Three Steps Ahead

We look beyond the usual wellbeing initiatives and ask what healthy, resilient teams actually look like, why wellbeing affects performance, and what leaders can do to create the right conditions for people to work well.

In this episode of Three Steps Ahead, Martin Gibbs and Simon Cossey are joined by Lisa Whittleton, Business Psychologist and Director of Illuminate VR and Clare Walkeden, Director of Auburn Coaching and Consultancy, to explore the real business impact of wellbeing.

Lisa - https://www.illuminatevr.co.uk
Clare - https://www.auburnconsultancy.co.uk

We discuss:

What does wellbeing actually mean?
How do we know when someone, or an organisation, is genuinely well?

Why should a business leader care?
What goes wrong commercially when wellbeing deteriorates, and are some of the biggest costs hidden?

The leadership question
- What can a leader actually do that genuinely improves wellbeing?

Psychological safety in practice
- What does it really mean, and how do you know whether your organisation genuinely has it?

Why wellbeing initiatives fail
-What are the things organisations do with good intentions that simply do not work?

Can you have a wellbeing programme sitting inside an unhealthy culture?

What should organisations actually do?
- If you know you are not doing this particularly well, where do you start on Monday morning?

What about the leaders themselves?
- Can you genuinely create a healthy organisation if the senior leadership team are exhausted?

The Three Steps Ahead - What are the three practical things leaders can do next to improve wellbeing in their organisations?

We finish by asking one simple question - What does a genuinely healthy workplace feel like?

About Three Steps Ahead
Three Steps Ahead is a business and leadership podcast for business owners, founders and senior leaders who want practical strategy that actually works. Most business podcasts talk about what happened - Three Steps Ahead is about what you should do next.

• Who it’s for: business leaders, founders, senior managers
• What makes it different: practical strategy, simple thinking, real experience
• Why now: 2026 is shaping up to be volatile — clarity matters more than ever

Drawing on decades of advisory, mentoring and peer-group experience, the podcast focuses on how leaders plan well, think beyond the immediate, and navigate uncertainty with confidence.

Listen & follow:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon
🌐 https://threestepsahead.buzzsprout.com
Hosted by: Martin Gibbs | Simon Cossey | Richard Miller

Three Steps Ahead - Practical strategy for the next move

Episode 8 – The Competence Cliff: Why Good Managers Fail Under Pressure

Guest: Rob Harrison, Co-Founder of Teams Glued

Why do so many talented people struggle when they first become managers?

In this episode, Martin Gibbs and Simon Cossey are joined by Rob Harrison from Teams Glued to explore what Rob calls “The Competence Cliff” – the point where technical expertise is no longer enough and leadership becomes about people, communication and behaviour under pressure.

The discussion explores why traditional leadership training often fails to create lasting behavioural change, how pressure influences decision-making, and why the best managers learn to adapt rather than simply rely on instinct.

Rob also explains how Teams Glued uses immersive VR simulation and behavioural modelling to help managers experience pressure in a safe environment, reflect on their responses and develop more effective leadership behaviours.

In this episode

• Why technical experts often struggle after promotion
• The “Competence Cliff” explained
• How pressure changes behaviour
• Fight, Flight, Freeze… and Fawn
• Why most leadership training doesn’t transfer back into the workplace
• The hidden costs of conflict inside organisations
• Why behavioural awareness matters more than personality labels
• Using simulation to accelerate leadership development
• Three practical techniques every manager can use immediately

Key Takeaways

• Leadership is a behavioural skill, not simply a technical one.
• Pressure doesn’t create behaviour — it reveals it.
• Self-awareness is the first step towards better leadership.
• Great managers pause before reacting.
• Better communication reduces conflict and improves performance.
• Teams perform best when leaders adapt their style to the people around them.

About Rob Harrison

Rob Harrison is Co-Founder of Glued and Teams Glued, helping organisations improve communication, teamwork and leadership through immersive behavioural learning experiences. Alongside his work with Teams Glued, Rob also serves as Regional Chair of the Federation of Small Businesses (West Midlands).

Find out more:
 https://www.gluedlimited.co.uk

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/from-insight-to-behaviour-a-teams-glued-demonstration-for-people-leaders-tickets-1992615502608?aff=Glued

In a world where change is the only constant, how can leaders help their organisations adapt, innovate and execute more effectively?

In this episode of Three Steps Ahead, Martin Gibbs, Richard Miller and Simon Cossey explore the growing importance of Agile thinking in business leadership and strategy execution.

Richard shares his experience as a qualified Scrum Master and explains how Agile evolved from software development into a practical approach that can help any organisation respond more quickly to changing customer needs, shifting priorities and increasing uncertainty.

The conversation explores why many organisations struggle not with strategy itself, but with implementation. The team discuss concepts such as Minimum Viable Products, rapid feedback loops, experimentation, customer value and the importance of learning through action rather than waiting for perfection.

Along the way they examine the role of culture, leadership, resilience and empowered teams in creating organisations that can thrive in an increasingly volatile business environment.

Key themes include:
• Agile versus Scrum – what's the difference?
• Why perfection can be the enemy of progress
• The power of experimentation and learning
• Building customer value into every decision
• Creating agile cultures and empowered teams
• Practical steps leaders can take today

If you're looking for practical ways to improve execution, adapt more quickly to change and build a more responsive organisation, this episode is for you.

Three Steps Ahead – Practical strategy for the next move.

What do people find when they search for you online and what decision are they making before you even meet? In this episode of Three Steps Ahead, Martin Gibbs and Simon Cossey take a practical deep dive into the modern Zero Moment of Truth (ZMOT) — the critical moment where clients, employers, prospects and connections form an opinion about you before the meeting even begins.

In 2026, your personal brand is no longer optional. LinkedIn profiles, company bios, podcasts, Google results, social media activity and online reputation all combine to create a digital first impression that can open, or quietly close opportunities.

This episode explores:
- Why buyers often decide before the first conversation
- The “pattern match” effect and instant credibility signals
- How people now “triangulate” your online presence
- The silent red flags that damage trust
- Why an inactive LinkedIn profile says more than you think
- Moving from a passive CV to an active signal of expertise
- Borrowed credibility and the importance of networks
- The 60-second online audit test
- How leaders stay Three Steps Ahead by building visibility before they need it

A short, practical and highly relevant episode for business leaders, advisers, professionals and anyone building a reputation in a digital-first world.

#ThreeStepsAhead #ZMOT #PersonalBrand #Leadership #LinkedIn #BusinessStrategy #DigitalReputation #Marketing #ProfessionalServices #businessgrowth 

More about Three Steps Ahead
Three Steps Ahead is a business and leadership podcast for business owners, founders and senior leaders who want practical strategy that actually works. Most business podcasts talk about what happened - Three Steps Ahead is about what you should do next.

• Who it’s for: business leaders, founders, senior managers
• What makes it different: practical strategy, simple thinking, real experience
• Why now: 2026 is shaping up to be volatile — clarity matters more than ever

Drawing on decades of advisory, mentoring and peer-group experience, the podcast focuses on how leaders plan well, think beyond the immediate, and navigate uncertainty with confidence.

Listen & follow
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon
🌐 https://threestepsahead.buzzsprout.com
Hosted by: Martin Gibbs | Richard Miller | Simon Cossey

Three Steps Ahead - Practical strategy for the next move

Martin Gibbs is joined in this episode of Three Steps Ahead by Brian Jukes, Joint Managing Partner and Head of Corporate Tax at Dafferns, a leading independent accounting firm, based in Coventry. Martin and Brian worked together for more than 25 years and together they reflect on the state of the world in 2026:

- What are the key issues business leaders are facing today?
- What impact does the latest UK tax regime have?
- What on earth is going on with the UK Government, the USA and how can business leaders plan with this uncertainty?
- 2 Accountants Talk about cars again! --- Where are we with the UK car market, the ZEV mandate and the push towards full EVs  -- and how did Brian cope with a long distance road trip to Scotland in his EV?
- The Rise of AI and how this is impacting both the professional services market and employment prospects
- and finally Brian's top book recommendation for business leaders in 2026

More about our guest Brian Jukes and Dafferns

More about Three Steps Ahead
Three Steps Ahead is a business and leadership podcast for business owners, founders and senior leaders who want practical strategy that actually works. Most business podcasts talk about what happened - Three Steps Ahead is about what you should do next.

• Who it’s for: business leaders, founders, senior managers
• What makes it different: practical strategy, simple thinking, real experience
• Why now: 2026 is shaping up to be volatile — clarity matters more than ever

Drawing on decades of advisory, mentoring and peer-group experience, the podcast focuses on how leaders plan well, think beyond the immediate, and navigate uncertainty with confidence.

Listen & follow
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon
🌐 https://threestepsahead.buzzsprout.com
Hosted by: Martin Gibbs | Richard Miller | Simon Cossey

Three Steps Ahead - Practical strategy for the next move

If you were starting your career today, what would you do differently?

In this episode of The Three Steps Ahead Podcast, Martin Gibbs, Richard Miller and Simon Cossey share practical career lessons drawn from more than 100 years of combined leadership experience. 

This is real world advice for Gen Z, millennials and ambitious professionals who want to build careers that last.

1. Continuous Learning → Qualification Is the Starting Line

 - The real learning begins after you qualify. Career advantage comes from staying curious and adapting faster than change.

2. Stick With It → Careers Compound over time

- Success comes from patience, resilience and long term reputation. Careers are marathons that reward consistency.

3. Personal Brand → You Already Have One, what are you going to do with it?

- Your reputation is forming whether you shape it or not. Be intentional about what you are known for and how you show up professionally.

4. Authentic → Know Your Non Negotiables
- Clarity about your values and principles helps you make better decisions and build a career that fits who you really are.

5. Agile → Do Not Marry the Plan
- Industries evolve and disruption is constant. Direction matters more than rigid planning. Stay alert and ready to adapt.

6. Connected → Opportunity Flows Through People
- Career breakthroughs come through relationships. Build networks, contribute generously and be known beyond your organisation.

7. The Bonus Lesson - Ownership → It Is Your Career
- No one will manage your career for you. Take responsibility for your growth, reputation and future direction.

Whether you are starting out or stepping up, these lessons will help you stay three steps ahead.

Listen & follow:
Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/three-steps-ahead/id1870837966
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/episode/2dLsrl94ONPxKEJlT3Eh9f?si=899edd4900c34dae
🌐 https://threestepsahead.buzzsprout.com

Three Steps Ahead - Practical strategy for the next move

In this episode of Three Steps Ahead, Martin Gibbs is joined by Sarah Alexander, Founder and Director of Vivid Learning & Development 

In a world shaped by AI, constant change, and relentless distraction, the leaders who thrive are not those with the most tools — but those with the strongest human skills. Drawing on insights from working with thousands of leaders across 2025, Sarah shares the six human skills that will either set leaders apart, or hold them back in 2026 and beyond. These are the capabilities that underpin good judgement, meaningful connection, collaboration, resilience, and adaptability.

While AI can augment knowledge, automate tasks, and increase efficiency, it cannot replace what makes us human. This conversation explores the skills that technology cannot replicate and why developing them is now a leadership imperative.

About Three Steps Ahead
Three Steps Ahead is a business and leadership podcast for business owners, founders and senior leaders who want practical strategy that actually works. Most business podcasts talk about what happened - Three Steps Ahead is about what you should do next.

• Who it’s for: business leaders, founders, senior managers
• What makes it different: practical strategy, simple thinking, real experience
• Why now: 2026 is shaping up to be volatile — clarity matters more than ever

Drawing on decades of advisory, mentoring and peer-group experience, the podcast focuses on how leaders plan well, think beyond the immediate, and navigate uncertainty with confidence.

Watch on Three Steps Ahead on YouTube 

Listen & follow: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon
🌐 https://threestepsahead.buzzsprout.com
Hosted by: Martin Gibbs | Richard Miller | Simon Cossey

Three Steps Ahead - Practical strategy for the next move

How do leaders get Three Steps Ahead and make better strategy decisions in 2026? In this episode, Martin Gibbs, Richard Miller and Simon Cossey explore what high-performing leaders must get right in a rapidly changing, AI-augmented world.

With early access to Mindshop’s Business Leader Global Trends Report 2026, we analyse the 8 key leadership performance trends shaping decision-making, execution and leadership effectiveness in 2026 — from judgement and operating cadence to psychological endurance and the role of the leader as Connector-in-Chief.

This is not an episode about AI tools or hype. It’s a practical, experience-led conversation about how leaders think clearly, maintain momentum, and make better next moves when volatility and uncertainty are the norm.

About Three Steps Ahead
Three Steps Ahead is a business and leadership podcast for business owners, founders and senior leaders who want practical strategy that actually works.
Most business podcasts talk about what happened.
Three Steps Ahead is about what you should do next.
• Who it’s for: business leaders, founders, senior managers
• What makes it different: practical strategy, simple thinking, real experience
• Why now: 2026 is shaping up to be volatile — clarity matters more than ever
Drawing on decades of advisory, mentoring and peer-group experience, the podcast focuses on how leaders plan well, think beyond the immediate, and navigate uncertainty with confidence.

Listen & follow:

YouTube https://youtu.be/faH3l6brEIM
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon
🌐 www.threestepsahead.co.uk
Hosted by:
Martin Gibbs | Richard Miller | Simon Cossey

Three Steps Ahead - Practical strategy for the next move

Three Steps Ahead is a business strategy and leadership podcast for owners, leaders and advisers who want practical ideas that actually work.

Practical strategy for the next move
Helping leaders think further

Hosted by Martin Gibbs, Richard Miller and Simon Cossey, the podcast brings together decades of experience in advisory, leadership facilitation, peer-to-peer learning and business development. Across the series, the conversation focuses on simple, effective strategy, authentic leadership, and how leaders can make better decisions in an increasingly uncertain and fast-changing world.

The three hosts share a long history of working with owner-managed businesses. Martin and Richard were partners for more than 25 years at Dafferns Accountants, Simon worked closely with the firm as a business development consultant, and all three have led and facilitated senior peer-learning groups. They are also accredited Mindshop Expert Advisers, with a strong belief in clear planning, shared accountability and continuous learning.

Each episode of Three Steps Ahead is an open, unscripted conversation. Topics include leadership culture, shared values, communication, planning frameworks, experimentation, and what it really means to lead when progress is rarely linear. The podcast recognises that plans don’t always work first time — sometimes it’s three steps ahead and two steps back — but having a plan, learning from experience and adapting along the way matters far more than chasing perfection.

Over the course of the series, the hosts will also explore emerging themes such as the rise of the AI-augmented leader, the growing importance of emotional intelligence, and how leaders can create environments where people feel safe, engaged and able to perform at their best. Alongside the core trio, occasional guest contributors will bring additional perspectives from across business, leadership and professional services.

This podcast isn’t about theory, hype or quick fixes. It’s about thoughtful conversation, shared insight and practical takeaways that leaders can apply in the real world. 

If you’re a business owner, senior leader or adviser who wants to think more clearly, plan more confidently and move forward with purpose, Three Steps Ahead is for you.