Talking high performing teams, brutal humility and diversity with a Red Arrows pilot

By Workplace Evolution

22 Jul 2020

In this incredible episode of the Workplace Evolution Podcast, Business Psychologist Michael Costello investigates one of the UK’s most famous teams...the Red Arrows with former Red Arrows Pilot & Author Justin Hughes.

This episode describes how the Red Arrows sustain a high performance culture by ensuring ‘Brutal Humility’, Psychological Safety, Accountability, Challenging Performance & Managing Ambiguity. The conversation also explores the team's quest for perfection which raises the challenge 'Why hasn't the Red Arrows ever had Black, Asian or Minority Ethnicity representation on the team?' Also, what are the team's future challenges when the financials are so tight right now?

With Top Gun 2 coming out this year, Michael also wanted to know if the film Top Gun was anything like reality and whether Mavericks in teams can add value (Dominic Cummings & Dennis Rodman may happen to come up in this conversation).

Click here for the podcast.

Podcast Notes:

Justin's website: https://www.missionexcellence.com/

Justin's Books: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Business-Excellence-Building-high-performance-organizations/dp/1472930223

Justin's Twitter: https://twitter.com/JustinMissionEx

Thank-you for listening! If you enjoyed the podcast please like and share! If you would like to be on the podcast and have great business insights to share get in touch at admin@workplaceevolution .

You can find out more about us at the following addresses:

Websites: https://www.managementtoday.co.uk/

Michael's Twitter: https://twitter.com/workplaceevol

Michael Costello's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelcostellooccpsych1/

The Workplace Evolution podcast is brought to you by Workplace Evolution Ltd in Association with Management Today. Michael Costello is the Managing Director of Workplace Evolution based in Lancaster, UK

Latest news

1

Council shake-up decision early next year County Hall Gates

Council shake-up decision early next year

29 Oct 2026

2

Mayoral authority pathway for Lancashire revealed County Hall in Lancashire

Mayoral authority pathway for Lancashire revealed

28 Oct 2026

3

Healey looks to deliver ‘breathing space’ Johnhealeyofficialcabinetportraitjuly2024cropped2

Healey looks to deliver ‘breathing space’

28 Oct 2026

4

Homes improvement group sells minority stake Sustainable Investments Ltd Partners With Bridges

Homes improvement group sells minority stake

28 Oct 2026

5

Businesses outline hopes for Healey's first budget UK Parliament Budget photo

Businesses outline hopes for Healey's first budget

27 Oct 2026

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV131 November/December Magazine Networking Event
LBV131 Magazine Launch Social720No Text 19 Nov 2026

LBV131 November/December Magazine Networking Event

The Landmark, School Lane, Burnley, BB11 1UF

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Business Day 2026
LBD26 WW Logo720 27 Nov 2026

Lancashire Business Day 2026

Burnley Football Club, BB10 4BX

12:00 - 17:00

Sub36 Reunion & Networking
03 Dec 2026

Sub36 Reunion & Networking

Burnley Football Club, BB10 4BX

15:00 - 17:00

Lancashire Net Zero Conference 2027
NZC27 Social 1200x800Generic 11 Feb 2027

Lancashire Net Zero Conference 2027

The Wellbeing Farm, Edgworth, Wheatsheaf Hill Farm, Plantation Road, BL7 0BY

09:30 - 02:00

Help to Grow: Management Course
Help To Grow 25 Sep 2026 - 15 Dec 2026

Help to Grow: Management Course

University of Lancashire, Preston, PR1 2HE

09:30 - 12:00

The PM+M Autumn Budget seminar - East Lancashire
Autumn Budget 2026 LBV 29 Oct 2026

The PM+M Autumn Budget seminar - East Lancashire

Blackburn Rovers Football Club (Premier Suite), Blackburn, BB2 4JF

08:00 - 10:30

Lancashire Finance Leaders Forum: The Autumn Budget in Focus
ian-UmTFcwHLPC0-unsplash.jpg.jpg 29 Oct 2026

Lancashire Finance Leaders Forum: The Autumn Budget in Focus

Farington Lodge Hotel, Stanifield Lane, PR25 4QR

08:00 - 10:00

Autumn Budget 2026
Lancaster And Morecambe Logo 1 30 Oct 2026

Autumn Budget 2026

Lancaster & Morecambe College, Lancaster, LA1 2TZ

08:00 - 10:00

Blackburn Budget Breakfast 2026
LBV Website Events GraphicBudget Breakfast 30 Oct 2026

Blackburn Budget Breakfast 2026

Premier Suite, Blackburn Rovers FC, Blackburn, BB2 4JF

07:30 - 10:30

Chamber Breakfast Networking – November
Lancaster And Morecambe Logo 1 03 Nov 2026

Chamber Breakfast Networking – November

Porsche Centre South Lakes, Carnforth, LA6 1FW

08:30 - 10:30

Funding Unlocked
IMG_3058.jpeg.jpg 04 Nov 2026

Funding Unlocked

Accrington Stanley FC, Accrington , BB5 5BX

10:00 - 12:30

Clubhouse Business Network sponsored by Orca Finance - November 2026
Club House Padel 05 Nov 2026

Clubhouse Business Network sponsored by Orca Finance - November 2026

Clubhouse, Blackburn, BB1 3NT

14:00 - 16:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV130 Online GraphicWebsite
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin