The Leaders in Strategy Podcast

Most business plans are written once, filed away, and quietly forgotten. That’s usually where the problems begin.
Markets change. Competitors adapt. Technology moves faster than expected. And before long, the plan you’re working on no longer reflects the business you’re actually running.
In this episode of the Leaders in Strategy podcast, we explore why reviewing your business plan is not a tick-box exercise but a strategic necessity for business leaders. January is the ideal time to take stock, reflect on the past year, and assess whether your decisions are still aligned with where the business is meant to be heading.
We break down what a business plan is really for, how often it should be reviewed, and what leaders should be looking for when they do. From understanding what worked and what didn’t, to positioning performance against your numbers and testing whether you’re genuinely moving closer to your goals, this episode focuses on turning reflection into action.
If you’re a business owner, founder, or leader who wants clarity, focus, and momentum in the year ahead, this episode will help you approach your business plan in a far more practical and useful way.
👉 Subscribe to the Leaders in Strategy YouTube channel for more insightful discussions and expert advice for business leaders!
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#BusinessPlan #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #NewYearGoals #entrepreneurs #ConfidenceBuilding #BusinessStrategy #GoalSetting #GrowYourBusiness #BusinessAdvice #Business #GrowYourBusiness #Leaders #CEO
 
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Like, comment, and subscribe for more expert advice on business strategy, leadership, and scaling your business.
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Want to learn how to produce a winning business strategy and profitably grow your business? I teach, coach and mentor Directors, Leaders and Managers on how to run successful companies.
To find out more, visit my website https://www.strategusconsulting.co.uk/.
Follow me on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/mike-harris-095b4775.
 

Join us for a special New Year episode of the Leaders and Strategy podcast, where we dive into hopes, aspirations, and bold visions for 2026! 🎉
In this episode, host Mike Harris is joined by award-winning business leaders Sian Brennan and Jeevan Punj as they discuss their New Year's resolutions, leadership lessons from the past year, and the importance of confidence and collaboration in business.
🎆 Discover how to turn your hopes into tangible results and what success looks like for business leaders in the coming year. Whether you're a small business owner or a seasoned entrepreneur, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration to help you navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead.
🎇 Don't miss out on valuable tips for setting goals, building confidence, and fostering collaboration in your business journey. Tune in now and start the year off right!
📅 Episode Highlights:
- Personal reflections on New Year's resolutions and goal setting
- The significance of confidence in leadership
- Strategies for collaboration over competition
- Messages of hope for entrepreneurs stepping into the new year 👉
Subscribe to the Leaders in Strategy Podcast for more insightful discussions and expert advice for business leaders!
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#Leadership #BusinessGrowth #NewYearGoals #entrepreneurs #ConfidenceBuilding #BusinessStrategy #GoalSetting #WomenInBusiness #GrowYourBusiness #BusinessAdvice #Business #GrowYourBusiness #Leaders #CEO
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Want More? Watch more episodes on scaling and business strategy: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4j23J_5BCTMWQtXPEDDMCbOEHpQbjld1.
To find out more about Sian and her work, you can follow her on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sian-brennan-todd/
You can also connect with Jeevan and learn more about her journey by following her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeevanpunj/.
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Like, comment, and subscribe for more expert advice on business strategy, leadership, and scaling your business.
----------
Want to learn how to produce a winning business strategy and profitably grow your business? I teach, coach and mentor Directors, Leaders and Managers on how to run successful companies.
To find out more, visit my website https://www.strategusconsulting.co.uk/.
Follow me on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/mike-harris-095b4775.
 

As the year draws to a close, this Christmas special episode takes a step back to reflect on something that often gets overlooked in leadership and business: your values.
In a world of constant pressure, short-term decision-making, and commercial targets, it's easy to treat values as words on a wall rather than the foundation they are meant to be. But do values still matter in modern leadership, and do they really influence performance, culture, and long-term success?
In this festive episode, I am joined by returning guests Jeevan Punj and Sian Brennan-Todd to explore why values remain a true guiding star for leaders, especially during challenging periods.
Together, we discuss what values really mean in practice, how staying true to them helps leaders navigate difficult decisions, and why values play such a critical role in team culture, employee engagement, and trust across supply chains.
This conversation is a reminder that strong values are not about perfection. They are about clarity, consistency, and leadership integrity. Whether you're leading a growing business, managing a team, or setting intentions for the year ahead, this episode will help you reflect on what truly drives sustainable success.
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#Values #CompanyValues #Leadership #LeadershipTips #Entrepreneurship #EntrepreneurTips #BusinessGrowth #BusinessStrategy #GrowYourBusiness #BusinessAdvice #Business #GrowYourBusiness #Leaders #CEO
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To find out more about Sian and her work, you can follow her on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sian-brennan-todd/.
You can also connect with Jeevan and learn more about her journey by following her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeevanpunj/.
----------
Like, comment, and subscribe for more expert advice on business strategy, leadership, and scaling your business.
----------
Want to learn how to produce a winning business strategy and profitably grow your business? I teach, coach and mentor Directors, Leaders and Managers on how to run successful companies.
To find out more, visit my website https://www.strategusconsulting.co.uk/.
Follow me on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/mike-harris-095b4775.
 

Starting a business is one thing. Growing it into something successful is another. At the Festival of Entrepreneurs 2025, we asked founders, CEOs and industry leaders one simple question: What advice would you give to the next generation of entrepreneurs?
The answers were honest, practical and often brutally real. In this episode, you’ll hear insights from people who have already built, scaled and survived the entrepreneurial journey.
You’ll learn why failure should never scare you, why letting go of tasks can unlock your growth, and why mentorship is more important than most founders realise.
You’ll also discover why what got you here will not get you to the next stage, and how hiring based on personality traits can beat hiring on skills alone. Whether you’re preparing to launch a new venture or looking for clarity on how to grow, this episode gives you advice from people who have actually done it.
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#Leadership #LeadershipTips #Entrepreneurship #EntrepreneurTips #BusinessGrowth #BusinessStrategy #GrowYourBusiness #BusinessAdvice #Business #GrowYourBusiness #Leaders #CEO
----------
Like, comment, and subscribe for more expert advice on business strategy, leadership, and scaling your business.
----------
Want to learn how to produce a winning business strategy and profitably grow your business?
I teach, coach and mentor Directors, Leaders and Managers on how to run successful companies.
To find out more, visit my website https://www.strategusconsulting.co.uk/.
Follow me on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/mike-harris-095b4775.

Business strategy is never as simple as the textbooks make it sound. Every company grows differently, and there is no universal playbook that guarantees success. That's why the smartest leaders learn from those who have already been through the journey.
At the 2025 Festival of Entrepreneurs, I asked some of the most experienced founders, leaders and investors one question that matters more than any other: What is the biggest challenge in implementing your business strategy?
From stepping back to see the bigger picture, to avoiding the chicken and egg trap of relying on external funding, to understanding the real gaps in your market, this episode brings together honest, practical insights from people who have built and scaled businesses.
If you want to understand how successful entrepreneurs think about strategy, competitors, growth and decision making, this video will give you perspectives you will not hear anywhere else.
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#Leadership #LeadershipTips #Entrepreneurship #EntrepreneurTips #BusinessGrowth #BusinessStrategy #GrowYourBusiness #BusinessAdvice #Business #GrowYourBusiness #Leaders #CEO
----------
Like, comment, and subscribe for more expert advice on business strategy, leadership, and scaling your business.
----------
Want to learn how to produce a winning business strategy and profitably grow your business? I teach, coach and mentor Directors, Leaders and Managers on how to run successful companies.
To find out more, visit my website https://www.strategusconsulting.co.uk/.
Follow me on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/mike-harris-095b4775.
 

Running a business has never been harder. Every leader is dealing with uncertainty. No rulebook. No blueprint. Just decisions that shape the future of their business.
At the Festival of Entrepreneurs 2025, we asked some of the best minds in business one simple question: "What is the biggest challenge facing business leaders today?"
Featuring former Defence Secretary Sir Liam Fox alongside founders and leaders from brands such as HomeServe, Cleverfox AI, Cloud Accounting Support Services, and ANNA Money, this episode brings you raw, honest insights from the front line of business.
You’ll hear real answers on everything from the common challenges blocking growth to financial constraints and the risks of inaction.
Whether you're a first-time founder, a business owner, or in a leadership role within a company, this episode enables you to learn from people who have already done it.
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#Leadership #LeadershipTips #Entrepreneurship #EntrepreneurTips #BusinessGrowth #BusinessStrategy #GrowYourBusiness #BusinessAdvice #Business #GrowYourBusiness #Leaders #CEO 
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Like, comment, and subscribe for more expert advice on business strategy, leadership, and scaling your business.
----------
Want to learn how to produce a winning business strategy and profitably grow your business?  I teach, coach and mentor Directors, Leaders and Managers on how to run successful companies.
To find out more, visit my website https://www.strategusconsulting.co.uk/.
Follow me on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/mike-harris-095b4775.

We hear it all the time, “people are your greatest asset”, but is it actually true? In this episode, I challenge one of the most overused clichés in leadership and business, and break down the real thinking behind why this phrase is more misleading than helpful.
I explore the origins of the saying, why it has become lazy thinking for many leaders, and what you should be focusing on instead if you want a high-performing team and a scalable business. By the end of this episode, you’ll understand the real relationship between people, performance and leadership – and why assets don’t think, feel or choose to follow you.
It's perfect for founders, CEOs and business leaders who want to go beyond slogans and build teams that genuinely drive their strategy forward. ---------
#BusinessStrategy #Strategy #Leadership #LeadershipTips #Entrepreneurship #EntrepreneurTips #BusinessGrowth # #BusinessStrategy #GrowYourBusiness #BusinessAdvice #Business #GrowYourBusiness #Leaders #CEO
----------
Like, comment, and subscribe for more expert advice on business strategy, leadership, and scaling your business.
----------
Want to learn how to produce a winning business strategy and profitably grow your business? I teach, coach and mentor Directors, Leaders and Managers on how to run successful companies.
To find out more, visit my website https://www.strategusconsulting.co.uk/.
Follow me on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/mike-harris-095b4775.
 

Most business owners think they have a strategy. But in reality, they only have a plan. In this episode, we explore what real business strategy looks like through the eyes of successful entrepreneurs and leaders who have actually built and scaled thriving businesses.
Strategy is the foundation of growth, but every leader defines and applies it differently.
Over the past year, I’ve asked every guest the same question: What does strategy mean to you? Their answers reveal the truth about how strategy drives clarity, direction, and long-term success.
Hear from award-winning entrepreneurs and leadership experts including Sapna Pieroux, Lucy Barkas, Sian Brennan-Todd, Yemi Oluseun, Jeevan Punj, Alex M H Smith, Alex Chisnall, Paul Hetherington and Tom Holbrow as they share:
- Why strategy matters more than goals
- How leadership and strategy work hand-in-hand
- The role of brand, clarity and confidence in execution
- How to align your team with a shared vision
- Turning strategy from theory into real results.
If you are a business leader, entrepreneur or CEO looking to scale, this episode will help you rethink strategy and apply it in a way that actually drives growth.
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#BusinessStrategy #Strategy #Leadership #LeadershipTips #Entrepreneurship #EntrepreneurTips #BusinessGrowth # #BusinessStrategy #GrowYourBusiness #BusinessAdvice #Business #GrowYourBusiness #Leaders #CEO
----------
Like, comment, and subscribe for more expert advice on business strategy, leadership, and scaling your business.
----------
Want to learn how to produce a winning business strategy and profitably grow your business? I teach, coach and mentor Directors, Leaders and Managers on how to run successful companies.
To find out more, visit my website https://www.strategusconsulting.co.uk/.
Follow me on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/mike-harris-095b4775.
 

Think you know what it takes to be a great leader? In this episode, I bust the top 10 leadership myths that hold many managers and business owners back.
From misconceptions about charisma, extroversion, and fearlessness to the idea that a leader is always the smartest person in the room, these myths stop teams from reaching their full potential. Discover what really matters in leadership, why some “rules” are outdated, and how to lead effectively in today’s business environment.
Whether you’re a seasoned manager or aspiring to step into a leadership role, this episode will challenge what you think you know and provide actionable insights to elevate your leadership skills.
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#Leadership #LeadershipTips #Entrepreneurship #EntrepreneurTips #BusinessGrowth #StartupSuccess #BusinessStrategy #GrowYourBusiness #BusinessAdvice #Strategy #Business #LeadershipStrategy #GrowYourBusiness #Leaders #CEO
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Like, comment, and subscribe for more expert advice on business strategy, leadership, and scaling your business.
----------
Want to learn how to produce a winning business strategy and profitably grow your business? I teach, coach and mentor Directors, Leaders and Managers on how to run successful companies.
To find out more, visit my website https://www.strategusconsulting.co.uk/.
Follow me on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/mike-harris-095b4775.
 

What does it really take to be a successful entrepreneur? To coincide with the Festival of Entrepreneurs event, we’ve compiled the top 10 most important lessons for building and growing a business, drawing on insights from past guests and my own experiences.
Learn what separates founders who thrive from those who struggle. From mindset and confidence to structure, personal branding, and thinking differently, these lessons provide actionable guidance that any entrepreneur can apply today.
Whether you’re just starting out, scaling your business, or looking to take your leadership to the next level, this episode covers the key strategies, attitudes, and behaviours that drive success.
Hear real-world examples from founders and discover how to apply their lessons to your own entrepreneurial journey.
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#Entrepreneurship #EntrepreneurTips #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #StartupSuccess #BusinessStrategy #GrowYourBusiness #SuccessfulEntrepreneur #LeadershipTips #BusinessAdvice #Strategy #Business #LeadershipStrategy #GrowYourBusiness #Leaders #CEO
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Like, comment, and subscribe for more expert advice on business strategy, leadership, and scaling your business.
----------
Want to learn how to produce a winning business strategy and profitably grow your business? I teach, coach and mentor Directors, Leaders and Managers on how to run successful companies.
To find out more, visit my website https://www.strategusconsulting.co.uk/.
Follow me on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/mike-harris-095b4775.