درباره این اپیزود
How confident are you at starting a conversation about mental health with your team? Most managers aren't - and that silence can be dangerous.
In this episode, Anna Thomas sits down with Andrea Newton, founder of Confident Conversations Limited, to unpack why managers shy away from sensitive conversations and what they can do about it. With 27 years of experience helping leaders navigate difficult discussions, Andrea shares practical, compassionate advice for tackling topics like mental health, menopause, suicide prevention, and domestic abuse in the workplace.
What we cover:
- How to spot the signs someone on your team is struggling
- Why knowing your people is the foundation of good management
- The power of compassion and curiosity over diagnosis and advice
- How to start a difficult conversation (without making it feel like an attack)
- Why silence is one of the most important tools a manager has
- Listening to understand vs. listening to reply
- Why rolling out a policy isn't enough - and what actually builds confidence
- The Wizard of Oz analogy: why you don't need to be the expert
Whether you're a new line manager or a seasoned leader, this episode is packed with real-world strategies to help you show up as a human being first - and a manager second.
Find out more about Andrea’s work at https://confidentconversations.co.uk
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annathomas-hr Instagram:
Instagram.com/practicalmanager
TikTok: tiktok.com/@practicalpeoplemanager
The People Expert: https://www.thepeopleexpert.co.uk
