Episode 121 - Beyond the Water Cooler: Military Mindsets, Mission Command and Managing Uncertainty - Interview with psychologist Dr Lisa Lloyd

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 understanding both is essential for effective decision-making. Gareth explains the concept of Mission Command, a military philosophy that fosters empowerment, autonomy, and psychological safety—key ingredients for building resilient, high-performing teams.

The discussion also emphasises the value of mastering the basics, allowing individuals and teams to focus their mental bandwidth on handling the unexpected. Gareth shares practical ideas on how to train people to become comfortable with uncertainty, rather than simply reacting to it.

The episode concludes with a compelling story about a coffee shop chain struggling with brand loyalty and customer satisfaction. Through a wargaming exercise, Gareth helped them identify a need for frontline judgement training—empowering staff with guidelines rather than rigid rules. The shift not only improved employee morale but also enhanced the customer experience.

Whether you’re leading in a boardroom or on the battlefield, this episode offers practical leadership lessons on autonomy, adaptability, and decision-making under pressure.

🎧 Listen now to discover how military thinking can transform your business approach.

If you would like to hear more from Lisa Lloyd then check out 'Beyond the watercooler' at the link below.

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/beyond-the-water-cooler/id1608058237