Battling with Business

In this first episode of a two-part series, Chris and Gareth take an in-depth look at the leadership, influence, and controversial legacy of Donald J. Trump, the 45th and 47th President of the United States. From his rise as a businessman, his first stint the White House, and his current administration. They examine the key traits that have made him such a powerful and divisive figure.  Trying very hard to be objective, they explore the good, the bad and the downright ugly; his charisma, communication style, and tenacity as well as his narcissism, lack of shame and seemingly selfish zero-sum approch to almost everything.  He certainly has unconventional approach to leadership, but is it effective and can we learn from it? How did Trump use branding, media influence, and populism to command loyalty and disrupt traditional politics? Is he a brilliant strategist, a master of persuasion, or simply a product of a changing political landscape? And what can leaders in business and beyond learn from his successes—and his failures? This is just the first of two episodes exploring Trump’s impact. Be sure to tune in next time as we examine his long-term legacy and the lessons his leadership offers for the future. 🔔 Subscribe now to Battling with Business for thought-provoking discussions on leadership, strategy, and the figures who shape the world around us!

Battling with Business Podcast: The Untold Story of Elżbieta Zawacka ‘Zo’ – WWII Spy, Resistance Fighter & Special Forces Operative In this episode of Battling with Business, Chris is joined by award-winning author and historian Claire Mulley to uncover the extraordinary true story of Elżbieta Zawacka, the legendary WWII resistance fighter, SOE agent, and Special Forces operative known as ‘Zo.’ One of the most remarkable yet overlooked heroes of World War II, Zo was the only woman to travel from Warsaw to London as an emissary of the Polish Home Army command, completing two high-risk missions before undergoing elite Special Operations Executive (SOE) training in Britain. She then became the only female member of the Silent Unseen (Cichociemni), Poland’s most elite special forces, and the only woman to parachute into Nazi-occupied Poland. Operating under extreme danger, Zo conducted espionage, sabotage, and intelligence-gathering missions, all while being relentlessly hunted by the Gestapo, who arrested her entire family in an attempt to break her. Despite this, she took a leading role in the Warsaw Uprising, helping to orchestrate resistance efforts against Nazi occupation and fighting for Poland’s liberation. After the war, Zo’s sacrifices were met with injustice. The Soviet-backed Communist regime imprisoned her and suppressed her story for over 40 years. Yet she remains one of the most highly decorated women in Polish history, a symbol of resilience, strategic brilliance, and leadership under extreme pressure. Through exclusive archival research and interviews with those who knew and fought alongside her, Claire Mulley brings Zo’s legacy back to life. This discussion delves into the hidden history of female spies, WWII resistance fighters, intelligence operations, and leadership in warfare, drawing powerful parallels between military strategy, resilience, and decision-making in business today. 🎧 Listen now to uncover the hidden history of WWII’s forgotten heroine and the leadership lessons from one of the war’s most fearless operatives.

In the second part of this insightful series, Chris and Gareth continue their chat with Dave Anderson, a former sniper and platoon weapons instructor from the Royal Marines. They dive into leadership, psychological safety, and decision-making in high-stakes environments. Embracing Mistakes for Growth Dave highlights how embracing mistakes fosters growth. He stresses the importance of a psychologically safe environment where feedback flows freely, helping teams learn and adapt. Leaders who encourage resilience and continuous improvement can drive organisational transformation. Psychological Safety in Training Dave shares a powerful story about a training incident that underscored the importance of psychological safety. Creating an environment where mistakes can be reported without fear is crucial for both military and corporate teams. Sniper Insights and Leadership Transition From the perspective of a sniper, Dave discusses intelligence gathering, denying enemy movement, and supporting patrols. He also reflects on his transition from combat to leadership, deepening his understanding of human behaviour and decision-making. Effective Training and Breaking Rank Barriers Chris and Dave explore the challenges of traditional military training, where seniority often outweighs expertise. They advocate for professionalising instructor roles to create more inclusive learning environments and empower team members. Decision-Making in High-Stakes Situations Effective leadership means making tough decisions under pressure. Dave emphasises the value of psychological safety for open communication and sound judgement, helping teams navigate critical scenarios with confidence. Accountability and Distributed Leadership Dave champions the idea of distributed leadership, encouraging accountability at all levels. By empowering individuals to take ownership, organisations foster resilience, agility, and high performance. Combating the Normalisation of Deviance Dave and Chris discuss the risks of normalising unsafe behaviours. Drawing from military and aviation examples, they emphasise the importance of leaders maintaining rigorous safety standards and challenging complacency. Leadership, Integrity, and Ethical Decision-Making Integrity and ethical leadership are at the heart of effective teams. Dave shares lessons on the impact of values-driven leadership, while Chris reflects on examples of both toxic and exemplary leadership. Tune in to Part 2 of this powerful conversation with Dave Anderson on Battling with Business!

In the first part of our compelling two-part series of Battling with Business, Chris and Gareth sit down with Dave Anderson, a former sniper and platoon weapons instructor from the Royal Marines, to explore the intricacies of leadership, hierarchy, and information influence. Drawing from military experiences and historical case studies, Dave shares powerful insights into the dynamics that shape decision-making, communication, and innovation within organisations. Key Topics Discussed: 1. The Power of Hierarchy and Authority: * Dave examines a fascinating case study of a 1974 United Airlines flight, where the reluctance to challenge authority had fatal consequences. * He highlights the importance of creating environments where constructive challenges are encouraged. * Learn why psychological safety is essential for open communication and how it can prevent critical mistakes. 2. Understanding Organisational Culture: * Using the iceberg metaphor, Dave explains how visible artefacts often mask the deeper beliefs and values that define organisational culture. * Explore how cultural artefacts can be misinterpreted without context and how shared beliefs shape behaviours. * Gain insights into fostering a growth mindset that promotes learning and innovation. 3. Building Psychological Safety: * Discover the key principles of psychological safety and why it’s foundational for high-performing teams. * Dave shares strategies to test and ensure psychological safety within organisations. * Learn how leaders can create trust, encourage feedback, and facilitate open communication. 4. Adaptability and Innovation in Teams: * Dave, Chris and Gareth discuss the shift from traditional, transactional leadership to inclusive leadership approaches. * Understand the value of diverse thinking in dynamic environments. * Explore how growth mindsets and psychological safety drive innovation and resilience. Why Listen? Whether you’re a business leader, team manager, or simply curious about leadership lessons from the military, this episode offers actionable insights to foster stronger teams and enhance organisational culture. Dave’s experiences and thought-provoking perspectives provide a unique lens on navigating complexity and driving success. Stay tuned for Part 2, where Chris, Gareth, and Dave continue the conversation, delving deeper into leadership, culture formation, and the role of embracing mistakes and the risk of normalising deviancy.

Trump, NATO, and the Future of Global Leadership In this special emergency episode of Battling with Business, Gareth and Chris react to the immediate aftermath of the White House meeting between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. They dissect Trump’s erratic and seemingly irrational approach to foreign policy, particularly his dismissive stance on NATO and his failure to stand up to Russian aggression. The discussion highlights how Trump and his Vice President, JD Vance, posture as strongmen yet repeatedly demonstrate cowardice—bullying allies while avoiding direct confrontation with real threats. The conversation focuses on the Ukraine conflict, unequivocally stating that Vladimir Putin is the aggressor. Rather than pressuring Ukraine, the US and its allies should be holding Russia accountable for its blatant disregard for international law and sovereignty. Yet, Trump’s transactional worldview seems to reward aggression while undermining the very alliances that have kept global stability for decades. Chris and Gareth explore how nationalism and populism have enabled leaders like Trump to manipulate fear and uncertainty for political gain. They discuss whether his actions are part of a chaotic short-term strategy or a deeper, more troubling shift in global power dynamics. With the US appearing increasingly unreliable, they question whether Europe must now take a more assertive role in countering Russian aggression and defending democratic values. The episode concludes with a reflection on the dangers of weak leadership masquerading as strength and a call for principled leadership in both politics and business. A lighter topic is promised for the next episode—after all, there's only so much geopolitical madness one can take in a week!