Jason Leitch on Leadership, Public Trust & Fixing the Hoover
In this powerful and personal episode, Professor Jason Leitch – former National Clinical Director of the Scottish Government – joins Dr. Nish Manek for an honest, insightful conversation on what it truly means to lead through crisis.
From storytelling and the imposter syndrome to the pressure of daily COVID briefings, Jason reflects on his remarkable career and the lessons that still resonate today.
Whether you're a healthcare leader, or simply curious about the human side of leadership – this one’s for you.
04:30 – Growing up in a working-class household: family, faith & humble roots
08:00 – The early influences that shaped Jason’s values and work ethic
09:30 – Being headhunted into government – and why he left surgery
10:30 – The fellowship at Harvard & IHI that changed everything
13:45 – Systems thinking, safety, and why fixing one jaw wasn’t enough
17:00 – Creating the Scottish Patient Safety Programme – and saving lives
20:00 – “Where are the clever people?” – the moment Jason realised he was in the room
23:00 – What most people misunderstand about civil servants and politicians
27:30 – Imposter syndrome in senior roles — and how to work with it
30:00 – From dentist to national spokesperson: leading communication during COVID
32:00 – Behind the scenes of daily press briefings with Nicola Sturgeon
36:00 – The Grinch moment: “I cancelled Christmas in October”
38:00 – Social media abuse, threats — and how he stayed grounded
42:00 – Running, audiobooks, and the daily 5K: mental health strategies
46:00 – Why being wrong publicly was part of the job
48:00 – The monkey and the golf ball: Jason’s dad and the story that stuck
51:00 – Full circle: why “fixing the Hoover” might be all the leadership advice you need
53:00 – Biggest career mistake? Waiting too long to step beyond dentistry
54:00 – Final reflections: don’t over-design your career. Build relationships. Fix the Hoover.