James Fleming is the managing director and founder of The Power Within Training, which was established in 2017. With a wealth of experience from senior roles across the Middle East and Asia, James returned to the UK to co-found a company at the forefront of Motivational Intelligence (MQ)—a ground-breaking field essential for today’s leadership.
The Power Within Training leverages the latest in neuroscience and cognitive psychology to unlock potential and foster a growth mindset in leaders and businesses worldwide. Under James’s leadership, the company has scaled rapidly, growing its dedicated team and expanding its global footprint.
Our vision has propelled the company’s Leading with Motivational Intelligence courses to be ranked among the top leadership programs in the UK Construction Sector. His commitment to this evolutionary approach is setting new business and personal development standards, positioning The Power Within Training as a beacon of innovation in the industry.
As a champion of diversity and inclusion, The Power Within Training is also a vanguard in empowering women in the UK’s construction sector, promoting female leadership through tailored development programs.
Company: The Power Within Training & Development
We are thrilled to have you join us today, welcome to ValiantCEO Magazine’s exclusive interview! Let’s start off with a little introduction. Tell our readers a bit about yourself and your company.
James Fleming: Hi, thanks for the opportunity. My name is James Fleming and I am Managing Director of The Power Within Training and Development, a ladership and Motivational Intelligence (MQ) training company that I co-founded with my wife in 2017.
The Power Within Training (TPW) transforms individuals and organisations through Motivational Intelligence (MQ). Breaking away from traditional leadership norms, TPW equips leaders with innovative, science-backed frameworks rooted in neuroscience and psychology.
Our Unique Approach – The company is the world’s first organisation to use MQ, a breakthrough concept recognised as one of the 21st century’s most influential scientific discoveries. By applying Nobel Prize-winning research, we guide leaders in navigating change, fostering innovation, and building resilient, high-performing teams.
Our Vision: To inspire a world where Motivational Intelligence (MQ) leadership unlocks the full potential of individuals and teams, creating cultures of innovation, trust, and excellence.
Our Mission: Empowering individuals and businesses to unlock their true potential with Motivational Intelligence at the core.
How do you personally define success, and how has that definition evolved throughout your career?
James Fleming: In my early years, success was measured in pounds and possessions—what I could earn, acquire, and display. But as I built my business, I realised that true success isn’t something you can park in the driveway or wear on your wrist. It’s about fulfilment—waking up every day aligned with a vision that excites and challenges you.
I have a mantra that has guided me through life: You can have success or excuses—you cannot have both. That belief has not only shaped my own journey but has also become the foundation of my business, my leadership philosophy, and even my book. Success is about showing up, doing the work, and refusing to let fear or doubt dictate your future.
What lasting impact do you hope to leave through your business, and what steps are you taking to build that legacy?
James Fleming: Legacy isn’t built in a day; it’s crafted over time through unwavering commitment to a cause bigger than oneself. At The Power Within Training, we specialise in developing future leaders, focusing on empowering women in leadership. However, I aim to ensure that motivational intelligence (MQ) becomes the gold standard in leadership development. When people think of leadership, I want them to think of MQ.
We are already laying those foundations. Through scientifically backed training, immersive coaching, and a movement centred around self-belief and resilience, we are rewriting the script of what it means to lead. I hope that decades from now, MQ will be the benchmark for leadership excellence worldwide.
Beyond financial success, what initiatives—whether in mentorship, sustainability, or social responsibility—are you most proud of?
James Fleming: At the core of The Power Within Training is a deep commitment to five key values: Potential, Courage, Authenticity, Learning, and Growth. These aren’t just words on a mission statement; they are the heartbeat of our business.
One of the most rewarding aspects of our work is helping individuals—particularly women—break free from self-limiting beliefs. Fear is a great paralytic, but through MQ, we show people they are far more capable than they believe. It’s about breaking down barriers—gender, diversity, social expectation—and rebuilding them with confidence and conviction.
Beyond the individuals we empower, I am also incredibly proud of the team we have built—a group of professionals who share the same vision and commitment to making the world a better, more inclusive place for future leaders.
What lessons have you learned about leadership that you wish more entrepreneurs understood early on?
James Fleming: Leadership is not a badge you wear—it’s a duty, a responsibility to lift others up. It’s not about how many people report to you but how many people you inspire. True leaders do before they direct, serve before they expect, and lead with integrity, not authority.
One of the hardest yet most critical lessons I’ve learned is that leadership is about letting go. As entrepreneurs, we treat our businesses like our children—we want to nurture, protect, and control every aspect. But real leadership is about trusting others, building a team of experts, and empowering them to take ownership. If you try to do everything yourself, you’ll suffocate the very thing you’re trying to grow.
Looking ahead, how do you see your industry evolving, and what role do you hope to play in shaping its future?
James Fleming: The world of leadership training is on the brink of transformation. The old models—rooted in outdated, industrial-era thinking—are crumbling. The new generation of leaders wants more than frameworks and strategies; they want purpose, flexibility, and a deeper understanding of human potential.
That’s where Motivational Intelligence steps in. MQ isn’t just another leadership tool—it’s the key to unlocking the human mind, helping leaders navigate uncertainty, inspire teams, and create workplaces where people thrive. My role in this evolution is clear: to ensure that MQ becomes the future of leadership development, setting a new global standard for what it means to lead with vision, authenticity, and impact.
Because, in the end, leadership is about transformation. And that’s a legacy worth building.
