243. What if leadership didn't need a leader? With Psychologist and Author, Danny Wareham

Welcome back to Truth, Lies & Work — the award-winning podcast where behavioural science meets workplace culture, brought to you by the HubSpot Podcast Network, the audio destination for business professionals.

This week, Al and Leanne talk to Danny Wareham, organisational psychologist and author of Constellation Leadership: Reimagined for a Connected Age, about why leadership might not need a single leader at all.

From Navy SEALs to small business teams, Danny’s research explores what happens when you remove the leader from the room — and discover that, in the right conditions, performance can actually increase.

🔥 What We Cover

📘 What is Constellation Leadership?
Danny introduces his model — a flexible, culture-driven approach where leadership shifts based on context and capability, not hierarchy or titles.

🧭 Why culture can replace hierarchy
Learn why clear purpose, shared trust and behavioural norms can guide teams more effectively than top-down control.

💡 The North Star principle
Before defining roles, policies or perks, Danny says every organisation must answer one question: why do we exist? That North Star then becomes the anchor for every decision.

⚙️ How small organisations have a natural edge
Danny’s research shows that companies under 150 people — below Dunbar’s number — perform best when they keep teams small, autonomous and purpose-led.

💬 The Navy SEAL mindset
We unpack “mission command” — how elite teams rotate leadership fluidly, with the person best equipped for each situation taking charge in real time.

🧠 The psychology of trust and autonomy
From imposter syndrome to cultural alignment, Danny explains what it really takes to create teams that lead themselves.

🎧 Want more from Danny Wareham?

– Website: dannywareham.co.uk
– LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danny-wareham/
– Constellation Leadership: https://dannywareham.co.uk/constellation-leadership/

🧠 Support with Mental Health and Well-being

– Mind UK: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/
– Samaritans (UK): Call 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org

📬 Connect with Al & Leanne

– LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/truthlieswork
– Al Elliott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thisisalelliott
– Leanne Elliott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meetleanne
– Email: hello@truthliesandwork.com
– Book a call: https://savvycal.com/meetleanne/chat