The Mindflick Podcast

Dr Mark Bawden: What is a Performance Psychometric?

In this episode, Dr Mark Bawden, Dr Pete Lindsay and Sir Andrew Strauss explore the evolution of psychometrics, from traditional personality profiling to a new approach: performance psychometrics. They unpack why most psychometric tools stop at self-awareness, and why that falls short in today’s fast-moving, AI-driven world. Instead, they introduce a more practical approach focused on turning insight into action by embedding better teamwork, communication and decision-making into everyday work. In this episode, you’ll learn: * Why self-awareness alone doesn’t drive performance * What a “performance psychometric” actually is * Why teams are the real unit of performance Listen to the latest episode of the Mindflick podcast now.

Manoj Badale: Why You are the Company You Keep

In this episode, we’re joined by Manoj Badale, co-founder of Blenheim Chalcot, one of Europe’s most successful venture builders, and lead owner of Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Rajasthan Royals. From building and scaling high-growth technology businesses to disrupting cricket with a data-driven approach in the IPL, Manoj has worked at the intersection of business, sport and high performance for over two decades. This deeply personal conversation explores the turning points that shaped his life, from growing up between cultures after moving to the UK as a child, to realising decades later how those early experiences forged his drive to adapt, fit in and continuously evolve.

What The Best Do Differently: 6 Lessons from Series 1 of The Mindflick Podcast

In this bonus episode of The Mindflick Podcast, we bring together six powerful lessons from our first six guests — spanning elite sport, global business, engineering, and ballet. You’ll hear insights from: * Dr Mark Bawden on why focusing on strengths — not obsessing over weaknesses — creates the biggest performance gains, and how leaders often overlook what’s already working * Joe Root on learning to live with failure, separating confidence from results, and why team success matters more than individual scores * Penny Hughes on shifting between attack and defence, valuing different ways of thinking, and leading with courage in high-stakes environments * Gilad Tiefenbrun on market leadership, humility, and how complacency at the top can quietly derail even the most dominant organisations * Phil Jansen on managing ambition, building healthy internal competition, and why perspective — including knowing when to “smell the flowers” — is a performance advantage * Iain Mackay on super strengths, standing out within a team, and how elite performers build careers by knowing what makes them different About Mindflick. At Mindflick, we help leaders, teams, and athletes unlock performance through mindset. Our performance psychometric and platform have supported Olympic champions, world-class teams, and Fortune 500 companies to think differently, adapt faster, and perform when it matters most. Learn more: www.mindflick.co.uk Follow us on LinkedIn Hosts: Sir Andrew Strauss & Dr Pete Lindsay. Producer: Mindflick Ltd. If you found this episode valuable, hit subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who leads, coaches, or performs under pressure.

Iain Mackay: Leading The Royal Ballet School

Iain Mackay — former Principal Dancer of the Birmingham Royal Ballet and now Artistic Director of the Royal Ballet School — joins Sir Andrew Strauss and Dr Pete Lindsay to explore what performance, pressure, and purpose look like in one of the world’s most demanding art forms. From growing up in Glasgow and hiding his ballet lessons to leading one of the most prestigious schools in the world, Iain’s story is one of courage, authenticity, and constant reinvention. In this conversation, Iain shares the turning points that shaped his career — the lessons from a life on stage, the psychology behind elite performance, and what it takes to build the next generation of artists and leaders. You’ll learn: * How an unlikely start in Glasgow led him to the world stage * Why mindset and resilience matter as much in the arts as in sport * What his grandfather taught him about confidence and perspective * How elite ballet mirrors elite sport in discipline, feedback, and teamwork * Why self-belief and authenticity are key to long-term success * How he managed imposter syndrome after becoming a Principal Dancer * What stepping off stage taught him about identity, purpose, and leadership * Why he believes the next generation of dancers must balance tradition with innovation Iain’s journey is a rare glimpse behind the curtain of world-class performance — where art meets athleticism, and mindset defines mastery. About Iain Mackay Iain Mackay is Artistic Director of the Royal Ballet School and a former Principal Dancer with the Birmingham Royal Ballet. Over a 20-year international career, he performed leading roles in some of ballet’s most iconic productions, before dedicating his focus to developing the next generation of performers. About Mindflick At Mindflick, we help leaders, teams, and athletes unlock performance through mindset. Our performance psychometric and platform have supported Olympic champions, world-class teams, and Fortune 500 companies to think differently, adapt faster, and perform when it matters most. Learn more: www.mindflick.co.uk [http://www.mindflick.co.uk] Follow us on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/mindflick3] Hosts: Sir Andrew Strauss & Dr Pete Lindsay Guest: Iain Mackay, Artistic Director, The Royal Ballet School Producer: Mindflick Ltd If you found this episode valuable, hit subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who leads, coaches, or performs under pressure.

Joe Root: The Mindset Behind One of England Cricket’s All-Time Greats

Joe Root — one of England’s greatest ever cricketers and former Test captain — joins Sir Andrew Strauss and Dr Pete Lindsay to reflect on the mindset, lessons, and leadership behind a remarkable sporting journey. From early setbacks in the Yorkshire academy to becoming England’s all-time leading run-scorer in Tests, Joe’s story is one of adaptability, calm under pressure, and staying true to yourself through change. In this conversation, Joe opens up about the moments that shaped him — the failures that built resilience, the mentors who guided him, and the mindset that’s kept him grounded through the highs and lows of elite sport. You’ll learn: * How a teenage growth spurt forced him to rebuild his technique — and taught him to become his own coach * Why failure early in his career became a gift for perspective and patience * How to stay composed under scrutiny — and separate confidence from results * The leadership lessons from captaining England through transformation and pressure * Why authenticity, empathy, and connection matter more than authority in team culture * How family and fatherhood reshaped his sense of success and what truly matters * Why stepping down from captaincy reignited his love for the game — and his hunger to evolve Joe’s reflections are a masterclass in mindset — a reminder that growth comes not from perfection, but from curiosity, humility, and the courage to keep adapting. About Joe Root Joe Root is one of England’s most accomplished cricketers, with over 11,000 Test runs and a legacy as one of the most consistent and respected leaders in the modern game. Known for his calm composure and commitment to team culture, Root continues to inspire through both his performances and his perspective on leadership and life. About Mindflick At Mindflick, we help leaders, teams, and athletes unlock performance through mindset. Our performance psychometric and platform have supported Olympic champions, world-class teams, and Fortune 500 companies to think differently, adapt faster, and perform when it matters most. Learn more: www.mindflick.co.uk [http://www.mindflick.co.uk] Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mindflick3 [https://www.linkedin.com/company/mindflick3] Hosts: Sir Andrew Strauss & Dr Pete Lindsay Guest: Joe Root, England Cricketer & Former Test Captain Producer: Mindflick Ltd If you found this episode valuable, hit subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who leads, coaches, or performs under pressure.