Helping organisations thrive with Julian Roberts

In this inspiring episode of Helping Organisations Thrive, Julian sits down with keynote speaker, author, and Art of Brilliance trainer Hannah Knowles to explore what it really means to become the best version of yourself. Hannah shares her remarkable journey from primary school teacher to wellbeing expert, revealing how her passion for helping young people rediscover confidence and joy after the pandemic led her to a career dedicated to resilience, positive psychology, and personal growth. Together, they discuss why being fully present is one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves and others, and how small, intentional habits can transform the way we experience work and life.

The conversation is packed with practical strategies for building resilience without falling into the trap of toxic positivity. Hannah introduces the powerful concept of "glimmers", the small moments of joy and gratitude that help rewire our brains away from negativity and explains how self-compassion, consistent action, and simple daily practices can create lasting change. Whether you're a leader looking to bring your best self to your team or someone seeking more happiness and balance in everyday life, this episode offers actionable insights and uplifting inspiration to help you thrive.

If you are looking for a Blueprint to help you and your business manage uncertainty, deal with failure and navigate change then reach out to Julian at: julian@julianrobertsconsulting.com

You can buy my book "Weathering the Storm: A Guide to Building Resilient Teams" on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DFTYN2Y2

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In a world where AI is transforming how we work and communicate, are we at risk of losing the very thing that makes leadership effective, that is genuine human connection? In this episode, Julian is joined by Victoria Rennoldson, award-winning cultural intelligence and communication coach and founder of Culture Cuppa, to explore what human leadership really means in practice. Victoria shares why the skills once dismissed as "soft" are now the most critical capabilities a leader can develop, and introduces the concept of the "human differentiating factor". The idea that in an AI-enabled world, it's the people who can truly connect, build trust and communicate with authenticity who will stand out.

Drawing on over a decade of working with leaders and teams across cultures, Victoria offers practical strategies for navigating the overwhelm of modern communication, from being intentional about one-to-one time to agreeing team norms that reduce friction and noise. She explains why leaders need to "slow down to speed up," how cultural intelligence helps teams understand each other at a deeper level, and why simply copying and pasting AI-generated communication risks stripping away the very tone and personality that builds real relationships. Whether you're leading a global team or a local one, this conversation is a timely reminder that the human side of leadership isn't a nice-to-have but it's the whole point.

If you are looking for a Blueprint to help you and your business manage uncertainty, deal with failure and navigate change then reach out to Julian at: julian@julianrobertsconsulting.com

You can buy my book "Weathering the Storm: A Guide to Building Resilient Teams" on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DFTYN2Y2

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Caroline Elliott is the first British woman to join the French fire rescue specialist mountain rescue unit and the only British woman to qualify in all disciplines of French ski patrol rescue including avalanche dog handling. In this episode, she shares the mindset and strategies she's developed working in one of the most high-pressure environments imaginable, from managing fear on an avalanche callout to keeping a rescue dog calm when every second counts.

We explore what breath work, situational awareness, and the discipline to pause before acting look like in the field and what leaders in business can take directly from those lessons. Caroline's message is clear: no ego, stay humble, stay approachable, and lead yourself before you try to lead others.

If you are looking for a Blueprint to help you and your business manage uncertainty, deal with failure and navigate change then reach out to Julian at: julian@julianrobertsconsulting.com

You can buy my book "Weathering the Storm: A Guide to Building Resilient Teams" on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DFTYN2Y2

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In this episode, Julian is joined by Justin Fitzpatrick, former Irish international rugby player turned business CEO and creator of the Resilient Leaders Playbook. With 26 caps for Ireland and a Heineken Cup winner's medal with Ulster in 1999, Justin shares the hard-won lessons from his playing career and how they translate into building resilient teams in business. From handling the brutal highs and lows of professional sport to navigating his forced retirement through injury in 2010, Justin offers candid insights on what it really takes to bounce back — including his favourite Churchill quote: "If it's not fatal, it's not final."

The conversation explores the power of pre-mortems over post-mortems, why feedback is simply "a vehicle to improve," and how psychological safety isn't about being soft — it's about creating environments where people can challenge each other and grow together. Justin also reflects on his transition from player to coach to CEO, building a professional rugby franchise in Houston from scratch, and why doing things that "make your heart sing" has been the thread running through every chapter of his career. Whether you lead a sports team or a business team, this episode is packed with practical wisdom on resilience, identity, and what it means to keep contributing when things go wrong.

If you are looking for a Blueprint to help you and your business manage uncertainty, deal with failure and navigate change then reach out to Julian at: julian@julianrobertsconsulting.com

You can buy my book "Weathering the Storm: A Guide to Building Resilient Teams" on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DFTYN2Y2

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In this episode, Julian welcomes Anne Unsworth, founding director of Clear Path Success and certified trainer of NLP and hypnosis. Anne shares her fascinating journey into the world of NLP, which began during a challenging period in her life following the collapse of a family business. What started as a personal development need evolved into a passion, leading her through practitioner, master practitioner, and trainer certifications - including completing her initial training just days before the first COVID lockdown. Anne brings a unique perspective, combining her extensive FMCG corporate background with deep expertise in how we communicate, think, and create our version of reality.

The conversation explores why communication remains one of the biggest challenges in organisations, despite being something we do constantly. Anne explains the NLP communication model, revealing that only 7% of our communication comes from the words we use, with the rest driven by body language and tone. She shares practical tools like the hierarchy of ideas, which helps people shift between detailed and strategic thinking, and discusses how understanding someone's "model of the world" can transform workplace relationships. Whether you're a leader wanting to connect more effectively with your team or simply curious about why emails so often get misread, this episode offers valuable insights into the art and science of communication.

If you are looking for a Blueprint to help you and your business manage uncertainty, deal with failure and navigate change then reach out to Julian at: julian@julianrobertsconsulting.com

You can buy my book "Weathering the Storm: A Guide to Building Resilient Teams" on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DFTYN2Y2

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