Leadership under pressure - lessons from General Sir Gordon Messenger KCB DSO* OBE DL

“Leadership is not about how you are. Leadership is about the effect you have on others.”

This was General Sir Gordon Messenger's message when reflecting on the true measure of leadership - not rank, not reputation, but impact.

In the latest episode of 'Winning', host Ian Rosenblatt sits down with General Sir Gordon Messenger, the first Royal Marine in 50 years to be promoted to four-star rank and the first member of the Naval Service to receive a bar to the Distinguished Service Order since the Korean War.

From leading 1,300 Royal Marines in Iraq to steering the UK’s Covid-19 community testing programme, General Messenger shares what it means to lead under pressure, the value of trust in high-performing teams, and the role of authenticity in effective leadership.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the DNA of high performance.

Winning is sponsored by Rosenblatt Law and produced by Studio at SEC Newgate UK.
(00:00) Introduction to Winning

(03:03) General Sir Gordon Messenger's Journey to the Military

(05:51) The Nature of Competition and Winning

(09:05) Leadership in the Military vs. Civilian Life

(12:01) Building Trust and Teamwork in Crisis

(15:07) Transitioning from Military to Civilian Life

(18:06) The Importance of Preparation in Conflict

(20:59) Cultural Expectations in the Military

(27:54) Navigating Leadership and Decision-Making

(32:41) The Impact of Fear and Empathy in Leadership

(35:56) Making Decisions Under Uncertainty

(40:49) Building Team Culture and Values

(42:30) Transitioning from Military to Civilian Life

(45:29) The Role of AI in Leadership and Decision-Making

(49:39) Advice for Aspiring Leaders