Mar 25 2025 41 mins
This episode is sponsored by Deel. Master global HR with our essential guide. Discover the secrets to effective global HR management with our exclusive guide. Perfect for HR teams aiming to expand globally.
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What if the key to a high-performing team isn't management—but coaching?
In this episode, Nick Day sits down with Jeff Dewing, CEO of Cloudfm Group and best-selling author of Doing the Opposite, to explore why traditional leadership is broken—and how to fix it.
Jeff shares 10 transformative strategies that go beyond buzzwords, offering real-world examples of how he's built a culture rooted in autonomy, trust, and psychological safety. From mandating school pick-ups (yes, really) to leveraging AI and AR to empower teams, this is a masterclass in modern leadership.
Topics Covered:
- Why “managers” are outdated—and what to do instead
- The 3 things every employee truly wants (and it's not salary)
- Creating cultures that grow people—even if they leave
- Using AI and AR to solve real operational challenges
- Embedding wellbeing and resilience into your company’s DNA
Whether you’re an HR leader, business owner, or team manager, this episode will shift how you think about work, leadership, and what it takes to truly engage your workforce.
Press play to learn why doing the opposite just might be the smartest thing your company can do next.
Check out Jeff's Book
Doing the opposite: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Doing-opposite-lessons-building-success-ebook/dp/B08TT82XJ5
Find your ideal candidate with our job vacancy system: https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/919cf6b9ea
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Connect with Jeff: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffdewing/
Connect with Nick Day: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickday/
Of course, if you are an HR or L&D professional listening to this podcast and you have an HR, HRIS or L&D related vacancy that you would love some specialist HR recruitment support with – please also get in touch with me! I would love to help show you what a great HR recruitment experience feels like! You can reach out to me directly at [email protected] or give me a call – 01727800377.
Thanks for listening folks – I look forward to bringing you the next episode of the HR L&D Podcast real soon!
00:00 Intro
02:58 Meet Jeff Dewing
03:21 Why Leaders Should Coach, Not Manage
05:29 How to Turn Managers Into Coaches
07:34 Creating Clear Career Paths for Employees
09:27 The Three True Motivators: Autonomy, Mastery, Purpose
12:36 Redefining Work‑Life Balance to “Just Life”
21:02 Building Psychological Safety at Work
23:09 Five Areas of Employee Resilience
27:21 How Cloudfm Uses AI Across Teams
29:25 AI Case Study: Automating Shift Scheduling
30:58 Using Augmented Reality to Train Workers
33:52 The Story Behind “Doing the Opposite” Book
36:40 Rapid‑Fire Leadership Advice from Jeff
38:28 Example of Culture’s ROI (WD‑40 Case)