<![CDATA[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 matter, and the work matters too, everything changes. Welcome aboard!

]]>www.jackiehandy.comRiverside.fm (https://riverside.com)Thu, 28 May 2026 16:03:22 GMTMon, 05 Jan 2026 16:02:39 GMT60Jackie Handy<p>If you’re managing people and wondering why motivation is dropping, conversations feel harder, or your best people are exhausted, you’re not alone.</p><p></p><p><i>Manage What Matters</i> 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.</p><p></p><p>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.</p><p></p><p>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 matter, and the work matters too, everything changes. Welcome aboard!</p>episodicJackie Handyhello@jackiehandy.comno<![CDATA[1: The Secret 'Smattering' That Strengthens Belonging]]>The solo episode with host Jackie Handy explores the role of diversity, equity, and inclusion in creating a sense of belonging. It also explores the components of belonging, the secret sauce of mattering, and the strategies for creating a sense of belonging and building inclusive cultures.

Takeaways

  • Belonging and mattering combined are key to thriving in the workplace
  • Diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential for creating a sense of belonging

Chapters

  • 00:00 The Axis of Belonging
  • 06:36 Creating a Sense of Belonging
]]>124e1bde-c69f-44b5-a898-26dcd6427bb9Tue, 10 Mar 2026 08:00:00 GMT<p>The solo episode with host Jackie Handy explores the role of diversity, equity, and inclusion in creating a sense of belonging. It also explores the components of belonging, the secret sauce of mattering, and the strategies for creating a sense of belonging and building inclusive cultures.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Belonging and mattering combined are key to thriving in the workplace</li><li>Diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential for creating a sense of belonging</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 The Axis of Belonging</li><li>06:36 Creating a Sense of Belonging</li></ul>no00:10:571: The Secret 'Smattering' That Strengthens Belongingfull<![CDATA[12: Creating Small Weekly Leadership Habits That Matter To You And Your Team]]>This solo episode with Jackie focuses on the significance of small habitual moments, the value of questions, and the impact of midweek and end-of-week check-ins. It recaps on some of the previous guests from the show and emphasises the importance of feeling heard, modelling boundaries, and the fresh start effect on Mondays.

Connect with Jackie on LinkedIn here

Take the FREE Flowfinder quiz here

Takeaways

  • Small moments matter
  • Midweek and end-of-week check-ins are important for team engagement

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction and Value of Questions
  • 07:08 Modeling Boundaries and Fresh Start Effect
]]>26538187-76bf-4545-8ca2-63704c30a698Tue, 26 May 2026 07:00:00 GMT<p>This solo episode with Jackie focuses on the significance of small habitual moments, the value of questions, and the impact of midweek and end-of-week check-ins. It recaps on some of the previous guests from the show and emphasises the importance of feeling heard, modelling boundaries, and the fresh start effect on Mondays.</p><p></p><p>Connect with Jackie on LinkedIn <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackiehandy/" target="_blank">here</a></p><p></p><p>Take the FREE Flowfinder quiz <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://quiz.jackiehandy.com/flow-finder" target="_blank">here</a></p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Small moments matter</li><li>Midweek and end-of-week check-ins are important for team engagement</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 Introduction and Value of Questions</li><li>07:08 Modeling Boundaries and Fresh Start Effect</li></ul>no00:17:4312: Creating Small Weekly Leadership Habits That Matter To You And Your Teamfull<![CDATA[11: Overcoming Confidence Compensation And Be The Leader You Were Born To Be]]>Jen Smollett is a Leadership and Confidence Coach who helps leaders lift the invisible weight of Confidence Compensation - the exhausting cycle of second‑guessing themselves while working twice as hard to prove themselves and become the confident, authentic leaders they truly are.

Our conversation discusses the concept of confidence compensation and its impact on leadership effectiveness. It explores the damaging effects of overcompensating, the impact on leadership and team performance, and the wider role of confidence in leadership. Jackie's guest today, Leadership Coach Jen Smollett, also speaks about the impact of praise and self-doubt, navigating new territory in leadership, and transferable skills that took her from intensive care nursing to leadership coaching. The episode concludes as always, with a focus on Million Dollar Moment takeaways for what matters most in your leadership.

Connect with Jen on LinkedIn here

Grab the FREE resources from Jen's website here

Take Jackie's FREE Flow Finder assessment here

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction and Confidence Compensation
  • 06:54 Creating Change and Assessing Leadership
  • 15:16 Transferable Skills from Intensive Care to Leadership
  • 21:36 What Matters Most in Leadership
]]>2664616d-1308-43d5-96fe-1ec34c9649c0Tue, 19 May 2026 07:00:00 GMT<p>Jen Smollett is a Leadership and Confidence Coach who helps leaders lift the invisible weight of Confidence Compensation - the exhausting cycle of second‑guessing themselves while working twice as hard to prove themselves and become the confident, authentic leaders they truly are.</p><p></p><p>Our conversation discusses the concept of confidence compensation and its impact on leadership effectiveness. It explores the damaging effects of overcompensating, the impact on leadership and team performance, and the wider role of confidence in leadership. Jackie's guest today, Leadership Coach Jen Smollett, also speaks about the impact of praise and self-doubt, navigating new territory in leadership, and transferable skills that took her from intensive care nursing to leadership coaching. The episode concludes as always, with a focus on Million Dollar Moment takeaways for what matters most in your leadership.</p><p></p><p>Connect with Jen on LinkedIn <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jen-smollett-coach/" target="_blank">here</a></p><p></p><p>Grab the FREE resources from Jen's website <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://jensmollett.com/" target="_blank">here</a></p><p></p><p>Take Jackie's FREE Flow Finder assessment <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://quiz.jackiehandy.com/flow-finder" target="_blank">here</a></p><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 Introduction and Confidence Compensation</li><li>06:54 Creating Change and Assessing Leadership</li><li>15:16 Transferable Skills from Intensive Care to Leadership</li><li>21:36 What Matters Most in Leadership</li></ul>no00:25:5311: Overcoming Confidence Compensation And Be The Leader You Were Born To Befull<![CDATA[9: Men's Mental Health Matters ]]>
Leading with courage, freedom and authenticity, Stephen J.Whitton is speaker and founder of a movement that aims to help leaders (especially men) to gain clarity, confidence and purpose. 

Having gone through his own calamitous situation in 2020, Divorce, business collapse, pandemic AND coming out, Stephen reflects on his career in a very male dominated and target driven industry, that was so focussed on results it didn’t have space for considering the wellbeing of its people, Stephen is leading the march to change that and recognises that men’s mental health and the impact on the environment around them, is key to authentic leadership, inclusion and sustainable results.

In our conversation, Stephen shares his journey through a male-dominated industry, highlighting the impact of early experiences on mental health and the challenges faced by leaders. He discusses the creation of Menable and its approach to supporting mental health in the workplace. The conversation examines the importance of mental health in leadership and provides advice for leaders to support mental health effectively.

Takeaways

  • Authentic Leadership
  • Mental Health Awareness
  • Million Dollar Mental Health Moments

Connect with Stephen on LinkedIn or via his website, StephenJWhitton.com To explore Menable.org click here

]]>90247501-013d-4d5c-b9b7-af2bebab3bcaTue, 05 May 2026 07:00:00 GMT<p><br />Leading with courage, freedom and authenticity, Stephen J.Whitton is speaker and founder of a movement that aims to help leaders (especially men) to gain clarity, confidence and purpose. </p><p></p><p>Having gone through his own calamitous situation in 2020, Divorce, business collapse, pandemic AND coming out, Stephen reflects on his career in a very male dominated and target driven industry, that was so focussed on results it didn’t have space for considering the wellbeing of its people, Stephen is leading the march to change that and recognises that men’s mental health and the impact on the environment around them, is key to authentic leadership, inclusion and sustainable results.</p><p></p><p>In our conversation, Stephen shares his journey through a male-dominated industry, highlighting the impact of early experiences on mental health and the challenges faced by leaders. He discusses the creation of Menable and its approach to supporting mental health in the workplace. The conversation examines the importance of mental health in leadership and provides advice for leaders to support mental health effectively.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Authentic Leadership</li><li>Mental Health Awareness</li><li>Million Dollar Mental Health Moments</li></ul><p></p><p>Connect with Stephen on LinkedIn or via his website, <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://StephenJWhitton.com" target="_blank">StephenJWhitton.com</a> To explore Menable.org click <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://menable.org/" target="_blank">here</a></p>no00:25:059: Men's Mental Health Matters full<![CDATA[8: Why Listening Feels So Difficult - And How To Do It Better]]>This solo episode with Jackie Handy explores the importance of listening, the different layers of listening, generative listening, challenges in listening, barriers to effective listening, and strategies for overcoming listening challenges.

Takeaways

  • Listening builds trust and reduces conflict
  • Generative listening enables new thinking and shared ownership.

Chapters

  • 00:00 The Importance of Listening
  • 07:05 Overcoming Listening Challenges
]]>ef49dbab-18d3-4fd4-bbca-b9099aa22399Tue, 28 Apr 2026 07:00:00 GMT<p>This solo episode with Jackie Handy explores the importance of listening, the different layers of listening, generative listening, challenges in listening, barriers to effective listening, and strategies for overcoming listening challenges.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Listening builds trust and reduces conflict</li><li>Generative listening enables new thinking and shared ownership.</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 The Importance of Listening</li><li>07:05 Overcoming Listening Challenges</li></ul>no00:09:378: Why Listening Feels So Difficult - And How To Do It Betterfull<![CDATA[7: Exploring Leadership Restoration & Why It Matters]]>Rachael Edmondson-Clarke is an executive leadership coach and founder of Ellevar. She works with CEOs, founders, and senior leaders who want to lead with calm, clarity, and alignment to what matters most — even in the most demanding moments.

With a background in leadership psychology, behavioural science, and twenty years of commercial and organisational experience, Rachael is known for her calm authority and her ability to help leaders see clearly, regulate their internal state, and make decisions rooted in purpose and presence.

Her work strengthens the inner capacities that leadership demands — emotional steadiness, personal alignment, courageous thinking, and the ability to shape cultures where people and performance thrive.

Our conversation explores the challenges of leadership, specifically the importance of well-being, the integration of restoration into work life, and the power of presence and connection in leadership. It emphasizes the need for leaders to prioritize self-care and emotional regulation to create a positive impact on their teams and organizations.

Takeaways

  • Leadership challenges and well-being
  • Integration of restoration into work life
  • The power of presence and connection

Chapters

  • 00:00 Leadership Challenges and Well-being
  • 15:37 The Power of Presence and Connection
]]>a7801172-24d8-4ff3-990d-b60ef6522e30Tue, 21 Apr 2026 07:00:00 GMT<p>Rachael Edmondson-Clarke is an executive leadership coach and founder of Ellevar. She works with CEOs, founders, and senior leaders who want to lead with calm, clarity, and alignment to what matters most — even in the most demanding moments.</p><p></p><p>With a background in leadership psychology, behavioural science, and twenty years of commercial and organisational experience, Rachael is known for her calm authority and her ability to help leaders see clearly, regulate their internal state, and make decisions rooted in purpose and presence.</p><p>Her work strengthens the inner capacities that leadership demands — emotional steadiness, personal alignment, courageous thinking, and the ability to shape cultures where people and performance thrive.</p><p></p><p>Our conversation explores the challenges of leadership, specifically the importance of well-being, the integration of restoration into work life, and the power of presence and connection in leadership. It emphasizes the need for leaders to prioritize self-care and emotional regulation to create a positive impact on their teams and organizations.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Leadership challenges and well-being</li><li>Integration of restoration into work life</li><li>The power of presence and connection</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 Leadership Challenges and Well-being</li><li>15:37 The Power of Presence and Connection</li></ul>no00:24:427: Exploring Leadership Restoration & Why It Mattersfull<![CDATA[5: Why Your Leadership Feels Stretched And The Questions That Can Help You]]>Helen Joy is the founder of People Spark. She works with professional services firms to turn overstretched managers into confident, capable leaders who drive performance, engagement and retention, without burning out or micromanaging.

 

She spent 15 years as a manager herself, so she understands the reality: the deadlines, the pressure, the people issues no one teaches you how to handle. Her workshops are practical, engaging, and designed to cut through the noise, giving managers tools they’ll actually use the next day.

 

Helen’s focus is simple: better supported managers, stronger teams, and measurable business impact.

Our conversation covers leadership challenges, time management, financial decisions, competing with team members, the importance of listening, creating a sense of value and belonging, and the power of listening and asking questions in effective leadership.

Takeaways

  • Leadership challenges: Managers are spread too thinly, with large teams and limited time for effective management.
  • Listening and asking questions: The importance of listening to team members and asking open-minded questions to understand their needs and challenges.

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction to Helen Joy
  • 05:04 Competing with Team Members
  • 10:45 Creating a Sense of Value and Belonging
  • 15:49 The Power of Listening and Asking Questions
]]>61697840-e393-4528-971d-ca4ab676f103Tue, 07 Apr 2026 07:00:00 GMT<p>Helen Joy is the founder of People Spark. She works with professional services firms to turn overstretched managers into confident, capable leaders who drive performance, engagement and retention, without burning out or micromanaging.</p><p> </p><p>She spent 15 years as a manager herself, so she understands the reality: the deadlines, the pressure, the people issues no one teaches you how to handle. Her workshops are practical, engaging, and designed to cut through the noise, giving managers tools they’ll actually use the next day.</p><p> </p><p>Helen’s focus is simple: better supported managers, stronger teams, and measurable business impact.</p><p>Our conversation covers leadership challenges, time management, financial decisions, competing with team members, the importance of listening, creating a sense of value and belonging, and the power of listening and asking questions in effective leadership.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Leadership challenges: Managers are spread too thinly, with large teams and limited time for effective management.</li><li>Listening and asking questions: The importance of listening to team members and asking open-minded questions to understand their needs and challenges.</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 Introduction to Helen Joy</li><li>05:04 Competing with Team Members</li><li>10:45 Creating a Sense of Value and Belonging</li><li>15:49 The Power of Listening and Asking Questions</li></ul>no00:22:205: Why Your Leadership Feels Stretched And The Questions That Can Help Youfull<![CDATA[Welcome to Manage What Matters]]>The podcast 'Manage What Matters' explores the importance of managing what truly matters to people in the workplace, highlighting the craving for meaningful work and the impact of small actions on culture and leadership. Your host, Jackie Handy, introduces the concept of the Matter Model® and discusses the exploration of clear topics through the lens of what truly matters to people, as well as the concept of Million Dollar Moments® in culture building.

Thank you for being here.

Connect with me on LinkedIn here

Or find my website at www.jackiehandy.com

]]>059260f4-ea8c-4235-a11d-94bae8a960baTue, 03 Mar 2026 08:00:00 GMT<p>The podcast 'Manage What Matters' explores the importance of managing what truly matters to people in the workplace, highlighting the craving for meaningful work and the impact of small actions on culture and leadership. Your host, Jackie Handy, introduces the concept of the Matter Model® and discusses the exploration of clear topics through the lens of what truly matters to people, as well as the concept of Million Dollar Moments® in culture building.</p><p></p><p>Thank you for being here.</p><p></p><p>Connect with me on LinkedIn <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackiehandy/" target="_blank">here</a></p><p></p><p>Or find my website at <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.jackiehandy.com/" target="_blank">www.jackiehandy.com</a></p><p></p><p></p>no00:05:56Welcome to Manage What Matterstrailer<![CDATA[10: What Makes Training Sticky (And Where It Falls Flat)]]>In this short episode, Jackie Handy discusses the importance of starting with the end in mind when it comes to leadership development. She shares the need for a learning needs analysis and the importance of ongoing learning and development beyond formal training programs.

Takeaways

  • Starting with the end in mind
  • Learning needs analysis

]]>01d81f30-becd-4b36-bae5-7a762e13ee6fTue, 12 May 2026 07:00:00 GMT<p>In this short episode, Jackie Handy discusses the importance of starting with the end in mind when it comes to leadership development. She shares the need for a learning needs analysis and the importance of ongoing learning and development beyond formal training programs.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Starting with the end in mind</li><li>Learning needs analysis</li></ul><p></p>no00:09:0410: What Makes Training Sticky (And Where It Falls Flat)full<![CDATA[6: What Actually Builds Trust (And What Can Break It)]]>The episode delves into the critical role of trust in the workplace, introducing the trust equation and exploring its components. It discusses the impact of credibility, reliability, intimacy, and self-orientation on trust, highlighting the connection between trust and leadership. The episode concludes with a focus on building trust over time through self-awareness and consistent actions.

Takeaways

  • Trust is a critical factor in the workplace, impacting communication, efficiency, and emotional energy.
  • Credibility, reliability, intimacy, and self-orientation play key roles in building and maintaining trust within teams.

]]>fa495cd6-0905-4e52-8084-ffea030ae380Tue, 14 Apr 2026 07:00:00 GMT<p>The episode delves into the critical role of trust in the workplace, introducing the trust equation and exploring its components. It discusses the impact of credibility, reliability, intimacy, and self-orientation on trust, highlighting the connection between trust and leadership. The episode concludes with a focus on building trust over time through self-awareness and consistent actions.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Trust is a critical factor in the workplace, impacting communication, efficiency, and emotional energy.</li><li>Credibility, reliability, intimacy, and self-orientation play key roles in building and maintaining trust within teams.</li></ul><p></p><p></p>no00:09:396: What Actually Builds Trust (And What Can Break It)full<![CDATA[4: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly: My Leadership Journey]]>Jackie Handy shares her experiences and insights on the challenges of transitioning into a management role, the pitfalls of relying on personal relationships, the importance of learning and development, and the need for guidance and support for people leaders. She highlights the role of leadership strategy and the impact of learning and development on effective management.

Takeaways

  • Leadership strategy
  • Learning and development

]]>60af0357-fe12-4800-834f-c59c16603709Tue, 31 Mar 2026 07:00:00 GMT<p>Jackie Handy shares her experiences and insights on the challenges of transitioning into a management role, the pitfalls of relying on personal relationships, the importance of learning and development, and the need for guidance and support for people leaders. She highlights the role of leadership strategy and the impact of learning and development on effective management.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Leadership strategy</li><li>Learning and development</li></ul><p></p><p></p>no00:15:194: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly: My Leadership Journeyfull<![CDATA[3: Getting In The Zone: Finding Purpose And Flow ]]>In this conversation, Jackie Handy discusses the importance of purpose in the workplace and its role as the glue that holds everything together. She also introduces the Matter Model, which helps identify where individuals and teams are positioned in terms of belonging, mattering, and purpose. The impact of generational differences on workplace expectations is explored, along with the identification of zones of engagement and the achievement of sustained performance in the flow zone.

Takeaways

  • Purpose is the glue that holds everything together
  • The Matter Model helps identify where individuals and teams are positioned in terms of belonging, mattering, and purpose

Take the FlowFinder Quiz here

Want to get in touch? My website is here.

]]>d25e734e-d2d5-4944-bfbc-ade5b760419dTue, 24 Mar 2026 08:00:00 GMT<p>In this conversation, Jackie Handy discusses the importance of purpose in the workplace and its role as the glue that holds everything together. She also introduces the Matter Model, which helps identify where individuals and teams are positioned in terms of belonging, mattering, and purpose. The impact of generational differences on workplace expectations is explored, along with the identification of zones of engagement and the achievement of sustained performance in the flow zone.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Purpose is the glue that holds everything together</li><li>The Matter Model helps identify where individuals and teams are positioned in terms of belonging, mattering, and purpose</li></ul><p></p><p>Take the FlowFinder Quiz <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://quiz.jackiehandy.com/flow-finder" target="_blank">here</a></p><p>Want to get in touch? My website is <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://jackiehandy.com/" target="_blank">here.</a></p>no00:13:043: Getting In The Zone: Finding Purpose And Flow full<![CDATA[2: How To Stretch Your Team Without Burning Them Out]]>The conversation explores the impact of disengagement on employees and the importance of growth, development, and leadership in maintaining employee engagement and motivation. It emphasises the need for a balance between stretch, support, and meaning in the workplace to foster growth and prevent burnout.

Takeaways

  • Belonging and mattering are not the only things crucial for motivating high-performing team members.
  • Disengagement leads to isolation, disconnection, and boredom, impacting employee behaviour and performance.
  • How to get development right!

Connect on LinkedIn here

Or visit my website www.jackiehandy.com

]]>7793c73e-2aa3-4a02-9e49-730a9a89dce8Tue, 17 Mar 2026 08:00:00 GMT<p>The conversation explores the impact of disengagement on employees and the importance of growth, development, and leadership in maintaining employee engagement and motivation. It emphasises the need for a balance between stretch, support, and meaning in the workplace to foster growth and prevent burnout.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Belonging and mattering are not the only things crucial for motivating high-performing team members.</li><li>Disengagement leads to isolation, disconnection, and boredom, impacting employee behaviour and performance.</li><li>How to get development right!</li></ul><p></p><p>Connect on LinkedIn <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackiehandy/" target="_blank">here</a></p><p></p><p>Or visit my website <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://jackiehandy.com/" target="_blank">www.jackiehandy.com</a></p><p></p><p></p>no00:11:552: How To Stretch Your Team Without Burning Them Outfull