Battling with Business

In this special episode of Battling with Business, Gareth and Chris are joined by Professor Damian O’Doherty, an academic at the University of Liverpool whose work explores leadership, organisational culture, and critical management studies. Together, they dive into the philosophy of leadership and management, exploring ideas like: Reconstructing organization: moving beyond modern vs. postmodern management thinking. Loungification ...

In this rereleased episode of Battling with Business, Chris and Gareth unpack one of the most important questions in business and leadership: what is strategy, really?

While many people mistake strategy for a plan, true strategy is something deeper. Strategy is the process of making decisions and allocating resources to achieve long-term goals under uncertainty and change.

✅ In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The difference betwe...

In this Influencers episode, Gareth and Chris shine a light on one of the most overlooked pioneers of leadership and management thinking: Mary Parker Follett. A radical voice from the early 20th century, Follett challenged the rigid, hierarchical models of her time and instead promoted collaboration, empowerment, emotional intelligence, and decentralized decision-making — decades before these ideas were popularized.

Gareth and Chri...

In this episode of Battling with Business, Gareth Tennant and Chris Kitchener are joined by Lieutenant Colonel Michael Harvey to explore how games—from ancient board games to modern war gaming and gamified business practices—can teach powerful lessons about leadership, decision-making, strategy, and team behaviour. They challenge the idea that games are childish or trivial and show how, when used properly, they become serious tools...

In this rereleased episode of Battling with Business, hosts Chris and Gareth explore one of the most misunderstood areas of organisational strategy: the difference between mission, purpose, vision, and goals — and how they work together to drive business success.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• The true meaning of purpose in business and why it matters.

• How a clear mission statement guides daily operations.

• What a comp...

In this episode of Battling with Business, Gareth and Chris welcome psychologist and workplace culture expert Lisa Lloyd. Together, they dive deep into the emotional and psychological dynamics that underpin effective leadership and high-performing teams.

Lisa brings insights from her work in psychology and behavioural science, exploring the importance of understanding emotional needs, building trust, and...

In this episode of Battling with Business, Gareth and Chris delve into the life and leadership of Arthur Tedder, Marshal of the Royal Air Force and one of the most underrated military figures of WWII. Far from the front-page headlines, Tedder played a crucial strategic role as Eisenhower’s deputy, reshaping how air power supported ground operations and building the logistical frameworks that helped win the war.

We explore Tedder’...

In the Second of two episodes of Battling with Business, Chris and Gareth visit the Royal Air Force Tedder Leadership Academy to explore the core themes of leadership, management, and command with: Group Captain Emma Keith and Warrant Officer Mark Willis.

Together, they delve into:

• The distinct but interrelated roles of leadership, management, and command in military and civilian contexts.
• How the RAF develops and nurtures lea...

In the first of two episodes of Battling with Business, Chris and Gareth visit the Royal Air Force Tedder Leadership Academy to explore the core themes of leadership, management, and command with: Group Captain Emma Keith and Warrant Officer Mark Willis.

Together, they delve into:

• The distinct but interrelated roles of leadership, management, and command in military and civilian contexts.

• How the RAF develops and nurtures l...

In this powerful episode of Battling with Business, we sit down with Commander Roly Woods, a retired Royal Navy officer with over 46 years of service, to explore the personal and institutional journey of LGBTQ+ inclusion in the British Armed Forces. Now the LGBT Armed Forces Community Memorial Officer for the charity Fighting with Pride, Roly reflects on his early motivations to join the Navy, leadership experiences, and the dramat...

Podcast Summary – Influencers: Ruth Bader Ginsburg

In this episode, Chris and Gareth explore the remarkable life and enduring influence of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, examining how her strategic legal work reshaped gender equality in the United States. They discuss her legacy as a pioneering advocate for women’s rights, her resilience in the face of societal and professional obstacles, and her ability to drive lasting change through case ...

In this episode, Chris and Gareth reflect on their recent research trip to the Ardennes forest, delving into the leadership, innovation, and operational lessons drawn from key World War II battles, particularly the Battle of the Bulge. Through site visits and historical analysis, they explore the contrasting leadership styles of figures like Adolf Hitler, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Joachim Peiper.

They discuss how Eisenhower’s decen...

In this episode, Chris is joined by author Robert O’Connor to discuss his historical fiction novel 'Jeep Show', a compelling story set during the Battle of the Bulge. Through the eyes of a US Army entertainer turned accidental soldier, we explore the vital role of morale, the hidden power of small, agile teams, and what it means to lead by simply showing up.

Expect insights into:

- Why “being there” can be more powerful than bi...

In this episode of Battling with Business, Chris and Gareth explore the evolving concept of power and its critical role in leadership, politics, and strategic decision-making. From the influence of tech giants like Amazon and Facebook to the personal power wielded by figures like Elon Musk, the discussion highlights how power is becoming both more dispersed and more concentrated in today’s complex environment.

They examine how powe...

This week’s episode of Battling with Business takes a unique twist, as host Gareth Tennant is interviewed by Dr Lisa Lloyd on her podcast, Beyond the Water Cooler. In a wide-ranging conversation, Gareth shares insights from his military background and explores how these lessons can be applied in the world of business and leadership.

Together, they delve into the critical difference between strategy and tactics, highlighting why und...

In the second part of our Influencers series on Joseph Stalin, hosts Chris and Gareth dive deep into Stalin's rise to power, his manipulation of leadership dynamics, and his long-lasting impact on global politics. Drawing comparisons to modern influencers like Donald Trump and recent events such as tariff wars, they explore how powerful figures can shift the world order.

This episode examines Stalin’s consolidation of power, includ...

In this gripping episode of Battling with Business, Chris and Gareth dive deep into the life, leadership, and lasting influence of Joseph Stalin. Framed through the lens of influence, the discussion explores how Stalin’s grip on power extended beyond political control to institutionalised fear, ideological purges, and a legacy that echoes into modern Russia and beyond.

The episode unpacks Stalin’s early life—from his impoverished c...

In this second instalment of our compelling two-part conversation, Gareth takes the lead as we welcome back Colonel Oliver Lee OBE—former Royal Marines officer and proven civilian leader—for an unflinching and deeply personal exploration of transition, adaptability, and the enduring nature of authentic leadership.

Picking up from where we left off, Oliver shares the emotional and professional turbulence that followed his resignatio...

In this powerful episode of Battling with Business, Chris is joined by Colonel Oliver Lee OBE, a former Royal Marines officer and internationally respected leader, for a compelling discussion on leadership, integrity, and moral courage.

From leading Royal Marines on operations to shaping organisational culture at the highest levels, Oliver shares his unique leadership journey, starting with a playground protest at age ten and culmi...