In this conversation with Peter Rhodes, recorded at The Conduit in partnership with Meet for Good, John explores the ideas behind his book It’s Not Magic: The Ordinary Skills of Exceptional Leaders.
Drawing on his work as an organisational psychologist, leadership professor and former NBA player, John examines how trust is built through behaviour, why belonging directly affects performance, the importance of giving people your full attention, and why leadership exists far beyond job titles.
The conversation also explores what business often gets wrong about lessons from elite sport, why overwork should not be confused with high performance, how leaders can create clear expectations within teams, and the role that individual differences play in building exceptional organisations.
John’s central message is simple: leadership is something you practise, not something you are given.
Featuring Professor John Amaechi OBE and Peter Rhodes.
In partnership with Meet for Good at The Conduit.
Professor John Amaechi OBE is an organisational psychologist, Professor of Leadership at the University of Exeter Business School, and founder of APS Intelligence Ltd. For sixteen years he’s advised FTSE 100 boards and their international equivalents, including Fortune 100 and global enterprise, across Europe, APAC and the Americas. He served seven years as a Non-Executive Director of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Britain’s largest healthcare organisation, chairing the HR Scrutiny Committee through the TUPE transfer of 10,000 colleagues and the Trust’s response to the Manchester Arena bombing. His clients span professional and financial services, banking and capital markets, legal, insurance, technology, life sciences, and sovereign institutions. APS Intelligence holds a five year average Net Promoter Score of +84.
In 2026 John was appointed to the Mayor of London’s AI and Jobs Taskforce, advising on workforce capability, role design, and the behavioural conditions that determine how organisations and their people adapt as technology reshapes work.
Peter Rhodes is an experienced event and sport sponsorship manager, now leading the development of All for Good Ltd, a consultancy specialising in delivering charitable benefit through sport and sporting personalities.
Images: Courtesy of APS Intelligence
Share This Event
The Conduit and The Media Society bring together a panel of creative professionals to debate one of 2026’s biggest questions: when should you use AI in creative work?
WritersMosaic returns to The Conduit to examine if the familiar refrain of ‘write what you know’ can ever really tell the whole story.
Power, borders and old fault lines reawakening.
