Stop Telling People What to Do: A Better Way to Lead with Gareth Holebrook episode artwork

EPISODE · Aug 10, 2026 · 25 MIN

Stop Telling People What to Do: A Better Way to Lead with Gareth Holebrook

from Forkin' Good with Simon Gault & Kate Fenwick · host Kate Fenwick & Simon Gault

Send us Fan MailWhat separates a great leader from someone who simply tells people what to do?In Part 2 of our conversation with leadership coach, endurance athlete and author Gareth Holebrook, we move from burnout and resilience into the practical realities of leadership.Gareth introduces intent based leadership, an approach that shifts decision making closer to the people actually doing the work. Instead of employees constantly asking the boss what to do, leaders create an environment where their teams can think, make decisions and take genuine ownership.Drawing on lessons from nuclear submarines, emergency departments, corporate teams, restaurants and his own leadership coaching, Gareth explains how surprisingly small changes in language can completely change the way a team operates.We explore why leaders become decision bottlenecks, why micromanagement can hold good people back, and how to give employees autonomy without giving up accountability.Gareth also shares the Ladder of Leadership, including the simple questions leaders can use to move someone from "Tell me what to do" to "This is what I intend to do."Plus, we get Gareth's practical formula for running a meeting that actually achieves something, including why the most senior person in the room should often speak last.If you lead a team, own a business, manage people or simply want to become a better leader, there are plenty of practical ideas in this episode you can start using immediately.Follow the podcast on Instagram and Tiktok: @forkingoodpodFollow Simon on his channels below:Instagram: @simon_gaultFacebook: @OfficialsimongaultTiktok: SimonjgaultYoutube: Simon GaultFollow Waste-ed with Kate here:Instagram: @wastedwithkateFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/wastefreewithkateTiktok: wasted.kateYoutube: Waste-ed with KateSupport the show

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Aug 10, 2026

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Send us Fan Mail What separates a great leader from someone who simply tells people what to do? In Part 2 of our conversation with leadership coach, endurance athlete and author Gareth Holebrook, we move from burnout and resilience into the practical realities of leadership. Gareth introduces intent based leadership, an approach that shifts decision making closer to the people actually doing the work. Instead of employees constantly asking the boss what to do, leaders create an environment ...

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Stop Telling People What to Do: A Better Way to Lead with Gareth Holebrook

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This episode was published on August 10, 2026.

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