Shifting Views with Willis

Most agency owners don’t have a motivation problem. They have a systems problem.In this episode of Shifting Views with Willis, Wayne Willis is joined by Jesse P Gilmore, founder of Niche in Control, to unpack why so many agencies hit a ceiling despite working harder than ever.Jesse works with agency owners, typically earning $20,000+ per month, who feel busy, stretched and successful on paper, but stuck in delivery, firefighting and burnout. In this conversation, he breaks down the critical difference between being self-employed and being a true founder, and why that distinction matters if you want to scale without sacrificing your personal life.The discussion focuses on the systems, processes, and frameworks founders need to move from doer to leader, remove themselves as bottlenecks, and build businesses that can grow without relying on their constant presence. Jesse also explores the mindset shifts required at each stage of growth, how poorly designed businesses quietly create burnout, and why success needs to be defined by the individual, not borrowed from hustle culture.This episode is particularly relevant for agency owners, consultants and service-based founders who want sustainable growth, clearer structure and a business that supports their life rather than consumes it.#AgencyOwner #BusinessSystems #FounderMindset #ScaleYourAgency #LeadershipDevelopment #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #ProcessDriven #WorkLifeBalance #ShiftingViews

The HR department is often seen as the team you only hear from when something has gone wrong. But is that perception fair, and what does HR actually deal with day to day inside a business?In this episode of Shifting Views with Willis, Wayne is joined by Ali Lambert, founder of HR Guru. With over 20 years’ experience in HR, Ali offers a candid look at the realities of working in a role where emotion, conflict and responsibility regularly collide.Ali explains why HR is so often left managing the consequences of decisions made elsewhere in an organisation, and shares real-world examples of the situations HR professionals are expected to handle quietly and professionally. She also highlights the human side of HR that employees and leaders rarely get to see.The conversation explores how HR has become increasingly weighed down by policy, process and admin, what that has cost organisations culturally, and why clearer, more human approaches to people management matter more than ever. Ali also discusses the thinking behind HEY GURU, a living employee handbook designed to reflect how people actually work today, and where the balance should sit between digital systems and human judgement.This episode offers an honest insight into what it really takes to work in HR, why getting it wrong is costly for businesses, and why getting it right can make a profound difference to culture, performance and trust at work.HR is about people, and people are what make businesses work.#HR #HRProfessionals #PeopleManagement #WorkplaceCulture #Leadership #BusinessLeadership

Chris Murphy has risen through the echelons of the advertising industry.From his beginnings in Hull, UK, to working at global agencies such as Grey London and Saatchi & Saatchi, Chris now lives in Sydney, Australia. He has served as General Manager at The Hallway and is currently Head of Creative and Design at G Squared, working on campaigns for some of the world’s most recognisable brands.Not bad for someone who struggled at school, is dyslexic, and was once told by a teacher that he wouldn’t amount to much.Chris joined the Shifting Views with Willis podcast to talk openly about how dyslexia has shaped his life and career. Rather than seeing it as a barrier, he explains how he learned to harness dyslexic thinking as a strength and a competitive advantage. Being neurodivergent has helped him spot patterns, approach problems differently, and see solutions others often miss.In this episode, Chris discusses:The challenges he faced in education and early life.His rapid rise through the advertising world before the age of 30.How dyslexia and neurodivergent thinking influenced his leadership and creative work.Why owning your difference matters more than hiding it.Chris also shares the thinking behind his Ignite Talk, “Success is a System”, where he introduces his End State Planning framework. It’s a practical way of breaking big ambitions into clear, achievable steps, especially when navigating personal or professional barriers.If you’re neurodivergent, whether that’s dyslexia, ADHD, autism or other traits, this conversation challenges the idea that you need to “fix” how you think. Your difference may be the very thing that gives you the edge.Watch Chris’s Ignite Talk, “Success is a System”, here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMmBy6agfEk#neurodiversity #neurodivergent #dyslexia #advertising #adland #creativeleadership #thinkingdifferently

Wayne is joined by Kimberly Haley-Coleman, the founder and CEO of Globe Aware, to explore how immersive, community-led volunteering can transform the way we see the world. Kimberly explains why Globe Aware rejects the old charity model and instead builds programmes where volunteers work directly alongside local people on projects chosen and led by the community.This conversation highlights how short-term experiences can create deep personal change, build genuine global awareness and empower both volunteers and communities. In this episode:What ethical, community-driven volunteering looks likeThe impact of small, well-organised local projectsHow cross-cultural experiences build empathy and shift perspectivesThe role of soft power in shaping global relationshipsWhy volunteers often gain as much (or more) as the communities they serveWhy volunteering holidays are amazing for self-improvementThis is a grounded and inspiring conversation about purpose, perspective and the power of stepping outside your own environment.#volunteering #gapyear #globalaid #volunteerimpact #globalcommunity

AI is reshaping the legal world, but what does that really mean for law firms, lawyers, and clients?In this episode of Shifting Views with Willis, I'm joined by Sam Thompson, a Lawyer and Partner at Gosschalks Solicitors in Hull, East Yorkshire, to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the legal profession. From automating everyday legal processes to changing how lawyers train, think and deliver value.We discuss:How AI is automating legal tasks and freeing lawyers to focus on strategy, empathy and judgement.Why law firms must evolve to stay competitive in an AI-driven world.The ethical and regulatory challenges around AI-generated legal advice.How clients are already using AI for contracts and legal documents, and what risks that brings.The importance of training the next generation of lawyers to use AI effectively.Why AI won’t replace lawyers, but those who use it will replace those who don’t.Sam offers a candid view from inside one of the UK’s most respected regional law firms, reflecting on how traditional professions like law must adapt their culture, processes and people to stay relevant.Reach out to Sam ThompsonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-thompson-308baa174/Gosschalks Website: https://www.gosschalks.co.uk/#lawfirm #legaltech #ai #ailawyer

Chef-turned-entrepreneur Oscar Sowden went from unhappiness, burnout and 22 stone to building a thriving fitness and wellbeing business that helps others do the same.In this powerful episode, Oscar shares how small steps, honest self-reflection and relentless consistency helped him transform his body, mind and career.From that moment, he decided, “I’ve had enough of this.” Oscar has built a life built on purpose and proof, not motivation. He opens up about his struggles with confidence, social media pressure and self-doubt, and explains how he used those challenges to fuel lasting change.In this episode:The exact moment Oscar decided to change his lifeHow to replace motivation with disciplineWhy confidence is built, not foundThe reality of body image and social media pressureThe realities and myths of the fitness industry.How Oscar turned self-improvement into a successful businessThe importance of small, consistent actionsThe lessons every listener can take to transform their own lifeWhether you’re trying to get fitter, find direction or build self-belief, this episode proves that change is possible for anyone. 🎧 Subscribe to Shifting Views with Willis for more conversations that shift perspectives in business, community and life.#Transformation #Motivation #Mindset #Discipline #Confidence #PersonalGrowth #FitnessJourney #SelfImprovement #Entrepreneurship #ShiftingViewsPodcast

What does sustainability really look like inside an industry that keeps the world moving?In this episode of Shifting Views with Willis, Wayne is joined by Tony Prescott, Managing Director of GTS Logistics UK, to explore how collaboration, culture and innovation are transforming logistics — one of the most vital and complex sectors in the global economy.Tony talks about:Why logistics can be a major force in achieving net zeroThe impact of moving freight from road to rail and smarter planningHow open communication and collaboration lead to better resultsWhy every business, regardless of size, should make sustainability part of its cultureThe role of leadership in creating an environment where ideas can thriveTony’s message is simple: change starts with conversation, and progress comes when people work together. From reducing emissions to empowering teams, this episode shows how sustainable thinking and leadership go hand in hand. #Sustainability #Leadership #Innovation #Culture #Collaboration #BusinessGrowth #NetZero #logistics

Business development is tough. Cold calls go unanswered, emails are ignored, and introductions rarely stick. But what if there was a better way to build influence, win opportunities, and create growth?In this episode of Shifting Views with Willis, I speak with Bob Spence, a former executive at Coutts Bank and now a consultant and trainer who helps leaders and professionals build valuable networks. This conversation is not about handing out business cards or delivering slick elevator pitches. It is about how to create genuine, mutually beneficial connections that unlock doors in ways cold outreach never can.Bob shares stories and examples that show how real opportunities come from being part of the right network and why influence flows through the people you know and trust. Why valuable connections are the most powerful tool in business developmentThe limitations of cold calls, emails, and one-off introductionsHow to move beyond transactional networking into meaningful, long-term relationshipsReal stories of opportunities created through networksThe practical steps to build a network that works for you, and how the process opens doors in business and beyondNetworking is not only vital in business. It matters just as much in music, the arts, charities, hiring, sport and any arena where people and relationships are at the centre.If you are in sales, business development, or simply trying to grow your influence, this episode will give you a fresh perspective and actionable guidance on why your network might be your most important asset.🔗 Follow and subscribe for more conversations that shift views in business, community and society. #NetworkingTips #BusinessDevelopment #SalesStrategy #BuildConnections #ProfessionalGrowth #InfluenceMatters #ShiftingViews