Oct. 20, 2025

Features | Gavin Stone’s SPYQ Training: Psychological Skills from the World’s Leading Intelligence Agencies

Features | Gavin Stone’s SPYQ Training: Psychological Skills from the World’s Leading Intelligence Agencies

Former intelligence officer Gavin Stone has built a unique career by applying the principles of intelligence gathering to corporate boardrooms and government negotiations. In his conversation with podcaster, YouTuber, speaker, influencer, media commentator Aleksandra King on the Beyond the Boardroom podcast, he details how his firm offers training that translates crucial intelligence skills into everyday life and business.

From Top Secret Missions to the Boardroom

Gavin Stone’s foundational experience comes from sensitive intelligence assignments, such as being tasked with discovering how a foreign power was acquiring classified information. This work required developing self-leadership, as there were "no instructions, you've got no guidance," unlike military operations. To succeed, he had to become his own leader, relying on training to "just go out, do your job and come back".

He now brings this mindset to CEOs seeking answers. When advising them, his approach is to first determine what they want to know and then analyze the entire situation, often finding answers within a 20 to 30-minute conversation.

SPYQ: Intelligence Officer Training for the Public

For the first time ever, Gavin Stone is offering a public training course that distills the psychological techniques used by the world's leading intelligence agencies.

Key Details of the SPYQ Training:

  • Focus: Psychological training given to intelligence officers.
  • Topics: Everything from mental resilience and the Instant Calm Breath Method (ICBM) to strategic thinking and learning to think differently.
  • Format: A two-day full course offered at an army barracks in Dorset, UK.
  • Public Access: This training has never been offered to the public before.
  • Website: For more information, visit www.spyq.co.uk

Interested? Watch the full podcast on the Aleksandra King Youtube Channel or read more about how to read body language.