Get the Elephant Out of the Room: Outsmart Difficult People at Work

How to Exceed Your Own Expectations 03.06.2026 48min

If you are passionate about developing people to their full potential this is an essential listen. Amazon through their culture, processes and programmes force out ego and politics and develop people. In this episode we hear one of their success stories. Jenny Schumacher is a Director at Amazon after starting 14 years ago as an Executive Assistant. She did not believe her manager who kept telling her to take on more. But with support and courage she developed into a respected leader. In this episode she shares her inspiring journey and tells us about how she coped with disrespectful leaders and how Amazon deals with that type of behaviour to stamp it out. More About Chris Webber Chris is an author, business performance adviser and former sportsman. His mission is to give everyone the confidence they need to overcome the difficult moments at work. He talks about influence, negotiation, inspiring action and performance culture at work. He delivers 1:1 performance development programmes to executives, leaders and business people who want to raise performance at work. He runs training programmes for groups and offers advice for organisations preparing for key moments such as price changes, negotiations and launches. Ways to Stay Informed Follow Chris on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Buy the book - Get the Elephant Out of the Room. Outsmart Difficult People at Work For exclusive content and behind the scenes insight and commentaries follow the WhatsApp Channel Receive the Email Newsletter⁠⁠⁠

How Predicting the Future Needs to be Your Superpower 06.05.2026 20min

We might not realise it, but when we are discussing plans and strategies with colleagues and customers we are trying to predict the future. People who have authority are people we trust to predict the future accurately If you are trying to influence others, you need to build your credibility as someone with knowledge that others need to listen to . In this episode I talk about how and why this matters More About Chris Webber Chris is an author, business performance adviser and former sportsman. His mission is to give everyone the confidence they need to overcome the difficult moments at work. He talks about influence, negotiation, inspiring action and performance culture at work. He delivers 1:1 performance development programmes to executives, leaders and business people who want to raise performance at work. He runs training programmes for groups and offers advice for organisations preparing for key moments such as price changes, negotiations and launches. Ways to Stay Informed Follow Chris on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Buy the book - Get the Elephant Out of the Room. Outsmart Difficult People at Work For exclusive content and behind the scenes insight and commentaries follow the WhatsApp Channel Receive the Email Newsletter⁠⁠⁠

Delivering an Impossible Vision 22.04.2026 54min

If you have ever wanted to deliver a strategy that would truly change the performance of your business but were unsure how to start, this episode is for you. Andy Gibson tells us about how he completely transformed a business in Australia. He expanded the category, stopped selling units, started selling fridges and turned a ready-to-drink spirit into a phenomenon. He challenged perception, built alliances, set a vision and was courageous in execution . He tells us about the 'fierce' conversations that helped and how building momentum through 'wins' really matters when the vision is HUGE. Andy Gibson is a business and marketing consultant who transforms global businesses and brands with world class brand-building tools and processes honed from 25+ years of global experience. He has worked with some of the worlds biggest brands leading their marketing teams and today is a consultant in demand around the world from businesses seeking to get an edge in performance. More About Chris Webber Chris is an author, business performance adviser and former sportsman. His mission is to give everyone the confidence they need to overcome the difficult moments at work. He talks about influence, negotiation, inspiring action and performance culture at work. He delivers 1:1 performance development programmes to executives, leaders and business people who want to raise performance at work. He runs training programmes for groups and offers advice for organisations preparing for key moments such as price changes, negotiations and launches. Ways to Stay Informed Follow Chris on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Buy the book - Get the Elephant Out of the Room. Outsmart Difficult People at Work For exclusive content and behind the scenes insight and commentaries follow the WhatsApp Channel Receive the Email Newsletter⁠⁠⁠

How to Do Hard Things at Work 08.04.2026 24min

Challenging situations are easy to avoid because we can deflect them to other people. But the people we really admire and the moments we are truly proud of are the ones who take personal accountability for doing hard things. In this episode I talk about what is required to take personal accountability for tough moments and share some lessons we have heard from previous guests. More About Chris Webber Chris is an author, business performance adviser and former sportsman. His mission is to give everyone the confidence they need to overcome the difficult moments at work. He talks about influence, negotiation, inspiring action and performance culture at work. He delivers 1:1 performance development programmes to executives, leaders and business people who want to raise performance at work. He runs training programmes for groups and offers advice for organisations preparing for key moments such as price changes, negotiations and launches. Ways to Stay Informed Follow Chris on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Buy the book - Get the Elephant Out of the Room. Outsmart Difficult People at Work For exclusive content and behind the scenes insight and commentaries follow the WhatsApp Channel Receive the Email Newsletter⁠⁠⁠

Solving an Unsolvable Customer Problem 25.03.2026 50min

Great salespeople turn doubters into advocates. In this episode, we learn how it can be done under incredibly challenging circumstances. How can you build trust with a customer who thinks you are exploiting them over price because they have no other options? That is what Anthony Carter was able to do, despite being unable to cut the price. He was faced with an angry customer, desperate to get a better deal and who's ego and status was threatened. He was patient, empathetic and demonstrated vulnerability to turn this angry customer into a long term partner who delivered sustained value to the business. Listen to find out how. Anthony Carter is an established sales leader currently building a team ahead of an exciting launch. His vision is a team of commercial people who can unlock difficult markets and solve customer problems. He joins us to talk about his experience of creating strong relationships and how deeper understanding and empathy can deliver opportunities for everyone. More About Chris Webber Chris is an author, business performance adviser and former sportsman. His mission is to give everyone the confidence they need to overcome the difficult moments at work. He talks about influence, negotiation, inspiring action and performance culture at work. He delivers 1:1 performance development programmes to executives, leaders and business people who want to raise performance at work. He runs training programmes for groups and offers advice for organisations preparing for key moments such as price changes, negotiations and launches. Ways to Stay Informed Follow Chris on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Buy the book - Get the Elephant Out of the Room. Outsmart Difficult People at Work For exclusive content and behind the scenes insight and commentaries follow the WhatsApp Channel Receive the Email Newsletter⁠⁠⁠

How to Drive Loyalty Even in Commodity Sales 10.03.2026 46min

How can you build powerful partnerships and drive loyalty in markets where prices should dominate? Michael Lange is a Sales Leader who has excelled in selling commodities for decades. How? He finds value based on true needs, not just costs. Then he is relentless in ensuring his teams deliver excellence. In this episode he shares his insights, wisdom and experience in sales and lets us in on the secret to sustained success when the products are the same. More About Chris Webber Chris is an author, business performance adviser and former sportsman. His mission is to give everyone the confidence they need to overcome the difficult moments at work. He talks about influence, negotiation, inspiring action and performance culture at work. He delivers 1:1 performance development programmes to executives, leaders and business people who want to raise performance at work. He runs training programmes for groups and offers advice for organisations preparing for key moments such as price changes, negotiations and launches. Ways to Stay Informed Follow Chris on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Buy the book - Get the Elephant Out of the Room. Outsmart Difficult People at Work For exclusive content and behind the scenes insight and commentaries follow the WhatsApp Channel Receive the Email Newsletter⁠⁠⁠

Surviving a Parental v Adult Onslaught 16.02.2026 38min

How to cope when a colleague shouts at you and becomes parental! In this episode I talk to Mary Gregory who shares her experience from the past. The lesson is that timing matters, but also that you need to respond with intention, not emotionally. The patience to allow them to vent and to allow them to exhaust the emotion is a great start. It is important to let them feel heard, but not to allow them to win. We discuss the mechanism of Transactional Analysis and how power can affect culture, with some very interesting currency! Mary talks about how meeting rooms can be used as a power lever. Mary Gregory is an award winning Executive Coach and author of the book Ego:Get Over Yourself & Lead. She works with senior leaders who want to lead with authenticity, navigate complexity with clarity, and grow real, grounded confidence. Much of her work focuses on supporting women and those navigating systemic barriers, but she also coaches male leaders committed to conscious, inclusive leadership. Follow Mary Gregory on LinkedIn Chris Webber - Founder Foxleigh Commercial Performance Follow Chris on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Buy my book - Get the Elephant Out of the Room. Outsmart Difficult People at Work www.gettheelephantout.com For exclusive content and behind the scenes insight and commentaries follow the WhatsApp Channel I share my experiences and insights into various profiles of difficult people at work. Through stories and my personal experiences, I explain how you can achieve success despite them. Receive my Newsletter⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The Importance of Grit 17.12.2025 48min

Paula Tully is dedicated to creating leaders with intention, but her journey of success is an inspiring one littered with grit and vision. In this episode we discuss the 6 “C’s” that form the heart of her coaching, but we delve into some of the toughest times in her life and share how Paula’s grit and optimism fuelled her through some very tough moments and set her on the path to today. Now she shares her wisdom with others and her focus on happiness and the dance of life is an inspirational message to her dozens of senior clients.” More information about Paula: Website : https://escentia.co.uk/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paula-tully-18367313/ More About Chris Webber Chris is an author, business performance adviser and former sportsman. His mission is to give everyone the confidence they need to overcome the difficult moments at work. He talks about influence, negotiation, inspiring action and performance culture at work. He delivers 1:1 performance development programmes to executives, leaders and business people who want to raise performance at work. He runs training programmes for groups and offers advice for organisations preparing for key moments such as price changes, negotiations and launches. Ways to Stay Informed Follow Chris on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Buy the book - Get the Elephant Out of the Room. Outsmart Difficult People at Work For exclusive content and behind the scenes insight and commentaries follow the WhatsApp Channel Receive the Email Newsletter⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Difficult Performance Management Discussions. 09.10.2025 52min

Performance Management. Every leader's responsibility, but not everyone can retain difficult people. Most destroy the motivation of the whole team and their own reputation by mishandling sensitive conversations. In this episode, I talk to Jose Aguilar about his experiences living and working in different cultures and how he managed a very difficult conversation with a team member who was no longer delivering up to standards. More About Chris Webber Chris is an author, business performance adviser and former sportsman. His mission is to give everyone the confidence they need to overcome the difficult moments at work. He talks about influence, negotiation, inspiring action and performance culture at work. He delivers 1:1 performance development programmes to executives, leaders and business people who want to raise performance at work. He runs training programmes for groups and offers advice for organisations preparing for key moments such as price changes, negotiations and launches. Ways to Stay Informed Follow Chris on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Buy the book - Get the Elephant Out of the Room. Outsmart Difficult People at Work For exclusive content and behind the scenes insight and commentaries follow the WhatsApp Channel Receive the Email Newsletter⁠⁠⁠

Get The Elephant Out Of The Room Book Launch Event 24.09.2025 58min

We invited an audience to join us at The Orchard for the launch of my book. In this episode, listen to an exclusive reading of an extract and hear an interview with me, Chris, talking about writing the book and answering audience questions about difficult people at work. ----more---- Buy my book - Get the Elephant Out of the Room. Outsmart Difficult People at Work I share my experiences and insights into various difficult profiles and explain how you can achieve despite them. www.gettheelephantout.com Receive my Newsletter⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Chris on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ----more----

Coping With Early Promotion 03.09.2025 49min

Early promotion in a career is not always a blessing. When you are young, self-doubt creeps in, and you have to deal with difficult conversations with colleagues and team members. In this honest conversation, Helen shares her lessons, and we discuss imposter syndrome, trust, self-confidence and courage. ----more---- Buy my book - Get the Elephant Out of the Room. Outsmart Difficult People at Work I share my experiences and insights into various difficult profiles and explain how you can achieve despite them. www.gettheelephantout.com Receive my Newsletter⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Chris on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ----more---- Helen Lynch Helen has 23+ years’ senior retail experience across six major UK retailers, including roles as Head of Buying, Head of Category Management, and Licensing Manager. She deeply understands what retailers want from brands and how to deliver it. Combining this with her practitioner expertise as a development coach and former teacher, Helen now runs her own business helping brand owners and licensees win new retail contracts and build lasting partnerships through tailored retail and licensing strategies and retail specific relationship skills training, offering a rare buyer-side perspective that unlocks opportunity and accelerates growth. hello@helenlynchcoaching.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Strategic Advice for Digital Doubters 24.06.2025 1h

In this special episode I invited an especially chosen panel to discuss the challenges of excellence in digital sales and marketing. We explore what brands get wrong when trying to sell direct to consumers, we discuss the value of third party sellers and retail partners and we offer our advice for executives debating the importance of digital channels in their growth plans. Panel members: Iana VolshmidKelli PeterDavid WilliamsAlex WalkerDavid RoyaleJim Chetwode ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Chris on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you have to deal with difficult people at work then you should subscribe to my newsletter. Every 2 weeks, I send an email directly to the inbox of thousands of people with insights, advice and actions that are usually reserved for paying clients. I unpick the behaviours of various difficult people, explain their motives and offer tips to help people like you to deliver more and gain a commercial edge. Subscribe here to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠receive the Foxleigh Newsletter.

When Leadership Let Us Down 11.06.2025 22min

With AI knowledge loses value and we instead need people who are incredible collaborators, can solve problems and influence. Unless we educate them we will not get them, but as the value of hourly charging reduces we have the chance to build magnificent development apprenticeship schemes. In this episode I explan why we need to avoid becoming difficult people blocking the learning we need for the next generation who will deliver results for our businesses. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Chris on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you have to deal with difficult people at work then you should subscribe to my newsletter. Every 2 weeks, I send an email directly to the inbox of thousands of people with insights, advice and actions that are usually reserved for paying clients. I unpick the behaviours of various difficult people, explain their motives and offer tips to help people like you to deliver more and gain a commercial edge. Subscribe here to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠receive the Foxleigh Newsletter.

Breaking the Rules of Society 28.05.2025 26min

There are 7 unspoken rules of society that we follow. When we break them we create an emotional reaction. In this episode I explore how they might affect business partnerships and the implications for customer relationships and internal partnerships. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Chris on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you have to deal with difficult people at work then you should subscribe to my newsletter. Every 2 weeks, I send an email directly to the inbox of thousands of people with insights, advice and actions that are usually reserved for paying clients. I unpick the behaviours of various difficult people, explain their motives and offer tips to help people like you to deliver more and gain a commercial edge. Subscribe and join this exclusive group using the link below ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Receive the Foxleigh Newsletter⁠⁠⁠

People Who are Disruptive and Argumentative 21.05.2025 23min

How can you deal with people who just want to argue during meetings, constantly challenge, complain and act negatively? We all know them, they are never satisfied with anything and they destroy meeting flow. But they are also valuable – knowledgeable and experienced. In this episode I explore their personality and share ideas on how to create boundaries, leverage their strengths and protect team morale. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Chris on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you have to deal with difficult people at work then you should subscribe to my newsletter. Every 2 weeks, I send an email directly to the inbox of thousands of people with insights, advice and actions that are usually reserved for paying clients. I unpick the behaviours of various difficult people, explain their motives and offer tips to help people like you to deliver more and gain a commercial edge. Subscribe and join this exclusive group using the link below ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Receive my Newsletter⁠⁠⁠

When your Boss Rejects Change 18.05.2025 21min

What if your Manager is the Barrier to Change. Companies struggle with change, but what if it is the manager who is the barrier and the team want to change? In this episode I explore some of the barriers that leaders might have to change and how you can communicate differently to be more influential. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Chris on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you have to deal with difficult people at work then you should subscribe to my newsletter. Every 2 weeks, I send an email directly to the inbox of thousands of people with insights, advice and actions that are usually reserved for paying clients. I unpick the behaviours of various difficult people, explain their motives and offer tips to help people like you to deliver more and gain a commercial edge. Subscribe and join this exclusive group using the link below ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Receive my Newsletter⁠⁠⁠

When Your Manager Makes You Feel Ignored 07.05.2025 23min

It seems the dream, to be left alone by the manager. But it isn’t. It feels lonely and there are fears of rejection and insecurity. In this episode I share why it happens, how it feels and how you can make sure you get on the agenda and feel valued. <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-webber-uk/">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Chris on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>If you have to deal with difficult people at work then you should subscribe to my newsletter. Every 2 weeks, I send an email directly to the inbox of thousands of people with insights, advice and actions that are usually reserved for paying clients. I unpick the behaviours of various difficult people, explain their motives and offer tips to help people like you to deliver more and gain a commercial edge. Subscribe and join this exclusive group using the link below <a href="https://bqwij-zcmp.maillist-manage.eu/ua/Optin?od=12ba7e84025a&zx=14ad1a3e48&tD=119dea7fccd911a9&sD=119dea7fcd0cd799">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Receive my Newsletter⁠⁠</a>

Inspire People Who No Longer Care 03.05.2025 23min

How do you get the best work from someone who no longer seems motivated or interested? Are you losing the best of your team because they are not motivated by money or bonus? In this episode I share what picked me up when I felt demotivated and explore some ideas that might help you engage people who are currently drifting along<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-webber-uk/">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Chris on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>If you have to deal with difficult people at work then you should subscribe to my newsletter. Every 2 weeks, I send an email directly to the inbox of thousands of people with insights, advice and actions that are usually reserved for paying clients. I unpick the behaviours of various difficult people, explain their motives and offer tips to help people like you to deliver more and gain a commercial edge. Subscribe and join this exclusive group using the link below <a href="https://bqwij-zcmp.maillist-manage.eu/ua/Optin?od=12ba7e84025a&zx=14ad1a3e48&tD=119dea7fccd911a9&sD=119dea7fcd0cd799">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Receive my Newsletter⁠⁠</a>

People Who Exclude You From Meetings 24.04.2025 33min

Disrespect, frustration, and rejection are all results of attending meetings and then not being heard or given the chance to participate. In this episode I explore why meetings can exclude certain people and what you can do about it so that your voice is heard and you are given the respect you deserve. <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-webber-uk/">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Chris on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>If you have to deal with difficult people at work then you should subscribe to my newsletter. Every 2 weeks, I send an email directly to the inbox of thousands of people with insights, advice and actions that are usually reserved for paying clients. I unpick the behaviours of various difficult people, explain their motives and offer tips to help people like you to deliver more and gain a commercial edge. Subscribe and join this exclusive group using the link below <a href="https://bqwij-zcmp.maillist-manage.eu/ua/Optin?od=12ba7e84025a&zx=14ad1a3e48&tD=119dea7fccd911a9&sD=119dea7fcd0cd799">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Receive my Newsletter⁠</a>

People Who Email Instead of Talking 21.04.2025 35min

Long email chains slow decision making and complicate life enormously, so why do people insist on email instead of talking? Fear. In this episode, I unpick some reasons they use to justify it and offer advice for managers and colleagues who want to create an action-oriented and supportive culture. <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-webber-uk/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Chris on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>If you have to deal with difficult people at work then you should subscribe to my newsletter. Every 2 weeks, I send an email directly to the inbox of thousands of people with insights, advice and actions that are usually reserved for paying clients. I unpick the behaviours of various difficult people, explain their motives and offer tips to help people like you to deliver more and gain a commercial edge. Subscribe and join this exclusive group using the link below <a href="https://bqwij-zcmp.maillist-manage.eu/ua/Optin?od=12ba7e84025a&zx=14ad1a3e48&tD=119dea7fccd911a9&sD=119dea7fcd0cd799" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Receive my Newsletter⁠</a>