What does leadership look like when everything is on the line?

In this episode of The Courageous Leaders Podcast, I’m joined by three extraordinary leaders, Mandy Hickson, former RAF fast jet pilot, Mark Fetters, Bomb Disposal Squadron Commander, and Rob Keeping, former military professional turned Managing Director.

From being shot at mid-air, to leading bomb disposal missions, to making high-stakes decisions under extreme pressure, this is leadership in its rawest form.

This isn’t theory. This is what leadership looks like when failure isn’t an option.

We explore what courage really means, why fear is part of the process, how elite teams are built, and what modern leaders are getting wrong when it comes to burnout, performance, and growth.

If you’re leading a team, building a business, or navigating uncertainty, this conversation will challenge how you think, act, and show up.

What We Cover:

00:00 – Trailer
01:07 – Why This Military Leadership Panel Is Different
01:28 – What Courage REALLY Means (Not What You Think)
03:32 – Courage Isn’t the Absence of Fear
05:26 – Bomb Disposal Mindset: Confidence vs Caution
08:02 – Fear of Failure: Military vs Corporate Reality
11:46 – Leading a War Mission as a Junior
13:07 – Shot at by a Missile… Then the Mission Changed
16:24 – “Only Do What Only You Can Do”
19:00 – Why Relying on an A-Team Will Kill Your Company
25:22 – The 80% Rule (Peak Performance Without Burnout)
27:05 – Burnout, Stress & Why Leaders Are Breaking Today
34:03 – Failure, Rejection & Becoming a Fighter Pilot
45:30 – Final Reflections & Leadership Takeaways
51:30 – Final Message & Closing Thoughts

Leadership isn’t about having all the answers.
It’s about how you show up when it matters most.

👍 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!
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🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

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Are you leading your team… or unknowingly holding them back?

In my work as a leadership coach, I’ve seen how easy it is for well-intentioned leaders to fall into toxic patterns, without even realising it.

In this episode, I break down the subtle behaviours that quietly build into toxic leadership. The ones that don’t look harmful on the surface, but over time, create dependency, frustration, and disengagement within your team.

From being the “fixer” to micromanaging, avoiding conflict, or slipping into passive aggression, these are patterns I’ve seen in countless leaders… and ones I’ve had to confront in myself too.

This is not about blame.
It’s about awareness.

Because the moment you can see it, you can change it.

00:00 – Are you a toxic leader without realising it?
00:40 – The toxic leadership pyramid explained
01:10 – The “fixer” trap: helping vs control
02:00 – Why micromanagement limits your team
02:50 – Avoiding conflict and the need to be liked
03:40 – Passive aggression and emotional awareness
04:30 – When toxicity turns into bullying
05:00 – How to recognise and shift these behaviours

This Episode Explores:

• Toxic leadership behaviours
• Micromanagement and control patterns
• Emotional intelligence in leadership
• Workplace bullying awareness
• Leadership self-awareness
• Building empowered teams
• Breaking unconscious habits

Reflection Questions for Leaders

• Where am I over-helping instead of empowering?
• What am I still controlling that I should let go?
• Which conversation am I avoiding right now?
• Where have I been indirect instead of honest?

If this episode feels uncomfortable, that’s a sign you’re paying attention.

Leadership isn’t about being perfect.
It’s about being aware enough to do better.

👍 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 does it really take to have the courage to change?

In this episode, we unpack the real, messy, and powerful moments behind choosing change in your career and life.

I sit down with Amber Shand, Founder of She Bites Back; Catherine Peacock, Co-Founder of 05:37; and Georgie Rechner, Bodybuilder and Founder of Midlife Rebel, who all found the courage to change their lives.

This isn’t about overnight success or glossy highlight reels. It’s about the struggle to shift your identity, let go of old job titles, handle fear of judgement, and actually put in the work when things get tough. We dive deep into what makes bold change possible, and why being true to yourself matters more than anything.

Whether you’re thinking about leaving your job, starting something new, or just need a bit more resilience, this conversation will help you see what courage really means, from losing people to building your own path.

We cover:
00:00 – Introduction
01:24 – What it takes to make real change
02:41 – Shifting your identity and asking for help
03:04 – Launching a business and finding courage
05:21 – The moment you decide to go for it
07:27 – What pushes people to make big changes
11:05 – Facing your biggest fears
12:49 – Dealing with judgement and self-worth
15:16 – Losing your identity and finding what’s next
19:03 – The price of happiness vs material comfort
21:02 – Keeping confidence going during tough times
23:28 – Visualising the future and being true to yourself
25:32 – Why failing isn’t really failure
27:26 – Action, liminal spaces, and getting through anxiety
29:19 – The reality of hard work in entrepreneurship
33:38 – Balancing rest, joy and burnout
45:55 – The grief and loss that comes with change
49:09 – How midlife gives us ‘no tolerance for bullshit’
51:54 – Building visible strength and confidence
55:06 – Physical strength as mental strength
58:27 – Introvert myths and running a business
01:01:08 – Would you change anything? No regrets

Don’t miss this honest and practical conversation about courage, change, and finding your own way.

👍 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