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Episode 37

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Published on:

15th Jun 2026

Quick Spoon: Pressure reveals what's running us

Pressure has a way of revealing patterns we'd rather not see.

  • Defensiveness.
  • Control.
  • Avoidance.
  • Reactivity.

But these experiences aren't signs that we've failed.

They're opportunities to notice what's driving our behaviour.

In this Quick Spoon, Ross explores one of the central ideas behind psychological flexibility: once we notice what's running us, we create the possibility of choosing differently.

And that's where leadership begins.

Key Quote

"Pressure doesn't reveal who we are. Pressure reveals what's running us."

Reflection Questions

The next time you feel pressure building:

What is driving me right now?

And what matters here?

People Soup: Real conversations about work, leadership, and being human — grounded in behavioural science, with practical ideas you can actually use.

If this episode resonated with you, please consider following People Soup, leaving a rating or review, or sharing it with someone who might find it useful.

Every recommendation helps more people discover practical, evidence-based conversations about work, leadership and being human.

Here's the People Soup Website.

Visit Ross' Website.

Connect with Ross on LinkedIn

People Soup on Instagram which also features plenty of Ross' photos of the Andalusian life

He's now also on Bluesky

Transcript

QS6 Pressure reveals what's running us

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[00:00:30] The goal isn't to eliminate these experiences. The goal is to notice them, because once we notice what's running us, we have more opportunity to [00:00:40] choose differently, and that's where leadership begins. Here's something to try. the next time you feel the pressure building, ask yourself, "What's [00:00:50] driving me right now?"

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About the Podcast

People Soup
Real conversations about work, leadership and being human
A podcast exploring work, leadership, and being human through real conversations - grounded in behavioural science and full of practical ideas you can apply straight away.

The name People Soup was inspired by a quote from the psychologist Abraham Maslow:

"A first-rate soup is more creative than a second-rate painting."

I've always loved that idea. Creativity isn't confined to art, it can be found in the way we live, work, lead and relate to one another.

Work can sometimes feel like a soup: a rich, sometimes bewildering mix of people, personalities, decisions, pressures, relationships and unexpected challenges. Every day we're trying to make sense of the ingredients we've been given.

Behavioural science can't remove the complexity, but it can help us work with it. It offers practical ingredients, useful tools and simple ways of thinking that help us respond more effectively—to ourselves, to other people and to the situations we face.

That's what People Soup is all about.

Work is rarely tidy. It's a soup rather than a recipe. We don't get to choose every ingredient, but we can learn how to work skilfully with what's already in the pot.

About your host

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Ross McIntosh

I'm Ross McIntosh, a business psychologist, coach and facilitator, with over 30 years' experience helping people thrive at work.

People Soup grew from a simple belief: work is an important part of life, but it doesn't have to come at the expense of our wellbeing, our relationships or our values.

Each episode explores the realities of work, leadership and being human through the lens of behavioural science. Sometimes that's a conversation with an inspiring guest. Sometimes it's a short "Quick Spoon" offering a practical idea you can put into practice straight away.

My work is grounded in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), an evidence-based approach that helps people develop psychological flexibility: the ability to stay purposeful, adaptable and effective, even when life gets messy.

Whether you're leading a team, supporting others, or simply trying to navigate the pressures of modern work, my hope is that People Soup gives you practical tools, fresh perspectives and the confidence to take your next meaningful step.

A few things about me
Chartered Fellow of the CIPD.
Fellow of the Association for Coaching.
Research collaborator with City St George's, University of London.
Speaker, facilitator and leadership development consultant.
Founder and Host of the People Soup podcast.

When I'm not recording the podcast or working with clients, you'll usually find me reading, cycling, improving my Spanish, or enjoying life in southern Spain with my husband.