How many of us feel the urge to run away, hide or simply observe the foetal position when faced with the prospect of conflict? What if we were able to reframe that experience and begin to believe - really believe - that too much conflict is never enough? That conflict is the very fuel that drives both, our own growth and positive relationships with our colleagues?

Fiona McKenzie believes just that!

However, we don't just need to reframe our relationship to conflict to allow us to find this path. We also need to rethink what we mean by the very word 'conflict'.

On this episode, KG and Paul talk to Fiona about her work in negotiation. She is the Founding Director of Resolving Matters, a consultancy that works with teams and leaders to build negotiation skills that are rarely taught to us. Rather than leave it to osmosis or magic, she delves deeply to understand the stakes, surfacing the required skills for the situation and helps leaders practice in the real world.

Of course, this wonderful conversation was had over a gorgeous French white: A 2022 Delas Côtes du Rhône, from Maison Delas Frѐres. A juicy and clean drop that makes you want to dance by the right river bank! As always, thank you Annadale Cellars!

Sláinte friends!

Useful resources from this episode:

1. Resolving Matters

We're keen to hear what you thought of this conversation. Please let us know through either of the options below.

Please reach out on askus@leadershipdecanted.com or visit us at www.leadershipdecanted.com

Disagree or agree with anything we've said? How wrong are we?!? Are there any leadership topics you'd like us to discuss (or perhaps other books or podcasts that might set us straight!)? Maybe you'd like to recommend a favourite wine!

Whatever tickles your fancy, we'd love to hear from you!!

Paul & KG are back with their Cheeky Halves after a brief and unplanned hiatus. They have not, however, been idle during this time. In fact, KG in particular has been deep in reflection, wondering about all the leadership hats that might be available to us all, but also having a bit of trouble working out how best to wear those hats. Subsequently they both kick around some ideas around authenticity and risk.

We'd love to hear what you thought of this conversation.

Please feel free to send us your thoughts, comments and suggestions any time.

Sláinte friends!

Some useful resources from this episode:

1. The episode KG & Paul are referring to: (5.03) Artist, Academic, Activist: Leadership's Many Hats

Please let us know through either of the options below.

Please reach out on askus@leadershipdecanted.com or visit us at www.leadershipdecanted.com

Disagree or agree with anything we've said? How wrong are we?!? Are there any leadership topics you'd like us to discuss (or perhaps other books or podcasts that might set us straight!)? Maybe you'd like to recommend a favourite wine!

Serious. Social. Play. WTF?!?

On this episode, KG and Paul welcomed Chris Maxwell and Marcus Crow, the duo behind the consulting firm 10,000 Hours and the digital product company Pod & Hive to discuss their unique approach to leadership development, built on a conversation that began 18 years ago.

Their methodology centres on what they call "serious social play" - using simulated sandbox environments for teams to practice navigating complexity. These are not typical team-building exercises.

The goal of these games is to shift the focus from the individuals ('nodes') to the 'links' between them. Most development targets individuals, leaving the crucial work of building effective group dynamics to chance. Marcus and Chris' work explores what happens in those links; how teams handle ambiguity, compete, or collaborate when faced with a novel problem, as they find themselves in a 'complex state'. By shortening the feedback loop between action and outcome, these simulations make the team's invisible dynamics visible and discussable.

This conversation highlights a simple but powerful idea: if you want teams to perform at their best, you have to give them space and time to practice, and to take that practice seriously. By embracing a high 'practice to play' ratio, teams build muscle to improve collaboration and help them navigate inevitable uncertainty of day-to-day organisational life.

Of course, this is only one in many topics of this free-wheeling conversation. What helped make it so fluid and effortless, apart from the amazing generosity of the guests, was an equally amazing wine! Our friends at Annandale Cellars provided a 2023 Gounyan Wines, Murrumbateman Syrah, a delicious, fruity red that will make every conversation an enjoyable one!

Sláinte friends!

Useful resources from this episode:

1. 10,000 Hours
2. PodandHive
3. Shivoo

We're keen to hear what you thought of this conversation. Please let us know through either of the options below.

Please reach out on askus@leadershipdecanted.com or visit us at www.leadershipdecanted.com

Disagree or agree with anything we've said? How wrong are we?!? Are there any leadership topics you'd like us to discuss (or perhaps other books or podcasts that might set us straight!)? Maybe you'd like to recommend a favourite wine!

Whatever tickles your fancy, we'd love to hear from you!!