Unleash Your Impact, Unlock Others

In this episode of Unleash Your Impact, Unlock Others, Rich and Dave explore a leadership challenge that almost everyone recognises: the gap between being busy and adding value. Prompted by a simple question in the gym about why Dave prefers 30-minute classes, they dig into how short, deliberate pockets of time can fuel clarity, connection, creativity, and renewal.

Drawing on Stephen Covey’s distinction between urgent and important work, as well as the “sharpen the saw” mindset, the conversation reframes 30-minute windows as powerful leadership levers. Across ten practical ideas, Rich and Dave show how leaders can use ha...

In this Leadership Unscripted episode, Rich and Dave dig into one of the most enduring psychological models for understanding workplace behaviour: Transactional Analysis and its Parent–Adult–Child (PAC) ego states. Using a playful PAC-Man analogy as the gateway into a deeper conversation, they explore how our internal “mini-me’s” influence tone, behaviour, decision-making, feedback conversations, and ultimately the quality of our relationships at work.

Drawing on real examples and decades of leadership experience, they unpack:

• how our early scripts shape present-day responses

• why triggers matter more than we think

• how even well-intend...

In this episode of Unleash Your Impact, Unlock Others, Rich and Dave explore five common communication mistakes that quietly derail leadership impact. Despite endless tools and channels, teams still point to communication as the number one problem that impacts productivity and efficiency.

Why is communication so hard? And why do good intentions so often get lost in translation?

Drawing on real examples from coaching, mediation, and organisational life, Rich and Dave unpack how these communication “false steps” show up in human interactions and that it is not dependent on any one personality type. From filling sile...

Why leadership today is about influence and connection rather than hierarchy

In this episode of Unleash Your Impact, Unlock Others, Dave and Rich explore what it really means to lead beyond the organisational chart. Together, they challenge traditional notions of hierarchy and shareholder-driven thinking, arguing that true leadership today means viewing your organisation as an ecosystem, one where influence, humility, and collaboration extend across a wide constellation of stakeholders.

They discuss the growing movement towards stakeholder capitalism, the mindset shift from “inside-out” to “outside-in,” and how leaders can navigate this complexity through a focus on empathy...

How reframing challenges builds confidence, creativity, and momentum.

In this episode of Unleash Your Impact, Unlock Others, Rich and Dave explore what it means to move from problem-centric leadership to leading with possibility. They unpack how a reactive, firefighting culture where everything is urgent and important drains energy, stifles innovation, and erodes confidence and how a solutions-focused approach can restore engagement, create empowerment and build a culture that positively impacts confidence.

Drawing from coaching practice and real-world leadership experience, they share how reframing problems, asking generative questions, and focusing on small steps forward can shift...

How RTT practitioner and former corporate leader Richard Stokes turned personal crisis into a mission to help others challenge limiting narratives and rediscover confidence.

In this deeply honest Voices of Leadership episode, Dave sits down with Richard Stokes, RTT Practitioner and former senior corporate leader, to explore what happens when a successful life begins to unravel, and how it can lead to a richer, more grounded kind of leadership.

Rich shares his candid story of high-pressure corporate success, burnout, and eventual rehab, and how that experience led him to retrain as a Rapid Transformational Therapy...

In this Leadership Unscripted episode, Dave and Rich explore one of the biggest myths in leadership development: that you can “train” people into becoming better leaders.

They unpack why so many leadership programmes fail to create real behavioural change and deliver a return on both investment and expectation. They introduce a different approach, a concept that does work, transformational learning.

Drawing on real-world examples, including Rich’s advanced motorcycle training with IAM RoadSmart, they discuss why leadership development must go beyond tools and content to focus on mindset, reflection, and cultural alignment. You’ll hear about Ze...

In this Voices of Leadership conversation, Dave sits down with Daniel Walton, Founder and Managing Director of OLPRO, a certified B-Corp and one of the UK’s leading outdoor leisure brands. From growing up climbing in the Peak District to helping launch lastminute.com at the dawn of e-commerce, Daniel’s story is a rich blend of adventure, experimentation, and entrepreneurial courage.

He shares how OLPRO was founded on a desire to “do things differently”, creating striking, sustainable camping gear while building a business that genuinely values people and the planet. We explore how Daniel embeds social value in...

In this Voices of Leadership episode, Dave speaks with Karen Nolan, founder of Bid Essentials, about the power of embedding social value into business strategy. Drawing on her background in construction, housing, and public sector tenders, Karen shares how leaders can move beyond the bottom line to create ripples of lasting impact in their communities.

Dave & Karen explore why social value matters for business leaders, employees, customers, and investors alike. She offers practical insights into frameworks like the TOMS measurement system, the growing influence of younger generations’ values-driven expectations, and how even small actions, like volunteer days or...

It’s the Heartbeat of Leadership: Why Courage Changes Everything.

In this Leadership Unscripted episode, Dave and Rich explore one of the most essential, yet often misunderstood, qualities of leadership: courage. Drawing inspiration from a Harvard Business Review article, they unpack what it really means to be brave in today’s fast-changing world of uncertainty, disruption, and pressure.

Far from reckless risk-taking, courage is reframed as a conscious choice to act boldly in service of a meaningful purpose. Through personal stories and practical strategies, Rich and Dave bring this theme to life showing how leaders can...

How a young author’s journey with neurodiversity can help us reshape the way we think about leadership and inclusion.

In this inspiring Voices of Leadership episode, Dave sits down with Daisy Merle, a young neurodiverse author and advocate, to explore what it really means to see the world differently. Daisy shares her journey of growing up with dyslexia, autism, and ADHD, and how these experiences inspired her book Pixo Escapes, a story about a neurodivergent Jack Russell terrier and his adventures.

Through her candid reflections, Daisy highlights both the challenges and the unique strengths th...

Why healthy scepticism and sense-making tools matter more than quick-fix models

In this Voices of Leadership conversation, Dave speaks with Stephen E. Morris, author of Leaders, Believers and Expert Deceivers, about the risks of relying on “one right way” models for leadership and organisational development. Drawing on his IT background and later research, Stephen shares how frameworks like Tuckman’s team stages, Lean-Agile methodology, and other popular models often get applied uncritically, and why leaders need to resist the temptation of finding easy answers.

Instead, he argues for curiosity, context awareness, and sense-making approaches which he bri...

How Purpose-Led Leaders Create Positive Ripples

In this first Voices of Leadership episode in season 2 of “Unleash Your Impact, Unlock Others”, Dave sits down with sustainability and B Corp expert Camilla Barnes, founder of Better Business, Better World to explore how purpose-led leadership can be a force for good. This thought-provoking conversation explores how businesses, particularly SMEs, can align purpose, people, and profit to drive meaningful change.

Camilla shares her personal leadership journey, shaped by time in rural Spain, Latin America, and the UK development sector. Her deep-rooted passion for sustainability and justice has led her...

Why energy management—not time management—holds the key to optimal performance.

Do you feel like there just aren’t enough hours in the day?

What if the problem isn’t time management—but how you manage your energy?

In this Leadership Unscripted episode of Unleash Your Impact, Unlock Others, Dave and Rich dive into the powerful concept of Energy Management, exploring why managing energy always beats managing time when it comes to leadership performance.

We break down:

✔️ The four dimensions of energy: Physical, Emotional, Mental, and Spiritual.

✔️ Why working longer...

Resilience isn’t just about “toughing it out.” It’s not about the stiff upper lip, nor is it about playing the victim. True resilience is a dynamic process—one that requires vulnerability, recovery, and intentional action.

In this Leadership Unscripted episode of Unleash Your Impact, Unlock Others, Dave and Rich explore:

✔️ Why resilience isn’t just about surviving—it’s about thriving

✔️ The role of vulnerability in true resilience

✔️ Eustress vs. distress: How to harness positive stress and avoid burnout

✔️ How mindfulness and intentional recovery build long-term resilience

✔️ Practical strategies leaders c...

What does true confidence look like? Is it boldness, assertiveness, and certainty? Or does it come from a quiet assurance, deep self-awareness, and humility?

In this episode of Leadership Unscripted, we explore a different take on confidence—one that challenges the traditional view of leadership. We discuss why confidence isn’t about bravado or faking it, but instead, it’s deeply rooted in humility and self-awareness.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

✔️ Why "Fake It Till You Make It" is misleading

✔️ How confidence and humility work together in great leadership

✔️ The role of self...

Rerelease

In Episode 3 of Unleash Your Impact: Unlock Others, Dave Morris and Rich Horton delve into the Connected Centre, the core of Zentano’s innovative Connected Leadership Model. Learn how to stay grounded and flexible while navigating the complexities of modern leadership.

Highlights:

Follow the podcast for weekly insights and actionable tips to elevate your leadership.

Takeaways:

What makes some teams thrive while others stall?

In this episode, Rich and Dave unpack how successful teams build and sustain momentum and performance using the lens of Zentano’s Connected Leadership model. They explore four key phases of team flow, Ignite, Inspire, Enable, and Execute plus the leadership styles that drive each phase forward.

Using Rich’s music-mixer metaphor, they discuss how leaders can “raise and lower the controls” to bring the right behaviours to the forefront at the right time, using the attributes of the whole team, and without trying to do everything themselv...

In this Leader Unscripted episode, Rich and DavE explore how the strengths that define your leadership style can also hold you back, if they’re overplayed. In effect they turn your positive ripples that you create into negative ones.

Using Zentano’s Connected Leadership Personas as a lens, they unpack the common blind spots of four leadership types: the Bold Captain, Inspiring Navigator, Caring Shepherd, and Diligent Builder.

This is a grounded, insightful conversation full of real-world examples and practical advice for anyone looking to deepen their leadership impact through emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and behavioural flex...

The idiom, "one-trick pony" is used to describe someone that is good at only one thing or has only one notable skill or achievement. The best leaders are not one trick ponies; they can flex and adapt their approach to meet any given situation. In this episode, Rich and Dave explore why leadership isn’t about having a single ‘style’ it is about knowing how and when to engage different styles.

Using the analogy of the human body where styles are like muscles to exercise and use appropriately, they explore Zentano’s Connected Leadership model as the skeleton...

In part 2 of their mini-series on confidence, Rich and Dave explore the Confidence Compass, a practical tool designed by Zentano to help leaders develop a grounded, sustainable and healthy sense of confidence. Building on their previous conversation about emotional intelligence and humility, this episode helps you visualise a model that unpacks the interaction between self-worth and competence.

Together, Rich and Dave identify four unhelpful confidence styles: The Self-Doubter, The Perpetual Striver, The Pretender, and The Overachiever, and discuss how leaders can move toward the Connected Centre, where true confidence lives.

Whether you're leading a team...

In this Leadership Unscripted episode, Rich and Dave begin a two-part mini-series on confidence. This first conversation explores the foundations of what it means to be truly confident, not as bravado or as an inflated self-image, but as a grounded, realistic sense of self that is rooted in emotional intelligence and humility.

They discuss the symbiotic relationship between self-worth and competence, share personal stories, and explain why healthy confidence isn’t about pretence and “fake it until you make it”, it’s about being comfortable in your own skin.

You’ll also learn:

AI is advancing rapidly, permeating many aspects of workplace life and the pace of adoption will increase, but what does that mean for leadership?

In this Leadership Unscripted episode, Rich and Dave explore why the rise of artificial intelligence doesn’t reduce the need for human-centred leadership, it makes it more essential.

Rich brings a rare dual perspective using his experience as a former senior IT leader coupled with his expertise as a highly experienced leadership coach. Together, they unpack the real limits of AI models like ChatGPT, including their lack of true understanding, ethical re...

Using Whole Brain Thinking to communicate change with empathy, clarity and balance.

In this episode, Rich and Dave explore how Whole Brain Thinking offers a practical framework for leading change in a world that is complex, fast-moving, and full of uncertainty.  

Research studies suggest that only a third of organisational change initiatives successfully meet their objectives. Of the circa 70% of change efforts that fail, this is often due to poor planning, employee resistance, and/or cultural inertia.

Too often, leaders default to purely analytical or procedural communication during change, overlooking creating sufficient big p...

In this Leadership Unscripted episode of Unleash Your Impact, Unlock Others, Rich and Dave unpack one of the most pressing challenges in leadership today: disconnection.

Drawing from Zentano’s Connected Leadership model and their own real-world experience, they explore five core disconnections that are undermining performance, resilience, and well-being:

Have you ever had a conversation where you felt truly heard, and others where you felt completely misunderstood?

In this Leadership Unscripted episode of Unleash Your Impact, Unlock Others, Rich and Dave unpack the four rules of Supercommunication based on Charles Duhigg’s bestselling book. You'll learn how to recognise and navigate different types of conversations, i.e. practical, emotional, and identity-based, and discover how leaders can avoid misfires and connect meaningfully.

From asking better questions to sharing your goals and understanding emotional triggers, this conversation taps into the importance of intentional leadership communication.

Wh...

What if your biggest leadership advantage was already inside your head, waiting to be unlocked?

In this inspiring Voices of Leadership episode of Unleash Your Impact, Unlock Others, we’re joined by Ann Herrmann-Nehdi, Chair & Chief Thought Leader of Herrmann International to discuss the vital benefits of Whole Brain® Thinking. Ann shares how the science of cognitive diversity can reshape how we lead, collaborate, and make decisions in an increasingly complex world.

We explore:

🧠 Why Whole Brain® Thinking matters more than ever in 2025

💡 How to harness your thinking preferences, and those of your tea...

Why your reaction to pressure might be your biggest leadership challenge

In this Leadership Unscripted episode of Unleash Your Impact, Unlock Others, Rich and Dave return to a key leadership truth: stress isn’t just what happens to you, it’s about how you relate and respond to what happens.

Building on their previous conversation about the performance equation, they go deeper into the inner game of stress, exploring how your internal stories, cognitive filters, and unhelpful thinking habits can amplify pressure and create interference.

This isn’t a conversation about eliminating stress, it’s about...

P = P – I. It’s simple. But it might just change how you lead.

In this Leadership Unscripted episode of Unleash Your Impact, Unlock Others, Rich and Dave explore a deceptively simple but powerful idea from Timothy Gallwey, author of The Inner Game of Tennis:

Performance = Potential – Interference

From elite sport to everyday leadership, this model holds up as a grounded and practical way to understand what gets in the way of people, teams, and organisations performing at their optimal best.

You’ll hear real-life examples from coaching, leadership, and personal experience...

In this Voices of Leadership episode of Unleash Your Impact, Unlock Others, Dave talks to Becky Brannigan, Head of Sport at Warwickshire College Group, about the powerful role sport plays in developing leadership skills in young people, long before they enter the workplace.

Becky shares the vision behind the new WCG Sports Academy, launching in 2025 at Pershore College, offering a pathway for students to combine elite sport and academic ambition, whether their passion is football, rugby, tennis, netball or even eSports.

But this isn’t just about physical development. It’s about confidence, communication, emotional intellige...

What if the biggest leadership blind spot isn’t skill, experience, or knowledge, but how you think?

In this Leadership Unscripted episode of Unleash Your Impact, Unlock Others, Rich and Dave explore Whole Brain Thinking, the powerful model developed by Ned Herrmann that reveals how different thinking preferences shape the way we lead, communicate, and solve problems.

They dive into why understanding your own and others’ thinking styles is a game-changer for leaders, particularly when it comes to building trust, avoiding miscommunication, and flexing your leadership style under pressure.

You’ll also hear how Zentano use...

In this Voices of Leadership episode of the Unleash Your Impact, Unlock Others podcast, Dave speaks with Liz Crutchley, DEI consultant, founder of Orange Orchid, and co-lead facilitator of Zentano’s upcoming Unlocking Inclusive Thinking workshop on 12 June at Stanbrook Abbey.

Through personal stories, thoughtful reflection and practical wisdom, Liz shares why inclusive leadership isn’t about getting everything right – it’s about showing up with curiosity, courage and connection.

Exploring topics from gender bias and neurodiversity to psychological safety and brave conversations this podcast discusses that it is not about “fixing people”, it is about getting the env...

In this powerful Voices of Leadership episode of Unleash Your Impact, Unlock Others, Dave sits down with Annie Esler, a leadership facilitator, speaker, and inclusive culture advocate, to explore the importance of brave leadership, psychological safety, and speaking up.

Annie shares her personal experience of workplace harassment and how it impacted her confidence and career trajectory. She reflects on the slow but essential shift in generational workplace culture, and why we can’t keep asking people to speak up unless we’re ready to truly listen.

The conversation leads into Annie’s upcoming role as co-facilit...

Why inclusive leadership must include menopause awareness – and what leaders can do about it.

In this powerful Voices of Leadership episode of Unleash Your Impact, Unlock Others, Dave talks with Shirley Gray, Founder of Gray Matter Learning and long-time Zentano associate, about one of the most overlooked topics in leadership: menopause.

Shirley shares her deeply personal story and explains why menopause remains a taboo subject in many workplaces despite the fact that it affects a significant proportion of the workforce. From anxiety and brain fog to declining confidence and emotional overload, the symptoms are real – and the...

Mastering the mindset and everyday skills to embed coaching into your leadership style.

Welcome to the second episode in our two-part series on coaching in leadership. In the last episode, Dave and Rich explored why coaching is such a powerful leadership tool. In this episode, they get practical.

What does a coaching approach really look like in action? What are the everyday mindset shifts and essential skills that help leaders create trust, unlock potential, and embed a coaching culture?

Dave and Rich unpack the critical skills behind effective coaching conversations – including active listening, mirror...

In this Leadership Unscripted, episode of Unleash Your Impact, Unlock Others Dave and Rich dive into one of the most powerful, yet underutilized, leadership skills – Coaching. They discuss why coaching is at the heart of Zentano’s leadership approach and how embracing a coaching mindset can unlock performance, build resilience, and transform organizational culture. 

Rich shares his personal experience of being coached and how it completely changed his approach to leadership. Dave and Rich explore the differences between traditional leadership approaches and leadership using a coaching mindset, highlighting the importance of balancing directive leadership with empowering others. 

The...

Why energy management—not time management—holds the key to optimal performance.

Do you feel like there just aren’t enough hours in the day?

What if the problem isn’t time management—but how you manage your energy?

In this Leadership Unscripted episode of Unleash Your Impact, Unlock Others, Dave and Rich dive into the powerful concept of Energy Management, exploring why managing energy always beats managing time when it comes to leadership performance.

We break down:

✔️ The four dimensions of energy: Physical, Emotional, Mental, and Spiritual.

✔️ Why working long...

What happens when you realize you’re successful—but not fulfilled?

Scott Garrett has lived the highs and lows of reinvention—from being a touring musician, to leading teams in education, to walking away from security to build businesses that align with his purpose.

This Voices of Leadership episode of Unleash Your Impact, Unlock Others explores:

✔️ How to find your ‘why’ and build a career with meaning

✔️ The leadership lessons from life in the music industry

✔️ Why resilience isn’t about avoiding failure—it’s about using it

✔️ How the best bands & businesse...

Resilience isn’t just about “toughing it out.” It’s not about the stiff upper lip, nor is it about playing the victim. True resilience is a dynamic process—one that requires vulnerability, recovery, and intentional action.

In this Leadership Unscripted episode of Unleash Your Impact, Unlock Others, Dave and Rich explore:

✔️ Why resilience isn’t just about surviving—it’s about thriving

✔️ The role of vulnerability in true resilience

✔️ Eustress vs. distress: How to harness positive stress and avoid burnout

✔️ How mindfulness and intentional recovery build long-term resilience

✔️ Practical strategies leaders c...

What does true confidence look like? Is it boldness, assertiveness, and certainty? Or does it come from a quiet assurance, deep self-awareness, and humility?

In this episode of Leadership Unscripted, we explore a different take on confidence—one that challenges the traditional view of leadership. We discuss why confidence isn’t about bravado or faking it, but instead, it’s deeply rooted in humility and self-awareness.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

✔️ Why "Fake It Till You Make It" is misleading

✔️ How confidence and humility work together in great leadership

✔️ The role of self...