DiscoverThe Courageous Leaders PodcastCan You Be Kind and High-Performing as a Leader?
Can You Be Kind and High-Performing as a Leader?

Can You Be Kind and High-Performing as a Leader?

Update: 2025-09-25
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How do you lead with kindness – and still drive high performance?

In this episode of The Courageous Leaders Podcast, I’m joined by Pete Markey, Former Chief Marketing Officer at Boots UK, and one of the most respected marketing leaders in the country.

Pete shares his story, from early knockbacks to board-level leadership, and explains why kindness, vulnerability, and clarity have become his most powerful leadership tools.

We Cover:
01:18 – Starting out in finance and how it shaped his leadership

04:15 – Making the leap into marketing

07:40 – Rejection, resilience and bouncing back

11:29 – His first big step into leadership

14:32 – Why “clarity” became his North Star

17:46 – Bringing kindness and vulnerability into the boardroom

22:05 – The toughest feedback he’s ever received

25:59 – Why storytelling is a superpower for marketers

31:02 – The Boots campaign that proved creativity still works

34:48 – Keeping your values strong under pressure

39:30 – Pete’s advice to the next generation of marketing leaders

Don’t miss this generous and eye-opening conversation.

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Can You Be Kind and High-Performing as a Leader?

Can You Be Kind and High-Performing as a Leader?

Joanna Howes