

The Evolving Leader
Jean Gomes and Scott Allender
The Evolving Leader Podcast is a show set in the context of the world’s ‘great transition’ – technological, environmental and societal upheaval – that requires deeper, more committed leadership to confront the world’s biggest challenges. Hosts, Jean Gomes (a New York Times best selling author) and Scott Allender (an award winning leadership development specialist working in the creative industries) approach complex topics with an urgency that matches the speed of change. This show will give insights about how today’s leaders can grow their capacity for leading tomorrow’s rapidly evolving world. With accomplished guests from business, neuroscience, psychology, and more, the Evolving Leader Podcast is a call to action for deep personal reflection, and conscious evolution. The world is evolving, are you?A little more about the hosts:New York Times best selling author, Jean Gomes, has more than 30 years experience working with leaders and their teams to help them face their organisation’s most challenging issues. His clients span industries and include Google, BMW, Toyota, eBay, Coca-Cola, Microsoft, Warner Music, Sony Electronics, Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney, the UK Olympic system and many others.Award winning leadership development specialist, Scott Allender has over 20 years experience working with leaders across various businesses, including his current role heading up global leadership development at Warner Music. An expert practitioner in emotional intelligence and psychometric tools, Scott has worked to help teams around the world develop radical self-awareness and build high performing cultures.The Evolving Leader podcast is produced by Phil Kerby at Outside © 2024The Evolving Leader music is a Ron Robinson composition, © 2022
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 4, 2023 • 54min
Ruthlessly Caring and Other Paradoxes with Amy Walters Cohen
In this episode of The Evolving Leader podcast, co-hosts Jean Gomes and Emma Sinclair talk to applied psychology researcher and author Amy Walters Cohen. In her book ‘Ruthlessly Caring and Other Paradoxical Mindsets’, Amy explores how leaders cope with the true landscape of leadership judgement, comprising competing demands and seemingly impossible paradoxes that morph over time. Sit back and listen as Amy, Jean and Emma discuss the rise in the forces that create (what Amy refers to as) the washing machine effect, and the five paradoxical mindsets that she believes will be essential for future fit leadership. References from this episode: Ruthlessly Caring and Other Paradoxical Mindsets (Amy Walters Cohen, 2023) Other reading from Jean Gomes and Scott Allender: Leading in a Non-Linear World: Building Wellbeing, Strategic and Innovation Mindsets for the Future (Jean Gomes, 2022) The Enneagram of Emotional Intelligence: A Journey to Personal and Professional Success (Scott Allender, 2023)Social:Instagram @evolvingleaderLinkedIn The Evolving Leader PodcastTwitter @Evolving_LeaderYouTube @evolvingleader The Evolving Leader is researched, written and presented by Jean Gomes and Scott Allender with production by Phil Kerby. It is an Outside production.Send a message to The Evolving Leader team

Sep 27, 2023 • 59min
Decoding the Entrepreneurial Mindset with Rachel Stockey
Today on the Evolving Leader podcast, co-hosts Scott Allender and Jean Gomes talk to Rachel Stockey. Rachel is the head of The Department of Entrepreneurial Skills at King’s College London. Rachel’s mission is to unlock the limitless potential of people and their ideas and as part of that she works to demystify the world of entrepreneurship in order to spark the next generation of thought leaders, disrupters and innovators who are ready to take on the big challenges we face globally. Outside of King’s, Rachel coaches entrepreneurs ‘to help them stay sane’, make better decisions, build better companies and look after themselves in the process.References from this episode:Seven skills of an entrepreneurial mindset How entrepreneurial is your current thinking?Other reading from Jean Gomes and Scott Allender:Leading in a Non-Linear World: Building Wellbeing, Strategic and Innovation Mindsets for the Future (Jean Gomes, 2022)The Enneagram of Emotional Intelligence: A Journey to Personal and Professional Success (Scott Allender, 2023)Social:Instagram @evolvingleaderLinkedIn The Evolving Leader PodcastTwitter @Evolving_LeaderYouTube @evolvingleader The Evolving Leader is researched, written and presented by Jean Gomes and Scott Allender with production by Phil Kerby. It is an Outside production.Send a message to The Evolving Leader team

Sep 20, 2023 • 60min
Why Leaders Need to Confront Their Trauma with Mike Skrypnek
In this latest episode of The Evolving Leader podcast, co-hosts Jean Gomes and Emma Sinclair talk to Mike Skrypnek. Mike is a strategist helping entrepreneurs and industry leaders find their happiness. He is the founder and chair of The UNLimited WORTH Wellness Society and Project, an organisation that he set up to realise a vision of a world free from the impacts of trauma. Mike hosts the Unlimited Worth podcast and in August 2023 his book UnLimited Worth was published.References from this episode:UNLimited WORTH: Lessons of Healing from Childhood Trauma; Finding Happiness, Love and Success for Male LeadersThe UNLimited Worth podcastOther reading from Jean Gomes and Scott Allender:Leading in a Non-Linear World: Building Wellbeing, Strategic and Innovation Mindsets for the Future (Jean Gomes, 2022)The Enneagram of Emotional Intelligence: A Journey to Personal and Professional Success (Scott Allender, 2023)Social: Instagram @evolvingleader LinkedIn The Evolving Leader Podcast Twitter @Evolving_Leader YouTube @evolvingleader The Evolving Leader is researched, written and presented by Jean Gomes and Scott Allender with production by Phil Kerby. It is an Outside production.Send a message to The Evolving Leader team

Sep 13, 2023 • 58min
Leading In The Storm with Emma Sky
In this episode of The Evolving Leader podcast, co-hosts Jean Gomes and Emma Sinclair talk to Emma Sky. Emma is an expert on conflict, reconciliation and stability, and has worked mainly in the Middle East. She served in Iraq as the political advisor to US General Ray Odierno and General David Petraeus during the surge and is now Director of the International Leadership Center at Yale University, overseeing the Yale World Fellows program and other initiatives. Emma Sky is a Senior Fellow at Yale's Jackson Institute for Global Affairs, where she lectures on Middle East politics and global affairs.SUGGESTED READING FROM THIS EPISODE:The Unravelling: High Hopes and Missed Opportunities in Iraq (Emma Sky, 2015)In a Time of Monsters: Travelling in a Middle East in Revolt (Emma Sky, 2019)The Enneagram of Emotional Intelligence: A Journey to Personal and Professional Success (Scott Allender, 2023)Social:Instagram @evolvingleaderLinkedIn The Evolving Leader PodcastTwitter @Evolving_LeaderYouTube @evolvingleader The Evolving Leader is researched, written and presented by Jean Gomes and Scott Allender with production by Phil Kerby. It is an Outside production.Send a message to The Evolving Leader team

Sep 6, 2023 • 39min
Leading In The Age of AI with Nick Charath
In this episode of The Evolving Leader podcast, co-hosts Jean Gomes and Scott Allender talk to leadership consultant, author and AI expert Nick Chatrath. In his work, Nick’s focus is helping others be all they can be, and currently that includes helping clients bridge the gap between what it means to be human in a new world of Artificial Intelligence (AI), and in creating environments where others can do their best thinking. In February 2023, Nick’s book ‘The Threshold, Leading In The Age of AI’ was published, within which Nick presents a framework for how leaders can adapt to the new age of AI by leaning in the qualities and skills that make us uniquely human. The Threshold: Leading in the Age of AI (Diversion Books, 2023) www.youtube.com/@evolvingleader0’00 Introduction4'58 Tell us about yourself and your career and what led you to write your book?7’17 In your view what are the qualities that make us uniquely human and give us the advantage?9’26 Your book is about our relationship with AI and you talk about needing to manage both a psychological independence from AI while simultaneously maintaining a close relationship with it. Can you delve into that for us?12’30 How do you prime the people you work with to try and get into this more divergent form of thinking?16’11 Tell us more about the competitive advantage for an organisation that embraces the more human piece versus the companies that are prioritising the technology19’26 You point out that old models of leadership are obsolete. In your view, which models of leadership should be done away with and what should they be replaced with?21'56 What do you think in terms of how we need to evolve to co-exist with AI as a pervasive environment?26’25 How do we not fall into the trap of embracing almost magical properties onto AI and ensuring that it’s not the GPS system that takes us over the cliff?30’15 How do we start to raise leadership consciousness as things move forwards so rapidly?35’15 What’s next for you? Where are you taking this?36’27 What’s the hope for your daughters? What kind of world do you hope they will step into in terms of their relationship with technology? Social:Instagram @evolvingleader LinkedIn The Evolving Leader Podcast Twitter @Evolving_Leader YouTube @evolvingleader The Evolving Leader is researched, written and presented by Jean Gomes and Scott Allender with production by Phil Kerby. It is an Outside production.Send a message to The Evolving Leader team

Aug 30, 2023 • 58min
The Weird, Irrational, and Wonderful Ways Humans Navigate the Workplace with Matthias Sutter
Economics has often been accused of making inferences about human behaviour without any real understanding of how we actually make decisions, choose between options or act against our stated interests. Behavioural economics combining economics and psychology started to accelerate its development in the 1980s, but its roots can be traced back to the 18th century economist Adam Smith. In this episode of The Evolving Leader podcast, co-hosts Jean Gomes and Scott Allender talk to Matthias Sutter, one of the world’s leading behavioural economists about his (often) counter-intuitive findings, and how they can help leaders create fairer, more inclusive organisations.Behavioral Economics for Leaders (Matthias Sutter, 2023)www.youtube.com/@evolvingleader3.10 Give us a summary of your journey as an economist and the areas that you are most intrigued and excited about5.11 How do you approach this work and how is this field evolving?7.05 In your book your write about how economic outcomes are shaped by hidden biases. Can you unpack what's going on there?11.13 Can you share some of your findings around the value of these social skills and how they translate into financial benefits for organisations?14.24 What's the missing convincing component that we need to tap into?17.03 You have said that when you are trying to find a job, it's the weaker connections in your social network that are most important. Why is that?18.37 Something else you point out is that having more women in a start-up is a predictor of longevity. Tell us about this21.32 What happens when companies become more transparent with salaries?25.34 There are parts of the world that require transparency. What are some insights that will help leaders manage that double edged sword?27.36 You said that employees who don't support company mission statements are 50% less productive. Can you unpack that?31.18 Moving to the need for quotas to encourage more gender equality. Why do we need quotas?34.54 The underlying assumption is that being competitive is a core part of being a good leader, but you're saying that there is more to it than that37.01 Your research suggests that women leaders can earn more revenue per employee when they are on the board. Can you elaborate?39.57 What have you learnt about trust?44.43 Do you have any other insights or advice on how leaders might build or accelerate a sense of trust in their teams?47.14 Can we talk about decision making and money?50.55 Can we talk about your research into teenager's and children's decision making? What are you doing in that area? 53.33 What's the most powerful that helps children and teenagers to build that muscle of differed gratification?55.09 What have you learnt on what encompases or inhibits ethical behaviour amongst individuals and teams?Social:Instagram @evolvingleaderLinkedIn The Evolving Leader PodcastTwitter @Evolving_LeaderYouTube @evolvingleader The Evolving Leader is researched, written and presented by Jean Gomes and Scott Allender with production by Phil Kerby. It is an Outside production.Send a message to The Evolving Leader team

Jul 26, 2023 • 18min
BONUS: Meet the author in 15 minutes - Matt Mayberry “Culture Is the Way”
In this bonus episode of the Evolving Leader podcast, host Jean Gomes talks to Matt Mayberry. Matt is a thought leader on business development and culture, author of the Wall Street Journal bestseller ‘Culture is the Way’ and former NFL Pro linebacker for the Chicago Bears. 0.00 Introduction1.01 Let’s start with a pitch for your book “Culture is the way”.2.26 What’s the case in terms of what culture is, why it’s important and what I can do about it?6.44 The middle manager might think of this topic as not being in their remit. What’s in it for them and why should they be doing this?8.44 Give us a high-level view of the framework that you outline in the book.10.45 What are the things that you are encountering in your work that stand in the way of this being adopted at scale?12.41 Why is this so important to you?14.52 What else should I be asking you about your work and the book?16.23 What’s the best way of finding your book and contacting you? Social: Instagram @evolvingleaderLinkedIn The Evolving Leader PodcastTwitter @Evolving_LeaderYouTube @evolvingleader2271 Books written by Jean Gomes and Scott Allender:“Leading In A Non-Linear World” (Jean Gomes, 2023)“The Enneagram Of Emotional Intelligence” (Scott Allender, 2023) The Evolving Leader is researched, written and presented by Jean Gomes and Scott Allender with production by Phil Kerby. It is an Outside production.Send a message to The Evolving Leader team

Jun 28, 2023 • 47min
The Uncertainty Mindset with Vaughn Tan
Vaughn Tan, a consultant and strategy professor at University College London, shares insights on navigating uncertainty. He discusses how organizations often avoid uncertainty but need to embrace it for innovation. Vaughn highlights the distinction between risk and uncertainty, revealing how cultural experiences shape our responses to ambiguity. He introduces practical tools, like the IDK card deck, to help teams grow and adapt creatively. This engaging conversation emphasizes the importance of creativity and adaptability in leadership.

Jun 21, 2023 • 53min
Exploring Artificial Minds with Peter Voss
In this episode of the Evolving Leader, co-hosts Jean Gomes and Scott Allender talk to serial entrepreneur, engineer, inventor and pioneer in artificial intelligence Peter Voss. Peter spent more than 15 years studying what intelligence is, how it develops in humans and also the current state of artificial intelligence, resulting in the creation of a natural language intelligence engine designed to “adapt and grow” with the user. During that time Peter was part of a group that coined the term AGI (artificial general intelligence) and is now focused on commercialising the second generation of an AGI-based conversational AI technology called Aigo. His mission is to provide “highly intelligent and hyper-personalised assistants for everyone”. Reference in this episode:Aigo.aiPeter’s articles on Medium 0.00 Introduction3.31 How did you get into the artificial intelligence space?4.57 Can you give us a simple definition of AI?9.37 So when we look at these systems, why is it different this time?12.24 There’s a lot of excitement and a lot of fear surround AI. How will AGI solve problems that need to be solved, and what are the risks?15.06 With this radical abundance, there is always a flip side. With every technology, human nature does what it does, good or bad. What are the ethical and/or moral challenges facing us with this technology?18.02 How in your mind would AGI stand in the gap between psychology and AI?20.38 The current investment that is being placed into all technologies is dependent on the current ways that the global economic system works. When we unleash this abundance, it changes some of the basic assumptions about how capitalism works. What are thoughts regarding that disruption and how is it going to change the fabric of our society?22.49 Are we at risk with getting to a level of AGI in every facet of our lives where people will struggle to find their human purpose other than depending on this technology?24.19 Where does AI start to harm us and how to prevent that existential crisis?26.07 Turning to what our audience should be doing to prepare for this AI revolution? Is there something that they should be thinking about and doing now?29.32 If you were advising a CEO on how to ready their organisation for the next decade, what would your checklist of top priorities be in getting them to think about things?30.52 What are the moral considerations to make sure that we can advertise to people but not take over their independent thinking in how they live their lives or what they want to buy?34.24 The reason why we’re lured into this is that it’s seemingly free. How do we break that economic cycle?35.52 Coming back to the fears, how do we ensure that the personal assistant is secure, that it won’t flip and reveal all of our secrets to the world?39.39 How is the area that you’re working in playing out compared to the big model systems?44.42 Can you set a time frame for us? What do you think the next 5-10 years holds in terms of what you’re doing? When will it really start to change our lives?47.00 Your day job is commercially utilising this conversational AI technology and there are huge opportunities there. 49.36 So what is standing in your way to accelerate this?50.37 How can people get in touch with you? Social: Instagram @evolvingleaderLinkedIn The Evolving Leader PodcastTwitter @Evolving_LeaderYoSend a message to The Evolving Leader team

Jun 14, 2023 • 54min
Embracing the Power of Your Full Self with Kerry Cullen
In this episode of the Evolving Leader, co-hosts Scott Allender and Jean Gomes talk to Kerry Cullen. Kerry is a business psychologist who has been coaching for more than 20 years. Working with both the public and private sector internationally, her focus is to create a coaching environment where people can come home to themselves. Kerry loves to explore and train in polyvagal theory and in 2022 she launched a polyvagal course for coaches.References from the episode:KerryCullen.comPolyvagal InstituteDeb Dana’s Rhythm of RegulationSomatic Resilience and Regulation, Stephen Terrell 0.00 Introduction4.48 Can we start with you sharing your journey and the challenges that you’ve faced?5.55 Can you give us a definition of resources?6.44 Can you give us a beginners guide to polyvagal theory?8.12 Is neuroception synonymous with interoception?12.47 We have this constant unconscious monitoring system that isn’t grounded in our perception, but when it’s activated it does quickly engage the brain into an interpretation. How does this play out in how we make sense of things?16.21 If you are someone who is stuck in a disconnected state, how does our nervous system see that as a way to protect us? 19.03 How does this help people who have experienced trauma?23.23 How does this thinking work in the leadership space?26.06 There’s a big narrative around psychological safety amongst leaders and teams. What are your thoughts around rupture and repair as the underlying mechanism of psychological safety?29.33 You quote Stephen Porges “If you want to improve the world, start by making people feel safe”. Do you think he’s meaning that the best way to improve the world around us is for us to find our own healing? Is that your North Star?31.52 Kerry guides Jean, Scott and our listeners through a system developed by Stephen Tyrell that offers regulation to the nervous system as a way of bringing a sense of safety and connection. 47.08 For people who are listening to this, how does this differ from mindfulness and meditation practices that they may have tried in the past? 48.58 What’s next for you?49.30 Is there a central resource that our listeners can go to if they’d like to explore this further? Social:Instagram @evolvingleaderLinkedIn The Evolving Leader PodcastTwitter @Evolving_LeaderYouTube @evolvingleader2271 The Evolving Leader is researched, written and presented by Jean Gomes and Scott Allender with production by Phil Kerby. It is an Outside production.Send a message to The Evolving Leader team