The High Performance Leader

In this episode, host Jimmy Burroughes tackles a challenge every leader eventually faces: how to get things done when you have no formal authority. Using a kayaking analogy, he introduces the BRIDGE model, a practical framework for building influence with people who don't report to you. From project managers navigating a restructure to cross-functional team leads, he breaks down exactly how to ear...

In this episode, host Jimmy Burroughes challenges the assumption that engagement programmes fix execution problems. Using a naval navigation analogy, he introduces the ROLES framework, a conversation tool that turns vague job descriptions into concrete decision rights. He walks through how to use it to push decisions down safely, reduce escalation, and free up senior leaders' time, backed by two r...

In this final episode of the mini-series, host Jimmy Burroughes covers the piece most leaders never make time for: the reset. Building on mindset and toolset, he explains why pausing to check your course is what separates leaders who survive from those who thrive. Using a military metaphor about drowning, treading water, and swimming, he introduces the stop-start-continue framework, applied to bot...

In this second episode of the mini-series, host Jimmy Burroughes examines a trap that keeps capable leaders stuck: carrying tools and habits that once made them successful but now weigh them down. Through a story from Afghanistan and the leadership backpack metaphor, he explains why the best leaders regularly audit their toolkit, and why letting go is the harder but more essential leadership skill...

In this first episode of a three-part mini-series, host Jimmy Burroughes explores the most overlooked aspect of leadership: energy. Before diving into frameworks or time hacks, he looks at the foundational layer that determines whether your leadership efforts sink or soar. Drawing on neuroscience, military experience, and Microsoft's cultural shift under Satya Nadella, he unpacks why your energy a...

In this episode, host Jimmy Burroughes explores why 77% of companies still don't have ready successors despite billions spent on leadership development. He dives into the belief-behaviour gap, the hidden reason most leadership programmes fail to create lasting change, and shows how surfacing and challenging your core beliefs is what makes new habits actually stick. Free Digital Asset: Are You the...

In this episode, host Jimmy Burroughes breaks down the three biggest challenges senior managers face as they move into managing managers, and none of them come down to having too much to do. He unpacks altitude switching, task switching and functional switching, the hidden cognitive costs that quietly drain performance without you noticing. Using a Fortune 500 CEO case study and his own military e...

Struggling to scale your business in a challenging market? In this episode of The High Performance Leader, discover how managers can harness emotional understanding and innovation to drive growth, even when conditions are tough. Explore the importance of connecting with customers, leveraging AI, and seeking inspiration beyond your own industry to create sustainable success. What you will learn Und...

In this episode, host Jimmy Burroughes introduces a practical framework for understanding and building trust in leadership relationships. Using his experience as a scuba diver as an analogy, he presents the CARE model, a systematic way to measure and develop trust across four distinct levels, from surface-level professional interactions through to deep emotional trust. It gives you a simple way to...

In this episode, host Jimmy Burroughes tackles one of the most common leadership frustrations: managing up when your boss won't give you clear direction. He unpacks the trap of waiting for clarity, and reveals the shift that the top 1% of leaders make instead, testing bold assumptions rather than chasing approval. It's a practical way to build trust and momentum even when direction is unclear, lea...

In this episode, host Jimmy Burroughes reveals the subtle but important difference between leaders who get recognised and those who remain invisible, despite doing equally valuable work. He explores how the way you communicate your achievements shapes your career trajectory, and introduces the PVC model as a way to see your own impact more clearly. It's a shift from reporting tasks completed to re...

In this episode, Jimmy Burroughes and Paul Teasdale discuss the significant differences between managers and leaders. They explain that being a manager is about doing tasks right now while being a leader is about looking ahead and supporting long-term goals. They discuss how people can learn to be better leaders and warn about what can happen if companies don’t help their leaders learn and grow. T...

Ever feel like you’re always busy but not getting much done? In this episode, host Jimmy Burroughes explores multitasking and its effect on how well we work. We look at three ways people multitask and how recent insights challenge this widespread notion and suggest that the key to true productivity lies not in doing more but somewhat less – at least at once. This is where the concept of monotaskin...

In this episode, Productivity Coach Juli Shulem shares her expertise on navigating productivity challenges in the workplace, particularly for individuals with ADHD. Armed with her knowledge and background in industrial organizational psychology, Juli discusses how she transitioned from professional organizing to coaching, emphasizing the effectiveness of coaching over consulting.    Juli...

How can leaders navigate the cycle of overwhelm and implement actionable strategies to break free from it, ultimately achieving a more significant impact? Tune in to this week’s episode of The High Performance Leader with your host, Jimmy Burroughes, as he discusses the detrimental effects of burnout caused by overwhelming workloads. He also highlights the importance of aligning accountability wit...

In this week’s episode, host Jimmy Burroughes is joined by the founder of MileZero consultancy, Robyn Bolton. They explore the intricacies of innovation and leadership. Robyn shares her expertise in helping leaders navigate the complexities of innovation to drive growth and revenue confidently. She highlights the importance of challenging conventional instincts when it comes to innovation and...

In this episode, host Jimmy Burroughes explores the concept of "preparation to perform" and its impact on productivity and success. Contrary to the hustle culture mindset of working harder and longer, he emphasizes the importance of strategic focus and effective utilization of time. Drawing from examples in sports and corporate settings, he demonstrates how taking intentional breaks and prioritizi...

In this week’s episode, we dive into culture transformation with Andrea Duncan, GM Culture Capability and Performance at Kiwi Bank. Andrea shares insights into how Kiwi Bank redefined its culture to align with its purpose, focusing on three key areas: supporting youth financial education, enabling financial security for Kiwis, and promoting sustainability in businesses. Tune in to discover the art...

In this episode, Jimmy talks about identity and how it's tied to our jobs and roles. He explains why knowing our role's purpose is crucial and how not knowing it can cause an identity crisis. Jimmy shares stories of leaders who struggle to move on from their old roles, affecting their teams. He also touches on the identity crisis that can hit when careers end. Jimmy suggests ways to deal with this...

In this episode of The High Performance Leader, host Jimmy Burroughes is joined by Andrew Barry, CEO of Curious Lion, to explore the challenges and opportunities in high-performance leadership. They discuss the necessity for leaders to adapt to uncertain environments, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and developing elite cognition skills.   Andrew shares insights on how leade...

In this episode, host Jimmy Burroughes delves into the concept of the "knowing-doing gap" and its impact on leadership and team performance. The gap arises when individuals and teams possess knowledge about what's right but struggle to align their actions with that knowledge. He explores the reasons behind this misalignment, emphasizing the need for effective prioritization and alignment of person...

In this week’s episode, host Jimmy Burroughes engages in a compelling conversation with Carl J Cox, CEO of 40 Strategy, delving into the intricacies of strategic leadership and operational excellence. Unlock the secrets to evolving from an operations-focused mindset to one of visionary leadership, and grasp the essence of strategic versus tactical thinking. Carl, with his ascent from CPA to CEO, d...

In this week’s episode, I am joined by Allison Ness, a Global People and Culture Consultant and an experienced Transformational Change Leader known for leading organisational change in complex and fast-paced organisations. Allison leads the execution of future-proofed people strategies focused on transforming leadership, culture, and capability to create business resilience and differentiation. Th...

In this week’s episode, I am joined by the CEO of Mission Control, Ben Ford. He shares his journey from disciplined military life to the forefront of technology innovation. We cover the transformational strategies of bringing military precision to business decision-making, the value of 'social technology' in managing tech complexities, and how leaders can champion a high-performance culture withou...

Have you ever felt the need for change but were unsure where to start? In this episode, Jimmy explores the transformative power of the C8 Change Framework, breaking down the key steps needed for personal and organizational change. This episode is a journey from introspection to action, exploring the critical steps needed for personal and team success. Whether you're looking to overhaul your life o...