

Unprofessionalism
Dr Myriam Hadnes
Professional performance is exhausting. Maintaining the mask. Editing ourselves. Pretending we know when we don't.This podcast is about people who dropped the performance. And what happened next.Each episode features someone who broke professional conventions and found something better on the other side: the executive who disclosed grief in a corporate setting and found it opened new ways of relating; the coach who realised her authority came from integrity, not compliance; the designer who ignored the 'approved tools' and saved thousands of hours.Conversations circle around three questions:What does it cost us to perform professionalism instead of showing up as ourselves?How do we create spaces where people can bring their full attention and humanity to work?When is the “unprofessional” move actually the most responsible one?If you feel the tension between who you are and who you're expected to be at work, this podcast shows you what happens when people stop managing that tension and just stop performing.Hosted by Dr Myriam Hadnes—behavioural economist and founder of workshops.work. New episode every week.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 1, 2025 • 1h 21min
328 - Healing the Boardroom: Insights from the Inner Child with Jason Perelson
Jason Perelson, an expert in emotional maturity and self-awareness, dives deep into how our unresolved childhood experiences shape leadership styles. He discusses the influence of attachment theories on decision-making and highlights the need for leaders to recognize and destigmatize their triggers. With an emphasis on healing the inner child, he explores how vulnerability and compassion can transform corporate dynamics. This engaging conversation sheds light on nurturing creativity and fostering psychological safety in professional spaces.

Jun 24, 2025 • 1h 13min
327 - Building Facilitation from the Inside Out with Matt Homann
In this engaging discussion, Matt Homann, Owner of Filament and a former lawyer, shares his expertise in creating effective facilitation spaces. He emphasizes the impact of environment on collaboration and how simplicity in tools fosters better communication. Homann also shares insights on adapting facilitation techniques for digital platforms, ensuring meaningful connections despite challenges, and the importance of thoughtful space design that empowers participants. Plus, he highlights the role of community engagement in driving impactful businesses.

Jun 17, 2025 • 1h 15min
326 - When Leaders Listen: The Shift Towards Facilitative Leadership with Rob Lion
One of the greatest paradoxes of leadership is that to lead well, you must learn to let go. To get comfortable with not having all the answers! To release your grip, relinquish control, and know that the wisdom already exists in everyone around you.Professor, coach and facilitator to the next generation of leaders, Rob Lion has spent the last 20 years fostering self-leading workplace cultures that truly listen to their people, building leaders that are facilitators at heart.Because the best leaders? They’ve taken off the stabilisers of delegation, left their ego at the door, and learnt the delicate dance of stepping back, to invite others to step in. Find out about:The intersection of leadership and facilitation – and what it takes to be a facilitative leaderWhy we should think with our whole bodies, rather than just listen to our gutThe complex, nuanced role of surrender and controlWhy leadership micromanagement and delegation are safety mechanismsWhy great leaders and facilitators must learn to confront their own triggersDon’t miss the next episode: subscribe to the show with your favourite podcast player.Links:Watch the video recording of this episode on YouTube.Connect to Rob Lion:LinkedInWebsiteBlogAny thoughts? Share them with us!Support the show✨✨✨If you miss the "workshops work" podcast, join us on Substack, where Myriam builds a Podcast Club with monthly gatherings around old episodes: https://myriamhadnes.substack.com/

5 snips
Jun 10, 2025 • 1h 1min
325 - From Activation to Realisation: Learning through Play with Mohsin Memon
Mohsin Memon, the mastermind behind Evivve, creates multiplayer leadership simulations that merge gameplay with neuroscience. He discusses the power of simulated environments for fostering genuine leadership behavior and emotional engagement. The conversation highlights the AFFER model for behavioral change, the vital role of psychological safety in team dynamics, and how simulations can democratize organizations. Memon also emphasizes the importance of reflection and self-awareness in personal growth, making complex decision-making more accessible.

Jun 3, 2025 • 1h 26min
324 - Facilitating Reflections: Beyond Tools and Into Ourselves with Thomas Lahnthaler
Thomas Lahnthaler, a seasoned facilitator and author of 'Facilitating Reflections,' challenges listeners to explore the depths of self-awareness in facilitation. He discusses the clash between personal authenticity and structured frameworks, navigates the critical balance of psychological safety, and underscores the importance of vulnerability and context in group dynamics. Thomas also questions the binary notion of good versus bad facilitation, advocating for embracing diverse perspectives and fostering genuine connections for impactful experiences.

May 27, 2025 • 1h 15min
323 - The Art of Curation in an Age of Overload with Bruno Giussani
Curation is far more than an artistic act – it is a political one! It’s what’s to leave in, what to take out, what to filter and what to frame. And through this sense-making assembly, it becomes an invitation: to pay attention, to expand our minds, and to stumble into serendipitous encounters.And nothing masters this quite like TED. Curator of ideas, and a 20-year shaper of the TED conferences, Bruno Giussani helped make the cultural institution what it is today – he joins me to dissect the art and science of facilitation’s dear cousin, and why now, more than ever, curation is so necessary.Hear the creative workings of the Ted stage, the evolution of TedX, and why Bruno believes ‘content’ is a wrecking ball to culture. This is a conversation you won’t want to miss!Find out about:The cultural responsibility of curation in our desensitised age of informationThe polarities of algorithmic filters, and real-life, intimate, theatrical curationHow to curate engagement with care, while gently bursting the filter bubbleHow the TED stage was built to blend intimacy with visual impactThe use of music to primes new moods, neutralise tastebuds and signal art as part of the conversationDon’t miss the next episode: subscribe to the show with your favourite podcast player.Links:Watch the video recording of this episode on YouTube.Connect to Bruno Giussani:LinkedInAny thoughts? Share them with us!Support the show✨✨✨If you miss the "workshops work" podcast, join us on Substack, where Myriam builds a Podcast Club with monthly gatherings around old episodes: https://myriamhadnes.substack.com/

20 snips
May 20, 2025 • 1h 16min
322 - The Courage to Facilitate Without Fixing with Parker J. Palmer
In this engaging conversation, Parker J. Palmer, an influential activist and educator, shares insights from over 30 years of facilitating transformative experiences. He emphasizes the importance of creating safe spaces that allow for reflection and dialogue while respecting diverse perspectives. Palmer critiques traditional education, encouraging a compassionate approach that embraces uncertainty. With anecdotes from history, he illustrates the power of patience and vulnerability in catalyzing social change, inspiring listeners to approach facilitation with fresh curiosity and authenticity.

May 13, 2025 • 1h 12min
321 - Resting in Complexity: The Inner Work of Modern Leadership with Marco Valente
In a riveting conversation, Marco Valente, a consultant at Cultivating Leadership, explores the complexities of modern leadership. He discusses how facilitators can grow bigger minds to adapt to unpredictability. Marco emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and vulnerability in leadership, addressing the pitfalls of over-relying on KPIs. He also highlights the need for diverse skills to navigate challenges and the balance between structure and adaptability in facilitation. This insightful dialogue is a must-listen for anyone shaping the future of leadership.

8 snips
May 6, 2025 • 1h 16min
320 - Facilitating with the Brain in Mind with Amanda Cookson
Amanda Cookson, a coach and neuroscience expert, dives into the fascinating intersection of brain science and leadership. She shares how understanding emotional triggers can foster self-awareness and enhance team dynamics. Amanda emphasizes the power of discomfort in learning and the importance of asking thoughtful questions. The conversation also tackles imposter syndrome, especially in the age of AI, and advocates for creating calm environments to boost engagement. Listeners walk away with actionable strategies for fostering curiosity and emotional intelligence in their leadership roles.

Apr 29, 2025 • 1h 11min
319 - The System Behind Scalable Creativity with Amy Climer
In this discussion, Amy Climer, a TEDx speaker and author, reveals her innovative system for scalable creativity aimed at leaders and managers. She emphasizes that creativity is a cultivated process rather than a sudden epiphany. Amy elaborates on the three pillars of creative teams: purpose, dynamics, and process. She also discusses the importance of conflict in embracing differences and highlights the necessity of intentionally designing for collaboration. Her insights shed light on fostering environments that enhance creativity and boost idea generation.


