In this inspiring episode, primary school founder turned elite leadership consultant Penny Ford shares the transformative power of choosing a growth mindset over the comfort zone.
Drawing from a career that began with shaping young minds and evolved into coaching high-performing CEOs, Penny reveals the hidden mechanics of successful teams, the reality of the 143% rule, and why standard leadership frameworks fail without psychological safety.
Discover how to reprogram your brain's fear response, master strategic delegation, and lead with an authentic humility that inspires peak performance even when you step out of the room.
Key Takeaways
Leaders must operate at a higher standard of intensity because a natural 30% delta exists in performance transmission between a leader and their team.
A safe environment where employees feel empowered to pitch bold ideas, challenge authority, and openly admit mistakes is the true driver of high-performing, exceptional teams.
True succession planning and scaling require business owners to stop firefighting daily tasks and intentionally protect time for overarching strategy, innovation, and coaching.
It is much easier to modify your everyday actions to resemble the leader you want to become than it is to think your way into a new behaviour cycle.
Episode Quotes
"If you have a solution, you don't have a problem."
"Act your way to a new way of thinking is easier than thinking your way to a new way of acting."
"That feeling of worry or concern—that's actually good, because that shows we're growing."
"If you want your team to be 100%, you've got to rock up as the 143%."
VALUABLE RESOURCES
LinkedIn - https://uk.linkedin.com/in/penny-ford
HOST BIO
Brad Staines is a founder in the thick of it - but by design, not by default. As the face of Aquamark Cleaning, he’s built a multi-million-pound operation with 30+ team members, strong systems, and a culture that gives people space to grow.
He’s still involved in the business a couple of days a week - but only doing the parts he genuinely enjoys: building relationships, growing the brand, spending time with the team, and spotting new opportunities. The day-to-day grind? That’s been handed over to a structure that runs without constant firefighting.
Brad’s also found his rhythm outside of business - with a deep commitment to physical and mental training. Whether it’s strength work, early morning runs, or cold plunges, he’s a believer that how you show up for yourself shapes how you show up as a leader.
Working On It is where he brings it all together - growth, grit, and getting better every week.
