The Strategy and Leadership Podcast with Anthony C. Taylor – Détails, épisodes et analyse

How do you build resilience, lead under pressure, and thrive in the mental game of business? In this episode of the Strategy and Leadership Podcast, Anthony Taylor speaks with Sébastien Page, Chief Investment Officer and Head of Global Multi-Asset at T. Rowe Price, where he oversees more than $500 billion in assets. Sébastien is also the author of The Psychology of Leadership (Harriman House), named a must-read by The Next Big Idea Club and a Top Ten Leadership Book by Brian Dodd. Recognized as one of LinkedIn’s Top Voices in Finance, Sébastien shares how lessons from sports psychology, stress management, and resilience can help leaders perform at their best.

► Register for our upcoming webinars:

👉 Leading in 2025: How to Lead Into 2025 and Beyond⁠ https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/1717583224666/WN_Zlfjonh9QZ2YmO7ibmG4Ww⁠

👉 Strategic Planning and Implementation: How to Make It Work for You (with HRCI)⁠ https://events.zoom.us/ev/AlAGpmzpFEAc1iXZ-IPHUJp8pa7tyDLcA6pTwVbW9P4E-dkjyEPp~Aqs4fM9w3bOA1mkNMpQaO3zvt7GW1GTy4K9pOD2N1pSdkNZZJfpWjvCYBQ?lmt=1758138565000⁠

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► Learn more about our courses:⁠ https://www.smestrategy.net/strategic-planning-facilitator⁠

In this podcast, you will learn:

☑️ Why stress can be fuel for performance (and when it hurts)☑️ What Roger Federer’s 54% win rate teaches us about resilience☑️ How athletes, astronauts, and business leaders optimize pressure☑️ Why leadership is about empathy and helping others perform☑️ How to apply psychology to thrive in business and life

This video is for:

▶️ CEOs and executives leading through uncertainty▶️ Managers looking to build resilience and high-performing teams▶️ Leaders who want practical tools from sports and positive psychology▶️ Anyone interested in the intersection of finance, leadership, and performance psychology

About the Guest

Sébastien Page is Chief Investment Officer and Head of Global Multi-Asset at T. Rowe Price, leading a team managing over $500 billion. He is the author of The Psychology of Leadership (Harriman House, 2025), Beyond Diversification (McGraw-Hill, 2020), and co-author of Factor Investing and Asset Allocation (CFA Institute, 2016). His work has earned six research awards from The Journal of Portfolio Management and the Financial Analysts Journal. Named a LinkedIn Top Voice in Finance, Sébastien appears regularly on Bloomberg and CNBC, and serves on editorial boards and finance research groups.

🌐 Learn more:⁠ https://www.psychologyofleadership.net⁠💼 Connect with Sébastien on LinkedIn:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebastienpage⁠

About the Host

Anthony Taylor is the CEO, Founder, and Senior Facilitator at SME Strategy. With over 14 years of experience, he helps leadership teams around the world create alignment, implement successful strategies, and drive results.

💼 Connect with Anthony on LinkedIn:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyctaylor604⁠

About SME Strategy

SME Strategy is a management consulting firm specializing in helping organizations develop and implement strategic plans. We facilitate conversations around strategic direction so leaders can focus their energy on what drives results.

🌐 Learn more:⁠ https://www.smestrategy.net/strategic-planning-facilitator⁠

Helpful Resources and Contact

📘 More from our online courses:⁠ https://courses.smestrategy.net⁠

📩 Contact our team:⁠ https://www.smestrategy.net/contact⁠

🎙️ Podcast produced by:⁠ https://www.rednyne.com⁠

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How do you build a career and a leadership style rooted in people, culture, and curiosity? In this episode of the Strategy and Leadership Podcast, Anthony Taylor speaks with Jim Fielding, former CEO of Claire’s, President of Disney Stores Worldwide, and President of 20th Century Fox Consumer Products. Jim is also the author of All Pride, No Ego and host of the Jim Fielding & Friends podcast.

With over 40 years of experience across retail, media, and entertainment, Jim shares lessons on adapting to revolutions in retail, leading teams through change, and why the future of business is all about human connection.

• Why the “future of retail” is really about people

• How to lead change when everyone adapts differently

• Why long-term planning beats “90 day transformations”

• How leaders can balance confidence and humility (All Pride, No Ego)

• Why culture, not money, is the key to attracting top talent

Jim reflects on his career journey from department stores and catalogs to e-commerce, omnichannel, and experiential retail. He explains how consumer behavior has changed over decades and how leaders must constantly adapt to new shopping patterns.

“The word now is omnichannel… you have to be omnipresent in people’s lives, both physical and digital.” – Jim Fielding

For today’s brands, that means meeting customers everywhere: in stores, online, and increasingly, through social commerce on platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

One of Jim’s most impactful insights is his train analogy for change management. Some people jump aboard immediately, others wait for the first-class car, and some hesitate on the platform. As a leader, your role is to communicate, respect different adoption speeds, and bring people along without judgment.

He stresses the importance of long-term planning and over-communication, noting that adult learners often need to hear something 10–14 times before it fully lands.

In his book All Pride, No Ego, Jim emphasizes that ego is not inherently bad — it must be controlled and used wisely. He argues that today’s leaders need humility, vulnerability, and the courage to admit when they don’t have all the answers.

“Leadership today is harder than ever. To succeed, you need to be self-aware, surround yourself with strong people, and create safe environments where teams thrive.” – Jim Fielding

Jim shares that attracting and retaining top talent is less about money and more about culture, environment, and feeling respected. During his time at Disney, Fox, and Claire’s, he saw firsthand how competitive the market was for talent. The leaders who created supportive environments always had an advantage.

“If I create a great work environment where people feel respected and trusted, they’ll bring their best. That’s how you attract and keep the brightest talent.” – Jim Fielding

Want to learn how to align your leadership team and create a culture that supports long-term strategy?

Explore our strategy execution course
Learn more about working with SME Strategy

Jim Fielding is a visionary leader with decades of experience leading global brands including Disney, Claire’s, 20th Century Fox, and DreamWorks. He is the author of All Pride, No Ego, host of the Jim Fielding & Friends podcast, and a keynote speaker and consultant helping organizations build human-centered strategies.

Learn more about Jim
Connect with Jim on LinkedIn
Follow Jim on Instagram: @HiJimFielding

Anthony Taylor is the CEO, Founder, and Senior Facilitator at SME Strategy. With over 14 years of experience, he helps leadership teams around the world create alignment, implement successful strategies, and drive results.

Connect with Anthony on LinkedIn

More from our online courses: https://courses.smestrategy.net/

Contact our team: https://www.smestrategy.net/contact

Podcast produced by: https://www.rednyne.com/

Andrew Miller, the president and CEO of United Way of Skagit County and the co-founder and CEO of Tulip Valley Farms. Discover how Andrew transitioned from a career in Air Force intelligence to embracing life as a tulip farmer, bringing fresh perspectives and innovative approaches to both farming and community work.

Andrew shares his unique strategic insights, discussing the challenges and opportunities in the tulip farming industry, the transformation of the United Way of Skagit County, and the importance of adaptability and curiosity in leadership. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a nonprofit leader, or someone fascinated by unconventional career paths, this episode offers valuable lessons on maintaining an agile mindset and navigating change in today's fast-paced world.

Are you curious about the strategic vision that led to Howdy.com's remarkable $100 million valuation? Join us in this Strategy and Leadership Podcast episode as we interview Jacqueline Samira, the CEO, and founder of Howdy.com. Discover the core concepts behind their success and Jacqueline's journey here. Starting her company in 2018, Jacqueline's strategic approach involved nailing the foundation before scaling it, a decision that proved crucial. With a focus on deliberate growth, Howdy.com gained a reputation for exceptional customer experience and word-of-mouth referrals. In this interview, Jacqueline shares insights on the impact of sales experience, the importance of aligning sales and delivery, and the significance of having a clear strategic vision as a CEO. #strategicvision #entrepreneurship #leadershipdevelopment #businessgrowth #leadership #startupsuccess #strategicplanning #scalingbusiness #visionaryleadership #businessstrategy #successstories ► Subscribe to our channel for weekly videos on strategy & leadership: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOHLNRrpk3rGUdg7qUQjiog/?sub_confirmation=1 ➡ Looking for a sample agenda for your strategic planning offsite? https://www.smestrategy.net/blog/sample-strategic-planning-agenda // Connect with us: ► Contact us: https://www.smestrategy.net/contact ► Connect with Anthony on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyctaylor604/ // About SME STRATEGY CONSULTING: SME Strategy is a management consulting firm that specializes in helping organizations develop and implement their strategic plans. We work with teams to facilitate conversations about strategic direction and business strategy so that our clients can focus their energy on what will move them forward faster. ► Work with us: Are you looking for someone to facilitate your strategic planning process? https://www.smestrategy.net/strategic-planning-facilitator ► Check out our Strategy & Leadership Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4yND4JKofh64gcvyvcLMqW ► Check out our online course on how to successfully lead your next strategic planning process: https://courses.smestrategy.net/

Looking to turn your organization into a value-driven powerhouse through business transformation? In this episode of the Strategy and Leadership Podcast, we speak with Sanjeev Loomba, the author of "The Ninth Gear." With 27 years of experience, Sanjeev is a transformationalist and former CEO who has helped transform hundreds of organizations and thousands of people. He shares his insights on how to shift your perspective on doing business and drive wealth transformation. Sanjeev understands the challenges that businesses face in today's world, including disappearing market share and slowing growth. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on the customer in the current market and notes that businesses must integrate their teams to deliver products that provide value to the customer. Here are some key takeaways from our conversation: - Sanjeev proposes a new perspective on business transformation by finding potential in individuals, teams, and organizations. - Sanjeev shares leadership lessons from running a 5000-person company and shifting how people think about doing business, and explains the concept of value partnership and how it differs from entrepreneurship. - Learn how to help your organization become more distinguished by becoming business value-obsessed and providing personal value to your customers. Sanjeev believes that businesses must listen to the customer and create personalized solutions that meet their needs. He also advises leaders and managers to give their team members more responsibility to make them redundant and promote talent flow.

In this episode, we explore the groundbreaking work of women in business in their communities. Our guest is Wendy Steele, the founder, and CEO of Impact 100 Global. Wendy shares her incredible journey of overcoming limited resources and building a successful model that gathers at least 100 women who each donate $1000 to create grants of $100,000 or more that stay in their local community. With 65 Impact 100 chapters worldwide and over $123 million in grants given away, Wendy's work has truly made an impact. During the episode, Wendy also discusses the importance of diversity and inclusion in leadership and how companies can find leaders who bring unique skills and experiences to the table, regardless of their gender or background. She encourages women to step into their power, overcome barriers, and create positive change. This episode is a must-listen for women in business and female leaders who aspire to make a difference. ► Subscribe to our channel for weekly videos on strategy & leadership: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOHLNRrpk3rGUdg7qUQjiog/?sub_confirmation=1 ➡ Looking for a sample agenda for your strategic planning offsite? https://www.smestrategy.net/blog/sample-strategic-planning-agenda // Connect with us: ► Contact us: https://www.smestrategy.net/contact ► Connect with Anthony on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyctaylor604/ // About SME STRATEGY CONSULTING: SME Strategy is a management consulting firm that specializes in helping organizations develop and implement their strategic plans. We work with teams to facilitate conversations about strategic direction and business strategy so that our clients can focus their energy on what will move them forward faster. ► Work with us: Are you looking for someone to facilitate your strategic planning process? https://www.smestrategy.net/strategic-planning-facilitator ► Check out our Strategy & Leadership Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4yND4JKofh64gcvyvcLMqW ► Check out our online course on how to successfully lead your next strategic planning process: https://courses.smestrategy.net/

Is your team making optimal decisions? In this episode of the podcast, we had the privilege of speaking with Atif Rafiq, a seasoned leader with extensive experience in executive roles at billion-dollar business units such as McDonald’s, Volvo, and MGM Resorts. Notably, he was the first Chief Digital Officer in the history of the Fortune 500, a pioneering role he held at McDonald’s, and he rose to the president level in the Fortune 300. He is also the author of “Decision Sprint,” where he shares insights on his design process and lessons learned. In this Podcast, we delve into Atif's insights on decision-making: - Understanding the two components of the process: upstream and downstream, involving exploration, alignment, and detailed decisions. - Shifting focus from “what” to “how” in his latest approach, prioritizing collaboration and teamwork over product or service-centric thinking. - Emphasizing the value of exploration before alignment, empowering teams to reach their own conclusions and work towards a shared goal. #digitaltransformation #teamalignment #decisionmaking #strategicplanning #leadershipdevelopment ► Subscribe to our channel for weekly videos on strategy & leadership: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOHLNRrpk3rGUdg7qUQjiog/?sub_confirmation=1 ➡ Looking for a sample agenda for your strategic planning offsite? https://www.smestrategy.net/blog/sample-strategic-planning-agenda // Connect with us: ► Contact us: https://www.smestrategy.net/contact ► Connect with Anthony on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyctaylor604/ // About SME STRATEGY CONSULTING: SME Strategy is a management consulting firm that specializes in helping organizations develop and implement their strategic plans. We work with teams to facilitate conversations about strategic direction and business strategy so that our clients can focus their energy on what will move them forward faster. ► Work with us: Are you looking for someone to facilitate your strategic planning process? https://www.smestrategy.net/strategic-planning-facilitator ► Check out our Strategy & Leadership Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4yND4JKofh64gcvyvcLMqW ► Check out our online course on how to successfully lead your next strategic planning process: https://courses.smestrategy.net/

Does your organization have a DEI Strategy, or is looking to create one? Then this podcast is for you. Creating an inclusive workplace involves navigating multiple layers, and it can pose challenges, particularly for large and established organizations that are entrenched in the status quo. So, how can these organizations make progress toward inclusivity? We recently had the privilege of speaking with Joy Fitzgerald, SVP & Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer at United Health Group, , who recently authored the inspiring book "Finding Authentic Rhythm: How to Win on Your Terms in Corporate America." Join us as Joy shares her journey, insights, and experiences in the human capital space, where she has been a champion for the underserved, underrepresented, and marginalized. Joy's practical and relatable approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion will challenge your assumptions and inspire you to create a more inclusive environment in your workplace and beyond. Through personal anecdotes and lessons learned, Joy highlights the importance of empathy, understanding, and tailored solutions for individuals and communities. Get her book here: https://www.speakingjoy.com/authentic-rhythm #Diversity #Equity #Inclusion #Leadership #Strategy #Podcast #AuthenticRhythm #Inspiration #DifferenceMakers #DEI #JoyFitzgerald #UnitedHealthGroup ► Subscribe to our channel for weekly videos on strategy & leadership: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOHLNRrpk3rGUdg7qUQjiog/?sub_confirmation=1 ➡ Looking for a sample agenda for your strategic planning offsite? https://www.smestrategy.net/blog/sample-strategic-planning-agenda // Connect with us: ► Contact us: https://www.smestrategy.net/contact ► Connect with Anthony on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyctaylor604/ // About SME STRATEGY CONSULTING: SME Strategy is a management consulting firm that specializes in helping organizations develop and implement their strategic plans. We work with teams to facilitate conversations about strategic direction and business strategy so that our clients can focus their energy on what will move them forward faster. ► Work with us: Are you looking for someone to facilitate your strategic planning process? https://www.smestrategy.net/strategic-planning-facilitator ► Check out our Strategy & Leadership Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4yND4JKofh64gcvyvcLMqW ► Check out our online course on how to successfully lead your next strategic planning process: https://courses.smestrategy.net/

Are you a business owner or entrepreneur looking to build a valuable asset (organization) that can be sold or transferred at your desired valuation? In order to achieve this, you need to focus on creating sustainable, predictable, and transferable cash flow. Unfortunately, many businesses fail to properly manage their finances, leading to negative equity and liabilities that are not immediately apparent. In this podcast episode, Anthony talks to Ryan Tansen, founder of Arkona LLC, about his experience in turning around his father's struggling business and selling it for eight figures. Ryan shares the lessons he learned and the mindset shifts he had to make to transform the business into a financial asset. Ryan emphasizes the importance of knowing if what you're doing is worth it and aligning everyone in the organization towards the same goal. He also talks about his current company, Arkona, which provides training and financial services to help business owners grow the value of their businesses. In this podcast, we discuss the following topics with Ryan Tansen: - How business owners can misunderstand their cash flow - The importance of professional financial management - Creating sustainable, predictable, and transferable cash flow By listening to this podcast, you'll gain actionable insights and a fresh perspective on how to view and run your business like a financial asset.

What does healthy Leadership Communication look like and how can you become better at it? In this Strategy and Leadership podcast episode, Anthony Taylor interviews Erin Marcus, founder and CEO of Conquer Your Business. We learn about the importance of having uncomfortable conversations in the workplace. When managers are unhappy with their team's performance but are uncomfortable having a conversation about it, it can lead to resentment and the firing of team members, which is expensive and does not solve the problem. Similarly, when team members are having issues with their superiors, but don't feel comfortable expressing themselves, they can become disengaged and eventually leave, which can harm both the employee and the company. The key to having these difficult conversations is to start with the end goal in mind and to focus on what you want to achieve from the conversation. By taking ownership of our relationships and being proactive about having uncomfortable conversations, we can create better outcomes for everyone involved.