The Strategic Leader

Hosted by Gemma Bullivant and Fiona Craig

Business Management Education

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Aug 2026

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The Strategic Leader is a podcast for busy leaders to learn how to be naturally strategic, so that you can operate with impact and sit at the top table with confidence, with clear and actionable tips to demystify strategy and help you to succeed. With your hosts Gemma Bullivant, Executive Coach and Strategic HR Consultant, and Fiona Craig, strategist, founder and coaching lead at Good Thinking.

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August 11, 2026Episode 333 min

6.03 The Prioritisation Tools Every Leader Should Be Using

If you're constantly busy but still feel like you're not making the progress you want, it may may be a sign that you need to sharpen your prioritisation skills. Effective prioritisation is a strategic leadership skill that creates space for better thinking, stronger decisions and greater impact by focusing on what matters most. This episode explores why leaders are rarely asked to do less and why becoming more senior often means balancing increasing demands with limited time, energy and resources. We discuss how operational work can keep leaders trapped on the hamster wheel and why intentionally creating time for strategic thinking is essential for long term success. We talk through two practical tools that have helped us to prioritise more effectively: The Eisenhower Matrix - helps separate urgent work from genuinely important work, encouraging you to spend more time on strategic activities before they become crises. The Impact Effort Matrix - a framework for identifying which activities are likely to deliver the greatest value and avoiding work that consumes effort without creating meaningful results. You can read more about these tools in Gemma’s blog Key points discussed Why prioritisation is a foundational strategic leadership skill, not simply a time management technique. How to move away from constant operational busyness and create more space for strategic thinking. Using the Eisenhower Matrix to distinguish between urgent and important work. Understanding how different thinking styles influence the way we approach important tasks. Applying the Impact Effort Matrix to prioritise projects, change initiatives and strategic decisions. Recognising opportunities to delegate, automate or redesign recurring tasks. Identifying work that delivers little value despite consuming significant effort. Asking "What are the things that only I can do?" to improve delegation and leadership focus. Key takeaway Strategic leadership is not about getting more done. It is about making better choices about where your time, energy and attention create the greatest value. Prioritisation is the tool that makes this possible. Check out our previous episodes on similar themes: S1.11 - How to prioritise more strategically S5.01 - Moving between detail and big picture Thank you for tuning into this episode of The Strategic Leader podcast. If you enjoyed the show, please give us 5 stars! It will help others find the show. Check out our previous episodes and remember to subscribe so you don’t miss our future episodes. If you have any questions or want to discuss anything, we’d love to hear from you: www.gemmabullivant.co.uk (for Gemma) www.wearegoodthinking.co.uk (for Fi)

July 28, 2026Episode 229 min

6.02 How to Develop Strategic Clarity

Do you ever leave a meeting wishing you'd made your point more clearly? Have you ever presented a great idea only to find the conversation getting lost in the detail? Whether you are presenting to a board, writing a one-page proposal, leading a team meeting or responding to a senior executive, your audience doesn’t need every detail. They need the information that helps them understand the issue, why it matters and what happens next. This episode explores practical ways to structure your thinking so your communication is concise, purposeful and audience focused. As part of building your strategic toolkit, we discuss simple frameworks that make strategic communication easier, including the What, So What, Now What model, using signposting to keep discussions on track, structuring documents around five key questions, and communicating from the headline down rather than the detail up. We also explore why strategic summaries are different from status updates, how to avoid overwhelming people with information, and why leaders who communicate with clarity build greater credibility, confidence and influence. Key points discussed Why strategic summaries are a foundational tool in your strategic toolkit and different from status updates. How audience and purpose should shape every communication. Using signposting to keep meetings focused and avoid circular discussions. Applying the What, So What, Now What framework as a repeatable strategic tool. Structuring strategic papers using five simple questions. Why headline first communication is more effective than leading with detail. Knowing when detailed information belongs in supporting documents rather than presentations. How strategic clarity demonstrates leadership, builds confidence and helps move decisions forward. Key takeaway Strategic leadership is not about communicating everything you know. It is about using the right tools to communicate what your audience needs to know. Clear thinking, clear structure and clear messaging help people make better decisions and take meaningful action. Thank you for tuning into this episode of The Strategic Leader podcast. If you enjoyed the show, please give us 5 stars! It will help others find the show. Check out our previous episodes here - and remember to subscribe so you don’t miss our future episodes. If you have any questions or want to discuss anything, we’d love to hear from you: www.gemmabullivant.co.uk (for Gemma) www.wearegoodthinking.co.uk (for Fi)

July 14, 2026Episode 124 min

6.01 Strategic Leadership Essentials: Defining the Essential Tools

What if you could cut through leadership complexity and focus on the handful of tools that consistently make the biggest difference? Every leader collects ideas, models, frameworks and approaches throughout their career. The challenge is not finding new tools. The challenge is remembering which ones matter most and knowing when to use them. This episode launches Series 6 of The Strategic Leader and introduces the concept of the strategic leadership toolkit. Rather than chasing every new model or leadership trend, we explore how to identify the essential tools that deserve a permanent place in your toolkit and help you navigate complex situations with greater confidence and intention. We touch on a couple of ones likely to make the shortlist – self-awareness as a foundational leadership capability and the ability to create a clear, succinct one-pager, which will no doubt form a couple of future episodes where we will go into more depth. Throughout the conversation, we explore how strategic leaders can become more intentional about the tools they use, avoid default habits and build a toolkit that supports better leadership decisions every day. Key Points Discussed Why Series 6 focuses on essential strategic leadership tools The concept of a leadership toolkit and why intentional tool selection matters How leaders often accumulate too many models, frameworks and ideas Self-awareness as a cornerstone of effective leadership The importance of summarising complexity through a strategic one pager How clear thinking improves communication and decision making Using priorities and "even overs" to make better strategic choices Key Takeaway Strategic leadership is not about collecting more tools. It is about understanding which tools matter most, knowing when to use them and applying them with intention. Thank you for tuning into this episode of The Strategic Leader podcast. If you enjoyed the show, please give us 5 stars! It will help others find the show. Check out our previous episodes here - and remember to subscribe so you don’t miss our future episodes. If you have any questions or want to discuss anything, we’d love to hear from you: www.gemmabullivant.co.uk (for Gemma) www.wearegoodthinking.co.uk (for Fi)

September 2, 2025Episode 935 min

4.09 Why are there still so few women in senior leadership? with Geraldine Gallacher

If you’re wondering why the number of women in senior roles remains low despite all the progress we think we’ve made, this episode unpacks what’s really going on beneath the surface. We talk to Geraldine Gallacher - CEO, coach, author and president of the City Women’s Network - about the deep-rooted systems that continue to hold women back in leadership. She shares her wealth of knowledge, and explains the causes she sees as key to understand and address - systemic bias, cultural norms and unspoken expectations. We explore how leadership still tends to favour agentic qualities like dominance and decisiveness, generally associated with men, and often sidelines qualities more valued by employees, such as collaborative and inclusive behaviours. We also talk about how women are judged more harshly for the same behaviours that are seen as strong in men, and why many women struggle to find visible role models who lead in a way they can relate to. Geraldine shares some practical points, to help organisations continue to address this ongoing challenge. Key Points Discussed Leadership is still widely associated with agentic rather than collaborative styles Many women blame themselves for a lack of progress rather than recognising systemic bias Flexible working policies exist but workplace culture has not caught up Young women may not notice bias until they are more advanced in their careers There is still a lack of relatable female role models in leadership Men are also penalised when they deviate from traditional norms, especially in parenting Women’s development programmes can help open eyes to what is systemic rather than personal Key Takeaway The issue is not with women. It is with the structures that still reward one narrow idea of leadership. Until organisations stop gendering leadership traits and take systemic action, progress will remain stuck. If you liked this, you might like these related episodes: S4 07 - How to be a More Strategic HR Leader? S2 08 - The Key to Confident Leadership S2 01 - Overcoming Imposter Syndrome About Geraldine Gallacher Geraldine is a pioneer in coaching setting up The Executive Coaching Consultancy in 1994 and qualifying as a Master Coach with the Association of Coaching early in its inception. In 2005 she had something of an epiphany when she started to question why she was coaching so many men and not women. This led to her writing her book Coaching Women, Changing the System not the Person and launching her own podcast Shifting the Needle where the needle she’s referring to is the number of women leaders in business. Thank you for tuning into this episode of The Strategic Leader podcast. If you enjoyed the show, please give is 5 stars! It will help others find the show. Check out our previous episodes and remember to subscribe so you don’t miss our future shows. If you have any questions or want to discuss anything, we’d love to hear from you: www.gemmabullivant.co.uk (for Gemma) www.wearegoodthinking.co.uk (for Fi)

April 28, 2026Episode 630 min

5.06 Leading Beyond Your Function: How to think and act at enterprise level

Stepping into a senior leadership role is not just a promotion, it is a fundamental identity shift that reshapes how we think, act and contribute. The move from functional expertise to enterprise leadership demands a broader perspective, where success is no longer defined by one area alone but by the performance of the whole organisation. We explore the critical balance between depth and breadth, recognising that while expertise earns a seat at the table, it is strategic thinking and systems awareness that sustain influence. Building confidence to contribute beyond our specialism becomes essential, even when we feel out of depth. Asking better questions, challenging constructively and connecting decisions across the business are key to adding value. Equally important is understanding our impact as leaders. We set the tone, consciously or not. The idea of an emotional thermostat highlights how our behaviour, language and presence shape culture, expectations and what becomes tolerated. Small shifts in how we show up can have significant organisational impact. Finally, accountability evolves. We move from reporting activity to owning outcomes, focusing on enterprise impact rather than functional outputs. This shift enables stronger strategic leadership, better decision making and more aligned senior teams. Key points discussed The identity shift from functional leader to enterprise executive Balancing depth of expertise with breadth of strategic thinking Building confidence to contribute beyond subject matter expertise Using questions to add value at senior leadership level The emotional thermostat and its impact on organisational culture How behaviours signal what is tolerated within a business Moving from activity reporting to accountability for outcomes The importance of collective ownership at the top table Key takeaway Leading at the top table is less about what we know and more about how we think, show up and take responsibility for the whole organisation. Small shifts create significant impact. About our guest: Steve McNicholas is a leadership practitioner with nearly 30 years of experience across banking, insurance and private equity, including several C suite roles, including Chief People Officer. Having led complex organisational change and delivered strategic outcomes across multiple sectors, he now focuses on developing senior leaders through coaching, programmes and speaking. He is also the author of leadership books that share practical methodologies and real world insight to help leaders become more effective at the top level. Thank you for tuning into this episode of The Strategic Leader podcast. If you enjoyed the show, please give is 5 stars! It will help others find the show.Check out our previous episodes and remember to subscribe so you don’t miss our future shows. If you have any questions or want to discuss anything, we’d love to hear from you: www.gemmabullivant.co.uk (for Gemma) www.wearegoodthinking.co.uk (for Fi)

November 15, 2023Episode 426 min

1.4 - Overcoming Internal Barriers to Strategic Thinking

In this episode of "The Strategic Leader," Gemma Bullivant and Fiona Craig explore the internal barriers that can hinder our ability to think and act strategically. Have you ever asked yourself, "What if I sound stupid?" or "What if it goes wrong?" These are the questions that often loom large when we're on the cusp of transitioning from our comfort zone to the growth zone in our professional lives. They discuss the fear of sounding stupid, the discomfort of uncertainty, and the magnetic pull of our comfort zones. This insightful conversation offers practical strategies to overcome these barriers and operate more confidently in the strategic realm. Gemma and Fiona share personal experiences, insights, and strategies to help you tackle these internal barriers head-on and operate more strategically with confidence. Key Points Discussed: 1. The Myth of Cleverness : Many individuals wrongly assume that only the "clever" ones can be strategic, creating self-doubt. 2. Fear of Sounding "Stupid": the common fear of asking questions that might make one appear uninformed or foolish, and how to reframe this. 3. Embracing Uncertainty: The importance of being comfortable with not having all the answers and navigating the VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous) business environment. 4. The Magnetic Pull of the Comfort Zone : How our comfort zone can keep us tethered to familiar tasks and how this can hinder strategic thinking. 5. Curiosity and Questioning : The value of curiosity and asking questions to encourage strategic thinking. Key Timestamps: 03:08: Discussing the myth that strategy is exclusively for the "clever" individuals. 05:42: Exploring the fear of sounding "stupid" and its impact. 09:17: Embracing uncertainty and its role in strategic thinking. 13:34: The continuum of comfort with certainty vs. uncertainty. 16:27: The importance of curiosity and asking questions in strategic thinking. 18:37: Acknowledging internal blockers with compassion. 20:05: The magnetic pull of the comfort zone and its implications. Key Takeaway: Addressing these internal barriers can be a game-changer in your journey to becoming a naturally strategic leader. The fear zone can become a stepping stone to your growth zone and strategic thinking - if you're willing to embrace it. FREE DOWNLOAD – A COACHING TOOL FOR IMPOSTER SYNDROME: Ready to tackle your inner critic? Download Gemma’s coaching tool to help you build your confidence and tackle those self-limiting beliefs. DOWNLOAD HERE Thank you for tuning in to this episode of The Strategic Leader podcast. If you enjoyed the show, don't forget to check out previous episodes, and subscribe for more insightful discussions and practical advice on becoming a more naturally strategic leader. If you have questions about operating more strategically, we'd love to hear from you. Feel free to contact us via www.gemmabullivant.co.uk (Gemma) or www.www.wearegoodthinking.co.uk (Fiona). Your queries could inspire future episodes to help you become a more strategic leader.

July 9, 2024Episode 729 min

2.07 The 3 P's to Combat Perfectionism

In this episode of the Strategic Leader podcast, hosts Gemma Bullivant and Fiona Craig discuss perfectionism and its implications for strategic leaders. The discussion begins with an exploration of personal experiences with perfectionism, highlighting the balance between maintaining high standards and avoiding the pitfalls of excessive focus on these standards. Gemma shares how her preference for action over perfection shapes her work approach, and the importance of progress and process in achieving quality outcomes. The conversation then shifts to identifying key characteristics of perfectionism, such as setting unreasonably high standards, fear of failure, and heightened self-criticism. Gemma and Fiona discuss the adverse effects of perfectionism, including procrastination, low self-esteem, and strained relationships. They offer practical strategies for managing perfectionist tendencies, emphasising the importance of defining "good enough," getting comfortable with the discomfort of imperfection by trying something new in a less risky, non-work environment, and focusing on progress over perfection. The episode concludes with a live creation of a strategic model, The 3 P’s to Combat Perfectionism, bringing together the principles of (big) picture, process, and progress. Listeners are encouraged to adopt these strategies and find a balance between quality and efficiency. Key Points Discussed: Personal experiences with perfectionism and work approach Characteristics of perfectionism: high standards, fear of failure, self-criticism Adverse effects: procrastination, low self-esteem, strained relationships Practical strategies: defining "good enough," getting comfortable with discomfort, focusing on progress Strategic model: picture, process, and progress Key Timestamps: [03:42] – Characteristics of perfectionism: high standards and self-criticism. [08:40] – The impact of perfectionism on strategic leadership. [09:35] – Fear-based aspects of perfectionism and its overlap with other blockers. [12:16] – Procrastination linked to perfectionism and its consequences. [18:57] – Therapeutic methods for managing perfectionist tendencies. [23:27] – Difference between critiquing work output and the process. [24:58] – The cyclical nature of self-criticism and perfectionism. [26:13] – Emphasising process over perfection in strategic leadership. [27:11] – Introduction of the "picture, process, and progress" model. Key Takeaway: Striving for perfection can hinder progress and create unnecessary stress. By focusing on the big picture, adopting effective processes, and prioritising progress, strategic leaders can achieve quality outcomes without falling into the perfectionism trap. Embracing a mindset that balances high standards with practical execution is essential for effective leadership. Thank you for tuning in to this episode of The Strategic Leader podcast. If you enjoyed the show, please give us 5 stars! It will help others to find the show. And don't forget to check out previous episodes, and subscribe for more insightful discussions and practical advice on becoming a more naturally strategic leader. If you have questions about anything we've been talking about, or need guidance on strategic leadership, we'd love to hear from you. Feel free to contact us via www.gemmabullivant.co.uk (Gemma) or www.wearegoodthinking.co.uk (Fiona). Your queries could inspire future episodes to help you become a more strategic leader.

March 20, 2024Episode 1230 min

1.12 - Forget Gravitas. Strategic Curiosity is the real leadership skill we need

In this episode of the Strategic Leader podcast, we explore the concept of gravitas, through the lens of strategic curiosity. We share personal experiences, highlighting the significance of asking meaningful questions to foster a strategic mindset. We question the dictionary definition, that gravitas is about projecting seriousness or loftiness, but instead that it is rooted in the ability to show up with strategic curiosity. We explore the role of active or strategic curiosity in building gravitas, and that asking thought-provoking questions demonstrates a genuine interest in others, fosters trust, and adds value to discussions. We also look at the risks associated with curiosity, including the fear of the unknown and the need to set aside judgments. We firmly believe that curiosity is a strategic leadership skill, allowing us to contribute meaningfully even without impressive subject matter knowledge or expertise. Key Points Discussed: 1. Challenging Gravitas Definition: questioning the dictionary definition of gravitas, and suggesting a more practical and meaningful understanding. 2. Strategic Curiosity Defined: the concept of strategic curiosity, emphasising its role in building gravitas. 3. Active Listening and Asking Questions: the importance of active listening and asking insightful questions to deepen understanding and contribute meaningfully. 4. Risk and Growth: the risks associated with curiosity, and the need to embrace the unknown and to prioritise growth over comfort. 5. Curiosity Over Judgement: the incompatibility of curiosity and judgment, urging you to approach questions with a genuinely curious mindset. Key Timestamps: [03:02] Gemma and Fiona discuss their perspectives on gravitas, and questioning the traditional definition of gravitas [05:33] Introducing the concept of active or strategic curiosity. [09:02] The parallels between coaching, asking questions, and strategic leadership. [17:53] The risks associated with being curious and the importance of embracing discomfort. [18:19]: Levels of active listening and seeking meaning. [22:52] Using reflective playback to deepen understanding. [28:20] Invitation to share your definitions of gravitas Key Takeaway: Strategic curiosity is a powerful leadership skill that not only builds gravitas but also fosters trust, prompts reflection, and contributes meaningfully to discussions. Embracing curiosity requires a willingness to navigate the unknown, set aside judgments, and prioritise growth over comfort.

November 8, 2023Episode 323 min

1.3 - Why thinking strategically is important in your career

Are you looking to operate more strategically in your career? Have you ever wondered what it truly means to be strategic, or why it's essential for career progression? Join us in this episode as we explore the significance of strategic thinking at every career level. From understanding job leveling and its relationship with strategic thinking to practical tips for honing your strategic skills, we'll demystify strategy and empower you to excel in your professional journey. In this episode of "The Strategic Leader" podcast, hosts Gemma Bullivant and Fiona Craig explore the concept of becoming more strategic in your career. They discuss why thinking strategically is crucial, how it's embedded in job descriptions, and how it evolves as you progress through different organizational levels. They emphasize that even at junior levels, you can exhibit strategic awareness by understanding the organization's purpose and the strategic importance of your role. The hosts stress the significance of broadening your perspective beyond your department and how this shift in thinking is essential for engaging in conversations with other parts of the business. They also share practical examples of strategic thinking at different career stages. The episode concludes by encouraging listeners to normalize strategic thinking throughout their careers. Key Points Discussed: The importance of strategic thinking at different career levels. Understanding job levelling and its connection to strategic thinking. Balancing the creation and implementation of a strategy. How strategic thinking helps you to stay engaged and motivated in your role. Raising your thinking from the departmental level to the business level is key to having meaningful cross-functional discussions. Demonstrating strategic thinking accelerates career growth and removes fear associated with strategic roles. Key Timestamps [01:06]: Introduction - Why is thinking strategically important in your career? [03:16]: The two halves of strategy: Designing and implementing. [08:52]: Understanding job leveling and how it relates to strategic thinking. [13:24]: The importance of understanding the organization's purpose and how it affects your role. [17:18]: Shifting focus from your department to the broader business perspective. [19:31]: Practical examples of strategic thinking in junior roles. [22:32]: Normalizing strategic thinking throughout your career. Key Takeaway Strategic thinking is not confined to the C-suite. You can start building your strategic mindset early in your career. By understanding the bigger picture, asking the right questions, and engaging with the organization's strategy, you can accelerate your professional growth and become a valuable asset to any team. Don't wait for a job description to mandate strategic thinking; start normalizing it to accelerate your career and add more value to your role. Thank you for tuning in to this episode of The Strategic Leader podcast. If you enjoyed the show, don't forget to check out previous episodes and subscribe for more insightful discussions and practical advice on becoming a more naturally strategic leader. If you have questions about strategic leadership, we'd love to hear from you. Feel free to contact us via www.gemmabullivant.co.uk (Gemma) or www.wearegoodthinking.co.uk (Fiona). Your queries could inspire future episodes to help you become a more strategic leader.

October 31, 2023Episode 232 min

1.2 - Crafting a Simple Yet Effective Strategy

Welcome back to The Strategic Leader Podcast with your hosts, Gemma Bullivant and Fiona Craig. In this episode, we're delving deep into the art of crafting a strategy that is simple, yet highly effective. We explore the importance of simplicity in strategy, how to differentiate a strategy from an action plan, and why it's crucial to align your strategy with the overarching goals of your business. Do you ever wonder what it truly means to be strategic? Are you tired of overly complex strategic documents that seem impossible to decipher? Well, you're in luck! In this episode, we dive into the complex world of strategy, break it all down for you, and we discuss how simplicity in strategy is the key to effective leadership. Join us for this insightful episode and learn how to demystify strategy, prioritize effectively, and lead with confidence. We discuss: - The difference between a strategy and an action plan. - How to create a concise and clear strategy that anyone can understand. - The importance of aligning your strategy with the overall goals of the business. - Using strategy as your North Star to guide decision-making. - The power of asking, "What is the most important thing here?" Key Takeaway: Simplicity in strategy is essential for effective leadership. By distilling your strategy into clear, concise, and unambiguous terms, you can guide your team with greater focus and motivation, align with the business's overall objectives, make more informed decisions, and ultimately achieving your goals with confidence. FREE DOWNLOAD – Your HR Strategy Toolkit: Ready to take your strategic thinking to the next level? Download Gemma’s comprehensive HR Strategy Toolkit, packed with actionable tips and templates to help you develop and implement an effective HR strategy for your organization. DOWNLOAD HERE Key Timestamps: [01:02] - we look at the key components of a strategy, how to put that together, how to differentiate a strategy from an action plan, and how to make sure that what is in our strategy is aligned to the overall goals of the business. [03:08] - the difference between a strategic plan and a list of actions. Sometimes when we think we've presented someone with a strategy, what we've actually done is a list of actions, and that can not be what's desired. [05:01] - Strategy doesn't need to be something incredibly complex or full of corporate jargon. It should be simple, succinct, and something that anyone can understand. If you can't explain it clearly, it's too complicated. [06:23] - We should be able to articulate the strategy in one page. The actual strategy itself should be able to live on one page. We explore how to achieve this. [07:47] - Your strategy is like a North Star guiding your organization's efforts. It's clear, unambiguous language should help steer your actions, ensuring they align with your goals. [12:26] – We talk about how strategy anchors off the overarching organizational strategy. [15:26] - Your strategy is less about what your business does; it's more about what it aims to achieve and where it wants to be in the future. [18:13] – How a strong strategy can drive employee motivation and engagement. [25:43] - The Power of Simple Language - your strategy document should be clear and straightforward. It should be something that even a child could pick up and understand. [29:51] - Strategic Thinking in Action - A daily discipline of a strategic leader is asking, "What is the most important thing I could do today?" Your strategy gives you the answer by reminding you of your overarching purpose. Thank you for tuning in to this episode of The Strategic Leader podcast. If you enjoyed the show, don't forget to check out previous episodes, and subscribe for more insightful discussions and practical advice on becoming a more naturally strategic leader. If you have questions about crafting a simple yet effective strategy or need guidance on strategic leadership, we'd love to hear from you. Check out the free download (link above) and feel free to contact us via www.gemmabullivant.co.uk (Gemma) or www.wearegoodthinking.co.uk (Fiona). Your queries could inspire future episodes to help you become a more strategic leader.