Episode 79

Leadership Essentials: Why Active Listening is the skill that changes everything

SUMMARY

In this episode, James Rule explores why active listening is one of the most under appreciated but critical skills for modern leadership. Drawing from personal experience, professional coaching insight, and examples from sport and business, James highlights how leaders can transform team culture, improve performance, and deepen trust by simply becoming better listeners.

You’ll hear:

• Why active listening is different from passive hearing
• How poor listening destroys trust and performance
• Lessons from Phil Jackson former coach of NBA team Chicago Bulls
• 8 actionable takeaways to build better listening habits

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Listening is a leadership action, not a passive state.

Ask questions to understand, not to reply.

Silence is powerful don’t rush to fill the space.

Avoid multitasking when someone is speaking.

Don’t assume you know what’s coming next.

Let people finish even when it's uncomfortable.

Practice patience real listening takes time.

Make it a habit, listening is a muscle, not a switch.

ABOUT THE HOST

James is an experienced mentor, coach and thought leader who works with a range of clients from FTSE 100 companies, SME´s the NHS and wider public and not for profit sectors.

His twenty year career in elite sport initially as a professional rugby player but predominantly as a chief executive has given him an invaluable insight in managing the success, failures and pressures associated with leadership at the highest level.

As a high performance coach James specialises in enhancing resilience and leadership development. He is a passionate advocate of the notion that to find lasting fulfilment we need to take a holistic view of high performance and create it in both our professional roles and personal lives.

EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT

Episode 38 - Mastering the art of communication

Episode 70 - Disconnect to reconnect: Why leaders need a digital detox

Episode 48 - Leadership Essentials: Presence

CONNECT & CONTACT

www.thelonelyleader.co.uk

The Lonely Leader's LinkedIn

James' LinkedIn

Instagram

hello@thelonelyleader.co.uk

NEWSLETTER

Sign Up to The Leadership Accelerator Newsletter for advice, inspiration and ideas, you'll also receive James' Top 10 Tips for Combating Your Fear of Public Speaking.

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

Episode 78

You´re not alone: The most common issues facing leaders today

SUMMARY SECTION

In this episode of The Lonely Leader Podcast, James Rule highlights the three most common challenges he sees in the boardroom, in coaching sessions, and across every leadership level from CEOs to emerging leaders.

James explores the three core pillars where even the most capable leaders often struggle:

• Communication that lands
• Productivity and presence in a distraction filled world
• Physical and mental energy that doesn’t burn out

Whether you're leading a team of five or five hundred, this episode is your reminder: you’re not alone.

James also shares a behind the scenes look at the coaching, mentoring and advisory support available for leaders who want to do the inner work and unlock lasting change by working with The Lonely Leader.

ABOUT THE HOST

James is an experienced mentor, coach and thought leader who works with a range of clients from FTSE 100 companies, SME´s the NHS and wider public and not for profit sectors.

His twenty year career in elite sport initially as a professional rugby player but predominantly as a chief executive has given him an invaluable insight in managing the success, failures and pressures associated with leadership at the highest level.

As a high performance coach James specialises in enhancing resilience and leadership development. He is a passionate advocate of the notion that to find lasting fulfilment we need to take a holistic view of high performance and create it in both our professional roles and personal lives.

EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT

Episode 23 - Lessons learned from burnout

Episode 48 - Leadership Essentials: Presence

Episode 47 - Mastering productivity: Key strategies to make every day count

Episode 38 - Mastering the art of communication

CONNECT & CONTACT

www.thelonelyleader.co.uk

The Lonely Leader's LinkedIn

James' LinkedIn

Instagram

hello@thelonelyleader.co.uk

NEWSLETTER

Sign Up to The Leadership Accelerator Newsletter for advice, inspiration and ideas, you'll also receive James' Top 10 Tips for Combating Your Fear of Public Speaking.

THIS SHOW WAS BROUGHT TO YOU BY LONELY LEADER MEDIA

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

Episode 77

Leadership Essentials: Tenacity - Holding the line when it gets tough

Summary

In this episode of The Lonely Leader Podcast, James Rule explores tenacity, the quiet, relentless force that defines the world's most effective leaders. Drawing on powerful examples from Winston Churchill and Abraham Lincoln, this episode shows how to lead with grit, how to keep moving forward when the odds are stacked against you, and highlights why tenacity is a non-negotiable in today's fast paced leadership landscape.

Whether you're leading through adversity or chasing a long term vision, this episode is a blueprint for staying the course and inspiring others to do the same.

Key Takeaways:

Why tenacity is more than stubbornness and how to lead with resilience.

How Churchill and Lincoln role modelled unshakable resolve.

What to do when your plan gets "punched in the face".

How to build a culture of grit and perseverance in your team.

8 actionable ways to strengthen your tenacity as a leader.

ABOUT THE HOST

James is an experienced mentor, coach and thought leader who works with a range of clients from FTSE 100 companies, SME´s the NHS and wider public and not for profit sectors.

His twenty year career in elite sport initially as a professional rugby player but predominantly as a chief executive has given him an invaluable insight in managing the success, failures and pressures associated with leadership at the highest level.

As a high performance coach James specialises in enhancing resilience and leadership development. He is a passionate advocate of the notion that to find lasting fulfilment we need to take a holistic view of high performance and create it in both our professional roles and personal lives.

EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT

Episode 63 - The Man in the Arena

Episode 62 - The intersection of purpose and performance

Episode 17 - Five Key Steps to Lead Through Adversity

CONNECT & CONTACT

www.thelonelyleader.co.uk

The Lonely Leader's LinkedIn

James' LinkedIn

Instagram

hello@thelonelyleader.co.uk

THIS SHOW WAS BROUGHT TO YOU BY LONELY LEADER MEDIA

NEWSLETTER

Sign Up to The Leadership Accelerator Newsletter for advice, inspiration and ideas, you'll also receive James' Top 10 Tips for Combating Your Fear of Public Speaking.

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