Better Under Pressure

By Sara Milne Rowe

In a world that’s becoming more complex and uncertain, learning how to channel pressure in a healthy way to turn it into a force for good is vital. How we deal with pressure in our personal and profes... more

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FAQs about Better Under Pressure:

How many episodes does Better Under Pressure have?

The podcast currently has 68 episodes available.

Better Under Pressure episodes:

May 25, 2023 #28 - Lee Georgs - A 1000 Different Pressures
In this episode, I am talking to Lee Georgs, Chief Operating Officer at Eighteen48 Partners, a London-based Private Investment Office serving families and endowments. She’s worked in the global financial services industry for almost three decades, starting in Private Banking and Wealth Management in New York with Citibank and JP Morgan. She moved overseas in 2006, to become Director of Global Accounts for RGP in Hong Kong, before ending up in London and M&A Project Management at Credit Suisse. She stepped into the COO role, first at Redington in 2017 (where she also served as Executive Board Director) and then, six years later, at Eighteen48 where she is now.
An Ambassador for The Diversity Project (the U.K.’s Investment Management Industry Diversity body), Lee is also an LGBT Great Ally as well as a volunteer with Speakers for Schools (an organization dedicated to encouraging young people to pursue careers in Financial Services) and GAIN (Girls are Investors).
In our conversation, Lee shares…
🔵 The importance of showing the messiness of life
🔵 What she learnt when she was 5 and how that still shows up for her.
🔵 And why - for Lee - it’s always about the people!

Outline📍
00:00 Intro
02:42 How do you experience pressure?
06:10 What is the relationship between pressure and guilt for you?
09:57 What produces pressure for you in your role now?
11:35 What’s the worst pressure you’ve ever experienced?
15:13 How did you overcome the need for permission to speak your mind?
21:45 Insight 1: Lessons learned
24:24 How do you combine your roles as a female role model, and successful working mum, to help you manage pressures?
28:55 How do you support team members who are visibly under pressure?
32:59 Do you intentionally create an environment in meetings that encourages people to share their thoughts and foster both formal and informal connections?
35:55 What is your relationship with pressure in terms of your own ambition?
43:19 Insight 2: Lessons learned
45:06 What 2 pieces of advice would you pass forward to be better under pressure?
50:32 Outro
...more
52min
May 11, 2023 #27 - DaeWha Kang - Surfing an Edge
In this episode, I’m talking to DaeWha Kang. Based in London, DaeWha is a Korean designer, architect, and artist with a passion for creating beauty and timelessness in his work.
In 2014, he founded DaeWha Kang Design, which has since taken on a wide range of projects, from the regeneration of a Christopher Wren church to a concert hall in central London, and even a fine arts museum in Saudi Arabia. Focusing on improving well-being through design, DaeWha's studio lives by the statement "beauty built with wisdom."
During our conversation, he also shares:
- What it’s like to lead a team when none of you know what you’re doing…
- The importance of finding your positive sparks
- And what made him get up rather than give up...

Outline📍
00:00 Intro
02:25 How do you experience pressure?
03:30 Can you remember when you first experienced pressure?
05:20 Do you still manage pressure the same way that you used to?
07:40 The “flow” of positive energy from pressure
10:37 Pressure and ambition
13:10 Balance between positive pressure and debilitating pressure
15:54 Highlight 1: Lessons learned
17:48 How do you distinguish “flow state” from negative pressure?
20:47 How do you remind yourself of your purpose?
21:52 Physical and mental rest
23:35 How do you spot negative pressure in your team?
26:12 Shared values while escalating your business
30:21 How do you use positive pressure as a driving force?
35:55 Are opportunities a result of your individual or group decision-making?
37:50 Can you recall a time when you felt the most pressure?
48:10 How do you lead others under pressure?
50:40 What 2 pieces of advice would you pass forward to be better under pressure?
...more
54min
April 27, 2023 #26 - Louise Hughes - Anticipate
In this episode, I’m talking to Louise Hughes, an experienced General Counsel, who has worked for over 20 years within the entertainment industry. She began her legal career at the leading law firm Wragge & Co (now Gowlings), moving to the legal team at Penguin Books Limited in 2003, where she worked for 13 years supporting the children and adults’ divisions in publishing, marketing and licensing.
Louise is currently Group General Counsel and a leadership team member at The Blair Partnership, a leading literary and entertainment agency, representing J.K. Rowling and the management of the Wizarding World franchise. Day to day, Louise is actively involved in developing business strategy, deal-making, operations, innovation and governance across The Blair Partnership, Pottermore, and associated companies.
Louise is also a mum of two, a keen runner, a dog lover, and a legal trustee on the Board of CLAPA (Cleft Lip and Palate Association).
During our conversation, she shares:
➡️ How her 11-year-old daughter pinpointed pressure for her.
➡️ What it’s like to be known as the Calm in the Storm,
➡️ And how being one of 11 children helps her under pressure.

Outline📍
00:00 Intro
02:38 When do you remember first experiencing pressure?
04:39 I can control the pressure better if I plan for it
05:40 How would you describe the emotional experience of anticipation?
09:40 What would you say has been your most challenging moment under pressure?
15:28 Craft an empowering narrative to reduce feelings of inadequacy.
16:56 Knowing my role turned the pressure into a powerful intention.
17:49 Insight 1: Lessons learned
20:18 How do you identify when pressure is negatively impacting your team?
22:23 How do you maintain your energy in pressure moments?
24:57 A routine that works for you
27:02 Do you ever get rocked out of calmness?
33:39 Acknowledging emotions without identifying with them to prevent their influence on us
37:02 Insight 2: Lessons learned
38:55 Do you believe that pressure for you is positive, growing, and evolving, and is important to have?
41:02 What is the initial indicator that pressure transforms into unproductive pressure?
42:38 What 2 pieces of advice would you pass forward to be better under pressure?

...more
47min
April 13, 2023#25 - Ben Ryan - Find the Trampolines
In this episode, I have an engaging conversation with Ben Ryan, the Director of Elite Performance at Brentford FC. With a background in teaching, professional rugby, and being the most successful men's rugby sevens coach in the world, Ben has a wealth of experience in handling pressure.
His book, Sevens Heaven, recounts his incredible journey coaching the under-resourced Fiji 7s team to their first-ever Olympic Gold in 2016. This achievement led to numerous accolades, including his face being featured on Fijian banknotes and coins, as well as being named a Fijian tribal chief.
During our discussion, Ben shares valuable insights on:
Recognising when others are feeling the pressure
The concept of "finding the trampolines" and what it means
How he had to make a life-changing decision in just 20 minutes
Outline📍
00:00 Intro
02:33 What does pressure mean to you?
04:14 Do you remember the first time you felt pressure?
06:43 Constructive failure: Did that help you manage the pressure?
08:59 How do you spot players who are starting to be under pressure?
12:08 What are your top interventions when you see a player under pressure?
14:40 Transferrable skills between sports and business
19:48 Consistency
24:33 What pushed to you go into the job in Fiji?
30:11 Insight 1: Lessons learned
36:12 How do you promote the value of enjoying the game at Brentford FC?
41:45 Personally, what was the worst pressure you ever faced?
45:17 External perspective
50:00 The relationship between recovery and performance
51:08 Insight 2: Lessons learned
54:06 What would be your advice to people, on how to be better under pressure?
57:35 Outro
...more
59min
March 30, 2023#24 - Rachel Osborne - Be Decisive
In this episode, I’m talking to Rachel Osborne, CEO of Ted Baker. Rachel was appointed to that role just as Covid hit the UK, and prior to that she had been CFO at Debenhams Retail Limited.
Having originally studied veterinary medicine at Cambridge, Rachel chose instead to qualify as a chartered accountant at KPMG. She now has over 30 years of financial experience with consumer-facing brands like Domino’s Pizza, Vodafone, and John Lewis. She has also previously held senior positions with Sodexo, Kingfisher and PepsiCo.
In this conversation Rachel shares:
What she‘s learnt from leading businesses in distress
The advantages of a board that’s positively challenging
And why she’s become grateful for ships in the night
Outline📍
00:00 Intro
01:56 Do you remember when you first experienced pressure?
02:52 Was that pressure advantageous to what you were doing, or was it negative?
03:29 Has pressure always remained a positive association with performing well?
04:20 Can you share an example where you flipped negative pressure into a positive driving force?
06:16 Does that come instinctively to you?
08:30 Stepping into a distressed business, how do you lead your team forward in times of pressure?
12:13 What keeps you strong enough to manage yourself and lead others?
13:27 How did you feel your team’s support?
16:27 Finding your natural energy, and finding your balance
23:46 Insight 1: Lessons learned
26:10 What did you & your team do actively to help all of you manage the uncertainty and volatility over the last years with Ted Baker?
29:41 What is the worst pressure you have ever been under?
34:16 Where are you now with your relationship with pressure?
36:53 How do you make fast decisions in moments of crisis?
44:53 Insight 2: Lessons learned
46:45: What 2 pieces of advice would you pass forward to people listening?
48:32 What are the first signs when you are starting to feel trapped?
51:22 Outro
...more
53min
March 16, 2023#23 - Tacita Small - Know Your Superpower
In this episode, I’m in conversation with Tacita Small – founder of The Small HR Company, an HR Consultancy that supports businesses in the creative and entertainment industries with all aspects of HR and People needs.
As a senior HR leader, Tacita worked in-house for over two decades with many instantly recognisable brands such as Westfield, Ralph & Russo, Apple, Ministry of Sound, Freemantle and BBC Worldwide to name a few.
In our conversation Tacita shares:
Why she’s happy answering emails on the beach
The uncomfortable pressure of not being herself
And what her son said that ignited her desire to set up her business.
Outline📍
00:00 Intro
02:28 How do you recognise pressure?
04:14 How tip the pressure into something positive?
07:07 When did you first experience pressure and how did you manage it?
10:58 How do you bring ‘your whole self’ to work?
13:30 Are there times when this mindset doesn’t work to your advantage?
14:58 When do you choose to adapt and where is the tipping point?
19:00 Insight 1: Lessons learned
21:30 Know who you are
26:32 How do you stay true to yourself in your role?
34:00 Why did you decide to become an entrepreneur even though you didn’t want to at the beginning?
38:45 Stop apologising for being confident
40:26 Is there pressure as a founder?
44:07 Nothing is new for a very long
46:46 Insight 2: Lessons learned
48:17 What would be two things you would pass forward to people to better manage that pressure?
52:30 Insight 3: Lessons learned
53:47 Outro
...more
55min
March 02, 2023 #22 - David Shelley - The Power of Looking Back
In this episode, I’m talking to David Shelley, a trailblazer in the world of publishing. With over two decades of experience, David has worked with some of the biggest names in literature, including J.K. Rowling, Dennis Lehane, and Mitch Albom. Starting out at Allison & Busby, he quickly rose through the ranks, eventually becoming the CEO of Hachette UK, the second-largest consumer publisher in the UK.
David's expertise in the industry is unparalleled, having overseen the publication of countless crime and thriller novels, as well as ebooks and audiobooks. He's a visionary leader, driving innovation and growth in an ever-changing landscape.
During our conversation, David shares:
- How he makes work not feel like work
- How he uses storytelling in times of pressure
- And, what he does to pull back from strong feelings

Outline📍
00:00 Intro
02:35 What does pressure mean to you?
10:07 Is your inclination to embrace pressure a natural habit?
13:18 The relationship between the feeling and the pivot
15:48 A strategy to cogitate
19:07 Adrenaline caused by phone use during group meetings & conversations
20:28 Insight 1: Lessons learned
22:57 The best strategy: Converting pressure into a stimulus for growth
25:32 What has changed in the last 5 years that enables you to respond differently and with greater freedom?
29:32 Feeling safe when failing
32:15 What was the worst pressure you’ve ever felt in your life?
36:02 How do you deal with other people’s pressure?
43:28 Insight 2: Lessons learned
45:39 People’s emotions matter.
47:30 What are your non-negotiable practices for achieving optimal performance?
51:46 How to enhance performance under pressure?
59:20 Discovering ways to link pressure with our sources of inspiration to generate a distinct force
01:02:49 What 2 pieces of advice would you pass forward to be better under pressure?
Outro
...more
1h 10min
February 16, 2023#21 - Myriam Coupard - Listen to Your Body
In this episode, I’m talking to Myriam Coupard, who has worked all over the world leading and shaping creative businesses. A customer-centric entrepreneur at heart, she’s launched, run, reshaped and grown successful companies in France, the UK, China and Singapore. Myriam trained as a professional dancer in Contemporary Dance in Paris, specialising in the Martha Graham technique until that career was cut short following unsuccessful knee surgery.
Following that, she dedicated many years to Ascential PLC and more specifically to Cannes Lions, the organisation behind the renowned film festival, where she worked across a breadth of Executive roles leading teams through organizational transformation and change. She is currently Managing Director of the UK and EMEA for The Marketing Academy. She is a tireless champion of creativity and its ability to change people, organisations and the world.
In this conversation, she shares:
The power of detangling emotions from facts
Her non-negotiables when it comes to putting herself first
And, why her body decided to take her out of the exciting promotion awaiting her in Singapore

Outline📍
00:00 Intro
02:36 Do you remember when you first experienced pressure?
06:21 The physical strength of dancing enables people to deal with pressure
10:56 The reason my body is the “barometer”
15:09 It’s important we begin to listen to the signs that our bodies give us.
20:16 Is your sense of reward the consequence of your incident in Singapore?
21:58 Insight 1: Lessons learned
24:09 What do you feel about the statement “We can be better under pressure”?
25:08 How to manage excitement and pressure without tipping into damage?
28:06 What have you learned that is now non-negotiable for your health and well-being?
31:35 How do you handle pressure when it comes unexpectedly during the day?
36:25 A conscious choice
41:29 How do you manage a person or a team to prevent emotions from hindering progress?
45:00 Choosing your mood
48:19 Insight 2: Lessons learned
50:45 What would be two things you would pass forward to people to better manage that pressure?
59:32 Outro
...more
1h 1min
February 02, 2023#20 - Matt Chavlovich - What would happen if…?
In this episode, I’m talking to Matt Chavlovich, a former prolific goalkeeper and captain in professional football (soccer) in the US, he is now a speaker, advisor, and transformation coach. In his 30-year career, Matt has been a leader in the world of sports and the world of business. He has held leadership positions in organisations ranging from the MLS and Hasbro to Adidas and the American Cancer Society.
In our conversation, Matt shares:
The transferrable skills of sport in business,
Why he has no time for regrets,
And how the 14-year-old Matt dealt with adults telling him not to come home if he’d lost a match.
Outline📍
00:00 Intro
02:13 Can you remember when you first experienced pressure?
05:52 One of the biggest ways I have carved my mindset on how to deal with pressure
08:54 Leaders attract you to want to go into that level of performance
10:05 Survival vs the idea of pressure being progressive and efficient in the use of energy
13:04 Do you remember using pressure as a force for improvement?
15:54 Learning what I enjoyed
19:17 Confidence, Clarity, Conviction
21:54 Insight 1: Lessons learned
23:25 What’s the role of the body in your ability to deal with and be better under pressure?
26:10 How was the jump between the elite sport that you were playing and corporate life?
29:14 No pressure is bigger than my focus
37:55 What do you do when you witness people close to you struggling with pressure?
42:30 Insight 2: Lessons learned
44:38 Is the idea of “How can I not do the expected” difficult?
49:56 Pressure allows you to be better
51:17 How did you learn to repel the negative voices?
56:37 Who do you want to be on top of that skill?
01:02:44 What 2 pieces of advice would you pass forward on how to be better under pressure?
01:04:43 Outro
...more
1h 6min
January 19, 2023#19 - Sigga Sigurdardottir - You’re Stronger Than You Think
In this episode, I’m talking to Sigga Sigurdardottir, a global exco level Chief Customer Officer and digital change agent who has been pioneering customer-led digital transformation and innovation globally in the financial services industry over the last 20+ years. She has championed partnering with start-ups, fintech and digital players throughout her career, delivering outstanding experiences for consumers.
She spent 14 years leading digital transformation and change for American Express, working in 4 different continents. She then spent 4 years as Santander UK’s Chief Customer and Innovation Officer moving the organisation to greater customer focus and innovative delivery methods. That was followed by 3 years as Chief Customer Officer at Tesco Bank, improving the NPS significantly and driving profitable growth of the lending business. She has just joined Experian as MD of the consumer business for the UK.
Sigga sits on the Women in Fintech Powerlist and on the board of Autotrader Group PLC and Frumtak Ventures. Known for her passion for innovative leadership and diversity and inclusion, Sigga has been named in Marketing Week’s top 50 Customer Experience professionals, recognised by Empower as a top ethnic minority advocate and acknowledged by the FT and HERoes as a champion for women in business.
In our conversation today, Sigga shared:
When her tendency to shield others from pressure became a problem,
Why she chose to step away from her job for six months,
The impact of what she wrote on a piece of paper back in her 20s.
Outline📍
00:00 Intro
02:48 Do you remember the first time you experienced pressure?
04:40 Has pressure always been a force of good for you?
05:20 How do you recognise when the pressure turns negative?
06:11 Dealing with 2 bosses that are polar opposites
08:13 What do you do when you aren’t at your best with pressure?
11:35 Can you give 1 example of when the pressure rose high?
14:35 Highlight 1: Lessons learned
15:57 How has your personal life been affected by your senior professional position?
21:23 When you’re in moments of pressure, how do you expand your mind?
23:25 What does vulnerability mean to you?
26:48 What practice is in your fundamental took kit for being better under pressure?
29:00 Highlight 2: Lessons learned
30:19 How do you try and understand what matters to your team?
33:34 What 2 pieces of advice would you pass forward on how to be better under pressure?
...more
39min

FAQs about Better Under Pressure:

How many episodes does Better Under Pressure have?

The podcast currently has 68 episodes available.