The Prepared Leader: From Crisis to Confidence

Cyber Leadership and the Human Side of Incident Response

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2467914/fan_mail/new] When a cyber incident hits your organisation, it's not just an IT problem – it's a leadership challenge that can last weeks or months. Michala Liavaag explores why traditional tabletop exercises fall short and how leaders can build real resilience through gamified, emotionally engaging preparation that mirrors the psychological pressure of actual incidents. Michala Liavaag, Cybility Consulting founder and vCISO, blends 25 years of IT experience and a classical music background to create innovative, gamified cybersecurity programmes. Her work empowers organisations in healthcare, government, charity, and business to adopt more effective, creative security practices. Links mentioned in this episode: Cyber security for charities part 4: What does a good incident response look like [https://bit.ly/Cybility2ThirdSectorNCSChub] Our Cybersecurity Incident Response Team eXPerience (CSIRTxp) [https://cybility.co.uk/csirtxp]  My cybersecurity journey [https://bit.ly/ATaleOfTwoKeyboards] Contact Michala [https://bit.ly/m/michalal] Connect with Helen Lipscombe: Website: Resilience Continuity | UK [https://resiliencecontinuity.co.uk/] Enjoying the show? Follow, share, and leave a review to help more leaders build confidence before the crisis. Until next time, stay ready and stay resilient.

Building Resilience Through the Lens of Food Safety and Business Continuity

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2467914/fan_mail/new] What happens when you take the rigorous safety standards of feeding 70 million people daily and apply them to business resilience? In this episode, Larry Coons, Manager of Enterprise Risk & Business Continuity at McDonald’s, reveals how the disciplines of food safety and organisational resilience share more DNA than you might expect. Larry demonstrates that the best business continuity professionals aren't just rule-followers – they're translators who help organisations see that resilience isn't about adding more work, it's about working smarter when things go wrong.   Connect with Helen Lipscombe: Website: Resilience Continuity | UK [https://resiliencecontinuity.co.uk/] Enjoying the show? Follow, share, and leave a review to help more leaders build confidence before the crisis. Until next time, stay ready and stay resilient.

The Mentor Mindset: Growing the Next Generation of Resilience Leaders

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2467914/fan_mail/new] What does it take to grow the next generation of resilience leaders — and what role does mentorship play in building stronger, more confident teams? In this episode, Helen is joined by Sandra Bartley, a former business continuity professional who has journeyed from help desk supervisor to BCI-certified mentor and trainer. Sandra's story is a powerful reminder that resilience isn't just about plans and processes — it's about people. Together, Helen and Sandra explore how effective mentorship transforms not just technical skills, but confidence and professional identity. Sandra shares why making business continuity relatable is one of the most underrated skills in the sector, and how continuous learning networks and approachable mentoring relationships can change careers — and cultures. Whether you're an experienced resilience professional looking to give back, or a leader wanting to invest in your team's development, this episode is packed with practical insight. In this episode, you'll discover: * How Sandra moved from help desk supervisor to BCI-certified mentor * Why formal qualifications build both competence and confidence * The power of learning by doing alongside experienced practitioners * How to build supportive networks beyond your own organisation * Practical ways to make business continuity accessible for all Listen now, wherever you get your podcasts. Connect with Helen Lipscombe: Website: Resilience Continuity | UK [https://resiliencecontinuity.co.uk/] Enjoying the show? Follow, share, and leave a review to help more leaders build confidence before the crisis. Until next time, stay ready and stay resilient.

Beyond Risk Registers: Embedding Resilience into the Bones of Business

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2467914/fan_mail/new] What does resilience really look like beyond buzzwords and risk registers? Caroline Field, Partner at PA Consulting and co-founder of the Centre for Whole Society Resilience, explores it is a strategic advantage for organisations and communities facing constant disruption. Drawing on her work across infrastructure, policy and leadership, Caroline shares practical ways to embed resilience into culture and move from rigid risk planning to adaptive, flexible thinking. Discover how resilient leadership enables teams not just to withstand shocks, but to evolve and thrive through them. Connect with Helen Lipscombe: Website: Resilience Continuity | UK [https://resiliencecontinuity.co.uk/] Enjoying the show? Follow, share, and leave a review to help more leaders build confidence before the crisis. Until next time, stay ready and stay resilient.

Mastering Crisis Communication: How to Protect Identity and Trust with Sarah Henderson, Purely Public Relations

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2467914/fan_mail/new] Reputational challenges are no longer rare events; they’re an inevitable part of modern business. This episode unpacks what proactive PR readiness looks like and how leaders can communicate strategically before, during, and after a crisis.  Sarah Henderson, founder and MD of Purely Public Relations, joins The Prepared Leader to unpack what effective crisis communications looks like before, during and after disruption.  You’ll hear why PR is far more than a luxury, how trust and identity underpin resilient leadership, and get practical advice on building a crisis comms plan, keeping your communications team close, and maintaining honest messaging with staff and stakeholders. Plus, learn how the right preparation can help organisations grow through disruption. Connect with Helen Lipscombe: Website: Resilience Continuity | UK [https://resiliencecontinuity.co.uk/] Enjoying the show? Follow, share, and leave a review to help more leaders build confidence before the crisis. Until next time, stay ready and stay resilient.