If the themes in these podcasts resonate, and you sense your mid-level managers could benefit from deeper reflection and peer exchange, consider joining our monthly online community. Hosted by Roddy Millar, it’s a relaxed yet purposeful space where leadership challenges are unpacked with insight and camaraderie. Each session offers structure without rigidity, and conversation without jargon. To learn more or explore joining, drop us a line at: admin@ideasforleaders.com

__________________________________________

In this episode of The Power Between Podcast by Ideas for Leaders, host Roddy Millar talks with Melanie Steel, FCIPD, Business Owner and Associate/Freelance People Transformation & Change Expert at People Change Expertise Ltd. Melanie shares her journey from starting her career in the UK Ministry of Defence to senior people roles across the civil service and the private sector. She discusses why strong people management matters, especially for middle managers, and how leadership, clarity, and trust affect productivity and culture. Melanie also explains why investing in basic management skills, supporting managers through change, and handling performance in a fair and human way are critical for long term success.

Melanie explains how her work in people change focuses on helping managers lead well during uncertainty and pressure. She shares how clear purpose, strong communication, and everyday people management can improve trust, morale, and productivity. Melanie highlights the importance of supporting middle managers, tackling low performance fairly, and not overloading teams with constant change. She also shows how consistent training, honest feedback, and humane decision making help teams perform better and feel valued, even during difficult periods.

Key Topics:

- Career Journey in People Change: How Melanie’s early career in the Ministry of Defence shaped her focus on leadership, discipline, and people management.

-The Role of Middle Managers: Why managers in the middle of organizations are critical to culture, productivity, and successful change.

-Leading Through Change with Clarity: How clear purpose, honest communication, and realistic expectations help teams stay engaged during change.

-Managing Performance Fairly: Why tackling low performance in a humane and balanced way builds trust and supports high performers.

-Foundations Over Shiny Initiatives: How investing in basic management skills, consistent training, and everyday support makes a lasting difference for teams and organizations.

Timestamps:

[00:00] Teaser

[01:14] Melanie shares her career journey and interim work

[06:08] Why people management and change attract certain leaders

[08:10] Early career lessons from the Ministry of Defence

[11:00] Development in public versus private sector

[14:18] The role of middle managers in leadership and culture

[17:14] Promoting people management skills in organizations

[22:00] Supporting managers to drive productivity and...

If the themes in these podcasts resonate, and you sense your mid-level managers could benefit from deeper reflection and peer exchange, consider joining our monthly online community. Hosted by Roddy Millar, it’s a relaxed yet purposeful space where leadership challenges are unpacked with insight and camaraderie. Each session offers structure without rigidity, and conversation without jargon. To learn more or explore joining, drop us a line at: admin@ideasforleaders.com

__________________________________________

In this episode of The Power Between Podcast by Ideas for Leaders, host Roddy Millar talks with Ian Dinwiddy, Founder & Director of Inspiring Dads Ltd. Ian shares his journey from working as a management consultant to becoming a full-time caregiver when his children were young, and now helping fathers navigate work and family life. He talks about shifting gender roles, the impact of shared parental leave, and how companies can better support working dads. Ian also highlights the role of middle managers in setting the tone for parental leave and the value of talking openly about parenting in the workplace.

Ian shares how his work with Inspiring Dads supports fathers who want to be more present at home while staying committed at work. He explains how his own experience as a stay-at-home parent led him to help other dads find balance through coaching and shared stories. Ian talks about the growing interest from men in taking parental leave, the role of company culture in making that possible, and the power of managers who speak openly about family life. He highlights how better leave policies and honest conversations can help teams feel more supported, valued, and ready to grow together.

Key Topics:

-Redefining Fatherhood at Work: How Ian’s personal journey as a full-time dad helped shape his mission to support working fathers in finding balance.

-Changing Gender Roles: Why shifting expectations around caregiving can open new opportunities for both men and women in their careers.

-Company Culture and Leave Policies: How supportive policies and open leadership can encourage more dads to take parental leave without fear.

-The Role of Middle Managers: Why managers are key to helping team members feel safe, supported, and able to speak openly about parenting needs.

-Making Change with Small Steps: How coaching, peer groups, and shared stories can help create lasting improvements in workplace equality and team wellbeing.

Timestamps:

[00:00] Teaser

[01:43] Ian’s mission to support working dads

[05:13] Changing norms around dads and caregiving

[07:07] How policies like shared parental leave evolved

[10:11] Equal leave and the impact on gender equality

[20:07] Speaking up in traditional company cultures

[25:08] Older children, unpaid leave, and long-term parenting

[34:40] Tracking who takes leave and who gets support

[37:08] Coaching fathers through solo care and transitions

[41:29] Why supporting families drives better performance

📚 Resources:

👉 Subscribe to DLQ just for $3 for

If the themes in these podcasts resonate, and you sense your mid-level managers could benefit from deeper reflection and peer exchange, consider joining our monthly online community. Hosted by Roddy Millar, it’s a relaxed yet purposeful space where leadership challenges are unpacked with insight and camaraderie. Each session offers structure without rigidity, and conversation without jargon. To learn more or explore joining, drop us a line at: admin@ideasforleaders.com

__________________________________________

In this episode of The Power Between Podcast by Ideas for Leaders, host Roddy Millar speaks with Sarah Hamilton-Gill FCIPD, Business Growth Mentor, published author, podcast host, and speaker at Leap into HR Consulting. She is also the Founder, Managing Director, and Consultant at GlobusHR Consulting Ltd. Sarah shares her 30-year journey from working in corporate HR in the UK retail sector to helping over 300 HR professionals start their own consulting businesses. She talks about the pressures facing today’s managers, why many are stepping away from leadership roles, and how flexibility, better use of AI, and strong leadership development can make a real difference in organizations.

Sarah shares how her work supports HR professionals who want to leave corporate jobs and build their own consulting businesses. She explains that many leaders today feel overwhelmed by admin tasks, leaving little time or energy for people management. Sarah highlights the need for better leadership training, flexible work options, and the smart use of AI to reduce pressure. She shows how giving leaders more support and trust can help them stay in their roles and lead well. By focusing on clarity, balance, and development, Sarah helps create a better path for leaders at all levels.

Key Topics:

-Career Shifts in HR: How Sarah helps experienced HR professionals leave corporate roles to start successful consulting businesses.

-The Hidden Cost of Leadership: Why many managers step away from leadership roles due to stress, overload, and lack of support.

-Flexible Work and Wellbeing: How choice and autonomy in work settings help retain top talent and boost engagement.

-Smart Use of AI: How tools like AI and automation can save time and give leaders space to focus on people, not paperwork.

-Better Paths for Leaders: Why investing in leadership training and honest conversations can keep good people in key roles.

Timestamps:

[00:00] Teaser

[01:09] Sarah’s journey from HR in retail to solo consulting

[02:24] Escaping corporate politics for challenge and variety

[05:19] Why people issues stay the same across all businesses

[07:16] Why leadership isn’t what most people expect

[11:56] Leaders need time, training, and smarter AI tools

[14:23] Flexible work vs. forced office returns in SMEs

[16:16] Adults at work: Lack of agency drives people out

[19:39] What HR consultants are really motivated by

[22:56] Psychometrics, personality, and team development

[28:08] How