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Tom Whittle is a former commissioned officer with a diverse background, including law, competitive intelligence, and service in the Parachute Regiment. As the co-founder and delivery lead at Frontierco.org, he spearheads projects by conducting in-depth liaison and analysis to accurately identify the requirements of each organisation seeking assistance. Tom and his team, comprised of ex-UK military veterans, specialise in providing advisory and development services across Sub-Saharan Africa. In this conversation, Tom discusses the importance of challenging perceptions and constantly expanding one's perspective. He shares his experience transitioning from a military career to working in the conservation industry in Africa. The conversation also touches on the problems with politics and the need for transparency in leadership. Tom emphasizes the difference between influence and manipulation, highlighting the importance of intent and moral boundaries. The power of charisma and authenticity in leadership is explored, along with the challenges of influencing others as an outsider in a different culture. In this conversation, Tom discusses his work in the conservation industry and the challenges faced. He emphasizes the importance of crafting and maintaining working relationships, as well as the need for long-term planning and buy-in from stakeholders. Tom also highlights the value of collaboration with rangers and local communities, as well as the significance of demonstrating impact and gaining trust. He shares his approach of confidently underselling and overdelivering, and how conservation principles can be applied to other industries. Tom provides insights into the reintroduction of rhinos in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and discusses various projects in Zambia. He addresses the challenges in the conservation industry, including short-term metrics and the perception of failure.