129 | The Eight Practices of Credible Leadership | Jenni Field
Release Date: 02/06/2025
BBC Best Bits | Ep 3 | Empathy Isn't Soft
Building Better Cultures
Empathy Isn't Soft When did you last ask someone how they actually were, and really listen? Everyone says empathy matters. Nobody actually teaches it. In this best-bits episode of Building Better Cultures, Scott McInnes goes back to two conversations about why that needs to change: Rob Volpe (EP092) on empathy as a practical leadership tool, and Niamh Fitzpatrick (EP084) on the emotional aftermath of the pandemic. Rob Volpe starts by taking apart the definition most of us use. Walking in someone else's shoes is only half the job, and the half everyone skips is taking your own shoes off...
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BBC Best Bits | Ep 2 | Tell Me a Story
Building Better Cultures
Data convinces. Stories move people. So why do we still lead with the spreadsheet? In this best-bits episode of Building Better Cultures, Scott McInnes goes back to two conversations about the power of narrative at work: Richard Newman (EP108) on the neuroscience of emotional engagement, and Alison Esse (EP012) on purpose-led storytelling at scale. Richard Newman explains what actually happens in the brain when you open with a chart instead of a story. Spreadsheets speak to the logical mind, but the emotional brain decides first and it decides whether anything gets through at all. He walks...
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BBC Best Bits | Ep 1 | Lessons from the Locker Room.
Building Better Cultures
Lessons from the Locker Room (BBC Best Bits Ep1) What do a rugby coach, a rugby captain and an RAF pilot have in common? Turns out, they all know quite a lot about leadership. In our first 'Best Bits' episode, Scott McInnes revisits three standout conversations with leaders who've performed under real pressure: Stuart Lancaster, Jamie Heaslip and Peter Docker. Stuart Lancaster explains why psychological safety and mutual trust sit at the heart of every high-performance culture, and why great leadership is built on relationships, not titles. Jamie Heaslip takes on vulnerability, the most...
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156 | Inside Disconnection at Work: Bridging the Connection Gap Report | Scott McInnes & Sadhbh O’Flaherty
Building Better Cultures
In this episode, Scott McInnes is joined once again by Inspiring Change’s Sadhbh O'Flaherty to dig into their latest research, Bridging the Connection Gap. Building on last year's Mind the Gap study, where CPOs and CEOs identified disconnection as one of the top barriers to a strong, aligned culture, Scott and Sadhbh went deeper, speaking one-on-one with senior leaders to understand what's really getting in the way of human connection at work today. Six clear themes emerged from those conversations: busyness, hybrid working,...
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155 | The Overlooked Art of Building Connection at Work | Scott McInnes with Christine Armstrong
Building Better Cultures
In this week’s episode, Scott McInnes sits down with Christine Armstrong, to dive deep into the critical importance of connection in the workplace. Together they explore how workplace trends have eroded relationships and the role of intentionality in creating a thriving organisational culture. Christine offers practical strategies to rebuild trust at work and really nurture those vital human connections. Key Takeaways: Connection is a deliberate act, not a happy accident Hierarchical and operational...
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154 | Why Leaders Still Struggle to Foster Psychological Safety | Scott McInnes with Minette Norman & Karolin Helbig
Building Better Cultures
In this week’s episode, Scott is joined by authors Minette Norman and Karolin Helbig as they delve into practical strategies for fostering trust, vulnerability, and inclusion in organisations, and explore the nuances of psychological safety. This episode reveals how small changes can lead to profound shifts in workplace culture. In this episode, you’ll discover: · The definition and emotional experience of psychological safety · The importance of vulnerability and courageous communication for leaders ...
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153 | Neurodiversity Recognition at Work | Scott McInnes & Alan Stracey
Building Better Cultures
In this episode of Building Better Cultures, Scott McInnes talks to Alan Stracey, a certified ADHD Coach and Founder of WhereFocusGoes, to explore the nuanced world of neurodiversity. They discuss how understanding and accommodating neurodivergent conditions can transform workplace culture and unlock individual potential. In this episode, you’ll discover: What is neurodiversity and how do neurodiverse conditions manifest? The importance of language and perception around neurodiversity in workplaces ...
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152 | Embracing AI with Humanity | Scott McInnes & Wema Hoover
Building Better Cultures
In this episode, Scott McInnes welcomes Wema Hoover, founder of Be Limitless Consulting, to explore the impact of AI on leadership, culture, and work. They discuss how organisations can leverage AI while maintaining a human-centered approach, fostering innovation, and managing change across generations. In this episode, you’ll discover: The rapid evolution of AI and its influence on the workplace over the past 15 months Strategies for integrating AI responsibly through clear guardrails and...
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151 | Building Employee Loyalty That Lasts | Scott McInnes & Stephen Baer
Building Better Cultures
In this week’s episode, host Scott McInnes has an insightful conversation with Stephen Baer, founder of Engagency, as they explore the core principles behind building resilient organisational cultures that thrive on trust, purpose, and people-centered leadership. In this episode, you’ll learn: The true drivers of employee engagement and retention The role of middle management in fostering a culture of trust Strategies to communicate purpose and strategy effectively ...
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150 | Mastering the Readiness Gap | Scott McInnes, Sadhbh O’Flaherty & Maddison Grigsby
Building Better Cultures
In this special bonus episode, Scott McInnes and his colleague Sadhbh O’Flaherty are joined by Communications Consultant at Gallagher, Maddison Grigsby, to explore the latest insights from the 'State of the Sector' report on internal communications, focusing on the readiness gap, strategic alignment, and human-centric communication. Maddison shares expert advice on improving manager effectiveness, change management, and leveraging AI for better engagement. Key Takeaways: The evolution of internal...
info_outlineEPISODE SUMMARY
In this episode of Building Better Cultures, Scott McInnes sits down with Jenni Field, CEO of Redefining Communications, to discuss her new book Nobody Believes You and the critical role of credibility in leadership. They explore the eight interconnected practices that define credible leadership and examine how leaders can navigate post-pandemic organisational challenges with empathy, integrity, and self-awareness.
Jenni shares research-backed insights on how leaders can build trust, foster a supportive culture, and adapt their communication styles to strengthen their credibility. From balancing vulnerability with professionalism to embracing feedback as a tool for growth, this conversation offers practical strategies for leaders looking to inspire confidence and drive meaningful change.
KEY POINTS
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Credibility is the foundation of leadership—without it, leaders struggle to gain trust and influence.
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Post-COVID leadership requires a shift towards empathy, integrity, and adaptability.
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The eight practices of credible leadership work together—leaders must develop all of them to be truly effective.
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Leaders must be intentional about communication, self-awareness, and feedback to maintain credibility.
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A strong organisational culture is built through supportive leadership and a clear vision.
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Empathy is not just an inherent trait—it’s a skill that can be developed and strengthened.
ABOUT JENNI FIELD
Jenni Field is an international speaker, author, podcaster, researcher, and business communications strategist. She specializes in helping teams and leaders use communication to take people and organisations from chaos to calm.
From Canada to Slovenia, you’ll find her talking about credible leadership, relationships at work, and how to be more impactful with your communication.
A well-respected thought-leader in the communications industry, she is known for her optimistic outlook, energy, and honesty on any stage she is speaking on.
Jenni’s podcast, Redefining Communications with Jenni Field, provides short 15-minute episodes focusing on different business topics and providing advice to help organizations go from chaos to calm.
In 2021 published her first book Influential Internal Communication.
Jenni has led several research projects to help organisations tackle some of their biggest challenges; In 2019 she carried out the only research into communication with deskless workers, repeating it in 2023 to see the impact of the pandemic on frontline teams.
Her research in 2021 explored the role of line managers and in 2023 she researched the different practices that make a leader credible – leading to the publication of Nobody Believes You; Become a Leader People Will Follow.
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