Better Under Pressure

Sara Milne Rowe
  • 5.0 (4)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED SEMIMONTHLY
Better Under Pressure

In a world that’s becoming more complex and uncertain, learning how to channel pressure in a healthy way to turn it into a force for good is vital. How we deal with pressure in our personal and professional lives will impact the outcome of anything we do. In this podcast, Sara Milne Rowe, author of The SHED Method and founder of Coaching Impact, explores how we experience pressure both in our personal and professional lives. Leaders from all walks of life join her to discuss what pressure means to them, how they deal with it, what they do because of it and how they lead others through it.’

  1. JAN 23

    Richard Medcalf - Choose how your Past ignites your Present

    How was Richard’s relationship with business pressure shaped by his relationship with his mentally and physically disabled sister.  What can we learn from that kind of family tie? Richard Medcalf found himself on a relatively smooth academic path through school and university before becoming the youngest ever partner at a top strategy firm. After over a decade in an elite strategic team at tech giant Cisco, he took the strategic decision to found Xquadrant and set himself the mission of helping the world’s top CEOs and entrepreneurs become world-changing forces for good. Over 25 years of strategic knowhow have made him excellently placed to write his book, “Making TIME for Strategy” and I’m delighted that today he is Making TIME for us.  In our conversation we discuss what his life with his sister taught him, how much he values bringing humour into business and thankfully he won’t be sharing his Freddie mercury impression!

    42 min

  2. 12/06/2024

    #56 - Rosie Wild - Get Excited by Things You’ll Probably Fail At

    Today’s episode is a fascinating conversation with a remarkable woman: Major Rosie Wild. Rosie is a British Army Officer and Professional Athlete who, following major injuries and a knee operation, went on to win the Sword of Honour at Sandhurst—the first woman to do so since men and women were integrated into the same platoons. In 2020, Rosie became the first woman in history to pass the Pre-Parachute Selection Course (P Company), qualifying to serve in the airborne forces at 16 Air Assault Brigade, where she deployed on numerous operations, including the evacuation of personnel from Kabul. Rosie is an accomplished and competitive triathlete. After she came 15th in the London Marathon and 2nd at Ironman Copenhagen, the British Army began supporting her in training and racing as a Professional Triathlete. In September 2024, Rosie competed in the Ironman World Championships, where, out of a field of almost 1,400, she placed 30th. In our conversation, Rosie shares: - Why she isn’t lit up by goals- How she uses complacency- And why winning has become all about being willing to lose.

    1h 2m

  3. 11/21/2024

    #55 - Dr Mindy Lane - Walking Into the Unknown

    Today I’m talking to Dr. Mindy Lane, a sub-specialist surgeon in the United States with 25 years of experience. Her understanding of how to thrive under high-stakes pressure in the operating room has enabled Mindy to also become an accomplished EK-WESS-TREE-UN. In the OR, she was able to lead her team with steady hands and a clear mind to save lives. In the dressage arena, she harnessed the pressure—and her horse, Fjurie—to achieve the highest levels in national competitions. As Mindy says, the principles of calm, control, and precision apply in both hospital and horse riding. She now specialises in bridging the gap between industry and medicine. Her goal is to make a significant impact on global health through innovative solutions. Whether it’s in the operating theatre, the arena, or the boardroom, Mindy believes that being "better under pressure" isn’t just a skill—it’s a way of life. In our conversation, Mindy shares: - When a winning strategy doesn’t work anymore - How a data-driven scientist deals with gut instinct - And what happened when she saw in her daughter a side of herself she didn’t like

    59 min

  4. 11/07/2024

    #54 - John Amaechi - What’s core to Sustainable High Performance?

    Today I’m talking to Professor John Amaechi CBE, an organisational psychologist and founder of APS Intelligence, where he is the Leadership Transformation expert.  His book, The Promises of Giants, was a New York Times and Sunday Times bestseller, in which he draws on his early life in Stockport, his rise to becoming the one of the first Britons to play professional basketball in the NBA and his career since – working with organisations to build authentic and ethical cultures. John is Professor of Leadership at the University of Exeter Business School, a non-exec director of a FTSE 250 company, and in 2023, received the Sport Industry’s Integrity & Impact Award. Oh, and he’s also passionate about Star Wars. He was hugely influenced by his mother, and he lives his life inspired by her words, that “the most unlikely of people, in the most improbable of circumstances, can become extraordinary.”  In our conversation, John shares… - What he means by sustainable high-performance… - Why he is deliberately hard to get hold of and what, as a former elite sportsman, - And he hates about going to the gym.

    59 min

  5. 10/18/2024

    #53 - Rupal Patel - Be Willing To Be Surprised?

    Today I’m speaking with Rupal Patel, a woman who has had an unconventional career, as suggested by the title of her best-selling book, From CIA to CEO.As a CIA analyst and field agent, she advised four-star generals, earned War Zone Service Medals, and was recognised by the CIA Director for “superior support to the President.” She then transitioned into the business world.Rupal’s trailblazing business work has been featured in USA Today and Business Insider, and in 2023, she was named one of the “Most Influential Women of the Year.”She is committed to developing the next generation of leaders and change-makers through her pro bono work for Virgin Startup, and through her roles as Entrepreneur in Residence at London Business School and Alumni in Residence at the University of Chicago.In our conversation, Rupal shares…- What can be gained from riddles over dinner,- The creative benefits of leaving things to the last minute,- And what she discovered by ‘leaning into the laziness.’

    54 min

  6. 09/26/2024

    #52 - Alina Addison - What if it’s good?

    Today I’m talking to Alina Addison, ex-accountant, ex-investment banker, executive coach, and now author. Alina left Romania as a young adult. Soon afterwards, she went into accountancy with PwC before joining Rothschild & Co. There, she became the first woman to be promoted to Managing Director and Head of Trading—all while working four days a week. In her book, The Audacity Spectrum, Alina combines personal experience with extensive research to share her mission. She wants to ignite audacious leadership in people through a bold mix of courage, care, and nonconformity. In our conversation, Alina shares… - What she learnt from being that boarding school toddler, - Why her life changed thanks to a friend’s audacious question, and - How she ended up completing two degrees in two countries—at the same time!

    51 min

  7. 09/12/2024

    #51 - Simon Scott - Work Out Whether the Pressure is Lethal or Just… Horrible!

    Welcome to season 2 of Better Under Pressure! I’m very excited to be kicking it off today in the company of none other than my business partner, Simon Scott. Formerly a Royal Marine Commando Officer and diver, who was awarded the Sword of Honour, Simon found that his time in the Marines satisfied both his desire for challenge and his fascination with explorers like Ernest Shackleton. After 11 years, he left and has since been coaching leaders in various industries, and increasingly in sport. He has supported people like Alex Danson, who captained GB Hockey to Olympic gold, worked with Dave Brailsford at INEOS Cycling, and is currently on the training ground with Steve Borthwick and his coaches at England Rugby.He is also an active trustee of the Adaptive Grand Slam charity, which trains and enables disabled adventurers in extreme expeditions. In our conversation, Simon shares what he learned when given a can of beans without an opener, how his father, a rowing coach, helped him become a runner, and what he believes makes up an explorer’s mindset.

    59 min

  8. 05/30/2024

    #50 - Hugh Dennis - Don’t Let What You Do Define You

    Today I’m talking to award-winning actor, comedian, and writer, Hugh Dennis. Best known for BBC1’s critically acclaimed sitcom OUTNUMBERED, he has also played an emotionally tortured Bank Manager in the BAFTA-winning show FLEABAG, Toby in the sitcom, NOT GOING OUT, and was an ever-present panellist on BBC 2’s long-running weekly satirical show MOCK THE WEEK.  Hugh has also been a regular for over 25 years on BBC Radio 4, both writing and presenting their Friday night comedy THE NOW SHOW. In our conversation, Hugh (whose real name is Pete, by the way) shares…- Why he thinks allowing a bit of self doubt is a good thing.- How his job at Unilever helped keep him grounded- And what having a bishop for a father taught him about performance.

    1h 1m
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5
out of 5
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About

In a world that’s becoming more complex and uncertain, learning how to channel pressure in a healthy way to turn it into a force for good is vital. How we deal with pressure in our personal and professional lives will impact the outcome of anything we do. In this podcast, Sara Milne Rowe, author of The SHED Method and founder of Coaching Impact, explores how we experience pressure both in our personal and professional lives. Leaders from all walks of life join her to discuss what pressure means to them, how they deal with it, what they do because of it and how they lead others through it.’

Information

  • Creator
    Sara Milne Rowe
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    57
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2022 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Better Under Pressure

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