Ex-NATO Commander: Why Britain Isn't Ready for the Unthinkable (E400)

When global instability dominates the headlines, it can be hard to know what to think...or how to lead. This week, Jake and Damian sit down with General Sir Richard Shirreff, former Deputy Supreme Allied Commander of NATO, to cut through the noise. With 37 years commanding British soldiers, Richard has led through some of the most complex and high-stakes environments imaginable - from the streets of Basra to the corridors of NATO headquarters. And his lessons aren't just for generals. In this episode, he breaks down the war-gaming mindset that every great leader needs, explains why the best decisions are built on intuition as much as information, and shares Field Marshal Slim's three components of morale — a framework as relevant in business as it is on the battlefield. Richard also makes the case for thinking the unthinkable - conscription, and challenges the narrative that younger generations lack resilience, and ends with a genuinely optimistic vision for what great leadership could unlock. This is a conversation about courage, preparation, and the kind of bold decision-making the world needs more of right now. Our partners on this episode: Heights 👉 Get 20% off your subscription by using Code: HP20 here: Visit Seattle 👉 Start planning your perfect summer of football by searching Visit Seattle on social media, or discover more at: Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Ex-NATO Commander: Why Britain Isn't Ready for the Unthinkable (E400) is an episode from The High Performance Podcast by High Performance.

This episode is 55:11 long.

This episode was published on Mar 23, 2026.

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