About the P2I trainer & founder 

Mick Thompson MBE

Mick's message is for you, if you're struggling to connect with clients, motivate your team or simply cut through the noise and get through to the rational part of someone's brain. 

Before founding Plan to Influence (P2I), Mick spent years as a HUMAN Intelligence (HUMINT) Operator in the British military, running influence operations in some of the world’s most high-pressure environments. But here's the twist: his mission was never just about collecting intelligence. It was about understanding people — all people — and influencing ethically, whether they were friend, foe, or somewhere in between.

Mick isn't gifted with a natural communication flair; he's not an articulate 'wordsmith', but whilst cutting his teeth and honing his skills on high-stakes global operations, he quickly discovered that it's not what you say, but how well you listen that really counts.  

Of course, developing a skill that doesn't come naturally needs practice, and practice needs a right- hand man - namely planning and preparation (P2) .  "When under Pressure, you don't rise to the occasion; you fall to highest level of your preparation" and in military HUMINT thorough planning and preparation for the next high-stakes crucial conversation is as routine as 'brushing your teeth'.  

This ethos shaped Mick’s approach to communication and leadership. Whether briefing a General, debriefing an asset, building trust with local leaders, or training & mentoring his colleagues, he used the same authentic approach across the board: Plan. Connect. Influence. Repeat. Because at the end of the day, people are people — no matter where they sit in the pecking order.