I Need To F***ing Talk To You
91 episodes - English - Latest episode: 5 days ago -Do you want to f***ing improve individual and team performance in your workplace? Do you think mediocrity f***ing sucks and you shouldn't have to put up with it? Do you aim to be more than a good boss and aspire to be a great leader? Then join Ken and Russell for thoughtful and at times f***ing irreverent conversation on the topics of leadership and organizational culture.
Sometimes difficult conversations suck, but you need to have them. Sometimes you may even need to have them with yourself. On this podcast we have thought provoking conversations with business leaders from across North America and discuss ideas that can help you be an even better leader and not simply a ‘boss’.
Co-hosts Ken Cameron and Russell Stratton literally wrote the book on navigating difficult workplace conversations. We are authors of the 5 star Amazon book ‘I Need To F***ing Talk To You’, the result of more than three decades of in-the-field consulting This groundbreaking book is the basis for our training programs and podcast and continues to f***ing positively shape how managers in organizations address performance, behavioural and attendance issues in the workplace.
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
40 - You Didn't Wake Up To Be F***ing Mediocre - A Conversation With Educator Heather Martin
May 24, 2022 07:00 - 49 minutes - 46.2 MBOoops!! we've just cheekily added the f*** word to one of Heather's life mottos! In this episode the boys chat with Heather Martin from the Chiu School of Business at Bow Valley College about the importance of suitably preparing the next generation of Canadian employees and the need to bring a diverse group of voices to the forefront in business. Heather has been facilitating groups of adult learners since 2007 in Canadian non-profit and post-secondary environments. Currently, she provides...
39 - When Entrepreneurs Get Stuck, Who The F**k Helps Them Gain Traction? - An interview with Chris McPhee, Professional EOS Implementer®
May 10, 2022 07:00 - 57 minutes - 53.6 MBIf you run a business, you've got problems: people problems, growth problems, profit problems. If your problems have gone from 'a bit annoying' to 'mildly infuriating' to 'downright painful' and you feel like you're losing your grip on the business or simply not getting what you want from it, the Chris is the man to speak to. Chris has a background in technology and management, having run the operations of a Calgary-based software company starting in 2011 until it was successfully acquired ...
38 - In the f***ing psychologists chair. A conversation with psychologist and entrepreneur Dr Laura Hambley Lovett
April 26, 2022 07:00 - 47 minutes - 44.8 MBThe guys speak with psychologist and entrepreneur Dr Laura Hambley Lovett about her thoughts on authentic leadership, organizational psychology and the culture of remote working and virtual teams. Dr Laura is a sought-after thought leader on workplace psychology and career development in Canada and is regularly interviewed by the media on current trends – in addition to writing and speaking in public forums. Dr. Laura has 20 years of experience consulting with organizations in Canada and i...
37 - Why is there a f***ing monkey on my back? A conversation about the importance of taking a coach approach as a leader
April 12, 2022 07:00 - 48 minutes - 45.5 MBIn this episode the boys discuss the problems with a 'leader as hero' mindset and how this can lead to an office full of peanut throwing monkeys, you'll have to listen to find out what the f*** they are talking about. Ken and Russell go on to discuss the benefits of taking a 'coach approach' as a leader and what the balance should be between having technical expertise and leadership expertise in a managerial role. Throughout, the episode is sprinkled with stories and anecdotes from Ken and R...
36 - I Need To Get These F***ing Roads Cleared with Dean Jetten
March 29, 2022 07:00 - 46 minutes - 43.2 MBDean Jetten started his career as a heavy duty mechanic. Now he leads a Volker Stevin highways team that maintains 18,500 km of highway, mows the equivalent 38,376 football fields and uses 700,000 litres of reflective paint, all in an effort to keep drivers safe. Dean, a man whose employees drive 5 million km a year on scheduled road patrols, tells us how he believes that if you want to go far you “need to go together”. — We hope you enjoy the podcast. Remember to subscribe via Apple podc...
35 - Accountability is f***ing king - an interview with Tyler Chisholm CEO of Clear Motive Marketing
March 15, 2022 07:00 - 39 minutes - 37.4 MBTyler has a love of marketing and co-founded clearmotive marketing in 2007. With offices in Calgary and Toronto Tyler’s goal was to build a marketing-first agency focused on better connecting clients to their customers. In a wide ranging conversation the boys talk to Tyler about his experiences of pivoting his business during COVID, the changing world of work, his experiences with the RCAF Snowbirds display team and he and Ken’s canoeing escapade. Tyler also hosts two podcasts, They Just Ge...
34 - How To Be A SHIFT Disturber
March 01, 2022 08:00 - 47 minutes - 44.4 MBKen explains that a SHIFT Disturber is not the same as a sh__ disturber. He describes the SHIFT card deck and how to create a High-Performance Culture in 9 Not-So-Simple-But-Totally-Necessary Steps ... so that you too can become a SHIFT Disturber. Russell demonstrates how to use the deck to distill the core values of you or your team. Mentioned In This episode: https://www.corporate-culture-shift.com/the-programs/ — Ready for the next step in your difficult conversations? You can buy the...
33 - Who gives a f**k about your’ feelings’? Our latest interviewee Shannon Burch does
February 15, 2022 08:00 - 45 minutes - 42.7 MBThe boys talk with Customer Experience Guru, Passionate Leader and Catalyst for Change Shannon Burch and learn her insights into building the power of the customer experience, her leadership ethos as to why it’s important to allow people to fail and then learn from it. Shannon shares her experiences of a career in a range business leader roles. Having listened to the podcast, if you are interested in Shannon’s new venture with Neo Financial check out the Neo Financial Website and a promot...
32 - You’re Paying How F***ing Much? - A Conversation With Financial Advisor Dean Kendall at Ideal Life Experience
February 01, 2022 08:00 - 35 minutes - 33.7 MBDo you know about the ‘hidden’ fees behind your investments? A. Yes B. No C. What hidden fees? The boys find out why knowing the answer to this question is f***ing important for your finances and investments. Dean is Calgary's only FLAT FEE for advice financial fiduciary providing truly comprehensive financial services, an author, public speaker and 8X National #1 BMX racing Champion. If you are interested in Dean’s services check out his website IdeaLlifeExperience.com. You can purchas...
31 - What the f*** is a Ghostwriter? - A conversation with best selling writer Chet Turnbeaugh
January 18, 2022 08:00 - 45 minutes - 42.5 MBChet enlightens the boys as to what the f*** a Ghostwriter does, the creative process and how this role differs from that of an editor. Despite Ken and Russell’s best f***ing efforts Chet holds firm and doesn’t divulge who his celebrity and business influencer clients are, we tried …. but Chet’s confidentiality agreements stick … so no need for the f***ing lawyers! A fascinating insight into Chet’s career as an author and entrepreneur - being unapologetically creative. If you are interested...
30 - Do you deserve an f***ing Academy Award?
January 04, 2022 08:00 - 1 hour - 62.9 MBStephen Schroeder of the Calgary International Film Festival tells you how CIFF became an an Oscar-qualifying festival and is regularly cited as one of the world’s "50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee". He also explains the best leadership lesson you can learn from the beaches of Thailand, how to rescue a soccer team from a flooded cave and how learning to put the customer first can rescue an organization from the brink. It turns out we can learn a lot from Canada’s 4th largest film festiv...
29 - Ho, Ho F***ing Ho! - A Very Special F***ing Christmas Episode
December 21, 2021 08:00 - 36 minutes - 33.9 MBIn this f***ing festive episode of the “I Need To F***ing Talk To You’ podcast the guys channel their inner Ebenezer Scrooge and look back at another f***ing COVID year, before looking forward to the upcoming Yuletide festivities. Along the way Ken and Russell offer you their insight into such important topics as - the best Christmas movie, favourite winter sport (as a Canadian Ken has lots of these) and their favourite Christmas traditions, before wrapping up (pun intended) with their Top T...
28 - A Horse, A Horse, My Kingdom For A F***ing Horse - A Conversation with Kari Fulmek & Carolyn Charles from Equine Connection
December 07, 2021 08:00 - 50 minutes - 46.9 MBAfter f***ing up a quote from Shakespeare the boys are in conversation with Kari Fulmek & Carolyn Charles from Equine Connection. They discuss what equine assisted learning is, the similarities between a team of people and herd of horses and how horses make great teachers bringing out the authentic leader in you. Kari and Carolyn also talk about the most important personality trait/strength someone would need to work as a leader and what horses can teach us about leadership. For further inf...
27 - “F***ing earn it, don't f***ing expect it." - A conversation with Shane Wenzel of Shane Homes
November 23, 2021 08:00 - 42 minutes - 40.3 MBBeing the irreverent pair they are Ken and Russell embellish Shane’s own motto "Earn it, don't expect it”, before joining him in conversation and meandering with purpose through the topics of being an entrepreneur at Shane Holmes, leading culture change in the organization, Shane’s advice to the new Mayor of Calgary and learn a couple of Shane’s other favourite sayings from comic books and film. Before you ask, yes, the company was named after Shane. Shane joined Shane Homes at a young age ...
26 - WTF!! Builders and Brews - A conversation with Byron Brooks from Brookwright Developments and Builders & Brews
November 09, 2021 08:00 - 40 minutes - 37.6 MBIn this episode the guys finally catch up with Byron Brooks the f***er, sorry builder, who built Ken’s new house and learn about the creative side to the construction industry that is more than simply hard hats and work boots. Byron talks about his philosophy of craft building with Brookwright Developments leadership lessons learnt running a small business, the company’s links to microbrewing and his networking group Builders & Brews. Brookwright Developments are design conscious carpenter...
25 - I Need to F***ing Talk to Todd Hirsch
October 26, 2021 07:00 - 49 minutes - 46.4 MBIf you’ve ever wondered what an Economist actually does (and hey, who hasn’t) then you absolutely need to F-ing listen to Todd Hirsch, author, VP/Chief Economist at ATB Financial and host of The Future Of … podcast. Todd shares his views on whether economics is an art or a science, what’s the best film with an economist as a lead character and how to forecast effectively. You can also find out why economics and story should be hardwired together, how he reinforces ATB’s famous corporate cu...
24 - Dropping The Gloves - a conversation with Kevin Kobelka from Hockey Calgary
October 12, 2021 07:00 - 55 minutes - 52.1 MBIn this episode Russell is in conversation with Kevin Kobelka, Executive Director with Hockey Calgary and thankfully neither of them end up in the penalty box! Kevin talks about the greatest challenges in leading Hockey Calgary, whether he feels that criticism of hockey culture is fair and why ultimately he believes that hockey offers more to young people than simply the sport itself. You will also learn who Kevin’s favourite hockey player is, but not before he names drops a few current NHL ...
23 - F***ing Leadership Lessons from City Administration, Community Building and And Baseball - A Conversation With DJ Kelly
September 28, 2021 07:00 - 47 minutes - 44.1 MBWard 4 candidate and brilliant polymath DJ Kelly shares some F***ing Leadership Lessons from City Administration, Community Building and And Baseball. In this episode the guys share a wide ranging discussion all of which boils down to this: "if you don’t like it, pitch better”. We hope you enjoy the podcast. Remember to subscribe via Apple podcasts or Spotify, share the link with your friends and colleagues and you can always reach out to as at the following email address info@ineedtof-ingt...
22 - You’re Not A Member Of My Tribe - “F*** Off!” - The Pros & Cons Of Tribalism
September 14, 2021 07:00 - 34 minutes - 32.6 MBThere is an old Arab Bedouin saying: “I, against my brothers. I and my brothers against my cousins. I and my brothers and my cousins against the world.” In this episode the guys consider examples of being part of a tribe in both business and the wider society and talk about the pros and cons of tribalism. They make certain startling f***ing observations, someone who has socially liberal views isn’t a communist, someone who is concerned about illegal immigration isn’t a nazi and the person wh...
21 - The Behaviour Isn’t The F***ing Person
August 31, 2021 07:00 - 26 minutes - 25.1 MBIn this episode the guys talk about the importance of separating behaviour and opinion from the person. In a seemingly ever polarising world, both at work and in society generally, just because an individual does or says something you don’t like or agree with, it doesn’t automatically mean that that individual is an ‘evil’ person, whose raison d’etre is to piss you off. People aren’t bad people simply because they don’t agree with us, perhaps we should try and understand the world from their...
20 - Leave Your F***ing Ego At The Door (A Career In Public Sector Leadership) - A Conversation With Fergus Lawson
August 17, 2021 07:00 - 58 minutes - 54.4 MBFergus Lawson studied French at University and developed a love for France and the French culture. He has been an organizational development and leadership consultant across the public sector for the main part of his career, working with the National Health Service, the Metropolitan Police in London and the London Ambulance Service. In this interview Fergus talks about the challenges of public sector leadership, including the need to understand the context you are leading in, taking a whole...
19 - 'You're Nicked My Old Beauty' - Experiences of Four Directional Influencing At Scotland Yard
August 03, 2021 07:00 - 42 minutes - 40.1 MBWith a podcast title in homage to Monty Python's 'Life of Brian', the guys discuss the Four Directional Influence Model from their book "I Need To F***ing Talk T You The Art Of Difficult Workplace Conversations'. In the absence of a real f***ing guest Russell dons a deerstalker hat and tweed coat to discuss his previous role as a consultant at Scotland Yard, when he first encountered this influence model and Ken assumes the mantle of interviewer with the consummate ease of Peter Mansbridge...
18 - F***ing COVID and Achieving Work Life Balance
July 20, 2021 07:00 - 39 minutes - 37.4 MBIn this episode Russell is locked in his f***ing basement, why Ken lives his best life swinging in a f***ing hammock watching an eagle fly over his cabin in the forest. The guys talk about their experiences of f***ing COVID lockdowns and how they and their clients have tried to manage work/life balance. Some 'homeplay' for you - What work/life balance habits are you going to carry forward from the pandemic? What pre-pandemic habits are you going to re-establish? How are you going to hold ...
17 - Leading from the F***ing Heart, A Conversation With Monique Auffrey
July 06, 2021 07:00 - 53 minutes - 50 MBWe’ve wanted to f***ing talk to Monique for some time. Monique has a f***ing impressive resume - she is currently a City Council Candidate for Ward 8, she is a transformative CEO, International speaker, author, board member, advocate & catalyst for change in the social sector. Monique shares with us her unique experiences in social work, specifically in her role as a CEO for one of Canada’s top 100 charities. Her thoughts on ‘housing first’ and reframing the focus from victim and perpetrat...
16 - The Worst F***ing Bosses part 2
June 22, 2021 07:00 - 37 minutes - 35.6 MBHave you ver had “one of those bosses”? Someone who’s an f***ing nightmare of a boss, someone who drives you and your co-workers f***ing crazy? In this episode Ken and Russell discuss more of the worst f***ing bosses submitted by our listeners in response to our earlier edition. - Ready for the next step in your difficult conversations? You can buy the book on Amazon now. I Need To F***ing Talk To You! | The Art of Navigating Difficult Workplace Conversations - Amazon | Owl's Nest Books |...
15 - Who's F***ing Line Is It Anyway - an interview with actor/improviser Nicole Zylstra
June 08, 2021 07:00 - 52 minutes - 48.6 MBKen and Russell wanted to f***ing talk to long time friend and collaborator Nicole Zylstra about her work as an improviser, actor, director and playwright. Nicole draws on her work as a leading light in the Calgary Improv Scene to discuss how this artistic approach can be used in the business world. Calgary Improv Groups: www.kinkonauts.com www.loosemoose.com www.dirtylaundry.ca - Ready for the next step in your difficult conversations? You can buy the book on Amazon now. I Need To F...
14 - Lessons in Leadership 3 - British General Sir John Moore and Irish Singer/Songwriter Phil Lynott
May 25, 2021 07:00 - 42 minutes - 40 MBRussell talks to Ken about two figures from history, British General Sir John Moore and Irish Singer/Songwriter Phil Lynott. Now what the f**k could these two people teach us about leadership and what could they f***ing have in common? Can Russell make the link? Of course he f***ing can! It is our mission to develop leaders in organizations, check out our website at www.ineedtof-ingtalktoyou.com - Ready for the next step in your difficult conversations? You can buy the book on Amazon ...
13 - The Worst F***ing Bosses
May 11, 2021 07:00 - 42 minutes - 39.7 MBMany of us have had or currently have a great manager, but many of us will also have had/have a f***ing nightmare of a boss, someone who drives you and your co-workers f***ing crazy. In this episode Ken and Russell discuss a collection of the worst f***ing bosses submitted by our listeners. It is our mission to make bad f***ing bosses a relic of the past, check out our website at www.ineedtof-ingtalktoyou.com - Ready for the next step in your difficult conversations? You can buy the boo...
12 - Hollywood F***ing Legend - Not Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy or Liam Neeson, but an interview with actor and improvisor Peter Strand Rumpel
April 27, 2021 07:00 - 47 minutes - 44.8 MBWhat a f***ing great interview with actor and improvisor Peter Strand Rumpel, our long time friend and collaborator who has worked with us in our Forum Theatre for Business Programs since the beginning. Peter has also appeared in many TV Shows including Wynonna Earp, Tin Star and Hell on Wheels and Hollywood blockbusters including The Revenant with Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hardy and Cold Pursuit with Liam Neeson. Peter talks about his experiences in acting and also the lessons the corporate...
11 - Bullshit Bingo
April 13, 2021 07:00 - 33 minutes - 31.9 MBRussell & Ken share some of their least favourite phrases and explain why they’re so tired, disingenuous, or just plain offensive. Download our Bullshit Bingo playcard at www.ineedtof-ingtalktoyou.com before your next Zoom meeting and see if you can score a bingo. Interested in that story about the SHIFT deck? Order a SHIFT deck from https://www.corporate-culture-shift.com/shop - Ready for the next step in your difficult conversations? You can buy the book on Amazon now. I Need To F***i...
10 - The Sun Hat
March 30, 2021 07:00 - 44 minutes - 41.4 MBDo you have colleagues wearing a Sun Hat in your workplace? If they are disengaged, disgruntled or just plain disappointed, then they’re wearing a Sun Hat. In this episode Ken & Russell share the consequences to your organization of someone wearing a Sun Hat and what causes them to don this particular piece of headgear. Also, Russell waxes poetic about work life in the auld country. - Ready for the next step in your difficult conversations? You can buy the book on Amazon now. I Need To ...
09 - Leadership Lessons from History, Part 2
March 16, 2021 07:00 - 39 minutes - 37 MBWhat do Bob Dylan and Andy Warhol have in common? Not a lot. And they didn’t like each other. So they'd probably resent being paired together like this. But we’ll learn what we can from them anyway and apply it to communication, collaboration and the world of business. - Ready for the next step in your difficult conversations? You can buy the book on Amazon now. I Need To F***ing Talk To You! | The Art of Navigating Difficult Workplace Conversations - Amazon | Owl's Nest Books | Shelf Li...
08 - Viking Helmet #2
March 02, 2021 08:00 - 29 minutes - 28 MBHave you ever been guilty of wearing a Viking Helmet in your workplace? You can’t help your employees overcome their resistance if you can’t have empathy for them. Recognizing your Viking behaviour is the best way to build empathy. Russell walks us through his own experience as a Viking. - Ready for the next step in your difficult conversations? You can buy the book on Amazon now. I Need To F***ing Talk To You! | The Art of Navigating Difficult Workplace Conversations - Amazon | Owl's Nes...
07 - Viking Helmet #1
February 16, 2021 08:00 - 34 minutes - 32.9 MBDo you have colleagues wearing a Viking Helmet in your workplace? If they’re resistant to change and clinging to the old ways, then you do. In this episode Ken & Russell look to the last Viking King as an analogy for how resistance to change can sabotage an organization. - Ready for the next step in your difficult conversations? You can buy the book on Amazon now. I Need To F***ing Talk To You! | The Art of Navigating Difficult Workplace Conversations - Amazon | Owl's Nest Books | Shelf Li...
06 - Why The Feedback Sandwich Is A S**t Sandwich
February 02, 2021 08:00 - 31 minutes - 29.6 MBLeaders tend to assume that sandwiching negative feedback in between a couple of pieces of positive things will soften the blow. This is bulls**t. And Russell’s going to tell us why and lay out the f***ing facts for us. - Resources mentioned in this episode: https://www.bluegemlearning.com/post/2018/04/17/how-to-give-effective-feedback-at-work-use-the-four-box-reflective-model - Ready for the next step in your difficult conversations? You can buy the book on Amazon now. I Need To F***i...
05 - Leadership Lessons from History, Part 1
January 19, 2021 08:00 - 33 minutes - 31.2 MBEpisode 5, in which Ken responds to some f***ing listener's feedback while Russell shares some lessons from history provided by Winston Churchill and the Celtic Queen Boudica. - Ready for the next step in your difficult conversations? You can buy the book on Amazon now. I Need To F***ing Talk To You! | The Art of Navigating Difficult Workplace Conversations - Amazon | Owl's Nest Books | Shelf Life Books https://www.ineedtof-ingtalktoyou.com/
04 - The Four Hats
January 05, 2021 08:15 - 25 minutes - 24.3 MBIf we agree that it’s not effective to think of our employees as “fxxxing unmanageable, flawed individuals” for whom there is little hope, then we need a new language; one free of F-bombs and other gratuitous swear words. Let's talk about why we find it useful to think of your employee as wearing a hat that epitomizes the behaviour they’re exhibiting. - Ready for the next step in your difficult conversations? You can buy the book on Amazon now. I Need To F***ing Talk To You! | The Art of ...
03 - Are People Really F***ing Unmanageable
January 05, 2021 08:10 - 22 minutes - 21.5 MBIs there really such thing as an employee who is truly unmanageable? or is thinking of these individuals as “fxxxing unmanageable”, unfairly demonizing them, and unfairly positioning yourself as a victim or martyr? Let's talk about why it may feel good, but it rarely positions you as a strong and reliable leader - Ready for the next step in your difficult conversations? You can buy the book on Amazon now. I Need To F***ing Talk To You! | The Art of Navigating Difficult Workplace Conversa...
02 - Fear of the Angry Blast, the Tears and More…
January 05, 2021 08:05 - 27 minutes - 26.3 MBDo you have someone storming around the office, loudly and belligerently taking up a lot of space? Do you have some people in your workplace whom you choose to give extra space to, or sit at the opposite end of a boardroom table from, or angle your chair slightly away from, or sit just a little further back from? let's talk about how to deal with them. - Ready for the next step in your difficult conversations? You can buy the book on Amazon now. I Need To F***ing Talk To You! | The Art o...
01 - Why Do Managers Not Challenge Problems?
January 05, 2021 08:00 - 27 minutes - 26.5 MBToo many managers approach a conversation in which they must challenge difficult behaviour with a lot of trepidation. Why? Are you afraid of angry reactions on the part of the employee? Do you know what you want to say, but once the employee is in front of you, you get tongue-tied? Do you beat around the bush and try to soften the blow to avoid an adverse reaction? Let's run down the list and discuss why none of these are good reasons for avoiding what you know you have to do. - Ready for...
00 - Trailer
December 11, 2020 17:58 - 1 minute - 1.87 MBSometimes conversations suck, but you need to have them, and this podcast lays out how. Read the Book: I Need To F***ing Talk To You Ken Cameron: LinkedIn Russel Stratton: LinkedIn