How do you become one of 2025’s Best Places to Work? | Josh Harris

Have you ever wondered if the best move in your career might be walking away?
On this week’s episode of The Courageous Leaders Podcast, I sat down with Josh Harris, CEO of Neverland London. Josh made the bold decision to step away from the security of corporate life and it turned out to be the best thing he could have done.

We talk about the emotional weight of leadership, the pressure to protect people, and the challenge of building a business that looks after purpose, people and profits together. Creating a culture that helped Neverland earn a spot as one of Campaign’s Best Places to Work 2024 and 2025.

We Cover:
01:15 – Leaving a stable job with a newborn during COVID

03:22 – Two breaking points that made walking away the only option

06:42 – Returning to work with new clarity on culture and fit

09:35 – The unexpected loneliness of becoming CEO

12:04 – Why investing in junior talent powers the whole business

15:45 – Protecting people first: cutting costs without cutting jobs

17:41 – Leading without a set path and keeping creativity at the core

21:35 – Why emotional intelligence is Josh’s most valuable leadership tool

28:02 – Balancing control with trust and creating psychological safety

31:19 – Working with founders without the ego clashes

36:46 – The challenges and freedom of an all-new leadership team

39:34 – “Ask forgiveness, not permission”

40:47 – The advice Josh’s future self would give him today

Don’t miss out on this powerful episode. 

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Chapters

• 1:15 Leaving a stable job with a newborn during COVID
• 3:22 Two breaking points that made walking away the only option
• 6:42 Returning to work with new clarity on culture and fit
• 9:35 The unexpected loneliness of becoming CEO
• 12:04 Why investing in junior talent powers the whole business
• 15:45 Protecting people first: cutting costs without cutting jobs
• 17:41 Leading without a set path and keeping creativity at the core
• 21:35 Why emotional intelligence is Josh’s most valuable leadership tool
• 28:02 Balancing control with trust and creating psychological safety
• 31:19 Working with founders without the ego clashes
• 36:46 The challenges and freedom of an all-new leadership team
• 39:34 “Ask forgiveness, not permission”
• 40:47 The advice Josh’s future self would give him today