Battling with Business

Episode 96 - Influencers #16 Gene Kranz & Jim Lovell, leading Apollo 13

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 safely home after a catastrophic malfunction in space.
We take an in-depth look at the unique leadership approaches of Kranz and Lovell, examining how their military backgrounds and distinct personalities shaped their decision-making and crisis response under intense pressure. This discussion includes an exploration of the "Kranz Dictum," the now-famous declaration that “failure is not an option,” which encapsulates Kranz’s commitment to resilience and excellence. This principle has since become a defining feature of NASA's culture, symbolizing a dedication to teamwork, perseverance, and mission success in the face of overwhelming odds.
Jim Lovell’s calm, steady leadership style played a critical role aboard Apollo 13, balancing Kranz’s intensity with composure as he guided the crew through life-threatening challenges in space. Together, Lovell’s and Kranz’s contrasting but complementary leadership styles provide valuable insights into crisis management, resilience, and the power of trust and collaboration when facing high-stakes situations.
This episode reveals powerful lessons for today’s leaders, from cultivating a failure-resistant mindset to leveraging diverse approaches to problem-solving. Listeners will gain inspiration from Kranz and Lovell’s legacy and learn actionable insights on leadership, teamwork, and adaptability in crisis management.

Episode 95 - Halloween special part II - Frankenstein's monster continues

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 thinking; Erwin Rommel, Paddy Mayne, and Alistair Campbell for tactical expertise; and Dolly Parton and Martin Luther King Jr. for charisma—they turn their attention to two new leadership qualities: innovation and team-building.
For innovation, the hosts dive into the legacies of Elon Musk, Steve Jobs, and Tim Berners-Lee, debating whether the visionary brilliance of a leader can be separated from their controversial traits. Shifting to team-building, they spotlight General Stan McChrystal as an exemplary leader who excels at uniting and motivating teams.
This episode then explores essential soft skills for leaders, including empathy, integrity, emotional intelligence, and resilience. Gareth shares a personal story about Lt. Col. Ollie Lee, a friend who exemplifies integrity in leadership, demonstrating how character-driven qualities can foster respect and inspire trust.
By analysing traits from historic figures, Chris and Gareth dissect the blend of hard and soft skills required for effective leadership, debating how vision, strategic insight, and personal character all come together to shape truly impactful leaders. Tune into Battling with Business for an insightful look at the essential leadership qualities every business leader can learn from!

Episode 94 - Halloween Special - building Dr Frankensteins leadership monster - Part 1

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 identifying and cultivating such talent can be so elusive. 
They explore the role of charisma, using Adolf Hitler and Boris Johnson as cautionary examples, while celebrating Dolly Parton’s unique balance of charm and respect across the spectrum. Chris and Gareth look into what makes charisma both powerful and dangerous if left unchecked by vision, strategy, and tactical skills.
As they compare incremental versus radical innovation, the hosts pull from examples like the British cycling team’s “marginal gains” approach and Elon Musk’s transformative ventures, debating which qualities leaders need to be both adaptable and forward-thinking. They take on the concept of context in leadership by discussing figures like Erwin Rommel and Jackie Fisher—asking, would they be as successful outside their times?
From building adaptable leaders who blend tactical and strategic skills to analysing how radical innovators like Steve Jobs and Winston Churchill reshaped their fields, Chris and Gareth challenge traditional views. They conclude with a call for leaders who are not just visionaries but tacticians and innovators—ready for whatever the future brings.
Catch this episode to hear more on charisma, strategy, and the dynamic balance between incremental and radical change in leadership!

Episode 93 - A chat with Royal Marine turned actor, Tip Cullen

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 former Sergeant Major during basic training, their connection brings a personal dimension to the discussion.
The episode explores the profound role of storytelling in leadership, both in high-stakes military scenarios and within the civilian workforce. Tip sheds light on how storytelling can inspire, motivate, and create lasting impact in teams and organizations. He also dives into his current work with veterans, using the transformative power of acting and storytelling to help them rediscover joy, purpose, and positive energy as they transition into civilian life.
Tune in to learn how the art of storytelling is not just a leadership tool, but a bridge to personal growth and resilience. This conversation is packed with insights for leaders, veterans, and anyone seeking to harness the power of narrative to drive change.
 

Episode 92 - Influencers #15 - Niccolò Machiavelli, good or bad?

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 concepts have shaped leadership, politics, and philosophy over centuries.
The conversation takes an intriguing turn as Chris and Gareth explore one of the central questions surrounding Machiavelli: Was he a force for good or bad? They tackle the complex and often misunderstood notion of being "Machiavellian," discussing whether this term is still relevant in today’s leadership landscape. Chris uses a compelling series of Machiavelli’s quotes to challenge modern leaders to rethink how they approach power, ethics, and decision-making. Meanwhile, Gareth delves into key Machiavellian concepts such as realpolitik, strategic deception, and the balance between virtue and pragmatism. He explores how these ideas continue to influence contemporary leadership, politics, and even corporate strategy.
This episode isn’t just about history—it’s a thought-provoking exploration of how ancient wisdom applies to modern leadership. Whether you're a business leader, strategist, or history enthusiast, this episode promises to deliver actionable insights and fresh perspectives on power, virtue, and success in today’s complex world.

Episode 91 - Setting good habits - Reflective practice and building resilience with Keith Reesby

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, meaningful goals can help individuals—particularly children and young adults—develop healthy habits that lead to long-term success.
A key focus of the episode is the role of Stoic Philosophy in providing a foundation for self-reflection and resilience. Keith explains how this ancient philosophy equips individuals to handle life’s challenges with calm and control. He shares powerful strategies for adopting a Stoic mindset, preparing for adversity by considering worst-case scenarios—a method that helps build emotional fortitude before a crisis occurs.
Listeners will also enjoy Keith and Gareth sharing captivating “war stories” from their own experiences, where resilience was tested and strengthened. These real-life anecdotes not only bring excitement to the discussion but also offer practical examples of how reflecting on potential challenges can develop mental toughness and resilience in both everyday life and high-pressure situations.
Whether you’re a parent seeking to instil valuable life lessons in your children, a leader aiming to nurture resilience in your team, or someone looking for personal development strategies, this episode is full of actionable insights. Tune in for an engaging discussion blending Stoic wisdom, goal-setting approaches, and practical advice on building lifelong resilience.

Episode 89 - Leaders and stress management - act now before it too late!

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 different ways stress manifests in the workplace, from individual burnout to team-wide inefficiencies. Chris and Gareth emphasize the critical role that both employees and leaders play in managing stress effectively. For individuals, the focus is on personal coping strategies such as mindfulness, time management, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. For leaders, they explore techniques to support teams, such as fostering open communication, promoting mental health awareness, and creating a resilient workplace culture.
Listeners will gain actionable insights into stress management from both individual and leadership perspectives, helping them to better navigate high-pressure environments. Whether you're an employee feeling overwhelmed or a leader striving to support your team, this episode provides practical advice on reducing stress and improving performance in business settings.
Key themes include:
The psychological and physical effects of stress on the individual
How team performance suffers under high stress
Coping mechanisms for individuals: mindfulness, exercise, and time management
Leadership strategies for reducing team stress: communication, resilience-building, and supportive environments
How effective stress management leads to improved business outcomes
Tune in for this in-depth conversation on stress in the workplace, designed to help both individuals and leaders take control of stress and foster a healthier, more productive working environment.

Episode 90 - Measurement and risk management with Doug Hubbard

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 matters: measuring the right variables and embracing quantitative models over flawed human intuition.
Doug explains how simple yet powerful tools like Monte Carlo simulations can outpace even the most seasoned experts in forecasting outcomes—whether in project management, sports predictions, or investment strategies. He highlights the common pitfalls of human judgment, such as inconsistency, selective memory, and overconfidence, which often lead to poor decision-making. By adopting scientifically proven methods, businesses can overcome these challenges and dramatically improve their results.
One of the key takeaways from this episode is Doug’s emphasis on measuring uncertainty in project benefits, rather than just focusing on costs. Many organizations fall into the trap of measuring what’s easy rather than what’s valuable. Doug shows that by focusing on the right metrics, businesses can unlock untapped potential and improve performance in ways that standard project management techniques have failed to deliver.
The conversation also explores the exciting future of AI and human-AI collaboration in project management. Doug argues that while AI can surpass human decision-making in certain areas, it should be viewed as a powerful tool to augment human expertise. From running simulations to testing decision-making models, AI has the potential to enhance forecasting, reduce risk, and help leaders make better-informed decisions in complex projects.
Listeners will come away with a fresh perspective on decision-making, armed with practical strategies to implement data-driven methods that can lead to measurable improvements in project outcomes. This episode is a must-listen for business leaders, project managers, and anyone looking to embrace a more scientific approach to solving real-world challenges.

Episode 88 - Complexity, OODA Loops and Large Language Models with Ben Ford at Mission Ctrl

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 significance in navigating decision-making in complex, fast-moving environments.
Throughout the discussion, Ben demonstrates a deep understanding of the role of Large Language Models (LLMs), and how these advanced AI tools are transforming business processes and enhancing decision-making. His insights into the integration of technical skills with strategic thinking offer valuable perspectives for business leaders seeking to adapt to the evolving challenges of complexity.
Ben’s thoughtful contributions guide listeners through the practical applications of OODA loops, the strategic importance of LLMs, and the crucial balance between technical expertise and strategic understanding for thriving in today’s dynamic business landscape. His wealth of knowledge across these topics makes this episode a must-listen for professionals interested in business strategy, complexity theory, and the transformative potential of AI in business.

Episode 87 - Influencers 14 - Margaret Thatcher

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 to power, detailing her journey as the first female Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and the factors that made her a formidable leader. They discuss key moments in her career, such as her approach to economic reform, the privatization of national industries, and the controversial "Thatcherism" ideology that reshaped Britain's economy.
The episode also covers her leadership during significant historical events, such as the Falklands War, and her firm stance on Cold War politics, which solidified her place in global diplomacy. Chris and Gareth don’t shy away from the contentious aspects of Thatcher's legacy, analysing the social and economic divisions her policies caused and why she remains a polarizing figure in British history.
Listeners will gain insights into the attributes that made Margaret Thatcher an influential, albeit divisive, leader. From her unyielding determination to her visionary approach to governance, Chris and Gareth offer a comprehensive look at how Thatcher’s leadership style has influenced modern political discourse.
Tune in to this episode of "Battling with Business" to understand the complex legacy of Margaret Thatcher, and the leadership lessons that can still be applied in business and politics today.