Helping Organisations Thrive with Julian Roberts

Dr Alia Bojilova | Former Special Forces Psychologist on Curiosity, Crisis, and Combat-Tested Resilience

In this episode of Helping Organisations Thrive, Dr. Alia Bojilova, a former special forces psychologist, shares her unique insights on resilience through the lens of psychology and her military background. Alia highlights the critical role of curiosity in building resilience, helping individuals move beyond the fight, flight, or freeze response and engage more deeply with their environment.Reflecting on her experience of being taken hostage in Syria, Alia explains how curiosity enabled her to understand her captors' intentions and communicate effectively. She also shares how small acts of positivity, like a glance or a smile, can serve as powerful survival mechanisms in the face of challenges.We explore how leaders can cultivate curiosity within teams by fostering awareness, encouraging questions, and creating collaborative environments. Drawing further on Alia’s military background, we discuss the key traits that make special forces personnel elite and resilient: Self-awareness, a deep sense of belonging, curiosity, and the ability to maintain "subjective equilibrium." Alia also offers practical tools for leaders and team members to develop and enhance these traits within themselves.
 
Connect with Alia:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandrina-alia-bojilova/
 
Alia has published a book called "The Resilience Toolkit", here is a link to buy on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Resilience-Toolkit-four-step-process-potential/dp/1035415461/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3EXZMCOLEYEVU&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Xmfqt3PK3AGKd8OGRHisQew4DzwsVBdO2VWCUx5gTRKCk5sMDyDdjaf1JiyChLnyqK4O_4WFcxeaCGw_E7Y5Kw.jQdgWgycJtcl08xiVg4fx4DwZ4tPS4SRc-WPoSTXVVQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+resilience+toolkit+alia&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1733578887&sprefix=the+resilience+toolkit+alia%2Caps%2C66&sr=8-1
 
 
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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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Genevieve Hawkins | The Neuroscience of Leadership: How Brain Chemistry Shapes Team Success

In this episode of Helping Organisations Thrive, we are joined by Genevieve Hawkins as we explore the fascinating science behind effective leadership and emotional resilience.
We delve into the body’s natural responses—cortisol spikes and increased heart rates—when we receive feedback that feels critical. Genevieve explains how recognising these signals can help leaders pause, reflect, and choose to stay curious instead of defensive. She highlights the importance of oxytocin and serotonin, the "connection" and "happiness" chemicals, in creating a sense of belonging and stability at work. By fostering environments that reduce cortisol and boost these positive chemicals, leaders can help their teams, and themselves, feel safe and supported.
Genevieve also provides practical advice on enhancing our emotional regulation, from small acts of kindness that trigger serotonin boosts to preparing for difficult conversations by focusing on common interests and shared goals, ultimately deepening colleague connections. Her insights offer a powerful reminder that understanding the brain’s chemistry can be key to fostering healthier, more connected workplaces.
 
Connect with Genevieve:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/genevievehawkins/
Website: https://genevievehawkins.com.au/
 
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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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James Marshall | The New Leadership Playbook: Mastering Remote Teams

In this episode of Helping Organisations Thrive, we are joined by James Marshall as we delve into the essential strategies and adaptations leaders need to build resilience in hybrid and remote teams.Drawing from his experiences, James shares key insights on the surprising shift leaders face when transitioning from in-office management to remote team leadership. He highlights the importance of fostering a collaborative environment, where team members are actively involved in shaping strategy and aligning with the business vision, even from afar.James emphasises the need for leaders to adopt a flexible mindset, focusing on the quality of work rather than quantity, and ensuring a strong framework for a culture of accountability and support is built. We discuss how to maintain mental well-being and productivity in fully remote teams and James advises regular check-ins and surveys, noting the particular challenges faced by more junior team members in remote setups.As the conversation unfolds, James explores whether a fully remote setup is sustainable for everyone and discusses the balance between remote work benefits and social drawbacks.
 
Connect with James:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesrmarshall/
Website: https://www.spinningfox.com/
 
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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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Katja Rehse | Leading with Heart & Soul: A Deep Dive into EQ & SQ

In this episode of Helping Organisations Thrive, Katja Rehse joins us to explore unlocking leadership potential through emotional (EQ) and spiritual intelligence (SQ).Katja shares her personal journey, highlighting that emotional intelligence involves not only emotional regulation but also an awareness of “emotional dosing”—understanding the right amount of emotion needed in various situations to be most effective.As we delve deeper into the importance of leaders demonstrating emotional intelligence, Katja emphasises the need to firstly be entirely aligned with yourself and understand the root causes to your own behaviours and emotions. Katja outlines a 4-step approach to begin your journey of self-alignment, paving the way for stronger emotional intelligence.Moving to spiritual intelligence, Katja explains how it helps leaders reach their full potential by incorporating self-care and self-awareness into their leadership style, resulting in more meaningful work and heightened intuition.
 
Connect with Katja:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katja-rehse-a995332/
 
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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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Chris Smith | Leadership Unmasked: Building Influence Through Genuine Connection

In this episode of Helping Organisations Thrive, we are joined by leadership expert Chris Smith as we explore the art of becoming more influential within an organisation.Chris dives into the essential human side of leadership, explaining that real influence stems from humility, openness, and genuine engagement. Chris outlines actionable steps for leaders to achieve this "sweet spot" of humility, from spending time on the front line to continually asking questions and gathering input; treating your team as a community.We also discuss how leaders can influence ethically by aligning their actions with the values and concerns of their teams, supporting mental health, morale, and engagement. Ultimately, this episode offers powerful insights for leaders aiming to cultivate authentic influence in their organisations.
 
Connect with Chris:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-smith-0080374b/
Website: https://www.aculturalleadership.com/
 
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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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Tamzin Hall | Managing Workplace Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria: From Understanding to Action

In this episode of Helping Organisations Thrive, we are joined by Tamzin Hall as we explore Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD) and its impact in the workplace.Tamzin explains how RSD is common in neurodivergent people but affects others too, causing intense emotional pain over perceived rejection, even from minor incidents, making it difficult to move forward.Tamzin shares strategies to help those affected build an understanding of their RSD and recognise the triggers, which can aid in managing reactions both in the moment and proactively. We discuss how leaders can support employees with RSD by clearly communicating the “why, what, when” behind decisions to minimise feelings of rejection.
 
Connect with Tamzin:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamzin-hall/
Website: https://www.theneurodiversityacademy.com/
 
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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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Daryll Scott | Future-Focused Feedback: Driving High Performance Through Better Conversations

In this episode of Helping Organisations Thrive, we are joined by Daryll Scott as we explore how to drive high performance through effective, ongoing performance conversations.Daryll highlights the importance of consistency, advocating for feedback as a daily practice rather than an occasional event. Daryll explains that feedback should be future-focused, with conversations about tomorrow and not yesterday. We discuss how to cultivate such a culture where feedback is not something imposed on people but something they actively seek, allowing employees to focus on achieving their personal goals.For leaders having to conduct a formal performance review, Daryll shares how best to prepare—setting clear intentions, aligning realistic expectations, and understanding what motivates each person to ensure feedback is impactful. He also encourages recipients to approach feedback with an open, growth-oriented mindset to fully benefit from the conversation.
 
Connect with Daryll:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daryllscott/
Website: https://www.daryllscott.com/
 
 
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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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Mark Sampson | Preserving Your Company's Soul: Uncovering and Nurturing Your Organisational DNA

In this episode of Helping Organisations Thrive, we are joined by Mark Sampson as we explore how businesses can maintain their team spirit and culture during periods of rapid growth.Mark reflects on his own journey and explains that as companies scale, it’s easy to lose sight of the core elements that made them successful and stand out in the first place. To prevent this, Mark shares how leaders must focus on their "CORE"— Customer, Origin, Reason, and Ethos. Mark shares practical strategies for engaging your CORE within your team, including how to discover your origin story, as this isn’t something that is created, but rather discovered and nurtured.We touch on how we can maintain these core values and incorporate them into daily actions, even with hybrid working teams, helping to build a strong culture that can endure growth. Ultimately, Mark emphasises that maintaining culture requires intentionality and understanding of what truly defines your organisation from the inside out.
 
Connect with Mark:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beliyfchief/
Website: https://beliyf.com/
 
 
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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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