The Science of Difficult Conversations

The Science of Difficult Conversations

In this episode, Amrit and Ali from the &Evolve team delve into the science behind ‘difficult’ conversations at work and why they can feel so challenging in the moment. We explore how our innate threat responses (fight, flight, freeze, or fawn) can become activated, often hijacking our thinking and behaviour just when we need to be at our best. With this understanding, we discuss how to prepare more effectively for these conversations, drawing on the latest psychological and organisational research. Together, we explore practical strategies to stay grounded, communicate clearly, and create the conditions for more constructive, successful outcomes - even in high-stakes or emotionally charged situations.

Trust, Psychological Safety and Values - What's Missing?

Organisations work hard to create inclusive environments, where people feel they can express and be themselves. Trust is more important now with so many people working from home, yet managers still walk a tightrope with trust. Then we have all the work organisations do on Values - identifying the right ones, making sure people understand them, and then articulating the behaviours that truly express them for the organisation. Despite all this work, why do scandals such as the Dr who sexually harassed his junior colleagues, or the McDonald's managers who abused their employees, some as young as 17 years old still occur? Remember Starbucks closing all 8000 stores across the U.S. to undertake racial bias training? Something is missing. Join Amrit in this week's podcast to explore what more organisations can do to create safe, trusting and aligned cultures that allow everyone to understand the identity of an organisation and how it operates.

The Painful Truth - Is Your Workplace Toxic?

Why do people continue to work in toxic environments? Rational, bright and sane individuals endure the daily grind of subjecting themselves to toxic environments, but why? Many people have heard of the 996 culture in tech - 9 am to 9pm, six days a week. These people are celebrated, and we're told they love working the hours, as they love being in states of 'flow'. When you ask those people who hate their work, some will tell you that it's great. They can't seem to face into the fact that their workplace might be toxic, leading to cognitive dissonance. Do they talk themselves out of how bad it really is? Sometimes, we all need to face into the painful truth, that this is not the place for us, and we need to get out. Join Amrit as he explores why people stay, why they continue to publicly endorse their organisation, despite all they experience. The Painful Truth - Is Your Workplace Toxic?, this week's podcast.

Self Sabotaging Your Organisation's Growth?

This year proves to be anther challenging year. Our teams are expected to do more with less. Geopolitical tensions mean the old maps we relied on to navigate this complex world, have been torn up, leaving us trying to understand where we go from here. We desperately want to drive greater innovation and creativity but cannot seem to get off first base. Could we be unintentionally be holding ourselves back? Rather than looking externally for a magic solution, could the answer to greater performance and productivity be right under own noses? Join Amrit for this week's podcast where we explore how we might be holding our own performance back. Are you self-sabotaging your organisation's growth?

A Second look - Authentic Leadership with David Hynam

As many of you will have seen, we've been going through our back catalogue of guests, from our previous podcast series. Since then, we've rebranded, and some of our listeners, may never have heard the amazing guests we've had on our podcast. This week, we've decided to save the best. This podcast was the most listened to podcast of all the 100+ episodes we recorded. It has consistently been downloaded hundred of times since. David Hynam at the time of recording this podcast was in charge of Bupa Care Services. He has since gone on to become the Chief Executive at LV=. The reason we wanted to share this with you, is because he talks about Authentic Leadership, but doesn't just talk about it, he exemplifies it each and every day and has consistently done so. It was an absolute pleasure to record this podcast with David, and it's our pleasure to bring this back to our new audience! Enjoy