The Green Room: Questions That Matter Most In Business

• What's the secret to better business relationships? With Dr Linda Papadopoulos and Nina Gopal

  A lot has changed about how we work and do business. But one truth has remained the same – the importance of relationships.  We've all felt the benefits of building good business relationships; successful projects, faster progress, confident decisions, career opportunities and meaningful support.  We've probably all felt the effects of less-good relationships too; stilted results, miscommunication, lack of trust and a lot of frustration.   Whether it's the long-standing client who just introduced a new leader, the potential client who isn't really looking to buy right now, or the unlikely alliance that could change everything; behind every deal, launch, and partnership is people - and the way we relate to each other is at the heart of what really drives success.  So, what does it take to build successful business relationships in a world of hybrid meetings, endless emails, and fast-moving change?  That's what we're exploring with Dr Linda Papadopoulos, psychologist, academic and author, and Nina Gopal, a partner in banking and capital markets at Deloitte UK, as we ask: What's the secret to stronger business relationships?  Tune in to find out: What three traits are found in every successful relationship How to transform conflict into a catalyst for better business relationships Why our reliance on digital communication is preventing us from truly connecting Two things we can all do tomorrow to improve our professional interactions Enjoyed this episode? Check our website for our recommendations to learn more about this topic: Deloitte.co.uk/greenroompodcasts Find out more about Cook For Good here: cookforgood.uk Guests: Dr Linda Papadopoulos, psychologist, academic and author, and Nina Gopal, a partner in banking and capital markets at Deloitte UK Hosts: Lizzie Elston and Oli Carpenter Original music: Ali Barrett Recording date and location: London, 03.10.25

  --------  

  42:26

  --------

  42:26
• What if our next decision makers aren't human? With Professor Richard Susskind CBE and Stacey Winters

  We're used to using technology to help us make decisions. We research, we report and we act. But are we ready to let technology make those decisions by itself?  Generative AI has already changed the way we work - helping us write, code, and create in ways that once felt impossible. But now, we're moving one step further into a world where technology doesn't just suggest or report – it learns, reasons and acts.   For business leaders, the appeal with Agentic AI is clear: faster growth, higher productivity, greater efficiency. In fact, studies show that 42% have already made considerable investments in the technology and the market for Agentic AI alone is expected to grow from $7.84 billion in 2025 to over $56 billion by 2030.  The buzz is there, but so is the risk. So, how do we learn to trust decisions made by agents we can't look in the eye, can't incentivise, and may not fully understand? And how will this transform our skills, our roles and how we define leadership?  That's what we're exploring in this episode of The Green Room with Professor Richard Susskind CBE, AI expert and author, and Stacey Winters, Generative AI Market Leader and Managing Partner for Deloitte North-South Europe, as we ask: What if our next decision makers aren't human?  Tune in to find out:  How Agentic AI will transform the workplace in the years to come   Which industries are thinking differently and leading the adoption of new AI capabilities What leaderships traits will become more in-demand as AI use scales up Why trust by design in the technology and the decisions it makes is critical to success  Enjoyed this episode? Check our website for our recommendations to learn more about this topic: deloitte.co.uk/greenroompodcasts  Find out more about Scope here: scope.org.uk  Guests: Professor Richard Susskind CBE, AI expert and author, and Stacey Winters, Generative AI Market Leader and Managing Partner for Deloitte North-South Europe  Hosts: Lizzie Elston and Oli Carpenter  Original music: Ali Barrett  Recording date and location: London, 04.09.25 

  --------  

  45:37

  --------

  45:37
• Do we need to think differently about defence? With Rachel Ellehuus and Duncan Farrow-Smith

  For many of us, defence is invisible. As we go about our everyday lives, we rarely have cause to think about it. And that's a good thing. It means that the defence sector is doing its job well and preventing threats from becoming incidents that make headlines or change lives. But what that job entails, how it's best done and the tools that are used to do it is changing.  As geopolitical tension and new technology transform the nature of the threats, and how we fight them, defence is becoming more important and more visible for all of us.  Defence spending has increased globally each year for the last decade. Within the UK the defence sector has been identified as key area for growth, with plans suggesting that it could boost the economy by providing more jobs, more innovation and more resilience - as well as increasing the need for greater collaboration between government, institution and industry too. So as private sector looks to play a greater role in the evolution of defence – what could that role actually look like? What does it mean for businesses and the people who work in them? How will it affect defence operations and the society they protect? And what do we all need to understand about defence today to prepare for the future? That's what we're exploring with Rachel Ellehuus, CEO of the Royal United Services Institute, and Duncan Farrow-Smith, Chief Strategy Officer and leader of the defence practice at Deloitte UK, as we ask: Do we need to think differently about defence? Tune in to find out: The economic and strategic opportunities that come with a growing defence sector How different stages of technology and innovation are reshaping the future of defence The ways that public and private sector collaboration can deliver national impact Why zig-zag careers and talent attraction are pivotal for success  Enjoyed this episode? Check our website for our recommendations to learn more about this topic: deloitte.co.uk/greenroompodcasts You can also watch our episodes on Youtube: youtube.com/@DeloitteUK  Find out more about Scope here: scope.org.uk Guests: Rachel Ellehuus, Director-General of the Royal United Services Institute, and Duncan Farrow-Smith, Chief Strategy Officer and leader of the defence practice at Deloitte UK Hosts: Annie Wong and Lizzie Elston Original music: Ali Barrett  

  --------  

  40:32

  --------

  40:32
• What does it take to build trust? With Ed Williams and Shauna Robinson

  Trust influences everything. It helps shape decisions, drives loyalty, and defines reputation. It's the foundation of strong leadership, lasting relationships, and long-term success, across all areas of society. But in today's world, trust is harder to earn – and easier to lose. And at times, it can feel like a balancing act due to shifting values and high expectations. 71% of people say they're more likely to buy from a brand they trust – and 78% will recommend one. Trust shapes the businesses we choose to work with, buy from and believe in. And with many organisations learning to navigate the 'trust crisis', being seen as trusted has never been so important for businesses and leaders alike. So what does it really take to build trust? How do leaders do it best – and what breaks it down? And when trust is damaged, can it ever be rebuilt? That's what we're exploring in this episode of The Green Room with Ed Williams, President, International at Edelman, and Shauna Robinson, Lead Partner for Public Policy at Deloitte UK, as we ask: What does it take to build trust?  Tune in to find out: How trust is measured and the key elements that build it What businesses should focus on to build trust with diverse audiences How we're all impacted by the trust crisis and how to navigate it Why leaders need to be human in a technologically driven world   Enjoyed this episode? Check our website for our recommendations to learn more about this topic: deloitte.co.uk/greenroompodcasts  You can also watch our episodes over on YouTube: youtube.com/@DeloitteUK Find out more about Scope here: Disability charity Scope UK Read Edelman's 2025 Barometer Report here: 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer   Guests: Ed Williams, President, International at Edelman, and Shauna Robinson, Partner for Public Policy and Risk at Deloitte UK Hosts: Stephanie Dobbs and Annie Wong Original music: Ali Barrett

  --------  

  38:09

  --------

  38:09
• Is it easier to start a sustainable business or to become one? With Rory MacFadyen and David Rakowski

  We've all got a lot savvier about sustainability in recent years. We know the size of the climate challenge facing the planet. And we know that the planet needs more than statements, green logos and commitments to use the printer less to tackle it. As we all make more sustainable choices and changes in our personal lives, we look to the businesses we buy from and work for to do the same. Our expectations are higher than ever before, but are some businesses better placed to meet them than others? That's what we're exploring with Rory MacFadyen, co-founder of Reflo, and David Rakowski, Global Circular Economy Lead at Deloitte, in this episode of The Green Room, as we ask: Is it easier to start a sustainable business or to become one? Tune in to find out: Why "sustainable business" is more than a marketing line What businesses are doing to link transparency and consumer trust How Reflo are challenging the idea of sustainable supply chains The shifts and trends shaping business sustainability efforts Enjoyed this episode? Check our website for our recommendations to learn more about this topic: deloitte.co.uk/greenroompodcasts You can also watch our episodes over on YouTube: youtube.com/@DeloitteUK  Find out more about Change Please Find out more about Reflo Guests: Rory MacFadyen, co-founder of Reflo, and David Rakowski, Global Circular Economy Lead at Deloitte. Hosts: Stephanie Dobbs and Oli Carpenter Original music: Ali Barrett  

  --------  

  39:28

  --------

  39:28

More Business podcasts

Trending Business podcasts

About The Green Room: Questions That Matter Most In Business

The Green Room: Questions That Matter Most In Business: Podcasts in Family