Built In, Not Bought In – Paul Nolan on Leadership That Actually Sticks - ORRJO Unscripted #8

ORRJO Unscripted

What separates a good leader from a great one? It’s not charisma. It’s not title. It’s not shouting louder. It’s being built in, not just bought in.
In this episode of ORRJO Unscripted, we’re joined by Paul Nolan, founder and director of Penguin Learning - a behavioural training company working with brands like Virgin, Taylor Wimpey, Ralph Lauren, and NHS. Paul’s trained over 12,000 professionals, delivered thousands of DISC assessments, and spent 14+ years helping companies build better leaders and more emotionally intelligent teams.
But Paul’s story didn’t start in boardrooms. It started behind the till at AllSports. And Orange. And then Virgin Media. A self-confessed “grafter from a military family,” Paul walked away from the comfort of corporate life to start his own business in 2008, right as the economy crashed- and he’s been learning the hard truths of leadership ever since.
In this episode, Paul shares:

• The real early struggles of starting a business with zero backup
• Why new managers so often fail (and what companies get wrong)
• His go-to tools for navigating difficult conversations and people management
• The difference between “bought-in” and “built-in” leadership
• How DISC assessments help shape more self-aware teams
• Why practical communication skills matter more than theory
• The downside of corporate politics, and why he left it behind for good
• How to approach mentorship, mindset, and continuous development in a busy world

Whether you're a startup founder, new manager, L&D professional, or just someone who values honest leadership advice — this episode is packed with battle-tested takeaways and brilliant storytelling.