WHERE LEADERS RETHINK HOW STRATEGY WORKS IN THE REAL WORLD
The traditional approach to strategy is broken.
In a world that won’t sit still, leaders can’t rely on outdated models built for stability and control.
Strategy Meets Reality is a podcast for leaders, strategists, and thinkers who want real insight—not theory. Hosted by organisational psychologist and systems thinker Mike Jones, each episode cuts through the noise with honest conversations from people who’ve lived the complexity, made the tough calls, and rethought what strategy means in practice.
🎧 New episodes every Tuesday
📍 Listen/Watch on:
🔗 Subscribe and rethink your strategy.
Latest Episode
Ep. 19 – Brave Builders of the Future: Louise Le Gat on Shapeshifting Leadership and Navigating System Shifts
Guest: Louise Le Gat
“Stop trying to win at the old game—because the game has changed.”
In this episode, Louise Le Gat—expert in purpose-led leadership—joins Mike Jones to explore what leadership really demands in times of upheaval. They discuss system shifts, inner software upgrades, and why we must create new value, not just manage old systems. A powerful conversation for leaders ready to shape the future.
All Episodes
Ep. 19 Brave Builders of the Future: Louise Le Gat on Shapeshifting Leadership and Navigating System Shifts
Most leaders are still managing the old system—while the world has already shifted.
In this episode, Louise Le Gat—creator of Positive Impact Leadership—joins Mike Jones to challenge the role of leadership in a shapeshifting world. From upgrading mental models and dismantling survival mechanisms to reinventing value itself, they explore what it takes to lead when the old playbook no longer fits. A grounded and powerful conversation for leaders ready to shape the future—not just survive it.
Ep. 18 Critical Thinking as a Strategic Weapon: Marcus Dimbleby on Red Teaming, Engagement, and Execution
Engagement isn’t a soft skill—it’s a strategic advantage.
In this episode, Marcus Dimbleby—former RAF and red teaming expert—joins Mike Jones to challenge the way organisations approach execution. They explore how critical thinking, psychological safety, and challenge cultures help teams cut through complexity, improve decision-making, and deliver real outcomes. From quiet quitting to decision rights, this is a grounded conversation on leadership that works under pressure.
Ep. 16 Reconceptualising Strategy: Ben Zweibelson on Strategy, Complexity, and Multi-Paradigm Thinking
Most organisations think they’re doing strategy—but they’re often just reinforcing a single worldview.
In this episode, Ben Zweibelson—veteran, military strategist, and author of Reconceptualizing War—joins Mike Jones to explore how dominant paradigms shape the way we fight, plan, and lead. From functionalism to interpretivism, and complexity to irreversibility, this is a sharp, provocative look at why multi-paradigm thinking is no longer optional. It’s the foundation of modern strategic sensemaking.
Ep. 15 Diagnosing the Real Problem: Michael Negendahl on Risk, Control, and Leading in Complexity
Control is comforting, but often a trap. In this episode, Michael Negendahl joins Mike Jones to explore why so much strategy and safety work is performative, how leaders confuse the perception of control with real progress, and why diagnosing problems comes before declaring solutions. From risk management to distributed intelligence, this is a candid look at leading in complexity.
Meet your Host:
Mike Jones
Mike Jones is a systems thinker, organisational psychologist, and former British Army soldier.
He’s worked as a strategy and execution advisor to senior executives across rail, tech, and government to rethink how strategy actually works in complexity.
He founded LBI Consulting and author of the upcoming book When Strategy Meets Reality.
Do you know someone you recommend as a guest?
Pitch a guest: