High performance. The buzz term du jour on LinkedIn and in the business community. The man who literally has a podcast on the topic has his doubts about whether people actually know its true meaning.

Jake Humphrey is a former BBC and BT Sport presenter and the Founder of the Whisper Group, a multi-award-winning company that has emerged as the standout breakthrough broadcast production company of the last twenty years. Besides changing the landscape of broadcasting, the company has also been named Best Place to Work every year since 2017 and worked with a variety of broadcasters including Channel 4, BBC, BT Sport, and Amazon Prime, and produces content for Formula One, NFL, UEFA, and The Paralympics, amongst others.

Humphrey’s podcast, the High Performance Podcast, is a chart-topping smash hit that has evolved considerably since its launch in 2021. Hosting the podcast alongside Prof. Damian Hughes, the pair speak to some of the planet's most notable high performers and turn them into life lessons applicable to anyone.

In this exclusive interview, we talk to Jake about failure, imposter syndrome, why high performance may not mean what you think it means, and much more.

Here's what we discussed:

• What makes a great business leader? (00:13)
• Could you give us an overview of your career? (02:00)
• You talk to inspirational people on the High Performance Podcast all the time about mindset. How much do you work on your own positive and determined mindset? (09:38)
• Could you tell us about Whisper and what led you to set it up? (11:45)
• You mentioned that you’re someone who suffers from imposter syndrome. Do you have tips for people who may be in situations as a leader and feel this way? (18:58)
• Some leaders get frustrated because their teams don't think the same way that they do. Have you experienced this or come across it on the High Performance Podcast? (22:24)
• Do you feel like there's a shift to a purpose-driven leadership landscape, compared to years gone by? (29:07)
• Has your perception of high performance changed since starting your podcast? (34:05)
• Have you noticed any particular traits that successful people have in common? (44:05)
• Failure is a part of business. Do you have any tips for people going through a tough period in their business lives? (46:10)
• The Good News Postcard: What was the defining moment for your company? (51:51)

Thanks to Kiaran from the Jill Dando News for bringing us The Good News Postcard this week. Get your dose of positive news by visiting The Good News Post, a website collated by hundreds of young people aged 8 to 18 in the UK. They've written real-life “news that’s good for you”, covering people, animals, stories to cheer people up, and tips to make lives better.

Be sure to subscribe to the podcast and the Business Leader YouTube channel for more interviews with some of the world’s leading business figures.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Rebel with a cause” is the term often associated with the president of Seat and Cupra. A quick glance at his LinkedIn reveals that Wayne Griffiths is not your usual business leader. He’s a vehement fan of David Bowie, despises suits and ties and is almost always seen sporting jeans and a leather jacket.

In 2016, Luca de Meo, who was recently named the most influential and successful person within the global automotive industry by Autocar UK, brought Griffiths over to Seat as Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “I remember the first management meeting I attended,” Griffiths recalls, “I said ‘I know you guys think I’m just one of these German guys who will be here for a few years and go back to Audi or VW, but that is not the case.’ I knew I was here to stay, and I knew that it was my destiny.”

“This shift from combustion cars to electric cars is allowing a lot of new brands to enter the market,” he says. “When you’re going through disruption, you need to disrupt yourself or you're going to disappear.” He attributes a lot of this change to the attitudes of the next generation: “I think this generation is looking for something different. They want to drive something different than what their parents or grandparents did, something that stands for their values. The old values of prestige, tradition, status, and luxury; are all taboo. They’re looking to define themselves with contemporary values, sustainability, and emotion.”

We spoke to Wayne about transforming Audi into a global brand, launching Cupra, and much more.

Here's what we discussed:

• Could you give us an overview of your career? (01:14)
• What led you to join Seat? (05:22)
• Looking at your career, when did electrification become a priority? (07:53)
• What was the reaction to your idea of launching a new electric car brand? (11:19)
• One of the ways you are disruptive is by hiring from outside of traditional industries. Why is that important to you? (14:46)
• Why have you made it a priority to embrace Spain and Cupra's roots in the country? (18:27)
• What are your thoughts on the UK Government's delaying of the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles? (22:20)
• The Good News Postcard: If you weren't a business leader, what would you like to be your job and why? (26:19)
• What makes a great business leader? (27:15)

Thanks to Aleyna from the Jill Dando News for bringing us The Good News Postcard this week. Get your dose of positive news by visiting The Good News Post, a website collated by hundreds of young people aged 8 to 18 in the UK. They've written real-life “news that’s good for you”, covering people, animals, stories to cheer people up, and tips to make lives better.

Be sure to subscribe to the podcast and the Business Leader YouTube channel for more interviews with some of the world’s leading business figures.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

30 minutes a day on personal training and development methods, according to research from the Centre for Management & Organisation Effectiveness. Inspiration can come from books, Ted Talks, podcasts and many more sources. But what about improv comedy?

Neil Mullarkey is a unique communication expert who has spent over two decades helping organisations large and small transform their thinking through the power of improv… and yes, that is his real name. His latest book In The Moment provides a powerful case for a more collaborative and creative approach to work and how to achieve it even when embracing hybrid working.

We spoke to Neil about the lessons all leaders can take from improv, getting the most out of hybrid and remote workers, and much more.

Here's what we discussed:

• Could you give us an overview of your career? (01:17)
• Was there a specific moment where you thought that the ethos of improv could benefit the business world? (04:20)
• Can you remember how you felt during that first corporate gig? Was there any imposter syndrome? (11:14)
• Have you had feedback from leaders saying that your sessions were exactly what they needed? (16:12)
• Are people surprised that your sessions are much more than just humour? (21:40)
• Your book includes tips for helping people in remote and hybrid working situations. How did you adapt your own practice during the pandemic? (26:58)
• Is there a characteristic or work-on that is consistent across your work? (33:55)
• The Good News Postcard: What was the highest and lowest point in your career and how did you get through it? (37:56)
• What makes a great business leader? (39:36)

Thanks to Heneh from the Jill Dando News for bringing us The Good News Postcard this week. Get your dose of positive news by visiting The Good News Post, a website collated by hundreds of young people aged 8 to 18 in the UK. They've written real-life “news that’s good for you”, covering people, animals, stories to cheer people up, and tips to make lives better.

Be sure to subscribe to the podcast and the Business Leader YouTube channel for more interviews with some of the world’s leading business figures.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.