The Courageous Leaders Podcast

What happens when you put a high-velocity leader in the hot seat?Unexpected insights...Surprising confessions...We fired off rapid-fire questions at Sophie Devonshire, and she didn’t hold back:⚡️The best piece of career advice she ever received (and why it still guides her today)⚡️ Morning meetings or late-night strategy? She’s got a strong opinion.⚡️If she could add an 8th step to her book, what would it be?It’s fast. It’s curious. And it’s seriously fun.🎥 Full episode of Fast and Curious is now available on YouTube!👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ 🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:Website: https://thechangecreators.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/ → Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice. 👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

The best leaders don’t just manage time; they master energy and here’s how. Sophie Devonshire, CEO of The Marketing Society, shares the mindset shifts, leadership habits, and bold strategies that drive high-velocity success. Discover how to make faster decisions, embrace rejection, and lead with impact. If you want to step up as a leader, this episode is a game-changer.We Cover: 00:34 – Overcoming self-doubt: The role of coaching & self-trust05:11 – How top leaders use mentors (and why you should too)10:30 – Big career moves: How to make the right decision faster16:19 – The secret power of belonging in leadership21:50 – Why energy management beats time management28:06 – Courage vs. caution: The bold mindset that creates success34:48 – Reframing rejection: How to turn failure into your greatest asset39:09 – Fear of criticism: Why it’s holding you back and how to fix it41:54 – Final thoughts: The leadership challenge for YOUDon’t miss out on this powerful episode. 👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ 🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:Website: https://thechangecreators.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/ → Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice. 👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

Paul Coxhill, Chief Operating Officer, LIONS & President, LIONS Intelligence, shares how taking bold leaps, navigating uncertainty, and embracing creativity shaped his leadership journey. From saying ‘yes’ to an unexpected opportunity in South Africa to driving innovation at WARC and LIONS, Paul’s insights offer a masterclass in adaptability, leadership, and business growth.We Cover: 01:04 – The career-defining power of saying ‘yes’ (even when unsure)05:13 – How moving to South Africa reshaped his leadership & view on inclusion13:10 – Leading through change: Why over-communication is non-negotiable20:02 – Five years of growth at WARC: The strategy behind long-term success25:32 – How to embed innovation into company culture (without separate ‘innovation teams’)36:11 – Bringing your whole self to work: The leadership mindset shift38:08 – Letting go of the need to be liked: The key to authentic leadership41:28 – The advice he’d give his younger self about confidence & leadership42:02 – Closing thoughts & final reflectionsDon’t miss out on this powerful episode. 👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ 🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:Website: https://thechangecreators.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/ → Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice. 👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

Kerttu Inkeroinen, Marketing & E-commerce Director at Lucky Saint, shares her unconventional career journey from Coca-Cola to scale-ups, why she quit without a backup plan, and how she intentionally shaped her leadership style.She reveals why taking risks is always worth it, how to build a career with purpose, and why leaders should be sheepdogs, not huskies.We Cover: 00:12:29 – Why Kerttu left a job she loved without a backup plan00:13:29 – The mindset shift that helps her take bold risks00:20:00 – Overcoming self-doubt: Making friends with your inner critic00:28:13 – Be the sheepdog, not the husky: Kerttu’s unique leadership approach00:30:41 – How two-way feedback builds trust and stronger teams00:36:22 – Why adaptability is key to career growth00:36:47 – The biggest lesson she’d tell her younger self about successDon’t miss out on this powerful episode.👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ 🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:Website: https://thechangecreators.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/ → Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice. 👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

Listen to the end. It's priceless.What happens when you put a creative legend in the hot seat?Unexpected answers. Hilarious moments. And maybe… a slight misunderstanding about Mo Salah’s tongue.We threw rapid-fire questions at Trevor Robinson OBE, And he did not disappoint:⚡ First app he opens in the morning? Not what you'd expect.⚡ The leader he’d have dinner with? Divine. Literally.⚡ What exactly went wrong when he met King Charles?It’s fast. It’s curious. And you won’t want to miss it.📅Full Fast & Curious episode is now live! 👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ 🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:Website: https://thechangecreators.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/ → Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice. 👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

Trevor Robinson OBE, founder and CCO of Quiet Storm, The mind behind "You've Been Tango’d" and Haribo's iconic ads, shares his journey from feeling like an outsider to founding Quiet Storm and championing diversity. Discover his insights on courage, creativity, and building authentic relationships and learn about ‘Create Not Hate’, his initiative empowering underrepresented young creatives to break into the industry.🌍 Support the movement: Create Not HateWe Cover: 00:05 - Passion over comfort: why he didn't return to his old job.00:09 - Building strong client relationships through collaboration.00:15 - Strategies for overcoming public speaking fear.00:21 - The importance of finding and embracing your authentic style.00:27 - Staying true to your vision of success.00:30 - The leadership choice: being respected versus liked.00:38 - Imposter Syndrome & Feeling Like an Outsider in Advertising.00:43 - Finding your rhythm to perform under pressure.00:51 - Staying focused on purpose amidst distractions.Don’t miss out on this powerful episode. 👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ 🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:Website: https://thechangecreators.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/ → Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice. 👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

Finding the right balance between empathy and accountability is one of the biggest challenges leaders face. Lean too much into empathy, and performance drops. Focus too much on accountability, and you risk creating a culture of fear. In this episode, I break down how to master this balance so you can lead with both compassion and high standards.We Cover:00:35 – Why leaders struggle with this balance01:15 – The importance of empathy & accountability02:32 – The risks of leaning too far in one direction03:05 – Setting clear expectations for your team03:53 – Giving feedback without creating defensiveness04:40 – Leading by example & holding yourself accountable05:26 – Recognising both effort & results05:59 – Using empathy as a tool for accountability07:08 – Common mistakes leaders make & how to avoid them08:03 – How to start applying this todayDon’t miss out on this powerful episode.👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ 🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:Website: https://thechangecreators.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/ → Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice. 👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

Ever wondered what it's like to leave a successful career and start over? Xavier Rees, CEO of AMV BBDO, shares his bold leap of faith and the lessons he learned along the way. He discusses taking risks, embracing challenges, and the importance of staying true to yourself. Discover how Xav navigates the complexities of the advertising world and builds a culture of trust and collaboration. This episode is full of valuable insights for leaders at all levels.We Cover:00:14 - A courageous moment: Leaving Havas03:30 - The appeal of AMV BBDO05:38 - The drive to prove people wrong10:30 - Embracing his Own Leadership Style11:32 - The Pivotal Moment of Self-Acceptance17:02 - Profound insights from a Career Break23:56 - Advice for New CEOs28:42 - The Difficulty of Making Tough Decisions34:50 - How Personal Pain Shaped His Leadership44:23 - Advice to His Younger Self48:19 - The Power of Making ThingsDon’t miss out on this powerful episode. 👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ 🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:Website: https://thechangecreators.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/ → Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice. 👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

What's the secret to leading a successful team? It might not be what you think. Jessica Hargreaves, CEO of PrettyGreen, reveals her unconventional approach to leadership, sharing powerful insights on risk-taking, delegation, and building a culture of trust.We Cover: 07:04 - Focusing on people and culture for business success 14:06 - Creating a culture of calculated risk-taking16:49 - Defining a "fail-safe" culture and learning from mistakes 25:00 - The value of B Corp certification and aligning actions with purpose 30:36 - The "Be More Meerkat" philosophy for team collaboration 33:16 - Advice to her younger self: The value of mentorship 33:54 - A career turning point: Saying "no" and prioritising wellbeing 35:04 - Prioritising your wellbeing and its transformative impact on leadership.Don’t miss out on this powerful episode.👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ 🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:Website: https://thechangecreators.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/ → Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice. 👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

Katy Wright, CEO of FCB London, shares her unique journey from aspiring pilot to advertising leader. She offers valuable insights on building self-belief, embracing challenges, and creating a thriving workplace culture.Discover how Katy stays ahead of the curve in a rapidly evolving industry and why she believes kindness and a strong moral compass are superpowers for success.This episode is packed with valuable insights for leaders at all levels.We Cover: 01:49 - What Courageous Leadership Means03:06 - Knowing You Are Enough04:34 - Embracing Imperfection05:21 - Building Confidence Through Experience07:07 - The Importance of Believing in Others08:22 - From Aspiring Pilot to Advertising Leader12:35 - Lessons from a First Flying Lesson14:42 - The Power of Self-Trust17:23 - The Importance of Being Yourself20:48 - The Challenges of Leadership24:54 - Staying Ahead of the Curve27:57 - Balancing Big-Picture Thinking with Detail31:57 - Overcoming Challenges and Finding Your Place35:35 - Misconceptions About Katy37:14 - Advice to Her Younger Self38:21 - The Future of the IndustryDon’t miss out on this powerful episode.👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ 🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:Website: https://thechangecreators.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/ → Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice. 👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54