S3 EP5- From Lumberjack to Conductor: Paul Whitby's Leadership Story.

Host: Julie Williams MSc – Executive Coach & Founder of Lighting Fires

Guest: Paul Whitby – Founder and Managing Directory of The Ecology Co-op

In this episode of The Lighting Fires Podcast, supported by Henley Business School, Julie is joined by ecologist, entrepreneur and nature enthusiast Paul Whitby for a fascinating conversation about leadership, business growth, coaching and finding a more sustainable way to work.

Paul shares how a childhood fascination with wildlife led him to build The Ecology Co-op, growing it from a one-person consultancy into a thriving business employing a team of specialist ecologists. He reflects on the challenges of leading a rapidly growing company through the pandemic, working unsustainable hours, and learning to step back from the day-to-day in order to think more strategically.

Together, Julie and Paul explore how coaching helped Paul develop a different approach to leadership, improve delegation, create stronger systems and processes, and ultimately navigate the successful sale of his business into the European environmental consultancy group, Myllium.

Julie and Paul discuss:

·       Building and scaling a business while staying true to your values

·       The challenges of leadership during periods of rapid growth

·       Why coaching can feel like "business therapy"

·       Learning to step back and think strategically

·       Delegation, leadership styles and letting go of control

·       Using metaphors and visual reminders to create lasting change