The Plumm Pod

• How Boundaries Can Transform Your Career: The Power of Self Advocacy

  In this episode, Claire shares her journey from HR to well-being strategist, revealing why setting boundaries is key to both personal and professional success. Claire talks about the challenges of overcommitting and how finding balance in the workplace is more crucial than ever, especially after the pandemic.You'll learn:Why well-being should be prioritised in the workplace to boost productivityHow to set and maintain boundaries without feeling guiltyWhy internal comms play a huge role in employee satisfaction and engagementThe importance of knowing your worth and advocating for your needsDon't miss this insightful conversation, subscribe for more episodes and share with a leader who needs a plan, not a panic!Chapters:00:00:00 — The Road to HR00:02:30 — Why HR Wasn’t What I Expected00:04:02 — Internal Comms: The Emotional Infrastructure00:06:56 — HR’s Evolving Role in Well-Being00:09:55 — Why Well-Being Comes First00:12:25 — The Shift from Hustle to Sustainable Work00:14:18 — Creating Micro Boundaries for Maximum Impact00:16:58 — How Stress Impacts Productivity00:18:53 — Fighting the People-Pleasing Cycle00:21:40 — Advocating for Yourself at Work00:23:10 — Leading with Vulnerability00:25:40 — Boundary Setting Without Guilt00:27:39 — Why Everyone Needs Boundaries00:29:12 — How to Build Healthy Work Relationships00:31:10 — What I Wish I Knew About Boundaries Earlier00:33:40 — The Power of Saying ‘No’

  --------  

  34:12

  --------

  34:12
• 42% Leave Suddenly: Is Your Succession Plan Ready?

  When 42% of leaders leave without warning, most companies panic. Amanda, finance turned HR strategist and chartered manager, explains how to future-proof your team before the vacancy hits.In this episode, we unpack practical, data-driven succession planning, why “accidental managers” are costing you growth, and how HR earns a real seat at the table by thinking like a business owner.You’ll learn:What succession planning really is (and isn’t) and how to start it in a weekThe data, dashboards and conversations HR must run to stop talent gapsHow to develop managers who can actually lead (not just do the job)Why cross-generational hiring (T-Levels, grads) keeps you relevant in an AI worldThe underrated skills: mediation, communication, reflection, resilienceIf this helped, subscribe for more episodes and share with a leader who needs a plan, not a panic.Chapters 00:00:00 — Chance, Not Plan: Amanda’s HR Origin00:02:18 — Thrown In: Studying While Doing the Job00:04:50 — Succession Defined: Your People Contingency Plan00:06:56 — Scaling Playbook: Building Talent “Our Way”00:07:58 — From Gut to Data: Decisions That Stick00:09:55 — HR at the Table: Think Like an Owner00:12:25 — Why Most Succession Fails (And Who’s Missing)00:14:18 — Planning in Uncertainty: Hire the Future In00:16:58 — Maintain vs. Hyper-Scale: Knowing Your Path00:18:53 — Career Moats: Learning, Credentials, Confidence00:19:50 — Reflection as Strategy: Walk, Think, Improve00:23:10 — Accidental Managers: The Hidden Cost00:27:00 — Next-Gen Leadership: Firm, Human, Resilient00:29:12 — Post-COVID Reality: Psychological Safety Pays00:31:10 — Hard Talks, Soft Skills: Mediate & Communicate00:34:18 — One Thing I’d Tell My Younger Self

  --------  

  37:05

  --------

  37:05
• How to Actually Build Culture | Tiger de Souza

  We say we want “nice” cultures, then wonder why people burn out.Tiger de Souza, People leader at Samaritans, reveals how charities and mission-driven teams can balance purpose, limited resources, and real human support without losing clarity or standards.What you’ll learn:Why “nice” cultures exhaust people and why kind cultures performThe 4 leadership principles Samaritans use (accountability, empowerment, inclusion, connection)How to equip managers for monthly, meaningful performance conversationsHybrid/volunteer culture at scale: 20,000 volunteers, new norms, real psychological safetyWhere AI helps ops, but can’t replace human connection in crisisIf you lead people (in charities or beyond), this conversation will reset how you think about culture, performance, and wellbeing.👉 If this helped, subscribe and share with a leader who needs it.

  --------  

  36:13

  --------

  36:13
• I Burnt Out At The Top Of My Career, And Had To Rebuild My Life

  What happens when you climb to the top of your career… but lose yourself along the way?In this powerful conversation, Matt shares how he accidentally fell into HR, rose through global roles at UBS, and then faced the devastating reality of burnout that cost him his health, career, and identity.We uncover:How recruitment turned into a global HR careerThe hidden drivers behind burnout and why so many ignore the signsWhy HR professionals are at the highest risk of emotional exhaustionThe three “buckets of burnout” and how to protect yourself from themPractical tools to set boundaries and recover before it’s too lateThis is not just an HR story, it’s a human story. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, detached, or on the edge of burnout, this episode might just change the way you approach your work and your life.Chapters00:00 – Falling into HR by accident01:00 – Recruitment, sales pressure & global moves02:40 – UBS opportunity & career breakthrough04:30 – Burnout disguised as success06:20 – The toxic drive of “not good enough”08:00 – What burnout really feels like09:45 – Therapy, coaching & rebuilding identity11:30 – Discovering the power of coaching13:10 – Why HR faces higher burnout risks15:20 – The breaking point moment16:40 – Catching stress before it becomes burnout18:20 – Signs of exhaustion & irritability20:00 – Detachment, cynicism & losing purpose23:20 – The tension at the heart of HR25:10 – The three buckets of burnout explained28:40 – Purpose, values & dangerous overcommitment32:00 – Overwhelm vs. burnout – the difference34:10 – Weekly check-ins to stay vigilant35:40 – Boundaries, respect & saying no37:20 – Peak performance through rest39:20 – Advice to my younger self: “Look at the evidence”

  --------  

  42:02

  --------

  42:02
• From Athlete to Global HR Leader: The Power of Community with David Hughes

  What if the key to retention, engagement, and authentic leadership isn’t perks or pay but community?In today’s episode, I sit down with David Hughes, Global Head of Talent at Costa Coffee, whose journey took him from competing for Great Britain in athletics to leading people, purpose, and community in one of the world’s most recognisable brands.We explore:How sport shaped his leadership philosophy and resilience.Why community is the most overlooked driver of engagement and retention.The rising influence of Gen Z and their demand for authenticity.How brands can avoid “whitewashing” and build trust through meaningful action.This is a masterclass in understanding why authenticity, purpose, and connection will decide the future of work.👉 If you found this conversation valuable, subscribe for more episodes and share this with someone who needs to hear it.Chapters00:00:29 – HR: Planned or by chance?00:01:27 – From GB athlete to HR leader00:02:19 – How sport shaped leadership00:04:04 – Leaving athletics & finding purpose00:05:51 – From recruitment to Boots & HR00:07:03 – What community really means00:09:55 – The data: community reduces turnover by 50%00:11:23 – Why Gen Z changed everything00:12:45 – Community, charity & the HR function00:14:42 – Building local impact: the SEN school project00:16:24 – Skills vs. qualifications: the future of work00:18:38 – The four pillars of talent at Costa00:20:11 – What EVP really means (and why most get it wrong)00:23:09 – Authenticity vs. whitewashing in employer branding00:24:59 – Gen Z: why they can’t be fooled00:27:03 – The real cost of ignoring community00:29:47 – A life-changing trip to Colombia00:31:54 – How to convince senior stakeholders00:33:02 – Advice to my younger self: mistakes & fourth gear00:34:55 – Why slowing down creates better work00:36:10 – Closing reflections on purpose and belonging

  --------  

  32:21

  --------

  32:21

More Business podcasts

Trending Business podcasts

About The Plumm Pod