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• 34. Choosing Kind Over Nice, Disagreeing Well, and the Art of Courageous Connection | Georgia Murch

  What if the conversations we're avoiding at work are exactly the ones that could transform everything?And what if there's a crucial difference between being nice to people and being truly kind to them – one that could revolutionise how you lead?Today I'm joined by Georgia Murch, founder of Can We Talk and someone who's spent over 25 years mastering what she calls "the dance" of building better cultures. Georgia's take is that most of us have lost the art of disagreeing well, and she's got some fascinating insights about why we're so conflict-avoidant – and what's possible when we learn to push through that discomfort.We explore why people hear your content but smell your intent, how to move from being a "magpie" or a "mouse" in conflict to becoming more like a "meerkat," and the surprising business impact of developing a solid meditation practice.Whether you're tiptoeing around difficult conversations or wondering how to create psychological safety while still holding people accountable, this conversation will change how you think about the courage required to truly serve others.Timestamps:(00:00) - The Difference Between Nice and Kind(17:51) - The Art of Disagreeing Well(27:09) - Embracing the Meerkat Within Us(31:38) - Meditation as a Tool for Clarity(34:50) - Leading with Freedom and Authenticity(43:03) - The Opportunity Beyond Conflict AvoidanceOther references:Brené Brown - “Dare to Lead”Thought Leaders Business SchoolThe Rest is Politics PodcastJennifer Garvey-Berger EpisodeAdam Cooper EpisodeYou can find Georgia at:Website: https://canwetalk.coLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgiamurch/Check out my services and offerings https://www.digbyscott.com/Subscribe to my newsletter https://www.digbyscott.com/subscribeFollow me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/digbyscott/

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• 33. What’s Your Commitment to Yourself?

  What if the clarity you're seeking isn't about having all the answers, but about cultivating deep conviction in what matters most to you?And what if the wobbly feeling you have when charting your own course isn't a sign you're on the wrong path, but evidence you're choosing authenticity over easy?In this solo episode, I reflect on a conversation that sparked some deep thinking about conviction and direction. Someone who knew me 25 years ago remembered my clarity of purpose during a time when I was actually feeling quite wobbly and uncertain. It got me wondering about the difference between confidence and conviction, and why one matters more than the other for sustained leadership impact.You'll explore:How major burnout at 32 led to life-changing clarity about what truly matteredWhy conviction can grow even when confidence feels shakyThe questions that form the foundation of authentic commitment to yourselfHow blind alleys and course corrections actually strengthen your sense of directionWhy comparing yourself to others' corporate trajectories misses the point entirelyThe relationship between authentic living and sustained impactHow to honour your values even when the path feels uncertainWhether you're questioning your current direction, feeling the strain of relentless effort, or simply curious about what it means to stay true to yourself over decades, this conversation offers a framework for cultivating the kind of conviction that becomes fuel for meaningful change.Sometimes the path that feels most uncertain in the moment becomes the only path that could have been truly yours. This episode explores why that paradox might be exactly what your leadership journey needs.Check out my services and offerings https://www.digbyscott.com/Subscribe to my newsletter https://www.digbyscott.com/subscribeFollow me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/digbyscott/

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• 32. Escaping the ‘Answer Trap’, and Why Slowing Down Speeds You Up

  Do you know that feeling when you're asked a question, you’re under pressure, so you reach for the nearest answer?Or when you're in a meeting and someone says "let's not overcomplicate this" or "we just need to make a decision" and something inside you knows you're moving too fast, but the momentum carries you forward anyway?This episode explores what Kate Christiansen calls "the Answer Trap," that invisible current pulling us toward quick closure when what we actually need is better thinking. Kate shares how our brains, when faced with disruption and complexity, default to comfort-seeking patterns that feel like progress but actually limit our capacity to navigate what's really happening. What if the biggest risk we face isn't making the wrong decision, but stopping our thinking too soon?Kate Christiansen is a ‘cognitive detective’ who's spent decades helping leaders think more clearly when it matters most. Having lived through disruptive environments her entire career, she's developed an uncanny ability to see patterns in complexity that others miss. Kate is the author of "The Answer Trap," a book that names something we've all experienced but never had language for. In this episode, you'll discover:How to recognise the five "autopilot" thinking patterns that drag us toward premature answersWhy disruption makes us crave closure and how this creates a cycle of reactive decision-makingHow to switch from autopilot to "copilot" by partnering with your brain rather than being controlled by itWhy asking "What am I thinking right now?" is the simplest way to break free from default patternsHow AI both amplifies the answer trap and offers new ways to enhance our thinkingWhy the "dodo effect" threatens our cognitive abilities and what we can do about itHow to create "surface piercing questions" that move beyond comfortable answersWhy slowing down in conversations actually accelerates better outcomesTimestamps:(00:00) - The Dodo Effect and Outsourcing Thinking(10:57) - The Answer Trap: Understanding the Problem(20:17) - The Relationship with AI: A Double-Edged Sword(27:39) - Understanding Autopilots in Decision Making(32:20) - Breaking Free from Autopilot Thinking(46:09) - The Power of Naming the Answer TrapOther references:Curly Conversations for Teams Book| Kate ChristiansenThe Answer Trap | Kate ChristiansenThe Thrive Cycle | Kate ChristiansenGrowth Mindset | Carol DweckChat GPTYou can find Kate at:Website: www.katechristiansen.com.auLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katechristiansen/Check out my services and offerings

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• 31. Everyone's Viewpoints Make Sense to Them: Why Listening Beats Arguing Every Time

  Ever found yourself in a conversation where someone's perspective seems completely wrong to you? Where your first instinct is to correct them, challenge them, or prove your point? What if that instinct is actually blocking you from real connection and genuine influence?This solocast explores a powerful encounter on a flight that challenged everything about how we engage with differing viewpoints. You'll discover why everyone's perspectives make perfect sense to them, even when they seem completely at odds with your own beliefs. Understanding this changes everything about your ability to connect and lead.Through a candid story about a conversation on US politics and South Africa, I'll show you how curiosity beats critique every time, and why meeting people where they're at without judgment opens doors that argument slams shut. This isn't about agreeing with everyone – it's about expanding your own perspective and building the kind of understanding that creates real influence.You'll learn:Why your first instinct to correct someone's "wrong" viewpoint limits your leadershipHow to listen for understanding rather than listening to respondThe difference between proving your point and improving your viewpointWhy meeting people where they're at is essential for genuine connectionHow expanding your perspective gives you greater awareness of the complex world we're leading inPractical ways to ask questions that deepen understanding rather than create defensivenessWhy curiosity and judgment can't coexist – and which one actually creates influenceWhether you're navigating difficult conversations at work, trying to understand different perspectives in your community, or simply wanting to become a more effective communicator, this episode will shift how you approach every interaction where viewpoints differ.Check out my services and offerings https://www.digbyscott.com/Subscribe to my newsletter https://www.digbyscott.com/subscribeFollow me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/digbyscott/

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• 30. Letting Others Shape the Vision, Curiosity Over Certainty, and Why Leadership Isn't About You | Andrew Little

  What if the most courageous leadership decision you ever make isn't about charging forward, but about stepping aside? And what if the key to authentic influence isn't having all the answers, but mastering the paradox of deep confidence paired with genuine curiosity?This episode explores the delicate balance between ego and humility that defines transformational leadership. We dive deep into how brutal self-honesty can become your greatest strength, why emotional intelligence is no longer optional for leaders, and how creating space for others to contribute might be the missing piece in your leadership approach.Andrew Little is a figure who redefined political courage in New Zealand by making one of the gutsiest calls in the country's political history: resigning as Labour Party leader just weeks before an election to make way for Jacinda Ardern. A former union leader turned politician, Andrew brings a unique perspective on leadership forged through decades of navigating complex stakeholder relationships, from representing workers to serving as a cabinet minister. His journey from a conservative household to progressive leadership offers profound insights into how our views can evolve while our core values remain steadfast.You'll discover:How to balance confidence with "wonderance": the art of remaining curious while holding firm convictionsWhy reading your opponents' views strengthens rather than weakens your positionHow to create psychological safety where no viewpoint is considered "dumb" and everyone has access to leadershipWhy the phrase "you're either there to make decisions or make friends" misses the point of collaborative leadershipHow to process significant setbacks without letting them derail your purpose or self-worthWhy showing appropriate emotion in leadership is a superpower rather than a weaknessHow to navigate opposing views by finding shared values and common groundWhy the question "what is the why?" becomes your most powerful tool for building understandingTimestamps:(00:00) - The Paradox of Leadership(11:18) - The Decision to Step Aside(14:39) - Processing Emotions in Leadership(20:44) - The Role of Collective Leadership(26:00) - Navigating Opposing Views(30:33) - The State of Leadership TodayOther references:1981 Springbok Tour in New ZealandAndrew Little resignation as Labour LeaderEngineering, Printing and Manufacturing UnionAndrew Little to run for Wellington MayoraltyYou can find Andrew at:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewlittle-nz/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/andrewlittlenz/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrewlittlenzBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/andrewlittlenz.bsky.socialX :

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