Sarah and Pete Burden discuss (1) leading mindfully and the difference this makes; (2) cutting through power dynamics so that what needs to be discussed gets talked about; and (3) how to develop practices in teams and in your own leadership that foster reflection and a deeper level of noticing. We also reflect on what the growing movement of 'conscious business' means and share our hopeful aspirations for how leadership can change so that more people feel a sense of belonging at work.

About Pete Burden

Pete is the co-author of the book Leading Mindfully along with Professor Rob Warwick. Pete has over 30 years experience coaching teams, including senior leadership teams. He draws on a diverse set of leadership experiences, including being a manager at a Fortune 100 company; being an MD and a coach at the BBC. He’s also been the Executive Chairman of one of the UK's first social media agencies.

Pete is all about helping people build reflective, purposeful teams and brings a clear focus on being mindful and taking practical steps to try to bring about a fairer and kinder world. Pete hosts the podcast The Healthy Power Alliance podcast which is available on Spotify and Apple.

Reinhard Stelter (Professor of Sport & Coaching Psychology at University of Copenhagen in Denmark) and I discuss how dialogue is the art of opening up a reflective space, how listening is the most essential skill that a leader can bring to a conversation and how being attentive to yourself makes dialogue transformative for all. "In true dialogue, both sides are willing to change."

About Professor Reinhard Stelter

Reinhard is a renowned author, researcher and leading expert in coaching and dialogue. With over 20 years of experience in the field, Reinhard brings a wealth of knowledge and insights that have inspired countless coaches and practitioners around the world.

Reinhard is a Professor Sport & Coaching Psychology at University of Copenhagen in Denmark. He’s the author of several groundbreaking books, including his latest work, 'The Art of Dialogue in Coaching', which has been hailed as a must-read for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of coaching dynamics and foster more meaningful conversations.

Reinhard can be contacted at: rstelter@nexs.ku.dk and via LinkedIn.

Sarah and Megan explore how leaders create spaces for conversations that matter by (1) deepening their listening so that team members speak up and real issues are discussed; (2) being aware of power dynamics and their impact on a conversation; (3) paying attention to the incoming tide of employee activism and the use of generative AI in organisations.

About Megan Reitz

Megan is Founder of Reitz Consulting, Associate Fellow at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, and Adjunct Professor of Leadership and Dialogue at Hult Business School. She is listed on the Thinkers50 ranking of global management thinkers (and recently shortlisted for both the Radar and Breakthrough Idea Awards) and HR Magazine Most Influential Listing. Megan writes, speaks and consults in the areas of leadership, dialogue, mindfulness, culture, change, coaching and team effectiveness. She is author of 'Mind Time' and 'Dialogue in Organizations' and co-author with John Higgins of 'Speak Up: Say what needs to be said and hear what needs to be heard' for Financial Times Publishing, which was shortlisted for CMI Management Book of the Year 2020. A second edition of this book hit the shelves in spring 2024 with the new title, 'Speak Out, Listen Up.'

Megan is a regular contributor to Harvard Business Review, which has covered many of the themes of her books, and her research has recently been featured in the MIT Sloan Management Review, in Forbes, on the BBC, in a TEDx talk, and in numerous academic and practice-based journals.

As well as her life as a lecturer, doctoral supervisor and business owner, Megan is mother to two wonderful daughters, who test her regularly on her powers of mindfulness and dialogue.

For more information, go to www.meganreitz.com