This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast.
I believe we all have a lot to learn from each other’s stories – of where we started, where we are now, and our successes and struggles on the way. With this series of interviews, I attempt to give leaders an opportunity to share their stories and for all of us to learn from their generous sharing. If you know a leader whom you would like to see celebrated on the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn with their name.
Leadership isn’t about having all the answers, it’s about having the courage to keep growing.
In this conversation, James Tattersfield, CEO of Polar Insights, shares how curiosity, failure, observation, and even mountaineering have shaped the leader he is today.
You’ll discover why confidence is earned through experience, how to make better decisions under pressure, and why staying close to the people you serve is one of the greatest competitive advantages a leader can have.
Whether you’re leading a startup, a global organisation, or simply trying to become a better leader, this episode offers practical insights you can put into action immediately.
If you’re ready to lead with greater clarity, resilience, and authenticity, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.
You can find James Tattersfield at the links below
In the interview, James shares
- “Confidence isn’t something you’re born with. It’s built by stepping into the unknown, making mistakes, and doing it again.”
- “Observation is a leadership superpower. The more you understand people before you act, the better your decisions become.”
- “The best leaders don’t rush to prove themselves. They take time to observe, understand, and then act with intention.”
- “Real confidence comes from experience—not from getting everything right, but from learning through failure.”
- “Leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about making decisions that align with your values, even when they’re difficult.”
- “The mountains teach what boardrooms often can’t: perspective, resilience, and the ability to stay grounded under pressure.”
- “Personal growth isn’t separate from professional success. The more you grow as a person, the better you lead others.”
- “Great organisations are built on stakeholder proximity—staying close enough to customers, employees, and partners to make better decisions.”
- “The strongest leaders combine data with intuition, balancing evidence, experience, and authenticity when making decisions.”
- “Choosing leadership means choosing growth over comfort, courage over certainty, and purpose over playing small.”
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