Heart Centred Leadership in the Modern Working Culture w/Abigail Wilmore

The Importance of the Employee Voice in Today’s Workplace

In the past, employees were often relegated to tasks like photocopying and making coffee during their first year of employment. However, times have changed, and the employee voice is becoming much louder. Younger generations are no longer willing to settle for menial tasks and are demanding a more meaningful and impactful role within their organizations.

Abigail Wilmore, a Chief People Officer and certified Executive/Performance Success Coach, understands the value of the employee voice. As a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD, she specializes in promoting heart-centered, kind leadership, sustainability, and values-led people strategy creation. She believes in diversity, equality, culture, engagement, positive energy networking, global change, and organization design.

But who is Abigail Wilmore? She is not only a strategic executive committee member and an animal welfare campaigner, but she is also instrumental in talent and leadership development and performance-driven wellbeing strategy. Her expertise and experience make her a valuable asset to any organization looking to prioritize their employees’ needs and aspirations.

This episode of the Everyday Leadership podcast features Abigail Wilmore as a guest. As the Chief People Officer at her company, it is her responsibility to define and implement the people strategy, ensuring that the ethical, sustainable, and responsible elements of the brand are ingrained in their people and culture agenda.

Abigail’s journey to her current role is an interesting one. Raised in an unconventional household, with an artist and makeup artist mother and a mathematician and teacher father, she was encouraged to be herself and speak up for what she believed in. Her passion for ballet and fashion also played a significant role in shaping her career path.

Throughout the episode, Abigail shares key leadership learning moments, including her shift from ballet to the fashion industry, the skills that helped her succeed, her experience interviewing with Gucci Group, her definition of human resources, and tips for creating a great working culture.

One of the key topics discussed is heart-centered leadership. Abigail explains what it means and why it is essential in the modern working culture. She also discusses the changes needed to lead teams effectively and shares her biggest leadership lessons.

If you’re interested in learning more about Abigail Wilmore and her insights on leadership, make sure to listen to the full episode. You can find Abigail’s links, including her LinkedIn profile and the organizations she is associated with, in the episode description.

To stay updated on future episodes of the Everyday Leadership

Anything that’s worth it takes time. This sentiment rings true for many aspects of life, including personal growth, career success, and achieving goals. It’s a message that Rob Neil, an influential figure in the civil service, has been sharing with his children and the younger generation.

Rob Neil, OBE, was born and raised in the London Borough of Brent and began his career in 1983 at Willesden County Court for the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). Over the years, he climbed the ranks and became the Deputy Court Manager before joining the South Eastern I.T. Team. In 1998, Rob landed his dream job as a Development Trainer in MoJ’s Corporate HR department. He furthered his education at the Civil Service College, earning a Certificate in Training Practice (CTP) and becoming a member of CIPD.

Rob’s influence extended beyond his own career. In 2001, he was one of the first people to join the Ministry of Justice’s BAME Staff network, known as P.R.O.U.D. Later that year, he became the first elected Chair of the CSREN, now called the Civil Service Race Forum. Through these initiatives, Rob made a significant impact on diversity and inclusion within the civil service.

One of Rob’s most notable achievements was his role in establishing the Employee Engagement Team at the MoJ. In 2008, he created the Engagement Champions Network, which grew to include 1000 people in Courts, Tribunals, and the Legal Aid Agency. Rob also worked with other government departments, such as HMRC, DWP, and MoD, to help them set up their own Employee Engagement Champions.

In 2015, Rob took on the responsibility of steering the Diversity & Inclusion Department at the Ministry of Justice. During this time, he played a crucial role in implementing the Civil Service Talent Action Plan (T.A.P.) and renegotiating arrangements with all of the department’s Diversity Staff Networks.

Rob’s contributions to the public sector did not go unnoticed. In 2016, he was recognized as one of the 50 influential figures of BAME background in the public sector as part of the ‘New View 50’ list.

Rob’s involvement with Krystal Alliance, a team dedicated to promoting equity in the workplace and fostering inclusive leadership, is a testament to his commitment to creating positive change. Krystal Alliance’s team members are experts in their respective fields, working together to transform cultures, promote inclus

Elliott Rae: Redefining Fatherhood and Masculinity

Being a dad is a role that we play, we are people first. A dad is something that I have become but I’m a man first. To look at it from what kind of dad you want to be without looking at what kind of man you want to become is the wrong way around. You need to define what kind of man you want to be first and that translates to parenting. – Elliott Rae

Who is Elliott Rae?

Elliott Rae is one of the UK’s most prominent speakers on fatherhood, masculinity, and men’s mental health. He is the founder of the parenting platform MusicFootballFatherhood, known as the Mumsnet for Dads by the BBC. MusicFootballFatherhood is the UK’s most exciting parenting and lifestyle platform for men. MFF is all about open conversations surrounding fatherhood, work-life balance, mental health, raising healthy and well-rounded children, money management, relationships, and of course, music and football.

Before his work in fatherhood, Elliott held senior Diversity, Equity & Inclusion roles in the Civil Service, with his last role being the Head of D&I delivery at HM Treasury.

Elliott has been heavily involved in research projects related to fathers in the workplace, including the 2018 Equal Lives report by Business in the Community and the Fathers in the Workplace toolkit by the University of Birmingham. He has received recognition from the United Nations for his work engaging men in gender equality and was awarded the UN Women UK’s #HeForShe Changemaker of the Year award in 2019.

Elliot Rae’s DAD journey

Elliott founded the MFF platform as a form of self-therapy after being diagnosed with PTSD as a new dad after the traumatic birth of his daughter.

In his book DAD, an Amazon Top 10 bestseller, Elliott and 19 other dads share their stories that represent the diversity of modern fatherhood and challenge traditional ideas of masculinity.

In January 2022, Elliott presented the seminal BBC One documentary Becoming Dad, the first show of its kind to bring issues around dads’ mental health and work-life balance to the mainstream.

Elliott as a speaker, author, and social changemaker

Elliott specializes in helping organizations support fathers, improve men’s mental health, and engage men in conversations around gender equality.

If you are looking to encourage more open conversations about masculinity and allyship and

Emmanuel Awoyelu: Setting an Example in Leadership and Education

Leadership is about setting an example and leading people to a goal without making excuses. As an assistant headteacher and Special Education Needs Coordinator (SENCO) at Eastbury Community School, Emmanuel Awoyelu understands the importance of being one of the best teachers in the school and setting a great example for others. But leadership is also about being unapologetic in following your vision, even if not everyone believes in or understands it. It’s important to convince people that what you’re trying to achieve is worth pursuing, and not to expect everyone to be your friend in the process. For Emmanuel, leadership is so much more than just how you speak to people; it’s about taking action and leading people to the greater good.

Emmanuel Awoyelu has been working in education for 9 years, during which he has developed youth programs across London. He is a frequent speaker, trainer, and writer on educational topics, particularly around the topics of inclusive practice, pastoral care, and behavior. Passionate about changing the narrative for disadvantaged young people, Emmanuel plays a big part in helping The Reach Out Project achieve its objective. The Reach Out Project is a mentoring program for inner-city London boys, aiming to open up London as a city of opportunity for the youth and help each young person realize their potential regardless of their background or circumstance.

Emmanuel’s journey as a teacher hasn’t always been smooth. Having suffered negative experiences early on in his education, including two school exclusions, he never imagined that teaching would be his calling. However, an opportunity at a school where he used to deliver sessions as a football coach changed everything. What started as a two-week fill-in turned into five months, and at the end of it, Emmanuel realized that the education space is where he was meant to be. He underwent training as a teaching assistant and later as a SENCO, and eventually grew into the position he is in today.

As a black leader in the education profession, Emmanuel is acutely aware of the responsibility that comes with his role. He understands that his presence and influence could potentially have an effect on children, staff, and community members who were previously excluded. He considers it an honor to represent his community and be part of a small yet powerful group of black senior educators. Emmanuel recognizes that representation matters deeply, and he takes on his role with pride.

Emmanuel’s experience with grief has also shaped his outlook

Vanessa Belleau: Making a Positive Impact Through Coaching, Consulting, and Branding

Vanessa Belleau is a multi-talented professional who is dedicated to making a positive impact on the world. As an EMCC Accredited Executive Coach, Diversity + Inclusion & Belonging Consultant, future-focused Researcher, Brand Consultant, Facilitator, Keynote Speaker, and Marketing & Branding Consultant, Vanessa brings a wealth of expertise to her work. Her main objective is to help individuals and brands focus on what truly matters. With her unique blend of mathematical and magical approaches to insights, strategy, and storytelling, Vanessa provides clients with powerful and validated insights that ignite passion and humor.

Having worked with over 60 different brands, including Gymshark and the LVMH Fashion Group, as well as smaller businesses, charities, and individuals, Vanessa has gained a wealth of experience. She has also established her own company, Highfifteen ltd, to collaborate with more brands on exciting projects. Her focus is on creating diverse workplaces and implementing inclusive business strategies that make employees and consumers feel a sense of belonging.

Born in Paris and currently living in London for over 15 years, Vanessa is fluent in both French and English. This allows her to effectively communicate with clients from various countries and cultures, making her work truly global.

The Journey of High Fifteen

Prior to launching Highfifteen, Vanessa had the privilege of working at the Walt Disney Company for EMEA as the Head of Fashion + Home Shopper Trade Marketing. During her time there, she created and managed marketing programs with renowned partners such as Adidas, Primark, C&A, H&M, Loewe, and Pandora. Additionally, she co-founded and co-chaired the first Black, Asian, and Ethnic Minorities affinity group in the UK & IRL.

High Fifteen was created to address a crucial business need: combining strategy, insights, enthusiasm, and practicality while keeping people at the forefront. Vanessa believes in building meaningful and genuine relationships based on trust, curiosity, excellent communication, and empathy. By leveraging her resourcefulness, knowledge, energy, and positive outlook, she inspires others to recognize their strengths and discover new strategic opportunities.

Key Leadership Learning Moments

In her podcast, Vanessa shares key leadership learning moments that have shaped her journey. These timestamps highlight important topics such as overcoming challenges, embracing authenticity, and finding joy in life. Each episode provides valuable insights that can inspire and empower listeners to become

Matt Hoffman: Building High-Performing Teams for Startup Success

Matt Hoffman, the Head of Talent and a Partner at M13, is a seasoned expert in building startups and understands the importance of high-performing teams in elevating individuals. With a strong passion for creating innovative and authentic cultures that can scale with the business, Matt brings a wealth of experience and expertise to high-growth start-up organizations. By implementing the best People Ops strategies, he empowers and inspires employees to do their best work, creating an environment where talent thrives and innovation flourishes.

Certified as a Hudson executive coach, Matt possesses the skills to develop talent and build amazing companies by focusing on the talented humans who make them great. With his extensive background and dedication, Matt is well-equipped to make a significant impact in any startup organization he works with.

Prior to his current role, Matt built and led the People functions at DigitalOcean and Return Path, both recognized as top workplaces in New York City and the United States.

During his leadership journey, Matt has had numerous learning moments that have shaped his approach and perspective. Here are some key timestamps from his experiences:

– Keys to a Great Place to Work! (00:03:11:14)
– Leadership in Fast-Paced Environments (00:04:19:16)
– Going Back to a Teenage Matt (00:05:59:19)
– Creating His Own Firm (00:08:06:04)
– Changes in Matt’s Perspective (00:08:59:18)
– A Father of 3 Daughters (00:10:08:00)
– Work-Life Balance – A Myth? (00:12:01:01)
– Tensions – Remote Work vs. In-Person (00:13:56:21)
– Challenges in Remote Work (00:16:07:09)
– College Degree – Not a Good Financial Investment? (00:18:20:16)
– Hiring People Without College Degrees (00:20:45:07)
– Coping With Mistakes (00:23:57:22)
– Trying Out New Things! (00:27:00:13)
– AI vs People (00:28:18:02)
– The Shift to Remote Work (00:30:40:03)
– Companies Should Invest in Development! (00:32:56:17)
– Understanding Development for Executives (00:35:39:

Typically, boredom does not lead to highly rewarding moments, and we tend to invest a lot of effort in avoiding fear. However, it is often when we face our fears that we experience significant turning points in our lives. In this article, we will explore the impressive career of Dr Stacey Philpot, a renowned leadership development advisor who has helped some of the world’s most successful companies navigate through disruptive times and inspire culture change.

Stacey Philpot’s background as a licensed psychologist and executive has allowed her to guide CEOs of Fortune 500 companies in developing their executive committees and managing complex board dynamics. She has provided her expertise to top-notch companies such as Apple, Nike, and Johnson & Johnson, advising them on talent assessment, leadership development, succession planning, and inclusion.

Aside from her coaching role, Stacey is also a sought-after speaker at conferences and executive retreats. She has authored several articles on topics related to leadership development, showcasing her in-depth knowledge and experience in the field.

Stacey’s journey to her current position as a leadership development advisor was marked by significant accomplishments. She previously served as the head of Deloitte’s Leadership Consulting practice, where she increased revenue for her practice by over 250% and tripled the size of her organization in under three years. Before that, she worked as a Managing Partner for a high-growth boutique consultancy, where she was responsible for setting the firm’s strategy and market positioning.

Stacey’s success in her career can be attributed to her deliberate and data-driven approach to the hiring process. She seamlessly integrates her skills as a licensed psychologist and executive, ensuring a comprehensive and effective leadership development strategy.

Throughout her career, Stacey has encountered various key leadership learning moments. These moments, captured in timestamps, provide valuable insights into her journey and the lessons she has learned along the way. From her early dreams as a young girl to her shift from corporate to consulting, Stacey shares her experiences and the turning points that shaped her career.

Stacey’s expertise extends beyond the corporate world. She believes in the importance of eradicating fear in workplaces and creating a culture of psychological safety. She also discusses the challenges and opportunities of leadership in the modern era, emphasizing the need to adapt and grow in a rapidly changing business landscape.

In addition, Stacey delves into the concept of creating a competency model and addresses some of the burning questions CEOs have. She shares her insights on what makes successful CEOs and provides three important questions to ask people

In this episode, Sope introduces his guest, Chichi, a leadership coach and creator. They delve into the topic of decoupling one’s identity from job titles and accolades, and instead focus on personal values and passions. Chichi shares her experiences from her teenage years, where she was a curious and entrepreneurial child who loved learning and had a goal of attending university as a first-generation immigrant. The conversation emphasises the significance of defining oneself beyond external validation and pursuing personal interests and values.

Chichi is an experienced executive coach and leadership consultant who helps individuals and organisations develop strong and effective leaders. With over 12 years of experience, she understands the unique challenges and obstacles that can stand in the way of reaching leadership goals. Her coaching approach is holistic, addressing both the professional and personal aspects of leadership.

She has worked with some of the biggest organisations and fast-growing startups, equipping her with the knowledge and expertise to support and guide leaders to be confident and effective.

Discussion Topics:

1. Chichi started her career at HSBC in commercial banking but she found that she loved helping people and solving problems, which eventually led her to marketing. She emphasises the importance of self-discovery and going out to do something to learn more about oneself. After working on the Apple Pay project, she decided to pursue marketing and start her own business after becoming pregnant and finding it difficult to commute to work.

2. She spoke about how the skills she had learned while running her own business helped her transition to a coaching career. In addition, she discussed the challenges of burnout and struggling to keep up with the demands of running a business. She reflected on her decision to return to paid employment and the struggle of feeling like a failure. She also emphasised the importance of recognising seasons and chapters in life and being able to move on from things that no longer serve a purpose. Chichi believed that this realisation was crucial for her growth, and it helped her accept that it was time to move on to a new chapter in her life.

3. She talked about how the pandemic has given her more time and space to do things she enjoys, such as reading and writing. She reflects on her past experiences as a director and how titles and job roles can become too closely tied to one’s identity. She advises people not to define themselves solely by their job titles, as titles are temporary and do not define who they are as a person. She also talks about the challenges she faced when stepping

In this episode, Sope introduces Denise Myers, the Founder and CEO of Evenfields Careers and the Black Talent Awards. With over 20 years of experience as a specialist Recruiter, Denise has partnered with companies of varying scales and fields, focusing on people’s development and placing them in suitable positions.

During the conversation, Denise shares her journey and experiences, offering insights into recruiting, people growth, and finding the right individuals for organizations. A significant aspect of the conversation is Denise’s passion for promoting black talent and diversity in the workplace.

One of the discussion topics includes Denise’s experience of starting her own recruitment agency and the fear she initially had about the business side of it. She overcame this fear and took the risk, motivated by her determination to succeed. Another topic is overcoming disappointment and building resilience. Denise explains how disappointments and let-downs, particularly for people of color, have helped her develop resilience and work around barriers. Trust and accountability in entrepreneurship are also highlighted, with Denise acknowledging their importance in running a business, especially as an entrepreneur.

The key takeaways from this conversation include the importance of resilience and inner strength in overcoming challenges in entrepreneurship. Having faith can serve as a source of strength and encouragement, providing comfort during tough times. Additionally, creating the Black Talent Awards was a decision made to highlight and celebrate black talent, offering a platform for those who may not have had the same opportunities.

Overall, this episode offers valuable insights into recruiting, people growth, and promoting diversity in the workplace. It showcases Denise Myers’ expertise and passion for finding the right individuals for organizations and supporting black talent.

As we enter the year 2023, it’s important to remember the power of pushing through fear. Sope Agbelusi reminds us that in order to triumph over something, we must face it head-on and take action. It’s easy to talk about our plans and intentions, but true growth and learning come from actually doing what we set out to do.

Reflecting on his own journey and that of his family, Sope realized that the key to success is getting comfortable with being uncomfortable. As Nelson Mandela famously said, “The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” It’s natural to feel scared and uncertain as we embark on a new year, but we mustn’t let fear hold us back.

Instead of avoiding fear and pain, we should embrace them as opportunities for growth. Often, we discover that our fears were not as daunting as we initially thought. So don’t be afraid to tackle your fears and embrace the unknown.

To overcome any obstacle or challenge, we must take bold action. It’s not enough to simply make plans and discuss our goals. True progress comes from actually doing what we set out to do. Don’t let your fears hold you back from taking action and achieving your goals.

In this episode, Sope reflects on his own experiences of “doing it scared.” He shares moments when he felt scared but pushed through anyway. It’s an inspiring reminder that fear should not dictate our actions.

If you want to stay updated on future episodes, make sure to follow this podcast. To learn more about Sope Agbelusi and his work, you can visit his website, connect with him on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter, or reach out via email at hello@mindsetshift.co.uk. He values your thoughts and would love to connect with the community of listeners. Feel free to send any comments, feedback, or thoughts his way.