Beyond Potential

In this episode of Beyond Potential, Tom Emery and Tom Mason are joined by Max Klau, founder of the Centre for Courageous Wholeness, for a powerful conversation on servant leadership, shadow work, self-awareness, and the future of leadership development. Together, they explore why every leader has both “light” and “shadow”, how unconscious behaviours shape teams and organisations, and why leadership growth starts with inner development, not just external performance. Max shares insights from his work developing servant leaders across education, politics, and coaching, including the impact of helping leaders confront the gap between who they aspire to be and how they actually show up under pressure. The conversation also explores: Why self-awareness alone isn’t enough How shadow shows up in leadership and organisational culture The relationship between coaching, integrity, and emotional responsibility Why AI is making inner development more important than ever How leaders can build habits of reflection without overcomplicating the process A thought-provoking episode for leaders, coaches, and anyone interested in conscious leadership and personal growth. Connect with Max on LinkedIn Find out more about the Centre for Courageous Wholeness Max's book: Developing Servant Leaders at Scale Find out more about Max

What’s the difference between coaching and therapy? Why do so many leaders struggle to speak up, set boundaries, and prepare with intention? In this episode of Beyond Potential, Tom Emery and Tom Mason welcome back executive coach and host of The Look & Sound of Leadership podcast, Tom Henschel, for a thoughtful and wide-ranging conversation on leadership, coaching, self-awareness, and communication. Together, they explore why preparation matters more than leaders realise, the growing challenge of speaking up and being heard, and how leaders can give feedback without judgement. The conversation dives into emotional responsibility, deep listening, leadership authenticity, and the pressure many leaders feel to “fix” every problem around them. A standout moment is Tom Henschel’s brilliant analogy comparing therapy to repairing potholes in the road, while coaching helps people learn how to drive around them. It’s a simple but powerful way of understanding the role coaching can play in leadership development. The episode also takes an unexpected turn into gardening, California wildflowers, and the importance of slowing down and staying curious. A thoughtful, practical, and deeply human conversation for leaders, coaches, and anyone interested in personal growth. Find Tom on LinkedIn. Listen to The Look & Sound of Leadership Podcast: episode #246 Coaching versus Therapy. Download the Giving Upward Feedback PDF. Link to the Wildflower Hotline

In this episode of Beyond Potential, Tom Mason is joined by Perry Timms, founder of PTHR, global speaker and author. Perry shares his perspective on how leaders are approaching the future of work, and where many are getting it wrong. The conversation explores the tendency to look for a single answer, when in reality there are multiple possible futures, each shaped by different choices and conditions. The discussion focuses on the shift from traditional job structures towards more dynamic, human-centred ways of working, where skills, capability and energy take precedence over rigid roles. Perry also highlights the increasing complexity leaders face, balancing legacy systems with emerging ways of working, and why this requires a different mindset. A key theme throughout is the changing role of the leader, moving away from having the answers, towards creating the conditions where answers can emerge from across the organisation. This episode offers a practical perspective on how leaders can navigate uncertainty and rethink how work is designed. Follow Perry on LinkedIn Discover Perry's books and substack Visit PTHR

In this episode of Beyond Potential, Tom Mason and Tom Emery are joined by Andrew McMasters, actor, facilitator and author of Listening Without Agenda. Andrew shares how his background in theatre shaped his approach to leadership development, and why the skills used on stage translate directly into how leaders show up in organisations. At the centre of the conversation is one core idea: listening is not just about hearing words, but about making people feel heard. The discussion explores how self-orientation gets in the way of effective listening, why leaders often default to solutions too quickly, and how small shifts in attention can change the dynamic of a conversation. Andrew also shares practical ways to stay present, manage distraction, and create the conditions for more meaningful communication. This episode offers a clear and practical perspective on leadership, grounded in one essential capability: the ability to listen without agenda. Discover more of Andrew's work

In this episode of the Beyond Potential podcast, the two Toms sit down with CEO, coach, leadership expert, and author of You’re the Boss, Sabina Nawaz, to explore how pressure changes leadership behaviour. Drawing on her experience at Microsoft and over two decades coaching senior executives, Sabina shares how even the most capable leaders can begin to act differently under pressure, often without realising the impact it has on their teams. A key part of the conversation is the idea of “blank space”, intentionally creating time to step away from the noise and think more clearly. Sabina explains why this practice is essential for better decision-making, stronger relationships, and more effective leadership. The episode also explores practical ways to lead with greater awareness, including how to delegate more effectively, avoid common leadership traps, and create space for others to contribute. It’s a thoughtful and grounded conversation for anyone looking to lead with more clarity, consistency, and impact. Check out Sabina's website

In this episode of Beyond Potential, Tom Mason and Tom Emery are joined by Martin Dubin - clinical psychologist, serial entrepreneur, business coach, and author of Blindspotting. Marty shares his journey from clinical psychology to scaling and selling a business, and how those experiences shaped his perspective on leadership. At the centre of the conversation is the idea of “blind spots”, the things we don't see about ourselves that can ultimately hold us back. Often, these blind spots are tied to our greatest strengths, which, when overplayed, can start to work against us. In this episode, we explore: Why even high-performing leaders get stuck How strengths can become liabilities over time What it takes to recognise when your usual approach isn’t working Practical ways to uncover and address your blind spots A thoughtful and practical conversation for anyone looking to improve their leadership and understand the impact they have on others. More of Marty's work Marty's book - Blindspotting

In this episode of the Beyond Potential podcast, Tom Emery and Tom Mason are joined by Lisa Broderick, a seasoned c-suite executive, corporate board member and non-profit founder with more than three decades of leadership experience across diverse industries. Lisa is the co-author of Permanence, written with renowned executive coach Marshall Goldsmith, and the author of the international bestseller All the Time in the World. Drawing on her experience advising CEOs, boards and senior leaders, Lisa shares insights into why organisations rarely fail because of bad ideas, but instead struggle when leaders lose alignment under pressure. Together, they explore the research behind Permanence and the surprisingly powerful practice of asking yourself a simple set of reflective questions each day. Lisa explains how daily reflection builds accountability, drives behavioural change, and helps leaders stay focused on what truly matters in environments defined by pressure, speed and complexity. They also discuss the role of systems thinking in leadership, why external validation can become a trap for high performers, and how small, consistent behaviours shape long-term success. A thought-provoking conversation for leaders looking to turn insight into action and build leadership habits that create lasting impact. Find out more about Lisa Broderick's work Lisa's books - Permanence and All the Time in the World

In this episode of the Beyond Potential podcast, Tom Emery flies solo and is joined by Sue O'Callaghan and Dean Corbett, co-hosts of the HR Unfiltered podcast and founders of SO PEOPLE. Drawing on over 20 years’ experience each in HR and operational leadership, Sue and Dean share their perspectives on how HR can move beyond policy-led practice to drive meaningful organisational impact. Together, they explore the realities of applying people strategy in complex business environments, the importance of balancing commercial priorities with employee experience, and why understanding operations is critical to effective leadership. They also reflect on their own journeys through corporate HR, what led them to launch HR Unfiltered, and how their work through So People supports organisations to rethink how leadership, coaching and people strategy come together to support performance, accountability and growth. A practical conversation for leaders looking to rethink how HR best practice translates into meaningful impact across their organisation. Find out more about SO PEOPLE. Follow Sue on LinkedIn Follow Dean on LinkedIn

In this Toms Talk episode of Beyond Potential, the two Toms come together for a reflective catch-up, covering what’s been on their minds, what they’re noticing in their work, and what feels increasingly important in leadership right now. They revisit insights from recent guest conversations, including Zach Mercurio’s work on mattering, and explore a common leadership challenge: what if helping people feel valued doesn’t come naturally to you? Through practical examples, they discuss how routines, contracting, curiosity and feedback can help leaders build meaningful connection, even when it feels uncomfortable. The conversation also turns to the evolving nature of coaching. both Toms reflect on whether traditional coaching is always enough for senior leaders, and why thinking partnerships, deeper upfront work and community are becoming increasingly important in lonely, high-pressure roles. The episode also links to Toms upcoming free webinar on stepping up to the C-suite, exploring the mindset, behaviours and presence required to lead effectively at the most senior levels. You can sign up for free: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/-RqMVT_BS4mQzEW688-fww A thoughtful, wide-ranging conversation about leadership, presence, community, and why sometimes slowing down is exactly what helps you move forward.

In this solo-hosted episode of the Beyond Potential podcast, Tom Emery is joined by award-winning leadership coach, speaker and author Michelle Moore. Together they explore how leadership mistakes can become defining moments, why marginal gains matter, and how redefining success unlocks real potential. Drawing on her background as an elite athlete and senior leader, Michelle shares powerful insights from her book Real Wins on conscious leadership, resilience and self-awareness. This episode is thoughtful, honest and packed with practical insight for leaders, coaches and anyone interested in reaching their full potential, personally and professionally. Find out more about Michelle's work Follow Michelle on LinkedIn Real Wins by Michelle Moore Michelle's LinkedIn Learning course

In this episode of the Beyond Potential podcast, Tom Mason and Tom Emery are joined by George Bettany to explore the power of partnership in leadership and business. What began as a run coaching relationship through MARA (founded by George) evolved into a trusted partnership built on shared values, complementary strengths, and a common mission: unlocking human potential and helping people perform at their best and feel their best. The conversation reflects on how trust develops over time, the emotional realities of leadership, and why letting the right people in can transform both performance and wellbeing. This episode marks the beginning of an exciting journey as George has joined HEX as an advisor in 2026 and offers an open and honest discussion for founders, leaders, and anyone navigating growth, change, and partnership. Tom and George are also hosting a free webinar on Monday 19th January at 10:30am, focused on helping leaders reset, gain clarity and lead with greater calm and intention as 2026 unfolders. You can register for free here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/suISBZksSvG28UUlDMDWcg

In this Toms Talk episode of the Beyond Potential podcast, Tom and Tomas dive into the power of mindset as we head toward 2026. Drawing on research from Dr. Ellen Langer, lessons from Viktor Frankl, and real-world leadership coaching, they explore how mindset influences resilience, performance, and personal wellbeing. From proactive habits to managing triggers, from letting go of control to reframing perfectionism, the two Toms unpack the tools leaders need to navigate uncertainty with clarity and confidence. They discuss the importance of support networks, vulnerability, and the reality that mindset isn’t fixed, it’s something you can train, shape, and strengthen. This episode is packed with relatable stories, practical strategies, and reflections to help you prepare for a more intentional, grounded, and growth-focused 2026. Plus, don’t miss Tom's free webinar in January on mindset for the year ahead: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/suISBZksSvG28UUlDMDWcg

This Beyond Potential podcast episode explores Elev-8’s central argument that the meaningful levers for change live at team level: while culture is an organisation’s broad personality, team climate is the day-to-day experience that determines whether people stay, perform and innovate. Miranda Cain, Rob Clarke and Sean Spurgin draw on consulting work and the ideas in their book 'Dropping the C-Bomb: Why Team Climate Crushes Culture' to show how leaders can shape climate through proximity, consistent behaviours, early conversations and by removing everyday friction points. They set out pragmatic tools from “illuminating awesome” (catching people doing things right) to shrinking change into tiny, repeatable actions and show how these simple habits produce measurable gains in engagement, customer outcomes and retention. The episode makes a practical case: policies and big initiatives won’t stick unless leaders change what they do each day.