and subscribe!

(Sound effects provided by Freesound & BBC Sound Effects Library)

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 if your brain's craving for predictability is the real reason behind your stress? In our latest episode, we explore the complex emotions tied to change fatigue in our fast-paced world driven by relentless technological advancements. With AI reshaping the landscape and social media perpetually altering trends, the pressure to adapt can seem insurmountable. We unravel the psychological and physiological impacts of this constant flux, touching on how our intrinsic desire for stability clashes with the modern necessity for change, leading to a pervasive sense of exhaustion.

Join us as we navigate the nuances of change fatigue within organizations and the personal sphere, with insights rooted in Brené Brown's research on resilience and psychological safety. Through a compelling case study, we highlight how effective communication can transform resistance into acceptance, creating environments that foster adaptability and decision-making. We also delve into the neuroscience behind stress, revealing the taxing effects of continuous demands on the prefrontal cortex and the stress-induced grip of the amygdala.

But it’s not all doom and gloom—our discussion offers practical strategies for coping, inspired by tales of personal resilience and Robert Sapolsky's insights into stress. Hear how mindfulness and self-care can counteract the wear of change fatigue, bringing balance and compassion into our lives. Special thanks to our interns Izzy Jones, Emiolaey, and Gracie Weston, whose valuable research contributions enriched this episode. We hope you find the insights as enlightening as we did, and look forward to your thoughts on managing change in today's ever-evolving landscape.

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