VISOR UP - Authentic Leadership Conversations

Steve Muscat Azzopardi
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Leadership looks different when the visor comes up. Hosted by Steve Muscat Azzopardi, leadership mentor, and biker, Visor Up is a space for leaders who want to do better. This is more than an interview show. It is a mix of direct insights from Steve, and deep-dive conversations with voices that matter. From the psychology of decision-making to the hard truths of the boardroom, we sit down with founders, CEOs, and human behaviour experts who are willing to drop the mask. No gurus. No scripts. Just honest truths about mastering the friction to unlock the freedom of authentic leadership. Start leading with intention. Get the visor up. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Episodes

  1. 1D AGO

    Elevating Others: Develop People & Build Resilience

    In this episode of VISOR UP, I explore a leadership principle that sounds simple but demands humility: elevating others. Many leaders believe their role is to shine, direct, and save the day. I argue the opposite: your value is measured by how well your team performs without you. Using the metaphor of the umbrella in a storm, the coach on the sidelines, and the motorcycle instructor who must eventually let go, we unpack why resilience is developed when you build trust, safety, and capability so your team can ride on their own. If you have ever struggled to delegate, feared being overshadowed by your own team, or felt the bruise to your ego when stepping out of the spotlight, this episode is for you. In this episode, I share: Elevating Others: Why leadership begins the moment you stop managing and start developing people. The Umbrella Principle: When pressure rains down, leaders absorb the hits; when success shines, they step aside so the team gets the credit. From Manager to Multiplier: How failing to develop your team turns you into a single point of failure - and how to fix it. Safe Space, Strong Performance: The trust equation: teams need psychological safety to perform, and leaders are responsible for building it. The Mentor Mindset: Why guiding with questions instead of answers accelerates growth and eliminates dependency. Survivable Mistakes: How to delegate intelligently by allowing low-risk failures that build confidence and resilience. Ego vs. Impact: The hidden emotional transition from hero to mentor - and why feeling invisible can be the clearest sign of leadership success. Resilience by Design: How gradually transferring responsibility creates teams that absorb stress without collapsing when you step away. Wherever you are in your leadership journey, this episode asks you: If you disappeared tomorrow, could your team still ride without you? Join the Ride Thank you for listening to VISOR UP. If this conversation resonated with you, the best way to support the show is to share it with a fellow leader or leave a review. Let’s get real leadership stories into the ears of the people who need them. Stay Connected Steve Muscat Azzopardi is an executive mentor, speaker, and author dedicated to authentic leadership. LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/stevemuscatazzopardi/ - Join the discussion on today’s episode. Website: stevema.eu – Explore the blog and mentoring services. Go Deeper with the R.I.D.E. Framework The Book: Your Leadership R.I.D.E.: The 4 Disciplines of Resilient Leadership is coming soon. Join the waiting list to learn how to Read the road, Internalise the journey, Drive with balance, and Engage your ecosystem. The Newsletter: Sign up for Your Waypoint, Steve’s regular mailshot featuring crisp, structured thinking on leadership, strategy, and the human side of business. Credits Host: Steve Muscat Azzopardi Disclaimer: The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

    16 min

  2. FEB 12

    The Invisible Reinforcement: Why Integrity is Your Only Real Foundation

    In this episode of VISOR UP, I pull back the curtain on the most overused yet misunderstood word in the corporate dictionary: Integrity. Most leaders treat it like a moral badge; I view it as a structural necessity. Using the architectural marvels of the Pantheon and the Great Pyramids, and the metaphor of a motorcycle wobble, we explore why integrity isn't just about being good. It is about being whole. If you have ever felt the exhausting weight of wearing a 'professional mask' or struggled to maintain your standards when the board is screaming for shortcuts, this episode is for you. In this episode, I share: The Two Faces of Integrity: Moving beyond simple honesty to the second, deeper definition: the quality of being complete and unfragmented. The Energy Drain: Why wearing a 'work mask' is heavy and makes you slow to react and biologically exhausted. Friction in the Boardroom: A personal story of a million-euro software crisis, a furious executive director, and the literal price of refusing to sign off on a lie. The Wobble & The Crisis: How integrity acts as the structural binder that prevents a leadership crash when the road gets rough and the pressure mounts. Road Rage vs. Reason: A masterclass in integrating emotions rather than suppressing them, using the motorbike as a guide for better decision-making. Tactical Takeaways: Three practical exercises to help you assess the hidden engineering of your own leadership today. Whether you are building a legacy or just trying to navigate this week’s struggles with dignity, it is time to ask: What are you leading for? Join the Ride Thank you for listening to VISOR UP. If this conversation resonated with you, the best way to support the show is to share it with a fellow leader or leave a review. Let’s get real leadership stories into the ears of the people who need them. Stay Connected Steve Muscat Azzopardi is an executive mentor, speaker, and author dedicated to authentic leadership. LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/stevemuscatazzopardi/ - Join the discussion on today’s episode. Website: stevema.eu – Explore the blog and mentoring services. Go Deeper with the R.I.D.E. Framework The Book: Your Leadership R.I.D.E.: The 4 Disciplines of Resilient Leadership is coming soon. Join the waiting list to learn how to Read the road, Internalise the journey, Drive with balance, and Engage your ecosystem. The Newsletter: Sign up for Your Waypoint, Steve’s regular mailshot featuring crisp, structured thinking on leadership, strategy, and the human side of business. Credits Host: Steve Muscat Azzopardi Disclaimer: The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

    17 min

  3. FEB 6

    Why Your Brain Needs the Ride: The Science of Relaxed Alertness VISOR UP - Leadership

    In this episode of VISOR UP, I dive into why motorcycling is more than just a hobby - it is a biological masterclass in leadership. If you have ever felt that autopilot fog while driving a car or sitting in a boardroom, this episode is for you. We explore the transition from passive existence to active presence, and how certain high-stakes activities actually reconfigure your brain for better decision-making under pressure. In this episode, I share: The Power of Presence: Why the Now on a bike is different from the autopilot in a car. The Science of the Sweet Spot: A look at UCLA research into Relaxed Alertness and how it lowers cortisol whilst sharpening focus. The High-Stress Loop: How to recognise when your brain is being hijacked by a crisis and how to break the cycle. No Engine Required: You don’t need to be a biker to find Relaxed Alertness, exploring the roles of focus and consequence in rock climbing, surfing, and even live performances. Tactical Takeaways: Three physical shifts you can make at your desk right now to return your brain to a state of calm authority. Whether you are navigating a corporate crisis or simply trying to find more clarity in your week, it’s time to understand the biology of your own leadership. Join the Ride Thank you for listening to VISOR UP. If this conversation resonated with you, the best way to support the show is to share it with a fellow leader or leave a review. Let’s get real leadership stories into the ears of the people who need them. Stay Connected Steve Muscat Azzopardi is an executive mentor, speaker, and author dedicated to authentic leadership. LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/stevemuscatazzopardi/ - Join the discussion on today’s episode. Website: stevema.eu – Explore the blog and mentoring services. Go Deeper with the R.I.D.E. Framework The Book: Your Leadership R.I.D.E.: The 4 Disciplines of Resilient Leadership is coming soon. Join the waiting list to learn how to Read the road, Internalise the journey, Drive with balance, and Engage your ecosystem. The Newsletter: Sign up for Your Waypoint, Steve’s regular mailshot featuring crisp, structured thinking on leadership, strategy, and the human side of business. Credits Host: Steve Muscat Azzopardi Disclaimer: The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

    12 min

  4. JAN 23

    Why Keep the Visor Up? My Journey & Leadership Ethos

    In this inaugural episode of VISOR UP, the journey begins. Tune in if you want real conversations about leading with integrity and authenticity. No jargon or hype, just honest insights, experience and unfiltered guests. In this episode, I lay out the roadmap for the show: My Origin Story: My personal journey through leadership. The Metaphor: Why riding a bike is a brilliant analogy for modern leaders. My Ethos: Humility, trust, and authenticity are non-negotiable in leadership. The Road Ahead: What you can expect from future episodes - and why you should ride along. Whether you are a CEO, a team lead, or just navigating your own career path, it’s time to stop hiding behind the glass. Stay Connected Steve Muscat Azzopardi is an executive mentor, speaker, and author dedicated to authentic leadership. LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/stevemuscatazzopardi/ - Join the discussion on today’s episode. Website: stevema.eu – Explore the blog and mentoring services. Catch you on the next episode. Join the Ride Thank you for listening to VISOR UP. If this conversation resonated with you, the best way to support the show is to share it with a fellow leader or leave a review. Let’s get real leadership stories into the ears of the people who need them. Go Deeper with The Leadership R.I.D.E. Framework The Book: Your Leadership R.I.D.E.: The 4 Disciplines of Resilient Leadership is coming soon. Join the waiting list on the website above to learn how to Read the road, Internalise the journey, Drive with balance, and Engage your ecosystem. The Newsletter: Sign up for Your Waypoint, also on the website above. Steve’s regular mailshot featuring crisp, structured thinking on leadership, strategy, and the human side of business. Credits Host: Steve Muscat Azzopardi Disclaimer: The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

    6 min
  • 4 Episodes

About

Leadership looks different when the visor comes up. Hosted by Steve Muscat Azzopardi, leadership mentor, and biker, Visor Up is a space for leaders who want to do better. This is more than an interview show. It is a mix of direct insights from Steve, and deep-dive conversations with voices that matter. From the psychology of decision-making to the hard truths of the boardroom, we sit down with founders, CEOs, and human behaviour experts who are willing to drop the mask. No gurus. No scripts. Just honest truths about mastering the friction to unlock the freedom of authentic leadership. Start leading with intention. Get the visor up. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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