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Gritty Leaders Podcast

Business & Economics Podcasts

Leaders are pulled in all directions. There is no rule book. Beginning with 'No Grit No Pearl' each episode of the Gritty Leaders podcast 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 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..."

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Location:

United Kingdom

Description:

Leaders are pulled in all directions. There is no rule book. Beginning with 'No Grit No Pearl' each episode of the Gritty Leaders podcast 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 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..."

Language:

English

Episodes

47: Building a global business for the mind. The art and science of Goal Mapping with founder Brian Mayne

9/11/2023
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: Get in touch Email Ben: ben@leaderandteam.com Email Ian: ian@ianwindle.com

Duration:01:07:59

46: Fear, Grit, Purpose and Pearls: A conversation with Penina Shepherd, founder and CEO of Acumen Business Law & Acumen People

8/28/2023
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 touch Email Ben: ben@leaderandteam.com Email Ian: ian@ianwindle.com

Duration:00:52:39

45: In conversation with Hannah Miller, founder of sidekick: Revealing the strengths of unique, brave and exceptional leaders

8/14/2023
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 touch Email Ben: ben@leaderandteam.com Email Ian: ian@ianwindle.com

Duration:00:52:00

44: Beyond Start-Up: The 10 Pre-Requisites for Scaling Up

7/31/2023
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 touch Email Ben: ben@leaderandteam.com Email Ian: ian@ianwindle.com

Duration:00:58:00

43: Creating your dreams in Virtual Reality, an interview with nDreams founder and CEO Patrick O’Luanaigh

7/17/2023
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 touch Email Ben: ben@leaderandteam.com Email Ian: ian@ianwindle.com

Duration:00:33:45

42: Essential Principles – the Power of Non-Negotiables for a Scale-Up Company Leader

7/3/2023
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 touch Email Ben: ben@leaderandteam.com Email Ian: ian@ianwindle.com

Duration:00:33:24

41: Building Strong Foundations – The Art of Knowing Your Scaleup Team

6/19/2023
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 touch Email Ben: ben@leaderandteam.com Email Ian: ian@ianwindle.com

Duration:00:39:48

40: Founding and Scaling an international professional services business with culture and people at its heart, with Ben Bradford CEO of BB7

6/5/2023
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

Duration:00:48:41

39: Scaling a Leisure Business with Dom Gaynor

5/22/2023
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

Duration:00:37:39

38. Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast, Gen Z and The Big Yak with business turnaround leader Emma Simpson

5/8/2023
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

Duration:00:49:21

Shorts: Being a Facilitator of Learning

5/1/2023
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

Duration:00:03:35

Ask strategically. How important are questions?

4/24/2023
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

Duration:00:36:39

Shorts: Hiring For Strengths

4/17/2023
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

Duration:00:05:35

36: Ian’s Ironman 70.3: Rising to the mental and physical challenges of an 8 hour endurance race

4/10/2023
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

Duration:00:40:09

Shorts: Master Your 1to1 Meetings

4/3/2023
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

Duration:00:04:29

35: Here’s To The Crazy Ones

3/27/2023
“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

Duration:00:37:49

Shorts: Say ‘No’ To Bad Meetings

3/22/2023
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/

Duration:00:03:05

Shorts: The Power of Acting ‘As If’

3/20/2023
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

Duration:00:02:50

Shorts: Failing Before Winning

3/15/2023
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

Duration:00:05:05

Shorts: Your ‘Stop-Doing’ List

3/13/2023
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

Duration:00:05:36

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