What if leadership isn’t about the hero – but the ecosystem? In this conversation, I talk with leadership coach and TED Fellow David McQueen about fear, ego, and why we need systemic leadership now more than ever.

David is an international speaker, business advisor and author of The BRAVE Leader: More Courage, Less Fear, Better Decisions for Inclusive Leadership. His work spans global corporations, nonprofits and public sector organisations – helping leaders make braver, more inclusive decisions in a world that often rewards speed, certainty and control.

Together, we unpack how fear shows up in leadership, risk-taking, and organisational culture – and how to move beyond performative leadership into something more purposeful, sustainable and real.

We explore:

• The difference between bravado and bravery
• Leadership as a function, not a title
• How fear limits inclusion and diversity
• The myth of the hero leader – and what systemic leadership really looks like
• Why fast decisions aren’t always brave decisions
• Questions that challenge our defaults: What are you really afraid of?

If you’ve ever felt the pressure to prove yourself, lead from the front, or react fast – this episode invites you to lead differently: from courage, not control.

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About Guest

David McQueen is a leadership coach, international speaker and facilitator. He is the co-founder of professional development company Q Squared Ltd, the host of The BRAVE Leader podcast, and a blogger on all things leadership and culture change.

David’s work has taken him all over the world, working in both profit and non-profit sectors. His clients include Aviva, JP Morgan, Bloomberg, Google, Facebook, Mercedes-Benz, Tate & Lyle and UnLtd. He is also a three-time TEDx speaker and a TED Fellow.

He is the author of The BRAVE Leader: More Courage. Less Fear. Better Decisions for Inclusive Leadership - a practical guide to navigating leadership with integrity, clarity, and courage.

Find out more at https://davidmcqueen.co.uk/