Super Powered: Leadership, Strategy, Decision Making & Peak Performance - Stories & Strategies from World-Class Performers for Executive Success – Details, episodes & analysis

Ever walked past a business and thought "I could do that better"? Luke Tobin turned that exact instinct into three business exits. He spots gaps others miss - whether that's revolutionising how marketing agencies work with clients or discovering untapped revenue in the experience day industry.

From a £6-figure exit of his festival bar company in his early twenties to building the UK's fastest-growing marketing agency (sold for 8-figures in 2022), Luke's track record speaks for itself. Now Co-CEO of Cadastra EMEA with 900+ employees and $50M revenue, he continues to scale companies through his £5M+ investment firm.

This episode isn't just one big "success story" though. Luke openly shares his failures - the flopped modelling agency, the web design company that never launched - and reveals how burnout forced him to completely rethink his approach. His practical frameworks and hard-won insights will transform how you view the market around you.

Key Talking Points:

• The counter-intuitive approach that achieved 95% client retention in an industry averaging 30%
• Why successful exits require 100% focus, and how to avoid the "multi-business trap"
• The hidden challenges of graduating from SME clients to global brands like Unilever and Samsung
• How drama school techniques still influence million-pound business deals

Links & Resources:

• Luke's LinkedIn
• Entrepreneurial Edge Blog
• Tobin Capital
• Book Recommendation: Blair Enns - "The Win Without Pitching Manifesto"
• Vocal Warm-Up

This process helps you identify where to focus your energy by filtering out uncontrollable factors. It brings immediate relief from overwhelming situations and creates clear action steps for progress.

Steps to Apply

• Write down all current problems, challenges, or stressors that are causing concern
• Review each item and mark which ones are directly within your control
• Cross out everything you cannot personally influence or control
• Focus immediately on solving the controllable items
• Review remaining items the next day - many will have resolved themselves
• For persistent uncontrollable items, develop strategies to manage your response rather than trying to control the situation

In this episode, I talk to Nadia Pace, a non-executive director from Malta who serves on various boards and is also an executive mentor and BPO advisor. We dive into her time as CEO of World Aviation Group, where she had to relocate her entire operation in under eight weeks due to safety concerns. Nadia shares the strategic decisions she made, the importance of alignment among stakeholders, and the critical role of communication in overcoming the crisis. Her story offers valuable insights into effective leadership during turbulent times.

Guest Links

• LinkedIn
• Website

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Nadia Pach 01:09 A Leadership Challenge: Relocating Operations 03:40 Navigating Safety and Cultural Concerns 05:10 Logistical Hurdles and Solutions 09:45 Project Management and Team Coordination 16:34 Communication and Reputational Management 21:00 Reflections and Lessons Learned 25:28 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

What does it take to get executives to approve fair pay?

Cassidy Williams, the CTO at Contenda, had to do exactly that at a previous job.

Learn how Cassidy used every trick in the book - from "brag docs" to forging alliances - to close an unfair pay gap. She explains the mental shifts she had to make, and what she'd do differently next time.

Cassidy discusses:

• Creating "brag docs" to prove your value
• Managing during hypergrowth
• The calm of profitable “lifestyle” companies versus those backed by venture.
• Her top advice for advocates, leaders, and especially parents in tech

Get the inside scoop on pay equity, company growth stages, parenting policies, and more on this episode with Contenda CTO Cassidy Williams.

Cassidy's links

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Newsletter
• Twitter

Alex Weber, former Chief Growth Officer at N26, shares his journey going from one of the first employees to leading a team of over 100, in which time N26 reached unicorn status. Learn how Alex stepped up to lead the marketing function without prior experience, pushed through burnout, and grew into the CGO role.

We cover:

• Taking over the marketing function without a marketing background
• Pushing through burnout and building a support system
• Hiring and managing seasoned executives
• Setting boundaries and expectations with the founder
• Focusing your time and avoiding reactive leadership

Alex reflects on the key mindsets and practical steps that helped him shepherd hypergrowth while learning on the job. His story provides an inside look at leadership challenges at a rocketship startup and valuable lessons for leaders of all levels. Don't miss this candid conversation on Leadership for Unicorns.

Links to the guest

- Linkedin

In the midst of a tech industry recession, startups face the daunting challenge of navigating a world where hiring has come to a standstill. Bowen Moody, the CEO and founder of Wonderway, knows this all too well. His Berlin-based company, dedicated to training salespeople, had to make tough decisions during these trying times. In this episode, we dive deep into Bowen's journey, exploring the choices he made and the strategies he employed to keep his startup afloat.

But it's not just about survival. We'll also discuss the transformative potential of AI for sales leaders and delve into the art of choosing the right learning opportunities for your team. With a focus on ensuring a tangible return on investment, this episode promises to be both enlightening and actionable. So, whether you're a startup founder, a sales leader, or just someone curious about the intersection of tech and business, this episode has something for you. Let's dive in!

Links to the Guest

• Bowen Moody on LinkedIn
• Wonderway

Stay tuned for resources mentioned in the episode. We'll provide Amazon links for easy access and purchase.

Timestamps

• [00:01:14] Bowen's story
• [00:08:07] Bowen's story: Pivoting during a recession
• [00:18:08] The opportunities AI is bringing to sales leaders
• [00:27:49] How to know when your team needs to be upskilled
• [00:30:14] How to measure the ROI of learning

Welcome to Episode 09 with Guro Bakkeng Bergen, VP & GM at Fivetran.

In this episode, we explore how leaders navigate through significant organisational shifts, the impact of artificial intelligence on leadership, and the importance of carefully selecting battles.

Guro, with her rich experience at companies like Oracle, New Relic, and ServiceSource, shares her story of overcoming challenges during periods of drastic change. She highlights how the art of leadership has evolved and shares her insights on how AI and machine learning are creating new avenues in leadership.

Links to the Guest

• Guro Bakkeng Bergan on LinkedIn
• Fivetran

Timestamps

• [00:01:18] About Guro
• [00:02:31] How the role of a leader has changed in the past 18 years
• [00:05:39] Guro's story: A big shift with skewed insights
• [00:21:15] The opportunities AI is bringing to leadership
• [00:27:11] Making tech more representative
• [00:34:42] How Guro picks her fights

Join us in episode 08 of Leadership For Unicorns as we delve into the world of internal communication with Joanna Parsons, a seasoned consultant, trainer, and mentor. Joanna shares her wealth of knowledge and experience, offering invaluable insights into the challenges and solutions in the realm of internal comms. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking to understand the importance of effective communication within an organization and the role of leadership in fostering it.

Joanna's journey, from being overlooked despite her expertise to becoming a respected voice in her field, is both inspiring and enlightening. Her experiences shed light on the common issues faced by many, particularly women, in the workplace. Whether you're a leader looking to improve your team's communication or an individual seeking to make your voice heard, this episode is packed with practical advice and strategies.

• Joanna Parsons on LinkedIn
• Joanna's Website

• Robert Cialdini - Influence

• [00:01:24] About Joanna
• [00:03:06] Communication issues in organisations
• [00:08:01] Joanna's story: Ignored by leadership
• [00:14:03] Building confidence and believing in yourself
• [00:17:51] Why internal communications is critical to business
• [00:22:19] How to overcome bad internal communication
• [00:24:03] How leaders can play their part in internal comms

Discover the secrets behind successful business operations in episode 07 of our podcast, as we dive deep into the modern operating model with Jenny Herald - VP of Product Evangelism at Quantive. With a history of navigating through the challenging landscapes of mergers and acquisitions, Jenny shares a trove of wisdom drawn from her multifaceted career. Having started out in the U.S military, Jenny's unique insights from her journey are bound to leave you captivated.

Jenny's current focus revolves around OKRs, and while she recognizes their mixed reputation in the business world, she stands firm in her belief in their transformative power. Join us as we unravel the influence of OKRs in shaping successful companies, and let Jenny's eloquent advocacy sway your perception of this compelling business tool.

• Dreams with Deadlines Podcast
• Quantive
• Jenny’s LinkedIn
• Dreams with Deadlines Community
• Office Hours with Ben Lamorte

• [00:01:15] Introducing Jenny
• [00:05:22] Lessons from the military: Commander's Intent
• [00:08:14] Wunderlist acquired by Microsoft
• [00:25:31] What are companies getting wrong with OKRs
• [00:31:40] How Jenny gets people engaged with OKRs
• [00:35:46] Creating a shared language of success
• [00:38:39] The modern operating model for business today

• Reid Hoffman, Blitzscaling
• JOHN DOERR, Speed and Scale
• John Doerr, Measure what matters

In episode 06 of Leadership for Unicorns, we speak to Dr. Veronika (Fischer) von Heise-Rotenburg, the CFO at Everphone.

Veronika tells her story about the challenges she faced when her company was acquired. Acquisitions can often be tricky, and hers left her with a dilemma that affected her whole team.

We also talk about valuable lessons she learned as a consultant, what value-based leadership means to her and how to promote sustainability in the workplace.

Whether you're a seasoned executive or an emerging leader, this episode is packed with golden nuggets that will help you navigate your leadership journey with confidence and purpose.

• LinkedIn - Dr. Veronika von Heise-Rotenburg

• Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us (English Edition) by Daniel H. Pink

• [00:00:11] Meet Veronika
• [00:01:42] Extracting Golden Nuggets: Insights from McKinsey
• [00:03:47] The Spice of Life: Harnessing the Power of Diverse Experiences
• [00:06:15] Life After the Big Buyout: Navigating Post-Acquisition Terrain
• [00:08:38] Knowing When to Pack Up: Identifying Your Exit Cue
• [00:14:49] Navigating the Whirlwind: Practical Tips for Leaders in the Midst of Acquisition
• [00:17:24] Leadership 101: The Influence of Values in Command
• [00:19:43] Spotting Virtues: Assessing Candidates Beyond Their Skills
• [00:21:29] Upholding the Flag: Keeping Company Values Intact
• [00:23:13] Times of Change: When and Why to Rethink Company Values
• [00:25:27] Value Vistas: A Comparative Look at Different Corporate Cultures
• [00:26:39] Values Unleashed: How They Catalyze Peak Performance
• [00:28:31] Here to Stay: The Imperative of Sustainability
• [00:33:20] No-Nos and Deal Breakers: The Unconventional Shit List
• [00:34:02] Laser-Focus 101: Habits and Principles for Streamlined Productivity

Summary

Embark on an enriching journey in episode 05 of our podcast as we explore the intricate facets of leadership and project management with our guest, Andrii Dzynia, the Senior Director of Engineering at Talabat and a veteran from giants like Spotify and Candy Crush. Andrii walks us through his experience and insights into dealing with the occasional, yet inevitable, unrealistic expectations from higher-ups, which can lead to a slump in team morale if not handled deftly.

In this enlightening conversation, we delve deep into the importance of self-reflection and the indispensability of strong values for creating a robust and trust-filled bond with your team. The crux? An empowered team that can stand their ground and push back when required, promoting a balanced and productive working atmosphere. Get ready to soak in Andrii's wisdom and let the ripple effect improve your leadership skills!

Links to the Guest

• LinkedIn
• Website
• Twitter
• Instagram

Resources Mentioned

• Steven Covey - Seven habits of highly effective people
• Steven Covey - The 8th Habit
• David Marquet - Turn the Ship Around

Timestamps

• [00:01:05] About Andrii
• [00:04:09] Scaling companies
• [00:05:22] Why corporates aren't built for growth
• [00:07:51] A project that already wasn't going well
• [00:15:40] The importance of taking care of yourself
• [00:21:27] Building effective teams takes trust
• [00:26:06] Questions leaders should be asking themselves
• [00:29:15] Working in small chunks and small increments