In this episode of ScaleUp Radio Shorts, Kevin Brent and Louise Blunt unpack the powerful overlap between mindset and operational scale-up challenges through insights from two exceptional guests: Jacqueline Wales and Jules Herd.

While Jules Herd brings practical expertise from the world of strategic communications and scaling technology businesses, Jacqueline Wales explores the deeper psychological patterns that often hold founders back.

Together, their lessons reveal a critical truth: many operational bottlenecks are actually rooted in fear, control, and limiting beliefs.

This episode explores:

Why founders struggle to delegate effectively
The difference between building a scalable business and creating a stressful job
How fear of loss and fear of inadequacy affect leadership decisions
Why "calculated risk" is essential for sustainable growth
The dangers of promoting loyalty over capability
Creating psychological safety within leadership teams
Why clarity of audience and positioning matters more than ever
The hidden link between mindset and operational execution

One standout message from the discussion:

"What got you here won't get you there."

Kevin and Louise also discuss:

Jules Herd's decision to move manufacturing from China to the UK to protect quality and supply chain resilience
Jacqueline Wales' FEAR framework: Face it, Explore it, Act, and Rise
The importance of hiring true experts as businesses scale
Why founders must challenge their own assumptions and comfort zones
The role of communication, trust, and self-awareness in building high-performing teams

Key Takeaway

The one key thing: Many scale-up problems that look operational on the surface are actually psychological underneath. Better strategy starts with better self-awareness.

About the Guests

Jacqueline Wales is an internationally recognised coach, speaker, and author specialising in Fear Intelligence and leadership transformation.

Jules Herd is the founder of strategic communications agency Five in a Boat and host of On the Edge. She advises scaling businesses on communications, positioning, and operational growth strategy.

Smart90 Mention

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If that's you, the G90 Summit is worth a look.

A structured half-day where we work through everything competing for your attention, get clear on the three to five things that must happen in the next 90 days, then commit to them and build the system to make sure they actually happen.

Quarterly, virtual, £97 a seat. Smart90 Summit

Production Note

This episode of ScaleUp Radio Shorts was produced with the aid of AI to support research, structure, and content development.

Listen to the full episodes featuring Jacqueline Wales and Jules Herd on ScaleUp Radio wherever you get your podcasts.