Strategy Hero – Details, episodes & analysis

What drives a project to transform an organization? In this episode, Ray Collis, co-founder of Growth Pit Stop, shares his “super projects” formula—blending ambition, confidence, alignment, complexity, and collaboration. You’ll learn how successful leaders manage bold initiatives by embracing uncertainty and fostering seamless team alignment. Ray’s “pit stop” strategy—pausing to regroup and refocus—offers a practical way to navigate challenges and keep momentum.

From Big Pharma’s hidden innovators to boardroom successes, Ray’s insights reveal how to turn complexity into opportunity, celebrate small wins, and ask, “What does my team need to thrive?” empowering you to lead with clarity and unlock your team’s full potential. Listeners can get an advance copy of Ray's book, Super Projects, by clicking this link.

In this episode, Jim Longshore, Vice President at SBTI and author of The ABCs of Strategy Execution, shares insights from over 25 years of driving Lean Six Sigma deployments across manufacturing, healthcare, and insurance.

Jim reflects on his early career experiences at American Standard and Trane, where the integration of Lean and Six Sigma first clicked, and how understanding measurement systems and capability analyses transformed his approach to strategic problem-solving. He outlines the key components of a successful deployment, from having a single project hopper and champion, to building infrastructure that aligns improvement work directly to business strategy.

Drawing from real-world stories, like why recordable injury rates were misleading or how misjudged patient placement disrupted hospital staffing, Jim makes a compelling case for curiosity, clear metrics, and data-driven decision-making. He also weighs in on the future of Lean Six Sigma, the role of AI, and why leaders must resist rewarding heroics over consistency.

For anyone involved in operational excellence or strategy execution, Jim’s advice is simple but powerful: stop fighting fires, start preventing them.

Connect with Jim

In this episode, we delve into the extensive career of Paul Niven, a renowned expert in strategy execution with a focus on the balanced scorecard and OKR (Objectives and Key Results) frameworks. Paul shares his journey from public accounting to pioneering the balanced scorecard in the early 1990s, leading to significant improvements in organizational performance. He has since authored several influential books and collaborated with over 500 organizations worldwide.

Paul discusses the evolution of the balanced scorecard, particularly its application in Fortune 500 companies, and explores the transition to OKRs, which provide greater flexibility and autonomy for employees at all levels. He advocates for a hybrid approach that integrates both models, emphasizing the importance of setting specific, challenging goals and the need for internal champions to drive successful OKR adoption.

The conversation also touches on the future of OKRs and their potential integration with broader management systems, as well as the importance of continuous learning for professionals in strategy execution.

Connect with Paul Niven on LinkedIn.

In this episode, we explore the career of Jack Soos, whose diverse background spans sociology, biochemistry, and leadership. Jack has developed a keen understanding of the importance of empathy and active listening, which he applies to his leadership practices. He shares insights on fostering trust, promoting employee growth, and the necessity of ongoing learning.

Jack has tackled the challenges of cross-functional collaboration, advocating for leadership that builds partnerships rather than imposing directives. He emphasizes the critical role of psychological safety in the workplace and the need to balance performance with employee well-being. Connect with Jack on LinkedIn

In this episode, we delve into the career journey of Garvan Callan, an expert in strategy, transformation, and leadership. With a rich background that includes roles at Danske Bank and the Bank of Ireland, Garvan has honed his focus on digital innovation over the past 18 years. This experience culminated in the creation of his advisory practice, ONEZERO1, where he helps business leaders develop and implement transformative strategies. Beyond his advisory work, Garvan contributes to the community through his book, “Digital Business Strategy,” and his teaching fellowship at Trinity Business School. Join us as we explore Garvan’s insights and experiences in simplifying complexity and driving impactful change. Connect with Garvan

In this episode, Charlie Sharman, an advisor at the Kaizen Institute and co-author of the book "Strat to Action," delves into the future of Kaizen. Known for his candid and sometimes controversial insights, Charlie outlines the key areas businesses should focus on for effective process improvement. He examines the relative importance of people, processes, and data in the quest for continual improvement, leaving no stone unturned in this comprehensive discussion.

This episode was recorded before the passing of Charlie on the 4th of January 2024. You can read about his legacy here.

In this episode, Ryan Henson, the CEO of the Coalition for Global Prosperity talks about building a network of relationships and an internal culture to drive change on a global scale. His work has built an organization that is educating the senior political leaders of the UK on the changes needed in international development and social mobility. The lessons in this episode can be applied to any organization looking to build a change culture. Connect with Ryan on Linkedin

Jeroen Kraaijenbrink is a distinguished author, consultant, and thought leader in the realms of strategy, innovation, and organizational development. With a wealth of experience spanning over two decades, Kraaijenbrink has established himself as a pivotal figure in guiding organizations towards sustainable growth and competitive advantage. In this episode, Jeroen takes us through how organizations can build the foundations for strategic thinking, and grow an organization of strategic thinkers. Connect with Jeroen on Linkedin

Former Group Director of Strategy for Rexam Plc, Kit is now the Managing Partner of Strategy Together, where she leads a network of strategy consultants - but Kit's focus on personal strategy is what we explore in this episode. From leading groups of leaders on an Antarctic expedition, to setting a roadmap to developing one's strategy, this episode is all about setting yourself up for success, in whatever endeavors you are pursuing.

Connect with Kit on LinkedIn

In the ever-evolving landscape of business, partnerships have become more than just keys to success; they're now the very foundation for many enterprises. Join us in this episode as we delve into the 'Decade of Ecosystems' with Jay McBain, Chief Analyst - Channels, Partnerships & Ecosystems at Canalys.

Drawing from his impressive 30-year career in advising and working with channel businesses, Jay sheds light on the dramatic transformation businesses must undergo to adapt to the technology-driven era. From industries like automotive and medical devices to construction and consumer goods, Jay outlines the essential steps every company must take not only to thrive in the new world but simply to stay relevant. Connect with Jay McBain