How to Handle Difficult Conversations

Avoiding tough conversations might feel easier, but it often holds us back.In this episode, Jake and Damian unpack why leaning into difficult conversations is essential for growth, connection, and real leadership. With insights from guests like James Vowles, Emily Maitlis, Charles Duhigg, and Joleon Lescott, they reveal how feedback, when delivered and received with clarity and care, can transform relationships.From reframing criticism to preparing with empathy, they explore practical ways to handle emotional discussions, without defensiveness or blame. Whether it’s shifting from accusation to curiosity or learning to speak with respectful candor, the episode is full of tools you can use right now.Listen in as Jake and Damian explore how mastering hard conversations can unlock trust, growth, and stronger human connection.Listen to the episodes mentioned:Charles Duhigg: https://pod.fo/e/22db6cJoleon Lescott: https://pod.fo/e/25003cLes Ferdinand: https://pod.fo/e/2c5bdaGary Lineker: https://pod.fo/e/12b34cEmily Maitlis: https://pod.fo/e/19028aJames Vowles: https://pod.fo/e/21794fRene Meulensteen: https://pod.fo/e/2bd0c6

What if the thing that makes you extraordinary isn’t something you’re born with, but something you choose?In this episode, Jason Fox, former Special Forces operator, bestselling author, and host of SAS: Who Dares Wins, shares the habits that helped him move from feeling unremarkable to performing under extreme pressure. Not because he believed he was destined for greatness, but because he learned how to respond when it mattered most.We explore what it means to stay calm in chaos, how to build resilience when life doesn’t go to plan, and the mindset shift that can turn self-doubt into strength.Jason talks about identity, trauma, his daughter’s quiet courage, and the power of asking better questions in difficult moments. Questions like:What would the best version of me do right now?What if I’m more capable than I think?What would courage look like here?This is a conversation about finding your footing when the world tilts, and discovering that the superpower you’re searching for might already be in you.Listen to the full episode with Jason Fox: https://pod.fo/e/24412fHere is more information on the studies referenced: The Batman Effect: Improving Perseverance in Young Children, Published In: Child Development, 2016 Rachel White et al (University of Michigan)

Graeme Lowdon is a seasoned motorsport executive best known for co-founding the Marussia F1 Team. In this episode, Graeme dives into the heartbeat of Formula One as the ultimate team game. He shares how success isn’t just about speed or strategy, but about having a diverse group of talented individuals united by a common purpose. Graeme also opens up about the difficult moments that come with the sport, especially handling loss and uncertainty. He talks candidly about the emotional impact when a team member is hurt and the importance of resilience and trust during those times.This episode offers a rare, honest look at what it takes to build and lead in one of the toughest environments in sport.🚨 PartnersHeights 👉 Get 20% off your subscription by using Code: HP20 here: https://hppod.co/20heightsHP Foundation 👉Do you want to kick-start an evolution that will change the lives of millions of children? Find out more about the High Performance Foundation: https://hppod.co/foundationHP Corporate Events 👉Click here to book High Performance Events: https://hppod.co/corporate-eventsExplore offers and discounts through our other partners:https://hppod.co/partners

Who are you when the job title drops away? This episode digs deep into the question we often avoid but desperately need to ask ourselves.Jake and Damian dive into the importance of knowing who you are beyond your role, sharing honest and powerful insights from guests like Simon Sinek, Phil Heath, Ali Abdaal, and John McAvoy. They unpack how easy it is to confuse identity with achievement, and why that can leave us lost when the spotlight fades.From writing your own obituary to asking a friend what truly makes you you, this episode offers simple yet profound ways to reconnect with your real self, beyond the job, the status, or the performance.It’s a grounding reminder to live with purpose, let go of regret, and define success on your own terms.Listen to the episodes mentioned:Simon Sinek: https://pod.fo/e/18ee0ePhill Heath: https://pod.fo/e/2313e6Ali Abdaal: https://pod.fo/e/213471John McAvoy: https://pod.fo/e/f0815

When you think of Gordon Ramsay, you probably think of shouting, sarcasm, and one-liners hot enough to sear a steak. But behind the fire is a habit that’s far more important than the volume: He takes feedback professionally, not personally.In this episode, we go beyond the reputation and dig into the mindset that helped Gordon rise, not just to fame, but to genuine mastery. From his early football dreams to Michelin-starred kitchens, Ramsay shares how embracing criticism, and choosing to learn from it instead of defending against it, changed everything.We explore:Why your first reaction to feedback is rarely your bestWhat neuroscience tells us about why feedback feels so threateningThe “three-beat” rule that can shift how you respondA better way to give feedback: the feedforward methodHow humility, not ego, fuels real growthWhether you're leading a team, learning a craft, or just trying to handle tough conversations better, this episode is for you.Because growth isn’t about never being wrong. It’s about what you do when someone tells you you are.Listen to the full episode with Gordon Ramsay: https://pod.fo/e/1fa614Here is more information on the studies referenced: The effects of feedback interventions on performance, published in Psychological Bulletin: Avraham N. Kluger & Angelo DeNisi (1996) Feedforward approach Avraham N. Kluger & Dina Nir (2010)

Mark Cuban is a billionaire entrepreneur, Shark Tank investor, and the outspoken former owner of the Dallas Mavericks.In this episode, he shares how transforming the Mavericks wasn’t just about stats, it was about building a culture. From upgrading hotels to investing in skill development, Cuban shows how leadership and empathy can shape winning teams. He also dives into the AI revolution, offering sharp advice for young people and entrepreneurs ready to take advantage of the biggest tech shift in generations.This episode is packed with practical insight, real talk, and a fresh look at success from someone who’s seen it all.🚨 PartnersAG1 👉 Join Jake and top performers using AG1. Click the link and get an offer worth £68: https://hppod.co/ag1HP Foundation 👉Do you want to kick-start an evolution that will change the lives of millions of children? Find out more about the High Performance Foundation: https://hppod.co/foundationHP Corporate Events 👉Click here to book High Performance Events: https://hppod.co/corporate-eventsExplore offers and discounts through our other partners:https://hppod.co/partners

Think pro tennis is all glamour? Think again. In this episode, Jake and Damian sit down with former Irish Tennis pro Conor Niland, who reached a high of No 129 in the world, to explore the untold reality of life on the tour for the 99% of players who never make the headlines. Conor got within one set of playing Federer at Wimbledon and faced Djokovic at the US Open. Learn why most pros can lose more than they win—yet still keep swinging.They unpack what success really means beyond trophies and TV appearances, the mental toll of chasing rankings, and why true high performance often lies in resilience, not recognition. From redefining winning to managing pressure and failure, this honest conversation offers a powerful reminder that personal growth often matters more than public glory.Conor's award-winning book 'The Racket' is out now.

Triple H didn’t just dominate in the ring, he learned how to read a room, shift direction in real time, and lead an entire industry by listening closely.In this episode, we unpack the surprising psychology behind his success and explore how the powerful mental model known as the OODA loop (Observe. Orient. Decide. Act.) can help anyone make faster, smarter decisions under pressure.We also explore how great leaders don’t chase control, they build awareness, stay flexible, and move with purpose. From the energy of the arena to the dynamics of boardrooms and creative endeavors, real-time feedback is the key to sustained high performance.If you’ve ever felt stuck in indecision, overwhelmed by input, or unsure how to respond in fast-moving moments, this episode offers a blueprint.It’s not about wrestling. It’s about reading the moment, and rising to it.Listen to the full episode with Triple H: https://pod.fo/e/2c762aHere is more information on the studies referenced: John Boyd & The OODA Loop (referenced in Psych Safety), Col. John R. Boyd, USAF

Premier League Defender Dan Burn opens up about the impact of Eddie Howe’s leadership, how genuine communication and taking the time to connect with players makes a difference beyond just tactics. He reflects on the rollercoaster journey from near relegation to competing in the Champions League, and how winning the League Cup wasn’t just about the trophy itself, but the collective grit and unity that got them there.The conversation also dives into the emotional highs and lows of chasing silverware and carrying the weight of a club desperate for glory. From the League Cup final to Champions League qualification, Burn doesn't just talk about the games, he talks about the journey.This episode offers real insight into the heart of Newcastle United, through the voice of someone who lives and breathes it.🚨 PartnersHeights 👉 Get 20% off your subscription by using Code: HP20 here: https://hppod.co/20heightsHP Foundation 👉Do you want to kick-start an evolution that will change the lives of millions of children? Find out more about the High Performance Foundation: https://hppod.co/foundationHP Corporate Events 👉Click here to book High Performance Events: https://hppod.co/corporate-eventsExplore offers and discounts through our other partners:https://hppod.co/partners

Pressure shows up at the front door in broad daylight, stress lurks in the shadows of your own mind. One is the world’s expectation. The other is your own resistance to it.In this episode, Jake and Damian unpack the crucial difference between pressure and stress, and why understanding it can transform how you handle challenges. Drawing insights from guests like Tom Aspinall, Steve Hansen, Barry Hearn, and Alistair Campbell, they explore how top performers prepare for pressure, ground themselves in high-stakes moments, and reframe fear into freedom. With practical tools and powerful stories, this episode is a guide to staying centred when life speeds up, listen in as Jake and Damian share how to turn pressure into progress and stress into strength.Listen to episodes mentioned:Tom Aspinall:https://pod.fo/e/2d3d2eSteve Hansen: https://pod.fo/e/1ecddaBarry Hearn: https://pod.fo/e/157c60Alistair Campbell: https://pod.fo/e/f40aa