What if workplace respect was just as important as results? In this episode of Insights From The Cole Face, I sit down with Mark Babbitt and Chris Edmonds, co-authors of Good Comes First, to explore how leaders can stop tolerating toxic behaviours and create cultures that attract and retain top talent.

Too many executives acknowledge that culture matters, yet they fail to take ownership of it. Mark and Chris break down why many leaders struggle to evolve their workplace culture - and how they can shift from talking about values to actually living them.

We discuss:

✅ Why most leaders are never taught how to manage culture—and how to change that

✅ The biggest red flags of a toxic workplace (and how to spot them)

✅ Why contradictions in leadership destroy trust—and how to fix it

✅ How accountability and respect drive real business results

✅ The power of self-awareness (and why every leader needs a metaphorical mirror)

🔹 Plus, Mark and Chris share practical strategies to operationalise values, hold leaders accountable, and create a culture where top talent thrives - not flees.

🎧 Listen now for real-world insights that will challenge how you think about leadership, culture, and the future of work.

Want to elevate your leadership beyond the boardroom?

Join the conversation. Connect with me for coaching, peer support, or leadership insights that drive real impact.

📩 Let's talk: https://www.coleforums.com/

🔗 Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-cole4/

In this powerful episode of Insights From The Cole Face, I sit down with Martin Wolf CBE, Associate Editor and Chief Economics Commentator at the Financial Times, to explore the intersection of leadership, democracy, and economic resilience in today’s volatile world.

From his personal history as the child of refugees to his groundbreaking insights on democratic capitalism, Martin shares a raw and thought-provoking perspective on what it takes to lead ethically and responsibly - both in business and society.

We discuss:

✅ The fragility of democracy and what history teaches us about its survival

✅ Why business leaders have a moral obligation to uphold societal stability

✅ The uneasy relationship between capitalism and democracy—and why it matters

✅ How global geopolitical shifts and economic uncertainty are reshaping leadership

✅ The rise of populism and oligarchy—and what CEOs, General Counsel, and leaders must do to navigate it

🔹 Martin also shares his Leader’s Survival Kit—a must-hear for anyone striving to make ethical, impactful decisions in an increasingly complex world.

Want to elevate your leadership beyond the boardroom?

Join the conversation. Connect with me for coaching, peer support, or leadership insights that drive real impact.

📩 Let's talk: https://www.coleforums.com/

🔗 Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-cole4/