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What separates a good team from a world-class one. My guest today has lived that question at the highest levels. Ollie Phillips captained England in rugby sevens, rowed across oceans, and now runs Optimist Performance, helping teams move from great to world class. We explore why most organisations spend 95% of their time playing the game and only 5% practising the hard skills of leadership and teamship. Ollie reveals how elite teams build unshakeable trust, why practising discomfort before big moments matters, and how momentum can be the most contagious force in any environment. You'll hear about Ollie’s transition from being the best in the world to starting again as a beginner, and how infectious energy combined with clarity of purpose creates unstoppable teams. If you're leading a team right now, this conversation will give you fresh tools to unlock world-class performance. “We spent 95% of our time practising for 5% of the delivery” — Ollie Phillips You’ll hear about Why practising discomfort builds world-class performance capabilityCreating communities through shared experiencesTrust as the foundation of high-performing teamsCommunication that considers how messages need to be heardRed flags in team environments and cultures The difference between never losing and loving winningWhy 95% of time goes to playing versus practisingRecognising progress without comparing yourself to othersHow momentum multiplies in both directionsAbout Ollie: Ollie's journey has taken him from international rugby pitches to the boardrooms of global businesses, across oceans, over mountain peaks, and into some of the toughest environments on Earth. What unites it all? A lifelong obsession with unlocking performance — in himself, and in others. He captained England Rugby 7s, was named World 7s Player of the Year, and coached Wales Women and China’s Olympic programme. He's swum the English Channel, circumnavigated the globe, stood at the North Pole, and holds four world records for feats of endurance and teamwork in some of the planet’s most extreme locations. Alongside that, he's held senior leadership roles at PwC, advising global businesses on culture, strategy, and transformation. He now sits on boards across private equity, sport, and exploration, and holds an Executive MBA from Cambridge. Resources: Profile: https://shorturl.at/aY7Ie Optimist Performance: https://shorturl.at/9upbU Insights: https://shorturl.at/k7P4d My resources: Try my High-stakes meetings toolkit (https://bit.ly/43cnhnQ)  Take my Becoming a Strategic Leader course (https://bit.ly/3KJYDTj) Sign up to my Every Day is a Strategy Day newsletter (http://bit.ly/36WRpri) for modern mindsets and practices to help you get ahead Subscribe to my YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/3cFGk1k) where you can watch the conversation For more details about me: ● Services (https://rb.gy/ahlcuy) to CEOs, entrepreneurs and professionals ● About me (https://rb.gy/dvmg9n) - my background, experience and philosophy ● Examples of my writing https://rb.gy/jlbdds) ● Follow me and engage with me on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/2Z2PexP) ● Follow me and engage with me on Twitter (https://bit.ly/36XavNI)

What if the reason so many mergers, acquisitions and restructurings fail isn’t strategy or execution but grief? That’s the case my guest, Jennifer Fondrevay, makes in this episode. She’s the author of Now What: A Survivor’s Guide for Thriving Through M&A and an advisor to leaders navigating high-stakes transitions. We explore why unacknowledged grief can quietly drain 25–30% of productivity, and sabotage deal outcomes. Jennifer takes us through the five stages of grief in an organisational context, offering practical strategies leaders can use right away. You’ll hear how to recognise the signals of grief, give people language for what they’re experiencing, and channel that energy into performance and purpose. We also discuss why high performers often struggle the most, and why keeping customers as your North Star helps teams overcome turf battles. If you’re leading change in your organisation right now, this conversation will give you a new lens and actionable tools to turn loss into momentum “They’re mourning the loss of the future that won’t be.” — Jennifer Fondrevay You’ll hear about Why productivity drops 25-30% after M&A announcementsThe five stages of organisational grief explainedPractical leadership scripts for major change announcementsHow to handle anger without dismissing concernsKeeping customers as your North StarThe former rock star phenomenon during transitionsPreparing boards and leaders before deals happenWhy high performers struggle most with changeThe employee engagement and customer relationship linkAbout Jennifer: Jennifer J. Fondrevay is the field-tested Founder and Chief Humanity Officer of Day1 ReadyTM, the M&A whisperer for CEOs and leaders who know "synergies" don't magically happen by themselves. After navigating multibillion-dollar deals, Jennifer wrote the manual everyone wishes they'd had: "NOW WHAT? A Survivor's Guide for Thriving Through Mergers & Acquisitions", helping executives lead when the playbook gets thrown out the window. Crowned #1 M&A Speaker by Research Leadership Institute, Jennifer's the go-to expert when uncertainty strikes. Her wisdom graces Forbes, Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, and Inc. Resources: Profile: https://shorturl.at/i1go1 Book: https://shorturl.at/ufZRq Article on employee grief in organisational transitions: https://shorturl.at/gLxsK My resources: Try my High-stakes meetings toolkit (https://bit.ly/43cnhnQ) Take my Becoming a Strategic Leader course (https://bit.ly/3KJYDTj) Sign up to my Every Day is a Strategy Day newsletter (http://bit.ly/36WRpri) for modern mindsets and practices to help you get ahead. Subscribe to my YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/3cFGk1k) where you can watch the conversation. For more details about me: Services (https://rb.gy/ahlcuy) to CEOs, entrepreneurs and professionals.About me (https://rb.gy/dvmg9n) - my background, experience and philosophy.Examples of my writing https://rb.gy/jlbdds)Follow me and engage with me on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/2Z2PexP)Follow me and engage with me on Twitter (https://bit.ly/36XavNI)

Incumbent traditional organisations are doomed to failure. That’s a misleading view that permeates the world of digital transformation. In fact, they can thrive if they develop the right mindsets and capabilities.  Julian Birkinshaw joins me to explore more of the myths and misconceptions surrounding digital transformation, the discipline of balancing today’s pressures with tomorrow’s opportunities, and the art of thoughtful experimentation. Julian draws on his research and his role as Dean of Ivey Business School to show how leaders can navigate profound change without rushing into costly mistakes. We also examine the leadership qualities needed to inspire innovation across large organisations, the realities of tenure in academia, and his personal habits that fuel sustained strategic performance. If you lead a team or organisation wrestling with disruption, this discussion offers practical insights for staying relevant and resilient. “Incumbents have strengths that start-ups can only dream of.” – Julian Birkinshaw You’ll hear about Myths that distort the digital disruption narrativeData revealing incumbent companies’ hidden resilienceBuilding a digital mindset across established organisationsBalancing present performance with future opportunityWhy “fast-second” often beats first-mover advantageInspiring innovation with symbolic leadership actionsLow-cost experiments that signal serious intentManaging change without rushing major decisionsGenerative AI’s real impact on business schoolsAbout Julian: Julian is a world-leading scholar and dynamic academic leader. Appointed Dean of Ivey Business School at Western University in August 2024, he brings a 25-year legacy at London Business School where he was Vice Dean, Deputy Dean Programmes and Deputy Dean Executive Education. An internationally renowned authority on innovation, digital transformation, and the strategic agility of large firms, Birkinshaw has authored 16 books - including Resurgent, Fast/Forward, and Becoming a Better Boss. He has won best paper awards in leading academic journals, and practice-oriented journals. His is a Fellow of the British Academy, Strategic Management Society, American Academy of Management, and Academy of International Business, and holds honorary doctorates from Copenhagen and Stockholm universities. Profile: https://shorturl.at/yMlO9 Book: https://shorturl.at/AD7n2 My resources: Try my High-stakes meetings toolkit (https://bit.ly/43cnhnQ)  Take my Becoming a Strategic Leader course (https://bit.ly/3KJYDTj) Sign up to my Every Day is a Strategy Day newsletter (http://bit.ly/36WRpri) for modern mindsets and practices to help you get ahead. Subscribe to my YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/3cFGk1k) where you can watch the conversation. For more details about me: ●      Services (https://rb.gy/ahlcuy) to CEOs, entrepreneurs and professionals. ●      About me (https://rb.gy/dvmg9n) - my background, experience and philosophy. ●      Examples of my writing https://rb.gy/jlbdds) ●      Follow me and engage with me on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/2Z2PexP) ●      Follow me and engage with me on Twitter (https://bit.ly/36XavNI)

What if the most powerful strategy you ever create isn’t for a business, but for your own life? In this conversation, I turn the microphone on myself as strategist and author Niko Canner interviews me about how to bring strategic thinking into everyday choices. We explore why busyness can be the enemy of purpose and how small, deliberate moves made moment by moment unlock greater agency and performance. I share how a personal family crisis forced me to reclaim control of my time, energy and focus, and how those lessons now shape the way I coach leaders and design my own days. You’ll hear how to connect long-term aspirations with the micro-moments that define each day, creating a strategy that is both intentional and flexible. Niko and I also examine how individual strategic habits ripple out to transform teams and entire organisations. Listen in if you’re ready to stop living on autopilot and start making wiser choices at work, at home and everywhere in between. “All progress begins with dissonance.” — Niko Canner You’ll hear about ·      Strategy beyond the boardroom ·      Daily choices that drive performance ·      Coaching story of reclaiming the day ·      Mindfulness, agency and coherent moves ·      Setting life-long strategic aspirations ·      Turning crisis into intentional living ·      Five-chapter arc of strategic change ·      Acting strategically in any moment About Niko: Niko founded Incandescent in 2013. He serves as a thought partner to leaders of large enterprises on strategy, organization and innovation; advising founders on the development of their ventures; and partnering with foundations and non-profits engaged in systems change.  Previously Niko co-founded the consulting firm Katzenbach Partners, Senior Partner at Booz & Company following the sale of Katzenbach to Booz in 2009 and a member of the Management Committee of Bridgewater Associates.  Niko chairs the boards of Skreens, a SaaS cloud-based visual engine that enables users to build personalized experiences on any display, and Catchafire, a platform for skills-based volunteering. Resources:  Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikocanner/  Business: https://www.incandescent.com/  Blog: https://www.onhumanenterprise.com/  My resources: Try my High-stakes meetings toolkit (https://bit.ly/43cnhnQ) Take my Becoming a Strategic Leader course (https://bit.ly/3KJYDTj) Sign up to my Every Day is a Strategy Day newsletter (http://bit.ly/36WRpri) for modern mindsets and practices to help you get ahead. Subscribe to my YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/3cFGk1k) where you can watch the conversation. For more details about me: ●      Services (https://rb.gy/ahlcuy) to CEOs, entrepreneurs and professionals. ●      About me (https://rb.gy/dvmg9n) - my background, experience and philosophy. ●      Examples of my writing https://rb.gy/jlbdds) ●      Follow me and engage with me on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/2Z2PexP) ●      Follow me and engage with me on Twitter (https://bit.ly/36XavNI)

What does it take to push yourself to the absolute limit and keep going for a cause bigger than yourself? Imagine you’re cycling 3,000 miles in 12 days on no more than 2 hours sleep a day. You feel exhausted, with nothing left to give, but important decisions need to be made to achieve your goal. This was the reality for my guest in this episode, Kurt Matzler, one of the world’s most cited strategy professors and an elite ultra-endurance cyclist who has completed the Race Across America, often described as the toughest race in the world. We dive into how Kurt blends his expertise in strategy with the demands of ultra-cycling: from meticulous planning and team building to the mental resilience needed to ride for 22 hours a day across deserts and mountain ranges. It’s a conversation that will inspire you to think bigger, plan smarter, and persist longer. And perhaps, to take on a challenge you once thought impossible. “Be willing to do everything that is needed to achieve your big goal” – Kurt Matzler You’ll hear about: Race Across America: the world’s longest bike raceThe role of purpose in endurance challengesBalancing training with work and familyBuilding mental toughness before the raceThe power of delegating decisions to a teamLessons from setbacks and resilienceCreating a high-performance support crewWhy strategy means saying noTurning big goals into smaller milestonesThe impact Kurt wants to have on the worldAbout Kurt Matzler: Kurt is professor of Strategic Management at the University of Innsbruck, Austria. According to Brightline Initiative he is one of the best strategic thinkers in the world. He is academic director of the Executive MBA program at MCI in Innsbruck and partner of IMP, an international consulting firm, the winner of the hidden champions in consulting in the field of disruption in Germany. Kurt is author of more than 300 academic papers and several books. He is co-author of the German edition of the Innovator’s dilemma, one of the six most important management books overall (Economist). He is author of The High Performance Mindset (2023, among the 10 best business books of 2023, Forbes), co-author of "Open Strategy" (MIT Press,  2021, according to the Strategy+Business Magazine the best strategy book of 2021) and "Digital Disruption" (2016).  With more than 35,000 citations in Google Scholar and an H-Index of 82, Kurt belongs to the top 20 strategy researchers in Europe and to the top 50 in the world. He is included in the John Ioannidis Stanford University’s database of the world’s top 2% of scientists in all disciplines. He is a passionate cyclist and a solo finisher of the Race Across America 2022 and 2025, Race Around Austria, Northcape4000 and Ultracycling World Champion 2024 (Master class). With his participation in RAAM, his Rotary team raised more than USD 4,500,000 to eradicate Polio. Resources: Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kurt-matzler-99206b7/ Book: https://shorturl.at/zPdnL My resources: Try my High-stakes meetings toolkit (https://bit.ly/43cnhnQ)  Take my Becoming a Strategic Leader course (https://bit.ly/3KJYDTj) Sign up to my Every Day is a Strategy Day newsletter (http://bit.ly/36WRpri) for modern mindsets and practices to help you get ahead Subscribe to my YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/3cFGk1k) where you can watch the conversation For more details about me: ● Services (https://rb.gy/ahlcuy) to CEOs, entrepreneurs and professionals. ● About me (https://rb.gy/dvmg9n) - my background, experience and philosophy. ● Examples of my writing https://rb.gy/jlbdds) ● Follow me and engage with me on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/2Z2PexP) ● Follow me and engage with me on Twitter (https://bit.ly/36XavNI)

What happens when your boss is the problem? A good boss can inspire you and be a catalyst for your career, whilst bad bosses limit your potential, putting the brakes on your trajectory. In this conversation with Mita Mallick, author of The Devil Emails at Midnight, we explore the behaviours that make bosses bad, and the lessons we can take to become better leaders. Mita shares raw, funny and moving stories from her career, showing how toxic dynamics shape us, and how inclusion and vulnerability can transform workplaces. We discuss why kindness is still seen as weakness, the warning signs that you might be slipping into bad boss territory, and how to handle life’s toughest moments, such as grief, while still leading with integrity. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re bringing out the best in your people, or if you’re stuck with a boss who doesn’t, this episode will give you the tools and courage to flip the script. “Hurt people hurt people.” – Mita Mallick You'll hear about: ·      Personal stories of bad bosses ·      Why kindness is seen as weakness ·      Warning signs you’re a bad boss ·      Nature versus nurture in leadership ·      How grief affects leadership behaviour ·      The myth of bossless organisations ·      Coaching instead of micromanaging ·      Options when stuck with a bad boss About Mita Mallick: Mita Mallick is a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author. She’s on a mission to fix what’s broken in our workplaces. She’s a corporate change maker with a track record of transforming businesses and has had an extensive career as a marketing and human resources executive. Mallick is a highly sought-after speaker who has advised Fortune 500 companies and start-ups alike. She is a LinkedIn Top Voice and was named to the Thinkers 50 Radar List. She’s a contributor to Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, Adweek, and Entrepreneur. Mallick has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Time Magazine, Forbes, Axios, Essence, Cosmopolitan Magazine and Business Insider. Resources:  Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mita-mallick-2b165822/ Services: https://www.mitamallick.com/ Book: https://www.amazon.com/Devil-Emails-Midnight-Leaders-Bosses/dp/1394316488/ My resources: Try my High-stakes meetings toolkit (https://bit.ly/43cnhnQ)  Take my Becoming a Strategic Leader course (https://bit.ly/3KJYDTj) Sign up to my Every Day is a Strategy Day newsletter (http://bit.ly/36WRpri) for modern mindsets and practices to help you get ahead. Subscribe to my YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/3cFGk1k) where you can watch the conversation. For more details about me: ●      Services (https://rb.gy/ahlcuy) to CEOs, entrepreneurs and professionals. ●      About me (https://rb.gy/dvmg9n) - my background, experience and philosophy. ●      Examples of my writing https://rb.gy/jlbdds) ●      Follow me and engage with me on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/2Z2PexP) ●      Follow me and engage with me on Twitter (https://bit.ly/36XavNI)

Immigrant entrepreneurs have an outsized impact in business and society. 80% of billion dollar startups have founders or senior executives who are first or second generation immigrants. So, what can we learn from them? In this episode I am joined by Neri Karra Sillaman, author of Pioneers: 8 Principles of Business Longevity from Immigrant Entrepreneurs. Neri’s research shows that immigrant entrepreneurs have a unique ability to reframe failure. Something she has done herself as a refugee turned entrepreneur. Neri shares how constraints can be turned into an advantage for entrepreneurs as they look to blend their home and new cultures in the services and products they create. She underscores the importance of quality, community, and a focus on impact rather than personal gain. Lessons many leaders could learn to improve their organisations. “Immigrant entrepreneurs don’t hear “no” the way that you do” – Neri Karra Sillaman You'll hear about: • How immigrant entrepreneurs reframe failure as fuel for growth. • The role of community in building resilience and drive. • Why a clear, long-term vision sustains entrepreneurial momentum. • Why integrity and quality matter more than rapid scale. • The personal sacrifices behind building a meaningful business. • How cross-cultural identity becomes a strategic advantage. • The mindset shifts needed for true business longevity. About Neri Karra Sillaman: Neri Karra Sillaman is an author, advisor, and entrepreneur whose work focuses on business longevity, innovation, and impact. She is the author of Pioneers: 8 Principles of Business Longevity from Immigrant Entrepreneurs, recognized as one of Thinkers50’s Top 10 Best New Management Books in 2025. Neri was also named to the Thinkers50 Radar List as one of the 30 management thinkers shaping the future of work. As the founder of her luxury leather goods brand, a company established more than 25 years ago, she combines entrepreneurial experience with research-driven insight. Neri is an Entrepreneurship Expert at the University of Oxford and holds a PhD from the University of Cambridge. As a child refugee, she draws on her journey of resilience and adaptation to advise leaders on purpose, culture, and long-term success. Resources: Website: www.nerispeaks.com Book: https://amzn.to/45T5p4C Profile: https://tinyurl.com/34rf2rrx Instagram: https://tinyurl.com/3dupup2m My resources: Try my High-stakes meetings toolkit (https://bit.ly/43cnhnQ) Take my Becoming a Strategic Leader course (https://bit.ly/3KJYDTj) Sign up to my Every Day is a Strategy Day newsletter (http://bit.ly/36WRpri) for modern mindsets and practices to help you get ahead. Subscribe to my YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/3cFGk1k) where you can watch the conversation. For more details about me:  ●      Services (https://rb.gy/ahlcuy) to CEOs, entrepreneurs and professionals. ●      About me (https://rb.gy/dvmg9n) - my background, experience and philosophy. ●      Examples of my writing https://rb.gy/jlbdds) ●      Follow me and engage with me on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/2Z2PexP) ●      Follow me and engage with me on Twitter (https://bit.ly/36XavNI)

Given the chance, how would you design an organisation from scratch? I bet it wouldn't look close to what we see in many established organisations. You’d want more autonomy, greater transparency and less bureaucracy. Well, what if that were possible? In this episode I am joined by Pim de Morree, Co-founder of Corporate Rebels, to explore self-managed organisations. Pim shares insights from his experience creating environments where employees thrive, and organisations excel, with not a manager in sight. Pim's expertise offers a masterclass in rethinking traditional management and embracing a future where work is both meaningful and impactful for all involved. So, are you ready to revolutionise how you lead and run your organisation? “Decentralised decision-making fosters innovation and agility in modern workplaces” – Pim de Morree You'll hear about: ●      How self-managed organisations prioritise autonomy. ●      The ways employees take ownership and lead without traditional hierarchical constraints. ●      Why self-managed organisations see higher levels of employee engagement and satisfaction. ●      Full transparency and accountability are critical. ●      How decision-making distributed across teams can foster innovation and agility. ●      The cultural shifts required to transition to a self-managed organisation.  About Pim de Morree: Pim de Morree, co-founder of Corporate Rebels and Krisos, embarked on an entrepreneurial journey after leaving a frustrating corporate job. His passion for reimagining the workplace drove him to travel worldwide, studying pioneering organisations. He shares his insights on the Corporate Rebels blog, in books, and through their global platform for self-managing organisations. At Krisos, an impact fund, Pim and the team acquire traditional companies and transform them into forces for good. The award-winning firm is recognized for its innovative approach in combining self-management with alternative ownership structures, creating better jobs, more equality, and a systemic change in the role of business in society. Resources: • Profile: https://tinyurl.com/arv7c668 • Masterclass: https://tinyurl.com/2kbmk56n • Newsletter: https://tinyurl.com/47r3tenc • Books: https://tinyurl.com/msfvwxtp My resources: Try my High-stakes meetings toolkit (https://bit.ly/43cnhnQ)  Take my Becoming a Strategic Leader course (https://bit.ly/3KJYDTj) Sign up to my Every Day is a Strategy Day newsletter (http://bit.ly/36WRpri) for modern mindsets and practices to help you get ahead.  Subscribe to my YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/3cFGk1k) where you can watch the conversation.  For more details about me:  ●      Services (https://rb.gy/ahlcuy) to CEOs, entrepreneurs and professionals. ●      About me (https://rb.gy/dvmg9n) - my background, experience and philosophy. ●      Examples of my writing https://rb.gy/jlbdds) ●      Follow me and engage with me on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/2Z2PexP) ●      Follow me and engage with me on Twitter (https://bit.ly/36XavNI)

Are you a night owl or a morning lark? For many of us the traditional working day just doesn’t suit our circadian rhythms. We’re called into a meeting or slumped over a desk at 8am but hyper focused as we’re about to leave the office and head home. What if work took our biological clocks into account? In this episode I am joined by Camilla Kring, author of Chrono leadership. We talk about the costs of rigidity in work patterns, and what it takes to develop smarter, more flexible arrangements. Camilla’s ideas are revolutionary; she talks about taking the bias away from the 5am club and creating better conditions in the workplace for all. Surely that is something we would all want to get behind. So, when do you perform at your best during the day? “Synchronise your work, family, and biological rhythms for real performance.” - Camilla You'll hear about: ·      How circadian rhythms dictate our natural sleep and wake cycles. ·      Why understanding your chronotype can enhance productivity. ·      The fact most people are not morning persons, yet workplaces favour early risers. ·      How living out of sync with your internal clock can harm health. ·      Flexibility in work hours can lead to higher productivity and well-being. ·      Trust in employees being crucial for implementing flexible work schedules. ·      Why synchronising work and family rhythms can improve life quality.   More about Camilla: Camilla Kring, as the founder of Super Navigators, has dedicated the last 20 years to helping individuals navigate their lives and organisations create flexible and inclusive work cultures that accommodate different chronotypes and family structures. She has worked across Europe, China, Latin America and the Middle East with companies including Abbott, Medtronic, Roche and Novo Nordisk. Camilla's insights have been featured in the New York Times, the BBC and the Guardian. She is the author of six books and a TEDx speaker. She holds a Master of Science in Engineering and a PhD in work-life balance from the Technical University of Denmark (DTU).  Resources: • Profile: https://www.camillakring.com/about-camilla/  • Book - Chronoleadership: https://www.camillakring.com/books/  • Supernavigators services: https://www.supernavigators.com/     My resources: Try my High-stakes meetings toolkit (https://bit.ly/43cnhnQ)  Take my Becoming a Strategic Leader course (https://bit.ly/3KJYDTj) Sign up to my Every Day is a Strategy Day newsletter (http://bit.ly/36WRpri) for modern mindsets and practices to help you get ahead. Subscribe to my YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/3cFGk1k) where you can watch the conversation. For more details about me: ●      Services (https://rb.gy/ahlcuy) to CEOs, entrepreneurs and professionals. ●      About me (https://rb.gy/dvmg9n) - my background, experience and philosophy. ●      Examples of my writing https://rb.gy/jlbdds) ●      Follow me and engage with me on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/2Z2PexP) ●      Follow me and engage with me on Twitter (https://bit.ly/36XavNI)

So, picture this. You've just landed a new role at work, and you might have some transition time beforehand. How do you best prepare to start? In this episode, I am joined by Michael Watkins, author of The First 90 days and The Six Disciplines of Strategic Thinking. He provides insights into the intricacies of leadership transitions, emphasising the importance of understanding organisational culture, how to use strategic thinking, and look after yourself as you do. We also explore the demands of operating in a world of ecosystems and AI. I bet you'll find a treasure trove of stimulus right here, including practical tips, frameworks and real-life examples to help you in your first 90 days and beyond. “The best predictor of what people do in organisations is incentives” - Michael Watkins You'll hear about: ·      Transition periods being a crucial time to prepare and plan your approach. ·      Why understanding the organisational culture is essential for effective leadership. ·      How culture transformation can be initiated quickly, but reshaping values takes time. ·      Strategic thinking being vital, especially in challenging situations. ·      The fact leaders must balance tactical and strategic thinking during transitions. ·      How creating early wins can help establish momentum in a new role. ·      Why organisations must adapt to operate effectively within ecosystems. About Michael Watkins: Michael D Watkins is Professor of Leadership and Organizational Change at IMD. He is a globally recognized leadership transitions expert and author of the best-selling book The First 90 Days: Proven Strategies for Getting Up to Speed Faster and Smarter. A Thinkers50-ranked management influencer, Watkins has developed proven frameworks and tools to help professionals navigate personal and organizational change challenges. He has spent the past two decades working with leaders as they transition to new roles, build their teams, and transform their organizations. In 2023, Watkins was inducted into the Thinkers50 Management Hall of Fame, which recognizes remarkable contributions to the realm of management concepts and ideas spanning many years. • Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldwatkins/  • Publications: https://www.imd.org/faculty/professors/michael-watkins/  • Services: https://www.genesisadvisers.com/  My resources: Try my High-stakes meetings toolkit (https://bit.ly/43cnhnQ)  Take my Becoming a Strategic Leader course (https://bit.ly/3KJYDTj) Sign up to my Every Day is a Strategy Day newsletter (http://bit.ly/36WRpri) for modern mindsets and practices to help you get ahead. Subscribe to my YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/3cFGk1k) where you can watch the conversation. For more details about me: ●      Services (https://rb.gy/ahlcuy) to CEOs, entrepreneurs and professionals. ●      About me (https://rb.gy/dvmg9n) - my background, experience and philosophy. ●      Examples of my writing https://rb.gy/jlbdds) ●      Follow me and engage with me on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/2Z2PexP) ●      Follow me and engage with me on Twitter (https://bit.ly/36XavN

What if the person who raised you was also the one who stole your sense of self? Parents should nurture, protect and believe in you, not distort your reality, drain your self-esteem and leave wounds no one else can see. In this episode I sit down with Kathleen Saxton, psychotherapist, entrepreneur and author of My Parent the Peacock. We go beyond the surface-level label of narcissism to uncover the full spectrum of behaviours, from the overtly grandiose to the quietly manipulative. This is not a conversation about blame, but about liberation. It’s about recognising what’s been taken from you, understanding why trying to change the narcissist will never work, and learning how to reclaim your voice, your boundaries and your future. If you’ve ever been made to doubt your own reality, whether by a parent, a partner or a leader, this episode could be the turning point. “You absolutely can recover.” – Kathleen Saxton You'll hear about: • How narcissistic parenting shapes identity and self-worth. • The long-term impact of emotional neglect and control. • Why recovery starts with recognising patterns of manipulation. • How to rebuild boundaries and personal agency. • The role of therapy in healing from family trauma. • Why self-compassion is critical in breaking the cycle. • How to navigate relationships after narcissistic abuse. • Practical steps to reclaim your voice and autonomy. About Kathleen Saxton: Kathleen is a fully qualified and accredited psychotherapist, executive coach, author and advisor and a registered member of both the UKCP & BACP. Kathleen trained in Psychotherapy and Counselling at Regents University and continued a further 5 years of study in Integrative and Humanistic psychotherapy and supervision at the renowned CCPE in London. Kathleen has practised at The Grove, The Priory, and for the British Performing Arts in Medicine organisations. In 2016, she co-founded her clinical practice called Psyched Ventures in London and NYC. Kathleen has written and published research and spoken on her unique blend of business, performance and mental health across the last 10 years. She is also a regular columnist for Stylist Magazine on the topic of leadership and psychology. Profile: https://tinyurl.com/42aah3fy  Psychoeducation channel: https://tinyurl.com/bd8vxfzv Services: https://psychedventures.com/ Book: https://tinyurl.com/ykzwsjah My resources: Try my High-stakes meetings toolkit (https://bit.ly/43cnhnQ)  Take my Becoming a Strategic Leader course (https://bit.ly/3KJYDTj) Sign up for my Every Day is a Strategy Day newsletter (http://bit.ly/36WRpri) for modern mindsets and practices to help you get ahead. Subscribe to my YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/3cFGk1k) where you can watch the conversation. For more details about me: ●      Services (https://rb.gy/ahlcuy) to CEOs, entrepreneurs and professionals. ●      About me (https://rb.gy/dvmg9n) - my background, experience and philosophy. ●      Examples of my writing https://rb.gy/jlbdds) ●      Follow me and engage with me on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/2Z2PexP) ●      Follow me and engage with me on Twitter (https://bit.ly/36XavN

When the world is breaking apart what kind of leader do you need to be? With the environmental, technological and societal challenges we face our systems and playbooks can no longer be fit for purpose. So, who must we become to tackle the most pressing problems we are facing? My guest in this episode, Caroline Stokes, author of AfterShock to 2030 is trying to answer these questions. Her book is a wakeup call for leaders, arguing that if we want to thrive in the next five years, we must rewrite, not just tinker with the operating system of leadership. We explore how CEOs can use AI as an enhancement, as a multiplier, rather than a mask, and why neuroplasticity might just be able to help us with the meaning of life. There couldn’t be a more prescient, deeply personal conversation that is essential for leaders of today and tomorrow. So, what kind of leader are you going to be? “Hope is the first step.” – Caroline Stokes You'll hear about: • Why leading in systemic shocks requires a new operating system.  • How hope becomes an antidote to global complexity and despair.  • Why radical listening can transform organisational awareness and action.  • The role of AI as a leadership multiplier, not a mask.  • How to regulate your nervous system to lead under pressure.  • Why pattern recognition is essential for navigating uncertainty.  • The importance of extreme accountability in leadership teams.  • How to leave behind outdated mindsets and legacy systems. About Caroline Stokes: A global leadership strategist for the 5th Industrial Revolution, Caroline Stokes is the author of AfterShock to 2030: A CEO’s Guide to Reinvention in the Age of AI, Climate, and Societal Collapse, a radical roadmap for leaders navigating our disruptive new reality. A Sony alum who contributed to the launch of PlayStation, and a PCC-level, EQ 2.0–certified coach, Caroline has evolved from executive headhunter to one of the few global authorities on psychological and strategic leadership reinvention. She works with founders, boards, and executive teams to build intelligent, sovereign, and trust-based systems aligned with the complexity of our time. She is also the author of Elephants Before Unicorns: Emotionally Intelligent HR Strategies to Save Your Company (Entrepreneur Press, 2019), a co-author in the HBR Guide to Navigating the Toxic Workplace (2024), and contributor to Coach Me! (Wiley, 2022). Her insights have been featured in Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, Forbes, Entrepreneur, and The Globe and Mail. Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ocarolinestokes/ Book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FB5BKFGL My resources: Try my High-stakes meetings toolkit (https://bit.ly/43cnhnQ) Take my Becoming a Strategic Leader course (https://bit.ly/3KJYDTj) Sign up to my Every Day is a Strategy Day newsletter (http://bit.ly/36WRpri) for modern mindsets and practices to help you get ahead. Subscribe to my YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/3cFGk1k) where you can watch the conversation. For more details about me: ●      Services (https://rb.gy/ahlcuy) to CEOs, entrepreneurs and professionals. ●      About me (https://rb.gy/dvmg9n) - my background, experience and philosophy. ●      Examples of my writing https://rb.gy/jlbdds) ●      Follow me and engage with me on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/

How well do you communicate? A simple question on the face of it, but are you really winging it? Whether it’s via email, that first impression, or contributing to meetings, there are ways we can improve how we contribute. That’s exactly what I discuss in this episode with my guest Chris Fenning, an award-winning author on the topic of communication. Chris shares the significance of structuring communication so we can deliver messages in high stakes situations with more skill. He also explores the role AI is taking in our communication methods, and what we need to be careful of when using it.  This episode will help you transform your impact and improve your prospects through better communication. “Good communication requires building good habits.”– Chris Fenning You'll hear about: ·      How preparation can significantly improve communication effectiveness. ·      Using structure in communication to help ensure messages are understood. ·      Why awareness of your use of jargon is essential when communicating with non-experts. ·      Ways AI tools can assist in communication but should not replace skill development. ·      Why listening and asking questions are key for effective leadership communication. ·      How pausing before responding can enhance clarity and thoughtfulness.   About Chris Fenning: Chris Fenning helps professionals master their communication at work. He helps experts talk to non-experts, teams talk to executives, and much more. Chris's practical methods are used in organisations like Google, JP Morgan, and NATO, and have appeared in the Harvard Business Review. He is also the author of multiple award-winning books on communication and training that have been translated into 16 languages.    Resources:   • Website: https://chrisfenning.com/ • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-fenning/ • Book links: • The First Minute: https://www.amazon.com/First-Minute-Start-Conversations-Results/dp/183824400X • Effective Emails: https://www.amazon.com/Effective-Emails-Straightforward-Communication-Business/dp/1838244069 • 39 Ways to Make Training Stick: https://www.amazon.com/Ways-Make-Training-Stick-Development/dp/1916818013 • Online courses: https://chris-fenning.thinkific.com/   My resources:  Try my High-stakes meetings toolkit (https://bit.ly/43cnhnQ)  Take my Becoming a Strategic Leader course (https://bit.ly/3KJYDTj) Sign up to my Every Day is a Strategy Day newsletter (http://bit.ly/36WRpri) for modern mindsets and practices to help you get ahead. Subscribe to my YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/3cFGk1k) where you can watch the conversation.   For more details about me:   ●      Services (https://rb.gy/ahlcuy) to CEOs, entrepreneurs and professionals. ●      About me (https://rb.gy/dvmg9n) - my background, experience and philosophy. ●      Example

Do you know what your digital footprint is? We all know that overusing digital devices isn't good for us. But do we know the full extent of what we leave behind when we use our phones or laptops? In this episode I am joined by Professor Sandra Matz to discuss the digital footprints we leave for companies and other individuals to use. Sandra talks about the misuse of digital footprints and the actions we can take to take back control of it. We also explore what can be done to create regulation change in regard to the use of our data. A quite shocking but essential episode for all of us as we leave our digital trail in the world. “Don’t stop at what’s legal. Think about what’s ethical.”– Sandra Matz You'll hear about: ·      Digital footprints encompassing both explicit identity claims and behavioural residue. ·      How people are often unaware of the extent of their digital footprints. ·      Ways machine learning can provide insights into mental health and behaviour. ·      How data can be used ethically to improve individual well-being. ·      Why data considerations must be ethical as well as legal. ·      Federated learning can protect user data while still providing insights. ·      Regulation being necessary to protect personal data. ·      Why collective action is essential for meaningful change in data regulations.    About Sandra Matz: As a computational social scientist with a background in psychology and computer science, Professor Sandra Matz studies human behaviour by uncovering the hidden relationships between our digital lives and our psychology. Her goal is to make data relatable, and help individuals and businesses make better and more ethical decisions.  Over the last 10 years, she has published over 50 academic papers in the world’s leading peer review journals, and her work has been frequently covered by many of the major news outlets. She lives in New York with her husband Moran Cerf and her son Ben Cerf. • Profile: https://sandramatz.com/ • The book ‘Mindmasters’: https://www.mindmasters.ai/ • Personality Test: https://www.mindmasters.ai/mypersonality   My resources: Try my High-stakes meetings toolkit (https://bit.ly/43cnhnQ)  Take my Becoming a Strategic Leader course (https://bit.ly/3KJYDTj) Sign up to my Every Day is a Strategy Day newsletter (http://bit.ly/36WRpri) for modern mindsets and practices to help you get ahead. Subscribe to my YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/3cFGk1k) where you can watch the conversation.   For more details about me: ●      Services (https://rb.gy/ahlcuy) to CEOs, entrepreneurs and professionals. ●      About me (https://rb.gy/dvmg9n) - my background, experience and philosophy. ●      Examples of my writing https://rb.gy/jlbdds) ●      Follow me and engage with me on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/2Z2PexP) ●      Follow me and engage with me on Twitter (https://bit.ly/36XavNI)

Is your way of thinking limiting fresh ideas in your organisation? That dominant way of thinking you’re so used to could be doing more damage than good. Perhaps it’s time to find another way to enable innovation and growth amongst your team. In this episode I am joined by Rohit Bhargava, the man behind non-obvious thinking. Rohit tells us what non-obvious thinking is, and why it matters. He also gives you practical ways to develop it and how to use it to your own advantage. Rohit advocates for a world filled with open-minded individuals who can see beyond the obvious and challenge the status quo. Now that sounds like a world and a work place we should all aspire to. “What would the world be like if the opposite was true?”– Rohit You'll hear about: Why non-obvious thinking is essential in a world of conventional ideas.How fresh perspectives can lead to innovation and growth.The SIFT framework and how it helps in developing non-obvious thinking.Creating space being crucial for generating new ideas.Leading with empathy allows for understanding diverse perspectives.The ways AI can be used with non-obvious thinking.Engaging with out of the ordinary topics can spark new insights. About Rohit Bhargava: Rohit Bhargava is on a mission to inspire more non-obvious thinking in the world. He is the 3-time WSJ bestselling author of ten books on marketing, innovation, diversity and trends including his #1 bestseller Non-Obvious Megatrends. Rohit has been invited as a “non-boring” keynote speaker to event in 32 countries. He writes a monthly column for Inc magazine on non-obvious ideas. On a personal note, he loves the Olympics, actively hates cauliflower and is a proud dad of boys. Resources: • Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohitbhargava/ • Books: https://rohitbhargava.com/books/ • Non-obvious newsletter: https://rohitbhargava.com/subscribe/ • Non-obvious insights blog: https://rohitbhargava.com/blog/ My resources: Try my High-stakes meetings toolkit (https://bit.ly/43cnhnQ)  Take my Becoming a Strategic Leader course (https://bit.ly/3KJYDTj) Sign up to my Every Day is a Strategy Day newsletter (http://bit.ly/36WRpri) for modern mindsets and practices to help you get ahead. Subscribe to my YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/3cFGk1k) where you can watch the conversation. For more details about me: ●      Services (https://rb.gy/ahlcuy) to CEOs, entrepreneurs and professionals. ●      About me (https://rb.gy/dvmg9n) - my background, experience and philosophy. ●      Examples of my writing https://rb.gy/jlbdds) ●      Follow me and engage with me on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/2Z2PexP) ●      Follow me and engage with me on Twitter (https://bit.ly/36XavNI)