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Episode 14

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Published on:

25th Apr 2026

Quick Spoon: Leadership isn't a title: what are you modelling?

“I’m just a manager.”

“They’re a leader.”

These phrases reveal a common assumption at work: that leadership belongs to people with titles.

In this Quick Spoon, Ross explores a different perspective.

Leadership often starts long before someone joins a senior team or receives a promotion. It shows up in behaviour, communication, consistency, and how people respond under pressure.

People notice more than we think.

They notice how we treat colleagues, how we make decisions, what we reward, and what we tolerate.

Which means leadership may already be happening — whether we realise it or not.

What This Episode Explores

  • Why leadership is often confused with hierarchy
  • The difference between title and influence
  • How behaviour shapes culture
  • Why people are always watching leaders (formal or informal)
  • A simple reflection on personal impact at work

Key Idea

Leadership doesn’t start with a title. It starts with behaviour.

Reflection

What are you modelling — whether you realise it or not?

People Soup: Real conversations about work, leadership, and being human — grounded in behavioural science, with practical ideas you can actually use.

If this episode resonated with you, please consider following People Soup, leaving a rating or review, or sharing it with someone who might find it useful.

Every recommendation helps more people discover practical, evidence-based conversations about work, leadership and being human.

Here's the People Soup Website.

And you can subscribe to the People Soup YouTube Channel here.

Visit Ross' Website.

Connect with Ross on LinkedIn

People Soup on Instagram which also features plenty of Ross' photos of the Andalusian life.

Transcript

QS04 v1

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[00:00:13] But I genuinely think everybody could call themselves a leader.

[:

[00:00:19] Ross: Hi [00:00:20] there, and welcome to People Soup, Quick Spoon, real conversations about work leadership and being human grounded in behavioral science. With [00:00:30] practical ideas you can actually use. I'm Ross McIntosh and here's your quick spoon.

[:

[00:01:00] so whether we realize it or not, We're already modeling something. So maybe just notice this week, what are you modeling, whether you realize it [00:01:10] or not. that's your quick spoon. Until next time, take care.

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About the Podcast

People Soup
Real conversations about work, leadership and being human.
Grounded in behavioural science, each episode is packed with practical ideas you can put into practice straight away.

The name People Soup comes from a quote by Abraham Maslow:

"A first-rate soup is more creative than a second-rate painting."

I've always loved that idea. Creativity isn't confined to art. It shows up in how we live, work, lead and relate to one another.

Work can sometimes feel like a soup: a rich, sometimes bewildering mix of people, personalities, decisions, pressures, relationships and unexpected challenges. Every day we're trying to make sense of the ingredients we've been given.

Behavioural science doesn't remove the complexity, but it gives us practical ways to navigate it. It offers ideas, skills and evidence-based tools that help us respond more effectively—to ourselves, to other people and to the situations we face.

That's what People Soup is all about.

Through conversations, solo episodes and practical tools, People Soup explores how behavioural science—and particularly Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)—can help us lead, work and live with greater purpose, psychological flexibility and practical wisdom.

About your host

Profile picture for Ross McIntosh

Ross McIntosh

I'm Ross McIntosh, a business psychologist, coach and facilitator, with over 30 years' experience helping people thrive at work.

People Soup grew from a simple belief: work is an important part of life, but it doesn't have to come at the expense of our wellbeing, our relationships or our values.

Each episode explores the realities of work, leadership and being human through the lens of behavioural science. Sometimes that's a conversation with an inspiring guest. Sometimes it's a short "Quick Spoon" offering a practical idea you can put into practice straight away.

My work is grounded in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), an evidence-based approach that helps people develop psychological flexibility: the ability to stay purposeful, adaptable and effective, even when life gets messy.

Whether you're leading a team, supporting others, or simply trying to navigate the pressures of modern work, my hope is that People Soup gives you practical tools, fresh perspectives and the confidence to take your next meaningful step.

A few things about me
Chartered Fellow of the CIPD.
Fellow of the Association for Coaching.
Research collaborator with City St George's, University of London.
Speaker, facilitator and leadership development consultant.
Founder and Host of the People Soup podcast.

When I'm not recording the podcast or working with clients, you'll usually find me reading, cycling, improving my Spanish, or enjoying life in southern Spain with my husband.