EPISODE · Aug 8, 2025 · 29 MIN
Abstract Essay in its Fifth season, featuring Ben Brearley as my guest.
from Abstract Essay · host Daniel Lucas
Ben BrearleyHelping thoughtful, reflective (and often quieter) leaders show up, speak up and step up, without pretending to be someone they're not.I’m Ben Brearley: a leadership coach and trainer, podcast host, and creator of Thoughtful Leader.I specialise in working with quieter, people-focused leaders who care about their teams, making an impact and doing a good job - but often doubt themselves or feel overwhelmed by the demands of leadership.Early in my own leadership career I struggled with many of the challenges of being a quieter leader: Overthinking, self-doubt, avoiding conflict, and wondering if I really belonged in a leadership role. What I learned over time (and now help other leaders do) is how to put that baggage aside and lead in your way without pretending to be someone you're not.I started my career in IT as a software developer, and then held leadership roles (including team leadership, middle-management, project and program management and consulting) for 16 years before I moved into leadership coaching, training and facilitation, and I've been publishing leadership articles and podcasts since 2014.My passion is helping people understand themselves better and gain self-acceptance so they can lead effectively and with confidence. I am also quite pragmatic, and try to help people avoid falling into a victim mindset, overthinking, worrying or constantly ruminating on potential problems. I call this area of my work "useful thinking" and have created several reflection tools to help people do this. When I’m a guest on a podcast, I'm quite casual and easy-going and try to bring down-to-earth, practical insights that help listeners feel supported, and capable. I also deliver leadership training, so I know a bunch of tools and theories that might be helpful too. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
What this episode covers
Ben BrearleyHelping thoughtful, reflective (and often quieter) leaders show up, speak up and step up, without pretending to be someone they're not.I’m Ben Brearley: a leadership coach and trainer, podcast host, and creator of Thoughtful Leader.I specialise in working with quieter, people-focused leaders who care about their teams, making an impact and doing a good job - but often doubt themselves or feel overwhelmed by the demands of leadership.Early in my own leadership career I struggled with many of the challenges of being a quieter leader: Overthinking, self-doubt, avoiding conflict, and wondering if I really belonged in a leadership role. What I learned over time (and now help other leaders do) is how to put that baggage aside and lead in your way without pretending to be someone you're not.I started my career in IT as a software developer, and then held leadership roles (including team leadership, middle-management, project and program management and consulting) for 16 years before I moved into leadership coaching, training and facilitation, and I've been publishing leadership articles and podcasts since 2014.My passion is helping people understand themselves better and gain self-acceptance so they can lead effectively and with confidence. I am also quite pragmatic, and try to help people avoid falling into a victim mindset, overthinking, worrying or constantly ruminating on potential problems. I call this area of my work "useful thinking" and have created several reflection tools to help people do this. When I’m a guest on a podcast, I'm quite casual and easy-going and try to bring down-to-earth, practical insights that help listeners feel supported, and capable. I also deliver leadership training, so I know a bunch of tools and theories that might be helpful too. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Abstract Essay in its Fifth season, featuring Ben Brearley as my guest.
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