When Philippa Hann stepped into the CEO role at Paradigm Norton after 20 years in law, she faced the challenge every new leader knows: how do you quickly build trust, make effective decisions, and create the psychological safety needed for a team to thrive, whilst keeping the organisation running smoothly?
Six weeks into her tenure, the results speak for themselves. Through implementing Thinking Environment principles, Philippa has transformed not just how her team meets, but how they relate to each other and ultimately serve their clients.
In our recent conversation, Philippa shared the practical ways she’s woven these approaches into everything from board meetings to succession planning. What emerges is a blueprint for leadership that prioritises listening, equality, and genuine human connection.
Watch the full conversation here:
5 Key takeaways for leaders
1. Transform your meetings through structured listening
By introducing rounds where everyone speaks without interruption, Philippa eliminated the dynamic where 2-3 people dominate discussions. The result? Faster decision-making, voices from quieter team members, and reduced competitive tension. Even in groups of 40+ people, this approach ensures every perspective is heard.
2. One-to-ones that actually build relationships
Philippa implemented weekly 30-minute sessions across the entire organisation with one key rule: the direct report speaks first, without interruption. This creates space for vulnerability, early problem-solving, and genuine relationship building between managers and their teams.
3. Succession success through ‘short accounts’
Her weekly transition meetings with founder Barry Norton included shared documents for asynchronous communication and a commitment to address issues quickly before they fester. The result was a smooth handover that preserved relationships and avoided the frustration common in succession scenarios.
4. Psychological safety as a client strategy
“We have to start with ourselves so that we can feel differently about ourselves so that we can behave differently with our colleagues so that we can have different conversations with our clients.” This inside-out approach recognizes that internal transformation directly impacts client experience.
5. The power of appreciation
Ending meetings with appreciation rounds and maintaining a 5:1 ratio of positive to corrective feedback has created an environment where difficult conversations become possible because the foundation of trust is already established.
The conversation reveals how simple shifts in how we listen and communicate can create profound changes in team dynamics, decision-making quality, and ultimately business outcomes. For leaders navigating transitions, building new teams, or simply wanting to create more inclusive environments, Philippa’s experience offers a compelling roadmap.
Philippa’s approach to leadership and succession has been significantly influenced by the Thinking Environment training she completed. Through embracing change and transitions with a focus on creating a Thinking Environment, she has fostered a culture of trust, openness and engagement in her new team. If you’re interested in finding out more about how we can support you as a leader at any stage of your journey, just drop us an email or click here to arrange time for a chat.
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