This episode features an insightful conversation with Ro Sharma, a former military officer turned business owner. Ro shares his journey from his school days in Berkshire to his time in the military, where he gained valuable leadership and teamwork skills. He discusses his transition to the corporate world, working at Barclays and later in management consulting. Ro reflects on the challenges of adapting to the corporate environment and the importance of leveraging military skills in civilian roles. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Acknowledging and recognising failure is the first step towards dealing with it effectively.

• Self-awareness and introspection are crucial in processing and learning from failures.

• Failure can lead to personal growth and development, helping individuals become more resilient and adaptable.

• Overconfidence and naivety can sometimes contribute to experiencing failure, highlighting the importance of humility and self-reflection.

• Learning from past failures can help individuals build confidence and navigate future challenges more effectively.

BEST MOMENTS

"I spent a bit of time working with them. And actually, I was less involved, or not so heavily involved in the delivery of projects, but I got more involved in how do we build value into this organisation?"

"I think a lot of it comes down to is sometimes politics, the conflicting priorities, and actually, the context is really key, as you've mentioned, because for us, we know that the cost of a bad decision is lives in the military." 

"I think when you're in the commercial or corporate world, some of the people you're working with don't have any context of life and death situations."

"Of course, being in property, you've seen some interesting times."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

https://www.linkedin.com/in/itsjoeoconnor/

https://www.facebook.com/The1Transformer

https://www.instagram.com/the1transformer/

HOST BIO

Joe O'Connor is a resilient business entrepreneur and Financial Adviser dedicated to supporting business owners and veterans in their transition to civilian life. Despite facing life-threatening challenges at a young age, Joe defied the odds and embarked on a remarkable journey. From excelling as a Combat Engineer and Physical Training Instructor in the Royal Engineers to starting his own business as a Financial Adviser, Joe has displayed unwavering determination.

After rejoining the Army as a reservist in the Bomb Disposal Unit, Joe reached the rank of Sergeant before transferring to the SAS, where he endured a severe injury and was medically discharged. Undeterred, he resumed his role as an IFA and founded a charity that aids injured veterans and their families.

Joe's charity is currently finalizing plans for a training center and 23 Lodges, aiming to provide vital support for veterans transitioning to civilian life while addressing stress, anxiety, and PTSD. Today, Joe's mission is to unite business owners and veterans, helping them unleash their full potential for success.