The Courageous Leaders Podcast
The Courageous Leaders Podcast aims to inspire leaders to step into their courageous zone, be the leader they know they can be and discover the mindset skills and behaviours to take their leadership to the next level.
So listen in, get inspired on how you can grow your leadership impact. Leave a legacy you can be proud of, and build an environment for future leaders to thrive.
Who is Joanna Howes?
Joanna Howes is an award-winning international coach, behavioural expert, specialising in leadership and performance coaching and No 1 best selling international co-author.
Her focus is to help individuals and teams activate their full potential, so they can step into their courageous zone to maximise their influence, build their resilience and take the action needed to become high performers and future-ready leaders.
Joanna is a unique phenomenon within her industry, with over 20 years’ experience working internationally with some of the world's most awarded advertising agencies and leading them to operational and leadership success. Her blend of both innovative operational and transformative change solutions empowers organisations to create environments that are supportive and fearless for their employees.
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The Courageous Leaders Podcast
What Change Really Demands From a CEO with Simon Cook
How do you lead with conviction when everything is changing around you?
It’s the big question for every UK leader right now and exactly why I invited Simon Cook, CEO of Cannes Lions, onto the podcast.
In this episode, we get honest about what it really takes to let go of control, build true trust in your team, and stay resilient even when things don’t go as planned.
We dive into:
• When to keep going, and when to let go
• The link between conviction and coordination in leadership
• Why control feels safe – but stops growth
• Managing failure without losing momentum
• Leading through mergers and high-stakes change
• How to stay calm and mentally fit (even when your diary explodes)
It’s practical, candid, and focuses on what UK leaders need now: leading bravely, staying relevant, and keeping your energy focused.
00:00 – Introduction
01:00 – Why leading with conviction can become a weakness
04:21 – Building a smarter team and learning to trust
07:11 – The role of failure in leadership
09:37 – Conviction and coordination: the keys to change
10:33 – How Simon navigated a 500-person business through a major acquisition
12:29 – Staying confident when you actually feel uncertain
14:01 – The importance of staying grounded and calm for your team
15:51 – Learning from mergers, culture shifts, and tough decisions
17:26 – Evolving your leadership style as everything changes
19:00 – What’s really happening in the UK marketing industry right now
22:40 – Where UK creativity is heading next
24:06 – The advice Simon would give every agency CEO
28:17 – Protecting your brand and your time under pressure
33:02 – Practical ways to help leaders prioritise, focus, and say no
35:19 – Why emotional intelligence matters more than ever
36:22 – Leading through failure, and making learning collective
37:23 – Being bolder, more disciplined, and mentally fit for the future
Don’t miss this down-to-earth, actionable conversation. If you’re navigating organisational change, agency mergers, or just struggling to keep your team steady, this episode gives you the kind of real, UK-focused leadership advice we all need.
In a world of constant strategic change, this conversation focuses on how to manage change effectively within your business, emphasising practical management techniques for organisational design and personal development.
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