In this episode of Minter Dialogue, Nigel Biggar—Anglican priest, ethicist, and member of the House of Lords—joins Minter Dial to discuss patriotism, national identity, and the challenges facing liberal society today. Delving into the complexities of British history, reparations, and the so-called “culture wars”, Nigel Biggar shares his perspectives on the importance of facing the whole truth, the evolution of ethics, and why courage and virtue are essential for sustaining a free society.
The conversation focused on leading through crisis and the importance of regeneration over resilience. One concept discussed was using the forest fire analogy to help leaders navigate upheaval—emphasising that life does not bounce back but rather becomes something new. A key theme that emerged was the significance of letting go of outdated assumptions and embracing fresh growth. The discussion explored personal transformation, integrating family and work, and leveraging mindset shifts to shape positive futures, with practical insights for business leaders and a look at the potential of AI as a support tool in times of change.
In this episode of the Joy of Padel, Pedro Plantier—former tennis pro and founder of Cork padel rackets—shares his transformation from tennis to padel and the innovation behind his handmade rackets. The conversation focused on Pedro’s passion for sport, the technical journey of developing premium Portuguese padel equipment, and evolving strategies for mastering the modern game. The discussion explored the importance of infrastructure, club culture, and adapting playing styles for longevity and enjoyment.
Key points:
Cork’s handcrafted rackets prioritize healing, performance, and sustainability.
Padel’s welcoming, tactical game offers lifelong challenges and community for all ages.
The conversation with Professor Anjan Chatterjee focused on the intersection of neuroscience, beauty, and art, exploring how our brains perceive and value aesthetic experiences. A key theme that emerged was the complex relationship between the mind, brain, and consciousness, as well as the influence of culture on our understanding of beauty. The discussion explored whether beauty is universal, how storytelling shapes perception, and the role of slow looking in deepening our engagement with art. Several points were raised, including how societal narratives impact our judgments and the importance of reconnecting with beauty in today’s fast-paced, digitally driven world.
The conversation with Thom Dennis focused on “rewilding” the corporate mind, exploring how reconnecting with nature’s principles offers a new blueprint for leadership during times of disruption and division. One concept discussed was the importance of trust over control, drawing parallels between ecological rewilding and enabling creativity in organisations. A key theme that emerged was healing—both at the personal and organisational level—by allowing space for reflection, purpose, and diverse perspectives. The discussion explored actionable steps such as embracing humanities in corporate spaces, and intentionally creating room for self-awareness, ensuring a healthier, more sustainable leadership culture.
In this episode of the Joy of Padel, Martín de León, an architect and sport lover, recounts his global journey from Uruguay to London, sharing how COVID led him to discover padel and why its unique partner dynamic makes the sport so special. The conversation focused on the growth of padel in the US, UK, and Uruguay, and the rise of the Professional Padel League.
Key points:
-Padel’s community spirit and accessible nature vary widely from region to region.
-Building a successful padel club depends most on people—the energy of managers, coaches, and staff.
-The US PPL aims to create fandom and team loyalty like the NBA.
The conversation focused on how leaders can harness AI to drive real value, foster empathy, and create more human-centric organisations. One concept discussed was the importance of having clear governance and intentional strategy, rather than an “AI strategy” siloed from business aims. A key theme that emerged was the need for psychological safety and a willingness to experiment and learn from failure. The discussion explored how AI, when used wisely, can enhance—not diminish—our humanity, and highlighted the importance of aligning technology with organisational values and outcomes.
This conversation with Matt Marcotte focused on the transformative power of belief within organisations, highlighting how clarity on true beliefs—not just stated values—shapes authentic cultures and drives commitment over mere compliance. A key theme that emerged was the importance of deep self-awareness and curiosity, both for individuals navigating their careers and for companies defining their brand identities. The discussion explored practical steps to move from transactional relationships to meaningful connections, emphasising how belief fuels vision and retention. Insights included the challenges faced by heritage brands in aligning large teams and the value of mentoring the next generation to foster purpose-driven leadership.
This episode of the Joy of Padel welcomes Dóra Andrejszki, Hungarian padel pro, as she shares her journey from college tennis in the US to training full-time in Spain. The conversation focused on overcoming early challenges after switching from tennis, discovering the unique social and technical aspects of padel, and the importance of mindset in both tough conditions and critical match moments. The discussion explored partner selection, communication, and the ongoing learning that makes padel special.
Key points:
Consistent training in a padel academy accelerates adaptation for tennis converts.
Open communication and attitude are vital for successful doubles partnerships.
There are invitations you accept politely, and then there are invitations that make you lean forward in your chair. When the call came to join a select group of padel aficionados for an overnight at Crafted at Powdermills — the brainchild of founder Chris King — and to be among the founding members of the Crafted Padel Club, I leaned in hard. Set on 78 acres in East Sussex, just 70 minutes from London, this is luxury without the show: locally crafted goods, a genuine pub, lakeside wellness, and two padel courts. Crafted-for-you. Not crafted at you.
I’m Minter Dial and I serve my clients by elevating the debate and energy, telling powerful stories and connecting people and ideas. My mission to insert more meaningfulness into our lives and at work. I relish being an engaging professional speaker on leadership, transformation and branding. I’m known for being someone who walks the talk and delivers on or above expectations. I’m the author of four award-winning books, including the second edition of my award-winning book, Heartificial Empathy (April 2023, available in English and French), You Lead published by Kogan Page that won the Business Book Award 2022, and Futureproof (FT-Press/Pearson) that won the Business Book Award 2018. I’m also the producer of the award-winning WWII book and documentary film The Last Ring Home.
My last major published project was Dialogos, Fostering More Meaningful Conversations that was published weekly via Substack, over 79 weeks. I am currently working on a new book, The Avatar Trap.
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