Authentic Ewe

In this episode of The Authentic Ewe Podcast, I sit down with Debbie Nicol — one of the world’s most recognised experts in The Leadership Challenge.Deb shares a powerful truth most leaders forget:You can’t just do leadership. You have to be a leader people want to follow.We explore:• What separates “doing leadership” from being a leader• Why credibility and consistency matter more than tactics• How the Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership work in real life• The link between DISC behaviour and leadership effectiveness• Why executive presence is misunderstood — and how Deb reframes it through Presence Pro• How disconnection shows up in workplaces, and what real leaders do differently• The behavioural shifts that turn managers into trusted, influential leadersThis conversation is grounded, practical and deeply human — a must-listen for leaders who want their influence to actually land.🔗 Resources MentionedPresence Pro – Executive Presence Self-Assessment (Free)https://presencepro.ai/The Leadership Challenge – Kouzes & Posnerhttps://www.leadershipchallenge.comDebie Nicol on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/debbienicol/

When high-performing women lose themselves inside emotionally unsafe environments, the body often speaks long before the mind catches up. In this raw and deeply human conversation, Pettina Shangdon shares the untold truth about nervous system breakdown, identity collapse, and the long road back to coherence, clarity, and self-trust.This episode will resonate with anyone who has ever felt “not themselves” at work or in relationship dynamics that slowly erode safety. Pettina’s story blends lived experience with a grounded, trauma-informed perspective that echoes the teachings of Dr Jill Bolte Taylor and Viktor Frankl — reminding us that healing is not about perfection, but about reconnecting to the self we abandoned along the way.Together, we explore: – What nervous system overwhelm actually feels like – How high achievers ignore early warning signs – The moment Pettina realised she no longer recognised herself – Emotional manipulation, dissociation & “freezing” under pressure – The slow, compassionate process of rebuilding identity – Why coherence and authenticity matter more than resilience – How leaders can create emotionally safe environments for humans to thrive – Choosing truth, connection and meaning — even in complexityThis is a powerful story of rupture, repair and returning home to yoursel🔗 Links & ResourcesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pettinashangdon/Feature Articles by Pettina: • The Cost of Losing Yourself https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/cost-losing-yourself-pettina-shangdon/ • When Your Nervous System Takes the Wheel https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/when-your-nervous-system-takes-wheel-pettina-shangdon/✨ Referenced in the EpisodeDr Jill Bolte Taylor – Whole Brain Living (WBL) Official Website: https://www.drjillboltetaylor.com/ TED Talk – My Stroke of Insight: https://www.ted.com/talks/jill_bolte_taylor_my_stroke_of_insight Whole Brain Living Framework: https://www.drjillboltetaylor.com/whole-brain-livingViktor Frankl Man’s Search for Meaning (Book): https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4069.Man_s_Search_for_Meaning Logotherapy Overview: https://www.viktorfrankl.org/

Dr. Mark Scullard joins Penelope to reveal how insecurities and core needs drive all our workplace behaviors—and why true empowerment is personal, not one-size-fits-all.Discover:How misguided “empowerment” can cause real damage (and how to do it right)The secret ways core insecurities shape feedback, leadership, and team cultureWhy the DISC model isn’t perfect, but is THE practical map for understanding workplace differencesReal stories and actionable advice using the leading-edge Catalyst platform and Work Smart modulesWhether you’re a leader, HR pro, or just ready to work smarter, this remastered episode delivers the tools and mindset you need for genuine impact—today.Key Takeaways:Empowerment looks different for everyone. Without understanding personal needs, even well-meant leadership can backfire.Our insecurities and core drives are always at play. Leadership is about understanding and channeling them positively.DISC is an actionable model—use it as a map, not a box—to decode what makes each teammate unique.Features Wiley’s Catalyst platform & Work Smart modules—making these insights truly usable in the flow of work.Useful Links:https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-scullard-25314b8/ https://www.everythingdisc.com/learning-that-lasts/ Enjoying the remastered edition?🎧 Hit subscribe, share this version, and leave a review!Keep listening for more leadership breakthroughs—visit the links above for resources and support.

What if leadership was less about control and more about connection?In this heartfelt conversation, Andy Johnson joins Penelope to share what decades in the fire brigade, sport, and corporate life have taught him about leading through trust, courage, and genuine human connection.Connect with Andy Johnson on LinkedIn Explore Agile EQ®: https://www.authenticewe.com/agile-eq

In this episode of the Authentic Ewe Podcast, I sit down with Dave Snowden, founder of The Cynefin Company. Dave challenges the mainstream view of psychological safety, framing it not as comfort but as a signal system that reveals risks, patterns, and trust gaps in complex organisations.We explore how leaders can use Cynefin, SenseMaker®, safe-to-fail experiments, and trios to navigate uncertainty and create authentic workplaces where people can thrive.Links: Cynefin resources | Cynefin framework | SenseMaker® subscription | Premium Membership | Dave Snowden on LinkedIn

Penelope Aiken is a recognised leader in organisational development, with more than 20 years of experience in leadership development and culture transformation. She is the founder of Authentic Ewe, where she helps organisations embed evidence-based frameworks such as Everything DiSC®, The Five Behaviors®, and The Leadership Challenge®.Penelope is also an ICF Accredited Coach and High-Performance Facilitator, bringing a unique blend of coaching expertise and facilitation to her work with leaders and teams.Her passion is simple but powerful: helping organisations create places people love to work — where people feel safe, deeply connected, and able to show up as their authentic selves so they can truly thrive.