After an unexpected cancer diagnosis in January 2026, host Laura MacDonald returns to the podcast to share a deeply personal story - not about illness, but about leadership.

In this special episode, recorded during what was supposed to be a milestone birthday year, you'll hear how an ordinary waiting room conversation, a surgeon's careful words, and countless small acts of purposeful kindness transformed one of the most terrifying experiences of a lifetime into a masterclass in human connection.

This isn't a medical episode. It's a leadership one.

From chemotherapy suites to surgical planning meetings, the extraordinary people who showed up - strangers, colleagues, doctors, and friends - demonstrated that leadership isn't a job title. It's a moment.

P.S. If today’s episode highlighted a gap in your leadership, let’s close it together. Book a call with me and we’ll map out the exact support you need — whether that’s coaching, mentoring, or a bespoke programme for your organisation.

P.S. Want to explore how I help leaders strengthen influence, confidence, and team culture? Visit my website to see my services for both private and corporate clients.

P.S. If this episode reminded you that leadership is human first, let’s talk. Book a call and let’s explore how you can build deeper connection and influence in your team.

Want my support to build stronger connection and influence with your team?

Visit my website Leadership Consultant | Laura the Leaders Coach to discover all my services for both private and business clients, catch up on the latest episodes of The Leaders Podcast, and access my free resources.

Follow me on LinkedIn for regular updates and offers on my services Laura MacDonald | LinkedIn

In this round table episode, Laura is joined by Jenni Field - internal communication and leadership credibility expert, author of the multi-award nominated Nobody Believes You, co-host of the Frequency podcast, and co-founder of the Belief Builders, and James Moffatt, certified business psychologist, executive and performance coach, and Managing Director of Embed Learning and Clear Training Limited.

Together, they dig into one of leadership's most persistent tensions: why profit-driven cultures so often sideline the very people who make those profits possible.

The conversation covers why numbers feel easier to manage than people, the role of fear, habit, and "reverting to type" in leadership behaviour, how high turnover is a hidden financial burden hiding in plain sight, what it really means to champion people-centred leaders from within a profit-first culture, the power of psychological safety, freedom within a framework, and knowing your people, real-world examples that prove people-first is profit-first, and why consistent, intentional effort is the only path forward.

Whether you're navigating a culture that worships spreadsheets or trying to protect your people-centred approach when budgets tighten, this episode is packed with practical insight, honest reflection, and a strong strategic case for leading with people at the centre.

Connect with the guests:

- Jenni Field: thejennyfield.com | LinkedIn

- James Moffatt: Embed Learning & Clear Training Limited | LinkedIn

P.S. If you’re navigating a culture that values profit over people, my Strategic Middle Leaders Toolkit will help you lead with humanity without losing impact. Download it free via my website.

P.S. Want to explore how I help leaders strengthen influence, confidence, and team culture? Visit my website to see my services for both private and corporate clients.

P.S. Leadership doesn’t have to feel heavy. If you’re ready for clarity, direction, and momentum, book your call today.

Want my support to build stronger connection and influence with your team?

Visit my website Leadership Consultant | Laura the Leaders Coach to discover all my services for both private and business clients, catch up on the latest episodes of The Leaders Podcast, and access my free resources.

Follow me on LinkedIn for regular updates and offers on my services Laura MacDonald | LinkedIn

In this powerful roundtable discussion, host Laura welcomes back two exceptional leadership experts - Joanna Rawbone, TEDx speaker and owner of Flourishing Introverts, and Jacqui Frost, ICF-accredited coach and director of Leadership 43 - to explore why kindness isn't just a "nice-to-have" in leadership, but a strategic business imperative.

In this important episode, we explore:

• Redefining Kindness in Leadership: Why kindness isn't soft or permissive—it's about leading with humanity while maintaining high standards and accountability
• The Strategic Case for Kindness: How kind leadership directly impacts retention, productivity, mental health, succession planning, and company reputation
• The Cost of Unkindness: From toxic workplace cultures to talent exodus, the measurable business consequences of unkind leadership
• Self-Leadership First: Why leaders must be kind to themselves before they can authentically lead others with kindness
• Practical Implementation: How to embed kindness in ways that stick, even during crisis and pressure
• Courage and Authenticity: Why being kind in unkind cultures requires bravery and intentionality

This episode challenges conventional leadership thinking and provides compelling evidence that kindness isn't just morally right, it's strategically smart. Whether you're a seasoned leader or aspiring to leadership, this conversation will inspire you to lead with both heart and effectiveness.

Want to connect with Jo and Jacqui? Find them here...

Joanna Rawbone - Home - Flourishing Introverts

Jacqui Frost - Global Leadership Coaching: Unlock Potential & Build Resilience with Leadership 43

P.S. If you want practical tools to apply what you learned today, download my free Strategic Middle Leaders Toolkit — packed with templates, scripts, and leadership boosters, or my Guide to Delivering Effective Feedback — one of my most-used resources for leaders who want to communicate with clarity and confidence.

P.S. Both are free when you join my email list — perfect if you love learning and want ongoing leadership support.

P.S. If you want to embed kindness into your leadership in a way that actually shifts performance, join my Drop‑In Mentoring Group — a space to practise people‑centred leadership with real support.

Want my support to build stronger connection and influence with your team?

Visit my website Leadership Consultant | Laura the Leaders Coach to discover all my services for both private and business clients, catch up on the latest episodes of The Leaders Podcast, and access my free resources.

Follow me on LinkedIn for regular updates and offers on my services Laura MacDonald | LinkedIn