Work Savvy

Leadership has never been harder, and with 47% of managers reporting severe stress, burnout has become the new norm rather than a looming risk. This week, Karen is joined by Graeme Cowan—founding director of R U OK? and author of the new book Great Leaders Care—to discuss why care is a competitive leadership advantage, not a "soft" skill.
In this episode, we explore how the best leaders deliver sustainable results by prioritizing wellbeing alongside performance. We unpack Graeme’s evidence-based framework for building safe, resilient teams that can perform under pressure without burning out.
If you want to become the leader your people want to follow while still hitting your organizational targets, this conversation is for you.
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In a world defined by AI disruption, global conflict, and constant workplace pressure, the most critical capability isn’t a new piece of technology - it’s the human skill of communicating well under pressure. This week, Karen sits down with communication specialist and acclaimed author Leah Mether to unpack how leaders can navigate high-stakes conversations without damaging relationships or culture.
Leah shares her "Five C’s" model to help teams shift from knowing what to do to actually doing it. We discuss why avoiding hard conversations is damaging your team’s performance and why "clarity is kindness" when it comes to reducing workplace conflict.
If you’re ready to move past personality clashes and lead with more courage and control, this episode is a must-listen.
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In this powerful episode of Work Savvy, Karen catches up with Vinisha Rathod again. Vinisha is an accomplished keynote speaker, advisor, and author. Together they discuss a critical issue that often remains hidden in the workplace: The role organizations play in reducing domestic violence. Vinisha sheds light on the reality of coercive control and explains why a workplace is often the only safe haven for those experiencing abuse.
This episode is essential for leaders who want to move beyond basic policy and build a culture of genuine safety and resilience. By taking these steps, companies don't just manage risk; they gain a competitive advantage through higher engagement and deep-seated loyalty.  And frankly, we think it’s the right thing to do.
Connect with Karen: Follow Karen on LinkedIn for more insights on building high-performance, human-centric cultures.
Strengthen Your Culture: At Corporate Dojo, we help leaders master the emotional intelligence and leadership skills needed to navigate complex workplace challenges. Explore our leadership development programs at www.corporatedojo.com.
Connect with Vinisha: Find Vinisha Rathod on LinkedIn to learn more about her work in social impact and organizational responsibility. Her article can be found here: https://ceoworld.biz/2025/09/03/how-organizations-can-play-a-bigger-part-in-reducing-domestic-violence/
Tune in now, and don’t forget to Work... savvy!

In this episode of Work Savvy, Karen is joined by Siobhán O'Riordan, the author of ‘Reframe: How Generalists Thrive in a Changing World’. Siobhán is the founder of Big Sea Strategies and a Gallup®-Certified Global CliftonStrengths® Coach. Throughout the discussion, Siobhán explains how You’ll learn how to translate wide-ranging experience into a clear value proposition, lead teams effectively through change, and collaborate with specialists without losing your own generalist identity.
This episode is a must-listen for mid-career professionals and managers who feel their non-linear path has been overlooked. Siobhán provides a practical playbook for claiming your strengths and designing a career built on curiosity and adaptability.
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Work with Karen: Follow Karen on LinkedIn to stay updated on the latest leadership insights.
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Connect with Siobhán: Reach out to Siobhán O'Riordan on LinkedIn to learn more about her work and her new book.
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In this episode of Work Savvy, Karen is joined by leadership expert Brad Giles to discuss the hidden traps of constant business growth. While many leaders chase "bigger," Brad argues that rapid expansion often masks deeper issues like fractured teams and high turnover. Drawing from his new book, Bigger Isn’t Better, Better Is Better, Brad shares how great leaders design enduring companies by focusing on loyalty, culture, and unique offerings that competitors simply can't copy. Whether you are scaling a startup or leading an established team, this conversation offers a refreshing perspective on sustainable success. If you feel like your business is owning you instead of the other way around, this episode will help you learn how to build a stronger, more profitable company while reclaiming the autonomy to live life on your own terms.
Tune in now, and don’t forget to Work... savvy!
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In this episode of Work Savvy, Karen Gately is joined by mental health advocate, former professional surfer and author Cooper Chapman to explore a powerful idea: meaningful improvements in wellbeing don’t require massive lifestyle changes — they can start with just 1% of your day.
Cooper is the author of The 1% Good Club, a book that introduces simple, science-backed habits designed to strengthen mental wellbeing, increase resilience and improve clarity. Drawing on insights from elite sport, psychology and his work supporting thousands of people through The Good Human Factory, Cooper explains how small daily actions can compound to create powerful change over time.
Karen and Cooper explore how many people struggle to prioritise their mental health and why sustainable wellbeing is built through consistent daily practices rather than occasional bursts of motivation.
If you’re interested in strengthening your mindset, building healthier habits and supporting wellbeing at work, this episode offers practical insights you can start applying immediately.
Tune in now - and don’t forget to Work… savvy!
Connect with Karen Gately on LinkedIn
Explore more at Corporate Dojo and check out our leadership programs designed to help you grow.   
 
Connect with Cooper Charman on LinkedIn.

In this episode of Work Savvy, Karen breaks down why psychological safety is a critical commercial driver, not just "HR fluff". Recorded at a recent leader’s conference, Karen shares how toxic leadership and public humiliation can physically and emotionally break a high-performing leader, and why organisations must stop trying to "fix the employee" when they should be fixing the environment.
We also dive into the real psychosocial hazards leaders need to watch out for and explore how recent legislative shifts are holding companies legally accountable for the cultures they create.
Psychological Safety is not being "soft," walking on eggshells, or lowering performance standards to protect feelings. True psychological safety isn't about creating a comfortable bubble - it’s about creating the exact conditions human beings need to perform at their highest level.
If you’ve ever struggled to balance high accountability with genuine humanity, this episode is your blueprint.
Follow Karen on LinkedIn for more insights on building high-performance, human-centric cultures.
Explore our leadership development programs at www.corporatedojo.com
We help leaders master the emotional intelligence and leadership skills needed to navigate complex workplace challenges.

In this episode of Work Savvy, Karen Gately is joined by strategy and governance specialist Anthony Moss, author of The CEO Game Changer.
CEOs are under immense pressure to make faster, smarter decisions — often in isolation. Anthony challenges this norm, arguing that advisory boards are one of the most powerful yet underutilised tools available to leaders today.
With more than 30 years of experience as a CEO, director, and consultant across the UK, Europe, the US, and Australia, Anthony explains how advisory boards help leaders sharpen strategy, maintain clarity through volatility, and strengthen decision-making confidence when the stakes are high.
This episode is essential listening for CEOs, founders, and senior leaders who want to grow without losing focus — and who recognise that leadership is not a solo endeavour.
Tune in now, and don’t forget to Work... savvy!
Connect with Karen on LinkedIn and explore more at Corporate Dojo and check out our leadership programs designed to help you grow.   
 
Connect with Anthony Moss on LinkedIn.  

In this episode of Work Savvy, Karen Gately is joined by bestselling productivity expert Donna McGeorge to challenge one of the most deeply held beliefs in modern work culture — that doing more is the key to success.
Drawing on insights from her latest book Red Brick Thinking, Donna explains why the real breakthrough for leaders and professionals today is learning what to stop doing. Together, Karen and Donna explore how unnecessary meetings, constant distraction, and overcommitment quietly drain performance — and how intentional subtraction creates the space for better focus, energy, and impact.
This conversation offers practical, evidence-based strategies for simplifying work, making confident decisions about priorities, and turning burnout into breathing room. A must-listen for leaders who want sustainable performance without sacrificing wellbeing.
If you’re ready to rethink how work gets done and help your people perform at their best, explore Corporate Dojo’s leadership programs and workshops.
Tune in now, and don’t forget to Work... savvy!
Want Ready to equip your leaders for change? Discover how our Leadership Development Programs at Corporate Dojo help leaders build resilience, lead with clarity, and thrive in times of uncertainty.  🔗 Explore our programs  
For more on courageous leadership, culture transformation and building high-performing teams, follow Karen Gately on LinkedIn. Get practical advice and thought leadership to help you lead with impact and integrity.  
Connect with Donna McGeorge on LinkedIn to continue the conversation.

Karen is joined by leadership futurist and change strategist Melinda McCormack, author of PULSE: Empathy Is Your Edge. Together, they explore why disconnection has become one of the biggest barriers to performance at work — and why empathy is no longer a “soft skill,” but a serious leadership advantage.
Melinda shares insights from her five-step PULSE framework, explaining how leaders can break through resistance, build trust, and create psychological safety in times of uncertainty. The conversation unpacks what it really takes to lead lasting change, strengthen engagement, and help people feel seen, heard, and valued — without compromising results.
This episode is a must-listen for leaders who want to build stronger cultures, navigate complexity with confidence, and lead in a way that drives both performance and wellbeing.
If you’re looking to develop leaders who can connect, influence, and lead change with impact, explore Corporate Dojo’s leadership programs and workshops.
Tune in now, and don’t forget to Work... savvy!
Want Ready to equip your leaders for change? Discover how our Leadership Development Programs at Corporate Dojo help leaders build resilience, lead with clarity, and thrive in times of uncertainty.  🔗 Explore our programs  
For more on courageous leadership, culture transformation and building high-performing teams, follow Karen Gately on LinkedIn. Get practical advice and thought leadership to help you lead with impact and integrity.  
Follow Melinda McCormack on LinkedIn for more insights on leading with empathy.