Performance Reviews are Trash with Blake Proberts

Performance Reviews are Trash with Blake Proberts

n this episode of Authentic Ewe, Penelope speaks with Blake Proberts, founder of Acorn PLMS, about why organisational learning is broken and why performance reviews are often “trash”. Together they explore how capability frameworks, clearer role expectations and everyday coaching can turn learning and performance development into something more meaningful, human and useful. This conversation connects strongly with Authentic Ewe’s HUMAN LENS™ framework — showing how psychological safety is built through clarity, purpose, feedback and the everyday conversations that help people feel safe to be their authentic selves at work. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Human Wisdom and Better Leadership with Beth Rudden

In this episode, Penelope speaks with Beth Rudden, CEO and co-founder of Bast AI and author of AI for the Rest of Us. Beth shares why there is an alternative to black-box AI, why wisdom matters when using AI, and how the best systems should augment humans rather than control them. Together, they explore explainable AI, bias, leadership, values, reciprocity, and why human connection still matters most in an increasingly technological world. A thoughtful conversation about clarity, kindness, power, and what responsible AI really looks like in practice.  ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Your Leadership is Contagious with Dr David Hamilton

In this episode of Authentic Ewe, Penelope sits down with Dr David Hamilton to explore the powerful science behind kindness, leadership, and emotional contagion. Many workplaces still operate under the assumption that strong leadership means being tough, decisive, and emotionally distant. But what if the real strength of leadership lies somewhere else entirely? Drawing on his background in pharmaceutical research and neuroscience, David explains how our emotions quite literally spread through teams — and why the mood a leader brings into the room can shape everything from stress levels to performance and even organisational results. In this conversation, we explore: * Why kindness is not weakness, but a biologically powerful leadership tool * The science of emotional contagion and how leaders set the emotional tone for teams * Why kindness is actually the physiological opposite of stress * How empathy and connection improve retention, wellbeing and organisational performance * The role of vulnerability and psychological safety in building high-performing teams * Practical ways leaders can start creating cultures people genuinely want to work in David also shares personal insights from his own journey researching the mind-body connection — including how posture, self-belief, and compassion influence not only our mindset but our biology. At its heart, this episode asks a simple but profound question: If leadership is contagious… what are you spreading? ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

The Story of the Nervous System with Benjamin Fry

What really drives conflict, silence, burnout, and sudden resignations at work? In this powerful conversation, Benjamin Fry unpacks the story of the nervous system and why so many workplace reactions have nothing to do with performance, capability, or attitude—and everything to do with unfinished threat responses stored in the body. Drawing on ideas from his book The Invisible Lion, Benjamin explains why humans overreact, underreact, freeze, fawn, or suddenly flee workplaces they once loved. Together, we explore: * Why workplaces amplify nervous system dysregulation—especially where hierarchy exists * The difference between shutdown vs containment, and why “appropriate reactions” build trust * How boundaries are not about controlling others—but about caring for your own nervous system * Why psychological safety isn’t about being “nice,” but about feeling safe enough to stay regulated * How leaders can spot dysregulation in real time—and slow moments down before they escalate * Why listening is often more regulating than anything you can say * Benjamin also explains the origin of the Invisible Lion metaphor—why behaviour only makes sense when we understand the unseen context behind it—and how workplaces can stop leaving people alone with their lions. This episode is essential listening for leaders, HR, OD practitioners, and anyone who wants to build cultures where people don’t just perform—but feel safe enough to stay, speak, and be themselves. EXPLORE BENJAMIN FRY’S WORK 🌐 Website: https://benjaminfry.co.uk/ [https://benjaminfry.co.uk/] 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-fry [https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminfry/] 📘 The Invisible Lion (book): https://www.amazon.com/dp/1910919246 [https://www.amazon.com/s?k=invisiblew+lion] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Navigating Complexity with Dave Snowden

In this episode of the Authentic Ewe Podcast, I sit down with Dave Snowden, founder of The Cynefin Company. Dave challenges the mainstream view of psychological safety, framing it not as comfort but as a signal system that reveals risks, patterns, and trust gaps in complex organisations. We explore how leaders can use Cynefin, SenseMaker®, safe-to-fail experiments, and trios to navigate uncertainty and create authentic workplaces where people can thrive. Links: Cynefin resources | Cynefin framework | SenseMaker® subscription [https://thecynefin.co/get-sensemaker/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] | Premium Membership [https://thecynefin.co/product/premium-membership/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] | Dave Snowden on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-snowden-2b3703/] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.