S11 E1 'How to create a 'sticky' organisation'

The Business of Being Brilliant podcast

S11 E1: 'How to create a ‘sticky’ organisation’
with Helen Beedham
and guest host Jen Sundberg

Monday 19 January 2026

About this episode

It’s a podcast takeover and a special episode to mark the launch of my new book People Glue on 26/27 January.

I hand the hosting reins to Jen Sundberg, co-founder of Board Intelligence, co-author of Collective Intelligence: how to build a business that’s smarter than you and founder of The Park, a pioneering holiday programme for children blending outdoor adventure with critical thinking.

Jen turns the spotlight on me and my new book, People Glue: hold on to your best people by setting them free. We talk about:

Why retention has become one of leadership’s toughest challenges;
Why the freedom to curate a meaningful career matters more than ever;
The quiet, early warning signs your people may be preparing to leave - and what you can do before it’s too late;
The 4 freedoms every team and organisation should be offering if they want to create a truly ‘sticky’ culture.
Practical steps you can take today to strengthen loyalty, trust and commitment in your team.

Plus, I spill the beans about the highs and lows of bringing People Glue to life.

Preview clip

Perspectives from Helen

On retention today

Yes, the shape and size of the workforces are changing and leaders may not be growing their headcount. But they are certainly worried about keeping people and having access to the critical skills that they need.

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On CEOs' dilemma

It's still a very live, knotty dilemma for leaders: they want to offer more freedom and autonomy, but that not at the expense of growing a strong ‘sticky’ culture and sense of community.

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On freedom's limits

We can't just drop all the rules and governance structures and hand over power and freedom to everybody. It would be anarchy, it would be chaos, it would result in unfairness.

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On what does work

The remedy is to offer people more freedom in different ways … within a framework that works for the business and that gives clarity to people as well.

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Listen to the full episode

Show notes

Jennifer co-founded Board Intelligence, building it into the UK’s leading provider of board software and governance insight. More than 80,000 leaders across the Fortune 500, FTSE 100 and beyond use the platform to raise the quality of thinking and decision-making in boardrooms worldwide. In 2024 Board Intelligence was acquired by a US investment house and Jennifer turned her focus to the next generation. She launched The Park, a pioneering holiday programme that blends outdoor adventure with the science of critical thinking — helping children develop the skills and the habits to question well and make great decisions.

Jennifer has been recognised as EY London Entrepreneur of the Year and The Times Young Businesswoman of the Year, and wrote a regular column for Management Today. With her long-time business partner Pippa Begg, she co-authored Collective Intelligence: How to Build a Business That’s Smarter Than You, shortlisted for Business Book of the Year 2024 and selected as an FT Book of the Month.

Follow Jen Sundberg on LinkedIn and find out more about her work here.

People Glue launches on Monday 26th January 2026 (e-book edition) / Tuesday 27th January 2026 (paperback and hardback editions).

To get your copy: Pre-order or buy the paperback/hardback here: https://mybook.to/PeopleGlue (this link automatically directs to your local country site for your chosen bookseller).

Snap up the e-book for just 99p for 1 day only on Amazon on 26th January: https://mybook.to/PeopleGlue-eb. Download a calendar reminder here: https://calendar.app.google/1CeLgh8gZTemJAPF9

Follow me on LinkedIn to like, comment on and share my book launch posts: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenjbeedham/ and on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helenjbeedham/. Tip: click the bell icon on the top right of my Linked In profile to automatically see all my posts in your feed.

Please leave an Amazon rating and review here: https://mybook.to/PeopleGlue to help others discover the book too

Download the Freedom Index for free here: https://www.helenbeedham.com/people-glue

The Business of Being Brilliant podcast