The Prepared Leader: From Crisis to Confidence

Helen Lipscombe
  • 0.0 (0)
  • BUSINESS

The Prepared Leader: From Crisis to Confidence helps leaders build resilience before they need it. Hosted by Helen Lipscombe, each episode shares real stories and bold strategies to lead through uncertainty with confidence. Because the best leaders aren’t lucky — they’re prepared. 

Episodes

  1. The Power of Curiosity: Fostering AI Skills in Business with Mary Kemp

    1D AGO

    The Power of Curiosity: Fostering AI Skills in Business with Mary Kemp

    Send us a text Mary Kemp, co-founder of Brighton AI and CEO of AI Potential, joins for an honest conversation about how AI is reshaping leadership, decision-making, and organisational resilience.  AI isn’t just a technical challenge but a people-focused journey. Mary highlights the importance of curiosity, mindset, and culture in successful adoption. She also shares stories from her own pivot into the AI space, demystifies common fears, and offers practical advice. Connect with Helen Lipscombe: LinkedIn: Helen Lipscombe FBCI | LinkedIn Website: Resilience Continuity | UK YouTube: Resilience Continuity Consulting - YouTube Enjoying the show? Follow, share, and leave a review to help more leaders build confidence before the crisis. Until next time, stay ready and stay resilient

    37 min
  2. Cybersecurity: Why It Must Be More Than Just an IT Issue

    12/19/2025

    Cybersecurity: Why It Must Be More Than Just an IT Issue

    Send us a text Cybersecurity expert Robert Jumpp unpack the crucial intersection of cybersecurity and organisational resilience. Find out why cyber risk is no longer just an IT issue, but a strategic concern for leaders at every level. With real-world stories and practical insights from Robert’s experience across sectors like defence, banking and charities, you’ll hear how the landscape has shifted from compliance silos to an inclusive, whole-organisation approach. Links mentioned in this episode: Connect with Robert Jumpp on LinkedIn National Cyber Security Centre Connect with Helen Lipscombe: LinkedIn: Helen Lipscombe FBCI | LinkedIn Website: Resilience Continuity | UK YouTube: Resilience Continuity Consulting - YouTube Enjoying the show? Follow, share, and leave a review to help more leaders build confidence before the crisis. Until next time, stay ready and stay resilient

    47 min
  3. When Crisis Hits: Why Communication Is Your First Line of Defence with Sara McCracken

    11/19/2025

    When Crisis Hits: Why Communication Is Your First Line of Defence with Sara McCracken

    Send us a text Sara McCracken is an award-winning PR strategist and founder of the PR Club. She joins The Prepared Leader to explore one of the most often overlooked yet critical aspects of resilience: communication.  Drawing from more than 20 years of experience helping organisations manage their reputation and prepare for media storms, Sara shares her insights on building robust communications plans, the vital role of PR in crisis management, and why planning your messaging matters just as much as planning your business continuity response.  Links mentioned in this episode: Connect with Sara McCracken on LinkedIn The PR Club Sara McCracken PR On Instagram Connect with Helen Lipscombe: LinkedIn: Helen Lipscombe FBCI | LinkedIn Website: Resilience Continuity | UK YouTube: Resilience Continuity Consulting - YouTube Enjoying the show? Follow, share, and leave a review to help more leaders build confidence before the crisis. Until next time, stay ready and stay resilient

    32 min
  4. Beyond the Myths: Unlocking Growth in the Public Sector with Shiona Campbell, BDS

    10/18/2025

    Beyond the Myths: Unlocking Growth in the Public Sector with Shiona Campbell, BDS

    Send us a text Today’s episode tackles a commonly missed growth avenue – selling to the public sector. Why do so many smaller firms avoid it? Is it really too complex or competitive, or are those just myths? Helen Lipscombe is joined by Shiona Campbell, founder of BDS – Business Development Support Ltd. With 15 years’ experience in local government and the third sector, Shiona now helps owner-led businesses bid for and win public contracts. You’ll hear her journey from project management to business consultancy, unpack the misconceptions around public sector sales, and get practical guidance on how to find opportunities and stand out in tenders. Connect with Helen Lipscombe: LinkedIn: Helen Lipscombe FBCI | LinkedIn Website: Resilience Continuity | UK YouTube: Resilience Continuity Consulting - YouTube Enjoying the show? Follow, share, and leave a review to help more leaders build confidence before the crisis. Until next time, stay ready and stay resilient

    49 min
  5. Operational Resilience: More Than Regulation

    09/18/2025

    Operational Resilience: More Than Regulation

    Send us a text Operational resilience isn’t just about compliance — it’s about culture, customers, and the way organisations think about disruption. In this episode of The Prepared Leader: From Crisis to Confidence, host Helen Lipscombe speaks with Nick Simms from Cornwood Consulting, who brings nearly 40 years’ experience in business continuity and resilience. Together, they explore what makes operational resilience different, where regulation helps (and hinders), and why culture often determines whether resilience efforts succeed or fail. You’ll hear: The shift from “if” to “when” disruption happens.Why resilience must focus on services, not just departments.Real-world disruptions — from escaped rhinos to IT failures.How regulation can both drive progress and create false confidence.Why soft skills and influencing matter more than technical training.“At its heart, operational resilience is about looking after your customers. Everything else should flow from that.”Whether you work in a regulated industry or not, this conversation offers practical lessons for leaders aiming to build resilience that lasts. Connect with Helen Lipscombe: LinkedIn: Helen Lipscombe FBCI | LinkedIn Website: Resilience Continuity | UK YouTube: Resilience Continuity Consulting - YouTube Enjoying the show? Follow, share, and leave a review to help more leaders build confidence before the crisis. Until next time, stay ready and stay resilient

    27 min

  6. 08/17/2025

    Culture is How We Do Things: Aligning Leadership, Risk, and Resilience

    Send us a text Organisational culture is more than a buzzword — it’s the invisible force shaping how people behave, make decisions, and respond to challenges. In this episode of The Prepared Leader, guest host Jo Grove-Lafarge sits down with Alison Crockford (Build Secure Thinking) and Helen Lipscombe (Resilience Continuity Consulting) to unpack what culture really means, how it’s shaped by leadership, and why it can make or break resilience programmes. We explore: Defining organisational culture beyond slogans.How leadership behaviour sets the tone — for better or worse.The role of psychological safety in driving accountability.Lessons from Boeing’s culture shift and its impact on safety.Why culture and engagement must be more than annual surveys.How to align resilience, cyber, and risk initiatives with the existing culture to make change stick.Whether you lead a small team or a global organisation, this conversation will challenge how you think about culture — and how you can influence it. Connect with Helen Lipscombe: LinkedIn: Helen Lipscombe FBCI | LinkedIn Website: Resilience Continuity | UK YouTube: Resilience Continuity Consulting - YouTube Enjoying the show? Follow, share, and leave a review to help more leaders build confidence before the crisis. Until next time, stay ready and stay resilient

    25 min
  7. Team One Thinking: Rethinking Leadership for Real Resilience

    07/17/2025

    Team One Thinking: Rethinking Leadership for Real Resilience

    Send us a text What does real resilient leadership look like — especially when uncertainty isn’t a one-off crisis but a constant reality? In this episode of The Prepared Leader, Helen Lipscombe is joined by Steve Rabson-Stark from Then Somehow, a leadership coach who works with organisations to unlock resilience through purposeful change. Together, they explore what makes leadership teams thrive — or quietly unravel — under pressure. You’ll hear: Why psychological safety is non-negotiableHow to break out of silo thinking with “Team One” leadershipWhy charismatic leaders can be resilience risksThe importance of safe conflict, listening, and unfinished answersAnd why agile, imperfect action often beats perfect planning“If no one’s speaking and everyone agrees all the time, you’re in big trouble.”Whether you’re leading a university, a public service team, or a commercial organisation, this conversation will challenge your assumptions — and give you practical ways to lead with confidence, curiosity, and resilience. 📩 Connect with Steve: steve@thensomehow.com | thensomehow.com 🔗 LinkedIn newsletter: Reimagining Leadership Connect with Helen Lipscombe: LinkedIn: Helen Lipscombe FBCI | LinkedIn Website: Resilience Continuity | UK YouTube: Resilience Continuity Consulting - YouTube Enjoying the show? Follow, share, and leave a review to help more leaders build confidence before the crisis. Until next time, stay ready and stay resilient

    40 min
  8. Under Pressure: Why Transport Resilience Is Everyone’s Business

    06/16/2025

    Under Pressure: Why Transport Resilience Is Everyone’s Business

    Send us a text How do you build resilience into a transport system that’s already stretched thin? In this episode of The Prepared Leader, Helen Lipscombe speaks with resilience leader Joanna Grove-Lafarge about why transport systems are under pressure like never before, and what organisations can do about it. From the Heathrow power outage to the Iberian grid failure, Joanna shares real-world lessons on the hidden fragility of our transport infrastructure, the risks of modern tech on ageing systems, and how leaders can prepare for what they can’t control. “It’s not about why you’ve lost power — it’s about what happens next. That’s where resilience lives.” You’ll learn: Why interdependencies matter more than everHow to lead through cascading disruptionsThe value of scenario-agnostic planning in fast and slow crisesIf you work in transport, infrastructure, or business continuity, this one’s for you. 🔗 Connect with Joanna on LinkedIn: Joanna Grove-Lafarge  📣 Like what you heard? Follow, rate, or share the episode with someone who leads under pressure. Connect with Helen Lipscombe: LinkedIn: Helen Lipscombe FBCI | LinkedIn Website: Resilience Continuity | UK YouTube: Resilience Continuity Consulting - YouTube Enjoying the show? Follow, share, and leave a review to help more leaders build confidence before the crisis. Until next time, stay ready and stay resilient

    33 min
  9. Why Scenario Testing Builds Confident Leaders (with Tom Wootton)

    05/20/2025

    Why Scenario Testing Builds Confident Leaders (with Tom Wootton)

    Send us a text In this kickoff episode of The Prepared Leader: From Crisis to Confidence, host Helen Lipscombe sits down with Tom Wootton, leadership coach and founder of the Scenario Testing Academy. Together, they explore why scenario testing is the secret weapon for leaders facing uncertainty. Discover why most organisations miss the mark on crisis readiness, how practical scenario work builds real confidence, and what every leader should be doing to turn potential crises into opportunities for growth. Whether you’re a CEO, team leader, or resilience professional, this episode will leave you thinking differently about how you prepare. Until next time, stay ready and stay resilient. Connect with Helen Lipscombe: LinkedIn: Helen Lipscombe FBCI | LinkedIn Website: Resilience Continuity | UK YouTube: Resilience Continuity Consulting - YouTube Enjoying the show? Follow, share, and leave a review to help more leaders build confidence before the crisis. Until next time, stay ready and stay resilient

    30 min

  10. 05/01/2025

    Welcome to The Prepared Leader: Why Confidence Starts with Readiness

    Send us a text In this first episode of The Prepared Leader, host Helen Lipscombe explains why confidence begins with readiness. Discover what this podcast is all about — and how bold strategies and real stories can empower you to lead through any crisis.  Until next time, stay prepared and stay resilient. Connect with Helen Lipscombe: LinkedIn: Helen Lipscombe FBCI | LinkedIn Website: Resilience Continuity | UK YouTube: Resilience Continuity Consulting - YouTube Enjoying the show? Follow, share, and leave a review to help more leaders build confidence before the crisis. Until next time, stay ready and stay resilient

    1 min
  • 10 Episodes

About

The Prepared Leader: From Crisis to Confidence helps leaders build resilience before they need it. Hosted by Helen Lipscombe, each episode shares real stories and bold strategies to lead through uncertainty with confidence. Because the best leaders aren’t lucky — they’re prepared. 

Information