UnLOCKED
Let your leader out
Unlocking Compassionate Competition with Greg Cackett
In this episode of Unlocked, we welcome Greg Cackett, Olympic bobsleigh brakeman, former sprinter, pub chef, and keynote speaker, whose journey is a masterclass in resilience, authenticity, and the power of compassionate competition. The conversation blends wild sporting stories with raw honesty about self-doubt, near-miss grief, and what it really means to lead and live with empathy and courage.
From Pub Chef to Olympic Tracks
Greg didn’t start out with a 10-year plan. At 20, he was plating ham, egg, and chips in a village pub, trusting that “something would turn up”. His big break came not from a football career he admits, “I wasn’t even that good at football, I was just really fast”, but from being noticed by legendary coaches Margot Wells and later Linford Christie at his local athletics track. Within just three years, he skyrocketed from running 11.5 seconds in the 100 metres to a blazing 10.2, even lining up next to Usain Bolt at the Anniversary Games.
But success was never straightforward. After missing the 2012 Olympics and being sidelined by injuries for several years, Greg faced continual setbacks. Instead of giving up, he pivoted to bobsleigh, a move initially met with skepticism even from his athletics mentors.
Compassionate Competition: A new take on teamwork
What kept Greg going wasn’t just the hunger for medals. He discovered he thrived in team environments rather than self environments, finding a sense of brotherhood and shared accomplishment in the bobsleigh world, bruises, blood, and all. He describes the sport as violent and savage, not just in speed and physical risk, but in how it tests your limits and your trust in others.
This ethos shaped what he now calls “compassionate competition”: actively striving to be decent and having the will to perceive and help alleviate suffering in ourselves and others, even when the environment pushes you to the edge.
Handling Imposter Syndrome and Near Misses
Despite racing at three Olympics, Greg admits to battling imposter syndrome, both facing down Usain Bolt on the track and while strapping into the bobsleigh at world-class races. His approach? Anchor yourself in honesty and a desire to do good. Instead of striving for original thoughts, he focuses on sharing his experiences openly and using self-doubt as a check: “Is what I’m saying real? Is it truly what I feel?”
Those “near misses” have also meant dealing with deep disappointment, what Greg calls “near miss grief”: the pain of coming so close to lifelong goals, only to fall short. He describes the grief of leaving the Olympics without a medal, oscillating between pride and profound loss. But, as he reflects, “that grief is the price you pay for the love and dedication you put into something”.
Compassion isn’t Weakness, it’s your Bedrock
In high-performing, high-pressure environments, Greg argues that acting with compassion is strength not a nice-to-have, but foundational. “Compassion isn’t just niceness,” he explains, but an active, intentional drive to support others (and yourself), especially during setbacks. Leaders who centre themselves in compassion build resilience in their teams; those who lead only with accountability and sharp elbows, he warns, bring morale so far down.
Resilience: Built from Pride, Purpose and Mistakes
So how do you build a team (or a life) that bounces back?
- Instil pride in the simple fact of doing the work, whatever your role
- Set and hit small goals, learning from mistakes along the way
- Lead with compassion to set the example
- Believe in a sense of pride as meaning is what brings you back to centre
Unlocked Tip: Write it down and get Perspective
Greg urges leaders (and everyone) to write about their setbacks. For him, the act of writing transformed his perspective on Olympic disappointment into a tool for growth not just for himself, but for others
And in those moments of loss or doubt? Find someone who reminds you what really matters: “I was about to complain about coming seventh at the Olympic Games and [John Hunt] had endured something so much more profound… for perspective, I thought get a grip, Greg”.
Chase meaning, not just medals
Resilience, pride, and compassion aren’t just slogans, they’re the ingredients that unlock long-haul success and fulfillment. Whether you’re on the start line in Cortina or facing another Monday at the office, Greg’s story shows that setbacks and self-doubt are inevitable, but how you face them, and who you become in the process, is fully yours to determine.
Unlock your own leadership journey and listen to the full episode wherever you get your podcasts!
