This week on Air Supply, Joshua O'Connor sits down with Charles Burbridge, a leader whose career path is as unconventional as it is insightful. Charles's journey began with 17 years as an army officer, including multiple tours in Bosnia, Northern Ireland, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. He shares what drew him to these high-stakes environments, emphasizing his belief in servant leadership and the invaluable lessons learned from the "savvy, capable, thoughtful, and opinionated" young soldiers he led. Discover how this military experience, particularly his role as a media spokesman during a challenging tour in Iraq, honed his ability to communicate with diverse stakeholders and manage profound human tragedy while maintaining a sense of purpose.

Charles then transitioned to the commercial sector, initially in large corporate debt restructuring at RBS. He candidly discusses the unexpected difficulties of this shift, contrasting the military's objective-driven environment with the process-heavy corporate world. This led him to find his "calling" in global sales, ultimately running the high-risk divisions for G4S and Allied Universal in challenging frontier markets like Iraq, Afghanistan, Mali, and South Sudan. Charles unpacks what makes a truly great salesperson, highlighting absolute reliability, trustworthiness, and the courage to "go for the close." He also reveals how he fosters resilience and motivation when targets seem unattainable, emphasizing that sales is a "people game," not a "numbers game."

Later, Charles moved into MD/CEO roles for business turnarounds, leading underperforming companies in sectors like international security and electronic security. He shares his methodical approach to transformation, starting with increasing productivity and instilling a sense of purpose within demotivated teams. This episode offers critical insights for those in investor-backed businesses, as Charles details the complexities of integrating acquired companies, particularly when dealing with founders and their long-standing teams.

Finally, Charles offers profound reflections on leadership, discussing how he navigates daily challenges and the importance of seeing "tomorrow with real clarity" rather than getting bogged down in today's problems. He also shares invaluable wisdom on achieving work-life separation, stressing that "sleep is a weapon" and leaders must prioritize their well-being to make sound decisions.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in leadership, resilience, and the fascinating journey of translating high-stakes military experience into impactful commercial success.

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