Episode 154: When Success Hides the Struggle: Why Leaders Wait Until It's Almost Too Late with Richard Reid

Psychologist and high-performance coach Richard Reid brings brutal honesty to the loneliest job in business: leading when everyone's watching. As a former Chief People Officer who now advises CEOs, founders, and public figures in crisis, Richard specializes in the conversations leaders avoid—burnout hidden behind achievement, addiction masked by success, and the quiet anxiety that comes with carrying impossible weight. Operating from Birmingham, UK, with credentials spanning FTSE 100 firms and the City of London Police, he's built a discreet practice around one uncomfortable truth: high performers rarely admit they need support until it's almost too late. The conversation cuts through leadership mythology with surgical precision. Richard reveals how sustained pressure causes leaders to normalize dysfunction, losing sight of who they used to be while maintaining the facade of control. He dissects why trust requires consistency—even when it means having difficult conversations—and why leaders who avoid authentic feedback create teams paralyzed by uncertainty. The discussion tackles the "screamer captain" phenomenon, proving that predictable intensity beats unpredictable kindness every time. For leaders exhausted by pretending everything's fine, this episode offers permission to drop the mask. Birmingham Roots and Grammar School - 02:08 The Loneliness of Leadership - 03:17 Hidden Battles High Performers Face - 03:29 When Leaders Normalize Dysfunction - 04:12 Addiction Masked by Achievement - 06:45 Building Trust Through Consistency - 11:30 Why Feedback Feels Dangerous - 17:20 The Screamer Captain Story - 29:12 Authentic Conversations Under Pressure - 30:01 Trust Without Liking Someone - 31:23 Feedback as Recalibration - 31:07 Leadership as Ongoing Dialogue - 31:52 If you enjoy our podcasts please like, share and subscribe we genuinely appreciate your support.