Manage What Matters

Leading with courage, freedom and authenticity, Stephen J.Whitton is speaker and founder of a movement that aims to help leaders (especially men) to gain clarity, confidence and purpose. Having gone through his own calamitous situation in 2020, Divorce, business collapse, pandemic AND coming out, Stephen reflects on his career in a very male dominated and target driven industry, that was so focussed on results it didn’t have space for considering the wellbeing of its people, Stephen is leading the march to change that and recognises that men’s mental health and the impact on the environment around them, is key to authentic leadership, inclusion and sustainable results.In our conversation, Stephen shares his journey through a male-dominated industry, highlighting the impact of early experiences on mental health and the challenges faced by leaders. He discusses the creation of Menable and its approach to supporting mental health in the workplace. The conversation examines the importance of mental health in leadership and provides advice for leaders to support mental health effectively.TakeawaysAuthentic LeadershipMental Health AwarenessMillion Dollar Mental Health MomentsConnect with Stephen on LinkedIn or via his website, StephenJWhitton.com To explore Menable.org click here

This solo episode with Jackie Handy explores the importance of listening, the different layers of listening, generative listening, challenges in listening, barriers to effective listening, and strategies for overcoming listening challenges.TakeawaysListening builds trust and reduces conflictGenerative listening enables new thinking and shared ownership.Chapters00:00 The Importance of Listening07:05 Overcoming Listening Challenges

Rachael Edmondson-Clarke is an executive leadership coach and founder of Ellevar. She works with CEOs, founders, and senior leaders who want to lead with calm, clarity, and alignment to what matters most — even in the most demanding moments.With a background in leadership psychology, behavioural science, and twenty years of commercial and organisational experience, Rachael is known for her calm authority and her ability to help leaders see clearly, regulate their internal state, and make decisions rooted in purpose and presence.Her work strengthens the inner capacities that leadership demands — emotional steadiness, personal alignment, courageous thinking, and the ability to shape cultures where people and performance thrive.Our conversation explores the challenges of leadership, specifically the importance of well-being, the integration of restoration into work life, and the power of presence and connection in leadership. It emphasizes the need for leaders to prioritize self-care and emotional regulation to create a positive impact on their teams and organizations.TakeawaysLeadership challenges and well-beingIntegration of restoration into work lifeThe power of presence and connectionChapters00:00 Leadership Challenges and Well-being15:37 The Power of Presence and Connection

The episode delves into the critical role of trust in the workplace, introducing the trust equation and exploring its components. It discusses the impact of credibility, reliability, intimacy, and self-orientation on trust, highlighting the connection between trust and leadership. The episode concludes with a focus on building trust over time through self-awareness and consistent actions.TakeawaysTrust is a critical factor in the workplace, impacting communication, efficiency, and emotional energy.Credibility, reliability, intimacy, and self-orientation play key roles in building and maintaining trust within teams.

Helen Joy is the founder of People Spark. She works with professional services firms to turn overstretched managers into confident, capable leaders who drive performance, engagement and retention, without burning out or micromanaging. She spent 15 years as a manager herself, so she understands the reality: the deadlines, the pressure, the people issues no one teaches you how to handle. Her workshops are practical, engaging, and designed to cut through the noise, giving managers tools they’ll actually use the next day. Helen’s focus is simple: better supported managers, stronger teams, and measurable business impact.Our conversation covers leadership challenges, time management, financial decisions, competing with team members, the importance of listening, creating a sense of value and belonging, and the power of listening and asking questions in effective leadership.TakeawaysLeadership challenges: Managers are spread too thinly, with large teams and limited time for effective management.Listening and asking questions: The importance of listening to team members and asking open-minded questions to understand their needs and challenges.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Helen Joy05:04 Competing with Team Members10:45 Creating a Sense of Value and Belonging15:49 The Power of Listening and Asking Questions

Jackie Handy shares her experiences and insights on the challenges of transitioning into a management role, the pitfalls of relying on personal relationships, the importance of learning and development, and the need for guidance and support for people leaders. She highlights the role of leadership strategy and the impact of learning and development on effective management.TakeawaysLeadership strategyLearning and development

In this conversation, Jackie Handy discusses the importance of purpose in the workplace and its role as the glue that holds everything together. She also introduces the Matter Model, which helps identify where individuals and teams are positioned in terms of belonging, mattering, and purpose. The impact of generational differences on workplace expectations is explored, along with the identification of zones of engagement and the achievement of sustained performance in the flow zone.TakeawaysPurpose is the glue that holds everything togetherThe Matter Model helps identify where individuals and teams are positioned in terms of belonging, mattering, and purposeTake the FlowFinder Quiz hereWant to get in touch? My website is here.

The conversation explores the impact of disengagement on employees and the importance of growth, development, and leadership in maintaining employee engagement and motivation. It emphasises the need for a balance between stretch, support, and meaning in the workplace to foster growth and prevent burnout.TakeawaysBelonging and mattering are not the only things crucial for motivating high-performing team members.Disengagement leads to isolation, disconnection, and boredom, impacting employee behaviour and performance.How to get development right!Connect on LinkedIn hereOr visit my website www.jackiehandy.com

The solo episode with host Jackie Handy explores the role of diversity, equity, and inclusion in creating a sense of belonging. It also explores the components of belonging, the secret sauce of mattering, and the strategies for creating a sense of belonging and building inclusive cultures.TakeawaysBelonging and mattering combined are key to thriving in the workplaceDiversity, equity, and inclusion are essential for creating a sense of belongingChapters00:00 The Axis of Belonging06:36 Creating a Sense of Belonging

The podcast 'Manage What Matters' explores the importance of managing what truly matters to people in the workplace, highlighting the craving for meaningful work and the impact of small actions on culture and leadership. Your host, Jackie Handy, introduces the concept of the Matter Model® and discusses the exploration of clear topics through the lens of what truly matters to people, as well as the concept of Million Dollar Moments® in culture building.Thank you for being here.Connect with me on LinkedIn hereOr find my website at www.jackiehandy.com