In this episode, Jivan is joined by Alison Dunn, a prominent social activist and leader of the Society Matters Group which incorporates Citizens Advice Gateshead, to explore the North/South inequality that exists in the UK and the potential impact of devolution.

Alison’s journey with Citizens Advice Gateshead began in 2007 when she joined as Service Delivery Manager. By 2012, she was appointed Chief Executive Officer, spearheading the charity’s growth from a £1.4m turnover to over £4m. Under her leadership, the organisation has become a national and local leader in delivering free, impartial advice, information, and advocacy services, recognised for innovative approaches to tackling complex community needs.

Alison shares insights from her extensive work in the North East of England, highlighting the challenges faced by the region, such as infrastructure deficits and government policy shortcomings. She discusses the evolving demand for Citizens Advice services and how her team has implemented innovative solutions, including a four-day work week, to adapt to community needs and prioritise staff engagement. Alison also reflects on the importance of collaboration within the voluntary sector and the role of leadership in fostering an adaptive organisational culture, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A Community Champion recognised during HRH Queen Elizabeth's 90th birthday celebrations, Alison continues to drive a value-driven approach to fighting poverty and inequality while championing organisational change and development in the voluntary sector.

Key Takeaways:

Advocate for Equity in Your Community: Recognise and address the inequalities within your own community or workplace. Whether it’s advocating for better opportunities, improved infrastructure, or fairer policies, taking a stand against injustice can lead to meaningful change.

Explore Flexible Work Innovations: Consider bold initiatives like a four-day workweek to improve employee well-being, retain talent, and boost productivity. Success requires clear goals, phased implementation, and collaboration with employees to ensure alignment with organisational needs.

Make Services Accessible: Meeting the needs of diverse communities often means making services or support more accessible. Whether it's expanding operating hours, offering flexible solutions, or delivering services directly in the community, adaptability can significantly increase impact.

Lead with Values and Collaboration: Embrace leadership styles that prioritise transparency, curiosity, and accountability. Cultivate a workplace culture where people feel valued and inspired to contribute, and partner with others to amplify impact—it’s impossible to tackle big challenges alone.

Balance Technology and Humanity: As you explore the efficiencies that technology can offer, such as artificial intelligence, ensure that humanity and connection remain central to your services or business. People-first practices make a lasting difference in both customer and employee satisfaction.

Be Ready to Evolve: Growth requires adaptability. Whether you're leading an organisation or navigating personal challenges, being open to change, taking calculated risks, and learning from missteps can set the stage for progress and resilience.

About Jivan Dempsey:

Jivan Dempsey has first hand experience of workplace toxicity and bad boss behaviour. Triggered by the #MeToo movement, she was compelled to talk about her experiences in her early career, groomed and assaulted by a boss at work, his subsequent aggression and bullying behaviour which impacted her work performance, mental health and eventually cost her a job she'd loved.

Listeners are drawn to her raw...

In this insightful episode, Jivan chats to Alison Abu-Sonubi, an accomplished HR professional with extensive experience in recruitment, performance management, and policy development.

They discuss cultural shifts in professional environments, often labeled as "woke," and their impact on organisational policies, insights into job satisfaction in HR roles and potential career pathways for HR professionals, the future of professional standards and the relationship between ethical leadership and organisational culture.

Alison has worked globally, assisting with HR infrastructure development in the Middle East and supporting international charities. In her current roles as a Panel Chair for the Judicial Appointments Commission and panel member for the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime, she is deeply involved in upholding professional and ethical standards.

The episode explores the pivotal role of the Nolan Principles in shaping ethical standards within public office, and the challenges of upholding ethical behaviour amidst increasing public scrutiny, particularly concerning the growing awareness and reporting of misconduct such as domestic violence.

Alison provides a nuanced perspective on balancing coaching and disciplinary processes to maintain integrity in professional settings, while addressing the emotional and practical complexities involved.

Key Takeaways:

The Importance of Ethical Standards: Upholding ethical standards in professional settings is crucial for maintaining public trust and accountability. Whether through established principles or personal values, ethical leadership creates a foundation for integrity in any organisation.

Awareness Drives Change: Increased public awareness of issues like misconduct, discrimination, or unethical behaviour leads to more people speaking out. Creating a culture where individuals feel safe and supported to report concerns is key to fostering positive environments.

Balancing Discipline and Personal Growth: In professional settings, it's essential to strike the right balance between addressing unacceptable behaviour with discipline and providing opportunities for personal development and coaching. Tailoring responses to fit the situation helps individuals and organisations grow.

HR’s Role in Shaping Culture: HR professionals play a vital role in transforming workplace cultures by building systems, defining policies, and facilitating conversations around inclusion, diversity, and fair treatment. Positive change begins with clear and actionable guidelines.

Adapting Career Paths to Your Strengths: Career development doesn’t have to follow a conventional trajectory. Finding what aligns with your strengths, whether through leadership, project-focused work, or niche roles, can lead to long-term fulfilment and impactful contributions to your organisation or industry.

About Jivan Dempsey:

Jivan Dempsey has first hand experience of workplace toxicity and bad boss behaviour. Triggered by the #MeToo movement, she was compelled to talk about her experiences in her early career, groomed and assaulted by a boss at work, his subsequent aggression and bullying behaviour which impacted her work performance, mental health and eventually cost her a job she'd loved.

Listeners are drawn to her raw honesty and insightful reflections on change and resilience. Her book, "The HR Change Manager's Handbook" and collaboration on "Can't Break Me," attest to her change and transformation expertise and dedication to empowering others - from someone who's been in the trenches and emerged stronger.

As a seasoned HR professional, consultant, psychologist and

In this episode, Jivan chats to Nick James, founder and CEO of Expert Empires about the importance of mindset, emotional intelligence, and resilience in business leadership.

They discuss Nick’s journey from being influenced by Tony Robbins at just 12 years old to becoming a successful entrepreneur who has built, grown and scaled four businesses from zero to seven figures in annual revenue. Nick shares insights on how to build a positive company culture and the significance of surrounding yourself with the right people.

Nick grew Expert Empires from an idea in 2017, to become one of the UK's best-known business events, with over 8,000 previous attendees.

The episode explores how true leadership begins with self-management and the ability to control your own emotional state. With Nick explaining the importance of values in business, how they can shape company culture, and the role they play in recruitment and employee engagement. Highlighting the need for leaders to actively maintain a positive culture and address any toxic elements that may arise.

As a Husband and a Dad, he also shares his tips on balancing positivity with reality and integrating family values into business practices.

Key Takeaways:

• Importance of Leadership and Mindset: Effective leadership requires mastering emotional and mental states, taking ownership, and maintaining self-awareness and balance. Mindset is fundamental to achieving business success.
• Values as a Foundation: Incorporating values into business practices provides alignment, enhances company culture, and improves recruitment success. Regularly discussing and upholding visible values creates a strong framework for decision-making and team engagement.
• The Role of Culture in Success: A positive and well-maintained culture boosts employee engagement and team performance while minimizing the impact of toxic behaviors. It requires ongoing effort and vigilant leadership.
• Learning and Growth: Resilience and the ability to learn from failures are crucial for overcoming business challenges and driving future success. Mentors and models can provide valuable guidance for development.
• Supportive Relationships: Surrounding yourself with supportive people, including mentors and team members, greatly contributes to success. A positive company culture and family values can seamlessly integrate into business practices.
• The Power of Control and Communication: Leaders must control their reactions and approach difficult conversations with clarity. A well-defined set of values simplifies such interactions, fostering alignment and mutual understanding.

About Jivan Dempsey:

Jivan Dempsey has first hand experience of workplace toxicity and bad boss behaviour. Triggered by the #MeToo movement, she was compelled to talk about her experiences in her early career, groomed and assaulted by a boss at work, his subsequent aggression and bullying behaviour which impacted her work performance, mental health and eventually cost her a job she'd loved.

Listeners are drawn to her raw honesty and insightful reflections on change and resilience. Her book, "The HR Change Manager's Handbook" and collaboration on "Can't Break Me," attest to her change and transformation expertise and dedication to empowering others - from someone who's been in the trenches and emerged stronger.

As a seasoned HR professional, consultant, psychologist and speaker, she offers bespoke consultancy and programmes to help companies navigate HR transformation that delivers a better employee experience and cultural shifts to create healthier, happier, and...