Leading 4 Life "Stories"

This episode is also available as a video podcast on my YouTube Channel here:

https://youtu.be/NLGG5OAMCNo

Mark Cheshire is a fantastic man with an amazing career track record behind him.  Starting with a 30 year career in Lloyds Banking Group that saw him rise to be the CEO of the Lloyds UK Private Bank, in more recent times he has built a highly successful portfolio career with a particular emphasis on board advisory work and executive coaching.

He has a lot of great tips and advice for leaders in senior roles and I'm sure you'll find this episode both interesting and enjoyable in equal measure.

You can find Mark on LinkedIn here: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-cheshire-12252b3b/

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What stood out for you in this episode? I would genuinely welcome your thoughts, experiences and suggestions for future programmes. Use the “Send me a Text Message” link above or leave a comment on YouTube.

If you enjoyed the episode, please follow Leading 4 Life “Stories” on your podcast platform so that you receive future episodes automatically. Sharing it with someone who might find it valuable is also one of the best ways to support the show.

SUPPORT LEADING 4 LIFE “STORIES”

If you value the content and would like to help me continue producing the podcast, you can become a Supporter, Champion or Patron by clicking the "Support the show" link above or by going to:
https://www.patreon.com/leading4life/ 

Any contribution is greatly appreciated, but listening, following, sharing and providing feedback are equally valuable.

CONNECT WITH BOB JUDSON

LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/judsonbob/

Website:
https://leading4life.co.uk/

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@Leading4Life

X:
https://x.com/JudsonBob

This episode is also available as a video podcast on my YouTube Channel here: https://youtu.be/Nx1yfjz0POU

Hetti Barkworth-Nanton is a remarkable individual.  She is the CEO of Ploughshare, Chair of Refuge UK, Co-Founder and Patron of The Joanna Simpson Foundation, but those are just the formal positions she holds.  Listening to her story, it is clear that, in the margins of her mainstream roles, Hetti is supporting a range of other individuals as they deal with a variety of traumatic personal situations.  

Hetti's own journey is an emotional one, but it is a true tale of triumph over adversity.  The related story of her campaigning, together with Diana Parkes (Joanna Simpson's mother), to ensure the continued imprisonment of Joanna's killer has received mainstream media publicity, and resulted in both of them being honoured with the CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire), as well as winning a Pride of Britain award in 2024.

Hetti's passion, emotion and drive are very evident in all that she says on this podcast.  It is a powerful and fascinating story, and she provides a range of great advice and thoughts that will benefit anyone who is currently suffering or has previously suffered with the effects of trauma.  

I found it incredibly moving, but we also had a lot of fun doing the interview - I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!  Your feedback would be greatly appreciated and, if you like what you see, please share it widely so that others can join the debate.

You can find Hetti here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hettibn/

X: https://x.com/hetnanton

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JOIN THE CONVERSATION

What stood out for you in this episode? I would genuinely welcome your thoughts, experiences and suggestions for future programmes. Use the “Send me a Text Message” link above or leave a comment on YouTube.

If you enjoyed the episode, please follow Leading 4 Life “Stories” on your podcast platform so that you receive future episodes automatically. Sharing it with someone who might find it valuable is also one of the best ways to support the show.

SUPPORT LEADING 4 LIFE “STORIES”

If you value the content and would like to help me continue producing the podcast, you can become a Supporter, Champion or Patron by clicking the "Support the show" link above or by going to:
https://www.patreon.com/leading4life/ 

Any contribution is greatly appreciated, but listening, following, sharing and providing feedback are equally valuable.

CONNECT WITH BOB JUDSON

LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/judsonbob/

Website:
https://leading4life.co.uk/

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@Leading4Life

X:
https://x.com/JudsonBob

This episode is also available as a video podcast on my YouTube Channel here: https://youtu.be/7vYdDL4e1k0

Greg Bagwell and Sean Bell have been colleagues and friends of mine for many years now.  Both are former fast-jet pilots but we all went down different aircraft paths at the end of flying training.  Whilst I went to the Jaguar, Greg went to the Tornado, and Sean went to the Harrier, via an instructional tour on the Jet Provost as a "creamed off" Qualified Flying Instructor.  We all climbed the career ladder to close to the top of the Royal Air Force, with Sean and I making 2* rank, whilst Greg went further and retired as a 3* Air Marshal.

Unsurprisingly, given our similar backgrounds and long standing relationship, this episode is full of banter and flying stories, but there is also a plethora of great leadership advice and plenty of commentary on contemporary events from two guys who are very close to what is happening in the here and now. 

Both have portfolio careers, but Greg is the President of the Air & Space Power Association (https://airspacepower.com/), and Sean is a regular defence commentator on Sky News.  They also come together as hosts of The High Ground Podcast, which focuses specifically on air & space power issues of the moment.

I highly recommend their podcast if you are looking for some expert commentary on this crucial component of defence capability.  You can find it either via a link on the Air Space Power Association website (main link above) or at the following:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1JQusc6SVDIpjmkUH6gPy6 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AirSpacePowerAssociation 

You can also find Greg and Sean individually here:

Greg: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gjbagwell/

X: https://x.com/gregbagwell

Sean:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-bell-1998633a/

X: https://x.com/BellusUK

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JOIN THE CONVERSATION

What stood out for you in this episode? I would genuinely welcome your thoughts, experiences and suggestions for future programmes. Use the “Send me a Text Message” link above or leave a comment on YouTube.

If you enjoyed the episode, please follow Leading 4 Life “Stories” on your podcast platform so that you receive future episodes automatically. Sharing it with someone who might find it valuable is also one of the best ways to support the show.

SUPPORT LEADING 4 LIFE “STORIES”

If you value the content and would like to help me continue producing the podcast, you can become a Supporter, Champion or Patron by clicking the "Support the show" link above or by going to:
https://www.patreon.com/leading4life/ 

Any contribution is greatly appreciated, but listening, following, sharing and providing feedback are equally valuable.

CONNECT WITH BOB JUDSON

LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/judsonbob/

Website:
https://leading4life.co.uk/

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@Leading4Life

X:
https://x.com/JudsonBob

This episode is also available as a video podcast on my YouTube Channel here: https://youtu.be/BsCKsGCDXOg

At the conclusion of my tour at the Chief of Defence Staff's Liaison Officer in The Pentagon, I was fortunate enough to be promoted once again, this time to be an Air Vice-Marshal, which was to be my final rank in the Royal Air Force.

I returned to the UK Ministry of Defence, into the role of Assistant Chief of Defence Staff (Operations), a job that I never dreamed I would get so this was a big deal!

The tour was fascinating on all sorts of levels and there is much to much to restrict it to a single episode of the show.  Consequently, as with some of my other big roles, there will be several parts to this personal story, and I begin by setting the scene rather than getting into too many specifics.

I really hope you enjoy the episode; please let me have your feedback as I always love to hear what you think.

Send me a Text Message

Support the show

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

What stood out for you in this episode? I would genuinely welcome your thoughts, experiences and suggestions for future programmes. Use the “Send me a Text Message” link above or leave a comment on YouTube.

If you enjoyed the episode, please follow Leading 4 Life “Stories” on your podcast platform so that you receive future episodes automatically. Sharing it with someone who might find it valuable is also one of the best ways to support the show.

SUPPORT LEADING 4 LIFE “STORIES”

If you value the content and would like to help me continue producing the podcast, you can become a Supporter, Champion or Patron by clicking the "Support the show" link above or by going to:
https://www.patreon.com/leading4life/ 

Any contribution is greatly appreciated, but listening, following, sharing and providing feedback are equally valuable.

CONNECT WITH BOB JUDSON

LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/judsonbob/

Website:
https://leading4life.co.uk/

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@Leading4Life

X:
https://x.com/JudsonBob

This episode is also available as a video podcast on my YouTube Channel here: https://youtu.be/FnN6o5eSScI

Having known him for almost 20 years, I was delighted that Tom Tugendhat agreed to join me as a guest on Leading 4 Life "Stories".  Tom is the Conservative Member of Parliament for Tonbridge, a constituency in the South East of the UK.  Although he is now a back bench MP on the opposition benches, for a period in the previous government, Tom was the Minister of State for Security, and was also the Chairman of the important Foreign Affairs Committee.  He has also run twice, so far unsuccessfully, to be the leader of the Conservative & Unionist Party.

Prior to his parliamentary life, Tom was initially a journalist and then an Army officer, and he talks about his journey extensively during the episode.  With such an interesting and varied career, it is entirely unsurprising that Tom has a wealth of leadership experience and tips to share.  It is relatively unusual to get sitting MPs to do long form interviews such as this, and I am extremely grateful to Tom for giving such a personal and candid account of his life and experience.

As well as his personal story, we explore a lot of current issues in the wider geopolitical and UK political arena and, whatever your personal political preferences, I think you will find Tom's perspectives well considered and very interesting.  

This was an interview I have been hoping to secure for some time and it was absolutely all that I could have wished for.  I really hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoyed making it.  If you do, please share it widely across your own networks.

Should you wish to know more about him, you can find Tom here:

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-tugendhat-138a531/

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/tomtugendhat/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/tomtugendhat

Substack:  https://tomtugendhat.substack.com/

X:  https://x.com/TomTugendhat

Send me a Text Message

Support the show

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

What stood out for you in this episode? I would genuinely welcome your thoughts, experiences and suggestions for future programmes. Use the “Send me a Text Message” link above or leave a comment on YouTube.

If you enjoyed the episode, please follow Leading 4 Life “Stories” on your podcast platform so that you receive future episodes automatically. Sharing it with someone who might find it valuable is also one of the best ways to support the show.

SUPPORT LEADING 4 LIFE “STORIES”

If you value the content and would like to help me continue producing the podcast, you can become a Supporter, Champion or Patron by clicking the "Support the show" link above or by going to:
https://www.patreon.com/leading4life/ 

Any contribution is greatly appreciated, but listening, following, sharing and providing feedback are equally valuable.

CONNECT WITH BOB JUDSON

LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/judsonbob/

Website:
https://leading4life.co.uk/

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@Leading4Life

X:
https://x.com/JudsonBob

This episode is also available as a video podcast on my YouTube Channel here: https://youtu.be/U7exNBCMO5M

I have worked with Tabi Haller-Jorden a number of times whilst facilitating at Deloitte University, and I realised a while ago that she would be an outstanding guest to have on Leading 4 Life "Stories".  Tabi has an amazing career background with a wide range of senior and very entrepreneurial roles.  Her leadership knowledge and expertise is fantastic, and she has a ton of great tips for leaders at all levels that I'm sure you will find valuable. 

Over the course of this conversation, we discuss Tabi's:

- Career summary
- Early motivations
- Changes in leadership style
- Thoughts on the most important leadership traits
- Role models
- Advice to her younger self
- Career highs and lows
- Tips for integrating work and personal life
- Tips for leaders given today's geopolitical and societal challenges
- Most memorable moment
- Most difficult question

I sincerely hope you enjoy this episode.  If you do, please send me some feedback, and share it widely so that others can benefit from Tabi's great thoughts.

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Support the show

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

What stood out for you in this episode? I would genuinely welcome your thoughts, experiences and suggestions for future programmes. Use the “Send me a Text Message” link above or leave a comment on YouTube.

If you enjoyed the episode, please follow Leading 4 Life “Stories” on your podcast platform so that you receive future episodes automatically. Sharing it with someone who might find it valuable is also one of the best ways to support the show.

SUPPORT LEADING 4 LIFE “STORIES”

If you value the content and would like to help me continue producing the podcast, you can become a Supporter, Champion or Patron by clicking the "Support the show" link above or by going to:
https://www.patreon.com/leading4life/ 

Any contribution is greatly appreciated, but listening, following, sharing and providing feedback are equally valuable.

CONNECT WITH BOB JUDSON

LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/judsonbob/

Website:
https://leading4life.co.uk/

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@Leading4Life

X:
https://x.com/JudsonBob

This episode is also available as a video podcast on my YouTube Channel here: https://youtu.be/X6pWwKLn24s

I won't attempt to disguise that this is something of a stream of consciousness and a personal rant, but I do think that poor behaviour, lack of common courtesy and selfishness is becoming an increasing problem in our society.

As leaders, I don't think this is something we should just tolerate and / or ignore; we have a responsibility to do our best to develop our people to be the best they can be and to positively contribute to the work environment and to society in general.  

In this episode I do my best to set out some of my own thoughts and I provide a number of personal examples of where I have seen poor behaviour and my own approach to dealing with it.  

I would be really interested to hear whether you think I have simply "gone off on one" or whether you share my views; please let me know.  There is no such thing as bad feedback in my view!

Send me a Text Message

Support the show

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

What stood out for you in this episode? I would genuinely welcome your thoughts, experiences and suggestions for future programmes. Use the “Send me a Text Message” link above or leave a comment on YouTube.

If you enjoyed the episode, please follow Leading 4 Life “Stories” on your podcast platform so that you receive future episodes automatically. Sharing it with someone who might find it valuable is also one of the best ways to support the show.

SUPPORT LEADING 4 LIFE “STORIES”

If you value the content and would like to help me continue producing the podcast, you can become a Supporter, Champion or Patron by clicking the "Support the show" link above or by going to:
https://www.patreon.com/leading4life/ 

Any contribution is greatly appreciated, but listening, following, sharing and providing feedback are equally valuable.

CONNECT WITH BOB JUDSON

LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/judsonbob/

Website:
https://leading4life.co.uk/

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@Leading4Life

X:
https://x.com/JudsonBob

This episode is also available as a video podcast on my YouTube Channel here: https://youtu.be/jKA5vGqq6tE

Jonathan Bowman-Perks was my guest way back on Episode 24 of Leading 4 Life "Stories" but, given we work in very similar fields and interview a lot of great leaders, we both felt that it would be great to do another episode where we discuss a range of big themes that are affecting leaders in all walks of life at the moment.

Over the course of this conversation, we discuss:

• Intergenerational working
• Hybrid working
• The speed of growth of AI
• The rise of populism and more extreme forms of government 
• Geopolitical threats and the lack of individual / societal resilience in the face of those threats

It was a great discussion and, whilst we certainly don't profess to have all the answers, we hope that we stimulate your thinking and at least initiate a debate within your own leadership circle.

Do let us know what you think as feedback is most definitely "the breakfast of champions"!

You can find Jonathan here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanperks/

Website: https://jonathanperks.com/

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Support the show

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

What stood out for you in this episode? I would genuinely welcome your thoughts, experiences and suggestions for future programmes. Use the “Send me a Text Message” link above or leave a comment on YouTube.

If you enjoyed the episode, please follow Leading 4 Life “Stories” on your podcast platform so that you receive future episodes automatically. Sharing it with someone who might find it valuable is also one of the best ways to support the show.

SUPPORT LEADING 4 LIFE “STORIES”

If you value the content and would like to help me continue producing the podcast, you can become a Supporter, Champion or Patron by clicking the "Support the show" link above or by going to:
https://www.patreon.com/leading4life/ 

Any contribution is greatly appreciated, but listening, following, sharing and providing feedback are equally valuable.

CONNECT WITH BOB JUDSON

LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/judsonbob/

Website:
https://leading4life.co.uk/

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@Leading4Life

X:
https://x.com/JudsonBob

In the run up to January 2011, I had fought hard to avoid going to the USA as the Chief of Defence Staff's Liaison Officer to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs based in The Pentagon in Washington DC.  

I hadn't fought because I didn't fancy the job; the role was a high profile one and clearly looked as though it would be rewarding and fun.  The issue was that it was only just over 2 years since I had returned from Afghanistan, my wife and I had faced down a lot of personal dramas over that period and, to cap it all, we were right in the middle of building our new house in Sussex.

Nonetheless, having made my points, I had accepted my lot and was now focused on doing the best job I could whilst I was in Washington.  

I had absolutely no idea at that point that it would turn out to be one of the most rewarding postings of my entire career, with masses of operational activity to contend with, as well as the absolute privilege of working with some of the very best in the US military at that point in time.  

The personal bill was high though; I spent a lot of time flying to and from the UK for 36 hour visits to help my wife with the house build and I wouldn't wish that on anyone but, on the positive side, the house got built and we still love it to this day!

I very much hope you will pick up my enthusiasm and admiration for the US military that I worked with over this 9 month period - it was a truly amazing role and I absolutely loved it.  Do please let me know what you think!

Send me a Text Message

Support the show

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

What stood out for you in this episode? I would genuinely welcome your thoughts, experiences and suggestions for future programmes. Use the “Send me a Text Message” link above or leave a comment on YouTube.

If you enjoyed the episode, please follow Leading 4 Life “Stories” on your podcast platform so that you receive future episodes automatically. Sharing it with someone who might find it valuable is also one of the best ways to support the show.

SUPPORT LEADING 4 LIFE “STORIES”

If you value the content and would like to help me continue producing the podcast, you can become a Supporter, Champion or Patron by clicking the "Support the show" link above or by going to:
https://www.patreon.com/leading4life/ 

Any contribution is greatly appreciated, but listening, following, sharing and providing feedback are equally valuable.

CONNECT WITH BOB JUDSON

LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/judsonbob/

Website:
https://leading4life.co.uk/

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@Leading4Life

X:
https://x.com/JudsonBob

I am delighted that for my 100th episode of Leading 4 Life "Stories" I am joined by my old friend Paul Beaver.  Paul is a prolific author (his 80th book is about to be published!), an extremely knowledgeable historian and a seasoned broadcaster.  

He has a passion for the military, and has been on the ground in some serious conflict zones both as an Army reservist and as a journalist so, unsurprisingly, we chat a good deal about geopolitics and the current challenges the world faces.  

We also cover a great many leadership points, and Paul's incredibly multi-faceted career makes him ideal to provide some great thoughts on all aspects of leadership.

It was a real joy to talk to Paul at length and I really hope you enjoy this milestone episode - please do let me know what you think!

You can find Paul on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulbeaver/

Send me a Text Message

Support the show

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

What stood out for you in this episode? I would genuinely welcome your thoughts, experiences and suggestions for future programmes. Use the “Send me a Text Message” link above or leave a comment on YouTube.

If you enjoyed the episode, please follow Leading 4 Life “Stories” on your podcast platform so that you receive future episodes automatically. Sharing it with someone who might find it valuable is also one of the best ways to support the show.

SUPPORT LEADING 4 LIFE “STORIES”

If you value the content and would like to help me continue producing the podcast, you can become a Supporter, Champion or Patron by clicking the "Support the show" link above or by going to:
https://www.patreon.com/leading4life/ 

Any contribution is greatly appreciated, but listening, following, sharing and providing feedback are equally valuable.

CONNECT WITH BOB JUDSON

LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/judsonbob/

Website:
https://leading4life.co.uk/

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@Leading4Life

X:
https://x.com/JudsonBob