Explore every episode of the podcast Becoming CEO

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	Title	Pub. Date	Duration
	Ambition - Disguise or Reveal?	22 May 2025	00:58:09
“An ambitious person is not always impatient—but impatience is often the result of clarity, energy, and drive.” In this episode, Dr. Maria Angela Capello and Dr. Liz Coffey explore the complexities of ambition - whether it's better to openly reveal or strategically disguise it on the path to becoming a CEO. They dive into how ambition is perceived differently across cultures, how it plays out in succession planning, and the fine line leaders must walk between demonstrating confidence and navigating politics. Through personal stories, global insights, and real corporate examples, they unpack what ambition looks like in action and why showing it - or not - can make or break your ascent to the top. Key Takeaways Cultural Nuance Matters. Ambition is seen as a virtue in the U.S. but may be viewed with suspicion in Latin America, the Middle East, or the U.K. - adapt your approach to match the organizational and national culture. Succession Politics Are Real. Whether to reveal your ambition depends on company culture, decision-makers' expectations, and whether you're in a “tap-on-the-shoulder” or self-promotion environment. Demonstrate, Don’t Just Declare. Actions that quietly show leadership - like managing across functions or navigating peer dynamics - can be more powerful than words, especially in humility-valuing cultures. Next Step: Reflect on how your ambition is perceived within your company's culture - then adjust your visibility strategy to align with your CEO aspirations. Uplevel Your Career Connect with MAC at https://www.redtreeconsultingllc.com/. Connect with Liz at https://www.sparkleadership.co.uk/. About the Hosts Dr. Maria Angela Capello (MAC) is the President of Red Tree Consulting LLC and a distinguished leader in the energy sector. She spearheads initiatives in sustainability, diversity and inclusion (D&I), and geosciences. MAC has held prominent roles at Kuwait Oil Company, Halliburton, and Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA). The Italian Government has honored her with the “Star of Italy” knighthood, and UNESCO has endorsed her work, publishing her report “Geosciences in Action - Advancing Sustainable Development.” MAC was recently conferred the American Geophysical Union’s (AGU) Lifetime Achievement Award for Diversity and Inclusion. Author of more than 107 technical articles and four books, Capello earned her PhD in Earth and Environmental Sciences from the University of Plymouth (UK) in 2024, an MSc in Geophysics from the Colorado School of Mines (USA), and a BSc in Physics from Simon Bolivar University (Venezuela). Dr. Elizabeth Coffey (Liz), Founder of Spark Leadership Ltd, is an internationally recognized leadership expert, lecturer, and author who develops CEOs, CEO Successors, and Board Executives of FTSE 100 and Global 500 companies. She has coached CEOs and their successors in a wide range of businesses and sectors. Previously a Senior Partner in Korn Ferry’s Leadership and Talent Consultancy, Liz held senior positions with Mercer Delta Consulting and The Change Partnership. In 2022-23, she was a Distinguished Lecturer for SPE, speaking to thousands of leaders across the energy sector in more than 50 countries about “How CEOs Lead for Success.”Liz has written several leadership books, including McGraw Hill's “10 Things That Keep CEOs Awake – and How to Put Them to Bed” (2002), Deutsche Bank's “The End of Tolerance?” (2001), and “The Changing Culture of Leadership – Women Leaders’ Voices” (1999). Liz has received many awards over the past two decades, including an Honourary Doctorate (2024), Woman Super Achiever (2018), Mentor of the Year (2007), and the European Woman of Achievement Award (2001). She has worked in more than 40 countries, including extensively in several GCC countries.
	How to Thrive in a New World	22 May 2025	00:55:00
"A CEO’s most valuable skill today isn’t just strategy – it’s adaptability and resilience.” In this episode of Becoming CEO, Dr. Maria Angela Capello and Dr. Liz Coffey explore how executives and aspiring CEOs can adapt and thrive in today’s ever-changing business landscape. They dive into the cultural shifts shaping leadership today, from the power of language and communication styles to the biases surrounding accents, gender dynamics, and executive presence. With practical insights and real-world examples, this conversation is a must-listen for professionals ready to embrace the future with confidence and cultural awareness. Key Takeaways Adaptability is the new superpower. The most successful leaders embrace change in business strategy and cultural and communication norms. Language shapes leadership. The way you speak, your accent, and your communication style all impact perception. Diversity strengthens leadership. Understanding cultural nuances, gender dynamics, and inclusive communication makes you a more effective and respected leader. Next Step: Take five minutes today to reflect on one change in your industry. How can you shift your mindset to turn it into an opportunity? Uplevel Your Career Connect with MAC at https://www.redtreeconsultingllc.com/. Connect with Liz at https://www.sparkleadership.co.uk/. About the Hosts Dr. Maria Angela Capello (MAC) is the President of Red Tree Consulting LLC and a distinguished leader in the energy sector. She spearheads initiatives in sustainability, diversity and inclusion (D&I), and geosciences. MAC has held prominent roles at Kuwait Oil Company, Halliburton, and Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA). The Italian Government has honored her with the “Star of Italy” knighthood, and UNESCO has endorsed her work, publishing her report “Geosciences in Action - Advancing Sustainable Development.” MAC was recently conferred the American Geophysical Union’s (AGU) Lifetime Achievement Award for Diversity and Inclusion. Author of more than 107 technical articles and four books, Capello earned her PhD in Earth and Environmental Sciences from the University of Plymouth (UK) in 2024, an MSc in Geophysics from the Colorado School of Mines (USA), and a BSc in Physics from Simon Bolivar University (Venezuela). Dr. Elizabeth Coffey (Liz), Founder of Spark Leadership Ltd, is an internationally recognized leadership expert, lecturer, and author who develops CEOs, CEO Successors, and Board Executives of FTSE 100 and Global 500 companies. She has coached CEOs and their successors in a wide range of businesses and sectors. Previously a Senior Partner in Korn Ferry’s Leadership and Talent Consultancy, Liz held senior positions with Mercer Delta Consulting and The Change Partnership. In 2022-23, she was a Distinguished Lecturer for SPE, speaking to thousands of leaders across the energy sector in more than 50 countries about “How CEOs Lead for Success.”Liz has written several leadership books, including McGraw Hill's “10 Things That Keep CEOs Awake – and How to Put Them to Bed” (2002), Deutsche Bank's “The End of Tolerance?” (2001), and “The Changing Culture of Leadership – Women Leaders’ Voices” (1999). Liz has received many awards over the past two decades, including an Honourary Doctorate (2024), Woman Super Achiever (2018), Mentor of the Year (2007), and the European Woman of Achievement Award (2001). She has worked in more than 40 countries, including extensively in several GCC countries.
	Uneasy is the Head that Wears the Crown	16 May 2025	00:50:56
"Becoming a CEO isn’t just about skill - it’s about navigating the most complex political landscape in business." In the inaugural episode of Becoming CEO, Dr. Maria Angela Capello and Dr. Liz Coffey dive into the challenges of stepping into the CEO role. From fierce competition and corporate politics to navigating the fears of an outgoing CEO, they uncover the unseen battles that shape the journey to the top. They also explore how succession planning, leadership development, and cultural dynamics play a role in the transition process. Key Takeaways The CEO role is high-pressure and politically charged. The journey to CEO involves competition, internal power struggles, and external scrutiny from shareholders and the media. Succession planning is often a hidden process. Decisions are made behind closed doors, and navigating the existing CEO’s resistance can be just as critical as proving one’s capabilities. Cultural awareness is crucial for success. Whether dealing with national, corporate, or gender-based cultural differences, understanding the environment can make or break a leader’s ability to rise. Next Step: Consider your leadership strategy: How are you positioning yourself for growth while managing internal politics and external pressures? Uplevel Your Career Connect with MAC at https://www.redtreeconsultingllc.com/. Connect with Liz at https://www.sparkleadership.co.uk/. About Your Hosts Dr. Maria Angela Capello (MAC) is the President of Red Tree Consulting LLC and a distinguished leader in the energy sector. She spearheads initiatives in sustainability, diversity and inclusion (D&I), and geosciences. MAC has held prominent roles at Kuwait Oil Company, Halliburton, and Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA). The Italian Government has honored her with the “Star of Italy” knighthood, and UNESCO has endorsed her work, publishing her report “Geosciences in Action - Advancing Sustainable Development.” MAC was recently conferred the American Geophysical Union’s (AGU) Lifetime Achievement Award for Diversity and Inclusion. Author of more than 107 technical articles and four books, Capello earned her PhD in Earth and Environmental Sciences from the University of Plymouth (UK) in 2024, an MSc in Geophysics from the Colorado School of Mines (USA), and a BSc in Physics from Simon Bolivar University (Venezuela). Dr. Elizabeth Coffey (Liz), Founder of Spark Leadership Ltd, is an internationally recognized leadership expert, lecturer, and author who develops CEOs, CEO Successors, and Board Executives of FTSE 100 and Global 500 companies. She has coached CEOs and their successors in a wide range of businesses and sectors. Previously a Senior Partner in Korn Ferry’s Leadership and Talent Consultancy, Liz held senior positions with Mercer Delta Consulting and The Change Partnership. In 2022-23, she was a Distinguished Lecturer for SPE, speaking to thousands of leaders across the energy sector in more than 50 countries about “How CEOs Lead for Success.”Liz has written several leadership books, including McGraw Hill's “10 Things That Keep CEOs Awake – and How to Put Them to Bed” (2002), Deutsche Bank's “The End of Tolerance?” (2001), and “The Changing Culture of Leadership – Women Leaders’ Voices” (1999). Liz has received many awards over the past two decades, including an Honourary Doctorate (2024), Woman Super Achiever (2018), Mentor of the Year (2007), and the European Woman of Achievement Award (2001). She has worked in more than 40 countries, including extensively in several GCC countries.

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