In this episode, Anna, Stuart, and guest Gareth Evans tackle a challenge that will resonate with anyone stepping into a big new role, especially those leading change:
“Dear Aunty Treacle, I’ve recently accepted a Health and Safety Director role in a new company, and I’m a mix of excited and terrified. The mission is to move health and safety from compliance to care. Any advice on what I should be focusing on to make a real difference?”
Gareth shares lessons from his own experience leading in global, fast-moving organisations, offering insight into what really matters in those first few months. Spoiler: it’s less about action and more about connection, curiosity, and courage.
Together, they explore how to lead with intention, manage the pressure to perform, and move from compliance to care in a way that’s meaningful and sustainable.
Key Topics Covered:
- Why your first priority isn’t action, it’s listening
- “Connect before you direct”- how relationships build results
- The bathtub analogy - building stock with your allies before making withdrawals
- Mapping your stakeholders: power, influence, and the unexpected allies
- The myth of the perfect plan - why failure is part of learning
- Adding less, subtracting more - cutting the clutter to focus your energy
- Becoming the conductor - making the shift from doer to strategic leader
- Trust, adaptation, and building a team that can run without you
- Reconnecting with your why - care and compassion at the heart of leadership
🔗 Resources to Explore:- Thinking in Systems by Donella Meadows – essential reading on complexity and change
- The “Nando’s Scale” – a relatable model to gauge and warm up stakeholder relationships
- Stakeholder mapping frameworks to identify influence beyond job titles
- 4D Site Engagement Tool – Done, Different, Difficult, Dangerous
- Subtraction as a strategy – why doing less can achieve more
- Reflection questions for new leaders:
- What am I assuming?
- Who do I need to build trust with?
- What does this business really need from me right now?
💬 We'd Love Your Feedback!Are you in a new role or planning a big step? What resonated with you from this episode?
Share your stories, reflections, or future questions at
ask@auntytreacle.com or tag us on socials. We’d love to hear how you're getting unstuck.
Next Episode Teaser:🌟
Is Safety Still For Me?Join us and guest Steph Camm as we explore what it means to face a
career crossroad. Whether you're working in health and safety or questioning your broader professional path, this is a compassionate, clear-eyed look at how to move forward when purpose feels out of reach.
