Helping Organisations Thrive with Julian Roberts

In this episode of Helping Organisations Thrive, we are joined by Terence Clarke, a transformational executive coach with more than 20 years of experience in the Asia-Pacific region as we explore how to transform cultural challenges into your greatest strengths. Now based in China, Terence shares his personal story of cultural adaptation—moving from frustration and misunderstanding to a place of connection, resilience, and professional growth. The conversation centres around Terence’s AAA model: Awareness, Appreciation, and Adaptation. He explains how these principles help individuals and organisations navigate cultural differences without losing authenticity. From communication breakdowns to power dynamics in leadership, Terence offers practical insights on how to build trust, create psychological safety, and embrace diversity in global teams. This episode is a must-listen for leaders navigating cross-cultural environments and for anyone looking to foster more inclusive, responsive, and resilient organisations.     ##########   If you are looking for a Blueprint to help you and your business manage uncertainty, deal with failure and navigate change then reach out to Julian at: julian@julianrobertsconsulting.com   You can buy my book "Weathering the Storm: A Guide to Building Resilient Teams" on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DFTYN2Y2   ##########  

In this episode of Helping Organisations Thrive, we welcome leadership development expert Amanda Downs to discuss the key factors that contribute to strong and effective leadership in organisations. Amanda highlights the importance of self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and trust-building in leadership, explaining how these qualities help create a positive and high-performing workplace culture. We also explore the value of continuous learning, emphasising that organisations investing in leadership development see improved engagement, productivity, and adaptability. Amanda shares practical strategies for fostering a culture of learning, supporting employees through change, and navigating challenges in today’s fast-paced business world. Throughout the conversation, Amanda provides actionable insights on how leaders can enhance communication, manage resistance to change, and create an environment where teams feel empowered and motivated.   Connect with Amanda: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandadowns2/ Website:  https://theuspiregroup.com/     ##########   If you are looking for a Blueprint to help you and your business manage uncertainty, deal with failure and navigate change then reach out to Julian at: julian@julianrobertsconsulting.com   You can buy my book "Weathering the Storm: A Guide to Building Resilient Teams" on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DFTYN2Y2   ##########

In this inspiring episode of Helping Organisations Thrive, we are joined by Felicity Ashley, a seasoned marketing leader, mother of three, and extraordinary individual who faced incredible challenges with remarkable resilience. Felicity shares the story of her incredible journey rowing across the Atlantic, a feat that tested her physically, mentally, and emotionally, all while unknowingly battling stage 3 bowel cancer. Throughout our conversation, Felicity discusses how her experiences with ocean rowing and overcoming cancer shaped her approach to leadership and resilience. She shares valuable insights on breaking big challenges into manageable steps, the importance of mindset in overcoming adversity, and the crucial role of support networks in facing life’s toughest moments. Felicity's story is a testament to the power of a positive mindset and how it can help us push through even the most difficult of times. Her upcoming book, “Stronger than the Storm”, and her latest endeavour, running the Everest Base Camp Marathon, are proof that life’s biggest challenges can become opportunities for growth and transformation.   Connect with Felicity: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/felicityashley/ Website:  https://www.felicityashley.com/     ##########   If you are looking for a Blueprint to help you and your business manage uncertainty, deal with failure and navigate change then reach out to Julian at: julian@julianrobertsconsulting.com   You can buy my book "Weathering the Storm: A Guide to Building Resilient Teams" on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DFTYN2Y2   ##########

Heather Jerrehian, a serial founder and tech executive, joins to discuss the transformative power of AI in the workforce. She emphasizes that AI should enhance human capabilities rather than replace them, allowing workers to focus on creativity and emotional intelligence. Heather explains the importance of talent visibility for business agility and the role of leaders in easing fears around AI. With a focus on ethical implementation, she encourages a collaborative approach to unlock innovation and potential in the age of AI.

In this episode of Helping Organisations Thrive, we welcome Dr. Laura Gabayan to discuss resilience through the lens of her Common Wisdom study. Inspired by her struggle with chronic Lyme disease and the lack of thinking outside the box during this time, Dr. Gabayan interviewed wise individuals to uncover the eight key elements of wisdom. As we delve into the eight key elements of wisdom, Dr. Gabayan shares how resilience is not just about enduring hardship but about shifting perspective—from “Why me?” to “Why not me?”. Many of the wise individuals she interviewed in her study had faced significant life challenges but moved forward with a sense of peace and kindness toward themselves. She emphasises that kindness is a strength, humility is a skill, and living in faith over fear fosters resilience. As the conversation continues, we discuss how leaders can cultivate wisdom by serving as role models, the importance of self-awareness in developing humility, and how younger generations can nurture wisdom in an era that often prioritises ego over growth.   Connect with Laura: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauragabayan/ Website: https://lauragabayan.com/   Buy Laura's book "Common Wisdom" on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Common-Wisdom-Scientific-Elements-Meaningful/dp/1956470913     ##########   If you are looking for a Blueprint to help you and your business manage uncertainty, deal with failure and navigate change then reach out to Julian at: julian@julianrobertsconsulting.com   You can buy my book "Weathering the Storm: A Guide to Building Resilient Teams" on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DFTYN2Y2   ##########

In this episode of Helping Organisations Thrive, we explore resilience through the lens of acceptance with guest Aaron Hill. Drawing from his military background, Aaron shares how resilience is not just about endurance but also about learning, self-awareness, and accepting where you are in life. Aaron discusses how a lack of awareness often holds people back from true acceptance and how shifting one’s perception of resilience can be transformative. Aaron highlights the daily habits that have helped him build resilience, including asking for help, understanding what works best for him, and maintaining the basics consistently. Reflecting on his own journey, Aaron emphasises the importance of questioning and self-exploration in developing awareness. His key advice? Go back to the basics. Take the time to understand what you need to care for yourself, how that impacts those around you, and embrace resilience as an ongoing journey of learning and growth.   Connect with Aaron: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-hill-synergy-coaching/     ##########   If you are looking for a Blueprint to help you and your business manage uncertainty, deal with failure and navigate change then reach out to Julian at: julian@julianrobertsconsulting.com   You can buy my book "Weathering the Storm: A Guide to Building Resilient Teams" on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DFTYN2Y2   ##########

In this episode of Helping Organisations Thrive, we are joined by Brendon Prince as he shares his journey as the first person to stand-up paddleboard around mainland Britain, breaking five world records in the process. Driven by his mission to prevent accidental drownings, Brendon explains how this ambitious challenge was designed to raise awareness for water safety. Brendon opens up about the fears and mental strain of the journey, from navigating dangerous headlands to losing his paddle far from shore. Brendon reveals how preparation, positivity, and breaking the challenge into manageable mental steps helped him stay focused on his goal. He also reflects on the concept of resilience itself, arguing that good preparation minimises the need for it, while poor planning forces reliance on it. Finally, Brendon shares humbling moments, such as his “orca moment,” that cut through ego and offered a fresh perspective on life’s challenges. His story highlights the power of consistency, showing how even small, steady steps can lead to extraordinary achievements.   Connect with Brendon: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendonprince/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brendonprincesup/ Website: https://brendonprince.com/   Here is a link to more about the water safety that Brendon shares about in the interview: https://brendonprince.com/pages/water-safety-1       ##########   If you are looking for a Blueprint to help you and your business manage uncertainty, deal with failure and navigate change then reach out to Julian at: julian@julianrobertsconsulting.com   You can buy my book "Weathering the Storm: A Guide to Building Resilient Teams" on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DFTYN2Y2   ##########

In this episode of Helping Organisations Thrive, I am joined by Sarah Katherine Schmidt as we explore the fascinating science of how our brains respond to change. Sarah dives into the psychology and neuroscience behind change management, offering actionable insights for leaders navigating transformation in their organisations. Sarah highlights the importance of self-awareness in leaders—understanding their own emotions and how they influence their response to change. Equally crucial is developing empathy for others, recognising the diverse ways team members process change. By fostering psychological safety, leaders can create a sense of inclusion and belonging, encouraging open conversations. The discussion unpacks strategies to elevate positive brain chemicals, like fostering excitement and championing change. Sarah also addresses the unique needs of those who feel more anxious about change, emphasising the need for structure, clear goals, and inclusive conversations to help them feel empowered and impactful.   Connect with Sarah: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahkatherineschmidt/ Website: https://peoplelogic.ai/     ##########   If you are looking for a Blueprint to help you and your business manage uncertainty, deal with failure and navigate change then reach out to Julian at: julian@julianrobertsconsulting.com   You can buy my book "Weathering the Storm: A Guide to Building Resilient Teams" on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DFTYN2Y2   ##########

In this episode of Helping Organisations Thrive, we welcome former Xero CEO Steve Vamos to discuss how leaders can navigate change effectively. Steve delves into the difference between gradual shifts and sudden shocks, emphasising that leaders who are comfortable with change can respond to shocks with a more measured approach. He shares strategies for avoiding overwhelm during constant change, such as focusing on what’s important and managing energy wisely. Steve highlights the critical role of mindset, stressing the importance of caring, connecting, and enabling others through vulnerability-based trust and genuine respect. Drawing on his experiences, Steve discusses how prioritisation, clear communication, and empathy are key to keeping teams motivated and rebuilding confidence after difficult situations. Reflecting on his career, Steve shares the lessons he’s learned: success comes from prioritising people and embracing a learner’s mindset.   Connect with Steve: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevevamos/ Website: https://www.stevevamos.com/     ##########   If you are looking for a Blueprint to help you and your business manage uncertainty, deal with failure and navigate change then reach out to Julian at: julian@julianrobertsconsulting.com   You can buy my book "Weathering the Storm: A Guide to Building Resilient Teams" on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DFTYN2Y2   ##########    

In this episode of Helping Organisations Thrive, Dr. Alia Bojilova, a former special forces psychologist, shares her unique insights on resilience through the lens of psychology and her military background. Alia highlights the critical role of curiosity in building resilience, helping individuals move beyond the fight, flight, or freeze response and engage more deeply with their environment. Reflecting on her experience of being taken hostage in Syria, Alia explains how curiosity enabled her to understand her captors' intentions and communicate effectively. She also shares how small acts of positivity, like a glance or a smile, can serve as powerful survival mechanisms in the face of challenges. We explore how leaders can cultivate curiosity within teams by fostering awareness, encouraging questions, and creating collaborative environments. Drawing further on Alia’s military background, we discuss the key traits that make special forces personnel elite and resilient: Self-awareness, a deep sense of belonging, curiosity, and the ability to maintain "subjective equilibrium." Alia also offers practical tools for leaders and team members to develop and enhance these traits within themselves.   Connect with Alia: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandrina-alia-bojilova/   Alia has published a book called "The Resilience Toolkit", here is a link to buy on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Resilience-Toolkit-four-step-process-potential/dp/1035415461/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3EXZMCOLEYEVU&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Xmfqt3PK3AGKd8OGRHisQew4DzwsVBdO2VWCUx5gTRKCk5sMDyDdjaf1JiyChLnyqK4O_4WFcxeaCGw_E7Y5Kw.jQdgWgycJtcl08xiVg4fx4DwZ4tPS4SRc-WPoSTXVVQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+resilience+toolkit+alia&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1733578887&sprefix=the+resilience+toolkit+alia%2Caps%2C66&sr=8-1     ##########   If you are looking for a Blueprint to help you and your business manage uncertainty, deal with failure and navigate change then reach out to Julian at: julian@julianrobertsconsulting.com   You can buy my book "Weathering the Storm: A Guide to Building Resilient Teams" on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DFTYN2Y2   ##########