What does it really take to become a confident manager?
In this episode, Mark Francis sits down with Susannah Brade-Waring, MD & People Development Specialist at Aspirin Business Solutions Ltd, to discuss practical leadership, building confidence, motivating teams, and why great managers are made through curiosity, not perfection.
Drawing from her journey of teaching herself finance, HR, and leadership while helping grow a technology company to a successful management buyout, Susannah shares the lessons that shaped her career and inspired her upcoming book, The Confident Manager.
The conversation also explores Motivational Maps, leadership styles, giving effective feedback, overcoming imposter syndrome, employee engagement, and creating workplaces where people genuinely thrive.
Whether you're a new manager, business owner, team leader, or aspiring leader, this episode is packed with practical leadership advice you can apply immediately.
In this episode:
• How Susannah Brade-Waring became a self-made leader
• The biggest mistakes new managers make
• Why confidence is built, not inherited
• How to motivate different personalities at work
• Using Motivational Maps to improve leadership
• Giving feedback without damaging relationships
• The difference between leadership and management
• Building high-performing, engaged teams
• Lessons from running a successful family business
• The story behind The Confident Manager book
About the Guest:
Susannah Brade-Waring is the MD & People Development Specialist at Aspirin Business Solutions Ltd. She helps leaders and managers build confidence, improve communication, develop high-performing teams, and create positive workplace cultures. She is also one of the world's senior practitioners in Motivational Maps and author of The Confident Manager.
Connect with Susannah Brade-Waring:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susannahbradewaring/
Website: https://www.aspirinbusiness.com/
Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, management, business growth, career development, emotional intelligence, workplace culture, entrepreneurship, coaching, and personal development.
#Leadership #Management #ConfidentManager #SusannahBradeWaring #MarkFrancis #LeadershipDevelopment #PeopleDevelopment #BusinessLeadership #TeamManagement #EmployeeEngagement #MotivationalMaps #LeadershipSkills #ManagerTraining #BusinessGrowth #WorkplaceCulture #PersonalDevelopment
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– Mark and the Who's Your Captain podcast team
Connect with Mark Francis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-francis-78b3061/
Visit The Uspire Partnership website here: https://theuspirepartnership.com
Preview Mark's book here: https://www.book2look.com/book/5PLGQaM16K
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#WhosYourCaptain #MarkFrancis #LeadershipPodcast #ExecutiveCoaching #BusinessLeadership #Mentorship #LeadershipDevelopment #PurposeDrivenLeadership #TransformationalLeadership #BusinessGrowth #ExecutiveThinking #Leadership
Hosted by Mark Francis, founder of The Uspire Partnership and former senior leader at Burberry and Tesco, this podcast provokes fresh thinking, energises purpose, and transforms how leaders perform. With over 25 years of experience in learning and development, organisational change, and executive coaching, Mark brings deep insight to every conversation. He's worked across retail, FMCG, logistics, and professional services, helping leaders and organisations unlock potential and drive meaningful transformation. Whether you're building a business, leading a team, or navigating your own path, you'll discover practical wisdom and inspiration from those who know what it takes to steer the ship.
If you're a business leader, entrepreneur, or professional looking to elevate your leadership, find inspiration from great mentors, or understand what drives transformational performance, this podcast will give you the insights and energy to chart your own course with confidence.
What is Who's Your Captain??
Who's Your Captain explores the leadership lessons hidden in the stories of sports' greatest captains. Hosted by Mark Francis, this podcast dives deep into what separates good leaders from legendary ones—on the field, in the locker room, and beyond.
Each episode features conversations with elite athletes, coaches, and sports professionals who've experienced world-class leadership firsthand. From the mental resilience required to lead under pressure to the communication strategies that unite divided teams, Mark unpacks the principles that make exceptional captains unforgettable.
Whether you're leading a business, managing a team, or navigating your own personal challenges, the insights from sports captains translate directly to everyday leadership. These aren't just sports stories—they're blueprints for building trust, inspiring performance, and leading with integrity.
Mark Francis brings his passion for sports and leadership together to deliver authentic, actionable conversations that inspire listeners to step up and lead in their own lives. New episodes drop weekly, bringing you closer to understanding what it truly means to captain your own ship.
Subscribe to join a community of leaders who believe the best lessons come from those who've done it at the highest level.