How They Lead

SummaryIn this episode of How They Lead, Fran, West Peak’s in-house EQ expert, dives deep into the nuances of emotional intelligence and generational leadership. From understanding the core components of EQ, addressing the challenges of hybrid work, psychological safety and motivating Gen Z and Gen Alpha, this conversation explores how leaders can adapt their approach to create stronger, more connected teams. Packed with real-world insights and actionable tips, this episode is essential listening for any modern leader navigating a rapidly changing workplace.Key TakeawaysEQ starts with self-awareness and understanding your own triggers, values and emotional reactions before managing others’.Generational differences matter. Newer generations prioritise empathy, honesty, and psychological safety over traditional motivators like money.Hybrid Work requires intentionality as leaders must be more deliberate about connection and team culture.Clear expectations foster trust, not control. Especially when onboarding or managing younger employees.Psychological safety fuels performance. People perform better and innovate more when they feel safe to speak up, fail and be honest.Quiet coasting does not equal laziness. What appears to be disengagement may simply be boundary-setting or a lack of meaningful connection to purpose.Trust must be built early and prevents the need for micromanagement.Pausing is powerful! Taking a moment to reflect before reacting emotionally can lead to better decision-making and stronger leadership.Soundbites"Self-awareness is the foundation of emotional intelligence.""You can’t help others unless you understand yourself first.""Clarity isn't micromanagement. It's kindness.""It’s not about how safe you think they should feel, but how safe they actually feel.""Every generation thinks the next is lazy, but they just work differently.""Psychological safety is knowing your ideas won’t be punished, even if they fail.""Belonging isn’t a buzzword. It’s the core of engagement.""Pause, reflect and ask: Is this who I want to be in this moment?""Leaders who are disengaged create disengaged teams."Chapters00:00 Understanding Emotional Intelligence02:57 The Importance of Self-Awareness05:58 Hybrid Work Environments08:56 Generational Differences in Work Ethic11:59 Building Psychological Safety in Teams14:57 Motivation and Engagement in the Workplace17:44 Practical Tips for Enhancing Emotional Intelligence

How They Lead – S02 Ep 02 | Matt Bennett sits w/ Jenna Eichberg, CPO at AlertMediaIn this energizing and insightful episode, Matt Bennett sits down with Jenna Eichberg to explore what it really means to lead with heart, strategy, and adaptability in today’s world of work. 3 Key Themes:1.       Leadership Without the Title – Jenna shares how early initiative and curiosity shaped her ability to lead long before the job title said so.2.       Culture as a Strategic Advantage – From winning Best Place to Work in Austin to navigating crisis with care, Jenna unpacks how culture, trust, and mission alignment fuel AlertMedia’s success.3.       The Human Side of AI – With AI transforming the workplace, Jenna talks about building psychological safety, learning pathways, and anthropomorphizing tools (hello, Charlie the chatbot) to make tech adoption human-first. 3 Powerful Takeaways from Jenna:·       “Any idea not put on the table is an idea lost.” Create environments where everyone’s voice contributes.·       “You don’t need a title to lead, just the willingness to solve real problems.” Leadership starts with curiosity and initiative.·       “The softer skills are what will define great leaders in an AI-driven world.” Trust, authenticity, and vulnerability aren’t nice-to-haves, they’re the differentiators.

In the season two opener of How They Lead, West Peak's co-founders return to unpack the biggest shifts in leadership, people performance, and business since their last series. From launching West Peak US, the epidemic of disengaged employees, geopolitical turmoil, AI disruption, and generational divides, this candid episode sets the tone for the future of high-performance leadership.Key TakeawaysLeadership must evolve to address rising attrition, disengagement, and post-pandemic workforce expectations.Quiet coasting has overtaken quiet quitting as a major issue. Underperformers doing just enough without being held accountable.Toxic top performers can be as damaging as disengaged team members if not managed.AI integration is here, from AI board seats to team structures involving digital agents.Cultural clarity is critical. Values and behavioral expectations must be explicit and consistently upheld.Leadership training is no longer optional. The cost of inaction is steep, with replacement costs reaching 2.5–3x base salary.West Peak US is live, with events now happening in Austin, New York, and LA.Employee-Owned Trusts and scaling startups are actively investing in leadership development.Success requires performance AND psychological safety, not one or the other.Soundbites"Your mood equals their mood.""Quiet quitting is now quiet coasting.""No one joins a company wanting to be an asshole. We create them when we don't hold people to account.""You have to put your own oxygen mask on first. Leaders need development too.""The cost of replacing someone is now 2.5 to 3x base salary.""Culture eats strategy for breakfast, but most businesses still aren't serving culture at all.""You can’t challenge performance if you haven’t made your values explicit.""Mark Zuckerberg is offering OpenAI engineers $100 million salaries. Good luck competing without culture."Chapters00:00 Introduction01:03 Leadership Landscape Update02:04 Expansion into the US Market06:13 Business Growth Breakfasts09:22 Shifts in Business Performance12:39 The Impact of Attrition Rates16:09 Navigating Toxicity and Performance20:50 Establishing Values for Accountability22:12 Psychological Safety in Leadership27:04 Generational Workforce Dynamics30:38 The Role of AI in Leadership31:47 Cost of Developing Leaders vs. Attrition Costs

How to Stay Ahead in Business with Lawrence Clinton, COO of Castor ValiIn this episode of How They Lead, we sit down with Lawrence Clinton, COO at Castor Vali, to uncover the mindset and strategies behind leading in a fast-paced, ever-changing business landscape.With years of experience in operational excellence and risk management, Lawrence shares his insights on how leaders can navigate uncertainty, adapt to change, and stay ahead of the competition.Key Takeaways:Understanding comes first: Gain a clear grasp of challenges and opportunities to make informed decisions.Adaptation is key: Embrace change and pivot with agility to maintain resilience.Speed matters: Quick responses can define whether you lead the market or lag behind.Overcoming challenges: Master the art of staying calm under pressure and overcoming obstacles with confidence.Join us as Lawrence shares how Castor Vali leads at the forefront of risk and security management—and how you can apply these lessons to your own leadership journey.🎧 Tune in now to level up your leadership:What’s your strategy for staying ahead in business?

How to Stay Ahead in Business with Lawrence Clinton, COO of Castor ValiIn this episode of How They Lead, we sit down with Lawrence Clinton, COO at Castor Vali, to uncover the mindset and strategies behind leading in a fast-paced, ever-changing business landscape.With years of experience in operational excellence and risk management, Lawrence shares his insights on how leaders can navigate uncertainty, adapt to change, and stay ahead of the competition.Key Takeaways:Understanding comes first: Gain a clear grasp of challenges and opportunities to make informed decisions.Adaptation is key: Embrace change and pivot with agility to maintain resilience.Speed matters: Quick responses can define whether you lead the market or lag behind.Overcoming challenges: Master the art of staying calm under pressure and overcoming obstacles with confidence.Join us as Lawrence shares how Castor Vali leads at the forefront of risk and security management—and how you can apply these lessons to your own leadership journey.🎧 Tune in now to level up your leadership: What’s your strategy for staying ahead in business?

Who is Your Audience and What Do They Need to Hear, featuring Camilla BoyerWe enjoyed speaking with Camilla Boyer, Head of Internal Communications and Culture at Hopin in our latest episode of How They Lead. Camilla's journey through the world of internal communications is as inspiring as it is insightful. From her early days at Twitter, one of the first internal comms hires during a pre-IPO frenzy, to her trailblazing work at Hopin, Camilla has consistently prioritised impactful storytelling and authentic company culture.Key Takeaways from Our Conversation:The Role of Empathy in Internal Comms: Camilla emphasizes empathy, effective communication, and adaptability. Understanding and addressing diverse perspectives is crucial to fostering a vibrant, cohesive culture.Redefining Core Values: Camilla reimagined company values to be 80% authentic to the present and 20% aspirational for the future, ensuring they truly resonate across organisations.Building a Global Network: Early in her career, she innovatively created a network of cultural ambassadors at Twitter to unify international offices and strengthen the company’s global culture.From sharing strategies to maintain unity in a remote and hyper-growth environment to the importance of learning from industry peers, Camilla’s story is a masterclass in thoughtful leadership and communication.Want to hear more about Camilla’s journey and her innovative approach to internal communications? Tune in now to discover how the right communication strategies can transform company culture and foster connection, even in a fully remote world.#InternalComms #Leadership #CompanyCulture #HowTheyLeadPodcast