Episode 90

The Leadership Accelerator: Built by leaders for leaders.

SUMMARY

The Lonely Leader just turned six years old! To celebrate we going to provide six people with access to our flagship programme The Leadership Accelerator. James discusses how this coaching programme has been built by leaders for leaders to tackle the most frequently expressed challenges high performing leaders are facing today.

The Leadership Accelerator Testimonials.

James' LinkedIn Recommendations.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

The six core challenges of modern day leadership.

Why work life integration and taking a holistic approach is essential for sustaining high performance.

The importance of the authentic delivery of content derived from lived life experience as opposed to regurgitation of theoretical rhetoric.

Why we all deserve to access the best version of ourselves and attain the highest level of fulfilment in our professional role and personal lives.

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.

EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT

Episode 73 - Invisible Drains: 7 Silent Killers of Leadership Energy

Episode 71 - Holiday Illness: A warning sign you can’t ignore

Episode 64 - Leading without regrets

CONNECT & CONTACT

Website www.thelonelyleader.co.uk

The Lonely Leader's LinkedIn

James' LinkedIn

Instagram

Email: hello@thelonelyleader.co.uk

NEWSLETTER

Sign Up to The Leadership Accelerator Newsletter for advice, inspiration and ideas, you'll also receive James' Tackling Imposter Syndrome guide.

THIS SHOW WAS BROUGHT TO YOU BY LONELY LEADER MEDIA

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

Episode 89

Leadership Essentials: Belief - The fuel that drives you forward

SUMMARY SECTION

In this episode of The Lonely Leader Podcast, James Rule explores the Leadership Essential of Belief the foundation that underpins courage, resilience, and innovation. Without belief, leadership falters. With it, almost anything is possible.

James outlines why belief matters, how it spreads through teams, and why it becomes the emotional thermostat of leadership. Drawing lessons from:

• Muhammad Ali who declared himself “The Greatest” before the world believed it.
• General George S. Patton who led through chaos with absolute conviction.
• Walt Disney who turned repeated rejections into the dream of Disneyland.

Through these real world examples and his own personal reflections and actionable takeaways, James shows how belief helps leaders create clarity, inspire confidence, and push through adversity.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Why belief is the emotional anchor of leadership.
• How to demonstrate belief in yourself, your people, and your vision.
• Six actionable takeaways to cultivate belief daily.

Leadership is lonely, but it doesn’t have to be. Belief is the fuel that turns doubt into determination.

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.

EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT

Episode 84 - Leadership Essentials: Clarity

Episode 48 - Leadership Essentials: Presence

Episode 14 - Leadership Essentials: Humility

CONNECT & CONTACT

Website www.thelonelyleader.co.uk

The Lonely Leader's LinkedIn

James' LinkedIn

Instagram

Email: hello@thelonelyleader.co.uk

NEWSLETTER

Sign Up to The Leadership Accelerator Newsletter for advice, inspiration and ideas, you'll also receive James' Tackling Imposter Syndrome guide.

THIS SHOW WAS BROUGHT TO YOU BY LONELY LEADER MEDIA

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

Episode 88

The Leadership Essential of Preparation

SUMMARY SECTION

James Rule explores why preparation is a non-negotiable leadership essential. Drawing on lessons from sport, business, and the military, James shares how Eliud Kipchoge, Sheryl Sandberg, and Admiral William McRaven use meticulous preparation to consistently deliver under pressure.

From communication and diary planning to recovery and rehearsing under pressure, you’ll discover actionable takeaways to strengthen your preparation habits and lead with greater confidence.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Why preparation separates good leaders from great ones

How top performers in sport, business, and the military prepare for success

7 practical strategies to improve your preparation

How preparation builds confidence, resilience and our ability to optimise performance

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.

EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT

Episode 56 - Leadership Essentials: Positivity

Episode 54 -The power of rest: Unlocking high performance through recovery

Episode 52 - The legacy you leave

CONNECT & CONTACT

Website www.thelonelyleader.co.uk

The Lonely Leader's LinkedIn

James' LinkedIn

Instagram

Email: hello@thelonelyleader.co.uk

NEWSLETTER

Sign Up to The Leadership Accelerator Newsletter for advice, inspiration and ideas, you'll also receive James' Tackling Imposter Syndrome guide.

THIS SHOW WAS BROUGHT TO YOU BY LONELY LEADER MEDIA

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

Episode 87

Leadership Essentials: Curiosity

SUMMARY SECTION

James Rule explores how curiosity enhances leadership impact, sharpens performance, and deepens fulfilment. Hear lessons from Lewis Hamilton, Sara Blakely, and Admiral William H. McRaven leaders whose questions changed the game. Discover 8 actionable ways to build curiosity into your daily life and your leadership style.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Why curiosity separates great leaders from good ones

How fear shuts down curiosity and how to overcome it

Sporting, business, and military examples of curiosity in action

8 actionable ways to enhance your curiosity

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.

EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT

Episode 86 - Leadership Essentials: Lifelong Learning

Episode 77 - Leadership Essentials: Tenacity. Holding the line when it gets tough

Episode 68 - Course correcting an underperforming team

CONNECT & CONTACT

Website www.thelonelyleader.co.uk

The Lonely Leader's LinkedIn

James' LinkedIn

Instagram

Email: hello@thelonelyleader.co.uk

NEWSLETTER

Sign Up to The Leadership Accelerator Newsletter for advice, inspiration and ideas, you'll also receive James' Tackling Imposter Syndrome guide.

THIS SHOW WAS BROUGHT TO YOU BY LONELY LEADER MEDIA

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

Episode 86

Leadership Essentials: Lifelong Learning

SUMMARY SECTION

In this episode of The Lonely Leader Podcast James Rule explores why a commitment to lifelong learning is a critical leadership essential. From childhood classrooms to corporate boardrooms, learning often fades as responsibility increases. Great leaders however, never stop growing.

James shares insights from Admiral James Stavridis, Kobe Bryant, and Bill Belichick to show how cross disciplinary learning, relentless curiosity, and humility fuel exceptional leadership.

He explores concepts like Accelerated Learning and NET Time. In addition he provides eight actionable takeaways you can implement this week to reignite your growth.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Read outside your field

Use NET Time to learn while doing daily tasks

Ask your team for insight

Study a leader you admire

Start a “Lessons Learned” journal

Join or start a round table learning circle

Teach what you’ve learned to others

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.

EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT

Episode 69 - Leadership books every leader should read

Episode 67 - How mentorship fuels your leadership journey

Episode 30 - Preventing loneliness in leadership

CONNECT & CONTACT

Website www.thelonelyleader.co.uk

The Lonely Leader's LinkedIn

James' LinkedIn

Instagram

Email: 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 85

Leadership Essentials: Gratitude

SUMMARY SECTION

In this episode of The Lonely Leader Podcast, James Rule explores one of the most overlooked but high impact traits in leadership: Gratitude. Part of the Leadership Essentials series, this episode breaks down why gratitude isn't just about being nice, it’s integral to building resilient, loyal, and high-performing teams. James shares real-world examples from leaders such as Richard Branson and John Wooden and offers 8 practical ways to make gratitude part of your leadership toolkit.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Why gratitude is a performance driver, not a soft skill

Three reasons gratitude is essential for every leader

How top leaders use gratitude to fuel loyalty and enhance culture

Eight actionable steps to embed gratitude in your leadership style

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.

EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT

Episode 83 - Leadership Essentials: Approachability

Episode 61 - Set your standards high

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.

THIS SHOW WAS BROUGHT TO YOU BY LONELY LEADER MEDIA

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

Episode 84

Leadership Essentials: Clarity

SUMMARY SECTION

In this episode of The Lonely Leader Podcast, James Rule explores the Leadership Essential: Clarity. Using analogies and examples from business, politics, and elite sport, James shows why clarity is the antidote to confusion, misalignment, and inertia in modern leadership. Whether you're driving performance, leading change, or simply trying to feel less overwhelmed this episode will help you simplify and focus.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Why clarity is the foundation of all great leadership

The difference between being busy and being intentional

3 types of clarity every leader must master

What Clive Woodward, Sean McVay, and Lee Kuan Yew can teach us about focused leadership

8 actionable strategies to sharpen your clarity in work and life

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 52 - Leadership Essentials: The legacy you leave

Episode 38 - Mastering the art of communication

Episode 24 - What do you have to breakthrough to create your breakthrough

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 83

Leadership Essentials: Approachability

SUMMARY SECTION

In this episode of The Lonely Leader Podcast, James Rule explores why approachability isn’t just a “nice to have” it’s a leadership essential. Being approachable unlocks ideas, invites honest feedback, improves team wellbeing, and builds deep loyalty. James shares how approachability can build trust and drive results. Plus, 8 practical strategies to immediately make yourself a more approachable leader.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

The four core benefits of being an approachable leader

How body language, language, and accessibility shape your leadership presence

What sport coaches can teach us about approachable leadership

Why vulnerability and consistency are critical to creating psychological safety

8 actionable steps to become a more approachable 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 51 - Leadership Essentials: The Power of Optimism

Episode 52 - Leadership Essentials: The legacy you leave

Episode 36 - Leadership Essentials: Confidence

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.