Breaking Barriers Podcast

Let’s take a look at what your talent strategy needs to flex and adapt to: economic volatility; AI disruption; political uncertainty; and a workforce rethinking what loyalty really means. Hosted by Rachel Schofield, and featuring Sharon Peake, Founder & CEO, Shape Talent, we explore: 🔹 Practical strategies to accelerate talent that move beyond traditional high-potential programmes Including immersive development plans, executive advisory boards and stretch experiences that build readiness, not just potential. 🔹 Why these approaches work in complex, fast-changing organisations What makes them effective when roles, expectations and operating models are shifting. 🔹 How HR and Talent leaders can implement them now Practical examples and implementation insights you can adapt in your own context. When change is constant, waiting for talent to “be ready” is a risk, your future leaders need to be ready before the moment demands it.

As organisations prepare for IWD 2026, many senior HR leaders are asking tougher questions: Where has progress on gender equity held? Where has it stalled? And where are new risks emerging? Join us next Thursday, 26th February at 2pm GMT, for a LinkedIn Live taking a clear-eyed look at the current state of gender equity across the UK and Europe. Gender equity in 2026: What progress now requires from HR & Inclusion leaders Featuring: 🔹 Sharon Peake, Founder & CEO, Shape Talent 🔹 Dr Priscila Pereira, Director of Research & Innovation, Shape Talent In this session, we’ll explore: 🔹 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗞 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲 What progress looks like in practice, and where data shows real change versus surface-level movement. 🔹 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝘆 The structural, cultural, and leadership factors that continue to block women’s progression, particularly into senior roles. 🔹 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 From evolving legislation and regulatory scrutiny to AI-driven change - and what HR leaders should be planning for now. This session is designed for senior HR and Inclusion leaders responsible for leadership pipelines, culture, and long-term talent sustainability.

Group coaching is increasingly being adopted by HR, L&D and EDI leaders as a scalable, inclusive development solution - but many still question what makes it truly effective. We explore how group coaching supports leadership development, builds inclusion, and enables organisations to develop people at scale without losing human connection. Rachel Schofield is in conversation with: 🔹Professor Rebecca Jones, Managing Consultant, Shape Talent and Professor of Coaching & Organisational Behaviour 🔹Sezin Doliva-Silav, Senior Key Account Lead, Henkel and former Shape Talent Programme Coachee In this session, we explore: 🔹 What group coaching really is, and why it works 🔹A personal account from Sezin on the impact of group coaching 🔹Why group coaching continues to matter, particularly in an AI-centred world This is a conversational, evidence-led and practical discussion that will benefit HR, L&D and DEI leaders looking for development approaches that work.

Why are women still underrepresented in leadership despite decades of progress? Because of the systemic barriers that continue to hold them back. Join Rachel Schofield in conversation with Sharon Peake, CPsychol (Founder & CEO, Shape Talent) and Dr Priscila Pereira Law PhD FCIPD (Director of Research & Innovation, Shape Talent) for the launch of the 3rd Edition of the landmark Three Barriers® Report. Drawing on 7,500+ voices, 95+ references, and fresh global data, this new edition explores: 🔹 The Three Barriers® to women’s career progression 🔹 Sub-barriers like stereotypes, sponsorship gaps, and the likeability penalty. 🔹 Why personal barriers aren’t about women “lacking confidence,” but about workplaces penalising ambition. 🔹 What good looks like when organisations dismantle barriers systemically.

Hear from leaders at Beiersdorf and Shape Talent as they share: Why menopause and perimenopause are workplace issues Practical steps for building supportive workplace cultures What meaningful support really looks like This is a must-attend for HR leaders, DEI professionals, and anyone shaping workplace wellbeing. Featuring: Vidya Kumar, HR Director Northern Europe, Beiersdorf Amy Chapman, Country Manager, Beiersdorf Jess Lazarczyk, Managing Consultant, Shape Talent

Are women’s development programmes a thing of the past – or ripe for reinvention? Join our Founder & CEO, Sharon Peake, CPsychol, as she explores how organisations can accelerate talent inclusively and sustainably. What we’ll cover: - Are women’s development programmes outdated – or due a reinvention? - The 5 critical ingredients for accelerating internal talent - Why one-size-fits-all doesn’t work in talent acceleration - How to ensure programmes deliver real, lasting talent mobility and retention If you’re an HR or Talent leader committed to equity in your leadership pipelines, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

Coaching is everywhere – but what actually has real career impact? Led by Professor Rebecca Jones, we dive into: - Why evidence-based coaching delivers deeper, measurable outcomes - How specialist expertise, like gender equity and industry knowledge, transforms impact - What separates good coaching from game-changing coaching Rebecca is a leading expert in coaching effectiveness, with a PhD in Work & Organisational Psychology. A Chartered Occupational Psychologist and Professor in Coaching and Behavioural Change, who specialises in evidence-based coaching, inclusive leadership, and lasting behaviour change.

Inclusion doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of intentional, well-designed systems. As many organisations struggle to maintain momentum on EDI, talent strategy can be a powerful lever to protect progress, embed equity into decision-making, and ensure that inclusion is built in, not bolted on. In this session, we explore how to: - Design inclusive talent systems that safeguard EDI gains - Evaluate how policies and programmes impact different genders and identities - Use workforce segmentation to better meet diverse needs - with real-world examples

How are organisations evolving EDI to remain impactful and defensible in the current climate? As organisations navigate a rapidly shifting landscape, EDI strategies are being tested like never before. Regulatory pressures, budget constraints, and shifting stakeholder expectations are forcing business leaders to make difficult choices. This raises the question: how do we sustain meaningful progress on EDI and navigate these challenges with confidence?

Rising costs of living, bill increases, high childcare costs and limited support means it’s increasingly challenging to be a working parent or carer. It can feel that the barriers facing those with caring responsibilities are too tough to break through. There are organisations, such as Working Families, that are championing working families and working to remove the barriers that people with caring responsibilities face in the workplace. Working Families CEO, Jane van Zyl, joined us to explore developments in UK policy and what they might mean for working families.

As external pressures and political shifts continue to challenge corporate EDI strategies, many organisations are finding themselves at a crossroads. Do they stay the course, or do they quietly roll-back their efforts to protect key business contracts? For multinational companies, the complexity grows — balancing the expectations of UK and European markets with the constraints facing their US operations. Shape Talent is excited for this upcoming thought-provoking podcast aimed to help decision makers and EDI leaders navigate the complex world of EDI today.

With Mark Zuckerberg sparking a debate on the need to embrace masculinity in the workplace, we disucss its impact on workplace gender equity with guest speaker, Dr Matt Jacobs, organisational development and EDI consultant to explore what masculinity has to do with gender equity in the workplace.  

Released in time for International Women’s Day 2025, this episode tackles the urgent and ongoing challenge of achieving gender equality that works for ALL. Despite progress, the gap remains, and closing it requires action. In this insightful conversation, we sit down with Sharon Peake, Shape Talent’s CEO, and Mary Ann Sieghart, author of The Authority Gap, to explore: The persistent gender equality gap through an intersectional lens Actionable strategies to ensure progress is inclusive for ALL women and girls What organisations must prioritise this International Women’s Day, and beyond Designed for CPOs, EDI leaders, and HR professionals, this episode is packed with practical takeaways to help you drive measurable, meaningful change in your workplace. Listen now and be part of the movement toward true gender equity.

Beyond representation: Designing workplace systems through the lens of intersectionality. With special guests: Arlene Rahn, Joulie Gindi (MSc), Simon Houghton and Shape Talent's Ailish Breen. Why is intersectionality so crucial? Women’s experiences in the workplace are shaped by a tapestry of intersecting identities – including race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, life stage and more. These dimensions of identity create unique challenges and opportunities, and understanding them is essential for creating inclusive and equitable workplaces. For leaders, the stakes are high. Without an intersectional lens, we risk overlooking the most underrepresented women – and missing out on their invaluable talents and perspectives. By embracing this framework, organisations can build solutions that work for all women, driving innovation, inclusion, and progress.

As a forward-thinking leader, you know that true organisational success hinges on diverse, equitable, and inclusive leadership. But how do you ensure your C-suite succession pipeline reflects these values? Shape Talent's Founder and CEO, Sharon Peake, CPsychol, will be joined by Eleri Dodsworth from executive search and leadership consultants, Stanton Chase London, alongside our host Rachel Schofield moderating this insight-packed discussion.  

Rachel Schofield is joined by Anne Hayes, Director of Sectors and Standards Development, BSI, Lyn Bartholomew, Head of Talent Management, Ericsson, and Sharon Peake, CEO and Founder of Shape Talent.

Rachel Schofield is joined by Shape Talent's CEO and Founder, Sharon Peake, and Director of Research and Product Innovation, Dr Priscila Pereira, who share five practical, high-impact tips that you can start implementing today.

Rachel Schofield is joined by Jenn Barnett from Grant Thornton UK, to discuss building a culture that enables the attraction and attention of women. 

Rachel Schofield is joined by Dr. Andrée Bates to discuss how AI is shaping the trajectory of gender equity.

Rachel Schofield is joined by Nadia Nagamootoo, where they discuss why inclusive leadership is so hard.

Rachel Schofield is joined by Ericsson's Lyn Bartholomew where they discuss about importance of flexible working for gender equality.

Rachel Schofield talks to Lee Chambers about if IWD is actually progressing the cause for gender equity in 2024.

Rachel Schofield talks to Robert Baker about the role of men in enabling gender equality.

Rachel is joined by Sharon Peake, Founder & CEO of Shape Talent, and Priscila Pereira, Director or Research & Innovation at Shape Talent.