Have you ever met someone in a fleeting moment and instantly sensed there was a deeper conversation waiting to happen? That is precisely what happened when I met Grantley Morgan at Thinkers50 in London.

It was my very first time in the city, and there he was, tucked away in the corner, trying to enjoy a quiet bite before the next wave of conversations. Of course, I walked right up to him, probably catching him mid-chew, and within minutes, we were deep into a discussion about the kind of leadership people return to when the world around them feels uncertain.

In this episode of Becoming Unshakable, Grantley and I explore a theme that leaders often overlook. Reliability. We talk about it as something steady, almost quiet, yet absolutely foundational. Grantley calls it positive predictability. That grounded presence where people know how you show up, they see the bar you hold for yourself, and they trust that your intentions match your actions. He describes how this connects with a second trait that leaders often talk about but rarely live consistently. A personal quality bar that never drops, even when pressure mounts.

Our conversation moves through the realities of consulting culture, the pressure to prove yourself, the temptation to rush, and the personal work involved in shifting from competition to curiosity. Grantley shares moments where he pushed too hard, went too fast, and learned the hard way about the limits of carrying everything alone. His honesty around pressure, emotional regulation, and the need for shared accountability invites all of us to rethink how we use our influence.

What I loved most was the way he frames leadership through clear intention. The idea of stepping away for fuel, stepping back for perspective, and stepping forward once curiosity returns. The way he holds failure as a sign of courage rather than incompetence. And the reminder that reliability has nothing to do with being safe or dull. It is the quality that lets people take bigger risks because they trust the leader beside them.

Grantley left me thinking about the future of leadership and how each of us can create the conditions where our teams thrive. What would happen if reliability and excellence coexisted more often in our workplaces? What would it change about how we show up, how we collaborate, and how we carry our own emotional load?

I would love to know what this conversation brings up for you. Which part resonates with your own experience of leading or being led? Share your thoughts with me.

What happens when innovation is shaping your life in ways you never see? That is the question at the heart of this conversation with Portia Lane Child, Director of Innovation and Strategy Services at BAE Systems.

While most of us recognise the consumer brands that dominate our daily world, far fewer realise how deeply companies like BAE Systems influence the systems that keep us connected, protected, and moving. Portia's work lives in that fascinating space, where advanced engineering meets national mission, and where the innovations you never hear about are often the ones shaping your future.

During our discussion, Portia shares how she helps steer innovation inside one of the world's most complex aerospace and defence organisations. She talks about the human side of innovating within a massive enterprise, the challenge of moving ideas across technical and organisational silos, and the lessons she learned growing up as a lobster fisherman's daughter that still guide how she builds teams and champions new ideas.

Her story about creating an internal accelerator that changed how the business nurtures ideas is a powerful reminder that innovation only takes root when people feel supported to experiment, communicate, and stretch beyond familiar boundaries.

We also explore the shifting incentives shaping today's innovators, from the pressure of short-term financial cycles to the growing importance of longer horizons in the age of AI. Portia opens up about what it really takes to move from idea to impact inside a mission-driven organisation, why customer conversations matter more than ever, and how modern innovators can develop the resilience and curiosity needed to operate in fast-moving technical environments.

My guest also shares inspiring reflections on the inventions that shaped her, the role models who sparked her imagination, and the breakthroughs she believes the world needs most.

Have you ever wondered how some people keep standing even when life seems determined to knock them flat? That question lingered with me as I spoke with Dave Munson, the founder and CEO of Saddleback Leather Co., whose journey is marked by sharp turns, risk-taking, loss, grit, faith, and a remarkable ability to get back up again. This conversation reminded me that the path to becoming unshakable is rarely smooth. It is formed through moments that challenge our identity, stretch our resolve, and reveal what we truly rely on when everything around us feels uncertain.

Dave brought stories that moved from the deserts of Mexico to the busy floors of his factory, from being a young volunteer teacher dreaming up a rugged bag to building a global brand rooted in people-first values. He talks openly about the setbacks that shaped him, including financial loss, near closures, a cartel theft of an entire truckload of products, and the intense pressure of keeping a business alive during COVID when travel bags suddenly fell to the very bottom of consumer demand. What struck me was his response each time. He chose gratitude, service, and faith as his grounding tools. He decided to stand up quicker with each hit instead of staying down.

The heart of this episode unfolds as Dave shares how compassion has shaped his leadership. From standing beside employees during personal crises to hiring people who are often overlooked in society, he paints a picture of leadership that meets people where they are and walks with them. He also speaks candidly about his own process of unlearning, particularly the need to relinquish self-reliance and trust others to grow alongside him. His story is full of uncomfortable growth, unexpected blessings, and a willingness to pivot when the world shifts beneath his feet. It made me reflect on what anchors each of us and how we choose to rise.

As you listen, consider your own sense of grounding. What helps you get back up when life hits you in ways you never saw coming? And if something Dave shared resonates with you, I would love to know your thoughts. What part of this conversation helps you reflect on your own journey toward becoming unshakable?