What if your biggest mistakes turned out to be your greatest leadership lessons?
In this episode of Managing Potential, Daniel Taylor is joined by Gary Cookson—Director of Epic HR and author of three insightful books on people development.

Gary brings humour, honesty, and a refreshingly real take on leadership as he explores how getting things wrong can actually make managers stronger, wiser, and more human. He shares the missteps that shaped his expertise, the lessons he wishes more leaders embraced, and why learning through experience is at the heart of great management development.

Perfect for anyone who wants to grow their leadership confidence, build resilient teams, and enjoy a positive, practical look at what it really takes to develop as a manager.

Each week, join Daniel Taylor, L&D expert, coach and management / leadership development professional, as we sit down with seasoned managers to deconstruct their greatest breakthroughs, their toughest challenges, and the life lessons they’ve gathered along the way. If you’re looking to turn talent into performance, you’re in the right place.

Here are the links, as discussed in the podcast:

- Search for #AdventBlogs on LinkedIn to access the blogs

- www.DanielTaylorDevelopment.com/Blogs to access the AdventBlogs

- Garys books are available to buy from https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Gary-Cookson/author/B09R4N5RN6

- https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiecookson

- https://www.linkedin.com/in/philcookson

- https://www.linkedin.com/in/edmonk

Make sure to subscribe wherever you listen to a podcast so you don't miss the launch episode and to join our community.

Want more? Visit ManagingPotentialPodcast.com to sign up for our newsletter and get regular leadership insights delivered straight to your inbox.

Copyright: ManagingPotentialPodcast.com 2026.

Welcome to Managing Potential, is the podcast where we go behind the scenes with the world’s most impactful leaders.

Each week, join Daniel Taylor, L&D expert, coach and management / leadership development professional, as we sit down with seasoned managers to deconstruct their greatest breakthroughs, their toughest challenges, and the life lessons they’ve gathered along the way. If you’re looking to turn talent into performance, you’re in the right place.

Want more? Visit ManagingPotentialPodcast.com to sign up for our newsletter and get regular leadership insights delivered straight to your inbox.

Gary dives into the real power of a great appraisal conversation and how it can genuinely transform someone’s working life. He explores why being a truly attentive listener—especially when it comes to wellbeing—matters more than ever, and how showing up for each other builds stronger, healthier teams.

This episode is packed with reminders that small, thoughtful actions can create big shifts in confidence, performance, and overall wellbeing. It’s all about making work a more supportive, human place to be.

Connect with Gary on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/garybpt/

Each week, join Daniel Taylor, L&D expert, coach and management / leadership development professional, as we sit down with seasoned managers to deconstruct their greatest breakthroughs, their toughest challenges, and the life lessons they’ve gathered along the way. If you’re looking to turn talent into performance, you’re in the right place.

Here are the links, as discussed in the podcast: https://www.joyjunction.co.uk/links/managing-potential-podcast-march-2026

Plus, details of It's a piece of cake 10K and not Cake Race as I remembered.

Make sure to subscribe wherever you listen to a podcast so you don't miss the launch episode and to join our community.

Want more? Visit ManagingPotentialPodcast.com to sign up for our newsletter and get regular leadership insights delivered straight to your inbox.

Copyright: ManagingPotentialPodcast.com 2026.

Welcome to Managing Potential, is the podcast where we go behind the scenes with the world’s most impactful leaders.

Each week, join Daniel Taylor, L&D expert, coach and management / leadership development professional, as we sit down with seasoned managers to deconstruct their greatest breakthroughs, their toughest challenges, and the life lessons they’ve gathered along the way. If you’re looking to turn talent into performance, you’re in the right place.

Want more? Visit ManagingPotentialPodcast.com to sign up for our newsletter and get regular leadership insights delivered straight to your inbox.

What does it take to lead change with confidence, curiosity, and a truly human touch?
In this episode of Managing Potential, Daniel Taylor is joined by Sharon Green professional interim, qualified coach, consultant, and founder of Chiara Consultancy.

Sharon brings warmth, clarity, and a wealth of experience as she dives into the world of organisational development and the power of putting people at the heart of change. She shares how relationship management, influence, and negotiation shape her work as an interim—and how being a lifelong learner keeps her growing, adapting, and making a meaningful impact.

Expect honest reflections, practical insights, and a positive, curious look at what it really means to support organisations through change while staying grounded in your values.

Perfect for anyone passionate about leadership, organisational development, change management, and the mindset of a truly human‑centred practitioner.

Connect with Sharon on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharongreenchiara/

Each week, join Daniel Taylor, L&D expert, coach and management / leadership development professional, as we sit down with seasoned managers to deconstruct their greatest breakthroughs, their toughest challenges, and the life lessons they’ve gathered along the way. If you’re looking to turn talent into performance, you’re in the right place.

Here are the links, as discussed in the podcast:

Rachel Wilson-Rugelsjøen
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-wilson-rugelsj%C3%B8en/

Dr Shereen Daniels https://www.linkedin.com/in/shereen-daniels/

The books are:

Ros Jay: How to Handle Tough Situations at Work - https://amzn.to/4awM1fL

Margaret Heffernan: Wilful Blindness: Why we ignore the obvious - https://amzn.to/4aM7jES

Make sure to subscribe wherever you listen to a podcast so you don't miss the launch episode and to join our community.

Want more? Visit ManagingPotentialPodcast.com to sign up for our newsletter and get regular leadership insights delivered straight to your inbox.

Copyright: ManagingPotentialPodcast.com 2026.