He walked away from a global role at Lloyd’s Register. Gave up prestige, a title, and a comfortable salary. Why? Because it no longer aligned with his values.
Today, Steve Harris is the Managing Director of Integrity HSE one of the fastest-growing safety, health, and sustainability consultancies in the UK.
This episode of Success or Excuses isn’t just about business. It’s about values, hard choices, and what it really means to lead with purpose.
James Fleming sits down with Steve for a powerful, straight-talking conversation on walking away from the wrong kind of success, building a business on character, and why leadership isn't about being liked it’s about making the world better.
Steve doesn’t play the corporate game. He hires slowly, fires fast, and only works with clients who share his standards. There’s no fluff here just clarity, conviction, and a relentless commitment to doing what’s right.
This isn’t a story about HSE. It’s a story about integrity, resilience, and the cost and reward of building a business that actually stands for something.
Key moments include:
✔️ Why Steve walked away from private equity and built a purpose-led company ✔️ The real reason Integrity HSE grew fast and what most people misunderstand ✔️ Walking the talk: how values shape every hire, fire, and client relationship ✔️ The brutal story of losing a colleague to suicide and the life-changing lesson it left behind ✔️ How junior sports sponsorship is part of their leadership strategy ✔️ The neurodiversity conference that changed how their clients think ✔️ Steve’s take on fake positivity, leadership BS, and what really builds resilience ✔️ What happens when you prioritise people over profit and still win ✔️ The truth about optimism, pessimism, and the Stockdale Principle ✔️ What Steve learned from a life-or-death cancer scare during COVID
Subscribe to Success or Excuses for real, raw conversations with leaders who built on courage — not comfort.
Follow James Fleming: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd
Success or Excuses Instagram →https://www.instagram.com/successorexcusespodcast
YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcast
Website → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/
Follow Steve Harris: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/steveharris-integrityhse
Website → https://www.integrityhse.com
Email → steve@integrityhse.co.uk
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