The Leaders With Lessons Podcast

In this episode of the Leaders With Lessons Podcast, Shaun Walsh speaks with Helen Hynes, Chief Operating Officer at Bell Lamb & Joynson Solicitors, about authenticity, personal growth, and the leadership lessons she has gained throughout her career. Helen shares how being told she was too nice to become a senior manager initially led her to adopt a leadership style that did not reflect who she was, teaching her that kindness, fairness, and authenticity can be powerful qualities for achieving results. She also discusses doing the basics brilliantly, embracing opportunities despite imposter syndrome, using technology and AI to support rather than replace people, and applying her leadership experience to help shape the future of women’s rugby in Warrington.
This show is sponsored by The Opportunity Framework.If you have no shortage of options, especially around technology and business change, but need clarity on where you are before deciding what to do next and what to leave alone, The Opportunity Framework helps you get out of your head and into a practical format you can work with.It's a short, focused session with a senior pair of eyes. You'll walk away with clear recommendations on the best direction to take, what not to do and a better understanding of the real risks.To find out more, go to https://perform-partners.com

In this episode of the Leaders With Lessons Podcast, Shaun Walsh speaks with Salome Chapeyama Mdala, Chief Operating Officer of Reunion Insurance Company, about personal growth, career development, and navigating the many different roles and responsibilities in her life. Salome shares how embracing different seasons, trusting the process, and remaining flexible have helped her progress from law and compliance into senior leadership while also pursuing her PhD, writing books, and lecturing. She also reflects on why successful careers rarely follow a perfectly planned path, encouraging others to focus on the opportunities in front of them, continue learning, and remain open to where their experiences may lead.
This show is sponsored by The Opportunity Framework.If you have no shortage of options, especially around technology and business change, but need clarity on where you are before deciding what to do next and what to leave alone, The Opportunity Framework helps you get out of your head and into a practical format you can work with.It's a short, focused session with a senior pair of eyes. You'll walk away with clear recommendations on the best direction to take, what not to do and a better understanding of the real risks.To find out more, go to https://perform-partners.com

In this episode of the Leaders With Lessons Podcast, Shaun Walsh speaks with Sarah Knowles, Chief People and Transformation Officer at Integra Insurance Solutions, about helping people successfully navigate change and transformation. Sarah shares why clear communication, simplifying complex challenges, developing confidence, and creating space for people to make mistakes are essential when organizations introduce new ways of working. She also reflects on the value of emotional intelligence, asking better questions, understanding different perspectives, and looking beyond your own organization for ideas that can strengthen leadership and decision making.
This show is sponsored by The Opportunity Framework.If you have no shortage of options, especially around technology and business change, but need clarity on where you are before deciding what to do next and what to leave alone, The Opportunity Framework helps you get out of your head and into a practical format you can work with.It's a short, focused session with a senior pair of eyes. You'll walk away with clear recommendations on the best direction to take, what not to do and a better understanding of the real risks.To find out more, go to https://perform-partners.com

In this episode of the Leaders With Lessons Podcast, Shaun Walsh speaks with Sergej Tolz, CRO and COO at KASKO, about the lessons gained from a decade helping the insurance technology platform grow from an early stage startup into a profitable business serving enterprise clients across Europe. Sergej shares why leaders must adapt their approach as companies scale, from getting things done quickly in the early stages to creating repeatable processes, developing people, responding to feedback, and knowing when teams need greater guidance or autonomy. He also discusses making more considered career and entrepreneurial decisions, experimenting before making major moves, and using consistency, routines, and the right environment to create sustainable progress in both business and life.
This show is sponsored by The Opportunity Framework.If you have no shortage of options, especially around technology and business change, but need clarity on where you are before deciding what to do next and what to leave alone, The Opportunity Framework helps you get out of your head and into a practical format you can work with.It's a short, focused session with a senior pair of eyes. You'll walk away with clear recommendations on the best direction to take, what not to do and a better understanding of the real risks.To find out more, go to https://perform-partners.com

In this episode of the Leaders With Lessons Podcast, Shaun Walsh speaks with John Martin, Founder and CEO of Plutus Consulting Group, about the leadership lessons gained from more than 30 years across finance, mergers and acquisitions, and business transformation. John shares why successful change requires leaders to involve people early, understand different cultures and concerns, communicate openly, and view technology as an enabler rather than rushing toward it as the solution. He also reflects on the importance of listening before responding, creating space to understand people's challenges, and using patience and thoughtful decision making to navigate uncertainty and bring organizations together effectively.
This show is sponsored by The Opportunity Framework.If you have no shortage of options, especially around technology and business change, but need clarity on where you are before deciding what to do next and what to leave alone, The Opportunity Framework helps you get out of your head and into a practical format you can work with.It's a short, focused session with a senior pair of eyes. You'll walk away with clear recommendations on the best direction to take, what not to do and a better understanding of the real risks.To find out more, go to https://perform-partners.com

In this episode of the Leaders With Lessons Podcast, Shaun Walsh speaks with Alex Anderson, Head of People at Urban Jungle Insurance, about the transition from being a strong individual contributor to becoming an effective leader. Alex shares lessons on delegation, explaining why leaders need to hand over ownership of outcomes rather than simply tasks, while becoming comfortable with the discomfort that comes with growth and changing responsibilities. Alex also discusses the importance of knowing your people, creating relationships where honest feedback can flow both ways, and maintaining the human element as businesses navigate rapid change, AI, and increasing pressure to achieve more with leaner teams.This show is sponsored by The Opportunity Framework.If you have no shortage of options, especially around technology and business change, but need clarity on where you are before deciding what to do next and what to leave alone, The Opportunity Framework helps you get out of your head and into a practical format you can work with.It's a short, focused session with a senior pair of eyes. You'll walk away with clear recommendations on the best direction to take, what not to do and a better understanding of the real risks.To find out more, go to https://perform-partners.com

In this episode of the Leaders With Lessons Podcast, Shaun Walsh speaks with Giles Fry, Chief Operating Officer of TGI Fridays UK and founder and former owner of SNUG BARS LIMITED, about his journey from hospitality graduate to entrepreneur and senior business leader. Giles shares how persistence, decisive action, and a strong focus on people helped him grow SNUG BARS LIMITED and later return to TGI Fridays to help restore the brand’s authenticity, strengthen its culture, and navigate a major business transformation. He also reflects on the importance of trusting your instincts, treating people with kindness, making time for what matters, and creating a legacy through the choices you make in both business and life.
This show is sponsored by The Opportunity Framework.If you have no shortage of options, especially around technology and business change, but need clarity on where you are before deciding what to do next and what to leave alone, The Opportunity Framework helps you get out of your head and into a practical format you can work with.It's a short, focused session with a senior pair of eyes. You'll walk away with clear recommendations on the best direction to take, what not to do and a better understanding of the real risks.To find out more, go to https://perform-partners.com

In this episode of the Leaders With Lessons Podcast, Shaun Walsh speaks with Peter Collyer, owner of his independent executive coaching business, about the leadership lessons gained from a career spanning hospitality, human resources, board leadership, and coaching. Peter explores the importance of human connection, strong relationships, self belief, curiosity, and taking responsibility for your own career while sharing the principles that have guided him throughout his professional and personal life. He also reflects on the value of courageous decision making, learning from setbacks, maintaining a sense of purpose, and creating workplaces where people feel valued, supported, and part of something meaningful.
This show is sponsored by The Opportunity Framework.If you have no shortage of options, especially around technology and business change, but need clarity on where you are before deciding what to do next and what to leave alone, The Opportunity Framework helps you get out of your head and into a practical format you can work with.It's a short, focused session with a senior pair of eyes. You'll walk away with clear recommendations on the best direction to take, what not to do and a better understanding of the real risks.To find out more, go to https://perform-partners.com

In this episode of the Leaders With Lessons Podcast, Shaun Walsh speaks with Simona Cara, founder of TechNTrust, about the leadership lessons she has gained across engineering, consulting, business transformation, and emerging technology. Simona explains why effective leadership is less about having all the answers and more about asking the right questions, understanding different perspectives, connecting expertise, and ensuring strategy works within operational reality. She also discusses embracing an unconventional career path, taking opportunities before feeling completely ready, learning from mentors, and helping organizations understand technologies such as AI, enterprise blockchain, and digital assets from a practical business perspective.
This show is sponsored by The Opportunity Framework.If you have no shortage of options, especially around technology and business change, but need clarity on where you are before deciding what to do next and what to leave alone, The Opportunity Framework helps you get out of your head and into a practical format you can work with.It's a short, focused session with a senior pair of eyes. You'll walk away with clear recommendations on the best direction to take, what not to do and a better understanding of the real risks.To find out more, go to https://perform-partners.com

In this episode of the Leaders With Lessons Podcast, Shaun Walsh speaks with Anna Stewart, Head of Change Governance at Local Pension Partnerships Administration, about the lessons she has gained from more than 20 years in project delivery, portfolio management, and change governance. Anna shares how effective change requires balancing structure with empathy, bringing stakeholders on the journey, creating just enough governance, and giving teams the freedom to experiment, learn, and adapt as technology continues to evolve. She also reflects on backing yourself, challenging assumptions, remaining authentic, embracing feedback as an opportunity to improve, and recognizing that leaders do not need to be subject matter experts to help their teams perform at their best.
This show is sponsored by The Opportunity Framework.If you have no shortage of options, especially around technology and business change, but need clarity on where you are before deciding what to do next and what to leave alone, The Opportunity Framework helps you get out of your head and into a practical format you can work with.It's a short, focused session with a senior pair of eyes. You'll walk away with clear recommendations on the best direction to take, what not to do and a better understanding of the real risks.To find out more, go to https://perform-partners.com