Chris Paouros

We had to drag Giles away from Chick King to catch Spurs royalty and exceptionally talented business brain Chris Paouros this week.

Broadcasting from the bench to the boardroom, Chris spends her time solving hugely complex, often highly emotive problems that are rooted in everything from corporations to communities.

She talks to us on her first job in a video shop, making covered buttons, what working in retail teaches you, social justice, Eric Cantona and meaningless distinction, building businesses, running a political campaign, being a pain in the arse with compassion, Pride in Football, why belonging at work is so important, and a whole lot more. So go have your ears bent now (in a good way).

Follow Chris on Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram

Hear her sing a little song on Guardian Women’s Football Weekly

And check out her website

Timestamps

(02:19) - Quick fire questions

(03:53) - First job in a video shop and what a grounding in retail can teach you

(12:31) - Doing the original “Mickey Mouse” degree

(17:30) - The lecturer who stayed in her house

(20:17) - Eric Cantona and meaningless distinction

(26:53) - Learning how to build a business on the job

(33:09) - The Women’s Equality Party and running a political campaign

(38:58) - Equity, inclusion and belonging

(47:59) - Pride in Football and getting a homophobic chant banned

(52:31) - Listener questions (h/t Andrew Spurrier Dawes)

(58:44) - 4 pertinent posers