Elite Team Talks

Today, I am joined by James King, best-selling author, peak performance expert and advisor to elite athletes, military leaders and business pioneers.  In the world of business, James has helped companies such as Onyx Commodities to become the number 1 liquidity provider for oil derivatives in the world, through 'hiring and training some of the world’s best traders'. In the performance world, he has counselled government agencies and specialist military units, which is where James and I met just over half a decade ago. He also provides guidance to coaches, managers and athletes within the English Premier League (EPL), Team GB, and the National Basketball Association (NBA). He holds a first class degree in Applied Sports Science, and an MSc in Performance Psychology, both from the University of Edinburgh. He has spent the last fifteen years hitting all this theory hard with the biggest metaphorical hammer he could find, to see what breaks in practice. James has presented case studies on his work for the MBA programs at the University of Oxford, Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). In this episode, you can expect to understand;  - How to unlock your potential by aligning with your unique "sweet spot." - Why real success comes from pursuing purpose and values-led goals - Ways to accelerate your career and avoid stagnation - The scientific, no-bull**** development strategies that lead to lasting fulfilment and sustainable high performance. If you enjoy the episode then please like, share and subscribe so others can do the same.  You can find James Book ‘Accelerating Excellence’ on amazon and visit him at his website jamesaking.com. Thanks as always for listening, and I hope you enjoy my conversation with James as much as I did. 00:00 Episode Intro 01:29 Introduction and Background 18:01 The Importance of Pursuing Concordant Goals 27:57 Finding Your Sweet Spot: Aligning with Strengths, Interests, and Values 32:13 Activating Your Psychological Firepower 36:22 The Role of Interests in Goal Pursuit 40:07 The Significance of Values in Driving Performance 41:52 Aligning with Strengths, Interests, and Values 43:44 The Importance of Self-Understanding 45:04 Creating Conditions for Motivation and Confidence 49:27 Crafting Roles to Align with Strengths and Interests 52:42 Accepting and Embracing Discomfort 59:55 Taking Action and Pursuing Meaningful Goals 1:02:26 Removing Excuses and Embracing Personal Growth

Jack Swift, CEO of Liminal Collective and former US Army Ranger, shares his insights on thriving amid chaos. He emphasizes the importance of creativity and imagination in leadership, skills often overlooked in traditional education. Drawing parallels between entrepreneurship and military life, he discusses adaptability and emotional vulnerability. Swift advocates for embodied leadership and fostering team dynamics through mindfulness. He also highlights the role of personal reflection in growth and the necessity of balancing drive with supportive recharge periods.

Today, I have the honour of speaking with Captain Bradley Geary. Brad most recently served as the commanding officer of Naval Special Warfare Centre, located on Naval Amphibious Base Coronado. The organisation responsible for the outreach, assessment and selection of Navy SEAL and SWCC candidates and the subsequent advanced training to the Navy’s SEAL and Special Boat communities. Brad oversaw the rigorous selection and training programs that identify and prepare Navy SEAL candidates for the demands of special operations. His leadership at the Naval Special Warfare Centre was pivotal in shaping the next generation of SEALs, ensuring they possess the physical, mental, and tactical skills required to excel in the most challenging environments. In this episode, you can expect to understand; - How leadership can cause ‘brain damage’ - How to build resilient, high trust organisations - How to use vulnerability as a leadership superpower - The necessity of non-conformists and mavericks - How a US Navy Seal commander would hire in the corporate world As always, if you enjoy the episode and want to be the first to hear when new episodes drop, please like, rate, review and subscribe to the podcast. Most importantly, thank you for watching and listening. This podcast was created for you, and I hope you enjoy the episode.   (00:00) Episode Intro (00:48) Introduction and Background (02:29) Building Trust: Empowering Team Members (07:52) The Importance of Proportionate Accountability (15:52) Identifying High-Potential Talent: A Multi-Day Selection Process (27:06) Transparency and Vulnerability: Keys to Building Trust (37:10) Leadership as Leading, Coaching, and Mentoring (39:50) Countering Hubris Syndrome in Leadership (43:47) Fostering Non-Conformity and Diverse Thought in Culture (48:02) The Role of Conflict in Innovation and Problem-Solving (53:42) Recruiting for Diversity and Welcoming Diverse Perspectives (01:02:41) Empowering the Next Generation to Challenge and Provide New Perspectives (01:14:20) Embracing Pre-Existing Scar Tissue and Self-Confidence (01:18:59) Overcoming Fear and Finding Opportunity in Suffering (01:24:45) The Role of Trust and Vulnerability in Team Dynamics (01:29:29) The Power of Collective Suffering in Building High-Performing Teams (01:36:44) Word Association (01:39:28) Summary & Takeaways

In this episode, I sit down with Calum Clark. Calum is a former international rugby player turned psychologist to elite performers, through his company Innate High Performance. In this episode, we dive deep into the transformative power of harnessing your emotions for sustained high performance. Tackling pervasive issues such as toxic masculinity, and the societal norms that discourage emotional openness. With Calum explaining how these factors impact mental health and performance. You can expect to understand; - The necessity of acknowledging & accepting our emotions for high performance - How to respond, not react when emotions runs high - The importance of self-reflection for living a fulfilling life - How to identify self-limiting beliefs and break through them This conversation is a must-listen for anyone interested in creating a healthier, more emotionally aware environment where individuals can truly thrive. Or simply those wishing to live a more meaningful, high-performing life. As always, if you enjoyed the episode and want to be the first to hear when new episodes drop, please like, rate, review and subscribe to the podcast. Most importantly, thank you for watching and listening. This podcast was created for you, and I hope you enjoy the episode. (00:00) Episode Intro (00:40) Introduction and Background (02:43) Lessons from High Performance Sport (03:17) Toxic Masculinity and Emotional Expression (06:53) The Risks of Suppressing Emotions (08:11) Leadership and Self-Focus (09:16) Building Strong Foundations for High Performance (18:25) Leadership Paradox (20:17) Leadership and Identity (22:46) Sustaining High Performance (24:07) The Path of High Performance (27:00) Understanding Strengths and Identity (29:36) Excellence and Process Focus (34:09) Balancing Work and Personal Identity (35:44) Finding Fulfilment Beyond Achievements (36:34) Integrating Psychology for a Healthier Working Environment (43:51) Authentic Suffering and Challenge for Growth

In this exciting episode, I am thrilled to welcome Aldo Kane to the podcast! Aldo is a world-record holding adventurer, former Royal Marine sniper and TV presenter known for pushing the boundaries of human endurance and exploration. With a career spanning two decades, Aldo has led diverse teams and tackled some of the planet's most challenging environments, from scaling remote peaks to abseiling into active volcanoes. Join us as we dive into Aldo's incredible journey. We'll explore how he builds resilience, hear behind-the-scenes stories from his TV shows, and gain insights into the leadership skills required to lead through volatile, unpredictable environments. From the boardroom to Everest. Whether you're an adventure enthusiast or simply curious about what it takes to successfully lead in the unpredictable world of business, this episode promises to deliver practical action points for doing just that. You can expect to understand; - How to maintain composure and effective decision making under pressure - How to build outstanding mental resilience - How to rapidly build high-performing teams - How to successfully lead through these volatile, unpredictable times If you enjoyed the episode then please like, share and subscribe so others can do the same. Thanks as always for listening, and I hope you enjoy the episode. 00:00 Intro 00:52 Aldo’s background 03:26 Overcoming Challenging Experiences and Lessons for Leaders 09:16 Maintaining Composure and Making Effective Decisions Under Pressure 29:38 Developing Mental Resilience and Making Deliberate Choices 39:59 Building Resilience and Maintaining Balance 40:52 Embracing the Unknown and Relinquishing Control 42:11 The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Leadership 43:27 Empowering Team Members and Making Quick Decisions 51:27 Resilience and the Power of Positive Storytelling 01:06:06 The Impact of Negativity and the Importance of Trust 01:12:11 Having Courageous Conversations to Address Negative Behaviour 01:15:50 Empathy and Adaptability in Leadership 01:21:39 Embracing Failure as a Path to Growth 01:25:29 Resilience: Enduring Uncomfortable Situations 01:36:24 Inspiring Others and Being a Servant Leader 01:39:37 Developing Empathy and Adaptability as Leadership Skills 01:40:48 The Power of Silence: Mental Health and Self-Reflection

Welcome back, and today we chat with highly respected human performance expert Andy Walshe. Through his work as Red Bull Head of High Performance and now CEO of The Liminal Collective, Andy has helped individuals and teams to push beyond the boundaries of what's possible for the last several decades. In this episode, you will learn; - The most important trait for rapid personal development - How to innovate quicker than the competition - Common traits of the best leaders - How to find your authentic leadership style - How to rapidly hire the right people - And why human virtues are quickly becoming the most important quality for success As always, thank you for listening, and I hope you enjoy this episode. 01:05 Andy Intro 02:54 Making The Best Better 06:12 Greatest Drivers Of Personal Development 07:45 Greatest Drivers Of Team Development 11:28 Creating A Unifying Purpose 16:06 A Common Trait Of The Best Leaders 17:47 Developing Your Own Leadership Style 19:59 Advice For Founders 20:14 What Andy's Done A 180 On 32:29 The Human-Machine Paradox 41:43 Developing Virtues As A Leader 45:21 Word Association 48:38 Summary & takeaways

Hi everyone, Today we welcome ST, otherwise known as Simon Thomas, a high-performance consultant from New Zealand. In this episode he shares his experiences and learnings from working with the world's most successful rugby club, the Crusaders, and his time with the Māori All Blacks. In this episode, we discuss what ancient Māori wisdom has taught him, how to create a story that unites your people, how to ensure you have the right people on the bus in the first place, and how to create a culture where people put the organisation’s success before their own self-interest. If you enjoyed this episode, please like, rate, subscribe and share it with others. Thanks, as always, for listening and I hope you enjoy it. 00:00 Intro 01:34 The Power of Purpose in High Performance 6:01 The Impact of Storytelling on Team Culture 17:22 3 Steps To Align Your People 26:22 Scaling Connection & Belonging 31:11 The Maori All Blacks Culture 44:01 How To Identify The Right People 50:29 Staying Aligned To Your Strengths & Values 53:20 Whole-Person Approach 1:00:00 Connecting People Remotely 01:07:15 How To Retain Your Best People 01:15:06 First Steps In A New Environment 01:22:59 Word Association 1:27:31 Summary & Takeaways

Hi everyone and welcome back. In this episode, I discuss all things storytelling, creativity and inspiration with Ben Potvin, ex Creative Director for Cirque Du Soleil and now Chief Creative Officer at The Liminal Collective. As business leaders, it's often our ability to influence and connect people that underpins our company's success. Whether it's selling to clients or building a high-performance workforce. In this episode, you can expect to understand; - How to build a culture of innovation - How to inspire and align your people - How to create deep levels of connection at work - And how to sustainably, outcompete your competitors As always, if you enjoyed this episode and want to be the first to hear when new episodes drop, please like, rate, review and subscribe to the podcast. Most importantly, thank you for watching and listening. This podcast was created for you and I hope you enjoy the episode. 00:00 Podcast Intro 00:35 Introduction and Background 06:55 Creativity: Exploration and Curiosity 25:36 AI and Creativity: Enhancing Ideas 34:33 Creating a Safe Space for Self-Reflection and Sharing 42:04 Collaborating Based on Strengths and Weaknesses 47:24 Reflecting on Values and Identity for Personal and Team Growth 58:40 Creating Deep Connections and Meaning within Teams 01:11:16 Embracing Diversity for Personal Growth and Creativity 01:23:38 Making Time for In-Person Interactions and Authentic Conversations 01:29:35 Word Association 01:31:53 Summary & Takeaways

Hi everyone, Join us this week as we dive deep with Dr. Preston Cline, co-founder of the Mission Critical Team Institute (MCTI). With a background that intertwines academic rigour with real-world experience, Dr. Cline is at the forefront of developing high-stakes teams operating at the edge of human performance. In this episode, we unpack the science and psychology behind mission critical teams, those groups for whom failure could mean the difference between life and death. From Navy SEALs to surgical units, discover how these teams prepare for the unpredictable, manage risk, and make decisions under extreme pressure. Dr. Cline shares insights from his extensive research and fieldwork, offering lessons on leadership, teamwork, and resilience that apply far beyond the battlefield or the operating room. Whether you're leading a team, part of one, or simply fascinated by human performance under pressure, this conversation will change the way you think about teamwork in critical missions. From this episode you can expect to understand; - The system used by the Navy Seals to develop their people - How to avoid promoting the wrong leaders - Why psychological 'safety' isn't what we're actually after - And what humans really require for sustainable success As always, if you enjoyed this episode and want to be the first to hear when new episodes drop, please like, rate, review and subscribe to the podcast. Most importantly, thank you for watching and listening. This podcast was created for you and I hope you enjoy the episode. 00:00 Episode intro 00:35 Introduction and background 01:04 Preston's journey and research focus 03:22 Lessons from mission critical teams for ambitious companies 06:31 Achieving resilience and thriving in uncertainty 08:37 The risk or safety paradox 20:09 Creating a universal language and the role of guides 25:49 The DR5 model for optimising performance 29:01 Pattern recognition and conditioning in training and performance 31:18 The power of a shared language for effective intervention 34:45 Finding balance and richness in life with the 'third thing' 41:17 The role of eldership in guiding and supporting younger generations 52:05 Creating authentic community and connection in organisations 57:15 Word association 59:30 Summary & takeaways

Hi everyone and welcome back. I'm excited for you to listen to our episode with Brad today. Personally, he was the first coach I worked with during my time in New Zealand and he has gone on to do wonderful things since then. This episode is packed full of nuggets and insights, so expect to understand; - How to create lived, not 'part time', values - How to achieve sustainable success - The 3 steps you can take to get the best out of your team - And, how to effectively lead through a storm As always, if you enjoyed this episode and want to be the first to hear when new episodes drop, please like, rate, review and subscribe to the podcast. Most importantly, thank you for watching and listening. This podcast was created for you and I hope you enjoy the episode. 0:00 Episode intro 0:36 Going from a lawyer to coaching the All Blacks 08:25 What makes the All Blacks world-class 09:07 How to create a legacy of sustained success 10:13 How to succeed under pressure 13:14 How to maximise your company’s training time 14:28 The 3 steps process for getting the most out of your team 15:46 The importance of psychological safety and vulnerability 17:25 Leveraging diversity for innovative solutions 18:43 Lived vs ‘part-time’ values 22:44 Why the best teams are full of custodians 27:55 How to lead through a storm 30:48 Embracing scrutiny & high expectations 32:38 Understanding your culture 37:01 The first step he takes when joining a new team 37:37 Seeking other perspectives to build your toolbox 44:55 How to switch gears and recover hard 48:00 What the best in the world all do 51:01 How the All Blacks select team members 55:29 How to onboard new hires 1:02:21 Brad’s coaching and leadership philosophy 1:09:05 The highs and lows of leadership 1:09:57 Word association 1:11:40 Summary & takeaways