MWM Episode 240: What's the Conversation You're Avoiding?
Send us a textThe Core QuestionWhat conversation has been sitting in the back of your mind, taking up mental bandwidth?Why We Avoid ConversationsHoping it will just go awayFear of conflict or discomfortLack of preparationEmotional reactivityThe Two Negative Outcomes of DelayOption 1: Extended delayPhysical effects: not sleeping, overthinkingBuilds up exhaustionWhen you finally have it, you're depletedOption 2: React without preparationHave it while angry or unpreparedDon't get the outcome you wantDamages the relationshipThe One ExceptionPermission to delay: If you are so emotional that you can't have the conversation without keeping your emotions in check, take processing time. Otherwise, have it early.The Action StepIdentify the conversation you've been avoidingSet a time: "I'm doing this in two hours"Put a little thought into itGet it doneIt's not going anywhere (unless they get hit by a bus - and then you'll regret not having it)
--------
2:56
--------
2:56
Episode 239: Is It Good? Is It Bad? It Just Is: Lessons in Resilience
Send us a textIs It Good? Is It Bad? It Just Is: Lessons in ResilienceFresh off a 17-hour flight from New York and jetlagged beyond belief, Sacha joins Ish to talk about resilience, mental fortitude, and adapting when things go spectacularly wrong. This episode is raw, real, and packed with stories about handling crisis situations—from emergency room visits in New York to water landings in Fiji—and the lessons we can apply to workplace challenges.Key Topics DiscussedHuman Adaptation & ResilienceHow quickly we adjust to unexpected circumstances (from rookie to pro in 24 hours)The triumph of the human spirit in rapidly adapting to new normsAbove and below the line thinking: be open, be curious, and remember that eventually everything's funny from a distancePlaying to Strengths in CrisisRecognising the different roles people can play when things go wrongNot everyone needs to respond the same wayEveryone needs to respond with purpose in the forward directionDon't get stuck in "this is terrible"—move toward solutionsWorkplace ApplicationsHow do we respond when things are genuinely hard?The choice: spread misery or move things forwardWhat's the ONE thing you can do that makes things better?Delivers more value, helps more people, or makes this a more fun place to workKey Takeaways for LeadersAdaptation Speed Matters: The faster you can accept and adjust to new circumstances, the faster you can move forwardReframe the Narrative: Practice the "is it good/is it bad/it just is" mindsetLeverage Different Strengths: In a crisis, let people contribute according to their strengthsForward Motion Over Perfection: Focus on what moves things forward, not on perfect solutionsChoose Your Response: You can't always control what happens, but you can control whether you add to the problem or the solutionAction Items for ListenersThis week, when something goes wrong (and it will):Pause and ask: "Is this good? Is this bad? Or does it just...is?"Identify: What's ONE thing you can do to move forward?Recognise: What strengths can you (and your team) bring to this situation?Remember: Eventually, everything's funny from a distance—how quickly can you get there?Episode Number: 238The Not So Breakfast Show - A podcast for leadership and career developmentSometimes the best lessons come from when things go spectacularly wrong.
--------
31:23
--------
31:23
MWM Episode 238: Check the Question Before You Answer
Send us a textMID WEEK MINI: Check the Question Before You AnswerEver start talking and hope your brain catches up with your mouth? Yeah, we've all been there. Join Ish and Sacha as they share the power of the pause and the phrases that help you actually answer the question being asked (not the one you think you heard).Key Phrases to Have Ready:"Before I answer, let me check - are you primarily interested in X or Y?""Can I ask you to clarify?""Help me understand, are we talking about this... or is it more than that?""Just so we're all on the same page, can I summarise what we've covered..."The Process:Take a moment - don't answer straight awayBreathe in, fill your brain with oxygen (actually helpful!)Use a clarifying phrase to buy time and ensure understandingCheck if everyone in the room is having the same conversationThe Payoff: Helps meetings be more effective, go faster, and reduces waffle and noise. When you answer the actual question asked, everyone wins.
--------
3:05
--------
3:05
MWM Episode 237: Building Your Team's Street Cred
Send us a textMID WEEK MINIYour team is doing amazing work - but does anyone else know about it? Join Ish and Sacha as they explore how to build your team's credibility beyond simply stating "we've been working on this" and actually spotlight the individual contributors doing the heavy lifting.Key Takeaways:Move beyond collective "we" language - call out individuals by nameGive credit even when team members aren't in the room - builds brand equityNot many people resist having others know they're doing a good jobBUT - don't blindside them by asking them to present without prepThe Reality Check: Ish kept saying "we record and we edit" about the podcast, but Sacha called BS - "No, you do, and I'm happy for Ish to have all the cred because he's the one doing the work." Give credit where credit is actually due.Why It Matters: It's good for you, good for the team, good for the entire culture. Why wouldn't we give out cookies more often?Staff meeting takeoverWould you like us to crash your staff meeting? Reach out, let's chat!
--------
4:59
--------
4:59
Midweek Mini Episode 236 - The Power of Micro-feedback
Send us a textMid-Week Mini -The Power of MicrofeedbackStop saving up feedback for formal reviews and start creating momentum shifts in real-time. Join Ish and Sacha as they break down why waiting six months to give someone feedback is completely unfair and how those little "you've got something in your teeth" moments can transform your team's performance.Key Takeaways:Give feedback immediately after sessions - pick one thing to work on for next timeIt's unfair to dump six months of feedback on someone all at onceSet up feedback culture early: "We grow fast around here - how do you like to receive feedback?"When asking for feedback, be specific on what you're after Ask yourself: Have I given this person the courtesy of a conversation before holding a grudge?The Question: Whenever you're frustrated with someone's performance, ask yourself - have you actually told them? Often, we haven't even mentioned it, but we continue to harbour grudges in our minds. That's unfair and it's stupid.
Listen, laugh and learn as we share our latest thoughts about staying relevant, contemporary leadership and doing life right. Ish Cheyne is the Head of Fitness in New Zealand for global fitness juggernaut Les Mills. Sacha Coburn is the COO of Coffee Culture, a leading group of boutique coffee shops, and the co-founder of The Company You Keep.co.nz.
New Zealand