Ep39: Building Better Teams and Business Through Self Awareness and Coaching with Helen Dann

Human Wise

Welcome to Human Wise, the podcast that explores the commercial advantage of being human at work.

With host Helen Wada, executive coach and founder of The Human Advantage, each episode will explore what being human at work looks like across a wide range of industries, from people in senior management to those on the ground.

Unlock the secrets to thriving in today’s high-pressure workplaces by mastering the art of being authentically human at work. In this inspiring episode of the Human Wise Podcast, Helen welcomes Helen Dann, Samsung Electronics’ Head of Talent Development for Europe, whose powerhouse career in learning, development, and coaching spans more than two decades. Together, they unpack why self-awareness is the key ingredient for personal growth, effective leadership, and sustainable business success—especially in the fast-paced, target-driven environments we all navigate.

Helen Dann shares her transformative journey from “fixer” to empowering coach, diving into common workplace pressures, the perils of burnout, and how to foster trust, empathy, and true connection—both within teams and with clients. You’ll learn practical strategies to shift your mindset, lead with confidence, and have richer, more commercially savvy conversations, even in the toughest corporate climates.

Whether you’re a leader, team player, or on your own path to professional growth, this episode will give you actionable insights to show up with purpose and impact. Don’t miss out—discover how putting humanity at the heart of work can radically elevate your performance, relationships, and results!

Topics Discussed:

• Self awareness in professional development
• Coaching skills for business leaders
• Building authentic workplace relationships
• Impact of coaching on team performance
• Human approach in commercial conversations

View extended shownotes here

Further links to follow:

Helen Wada: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/helen-wada

The Human Advantage: https://www.thehumanadvantage.co.uk/

Chapters

1. Ep39: Building Better Teams and Business Through Self Awareness and Coaching with Helen Dann (00:00:00)

2. Introduction and Guest Welcome (00:00:27)

3. Defining 'Being Human at Work' (00:03:13)

4. Challenges and Shifts in Coaching (00:10:50)

5. Managing Stress and Burnout (00:12:54)

6. The Power of Coaching Skills (00:17:26)

7. Integrating Coaching in Business (00:18:36)

8. Balancing Directive and Coaching Approaches (00:20:48)

9. Building Trust and Empathy (00:22:01)

10. Understanding Teams and Leadership (00:25:11)

11. The Human Element in Business (00:26:31)

12. Concluding Thoughts and Reflections (00:33:44)