Leadership isn’t failing because leaders lack knowledge. It’s failing because organisations are full of friction. In this episode, Anthony sits down with former British Military Officer and global leadership consultant Jimmy Burroughes to explore how simplifying leadership systems unlocks real performance, clarity, and sustainable results.
Jimmy shares practical insights from working with Fortune 500 companies and large New Zealand organisations, focusing on the most overlooked layer in leadership development: managers of managers.
This conversation is grounded, practical, and highly relevant for HR leaders, senior managers, and anyone responsible for developing leaders in complex environments.
⏱️ Episode Timestamps (Shortened)
00:00 – Why Leadership Feels Broken
Leadership isn’t failing because of knowledge gaps, but because of friction and overload.
02:10 – Jimmy’s Journey and Perspective
From British military leadership to global consulting across 20+ countries.
05:30 – The Most Overlooked Leadership Layer
Why managers of managers are the biggest leverage point in organisations.
09:40 – Organisational Friction Explained
How meetings, interruptions, and unclear priorities quietly kill performance.
14:30 – Simplify to Amplify
Why removing friction creates clarity, momentum, and measurable results.
24:00 – Burnout Is a System Problem
Why senior leader burnout is often caused by design, not resilience.
29:00 – What Actually Builds Leadership Capability
Fewer priorities, clearer ownership, and better decision-making.
34:40 – Leadership Skills for the Future
What leaders need now in a world of AI, change, and complexity.
43:50 – Quick Fire and Champion Mindset
Jimmy shares his views on success, belief, and what it means to be a champion.
47:30 – Final Reflections
A reminder that great leadership starts with clarity and simplicity.
🎯 Key Takeaways
Leadership performance improves faster when you remove friction instead of adding frameworks
Managers of managers are the biggest leverage point in any organisation
Burnout is often a systems problem, not a resilience problem
Simplicity creates clarity, and clarity creates momentum
Leadership capability must be practical, repeatable, and measurable
HR leaders need systems that deliver results, not just participation
If leadership development in your organisation feels heavy, slow, or ineffective, this episode will give you clarity and practical insight you can apply immediately.
Tags :
leadership development, leadership capability, champion mindset collective, anthony dahya, jimmy burroughes, leadership podcast, HR leadership, people leadership, leadership training, management development, managers of managers, organisational performance, leadership burnout, future leadership skills, simplify to amplify, leadership systems, workplace leadership, NZ leadership podcast
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