Silicon Brighton sat down with leadership expert Steve Charlton and the team at Plus X Innovation ahead of the upcoming Lunch & Learn event, “Resilience and Leadership Strategies”, as part of the free Coworking Week (16-20th June).
Steve Charlton, whose leadership experience spans 30 years and most recently at Mintel, joins forces with Plus X Innovation, the collaborative workspace that provides support for businesses driving positive impact, to share timely and practical strategies for navigating the stormy waters of modern leadership.
In this exclusive conversation, Steve explores what resilience really means in today’s high-stakes environment, how it has evolved in the wake of recent global disruptions, and what leaders can do to support both themselves and their teams during turbulent times.
Read on for a preview of Steve’s perspective on resilience, then join the free session next week to continue the conversation live.
What does resilience really mean to you as a leader and how has your understanding of it evolved throughout your career?
Resilience, to me, is fundamentally about having a positive mindset even in the face of overwhelming challenges. Over time, my understanding of resilience has evolved. Particularly post-COVID, I’ve seen how personal and global pressures now intersect more directly with leadership. Leaders today are expected to support their teams not only professionally, but often personally too. Resilience is no longer just about weathering a storm; it’s about staying focused on the belief that better is ahead and acting accordingly.
Resilience is a common challenge for founders. In moments of crisis or uncertainty, what practical steps can leaders and early-stage businesses take to stay resilient and keep their teams motivated?
The first step is self-care, think of the oxygen mask analogy. You must look after your own mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing before you can support others. Clarity is also critical; knowing what needs to be done from a business perspective enables confident leadership. Leaders must be decisive, even when the choices are tough, indecision can be more damaging than a wrong move.
What strategies or habits have you found most effective for building long-term resilience, not just for yourself, but across an organisation?
Cultivating a positive mindset is key. In tough times, the default reaction is often fear, cutting back, freezing initiatives, or pulling inward. But resilient leaders spot opportunities even in adversity. Scenario planning is helpful: explore worst-case, midlevel, and optimistic outcomes. That kind of forward thinking encourages a constructive, hopeful culture. And remember, leaders don’t have to have all the answers. Empowering teams to contribute solutions not only builds resilience, but it also strengthens trust and collaboration across the organisation.
What advice would you give to early-stage founders facing constant pressure and pivoting, where resilience is tested daily?
Start by building a network of support, advisors, peers, coaches. Often, the challenges you’re facing are shared by others in different industries or at different stages. Knowing you’re not alone can be a powerful motivator. Accept that setbacks are part of the journey. You chose this path because you believed in something, and every hurdle is part of the process. Resilience comes from embracing the reality that this is what growth looks like, messy, challenging, but ultimately rewarding if you keep moving forward with belief and clarity.
How can leaders create a culture that supports resilience across teams, especially in fast-moving or high-growth environments?
It starts with you as the leader, your behaviour sets the tone. Celebrate the small wins; in high growth or high-stress situations, it’s easy to overlook progress in pursuit of big milestones. But recognising daily achievements keeps morale high. Also, foster a safe space where people can share ideas and concerns without fear. Resilience is strengthened when teams feel heard, trusted, and part of the solution, not just passengers in the journey.
As the world of work continues to shift, what role do you think resilience will play in shaping the leaders of tomorrow?
Resilience will be non-negotiable. In an era of rapid change, uncertainty is the norm, not the exception. Future leaders will need to stay grounded and optimistic despite global volatility. A personal example: even my teenage son asks questions about the world that I can’t always answer anymore. But I remind him, and myself, that we must focus on what we can control. That mindset will define tomorrow’s successful leaders: clearheaded, forward-looking, and impact-focused.
Steve, what drew you to collaborate with Plus X Innovation? What is it about the community of founders, SMEs, and change-makers that aligns with your leadership philosophy?
From my very first visit, Plus X Innovation stood out as a vibrant, curated community that bridges startups, scaleups, and larger organisations. I’ve worked with various accelerators and programmes across Europe and the US, but Plus X Innovation offered something unique: a physical space with a thriving ecosystem. My leadership philosophy is all about growing better leaders and creating networks where leaders support one another. Plus X Innovation reflects that vision, diverse, collaborative, and purpose driven.
How do unique spaces like Plus X Innovation play a role in fostering innovation and resilience for SME leaders?
Spaces like Plus X Innovation are vital because they encourage cross-pollination of ideas across sectors and company sizes. They foster a spirit of collaboration where founders and leaders can share challenges and solutions. In fast-paced environments, that kind of support and learning network can be the difference between burnout and breakthrough.
What can founders expect to learn by attending your session at Plus X Innovation?
Expect practical, real-world advice, no theory or academic models. You’ll walk away with clear, actionable steps you can implement immediately to strengthen your own resilience and lead more effectively. Whether it’s tools for prioritisation, team motivation, or mindset shifts, my goal is to help you feel empowered and equipped to lead through whatever comes next.
You can sign up for Steve’s expert leadership Lunch + Learn session and join Plus X Innovation for the whole of next week for free!