Leadership Listening

Lawrie Philpott of Philpott Black and host of Leadership Listening talks with Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton — former SAS major, equerry to Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, and private secretary to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry — about leadership forged in extreme conditions.

Jamie recounts a remarkable career across the Irish Guards, 22 SAS, and the Royal Household, including training Ewan McGregor and Charlie Boorman for their Long Way Round journey and serving as godfather to Prince George. He argues that the best leadership is flat — like a conductor guiding an orchestra of experts — and that humility, classlessness, and a clearly defined mission are the foundations of any successful team.

He discusses decision-making under extreme pressure, the importance of training for chaos, why anyone in an organisation should feel free to ask the "dumb question," and why the ultimate betrayal is sending people into danger and not having their back. Drawing on the Sandhurst motto "serve to lead," he makes the case that leadership is fundamentally about putting the interests of those you lead above your own. Jamie also shares what frightens him, how to lead when no option is a good one, and what he would tell his 20-year-old self.

00:00 Intro

01:57 A Life Of Chapters

03:06 A Venturesome Beginning

03:47 Choosing The Right People

05:32 Listening And The Conductor's Orchestra

08:16 What The Conductor Actually Adds

09:15 The Mission And The End State

10:14 Decision-Making Under Extreme Pressure

12:28 When Things Don't Go Right

14:26 Who Dares Tell You You're Wrong

15:23 Predicting Performance Under Pressure

17:08 Asking People To Do Dangerous Things

19:36 What CEOs Can Learn From Special Forces

20:50 The Most Underrated Leadership Quality

22:38 The Humility Of The Warrior

24:58 Leading When No Option Is Good

26:24 Debrief And Celebration

28:19 Moral Courage vs Physical Courage

30:47 Is Moral Leadership Recoverable

33:54 The Royal Household Transition

35:46 Working With The Queen Mother

37:48 What The Public Misunderstands About Special Forces

39:40 The Ultimate Test Of A Leader

41:37 Advice To Young Leaders

42:45 Closing Questions

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Podcast episode: 19

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Lawrie Philpott of Philpott Black and host of Leadership Listening talks with economist and infrastructure specialist David Parish about the HS2 project and the leadership failures behind it.

David recounts how HS2 was conceived from politicians' admiration of high-speed rail in Japan, France, Spain and China, without regard for the UK's very different economic geography. He explains how the Eddington transport strategy was abandoned, how Treasury Green Book appraisal guidance was bypassed, and how HS2 Ltd was set up as a project promotion body rather than an honest evaluator. He and Lawrie explore where leadership accountability should have stopped the project, why no one was held to account, and how the coalition agreement made HS2 politically unstoppable after 2010.

They discuss the £100 billion opportunity cost, the role of external advisors, the over-engineering of the project, and the ongoing saga of Old Oak Common and Euston. David offers advice for future politicians and Whitehall on scrutiny and devolution and shares global evidence from Oxford's Bent Flyvbjerg on major project delivery rates.

00:00 Intro

03:12 Why Build HS2? Learning From Abroad

06:18 The Vanity Project Trap

07:35 The Northern Perspective And Local Money

09:05 The £100 Billion Question

10:12 Opportunity Cost And Connectivity

11:09 Abandoning The Eddington Strategy

13:58 The Green Book And Project Appraisal

16:23 Where Does Leadership Lie?

18:14 HS2 Ltd And Leadership Failure

19:22 What Was In The Politicians' Minds

22:13 The Role Of External Advisors

24:57 The 2011 HS2 Report

26:41 Accountability And Public Sector Disasters

30:49 Sunk Costs And Project Modification

31:32 Over-Engineering And Scope Reduction

33:08 Old Oak Common And The Euston Question

34:10 Advice For Future Politicians

35:48 External Scrutiny For Whitehall

37:39 Project Prognosis And Global Evidence

40:04 Closing Questions

42:31 3 Leadership Principles from the conversation

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Podcast episode: 18

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Lawrie Philpott of Philpott Black and host of the Leadership Listening podcast talks with John Berriman about leadership grounded in execution, drawing on Berriman’s career as a PwC audit partner, founder of its cybersecurity advisory practice, board member, and UK firm COO with 1,400 reports, plus later work as global COO at global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright and Chair of national learning disabilities and autism charity MacIntyre.

Berriman describes formative influences, his “completer-finisher” operational mindset, and what makes bosses difficult or effective, emphasising understanding people and motivating them. He explains COO pressures in a partnership - profit variability, budgeting, communication, technology spend, service reliability, and crisis tracking during 9/11 and the London bombings - along with methods to enforce operational discipline via strategy, thresholds, and accountability.

They discuss misconceptions about PwC, judgment versus intelligence, complexity in large organisations and nonprofit governance challenges (especially funding and staffing).

00:00 Intro

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Podcast episode: 17

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Lawrie Philpott of Philpott Black and host of Leadership Listening talks with Nik Gowing, veteran BBC World News presenter and author of Thinking the Unthinkable, about leadership, disruption, and a darkening world.

Nik shares his core research findings — that most leaders are dangerously unprepared for the speed and complexity of modern disruption — and maps out his prescient warnings from 2009 and 2018. He argues the world is entering a period of fundamental instability driven by AI-driven unemployment, geopolitical rupture, weakened institutions, and the collapse of long-held assumptions about prosperity. He calls on leaders to think the unthinkable, break from zombie orthodoxies, and upskill for an era where traditional playbooks no longer apply.

Together they examine why politicians and civil servants struggle to speak truth to power, how Trump has distorted truth and inspired imitators globally, the concept of corporate mendacity, and the leadership lessons embedded in Nik's most memorable journalistic moments — including the fall of the Berlin Wall and the announcement of Princess Diana's death. They close with what universal leadership traits will matter most for the rest of this decade.

00:00 Intro

Since 2014 Nik has been founder and director of the Thinking the Unthinkable project - https://thinkunthink.org/ Using interviews with, and access to, the highest levels of business, public service and governments the ongoing and dynamic project reveals candidly why so many leaders at every level face new difficulties adapting to the scale of unthinkables and unpalatables.

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Podcast episode: 16

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Lawrie Philpott of Philpott Black and host of Leadership Listening talks with Julie Bentley, Chief Executive of Samaritans.

Julie shares her journey from a working-class upbringing in Essex, to discovering her calling through charity work, and building a distinguished career leading the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, the Family Planning Association, Girl Guiding, Action for Children, and now Samaritans. She reflects on what changes across different organisations and what stays constant in her leadership style, how to handle intense media scrutiny and online trolling as a woman in public life, and why the hardest weight in leadership is always the people — staff, volunteers, and service users. Julie explores what the CEO of Samaritans learned about truly listening, why leaders rarely admit what support they actually need, how to lead with moral compass under public scrutiny, and the delicate balance between transparency and necessary boundaries. She discusses the relentless financial pressures facing the charity sector, what shaped her leadership through mentors and feedback, and a pivotal lesson about power that changed how she leads.

00:00 Intro

03:51 Early Life and Background

05:21 Finding A Calling Through Charity

06:54 Leading Across Different Charities

08:16 What Has Changed in the Workplace

09:20 What Stays Constant in Leadership

11:32 Media Scrutiny and Public Life

12:58 Online Trolling and Resilience

16:14 What Feels Heaviest in Leadership

18:58 Connecting the CEO With Volunteers

23:48 Why Volunteers Are the Backbone of Society

25:27 Supporting Volunteers Through Difficult Work

26:15 Learning About Listening

26:50 Listening to Hear, Not to Respond

29:10 The Power of Leaving Space

30:40 What Support Leaders Need but Rarely Admit

32:31 The Importance of Praise for Leaders

35:38 Leading When Every Decision Is Judged Publicly

36:02 Anchoring Leadership to a Moral Compass

38:28 Are we in a Post-Moral-Compass World?

40:09 Sensitivity, Transparency and Necessary Boundaries

42:25 Bounded Transparency in Practice

44:07 Hard Financial Decisions in the Charity Sector

46:32 What Has Shaped How Julie Leads

47:02 Mentors, Peers and Feedback

48:42 The Power CEOs Hold and What to do with It

49:33 Closing Questions

Contact the show! Email: [email protected]

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Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/RKq07VFBicc

Podcast episode: 14

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Lawrie Philpott of Philpott Black and host of Leadership Listening talks with

Chris recounts his early life in RAF postings, boarding school, Atlantic College, a dual degree in engineering and economics, early roles including BCG and corporate strategy, then founding OC&C, now a global specialist firm. He argues strategy is fundamentally about competitive differentiation, made harder by abundant data, faster competitor reactions and shorter strategy lifespans, with CEOs needing to own strategy and review it every six months alongside team capability. He discusses why strategies fail (poor analysis/design, weak commitment/execution), CEO strengths, board agenda gaps, and strategic risks including geopolitical uncertainty, competition, talent, and pace. Chris outlines where AI will first affect strategy work and closes with his pet hate and secret passions.

00:00 Intro

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Lawrie Philpott of Philpott Black and host of Leadership Listening talks with renowned global leadership coach René Carayol about the complex world of modern leadership.

They delve into the qualities that make great leaders, the importance of inclusive environments, and the challenges faced by today's leaders. René shares his personal journey, including anecdotes from his time at Pepsi and his coaching experiences with prime ministers, professional boxers and CEOs.

Together, they explore themes such as vulnerability, accountability, and the future of leadership in an ever-changing, fast-paced world. This engaging discussion is packed with valuable insights and practical advice for aspiring and current leaders alike.

00:00 Intro

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Lawrie Philpott of Philpott Black and host of Leadership Listening chats to Suzanne McKie KC about critical legal challenges faced by senior executives.  Suzanne specialises in employment, diversity law, regulatory law and high court litigation. Her law firm Farore Law - http://www.farorelaw.co.uk specialises in discrimination, whistle-blowing and misconduct and partnership law - in the workplace.

Together they talk about a range of topics, including: the intricacies of leadership failures, whistleblowing, misconduct issues, and the importance of effective communication. The conversation also highlights Suzanne's experiences with cases involving sexual harassment, drug use, and the vital role of good leadership in preventing disputes. The dialogue emphasises the significance of training for C-Suite executives, maintaining emotional control, and understanding the legal aspects of their actions. Additionally, they discuss the necessity of agreed exit statements, the impact of media interactions, and how leadership dynamics influence organisational behaviour. This enlightening session aims to demystify the legal perspectives for leaders and underscores the importance of empathy, proper training, and strategic communication in leadership roles.

00:00 – Intro

02:49 – Types of Cases: Whistleblowing, Misconduct, and More

03:56 – Leadership Failures: Behind the Curtain

05:27 – Emotions in the C-Suite

06:45 – Communication Breakdowns

08:08 – Arrogance and Policy Blind Spots

09:45 – Ignorance of the Law & Arrogance in Leadership

11:00 – The Role of HR and Legal Advice

12:00 – CEO Missteps: When Success Breeds Blindness

13:20 – Everything is Discoverable: Digital Evidence

14:30 – The Importance of Feedback and Training

16:50 – Resignation vs. Battle: Navigating Exits

19:00 – Bullying, Harassment, and Strong Leadership

21:10 – Difficult Conversations: Best Practices

24:00 – Record Keeping and E-Discovery

26:00 – Coaching and Supporting C-Suite Through Investigations

29:00 – Whistleblowing: Leadership’s Response

32:00 – Exit Statements and Managing the Narrative

34:00 – Preventing Disputes: The Power of Good Leadership

36:00 – Founder Syndrome and External HR

38:00 – The Big Ask: What Makes a Great CEO?

40:00 – Lessons Learned: Personal Growth in Leadership

43:00 – HR Phrases to Outlaw

45:00 – Growth, Happiness, and the Future of Leadership

48:00 – Closing questions

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Lawrie Philpott of Philpott Black and host of Leadership Listening chats to Keith Meekins, a seasoned investment banker who rose from the ground floor of the financial services industry to become the Chief Executive of Daiwa Capital Markets Europe.

In this episode, Keith shares insights from his 40-year career, detailing his early life influences, his rise through the ranks, and the challenges and triumphs he experienced along the way. They discuss the demanding environment of investment banking, the importance of having strong leadership qualities, and how Keith managed various cultural dynamics between the UK and Japan. The conversation covers Keith's approach to leadership, especially during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. The episode concludes with Keith revealing his pet hate—lateness—and his secret passion for fly fishing and supporting Deal Football Club. This episode provides a comprehensive look at the complexities of leadership in the high-stakes world of investment banking.

00:00  Intro

Contact the show!  Email: [email protected] 

Head to https://www.leadershiplistening.com/ to explore more videos and search for key topics

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/tikNIC-gFCE

Podcast episode: 10

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Lawrie Philpott of Philpott Black and host of Leadership Listening chats to Calypso Kulasegram, Eugene Rotherham and Lucas Pepper about leadership and workplace culture from a generation Z perspective.

Together they talk about a range of topics, including: stereotypes of Gen Z in the workplace, opportunities and barriers of using AI at work, mentoring for graduates, the use of  the term “snowflake”, if universities are doing a good job of equipping graduates for the world of work, are Gen Z more ethically and morally minded when it comes to decisions about who they will work for?  Are Gen Z workers “entitled”?  Are Gen Z afraid of feedback? Neurodiversity and inclusion, trust, values, behaviours, social media, workplace culture and change.

00:00  Intro

07:02  Gen Z in the workplace – are the stereotypes true?

12:26  Adjusting to the use of AI in the workplace

13:48  Mentoring for graduates

14:15  Are young people really “snowflakes”?

16:02  Are universities equipping graduates for the world of work?

16:38  Gen Z making ethical decisions about work

19:10  Are Gen Z workers “entitled”?

21:04  Getting communication right – Are Gen Z afraid of feedback?

24:30  Neurodiversity and Inclusion – Meeting different needs

30:15  What does Gen Z want from its leaders?

32:15  Trust as a leadership value

36:00  Values in organisations

38:25  Behaviours and values – Walking the talk

41:11  Social media, Gen Z and workplace culture

44:59  What would Gen Z change about leadership?

50:06 Closing questions

Contact the show!  Email: [email protected] 

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Podcast episode: 9

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