The Resilient Edge

He thought a category 5 hurricane, a pandemic, and a government corruption inquiry would break the force - instead they built it. In this episode of The Resilient Edge, Charlie Peschardt speaks with Mick Matthews - former Commissioner of Police in the British Virgin Islands, deputy chair of the BVI Ports Authority, and now consultant with Unite BVI.

Mick served 39 years in policing across Kent, Gloucestershire, Cyprus, and ultimately the BVI, where he led the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force through some of the most demanding consecutive crises any senior officer could face: Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, the COVID-19 pandemic, and a high-profile government corruption investigation. Since leaving the role in 2021, rather than retiring, he's stayed on-island and continued contributing to the territory.

In this conversation we get into:

• How stepping into a completely different culture humbled a seasoned senior officer - and what he did about it
• Why flattening the leadership gradient matters, and how Mick engaged his team
• The importance of TRUST in high performing teams
• The moment during Hurricane Irma when Mick thought the roof - and his life - was coming down
• The importance of being ready and present BEFORE stepping into to lead the crisis response
• What 39 years in policing taught him about values, trust, and why a badge doesn't mean you have all the answers
• Being headhunted by Sir Richard Branson
  And
• The one piece of advice he'd give to a two-year-old navigating the world we're building

From the conversation:

"Resilience is knowing you're going to get knocked down — but having the ability to dust yourself down and be motivated enough to get back up and keep going." - Mick

"You don't manage or lead organisations from a desk. You can't work out what frontline staff need unless you go to the coal face yourself and have a look." - Mick

"I've never believed that the badge means you know everything. I was still learning as Police Commissioner." - Mick

"You've got to be a little bit humble. Don't come charging in saying - it's all right, everybody, I'm here to save you all." - Mick

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If this conversation resonated, it's probably because you're navigating something similar - pressure, complexity, a decision that matters, or a transition you haven't quite figured out yet.

That's exactly what I created The Resilient Edge for.

I'm Charlie Peschardt. I work with individuals, leaders, founders, and organisations who need clarity in complexity, order from uncertainty, and direction under pressure. If that's you - or someone you know - I'd love to talk.

Find out more at  https://theresilientedge.com/ 

Or connect with Charlie directly

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

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

The Resilient Edge is hosted by Charlie Peschardt.

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