Description

Working in frontline bomb disposal and special operations in the British Army for nearly two decades has given Ben Sawyer a vivid, profound perspective on how to face and manage fear, and what risk really means. 

Having moved into the corporate world, now Head of Continuous Improvement at British Gas, Ben brings a blend of insights into operational strategy, empowerment and leadership.

In this conversation, we explore what fear looks like in real life, from extreme sports to bomb disposal, and how our brains interpret risk depending on whether we feel in control. Ben shares experiences from bomb disposal and army training that shed light on human responses to fear and risk.

We discuss;

• What fear is (both physiological and emotional). 
• Why perceived risk can feel as powerful as actual risk, and the role of control.
• How exposure and training can help build confidence over time, including the concept of ‘fear inoculation’.
• The sense of belonging, identity and culture that exists in a military environment, and the experience of transitioning to a civilian, corporate role.
• Building a culture of continuous improvement through mindset and empowerment.
• A brief foray into the concept of ‘moral injury’ – what it is and how people experience it.

We refer to a chapter by Ben Sawyer and Liz Sawyer in the book Paradox and Power in Caring Leadership.

Speak to the human is a podcast by Acteon, a communication and learning agency that harnesses behavioural insights to help organisations connect with their people and deliver positive change. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com.