"The greatest risk to leadership isn't external pressure. It's not knowing who you are when that pressure arrives."
Matthew Addison-Black
Former Royal Gurkha Rifles officer.
Five years in counter-terrorism and hostage rescue.
Psychologist & Associate Professor, RMA Sandhurst.
Doctoral researcher, University of Liverpool.
ICF Professional Certified Coach.
Clients include
When pressure rises, leadership can become performance
The proposition carved into the temple at Delphi — Know Thyself — is the only operational question that matters under pressure.
Many capable leaders know how to look composed, decisive and in control. But when the stakes are high, familiar leadership models can stop working. Decisions become reactive, communication loses clarity and the role begins to take over the person behind it.
Matthew Addison-Black helps leaders become Unshakeable Under Fire.
Speaking
"Matthew has already provided two dedicated leadership presentations… It is not every day that you find a speaker quite like Matthew"
Adam Dikker, Global Lead Events & Communications, S&P Global
"His ability to make complex ideas accessible and thick concepts digestible made for a profound period of focussed reflection and learning."
Dan Lansley, Founder, Dual-Use Tech
"He translated theory into tools the team can immediately adopt to optimise performance under stress."
Dr Raj Joshi, Director & Expedition Leader, The Adventure Boutique
Coaching
“I can testify to real noticeable changes in my behaviours and mindset within 4 months.”
Tristan Chiappini, Founder & Global Commercial Leader
“Matthew is uncannily incisive in his approach. He challenges in ways that are often unexpected, and at times deliberately uncomfortable.”
Olga Venzhina, Deputy General Counsel, Eastern Pacific Shipping
“Before our first session I was experiencing the constant mental whiplash between confidence and crippling doubt. From our first session, Matthew cut through the noise.”
Sam Mudie, Founder & CEO, Savea FinTech
Identity Under Pressure
Identity is the foundation of leadership, resilience, and performance under pressure.
When identity is clear, individuals operate with confidence, congruence, and purpose, making decisions that reflect who they are, what they stand for, and the standards they choose to uphold.
The Work
