The Leaders in Strategy Podcast

The Power of Positioning: Learn how real competitive advantage isn't about outperforming competitors, but positioning your business to win before the fight even begins. Strategic Intelligence & Focus: Use the Strategic Intelligence Map and Strategic Focus Audit to gain clarity, identify true strengths, and eliminate resource-draining noise. Navigating Competition Smarter: Discover 6 strategic...

In this season finale of the Sun-Tzu mini-series, our host Mike brings nine episodes of wisdom together into a practical playbook. This episode translates the ancient text into a straightforward decision-making system you can put into practice straight away. You will also get a simple 10-minute weekly strategic audit to run with your team, along with a fresh look at why The Art of War is best unde...

In Part 9 of "Sun Tzu and the Art of Business," we tackle the 10 most frequently asked questions from business leaders about applying Sun Tzu's ancient strategic wisdom to modern business challenges. Today, you'll discover why business strategy today isn't about fighting harder (it's about positioning better), managing information ethically, building strategic leverage, and mastering executive psy...

In this episode of the Leaders in Strategy podcast, Mike and his group of guest experts unpack the defining operational, economic, and technological challenges facing business leaders in 2026. From mastering AI implementation to protecting cash flow and targeting profitable Ideal Customer Profiles (ICPs), we 're having a practical discussion that provides actionable frameworks to convert market di...

Scaling a business requires a clear balance of strategic vision, optimised operations, and practical execution. This week we're taking a break from Sun Tzu  & in the latest episode  we round-up some of the top tips from Season four.  Our industry experts share their best actionable advice on marketing alignment, customer journey mapping, technical SEO, leadership models, and integrating AI int...

In this episode of our Sun Tzu & The Art of War mini-series, we dive into the internal game of strategy, looking at composure, ego, fear, and decision-making under pressure. Have you ever realised that great strategies rarely fail on paper, but they fail in practice when emotions take over? Today we are learning how to stop ego and fear from distorting your business decisions, discover why cle...

Execution means nothing without good timing. In this installment of our Sun Tzu series, we analyse how ancient military principles apply to modern business operations, specifically around knowing when to launch an initiative, when to hold back, and how to build momentum in uncertain conditions. If you have ever launched a product too early or hesitated on a decision until the opportunity passed, t...

Is Sun Tzu’s The Art of War still relevant for modern business leaders, or is it completely out of touch with today's collaborative work culture? In this impromptu episode of our Sun Tzu and The Art of War mini-series, we address a critical piece of viewer feedback: why ancient battle strategies often fail to connect in modern boardrooms. We dive into the branding problem surrounding warlike leade...

What if the smartest strategy in business is not to compete directly at all? In this episode of our Sun Tzu: The Art of War mini-series, we dive into one of history’s most famous strategic principles: "Winning Without Fighting." Discover how to change the rules of the game so you no longer have to fight on standard terms. Learn how to move away from price wars and long sales cycles using three pow...

Are you failing because you’re not doing enough or because you’re doing too much? Welcome back to our mini-series Sun Tzu and The Art of War. In this episode, Mike dives deep into one of the most destructive traps in modern business... Strategic Overload. By translating Sun Tzu’s ancient military wisdom on the "cost of prolonged conflict" into a practical toolkit, Mike explains why true strategic...

Most business leaders think winning is about working harder and selling more. But what if the secret to sustainable growth isn't doing more but thinking differently before you act? In Episode 3 of our Art of War mini-series, we translate Sun Tzu’s timeless principles into a practical framework for modern business. We dive deep into why most strategies fail and how to bridge the dangerous gap betwe...

Most businesses think they lose opportunities because of a poor pitch, a weak proposal, or stronger competition. The reality? Most deals are won or lost long before the meeting ever takes place. In this episode of the Art of War series, you will get an insight into what content becoming a member of our Patreon community can give you, while we explore one of Sun Tzu's most powerful strategic princi...

Are you tired of throwing money at marketing campaigns that just don’t deliver? You aren't alone. In this episode of Leaders in Strategy, we tackle the real fears, industry distrust, and overwhelm that business owners face when trying to scale online. We are joined by Jess Williams, Director of Design in the Shires, a website and digital marketing expert who handles our very own website. We dive d...

Most leaders think strategy is about working harder, selling more, or outperforming the competition. But what if the best leaders don't win because they do more, but because they think differently before they ever act? Welcome to the first episode of our exclusive mini-series diving deep into Sun Tzu’s The Art of War and translating its ancient wisdom into modern business realities. In this episod...

Unlock the secrets to effective strategy, goal setting, and business growth. Today, we dive deep into our recent guests, showcasing their range of knowledge on how to transform your vision into reality, navigate the complexities of digital marketing, and leverage cutting-edge tools like AI to drive their success. Whether you're a seasoned leader or just starting out, this episode provides bite-siz...

Most business leaders know they need to adopt AI to stay competitive, but very few understand how to integrate it without getting generic, cheap results. In this episode, Mike Harris is joined by Oli Wood, an AI and automation expert and entrepreneur, to tackle the massive challenges and opportunities that AI brings to business leadership. They discuss why off-the-shelf software often falls short...

What are the biggest challenges business leaders are facing right now? In this special Patreon insight episode, Mike Harris answers 10 real questions submitted by business owners, professionals, and leaders from the Leaders in Strategy community. The discussion covers leadership, AI, customer retention, LinkedIn strategy, business planning, and how to make better decisions in uncertain markets. Mi...

Most businesses say they want to upgrade their operations, but few know how to make improvement a regular part of their daily work. In this episode, Mike Harris is joined by Dave Stubberfield, an award-winning expert in customer experience and continuous improvement, to talk about why they should be an inbuilt part of your business and become part of how your company operates every day. They discu...

When businesses become overwhelmed, reactive or uncertain, the problem is not always productivity. Often, it’s a lack of strategic clarity. In this episode, Mike Harris explores the moments when strategy stops being something businesses can put off and becomes essential for sustainable growth. From slowing sales and shrinking profit margins, to overwhelmed teams, increased competition and uncertai...

Most businesses are marketing constantly. Few stop to ask whether their marketing strategy actually supports the wider goals of the business. In this episode, we sit down with marketing strategist, presenter and LinkedIn expert Gus Bhandal, founder of The M Guru, to explore how businesses can use digital marketing more effectively to build relationships, strengthen their brand and attract more cus...

Most businesses focus heavily on winning new customers. Yet the real opportunity for growth often sits with the customers you already have. In this episode, we break down why client retention is one of the most powerful drivers of profitability, loyalty and long-term success. While acquisition plays a role, retention is what builds a stable and scalable business. The numbers are clear. It can cost...

Most business strategies fail for one simple reason. Lack of clarity. In this episode, I share the exact checklist I use when assessing businesses and their strategy. It’s a framework that forces clarity, challenges assumptions and creates consistency across the organisation. This isn’t theory. It’s the same approach used to help businesses sharpen their direction, make better decisions and unlock...

AI is everywhere right now. But what does it actually mean for your business? In this episode, we break down one of the biggest challenges facing business owners and leaders in 2026: artificial intelligence. Not the hype. Not the headlines. The reality of how AI is already shaping business strategy, decision-making and growth. I’m joined by Oli Wood, Co-Founder of ExposeIQ and Founder of Revived L...