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Why do so many successful leaders still feel stuck, disconnected, or self doubt, even when things look good on paper? In this solo episode, I explore how senior leaders, founders, and leadership teams can build self-trust by listening to their three intelligence centres: head, heart, and gut, especially when making difficult decisions or designing a life that truly fits. This reflection draws on my work with CEOs and leadership teams, alongside my own journey of learning to trust myself beyond logic, external validation, and “what I should do.” This episode is an invitation to slow down, tune in, and reconnect with the internal signals that guide brave leadership, aligned decision-making, and sustainable success, so you can lead, decide, and live with more courage and clarity. 00:00 – Why so many successful leaders still feel disconnected 02:15 – Courage starts with listening, not confidence 05:10 – The three intelligence centres every leader has 08:30 – The Head: clarity, logic, and the overthinking trap 12:40 – The Heart: values, emotion, and what really matters 17:20 – The Gut: instinct, timing, and quiet courage 22:10 – What happens when one centre dominates your leadership 26:30 – Designing a life that actually feels like yours 30:40 – Simple questions to build self-trust in decisions 35:10 – A closing reflection on choosing courage differently Reflection Questions for Leaders • Which intelligence centre do I default to under pressure? • What has my gut been trying to tell me that I’ve rationalised away? • Where am I living a version of success that looks right — but feels wrong? • What would a 10% more courageous decision look like right now? Don’t miss out on this powerful episode which can help your leadership  and personal development.  👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ 🚀 Elevate Your Leadership: Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching: Website: https://thechangecreators.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/ → Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice. 👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

How do you lead with conviction when everything is changing around you? It’s the big question for every UK leader right now and exactly why I invited Simon Cook, CEO of Cannes Lions, onto the podcast. In this episode, we get honest about what it really takes to let go of control, build true trust in your team, and stay resilient even when things don’t go as planned. We dive into: • When to keep going, and when to let go • The link between conviction and coordination in leadership • Why control feels safe – but stops growth • Managing failure without losing momentum • Leading through mergers and high-stakes change • How to stay calm and mentally fit (even when your diary explodes) It’s practical, candid, and focuses on what UK leaders need now: leading bravely, staying relevant, and keeping your energy focused. 00:00 – Introduction  01:00 – Why leading with conviction can become a weakness  04:21 – Building a smarter team and learning to trust 07:11 – The role of failure in leadership  09:37 – Conviction and coordination: the keys to change  10:33 – How Simon navigated a 500-person business through a major acquisition  12:29 – Staying confident when you actually feel uncertain  14:01 – The importance of staying grounded and calm for your team  15:51 – Learning from mergers, culture shifts, and tough decisions  17:26 – Evolving your leadership style as everything changes  19:00 – What’s really happening in the UK marketing industry right now  22:40 – Where UK creativity is heading next 24:06 – The advice Simon would give every agency CEO  28:17 – Protecting your brand and your time under pressure  33:02 – Practical ways to help leaders prioritise, focus, and say no  35:19 – Why emotional intelligence matters more than ever  36:22 – Leading through failure, and making learning collective  37:23 – Being bolder, more disciplined, and mentally fit for the future Don’t miss this down-to-earth, actionable conversation. If you’re navigating organisational change, agency mergers, or just struggling to keep your team steady, this episode gives you the kind of real, UK-focused leadership advice we all need. In a world of constant strategic change, this conversation focuses on how to manage change effectively within your business, emphasising practical management techniques for organisational design and personal development. 👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ 🚀 Elevate Your Leadership: Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching: Website: https://thechangecreators.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/ → Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice. 👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

How do you know when it’s time to walk away - even from something you’ve built yourself? Sedge Beswick, consultant, advisor, speaker, and founder, digs deep into what it really takes to make bold career moves, step back as a CEO, and create space for what matters most.  If you’ve ever wondered how to balance ambition with family, deal with overwhelm, and lead with honesty, this episode is for you. We cover:  00:00 – Introduction  01:28 – The courage to change  02:51 – Breaking the “hamster wheel” cycle  05:49 – Building success without a rulebook  07:55 – Childhood confidence and workplace impact  11:31 – The blunt reality of being direct at work  13:38 – Managing people older than you  16:32 – ASOS culture and handling growing pains  18:00 – When opportunity changes your course  19:35 – The power of community for business growth  21:52 – Courage to step down as CEO  22:27 – Mistakes made during maternity leave  23:15 – Hard lessons from deal fatigue  24:43 – Watching someone else lead your business  25:57 – Selling shares and choosing a new path  28:35 – Creating a life with more presence  29:22 – Letting go of identity and titles  32:38 – Pivoting your career with purpose  36:46 – The challenge of saying no and setting boundaries  39:45 – Building a portfolio career and helping others  42:42 – Managing overwhelm and keeping priorities straight  44:01 – Finding headspace as a working parent  45:04 – Do ambition and family ever truly integrate?  48:30 – Advice your future self would give now  50:01 – The power of pausing before big decisions Don’t miss out on this powerful episode on entrepreneurship, business growth, motherhood and more!  👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ 🚀 Elevate Your Leadership: Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching: Website: https://thechangecreators.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/ → Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice. 👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

How do you find the courage to change, even when it feels uncomfortable? I’m closing out the year on the Courageous Leaders Podcast with one of our most honest and practical episodes yet. Leaders everywhere are feeling the pressure to adapt quicker than ever before, and it’s easy to worry you’re not keeping up. In this episode, I share the real conversations I’ve had with guests who’ve faced huge decisions, dealt with self-doubt, and taken bold leaps without always having a perfect plan. We get into letting go of old ways of working, saying the hard things, dealing with uncertainty, and what it really takes to lead high performing teams. If you want practical advice on leading through change (and those leadership development skills that actually stick), you’re in the right place. We Cover:  00:00 – Introduction  01:12 – Why change is faster (and scarier) than ever  03:02 – Dave Buonaguidi: How to define your true purpose at work  04:35 – Lauren Spearman: Why courage comes before confidence  06:39 – Karen Martin: The untold challenges of confident leaders  07:44 – Kerry Collinge: Directness as a leadership superpower  08:28 – The risk (and reward) of no longer fitting in  09:05 – When growth feels disruptive and what to do next  10:02 – Xavier Reeves: Making bold moves when you feel safe  11:34 – Kerttu Inkeroinen: Quitting without a backup plan: is it ever right?  12:29 – Facing risks (and what you actually regret)  13:09 – Building high performance teams starts with you  14:42 – Why you need to act even if it scares you Don’t miss this honest look at what it really takes to lead yourself and others through the messiness of change. 👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ 🚀 Elevate Your Leadership: Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching: Website: https://thechangecreators.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/ → Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice. 👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

How do you build real allyship and create cultural change that actually sticks? This episode is one every leader should spend time with. Not because it’s “nice to know,” but because the future of your culture depends on it. Lee Chambers, Founder & CEO of Male Allies UK, brings the kind of clarity and challenge most workplaces avoid. We talk about what it really takes to: Redefine outdated masculine stereotypesBuild workplaces where everyone feels seen, valued, and able to thriveLead in a way that strengthens culture rather than protects ego It’s a conversation that will stretch your thinking, spark uncomfortable-but-important questions, and give you practical ways to lead with more intention and courage. We also dig into Lee’s research on young people, AI companionship, and how boys today are making sense of identity, relationships, and society. Some of it is hopeful. Some of it is confronting. All of it matters, especially if you’re a parent or you lead the next generation. We cover: 00:00 – Introduction  01:02 - What courage looks like for leaders today  02:31 – Why quiet courage matters as much as big gestures  03:49 – The tough decision to break with convention  06:06 – How stepping into new spaces changes your perspective  08:08 – The power of career “squiggles” and non-conformity  10:05 – Shedding old identities and building new ones as a leader  12:14 – What do boys really think about society? Surprising research findings  16:07 – Why boys care deeply but struggle to know how to help  20:08 – The decline of physical spaces for social connection  21:24 – Boys, girls and the challenges of communicating across gender  23:33 – Judgment vs. curiosity - what’s holding us back?  27:20 – Navigating polarisation and building empathy at work  34:08 – Can younger and older generations find common ground?  43:50 – The rise of AI companions and what it means for young people  52:23 – Everyday bravery and the value of small changes over time  54:43 – How to focus on influence and control in uncertain times Don’t miss this thoughtful and practical conversation for anyone working in leadership or looking to create real change at work. 👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ 🚀 Elevate Your Leadership: Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching: Website: https://thechangecreators.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/ → Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice. 👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

Former professional footballers Mollie and Rosie Kmita and now founders of The Powerhouse Project join me for one of the most authentic leadership stories we’ve had on the podcast. This episode is packed with real leadership stories you rarely hear: the setbacks, the identity shifts, the emotional toll, and the courage it takes to keep showing up when things don’t go your way. Mollie and Rosie openly share: What it took to succeed in a male dominated worldHow to lead through failure after two businesses didn’t work outHow they learnt to slow down without losing ambitionHow they have evolved their identity from footballers to business ownersThe impact people-pleasing had on their leadership decisionsHow they have had to learn to lean into conflictMollie and Rosie show what success after repeated failure actually looks like - the mindset resets, and the quiet self-belief you need to keep going. ​​These are everyday leadership stories delivered with humour, honesty and heart, the kind that remind you anything is possible when you focus, put the work in, and back yourself. We Cover:  00:00 – Introduction 01:12 – Growing up in boys’ football and learning to belong 05:04 – Why young women in sport need better pathways 09:31 – Finding confidence in environments not built for you 14:42 – How childhood trauma shapes your drive 20:50 – Coping with loss while still showing up 26:19 – When resilience turns into survival mode 33:08 – The guilt behind always saying yes 38:12 – “We haven’t sat still for 16 years” 46:54 – Rebuilding identity beyond football 52:33 – Learning to slow down without losing ambition 58:48 – What leaders can do to create real change 01:00:31 – A message for leaders and organisations that want to make real change Don’t miss out on this powerful episode.  👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ 🚀 Elevate Your Leadership: Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching: Website: https://thechangecreators.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/ → Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice. 👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

What would you risk to do the right thing? In this episode of The Courageous Leaders Podcast, I sit down with Zelda Perkins, Co-Founder of Can’t Buy My Silence and the first woman to break an NDA with Harvey Weinstein. Zelda’s story isn’t just about one man. It’s about the system that silences victims and protects abuse. She speaks openly about how she fought back, how breaking her NDA changed UK law, and what leaders and businesses must do now to stop misconduct being hidden behind confidentiality. We Cover:  00:00 – Introduction 01:26 – Why Zelda broke her NDA after years of silence 03:37 – What really happens when you speak up against power 05:18 – The moment the system, not the perpetrator, broke her trust 09:23 – How signing an NDA changed her life overnight 12:54 – Taking her story to Parliament and pushing for legal reform 17:09 – What it really took to start Can’t Buy My Silence 24:43 – When she realised she was self-bullying  28:57 – Why speaking up must be seen as normal, not “brave” 33:11 – Creating safer, more transparent workplaces 40:57 – How the new UK legislation will protect victims and change culture 56:26 – Zelda’s advice to anyone ready to start their own fight for change Don’t miss out on this powerful episode.  👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ 🚀 Elevate Your Leadership: Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching: Website: https://thechangecreators.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/ → Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice. 👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

In this episode of the Courageous Leaders Podcast, I speak with Carly Avener, CEO of Leo Burnett UK, about why vulnerability is essential to leadership and how sharing your story builds real trust. Carly opens up about imposter syndrome, insomnia, and the pressure of returning to work as a parent. She also shares the practical steps she’s taken to reframe anxiety, create supportive environments for working parents, and build a culture of openness that allows both people and creativity to thrive. We Cover: 00:00 – Introduction 01:26 – Becoming CEO and choosing to lead with vulnerability 03:34 – Sharing her background and story to inspire others 04:59 – The impact of opening up about imposter syndrome 08:23 – How comparison held her back in her career 10:59 – Finding support and using coaching to rebuild confidence 13:20 – Why reframing imposter syndrome can fuel growth 15:25 – The dangers of constant comparison and how to stop it 17:15 – Practical tools to help build confidence at work 19:29 – How to give feedback without damaging confidence 21:45 – Focusing on what you can control in uncertain times 26:31 – Living with anxiety and insomnia as a leader 32:35 – Building Parent Land to support working parents 38:36 – Gender equality and why it benefits everyone 39:48 – What her future self would remind her today 40:47 – Why knowing yourself is the key to leading others 👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ 🚀 Elevate Your Leadership: Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching: Website: https://thechangecreators.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/ → Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice. 👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

What happens when you put three top creatives in Leadership Room 101? In this special Creatives edition of The Courageous Leaders Podcast, I sat down with Dave Buonaguidi (Co-founder of St. Luke’s, 4Creative, and Karmarama), Trevor Robinson OBE (Founder and ECD of Quiet Storm), and Kevin Howes (Freelance Creative Director, Porsche, Sony, Hotels.com) for a sharp, honest, and funny deep dive into the biggest frustrations in creative leadership and what they’d like to banish forever. From corruption to open-plan offices to phones in meetings, nothing was off the table. The conversation turned into an unfiltered look at what’s broken in modern leadership and how we can make work better. We Cover: 00:00 – Introduction 01:28 – Dave Buonaguidi on corruption in business and creative leadership 07:28 – Trevor Robinson on sexism, bullying, and why integrity matters 14:53 – HR under fire: protecting culture or protecting bad behaviour? 20:30 – Trevor on open-plan offices and how they stifle creativity 24:30 – The tension between collaboration and individual space for ideas 29:34 – Why toxic competition still damages creative teams today 33:26 – Kevin Howes on phones in meetings and respect for attention 37:22 – How technology addiction is undermining focus and connection 41:14 – Which frustration deserves to be banished into Room 101? 46:20 – Final reflections Don’t miss out on this powerful and entertaining episode. 👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ 🚀 Elevate Your Leadership: Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching: Website: https://thechangecreators.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/ → Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice. 👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

The ROI of Inclusion – Why Diverse Voices Drive Better Business In this episode of the Courageous Leaders Podcast, I speak with Ali Hanan, Founder and Executive Director of Creative Equals, an award-winning organisation helping brands like PepsiCo, Mars, and McDonald’s put inclusion at the heart of marketing. We dig into why inclusive advertising isn’t just a social good but also one of the smartest business investments you can make. Ali shares how bias still shapes the work we see on screen, the data behind why diversity drives growth, and the small, intentional steps leaders can take every day to create lasting change. We Cover:  00:00 – Introduction 01:30 – What it takes to start and scale a business as a creative 05:21 – Why operations are the hidden engine of growth 07:51 – Collecting data to prove the need for change 11:40 – Winning funding to launch programmes 13:57 – Supporting disabled creatives and removing barriers to entry 15:26 – Why female creative directors are still underrepresented 17:44 – Bias in redundancy processes and hybrid working 19:27 – How brands influence diversity across supply chains 20:10 – The way adverts still stereotype women and men in 2025 24:02 – Racism, homophobia, and harmful portrayals in advertising 25:37 – Why inclusive marketing outperforms AI hype 31:20 – Keeping a team motivated through tough times 32:49 – Where leaders need more courage in tackling bias 37:38 – The freedom of caring less about judgment as you get older 40:08 – How expanding your network can shift your perspective Don’t miss out on this powerful episode. 🎧 Listen to the full podcast episode here:  https://thecourageousleaderspodcast.buzzsprout.com/ 🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:  Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:  Website: https://www.thechangecreators.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/ 👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ 🚀 Elevate Your Leadership: Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching: Website: https://thechangecreators.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/ → Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice. 👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

What makes a one-to-one meeting truly powerful? In this solo episode of the Courageous Leaders Podcast, I share how to turn 121 from dull status updates into your most strategic leadership tool. This episode is packed with research, practical tips, and actionable questions, and will help you build trust, drive performance, and create a genuine human connection with your team. We Cover: 00:59 – Why 121 team meetings are your most strategic leadership tool 01:45 – Three ways to instantly improve the quality of your meetings 02:19 – Why walking meetings boost openness and insight 02:44 – How often should you really be doing 121? 03:20 – Five tips to make your 121 transformative 03:49 – Creating psychological safety and why it matters 04:22 – Asking better questions that open up real conversation 04:59 – Making feedback a two-way street 05:28 – Why you shouldn’t leave the meeting with their actions 05:56 – One challenge to implement straight away Don’t miss out on this powerful episode.  👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ 🚀 Elevate Your Leadership: Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching: Website: https://thechangecreators.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/ → Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice. 👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

A health expert's answer to  “I just don’t have time to exercise.”  Walk. That’s it.  No gym.  No gear.  No excuses. In this week’s Fast & Curious, Cameron Harris, Managing Director at Truth Fitness, keeps it simple and honest in the hot seat. Find out: ⚡ Why ‘just breathe’ is his ultimate daily tip ⚡ Where he’d take Bob Marley (and Henry VIII!) for a workout ⚡ What he really thinks about beer and burnout ⚡ And the marriage advice that could save your weekend It’s fast, funny, and packed with little truths you didn’t see coming. 📺 Cameron’s full Fast & Curious episode is now live on YouTube. Don’t forget to check out their full Courageous Leaders interview while you’re there. 👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ 🚀 Elevate Your Leadership: Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching: Website: https://thechangecreators.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/ → Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice. 👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

In this episode of the Courageous Leaders Podcast, I speak with Cameron Harris, Managing Director of Truth Fitness, about why so many senior leaders and entrepreneurs let their health slide, and what it's costing them. From burnout and hospital beds to redefining success beyond the boardroom, Cameron shares the powerful shift that helped him rebuild his business and his body.  This episode is a wake-up call for leaders prioritising output over their own wellbeing. We cover: 01:00 – The tipping point: when health becomes non-negotiable 03:46 – Why flexibility matters more than motivation 04:35 – Are entrepreneurs just bad at self-care? 05:51 – The ripple effect of healthy leadership 06:33 – Why work stress is silently stealing your future 08:49 – The hidden costs of waiting too long to act 10:17 – Autopilot vs. conscious habits 12:20 – What “health and wealth” really means 19:32 – Small daily shifts that change everything 22:27 – Morning routines that reset your energy 23:31 – Your habits affect more than just you 24:24 – The motivation no parent wants to hear 26:50 – Why death has been a driver for Cameron 28:20 – “Don’t wait for the punch in the face” 29:51 – What we lose when fitness becomes about aesthetics 32:23 – The real meaning of performance 34:14 – Headbutting the horizon: the patience problem 35:51 – The pressure of artificial life timelines 37:39 – What you can change tomorrow morning 38:55 – Where to find Cameron and Truth Fitness 👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ 🚀 Elevate Your Leadership: Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching: Website: https://thechangecreators.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/ → Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice. 👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

Ever made a risky decision at work… that ended in record-breaking results? Pete Markey did.. And it set the tone for Boots’ campaigns for the next four years. In this week’s Fast & Curious, the Boots’ Former CMO shares quick-fire insights, 80s nostalgia, and a surprising talent for product jingles. Find out: ⚡ What he loves (and hates) about marketing ⚡ The celeb life he wants  ⚡ The risky ad move that paid off big ⚡ His wild 80s music party trick It’s fast, fun, and full of unexpected gems from one of the UK’s most respected marketing leaders. 📺 Pete’s full Fast & Curious episode is now live on YouTube. Don’t forget to check out his full Courageous Leaders interview while you’re there.  → Join our newsletter for leadership insights: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54 👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ 🚀 Elevate Your Leadership: Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching: Website: https://thechangecreators.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

How do you lead with kindness – and still drive high performance? In this episode of The Courageous Leaders Podcast, I’m joined by Pete Markey, Former Chief Marketing Officer at Boots UK, and one of the most respected marketing leaders in the country. Pete shares his story, from early knockbacks to board-level leadership, and explains why kindness, vulnerability, and clarity have become his most powerful leadership tools. We Cover: 01:18 – Starting out in finance and how it shaped his leadership 04:15 – Making the leap into marketing 07:40 – Rejection, resilience and bouncing back 11:29 – His first big step into leadership 14:32 – Why “clarity” became his North Star 17:46 – Bringing kindness and vulnerability into the boardroom 22:05 – The toughest feedback he’s ever received 25:59 – Why storytelling is a superpower for marketers 31:02 – The Boots campaign that proved creativity still works 34:48 – Keeping your values strong under pressure 39:30 – Pete’s advice to the next generation of marketing leaders Don’t miss this generous and eye-opening conversation. 👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ 🚀 Elevate Your Leadership: Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching: Website: https://thechangecreators.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/