Leaders come and leaders go, quite often without knowing why they succeeded - and why they failed.
Debate rages as to what leadership is, what makes it work well - and why failure happens all too often.
Leadership Listening gets inside the soul and stories of leaders of all kinds – public and private sector, ‘not for profit’ - those who lead well, and those who hit the leadership wall.
Hosted by Lawrie Philpott, outspoken and highly experienced – his approach is informed by decades of coaching, working with over 300 C-Suite executives and more than a 100 leadership teams across the globe. Hear his perspective on leadership and analysis of leadership failure.
If you’re already a leader, or on your way to the C-Suite, in HR, coaching, or academia, there’s bound to be something for you - even disagreement!
Join us - let’s take leadership to a better place
Site
RSS
Apple
Données mises à jour le 21/09/2026
Classements récents
Dernières positions dans les classements Apple Podcasts et Spotify.
Liens partagés entre épisodes et podcasts
Liens présents dans les descriptions d'épisodes et autres podcasts les utilisant également.
Découvrez des podcasts liées à Leadership Listening. Explorez des podcasts avec des thèmes, sujets, et formats similaires. Ces similarités sont calculées grâce à des données tangibles, pas d'extrapolations !
Operational Leadership: Lessons from PwC’s COO - with John Berriman
Épisode 17
dimanche 26 juillet 2026 • Durée 57:37
Lawrie Philpott of Philpott Black and host of the Leadership Listening podcast talks with John Berriman about leadership grounded in execution, drawing on Berriman’s career as a PwC audit partner, founder of its cybersecurity advisory practice, board member, and UK firm COO with 1,400 reports, plus later work as global COO at global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright and Chair of national learning disabilities and autism charity MacIntyre.
Berriman describes formative influences, his “completer-finisher” operational mindset, and what makes bosses difficult or effective, emphasising understanding people and motivating them. He explains COO pressures in a partnership - profit variability, budgeting, communication, technology spend, service reliability, and crisis tracking during 9/11 and the London bombings - along with methods to enforce operational discipline via strategy, thresholds, and accountability.
They discuss misconceptions about PwC, judgment versus intelligence, complexity in large organisations and nonprofit governance challenges (especially funding and staffing).
00:00 Intro
00:46 Meet John Berriman
03:01 Early Influences
04:57 Operational Mindset
09:23 Handling Tough Bosses
14:12 Mentors Who Backed
17:11 COO Pressures
28:17 Discipline In Partnerships
34:47 PwC Misconceptions
39:58 Judgment Versus Intelligence
47:05 Lessons From The Top
51:49 Nonprofit Leadership Realities
55:14 Closing Questions
Contact the show! Email: podcast@leadershiplistening.com
Head to https://www.leadershiplistening.com/ to explore more videos and search for key topics
Watch this episode on YouTube! https://youtu.be/Fe8cN3vlUmg
📱 Follow Us On Socials:
Instagram: / https://www.instagram.com/leadershiplistening
LinkedIn: / https://www.linkedin.com/company/leadershiplistening/
Bluesky: / https://bsky.app/profile/leadershiplisten.bsky.social
SUBSCRIBE, SHARE & JOIN US IN TAKING LEADERSHIP TO A BETTER PLACE
Why traditional leadership playbooks no longer apply - with Nik Gowing
Épisode 16
dimanche 26 avril 2026 • Durée 01:00:36
Lawrie Philpott of Philpott Black and host of Leadership Listening talks with Nik Gowing, veteran BBC World News presenter and author of Thinking the Unthinkable, about leadership, disruption, and a darkening world.
Nik shares his core research findings — that most leaders are dangerously unprepared for the speed and complexity of modern disruption — and maps out his prescient warnings from 2009 and 2018. He argues the world is entering a period of fundamental instability driven by AI-driven unemployment, geopolitical rupture, weakened institutions, and the collapse of long-held assumptions about prosperity. He calls on leaders to think the unthinkable, break from zombie orthodoxies, and upskill for an era where traditional playbooks no longer apply.
Together they examine why politicians and civil servants struggle to speak truth to power, how Trump has distorted truth and inspired imitators globally, the concept of corporate mendacity, and the leadership lessons embedded in Nik's most memorable journalistic moments — including the fall of the Berlin Wall and the announcement of Princess Diana's death. They close with what universal leadership traits will matter most for the rest of this decade.
00:00 Intro
00:53 Introducing Nik Gowing
03:21 A Dark And Sinister Prognosis
07:44 The End Of Stability And The Pinball World
10:19 Leaders Failing To Grip The Enormity
13:19 Upskilling For A New Reality
16:24 Civil Service And Public Sector Failure
17:26 Thinking The Unthinkable In Government
20:11 Trump, DOGE And Decimated Public Life
22:39 Zelensky As A Leadership Model
24:35 Leaders On Camera — Credibility Under Pressure
27:12 Media Adversarialism And Being First Fast Flawed
29:13 Leadership Fitness And The 2500-Hour Year
33:08 Bravery, Opportunism And Real-Time Leadership
36:16 Flattery As Diplomacy — The Washington Weekend
37:09 Post-Truth And The Distortion Of Facts
41:39 Corporate Mendacity And Deliberate Distraction
45:28 Most Memorable Journalistic Moments
47:32 The Fall Of The Berlin Wall
48:56 Announcing The Death Of Princess Diana
52:28 Universal Leadership Traits Across Cultures
57:37 Cynical Or Hopeful About The Future
59:25 Closing Questions
Since 2014 Nik has been founder and director of the Thinking the Unthinkable project - https://thinkunthink.org/ Using interviews with, and access to, the highest levels of business, public service and governments the ongoing and dynamic project reveals candidly why so many leaders at every level face new difficulties adapting to the scale of unthinkables and unpalatables.
Leading with resilience and purpose in the charity sector - with Julie Bentley
Épisode 15
dimanche 12 avril 2026 • Durée 49:27
Lawrie Philpott of Philpott Black and host of Leadership Listening talks with Julie Bentley, Chief Executive of Samaritans.
Julie shares her journey from a working-class upbringing in Essex, to discovering her calling through charity work, and building a distinguished career leading the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, the Family Planning Association, Girl Guiding, Action for Children, and now Samaritans. She reflects on what changes across different organisations and what stays constant in her leadership style, how to handle intense media scrutiny and online trolling as a woman in public life, and why the hardest weight in leadership is always the people — staff, volunteers, and service users. Julie explores what the CEO of Samaritans learned about truly listening, why leaders rarely admit what support they actually need, how to lead with moral compass under public scrutiny, and the delicate balance between transparency and necessary boundaries. She discusses the relentless financial pressures facing the charity sector, what shaped her leadership through mentors and feedback, and a pivotal lesson about power that changed how she leads.
00:00 Intro
03:51 Early Life and Background
05:21 Finding A Calling Through Charity
06:54 Leading Across Different Charities
08:16 What Has Changed in the Workplace
09:20 What Stays Constant in Leadership
11:32 Media Scrutiny and Public Life
12:58 Online Trolling and Resilience
16:14 What Feels Heaviest in Leadership
18:58 Connecting the CEO With Volunteers
23:48 Why Volunteers Are the Backbone of Society
25:27 Supporting Volunteers Through Difficult Work
26:15 Learning About Listening
Strategy, Competitive Differentiation and Leading at Pace - with Chris Outram
Épisode 14
lundi 16 mars 2026 • Durée 55:50
Lawrie Philpott of Philpott Black and host of Leadership Listening talks with
Chairman Emeritus and co-founder of OC&C Strategy Consultants Chris Outram, about leadership and modern strategy.
Chris recounts his early life in RAF postings, boarding school, Atlantic College, a dual degree in engineering and economics, early roles including BCG and corporate strategy, then founding OC&C, now a global specialist firm. He argues strategy is fundamentally about competitive differentiation, made harder by abundant data, faster competitor reactions and shorter strategy lifespans, with CEOs needing to own strategy and review it every six months alongside team capability. He discusses why strategies fail (poor analysis/design, weak commitment/execution), CEO strengths, board agenda gaps, and strategic risks including geopolitical uncertainty, competition, talent, and pace. Chris outlines where AI will first affect strategy work and closes with his pet hate and secret passions.
00:00 Intro
01:42 Early Life And Education
04:27 Career Turns And Founding OC&C
07:28 What High End Strategy Means
08:52 How Strategy Has Changed
14:06 Shorter Horizons Long Term Markets
16:08 Six Month Strategy And Talent Reviews
18:40 Why Strategies Fail
21:03 CEO Skills Vision Analysis Execution
22:58 Commitment Execution And Common Traps
25:46 Focus And Top Team Belief
27:37 Purpose And Success
28:49 Uncomfortable Board Truths
31:41 Holding Strategy Accountable
33:00 AI And Strategy Work
38:01 First Mover Or Moat
42:38 Risks Boards Underweight
45:37 AI In Professional Services
47:33 Futurology With Data
52:14 Closing Questions
Contact the show! Email:podcast@leadershiplistening.com
Head to https://www.leadershiplistening.com/ to explore more videos and search for key topics
📲 Follow Us On Socials:
Instagram: / https://www.instagram.com/leadershiplistening
LinkedIn: / https://www.linkedin.com/company/leadershiplistening/
Bluesky: / https://bsky.app/profile/leadershiplisten.bsky.social
Collaboration is the new leadership - with René Carayol MBE
Épisode 13
lundi 26 janvier 2026 • Durée 56:53
Lawrie Philpott of Philpott Black and host of Leadership Listening talks with renowned global leadership coach René Carayol about the complex world of modern leadership.
They delve into the qualities that make great leaders, the importance of inclusive environments, and the challenges faced by today's leaders. René shares his personal journey, including anecdotes from his time at Pepsi and his coaching experiences with prime ministers, professional boxers and CEOs.
Together, they explore themes such as vulnerability, accountability, and the future of leadership in an ever-changing, fast-paced world. This engaging discussion is packed with valuable insights and practical advice for aspiring and current leaders alike.
00:00 Intro
02:00 René's Career Journey
03:22 The PepsiCo Experience
06:24 Transition to Coaching
09:57 The Essence of Leadership
13:23 Global Perspectives on Leadership
21:44 Challenges of Modern Leadership
28:53 The Power of Vulnerability in Leadership
29:31 Understanding Accountability vs. Responsibility
31:08 Empowerment Over Delegation
33:20 The Concept of Primary Team
37:31 Leadership in a Fast-Moving World
44:34 Balancing Work and Personal Life
46:47 Challenges in Public Sector Leadership
50:51 Future of Leadership: Embracing Diversity and Inclusion
53:51 Closing Questions
Contact the show! Email:podcast@leadershiplistening.com
Head to https://www.leadershiplistening.com/ to explore more videos and search for key topics
📲 Follow Us On Socials:
Instagram: / https://www.instagram.com/leadershiplistening
LinkedIn: / https://www.linkedin.com/company/leadershiplistening/
Bluesky: / https://bsky.app/profile/leadershiplisten.bsky.social
SUBSCRIBE, SHARE & JOIN US IN TAKING LEADERSHIP TO A BETTER PLACE
From Arrogance to Accountability: Lessons in Leadership Failure - with Suzanne McKie KC
Épisode 12
lundi 15 décembre 2025 • Durée 56:11
Lawrie Philpott of Philpott Black and host of Leadership Listening chats to Suzanne McKie KC about critical legal challenges faced by senior executives. Suzanne specialises in employment, diversity law, regulatory law and high court litigation. Her law firm Farore Law - http://www.farorelaw.co.uk specialises in discrimination, whistle-blowing and misconduct and partnership law - in the workplace.
Together they talk about a range of topics, including: the intricacies of leadership failures, whistleblowing, misconduct issues, and the importance of effective communication. The conversation also highlights Suzanne's experiences with cases involving sexual harassment, drug use, and the vital role of good leadership in preventing disputes. The dialogue emphasises the significance of training for C-Suite executives, maintaining emotional control, and understanding the legal aspects of their actions. Additionally, they discuss the necessity of agreed exit statements, the impact of media interactions, and how leadership dynamics influence organisational behaviour. This enlightening session aims to demystify the legal perspectives for leaders and underscores the importance of empathy, proper training, and strategic communication in leadership roles.
00:00 – Intro
02:49 – Types of Cases: Whistleblowing, Misconduct, and More
03:56 – Leadership Failures: Behind the Curtain
05:27 – Emotions in the C-Suite
06:45 – Communication Breakdowns
08:08 – Arrogance and Policy Blind Spots
09:45 – Ignorance of the Law & Arrogance in Leadership
11:00 – The Role of HR and Legal Advice
12:00 – CEO Missteps: When Success Breeds Blindness
13:20 – Everything is Discoverable: Digital Evidence
14:30 – The Importance of Feedback and Training
From Trading Floor to Boardroom: A Banking CEO’s Leadership Journey - with Keith Meekins
Épisode 11
lundi 17 novembre 2025 • Durée 01:06:31
Lawrie Philpott of Philpott Black and host of Leadership Listening chats to Keith Meekins, a seasoned investment banker who rose from the ground floor of the financial services industry to become the Chief Executive of Daiwa Capital Markets Europe.
In this episode, Keith shares insights from his 40-year career, detailing his early life influences, his rise through the ranks, and the challenges and triumphs he experienced along the way. They discuss the demanding environment of investment banking, the importance of having strong leadership qualities, and how Keith managed various cultural dynamics between the UK and Japan. The conversation covers Keith's approach to leadership, especially during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. The episode concludes with Keith revealing his pet hate—lateness—and his secret passion for fly fishing and supporting Deal Football Club. This episode provides a comprehensive look at the complexities of leadership in the high-stakes world of investment banking.
00:00 Intro
01:39 Keith's Early Life and Career Beginnings in Investment Banking
07:00 Challenges and Learning in Settlements
10:35 Transition to Trading and Early Success
14:48 Navigating Japanese Banking Culture
18:38 Commerzbank and Electronic Trading
23:43 Joining Daiwa and Leadership Insights
32:00 From Trading to Chief Executive
33:00 Cultural Differences in Business Practices
34:00 Regulatory Challenges and Leadership Changes
36:01 Navigating the Role of CEO
40:40 Building an Executive Team
45:49 Impact of COVID-19 on Business Operations
49:56 The Importance of Board Relationships
55:53 Reflections on Leadership and Retirement
01:01:32 Closing questions
Leadership and workplace culture from a generation Z perspective
Épisode 10
lundi 3 novembre 2025 • Durée 52:36
Lawrie Philpott of Philpott Black and host of Leadership Listening chats to Calypso Kulasegram, Eugene Rotherham and Lucas Pepper about leadership and workplace culture from a generation Z perspective.
Together they talk about a range of topics, including: stereotypes of Gen Z in the workplace, opportunities and barriers of using AI at work, mentoring for graduates, the use of the term “snowflake”, if universities are doing a good job of equipping graduates for the world of work, are Gen Z more ethically and morally minded when it comes to decisions about who they will work for? Are Gen Z workers “entitled”? Are Gen Z afraid of feedback? Neurodiversity and inclusion, trust, values, behaviours, social media, workplace culture and change.
00:00 Intro
07:02 Gen Z in the workplace – are the stereotypes true?
12:26 Adjusting to the use of AI in the workplace
13:48 Mentoring for graduates
14:15 Are young people really “snowflakes”?
16:02 Are universities equipping graduates for the world of work?
16:38 Gen Z making ethical decisions about work
19:10 Are Gen Z workers “entitled”?
21:04 Getting communication right – Are Gen Z afraid of feedback?
24:30 Neurodiversity and Inclusion – Meeting different needs
30:15 What does Gen Z want from its leaders?
32:15 Trust as a leadership value
36:00 Values in organisations
38:25 Behaviours and values – Walking the talk
41:11 Social media, Gen Z and workplace culture
44:59 What would Gen Z change about leadership?
Stress, burnout, mental health and narcissism in the workplace - with Dr Daksha Hirani
Épisode 9
lundi 27 octobre 2025 • Durée 47:17
Lawrie Philpott of Philpott Black and host of Leadership Listening chats to chartered clinical psychologist Dr Daksha Hirani (DClinPsy, AFBPsS), all about stress, burnout, mental health and narcissism in the workplace.
Together they talk about a range of topics, including: Workplace culture, safety and feeling unsafe at work, burnout, feeling trapped in your job, stress, holistic mental health, numbing and self-medication, bodily sensations, thoughts, urges and feelings, re-entering work or leaving a toxic workplace, knowing yourself and your needs, narcissism and bullying in the boardroom, coping skills, tools and strategies, therapy, occupational health, motivation, the character and morals of senior leaders, trust in leaders, leadership values and behaviours, mental health challenges for start-up leaders, narcissists, recovering from being affected by a narcissist, how to spot the signs of a narcissistic boss, gaslighting, leaders acting with awareness of their intention.
00:00 Intro
03:23 Workplace cultures
04:44 Feeling unsafe at work
05:33 Burnout
06:11 Feeling trapped in your job
07:55 The differences between stress and burnout
10:04 Signs of burnout
10:47 Thinking about your mental health holistically
12:12 Numbing and self-medication
13:45 Sensations, thoughts, urges and feelings
14:29 Re-entering work or leaving a toxic workplace
17:11 Knowing yourself and your needs
18:20 Narcissism and bullying in the boardroom
19:44 Coping skills, tools and strategies
22:10 The difference therapy can make
23:50 Occupational health, therapy and motivation
25:27 The character and morals of senior leaders
27:15 Being able to trust your leaders
27:49 Leadership values and behaviours
28:46 Specific challenges for start-up leaders
29:36 Narcissism in the workplace
31:53 Do narcissists change?
32:53 Recovering from being affected by a narcissist
33:41 How to spot the signs of a narcissistic boss
36:35 Why are some people narcissists?
39:59 Gaslighting
43:17 Advice to leaders – what’s your intention?
44:47 Closing questions
Head to to explore more videos and search for key topics
Being a CEO that builds trust and empowers teams - with Chloe Straw
Épisode 8
mardi 14 octobre 2025 • Durée 44:37
Lawrie Philpott of Philpott Black and host of Leadership Listening chats to Chloe Straw, CEO of Audio UK, all about becoming a CEO.
Together they talk about a range of topics, including: the impact of education, personal aspirations and early careers on becoming a leader, the journey to becoming a CEO, the role of a CEO, leadership challenges and strategy, developing your team, board relationships and governance, strategy implementation and adaptation, culture, values, and organisational growth, AI in the creative industries, leadership advice and insights, building trust and empowering teams.
00:00 Intro
02:18 Early Career and Education
03:06 Journey to CEO Position
06:27 Entry into Media Production
13:48 The Role of a CEO
16:52 Leadership Challenges and Strategy
18:30 The Role of the CEO and Team Building
21:10 Board Relationships and Governance
23:30 Strategy Implementation and Adaptation
25:00 Culture, Values, and Organisational Growth
26:59 AI in the Creative Industries
35:10 Culture and Values
35:48 Leadership Advice and Insights
37:01 Building Trust and Empowering Teams
40:59 Personal Reflections
Further information about pre-ordering Dr Daksha’s upcoming book “Healing from Narcissistic Abuse: How to Cope, Survive and Thrive”: https://www.parmi.co.uk/
