Lead with Thanks

S2 Ep3: Stop treating employees as “clustomers” with Toby Kheng

In this episode, Thankbox Co-Founder Tsvetelina Hinova sits down with Toby Kheng, Co-Founder of Freeformers, to unpack one deceptively simple idea: why saying “thank you” at work is so rare, and why that’s a problem. Drawing on his experience redesigning employee experiences, Toby explains how many organisations treat appreciation as a checkbox exercise e.g. generic perks, vouchers, or gamified rewards,  rather than something deeply human and personal. Together, they explore what happens when appreciation is missing, how it impacts motivation and performance, and why businesses that ignore it risk creating purely transactional relationships with their people. 💡 What you’ll learn * Why most workplace appreciation efforts fail (and feel meaningless)  * The concept of “clustomers” - and why treating employees the same doesn’t work  * Why a simple, genuine “thank you” often matters more than money or perks  * How lack of appreciation leads to disengagement and “bare minimum” work  * The disconnect between what managers think they’re doing - and how employees actually feel  * Practical ways to measure and improve human relationships at work

S2 Ep2: Appreciating Appreciation – discussing The STAY Report with Perry Timms

In this special episode, Host Tsvetelina Hinova is joined by globally recognised HR thinker Perry Timms to unpack their newly launched co-authored STAY Report - and why it’s set to change how we think, talk about, and apply appreciation at work. Together, they explore a simple but overlooked truth: You don’t have a choice about appreciation, you’re sending signals either way. We cover: * Why organisations are never neutral - your culture is shaped by the signals you send every day  * The hidden cost of silence (and how it slowly erodes trust and performance)  * Why appreciation isn’t a “nice to have” - it’s infrastructure for performance, trust, and retention  * How employees are constantly “scanning” for what gets noticed - and what gets ignored  * The real reason engagement drops (hint: it’s not sudden - it builds quietly over time)  * How to shift from “doing appreciation” to “being appreciative”  About the STAY Report The STAY report reframes appreciation as a system of Signals that influence Trust and Attachment, and shows how to develop your own appreciation infrastructure – Your way.  It combines science, real-world insights, and practical questions to help leaders bring appreciation into the boardroom—and make it actionable. Download the STAY report and start thinking and talking differently about the signals your organisation sends: https://www.thankbox.com/business/stay-report?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=launch-show&utm_campaign=stay-report [https://www.thankbox.com/business/stay-report?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=launch-show&utm_campaign=stay-report]

S2 Ep1: "Stop Choosing Between People and Performance" with David Liddle

In this episode, Tsvetelina Hinova sits down with David Liddle - a leading voice in people, culture, and leadership transformation. With over 25 years of experience, David shares why appreciation is not a “soft” concept, but a critical driver of performance, connection, and meaningful work. They explore why many organisations still struggle to take appreciation seriously -often relying on legacy systems built around control, hierarchy, and metrics - and what needs to shift for businesses to thrive truly. David introduces the idea of “and, not or” leadership - showing that leaders don’t have to choose between empathy and accountability. The most effective organisations are learning to do both. The conversation also dives into real-world transformation.  At organisations like the BBC, traditional grievance processes are being replaced with a “resolution-first” approach, focused on dialogue, trust, and early intervention. Managers are trained in “quality conversations” - building skills like active listening, curiosity, and emotional awareness to resolve issues before they escalate. David also shares examples from his work with organisations such as Aviva and Burberry, where embedding appreciation into leadership and culture has helped shift performance, engagement, and relationships at scale. If you’re rethinking leadership, culture, or how to build a more human workplace, this episode is full of actionable insights to get you started.

Episode 5: Marketing, momentum, and meaningful recognition with Vikki Gledhill

In this episode of Lead With Thanks, Thankbox Co-Founder Tsvetelina Hinova sits down with Vikki Gledhill, a seasoned Reward leader with over 20 years’ experience shaping how organisations recognise, support, and celebrate their people. Now Head of Reward & Pensions at Yorkshire Water  Vikki brings a career’s worth of wisdom from major organisations, including Cox Automotive, Manchester Airport Group, Northern Foods and 2 Sisters Food Group. And yes - she’s as passionate about appreciation as we are. Vikki shares why effective recognition shouldn’t be a once-a-year HR initiative—but an always-on campaign, just like the best marketing efforts. If brands have to stay visible to build emotional resonance, why wouldn’t internal reward programs do the same?  Together, Vikki and Tsvetelina explore: * Why reward and recognition work best with continuous promotion, not set-and-forget schemes.  * How a simple “thank you” can create the kind of emotional reaction that boosts motivation and engagement.  * Why recognition must align with employees’ personal values - not assumptions. * The role of wellbeing, benefits, and total reward in shaping a modern employee experience.  * Her path across multiple industries and what each taught her about people.  * Why she believes recognition is a strategic tool, not a “nice to have”. If you're curious how to make recognition feel meaningful (and not just mandatory), Vikki’s insights are pure gold.

Episode 4: Appreciation stories and cultural considerations, with Debra Corey

What fun! In this lively conversation, Tsvetelina Hinova speaks with Debra Corey, six-time author and Chief Pay It Forward Officer at Step it UP HR, about the significance of appreciation in the workplace.  Debra shares her extensive experience in HR and the various phases of her career, and they discuss how understanding individual preferences and cultural considerations can enhance recognition programs.  To bring the theory to life, Debra shares fantastic stories from different companies and practical steps for building a culture of appreciation, encouraging leaders to train their teams and make appreciation a daily habit. Key takeaways from the conversation: * Appreciation can be both financial and non-financial. * Understanding individual preferences is crucial for effective appreciation. * Cultural considerations are important in recognition programs. * Creative and unique recognition can enhance employee engagement. * Peer-to-peer recognition is often more meaningful than top-down recognition. * Training leaders on appreciation is essential for success. * Daily appreciation builds a strong culture of recognition. * Recognition should align with company values. * Creating a fear of missing out can encourage appreciation among employees.