Leadership Matters Podcast: Series 2 with Peter Coats, Group Protection Academy Manager at Legal & General
Peter Coats, the Group Protection Academy Manager with Legal & General, recently made a guest appearance on Series 2 of the Leadership Matters Podcast. In addition to his role at Legal & General, Peter is also an assessor with the Princess Royal Training Awards.
During his time on the podcast, Peter explored various dimensions of leadership, focusing on topics such as training others and imparting practical skills for achieving success. He expressed his deep passion for integrating learning and development into the journey of individuals at Legal & General.
Moreover, Peter shared his valuable insights on the transformation of leadership behaviours, emphasising the importance of building trust, recognition, and fostering development. He discussed the significant role of emotional intelligence in leadership, which is deeply embedded within the culture of Legal & General. Peter also mentioned the influence of Carol Dweck‘s work on positive psychology and how it relates to the organisation. Additionally, he touched upon the application of effective team structures and the importance of creating psychological safety within the workplace.
Hypothetical questioning
Peter recognised the growing presence of multi-generational workforces and highlighted the importance of harnessing the strengths of different generations to create a cohesive team. He discussed strategies for fostering collaboration and cohesion among team members from different age groups.
One approach Peter mentioned was the utilisation of practical hypothetical questioning to encourage diverse perspectives and critical thinking. By posing hypothetical scenarios and engaging team members in discussions about decision-making processes and the underlying rationale, leaders can tap into the collective intelligence of the team and foster a culture of learning and growth.
Leadership challenges
Peter discussed the prevalent trend of hybrid work conditions, where approximately 80% of work is conducted remotely. He emphasised the need for leaders to adopt a more human-centric approach in this new work environment and highlighted the shift from being an expert to being a facilitator.
Peter noted that in the current landscape, leaders must recognise the importance of connecting with people on a deeper level compared to a decade ago. With a significant portion of work being conducted remotely, leaders need to find ways to bridge the physical distance and foster meaningful connections with their team members.
Transparent communication
Peter questioned whether organisations truly put the customer at the heart of everything they do. He talked about the need for open and transparent communication channels to ensure that customer needs and feedback are effectively captured and integrated into decision-making processes. By cultivating a growth mindset, leaders can encourage their teams to embrace challenges, learn from mistakes, and continuously adapt and improve.
One key aspect Peter discussed was the creation of psychological safety within the organisation. He noted that leaders should create an environment where individuals feel safe to take risks, share their opinions, and learn from failures without fear of retribution. By fostering psychological safety, leaders can unlock the potential of their teams and encourage innovation and growth.
Dessert Island Leadership Books
During the podcast, Peter shared his top three book recommendations on leadership. One of his recommendations was “The High Performance: Lessons from the Best on Becoming Your Best” by Jake Humphrey and Damian Hughes, in which Peter enjoys exploring the connection between sports and leadership challenges.
Peter also mentioned that he highly recommends any books by bestselling author Matthew Syed. Lastly, he suggested checking out learning professional Bob Bates’ Learning Theories Simplified which explores 130 classic and contemporary learning theorists in an easy-to-use, bite-sized format with clear relevant illustrations on how each theory will benefit teaching and learning.
Take the opportunity to listen to Peter’s podcast episode now, as it holds immense value for leaders at all stages of their journey. It provides a wealth of knowledge and inspiration, facilitating personal and professional growth.
Listen now to The Leadership Matters Podcast – Series 2 – Episode 3:
