BestinClassPodcast

BestinClassPodcast
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The BEST In Class Podcast is where real conversations meet real leaders and high performers. Hosted by Leon Lloyd and Martin Hall, this podcast explores the moments that shape leaders, performers, entrepreneurs and high achievers. Through open, thoughtful conversations, guests share the experiences that defined them, the turning points, setbacks, pressures and decisions that shaped who they are today. From elite sport and business leadership to personal growth and resilience, each episode uncovers the mindset, communication and leadership principles that drive success at the highest level. This is not about headlines or highlight reels, it’s about the thinking behind the performance. Whether you’re a leader, entrepreneur, athlete, or someone striving to improve, the conversations aim to provide insight, perspective and lessons that can be applied in both professional and personal life. Structured. Thoughtful. Authentic. Leadership podcast High performance podcast Entrepreneur

Episodes

  1. Aug 25

    What makes a high-performing team? | Tom Fehley

    Former Special Forces operator and entrepreneur Tom Fehley joins Leon Lloyd and Martin Hall for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, decision-making, communication and what it really takes to build high-performing teams. Drawing on 20 years in the military, working in government during the Covid crisis and his experience in business and entrepreneurship, Tom shares the principles that have remained consistent across some of the most demanding environments he's worked in. From creating a clear sense of purpose to building trust, maintaining high standards and giving people the information they need to make better decisions, Tom explains why the principles of high performance can be applied far beyond the military. He also reflects on the transition from military life into business, the importance of learning from failure, making decisions with incomplete information and why high performers need to learn when to step back and give themselves permission to recover. The conversation also explores communication and presentation skills, including Tom's own experience on the BEST SPEAK programme and why being able to communicate clearly is such a critical leadership skill. In this episode: ◼ What makes a truly high-performing team ◼ Why purpose is the foundation of high performance ◼ Building trust and accountability ◼ Why information needs to move quickly through an organisation ◼ Making decisions with incomplete information ◼ How military principles translate into business ◼ The importance of continuous learning ◼ Why high standards can drive — and sometimes hinder — performance ◼ Learning to celebrate other people's success ◼ The leadership lessons Tom took from Special Forces ◼ Why communication is a critical leadership skill ◼ Tom's experience on the BEST SPEAK programme 📚 Book Recommendation: The One Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan Subscribe for more conversations with world-class performers, business leaders and experts sharing the principles behind exceptional performance. #Leadership #HighPerformers #Teamwork #ExecutiveLeadership #DecisionMaking #Communication #BestInClass

    What makes a high-performing team? | Tom Fehley

  2. Aug 7

    How to Present With Confidence | Lucy Key on Executive Presence & Public Speaking

    How do great presenters captivate any audience? Presentation coach and founder of Performing Perfectly, Lucy Key, shares the communication techniques, mindset and performance strategies that help leaders speak with confidence, connect with audiences and deliver presentations that people remember. This isn't just a conversation about public speaking. It's about executive presence, confidence, storytelling and understanding the psychology behind effective communication. Lucy explains why confidence isn't something you're born with, how to overcome presentation nerves, what separates memorable speakers from forgettable ones, and the practical techniques anyone can use to become a more impactful communicator. Whether you're presenting in the boardroom, pitching clients or speaking on stage, this episode is packed with practical lessons to help you communicate with confidence and influence. In this episode: ◼ How to build executive presence ◼ The psychology of confident communication ◼ Why audiences remember some speakers and forget others ◼ Techniques to overcome presentation nerves ◼ How to engage an audience from the very first minute ◼ The role of storytelling in effective communication ◼ Practical presentation techniques you can apply immediately ◼ How great communicators create lasting impact 📚 Book Recommendations: The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma Subscribe for more conversations with world-class performers, business leaders and experts sharing the habits behind exceptional performance. #ExecutivePresence #PublicSpeaking #Leadership #CommunicationSkills #PresentationSkills #SpeakExec #BestInClassPodcast

    How to Present With Confidence | Lucy Key on Executive Presence & Public Speaking

  3. Jul 21

    The Red Arrows Mindset | How Elite Teams Perform Under Pressure | Dan Lowes

    How do the Red Arrows build one of the world's most elite teams? Former RAF fighter pilot and Executive Officer of the Red Arrows, Dan Lowes, shares the leadership principles, culture and accountability systems that allow elite teams to perform under relentless pressure. This isn't just a conversation about aviation. It's about trust, leadership, character, communication and creating environments where people consistently perform at their best. Dan explains why the Red Arrows recruit for character over talent, how they create psychological safety without lowering standards, and why world-class teams recover from mistakes faster than everyone else. Whether you're leading a business, coaching a team or looking to improve your own performance, this episode is packed with practical lessons from one of the most respected high-performance organisations in the world. In this episode: ◼ Why elite teams choose character over talent ◼ The Red Arrows' unique selection process ◼ Building trust under pressure ◼ How to create accountability without blame ◼ The debrief system that drives continuous improvement ◼ Why world-class performers recover quickly from mistakes ◼ The "Half Error" technique for improving performance ◼ Leadership lessons every business can apply 📚 Book Recommendations: • Legacy by James Kerr • Leading by Sir Alex Ferguson • Hotel Avocado by Bob Mortimer Subscribe for more conversations with world-class performers, business leaders and experts sharing the habits behind exceptional performance. #leadership #redarrows #teamwork #executiveleadership #communication #podcast #bestinclass

    The Red Arrows Mindset | How Elite Teams Perform Under Pressure | Dan Lowes

  4. Jul 7

    Marie De Meyer | Leadership & Self-Awareness “The One Skill That Stops Conflict Instantly”

    What separates great leaders from everyone else when pressure is at its highest? In this episode of BEST IN CLASS, Leon Lloyd and Martin Hall sit down with Marie De Meyer - advocate, mediator and keynote speaker, to explore the leadership skills that matter most when emotions run high. Having spent decades resolving conflict in high-pressure environments, Marie shares why self-awareness, emotional intelligence and the ability to respond rather than react are the foundations of exceptional leadership. But this conversation goes far beyond conflict resolution. It's about confidence, resilience, authenticity, and rebuilding yourself when life doesn't go to plan. Marie explains why confidence isn't something you're born with, but something you develop through action, discipline and self-awareness. The result is a powerful discussion about leadership, communication and personal growth that challenges the way we think about influence and success. This episode explores: ◼ Why self-awareness is a leadership superpower ◼ Staying calm under pressure ◼ Responding rather than reacting ◼ Building confidence through action ◼ Emotional intelligence in leadership ◼ Conflict resolution and difficult conversations ◼ Authenticity and personal growth If you've ever questioned yourself, struggled with confidence, or wanted to become a more influential leader, this conversation offers practical insights you can apply immediately. 📚 Book Recommendation: • The Four Agreements Connect with BEST: Website: https://bespokeelitespeakertraining.com/ LinkedIn: / bespokeelitespeakertraining Instagram: / bespokeelitespeakertraining Facebook: / bespoke.elite.speaker.training #Leadership #LeadershipPodcast #EmotionalIntelligence #ConflictResolution #ExecutiveLeadership #Confidence #SelfAwareness #Communication #LeadershipDevelopment #BESTInClass

    Marie De Meyer | Leadership & Self-Awareness “The One Skill That Stops Conflict Instantly”

  5. Jun 25

    Luke Nihill | The Risk of Ownership and Building a Business on Your Terms

    From launching a business on his honeymoon to completing a management buyout during COVID, Luke Nihill has built his career around taking calculated risks. As Co-Founder and Managing Director of Qurated, Luke has spent the last decade helping organisations identify and develop senior leadership talent while building a business designed around long-term relationships, culture, and strategic impact. In this episode, Luke shares the realities of entrepreneurship, leadership, ownership, and growth. He discusses: ◼ Why he chose entrepreneurship over the traditional career path ◼ Building Qurated from the ground up ◼ The challenges of completing a management buyout during COVID ◼ Why culture matters more than skills alone ◼ The importance of accountability in high-performing teams ◼ Lessons from coaching, leadership and continuous learning ◼ What founders get wrong about growth ◼ Why taking risks has shaped both his business and personal life This conversation is not just about recruitment or executive search. It's about building something meaningful, making difficult decisions, and having the confidence to back yourself when the outcome is uncertain. For founders, business leaders, entrepreneurs and anyone looking to create lasting impact, Luke's story offers practical lessons on leadership, resilience and growth. 🎙️ Luke's Podcast: Action Impact Growth 📚 Book Recommendations: • Good to Great - Jim Collins • Never Split the Difference - Chris Voss Connect with BEST: Website: https://bespokeelitespeakertraining.com/ LinkedIn: / bespokeelitespeakertraining Instagram: / bespokeelitespeakertraining Facebook: / bespoke.elite.speaker.training Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, communication, executive presence, high performance, and elite sport.

    Luke Nihill | The Risk of Ownership and Building a Business on Your Terms

  6. Jun 10

    Stuart Henry | Leadership & Culture | "Most Leaders Don't Realise They're Shaping Culture Every Day"

    What if culture isn't created by strategy, values statements, or company away days? What if it's created by the conversations leaders have every day? In this episode of BEST in Class, Leon and Martin sit down with Stuart Henry, leadership advisor, former CEO, and founder of A Better Version, to explore what leadership looks like when trust, support, and emotional intelligence are placed at the centre of performance. Drawing on more than four decades of business experience, Stuart reflects on the evolution of leadership, why command-and-control management is becoming obsolete, and how culture is shaped by the behaviours leaders model every day. But this conversation goes beyond leadership frameworks. It's about helping people become a better version of themselves, creating environments where individuals can thrive, and understanding the responsibility leaders have to influence far more than results. This episode explores: ◼ Why culture is built through everyday interactions ◼ The shift from command-and-control to servant leadership ◼ How emotional intelligence influences performance ◼ Building trust inside teams and organisations ◼ Helping people become a better version of themselves If you're interested in leadership, culture, communication, or creating high-performing teams, this conversation will challenge how you think about influence and the role leaders play in shaping the people around them. 📚 Book Recommendations: The Five Dysfunctions of a Team – Patrick Lencioni Good to Great - Jim Collins Connect with Stuart: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/stuarthenry15 Connect with BEST: Website: http://www.bespokeelitespeakertrainin... LinkedIn: / bespokeelitespeakertraining Instagram: / bespokeelitespeakertraining Facebook: / bespoke.elite.speaker.training Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, communication, executive presence, high performance, and elite sport. #Leadership #LeadershipPodcast #companyculture #LeadershipDevelopment #Communication #TeamCulture #WorkplaceCulture #HighPerformance #BusinessPodcast

    Stuart Henry | Leadership & Culture | "Most Leaders Don't Realise They're Shaping Culture Every Day"

  7. Jun 1

    Annasley Park | Solitude | “I’d Rather Die Trying Than Live With What If”

    What happens when you remove all distraction, noise, and certainty, and are left alone with your own thoughts? In this episode of BEST IN CLASS, Leon and Martin sit down with Annasley Park, former professional cyclist, adventurer, and one of the few women in history to row the Atlantic Ocean solo. But this conversation goes far beyond endurance. It explores identity, resilience, solitude, leadership, and the uncomfortable process of discovering who you really are when everything familiar disappears. From growing up with dyslexia and competing in elite sport, to burnout, silent meditation, and surviving a capsize just ten hours into a 3,000-mile ocean row, Annasley shares the mindset behind choosing challenge over comfort. This is a conversation about: ◼ Learning to pause in a world addicted to momentum ◼ Separating identity from achievement ◼ Reflecting in the moment, not just after the event ◼ Why adversity can become a training ground for leadership ◼ What solitude reveals about who we truly are If you’ve ever questioned your limits, your direction, or what you’re capable of when stripped back to the essentials, this episode will challenge the way you think about resilience and performance. Connect with Annasley: Website: http://www.annasleypark.com Website: https://oceansurvivoar.com Instagram: / annasleypark LinkedIn: / annasley-park Connect with BEST: Website: http://www.bespokeelitespeakertrainin... LinkedIn: / bespokeelitespeakertraining Instagram: / bespokeelitespeakertraining Facebook: / bespoke.elite.speaker.training

    Annasley Park | Solitude | “I’d Rather Die Trying Than Live With What If”

  8. May 11

    Why Most Leaders Fail at Culture And Don’t Even Know It | Geordan Murphy

    Leadership under pressure looks very different behind the scenes. In this first episode of BEST in Class, former Premiership captain and head coach Geordan Murphy shares what leadership really feels like inside elite sport - from captaincy and difficult conversations to handling scrutiny, authority, and responsibility under pressure. This is not a conversation about trophies. It’s about communication, trust, accountability, and what happens when outcomes matter. Geordan discusses: • The reality of leadership under scrutiny • Transitioning from teammate to head coach • Why restraint often carries more power than motivation • How trust is built through difficult conversations • The difference between presence and volume • The moment leadership stopped being about being liked For leaders, executives, coaches, and high performers - this episode explores what communication looks like when the stakes are real. 📚 Book recommendation: The Five Dysfunctions of a Team - Patrick Lencioni Connect with Geordan Murphy: Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/geordanmurphy LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/geordan-murphy-11859b49 Connect with BEST: Website: http://www.bespokeelitespeakertraining.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bespokeelitespeakertraining Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bespokeelitespeakertraining Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bespoke.elite.speaker.training CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 02:15 From Player to Leader 08:40 Captaincy & Responsibility 15:30 Taking Over as Head Coach 24:10 Authority & Communication Under Pressure 34:00 Trust, Selection & Difficult Conversations Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, communication, executive presence, high performance, and elite sport. 45:00 Leadership Lessons Beyond Rugby Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, communication, executive presence, high performance, and elite sport.

    Why Most Leaders Fail at Culture And Don’t Even Know It | Geordan Murphy

  9. Mar 9

    Best In Class Podcast | Coming Soon

    The BEST In Class Podcast is where real conversations meet real leadership from the BEST team at bespokeelitespeakertraining Hosted by Martin Hall and Leon Lloyd, this podcast explores the moments that shape leaders, performers, entrepreneurs and high achievers. Through open, thoughtful conversations, guests share the experiences that defined them the turning points, setbacks, pressures and decisions that shaped who they are today. From elite sport and business leadership to personal growth and resilience, each episode uncovers the mindset, communication and leadership principles that drive success at the highest level. This is not about headlines or highlight reels, it’s about the thinking behind the performance. Whether you’re a leader, entrepreneur, athlete, or someone striving to improve, the conversations aim to provide insight, perspective and lessons that can be applied in both professional and personal life. Structured. Thoughtful. Authentic. About the Hosts Leon Lloyd Leon Lloyd is a former England international rugby player who represented Leicester Tigers during one of the club’s most successful eras. Following his professional sporting career, Leon transitioned into business leadership and communication development, helping organisations and leaders improve how they connect, communicate and lead. His insights blend elite sporting experience with practical leadership lessons for the modern workplace. Martin Hall Martin Hall is a business leader, entrepreneur and endurance athlete based on the Isle of Man. As a Director within the financial services industry and an advocate for leadership development, Martin brings a perspective grounded in strategy, governance and performance mindset. Through his work, podcasting and endurance challenges, he explores the connection between discipline, resilience and long-term success. What We Explore • Defining moments that shape leaders • Turning points that change direction • Setbacks that build resilience • Decision-making under pressure • Leadership lessons earned through experience • The mindset behind elite performance Watch / Listen Full podcast episodes available on: YouTube Spotify Apple Podcasts SoundCloud Subscribe to follow new episodes and guest conversations. Search Keywords leadership podcast high performance podcast entrepreneur podcast elite mindset business leadership communication and leadership professional development high performance habits entrepreneur interviews sports mindset leadership lessons performance psychology success mindset decision making under pressure #leadership #highperformance #podcast #businesspodcast #mindset #entrepreneurship #communication #personaldevelopment #resilience #successmindset #leonlloyd #martinhall #bestinclass

    Best In Class Podcast | Coming Soon
  • 9 Episodes

About

The BEST In Class Podcast is where real conversations meet real leaders and high performers. Hosted by Leon Lloyd and Martin Hall, this podcast explores the moments that shape leaders, performers, entrepreneurs and high achievers. Through open, thoughtful conversations, guests share the experiences that defined them, the turning points, setbacks, pressures and decisions that shaped who they are today. From elite sport and business leadership to personal growth and resilience, each episode uncovers the mindset, communication and leadership principles that drive success at the highest level. This is not about headlines or highlight reels, it’s about the thinking behind the performance. Whether you’re a leader, entrepreneur, athlete, or someone striving to improve, the conversations aim to provide insight, perspective and lessons that can be applied in both professional and personal life. Structured. Thoughtful. Authentic. Leadership podcast High performance podcast Entrepreneur

Information

  • Creator
    BestinClassPodcast
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    BestinClassPodcast