Battling with Business

In the latest episode of Battling with Business, Chris and Gareth explore the organisational lifecycle, unpacking the challenges businesses face as they grow from agile start-ups to established, mature organisations. This insightful discussion highlights the need for evolving leadership traits, innovative strategies, and adaptability to thrive in competitive markets. Key topics include: The Griner...

In this episode of 'Battling with Business', Chris and Gareth take a deep dive into the "Ends, Ways, and Means" framework, examining its essential role in strategic planning, communication, and leadership across both military and civilian contexts. The discussion highlights how this tripartite approach serves as a vital tool for achieving complex objectives and enabling effective decision-making....

In this episode of the podcast, Chris discusses the importance of focus in teamwork and leadership. He shares a personal experience that led him to consider the significance of focus in achieving success. Chris plans to explore this topic further in future episodes, examining its implications for teams, leaders, and businesses. He emphasises the need for individuals and organisations to direct the...

In this episode of Battling with Business, as part of our popular monthly Influencers Series, we explore the powerful leadership and crisis management strategies that defined the historic Apollo 13 mission recovery. This episode spotlights two key figures: Gene Kranz, NASA’s Flight Director, and Jim Lovell, the mission commander of Apollo 13, both of whom were instrumental in bringing the crew saf...

In Episode 2 of the Battling with Business Halloween special, Chris and Gareth continue their thought experiment of crafting the ultimate leader by combining traits from some of history’s most influential leaders. After recapping their choices from the last episode—including Winston Churchill, Elon Musk, Steve Jobs, and Jackie Fisher for vision; Eisenhower, Machiavelli, and John Boyd for strategic...

As Halloween approaches, they muse on what it would take to build a "Frankenstein’s monster" of a leader—combining the best (and sometimes questionable) traits from history’s most notable figures. In this first part, of a 2 part series, Chris and Gareth tackle the intriguing challenge of defining great leadership. They dive into the traits that set exceptional leaders apart, exploring why identify...

In this thought-provoking episode of Battling with Business, Gareth engages in a compelling conversation with former Royal Marine and seasoned actor, Tip Cullen. With over 30 years of experience as a Mountain Leader, Tip’s military career spans elite operations in forward reconnaissance and instructing in some of the world's most extreme mountainous and cold weather environments. As Gareth’s forme...

In this engaging episode of Battling with Business, Chris and Gareth take a deep dive into the life, philosophy, and legacy of one of history's most influential and controversial thinkers—Niccolò Machiavelli. This instalment in their Influencers Series brings Machiavelli's ideas to life as Gareth sets the historical context behind his most famous works, such as The Prince, and explains how his con...

In this engaging episode of Battling with Business, hosts Chris and Gareth have an insightful conversation with renowned personal development consultant Keith Reesby. The episode delves into the transformative impact of reflective practice, exploring how self-reflection can foster personal growth and strengthen resilience. Keith shares expert advice on how setting realistic and, more importantly,...

In this insightful episode of the Battling with Business podcast, hosts Chris and Gareth continue their exploration of stress management, building on themes discussed in a previous episode. They dive deep into the impact of stress on both individuals and teams, highlighting how unmanaged stress can affect mental health, productivity, and overall workplace dynamics. The episode unpacks the differen...

Are you better at judgment than a model of you?  In this episode of Battling with Business, Gareth and Chris dive deep into the world of data-driven decision-making with renowned expert Doug Hubbard, author of the popular series of books How to Measure Anything. Doug shares ground-breaking insights on how businesses can revolutionise their approach to project management by focusing on what truly m...

In this episode of "Battling with Business,"  Chris and Gareth are joined by the insightful and knowledgeable Ben Ford from Mission Ctrl, who provides a thorough exploration of complexity in modern business and strategy. Ben’s expertise is evident as he delves into key themes such as the OODA loop (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act) framework, developed by military strategist John Boyd, and its signifi...

In this episode of the "Battling with Business" podcast, hosts Chris and Gareth take a deep dive into the life, leadership, and legacy of one of the most prominent and controversial British Prime Ministers, Margaret Thatcher. Known as the "Iron Lady," Thatcher’s policies and leadership style had a profound impact on British politics, society, and the global stage. Chris and Gareth examine her rise...

In this episode of the Battling with Business podcast, hosts Chris and Gareth delve into the pervasive issue of workplace stress, a topic that is increasingly pertinent in today's fast-paced and demanding work environments. They begin by challenging the common perception that stress is always harmful, exploring whether there are circumstances where stress can actually act as a positive, motivating...

In this episode of "Battling with Business," hosts Chris and Gareth dive deep into Bruce Tuckman's widely recognized team development model, focusing on his five-stage group formation theory. They discuss the Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing, and Adjourning stages, providing real-world examples and actionable insights from their extensive backgrounds in both the military and business sectors...

Chris introduces the concept of a 'personal narrative', the individual perspectives people have that when aligned create good working relationships.  But when misunderstood,  can create conflict, confusion, and inefficient communication.  Gareth and Chris discuss the role of empathy, communication, and empowerment in developing great working relationships. 

There are few people who achieve greatness and leave a lasting impression on the world after they die.  To do it twice in two completely unrelated fields is truly remarkable.  Leonard Cheshire, a decorated pilot, commander, philanthropist, and charity worker.  In the second of our Influencers series, we try to unpack the extraordinary life of Leonard Cheshire and try to understand what made him so...

In this episode, we are privileged to be joined by Dr. Waitman Wade Beorn.  He is an author and historian and one of the preeminent academic experts on the Holocaust and the events that led up to the most heinous and barbaric episodes in human history.  He is also a previous Tank Commander from the US Cavalry and as such has a tactical appreciation of small team management. In this facinating disc...

In this rerelease of episode 64 of "Battling with Business," hosts Chris and Gareth dive into the exhilarating world of fast jets with special guest Paul Tremelling, a former Royal Navy Harrier and F18A Super Hornet Pilot and author of the acclaimed book 'How to be a Fighter Pilot.' The conversation delves deep into the intricate balance between leadership, risk management, and mission success wit...

In this episode of "Battling with Business," hosts Chris and Gareth delve into the intriguing history of Colditz Castle. Known for its role during World War II, Colditz Castle was used by the Germans as a high-security prisoner-of-war camp. The castle's reputation as an escape-proof fortress and the daring escape attempts by Allied prisoners are central themes of the discussion. Chris and Gareth e...

In this episode of "Battling with Business," Chris and Gareth delve into the realm of political leadership, particularly in the wake of last week's general election. They provide a comprehensive analysis of the leadership styles and approaches of key political figures: Labour's Sir Keir Starmer, Conservative's Rishi Sunak, Reform UK's Nigel Farage, and Liberal Democrat's Ed Davey. The discussion f...

In this latest episode of "Battling with Business," Chris and Gareth take listeners on the road as they visit Peenemünde in northern Germany. The episode captures their reflections from various locations, including the car on the autobahn, the grounds of the Peenemünde site, and inside some of its buildings. Chris and Gareth delve into the dark history of the German 'Wonder Weapons' programs, high...

In the latest episode of the "Battling with Business" podcast, Chris and Gareth delve into the life and legacy of Mahatma Gandhi as part of their Influencers series. They aim to understand what made Gandhi such a significant leader and draw contemporary lessons from his approach. Throughout the episode, Chris and Gareth examine how Gandhi’s deep-seated beliefs and values fuelled the profound chang...

In this episode of 'Battling with Business,' hosts Chris and Gareth delve into the topic of leadership philosophies. They begin by defining what a leadership philosophy is and discussing the importance of creating one. The conversation then turns to their individual philosophies. Chris outlines a series of guiding principles that form his philosophy, while Gareth breaks his down into three compone...

In this episode of 'Battling with Business,' hosts Chris and Gareth delve into the complex and impactful topic of toxic leadership. They start by defining what constitutes toxic leadership, emphasising behaviours and traits that undermine, exploit, and harm organisations and individuals. The discussion then shifts to the "dark triad" of personality traits; narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychop...