Shows
The Unified TeamStories We Tell: The Power of Narrative£2 trillion was wiped from the world's stock markets last week.Economist's estimate that the cost of Donald Trump's tariffs will be $1 trillion. If you ever believe you alone can't make a difference, consider the impact of Mr Trump. One man creating worldwide havoc financially and diplomatically. Millions of Americans think he's just what America needs.Billions around the world think he's nuts. And dangerous. But the point is, all the upheaval, uncertainty and anxiety is created by a narrative.Every day in o...2025-04-071h 09The Unified TeamFriction Points In Teams"Once more and I'm going to deck him".Do you love or hate open plan offices?I tried working at a co-working space at my local Uni. It was quiet when I got in, but once the Uni staff got in, they would be gossiping through the day. I really struggled to be able to concentrate in that environment.When we go to work, we don't choose who we work with. We are put together with a group of strangers. Some become...2025-03-3130 minThe Unified TeamFrom Theories to Practice: Psychometrics in LeadershipIs it fair?Toddlers in pre-school cry that it's unfair.. Elon Musk and Donald Trump are doing much the same. Your team will too.There's a deep human need for things to feel fair.Yet, there is no sign that life and the universe intend life to be fair. Every species is different. And every person is different.Your team will judge you for your fairness.Yet, that doesn't mean that you treat them the same. Sometimes...2025-03-2439 minThe Unified TeamWhat Makes a DIVERSE Team Work TogetherWhat if your team's differences were it's greatest strength?There's a belief held by many that the 9/11 Twin Towers wasn't seen because of a lack of diversity in the CIA. The CIA argued that it needed the best people to protect the country. So they recruited people who looked and thought like themselves.Until the 9/11 tragedy highlighted a problem.When we don't understand cultural differences we miss nuances in the intelligence gathered. So they started to recruit more diverse backgrounds to cover their blindspots. People who understood...2025-03-1044 minThe Unified TeamHow Much Adaptation Tax Are You Paying?There's been a lot of talk recently about quiet quitting and burnout.Tony Walmsley talks about something he's made me think a lot about... the cost of adapting.For starters we work in a world that is stressful for our biology.When we then have to change our natural personality to fit a culture or our colleagues it stresses us. These adaptations come at a cost. When we make too many, for too long, we burnout.Friction comes at the cost of...2025-03-0340 minThe Unified TeamSetting The Culture Of Your TeamWhat is the key task of a leader?Ask 100 people and you’ll get 100 answers. When you abstract at the most universal truth of leadership. The key is to connect people to the reality of their situation.We are a world of 8 billion people.Each with our own interpretation of the world. What it means. And what is good or bad.A Leader creates a frame that fences the boundaries of the group.The team then operate within this frame of reality. This defines shared objectives, values and standards. It...2025-02-241h 15
The BNI Effect with Tony MeredithThe BNI Effect Ep 43 with Kathleen Walmsley – Almost 20 Years in BNICelebrating almost 20 years in BNI! Hear how Kathleen Walmsley transformed her health and wellness business through powerful networking, leadership, and lasting relationships with Tony Meredith.
2025-02-1019 minThe Unified TeamThe Dance Between Leaders, Managers And FollowersIs a referee a leader or manager?Often today we use the term referee or leader interchangeably. This dilutes the difference those roles have. Which poses the question... is a sports referee a leader or a manager?Establishing the differences, allows us to define the responsibilies of each.In today's podcast, Clark Ray, Tony Walmsley and I discussed Managers, Leaders and Followers. What are the rights, responsibilities and duties of each?What happens when team members fall...2025-02-101h 00The Unified TeamThe Importance of Self Awareness and Team AwarenessWho do you serve?How do you serve them? Why? And what are the boundaries of that service?The answers to these questions go a long way to clarifying our work. They help define the contexts of our relationships in coming together. They ensure we fulfil our purpose. And they help us frame the decisions we make.This starts with understanding who we are and how us and our colleagues work.Today's episode was a discussion into self awareness informed by Tony Walmsley's...2025-02-0341 minThe Unified TeamHow Identity And Psychology Impact Our Leadership StyleClark, Tony and I discussed our ideas of leadership. We talked about how our own sense of identity and our psychology impacts our thinking and behaviour as a leader using examples from history and personal experiences. Links: Clark Ray’s Linkedin Profile: / 10thman Clark’s Website: https://www.clarkray.com Tony Walmsley’s Linkedin Profile: / tony-walmsley Tony’s Website: https://theleadersadvisory.com Rob McPhillips’s Linkedin Profile: / robmcphillips Rob’s Website: 2025-01-2153 minThe Unified TeamManaging Conflict To Raise PerformanceWant to really know someone?Get into a fight with them. Especially one that hits all their hot buttons. You’ll soon see the worst of them. Conflict does funny things to people.It is one of the few times we drop our carefully crafted social masks. It’s one of the reasons couples think their partner has changed. Because they just didn’t get to see this side when everything was smooth sailing.Work is the other place where conflict can often happen.It happens because we care. We see our f...2024-12-1640 minThe Unified TeamNavigating Authenticity and Truth As A LeaderIn this episode, Clark Ray, Tony Walmsley and I talked about the power of authentic leadership.How do we know what's authentic? We discussed psychological safety, the pitfalls of social media's lack of authenticity, and the importance of staying true to oneself. The conversation also tackles the role of universal truths, conflict resolution, and the 10th man concept in leadership and personal development.00:00 A Chance Encounter: A Story of Unexpected Connection02:01 Reflecting on Authenticity and Psychological Safety03:00 The Cost of Social Media and Authentic Interactions05:49...2024-12-0253 minThe Unified TeamBeliefs, Change and EmpathyWhenever we introduce change we meet resistance.Every change involves loss of some sort for someone. That person is likely to be the person who most resists the change. How well we address their concerns determines the smoothness of change.We can push past resistance, but when we don't address these concerns we suffer.Either we get silent conflict and disengagement. We get loss of trust or active sabotage against us. Or we get outright conflict.The success of any change over the long term comes from the ability to change...2024-09-0259 minThe Unified TeamDoes It Make The Boat Go Faster?Why do we do this?Whenever we join together, there's a sacrifice. We give up time, resources or autonomy. So why would we join?Humans have always joined together because some goals we can only achieve in numbers.Once that was to succeed in the hunt or to stay safe. Now it is to achieve increasingly complex goals. Or even to have a stable wage.We sacrifice something to get something greater together.At the core of...2024-08-1955 minThe Unified TeamEgo, Stress and LeadershipHow do I get people to do what I want?Change is notoriously difficult. So is leadership. But why?Because often the change we seek to make isn't for the greater good.It's for what I want. For my personal agenda. And that's why we can't get people on board with it.Leadership isn't about how good you are.It's about how good you can make others. It's about how little of your own agenda is involved...2024-08-121h 09The Unified TeamIs Change Art or Science?Business wants to be scientific.Managers want to see data, facts and evidence to base decisions on. The last thing anyone wants to do is to put the company at risk. No-one wants to be blamed for being reckless.So we buy based on logic.But when we sell logic to people they resist. We buy proven tech and initiatives, but employees don't use it. Because people have their own opinions, preferences and concerns.Every change is made with the promise of...2024-07-151h 12The Unified TeamEmbracing The Dark Side Of YouWhat does it take to lead?To lead others we have to be able to tap into something in them. We have to have the empathy and sensitivity to see how what we do impacts them. We have to have the self awareness to adapt and adjust what we do, based on the feedback we get.Our ability to lead others comes from our awareness of who we are.There are lots of personality tests and tools to find strengths and values. But every strength also has...2024-06-1052 minThe Unified TeamThe Problem With MenThe problem with men is...As a relationship coach I heard the problems of trying to date and relate to men. Sit in a coffee shop or a bar and you'll often hear women talking about men and their shortcomings. The media tells us about toxic masculinity.What's clear is men are struggling.With relationships. Depression. And suicide.The world has changed and there's a section of men who aren't adapting with it.Some of them go...2024-05-301h 12The Unified TeamHow Do We Emotionally Connect Everyone To The Mission?I have a dream...With those four words Martin Luther King focused a movement on a dream they could all commit to. Campaigners could unite around the idea of all being equal. It was the core premise they all agreed and identified with.Whether our team is a sports team, social movement or corporate team we need a vision.It is the vision that frames every interaction. Every relationship. And it is what guides their decisions.Done right, it connects to something inside each team...2024-05-231h 18The Unified TeamManaging The Tension Between Safety And PerformanceLife exists in tension.Everything we do, is done along a spectrum of tension.Conflicting goals create tension. Leadership is about managing those tensions.Managers want to create a psychologically safe environment.Yet, there is a natural tension with the fear of failure and not performing. When you give a speech, prepare a bid or create something it could fail. That fear is at the root of what drives us to perform.Some of the greatest sportsmen have spoken about...2024-05-091h 08The Unified TeamMastering Meeting Dynamics For Results - Lessons From FootballImagine your job rested on how your team performed in the next 45 minutes...how would you get your message across in 5 minutes?As we come to the end of the football season and games that decide who wins titles and promotions. And who loses and gets relegated. This is the situation football managers are facing.The very same lessons apply in every business across the globe.In every situation we are dealing with people. Their varying styles. And the dynamics of the group.A statistic tells...2024-04-291h 00The Unified TeamDeveloping Your Leadership PersonaBecoming a leader is a journey of managing fear.Am I enough?Will I be accepted as an authority?Who am I to lead this group?These fears are at the core of the challenge of leading.In these three mini clips three successful leaders:Clark RayThomas CourtsTony Walmsleytalk about the challenge of becoming comfortable leading and the skills needed...2024-03-211h 11The Unified TeamLessons From Pro Football Managers's On Managing TeamsWhat if everything you did at work was being reported and analysed... in public!Every decision was pulled apart in the media. Every failure was booed by tens of thousands of people. There was a running critique on social media.When feedback is this immediate there is no hiding.Two Football Managers shared how they manage pressure, ego's and extreme competition. Clark Ray was sharing his parellel experiences in Manufacturing Companies. Together we tried to look for the universal leadership lessons.The...2024-02-261h 16The Unified TeamHow To Perform In The Moments That Matter Most Under PressureHow do we perform under match pressure in the moments that matter most?That's what I discussed with Tony Walmsley - Performance Specialist in the first episode of the relaunched Unified Team Podcast.I've often shared ideas and examples of how football managers unify their teams. So I was thrilled to have the chance from someone who's spent 30 years working at the top level of football. Tony's great skill is helping people to perform at their best in the moments that matter most.2024-01-151h 14
Winning RetailHarnessing Technology to Survive and Thrive with David Walmsley, Chief Digital & Technology Officer at PandoraThis episode features an interview with David Walmsley, Chief Digital & Technology Officer at Pandora. David has led multiple consumer businesses through their digital transformation and, in the process, scaled omnichannel growth. On today’s episode, David discusses using technology to customize the e-commerce experience, prioritizing bringing your whole company up to speed on digital transformation, and how these advancements are helping to reduce Pandora’s carbon footprint. —“Our starting point, our point of departure, was always keeping our people safe, and then keeping our customers safe, and then thinking about how we could use techno...2023-03-0932 min
The Spike PodcastFrom Amazon to the middle of ’aisle 3’ - Thomas Vosper on the evolution of ecommerce "I think Amazon found lightning in a bottle at Waste. Exactly the right time I think when I look back at Amazon now, when I look now and then think where's the motivation come from. Amazon, like many other businesses, was on its knees at one point..." Welcome to this massively insightful episode with Thomas Vosper. Having come through the ranks in ecommerce, from Amazon to TedX speaker and Aisle3 co founder, Thomas shares his views on ecommerce specifically, but also the online space generally. Thomas gives us his thoughts on the reality...2022-11-0757 min
The Spike PodcastBuilding the best community for the best brand...Represent "So they made a presentation and said where we wanna target, what we wanna make... what it means for staff, all that kind of stuff. So I wanted to take that and give our most value members of the community an insight into the brand.." Welcome to part two of Season two. For our first episode back, we've got Jimmy Charnock. A man who lives and breathes community. Having worked in customer service, he knows how to talk to fans of a brand, and what they want. And in this case...2022-10-3155 min
The Spike PodcastLife of a hustler when getting Fadez at barbers in Reading "I just sat back and thought to myself, I need this 180 day plan. I had made a 180 day plan, which was like every day for 180 days, I'm gonna make a skit and drop a skit.." This is one of those episodes that "The Spike" has become famous for. An hour of solid insight into what makes a successful person tick in business. Rufaro Kahuni is known in his day job as the Marketing Director of Life of a Hustler. In this episode, he's bringing some sick information around how to get y...2022-09-261h 00
The Spike PodcastCalling in on The Spike after stopping off in Doha to retrieve Airpods - Lewis Ellis is back! "That's the sort of clever bit of it is I can act a fool with marketing now whereas in the past l'd just be the fool for the sake of it. It's not very clever, but if you're doing it and aligning it with what your job is.. career passion, clients, whatever. It's way more fun.." For this episode, it's the second guest to return from the first season. If you're a long time listener, you'll probably recall our maverick marketer Lewis Ellis from a previous episode. The big message of his last...2022-09-1959 min
The Spike PodcastLinkedIn UK personal branding influencer speaks out on Uber driver post trolls "I didn't wanna open this. But I have a look at it. It's actually got like seven or 800 reactions. I'm like, okay, this isn't good. And then... where do I know him from? I click onto his profile. His tagline obviously mentions what he does. I'm like, oh my God. I actually know this guy. Like I've met this guy in person!...." We've rolled out a really spicy one for episode five. If you're an active user of LinkedIn in the UK, you've no doubt heard of Cat Philp. Yes, she's the personal...2022-09-1252 min
The Lovecraft Love Boat PodcastEpisode 2 - Selecting Characters for Dead BoarderKimy and Tony select characters for the Dead Boarder from Chaosium, adapted by Chris to the Cthulu Dark rules by Graham Walmsley.
Music by Plasticine Cowboy (aka Harman Burns), licensed CC-BY.2022-09-1006 minThe Lovecraft Love Boat PodcastEpisode 2 - Selecting Characters for Dead BoarderKimy and Tony select characters for the Dead Boarder from Chaosium, adapted by Chris to the Cthulhu Dark rules by Graham Walmsley.
Music by Plasticine Cowboy (aka Harman Burns), licensed CC-BY.2022-09-1006 minThe Lovecraft Love Boat PodcastEpisode 2 - Selecting Characters for Dead BoarderKimy and Tony select characters for the Dead Boarder from Chaosium, adapted by Chris to the Cthulu Dark rules by Graham Walmsley.
Music by Plasticine Cowboy (aka Harman Burns), licensed CC-BY.2022-09-1006 min
The Spike PodcastServing up the ice cream in a UK heatwave and avoiding LinkedIn "Every day new brands are coming on board. I think that's testament to like.. the brand we've got, we've developed, it's so cool. We're in the best locations. AAnd it just kind of snowballs eventually. I'm going out to New York on Friday for a month..." We're already on episode four of season two of the new looking and sounding "The Spike" and for this episode, we're inviting back an old mate. This episode features Henry Milroy, from Pan n Ice. Henry was with us in an episode last year during our first...2022-09-0559 minThe Lovecraft Love Boat PodcastEpisode 1 - Introduction to Cthulhu DarkChris introduces Cthulhu Dark to Kimy and Tony. Chris was inspired to be a director of a Cthulhu Dark campaign by listening to the Ain't Slayed Nobody mini-campaign "Fairyland" directed by Scott Dorward. I can't recommend these episodes highly enough.
Cthulu Dark rules are by Graham Walmsley.
Music by Plasticine Cowboy (aka Harman Burns), licensed CC-BY.2022-09-0308 minThe Lovecraft Love Boat PodcastEpisode 1 - Introduction to Cthulhu DarkChris introduces Cthulhu Dark to Kimy and Tony. Chris was inspired to be a director of a Cthulhu Dark campaign by listening to the Ain't Slayed Nobody mini-campaign "Fairyland" directed by Scott Dorward. I can't recommend these episodes highly enough.
Cthulu Dark rules are by Graham Walmsley.
Music by Plasticine Cowboy (aka Harman Burns), licensed CC-BY.2022-09-0308 minThe Lovecraft Love Boat PodcastEpisode 1 - Introduction to Cthulhu DarkChris introduces Cthulhu Dark to Kimy and Tony. Chris was inspired to be a director of a Cthulhu Dark campaign by listening to the Ain't Slayed Nobody mini-campaign "Fairyland" directed by Scott Dorward. I can't recommend these episodes highly enough.
Cthulhu Dark rules are by Graham Walmsley.
Music by Plasticine Cowboy (aka Harman Burns), licensed CC-BY.2022-09-0308 min
The Spike PodcastWorking with KSI and Logan Paul - and the pressures of helping big brands get famous in the Cowshed "He's one of the only guys I've seen do this, but like when the crew turn up, he literally goes around every single person and says hello to them." We're already on episode three of season two of the new looking and sounding "The Spike" and we're not slowing down. This episode features George Cowin, from Cowshed Social. George and his team have worked with some pretty incredible big name brands and individuals. One of the more significant moments has been sorting out fights between KSI and Logan Paul in Las...2022-08-291h 07
The Spike PodcastThe reality of Reality TV - connecting you with a wider audience and getting you ’known’ by husbands thanks to their wives "They don't know he's my dad for any other reason except for that show. And then they'll go, my wife watches that show. I don't watch it. Every time. I think, mate, you wouldn't recognise me unless you watch that show." We're going all in on episode two of season two of the new looking and sounding "The Spike". This week we're talking to Joe Sealey, ex goalkeeper, son of Manchester United goalkeeper Les Sealey, multi-exit business owner, CEO of Neon Juice, co Managing Director of Truth Prosecco, and for reality TV fans, husband of...2022-08-2250 min
The Spike Podcast”Schools teach the wrong things!” ’The Apprentice’ star Tom Skinner "Like I was a nightmare with money. Honestly, when I was younger, if I'd earn a hundred pounds I'd spend a hundred pound, you know what I mean? I was always like that. Like, and if you was taught at school, just save 10%, just save 20%. You'd be so many more kids or, or young adults. Now that would be in a better position. A hundred percent." We're back with a new look and brand new sound for season two! The Spike season two - episode one This episode... Tom S...2022-08-1527 min
Another IdeaHow to inspire and lead creatives w/ Tony Walmsley | EP.16Tony Walmsley is an award winning hair stylist that owns Anthony John Salons where he employs 20+ artists in what is a fast paced and constantly evolving industry, he's not only navigated the pandemic, but has built a working environment for his team that is thriving. In this episode we dive into what it takes to let go of that control and how to add people to a growing business. We talk about structure, framework, and how to empower, build and retain an incredible team, and what makes Tony so special within his industry. _____ Sponsor - https://www.studioninja.co/ 50% off...2022-08-081h 38
The Unlock Moment: find your purpose for leadership and lifeBONUS The Unlock Micro-Moment: Tony Walmsley - Leadership Lessons from the TouchlineTony Walmsley has coached at some of the biggest football clubs in the world. It shaped his thinking on how to inspire world-class leaders who influence performance. His Unlock Moment came when thrust into a live TV interview after a tough defeat - how he handled the provocative questioning helped him to understand the kind of leader he was at his best. The vivid stories Tony tells of both the highs and the lows offers an honest, gritty and authentic reflection on a life in football and brings you right on to the touchline in the heat of the...2022-04-3006 min
The Unlock Moment: find your purpose for leadership and life11 Tony Walmsley: Leadership Lessons from the TouchlineIn this episode, I interview performance specialist and elite football coach Tony Walmsley, whose experience with Manchester United, Sheffield United, and Central Coast Mariners shaped his thinking on how to inspire world-class leaders who influence performance. His Unlock Moment came when thrust into a live TV interview after a tough defeat - how he handled the provocative questioning helped him to understand the kind of leader he was at his best. The vivid stories Tony tells of both the highs and the lows is an honest, gritty and authentic reflection on a life in football and brings you right...2022-04-111h 04
Leadership Mindset - Think, See, Do043 – Increasing Your Creativity in Business & Life – Interview Mark WalmsleyOn my latest podcast Mark Walmsley (Brand Strategist and leader of a network for the arts and culture sectors) and I took a fascinating look at CREATIVITY.
How can we be more creative? What are some brilliant examples of creativity?
Mark and I discussed
- Why creativity should be seen as ‘intelligence having fun’
- How creativity has played an important part in his life
- Why creativity is important to business leaders
- How we can become more creative
- Some amazing examples of creativity
- 3 important questions to a...2022-02-1450 min
Coach ClassInterview with Kevin McKee Joint Managing Partner at Cole-McKee (retired)Send us a textOver the past 20 years Kevin has worked with top leaders in many different organisations, as a trusted adviser and coach. He helped them develop their personal leadership styles, build on their strengths and become even more self-aware. By doing so they understand their own abilities, their motivations, and their limitations. He considers achieving deep self awareness as 'money in the bank' for the individual. Particularly for anyone in a large organisation, who then moves to a different working environment such as setting up on your own. In his career...2021-10-1318 min