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Moving Beyond "Bananas in the Canteen" with Geoff McDonald and Perry Burton

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Manage episode 514639008 series 1221160
Content provided by Andy Lopata and Evergreen Podcasts. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Andy Lopata and Evergreen Podcasts or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

Are your strongest, most energetic leaders secretly drowning? In this powerful episode of Connected Leadership Bytes, Andy goes into the archives for a conversation that is more relevant today than ever before. He revisits the very first episode of the podcast, featuring two senior corporate leaders who appeared to have it all—until they didn't.

This isn't just another talk on mental health; it's a raw, honest look inside the minds of high-achievers who hit rock bottom.

Discover why the "brighter the light, the darker the shadow," and why the people you least expect are often the most vulnerable. Our guests, Jeff McDonald, former Global VP of HR for Unilever, and Perry Burton, Head of People and Culture at Grant Thornton, share their deeply personal stories. They shatter the myth that leadership is about invincibility and expose the performative wellness trap—where "bananas in the canteen" and a single "wellbeing week" replace genuine, strategic investment in people's health.

Listen to learn how to transform your organisation's culture from one that diminishes its people to one that enhances their lives, making health the ultimate driver of performance.

Key Takeaways

  1. The Brightest Lights Cast the Darkest Shadows: High-performers and seemingly energetic, positive leaders are often exceptionally good at masking their internal struggles.
  2. Vulnerability is a Leadership Superpower: When leaders share their own struggles, it normalises the conversation, reduces stigma, and creates a culture where it’s safe for others to ask for help.
  3. Health is a Performance Driver, Not a Perk: The energy of your people is your most critical asset.
  4. Asking for Help Isn't Giving Up; It's Refusing To: Seeking support is an act of strength and control, demonstrating a commitment to recovery and getting back on track.

Actionable Insights

  1. Conduct a "Wellness Audit": As a leader, critically evaluate your company's efforts. Are you just offering perks (the "bananas in the canteen"), or are you actively changing workloads, management styles, and communication to genuinely reduce stress and enhance energy.
  2. Schedule Your Own "Self-Compassion" Block: You cannot pour from an empty glass. Block out 30 minutes in your calendar this week for a non-work activity you will not move (e.g., a walk without your phone, reading, listening to music).

SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE

Connect with Andy Lopata: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | X/Twitter | YouTube

Connect with Geoff McDonald : Website |LinkedIn |

Connect with Perry Burton: Website |LinkedIn |

The Financial Times Guide to Mentoring

Connected Leadership Gold: Geoff McDonald and Perry Burton

  continue reading

213 episodes

Artwork
iconShare
 
Manage episode 514639008 series 1221160
Content provided by Andy Lopata and Evergreen Podcasts. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Andy Lopata and Evergreen Podcasts or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

Are your strongest, most energetic leaders secretly drowning? In this powerful episode of Connected Leadership Bytes, Andy goes into the archives for a conversation that is more relevant today than ever before. He revisits the very first episode of the podcast, featuring two senior corporate leaders who appeared to have it all—until they didn't.

This isn't just another talk on mental health; it's a raw, honest look inside the minds of high-achievers who hit rock bottom.

Discover why the "brighter the light, the darker the shadow," and why the people you least expect are often the most vulnerable. Our guests, Jeff McDonald, former Global VP of HR for Unilever, and Perry Burton, Head of People and Culture at Grant Thornton, share their deeply personal stories. They shatter the myth that leadership is about invincibility and expose the performative wellness trap—where "bananas in the canteen" and a single "wellbeing week" replace genuine, strategic investment in people's health.

Listen to learn how to transform your organisation's culture from one that diminishes its people to one that enhances their lives, making health the ultimate driver of performance.

Key Takeaways

  1. The Brightest Lights Cast the Darkest Shadows: High-performers and seemingly energetic, positive leaders are often exceptionally good at masking their internal struggles.
  2. Vulnerability is a Leadership Superpower: When leaders share their own struggles, it normalises the conversation, reduces stigma, and creates a culture where it’s safe for others to ask for help.
  3. Health is a Performance Driver, Not a Perk: The energy of your people is your most critical asset.
  4. Asking for Help Isn't Giving Up; It's Refusing To: Seeking support is an act of strength and control, demonstrating a commitment to recovery and getting back on track.

Actionable Insights

  1. Conduct a "Wellness Audit": As a leader, critically evaluate your company's efforts. Are you just offering perks (the "bananas in the canteen"), or are you actively changing workloads, management styles, and communication to genuinely reduce stress and enhance energy.
  2. Schedule Your Own "Self-Compassion" Block: You cannot pour from an empty glass. Block out 30 minutes in your calendar this week for a non-work activity you will not move (e.g., a walk without your phone, reading, listening to music).

SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE

Connect with Andy Lopata: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | X/Twitter | YouTube

Connect with Geoff McDonald : Website |LinkedIn |

Connect with Perry Burton: Website |LinkedIn |

The Financial Times Guide to Mentoring

Connected Leadership Gold: Geoff McDonald and Perry Burton

  continue reading

213 episodes

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