Business Problems Solved Podcast

Lee explores the importance of effectively engaging the hearts and senses of people when leading and implementing change. He emphasises the power of words, pictures, and emotions in creating a strong connection with individuals. Lee highlights the significance of creating a vision that resonates with people and involves them in the process, as it increases their level of commitment and engagement. He shares personal experiences, such as his running journey, to illustrate the impact of words and motivation on taking positive action. KEY TAKEAWAYS Engaging the hearts of people is crucial when leading and implementing change. Different people resonate with different things, so it's important to use a combination of words, pictures, and emotions to create a meaningful impact. Creating a vision picture without accompanying words may only engage a portion of the audience while using both words and visuals can engage more people. Involving people in the creation process can increase their level of engagement and buy-in. Tapping into the senses of people, such as what they see and hear, can help create a strong feeling that motivates positive action. BEST MOMENTS "When we are delivering change, when we're leading people, it's really important that we recognise that everybody is different."  "People will forget what you've said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you make them feel."  "If you create a vision picture, without the words, it'll only engage a number of your people." "You either involve them in the creation of something... Then they're going to feel something about it."  "The best way to create a positive action towards a destination is to create a feeling, a strong enough feeling that makes it compelling to do something."  HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Lee discusses the parallels between his marathon training journey and running a business. He shares his experiences and lessons learned from his training, emphasising the importance of paying attention to the small details and not sweating the unimportant stuff. Lee also talks about the value of seeking guidance and feedback from experienced individuals to understand what truly matters.  KEY TAKEAWAYS The importance of sweating the small stuff: Paying attention to the small details is crucial for achieving success, whether it's in personal goals or in business. Clarity is essential: Having a clear understanding of the direction, purpose, and destination is crucial for making progress and focusing on the important tasks. Conscious effort leads to improvement: By consciously putting effort into the important tasks, individuals can continuously improve and achieve their goals. Consistency is key: Consistently applying oneself and working on the small things over time is necessary for long-term success. Seek guidance and learn from others: Recognise the importance of seeking advice and learning from those who have experience in the field to gain a deeper understanding of what is important and how to improve. BEST MOMENTS "Don't sweat the unimportant stuff, not don't sweat the small stuff, because I think the small stuff is really, really important." "It's the small stuff that's going to help us achieve. Whether that's personal goals, like the marathon or ultramarathon, or whether that's in business today, tomorrow." "80% of your successes, 80% of your progress, 80% of your improvements are going to be delivered by the small things, by understanding the small things."  "You can only really understand the small stuff, which is the important stuff, if you're conscious about it. If you're conscious about doing, when you're doing and the activities that we're talking about."  "I am training, I am progressing, I am getting there, but it's only by working on the small things, and that's what's gonna allow me to achieve what I've set out to achieve." HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

This episode explores the importance of conversation in today's technology-driven world. Lee highlights how distractions and short-form communication have led to a loss of the art of conversation. Lee emphasises the need for engaging and meaningful conversations to solve business problems and improve personal relationships. He shares his own experience of transitioning from scripted questions to open-ended conversations in his podcast interviews. Lee believes that by prioritising conversation and being present in our interactions, we can foster connection, generate new ideas, and ultimately solve more problems.  KEY TAKEAWAYS The biggest challenge in today's world is the loss of the art of conversation. Technology has made communication faster and more convenient, but it has also led to shorter, less meaningful conversations. Conversations breed connection, allow for the sharing of thoughts and ideas, and can lead to problem-solving. Many conversations today are focused and process-driven, lacking depth and exploration of thoughts and minds. To have better conversations, it is important to create a suitable environment, be open and present, ask questions, and actively listen and respond. BEST MOMENTS "I think we may have lost the art of conversation and we need to get back to a place where we can start having conversations with people."  "I think the biggest challenge we've got is actually conversing, conversing and having conversations effectively." "The art of conversation, you might absolutely disagree with me at this point, and I can understand why, because you're in so many conversations every single day, but they are focused dialogues."  "I think everybody is only one question away from their next conversation. One question. And you, that can start amazing, amazing exploratory conversations."  "I think every business problem can be solved through a conversation. Every life problem can be solved through a conversation."  HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Join Lee as he reflects on the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on various industries over the past year. He draws a parallel between AI and artificial grass, highlighting the advantages and limitations of both. While AI offers predictability and efficiency, human intelligence possesses emotional depth and adaptability. Lee emphasises the importance of leveraging technology to enhance productivity and problem-solving, but also warns against over-reliance on it, as it can hinder effective communication and critical thinking.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Artificial intelligence (AI) will continue to be leveraged and used in various industries in 2024. Technology, including AI, machine learning, and automation, can help businesses improve their operations and customer service. While technology provides predictable and repeatable answers, human intelligence is still valuable due to our emotional and experiential nature. The use of technology should not hinder communication and connection among individuals and teams. Leaders should focus on developing the thinking of their people, asking better questions, and engaging them more frequently to overcome communication challenges and foster growth. BEST MOMENTS "Last year, ChatGPT made a difference, it made an impact in a number of industries and it started to be leveraged."  "AI can help with simple responses to customer queries. It can produce copy for social media posts, but it can't replicate fully humans because we are emotional."  "The more we leverage technology, the greater gap we create with our communication on a human level."  "The more we live in this world, the more we need to leverage and understand that. And then we need to learn how to communicate more effectively."  "We need to make every person think more than they are doing now. We need to grow, develop and care for our people." HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

In this final episode of 2023, Lee reflects on the year and shares personal challenges, including his training for the London Marathon and an ultra marathon in 2024. He discusses the parallels between his training journey and the challenges faced in leadership. Lee emphasises the importance of having a compelling vision, making goals tangible and relatable, and creating accountability through public commitment. He also explores the four C's: connection, conversations, collaboration, and celebration, and how they apply to business and team success. KEY TAKEAWAYS The power of making goals public and being held accountable: Lee mentions that by making his charity events public, he is being held accountable by friends, family, and colleagues. This highlights the importance of sharing goals with others to increase motivation and accountability. The significance of effective communication and collaboration: Lee discusses the need for clear communication and collaboration within teams and organisations. They talk about the importance of having regular conversations, creating a safe environment for sharing ideas, and collaborating on key challenges. The value of effort and putting in one's best abilities: Lee reflects on the concept of effort and how it is often underestimated. He discusses the need to not just do something, but to do it to the best of one's abilities. This applies to achieving goals, having meaningful conversations, and celebrating success. The continuous nature of improvement and reflection: Lee emphasises that the journey towards achieving goals and implementing the four C's (connection, conversation, collaboration, celebration) is an ongoing process. He encourages reflection on past efforts and the commitment to continuously improve and apply the principles discussed. BEST MOMENTS "This year I just reminded again how short life is and how I don't contribute and support those that have either going through the challenges dealing with with cancer and other things, also I want to help those who are trying to cure it as as well so that's that's the motivating factor behind the charity events." "Having clarity of destination, having belief in being able to get there, making it tangible and making it relatable to every single individual in the team and letting them know what their contribution is into achieving it."  "We need to be connected on the vision. We need to be connected as people and with people. We need to be connected together with purpose. We need to be connected to make sure our communication flows effectively." "Your effort is on a scale and you might put more effort into some things than other things. And are you truly putting the right levels of effort into successful delivery of the four Cs?"  "Are you doing it? Or are you really doing it? That's my reflection for 2023." HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.  

Lee explores the concept of putting your body where your priorities are. He challenges the common practice of leaders simply sending emails or making phone calls about their priorities, and instead encourages leaders to physically show up and contribute to the work that aligns with their number one priority. By being present both physically and mentally, leaders can demonstrate their support and care for their teams, ultimately creating a more engaged workforce.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Putting your body where your priorities are: Lee emphasises the importance of physically showing up and being present in the places where your priorities lie. This means going beyond sending emails or making phone calls and actively engaging with the work and the people involved. Clarity on priorities: It is crucial to have a clear understanding of what your top priority is. This allows you to focus your efforts and resources on the most important task or goal that will have the greatest impact on your business. Conscious effort: Making a conscious effort involves both physical and mental presence. Physically showing up at the workplace and actively supporting your team, as well as mentally being fully engaged and present in the moment, without distractions. Consistency: Consistency is key in building trust and engagement with your team. It means consistently showing up and being present, not just during emergencies or high-pressure situations, but on a regular basis. This helps create a sense of reliability and care for your employees. Caring for your people: Lee talks about the importance of genuinely caring for your team. By putting your body and mind where your priorities are, you demonstrate that you value and support your employees. This leads to a more engaged workforce and fosters a positive work environment. BEST MOMENTS "I don't think there's anything more powerful than a leader turning up to the place that is contributing their efforts towards delivering against your number one priority." "What I'm talking about here is not sending emails, not making phone calls, not tasking others, but you going to the place of work, putting your body where the priority is."  "If everything's a priority, then nothing is a priority." "I believe that one of the most important ways that you can get across that you care about your people is when things are going right or wrong, you are consistently turning up, consistently showing up."  "I think everybody can do it more. But I think we've got to do it right. So that comes down to these three C's: clarity on the priority, conscious effort physically and mentally being present, and then thirdly, doing it consistently."  HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

In this episode, Lee Horton explores the complexities of communication and the challenges that arise when messages are not received as intended. Lee emphasises the importance of consistently and clearly communicating messages multiple times to ensure they are understood by different individuals. He shares the six key factors in any communication process into six key factors and talks about how acknowledging these factors and actively checking for understanding can help set up leaders for success. KEY TAKEAWAYS Communication is a complex process: There are multiple factors that can affect how a message is received and understood, including our senses, thoughts, words, environment, and the listener's interpretation. Consistency is key: To ensure that messages are understood, it is important to communicate consistently and repeatedly. One-time communication may lead to misunderstandings or the message being lost. Check for understanding: It is crucial to verify that the intended message has been understood correctly. This can be done by asking for feedback or engaging in conversations to clarify any confusion. Consider different mediums: Sharing messages through various mediums, such as in-person conversations, emails, or presentations, can increase the chances of effective communication and understanding. Give people the opportunity to succeed: By communicating clearly and consistently, we can provide others with the best chance to act on our messages and achieve success in their tasks or responsibilities. The communication process can be broken into six key factors: senses, thoughts, words with intent, environment, ears of the listener, and their understanding and subsequent actions.  By acknowledging these factors and actively checking for understanding, leaders can improve their communication effectiveness and increase the likelihood of successful outcomes. BEST MOMENTS "The art or the secret of communication is what has been heard, not what has been said." "Different people receive messages in different ways...we need to give everybody the greatest opportunity to truly understand what we mean in our words by saying them multiple, multiple times."  "If you only give a message once, then there is a high likelihood that that message will not be received in the intended way."  "Words are just labels for things, then my labels need to match your labels. And the only way we know that is by speaking to people and actually understanding that the labels, the words that we use for different things, mean the same thing."  "What can you do to help ensure that your messages land more effectively with your people, give them a greater chance of success and doing the things that you'd like them to do by maybe communicating a little bit more, communicating clearer and checking understanding."  HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.  

Lee opens up in this episode, sharing a personal experience of feeling overwhelmed and struggling to manage his time effectively. He reflects on the importance of structure and prioritisation to avoid becoming overwhelmed and unproductive. Lee emphasises the need for clarity, conscious effort, and consistency in managing one's schedule and making time for important tasks. He also highlights the limited nature of time and the importance of being kind to oneself by prioritising and sticking to a structured schedule. KEY TAKEAWAYS Time management is crucial: Managing your time effectively begins with making a conscious effort to prioritise tasks.  Structure helps prevent overwhelm: Lee acknowledges that while they used to believe they were more creative and could go with the flow, they now recognise the need for structure when their task list becomes overwhelming. Having a structured schedule allows for better productivity and prevents feelings of being overwhelmed. Clarity on priorities is essential: Lee highlights the importance of having clarity on what is truly important. He suggests understanding one's priorities and making conscious efforts to stick to them, even when faced with a busy schedule. Consistency is key: Consistency is essential to follow through with tasks and commitments. It's important to be consistent in applying your schedule and making conscious efforts to do what you say you will do at the designated times. Be kind to yourself: Lee encourages being kind to yourself and recognising the need to prioritise personal well-being.  BEST MOMENTS "I tend to put off the tasks that I really should be doing, which then compounds the problem."  "I've realised the importance of structure... I really need to be strict with my time and with my structure and be kind to myself."  "Do you turn up and just go through the day being led by the diary that other people have maybe put in a load of meetings and you're just going from meeting to meeting that you've not actually put in based on your priorities?"  "We need to have complete clarity on our priorities and what's important to us."  "We need to remember that time's limited... always make time for the important stuff."  HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Lee shares a personal story about his son's confidence and how it relates to building successful teams in business. Lee's son, Jack, plays for two football teams and has different levels of confidence and involvement with each team. Lee introduces the concept of the "Q for Confidence" formula, which includes comfort, understanding, and effort. Lee talks about the importance of creating a comfortable and supportive environment for team members to build their confidence and perform at their best.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Confidence is situational: Confidence levels can vary depending on the situation and the level of comfort one feels in that particular environment. The Q for Confidence formula: Lee talks about the Q for Confidence formula, which consists of three elements: comfort, understanding, and effort. By assessing and improving these factors, individuals can enhance their confidence levels in different situations. Building connection and intimacy: Building connection and intimacy within a team can boost confidence. Activities like social events, team bonding exercises, and creating a supportive environment can contribute to increased comfort and confidence. Trust and confidence: There is a parallel between trust and confidence, they are often interconnected. Building trust within a team can enhance confidence levels and create a more positive work environment. Enabling confidence in others: Consider how you can enable confidence in your team members. Reflect on whether you are creating a comfortable and supportive space for individuals to thrive and perform at their best. BEST MOMENTS "I want to talk about confidence of my son because there's been some interesting developments." "I have seen it play out with Jack that his actual confidence levels are different and his level of involvement and interaction is different." "Do you trust? Do you have confidence? Do your people have confidence in you?" "Nobody comes to work to do a bad job, do they? But do we really enable our people to do a good job?"  HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Join Lee as he discusses the importance of the four C's: Connect, Converse, Collaborate, and Celebrate. He challenges listeners to reflect on how effectively they are applying these principles within their teams. He also encourages listeners to have clarity in their understanding, be conscious in their actions, and remain consistent in their messaging and activities. By doing so, the four C's become a living and breathing system rather than a one-off activity. KEY TAKEAWAYS The four C's are Connect, Converse, Collaborate, and Celebrate. These four C's are essential for effective teamwork and problem-solving in a business setting. The speaker emphasises the importance of connection in various contexts, such as connecting with an audience, connecting with team members, and connecting different elements in an online ecosystem. The three additional C's that can enhance the implementation of the four C's are Clarity, Consciousness, and Consistency. These three C's help ensure that the application of the four C's is meaningful and ongoing rather than a one-off activity. Clarity is crucial in understanding the meaning and purpose of connection, while consciousness involves actively working towards delivering on that clarity. Consistency is important in maintaining a consistent message and actions in achieving the goals of connection. The speaker acknowledges that the concept of the four C's and three additional C's may be confusing and seeks feedback from listeners to improve clarity and understanding. The ultimate goal is to make the four C's a living and breathing entity in daily business practices. BEST MOMENTS "I wanna give you another lens to look through these 4 Cs and really focus on the first one around connection."  "So that, the ecosystem, my online ecosystem is connecting all of my products, all of my communications and my narratives together to provide the fullest suite of information that I can."  "The big challenge with the four C's is making them live and breathe every single day."  "Let me know whether you think I've absolutely lost the plot or let me know whether it's resonating with you in any way, shape or form."  Business Problems Solved Podcast You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.