- Organisational psychologist helping CEOs build strategies that survive complexity
- Host of the Strategy Meets Reality podcast
- Trusted by top organisations including Amazon, the NHS, and Network Rail
Mike Jones is a strategy advisor, organisational psychologist, and former British Army officer who helps senior leaders close the gap between strategy and reality in complex, high-stakes environments. After leading soldiers on operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, and training future officers at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, Mike left the Army with a medical discharge and complex PTSD—and a hard-won scepticism of tidy plans. That experience, of watching elegant strategies collapse on contact with chaos, became the foundation of his work. As founder of LBI Consulting, Mike works with CEOs, boards, and senior teams in organisations including Network Rail, the NHS, Amazon, and England Rugby. His focus: helping leaders move beyond "strategy theatre"—the endless decks, slogans, and off-sites that look impressive but fail to change anything—toward organisations that can adapt while they act. Drawing on complexity science, systems thinking, and military doctrine like mission command, Mike challenges the orthodoxy that strategy is about control and prediction. Instead, he helps leaders build structures where information flows freely, authority moves to where the knowledge is, and decisions survive contact with the real world. Mike hosts the Strategy Meets Reality podcast and writes for a growing international audience of senior leaders through his Substack and LBI Consulting insights series. His forthcoming book, When Strategy Meets Reality, will be published later this year. Mike speaks with candour, cuts through corporate nonsense, and brings hard-won lessons from war, trauma, and organisational life to help leaders think differently about strategy itself.
Mike's showreel and videos
Topics, sessions and talks
When Strategy Meets Reality
In this talk, Mike Jones reveals that most strategies fail not due to poor execution, but because they are designed for an unrealistic world. Drawing on his military leadership experience and work with complex organisations, he highlights how traditional planning often leads to ineffective strategies. Mike advocates for viewing strategy as a dynamic process of orientation, decision-making, and adaptation. Attendees will learn how to create strategies that withstand real-world challenges and drive effective decision-making.
How To Build Disciplined Adaptability
Mike Jones discusses how traditional organisational structures hinder agility by centralising control, leading to paralysis in fast-paced environments. He advocates for decentralising authority, empowering the individuals closest to the challenges to make decisions while remaining aligned with organisational goals. By applying principles from complexity theory and military practices, Mike emphasises the importance of clear intent at the top and freedom of action at the edge. Attendees will learn how to foster disciplined adaptability for successful transformation in their organisations.
The Secret Power Of Strategic Ambiguity
In this keynote, Mike Jones addresses the common call for clarity in boardrooms and strategy reviews. He argues that an excessive focus on clarity can lead to strategic self-harm, creating fragility rather than alignment. Mike introduces the concept of strategic ambiguity as a disciplined capability, allowing organizations to remain agile while maintaining coherence. Attendees will learn how to balance clarity of intent with flexibility in methods, enabling them to respond effectively to dynamic environments.
How To Lead When You Can't See The Whole Picture
In his talk, Mike Jones challenges traditional leadership models that rely on predictable cause and effect. He emphasizes that such assumptions lead to fragile organizations. Drawing from complexity science and his own experiences, Mike presents a new approach to leadership focused on fostering conditions for intelligent action rather than controlling every decision. Attendees will learn how to lead effectively in uncertain environments, recognizing that those closest to the work often possess the most valuable insights.
Why we recommend booking Mike
Book Mike Jones to gain practical, battle-tested insights on turning strategy into real-world results, drawn from his unique blend of military leadership and organisational psychology expertise. Invite him to challenge your team’s thinking and unlock new ways to adapt and thrive in complexity.
Mike fundamentally changed how our executive team thinks about strategy. He cut through the jargon and helped us see the gap between what we were saying and what we were actually doing. Uncomfortable at times, but exactly what we needed.
Clinical Director
Clinical Director, NHS England
We brought Mike in to speak to our leadership programme, and he was the highlight of the year. His military background gives him credibility, but it's his clarity of thinking and willingness to challenge that make him stand out.
Senior Leader, Network Rail
If anyone really gets strategic thinking and what to do with it in practice, it's Mike. He reads the room, his timing is immaculate, and he sees what others miss. He's really on this—and just getting started.
Governance Director, Fintech
Governance Director, Fintech
