Manage What Matters

If you’re managing people and wondering why motivation is dropping, conversations feel harder, or your best people are exhausted, you’re not alone. Manage What Matters is a practical, human podcast for people leaders who want to improve performance without losing people (or themselves) along the way. Each week, host Jackie Handy explores real leadership challenges - from feedback and burnout to conflict, belonging, and purpose - through a lens that focuses on what actually drives behaviour at work. With years of experience in leadership, inclusion, and culture change - and plenty of lessons learned the hard way - Jackie brings clarity, warmth, and honesty to conversations many people leaders are having privately, but rarely out loud. This isn’t a podcast about being nicer or doing more just for the sake of it. It’s about leading better - without needing more time, more budget, or burning out on the journey. Because when people know they

Manage What Matters is a business podcast hosted by Jackie Handy, with 29 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Jackie Handy hosts Manage What Matters, a business show with 29 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Manage What Matters

  27: Speaking The Same Language - Why Cultural Awareness Matters

  Sep 8, 202628 min

  In this episode of Manage What Matters, Marina Ibrahim explores one of the most overlooked leadership challenges in today’s workplaces: not a lack of motivation, but a lack of understanding. Drawing on her experience working with multicultural teams, Marina shares how accents, assumptions, and cultural differences shape the way we interpret behaviour – and how misinterpretation can quietly impact trust, performance, and belonging. Together, we explore: • Why leaders often misread behaviour in diverse teams • Where leaders unintentionally make communication harder • What helps people feel they truly matter at work • A simple shift leaders can make this week to improve understanding • The advice Marina challenges – and what to do instead Marina also reflects on how her own thinking has evolved, and why leaders don’t need to “sound the same” to be effective – but do need to be understood. This is a practical and human conversation for leaders who want to improve performance without losing their people – or themselves. Connect with Marina on LinkedIn here Or visit her website: www.globility-insights.com Chapters 00:00 Challenges of Multicultural Organizations 08:34 Accent Anxiety and Communication Challenges 14:09 Understanding and Curiosity in Leadership 22:38 Language Barriers and Cultural Understanding

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  Manage What Matters

  26: Creating Resilience In High Pressured Team Environments

  Sep 1, 202613 min

  In this solo episode, Jackie Handy discusses the topic of resilience and its importance in the workplace. She explores the concept of resilience, its connection to the Matter Model, factors affecting resilience, creating resilient environments, and the role of leadership in building resilience. Takeaways Resilience is shaped by the environment and is influenced by factors such as support, clarity, connection, and a sense of control. Leaders play a crucial role in creating conditions where resilience can exist, and it is important to acknowledge and support the efforts of team members during times of pressure. Chapters 00:00 Navigating Change and Resilience 08:00 Creating Resilient Environments

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  Manage What Matters

  25: Why Motivation Matters In Business And In Life

  Aug 25, 202625 min

  Sarah Stones is a Motivation Specialist, speaker, and founder of Plain Sailing Motivation. With over 20 years’ experience in HR, she helps people understand what drives their energy so they can think clearly, perform at their best, and protect their wellbeing. Her work brings practical insight into motivation, helping people move forward with confidence, clarity, and purpose. The conversation with Sarah Stones dives deeper into the critical aspects of motivation, its impact on mental health and engagement, and the importance of understanding individual motivation styles. Sarah shares personal experiences and insights, emphasising the need for leaders to take action and create conditions for self-motivation. The discussion highlights the significance of motivation in both work and personal life, ultimately showing the value of pursuing what one loves. Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn here And check out the 9 motivating factors at Sarah's website here Takeaways Understanding individual motivation is key Motivation impacts mental health and engagement Chapters 00:00 The Leadership Challenge Around Motivation 05:51 Understanding Motivation Styles 11:01 Impact of Motivation on Engagement 21:06 Taking Action on Motivation

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  Manage What Matters

  24: Navigating Change In Business

  Aug 18, 202613 min

  In this solo episode, host Jackie Handy discusses the nature of change and the human experience of change. She shares the importance of leaders supporting their teams through change and provides practical tips for doing so. Takeaways Change is unsettling and constant Leaders need to support their teams through change Chapters 00:00 Supporting Teams Through Change

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  Manage What Matters

  23: Storytelling And Speaking That Matters

  Aug 11, 202627 min

  Ian Hawkins, a speaking and storytelling coach, joins host Jackie Handy to share insights on the impact of fear on speaking and storytelling, the importance of speaking in leadership, the role of storytelling in corporate presenting, finding stories in everyday decision-making, the power of stories in changing perspectives, and key principles of speaking and storytelling. Takeaways Fear is a significant factor that affects speaking and storytelling. Authenticity and understanding the audience are key principles of effective speaking. Stories play a crucial role in changing perspectives and driving change. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 06:05 The Importance of Speaking in Leadership 12:38 Finding Stories in Everyday Decision-Making 17:38 The Power of Stories in Changing Perspectives 23:20 Key Principles of Speaking and Storytelling

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