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What does leading soldiers through war zones teach us about navigating business challenges? Find out as Colonel Eddie Maskell-Pedersen shares his extraordinary leadership journey from commanding troops at age 20 to heading British Defence operations across Southeast Asia.

Eddie reveals the surprising parallels between military and business leadership, challenging conventional thinking about how organizations should function under pressure. Having served in Northern Ireland, Kosovo, Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan, he's distilled leadership wisdom that transcends sectors: "The biggest lesson I learned was you don't have to do it on your own." His collaborative approach to problem-solving offers a refreshing alternative to the lone hero leadership model still prevalent in many organizations.

The conversation delves deep into practical mental resilience strategies for high-performance environments. Eddie advocates for understanding personal capacity limits and operating at sustainable levels (around 60%) during normal periods, maintaining reserves for when peak performance is genuinely required. This approach contradicts the burnout culture that dominates many industries while paradoxically delivering better results when it matters most.

Most compelling is Eddie's insight into the military's evolved understanding of mental health. The transformation from "tough it out" mentality to creating environments where even senior leaders openly discuss struggles represents an inspiring cultural shift with lessons for every organization. His description of mission command—understanding not just your task but your place in the bigger picture—provides a framework for empowered decision-making that works across industries and cultures.

Whether you're leading teams, building your career, or simply fascinated by leadership psychology, this episode offers rare insights from environments where decisions truly matter. Subscribe now to hear more conversations that uncover the mindsets and strategies driving meaningful growth in challenging times.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation that will leave you equipped with the tools to lead with confidence, overcome obstacles and unlock The Power Within

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