Battling with Business

Episode 149 - War in the Smartphone Age : Why Leaders Must Rethink Everything They Think They Know

This episode explores how leaders can navigate unprecedented change by understanding the hidden forces reshaping conflict, technology, and decision making. In this conversation with Dr Matthew Ford, we unpack how the smartphone has quietly transformed modern warfare and why leaders in every sector must rethink how they interpret information, manage uncertainty, and respond to rapid shifts. We start to look at how the smartphone has blurred the line between civilian and combatant, reshaping risk and responsibility and how modern conflict is now inseparable from a participatory media environment where everyone contributes, knowingly or not. We discuss how organisations struggle when they assume they understand the environment and how leaders must cultivate curiosity, humility, and systems thinking. It's clear that AI is not the beginning of radical change but the acceleration of trends already reshaping society and leaders must protect core expertise while adapting to technological change.

Episode 148 - Iterate or Lose : Innovation Lessons from NATO’s Front Line

This episode  of Battling with Business dives deep into modern leadership and management through the lens of defence innovation. Gareth Tennant and Chris Kitchener are joined by John Ridge, Chief Adoption Officer at the NATO Innovation Fund, to explore how technology, agility and organisational culture shape today’s capabilities. Leaders often talk about innovation, speed and agility, but how do those ideas work when the stakes are measured in national security rather than quarterly targets? This episode reveals what real innovation looks like when it must be fast, iterative and mission‑critical. You'll hear how and why NATO created a multinational deep‑tech venture fund and how modern defence challenges mirror classic product management problems. You'll learn why iteration, modularity and open architectures matter more than ever and how leaders can create cultures that embrace experimentation while managing risk. We also talk about the critical role of passion, mission alignment and end‑user closeness. Listen to hear a powerful conversation that blends defence, technology and leadership lessons relevant for every leader, in or out of uniform.

Episode 147 - Inside The War Game : Red Teaming A Crisis

In this episode Battling with Business explores leadership and decision making under pressure through a deep dive into “The War Game,” a five‑part immersive geopolitical simulation from Sky. https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-wargame/id1547225334 Gareth and Chris unpack how realistic war gaming exposes blind spots, stress‑tests assumptions, and reveals how people truly behave when everything happens at once. Leadership is easy when nothing is at stake. The real test is how you think, act, and adapt when the world tilts under your feet. We hear why immersive simulations reveal more than theoretical discussions, how pressure changes decisions that seem obvious in hindsight, what war gaming teaches us about communication, clarity, roles, and information flow, how leaders can use structured stress‑testing in business just as effectively as governments use it in crisis planning and why confronting unlikely but high‑impact risks is essential for modern leaders. Listen to hear how a fictional crisis uncovers real lessons for leaders in any environment.

Episode 146 - Influencer #26 - The Nelson Touch : Leadership, Myth, and Mastery

"Thank God I have done my duty." This episode explores leadership through the life and legacy of Admiral Horatio Nelson. Gareth and Chris unpack the myth, the reality, and the enduring lessons behind one of Britain’s most iconic naval commanders. What makes someone a great leader when history elevates them to near‑mythical status? And what happens when we discover the real person beneath the legend? Nelson’s success came from clear communication, trust, preparation, and personal courage. His “Nelson touch” showed how leaders build unity and belief through simple, human behaviours. While mythmaking distorts history, core leadership principles endure across eras and great leadership is not about perfection but about consistent, purposeful action. This episode encourages listeners to reflect on what truly builds trust and followership, and why understanding leaders of the past helps us lead better today.

Episode 145 - Re-Release of Episode 126, Leading with Pride – LGBT+ Inclusion in the Armed Forces with Commander Roly Woods RN

In this the week of remembrance in the UK, we commemorate those who have served and died in conflicts. In a worthy re-release of a previous episode we sat down with Commander Roly Woods, a retired Royal Navy officer with over 46 years of service, to explore the personal and institutional journey of LGBTQ+ inclusion in the British Armed Forces. This week's re-release is particularly relevant as only this week at the National Memorial Arboretum the Fighting with Pride team were invited to attend the Armistice Day service, in the presence of HRH The Princess of Wales, at which the Bishop of Lichfield talked of HM The King’s Dedication of the LGBT Armed Forces Community Memorial. Roly Woods, laid a wreath at the LGBT Armed Forces Community Memorial. The wreath was affixed with a card which read: “For those members of the LGBT community we have lost, many of whose names we will never know. Lest We Forget.” As the LGBT Armed Forces Community Memorial Officer for the charity Fighting with Pride, Roly reflected on his early motivations to join the Navy, leadership experiences, and the dramatic transformation of military culture since the lifting of the ban on LGBT personnel in 2000. Together, we delved into the challenges LGBTQ+ service members faced under institutional discrimination, from living in secrecy, to emotional isolation, to dishonourable discharges and loss of medals. Roly shared deeply moving personal stories and historic insights into how courageous individuals and strong leadership drove systemic change across the Royal Navy, leading to today’s more inclusive and emotionally intelligent environment. We also discussed the ongoing efforts of Fighting with Pride, including: * Raising awareness of the Veterans’ Financial Recognition Scheme * Supporting LGBTQ+ veterans in restoring medals and service records * Building community through initiatives like the Snowdonia retreat * Leading the creation of the LGBT Armed Forces Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum Whether you’re interested in military leadership, organizational change, or the evolving rights of LGBTQ+ veterans, this episode provides an essential perspective on how empathy, courage, and advocacy can reshape even the most traditional institutions. Listen now to hear about the untold stories behind the UK military’s transformation, and how leaders like Commander Woods continue to inspire change today.