Episode 95 - Halloween special part II - Frankenstein's monster continues

Battling with Business

In Episode 2 of the Battling with Business Halloween special, Chris and Gareth continue their thought experiment of crafting the ultimate leader by combining traits from some of history’s most influential leaders. After recapping their choices from the last episode—including Winston Churchill, Elon Musk, Steve Jobs, and Jackie Fisher for vision; Eisenhower, Machiavelli, and John Boyd for strategic thinking; Erwin Rommel, Paddy Mayne, and Alistair Campbell for tactical expertise; and Dolly Parton and Martin Luther King Jr. for charisma—they turn their attention to two new leadership qualities: innovation and team-building.

For innovation, the hosts dive into the legacies of Elon Musk, Steve Jobs, and Tim Berners-Lee, debating whether the visionary brilliance of a leader can be separated from their controversial traits. Shifting to team-building, they spotlight General Stan McChrystal as an exemplary leader who excels at uniting and motivating teams.

This episode then explores essential soft skills for leaders, including empathy, integrity, emotional intelligence, and resilience. Gareth shares a personal story about Lt. Col. Ollie Lee, a friend who exemplifies integrity in leadership, demonstrating how character-driven qualities can foster respect and inspire trust.

By analysing traits from historic figures, Chris and Gareth dissect the blend of hard and soft skills required for effective leadership, debating how vision, strategic insight, and personal character all come together to shape truly impactful leaders. Tune into Battling with Business for an insightful look at the essential leadership qualities every business leader can learn from!