Leaders are pulled in all directions. There is no rule book. Beginning with 'No Grit No Pearl' each episode of Gritty Leaders Club explores a tension or paradox of leadership asking how founders, entrepreneurs and scale-up CEOs decide which way to turn. Published fortnightly, each Gritty Leaders Club episode: o Is for leaders in start-up and scale-up growing companies o Asks directly about the tough decisions of leadership: strategy to tactics; the rough and the smooth o Tells real stories of leadership grit to get 'inside' leadership o Tests leadership ideas and theories in today's business front line o Wraps up by drawing Gritty Leadership Lessons from what's been said Ben and Ian are regularly joined by guests. Founders and leaders of growing companies weigh-in to discuss the Gritty Leadership Question of the episode and tell their personal stories, "I learned about gritty leadership from..."
Ifty Nasir is the founder and CEO of Vestd, the UK's original share scheme and equity management platform. The company now has over 70 people working remotely with plans for international expansion. Tune in to hear about Ifty's background and being influenced by immigrant parents, what makes a great remote culture, the concept of ownership, and what we can learn from Mahatma Gandhi.In this episode, we explore:The concept of the "ownership effect"How does Vestd demystify complex concepts for SMEs?Overcoming the challenges when pivoting Vestd's business modelHow remote working has opened new opportunitiesTips to ensure transparency and feedback within your businessGet in touchEmail Ben: ben@leaderandteam.com Email Ian: ian@ianwindle.com
Brendan Hall is an expert in building empowered teams and navigating treacherous waters. As the skipper of the winning yacht in the Clipper Round-the-World Yacht Race, he led a team of 44 crew on a record-breaking 40,000 nautical mile race around the world on 70-foot ocean racing yachts. Brendan now helps corporate leaders and teams achieve their full collaborative potential through high-impact keynote speeches and interactive workshops.In this episode, we explore:Why is personal autonomy important for motivation and team productivity?How to prioritise big-picture thinking, strategy, safety, and team well-beingThe role of rest and its impact on decision-making and emotional stabilityLearning when to step back as a leaderLeading two boats across the North Pacific… and facing a hurricane weather systemGet in touchEmail Ben: ben@leaderandteam.com Email Ian: ian@ianwindle.com
Brian Mayne is a goal mapping expert with a powerful purpose: to reach 7 million people and share the transformative practice of goal mapping. Brian is a global speaker, author, and seminar leader. He joins the show to share the transformative practice of having the right framework to set goals.In this episode, we explore:How does goal mapping differ from other goal-setting techniques?How can it contribute to growth and innovation within teams or organisations?Incorporating goal mapping into educational systemsOvercoming the challenges people face when attempting to set and achieve goalsEngaging both the conscious and subconscious mind for goal achievementGet in touchEmail Ben: ben@leaderandteam.com Email Ian: ian@ianwindle.com
Penina Shepherd is the author of the visionary book ‘The Freedom Revolution', a multi-award winning entrepreneur, an inspiring keynote speaker, a business lawyer and the founder of ACUMEN BUSINESS LAW, a ‘Top 50 Innovative Law Firms in the UK and Europe' (Financial Times).Penina addresses the often-misunderstood concept of purpose, and that passion does not necessarily need to be discovered from a young age. Tune in as she also shares insights on creating a truly different law firm, the importance of grit in achieving success, and ensuring that everyone's ideas are heard. Get in touchEmail Ben: ben@leaderandteam.com Email Ian: ian@ianwindle.com
Ever wondered how understanding your strengths can help you navigate through significant career transitions? Meet Hannah Miller, a business graduate who ventured from advertising to charity work, ultimately landing in impoverished Birmingham communities as a teacher, and later on, founding Sidekick. Hannah and Ben dissect leveraging individual strengths within a team, the qualities of unique and brave leaders, the impact of personality traits on burnout, the importance of setting priorities, staying organised, and being honest with ourselves when managing a busy lifestyle.Get in touchEmail Ben: ben@leaderandteam.com Email Ian: ian@ianwindle.com
In this episode we delve into the world of scaling up businesses and the importance of maintaining culture during the process. We'll be exploring the challenges that come with scaling and how to prevent culture from going sideways. Tune in as we also unpack values-based hiring, the link between culture and performance, the concept of flywheels, and the importance of transitioning from founder mode to CEO mode – and so much more!Get in touchEmail Ben: ben@leaderandteam.com Email Ian: ian@ianwindle.com
Patrick O'Luanaigh is the founder and CEO of nDreams, a fast-growing independent games developer and publisher focused on Virtual Reality games and experiences. He founded nDreams in late 2006, and has grown the company from a one-man team to one of the world's leading VR specialists with over 230 full-time studio staff. Tune in as we delve into the future of VR, the crunch culture in gaming, and the importance of bringing energy into the workplace.Get in touchEmail Ben: ben@leaderandteam.com Email Ian: ian@ianwindle.com
In this week's episode, Ian and Ben are discussing non-negotiables. From the industry defining values of Elon Musk and Steve Jobs, to the actionable priorities that scale-ups companies can employ. How can writing your non-negotiables down map your team's path forward? Tune in as Ben and Ian share their personal and workplace non-negotiables.Get in touchEmail Ben: ben@leaderandteam.com Email Ian: ian@ianwindle.com
In this episode your co-hosts Ben and Ian sit down for a conversation which covers the vital area of knowing your people. We cover the key areas of building trust and showing vulnerability, the importance of stretch and growth mindset, the use of assessment tools such as DISC and the importance of understanding the nuances of intergenerational theories.Get in touchEmail Ben: ben@leaderandteam.com Email Ian: ian@ianwindle.com
In this episode Ben Bradford, CEO of BB7, a fire and facade advisory firm, reveals how he founded and developed his now sizeable business from a bootstrap startup. Today Ben and his team are trusted with projects nationally and internationally. The firm was founded on seven galvanizing leadership principles. In today's conversation we explore how workplace values can inform a business's direction and how these can be incorporated to truly scale a business and create a positive culture. Get in touch: email Ben: ben@leaderandteam.com email Ian: ian@ianwindle.com
In this episode Dom Gaynor, CEO of TeamSport, shares how he helped grow a small go-karting business from three small UK sites to an international business focusing on leisure and team building. Dom imparts his expertise with regards to growing and scaling the business via online marketing, new sales tactics and external investment.In today's conversation we learn how to retain core values whilst growing a business and why culture is key for sustainable growth. Get in touch: email Ben: ben@leaderandteam.com Email Ian: ian@ianwindle.com
In this episode Emma Simpson shares her experience of becoming an ‘accidental leader'. At the age of 30, Emma was given the opportunity to salvage a problematic business. Through smart recruitment and corporate culture building, Emma was able to make the necessary changes to help her business thrive. Today Emma is a management coach and mentor to some of the leading brands in her field.In today's conversation we learn how to introduce practical team building exercises as well as open dialogues.Get in touch: email Ben: ben@leaderandteam.com email Ian: ian@ianwindle.com
In these ‘Shorts' episodes of the Gritty Leaders Podcast, we select our standout moments from previous episodes. This one comes from episode 37 where we discuss Ben's key insights from his Master's research on the psychology of coaching behaviour change. Tune in to this clip as we explore how the fastest learner wins.Listen to the full episode here: https://grittyleaders.live/episode/ask-strategically-how-important-are-questions
Ben shares some key insights from his Henley Business School Master's research on the psychology of coaching and behaviour change. What stood out was the power of asking good questions – and that they should arise naturally, not from a rigid framework or book. Tune in as we unpack more about Ben's ‘aha moments' from his thesis, the symbiotic relationship between coach and manager, the role of facilitative questions, getting comfortable with silence – and the lowlights of writing 20,000 words. Get in touch: email Ben: ben@leaderandteam.com email Ian: ian@ianwindle.com
In these ‘Shorts' episodes of the Gritty Leaders Club Podcast, we select our standout moments from previous episodes. This one comes from episode 31 where we sat down to talk about getting the right people in and keeping the wrong people out. Tune in to this clip as we delve into the differences between hiring for strengths versus the absence of weaknesses – and what larger organisations can learn from startups when it comes to this.Listen to the full episode here:https://the-gritty-leaders-podcast.captivate.fm/episode/hiring-firing-part-1
In this week's episode, Ian opens up about his battle with prostate cancer, which ultimately led to taking part in a gruelling half Iron Man. During training Ian quickly discovered his inner strength, as well as realising that he is a ‘starter-finisher' when it comes to substantial challenges. Some of the key takeaways in this conversation are the importance of preparation, and the benefits of taking a risk.Get in touch: email Ben: ben@leaderandteam.com email Ian: ian@ianwindle.com
In these ‘Shorts' episodes of the Gritty Leaders Club Podcast, we select our standout moments from previous episodes. This one comes from episode 25 where we reviewed the art of 1to1 meetings. Tune in to this clip as we explore giving regular feedback and how to create the space to discuss the most important things. Listen to the full episode here:https://the-gritty-leaders-podcast.captivate.fm/episode/the-five-dysfunctions-of-a-team-lencionis-classic
“The ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do” – this comes from Steve Jobs' iconic Think Different Apple campaign. The message still rings true today about creating radically different futures for businesses when we think beyond the status quo.We explore attitudes towards risk-taking, asking “what if?” questions, building a culture of playing to win versus to lose, the role of playing devil's advocate, and a visioning exercise that will bring clarity and ambition to the team. Resources:Apple – Here's To The Crazy Ones: https://youtu.be/9-ZB2O8azI8‘Vivid Vision' by Cameron Herold: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/161961877X‘Good To Great' by Jim Collins: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0712676090/ Get in touch: email Ben: ben@leaderandteam.com email Ian: ian@ianwindle.com
In these ‘Shorts' episodes of the Gritty Leaders Club Podcast, we select our standout moments from previous episodes. This one comes from episode 22 where we delved into the good, the bad and the ugly about meetings. Tune in to this clip as we discuss how to structure a good meeting – and why more often than not we don't need even need it.Listen to the full episode here:https://www.grittyleadersclub.com/e/meetings-the-good-bad-ugly/
In these ‘Shorts' episodes of the Gritty Leaders Club Podcast, we select our standout moments from previous episodes. This one comes from episode 21 where we sat down to talk about building the Dream Team. Tune in to this clip as we delve into the mindset of acting as if you are the dream team today – and how that helps you keep oriented. Listen to the full episode here:https://the-gritty-leaders-podcast.captivate.fm/episode/nightmare-team-dream-team
In these ‘Shorts' episodes of the Gritty Leaders Club Podcast, we select our standout moments from previous episodes. This one comes from episode 16 Jim Kirkwood, CEO of TTC. Tune in to this clip as Jim talks candidly about why we need to be able to mistakes in order to win on the long term. Listen to the full episode here:https://the-gritty-leaders-podcast.captivate.fm/episode/leading-with-purpose-with-jim-kirkwood-of-ttc
In these ‘Shorts' episodes of the Gritty Leaders Club Podcast, we select our standout moments from previous episodes. This one comes from episode 15 where we delve into how effective leaders maximise their impact every week. Tune in to this clip as we explore how having a ‘stop-doing' list helps you focus on the most impactful tasks – and finally remove those distractions. Listen to the full episode here:https://the-gritty-leaders-podcast.captivate.fm/episode/168-hours-what-effective-leaders-do
In these ‘Shorts' episodes of the Gritty Leaders Club Podcast, we select our standout moments from previous episodes. This one comes from episode 14 where we discuss how certain elements come together to produce a strategy. In this clip, we explore why it's good to have a choice of strategies to be working from. Listen to the full episode here:https://the-gritty-leaders-podcast.captivate.fm/episode/what-is-strategy-part-2
In these ‘Shorts' episodes of the Gritty Leaders Club Podcast, we select our standout moments from previous episodes. This one comes from episode 12 where we both explored what ultimately is strategy. In this clip, we discuss in particular how many business operate on strategies and frameworks without knowing it, and what we can learn from ‘Turning the Flywheel' by Jim Collins. Listen to the full episode here:https://the-gritty-leaders-podcast.captivate.fm/episode/what-is-strategy
In these ‘Shorts' episodes of the Gritty Leaders Podcast, we select our standout moments from previous episodes. This one comes from episode 10 where we both sat down and explored how leaders get lazy – and how they can get effective. In this clip, we discuss why leaders need to have ‘grit' and where leaders can best get their feedback from. Listen to the full episode here:https://www.grittyleaders.live/episode/lazy-leadership
In these ‘Shorts' episodes of the Gritty Leaders Club Podcast, we select our standout moments from previous episodes. This one comes from episode 9 with Luke Fisher, founder and CEO of London-based software company Mo. In this clip, Luke provides some practical tips on how to engage with your staff and build a culture that generates connections. Listen to the full episode here:https://www.grittyleaders.live/episode/culture-defining-moments-with-luke-fisher-of-mo
Jitesh Patel talks about how he became CEO, and how and why he leads Peldon Rose's high performing team with core values.Get in touch: email Ben: ben@leaderandteam.com email Ian: ian@ianwindle.com
Getting the right people into the team, and the wrong people out of the team.
Nigel Travis talks about Challenge Culture - hear the approach he took as CEO at Dunkin' Brands, CEO at Papa Johns, COO at Blockbuster, and now as co-owner of Leyton Orient FC.
Get the right people in. Keep the wrong people out. Part 1: Hiring
Is better business harder business? Is it better for the business itself as well as people and planet? And what are B Corps anyway? Find our as we talk to Hannah Cox, entrepreneur and founder of sustainability impact agency BetterNotStop.
Culture eats strategy for breakfast - especially when it's a no/low accountability culture.
"Pick the top few things that create value. Drop all the other sh!t and don't worry about it." Gritty Leaders Club interviews Martin G Moore during the run-up to publication of his new book 'No Bullsh!t Leadership' in which Marty lays out his essential steps to lift your leadership, and your organization, to a higher level.
Five behaviours exhibited by the best leaders - how do you measure up?
Why most companies and teams fail at change (and how to succeed).
How good are your 1to1s? Part 2 of our meetings miniseries examines the 1to1.
Patrick Lencioni's 'The Five Dysfunctions Of A Team' has become a classic followed by teams worldwide. Ben and Ian explore the model and when and how to apply it.
Are leaders born or made? How can leaders make themselves better?
Our angry rants about meetings followed by what good looks like.
What really counts when building a dream team?
Death by numbers vs knowing we're in the right place, healthy and ready to be successful.
With guest Colin Hunter: How can a leader help her team confront fear?
Where to draw the line between exploiting or growing customers.
Strategy is Invisible. All you can see is Execution.
Jim Kirkwood, CEO of TTC of discusses scaling the business, his approach to leadership, navigating challenges and the gritty leader he most admires.
Ben and Ian explore how effective leaders choose what to do to maximise the impact of each week. Each 168 hours.
How do the elements come together to produce a strategy? Also, Ben talks about Reni Eddo-Lodge's book, 'Why I'm No Longer Talking To White People About Race', and Ian discusses 'Intent'.
What are the differences between sport and business and what can be learned?
Kicking off a series of episodes exploring strategy Ben and Ian discuss, 'What is Strategy?'
Exploring how leaders get lazy and looking at the opposite to identify the qualities of effective leaders and how they create conditions for success.
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