What does it really take to lead at the very top, and how do you stay true to yourself when the responsibility keeps growing?

In this episode of Leading 4 Life "Stories", I'm joined by Malcolm Gomersall, CEO of Grant Thornton UK, for a fascinating and refreshingly candid conversation about leadership, personal growth, transformation and creating opportunities for others.

Malcolm's journey from being the first in his family to attend university to leading one of the UK's major professional services firms has been anything but straightforward. He talks openly about his early struggles, the setbacks that shaped his career and the moment he realised that trying to be somebody else simply wasn't working.

We explore the realities of becoming CEO, the importance of trusting and empowering people, and the challenges of leading significant organisational change. Malcolm also shares his perspective on external investment, AI, the changing world of professional services and the importance of developing future talent.

Perhaps most importantly, we discuss his passionate commitment to social mobility and his belief that people shouldn't have to rely on luck to succeed.

Among the themes we explore:

• Finding your own authentic leadership style
• The responsibilities and realities of becoming CEO
• Empowerment, delegation and avoiding micromanagement
• Leading transformation and embracing uncertainty
• AI and the future of professional development
• Social mobility and creating opportunities for others
• Learning from setbacks and disappointments
• Why leaders should make themselves redundant
• The importance of bravery, curiosity and relentless honesty

What particularly struck me was Malcolm's combination of ambition, humility and genuine concern for the people around him. His three leadership principles - authenticity, simplicity and relentless honesty - provide a wonderfully straightforward foundation for anyone aspiring to become a better leader.

Which of those three principles matters most to you, and why?

If you enjoy the conversation, please follow the podcast and share it with someone who might benefit from Malcolm's insights.

WATCH THE VIDEO

Watch the full conversation on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/JYwqvukKU_Y

CONNECT WITH MALCOLM

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/malcolmgomersall/

Website: https://www.grantthornton.co.uk/

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JOIN THE CONVERSATION

What stood out for you in this episode? I would genuinely welcome your thoughts, experiences and suggestions for future programmes. Use the “Send me a Text Message” link above or leave a comment on YouTube.

If you enjoyed the episode, please follow Leading 4 Life “Stories” on your podcast platform so that you receive future episodes automatically. Sharing it with someone who might find it valuable is also one of the best ways to support the show.

SUPPORT LEADING 4 LIFE “STORIES”

If you value the content and would like to help me continue producing the podcast, you can become a Supporter, Champion or Patron by clicking the "Support the show" link above or by going to:
https://www.patreon.com/leading4life/

Any contribution is greatly appreciated, but listening, following, sharing and providing feedback are equally valuable.

CONNECT WITH BOB JUDSON

LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/judsonbob/

Website:
https://leading4life.co.uk/

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@Leading4Life

X:
https://x.com/JudsonBob

What can happen when you say yes to an opportunity you never expected?

My guest for E167 of Leading 4 Life “Stories” is Manjinder Nagra, whose journey has taken her from a chance encounter with rugby to representing England in sumo. Sport also helped open a path into law, and she has gone on to help create opportunities for girls and women in sport.

Manjinder talks openly about growing up in an immigrant family, losing her father as a teenager, and facing racism, sexism and rejection. She explains how she kept going when the way ahead was uncertain, and why “why not?” has become a personal mantra.

We also discuss the role sport has played in her life, how to make it more welcoming for others, and why it’s never too late to take on a new challenge.

Among the themes we explore:

• Saying yes to opportunities that arrive unexpectedly
• Finding a way forward through rejection and bias
• How sport can build confidence and create new possibilities
• Moving from rugby to sumo and representing England
• Creating welcoming opportunities for girls and women
• Using your own experience to open doors for others

My takeaway is that a single opportunity can change the course of a life, but its effect can reach further when we use what we have learned to help others find their own way in.

What opportunity might you say yes to, even if it takes you somewhere you hadn’t planned?

If the conversation resonates with you, please share it with a friend or colleague and follow the podcast for future episodes.

Watch the video episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/B6xqrlphj0Y

CONNECT WITH MANJINDER

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manjindernagra/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/manjnagra08/

Send me a Text Message

Support the show

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

What stood out for you in this episode? I would genuinely welcome your thoughts, experiences and suggestions for future programmes. Use the “Send me a Text Message” link above or leave a comment on YouTube.

If you enjoyed the episode, please follow Leading 4 Life “Stories” on your podcast platform so that you receive future episodes automatically. Sharing it with someone who might find it valuable is also one of the best ways to support the show.

SUPPORT LEADING 4 LIFE “STORIES”

If you value the content and would like to help me continue producing the podcast, you can become a Supporter, Champion or Patron by clicking the "Support the show" link above or by going to:
https://www.patreon.com/leading4life/

Any contribution is greatly appreciated, but listening, following, sharing and providing feedback are equally valuable.

CONNECT WITH BOB JUDSON

LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/judsonbob/

Website:
https://leading4life.co.uk/

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@Leading4Life

X:
https://x.com/JudsonBob

What kind of leader are you, and can you change your style when the situation demands it?

In this thematic episode, I explore six practical leadership styles: directive, visionary, participative, coaching, supportive and delegative.

Each has strengths. Each also has a potential shadow when it's overused.

Drawing on my own leadership journey from the RAF into senior military leadership and subsequently business, I explore why effective leadership isn't about finding one perfect style. It's about developing the range to use different approaches with different people in different circumstances.

I introduce a simple framework:

YOU - What is my instinctive response?
THEM - What do they need from me?
NOW - What does this moment require?

I also look at authenticity, psychometrics, what pressure does to our default behaviours and why adapting your leadership style doesn't mean changing who you are.

Same leader. Different behaviour.

Paid Patreon members can also access this week's Notes from the Cockpit, where I explore practical ways to expand your leadership range, supported by additional tools and exercises.

Send me a Text Message

Support the show

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

What stood out for you in this episode? I would genuinely welcome your thoughts, experiences and suggestions for future programmes. Use the “Send me a Text Message” link above or leave a comment on YouTube.

If you enjoyed the episode, please follow Leading 4 Life “Stories” on your podcast platform so that you receive future episodes automatically. Sharing it with someone who might find it valuable is also one of the best ways to support the show.

SUPPORT LEADING 4 LIFE “STORIES”

If you value the content and would like to help me continue producing the podcast, you can become a Supporter, Champion or Patron by clicking the "Support the show" link above or by going to:
https://www.patreon.com/leading4life/

Any contribution is greatly appreciated, but listening, following, sharing and providing feedback are equally valuable.

CONNECT WITH BOB JUDSON

LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/judsonbob/

Website:
https://leading4life.co.uk/

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@Leading4Life

X:
https://x.com/JudsonBob