The Leader's Kitbag

Not every group of people reporting to the same person should be treated as a single team.  In this episode of The Leader’s Kitbag, I share a personal story that highlights what happens when we force people into team structures that don’t reflect how they actually work together.  It’s a real-world example of what I talked about in the previous episode: if your people don’t share goals, aren’t interdependent, and don’t hold each other accountable, they’re not a team - and you need to lead them differently.  In this episode, you’ll learn: Why cramming non-teams into team routines wastes time How to structure meetings for different types of groups A better way to connect people without forcing false collaboration  Get Leadership Tools Straight to Your Inbox   If you want more straight-talking, practical content on leadership, communication, and team development, delivered in a relaxed, real-world way, then join my community via the newsletter here.  It’s free, useful, and designed for busy leaders who want to cut through the noise. 

If you’ve ever found yourself frustrated by a planning or productivity system — or wondered “why can’t I just stick to this?”- this episode of The Leaders Kitbag is for you. It may not be a discipline problem at all. Instead, it could be a mismatch between the tool you’re trying to use and how you actually perceive time. In this episode, I explore why so many productivity and planning tools are built with through-time people in mind, and why those with an in-time perspective often find them restrictive or draining. You’ll discover: The difference between in-time and through-time approaches to planning Why one-size-fits-all productivity advice often fails A simple 3-3-3 formula for in-time leaders to stay focused while retaining flexibility This is about working with your natural strengths, not forcing yourself into someone else’s system. For the First Time Ever: Join My Open Leadership Programme For the first time ever, I’m opening up one of my most practical and impactful leadership programmes to the public. Normally, I only deliver this training inside organisations, but due to repeated requests from smaller businesses and individual leaders, I’m creating a brand-new open cohort. Here’s what’s included: 4 x half-day interactive workshops 1-hour Learning Transfer Session Small group format (max 18 delegates) Indicative cost: £540–£600 (VAT included), with payment plans for self-funders This is a first-of-its-kind opportunity to access the same training I usually deliver privately to companies. I’ll only run it if I get 30+ expressions of interest. Register your interest here.

In this episode of The Leaders Kitbag, I share a fascinating moment from a recent leadership programme I ran with 22 managers from across Europe. When I asked them to answer a simple question, “point to the past”, every single one of them pointed behind them. That might not surprise you… but it completely threw me. Why? Because I would instantly point to the left. This seemingly small exercise reveals something much bigger: our different orientations to time, in time vs through time, and how these shape the way we plan, structure our days, and lead our teams. In this episode, you’ll learn: The two distinct ways people perceive time How your time orientation influences your behaviour as a leader Why recognising these differences in your team is so powerful I’d love to know your perspective on this. Would you point behind you for the past, or to the left? Share your answer in the comments wherever you’re engaging with this content, or drop me a message on social media. I’m curious to learn more about the mix of orientations we all have. For the First Time Ever: Join My Open Leadership Programme For the first time ever, I’m opening up one of my most practical and impactful leadership programmes to the public. Normally, I only deliver this training inside organisations, but due to repeated requests from smaller businesses and individual leaders, I’m creating a brand-new open cohort. Here’s what’s included: 4 x half-day interactive workshops 1-hour Learning Transfer Session Small group format (max 18 delegates) Indicative cost: £540–£600 (VAT included), with payment plans for self-funders This is a first-of-its-kind opportunity to access the same training I usually deliver privately to companies. I’ll only run it if I get 30+ expressions of interest. Register your interest here.  

In this short but powerful episode of The Leaders Kitbag, I’m sharing a concept that’s brand new to me – one that’s genuinely shifted how I think about time, productivity, and leadership. It originates from the world of NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) and explores the idea that people relate to time in fundamentally different ways – as either “in time” or “through time” thinkers. You’ll discover: What these two styles look like in everyday life. Why some people thrive on planning, and others feel suffocated by it. How understanding this can radically shift how you lead your team. This fresh insight isn’t about putting people in boxes. It’s about awareness – knowing that we all perceive and process time differently, and how that difference can be a hidden source of friction… or a powerful leadership advantage.  For the First Time Ever: Join My Open Leadership Programme For the first time ever, I’m opening up one of my most practical and impactful leadership programmes to the public. Normally, I only deliver this training inside organisations, but due to repeated requests from smaller businesses and individual leaders, I’m creating a brand-new open cohort. Here’s what’s included: 4 x half-day interactive workshops 1-hour Learning Transfer Session Small group format (max 18 delegates) Indicative cost: £540–£600 (VAT included), with payment plans for self-funders This is a first-of-its-kind opportunity to access the same training I usually deliver privately to companies. I’ll only run it if I get 30+ expressions of interest. Register your interest here.  

In this episode of Leading the ScaleUp, I’m joined by Peter Cohan - author of Scaling Your Startup, lecturer at Babson College, and advisor to hundreds of early-stage and high-growth companies. Together, we dive into the four essential stages of scaling and why skipping just one of them can derail even the most promising business. Peter shares candid insights on how successful scale-ups intentionally build culture, the dangers of cognitive lock-in among senior leaders, and why intellectual humility is a core leadership trait for those who last the distance. This is not just a conversation about business mechanics; it’s a conversation about the mindsets and moments that shape enduring leadership. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: The four stages of scaling — and the hidden risks of skipping the second Why culture doesn’t need to be defined early — and when it absolutely must be How founders can avoid poisoning their culture with the wrong hires The difference between cognitive hunger and cognitive lock-in Why the best leaders are the ones still learning Whether you're leading a fast-growing team or preparing your business for its next chapter, Peter’s experience and clarity will help you lead more deliberately through scale. Resources & Links Mentioned: Peter’s Book: Scaling Your Startup Peter’s Latest Book: Brain Rush: How to Invest and Compete in the Real World of Generative AI Connect with Peter on LinkedIn Next Steps: If you're looking for tailored executive coaching or leadership development training to support yourself or your team through a scale-up journey, I’d love to hear from you. Just drop me an email at ben@ben-morton.com.

Could speaking less actually make you a more impactful leader?  Inspired by a quote from author Graham Greene, “The more you say, the more likely you are to look foolish,” this episode of The Leaders Kitbag explores the power of intentional communication in leadership. Some of the most effective leaders I know don’t feel the need to be the loudest or most frequently heard voice in the room. But when they do speak, they speak with clarity and purpose. In this episode, I share three practical strategies to help you say less and lead more effectively. You’ll learn: Why concise communication increases the impact of your message How to create space for others and avoid dominating airtime The value of modelling thoughtfulness and restraint as a leader Leadership isn’t about always being the loudest voice in the room, it’s about knowing when to speak and how to make your words count. Get Leadership Tools Straight to Your Inbox If this episode gave you food for thought, don’t miss a single one. Sign up for The Leaders Kitbag email series to get each video, podcast and leadership insight delivered straight to your inbox, helping you grow your confidence, sharpen your communication, and lead with impact. Sign up here and join a growing community of thoughtful, high-performing leaders.  

Do you ever walk out of a meeting questioning whether you said enough, or even doubting if you made any impact at all?  In this episode of The Leaders Kitbag, I explore a common struggle for reflective, internal-thinking leaders who often equate airtime with impact.  Spoiler alert: the two are not the same.  I share three practical tips to help you communicate effectively and confidently, without needing to be the loudest voice in the room. You’ll learn about: Why your presence can be just as powerful as your words How to leverage your natural listening and summarising skills for maximum impact The importance of speaking with timing and relevance, not just frequency This episode is especially useful for leaders who identify as internal processors, introverts, or simply thoughtful contributors looking to enhance their leadership presence. Need More Support?  If you’d like support with leadership training, coaching or conference speaking, do drop me a line via chat@ben-morton.com, I'd love to help.  

In this episode of Leading the Scale-Up, I sit down with Lord Mark Price — the former Managing Director of Waitrose, Deputy Chair of the John Lewis Partnership, and UK Trade Minister — to explore why happiness might just be the most underrated leadership strategy of our time. With four decades of leadership experience and as the founder of WorkL, Mark has dedicated his career to proving a powerful point: happy employees aren’t just nice to have — they’re essential for performance. Together, we unpack: What really drives engagement (it’s not pay… and it’s not ping pong tables) The six drivers of workplace happiness — and how they directly improve performance How Waitrose doubled store count without losing its values Why leaders must stop chasing the ball and start playing their position What to do when values and commercial decisions collide (hint: they don’t have to) I also add my own lens as a leadership coach working with scale-up organisations, reflecting on the deep connection between feeling valued and leading effectively.  You’ll also hear one of the simplest, most powerful boardroom strategies I’ve ever come across for getting tough decisions right — while keeping the team aligned and engaged.