In this episode of The Ambitious Introvert® Podcast, I’m joined by Chris Dyer, a globally recognized expert on company culture and remote work. As a former CEO leading thousands of employees, Chris has built award-winning workplaces, earning recognition as a 5-time Inc. 500 Fastest Growing Company and a Best Place to Work for over 14 years.

Chris shares his insights on leadership, workplace culture, and the surprising ways he found introverts thrive in customer service roles. This key data led to a staggering increase in NPS scores from the mid-40s to an incredible 93, and Chris is sharing the how. We also look at his Seven Pillars of Cultural Success, a framework that has helped countless companies transform their work environments, empower employees, and drive business growth.

Tune in to hear:

🚀 Exactly why introverts excel in customer service roles - and how they outperformed expectations
🛠️ How implementing intentional work strategies (like fewer meetings and blocked time) improves company performance
🏆 The Seven Pillars of Cultural Success - Chris’s proven framework for transforming company culture
🎯 How to shift from CEO-led decision-making to empowering employees for sustainable success
🔄 Why employee autonomy is essential for growth

[00:02:43] Introverts Thriving in Customer Service

[00:07:39] Giving Introverts the Space to Succeed

[00:13:26] Managing Energy for Sustainable Performance

[00:16:07] The Power of Boundaries at Work

[00:23:39] The Seven Pillars of Cultural Success

[00:29:00] Shifting from CEO-Led Decisions to Employee Empowerment

[00:32:59] Leadership Lessons & The Power of Saying Yes

Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

📖 The Power of Company Culture by Chris Dyer
📖 Remote Work by Chris Dyer
📖 The Year of Yes by Shonda Rhymes

Connect with Chris:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisdyer7/
https://www.tiktok.com/@chrisdyer.com
https://www.instagram.com/chrispdyer7/
https://x.com/ChrisPDyer
https://chrisdyer.com/

CONNECT WITH EMMA-LOUISE

Website: https://theambitiousintrovert.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmalouparkes/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmalouparkes

Sign up to receive my monthly Introverts Only digest, delivering all the best introvert-friendly resources straight to your inbox, minus the scroll here

PREMIUM SUPPORT

Interested in working with me 1:1? Start the conversation by completing this short form and I’ll be in touch.

In this episode, I sit down with Nicky Lowe, CEO of Luminate Group and Founder of Wisdom For Working Mums. Nicky is an award-winning executive coach and leadership consultant who has spent the past 18 years helping leaders in some of the world’s top organisations thrive, both personally and professionally.

But Nicky’s journey isn’t just about leadership in the boardroom - it’s also deeply personal. After experiencing burnout following the birth of her first child, she reimagined her approach to work, life, and motherhood. Now, she’s on a mission to support career-driven women to combine their professional ambitions with family life in a way that’s sustainable, fulfilling, and free from burnout.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

🌟 Nicky’s career journey from corporate tech to leadership coaching - and how numerous personal experiences shaped her path

🌟 How an empowering leadership style can foster growth, resilience, and wellbeing

🌟 The realities of balancing a career and motherhood, and how burnout became a turning point in Nicky’s life

🌟 Why Nicky’s work has expanded beyond working mums to focus on sustainable leadership for everyone

Key Takeaways:

- Leadership isn’t just about professional success—it’s about personal sustainability too

- Burnout can be a catalyst for powerful change when we allow it to shift our priorities and redefine success

- Empowering leadership styles aren’t just good for teams—they’re crucial for individual growth and resilience

- Balancing career and family life requires intentional boundaries, self-awareness, and support systems

Episode Resources:

The Body Keeps The Score Book

Multipliers Book

Connect with Nicky Lowe:

🌐 [Luminate Group](https://www.luminategroup.com)

🌐 [Wisdom For Working Mums](https://www.wisdomforworkingmums.co.uk)

📧 [Connect with Nicky on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicky-lowe)

CONNECT WITH EMMA-LOUISE

Website: https://theambitiousintrovert.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmalouparkes/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmalouparkes

Sign up to receive my monthly Introverts Only digest, delivering all the best introvert-friendly resources straight to your inbox, minus the scroll here

PREMIUM SUPPORT

Interested in working with me 1:1? Start the conversation by completing this short form and I’ll be in touch.

Ever notice how you're your own worst critic? Do you talk to yourself in ways you’d NEVER speak to another human? This episode is all about self-compassion - what it really means, the latest research behind it, and how it can transform both your mental and physical health.

After reflecting on my own experiences so far this year - as well as what I’ve seen with friends and clients - I realised that self-compassion (or more often, the lack of it) plays a huge role in so many areas of our wellbeing and success. In this episode, I break down why we’re so quick to criticise ourselves, and how shifting to a more compassionate mindset can be life-changing.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

💡 What self-compassion actually is - and why it’s VERY different from self-indulgence

🧠 The latest scientific research showing the powerful effects of self-compassion on mental and physical health

🚀 The real impact of self-criticism vs. self-compassion, how it influences your motivation, resilience, and overall wellbeing

💛 Simple ways to practice self-compassion (even if it doesn’t come naturally)

🔍 3 real-life examples of how self-compassion has played an important role in my life, my clients' journeys, and conversations with friends this year

Key Takeaways:

- Self-criticism isn’t a motivator - it’s often a roadblock to success, making challenges feel heavier and harder to overcome (and using more energy…)

- Simple mindset shifts can help you build a more compassionate inner voice and reduce the pressure you put on yourself.

- Self-compassion isn’t about making excuses - it’s about recognising that being kind to yourself fuels long-term growth and success.

If you struggle with perfectionism, harsh self-talk, or feeling like you never quite measure up, this episode is for you!

CONNECT WITH EMMA-LOUISE

Website: https://theambitiousintrovert.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmalouparkes/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmalouparkes

Sign up to receive my monthly Introverts Only digest, delivering all the best introvert-friendly resources straight to your inbox, minus the scroll here

PREMIUM SUPPORT

Interested in working with me 1:1? Start the conversation by completing this short form and I’ll be in touch.