The C8 Leadership System

Building Resilient, Adaptive, High-Performing Leaders.

The Leadership Challenge

What it takes to lead and why so many fall short.

Today’s world demands leaders who can stay clear, calm, and connected — yet most organisations still rely on technical expertise over true leadership capability.

83%

of organisations say developing leaders is critical — yet only 5% have a system in place.

(Source: Brandon Hall Group, 2023)

60%

of first-time managers fail within 24 months due to lack of preparation.

(Source: CEB / Gartner, 2022)

72%

of leaders admit they feel overwhelmed at least once a week.

(Source: Deloitte Human Capital Trends, 2023)

WHY WE EXIST:

We exist to build leaders who can perform under pressure, lead with purpose, and grow sustainably.

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Why Leadership Development Matters

What happens when organisations invest — and when they don’t.

Developing leaders isn’t a cost — it’s a competitive advantage. The data shows that great leadership directly drives performance, engagement, and retention.

+42%

Revenue Growth

Organisations with structured leadership programmes outperform peers by 42% in revenue growth.

(McKinsey & Co, 2023)

+59%

Retention

Companies that prioritise leadership development see 59% higher employee retention

(Exec.com, 2024)

£7 : 1

ROI

Every £1 invested in leadership development delivers an average £7 return.

(NeuroLeadership Institute, 2023)

IMPACT:

Leadership development creates measurable results — higher trust, better decisions, and stronger teams.

1

Alignment

Values, vision, and culture in sync

2

Lead Self First

Self-command, wellness, and discipline.

3

Communication & Influence

Clarity, authenticity, and impact.

4

Decision-Making & Execution

Clarity under pressure

5

Team Leadership & Trust

Building secure-base teams

6

Resilience & Adaptability

Grit, mindset, and recovery.

7

Developing Others

Coaching, mentoring, and succession.

8

Forward Thinking & Growth

Curiosity, innovation, and future readiness.

HOW IT WORKS:

Each core principle is built progressively through workshops, team tasks, and structured reflection ensuring learning is experienced, not just discussed.

Leadership is a System — Not a Skill

A complete framework for developing resilient, adaptable, high-performing leaders.

Leadership is a system — not a one-off skill. The C8 framework develops leaders from the inside out, combining personal discipline, team trust, and future-focused execution.

The Disciplines Behind Performance

The D4 Disciplines turn leadership principles into daily action.

The D4 disciplines are the behavioural backbone of the C8 Leadership System — the daily drills and micro-habits that build consistency, composure, and capacity.

FIT TO LEAD

Physical, mental, and emotional readiness leading from the front by example.

RESILIENCE

Energy management, mindset resets, and recovery under pressure.

COMMUNICATION

Listening, influencing, and connecting with clarity and intent.

DELIBERATE PRACTICE

Continuous improvement through feedback, reflection, and purposeful repetition.

HOW IT WORKS:

Each discipline is introduced in Month 1 and reinforced every month through short resets, practical application, and reflection.

Six Months of Deliberate Leadership Development

Six workshops. One per month. Structured. Practical. High-impact.
Simple 6-step timeline

MONTH#1

Orientation & Foundations

(C1-C8 and D1-4)

Setting the foundation. Understanding the C8 Leadership System, D4 Disciplines, and personal goals.

C8 system introduction, DISC Profile, baseline reflection, team tasks, goal setting.

Introduction to C8 & D4, leadership awareness, personal values & drivers, commitment to growth, baseline assessment.

MONTH#2

Leadership Foundations

(C1 Alignment & C2 Lead Self First)

Leading self through clarity, purpose, and wellness.

Team task, self- reflection drills, group coaching.

Personal values alignment, purpose & vision, self-leadership habits, fit-to-lead philosophy, time management structure, Four Pillars of Wellness, mindset shift, resilience basics, habit architecture.

MONTH#3

Leadership in action

(C3 Communication & C4 Team Trust)

Communicating clearly and building trust.

Practical team task, feedback practice, communication drills.

Authentic communication, influence vs authority, feedback culture, active listening, vulnerability- based trust, constructive conflict, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, psychological safety, secure-base leadership, trust-building mechanics, challenging up & across, conflict navigation, empowering accountability.

MONTH#4

Leadership Under Pressure

(C5 Decision Making & C6 Resilience & Adaptability)

Performing and deciding under pressure.

Pressure simulation (team task), scenario planning, resilience review

Prioritise & Execute, decision clarity, stress response awareness, adaptability drills, cognitive bias management, composure under pressure, tactical resets, mental toughness & grit, growth through adversity.

MONTH#5

Leadership for the Future

(C7 Developing & C8 Forward Thinking & Growth)

Building future-ready leaders and systems.

Peer coaching, innovation session, succession mapping.

Coaching & mentoring skills, feedback loops, developing talent, curiosity & experimentation, innovation mindset, systems thinking, continuous improvement, future planning, leadership succession.

MONTH#6

Integration & Execution

(Introduced & Explored)

Applying learning through strategic execution and reflection.

StratNav planning workshop, full team tasks, AAR & hot wash.

Integrating C8 principles, real-world application, team performance plans, reflection & review, personal leadership commitments, future development roadmap.

THE JOURNEY:

A six-month progression combining coaching, team challenges, and practical reflection — designed to develop leaders who perform, adapt, and evolve.

Who We Work With

Developing leaders and teams who perform under pressure, adapt with clarity, and lead with purpose.

C-Suite & Directors

For senior leaders who want clarity, composure, and alignment at scale driving culture, not firefighting it

Founders & Entrepreneurs

For business owners navigating growth, change, and personal sustainability building systems that outlast the founder.

Emerging Leaders

For rising talent ready to take the next step developing confidence, influence, and leadership identity.

Leadership Teams

For intact or cross functional teams seeking alignment, trust, and higher collective performance.

THE PEOPLE WE WORK WITH:

We partner with leaders who are ready to grow — people and teams who value courage, accountability, and continuous improvement. Sectors include technology, finance, professional services, sport, and the public sector.

What’s Included in the Programme

Everything you need to develop strong, resilient, and adaptable leaders built around the C8 Leadership System.

Six full-day workshops

One full-day session per month over six months each focused on a C8 leadership principle, with practical Team Tasks and review.

Integration & StratNav Event

Final-day simulation combining Team Tasks, forward planning, and commitment mapping integrating learning into live business strategy.

360° Feedback & Insights

Comprehensive feedback process at the start and end capturing measurable growth and leadership maturity.

Leadership Tools & Learning Journal

Final-day simulation combining Team Tasks, forward planning, and commitment mapping integrating learning into live business strategy.

Access to Be Fearsome coaching team

Ongoing support from Be Fearsome coaches between sessions accountability, reflection, and real-world application.

Continued Development Options

Post-programme options include 1:1 coaching, advanced team workshops, and extended resilience and performance training.

WHAT’S INCLUDED:

The C8 Leadership System combines structure and adaptability — proven frameworks, lived experience, and measurable outcomes.

Our Clients

To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key.

Our Philosophy

Our flagship framework — the C8 Leadership System — unites.

8 Core Principles that define modern leadership, and 4 Disciplines that make those principles habitual.

It’s practical, experiential, and refined through lived pressure not theory.

Our Approach

Great leadership starts with self-leadership and grows through deliberate high-performance practice.

Every leader we train learns to lead with clarity, decide with confidence, and recover with purpose.

We build people who are Fit to Lead, Ready to Adapt, and Built to Evolve.

Our Founder

Founded by Tom Frearson, former Royal Marines Commando and global hostileenvironment security consultant including years building, training, and leading teams across the Horn of Africa and Nigeria in anti-piracy operations Be Fearsome Leadership combines operational discipline with professional coaching to help leaders and teams perform at their best under pressure.

Forged Through Experience.
Focused on Performance.

From operations to organisations — the evolution of performance leadership.

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Our C8 leadership system experts will:

Assess your team's strengths, weaknesses, and dynamics.
Understand your goals and objectives.
Recommend a personalised teambuilding program designed to meet your specific needs.

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