E17 - Becoming the Leader in You - How to Become a Retail Leader People Actually Want to Follow | Craig Bennett

E17 - Becoming the Leader in You - How to Become a Retail Leader People Actually Want to Follow | Craig Bennett

🎙️ Episode 17 | HOW TO BECOME A RETAIL LEADER PEOPLE ACTUALLY WANT TO FOLLOW | Craig BennettWhat separates great retail leaders from average managers?In this episode of Becoming the Leader in You, Prof. Jay Acharya I am joined by Craig Bennett of Poppy Consulting Services for an engaging and insightful discussion on leadership within the retail and service-led sectors.Retail is one of the most demanding industries in the world. Leaders must balance customer expectations, team performance, sales targets, operational pressures and constant change. Yet the most successful retail leaders understand that leadership is not about authority. It is about people.Craig shares his experiences from the world of high street retail and explores what effective leadership looks like in today’s retail environment. Together, we discuss the challenges facing retail organisations, the importance of servant leadership, and why creating a positive culture can have a direct impact on both employee engagement and business performance.One of the most memorable moments of the conversation centres around a quote often attributed to Steve Jobs:“If you want people to like you, go and sell ice cream.”The quote sparks an honest discussion about leadership accountability, making difficult decisions, and the reality that effective leadership is not always about being popular. It is about doing what is right for the organisation, your team and your customers.In this episode, we discuss:✅ Leadership within high street retail✅ Retail sales, customer experience and business performance✅ Leadership in service-led industries✅ Servant leadership and putting people first✅ Building high-performing retail teams✅ Employee engagement and workplace culture✅ Leadership accountability and decision-making✅ Developing future leaders in retail organisations✅ The balance between commercial success and people development✅ Practical leadership lessons from real-world experienceWhether you are a retail manager, store manager, regional manager, team leader, business owner, customer service professional or aspiring leader, this episode provides practical insights that you can apply immediately.If you enjoy conversations about leadership development, retail management, customer experience, people management, employee engagement, organisational culture, business growth, transformational leadership and professional development, you’ll find plenty of value in this discussion.Contact Craig at:Craig.bennett@poppyconsultingservices.co.ukwww.poppyconsultingservices.co.ukDon't forget you can also contact us at:info@aspire.me.ukwww.aspire.me.uk💬 What do you believe is the most important leadership skill in retail today?Leave a comment below and join the conversation.🔔 Subscribe to Becoming the Leader in You for weekly conversations with business leaders, coaches, consultants and change-makers from around the world.#Leadership #RetailLeadership #RetailManagement #ServantLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #PeopleManagement #CustomerExperience #StoreManager #TeamLeadership #BusinessLeadership #EmployeeEngagement #LeadershipPodcast #ProfessionalDevelopment #RetailIndustry #ManagementSkills #HighStreetRetail #OrganisationalCulture #CraigBennett #JayAcharya #BecomingTheLeaderInYou

E16 - Become the Leader People Actually Want to Follow - with my guest James Hudson

**🎙️ BECOMING THE LEADER IN YOU | Episode 16****The Leadership Shift Nobody Talks About | Featuring James Hudson**What does it really take to become a transformational leader in today's fast-changing world?In this episode of Becoming the Leader in You, Prof. Jay Acharya is joined by James Hudson, Leadership Facilitator and Transformational Specialist, for an honest and thought-provoking conversation about leadership, influence, personal growth and creating meaningful change within organisations.As businesses navigate uncertainty, evolving workplace expectations and increasing pressure to perform, leaders are being challenged to do more than simply manage people. They are being called upon to inspire, empower and develop others whilst remaining authentic to who they are.During this episode, we explore:✅ What transformational leadership really means in practice✅ The difference between managing people and leading people✅ How leaders can create lasting organisational change✅ Building trust, engagement and psychological safety within teams✅ Why emotional intelligence is becoming a critical leadership skill✅ Developing future leaders in today's workplace✅ The challenges leaders face when navigating uncertainty and change✅ How self-awareness influences leadership effectiveness✅ Practical leadership strategies that you can apply immediatelyWhether you're a CEO, business owner, manager, aspiring leader, HR professional, coach, consultant or someone passionate about personal development, this conversation offers practical leadership insights designed to help you lead with greater confidence, purpose and impact.If you're interested in topics such as leadership development, transformational leadership, emotional intelligence, coaching skills, employee engagement, organisational culture, management training, resilience, personal growth, change management and executive leadership, this episode is for you.How can you contact James...see below:James.hudson@drivedevelopment.co.ukContact us at:info@aspire.me.ukwww.aspire.me.uk💬 **What is the biggest leadership lesson you've learned throughout your career?** Share your thoughts in the comments below.🔔 Subscribe to Becoming the Leader in You for weekly conversations with business leaders, coaches, consultants and change-makers who share practical advice to help you become the leader people choose to follow.🎧 Listen on your favourite podcast platform or watch the full conversation here on YouTube.About James HudsonJames Hudson is a Leadership Facilitator and Transformational Specialist who supports individuals and organisations in developing leadership capability, strengthening workplace relationships and navigating change with confidence. Through his experience and practical approach, James helps leaders move beyond theory to create genuine impact within their teams and organisations.#Leadership #TransformationalLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #PersonalDevelopment #Management #LeadershipSkills #EmotionalIntelligence #ChangeManagement #OrganisationalCulture #EmployeeEngagement #ExecutiveLeadership #BusinessLeadership #LeadershipPodcast #Coaching #LeadershipCoach #TeamDevelopment #FutureOfWork #ProfessionalDevelopment #BecomingTheLeaderInYou #JayAcharya**

E15 - Becoming the Leader in You - Alistair Stevenson - Leadership Coaching is Imperative for Success

What does effective leadership look like when you are working across different cultures, countries and ways of thinking? In this episode of Becoming the Leader in You, I sit down with Alistair Stevenson, Executive Strategy and Leadership Facilitator, to explore the realities of leading in diverse environments. Our conversation moves beyond leadership theory and into the practical challenges leaders face when working with people from different cultural backgrounds. We discuss how values, communication styles and expectations can vary significantly across teams and organisations, and why understanding these differences is essential for building trust and achieving results. During this episode, we explore: ✅ Leading effectively across different cultures ✅ The challenges and opportunities of multicultural teams ✅ Why empowerment is critical for individual and organisational success ✅ Creating environments where people feel trusted and valued ✅ Common leadership mistakes when working internationally ✅ Adapting your leadership style without compromising authenticity ✅ Lessons learned from real-world experiences and global leadership conversations ✅ The importance of curiosity, humility and listening as a leader Alistair shares practical insights, personal experiences and thought-provoking reflections gained through years of facilitating strategy and leadership discussions with leaders from a variety of backgrounds. Whether you lead a global team, manage people from different cultures, or simply want to become a more inclusive and effective leader, this episode offers valuable perspectives to help you develop your leadership approach. You can contact Alistair at: alistairjamesstevenson@gmail.com You can contact us for all your development needs at: info@aspire.me.uk www.aspire.me.uk If you enjoy conversations about leadership development, cross-cultural leadership, empowering teams, emotional intelligence, organisational culture, people management and executive leadership, make sure you subscribe for more episodes of Becoming the Leader in You. #Leadership #CrossCulturalLeadership #ExecutiveLeadership #Empowerment #LeadershipDevelopment #OrganisationalCulture #ManagementSkills #GlobalLeadership #PeopleLeadership #BecomingTheLeaderInYou

E14 - Becoming the Leader in You - Ladies in Leadership

What happens when an engineering professional swaps technical drawings and project plans for people, culture and organisational change?In this episode of *Becoming the Leader in You*, I speak with Barbara Carlisle from Glee Coaching about her journey from the world of engineering into Human Resources and organisational development. We explore the challenges of working in traditionally male-dominated industries, the skills that transfer from engineering into people management, and why Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) has become such an important part of modern organisations. Barbara shares her experiences of delivering EDI initiatives across different countries and cultures, discussing the opportunities, challenges and lessons learned when helping organisations create more inclusive workplaces on a global scale. A fascinating conversation about career transitions, leadership, people development and creating workplaces where everyone can thrive. You can contact Barbra at: barbra@gleecoaching.co.uk www.gleecoaching.co.uk You can contact us for all your development needs at: info@aspire.me.uk www.aspire.me.uk #Leadership #HumanResources #Engineering #EDI #DiversityAndInclusion #Inclusion #LeadershipDevelopment #PeopleDevelopment #OrganisationalCulture #Coaching #GleeCoaching #BecomingTheLeaderInYou #CareerDevelopment #HRLeadership #WorkplaceCulture

E13 - Becoming the Leader in You - Leadership, Coaching and Resilience with Angie Knowles

What does it really take to build a successful business without sacrificing your wellbeing?In this episode of Becoming the Leader in You, I sit down with Angie Knowles from AngieKnows.co.uk for a practical and honest conversation about leadership, resilience, coaching, personal growth and sustainable business success.We explore the challenges many leaders, managers and business owners face when balancing performance, pressure and wellbeing. Angie shares her experiences of supporting individuals and organisations through periods of change, helping them develop confidence, clarity and the ability to lead effectively in demanding environments.During this episode we discuss:✅ Leadership in today's changing workplace✅ Recognising and preventing burnout✅ Building resilience during challenging times✅ Coaching and personal development✅ Managing stress and maintaining performance✅ Business growth without losing sight of what matters✅ Developing confidence as a leader✅ Creating sustainable success for yourself and your teamWhether you are a business owner, manager, aspiring leader or someone looking to improve your personal effectiveness, this conversation provides practical insights and thought-provoking ideas that you can apply immediately.If you enjoy discussions on leadership development, coaching skills, emotional intelligence, business growth, employee engagement, resilience and transformational leadership, this episode is for you.🔔 Subscribe for more conversations with business leaders, coaches, consultants and industry experts from around the world.Contact Angie at:angie@aknowles.co.ukwww.aknowles.co.uk🎓 Aspire Consulting and Training Ltd.🌍 Leadership Development | Coaching | Artificial Intelligence | Management Training | Strategic Thinking📧 info@aspire.me.uk🌐 Aspire Consulting and Training Ltd.#Leadership #LeadershipDevelopment #LeadershipPodcast #BusinessGrowth #ExecutiveCoaching #BusinessCoaching #Resilience #BurnoutPrevention #PersonalDevelopment #EmotionalIntelligence #ManagementTraining #TransformationalLeadership #CoachingSkills #TeamLeadership #BusinessSuccess #WorkplaceWellbeing #Entrepreneurship #AspireConsultingandTrainingLtd #BecomingTheLeaderInYou #PodcastInterview