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If you’re serious about growing and scaling your business, this episode is your ultimate blueprint. Welcome to Episode 17 of The Life of a Business Leader featuring a powerful conversation between Royston Guest and business growth expert Chris Brindley, who brings more than 40 years of real-world, sleeves-rolled-up operational leadership, advising, scaling and transforming businesses across multiple industries. In this exclusive masterclass, Royston and Chris dissect the 7 Fatal Mistakes that cause 20.8% of businesses to fail in year one, 40% by year two, and more than 65% by year three. Drawing directly from the Seven Fatal Mistakes report, this episode serves as a practical playbook for entrepreneurs, business owners, founders, CEOs, and leaders looking to scale sustainably and profitably. Together, they unpack why so many business owners unknowingly sabotage their own growth and how you can avoid the traps that silently destroy companies from the inside. These aren’t theoretical lessons—these are real, battle-tested insights used inside top-performing organisations worldwide.

Welcome to Episode 16 of The Life of a Business Leader 🎙️ — where we dive into the real-life stories, struggles, and successes of entrepreneurs and leaders shaping their own path. In this episode, host Royston Guest sits down with Nikki Freeman, founder and managing director of Tempo Media, to explore the raw truth behind the first 365 days of running a business. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a small business owner in your first year, or a leader looking to scale, this episode is packed with lessons, insights, and strategies you can apply right away. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: The Leap of Faith: What inspired Nicky to leave corporate life and start her own business.Facing Fear Head-On: How to recognise when “false expectations appearing real” are holding you back.Mindset Matters: The psychology of success and why feeling “uncomfortably comfortable” is key to growth.Mentorship & Support: How surrounding yourself with the right people accelerates progress.Critical Lessons from Year One: From managing cash flow to avoiding shiny object syndrome.Sales as Oxygen: Why revenue is the lifeblood of every business, and how to prioritise it over busywork.Work-Life Balance: Protecting your energy, avoiding burnout, and building sustainable routines.Too often, entrepreneurship is glamorised — success stories are told as if they happened overnight. But the truth is, the first year in business is the hardest. It’s an emotional rollercoaster filled with uncertainty, self-doubt, wins that feel incredible, and failures that test your resolve.

Welcome to another game-changing episode of "Life As A Business Leader", where we’re diving deep into one of the most critical and misunderstood aspects of business growth: People Strategy. In this eye-opening interview, host Royston Guest sits down with disruptive People & Culture expert Abigail Wilmore, a former leader at iconic global brands including Stella McCartney, Gucci, and Alexander McQueen, to expose the brutal truths about what’s broken in HR and how to fix it. If you’re a CEO, founder, HR leader, or business strategist, this conversation will reshape your perspective on talent, culture, infrastructure, and high-stakes growth.

In this powerful and candid episode of The Life of a Business Leader, host Royston Guest sits down with Jo Wright, author of the bold and best-selling book “No More Sh*t Managers”, to uncover the real challenges facing modern-day leadership and why building a coaching culture isn’t just a nice-to-have — it’s a business necessity. If you’re a business leader, manager, or HR professional wondering why performance is stalling, why feedback isn’t landing, or why team culture feels fractured, this episode delivers practical insights with real-world examples.

Are you a frictionless business leader, or is unseen resistance slowing your growth? In this game-changing episode of The Life of a Business Leader, Royston sits down with Ryan Chute, a strategic marketing expert who reveals how to eliminate friction, accelerate profitability, and create a business that runs effortlessly. For Business Leaders Who Want to Remove Friction & Scale Faster Watch now and start building a business that runs smoothly, scales easily, and drives unstoppable success! 

Public speaking is one of the most feared skills in the world, yet it is also one of the most valuable. Whether you’re delivering a business presentation, pitching an idea, speaking at a conference, or simply trying to communicate more effectively, the ability to speak confidently in front of an audience can set you apart. In this episode of The Life of the Business Leader podcast, host Royston Guest is joined by Hannah Shellswell, a former journalist, TV broadcaster, and expert in public speaking, to uncover the secrets behind speaking with confidence, engaging an audience, and overcoming the fear of public speaking

Leadership in today's fast-paced world demands more than just gut instinct—it requires thinking critically, planning effectively, and making informed decisions. In episode 11 of The Life of a Business Leader, Royston Guest is joined by Chris Brindley to explore how critical thinking shapes leadership success. From understanding the fundamentals of critical thinking to developing practical strategies, Chris shares invaluable insights on mastering this essential skill. He emphasises the importance of "gold time"—dedicated moments for strategic thinking—and explains why leaders must create space in their schedules to harness the power of their "neck-top computers." From his experience, Chris highlights success modelling, cognitive diversity, and the role of intuition in decision-making.

Welcome to episode 10 of The Life of a Business Leader podcast, where we explore the critical topics shaping successful leadership today.  In this episode, Royston is joined by Claire Harvey, MBE, a recognised diversity, inclusion, and cultural empowerment expert. Claire brings a wealth of experience, having worked in both the public and private sectors, including roles at the FSA, KPMG, Disney, Vodafone, and more. She is also a Paralympian and a passionate advocate for inclusive leadership. In this insightful conversation, Claire shares her journey from the prison service to the corporate world, reflecting on how environment and culture shape people's behaviours and outcomes. She discusses the importance of diversity in driving performance and highlights how leaders can effectively manage multi-generational teams with different motivations and needs.

In this episode, we're excited to welcome Mike Radoor, serial entrepreneur and co-founder of several successful ventures, to the podcast! Mike shares his powerful insights on the importance of self-mastery and why it's not just a personal journey but also a smart business move. He breaks down how developing self-discipline, cultivating the right mindset, and taking ownership of your actions can drastically improve your business outcomes. From daily habits to long-term strategies, Mike explains how mastering yourself is the foundation for building and sustaining entrepreneurial success. Don't miss this conversation packed with actionable advice, personal stories, and motivation to help you take control of your life and business! 

Welcome to Episode 8 of The Life of the Business Leader!  Today's guest is Nebel Crowhurst, Chief People Officer at Reward Gateway, and we dive into a crucial and often controversial topic: Are People an Investment or a Cost?  Nebel shares her 15+ years of experience in HR, tackling the disconnect between people being labelled as a company's greatest asset yet often treated as a cost. We explore how business leaders can better align their people strategy with business goals, the importance of employee voice, and how to foster a culture that attracts and retains top talent. Packed with insights on commercial acumen, strategic HR, and leadership, this episode is a must-watch for business owners, HR pros, and aspiring leaders! 

Royston talks with Jon Dutton, CEO of British Cycling, the national governing body for cycling in Great Britain. Before joining British Cycling, Jon was the Chief Executive of the Rugby League World Club 2021 and held senior roles at UK Sport, the Football Association, and the PGA European Tour. Jon's career reflects a broad background in sports management and development. Royston and Jon discuss how business and sports leadership are similar, with both fields requiring a blend of strategic visioning, team management, performance optimisation and effective communication to achieve success. 

Welcome to episode six of "The Life of the Business Leader"! In this very special episode, Royston Guest sits down with the inspiring Perry Power, who bravely shares his journey from a debilitating mental breakdown to emerge stronger and more successful than ever. In a raw and emotional recounting, Perry describes the moment he hit rock bottom—collapsing in the shower, overcome with uncontrollable sobbing, a release of pent-up emotions that had been building up for years. 💔 This was a pivotal moment that marked the beginning of his journey to recovery. This episode is packed with lessons and takeaways for business leaders at all stages of their careers. Whether you're navigating the complexities of running a business, dealing with personal challenges, or simply seeking inspiration to persevere through tough times, Perry's journey offers a beacon of hope and practical advice for us all.

Welcome to Episode 5 of "Life of a Business Leader"! In this insightful session, Royston talks with Paul Murphy, CEO of Jersey Business, to discuss productivity's crucial role in driving business growth and profitability. Productivity might not be the most glamorous topic, but it's vital for any business aiming to succeed. Paul and I dive deep into how businesses can reframe their approach to productivity, making it an essential agenda item rather than an afterthought. We explore practical strategies and actionable tips for business leaders to enhance productivity within their teams and organisations.

In this episode, Royston talks with Chris Brindley, MBE, who has over thirty years of leadership experience. Chris was voted Britain’s best boss, helped build innovative businesses, and now works as a NED in several companies and organisations. Their conversation centres around whether, as a leader, hard skills trump soft skills, soft skills trump hard skills, or are they both equally important. A fascinating 45 minutes of listening awaits as two inspirational leaders share their views and experiences. 

In this episode, Royston talks with Andy Delaney, Founder of AskHollie, about all things AI (Artificial Intelligence) and its implications for leaders and businesses. Key questions addressed include: Is AI a friend or foe? (It can be a positive tool for businesses if adopted strategically)How fast is AI moving? (The pace varies by industry, but it's a rapidly evolving field)How can businesses assess AI's potential impact? (Discussing its implications and exploring possible use cases with a people-first approach). What What practical steps can businesses take to get started with AI adoption?