How They Lead (Lessons Learnt at the Rockface of Leadership) podcast aims to evolve the way people perform by showcasing a variety of examples of high performance, sharing stories of people who have done “firsts in the world”, and highlighting amazing guests who represent ‘high performance’ in their own right.
Hosted by Ben Stocken who is highly skilled in creating innovative and straightforward strategies to help individuals realize their maximum potential. Benjamin Wade, on the other hand, equips him with top-notch leadership tools and
techniques that are tailored to promote commercial growth, profitability, and efficiency. Together, they are a powerful duo that is set to inspire and educate listeners to take their organizations to the next level.
Our goal focuses on the three elements of the leadership triangle: Self-Leadership, Team Leadership, and Followership. So we can deliver engaging and inspiring content that motivates our listeners to take action towards improving their leadership skills and qualities. Including those who deliver training services and those looking to elevate their organizations to a higher level.
Join us as we explore new ways to evolve the way we perform!
If you enjoyed our podcast today, please take a moment to subscribe, rate, and leave a review on your favourite podcast platform. Don't forget to visit our website (http://thewestpeak.com)for more exclusive content. And reach us at Hello@thewestpeak.com (mailto:Hello@thewestpeak.com) to connect with you on a more personal level.
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S02 Ep 4 | Leading With Curiosity & Creativity w/ Eric Laughlin
In this episode of the How They Lead podcast, Matt Bennett speaks with Eric Laughlin, CEO of Agiloft, about his journey in leadership and the role of AI in transforming both leadership and organizations. Eric shares insights on creating a supportive employee experience, fostering trust within teams, and the challenges of scaling culture in a growing organization. They discuss the need for curiosity and creativity in leadership, the significance of learning from setbacks, and the future skills required for tomorrow's leaders. The conversation concludes with Eric's vision for Agiloft and the importance of celebrating milestones along the way.
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25 Sept 2025
S02 Ep 03 | Emotional Intelligence
Summary
In this episode of How They Lead, Fran, West Peak’s in-house EQ expert, dives deep into the nuances of emotional intelligence and generational leadership.
From understanding the core components of EQ, addressing the challenges of hybrid work, psychological safety and motivating Gen Z and Gen Alpha, this conversation explores how leaders can adapt their approach to create stronger, more connected teams.
Packed with real-world insights and actionable tips, this episode is essential listening for any modern leader navigating a rapidly changing workplace.
Key Takeaways
EQ starts with self-awareness and understanding your own triggers, values and emotional reactions before managing others’.
Generational differences matter. Newer generations prioritise empathy, honesty, and psychological safety over traditional motivators like money.
Hybrid Work requires intentionality as leaders must be more deliberate about connection and team culture.
Clear expectations foster trust, not control. Especially when onboarding or managing younger employees.
Psychological safety fuels performance. People perform better and innovate more when they feel safe to speak up, fail and be honest.
Quiet coasting does not equal laziness. What appears to be disengagement may simply be boundary-setting or a lack of meaningful connection to purpose.
Trust must be built early and prevents the need for micromanagement.
Pausing is powerful! Taking a moment to reflect before reacting emotionally can lead to better decision-making and stronger leadership.
Soundbites
"Self-awareness is the foundation of emotional intelligence."
"You can’t help others unless you understand yourself first."
"Clarity isn't micromanagement. It's kindness."
"It’s not about how safe you think they should feel, but how safe they actually feel."
"Every generation thinks the next is lazy, but they just work differently."
"Psychological safety is knowing your ideas won’t be punished, even if they fail."
"Belonging isn’t a buzzword. It’s the core of engagement."
"Pause, reflect and ask: Is this who I want to be in this moment?"
"Leaders who are disengaged create disengaged teams."
Chapters
00:00 Understanding Emotional Intelligence
02:57 The Importance of Self-Awareness
05:58 Hybrid Work Environments
08:56 Generational Differences in Work Ethic
11:59 Building Psychological Safety in Teams
14:57 Motivation and Engagement in the Workplace
17:44 Practical Tips for Enhancing Emotional Intelligence
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26 Aug 2025
S02 Ep 02 | What It Really Means To Lead With Heart | Matt Bennett sits w/ Jenna Eichberg
How They Lead – S02 Ep 02 | Matt Bennett sits w/ Jenna Eichberg, CPO at AlertMedia
In this energizing and insightful episode, Matt Bennett sits down with Jenna Eichberg to explore what it really means to lead with heart, strategy, and adaptability in today’s world of work.
3 Key Themes:
1. Leadership Without the Title – Jenna shares how early initiative and curiosity shaped her ability to lead long before the job title said so.
2. Culture as a Strategic Advantage – From winning Best Place to Work in Austin to navigating crisis with care, Jenna unpacks how culture, trust, and mission alignment fuel AlertMedia’s success.
3. The Human Side of AI – With AI transforming the workplace, Jenna talks about building psychological safety, learning pathways, and anthropomorphizing tools (hello, Charlie the chatbot) to make tech adoption human-first.
3 Powerful Takeaways from Jenna:
· “Any idea not put on the table is an idea lost.” Create environments where everyone’s voice contributes.
· “You don’t need a title to lead, just the willingness to solve real problems.” Leadership starts with curiosity and initiative.
· “The softer skills are what will define great leaders in an AI-driven world.” Trust, authenticity, and vulnerability aren’t nice-to-haves, they’re the differentiators.
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Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Spotify
4.6 / 5
11 ratings
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