What if conflict didn’t have to feel scary, confrontational, or overwhelming? What if it could actually build stronger teams and better leaders?

In this empowering episode of the Sound Leadership podcast, host Dan Boniface and leadership expert Darren Draper unpack the real reasons why conflict triggers fear—and what you can do about it.

From cortisol spikes that date back to prehistoric sabre-tooth tiger threats, to modern workplace disagreements, they explore how conflict affects us physically, mentally, and emotionally—and why understanding your default conflict style matters more than you think.

Together, they discuss:

• The three conflict personas—The Fearful, The Bring-It-On'ers, and The Responsibility Takers—and how each responds under pressure
• Famous examples of conflict styles, from Neville Chamberlain to Steve Jobs to Nelson Mandela
• Practical strategies to manage conflict through mindset shifts, preparation, and structured tools like SBI and AMEN
• How to prevent toxic conflict while encouraging healthy, productive challenges in your teams
• Why "Stay Curious, Not Furious" is the new leadership mantra for emotional intelligence and resilience

Dan & Darren’s Top 3 Leadership Soundbites:

1. Preparation is key.
2. Mindset that conflict is often good for a business, it builds awareness and allows for high performance.
3. Stay curious, not furious.

If you want to stop fearing conflict and start using it as a force for good in your leadership, this episode is packed with practical wisdom.

🎧 Tune in now to learn how to manage fear, embrace responsibility, and lead your team through moments of tension with skill and confidence.

We’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment and let us know your biggest challenge with conflict management.

Don’t forget to subscribe for more learning and development, human resources, and leadership insights.

👉 For more leadership and coaching resources, visit The BCF Group
👉 Meet your AI coaching companion and level up your workplace at 37.space
👉 Learn more about our producers and communication experts at Media First
👉 Contact us at soundleadership@thebcfgroup.co.uk

And if you want to get to know the team more then head over to The Sound Leadership YouTube channel.

How do you build and sustain a high-performing team?

In Part 2 of this special episode of the Sound Leadership podcast, Dan Boniface and Darren Draper continue the conversation with Ben Hawkins of Atlassian Williams Sim Racing to unpack the key strategies behind elite team performance.

In this episode, they discuss:

• What makes a high-performing team and how to foster collaboration
• Handling egos and big personalities in high-stakes environments
• Lessons from elite sport and sim racing for business leaders
• Real-world stories of handling conflict and building trust in teams
• Their top 3 Leadership Soundbites

This episode wraps up with Dan and Darren's reflections on high-performance leadership and how you can apply these lessons to your own team.

🎧 Tune in now and start applying high-performance strategies in your leadership!

We’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment and let us know what impact Ben's message has had on you.

Don’t forget to subscribe for more learning and development, human resources, and leadership insights.

👉 To find out more about Atlassian Williams Sim Racing, click here

👉 For more leadership and coaching resources, visit The BCF Group

👉 To meet your AI communications companion and power up your workplace go to 37.space

👉 To find out more about our producers, and communication specialists Media First click here

👉 Contact us at soundleadership@thebcfgroup.co.uk

And if you want to get to know the team more then head over to The Sound Leadership YouTube channel.

What does it really take to become a great negotiator—and why is it a leadership skill we use every day?

In this gripping episode of the Sound Leadership podcast, host Dan Boniface and leadership expert Darren Draper, welcome Scott Walker—renowned kidnap-for-ransom negotiator, crisis expert, and author of Order Out of Chaos and Eye of the Storm.

Scott brings world-class insight into how to prepare for and navigate negotiations with calm, confidence, and purpose. From everyday conversations to high-stakes crises, Scott shares his expert strategies on communication, emotional control, and making decisions under pressure.

Together, they discuss:

• Why negotiation is a daily act—not a once-in-a-while event—and how to shift your mindset accordingly
• The power of preparation and clarity before entering a negotiation
• How to stay composed and in control during moments of tension or conflict
• The impact of silence, reframing, and strategic pauses
• Practical tools to build resilience, manage adversity, and make better decisions—even in chaos

Scott’s Top 3 Leadership Soundbites:

1. Take the initiative and a calculated risk.
2. Co-operate and collaborate.
3. Trust based influence.

If you want to be a more confident communicator, leader, and negotiator—this episode is packed with gold.

🎧 Tune in now and discover how to negotiate without fear, lead under pressure, and turn adversity into advantage.

We’d love to hear from you! Contact us at soundleadership@thebcfgroup.co.uk and let us know your biggest takeaway from this unforgettable episode with Scott.

Don’t forget to subscribe for more learning and development, human resources, and leadership insights.

👉 Connect with the team on LinkedIn: Dan Boniface and Darren Draper

👉 For more leadership and coaching resources, visit The BCF Group

👉 To meet your AI communications companion and power up your workplace go to 37.space

👉 To find out more about our producers, and communication specialists Media First Click here.

👉 Contact us at soundleadership@thebcfgroup.co.uk

And if you want to get to know the team more then head over to The Sound Leadership YouTube channel.

Struggling to take action or inspire others to do the same?

In this episode of the Sound Leadership podcast, hosts Dan Boniface and Darren Draper explore how awareness creates personal responsibility, leading to lasting behavioural change in leadership and personal development within healthy situations and relationships.

Together, they discuss:

• The Awareness-Responsibility Model: Awareness → Options → Choice → Actions → Personal Responsibility
• Why awareness is the foundation for change and how to build it
• Real-life coaching examples of how leaders help others take ownership
• Strategies to develop awareness and create space for learning—without formal sit-downs
• How this model applies to leaders, HR professionals, and L&D experts
• Their top 3 Leadership Soundbites

🎧 Tune in now and discover how to build awareness and drive real change in yourself and others.

We’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment and let us know what you do to take personal responsibility.

Don’t forget to subscribe for more learning and development, human resources, and leadership insights.

👉 Connect with the team on LinkedIn: Dan Boniface and Darren Draper

👉 For more leadership and coaching resources, visit The BCF Group

👉 To meet your AI communications companion and power up your workplace go to 37.space

👉 To find out more about our producers, and communication specialists Media First Click here.

👉 Contact us at soundleadership@thebcfgroup.co.uk

And if you want to get to know the team more then head over to The Sound Leadership YouTube channel.

Around 70% of professionals suffer with imposter syndrome at some point in their career.

Imposter syndrome is more than just self-doubt. it’s a common challenge affecting professionals at every level. As an L&D, HR professional or leader, how can you help your teams reframe these thoughts and build confidence?

In this episode of Sound Leadership, host Dan Boniface is joined by learning and development expert Darren Draper to unpack the real impact of imposter syndrome in the workplace.

We explore:

Why imposter syndrome isn’t really a "syndrome" but a hijacking of the mind

• The five types of imposter syndrome and how they show up in teams
• How HR and L&D professionals can spot imposter syndrome in their people
• Practical strategies to help employees reframe self-doubt and step into their potential
• Their top 3 Leadership Soundbites

Plus, we wrap up with The Top 3 Leadership Soundbites—essential takeaways for supporting confidence and growth in your organisation.

🎧 Tune in now and start empowering your teams to lead with confidence.

👉 Connect with the team on LinkedIn: Dan Boniface and Darren Draper

👉 For more leadership and coaching resources, visit The BCF Group

👉 To meet your AI communications companion and power up your workplace go to 37.space

👉 To find out more about our producers, and communication specialists Media First Click here

👉 Contact us at soundleadership@thebcfgroup.co.uk

And if you want to get to know the team more then head over to The Sound Leadership YouTube channel.

The Sound Leadership podcast is for the silent superheroes of L&D, HR and leadership. The show that helps you build awareness, create more options, make sound choices and inspires personal responsibility for you and your teams’ actions.

Leading teams and managing development can be complex, especially in today’s fast-paced, hybrid workplace. The Sound Leadership podcast offers busy learning and development professionals, HR teams, and leaders practical, actionable insights with extraordinary guests.

It’s not about becoming the next Steven Bartlett or Steve Jobs - we help people to become more confident and credible in their business and lives by talking to the experts and translating that into everyday life skills that we all need to thrive.

Each episode explores key trends, strategies, and challenges shaping leadership, management, and workplace culture. Host Dan Boniface is joined by co-host and leadership expert Darren Draper with inspirational guests, including:

• Scott Walker, one of the worlds most renowned kidnap-for-ransom crisis negotiator, Scotland Yard Detective, Senior Advisor to the United Nations, and Sunday Times best-selling author of Order out of Chaos and Eye of the Storm.
• Ben Hawkins, SIM Racing Head of Performance for Formula 1’s Williams Racing and featuring in the Drive to Survive style documentary about Prodigy Racing.
• Jonathan Passmore, world top 30 executive master coach, professor at Henley Business School, author of over 50 books, EZRA Senior Vice President and award winning chartered psychologist.
• Lucy Grimwade, Coach, storyteller and author of Allyship Actually, having previously worked with River Island, Investec, Harrods, Selfridges, the John Lewis Partnership, Virgin Media and the BT Group.
• Victoria Smith, former ITV, Euronews, Channel 5 and British Forces press and now specialist in media and communications training with Media First as Course Director.
• Elisa Colton, communications specialist with Media First, formerly a journalist and radio host with BBC, Al Jazeera with a masters in both broadcasting and international security.

Together, they'll share cutting-edge leadership insights, effective management practices, and real-world solutions to empower you and your team.

🎧 Subscribe to Sound Leadership now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen— and stay ahead of the curve.

We’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment and let us know what leadership challenges you're facing today, we will be able to answer your questions during the show.

Don’t forget to subscribe for more learning and development, human resources, and leadership insights.

👉 Connect with the team on LinkedIn: Dan Boniface and Darren Draper

👉 For more leadership and coaching resources, visit The BCF Group.

👉 Meet your AI coach companion: 37.space.

👉 Discover more about our producers at Media First.

👉 Contact us at: soundleadership@thebcfgroup.co.uk

And if you want to get to know the team more then head over to The Sound Leadership YouTube channel.