Who is our guest?

In this episode of The Active Code Podcast, we're joined by Steve Sallis from Solutions Mindset, who brings extensive experience across elite football, education and business.

Having worked with professional athletes, school leaders and businesses, Steve shares his perspective on what it takes to inspire others, develop talent and build successful teams.

What do we discuss?

What separates great leaders from those who simply manage people?

Steve challenges conventional thinking about leadership, exploring how our behaviours, decisions and relationships shape the environments we create.

Drawing on his experiences, we discuss:

• Why emotional intelligence is essential to effective leadership.
• How ego can stand in the way of strong relationships.
• Why developing people matters just as much as achieving results.
• The importance of trust, accountability and leading by example.
• How to navigate difficult conversations and manage conflict.
• What education and business can learn from elite sport.

From knowing when to listen to recognising when to put your ego aside, Steve offers practical insights into getting the best out of others.

Whether you're a school leader, business owner, coach or manager, this conversation will challenge you to reflect on your approach and consider how you can create a culture where people thrive.

Connect with Steve Sallis

Find out more about Steve's work and connect with him through Solutions Mindset.

Website:

https://www.solutionsmindset.com/

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-sallis/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/solutionsmindset/

Who is our guest?

In this episode, we’re joined by David Marshall and Gareth Philippou from Curious Minds, a team known for helping people and organisations transform how they think, learn and lead. Drawing on backgrounds in design, advertising and organisational development, David and Gareth work with teams of all sizes to unlock creativity, strengthen collaboration and turn fresh ideas into meaningful action.

What do we discuss?

• The difference between creativity and innovation, and why both matter.
• Why creativity is a skill and process, rather than something you are simply born with.
• How organisations can overcome creative imposter syndrome.
• The workplace barriers that stop people from sharing and developing ideas.
• Why psychological safety and trust are essential for creativity.
• How leaders can create the right conditions for teams to think differently.
• Practical frameworks for challenging assumptions and defining problems clearly.
• How creativity can improve engagement, customer experience and business growth.
• Why successful brands such as Netflix, Disney and Apple use creativity to stay relevant.
• How organisations can turn ideas into action instead of leaving them on a whiteboard.

Who is our guest?

In this episode of The Active Code, we explore why diversification has become essential for organisations working in PE, school sport and children’s activity. Steven Brown from JB Sport and Education reflects on the organisation’s 17–18 year journey, sharing how it has grown from core PE, swimming, holiday camps and school sport delivery into a wider education partner. From training and workforce development to enrichment, SEND support, alternative provision and wraparound care, Steven explains how listening to schools, spotting emerging needs and staying committed to quality have shaped the organisation’s evolution.

What do we discuss?

• Why diversification has been key to JB Sport and Education’s growth
• How schools’ needs are changing across PE, sport and wider education
• The importance of listening to customers and understanding real school challenges
• Why alternative provision, enrichment and SEND support are growing areas of need
• How training helps build a highly skilled workforce in PE and school sport
• The importance of testing new ideas carefully before scaling them
• How organisations can grow while staying focused on quality and impact