
The Psychology of Work · 2026-05-07 · 44 min
Ever wondered what Olympic athletes and high-performing CEOs have in common? In this episode, renowned performance psychologist Jonathan Smith reveals the secrets behind thriving under extreme pressure on the field and in the boardroom. Discover how self-awareness, paradoxical leadership, and genuine team trust can turn any group into a powerhouse. Whether you lead a sports team or a company, you'll take away actionable insights to help you and your team perform and feel their best every day. Jonathan Smith is a performance psychologist, consultant, and lecturer whose career spans F1, GB sprint canoeing, Paralympic teams, and national rugby, badminton, and football associations. As managing director of adaptivemind, he translates what works in Olympic-level sports to public and private sector leadership and team development. Jonathan completed his undergrad, master’s, and PhD at Loughborough University, researching how others influence motivation and how individuals handle stress under elite pressure.