From dodging bullets to becoming an executive senior leader of Defence, Phil Holdcroft knows a thing or two about leadership and teamwork.

Phil is a decorated combat pilot with a 20-year military career that culminated in designing and delivering the senior leadership programme at the UK Defence Academy. Drawing on life-lessons and experience, he created the ultimate playbook for leadership, resilience and high performance. And that’s what we discuss on the podcast today.

Now officially a veteran (and he's younger than me!), Phil is continuing to pursue his life’s purpose, having founded High Performance Journey, helping others to conquer their Big Hairy Audacious Goals.

Join us to find out...

• what resilience is really about
• how to reverse being unprepared in leadership roles
• the power of purpose (and how to find it)
• how the 'grandad test' can measure shared vision
• how adversity allows us to grow
• how increasing diversity reduces blind spots

Phil shares his very moving story that proved pivotal in how he engages with others.

What has been your 'a-ha' experience that caused you to question your practice?

Or are you still sitting comfortably?

A twenty year first career in the Royal Air Force spanned from leading missions on the battlefield as a helicopter pilot, through to senior leadership roles, designing and delivering strategy for Defence.

Phil's journey took an unexpected turn in 2014 when his youngest daughter was diagnosed with leukaemia. Helplessly sitting on the side-lines led to an epiphany. Phil realised his passion for endurance sports could be channeled towards raising critical funds for the miracle workers who saved her life. A near-impossible series of extreme challenges followed, culminating in a 3,000-mile unsupported row across the Atlantic Ocean.

Now a military veteran, Phil has set up 'The High Performance Journey' to pursue his passion for equipping others with the knowledge, skills and mindset for high performance.

LinkedIn: Phil Holdcroft

Website: www.thehpj.com

Watch this episode on YouTube

Leadership & Manager Labs (itstimeforchange.co.uk)

13 Skills to Build Resilience (itstimeforchange.co.uk)

Future Ready by Experimentation – with Gemma Ellison - It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)

Transcending Leadership - It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)

'Peak Performance' by Brad Stulberg & Steve Magness (amazon.co.uk)

'The Obstacle is the Way' by Ryan Holiday (amazon.co.uk)

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lisapsychology

Website: www.itstimeforchange.co.uk

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Two psychotherapists in conversation...

This episode of the podcast is an interesting one. James Elliott, of the Sarena Clinic, explains what needs to be done now to shape a healthier workforce for the future. And it's simple stuff.

We need to equip employees with the knowledge and tools to empower themselves and their children to experience meaning and fulfilment, and that supports good mental wellbeing.

And we need to demonstrate empathy, based on knowing our teams well, so that we enable human needs to be met....

You know those days when your head is elsewhere because something significant is occupying your brain? Your teenager has become alien to you and you're concerned. Your finances are too tight. You're worried about a medical issue.

What do you need most?

Probably, someone who knows you, who trusts and respects you, and who will give you the time and space you need.

What happens then? You're able to focus on what is front of mind and resume work.

That's better than the common alternative which is to continue work as normal whilst holding the strain of being unable to do what feels most important. Think about the different outcomes in terms of performance, sick leave, burnout and resentment.

What gets in the way of you being human?

James Elliott is a psychotherapist, resilience coach, ex British airborne forces, multiple world record holder, father, and author, with an MSc in War + Psychiatry.

As the Head of Psychotherapy at Sarena Clinic, he leads a team of qualified and compassionate professionals who provide high-quality and personalised health care to our clients. James has over 4 years of experience as a psychotherapist, working with veterans, prison leavers, and other vulnerable groups to help them cope with their challenges and find their way in life. He is passionate about using his clinical and academic knowledge to create a supportive and respectful environment for clients, where they can explore their emotions, beliefs, and behaviours, and achieve their goals.

LinkedIn: James Elliott MSc

Website: james-elliott.mykajabi.com

Instagram: @jameselliottofficial

The Sarena Clinic: Sarena Clinic

Watch this episode on YouTube

Leadership & Manager Labs (itstimeforchange.co.uk)

Engagement Action Plans - It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)

Stress Mapping - It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)

Tackling Anxiety Collectively - It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)

The Emotional Needs Audit - It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)

Luckily for us, Dr Jill McGarry is "a geek!"... her words, not mine!

The good news about that is she has a real love for actionable solutions to improve sleep. 💤

And who doesn't need a bit of that in their lives? 😴

In this episode of the podcast we hear, very clearly, why we need to banish beliefs such as...

"YOU SNOOZE, YOU LOSE!"

And we get to grips with practical advice for individuals and employers, including:

✔️ coffee as a recommendation (yes... from a sleep expert!)

✔️ what to do when you can't sleep

✔️ equality

✔️ flexible working

✔️ 4 key factors for sleep hygiene - do YOU know what they are? Are you putting them into practice?

Check out the excellent resources that Jill shares, including those for managers, in the show notes. STOPBANG should become part of your toolkit.

Dr Jill McGarry is a consultant clinical psychologist with 25 years of experience in working with mental health issues in the NHS. During this time she has become skilled and experienced in supporting people with sleep issues. In October 2023 Jill decided to leave the NHS because she recognised that companies were a missing piece of the jigsaw in improving sleep for individuals. By focusing on providing support and training to companies regarding sleep we can joinlty reduce staff fatigue, improve team effectiveness and ensure that companies excel.

LinkedIn: Dr Jill McGarry

Email: info@sleepbetterdoctor.co.uk

Website: www.sleepbetterdoctor.co.uk

Watch this episode on YouTube

Leadership & Manager Labs (itstimeforchange.co.uk)

Leveraging ’Shuteye’ for Resilience (youtube.com) - Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce webinar

NHS choices (www.nhs.uk)

YouTube Matthew Walker TEDx Sleep talk, others and his book Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker | Waterstones

Fast Asleep by Michael Mosley | Waterstones & BBC programme in 2022

Epworth Sleepiness Scale questionnaires (ESS) Epworth Sleepiness Scale | Asthma + Lung UK

(asthmaandlung.org.uk)

STOP BANG questionnaire: Is it possible that you have Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA)? STOPBang Questionnaire (britishsnoring.co.uk)

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lisapsychology

Website: www.itstimeforchange.co.uk

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