How to build trust and safety with your team - Jimmy Burroughes leadership developer

Jimmy Burroughes joins the Practical Leadership Podcast to discuss the foundational principles of effective management. Drawing from his early career as an officer in the British Army during Gulf War II and his subsequent executive roles, Jimmy explains why leaders must master the basics before attempting complex performance initiatives. He highlights the stark realities of stepping into high-pressure environments, noting how uncertainty and imposter syndrome often paralyse inexperienced managers.

Central to Jimmy's philosophy is the Ways of Working framework, which focuses on shifting organisational culture by prioritising people over raw output. He outlines the critical progression from trust to connection, and ultimately to performance. When leaders fail to establish trust, employees retreat into a survival mindset driven by fear, which fundamentally impairs their capacity for innovation, productivity and strategic thought.

Reflecting on his transition from the military to corporate life, Jimmy shares candid mistakes from his first general manager role, particularly the pitfalls of failing to listen to subject-matter experts during a company restructure. He emphasises the importance of treating career setbacks as essential tools for growth rather than personal failings, encouraging leaders to adopt an abundant mindset focused on continuous learning and team safety.