The People Mentor Podcast
by Nicola Richardson
Series 6: Find Your Voice – Confidence, Silence and the Conversations That MatterThis series is all about the voice you've been holding back, because confidence was never actually the problem.I'm Nicola Richardson from The People Mentor, and I've spent over 40 years leading teams through change, conflict and everything in between. I know what it costs when people stay quiet, and what changes the moment they don't.In this series, I'm bringing you real stories from my own career and from the people I work with, on why silence at work is rarely about a lack of courage, and almost always about a missing skill. We'll get into what actually stops people speaking up, why confidence follows skill rather than the other way round, and what saying nothing really costs a business and the person carrying it. I'm also joined by guests, real leaders and managers from care, charity and small business, each bringing their own experience of building influence and speaking up without needing a title t
Episodes
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Nice Only Gets You So Far: Boundaries at Work
Most team problems could be solved by one conversation — and it’s usually the one that’s been avoided for months. Nicola is joined by Danny Goldberg, President of Gold SRD and author of a provocatively titled book on boundaries and people-pleasing. With more than 30 years in internal audit and…
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Confidence Isn't the Problem. Skills Are as a Manager
Most managers who avoid difficult conversations believe the problem is confidence. In this episode Nicola makes the case that it's a skills gap wearing a confidence costume, and that the two need completely different solutions. She walks through all seven steps of her COMPASS Conversation Model,...
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The Behaviour You Can Feel But Can't Prove
The sigh when you hand out a task. Sarcasm dressed up as humour. Agreement in the room and then nothing actually done. Written down on their own, none of it would get anyone in trouble, and that's exactly why it keeps going. In this episode, Nicola looks at passive-aggressive behaviour at work…
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Managing a Team You Rarely See.
What happens when your team is so small that no one else can pick up the pieces? Simon Harniess leads the Essex Care Association with a two-person team, works part-time, and brings over 40 years of social care experience. In this episode, he reveals the quiet management mistake that can cause...
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How to Work With Someone You Don't Like at Work
Some people at work are genuinely difficult. And some haven't done a single thing wrong; you just can't stand them. In this episode, I talk about the working relationship almost nobody admits to. The colleague who hasn't done anything you could write down, and yet your whole week shifts when you...
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You Own This... But Check With Me First
In this episode of Bite Size Brilliance: Managing People, I'm joined by Adrian Wolfberg, organisational scientist and founder of Organizational Insight Consulting, to unpack a pattern that shows up in businesses of every size: telling someone "you own this" while still checking every decision…
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How to Avoid Difficult Conversations (And Why That's Actually the Point)
What if the answer to fewer difficult conversations was learning how to avoid them in the first place? In this episode, I share the moment a chance comment during a mentoring session stopped me in my tracks, and why the businesses I work with all have the same three things missing. I take you…
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Ageism, Confidence and Being Overlooked
In this episode, I'm joined by Maureen O'Callaghan, educator, author, researcher and social entrepreneur, to talk about why capable, experienced women over 50 are so often overlooked at work. We talk about how invisibility shows up quietly. Being left out of meetings, having your confidence...
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How to Influence Your Team When You're Not the Boss
You make the point. Nothing. Ten minutes later, someone else says almost the same thing, and the whole room starts nodding. Does this sound like something you have experienced? Influence has nothing to do with your job title, and in this episode, I want to prove it to you. This week I'm looking…
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Lead the Person First: What Great Managers Get Wrong
Most managers prepare what they're going to say before a difficult conversation. Nina Ketel says that's exactly where it goes wrong. Lead with curiosity, not conclusions. And it changes everything. Nina Ketel spent over 13 years leading teams in local authority before moving into coaching. She…
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When You Lose Your Voice in the Workplace
What happens when the part of you that speaks up, pushes back, and advocates for yourself goes quiet? In this more personal episode, Nicola shares her own experience of losing her professional voice during a difficult chapter in her life, the pattern she sees again and again in the managers and...
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Why Leadership Problems Are Usually Insidious Habits You Cannot Hear
Most managers think they have a skills problem. What they actually have is a habit problem, and it is running underneath everything they do without them noticing. My guest this week is Doug Stoddard, a neuroscience and habit-breaking expert and the creator of Legacy360 Leadership. Doug coaches...
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Why Leadership Fatigue is Often a Conversation Problem in Disguise
If you've been feeling that bone-deep tiredness that comes with leading a team, you might assume it's your workload. In this episode, Nicola Richardson explores why leadership fatigue is so often misdiagnosed and why the real culprit is usually the conversations you haven't had yet. From the...
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Handling the Tough Return to the Workplace Conversation
In this episode of The People Mentor Podcast, Nicola Richardson explores how to have honest, respectful return-to-work conversations when employees prefer remote working. She shares how to balance business needs with empathy, why blanket rules can damage trust, and how listening and flexibility...
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Why Empathetic Leaders Often Struggle Most With Directness (And What to Do)
When caring too much starts to cost you clarity. Empathy is one of the greatest strengths a leader can have. But when it turns into over-caring, avoidance, or guilt, it can quietly hold you back. In this episode, I explore why empathetic leaders often struggle most with being direct, how it...
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The Secret Blame Game: How Good Leaders Really Build Trust
Tired of workplace finger-pointing destroying your team? Discover why blame culture spreads like wildfire through organisations and how smart leaders flip it into ownership. Discover the neuroscience behind blame, recognise the warning signs, and acquire practical tools to transform toxic...
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Managing Managers for the First Time -The Reality Nobody Prepares You For
Managing Managers for the First Time I thought this would be just like leading my old team, but bigger. I was so wrong. If This Sounds Like You, This Episode Is Essential: ❌ Your old success moves now create bottlenecks ❌ Direct instructions that used to work are failing ❌ You feel like you're...
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Culture First: Why Your Leadership Sets the Tone for Every Conversation
Your workplace conversations are broken. I'm here to fix them. In this episode, I'm tackling something that is often overlooked - your workplace culture. Not the glossy values stuck on your website. I'm talking about the authentic culture -the one your team experiences every single day. You'll...
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How to Set Boundaries Without Guilt and Stop Exhaustion for Leaders
That stomach-dropping feeling when someone asks for just five minutes of your time? The way you end up hiding in staff toilets just to get a moment's peace? You're not alone. In this episode, I dive into the real reason managers struggle to say no at work - and it's not what you think. It's not...
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What to Do When Employees Complain About Their Manager
One of the most awkward situations you'll face as a senior manager is when staff come to you complaining about their boss. After 33 years of managing teams, I know this one inside and out, having been on both sides of it. These complaints can spiral into massive problems if you get them wrong.…
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The Unspoken Cost of Being the Strong One at Work
Being the strong one at work might win you praise, but it comes at a hidden cost. In this episode, I unpack what it really takes to continuously hold it together, why it quietly drains leaders, and how to shift from carrying everyone else's weight to leading with steadiness that doesn't burn you...
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Managing a Sulker in the Workplace Without Losing Your Patience
Some team members sulk when things don't go their way. It's draining. It slows everyone down. And it tests your patience. In this episode, I share how to spot the signs early, why ignoring them makes things worse, and the practical steps you can take to turn the mood around without losing…
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When Apologies Fall Flat - What's Behind Those Repeated Patterns
Have you ever been on the receiving end of a half-hearted "sorry"? You know the type. The apology that leaves you feeling worse than before. In this episode, I'm breaking down why apologies go wrong. And how to say sorry in a way that rebuilds trust. If you lead a team, work with clients, or ever...
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Boost Your Career Resilience with Continuous Growth Strategies
Feeling stuck or worn down by all the changes in your career? In this episode of No Room for Fluff: The Workplace Edit, I explore how to build long-term career resilience, so you can stay grounded, keep growing and feel more in control no matter what work throws at you. From identifying your core...
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Navigating High-Stress Work Transitions -Strategies for Maintaining Composure and Professionalism
Feeling the pressure of a high-stakes transition at work? Whether you're juggling deadlines, stepping into a new role, or navigating difficult colleagues, this episode is your toolkit for staying calm, clear, and in control. Nicola shares practical strategies to manage stress, communicate with...
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That One Person Who Always Gets Under Your Skin
Have you ever had that one person who gets under your skin? The passive-aggressive emailer, the meeting hijacker, or the colleague who always plays the victim? In this episode of No Room for Fluff: The Workplace Edit, I'm breaking down what's really going on underneath the behaviour, and how to...
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Is it Conflict or Just Miscommunication
Ever felt tension in your team and thought, “Uh-oh, here we go”? Before you brace for conflict, pause. It might just be miscommunication. In this episode, I’m sharing the subtle signs to look for, what’s going on in people’s minds (including yours), and how to prevent misunderstandings before…
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How to Tackle Poor Performance When You Have an Unsupportive Boss
In this episode, Nicola from The People Mentor tackles the challenge of managing an underperforming team member when your boss undermines your efforts. She provides practical strategies for: - Documenting performance issues systematically - Having constructive conversations with underperforming...
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Dealing with Employee Social Media Activities for better business
Struggling with employee social media issues? In this must-listen episode, Nicola from The People Mentor tackles the challenge of confronting staff about inappropriate online behaviour. You'll learn practical strategies for professionally addressing social media concerns, protecting your…
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Why Being 'Too Nice' is Hurting Your Business -The Case for Constructive Criticism
In this episode, Nicola from The People Mentor tackles the thorny issue of being 'too nice' in the workplace. With her signature blend of warmth and straight-talking advice, Nicola explains why avoiding difficult conversations can hurt your business. She shares practical strategies for delivering...
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How to Have a Successful Difficult Conversation With Your Boss
Nobody enjoys difficult conversations, and if you need to have such a conversation with your boss, it can intensify the feelings of dread and anxiety you might have. In this podcast, I share my tips and techniques for having successful, difficult conversations with your boss that will help…
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How to Support Neurodiverse Employees with Challenging Conversations for Better Results
Join Nicola from The People Mentor as she shares valuable insights on creating an inclusive workplace for neurodiverse individuals. Learn practical strategies to support employees with ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and other neurological differences during difficult conversations. Discover how small...
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How to Manage Emotions in a Difficult Conversation to Remain Calm
Difficult conversations trigger our fight-or-flight response, so it’s not surprising that managing emotions can feel difficult. In this episode of The People Mentor podcast, Nicola shares some strategies for staying calm, empathetic, and focused on constructive solutions.
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How to Lead in a Crisis - Strategies for Thriving in Volatile Times
If recent years have taught us anything, it’s that you can never be too prepared for a crisis. But how prepared are you? How can you be the leader that people need in times of crisis so that everyone thrives instead of just surviving? In this podcast, I share some strategies for thriving in...
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How to Unleash the Leadership Power of Grit and Grace
Compassionate leadership is badly needed in an increasingly stressful world. However, how do leaders balance compassion with strength and professionalism? I explore this, particularly in relation to difficult conversations.
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How to Decode Office Politics for Professional Growth to Lead Authentically
You love your job. But the one thing that takes the shine off it is the office politics. The taking credit for people’s work. The blame culture. The gossiping and the backbiting. It can really discourage people and affect performance, and it can even affect your integrity as a leader. Here’s how...
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Episode 1: How to be a Mindful Leader for Nurturing Success and Well-being
What if I told you that the single most important factor in your success as a leader is knowing yourself? That understanding how you think and react can make you a more effective, compassionate, and innovative leader? This episode of The People Mentor podcast is all about mindful leadership and…
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Episode 15: In Burnout, Intensified Times, How to Have Calm Difficult Conversations
Welcome to my podcast, your go-to guide for leading with heart and results in high-pressure times. Today I am chatting about all things burnout prevention, handling tough conversations, and boosting team well-being. Peppered with actionable advice, expert insights, and a hearty dose of empathy,...
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Episode 14: How to manage long-term employees who are resistant to your approach
Are you struggling to manage long-term employees who have become challenging in your business? In my latest podcast, I provide you with valuable strategies and insights on effectively navigating this situation. Discover how to unlock the potential of these employees, foster a positive work...
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Episode 13: How to Increase Productivity in Your SME Team to Achieve the Results You Want
Looking to boost productivity in your SME team? Look no further! My podcast, "How to Increase Productivity in Your SME Team to Achieve the Results You Want," is packed with actionable strategies to optimise your team's efficiency. Join me as I explore time management, effective delegation, and...
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Episode 12: How to build a powerful culture in your SME business
Today I’m sharing some insights today about building a powerful culture in your SME business. A strong company culture is the secret sauce that can take your business to new heights. It's not just about having a cool office or fancy perks; it's about creating an environment where your employees…
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Episode 11: Can leadership skills be learned or are they innate?
Can leadership skills be learned or are they innate? In this episode of The People Mentor podcast, I talk about whether leadership is in our nature or whether leadership skills can be nurtured. Here’s my take on it.
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Episode 10: How your leadership skills improve the performance of the whole team
What impact do your leadership skills have on the performance of your team? In leadership, how you speak, how you act, and the decisions you make can have a direct effect on your employees, in positive and negative ways. In this podcast, we’ll be looking at the leadership skills to develop for...
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Episode 9: How to Have Difficult Conversations at Work and Win
Do you enter into a difficult conversation with the intention of ‘winning?’ If you want a positive outcome, that’s not the best way to go about it. The art of having successful difficult conversations is in finding common ground and a way forward that’s acceptable to all parties. Here are my tips...
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Episode 8: How to Have a Successful Productive Conversation with a Neurodiverse Employee
The benefits of having neurodiverse people on your team are increasingly being recognised. However, along with these benefits, there are challenges, one of which is communication. In this podcast, I’m looking at how to have a successful and productive conversation with a neurodiverse employee.
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Episode 7: How to Develop Your Confidence as a Manager of People
Does your confidence as a manager of people need work? Behind every confident team is a confident manager. In this podcast, I’ll be sharing tips on how to increase your confidence so that in turn, your team becomes happier, more innovative, and more productive.
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Episode 6: What do new managers need to know to lead a team to success?
As a new manager, it's crucial you understand how to lead your team to success. Effective leadership has a far-reaching impact, not just on the immediate team, but on the overall business and its success. That's why I have pulled together in this podcast, 10 tips for new managers to help you get...
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Episode 5: Why Holding Difficult Conversations Virtually Is Never A Good Idea
Difficult conversations are challenging enough and holding them remotely adds another layer of difficulty. There’s more room for misunderstanding and feelings getting hurt, not to mention the difficulties that trying to read body language when you’re not in the same room can bring. Here’s why I...
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Episode 4: What Leadership Skills are Most Important in SMEs?
Managers in SME businesses tend to wear a lot of hats. In the space of a day, they deal with daily trivia as well as the higher-level strategic stuff and coordinating all the different parts of the business. All of that against a backdrop of constant and sometimes seismic change. It’s a balancing...
About this show
Series 6: Find Your Voice – Confidence, Silence and the Conversations That MatterThis series is all about the voice you've been holding back, because confidence was never actually the problem.I'm Nicola Richardson from The People Mentor, and I've spent over 40 years leading teams through change, conflict and everything in between. I know what it costs when people stay quiet, and what changes the moment they don't.In this series, I'm bringing you real stories from my own career and from the people I work with, on why silence at work is rarely about a lack of courage, and almost always about a missing skill. We'll get into what actually stops people speaking up, why confidence follows skill rather than the other way round, and what saying nothing really costs a business and the person carrying it. I'm also joined by guests, real leaders and managers from care, charity and small business, each bringing their own experience of building influence and speaking up without needing a title t
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Nicola Richardson
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