Are we using mental health as a get out of jail free card? Michelle Berg shares an example of an employee who avoided being held accountable by returning with a doctor’s note. As a result the issues of accountability and expectations can’t be challenged and we can’t help the person get better at their job. Could this have been avoided? What would happen if we just stopped being scared. Along the way Michelle shares her own experiences with working in (and contributing to) a toxic work environment, why terminations should be the easiest thing you do and how sometimes HR gets a bad rap … and why it's well deserved.

The boys virtually venture to Texas for this episode, to talk with conflict resolution coach, pharmacist and salsa dancer Jerry Fu. Jerry works with Asian-American professionals on their career and life journeys. He focuses on resolving clients' conflict at work, in culture, and within themselves.

We’re joined by Sean Tyler Foley, who technically was fired by his best friend’s Dad because his best friend chickened out. But it was a family company and we thought “I Got Fired By My Best F***ing Friend” made a better title, so facts be damned. Tyler tells us about how being fired was an unexpected gift, and how it set him on the path to the work he was better suited to. Tyler also gives us some insight into his work with executives and CEOs, helping them show up powerfully behind the mic to gain the exposure they need. 

In this episode Ken speaks to Jenn Lofgren, Managing Partner at Incito Executive and Leadership Development and author of The Inspired Leader: A Reference Guide

In this episode the boys talk to former Olympic Bobsledder Jayson Krause about his experiences as a leader and coaching leaders, his new book "The Science Behind Success - What every leader needs to know about mindset, influence, culture and performance" and the most difficult f***ing conversation of Jayson's career - when he left bobsledding for good. Learn how honesty, vulnerability and an openness to letting people express their views are a key to success in navigating this difficult workplace conversation. Jayson is now the Managing Director at Level 52, providing executive coaching and customized leader development to a range of C-Suite clients worldwide.

In this episode Ken and Russell discuss common questions they often get asked on their 'I Need To F***ing Talk To You' workshops, questions such as - 'Why do some leaders avoid difficult workplace conversations?', 'What’s the implications for me as a leader if I don’t have those difficult workplace conversations?' and 'How can I get even better at having these conversations?' Answers include - a Zombie Apocalypse, wanting to be everyone's friend, poor team morale and practice, practice, practice - you decide which f***ing answer matches which f***ing question!

In this episode the boys are joined by Nic Blanchet. They chat to Nic about his varied experiences - specifically his focus on learning and growth both personally and with his team, the importance of listening to different views and opinions even if you don’t agree with them, especially important when managing multiple stakeholders - politicians, the public, different interest groups and a variety of businesses and sponsors. 

In this episode Ken and Russell talk to Canadian Armed Forces Veteran and Managing Partner of URGEO Martin Hunter. The boy's conversation covers Martin's career, his business ethos, both the highs and lows of Martin's journey as a leader, as well as a number of golden nuggets of advice from Martin for business owners and leaders that you won't want to miss. As Martin says to his clients 'Grow revenue, reduce costs, and free up time for you and your leadership teams with URGEO’s Operational Excellence systems'

Ken and Russell explore the world of non-profit fundraising and philanthropy with Director of Philanthropy at Bethany Care Foundation Amtul Siddiqui. They discuss how to increase diversity within organizations and within the donor pool, how to broaden your social network across cultures and the importance of volunteering in your community.

For our regular listeners today’s podcast will be a little different, my regular co-host Ken is working south of the border in Portland, Oregon and as Jordan was my daughter’s hockey coach last season, Hannah will be joins us in the second half of the podcast to ask Jordan some hockey specific questions from her and her former teammates. Meanwhile I’ll be discussing the principles of effective leadership, why being to explain your ‘why’ is important and why Jordan’s aim is to create better humans, not simply better hockey players