The World Class Leaders Show: Master High-Stakes Leadership: Learn from Top CEOs and World-Renowned Leaders – Détails, épisodes et analyse

In this episode, Mike Soutar, former CEO of the Evening Standard and renowned interviewer on BBC's The Apprentice, shares his career journey from journalism to executive leadership. Mike reflects on his early rise as editor of Smash Hits at 22 and how his adaptability and curiosity have driven his success.

Mike opens up about how ego influenced his decision to take the CEO role at the Evening Standard, admitting that the allure of the title led to misalignment with the company's vision. This decision taught him the importance of aligning career choices with personal values rather than chasing status.

Mike also discusses the pivotal role mentorship played in his growth, helping him navigate key transitions and develop as a leader. His story is a reminder that clarity, adaptability, and guidance are essential for long-term fulfillment.

Episode Highlights ⤵ 

02:26 – Introduction to Mike Soutar 

04:49 – From Journalism to CEO: Mike’s Early Career Journey 

13:01 – Leadership and Decision-Making During the COVID-19 Crisis 

16:01 – The Ego Trap: Why Mike Took the CEO Role 

29:49 – Adapting to Change: Why Mike Stepped Down as CEO 

34:39 – Finding Purpose Beyond Titles: Leadership Advice for CEOs

Stay Updated: Subscribe to The World Class Leader Show https://shorturl.at/E9WE7

Newsletter: https://shorturl.at/dMRp6 Follow Us for More Insights: - LinkedIn: https://shorturl.at/OUEwy - Spotify: https://shorturl.at/DSHUl -Apple: https://shorturl.at/JZAmQ

About Andrea Petrone:

Andrea Petrone is a Performance and Executive Coach, Facilitator, and Speaker. He helps CEOs and their Leadership Teams to achieve breakthrough performance and build healthy organizations.

Before launching his advisory firm, Andrea held C-suite executive roles in energy, industrial and consulting for more than 20 yrs at the international level. He worked in six countries and three continents.

Andrea works with clients from all over the world, from North America to Saudi Arabia.

Andrea hosts the popular podcast "The World Class Leaders Show". In his podcast and YouTube channel, Andrea and his guests deconstruct the success of high-performance leaders, share their stories and teach the most effective strategies to move from average to greatness.

Andrea is originally Italian and he lives in London, UK.

Connect with Andrea Petrone: - Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreapetrone/

About Mike Soutar

Mike Soutar started his journalistic career at age 17, writing horoscopes for the elderly readers of a romantic fiction magazine in Dundee.

In a turnaround of fortunes that not even he could foresee, Mike is now a portfolio director, investor and adviser, focused on technology, media, sport and the arts.

Mike is the Non-Executive Director of Scotland’s leading design museum, the V&A in Dundee, and an Independent Director of SRL, the Board of the Scottish Rugby Union. He has served on the Boards of non-profit organisations including Comic Relief and IPSO, the Independent Press Standards Organisation.

He is also a familiar face to viewers of BBC One’s The Apprentice where he has been an on-screen interviewer of the final candidates since 2011. This work led to the development of the team's concept, which is crucial for driving innovation in large organizations. 

#LeadershipLessons #ExecutiveLeadership #CareerGrowth #MentorshipMatters #EgoInLeadership #Adaptability #CEOJourney #LeadershipClarity #BusinessLeadership #MikeSoutar #TheApprentice #CareerReflections #LeadershipInsights #PersonalGrowth

Join us as we explore the transformative impact of executive coaching with Andrea Petrone. Gain essential strategies for navigating key leadership moments—from defining your direction to mastering transitions and overcoming performance challenges through mindset shifts.

Whether you're focused on leadership development or enhancing your executive coaching knowledge, this episode offers powerful takeaways. Andrea shares how he helps leaders achieve breakthroughs with his unique approach, emphasizing the crucial role of mindset and self-awareness in leadership success.

Episode Highlights ⤵ - 00.30 – Importance of Executive Coaching - 02:31 – Clarifying Future Direction - 06.16 – Transitioning into a New Leadership Role - 10:46 – Managing Personal Transition and the First 90 Days - 16.31 – Addressing Underperformance and Shifting Mindsets

Stay Updated: Subscribe to The World Class Leader Show https://shorturl.at/E9WE7

Newsletter: https://shorturl.at/dMRp6

Follow Us for More Insights: - LinkedIn: https://shorturl.at/OUEwy - Spotify: https://shorturl.at/DSHUl -Apple: https://shorturl.at/JZAmQ

About Andrea Petrone:

Andrea Petrone is a Performance and Executive Coach, Facilitator, and Speaker. He helps CEOs and their Leadership Teams to achieve breakthrough performance and build healthy organizations.

Before launching his advisory firm, Andrea held C-suite executive roles in energy, industrial and consulting for more than 20 yrs at the international level. He worked in six countries and three continents.

Andrea works with clients from all over the world, from North America to Saudi Arabia.

Andrea hosts the popular podcast "The World Class Leaders Show". In his podcast and YouTube channel, Andrea and his guests deconstruct the success of high-performance leaders, share their stories and teach the most effective strategies to move from average to greatness.

Andrea is originally Italian and he lives in London, UK.

Connect with Andrea Petrone: - Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreapetrone/

#ExecutiveCoaching #LeadershipDevelopment #AndreaPetrone #LeadershipTransitions #MindsetShift #PerformanceImprovement #SelfAwareness #LeadershipJourney #PetroneAndPartners #CoachingInsights #CareerGrowth #BusinessLeadership #LeadershipTips #ProfessionalGrowth #LeadershipMindset

Andrea interviews Bob Neville, a global retail business expert with over 30 years of experience working with iconic brands like Adidas, New Balance, and Under Armour. Bob shares invaluable insights on creating emotional connections with consumers, the power of storytelling in branding, and the importance of leadership in shaping brand identity and culture.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Emotional connection with consumers is crucial for brand success, going beyond superficial community-building to create genuine relationships.
• Storytelling is a powerful tool for brands to differentiate themselves and create meaningful connections with their target audience.
• Leadership plays a vital role in shaping brand identity and culture, with leaders needing to visibly embody the brand's values and purpose.
• Frontline employees are the true face of the brand, making it essential to empower and engage them in the company's mission and values.
• Understanding the "why" behind a brand's existence is crucial for creating authentic connections and standing out in a crowded marketplace.

BEST MOMENTS

"If you don't have a story to talk about, what do you have to talk about? It comes down to price. And then you, if you haven't got a story, it's discount. And that doesn't take you anywhere."

"The CEO is not the most important person in the company. It's the person interacting with your consumer."

"As a servant leader, we're there to create environments for success, both for your staff and for the consumers and your board."

"If you're not growing, you know, was it, they say, if you're not growing, you're dying."

"Process, operational efficiency, combined with emotional engagement, equals success."

ABOUT THE GUEST

BOB NEVILLE - GLOBAL RETAIL BUSINESS EXPERT WHO DRIVES PROFITABLE GROWTH

Bob Neville has for the last 32 years worked all over the world with leading sports and footwear brands including amongst others adidas, New Balance and Under Armour. From redefining operational processes to increase profits, to building high performance and highly engaged teams, Bob really understands the customer experience.

The strategic global retail leader has made a name for himself driving growth and innovation, whilst transforming the retail landscape. 

Born in France, educated in the United Kingdom, currently residing between the United Kingdom and Hong Kong Bob has launched over 10,000 store concepts around the world. This experience has developed Bob’s keen understanding of global markets, and the specific nuances within cultures, worldwide. This wisdom only comes from spending extensive time physically immersed in various markets and sectors, gaining a global perspective of what it truly takes to drive growth and lead profitable businesses.

Along with being a global business leader, Bob is also an active participant in creating a inclusive environment within the fashion apparel industry. Bob is a board member of Pride in Fashion (PIF), an NGO dedicated to supporting the LGBTQIA+ community.

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Like the show? Please leave or write a review on your favourite podcast platform!

The World Class Leaders Show YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC59dect0RJ5cuxIXsX7hCRw

Let Andrea know your thoughts or share your comments via LinkedIn or via email

For more information on Andrea’s work and access to other valuable resources, please visit the website  

 If you don’t want to miss any episode and receive the full article in your inbox, subscribe today to our blog

Need more? Book a 30 min call here: Need more? Book a 30 min call here: https://calendly.com/andreapetrone/strategy-call-30.

ABOUT THE HOST

My name is Andrea Petrone. I'm a Human Performance and Leadership Advisor, Executive Coach and International Speaker. I help leaders and their teams to change their mindsets and master their leadership capabilities so they can achieve extraordinary performance. I've been in the corporate world for more than 20 years working globally - in 6 countries and 3 continents - for medium-large companies.

Today is a special day. 

The World Class Leaders Show podcast turns 1 and I thought to share with you some of the key lessons that top performer CEOs, business leaders, and best-selling authors shared with me during the last year.

You’re going to love them!

Plus, I got some news for you about the future of the podcast and what to expect from the new season that starts next week.

Stay tuned….

I look forward to hearing your thoughts or reading your comments about this episode at:

Email: andrea@andreapetrone.com 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreapetrone/

Want to get a score on your leadership level? Take the free assessment today at: https://www.andreapetrone.com/assessment/

If you don’t want to miss any episode and receive the full article in your inbox, subscribe today to our blog here: https://www.andreapetrone.com/blog

Need more? Book a 30min call here: https://calendly.com/andreapetrone/strategy

Read the article related to this podcast: https://www.andreapetrone.com/we-turned-1-five-big-lessons-shared-by-my-guests-on-world-class-leadership-article/

While many organizations promote and publicize their ESG (Environmental, Social, & Governance) efforts, still there exist significant gaps between concepts and execution. This is especially true for the Social and Governance dimensions. 

Environmental initiatives are generally maturing. However, the Social aspect is receiving preliminary, and sometimes misguided, attention, and the Governance aspect is often no more than a few paragraphs in the annual report. Why is this so, and how can performance be improved?

For Episode # 52 of my podcast, The World Class Leaders Show, I was honored to host Miriam González Durántez. Miriam is an international trade lawyer who currently leads the trade and EU regulation practice of US law firm, Cohen & Gresser, and is a founding partner of Altius. Her extensive legal experience includes advising clients on intricate EU regulatory, compliance, and trade matters, and Miriam serves on several influential boards and advisory committees.

Miriam is the Founder and Chair of Inspiring Girls International, a global charity dedicated to raising the aspirations of young girls around the world by connecting schoolgirls and women role models. The campaign operates in nearly 30 countries across the globe and has led the highly praised global campaign #ThisLittleGirlIsMe.

By listening to this podcast episode, you will hear:

1. Perspectives on each dimension of Environmental, Social & Governance initiatives
2. Aspects and requirements for monetization of ESG efforts
3. Five key factors for making a global impact.

If you’d like to know more about Miriam and her work, you can find her on her website, https://miriamgonzalezdurantez.com/about, 

on Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/miriamgonzalezdurantez/, 

or on LinkedIn, linkedin.com/in/miriamgonzalezdurantez.

If you are interested in the Inspiring Girls initiative, https://inspiring-girls.com/

To learn more about me, Andrea Petrone, and my work with leaders and organizations, to subscribe to my weekly newsletter, or to take a free assessment of your leadership level, please drop me an email at Andrea@Andreapetrone.com, or go to my website at https://www.andreapetrone.com/.

I would also very much appreciate hearing from you about your thoughts on this episode, or suggestions for future topics for this podcast.

Read the article related to this podcast: https://www.andreapetrone.com/how-to-monetize-the-social-element-of-esg-article/

I don't believe that what we often label as "weaknesses" is correct.

Some of them are actually great signs of leadership.

In this episode, I shared some typical misconceptions about weaknesses in the workplace and explained why seemingly-weak behaviors are actually wonderful ways to demonstrate good leadership.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts or reading your comments about this episode at:

Email: andrea@andreapetrone.com 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreapetrone/

Want to get a score on your leadership level? Take the free assessment today at: https://www.andreapetrone.com/assessment/

If you don’t want to miss any episode and receive the full article in your inbox, subscribe today to our blog here: https://www.andreapetrone.com/blog

Need more? Book a 30min call here: https://calendly.com/andreapetrone/strategy

Read the article related to this podcast: https://www.andreapetrone.com/9-seemingly-weak-behaviours-that-define-great-leaders-article/

This week Andrea revisits a past episode, How To Preserve the Entrepreneurial Mindset in Your Organization. Andrea shares ‘the thing’ that keeps most CEOs he has had on the show up at night! He then discusses the four pieces of advice he would give to help tackle it. Andrea also gives an update on a network he is creating, drop him an email if you are interested in getting involved.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• As a company develops and grows, entrepreneurial spirit can be lost.
• Flexibility, agility and speed are all attributes of entrepreneurship that can get lost over time.
• Innovation can easily be downgraded as a priority as a company grows, looking to protect what already exists rather than generating new ideas and opportunities.
• Creating a culture that encourages risk and operates like a start-up is a way to continue to have an entrepreneurial spirit within your organisation.
• If you encourage employees to question existing ways of working then you will foster a culture focused around innovation.
• Try and identify one area in your organisation that if transformed, will have a big impact on your results.

BEST MOMENTS

"There is one thing that is quite consistent across the board”

“As companies grow there’s definitely a tendency to get complacent”

“You need to promote a culture that encourages risk taking”

“There must be something somewhere that can be an incredible transformational element for the organisation”

"That's what start-ups do, put the customer at the centre of their work...they have this relentless interest of creating value for the customers"

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Like the show? Please leave or write a review on your favourite podcast platform!

Let Andrea know your thoughts or share your comments via LinkedIn or via email

For more information on Andrea’s work and access to other valuable resources, please visit the website  

 If you don’t want to miss any episode and receive the full article in your inbox, subscribe today to our blog

Need more? Book a 30 min call here: https://calendly.com/andreapetrone/strategy-call-30.

ABOUT THE HOST

My name is Andrea Petrone. I'm a Human Performance and Leadership Advisor, Executive Coach and International Speaker. I help leaders and their teams to change their mindsets and master their leadership capabilities so they can achieve extraordinary performance. I've been in the corporate world for more than 20 years working globally - in 6 countries and 3 continents - for medium-large companies.

In this episode, Andrea highlights the issue of double standards and their impact on your team. He talks about why double standards kill culture and how to prevent double standards from happening, talking about what you can do as a leader to foster a positive and respectful culture for all.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Double standards occur when different sets of principles are applied to similar situations, particularly in regards to behaviour.
• Double standards erode trust in leadership and demoralise teams.
• Define clear behavioural expectations for your entire team.
• Leaders have to adhere to the highest standard of behaviour, leading by example always.
• Organisations can find it difficult to focus on behaviours, instead favouring performance and short-term goals.
• Creative an environment where people feel like they can come to you to talk about poor behaviour.
• Reward the right behaviours in your team, don’t take it for granted.

BEST MOMENTS

"Bad behaviour is bad behaviour, no matter who does it”

“Double standards really kill culture”

“Leaders must model the behaviour they expect from their team”

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Like the show? Please leave or write a review on your favourite podcast platform!

The World Class Leaders Show YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC59dect0RJ5cuxIXsX7hCRw

Let Andrea know your thoughts or share your comments via LinkedIn or via email

For more information on Andrea’s work and access to other valuable resources, please visit the website  

 If you don’t want to miss any episode and receive the full article in your inbox, subscribe today to our blog

Need more? Book a 30 min call here: Need more? Book a 30 min call here: https://calendly.com/andreapetrone/strategy-call-30.

ABOUT THE HOST

My name is Andrea Petrone. I'm a Human Performance and Leadership Advisor, Executive Coach and International Speaker. I help leaders and their teams to change their mindsets and master their leadership capabilities so they can achieve extraordinary performance. I've been in the corporate world for more than 20 years working globally - in 6 countries and 3 continents - for medium-large companies.

Andrea engages in a thought-provoking discussion with Ken about the challenges and opportunities faced by CEOs in today's corporate landscape. Andrea shares valuable insights from his extensive experience coaching senior leaders, revealing the secrets to breaking silos, building trust, and becoming a visionary leader.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• CEOs must create a bold future by design, envisioning a purpose-driven future that goes beyond incremental improvements to make a significant impact on society and leave an extraordinary legacy.
• Breaking silos requires bringing different perspectives together, creating an environment of trust and transparency, and fostering a sense of collective ownership among team members.
• Successful CEOs act as orchestrators and integrators, focusing on the human element of business and understanding the psychology of their team members to drive performance.
• Mindset is crucial for effective leadership; instead of pushing people to change their actions, leaders should focus on shifting people's frames of reference to enable them to see new possibilities.
• Transparency and authenticity are essential for building trust and getting people to buy into the leader's vision, even in the face of ambiguity and uncertainty.
• CEOs must be willing to make faster decisions, especially when it comes to changing people in the leadership team, rather than waiting for perfect information.
• Financial performance is the primary driver for replacing CEOs, but those with strong people skills may be given more time to turn things around.
• The future of leadership requires a different approach, focusing on empowering people, dealing with the human element of business, and creating an environment where people can thrive.

BEST MOMENTS

"Business is made by humans. So, if you really want to be a great leader, you need to understand how psychology works. You need to understand how dealing with humans, which again, it sounds like banal, right, but it's just the basics."

"When you work in a unit, it's in that way when people are so much, you know, committed with each other and had their own back. Gosh, it's an amazing place to work for exactly."

"Trust your gut feeling sometimes because you are experienced, you know, if you have been a leader for many, many years, as most of CEOs had as an experience."

"Human CEOs or people-centred CEOs, they're running the risk of over, again, talking about bias or dealing with their own optimism bias that people can, can achieve at some point."

"I know it's unbiased, but to me, I have a really compassionate about their life and what they're, what they're doing. Again, writing my book, it's early days, but will be available end of the 2024."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Like the show? Please leave or write a review on your favourite podcast platform!

The World Class Leaders Show YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC59dect0RJ5cuxIXsX7hCRw

Let Andrea know your thoughts or share your comments via LinkedIn or via email

For more information on Andrea’s work and access to other valuable resources, please visit the website  

 If you don’t want to miss any episode and receive the full article in your inbox, subscribe today to our blog

Need more? Book a 30 min call here: Need more? Book a 30 min call here: https://calendly.com/andreapetrone/strategy-call-30.

ABOUT THE HOST

My name is Andrea Petrone. I'm a Human Performance and Leadership Advisor, Executive Coach and International Speaker. I help leaders and their teams to change their mindsets and master their leadership capabilities so they can achieve extraordinary performance. I've been in the corporate world for more than 20 years working globally - in 6 countries and 3 continents - for medium-large companies.

Europe. Giorgia shares her fascinating insights on leadership in times of uncertainty, the importance of adaptability, and fostering a culture of trust and inclusivity. With her extensive experience leading global teams, Giorgia offers valuable advice for current and aspiring leaders looking to navigate the challenges of the modern business landscape.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Effective leadership in times of uncertainty requires anticipating change, reading market signals, and being mentally prepared for surprises while maintaining a clear vision and purpose.
• Fostering a culture of trust, empathy, and authenticity is crucial for attracting and retaining top talent in today's competitive market.
• Consistently achieving small goals and celebrating successes helps build resilience and momentum towards a long-term vision.
• Embracing diversity of thought and actively listening to different perspectives leads to better decision-making and understanding in multicultural teams.
• Encouraging people to step out of their comfort zone and supporting them through challenges can lead to extraordinary growth and performance.
• Senior leaders must challenge their unconscious biases and promote this practice throughout their organisation to create a fair and respectful work environment.
• The energy transition and digital transformation are reshaping the job market, requiring leaders to embrace new skills and adapt their business models accordingly.
• Empowering and trusting teams, even when facing uncertainty, can lead to outstanding results and a willingness to go the extra mile.

BEST MOMENTS

"Being a senior leader in a global or in a big organisation requires the ability to anticipate, the ability to read the signals of the market from multiple angles and multiple dimensions."

"If you force yourself, and then after a while, it becomes like an addiction, I'm really curious. And so I ask myself a lot of questions, and then I read, but also I ask opinion to people, and I really listen."

"People, any people, including already CEOs, they need to think about themselves and their organisation as in transition, and now more than ever."

"When I'm able to trigger in people an extra, the willingness to go the extra mile, the willingness to really apply themselves to a level that they don't even know themselves they are capable of, and when I'm able to do that, I'm super proud."

"All of us have unconscious bias. [...] Senior leaders again have an important role to equip leaders, middle management, to make sure that they protect themselves from unconscious bias because it can really [hurt] people."

ABOUT THE GUEST

Giorgia Arnaboldi is Vice President of Shell Energy Europe, the division within Shell Group that is focused on developing and growing fully integrated lower carbon energy offerings to help customers and Shell to decarbonise and meet their net-zero emissions targets. Before, she has been CEO of Shell Energy Deutschland, based in Hamburg, where she successfully led the end to end in country activities and spearheaded the development of a renewed Northwest Europe strategy and transformation program. Being in Shell since 2001, she has covered several commercial, marketing & strategy, business development roles in Shell Lubricants, Commercial Fuels and Shell Energy Trading. Giorgia holds a master’s degree in Management Engineering from Polytechnic of Milan and the OUBEP Programme certificate from Oxford University. She has a family with 2 children and has lived with them in Madrid, Hamburg and London while performing business for Shell.

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Like the show? Please leave or write a review on your favourite podcast platform!

The World Class Leaders Show YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC59dect0RJ5cuxIXsX7hCRw

Let Andrea know your thoughts or share your comments via LinkedIn or via email

For more information on Andrea’s work and access to other valuable resources, please visit the website  

 If you don’t want to miss any episode and receive the full article in your inbox, subscribe today to our blog

Need more? Book a 30 min call here: Need more? Book a 30 min call here: https://calendly.com/andreapetrone/strategy-call-30.

ABOUT THE HOST

My name is Andrea Petrone. I'm a Human Performance and Leadership Advisor, Executive Coach and International Speaker. I help leaders and their teams to change their mindsets and master their leadership capabilities so they can achieve extraordinary performance. I've been in the corporate world for more than 20 years working globally - in 6 countries and 3 continents - for medium-large companies.