The Leaders in Strategy Podcast

Most business plans are written once, filed away, and quietly forgotten. That’s usually where the problems begin. Markets change. Competitors adapt. Technology moves faster than expected. And before long, the plan you’re working on no longer reflects the business you’re actually running. In this episode of the Leaders in Strategy podcast, we explore why reviewing your business plan is not a tick-b...

Join us for a special New Year episode of the Leaders and Strategy podcast, where we dive into hopes, aspirations, and bold visions for 2026! 🎉 In this episode, host Mike Harris is joined by award-winning business leaders Sian Brennan and Jeevan Punj as they discuss their New Year's resolutions, leadership lessons from the past year, and the importance of confidence and collaboration in business....

As the year draws to a close, this Christmas special episode takes a step back to reflect on something that often gets overlooked in leadership and business: your values. In a world of constant pressure, short-term decision-making, and commercial targets, it's easy to treat values as words on a wall rather than the foundation they are meant to be. But do values still matter in modern leadership, a...

Starting a business is one thing. Growing it into something successful is another. At the Festival of Entrepreneurs 2025, we asked founders, CEOs and industry leaders one simple question: What advice would you give to the next generation of entrepreneurs? The answers were honest, practical and often brutally real. In this episode, you’ll hear insights from people who have already built, scaled and...

Business strategy is never as simple as the textbooks make it sound. Every company grows differently, and there is no universal playbook that guarantees success. That's why the smartest leaders learn from those who have already been through the journey. At the 2025 Festival of Entrepreneurs, I asked some of the most experienced founders, leaders and investors one question that matters more than an...

Running a business has never been harder. Every leader is dealing with uncertainty. No rulebook. No blueprint. Just decisions that shape the future of their business. At the Festival of Entrepreneurs 2025, we asked some of the best minds in business one simple question: "What is the biggest challenge facing business leaders today?" Featuring former Defence Secretary Sir Liam Fox alongside founders...

We hear it all the time, “people are your greatest asset”, but is it actually true? In this episode, I challenge one of the most overused clichés in leadership and business, and break down the real thinking behind why this phrase is more misleading than helpful. I explore the origins of the saying, why it has become lazy thinking for many leaders, and what you should be focusing on instead if you...

Most business owners think they have a strategy. But in reality, they only have a plan. In this episode, we explore what real business strategy looks like through the eyes of successful entrepreneurs and leaders who have actually built and scaled thriving businesses. Strategy is the foundation of growth, but every leader defines and applies it differently. Over the past year, I’ve asked every gues...

Think you know what it takes to be a great leader? In this episode, I bust the top 10 leadership myths that hold many managers and business owners back. From misconceptions about charisma, extroversion, and fearlessness to the idea that a leader is always the smartest person in the room, these myths stop teams from reaching their full potential. Discover what really matters in leadership, why some...

What does it really take to be a successful entrepreneur? To coincide with the Festival of Entrepreneurs event, we’ve compiled the top 10 most important lessons for building and growing a business, drawing on insights from past guests and my own experiences. Learn what separates founders who thrive from those who struggle. From mindset and confidence to structure, personal branding, and thinking d...

Scaling a business is one of the toughest challenges a leader can face. In this episode, I sit down with Paul Hetherington, an experienced Non-Executive Director and Vistage leader, to explore the different types of support available to business leaders and how to decide which is right for you. We dive into the roles of Non-Executive Directors, coaches, and business advisers, uncovering the unique...

Most businesses fail not because of a lack of effort but because they underestimate the obstacles in their path. In this episode, we dive into the key challenges every business faces, from staffing and cash flow to maintaining culture and sustainable growth, and show how to anticipate them before they derail your strategy. Learn how to spot the obstacles that could silently sabotage your business,...

Scaling a business is tough, and self-belief is often what separates those who thrive from those who struggle. In this episode, award-winning business owner and confidence coach Sian Brennan-Todd shares how to build genuine confidence, improve your outlook, and tackle challenges head-on. From mastering public speaking to embracing failure and taking pride in who you are, Sian offers practical tips...

You can have the title, but if your team doesn’t want to follow you, are you really a leader? In this episode of Leaders in Strategy Podcast, I break down the 10 essential traits that separate good leaders from great ones. From being visionary and strategic to relatable and inspiring, learn the steps that have shaped my leadership journey and can transform your team’s performance. --------- #Leade...

Award-winning branding expert Sapna Pieroux, author of Let’s Get Visible, shows how you can leverage your personal brand to stand out in business, strengthen your influence and create credibility that fuels growth for you and your team. From building your employees’ personal brands to understanding the difference between personal and business branding, Sapna shares actionable strategies that every...

Most businesses compete blindly because they haven’t defined their competitive advantage. In this episode, I reveal the ONE competitive advantage that could double your turnover and profit in under a year. Discover how to leverage your strengths (i.e. your competitive advantage) to outperform competitors, identify what truly sets your business apart, and implement the 4 essential strategies that d...

Are you ready to scale your business and achieve extraordinary growth? In this episode, I sit down with Alex Chisnall, a top 1% global entrepreneur and podcast host, to discuss his top 10 proven strategies that helped him grow his #1-rated “Screw It Just Do It” podcast and advise clients around the world. From defining success and identifying the right clients, to building a trusted team and turni...

In this episode, I’m asking the question that 99% of businesses fail to answer, and I’ll show you why getting it right could double your turnover and profit in less than a year. I break down what brand identity really means using a real life example, and how it affects every pitch, presentation, and client interaction you make. By the end of this session, you’ll understand how to define a brand th...

In this episode, I’m asking the question that 99% of businesses fail to answer, and I’ll show you why getting it right could double your turnover and profit in less than a year. I break down what brand identity really means using a real life example, and how it affects every pitch, presentation, and client interaction you make. By the end of this session, you’ll understand how to define a brand th...

Do you really know your brand? Is it helping you grow, or is it holding you back? In today’s episode, I’m joined by Sapna Pieroux, an award-winning brand expert and author of Let’s Get Visible. With over 30 years of experience building powerful brands for global giants like Sony, L'Oréal, and Mercedes, Sapna shares the essential branding advice every business leader needs to hear. Whether you’re b...

In today’s episode, I’m sharing 10 essential business tips that every leader should know, but you won’t hear them anywhere else. These are the real, actionable strategies that can transform your business and set you apart from the competition. From refining your vision to knowing your strengths and weaknesses, I walk you through the critical tips that can help you scale your business effectively....

In today’s episode, I’m sharing 10 essential business tips that every leader should know, but you won’t hear them anywhere else. These are the real, actionable strategies that can transform your business and set you apart from the competition. From refining your vision to knowing your strengths and weaknesses, I walk you through the critical tips that can help you scale your business effectively....

Leaders or managers – which one does your business really need to scale? This is a question that challenges many business owners and CEOs. In this episode, we dive deep into this very debate with Paul Hetherington, a seasoned business expert with nearly 30 years of experience. Who do you need most – leaders or managers? Who do you surround yourself with, and who do you employ to make the critical...

In today’s episode, I’m revealing one of the most powerful business tools that could transform the way you plan and grow your company: SWOT analysis. Whether you’re a startup founder or running an established business, this strategy is a game-changer. I walk you through a real-life example of how I used SWOT analysis with one of my clients, showing you exactly how to break down your business’s str...

In today’s episode, I’m revealing one of the most powerful business tools that could transform the way you plan and grow your company: SWOT analysis. Whether you’re a startup founder or running an established business, this strategy is a game-changer. I walk you through a real-life example of how I used SWOT analysis with one of my clients, showing you exactly how to break down your business’s str...