Military leadership lessons for business | Gary Waterfall on developing resilience under pressure

What can business leaders learn from the military? In this episode of Achieving More Together, host Juliet Mann sits down with retired Air Vice-Marshal Gary Waterfall, former Harrier pilot, Red Arrows pilot and senior RAF leader, to explore what it really takes to build and sustain high-performing teams. Throughout a distinguished military career spanning more than three decades, Gary led teams in some of the most demanding environments imaginable, from flying combat aircraft and serving with the Red Arrows to overseeing air security for the London 2012 Olympic Games and helping direct military operations during the Libya campaign. In this conversation, Gary shares practical lessons on: Building trust in high-performance teams Leading under pressure Making decisions with incomplete information Developing resilience without burnout Creating a culture of accountability Why transparency matters in leadership How discipline and creativity can work together What businesses can learn from military leadership The episode also explores the transition from military life into business, the importance of purpose and teamwork, and why the best leaders create clarity, structure and trust during periods of uncertainty. Whether you're a CEO, business leader, manager or team member, this conversation is packed with practical insights on leadership, communication, resilience and performance. Guest: Gary Waterfall, former Air Vice-Marshal, RAF pilot, Red Arrows pilot and leadership adviser. Host: Juliet Mann