Categories: Business Advice

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Categories: Business Advice

by Richard

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Character-based leadership - Neil Tuson - Perfect Teams

Neil Tuson: A transformative talk on leadership and team dynamics

On Wednesday, 5th February 2025, the Epsom Business Club hosted its latest business networking breakfast at the prestigious Royal Automobile Club in Epsom. Attended by local entrepreneurs, executives, and professionals, the event provided an excellent opportunity for networking and knowledge-sharing. The highlight of the morning was an inspiring talk exploring character-based leadership by guest speaker Neil Tuson, founder of Perfect Teams and a renowned expert in leadership and team development.

From personality to character: The quiet revolution in character-based leadership

Neil Tuson’s talk, titled “From Personality to Character: The Quiet Revolution in Leadership,” challenged conventional approaches to leadership by advocating for a shift from personality-driven to character-based leadership. In a world where personality often takes centre stage, Neil made a compelling case for why character is the foundation of resilient and effective teams in the 21st century.

“Character is real, authentic, and grounded,” Neil explained. “It’s not about ego or projection—it’s about standing in your truth.” He contrasted this with personality-driven leadership, which he described as superficial and unsustainable.

Neil’s passion for character-based leadership stems from his own experiences in organisations where he felt sidelined and unable to make an impact. This frustration led him to create Perfect Teams, the world’s first character-based team assessment tool designed to disrupt traditional approaches to team development.

The seven elements of a perfect team

During his talk, Neil shared insights from Google’s Project Aristotle, a study that identified the key attributes of highly effective teams. He outlined seven essential elements that define a “perfect team”:

  1. Dependability – Team members can rely on one another to deliver on commitments.
  2. Structure and Clarity – Clear roles, responsibilities, and goals are essential for success.
  3. Meaning – Individuals need to feel that their work has purpose and significance.
  4. Impact – Team members must see how their contributions make a difference.
  5. Psychological Safety – A safe environment where individuals can express themselves without fear of judgment or ridicule.
  6. Communication – Open, honest, and effective communication is the backbone of any successful team.
  7. Trust – A foundation of mutual respect and confidence among team members.

Neil emphasised that these elements are interconnected and must be nurtured collectively to unlock a team’s full potential.

Communication: The heart of team dynamics

A significant portion of Neil’s talk focused on communication—an often-overlooked yet critical aspect of teamwork. He highlighted how different individuals process information in unique ways: some are logical thinkers, others are emotional connectors, while others rely on gut instincts. Recognising and leveraging these differences can lead to better collaboration and understanding within teams.

Neil illustrated this point with an engaging exercise that had attendees reflect on their own communication styles and those of their colleagues. “A perfect team needs thinkers for strategy, doers for execution, and feelers for culture,” he explained. “It’s about creating balance.”

Why character matters

One of the most thought-provoking moments of the talk came when Tuson shared research showing that leaders with strong character achieve five times the financial performance of those who rely solely on personality-driven leadership. He posed a powerful question: “What if an entire organisation was built on character rather than personality? Imagine the impact.”

Neil also encouraged attendees to reflect on historical examples of leadership rooted in character versus personality, drawing comparisons between figures like Martin Luther King Jr., known for his authenticity and vision, and others whose leadership was driven by ego or projection.

A call to action

Neil concluded his talk with a call to action: “Invest in your team, gain clarity, reduce stress, and see productivity soar.” He invited attendees to explore Perfect Teams as a practical tool for fostering character-based leadership within their organisations. For those interested in diving deeper into his philosophy, Neil offered copies of his book Listening, Laughing, and Learning: 54 Life Tips from a Master Storyteller.

About Neil Tuson

‘Listening, Laughing, and Learning’ by Neil TusonNeil Tuson is an executive coach, consultant, entrepreneur, and author with over 30 years of experience helping leaders unlock their potential through character-driven approaches. His innovative platform Perfect Teams is trusted by leaders in more than 28 countries worldwide. Neil’s mission is clear: to inspire leaders to embrace authenticity, collaboration, and meaningful change in their pursuit of excellence.

The Epsom Business Club continues to be a hub for meaningful connections and thought-provoking discussions in Surrey’s business community. If you’re looking to expand your network while gaining valuable insights from industry leaders like Neil Tuson, don’t miss their upcoming events.

For more information about future gatherings or to join the Epsom Business Club community, click here.

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