Brewdog Founder: The Untold Story Of One Britain’s Fastest Growing Companies: James Watt | E157
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Anxiety
James Watt opens up about his struggles with anxiety, particularly during challenging times at Brewdog. He describes the constant state of hyper-vigilance and the impact it has on his decision-making and leadership. To manage this, James incorporates daily breathwork practices and emphasizes the importance of mental health support within his company, highlighting the role of mental health first aiders 1.
The more people talk about it, there's less of a stigma and there's kind of more openness about, okay, these things help with the mental health side of things.
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Despite the difficulties, he sees a silver lining in these experiences, viewing them as opportunities for personal and organizational growth 2.
Self-Reflection
James Watt discusses the transformative power of therapy and self-reflection in his journey as a leader. He shares how therapy has helped him understand his behavior and avoid unhelpful patterns, allowing him to be a better leader and father 3. This self-awareness is crucial for his personal and professional growth.
The more you can understand how you're put together as a human, and so much of that is like the things that happen in your early life, how that informs the filters you use to see the world means you can understand your behavior.
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James also reflects on the voice of self-doubt and the quest for validation, recognizing how these internal dialogues have shaped his ambitions and leadership style 4.