Episode 15

full
Published on:

23rd Apr 2026

Ep 15 - Rich Carter: Building a Culture of Speed in an Increasingly Complex World

with Alec Pearson and Rich Carter, Chief Growth Officer and President of Advanced Programs at Albers Aerospace.

In this episode of Beyond Leading, we sit down with a leader who operates at the sharp end of one of the most fast-moving, high-stakes industries in the world: aerospace and defence.

The world leaders are operating in right now is faster, more complex and more unpredictable than anything most leadership textbooks prepared us for.

So what does it actually take to lead well in that environment?

We explore:

  • why speed has become the defining leadership challenge of our time
  • how to lead from the front when the plan changes before the day has even started
  • why banning the word "I" might be one of the most powerful cultural shifts a leader can make
  • the frozen middle and how to thaw it
  • whether the old leadership playbook needs throwing out or simply evolving
  • how to think about AI as a tool, not a threat, and what that means for your people
  • generational differences, reverse mentoring and why diverse teams move faster
  • and what to say to the leader who is tired, overwhelmed and wondering where to start

This is a practical, honest conversation from someone who has done it, and is still doing it.

About Rich Carter

Rich Carter is Chief Growth Officer and President of Advanced Programs at Albers Aerospace. With over 20 years of executive leadership experience, he drives revenue generation, business development, and customer relationships serving the U.S. Intelligence Community, the Pentagon, international partners, and commercial entities. Previously, Rich held executive roles at MAG Aerospace, Lockheed Martin, and Sierra Nevada Corporation. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Bucknell University and a Master of Science from Stony Brook University.

About Albers Aerospace

Albers Aerospace is a proud company built by Warfighters and committed teammates who share a deep passion for serving the Nation. For the past decade, the company has delivered exceptional value across its Industrials, Defense, and Advanced Programs sectors — operating with a People First, Mission Always mindset.

Through its Industrials division, Albers provides vertically integrated, full-spectrum manufacturing capabilities that strengthen the aerospace and defense industrial base. In Defense, the company delivers products and services within complex, multi-security environments — ensuring readiness, reliability, and mission success. Through Advanced Programs, Albers solves emerging challenges with agility, innovation, and technical precision.

Albers Aerospace exists to make a difference — for the country, for the men and women who serve it, and for the future of aerospace and defense. The team brings operational insight, engineering excellence, and an unwavering commitment to quality in everything they do.

Follow Beyond Leading on LinkedIn for episode clips and updates: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beyond-leading-podcast

Follow/subscribe to Beyond Leading for new episodes — wherever you listen.

Next Episode All Episodes Previous Episode

Listen for free

Show artwork for Beyond Leading

About the Podcast

Beyond Leading
Exploring the reality of leaders, teams and everything in between.
Welcome to Beyond Leading — the podcast that cuts through the noise to get real about leadership, team dynamics, personal growth, and the messy, brilliant reality of work, life, and everything in between.


We’re your hosts, Alec Pearson, Tiffany Barnard and Nick Sellers — practitioners who’ve led teams, navigated pressure, and now coach leaders at every level. We’re here for honest conversations about what it really takes to lead well in today’s world.


This isn’t another podcast full of jargon and glossy success stories. We share grounded insights from decades of real experience — the kind learned in the trenches, not in theory — along with practical strategies that genuinely stick.


And one thing we’re clear on: we don’t claim to have all the answers. Every leader, every team, every situation is different. What we want to do is spark ideas, open new ways of thinking, and give you space to reflect on what will work in your world. If an episode helps you see a familiar challenge differently, we’ve done our job.


Every fortnight, we dive into the challenges ambitious leaders and teams are facing right now — from building trust and navigating tough CEO dilemmas to handling soft burnout, staying relevant, or simply keeping pace when everything feels like too much.


You’ll hear personal reflections, plenty of laughs, some sharp truths, and inspiring guests who’ve lived it, led through it, and grown because of it.


If you're a leader, a team player, a business owner, or someone who wants to show up better and move forward with more purpose, this podcast is your space.


Subscribe and join us every two weeks for conversations that challenge the status quo, spark real growth, and help you lead beyond the title.


To download a factsheet for any of our episodes please visit: https://beyond-leading.captivate.fm/episodefactsheet

🎙 Let’s go beyond leading — and everything in between.

About your hosts

Alec Pearson

Profile picture for Alec Pearson
I’m Alec Pearson, a Non-Executive Director, Board Advisor and Executive Coach with over 30 years’ experience working across sectors including professional services, law, technology, manufacturing, transport and founder-led businesses. I work with boards and senior leaders when decisions feel heavier than they used to, complexity is rising, and clarity really matters. My perspective blends independent board-level challenge with a coaching lens — pragmatic, people-aware, and focused on helping leaders think clearly and lead well through growth, change and uncertainty.

Tiffany Barnard

Profile picture for Tiffany Barnard
I spent over 25 years leading teams and running a business in Tanzania, and those experiences shaped how I see leadership today. Now, I coach leaders around the world to communicate with impact, build trust, and lead in a way that feels true to them. The best part of my work is watching that moment when they realise what’s possible — and step into it. You can find me on LinkedIn if you’d like to connect.

Nick Sellers

Profile picture for Nick Sellers
Even leaders need a helping hand to achieve their potential. I bring decades of corporate experience and a keen interest in people to my coaching and mentoring activities. And I really like to help those who want to grow and develop.
For more information, you can find me on LinkedIn and schedule a quick call.