Lancefield on the Line

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...

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...

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 worl...

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...

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 bl...

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 wo...

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.

Camill...

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...

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 ab...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Do you struggle to move the dial on your organisation’s culture?

Perhaps, the answer to your problems lies in the use of a tool that breaks from traditional methods to measure culture: AI.

In this episode I am joined by Charlie Sull, a pioneer in the use of AI to understand, measure and evolve culture in organisations. Charlie shares culture measurement methods you can use with AI, that use employee language to provide concrete, measurable insights.

Charlie emphasises the importance of top-down prioritisation to facilitate cultural change, and gives interesting data led in...

Can AI improve your company’s strategy?

A question that is more and more prescient in the modern world of today.

In this episode I am joined by Graham Kenny, a prolific author, consultant and professor in all things strategy. In recent years he has also been experimenting with how far AI can help organisations design and implement winning strategies.

Graham discusses the transformative role of AI in strategy formulation and execution. He emphasises the importance of stakeholder perspectives in defining strategy and shares an excitement for AI in being a fundamental part of...

Has your job become all-consuming as a leader in your organisation?

Whether it’s organisational transformation, doing big M&A deals or handling a crisis, your health and relationships can be the things most impacted.

In this episode I am joined by Klaus Kleinfeld, former CEO of Siemens, and author of "Leading to Thrive." He emphasizes the importance of energy management for sustainable success, highlighting four energy sources: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.

Leaders need to balance both work and personal life to thrive in their roles, while maintaining their well-being. Klaus explores ho...

So here we are, 100 episodes of Lancefield on the Line.

To celebrate I am taking the opportunity to reflect on my journey as a podcast host, sharing insights gained from interviewing a diverse range of brilliant guests. I discuss what I have learned it takes to be a good podcast guest and host, as well as key areas we have covered in strategy, leadership and self-development.

For the first time I also have questions fired back at me by some of my esteemed guests over the 100 episodes, where I offer further reflections on leadership and...

Does your boss value everything you do?

They should see it, get it, and tell us they appreciate it. But they don’t.

Managing upwards could be the solution you need. It will help you perform at your best, and importantly, progress your career.

My guest in this episode Melody Wilding, author of Managing Up, shares her research and experience on how to do this skilfully. She emphasises the need for employees to align with their bosses, understand different management styles, and communicate effectively.

Melody gives insights into how you can co...

Success can be exhilarating, exhausting, even emotional.

But even if you have it, you get a niggling feeling you could achieve more.

In this episode I am joined by Laura Gassner Otting, author of Wonderhell. We talk about the complexities of success, fulfilment, and personal growth.

Laura shares the importance of recognising the emotional challenges that accompany success, and how to navigate them effectively. She discusses the significance of aligning personal goals with values, and the importance of recognising this as a practice for all areas of life not just your work.

Strategy is a word that invokes many emotions.

There are those that fear it, those excited by it, and those apathetic to it.

To help me on my quest to develop millions of strategic people I am joined by Alex MH Smith, author of No Bullsh*t Strategy.

Alex talks with clarity on what strategy should mean to companies and how to approach it. He shares the ways in which people get strategy wrong, and the emotional weight the term has.

Alex believes humility is the key to strategic thinking and...

Be honest, how much time do you spend looking at screens?

It’s probably more than you’d care to admit. The bigger question is, what is all that screen time doing to your brain?

In this episode I am joined by Richard Cytowic, author of Your Stone Age Brain in the Screen Age. We discuss the impact of screen addiction on the brain and body.

Astonishingly, Richard explains that our brains have not evolved since the Stone Age. They also have fixed energy bandwidths that make multitasking inefficient, which leads to overwhelm and...

I am a carer to my son who's disabled.

Which makes this episode discussing the often unrecognised role of carers in society and the workplace a very personal one.

I am joined by Charlie Beswick, the author of Our Altered Life. Charlie is a mother and carer to her beautiful son, Charlie, and we discuss her hard-earned wisdom on the topic of carers in the workplace.

We share our personal experiences as carers, and talk about the superpowers carers bring to businesses, through their resilience, problem solving, pragmatism, empathy, negotiation skills, and plenty...

Are you finding out how the people around you really think and feel?

Being able to do so will enable deeper relationships both at work and home.

In this episode I am joined by Topaz Adizis, the creator of The Skin Deep, a powerful platform of curated conversations between partners, friends, relatives and strangers.

We explore what it takes to create space for vulnerability in relationships. Topaz explains that to achieve this you need to express your intention clearly and ask questions that stimulate reactions. He also shares how to sit with the...

Are emotions at work a sign of weakness?

This is the view of many, but understanding and harnessing our emotions, and the emotions of others around us can be incredibly powerful.

In this episode I am joined by Dina Denham Smith, to argue the case for a skilful use of emotions at work. Dina is the co-author of Emotionally Charged, where she explores how to lead with the strategic use of emotions.

We address common myths about emotions in the workplace and how you can prepare for and recover from emotionally charged events...

How healthy is your organisation's culture?

As a leader you play a crucial role in creating and sustaining a healthy culture.

My guest in this episode, Tobias Sturesson, is the author of "You Can Culture" and co-founder of Heart Management. He outlines four critical habits leaders need to build a thriving culture: get humble, get clear, get listening, and get integrity.

He stresses the importance of aligning culture with the organisations mission and having a responsible impact by instilling integrity. He also explores the key things leaders can do to make or break...

What makes you feel a sense of outrage?

It’s everywhere we look. Be it directed at institutions, especially those in politics, geopolitical conflicts, business opposing communities, or different aspects of society.

That’s why in this episode I am joined by Professor Karthik Ramanna, an expert and author on the age of outrage. We explore the impacts outrage has on organisations and the individual, as well as how leaders can respond to it in their context.

Karthik shares his experience of working with business and political leaders from across very significant divides, such...

How have life’s struggles shaped you?

We all go through hardships in our personal and professional lives that inform who we are. How we react to these big moments is often put down to our resilience.

But what if we looked at resilience differently?

In this episode I am joined by coach and author Luis Velasquez, who discusses how to reframe your perception of resilience. He suggests that rather than being a reaction to those shock moments, resilience is something we should nurture day in day out.

He talks about ho...

Do you use AI to its full potential?

Knowing how AI can supercharge your work, and your business must be a priority for any C-suite executive. But there are also risks leaders must consider to be able to make informed decisions.

So where do you start?

My guest in this episode, Professor David De Cremer, is an author and business school Dean. He believes leaders need AI savviness and shares his thoughts on the mindsets needed to use AI in the board room and wider organisation.

He also discusses problems leaders...

What does disruptive innovation really mean?

It's a term that's widely misunderstood. But leading people using disruptive change can reinvent your organisation.

In this episode I am joined by prolific author, advisor and teacher Scott D. Anthony. We talk about what it takes to search out weak signals of change and how to wonder intentionally as you do. We also talk about how to experiment by testing growth hypotheses.

Scott explains how to trust your leadership judgment when making difficult and complex decisions when restructuring an organisation. He also guides us through disruptive...

What does it take to perform at your best in critical moments?

It’s what differentiates the great from the good. Being at the top of your game requires years of courage, skill, and discipline. This is why some falter whilst others shine.

In this episode I am joined by the multi-award-winning trumpet soloist, Alison Balsom. She shares what it takes to get to, and sustain, the highest levels of performance. These are concepts and practises that leaders in all fields would do well to apply.

Alison talks about how she chooses the ri...

What does it take to master innovation in companies?

It takes a lot of grit, skill, savviness and convincing.

My guest in this episode, Jayshree Seth, has been leading the way in innovation in 3M for more than 30 years. So listen for a window into the world of innovation at one of the most successful companies and innovators out there.

We talk about what it takes to make innovation really work using her three C's: constraints, context, and commitment. She explains what it takes to convince people to change. Also distilling how to...

How does business really work?

We need to cut through the myths and misconceptions to get to the true nature of it. To make people shine we need to understand how to navigate how work gets done, how people think and behave, and how decisions are made.

In this episode I am joined by Liz Kislik, a management consultant and coach, who brings refreshing clarity to the subject. She cautions that the work is hard, but we can use the power of language to express what we really want. She establishes the importance of stopping...

As a leader how well do you craft stories that influence people to change?

Storytelling is one of the most critical skills a leader needs, but is so often done badly. Failing to have the desired impact. Done well it convinces people to listen, commit and change.

My guest in this episode, Neil Bearden, is a master in crafting and using stories to help meet an objective. Neal’s outlook on storytelling is influenced by his experience as a former professor, and the idea that to be truly authentic and intentional we just need to be...

Do you know somebody with autism, ADHD, a development delay or Tourette's?

If you do, how well are they doing at work or indeed are they at work?

Leaders have a responsibility to ensure conditions are flexible and enabling in their organisation or the job market to people with all aspects of neurodiversity.

My guest in this episode, Ludmila Praslova, makes a convincing case for the benefits of more inclusion and belonging for all. Describing the damage caused by feeling excluded, leading to anxiety and for some people to take their own life.<...

Be honest with yourself, how would you rate your meetings?

More importantly how would those attending rate them?

Too often executives and professionals have schedules full of them. They even see meetings as a sign of their status, their importance. Yet they still hate the thought of them.

My guest in this episode, Steven Rogelberg, is a world-renowned authority and academic on the topic. He's pioneered some fascinating research, and he's found great ways to distil it into practice.

He shares practical advice you will immediately be able to use in...

Are you able to execute the vision you have for your life?

For many creating a vision is hard enough, to then take action to get closer to it can seem near impossible. But if you knew how to develop your vision from the inside out you would see that it is indeed possible.

In this episode I am joined by Caterina Kostoula, a vision coach and author. She shares what it takes to develop your vision and how to move towards it. She also shares her own obstacles she has had to overcome to...

Have you ever sat around a campfire?

Sharing moments talking about what truly matters in life. No performance, no script, just being part of a community.

My guest in this episode, Tony Martignetti's mission is to help people create these connections in work and life. Allowing people to feel part of the bigger picture and do their best work.

Tony shares how to create those moments, emphasising the importance of curiosity and compassion. This can sometimes be difficult, so he gives insights into how best to manage them. As well as how you...

What can leadership learn from nature? And from fishing in particular?

From operating in demanding, choppy waters with lives on the line to the individualised attention each catch needs, there are a great many similarities according to my guest in this episode, Oleg Konovalov.

As you’ll hear it’s not just fishing but nature itself that can teach us about leadership. Oleg shares the lessons he has learned from his time as a fisherman that he now brings into his coaching practices.

We talk about the mindset leaders need to have as they...

How do you respond when you’re caught off guard?

Imagine holding a meeting but you don’t know how to respond to a situation. The way you react to your anxieties can negatively impact the outcome you want to achieve. It doesn’t have to be this way; you can be prepared.

In this episode I am joined by Matt Abrahams, an expert in communication. He says there are ways of preparing yourself and then responding, which is achieved through changing your mindset and having structures to follow.

He discusses the common moment...

What impact do the biases you hold have on your work?

Living and working in a more critical manner allows you to be more informed and less impacted by bias. This can have positive impacts on your work and those around you, just by challenging yourself to think differently.

In this episode I am joined by Alex Edmans, author of May Contain Lies. He shares his deep knowledge of bias and how to think smarter and more critically. He discusses how he uses this within personal aspects of his life too.

Are you...

How well do you ask questions?

Asking questions can be more than a way to elicit an answer. They allow us to form connections. Used in the right way they are a powerful tool for us to learn from each other.

In this episode I am joined by philosopher, Dr Pia Lauritzen, who spends her life researching the art and science of question-making. This is becoming even more important as more organisations are opening up their approach to innovation, strategy and transformation, inviting people to share their perspectives.

We discuss ways of asking...

Fixing problems is often seen as a slow, complex process but it doesn’t need to be this way. You can solve the hardest problems your organisation faces at speed; you just need to know how.

In this episode I am joined by Harvard Business School professor Francis Frei. She talks about what it takes to build trust fast, and how to focus on the hard problems. She also shares how to scale an idea to create real change and how to build a more inclusive environment that enables it.

Frances counters many management practices an...

What is the culture in your organisation like?

Culture is more popular and necessary for management to consider than ever. Talking about culture is one thing, improving it, evolving it into something better, more inclusive, and higher performing is quite another.

In this episode my guest is Aga Bajer, a leading authority on culture. We talk about what it takes to develop a greater sense of belonging, and what that means and involves. She shares how organisations can develop and evolve a culture as well as the important role fun plays in the process.
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What type of stimuli helps you to think?

Leaders often shy away from using visual stimuli as it can be seen as gimmicky. But knowing where, when, and how to use it can transform how problems are solved.

My guest in his episode is Holger Nils Pohl, one of the best at using visual thinking to tackle complex problems. He discusses how to apply it, and the tools you can use to help you and your team use it in a meaningful way. He also shares how to avoid doing it badly, something many leaders...

How do you create purposeful success?

As a leader it can be challenging to define what success means to you. To achieve this, you need master your inner journey by reflecting, collaborating, and reinventing yourself.

My guest in this episode, Paolo Gallo, is an expert in developing leaders who do just this. We talk about the importance of foundational beliefs that guide how leaders think and behave. As well as how we should think about what success means, and what it implies for who you spend your time with, and what you spend your time...

Are you considering a career transition?

More people are. But it’s not an easy endeavour. It comes with a sense of excitement and fear.

In this episode Herminia Ibarra gives insights into what it takes to transition careers. She discusses why having a grand plan is the wrong move, the importance of developing your own story and why practice makes perfect. She also explores the signals we can look for to know when we are making the right decisions, as well as what she has learned from her own career changes.
Duration: 00:33:15

Is your company a responsible business?

Taking the higher ground in business is integral to doing work ethically and with integrity.

This is a necessity if you look at the systemic challenges we're facing, whether it's climate change, social inequality, or fragile geopolitics.

My guest in this episode, Alison Taylor, shares her wisdom and recommendations on how to tackle this. We talk about how to take a longer view even when faced with urgent, difficult, and immediate pressures. She outlines what she would look for in the mindset and practices of a CEO...

Have you ever suffered from anxiety?

We all have anxiety. At best, it gives us energy, drive and ambition, but at its worst it can be debilitating. I haven't met or worked with a leader who isn't anxious. The problem is that not many talk about it privately or even publicly.

My guest in this episode, Morra Aarons-Mele, is raising our consciousness, understanding and practices in all things anxiety. We talk about what causes anxiety, where it shows up at work and in life, and what you can do to create a healthier relationship with...

How do you rate your communication skills?

Being able to communicate with creativity and conviction is something leaders need to encourage their teams to contribute more and give meaningful ideas.

In this episode I am joined by Neil Mullarkey, comedian, actor and coach to senior executives. He is also a co-founder of the world-famous Comedy Store players in London, and he believes that improv is a key ingredient to being a great communicator.

He shares his mindset practices before, during and after a performance, and the best ways you can use improv in...

How do you view work life balance?

For some it's an indulgence or luxury, for others, it's an essential, non-negotiable aspect of work and life. Whatever your view being more aware of what you want in life is surely an important step for all.

In this episode I am joined by Dan Pontefract, who redefines and refrains it by calling it work life bloom. He argues that if we want to apply our best selves to our work, we need to be more human and curious and what it is that we want.

...

How can you improve your customer and employee experience?

People in the CSuite can forget customer and employee experience are linked. If you change how customers interact with products or services, your employees change the way they work too.

In this episode I am joined by Tiffani Bova, a growth expert. Her research shows 80% of customer facing employees do not feel the technology they use works for the tasks they are given. The question is, if it doesn’t work for employees how can it work for customers?

Tiffani shares what she thinks ma...

How can you undergo digital transformation successfully?

Too often, it is led without a clear vision by those at the top of the organisation who are just looking to launch technology pilots across the business. To do it well means you may have to challenge your thinking to inspire new ways of working.

David Rogers is my guest in this episode, an expert in digital transformation who has been at the forefront of advising to and teaching companies how to do it well. He discusses the 5 critical steps to digital transformation as well as how...

What dictates meaning?

Cultural engagement plays a critical role in influencing people to think and act differently. It can be the difference between meaningful or transactional relationships. To be successful in marketing we need to understand people's values and beliefs more deeply, and how we can then appeal to them.

My guest in this episode is Marcus Collins, someone who has done this for a living for years working with some of the world's top brands, including Apple and Beyoncé. He argues that if a brand wants people’s custom it requires trust, intimacy, and bei...

What does it take to be a successful entrepreneur?

Discipline for a start. Not just in your work but how you stay true to your values and the way you lead your life. It’s one of the reasons why Keaton Hoskins, my guest in this episode, has successfully scaled a number of multi-million dollar businesses.

Keaton discusses how he identifies unmet needs to generate businesses and what it takes to scale them. He gives incredible insight into where you need to focus your time to be a successful serial entrepreneur. He also explains the pr...

Have you ever felt stale, overwhelmed or directionless?

You might be performing well, but something's missing. The voice inside your head is getting louder, asking you questions about what your purpose is in life, what you are here to do, and who you are here to serve. My guest in this episode is Tammy Gooler Loeb and she helps people find answers to be able to craft their job, career, and indeed life in a way that is more intentional and fulfilling. 

Tammy has worked with executives on how to overcome thi...

How should we be using AI positively and constructively?

AI is part of our lives both personally and professionally whether you like it or not. Any senior executive or entrepreneur should be learning more about how best to use AI in their organisation, but there are many implications of its use that need to be considered. In this episode Juliette Powell and Art Kleiner share their wisdom, expertise and considerable research on this topic to give us a nuanced perspective of its use. 

We talk about fascinating applications of AI, not just generative. How much c...

What can we learn from our childhood?

Imagine sailing around the world for 10 years starting from the age of seven, covering more than 47,000 nautical miles. You experience different cultures and enjoy some amazing sights, whilst also dealing with many hardships, including isolation, hunger, and a lack of education. That was Suzanne Heywood's childhood, which she captured in her brilliant book, Wavewalker: Breaking Free.

In this episode, Suzanne shares the highs and lows of that childhood, with events and situations unimaginable for many of us. She also talks about how she overcame challenges living at sea...

What can we learn from Chinese entrepreneurs?

China is home to some of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs and companies. Yet, much of the management thinking and practices we use comes from Western companies.

This episode fills this gap by delving into what it takes for companies to thrive in this dynamic, unpredictable, and hyper-competitive market. Aldo and Sandrine share their collective experience of 60 years of working and living in China, outlining tactics strategic leaders can master, whether operating in China or elsewhere.

They discuss the importance of adaptability, customer focus, data, an...

How do you connect in a virtual world?

The virtual world was thrust upon us all with the pandemic and it has since become a way of working life. That doesn’t mean everyone makes their virtual work engaging, inspiring and thought provoking. Robbie Samuels is the perfect guest to talk to about creating virtual events people will remember.

He talks about the challenges we all face working in virtual environments, from the sessions themselves to how we can have those sensitive conversations with team members. He busts myths around the virt...

How does nutrition impact strategic leaders?

This episode is all about feeding your brain and body with the right stuff. In other words, how can you enjoy a good nutritious diet, and why it matters for our performance and wellbeing at work, and indeed in life. Dana Chapman, a leading nutritional therapist joins me to share her advice on how to do this.

Dana explains food’s role as a source of nutrients rather than a source of fuel and how understanding this has profound impacts on both our physical and me...

How do you develop a reinvention mindset?

Who better to talk with than Aidan McCullum, who's used this mindset as he's moved from being a professional rugby player, to commentator, to innovation leader, to transformational consultant, keynote speaker, and host of the successful Innovation Show. 

He talks about what it takes to reinvent yourself, how to think about your mindset (your ‘software’) and how to look after yourself as you experience discomfort and anxiety. Aidan emphasises the importance of a ‘fuzzy’ vision to help guide you as you make important decisions. 

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How do you stimulate innovation?

In this episode, Alex Osterwalder, CEO and Founder of Strategyzer, talks about what it takes to stimulate and pursue innovation in a difficult and dynamic context. He talks about why CEOs need to invest at least 40% of their time on innovation activities, how they should use new measures (AKIs that complement OKRs), and how to develop inclusive, high performing teams. Alex also talks about the implications for AI in innovation - how it can help develop prototypes and how it will encourage innovation professionals to up their game. 

“If you...

How do you lead creative people in a high profile organisation like the BBC?

Tom Fussell is the CEO of BBC Studios, the BBC’s production and distribution business. Most recently, his team was responsible for the coverage of the King’s Coronation and the Queen’s Funeral. It doesn’t get much bigger or more under the spotlight than that. 

In this episode, Tom discusses how he’s creating the conditions for people to feel empowered to do their best work, often in high pressure situations like these. He covers how he’s sc...

Do you let the little things get to you as a leader?

Everyone has those moments of irritability that you regret afterwards. You were stressed. It happens, doesn’t it? But it doesn’t have to if you know how to manage your microstresses and what causes them. As a leader you can be more resilient and create a stronger, richer identity if you know how to deal with microstress.

Karen and Rob reveal not only how to identify your microstresses but also what impact they are having on your co-workers, family, and friends. They delv...

Why should companies encourage their employees to build their personal brand? 

A question that many companies shudder at the thought of. Individuals sharing their own ideas and opinions can’t be good for the company, right? Wrong. Personal branding can be used by companies to share values and ideas through the individuals that work for them with far wider reach.

In this conversation Amelia Sordell, personal branding expert, gives expert advice on everything personal branding. From how to develop your personal brand as a leader to how to overcome the fear of ex...

Do you get enough sleep? 

The answer to that question has far reaching implications for your health, performance and wellbeing. As leaders there are many benefits to ensuring sleep is prioritised over work, from being able to make better decisions, improving your mental and physical health, to getting the best out of your teams. But how do you ensure you get enough? 

In this episode, Dr. Els van der Helm, a Sleep Neuroscientist and one of the top 5 sleep experts in the world, discusses the cost of chronic sleep debt. She explores how to improve sl...

How do you create the best places to work? This is a question many leaders are asking themselves as they figure out new hybrid environments. To do this, they need to understand the features and characteristics of high performing workplaces and the enabling organisational culture.

In this podcast, Julia Hobsbawm, author of The Nowhere Office and Bloomsburg columnist, gives her insights into the workplace revolution. She shares her thoughts on where work is heading and how leaders need to listen, ask and iterate to create the conditions for high performance.

“There is no ha...

How do you lead a group of clever, brilliant people?

That’s a question I posed of Francois Ortalo-Magne, Dean and CEO of the London Business School. 

We delve into his world as the leader of the one of the world’s most prestigious business schools. 

We talk about:

How good is your writing at work? It's rather important. Think about your bids, pitches, presentations, Executive or Board papers, investment cases and, of course, emails. Too often writing is dry, technocratic, and overly complex. It makes it hard for the reader to understand in one go, or at all. It limits your ability to convince them of your thinking, and tarnishes your brand. 

In this podcast, Scott Keyser, the 'Writing Guy', shares his tips and lessons from working with companies over the last 30 years. He shows that it is a learnable skill for everyone If we s...

The news is littered with examples of ethical lapses and corruption. In fact, a Strategy& study showed that it was the biggest reason for CEOs resigning. Yet, compliance is still a word and a practice that is not always considered pivotal to the success of organisations. It’s often perceived as part of the bureaucracy that stops or slows down progress.

Who better to talk to than a man who has transformed himself from somebody who was corrupt and sent to jail to somebody who is now a world authority on the subject. 

This is the...

How much do you suppress your emotions at work? 

What if you could be more aware of them, in control of them, and learn from them? 

That’s the topic of my conversation with Liz Fosslein in this episode. She shares her stories, research, and experience of tapping into Big Emotions, captured so brilliantly in her book of the same name, co authored with Mollie West Duffy. 

We talk about how to handle and learn from your anger, burnout, comparison, feelings of uncertainty. 

So if you’re feeling any of these emotions...

You’re looking to build a higher performing team, or organisation, where more people can do their best. 

Sounds simple, right?

But there are some biases and blockers in the way. You know that you’ve got work to do but you’re not sure where to start. You look around and realise that you hire and promote people who look like you and the other members of your leadership team, whether intentional or not. You want to be a good ally to people in under-represented or under-estimated groups but you’re not sure how to.

What can a banker who built one of the biggest financial empires in the world and was a major philanthropist teach us about strategic leadership? A lot, in fact. 
I talk to Dan Gross, the author of a biography on Edmond J. Safra called ‘A banker’s life’. It’s a fascinating counter to many of the practices we hear and see – for better or worse – in modern day life.
 
Safra was incredibly ambitious, looking to build wealth, nurture his community, and build bridges across the world. We hear about his approach to:

Bill George tells me that this the most difficult time to be a leader he’s seen in his life as they face major generational, political, societal shifts and challenges. The traditional command and control approach to leadership and management doesn’t work.

Instead, we need more authentic leaders have a clearer, longer-term view of what it takes to make their organisation successful. Leaders who take a stand on important issues, particularly the issues their employees and customers care about. Leaders who act as coaches more than manager, who tell the truth, are transparent, vulnerable, able to admi...

What would it take to show and give your absolute best at work? Even having to ask the question suggests there’s something amiss. 

Perhaps it’s because we’ve been told what we’re not good at that we’ve forgotten what we are good at. Or we’ve been wearing a mask for so long that it’s all become part of a performance. 

Andy Woodfield has spent his career trying to figure out the uniqueness and the dreams of the people he works with. That curiosity leads to powerful human connection, and a conversation a...

When you’re feeling life is tough, you’re typically told to ride it out, put your head down, get through it. That might help some people, for a while. But it’s missing something. Only when we reach out to others, find a connection, get some support that we truly feel better – using fortitude.

In this podcast Bruce Daisley challenges conventional wisdom by arguing that the power of social connection is the critical aspect of resilience. For example, the biggest predictor of well-being after major heart surgery 3/6/12/24 months afterwards is the number of groups the patient feels pa...

Inclusion has been one of those terms we might reserve for HR, an initiative, or a special interest group.

Wrong. It’s critical to the success of any organisation, and a moral responsibility.

For too long, traditionally disadvantaged groups – by race, gender, sexuality – have progressed slower and had poorer experiences at work.

Their leaders – from a majority group – have employed avoidance tactics, in some cases standing away and not giving eye contact, sticking to their familiar places and faces.

What does it take to build an inclusive organisation? Dr. Gena Cox shares the...

We’re moving into the age of psychological capital based on curiosity and creativity. We need to harness data on behaviours more effectively to help us understand people in an unbiased, objective, and meritocratic way. It might sound straightforward but it will require overcoming resistance especially from those who have grown into senior leadership roles in the system; they fear what the data may show them, revealing some home truths.

Aspiring leaders have to be willing to challenge the way business works, being dissatisfied with the status quo. They'll need to rethink of aspects of conventional wisdom – the...

How strategic are you with your time, attention, and energy? Many successful executives aren’t, surprisingly. Their days are overly busy (some feel proud of this), as if their schedules run their life. They’re racing against the clock, trying to get through never-ending to-do lists. They feel exhausted by the weekend, and frustrations fester as they don’t progress important professional or personal projects. Sound familiar?

How do you wrestle back control, tackle the chaos, and make time for what matters? My guest in this podcast, Laura Vanderkam, has pioneered approaches to help you do this. An aut...

Work relationships can be hard. Too often we grin and bear it as if we have no choice. Or throw up our hands because one-size-fits-all solutions haven't worked. Many of us walk away, avoiding difficult people. But we can only endure so much thoughtless, irrational, or malicious behaviour—there's your sanity to consider, and your career.

In her book Getting Along, workplace expert and Harvard Business Review podcast host Amy Gallo identifies eight familiar types of difficult coworkers—the insecure boss, the passive-aggressive peer, the know-it-all, the biased coworker, and others—and provides strategies tailored to dealing constr...

Time is running out for our planet. We are taking more than we are giving. CSR targets don’t go far enough. And societal inequality is on the rise. It requires a rethink of how we do business, how we lead organisations, how we measure impact.

Who better to set out the manifesto for change than Paul Polman, the former CEO of Unilever and co founder of Imagine One. He’s done what he’s advocated; turned a global company into a force for good whilst still delivering exceptional shareholder value. He’s now become an advocate, catalyst...

You feel there’s something important to say at work. An idea that could make a big difference. Or a behaviour that’s not good. But you’re not sure whether you should because there isn’t enough psychological safety. Perhaps there’s toxicity in the culture or a strong prevailing way of doing things. You calling something out might be risky to your standing and your career. What does it take to be courageous to speak up about something important? What strategies and tactics can you use?

Professor Jim Detert is one of the world’s leading auth...

Many organisations say that they are customer-centric. But when you look inside they’re far from it. Customers come a distant second to their product or service. And when they do focus on them, they often apply simplistic assumptions about how we think, feel, and behave.

Andrea Olson is a behavioural scientist who has studied how to learn what customers need, but don’t always tell you.

In this podcast find out:

★ What stops customers telling you what they want.
★ What it takes to create a customer-centric organisation.
★ Whether it’s possible to...

About Jeffrey:

Jeffrey Shaw is a speaker and small business coach who helps self-employed and small business owners gain control of their business in what seems like otherwise uncontrollable circumstances.

Drawing on his experience as a renowned portrait photographer, Jeffrey shows business owners how to see business through a different lens and strategies to compose the often-chaotic pieces of life and business into sustainable success.

 Jeffrey’s TEDx Lincoln Square talk is featured on TED.com, he’s the host of the top-rated podcast, The Self-Employed Life, author of The Self-Employed Life...

You're a founder, Board member or Senior Executive. Tasked with scaling your business profitably and sustainably. But you're facing a complex, dynamic, volatile and uncertain environment.

How do you make smart decisions about where to focus, and how to stimulate innovation in a world of ecosystems? How do you use venture capital wisely? How can you upskill your team to make important decisions?

These are questions - and more - that Chris Rangen has been advising on, speaking about, and teaching for the last two decades.

In this podcast find out what:
<...

How do you scale-up a start-up? How do you make sure a large corporate doesn't stifle innovation? 

These are questions - and many more - that Steve Blank has been addressing for decades as one of the world's leading authorities on entrepreneurship and innovation.

In this podcast find out what:

Summary:

Imagine your daughter or son, niece or nephew telling you that they couldn’t access the facilities like a museum, taxi, or arts gallery. What would you do? You’d feel disappointed. You might even write a letter to complain. But would you try to overhaul the system? That’s a big ask for any parent or relative. 

But that’s exactly what Janice Lintz did. Over the last twenty years she has fought for access for the deaf and hard of hearing like her daughter. Induction loops are now fitted in the NYC T...

Summary:

Whether we realise it or not, we all use mental models to think about our context (customers, competitors), make choices, structure work, and undertake key activities (such as doing innovation or pursuing M&A). 

But how often do you stop for a moment to challenge them? Often we operate on autopilot. If they don't work, we try again, and again, without
thinking of an alternative.

My guest in this episode, Roger Martin, has spent his career developing these alternative mental models and approaches that challenge conventional wisdom.

T...

Summary:

Innovation is a topic that always comes up in my work with CEOs, senior executives and entrepreneurs. We focus on how to:

But there are lots of myths and misunderstandings. Innovation "theatre" too. People talk a great game, but innovation practice doesn't live up to the promise. 

Who better to talk to about these topics than Bill Fischer, a guru on innovation and leadership; he worked with companies, like H...

Summary:

“Digital transformation” is a big buzzword in business. But digital initiatives alone are not enough to win in the marketplace -- companies need to reimagine the compelling value they will offer and how they will create it in a differentiating way. Two senior partners from Strategy&, former colleagues and friends, set out seven leadership imperatives for
transforming companies in the new digital era based on extensive research of twelve companies, including Philips, Microsoft and Adobe:

Summary:

The last few years will have forced or encouraged us to make changes in our lives. In a positive light, some people have spent better quality time with family and friends, enjoyed the company of their neighbours, exercised more regularly and taken up hobbies again. But when the pressure's on, and there's no systemic "shock" to deal with, it's natural that we slip back to some of our old ways.

To overcome this, Katy Milkman says we should understand our internal obstacles — or “opponents” — and then select the right strategies to overcome them. Sh...

Summary:

Strategy is a mystery to many of us. It’s an over-used, misunderstood term in business. Put simply, a strategy is a plan to create value. Don’t start with profit though. That’s the result of strategy. Instead, use a "value stick" which provides a way of measuring the two fundamental forces that lead to value creation and increased financial success: (1) the customer's willingness-to-pay (the top of the stick); and (2) the employee's willingness-to-sell their services to the business (the bottom of the stick).

Companies that "win", according to Felix Oberholzer-Gee, create value...

Summary:

Being a founder of a start-up takes courage, grit, entrepreneurial spirit. It takes a special kind of person. Somebody who is enormously self-driven, -determined and -motivated. But how far will these traits take you as you look to scale your business? And what will you need to start, stop and change in your leadership style? How will you work hard and smart to avoid burn out and mental health problems?

Alisa Cohn, confidante and coach the founders and CEOs of some of the world’s most successful start-ups and scale-ups shares her pe...

Summary:

How many of us set goals for ourselves? It might be in one of those dreadful HR processes at work. Or a memorable event during the year, like New Year or your birthday. We write them down, sometimes share them with family and friends, work at them. But how many of them help us really get somewhere?

Too often we settle for the status quo, or baby steps. But what would it take to do something that really matters in life. To develop goals, Worthy Goals, that are thrilling, important and daunting.  Duration: 00:27:59

Summary

Many of us are impatient. We’re ambitious, keen to see the spoils of success, but also a little insecure, wondering if we’re going to make it or whether a friend or colleague will get there first. So we go all in, putting in the hours, risking overwork or burnout. Or we focus on what feels easy, guaranteed or glamorous in the moment. 

At the same time we want to live healthier lives, more connected to our families, and friends. But it doesn’t seem possible to have it all. Or does it...

Summary:

Women of color are one of the fastest-growing segments in the corporate workforce, yet often we are underrepresented—among the first, few, or only ones in a department or company. For too long, corporate structures, the social zeitgeist, and cultural conditioning have left them feeling exhausted and downtrodden, believing that in order to “fit in” and be successful, we must hide or change who they are.

How can they “find, feel and forge their power in the corporate world”? Understanding the systems of delusions that pervade the system is an important start, as is shed...

Summary:

Organisations are crying out for more strategic leaders. These are the people who are brave enough to make a commitment to an extraordinary path, and skilful enough to make a multitude of choices to get there. They’re able to reframe complex problems as they shape brighter futures for those around them. In conversation they stretch and support, nourish and confront in equal measure.

In this podcast, Niko Canner, founder of Incandescent, speaks eloquently about their traits, mindsets, and practices of these strategic leaders. He describes how it feels t the beginning of...

Making a career transition is hard at the best of times. And it’s likely that more of us will make them, either by our own making or by necessity as we live longer. It can be even harder when you’ve operated at an elite level. How do you take the best bits of your performance and use them in a new field? How do you reposition yourself, recreating your brand, and establish credibility in a new space when people know you for something else? And when you have a new career and you’ve established yourself with a stro...

How do you master the process of changing as a professional and as a person? How do you understand where you are on the S-curve of learning? And when you do, what will you do next? Dig into exploring the possibilities in front of you, shift gear and career, or disrupt yourself once you’ve reached mastery? How to avoid the distractions that impede your progress, and focus your attention wisely?

Whitney Johnson, CEO of Disruption Advisors, and the author of a brilliant book called Smart Growth: how to grow your people to grow your company, describes th...

Summary:

Take a moment and ask yourself: what do you stand for, and how do you want to show up at work? These are the two critical questions to address when you think about your identity.

And if you feel a sense of belonging, a concept far richer and deeper than just inclusion, you’re going to feel that you can express your identity fully and openly. Creating the conditions for this requires deep listening to what people say, don’t say, how they express themselves, as well as the curation of great ques...