How the Soft Determines the Hard

Send us Fan Mail What really makes the difference when leadership gets difficult? Not when the plan is working. Not when the numbers look good. But when the pressure rises, the situation is unclear, and other people are looking to you for direction. Peter Davies has spent decades in senior leadership roles across DHL, SN Brussels Airlines, Air Malta and other complex organisations. Looking back, he has come to a conclusion that challenges the way many leaders think about performance: The soft determines the hard In this episode of Leading People, Gerry Murray explores what Peter has learned about leading people when judgement matters, trust is tested, and easy answers are in short supply. It’s a conversation shaped by experience rather than theory, with stories from a career spent making difficult calls, leading through change and working across very different cultures. And as AI becomes more embedded in the way organisations operate, one question becomes even more important: What should leaders be careful not to lose? If you lead people, influence decisions or carry responsibility when the answer isn’t obvious, this episode is for you. Connect with Peter on Linkedin Enjoyed this episode? The Leading People Community is where these conversations continue to flourish. Free to join — Book reviews, Leading People Café recordings, Podcast episode previews, and a growing group of active HR and L&D professionals, leaders, and coaches who take their work seriously. Join the Leading People Community Connect with Gerry on LinkedIn