Lea On Leadership

Recruitment is one of the most costly areas organisations consistently get wrong - and it isn't a new problem. We've had decades to fix it and we still haven't. In this episode I get into why: most people involved in hiring and recruitment don't have the skills to do it well, and no amount of process, standardisation or AI screening fixes a human development problem you're not willing to name. If you want to improve your hiring, start by asking whether the people running that process have one of the core skills needed in every single hire your organisation makes.

Most people think their health doesn't impact their leadership abilities. They're wrong.Unprocessed emotions show up in the body. Chronic inflammation, poor sleep, persistent anxiety, unexplained pain - these aren't just the cost of a busy life. They're indicators of something longer term AND they have a direct impact on your capacity to lead.You already know what one bad night's sleep does to your patience and your ability to hold space for others. Now multiply that by months or years of chronic symptoms you've normalised and pushed through...Your body has been keeping score. The question is how much it's costing you - and the people you lead.

Most leaders have never had formal leadership training. Yet somehow they're managing people, navigating conflict, and shaping cultures - for better or worse.In this episode, Lea makes the case that one of the most overlooked leadership development tools isn't a course, a coach, or a framework. It's your friendships. But not all friendships... The ones where people disagree with you, where difficult conversations happen, where conflict gets worked through rather than avoided or overridden. Those friendships are a training ground for exactly the skills leadership demands most - emotional regulation, conflict resolution, and the ability to reach resolution without avoiding or defaulting to power.So the question worth asking: What is the quality of your friendships actually telling you about your leadership ceiling?

Entry-level graduate jobs are disappearing. Mid-career professionals with a decade of experience can't get interviews. And we're still sending young people into the world through an education system that isn't preparing them for any of it. The crisis isn't looming - it's already here.In this episode, Lea Jovy unpacks what's really happening to white-collar work and why it matters when the people who were supposed to be the safest bets can't get hired.The standard response - retrain, upskill, become an entrepreneur - is well-meaning but increasingly pointless. The business models people would have pivoted to two or three years ago are already being eaten by the same technology that took their jobs.So what do we actually do? Lea argues we need to stop thinking in individual career terms and start thinking systemically - about how communities organise, what resources people need to survive and thrive, and what human connection offers that AI simply cannot replicate. The critical point is that we need to be having these conversations now, not waiting until the full weight of the crisis lands.Key points covered:Why the crisis is already here - and why we're not feeling the full impact yet.The specific groups most at risk: graduates and mid-career professionals.Why "become an entrepreneur" is no longer a straightforward solution to the crisis.The case for systemic, community-level thinking over individual career pivots.One model Mission Equality is exploring.

The job market for young people is at its worst since the pandemic. In the UK, youth unemployment is back above 15%. And while we talk about reskilling and AI literacy, we're missing the bigger problem: the entry-level layer of work - the one where people learn to be managed, develop judgment, and become leaders - is being systematically eliminated.McKinsey, Accenture, the big four. They're not just cutting costs, they're cutting their leadership pipeline. And for young people without the right networks or social capital, they're not just closing a door, they're bricking it up.This is a fireside conversation about what we've actually done - and what it's going to cost us, as leaders of today, in the not too distant future.

Most workplace harm comes from one place: Unregulated emotions...especially at management and leadership level.In this episode of Lea on Leadership, Lea Jovy breaks down the uncomfortable truth: the majority of damage done inside organisations - especially at founder and CEO level - stems from leaders who cannot regulate themselves under pressure.You’ll hear:What emotional dysregulation actually looks like in the workplace (it’s often subtle).Why “shared decision-making” can become performative when disagreement isn’t tolerated.How an inability to be wrong kills innovation and psychological safety.The real psychological root of micromanagement (and why it’s rarely about your team).How shame spirals drive punitive leadership behaviours like red-penning, passive aggression, and power plays.What dysregulation feels like in your body before it shows up in your behaviour.Practical ways to pause, reset, and prevent avoidable harm.If you’re building a progressive organisation, claiming innovation as a value, or trying to create a culture of safety and trust - this episode is non-negotiable listening.Emotional management isn’t soft skill territory, it’s structural leadership competence Because when a founder can’t tolerate discomfort, disagreement, or being wrong - the entire organisation pays the price.Listen in and ask yourself: When I feel uncomfortable at work, what do I actually do next?

Most founders and CEOs confuse responsibility with accountability - and it costs them trust, clarity and growth.Discover why understanding this key distinction can transform your leadership and unlock a healthier, more effective organisation.Lea Jovy, CEO and founder of Mission Equality, unpacks the crucial difference between responsibility and accountability for leaders at every level. Many leaders struggle with this divide, especially as their organisations grow. Lea explains why many founders feel overwhelmed by the illusion of responsibility and how shifting to true accountability can create trust, safety, and clarity within teams.In this episode, you'll discover:The dangerous misconception that founders must do everything themselves.How to clearly differentiate responsibility and accountability across your team.The importance of accountability in building trust and psychological safety.Why embracing accountability at the executive level transforms organisational culture.Ignoring this fundamental leadership insight risks burnout, mistrust and organisational chaos. Mastering it unlocks a leadership style that fosters autonomy, resilience and aligned impact. Whether you're a startup founder or a seasoned CEO, understanding this distinction is your next steps toward stronger leadership and a more impactful organisation.Perfect for founders, CEOs, and aspiring leaders eager to create a culture of trust and high performance. Lea Jovy, an expert in leadership development and organisational growth, shares actionable insights that will help you step into true accountability - without the burnout.