Culture Corner by Exalto Consulting

Fiona Widd - Listening in leadershipIn this conversation, Fiona shares her journey into the tech industry, emphasizing the importance of alternative routes into tech and the value of community support. She discusses the challenges of imposter syndrome and the necessity of having a support network for leaders. Fiona reflects on her transition from team member to leader, highlighting the significance of trust and communication within teams. The discussion also touches on the impact of AI in the legal sector and the need for critical thinking skills in the age of technology.The conversation includes:Why listening is so important as a leaderFiona and her journey in techThe importance of alternative routes into techThe value of community in techOvercoming Imposter SyndromeThe role of support networks for leadersTransitioning from team member to leaderBuilding trust and communication in teamsThe impact of AI on the Legal sectorFostering critical thinking in the age of AI

In this episode Adrian speaks to Lauren Corderoy, Senior Manager in Software Engineering at Dunelm.Lauren shares her honest insights on leadership, team culture, and career progression, highlighting the importance of creating environments where people feel supported, trusted, and recognised at every level. She speaks passionately about the role leaders play in shaping culture, and why communication and trust are the foundations of high-performing teams.We also explore the importance of taking ownership of your own career, building a strong personal brand, and navigating the challenges that come with leadership, including managing difficult stakeholders and overcoming imposter syndrome.Lauren offers particularly valuable perspective on the experiences of women in tech, and how resilience, self-belief, and visibility can help drive meaningful progression.⭐Overcoming imposter syndrome⭐Navigating leadership as a young professional⭐The importance of personal branding⭐Building trust with stakeholders⭐Assuming ignorance, not malice⭐Managing up effectively⭐Adding value in conversations⭐The 'Manual to Me' approach⭐Transitioning from team member to leader⭐Navigating career progressionLauren's LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/laurencorderoyAdrian's LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/adrianprodgerwww.exalto-consulting.com

Paul Agapow - Evolving Leadership StylesPaul Agapow has a wealth of experience across the use of Data and AI in the Biotech and Pharma industries.In this podcast he shares his insights on leadership, culture, and the dynamics of working in various organisational settings. He emphasizes the importance of trust, collaboration, and adaptability in leadership roles, particularly in the context of global teams and startups. Paul discusses the challenges of managing diverse teams, the significance of hiring the right people, and the evolving role of AI in leadershipSome of the topics cover:Evolving Leadership StylesChallenges in Academia vs. IndustryNavigating Large OrganizationsBuilding Internal Networks for SuccessThe Challenges of Scaling Small CompaniesLeadership Mindset in Growing OrganizationsCross-Functional Team DynamicsBridging the Gap Between Business and TechnologyHiring for Growth: Avoiding Common PitfallsDeveloping Future LeadersThe Impact of AI on LeadershipPaul's LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-agapow/Adrian's LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianprodger/www.exalto-consulting.com

Paul Hornby - transforming healthcare with technologyAdrian chats with Paul Hornby - Chief Digital & Technology Officer at Bestway Healthcare.In the episode Adrian and Paul discuss:Digital transformation across Healthcare in a B2B environmentCulture eats strategy for breakfastHiring for diversityDoes a degree matter when hiring people?How to foster culture in hybrid and in office workplacesTransparency in leadershipPaul's LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulhornbyAdrians LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianprodgerExalto Consulting: www.exalto-consulting.com

The importance of self care in leadership with Stuart DayAdrian chats with Stuart Day - Managing Principal Consultant at Ten10The conversation covers:The importance of self care in leadershipStyles of leadershipDefining great cultureEarning trust in new teamsUsing coaching skills in team leadershipRecruitment and building teamsStuart's LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuart-day/Quality talks qualitytalks.co.ukAdrian's LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/adrianprodger

In this episode Adrian chats with Mark Kitching, Technology Director🎙️ Tune in to hear Mark speak authentically about the nuances of tech leadership, team building, organisational challenges and building cultures where people genuinely enjoy coming to work. Mark is a real people person, and it’s easy to see why his teams buy into him as both a leader and an individual.In this episode, Mark shares insights on creating high-performing teams, the critical importance of trust and communication, and how leaders can effectively manage both up and down in large organisations.💡Stakeholder management.💡Navigating tech disagreements.💡The benefits of a happy work force.💡Balancing honesty and influence.💡Building trust in new teams.💡Empathy in leadership.💡Dealing with under performance.Exalto Consulting:www.exalto-consulting.comhttps://linktr.ee/exaltoconsultingAdrian Prodger:https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianprodger/Mark Kitchinghttps://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-kitching/

Embracing your worth with Aisha MinhasIn this episode Adrian chats to multi award winning People and Change Leader - Aisha Minhas.The episode covers:Involving your team in cultural changeEmbracing your worthBenefits of Peer 2 Peer coachingDriving changeBeyond tick box diversityD&I TrainingHow diverse teams innovate.Exalto Consulting:www.exalto-consulting.comAdrian Prodger:https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianprodger/Aisha Minhas:https://www.linkedin.com/in/aisha-m-profile/

Rick Spencer - How transparent should you be with your teams?In this episode Adrian chats with Rick Spencer, Engineering Team Leader at CertiniaThe conversation covers a variety of topics, including:Importance of career frameworks covering the whole business not just individual teams.Benefits of direct customer feedback for software engineering teams.The positive effect of Ricks MBA on his leadershipKey elements of high performing teamsBiggest challenge as a leaderAlternatives to OKR's/SLA's that focus on the business as a whole rather than individual teams.Check out Adrian's profile here: linkedin.com/in/adrianprodgerRick's profile on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rick-spencer-mba-26b6b213Exalto Consulting: https://exalto-consulting.com/

Outside your comfort zone with Helen RamshawIn this episode of Cuture Corner Adrian speaks with Helen Ramshaw - Engineering Manager at mkodo.The conversation covers a variety of topics, including:A top down approach for cultivating culture.Pushing people outside their comfort zone.Constructive feedback.Importance of clear communication.Empowering your team.Importance of recognition.Check out Adrian's profile here: linkedin.com/in/adrianprodgerHelen's profile on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/helen-ramshaw-56a0a978Exalto Consulting: https://exalto-consulting.com/

In this episode Adrian talks to Chris Henderson - Senior Quality Engineering Manager at DunelmThe conversation covers many aspects, including:Biggest challenges as a leaderCoaching and mentoring in leadershipImportance of empathy and emotional intelligence as a leaderStrategies for holding each other accountable as leadersVulnerability and openness in leadershipWhat the culture is like at DunelmUse of tools to understand team dynamics / strengths / development areas.Chris's LinkedIn:linkedin.com/in/christopher-henderson-344231156Adrian's LinkedIn:linkedin.com/in/adrianprodgerExalto Consulting:www.exalto-consulting.com

In this episode Adrian talks to Dileep Marway - CTO at technology consultancy AND Digital.The conversation covers many aspects, including:Dileep’s journey into Tech.Retaining culture through rapid growth.Empowering teams to dive culture.Career highlight.Importance of knowing your team on a personal levelHelping people on their career journey.The willingness to continually learn/growth mindset.Behaviours based hiring.What makes a great leader.Importance of career progression.Dileep's LinkedIn:linkedin.com/in/dileepmarwayAdrian's LinkedIn:linkedin.com/in/adrianprodgerwww.exalto-consulting.com

In this episode Adrian speaks to Amelia Bampton, Engagement Manager at Equal Experts.The conversation covers a variety of topics including:Being an individual at workSelf awarenessFeedback loopsPsychological safetyThe importance of balanced teamsInspiring peopleEmpowerment over command and controlAdrian: linkedin.com/in/amelia-bamptonAmelia: linkedin.com/in/amelia-bamptonExalto Consulting: https://www.exalto-consulting.comhttps://www.youtube.com/@ExaltoConsulting

Adrian speaks to Nichole Tinnion, Senior Director at ASDA about her journey into IT, her leadership style and tips for crafting culture.The conversation includes:Human Centric LeadershipCareer paths Surround yourself with people better than yourselfBuilding diverse teamsSaying yes to everythingWorking abroad at a young age.Nichole's LinkedInlinkedin.com/in/nichole-tinnion-4a509a50Adrian's LinkedInlinkedin.com/in/adrianprodgerExalto Consulting:https://www.youtube.com/@ExaltoConsultinghttps://exalto-consulting.com

Adrian chats with Clem Pickering - Performance Coach for tech leaders The conversation covers:- Low hierarchy, creating openness & transparency- Benefits to being open by default as opposed to closed by default.- Benefits of Advocacy as you scale a business- Feedback strategies- Imposter syndrome and working through it.- Psychological safety- Dealing with conflictAdrian's LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/adrianprodgerClem's LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/clement-pickeringwww.exalto-consulting.com

In this episode Adrian and Terry discuss a range of topics covering things such as – ✅The benefits of all hands meetings. ✅Inclusive hiring. ✅Importance of Psychological safety. ✅Emotional intelligence and empathy. ✅Collecting and giving feedback. ✅The importance of diverse teams. ✅What makes a good leader.

In this episode Adrian talks to Trenton Moss - Best selling author, leadership coach and agency ownerThe chat covers a variety of topics, including:· Creating a culture of trust· Psychological safety· Creating a culture of belonging· Impact of specific & meaningful feedback· The role of conflict in high performing teams Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExaltoConsultingFollow Trenton: linkedin.com/in/trentonmossFollow Adrian: linkedin.com/in/adrianprodgerwww.exalto-consulting.com

In this episode Adrian talks to Dave McKerral, VP of Software Engineering at Kalibrate.The chat covers a variety of topics, including:Benefits of apprenticeships.Inclusive interviews / hiring processes.Benefits of transparency in teams.Advantages of sharing vulnerabilities as a leader.Culture at Kalibrate.Benefits of in office presence for less experienced team members.Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExaltoConsultingFollow Dave: linkedin.com/in/davemckerralFollow Adrian: linkedin.com/in/adrianprodgerwww.exalto-consulting.com

In this episode Adrian talks to Josh Nesbitt, Chief Technology Officer at Glean (an Education Technology company based in Leeds).The conversation covers topics such as:-        What makes a great leader?-         Intricacies of inclusive hiring-        The importance of empathy in leadership-        The culture at Glean-        Cooking in a Michelin star kitchen

In this episode Adrian talks to Tom Pomfrett, Regional Head of Delivery at BJSS.The conversation covers topics such as:How to retain culture whilst building teams across multiple locationsCreating balance in team dynamicsThe importance of psychological safety and feedback loopsEstablishing accountability, empowerment and trust in teams

Adrian chats to Edson Ferreira - Director of EngineeringThe episode covers topics such as:Essential leadership styles for high performing teams.Creating and environment for collaborationManaging and moving through conflictHiring the right peopleThe importance of structure and clarity in teamsCreating the right environment for high performing teams.

Adrian Prodger, Director at Exalto Consulting, chats about how to build a great culture with Sarat Pediredla, CEO and Founder at Hedgehog LabTopics covered include:Natural leadershipCulture frameworksCreating a sense of accountability within employeesHow humans are wired for connection

Adrian Prodger, Director at Exalto Consulting, chats about building a great culture with Cassy Calvert, Director at Sogeti.Topics covered include:Leading by example - behaviour breeds behaviourValues led leadershipHow to cultivate culture in remote / hybrid teamsGetting to know your teams