World Champion Nick Parkes “I Was Dead for 20 Minutes!" - The Power of CPR to Save Lives (Including YOURS!)

1. Short Summary

In this extraordinary episode, World Champion open-water swimmer Nick Parkes joins Barry Eustance to tell the story that transformed his life. 

During a competition, Nick suffered a cardiac arrest in the water, nearly drowned, and was clinically dead for 20 minutes.

Thanks to immediate CPR and the rapid response of an air ambulance team, he survived. 

Today, he dedicates his life to raising awareness of CPR’s life-saving power and campaigning to change the stark reality that 1 in 11 people who experience an out-of-hospital cardiac-arrest will die.

2. Key Themes and Takeaways
How a world champion athlete suffered cardiac arrest mid-competition.
The chain of survival: CPR, rapid response, and expert intervention.
The terrifying statistic: 1 in 11 people who suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrest will die.
CPR is simple, fast to learn, and the only tool most bystanders will ever have.
Why hesitation kills - and how confidence saves.
What it means to be clinically dead for 20 minutes - and come back.
Nick’s mission as a Cardiac Champion, raising awareness across the UK.
The emotional impact on survivors, responders, and families.
The cultural need to normalise CPR knowledge for all ages.
The empowering reality: you can save a life.

3. Chapters / Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction and Nick’s background in elite open-water swimming
03:45 – The competition: when everything changed
09:55 – Cardiac arrest, drowning, and being clinically dead for 20 minutes
14:20 – CPR: the battle to keep Nick alive
18:40 – The air ambulance team arrives
23:55 – Waking up: confronting survival
29:30 – The 1-in-11 statistic and the CPR knowledge gap
35:50 – Why CPR must become universal
41:10 – Nick’s mission as a Cardiac Champion
47:20 – Reflections on purpose, fragility, and action
54:00 – Final message: anyone can save a life

4. Links
BHF RevivR – Learn CPR in 15 minutes
https://www.bhf.org.uk/how-you-can-help/how-to-save-a-life/how-to-do-cpr/learn-cpr-in-15-minutes

Nick Parkes – JustGiving Fundraising Page
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/nick-parkes

BBC News Tells Nick's story
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4ngdqwnrdro

The Sixsess Consultancy – Home
https://sixsess.org

Be World Class – Home
https://be-world-class.com

Be World Class Performance Conference 2025
https://be-world-class.com/world-class-performance-conference-2025/

The Sixsess Consultancy’s Be World Class Performance Conference Summary
https://sixsess.org/2025/11/02/be-world-class-performance-conference-2025-facing-and-achieving-the-impossible/

The Sixsess Consultancy’s Be World Class Performance Conference Summary Golden Thread Summary PDF
https://sixsess.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/The-Sixsess-Consutancys-Summary-of-BWPC-2025-Summary.pdf

Keywords
Nick Parkes, The Sixsess Consultancy, Barry Eustance, cardiac arrest survivor, CPR saves lives, British Heart Foundation RevivR, BHF RevivR, learn CPR, cardiac arrest awareness, air ambulance rescue, drowning and CPR, elite athlete cardiac arrest, world champion swimmer, sudden cardiac arrest, out of hospital cardiac arrest, CPR training, emergency response, survival story, Cardiac Champion, life saving skills, public health awareness, leadership and purpose, human survival, inspirational stories, trauma recovery, saving lives through CPR,

I hope you really enjoyed our podcast and found it to be inspiring and insightful.

Please remember to LIKE our podcast and please DO SUBSCRIBE !!

I really look forward to reading and replying to your thoughts and comments.

Many thanks

Kindest regards

Barry

Bianca Robinson: Purposeful Leadership and the Power of Service

In this powerful and deeply human conversation, Barry Eustance speaks with Bianca Robinson, CEO of CEO Sleepout UK, about purposeful leadership and weaving purpose into the fabric of society.

Bianca shares her personal journey and the story of CEO Sleepout UK – a nationwide initiative that invites business leaders to spend a night sleeping outdoors in solidarity with people experiencing homelessness. 

Their message is simple but profound: Sleep out, wake up, change lives.

Together, Barry and Bianca explore what it means for leaders to align personal values with business purpose – and why true fulfilment comes from service, not status. 

They also reflect on their shared experience at the Be World Class Performance Conference 2025, where they heard from extraordinary people who have faced and achieved the impossible, including Adam Walker, Mark Pollock, Martine Wright, Ann Daniels, and John Volanthen, Nick Parkes and Tony Underwood.

Key insights:

- Purposeful leadership begins with self-awareness and values clarity.

- The shortest walk to fulfilment is through being of service to others.

- Businesses have the power – and the responsibility – to drive social change.

- Aligning purpose and profit isn’t idealistic – it’s practical and sustainable.

- We blame society, but we ARE society – real change begins with each of US.

Guest:

Bianca Robinson – CEO, CEO Sleepout UK
https://ceosleepout.co.uk/

Links:

The Sixsess Consultancy – https://sixsess.org

The Sixsess Consultancy PEOPLE Framework Course – https://sixsess.org/training/people-change-management-leadership-framework-course/

Be World Class – https://be-world-class.com/

Be World Class Performance Conference 2025 – https://be-world-class.com/world-class-performance-conference-2025/

The Sixsess Consultancy’s Be World Class Summary Post – https://sixsess.org/2025/11/02/be-world-class-performance-conference-2025-facing-and-achieving-the-impossible/

The Sixsess Consultancy’s Golden Thread Summary PDF – https://sixsess.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/The-Sixsess-Consutancys-Summary-of-BWPC-2025-Summary.pdf

The Just Great People Podcast – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1mLL4YkJ9LEUPsjaZwBLAjoR-h8YEXpu

Keywords 
Bianca Robinson, CEO Sleepout UK, The Sixsess Consultancy, Barry Eustance, purposeful leadership, social impact, leadership with purpose, business and values, homelessness awareness, Be World Class, Be World Class Performance Conference 2025, leadership values, culture and purpose, service-based leadership, community impact, SME leadership, business ethics, sustainability, social responsibility, corporate citizenship, Mark Pollock, Martine Wright, John Volanthen, Ann Daniels, human resilience, social innovation, purpose-driven business, cultural transformation, employee engagement, moral leadership

I hope you really enjoyed our podcast and found it to be inspiring and insightful.

Please remember to LIKE our podcast and please DO SUBSCRIBE !!

I really look forward to reading and replying to your thoughts and comments.

Many thanks

Kindest regards

Barry

The Be World Class Performance Conference 2025 – Facing and Achieving the "Impossible" | Barry Eustance & Simon Hartley | The Sixsess Consultancy

Barry Eustance, Founder of The Sixsess Consultancy, is joined by Simon Hartley, performance coach and founder of Be World Class, to reflect on the Be World Class 2025 Conference held at Lord’s.

This powerful conversation captures the spirit and lessons from a day that brought together extraordinary speakers – including:

 - Adam Walker
- Martine Wright MBE
- Ann Daniels
- John Volanthen
- Tony Underwood
- Nick Parkes
- Mark Pollock
– all of whom embody the essence of what it means to be world-class.

Barry shares his personal distillation of the Be World Class philosophy – defining the “Job” and the “Five Key Supporting Actions” that underpin exceptional performance.

Together, Simon and Barry explore how ordinary people achieve the extraordinary through belief, clarity, courage, collaboration, and endurance.

Key Takeaways:

The Be World Class Job: to face and achieve the impossible through belief, clarity, courage, collaboration, and endurance.

The Five Key Supporting Actions:

1 Reframe adversity into perspective
2 Anchor belief and clarity
3 Choose positivity and courage
4 Collaborate without ego
5 Value and endure the journey

- Why every world-class performer starts as an ordinary person.
- How belief and clarity transform the impossible into achievable progress.
- An inspiring conversation that captures the mindset, discipline, and humanity behind Be World Class.

Links:

The Sixsess Consultancy Home: https://sixsess.org

The Sixsess Consultancy PEOPLE Change Management & Leadership Framework Course: https://sixsess.org/training/people-change-management-leadership-framework-course/

Be World Class Home: https://be-world-class.com/

Be World Class Conference 2025: https://be-world-class.com/world-class-performance-conference-2025/

Adam Walker website: https://www.oceanwalkeruk.com/

Adam Walker real: https://youtu.be/haGV2eRhus0?si=9PLXMbMcZu65LARV

Martine Wright MBE website: https://martinewright.co.uk/

Marine Wright MBE TEDx Talk: https://youtu.be/sMX8Zex89UY?si=9tl0_SfiyIaagaVO

Ann Daniels website: https://www.anndaniels.com/

Ann Daniels reel: https://youtu.be/RBrOdc-jOcU?si=4qo_nel2nM4os-2t

Nick Parkes LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-parkes-6815112a/

Tony Underwood Website: https://www.believesolutions.co.uk/tony

Be World Class This is Mental - Video Series with Nick Parkes & Tony Underwood

John Volanthen website: https://volanthen.com/

BBC Thai Cave Rescue report with John Volanthen: https://youtu.be/ERFdaDMa5t8?si=RtrclGojM3JjSgPu

Mark Pollock website: https://www.markpollock.com/

Mark Pollock TEDx Talk: https://youtu.be/7rMYfiRNT7g?si=XV24xslD2fTjxdMF

The Sixsess Consultancy’s Golden Thread Attendee Summary
https://sixsess.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/The-Sixsess-Consutancys-Summary-of-BWPC-2025-Summary.pdf

Keywords

High Performance, Human Potential, Leadership Development, Motivation, Organisational Culture, Purpose-Driven Leadership, Facing the Impossible, Belief and Clarity, Courage and Collaboration, Endurance, The Job, Five Key Supporting Actions, World-Class Performance, Resilience, Mindset, Change Leadership, Continuous Improvement, Peak Performance, Teamwork, Business Transformation, Human Behaviour, Psychologic

I hope you really enjoyed our podcast and found it to be inspiring and insightful.

Please remember to LIKE our podcast and please DO SUBSCRIBE !!

I really look forward to reading and replying to your thoughts and comments.

Many thanks

Kindest regards

Barry

Why AI Implementations Fail – and How PEOPLE Can Fix It | Barry Eustance & Mark Blackwell

Barry Eustance, Founder of The Sixsess Consultancy, joins Mark Blackwell, Partner at Arkaro Consulting (Geneva), to explore one of the most revealing findings in the current AI landscape – why up to 95% of AI implementations fail.

Drawing on evidence from Gartner, Kotter International, Hilary Scarlett’s neuroscience-based framework and Julie Hodges' People-centric Organizational Change, Barry and Mark discuss how the failure of AI adoption isn’t primarily about technology – it’s about people.

They examine the link between the PEOPLE Change Management and Leadership Framework (The Sixsess Consultancy) and Hilary Scarlett’s S-P-A-C-E-S model (Neuroscience of Organisational Change). 

Both show how success depends on human factors – self-esteem, purpose, autonomy, certainty, equity, and social connection.

Key discussion points:

- Why between 70% and 95% of AI projects fail to meet objectives.

- How leadership misunderstanding and “corporate FOMO” drive poor implementation.

- The neuroscience of resistance to change and how to mitigate it.

- How PEOPLE-centric leadership enables sustainable, effective AI adoption.
- The link between PEOPLE and S-P-A-C-E-S – and why alignment matters.

Barry and Mark explain:

- AI is not the enemy. Mismanaged change is.

- To succeed, organisations must focus on the PEOPLE who use AI, not just the systems that deliver it.

Chapters:

0:00 Introduction to Change Management Frameworks
3:00 AI Implementation Challenges
6:00 The S-P-A-C-E-S Framework
9:00 AI and Organisational Strategy
12:00 The Importance of People-Centric Leadership
15:00 Empowerment and Optimisation in AI
18:00 Purpose-Driven Vision and Learning
21:00 Conclusion and Future Topics

Links:
The Sixsess Consultancy Home: https://sixsess.org

PEOPLE Change Management & Leadership Framework Course: https://sixsess.org/training/people-change-management-leadership-framework-course/

Arkaro Consulting – Why AI Implementations Fail (Neuroscience Perspective): https://arkaro.com/why-ai-implementations-fail-neuroscience/

MIT Research Shows What We've Been Saying: Why 95% of AI Implementations Fail
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/mit-research-shows-what-weve-been-saying-why-95-ai-implementations-v8fuf/?trackingId=aWmCE23hSOaaMSIcn6Yk6A%3D%3D

Hilary Scarlett’s Neuroscience of Organization Change:
https://www.koganpage.com/hr-learning-development/neuroscience-for-organizational-change-9781398621282

Julie Hodges’ People-centric Organizational Change and Managing and Leading People through Organizational Change:
https://www.koganpage.com/authors/julie-hodges


Keywords:
AI Implementation Failure, The Sixsess Consultancy, Barry Eustance, Mark Blackwell, Arkaro Consulting, PEOPLE Change Management and Leadership Framework, Hilary Scarlett, S-P-A-C-E-S Framework, Organisational Change, AI Adoption, Change Management, Leadership and AI, Neuroscience of Change, Organisational Culture, Employee Engagement, Purpose-Driven Leadership, People-Centric Change, Technology Strategy, Cultural Transformation, Change Leadership, AI Strategy

I hope you really enjoyed our podcast and found it to be inspiring and insightful.

Please remember to LIKE our podcast and please DO SUBSCRIBE !!

I really look forward to reading and replying to your thoughts and comments.

Many thanks

Kindest regards

Barry

Building Authentic Brands Through People and Purpose – Barry Eustance & Tracy Borreson | The Sixsess Consultancy | Be World Class 2025

In this Just Great People conversation, Barry Eustance from The Sixsess Consultancy speaks with Tracy Borreson about how authenticity, purpose, and leadership combine to create people-centred brands and stronger organisational cultures.

They explore why personal brand is not about image or visibility, but about alignment, trust, and authenticity. 

When leaders and teams show up as their true selves, they strengthen engagement, drive collaboration, and build cultures that perform sustainably.

The discussion also connects with themes from the Be World Class Conference 2025 and the Be World Class community – focusing on what it means to lead with integrity, courage, and humanity in business today.

These principles mirror the PEOPLE Change Management and Leadership Framework used by The Sixsess Consultancy, where people, purpose, and performance are united through culture and leadership.

Watch now to learn:

 - Why authenticity and purpose drive trust and engagement.
 - How personal brand supports leadership credibility.
 - How people-centred culture delivers measurable performance.
 - Why leaders who focus on being real build stronger organisations.

Links:

The Sixsess Consultancy Home: https://sixsess.org/

The Sixsess Consultancy About: https://sixsess.org/about-us/

The Just Great People Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1mLL4YkJ9LEUPsjaZwBLAjoR-h8YEXpu

Be World Class: https://be-world-class.com/

Be World Class Conference 2025: https://be-world-class.com/world-class-performance-conference-2025/

Guest website: https://www.tlbcoaching.com/

Keywords:

Personal Branding, Leadership, Organisational Culture, The Sixsess Consultancy, Tracy Borreson, Be World Class, Be World Class Conference 2025, People-Centric Leadership, Authentic Leadership, Brand Trust, Organisational Purpose, Employee Engagement, The PEOPLE Framework, Culture and Performance, Empowerment, Purpose-Driven Leadership, Human Leadership, Workplace Authenticity, Leadership Communication, Brand and Culture Alignment, Organisational Change, Leadership and TrustHow personal brand supports leadership credibility.

I hope you really enjoyed our podcast and found it to be inspiring and insightful.

Please remember to LIKE our podcast and please DO SUBSCRIBE !!

I really look forward to reading and replying to your thoughts and comments.

Many thanks

Kindest regards

Barry

European Aviation in Focus – Rising Costs, Tight Margins, and the Road Ahead | Barry Eustance & Remco Althuis

In this detailed discussion, Barry Eustance from The Sixsess Consultancy speaks with Remco Althuis (former CEO of Air Seychelles and Nordic Aviation Group) about the realities facing European airlines in 2025.

They explore the paradox of rising costs and record passenger demand, the pressure of post-COVID labour expenses, and the razor-thin margins defining today’s airline industry. 

Together they examine how legacy carriers like KLM, IAG, and Lufthansa are adapting – and why consolidation among smaller airlines is becoming inevitable.

The conversation also looks at the sustainability of airline business models, the operational strain on carriers with high labour costs, and what future developments might reshape the European aviation market.

Watch now to learn:

 • Why costs are rising despite strong passenger demand.
 • How labour inflation is impacting airline profitability.
 • Why consolidation is increasingly critical for smaller airlines.
 • How business models must evolve to remain sustainable.
 • Which carriers are outperforming in a challenging market.

Sound bites:

- “Costs are going through the roof.”
- “Aviation is in a paradoxical situation.”
- “KLM is under pressure from several fronts.”

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to European Aviation Analysis
04:01 Current State of European Airlines
10:30 KLM’s Challenges and Opportunities
15:56 Cost Dynamics in European Aviation
21:10 KLM’s Business Model Viability
25:58 Lufthansa’s Position in the Market
36:22 The Future of Smaller European Carriers

Links:
 • The Sixsess Consultancy Home: https://sixsess.org/

 • The Sixsess Consultancy Training: https://sixsess.org/training/

 • The Just Great People Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1mLL4YkJ9LEUPsjaZwBLAjoR-h8YEXpu


Keywords:Aviation, Airline Industry, European Airlines, KLM, IAG, Lufthansa, Vueling, Air Seychelles, Nordic Aviation Group, Operational Challenges, Cost Dynamics, Consolidation, Sustainability, Labour Costs, Market Analysis, Airline Profitability, Aviation Economics, Business Model Evolution, Airline Competition, The Sixsess Consultancy

I hope you really enjoyed our podcast and found it to be inspiring and insightful.

Please remember to LIKE our podcast and please DO SUBSCRIBE !!

I really look forward to reading and replying to your thoughts and comments.

Many thanks

Kindest regards

Barry

Coaching, Change and Confidence – Tiffany Barnard on Supporting High-Performing Leaders

Just Great People podcast – Barry Eustance in conversation with Tiffany Barnard

In this episode of Just Great People, Barry Eustance is joined by global leadership coach Tiffany Barnard for a candid and compelling conversation about leadership, change, confidence, and why even the world’s top performers need support.

Drawing on her international background in hospitality and coaching, Tiffany shares her journey from working in Tanzania to becoming a trusted partner to leaders in some of the world’s leading organisations.

This is a conversation about what really happens behind the scenes in leadership – the personal pressures, the inner critic, and the challenge of imposter syndrome. 

Tiffany offers practical and thoughtful advice on how to overcome these barriers and lead with greater clarity, confidence and resilience.

They also discuss how change management must be people-centric to succeed – and how AI may be evolving but can never replace the human connection at the heart of coaching and leadership.

Whether you're a founder, leader, or future leader – this episode is a powerful reminder that support isn’t a weakness, it’s a necessity.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why even top performers need coaching
• How imposter syndrome undermines confidence
• Why leadership can be a lonely space
• How self-awareness drives better decision-making
• What a great coach actually does
• The difference between fear of failure and self-imposed limits
• How to build trust and resilience in teams
• What AI might mean for the future of coaching – and what it won’t replace
• Why embracing change is a skill every leader must develop

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Tiffany Barnard
01:40 Tiffany's Diverse Background and Journey
03:21 The Passion for Coaching
04:00 Understanding High Performers
06:01 The Need for Coaching Among High Performers
07:42 The Role of a Coach
10:02 The Loneliness of Leadership
11:38 Overcoming Self-Imposed Barriers
13:52 Imposter Syndrome Explained
17:09 Guidance for Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
18:59 The Importance of Delegation
20:42 People-Centric Change Management
23:15 Building Trust in Organisations
24:21 The Challenge of Change in Large Organisations
26:49 Embracing Change as a Constant
28:44 The Role of AI in Coaching
30:22 The Human Element in Leadership
34:48 Conclusion and Future Conversations


Sound Bites

"People are constrained by their own beliefs."

"Change is the only constant in our lives."

"We do adapt to new technologies over time."

Useful Links

The Sixsess Consultancy Homepage
https://sixsess.org/

The PEOPLE Change Leadership & Management Framework Course
https://sixsess.org/training/people-change-management-leadership-framework-course/

Tiffany Barnard Leadership Coaching
https://www.tiffanybarnard.com/

The Just Great People Podcast
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1mLL4YkJ9LEUPsjaZwBLAjoR-h8YEXpu

Keywords
coaching, leadership, high performance, imposter syndrome, change management, personal development, communication skills, executive coaching, Tiffany Barnard, Sixsess Consultancy, people-centric leadership, confidence coaching, leadership development

I hope you really enjoyed our podcast and found it to be inspiring and insightful.

Please remember to LIKE our podcast and please DO SUBSCRIBE !!

I really look forward to reading and replying to your thoughts and comments.

Many thanks

Kindest regards

Barry

High-Stakes Strategy - Lessons in Organisational Clarity from Airline Leadership with Richard Nanton of  Nanton Aviation Consulting in conversation with Barry Eustance from The Sixsess Consultancy.

In this episode of Just Great People, Barry Eustance is joined by Richard Nanton, Director of Nanton Aviation Consulting, for a deep and wide-ranging conversation on what organisations can learn from the high-stakes world of aviation.

Richard shares insights from a career spent navigating complex, regulated, and operationally intense environments.

From leadership on the flight deck to strategic decision-making in the boardroom, the discussion explores how the clarity, structure and discipline required in aviation can – and should – be applied to businesses and organisations across all sectors.

This is a conversation about decision-making under pressure, the value of trust and competence in leadership, and the importance of building resilient organisations that thrive in complexity.

Whether you lead a business, team, or transformation initiative, this episode is packed with real-world lessons you can apply immediately.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why clarity is the most underrated leadership tool
• How regulated industries manage risk without losing agility
• What aviation teaches us about trust, performance and accountability
• Why organisations stall when communication breaks down
• How to lead under pressure when the stakes are high
• What true operational excellence looks like – and how to build it
• The role of coaching and consulting in unlocking high performance

Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction and Career Background
03:15 - Lessons from Aviation: Clarity, Competence and Culture
08:42 - Risk, Regulation and Strategic Leadership
14:05 - Building High-Performing Teams in Complex Environments
19:27 - Trust, Authority and Human Factors in Decision-Making
24:40 - Leadership Under Pressure
28:52 - What Organisations Can Learn from Aviation
34:16 - Final Thoughts on Change, Growth and Clarity

Links:

The Sixsess Consultancy – Homepage
https://sixsess.org/

The Sixsess Consultancy's – PEOPLE Change Leadership & Management Framework

https://sixsess.org/training/people-change-management-leadership-framework-course/

The Just Great People Podcast from The Sixsess Consultancy

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1mLL4YkJ9LEUPsjaZwBLAjoR-h8YEXpu

Nanton Aviation Consulting

https://www.nantonaviationconsultingltd.co.uk/

Keywords:

leadership under pressure, aviation consulting, organisational clarity, operational excellence, regulated industries, change leadership, business strategy, trust in leadership, risk management, team performance, coaching for leaders, human factors, Richard Nanton, Barry Eustance, The Sixsess Consultancy, flying career, pilot career, airline leadership, airline management

I hope you really enjoyed our podcast and found it to be inspiring and insightful.

Please remember to LIKE our podcast and please DO SUBSCRIBE !!

I really look forward to reading and replying to your thoughts and comments.

Many thanks

Kindest regards

Barry

Unlocking the Secrets of Thought Leadership - Barry Eustance and Simon Hartley

Summary

In this episode of the Just Great People podcast, Barry Eustance speaks with Simon Hartley of Be World Class, diving into Simon’s book Key to the Door. 

Together, they explore the foundations of thought leadership, the emotional challenges of public speaking, and the realities of personal development.

The conversation reveals that successful leaders often begin with uncertainty, fear and curiosity – and that refining powerful, memorable messages takes time. 

From the importance of persistence to the subtle art of using memes to communicate complexity simply, this episode is packed with insight for consultants, strategists and growth-minded professionals.

Takeaways 

• Curiosity and frustration sparked the creation of Key to the Door.
• Global thought leaders often start from humble or uncertain beginnings.
• Public speaking remains one of the biggest perceived threats – even for successful professionals.
• Persistence and the willingness to fail are non-negotiable for long-term success.
• Experience alone doesn’t lead to wisdom – active learning is essential.
• Memes and simplicity play a powerful role in communicating deep ideas.
• Personal development is a long-term commitment, not a single moment of insight.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Key to the Door
02:50 The Spark Behind the Book
05:30 Socratic Lessons – Real Thought Leadership
08:09 The Journey of Global Thought Leaders
10:54 The Role of Personal Development
13:26 Overcoming Fear and Embracing Discomfort
16:08 The Power of Persistence
18:52 The Mental Challenge of Public Speaking
21:39 Memes and the Art of Communication
24:10 Simplicity and Crafting Memorable Messages
26:44 Key Ideas from Key to the Door

Sound bites

 "Experience is passive - learning is active."
 "The power of persistence is key to success."
 "Refining ideas takes time and effort."

Titles

• Unlocking the Secrets of Thought Leadership
• The Journey to Personal Development

Useful Links

The Sixsess Consultancy – Homepage
 https://sixsess.org/

The Sixsess Business Growth Masterclass for Consultants and Strategists
 https://sixsess.org/training/business-growth-masterclass-for-enterprise-organisations/

Just Great People – Podcast Playlist
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1mLL4YkJ9LEUPsjaZwBLAjoR-h8YEXpu

Key to the Door by Simon Hartley – Book
https://amzn.eu/d/6Bdvmt6

Be World Class
https://be-world-class.com

Be World Class – This is Mental video library
https://be-world-class.com/this-is-mental-home/

Keywords
leadership, personal development, public speaking, influence, thought leadership, persistence, virality, communication, success, mindset, keynote development, message clarity, growth mindset, human performance, business growth strategy

I hope you really enjoyed our podcast and found it to be inspiring and insightful.

Please remember to LIKE our podcast and please DO SUBSCRIBE !!

I really look forward to reading and replying to your thoughts and comments.

Many thanks

Kindest regards

Barry

AI, Leadership and the Human Element – A Strategic Conversation with Adrian Stratta

In this extended conversation, Barry Eustance of The Sixsess Consultancy speaks with Adrian Stratta – experienced interim director, leadership advisor, and author of Dusty Boots to Boardroom – to explore the rapidly shifting landscape of leadership, organisational change, and the rise of AI.

Together, they unpack the real tensions between machine capability and human responsibility. 

They ask: What can AI not do? What role will humans still play in leadership, decision making, and ethical governance? 

And how do we keep people at the centre of business and strategy?

This episode is for leaders navigating uncertainty, adapting to new technology, and balancing performance with purpose.

Key Themes

• Strategy, AI and the limits of automation
• Human judgment in high-risk and complex systems
• Cultural impact of tech-driven change
• Why human connection still defines great organisations
• Tools for ethical decision-making in fast-changing environments
Listen to the full conversation and explore the balance between technology, risk and humanity.

Further resources:

Business Growth Masterclass for Professional Consultants
https://sixsess.org/training/business-growth-masterclass-for-enterprise-organisations/

Training and development with The Sixsess Consultancy
https://sixsess.org/training/

The Sixsess Consultancy main site
https://sixsess.org/

Dusty Boots to Boardroom – Follow Your Dreams by Adrian Stratta
https://dustyboots.co.uk/

Chapters
00:00 – Introduction: Leadership, Change and AI
01:14 – People Still Lead People
03:11 – Would You Fly in a Pilotless Plane?
05:17 – Strategy, Change and Human Oversight
08:08 – Human Risk vs AI Hallucinations
09:42 – Business Decisions and AI Responsibility
11:10 – Communication, Distraction and the Emotional Human
12:41 – The End User is Still Human
15:02 – AI and Humanity: A Partnership, Not a Replacement
17:14 – The Balance of Ethical Leadership
18:28 – The Market Test: Would You Be in the Drone?
21:02 – Human Error vs Machine Learning Error
23:27 – Strategy, Profit and Long-Term Stakeholder Risk
26:19 – Culture, Outcomes and Strategic Thinking
28:35 – Long-Term Perspective and the Buffett View
30:14 – The Arms Race of AI
31:00 – What Happens When Work is No Longer Fulfilling?
32:05 – Cultural Risk and the Overuse of AI
33:27 – The SPACES Model: Human Needs in Change
34:27 – Final Thought: Tools Don’t Lead, People Do


Keywords
AI in leadership
human-centred strategy
organisational change with AI
leadership in the digital age
AI hallucination risk
pilotless flight analogy business
cultural impact of AI
strategic planning with AI tools
The Sixsess Consultancy
Adrian Stratta Dusty Boots
Barry Eustance podcast
Just Great People leadership series
StratNavApp AI tools
how to lead with AI
neuroscience of organisational change
SPACES model Hilary Scarlett

I hope you really enjoyed our podcast and found it to be inspiring and insightful.

Please remember to LIKE our podcast and please DO SUBSCRIBE !!

I really look forward to reading and replying to your thoughts and comments.

Many thanks

Kindest regards

Barry