Feeling the weight of management? In this episode of Sparks, a podcast by Cegos, Milly is joined by Emilie West, where they dive into a growing workplace challenge - management fatigue. They get into what it looks like, why it’s on the rise, and how leaders can start to navigate it. As part of our mini-series on management and leadership, we’re unpacking the not-so-obvious signs of burnout, the reality of ‘quiet quitting’, and whether your work persona is helping or hindering your energy.

Whether you’re a seasoned manager or new to the role, this episode's here to spark a fresh perspective.

Connect with us on LinkedIn:

Milly Gladstone https://www.linkedin.com/in/milly-gladstone/

Emilie West https://www.linkedin.com/in/emiliewest/

See what we do best: https://www.cegos.uk/

Want to spark something with us?

info@cegos.uk

00:00 Welcome to sparks

07:48 Handling responsibility

12:26 Advice to new managers

16:27 The rise of quiet quitting and finding your routine

22:25 The signs of fatigue

34:43 Tips for lessening the fatigue

39:51 Work personas

In this episode of Sparks, our host Milly Gladstone is joined by Emily Link, a Director here at Cegos, and Lizzie Finch, one of our Marketing Executives, to dive into the leadership style of the Lionesses' manager Sarina Wiegman. In this episode, our team unpack what makes her such a standout figure in women’s football. From the way she builds trust with players to how she keeps the game fun under pressure, we explore the mindset behind the lionesses manager, during one of the biggest matches of her career. What really went down at half time? And how does a leader know whether to step in or step back? Listen in to hear our own team’s thoughts on one of the biggest matches of the year.

--Connect with us on Linkedin

Milly Gladstone https://www.linkedin.com/in/milly-gladstone/

Emily Link https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-link-b576a246/

Lizzie Finch https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizzie-finch-818578210/

See what we do best:https://www.cegos.uk/Want to spark something with us?

info@cegos.uk

00:00 welcome to sparks

02:45 what do we know about Sarina's leadership style?

06:54 How she builds relationships with her team players9:52 Keeping the game fun

17:22 What was she doing in the lead up to the game?

21:59 Instilling a sense of purpose in the team

28:30 What was said at half time

32:31 when to jump in to help as a manager?

In this episode of Sparks, Milly kicks off a powerful conversation on what it really means to lead when things aren't going to plan. Part of our mini-series on leadership and management, this one dives into the tough stuff—how to navigate failure, rebuild trust, and keep people motivated when success feels out of reach. It's real, it's reflective, and it's packed with insights that will stick with you long after the episode ends. Whether you're leading a team or leading yourself, this one's for you.

Connect with us on Linkedin:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/milly-gladstone/?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Egoogle%2Ecom%2F&originalSubdomain=uk

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-h-32a1127b/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-rourke-fiol-b5203426b/

Interested in sparking something with us? Get in touch at info@cegos.uk

00.00 welcome to sparks

04:49 Sometimes we actually might not know where we're not succeeding until it's too late.

05:13 How do we get out of a difficult situation to make sure that we ultimately succeed?08:43 How did you measure success?

12:34 How do you lead with emotion, taking into account people’s personal lives?

17:26 Have you ever had to rebuild trust or confidence in your leadership after a rough setback?

32:56 What do you do when you’re not succeeding because of an individual’s actions?

38:33 How do you manage up?

In this Sparks episode, Milly Gladstone speaks with Jonna Sercombe and Louise Connors about what it’s really like to lead big, complex change—like a major acquisition and rebrand.

Drawing on their recent experience leading our own merger, they delve into how these shifts are often planned quietly in the background, why timing your message matters, and how being real and grounded can make all the difference.

In this episode, you’ll hear why small wins keep people motivated, how emotions can actually be strengths in leadership, and why ongoing support is key.

Their big message? Change isn’t a one-off—it’s something we learn to live and lead through.Watch now to hear the valuable insights and strategies drawn from recent firsthand experience of our own leaders.--See what we do best:https://www.cegos.uk/Want to spark something with us?info@cegos.ukConnect with us on LinkedIn:Milly Gladstone: https://www.linkedin.com/in/milly-gladstone/Jonna Sercombe: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonnasercombe/Louise Connors: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-connors-89302111a/0:00 Welcome to Sparks1:19 We’ve been through some big changes8:18 Should you process change before you lead it?13:54 Which models of change do we use?21:49 Why patience is so important22:52 Are people really resistant to change?29:03 What can we learn from horses?!32:25 Change for changes sake?36:00 Should we praise early adopters of change?40:00 How do we handle emotions during change?47:50 The end

In this episode of Sparks, Milly is joined by Cameron Swan and Nathan Rager for a conversation that digs into the real differences between managing a team and managing a business and how to handle that shift. As part of our Leadership and Management mini series, we explore how to lead when the stakes are high, when to step in (and when not to), and what it actually means to empower people to fail. Cameron and Nathan also share a few candid moments from their own journeys—and some advice that might just change how you approach your next big decision.Watch now to find out why a pre-mortem might be more useful than a post-mortem, and what’s worth adding to your reading list.--See what we do best:https://www.cegos.uk/Want to spark something with us?info@cegos.ukConnect with us on LinkedIn:Milly Gladstone: https://www.linkedin.com/in/milly-gladstone/Cameron Swan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameronswan-/Nathan Rager: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanrager/00:00 Hello and welcome to Sparks01:13 On the episode today - Cameron Swan and Nathan Rager05:49 The difference between managing team and managing a business09:55 Pre-mortem vs post-mortem11:01 How do we know when to intervene?22:32 How do we empower people to risk failure?26:27 Have Cameron and Nathan had failure moments?38:29 Advice for managers handling strategic decisions44:32 Book club - what can I read on this topic?

How much damage can a lack of alignment do to a workplace without anyone even realising it?

In this episode of Sparks, Milly, Jonna, and Emily get under the surface of a hidden saboteur that’s holding back countless teams — and it’s not what you think. Alignment isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a key ingredient for collaboration, creativity, and productivity.

We explore what alignment really means, who’s responsible for creating it, and how team size, roles, and responsibilities all affect it. From surprising lessons at BMW to discovering the difference between healthy and harmful challenge, we lift the lid on a workplace issue that’s often ignored.

Whether you lead a team or you’re a team member experiencing confusion first-hand, this episode is a must-listen if you want to spot, resolve, and avoid the hidden saboteur that’s slowing you down.

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See what we do best:

https://www.cegos.co.uk/

Want to spark something with us?sparks@interactiveworkshops.com

Connect with us on LinkedIn:

Milly Gladstone: https://www.linkedin.com/in/milly-gladstone/

Jonna Sercombe: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonnasercombe/

Emily Larson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larson-emily/

00:00 Welcome to Sparks

00:37 Who’s on the podcast today?

02:38 What is alignment?

08:52 How do we get alignment?

12:20 Who’s responsible for creating alignment?

14:09 When is challenge good and for how long?

18:26 How does team size affect alignment?

20:38 Does alignment have a place amongst creative teams?23:18 Jonna’s drawing again!

26:26 Lessons from BMW

30:23 How to handle misalignment

34:18 What causes misalignment

39:50 Is it ever ok not to be aligned?

46:00 Why is L&D like a midwife?

47:30 Is there a better word for alignment?

Ever wonder how to lead without losing your warmth? In this episode of Sparks, part of our Leadership and Management mini-series, Milly talks with Rachel and Sharon about the real challenges of being a manager—especially when the lines between personal and professional start to blur. From giving tough feedback to staying friendly on the rough days, we’re diving into what it means to lead with empathy and authority.

0:00 Intro

0:21 Welcome to Sparks

3:40 How would you describe your management style?

6:04 How did you develop your style?

7:53 How do we stay friendly on a bad day?

10:31 Handling difficult conversations

16:32 Does the organisation shape your management style?

18:52 Handling challenging people

29:10 How to move on after difficult conversations

30:57 Dealing with being promoted ahead of friends

36:50 Giving feedback

41:57 One piece of advice to new managers

In this episode of Sparks, Milly, Blair, and Reuben dive into the world of management - specifically, what great management looks like from the team’s perspective. From navigating high-pressure environments to managing up, we’re flipping the script and looking at leadership through the lens of those being led. Whether you’re a manager, an aspiring one, or just trying to get the best out of your working relationships, this one’s full of honest opinions and practical insight.

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See what we do best:

https://www.cegos.co.uk/

Want to spark something with us?

sparks@interactiveworkshops.com

Connect with us on LinkedIn:

Milly Gladstone: https://www.linkedin.com/in/milly-gladstone/

Blair Wagner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blairrwagner/

Reuben Fletcher-Louis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reuben-fletcher-louis/

00:00 - When did a manager help you succeed?

00:48 - Welcome to Sparks

03:05 - How can a manager get the best out of you?

08:26 - What is over-communication?

12:38 - Communicating our strengths to our manager

15:23 - When has a manager really helped you?

18:14 - Managing upwards

23:29 - Management in high-pressure environments

26:45 - Managing as an Individual Contributor