Peeling back our layers to uncover our Essence

Michelle Mills-Porter joins Joanne Lockwood to explore what it means to “peel back our layers” and uncover our essence

Michelle recounts being caught in the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami in Sri Lanka, and how witnessing unexpected reactions in herself and others sparked a long journey into understanding what drives human behaviour beneath the surface. She describes developing her work around core subconscious driving forces, and why self-awareness can replace self-judgement when our instinctive reactions surprise us.

The conversation connects these insights to inclusion and belonging at work: how misunderstandings arise when people assume shared “values” are required for trust and collaboration, and how teams can grow when leaders recognise and work with different drivers. They also discuss readjusting after life transitions, supporting people leaving the armed forces, and how the pandemic prompted many to reassess what fulfilment at work really looks like.