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.

Complacency is a risk for any CEO. In this episode, Andrea discusses how CEOs can prevent themselves from becoming complacent. He talks about how to identify signs of complacency and what steps can be taken to prevent or reverse it.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Success can breed complacency, being competent can mean you become too comfortable with your existing knowledge and routine
• Every leader should be aware of the risks of becoming complacent
• You need to create a learning agenda for yourself with a plan and goals to keep you motivated and to continue growth
• An insular perspective can drive complacency. An outside perspective can allow leaders to see their role differently.
• Plan for the future and growth to prevent complacency.

BEST MOMENTS

“Complacency really often arises when leaders become too comfortable with their existing knowledge and routines”

“Do you have a learning agenda?”

“When leaders become too focused on internal processes, conditions and culture they often miss external opportunities”

“Complacency can set in when an organisation becomes overly reliant on its current success”

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.

In this episode, Andrea introduces a different mindset to help your people execute your strategy. He talks about the difference between accountability and ownership and how to implement lasting changes in how your team works.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Accountability doesn’t always mean people are doing what they should be.
• Decisions are avoided, information isn’t shared and opportunities are missed when there isn’t proper ownership.
• The key to getting results is having people own those results.
• Ownership is driven by intrinsic motivation, so it is something that is a personal choice that is purpose driven by the individual.
• The key is to get your team motivated and to buy into the results you want to achieve.
• Results are a by product of how people talk, the language they use and how things are communicated. 

BEST MOMENTS

“Accountability is a bit of a lip service”

“Part of performance is to some extent, make sure you do what you’re supposed to do”

“I don’t believe results is actually making people accountable”

“Ownership is driven by intrinsic motivation”

“It’s rewarding behaviour it’s not rewarding goals”

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.

Do you struggle to step out of your comfort zone? Join Andrea in this episode as he reveals the most impactful strategy to help you become ‘powerfully uncomfortable!’ He explores the science behind comfort zones, feelings of panic and how to overcome your brain’s automatic response to comfort and stress.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Staying in your comfort zone feels good. Your brain wants you to remain in situations that are low risk, that feel known and comfortable.
• If you don’t step outside your comfort zone then you are limiting your potential and you cannot grow.
• People often stay within their comfort zone or take big leaps and end up in the ‘panic zone’ where they are unable to sustainably reach their goals.
• Operate in a learning zone of a 25% increase. This means you do tasks that are 25% more challenging than what you are already doing. This makes the task achievable whilst still stretching your abilities.
• If you continue to operate at this 25% increase, you will continue to grow.

BEST MOMENTS

"It feels to stay where we are, it’s good to be in a comfort zone”

“Our old brain, It prevents us from taking risks, it’s trying to protect us”

“Rather than calling them as possibilities we see them as just impossible dreams”

“You are trying to do something that is possible, achievable and requires a good level of stretch”

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 Petrone shares his 10 life principles that have guided him on his personal and leadership journey. These principles, ranging from being unapologetically yourself to embracing gratitude, are not only essential for personal growth but also for becoming an authentic and impactful leader. Join Andrea as he explores each principle, offering insights and inspiration to help you become the best version of yourself.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Authenticity is your superpower as a leader; don't hide behind a mask, and be proud of who you are.
• Integrity is crucial for building trust. Honour your commitments and be a person of your word.
• Purpose creates passion and accelerates motivation so align your actions with your purpose to stay on track.
• Kindness is a rare but valuable trait in leaders. Small acts of kindness create joy and fulfilment for others.
• Pursue knowledge relentlessly; leaders who stop learning become complacent and stop winning.
• Empathy fosters connection and compassion. It’s important to strive to understand others' perspectives to build stronger relationships.
• Resilience enables you to bounce back stronger from challenges. View setbacks as opportunities for growth.
• Embrace ambiguity and uncertainty; develop the ability to thrive when things get muddy.

BEST MOMENTS

"Be unapologetically yourself. Who you are is a result of, to me, a deliberate choice you made along the journey."

"Trust is earned through unwavering honesty and moral values, but more importantly, when you really honour your commitment, your word."

"Seek real meaning in what you do. Cause purpose really creates passion, accelerates your motivation."

"We live in a world where kindness is not, is a given, but it's not there. There are many people, especially in a leadership role, that are not kind with people."

"Whatever you see in front of you, it's a world of possibilities if you approach it with the right mindset."

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 Petrone interviews Lisa Baird, a trailblazing leader with extensive experience across private and non-profit sectors. Lisa shares her invaluable insights on the evolving leadership landscape in 2024, the challenges and opportunities for women in leadership roles, and the importance of fostering an inclusive workplace.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• In 2024, leaders must navigate a complex business environment, manage diverse stakeholders, and adapt to the transformative impact of the pandemic on the workforce.
• Women seeking leadership roles should develop a unique "plus one" skill that sets them apart and adds value to their organisation.
• Confidence is crucial for women in leadership; they can build it by taking on responsibilities outside of work and creating a supportive network.
• Men play a vital role as allies in creating an inclusive workplace and actively sponsoring women's career advancement.
• Embracing AI and other emerging technologies can give women a competitive edge and drive business growth.
• Leaders should cultivate a personal board of advisors to provide guidance, accountability, and a fresh perspective on personal and professional growth.

BEST MOMENTS

"Leadership in 2024 is vastly different than it was even just a few years ago."

"If women in particular falling out because of a lot of reasons, you're never going to get to anything other than a little bit of representation."

"Nowadays, my personal board of advisors are younger people. And I'm really learning a lot from this next generation of leadership."

"Don't believe that the world looks like Instagram or LinkedIn where everything that always, that you post is always, you know, an emoji heart and balloons, you know, talk about your mistakes, talk about those things, own them."

"It's not network, like let me network so I can find a job. It's network to develop relationships that will serve you and allow you to serve others over a lifetime."

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.

The ultimate secrets to build a high performance team Featuring Deborah Ancona, MIT Leadership Center

Join us as we dive into the dynamics of leadership and innovation with Deborah Ancona, the mind behind the MIT Leadership Center. Discover key insights on team performance and distributed leadership, from the concept of xTEAMS driving innovation in large organizations to practical strategies for managing leadership challenges in a turbulent world.

Whether you're interested in enhancing team dynamics or looking to expand your knowledge in organizational leadership, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways. Deborah Ancona shares a journey of pioneering research and real-world application, offering her unique philosophy on fostering creative leadership at every level.

Episode Highlights ⤵ - 02:26 – Transitioning from Academia to Real-World Impact - 04:49 – Understanding the Power of Family Ghosts - 16:01 – Confronting and Reframing Leadership Ghosts - 13:01 – The Challenge of Empowering Others - 29:49 – Innovating with X Teams in a Changing World - 43:39 – Leadership Buy-In for Organizational Change

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 our guest Deborah Ancona:

Deborah Ancona is the Seley Distinguished Professor of Management and Professor of Organization Studies at MIT Sloan School of Management. She is also the founder of the MIT Leadership Center. Ancona’s research has significantly influenced how teams operate, emphasizing the importance of managing both internal and external boundaries. This work led to the development of the xTEAMS concept, which is crucial for driving innovation in large organizations.

Ancona's work also explores distributed leadership and the creation of tools and practices that promote leadership at all levels within organizations. She co-founded xLEAD, a company focused on leadership development, and has authored the book "x-teams: How to Build Teams That Lead, Innovate, and Succeed," along with several influential articles in the Harvard Business Review.

Her research has been published in leading academic journals, and her previous book, "Managing for the Future," addresses the skills needed in today’s changing organizations. Ancona has also consulted for major companies and institutions, sharing her expertise in leadership and innovation.

Ancona holds a BA and MS in psychology from the University of Pennsylvania and a PhD in management from Columbia University, grounding her work in a deep understanding of both psychology and organizational behavior.

#Leadership #Innovation #TeamPerformance #DistributedLeadership #xTEAMS #OrganizationalChange #LeadershipDevelopment #DeborahAncona #MITLeadership #CreativeLeadership #TeamDynamics #LeadershipChallenges #EmpoweringLeaders #LeadershipPhilosophy #ManagementResearch #OrganizationalBehavior #LeadershipInAction #InnovationInBusiness #TeamLeadership

There is a growing trend in the business world where CEOs have previously held the position of CFO. In this episode, Andrea discusses this trend, the research behind it, and the reasons why it may be happening. Additionally, Andrea talks about the influence of the current economic climate on the decisions of board members and the influence this may have.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• 30% of Fortune 100 CEOs have previously served as CFOs, this trend is replicated across the corporate world.
• CFOs keep the company in a safe financial position, this is recognised highly by CEOs and the board.
• In challenging economic times, whoever is looking after ‘the numbers’ generates a lot of trust and attention.
• If a decision for a new CEO has to be made quickly, the COO and CFO are candidates that are frequently looked at first.
• CFOs have strong existing relationships with board members than many other senior roles.
• The risk-averse nature of CFOs can lend itself to periods of uncertainty like we are seeing in the economy and therefore many businesses at the moment.
• The mindset of a CFO generally lends itself to keeping the status quo, they can find it more challenging to shift to a growth mindset that may be needed for a more ambitious future for companies.

BEST MOMENTS

“This trend is clearly on the rise”

“They provide a sense of stability and control to the board”

“They have a stronger relationship, that CFOs have with the board”

“They feel more confident, in a safer place, especially when restructuring to hand over to a CFO”

“CFOs are inherently risk-averse”

 "If you really want to drive top-line revenue, choosing a CFO could be a really risky decision" 

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.

How can leaders create a strong and high-performing team? Andrea reflects on his decades of experience as a leader as well as the things he has learned from others in this episode. He outlines the 5 key lessons he has learnt to help build a team that is innovative, solution-focused and supported.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Every session and communication you have with a team is an opportunity to learn from them.
• Don’t underestimate your team’s creativity and solutions just because they have performed poorly in the past.
• Diversity is essential in teams, particularly around skillset and experience.
• We can unconsciously create a culture where a team ‘plays it safe’ instead of taking risks and being dynamic.
• Better performance comes from teams recognising and being given permission to continue learning.
• If your team feels supported and valued then they will perform at their best.

BEST MOMENTS

"When your past team performance isn’t great you tend to underestimate the people’s abilities to come up with new and creative solutions”

“When teams are given the freedom to experiment and fail they are really more likely to become out with new and innovative solutions”

“Every single action, every single behaviour, every single mindset is created around learning”

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.

Join Andrea Petrone as he delves into the secrets of scaling organizations with Elias Ghanem, global head of Capgemini Research Institute for Financial Services. Discover the impact of a multicultural approach on scaling startups and the essential attributes, skills, and traits CEOs need to effectively lead growing companies. Get ready for an insightful and practical episode packed with valuable takeaways for leaders looking to scale their organizations to new heights.

Key Takeaways:

•  Mixing cultures and gaining a multicultural perspective is essential for personal growth and effective leadership in a globalised world.
• Startups should evolve into scale-ups with the right team, stable technology, and a clear product offering to effectively integrate with large organisations.
• Large organisations must accept a higher level of risk and embrace the differences that scale-ups bring to the table for successful partnerships.
• CEOs must learn to let go of control, trust and empower their team, and focus on preparing for the future rather than running day-to-day operations.
• Implementing an "oops management" approach, where employees are empowered to make decisions and learn from mistakes, is crucial for scaling organisations.
• Key leadership skills for scaling CEOs include humanity, self-awareness, focus, and driving results with clear commitments.
• Embracing diversity in terms of gender, culture, and perspectives leads to richer ideas and long-term success for organizations.

Best Moments:

• "Mixing cultures is for me the most rewarding experience in my life." - Elias Ghanem
• "Accept to go a little bit higher on risk, and accept that the other one will not morph into you. Accept the difference." - Elias Ghanem
• "You need to earn the time to get bored." - Elias Ghanem
• "The minute you tell me this is an oops call, I don't, I'm not any force sitting in front of you, I'm sitting next to you. And we are now, the two trying to solve the problem." - Elias Ghanem
• "The more you bring people, you surround yourself with different genders, different cultures, different perspective, the richer become the idea." - Elias Ghanem

Resources:

• Scaling Up by Verne Harnish
• Capgemini Research Institute for Financial Services' World Reports

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.

72% of managers are not considered human leaders by their people! Join Andrea as he deep dives into humanity in leadership, why it’s so important for a good work culture and why it drives better performance.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Leaders can lose their human touch by focusing too much on their authority. They worry that showing their humanity shows weakness.
• Some leaders don’t have the self-awareness to recognise they aren’t leading with humanity.
• Showing empathy doesn’t diminish your leadership presence or gravitas in an organisation.
• How leaders deal with adversity, by taking accountability and moving forward is paramount in what creates a great leader.

BEST MOMENTS

"I think the main reason why some leaders lose their human touch with people is because they perceive that as a delusion to their leadership”

“Awareness is sometimes something we take for granted”

“Be a people leader”

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 invites Monte Pedersen, a passionate expert in organisational strategy execution, to share his insights on why execution often fails and how to drive it effectively. Monte reveals the key elements of successful strategy execution, including the importance of clear communication, individual engagement, and a robust performance measurement system. Join the conversation and learn how you can help your organisation learn to excel at execution!

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC59dect0RJ5cuxIXsX7hCRw

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Effective strategy execution requires translating the strategy throughout the organisation, engaging individuals at every level, and setting clear expectations for roles and responsibilities.
• Organisations often make assumptions about their business, leading to ineffective communication and a lack of understanding among employees regarding their contributions to the company's success.
• Establishing a feedback loop by engaging employees in co-creating and refining the strategy ensures alignment and allows for quick adaptations to changes in the business environment.
• Implementing a performance measurement system is crucial for tracking progress, identifying areas of improvement, and documenting the organisation's execution journey.
• Goal setting should be done at every level of the organisation, with near-term goals based on the immediate needs of the company and longer-term goals aligned with the overall strategy.
• Courageous leadership is essential for successful strategy execution, as leaders must be willing to have difficult conversations and ensure everyone is working in the best interest of the team.

BEST MOMENTS

"If you can't get the ideas down through the organisation and if you can't get people understanding what they need to do to contribute, then you lose a lot."

"Organisations don't execute, people do."

"Goal setting needs to be looked at much, much differently if you're going to execute."

"Execution takes courageous leadership. You have to be able to have the difficult conversations with your people and work through them on a consistent basis."

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 GUEST

Monte Pedersen had a 35-year career in the services industry before deciding to start a training and leadership firm to focus exclusively on helping organisations manage strategy execution. He wanted to help deliver business freedom for small to middle-sized businesses and this is exactly what he does every day!

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.

What is stopping you from creating an ambitious and bold future for your organisation? In this episode, Andrea shares insights from leaders about what stops a leader from growing and being future-oriented. He also asks, if you aren’t disrupting the status quo and creating a vision for the future then are you really a leader?

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC59dect0RJ5cuxIXsX7hCRw

The 7 Reasons You Aren't Creating a Bold Future:

1. Complexity
2. Uncertainty
3. Over-emphasis on short-term goals
4. Operational overload
5. Fear of failure
6. Resistance to change
7. Personal Bias

BEST MOMENTS

"I strongly believe the easiest way to fail is to stop imagining what we want our future to be like”

“Leaders can really make a difference by altering the status quo”

“When leaders are every day occupied with day-to-day operations and tasks, of course, they don’t see the future”

“You are deliberately choosing to not be a leader”

“If you aren’t disrupting the status quo what’s the point in having you as a leader”

“Our mind can prevent us from thinking bigger, from thinking to the future”

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 Petrone interviews Moustafa Hamwi, a passionate expert on mindset mastery and igniting true passion. Moustafa shares his incredible journey of self-discovery and the valuable lessons he learned along the way. He talks to Andrea about how he learned to be a better leader and the things all leaders can do to not only be more effective but to live a more authentic existence too. 

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC59dect0RJ5cuxIXsX7hCRw

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Leaders must have the courage to face themselves in the mirror and the humility to acknowledge when they need help dealing with challenges.
• To master your mindset, first, heal your past by acknowledging and releasing specific traumas or stories, then focus on mindset mastery techniques to slingshot into the future.
• The role of a leader is no longer to be an all-knowing, omnipresent figure but to be a decision-making machine that considers all inputs and variables, often relying on intuition.
• A temporary identity crisis is a necessary part of change; embrace the journey of transformation, like a caterpillar turning into a butterfly.
• Recognise that your most valuable asset is your time; start taking action towards a more meaningful and purposeful life.
• Move closer to your passion by doing more of what you like and less of what you don't like, gradually subcontracting or delegating tasks that don't align with your purpose.

BEST MOMENTS

"The role of a leader is no longer to be that all knowing, omnipresent, omnipotent person. It's the total opposite. It's about shared leadership, where the leader has to now acknowledge that the layers that work in collaboration, the CXO layer and the director layer are the actual, guys that are doing all the work and their input is a lot more valuable."

"The universe operates in that way. It sends us a message. We don't understand it. It will do it, repeat the pattern. And we find ourselves in those repeated patterns."

"It's beyond just making it as a gimmick because the whole vision, mission, all of that has always been there. But it was just a document on the wall. It came from here back to the conversation about coming from here. When we come from a place of genuinity and truth, and if a company doesn't care about it, they don't care about it."

"True passion, true passion is consistently doing what you love, what you're good at, and is a value to the world."

"My learning here is that most of my and other people's regrets are for the things that we did not do. rather than the things that we did”

ABOUT THE GUEST

Moustafa is a bestselling author, international speaker, and mindset coach.

His background spans diverse disciplines — from executive coaching, hypnotherapy, yoga, and meditation to adventure sports and nature healing.

Moustafa’s unique lifestyle as an executive nomad has him traversing the globe, often spending months living out of a campervan, immersing himself in diverse cultures and forging a deep connection with nature.

His quest for self-discovery leads him to learning and meditation centres worldwide, exploring the intricacies of mind, body, and soul. His life journey and extensive research have culminated in unparalleled knowledge and insight. He’s globally recognised as a foremost expert and thought leader in reigniting passion within organisations and teams

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.

Something Andrea consistently notices when working with CEOs and their teams is the notion of complexity. That is, how and why our understanding and definition of complexity differ and why so many CEOs and professionals overcomplicate their business. In this episode, Andrea explores the many reasons behind creating complexity and talks about how to recognise and see the simple and often much easier solution right in front of you.

Leaders Show BRAND NEW YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC59dect0RJ5cuxIXsX7hCRw

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Some individuals can appear ‘addicted’ to complexity. There are often simple solutions in front of them but they can’t see them.
• CEOs and owners can have the tendency to overcomplicate their business. 
• One reason someone may overcomplicate is due to fear of failure.
• Risks are much more transparent in the modern world, everything is seen and tracked, and every decision matters, which can prevent CEOs and leaders from taking risks.
• Often the reaction to fear is to assert control, which means making decisions for tasks and areas where they aren’t the expert.
• Success isn’t about measuring everything, but measuring what matters.
• Complexity is the enemy of growth. Stop overcomplicating things and instead work to find simple solutions to drive growth.

BEST MOMENTS

"When we all talk about complexity we all have different meanings as well as definition and the implication of that into the business”

“Some executives are scared to take risks”

“They’re more afraid, so they try and control every area of the business as a consequence of that”

“It’s really fear bringing more complexity”

“Go simple, simplicity is the way to drive growth”

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 interviews William Ruh, former CEO of Lendlease Digital and GE Digital, about leadership during digital transformation. William shares how cultural alignment and change management are critical for success, often more so than the technology itself. Rue also discusses the need for CEOs to be curious, keep learning, and pivot quickly in the face of increasing complexity. He talks about establishing strong partnerships with boards and maintaining personal resilience to handle the demands of leadership today.

Leaders Show BRAND NEW YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC59dect0RJ5cuxIXsX7hCRw

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Digital transformation success depends heavily on cultural alignment and change management skills like communication, empathy and enrolment.
• Leaders should identify and partner with "the coalition of the willing" in the organisation to drive change rather than trying to change everyone at once.
• Monetisation strategy for digital innovation must be clear - either embedded in existing offerings or as a new line of business.
• Running an internal start-up has unique challenges - the speed of a start-up with the processes of an established business.
• With the increasing pace of change, CEO resilience, learning agility and the ability to quickly pivot strategy are critical leadership capabilities.
• Strong board relationships and a personal support system are essential to handle the pressures faced by modern CEOs.

BEST MOMENTS

"The soft skills are the most important thing. How you help the organisation through [digital transformation] is more important in some ways than what your technology is."

"You've got to be able to make that cultural shift. Existing cultures and businesses often find it very difficult to embrace the change."

"I realised that I'm responsible for seeing the world change. I'm responsible for learning gen AI...I'm responsible for figuring out where things are going."

"If you're not good at managing your board, the board is going to manage you. So that is the challenge many CEOs definitely wrestle with."

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 GUEST

Mr. William Ruh most recently served as the Chief Executive Officer for Lendlease Digital. In this role, he built two new businesses to help transform the real estate industry. LendLease Digital is developing the world’s first set of Autonomous Building products to automate design, supply chain, and operations. He serves on the Board of Directors for both start-ups.

Prior to joining Lendlease, Mr. Ruh was the CEO of GE Digital and the Chief Digital Officer for GE. During his tenure, Mr. Ruh led the charge to develop the first cloud-based platform for the industrial world and established the GE Digital business unit. A recognized expert in the emerging Industrial Internet of Things he helped establish the Industrial Internet Consortium and was a member of the US Dept of Commerce Digital Economy Board of Advisors.

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.

Should you keep your leadership or start to make changes? In this episode, Andrea answers this question and talks about how to know it’s the right time to make changes in your leadership team, particularly if you are new to the role. If you are facing this dilemma right now, Andrea offers some perspective and considerations to help you make decisions.

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

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Incompetence is the first clear criteria for needing to assess team changes. If an individual or team are incompetent this cannot be put off.
• People can progress and change under new leadership, so assess if this is possible in a reasonable timeframe.
• High performers can be detrimental if they feed into or create a toxic culture. Culture is more important in the medium to long term of a companies success.
• Personality counts. If there are team members that can’t work cohesively and collaboratively then you need to make some changes.

BEST MOMENTS

"They don’t necessarily show potential”

“High performers can be assets but they can also be liabilities when they fail to adhere to the company direction”

“Culture is really what is going to make the different in the medium-long term”

“CEOs are probably taking too long to make a decision”

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 spends this episode looking at the crucial distinction between commitment and interest, emphasizing the importance of true commitment in driving results. He highlights how many individuals and leaders often mistake interest for commitment, leading to shallow dedication and a lack of resilience when faced with challenges. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• It is crucial to distinguish between commitment and interest. Commitment involves dedication, perseverance, and facing difficulties head-on, while interest leads to superficial engagement and giving up when things get tough.

• Commitment is about depth and resilience, pushing through challenges and making sacrifices for something meaningful. Interest, on the other hand, only drives initial enthusiasm but lacks the depth to sustain effort.

• Commitment is what drives personal and company ambition, leading to tangible results. Without true commitment, individuals and teams may struggle to achieve their goals.

• Growth only happens outside of the comfort zone, and commitment is a demonstration of stepping beyond what is easy, convenient, or comfortable. It requires going beyond the superficial engagement of mere interest.

• The importance of demonstrating commitment through actions, such as consistently showing up and putting in the hard work, to drive ambition and achieve desired outcomes.

BEST MOMENTS

"Commitment is about depth and resilience, while interest is about superficial engagement."

"Growth only happens outside of the comfort zone, and commitment is a demonstration that you are stepping outside of that."

"I'm showing up here every week because I'm committed, because that is how I can drive the ambition of this podcast." 

"Are people really interested in something or are they really committed? There are some indicators for you to be more present about how people demonstrate their commitment."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Like the show? Please leave or write a review on your favorite 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.

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 interviews former CEO Linsley Ruth on what it takes to lead a major corporation. They dive into the secrets behind Ruth's success in turning around the RS Group electronics company. Ruth shares the one key cultural shift that catalysed growth and performance. He explains why putting employees first ultimately serves customers best. Ruth also gets real about the personal toll of leadership.

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

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Get out from behind your desk early on. Go meet frontline staff and ask for unfiltered perspectives on the business to inform your strategy.
• Culture change must come from within, not top-down mandates. Help people see the why before dictating the what. Buy-in beats forced compliance.
• Your staff are your top stakeholders. Tend to their wellbeing and engagement first so they can deliver for customers.
• Loneliness comes with the CEO job. Have an executive coach you trust as a sounding board for advice and accountability.
• Take smart risks when complexity abounds. Stay open to opportunities along with self-awareness to thrive.
• Reflect regularly by journaling pivotal leadership lessons. Review for continuous improvement.

BEST MOMENTS

"You can take every data point you want. You give me an hour with the customer and I'll know more than you."

"People have to want to do it and be convinced on what needs to be done, not told what needs to be done."

"The higher you go within a company, the lonelier the job becomes...have a coach to help with performance and balance."

"Worry about what you think, worry about what you're going to do and staying true to your words."

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: https://calendly.com/andreapetrone/strategy-call-30.

ABOUT THE GUEST

Lindsley Ruth

CEO & Board Member, Global Business Transformation

Award-winning CEO and highly qualified industrial distribution executive Lindsley Ruth was most recently CEO of RS Group plc (formerly Electrocomponents plc), a global omni-channel solutions partner for industrial customers and suppliers, where he was responsible for improving the financial performance of the Group and instilling a renewed focus on putting the customer and supplier back at the heart of the business. He led the turnaround of the underperforming business and, working with the broader team, created a strong vision and purpose for the company leading the company from the FTSE250 to the FTSE100 in six years.   Lindsley increased sales by more than 300%, profit by more than 500% and increased the share price by more than 6X.

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.

How can you get the best out of people? In this episode, Andrea talks about why getting the best out of your workforce starts with you as a leader and your approach to judgements. Andrea explores the reasons why a judgemental attitude can impact your performance and how we can stop judging people.

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

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Mindset is the only real driver for performance.
• When we meet people for the first time our brain builds an impression of them based on their physicality and its relation to stereotypes, this isn’t something we have control over.
• What we do have control over is how we deal with these thoughts and judgements in our brains.
• We are more likely to judge people who are different to us.
• Sometimes judging others is a way to make yourself feel superior, to boost self-esteem and to feel in control.
• Be mindful and conscious about your judgemental thoughts and feelings so you can create a level of awareness.
• If you start to judge someone, pause and ask yourself why this is.

BEST MOMENTS

"A judgemental attitude really kills performance”

“These needs can lead us to judge others to see whether they are part of our in-group”

“Sometimes we really judge others as a way to feel superior to them”

“Be really mindful of your thoughts and feelings”

“Ask yourself, why are you judging them”

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: 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 interviews Ujjwal Kumar, Group President of Teradyne Robotics, in an insightful conversation about turning organisations into powerful learning machines that drive performance. They discuss how past experiences at companies like General Motors and GE shaped Ujjwal's leadership approach centred on resilience, execution, and staying relentlessly focused on solving bigger problems. Ujjwal shares his vision for accelerated growth at Teradine through customer adoption, strategic investments in startups, and potential acquisitions. He stresses the importance of building a culture that encourages smart risk-taking and frames failures as learning moments rather than personal shortcomings.

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

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Draw talent with diverse perspectives from around the world to solve complex issues that benefit societies
• Transfer learnings across industries to spot patterns and common links between end markets
• Cultivate resilience through open communication and regularly confronting weaknesses or blind spots
• Avoid complacency even in market-leading positions by staying attuned to inevitable disruption
• Focus your career on depth of learning over job titles to build capabilities as an effective CEO
• Lead with humility and executive stamina to calmly connect with all stakeholders

BEST MOMENTS

"Unions want to bring in robotics to improve workers' quality of life by taking repetitive, dirty, dangerous jobs. Robots won't replace humans, but take tasks we shouldn't be doing."

"Failing means you're pushing the envelope to create something big. We have to see it as essential to the learning process."

"Growth comes from operationalising ideas, not just goal setting. Dedicate people, plan change management - that execution discipline scales you up."

"Stay paranoid. The day you think you're on top, you'll take actions avoiding reinventing yourself."

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: 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.

There is one sure way to kill strategic thinking and this is through ‘busyness’. Join Andrea in this episode as he tackles and challenges the perception of always being busy and how it can harm your business.

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

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Many people feel so busy they are already losing sight of what is really important in both the medium and the long term.
• If we are already rushing through tasks and moving from one task to another then we don’t allow enough time to analyse and strategise.
• An overly busy environment often leads to distractions and disruptions.
• You can find yourself in this busy environment accidentally but once you realise, Andrea encourages you to break out of the cycle so you can operate at your full potential.

BEST MOMENTS

"The pace of business now is incredibly high”

“Busy environments can lead to constant distractions and disruptions”

“I strongly recommend you break this vicious cycle”

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: 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.

On the occasion of the official launch of our new YouTube Channel for the show:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC59dect0RJ5cuxIXsX7hCRw

Andrea revisits an episode from summer 2023 and is joined by Alain Bejjani, former CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Group, an international diversified conglomerate with ventures in shopping mall ownership and operation, hotel ownership and operation, retail stores, leisure and entertainment centers, and mixed-use residential communities, headquartered in the United Arab Emirates with operations in the Middle East and Africa. He served as CEO from February 2015 until January 2023. Alain shares his stories and learnings from his 8-year tenure as a CEO including revealing how he rallied teams through disruptive change and unprecedented crises. Listen to this episode to learn how to drive digital innovation, empower your people, adapt in turbulent times, and align business with purpose. Alain distills profound lessons on authentic leadership, cultivating organizational culture, and finding opportunities amidst challenges!

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Communicate a compelling vision and create a burning platform to drive change even when times are good.
• Invest early in digital capabilities and customer experience to future-proof your business.
• Build an empowering, people-first culture that gives ownership and purpose.
• Stay resilient by focusing on progress over perfection.
• Walk the talk - tough decisions on people and resources show your commitment.
• Lead authentically; don't put on a mask at work. Merge your personal and professional values.

BEST MOMENTS "Rejection and failure are part of the entrepreneurial journey; persist through the no’s to get to the yes."

"If Plan A doesn't work, the alphabet has 25 more letters. Stay persistent."

"The way we lead our company is just as important as what our company does."

"A crisis represents opportunity hidden in the challenge. Seize the chance to make changes not possible in normal times."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

The Big Leap

Leaders Eat Last

Principles by Ray Dalio

Delivering Happiness by Tony Hsieh

Like the show? Please leave or write a review on your favorite 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 GUEST 

Alain Bejjani is a Lebanese business executive. He was the CEO of the Majid Al Futtaim Group, an international diversified conglomerate with ventures in shopping mall ownership and operation, hotel ownership and operation, retail stores, leisure and entertainment centers, and mixed-use residential communities, headquartered in the United Arab Emirates with operations in the Middle East and Africa. He served as CEO from February 2015 until January 2023.

Bejjani was born in Beirut, Lebanon in 1973. He studied law at the University of Paris XII Val de Marne and the Collège Notre-Dame de Jamhour. After graduating, he worked as a lawyer in Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates. In 2006, he joined the Majid Al Futtaim Group, where he held a number of senior positions. In 2014, he was appointed Chief Corporate Development Officer and Brand Officer. In 2015, he was appointed CEO.

As CEO, Bejjani oversaw the growth of the Majid Al Futtaim Group into a global leader in the retail, leisure, and hospitality sectors. He also led the company's expansion into new markets, such as India and China. In 2023, he was replaced as CEO by Ahmed Galal Ismail.

Bejjani is a member of the World Economic Forum's Global Future Council on the Future of Retail. He is also a board member of several companies, including the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

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 explores what he calls ‘artificial harmony’ and its impact on organisations. He discusses why fake harmony impacts a company and team negatively and talks about how to instead create an environment that thrives on constructive conflict.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Artificial harmony is convenient for senior staff and leaders, it creates the illusion that people are happy
• If there is only artificial harmony then it isn’t easy or comfortable to have honest conversations
• The best results happen when there is proactive and useful ‘conflict’ leading to discussions, ideas and solutions
• Many leaders may prefer artificial harmony because it makes their lives easier as well as preserves their authority
• Constructive conflict doesn’t create a negative environment
• Unaddressed conflict can lead to mistrust and decreased team performance

BEST MOMENTS

"Artificial harmony is convenient”

“Conflicts are avoided”

“Artificial harmony kills results”

“Great leaders really recognised the value of constructive conflict, they provoke it intentionally”

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 the first episode of 2024, Andrea outlines what he is committed to deliver for the world class leaders show in 2024. He gives three specific things he aims to start in 2024 and asks, what are you going to do this year to be successful?

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Making commitments is one thing but the most important thing is to honour them.
• We are all busy but that’s why it’s essential that you plan and make sure you can honour the commitments you make.
• A true leader, does what they say they are going to do.
• Andrea is in the process of creating his YouTube channel and writing his book!

BEST MOMENTS

"We can make great things together”

“Don’t make wishes, make commitments”

“The way to grow podcasts is definitely by sharing, liking, reviews”

“I have decided the book is going to be important to me in 2024”

“I love the work I do I know it makes a real impact on people”

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.

Andrea speaks with Niclas Persson CEO and co-founder of Deedster, a company aiming to accelerate the transition to sustainable energy through engaging technology. Niclas discusses his journey from serving in the Swedish Air Force to working in the financial industry before realising he wanted to make a bigger impact regarding climate change. Niclas talks about the importance of purpose and meaning in attracting talent and describes some of the challenges in educating the market and achieving product-market fit in this new domain. He shares perspectives on taking risks as an entrepreneur, letting go of control as a leader, and staying patient amidst uncertainty.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Climate change demands urgent, large-scale action - "every drop matters." Corporations are taking the lead with long-term transition strategies.
• Solving climate change is difficult and boring for many - focusing on the upsides through exciting, rewarding technology is key to engaging people.
• Having a strong purpose attracts talent and makes building company culture easier. People want meaning and impact.
• Educating the nascent "net zero" market on what's possible poses a challenge in achieving product-market fit and revenue.
• As CEOs, finding and empowering smarter people, and then letting go of control frightens but enables the company to flourish.
• Balancing bold risk-taking with patience amidst uncertainty has served Niclas well throughout his entrepreneurial journey.

BEST MOMENTS

"Recruiting teams and getting partnerships in this domain is quite easy...The purpose, the meaning, the purpose of what you do is so strong."

"We have really, really hard conversations and maybe too often...we know each other so well, we can be very straight and blunt."

"You need just to try to find smarter people than yourself and then hire them, and then empower them."

"Be bold, take a lot of risk, as much risk as you can, and even beyond."

"For now, this sustainability net zero, I cannot think of anything more important and relevant."

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.

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.

Andrea interviews Luca Bovalino, CEO for North America of the parking business unit at technology company FAAC Group. Luca has over 20 years of international management experience working across Europe, Asia and North America. Luca discusses the importance of bringing together diverse cultures after mergers and acquisitions. Luca shares how focusing on common goals and really getting to know your team members as people first, regardless of background, builds trust and transparency for better performance.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Merging acquired companies that have diverse cultures can accelerate performance if managed properly
• Allow teams to preserve their native culture rather than enforcing one company culture
• Identify common goals and focus on human similarities rather than cultural differences
• Build personal connections among teams by opening up and sharing non-work-related details
• Servant leadership that supports employee motivation and retention drives customer satisfaction
• The world is still focused and talking about leadership because there are still many leaders out there who don’t know how to manage people effectively.

BEST MOMENTS

"Diversity is a richness in problem-solving, it’s a richness in accelerating the solution of a problem."

"If you take care of your employees, they will surely care for your customers."

“The world has changed. I mean, we did what we call the digital transformation today. Yesterday we were part of an industrial company. Today we woke up as an IT and software house.”

“You have Germans, Bulgarians, Italians, Israelis and Americans. Fine. What are the common denominators? Human beings.”

“it’s brilliant the approach you have and are seeing results [as a leader]”

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.

Victoria Pelletier, a renowned corporate executive and turnaround expert, discusses the intricacies of leading a company through challenging times. Sharing her insights on on how to effectively thrive during tough times, Victoria emphasizes the importance of clear communication, empathy, and effective leadership.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Victoria emphasizes the importance of whole human leadership, which involves recognizing and supporting the whole person, showing empathy, vulnerability, transparency, care, and compassion.

• Successful change management involves transparent communication, engagement, and aligning incentives with desired behaviors to drive successful transformations.

• Leaders are facing increased pressure to deliver results in a short timeframe, which can impact their leadership style and decision-making processes.

• Organizations need to focus not only on technology skills but also on developing attitudes, mindsets, and skills that promote flexibility, adaptability, and innovation.

• HR should be a strategic business partner reporting directly to the CEO, focusing on talent management, development, and aligning with the organization's strategic goals.

BEST MOMENTS

"I jokingly say I'm not very good with being idle. So when I made the decision to leave my last employer, which was Accenture, in June of last year, I thought, oh, now I have time to write a book."

"The most successful transformations come when people are on board with the change. And getting people on board means sharing, being as transparent as you can."

" 'WIFM. What's in it for me'. I think that's a really key component of that change management process. The communication is down to an individual level."

"Everything you've ever wanted lives on the other side of fear."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Like the show? Please leave or write a review on your favorite 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.

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.

Do you believe that the most successful CEOs of the future will look the same as the ones in the present? In this episode, Andrea talks about the differences he believes will be seen in future CEOs and how a lot of this will be related to how they deal with people. He outlines the 6 major traits he believes will make future CEOs based on his experience and knowledge.

The 6 Traits of a Future CEO

1. Building purpose-driven companies, creating something meaningful that matters
2. The ability to empower leaders
3. Able to be a catalyst for change and transformation
4. Creating accountability and the ability to bring people together
5. Ego-less with great listening skills
6. Prioritise inspiration over control

BEST MOMENTS

“What is the future of CEOs of the world?”

“What sort of leaders do we want to have, that we need to have that can really make a difference”

“We need to transform the company that we are in, in order to get to the level we want”

“We come from the century of charismatic leaders, maybe selfish leaders, the future is not for them”

“Any style [of leadership] is great depending on the context”

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.

Do you think your employees aren’t going the extra mile for you? In this episode, Andrea explores the data behind employee effort and talks about how you, as a leader can employ, engage and retain employees who are willing to go the extra mile for you. Andrea also talks about the SDT theory and how this can help influence and drive behaviours within your business.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Focus on your employee's individual motivations. If you can discover what they intrinsically value, you can engage and motivate them.
• The SDT theory proposes that people have three basic psychological needs, autonomy, competency and relatedness. When these needs are satisfied employees are engaged and more likely to go the extra mile.
• To drive autonomy you have to let employees decide how they make an impact and allow them to talk openly and make decisions.
• Foster an environment where everyone is there to grow and be developed, this will create a culture of competence.
• Constructive feedback, opportunities for employees to build skills and recognising and celebrating their achievements will create an environment of competence.
• Relatedness is potentially one of the biggest mistakes leaders make.
• Creating a sense of belonging and connectedness by fostering positive relationships, teamwork and collaboration cannot be underestimated.

BEST MOMENTS

“Doing more of the same as a leader is not going to be effective”

“If people don’t go the extra mile, it means they aren’t happy to do more action than they are already doing”

“Offer employees real choices and opportunities to make decisions”

“It’s like we are at school, but in a good way”

“You’re going to drive motivation to another level”

“Relatedness is critical because once you get really related to people everything changes and the magic happens and you see people working better together”

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.

Andrea is joined by Stefano Volpetti, President of Smoke-Free Inhalable Products and Chief Consumer Officer at Philip Morris International. They discuss PMI's bold vision to replace cigarettes with smoke-free alternatives for the 1.1 billion adult smokers globally. Stefano provides insights into PMI's transformation into a consumer-centric company driven by data, science and technology to accelerate the end of smoking. Stefano also discusses his leadership approach during this unprecedented industry transformation, the importance of courage and learning from mistakes, and his humble background that gives him a sense of lightness in leading change!

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• PMI aims to convert 70,000+ employees and 1.1 billion smokers to embrace smoke-free alternatives to improve public health.
• PMI had to transform into a consumer-centric company focused on data, science and technology to enable this disruptive change.
• PMI uses the "4As" model - awareness, acceptability, availability and affordability - to change behaviours and transition smokers to smoke-free products.
• Leading unprecedented industry change requires courage, surrounding yourself with diverse experts, and humility to learn from mistakes.
• Having overachieved his early life dreams gives Stefano an inner lightness that enables him to lead boldly without heavy pressure.
• Choosing who you work for based on trust and freedom is more important than choosing the role or compensation.
• Never forget the human element when making decisions, this will help you avoid mistakes.
• Stefano learns the most from other people, he describes his learning as ‘human-centric’ and says he learns the most from interactions with a diverse range of people

BEST MOMENTS

"The faster we get there, the better the impact on public health globally is."

"When you are trying to do something you’ve never done before the probability that you will do some mistakes is very high."

"The higher I go, the more lightness I feel on my shoulders because I know that I have already overachieved my best life dreams."

“Choose the people you work for instead of which business you work for”

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.

Andrea interviews Lisa Rosenthal, CEO of defense and intelligence consulting firm Mayvin. Starting from just a concept scribbled on a napkin, Lisa grew Mayvin from zero to $90 million in revenue with 500 employees in just over 10 years. She shares her journey of entrepreneurship, overcoming challenges, and leading with integrity. Lisa offers insights on topics like company culture, work-life balance, making tough decisions, and always putting people first. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Starting a successful business takes drive, integrity, and surrounding yourself with the right people who share your values and work ethic. Don't let inexperience hold you back if you have a strong mission-driven purpose.
• Work-life integration is more realistic than work-life balance. Be present wherever you are, and don't feel guilty about shifting priorities day to day.
• Hire carefully, fire quickly. Keeping someone who is no longer a good fit for the company culture hurts you and them. Have the courage to make needed changes.
• As a leader you will have to work with individuals who have had very different life experiences, it’s important to tailor your narrative and decisions to suit multiple generations.
• Communicating with your leaders is key, they can’t implement change or address things they do not know about.
• Leading means making tough calls that won't always please everyone. Stay focused on the greater good while still showing that you care about people.
• Listen to employees and keep communication open. Provide training budgets, meaningful mental health support, and show you care in tangible ways.
• Foster a growth mindset in your team. Believe abilities can be developed with effort. Surround yourself with people smarter than you.

BEST MOMENTS "I quickly discovered that supporting The U. S. government, as well as now NATO and NATO countries, was my calling."

"The struggle is constant. And you want to put people over profits, but at what point does it end? How do you do the right thing all the time?"

"Careful to hire quick to fire. You have to know when the person is no longer right for your stage in your company or that stage in your life."

“We’re [CEOs] doing the best we can with what we have”

"I'd like to have a life. Please don't call me at 10 o'clock at night. I enjoy spending time with my significant other."

“You know how to get ahead, you work for it”

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 GUEST Lisa Rosenthal is the CEO and co-founder of Mayvin. Through her focus on innovation in corporate culture and strategic leadership, Mayvin has achieved significant growth by penetrating new and emerging markets through a diversified client base CONUS and OCONUS supporting the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, and Justice. 

Prior to starting Mayvin, she provided analytic, management, and operations support to DoD, DoE, the Intelligence Community, etc. etc.  Now, she hires the best and the brightest to serve national security interests at home and abroad.

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.

There is more pressure than ever being put on CEOs in the world right now, from the financial crisis to the explosion of AI application in the workforce, it’s not easy. In this episode, Andrea talks about changing your mindset to help you deal with these challenges and offers some practical tips on what you can do to manage being a CEO in one of the most difficult periods in history.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Being a CEO today is very different to the past, many CEOs aren’t hopeful for the future.
• Recent surveys reflect that CEOs are under intense scrutiny from employees and boards and many of them are struggling with this pressure.
• Some believe we need to reevaluate the role of a CEO in these modern and demanding times.
• If leaders and CEOs can challenge their own mindsets, particularly around perceived complexity, they will be able to tackle the many difficulties presented to them as a modern CEO.
• Challenge what you perceive as a fact, it may just be your perception and that means it can be changed.

BEST MOMENTS "We’re really going to talk about the future of a CEO”

“Being a CEO during these times, is not maybe viewed in the same way”

“2023 is a nightmare for even the toughest leader”

“It’s about changing your mindset in order to get a different possibility in your mind”

“Most of the things you perceive as a fact are just interpretations”

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.

Last year, Andrea interviewed Lorenzo Simonelli, Chairman and CEO of Baker Hughes, an energy technology company, in one of his best episodes of 2022. They discussed the exciting energy transition happening in the industry and Lorenzo's perspective on navigating this change as a leader. Lorenzo stressed the need to pivot quickly, fail fast, and learn in order to adapt to constant change. He shared insights on building diverse teams, focusing on culture, effective communication, and empowering others. Lorenzo also advised aspiring leaders on self-awareness, taking feedback, and managing ambiguity.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Energy is going through an exciting transition period that requires collaboration between stakeholders.
• Having a clear and easy-to-communicate strategy is key, but changing behaviours and culture is harder.
• Leaders must role model desired behaviours and make bold decisions to mobilise change.
• Pivoting quickly and failing fast is critical to adapting to constant change.
• Quiet, focused time is important for leaders to think strategically.
• Surround yourself with a diverse team willing to challenge you.

BEST MOMENTS "It's a great time to be in energy. There is a fundamental tectonic shift and transformation occurring."

"If you're going to be a good leader today, change is constant and actually looking at ambiguity as a strength."

"The role of being a leader is more challenging today because of all the externalities that are happening."

"No matter how confident you are...you will need a team that is with you, supporting you and aligned with you."

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.

Our guest this week:

Lorenzo Simonelli is Chairman and CEO of Baker Hughes (NASDAQ:BKR). Baker Hughes is an energy technology company that combines innovation, expertise and scale to provide solutions for energy and industrial customers worldwide. Simonelli was named Chairman of the Board in October 2017 and has been President and CEO since the Company’s creation in 2017, where he oversaw the successful merger of GE Oil & Gas with Baker Hughes Inc. Since 2013, he served as President and CEO of GE Oil & Gas. Previously, Simonelli served as President and CEO of GE Transportation, a global transportation leader in the rail, mining, marine and energy storage industries. During his five-year tenure, he expanded and diversified GE Transportation by focusing on advanced technology manufacturing, intelligent control systems, and a diverse approach to new propulsion solutions. He has also served as CFO Americas for GE Consumer & Industrial, as well as General Manager, Product Management for GE Appliances, Lighting, Electrical Distribution and Motors. Simonelli joined GE’s Financial Management Program in 1994, where he worked on assignments in GE International, GE Shared Services, GE Oil & Gas, and Consolidated Financial Insurance. He currently serves on the Board of Iveco Group N.V. He served on the Board of C3.ai, Inc. from 2020-2021 and on the Board of CNH Industrial N.V. from 2019-2021. Originally from Tuscany, Italy, Simonelli is a Business & Economics Graduate from Cardiff University in South Wales. He is married and resides in Houston.

Andrea shares the three key areas where balance is critical to your performance and skill as a leader. If you want to be as effective as possible and successfully lead then you need to learn how to confidently and competently do these three things.

KEY TAKEAWAYS 

• Strong leaders learn how to confidently walk ‘the fine line’ in decision-making.
• You need to get the balance right between transparency and confidentiality, learning when it’s appropriate to share information. Where you are able to be transparent, you should always be so.
• Autonomy allows your team to think creatively and can be a great motivator but it’s essential you still offer the right level of guidance to your employees.
• Flexibility creates a positive work culture but you still need to drive standards within your team as a leader.

BEST MOMENTS “Shall I intervene, should I make a. decision here, that’s always a question that leaders ask themselves”

“Granting autonomy allows individuals tap into their creativity and motivation”

“A balanced leader really understands when to be flexible and when to enforce accountability to drive results”

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Like the show? Please leave or write a review on your favorite 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.

Andrea interviews Ollie Craddock, CEO of employee listening platform Runway, on this episode of World Class Leader Show. Ollie shares his experience leading multiple companies and how he helped grow Mind Tools to 20 million users. He explains how Rungway captures real-time employee feedback to help leaders understand problems and resistance to change. The continuous feedback loop provides psychological safety for employees to contribute ideas and accelerate decision-making. Ollie and Andrea discuss how technology like Rungway can enable culture change but still requires leaders to also role model openness.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Rungway gathers ongoing employee feedback so leaders can address issues quickly before they become crises. It provides visibility into problems leaders may not see from the top floor.
• Leaders responding authentically to employee concerns builds psychological safety and fuels more participation. Vulnerable leadership creates a flywheel effect.
• Technology like Rungway enables culture change but isn't the complete solution. Senior leaders must role model openness and transparency for it to work.
• During major change, communicating the vision and involving employees in the journey is critical but challenging with remote/hybrid work.
• CEOs don't have all the answers. Good CEOs admit they don't know and empower teams to find solutions.
• Anonymity helps underrepresented groups feel safe speaking up. Overlooking their input means missing ideas and not hearing the full employee voice.

BEST MOMENTS "If the senior team responds to that in a really human way, very quickly with the right tone, and that's where we help...that creates this kind of flywheel effect."

"I don't think we'll ever return to the full, full-time in the office. I think that world is gone."

"I would challenge any senior person who said they know everything because you don't."

"Colleagues of color are three times more likely to post anonymously."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Like the show? Please leave or write a review on your favorite 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 GUEST

Ollie Lingwood Craddock

https://www.linkedin.com/in/craddocko?originalSubdomain=uk

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.

Having to fire people is one of the most difficult things a leader has to do but it's inevitable. In this episode, Andrea shares some better techniques to use when you need to terminate someone's employment, whilst having the minimal impact on their well-being and life.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Every leader has the responsibility to fire people, even if they care about them.
• The consequence of firing is the same but how you do it is what shows your true leadership style and whether you care about people.
• Prepare people for bad news. Make sure your team are aware of financial difficulties that might impact them.
• Show empathy and show compassion when you are firing someone.
• Be proactively supportive of those you fire, with references, recommendations and introductions.

BEST MOMENTS "Any organisation, any leader needs to face the current reality of getting rid of people”

“If you care about people firing really kills you as a leader”

“Firing is 100% predictable”

“People can expect the worst so they can prepare a plan b earlier”

“People are not a by-product of results, people are people”

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Like the show? Please leave or write a review on your favorite 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.

 It may come as a surprise to learn that many CEOs suffer from imposter syndrome. In this episode, Andrea talks about this topic and the 4 main factors that contribute to the feelings of imposter syndrome and reveals a game-changing solution if you are feeling this way.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• CEOs have a large amount of responsibility but often no one to confide in or seek support from.
• Excessive standards for yourself, particularly around being professional can be detrimental to self-esteem and provoke feelings of inadequacy.
• CEOs and leaders can overly rely on external validation as they are held accountable for so much and spend a lot of time receiving feedback.
• Comparison and self-doubt can build up to create imposter syndrome.

BEST MOMENTS "They might feel as if they don’t deserve their success”

“The future self is the result of your thoughts”

“You are better than the circumstances, you are better than what you see right now”

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Like the show? Please leave or write a review on your favorite 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.

What traits are companies looking for in the leaders of today? Join Andrea as he talks about the 13 traits he has found in mentally strong leaders. From creating healthy habits to being happy, these are the traits that will help you build resilience and be recognised as a mentally strong leader.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Enjoy time alone, they like to take time to themselves and need this time to think and reflect
• They celebrate others' success
• They have good healthy habits, in terms of sleep, diet and exercise
• Seeing change as an opportunity for growth. They embrace and celebrate change
• Live in the present time, focusing on the flow or right now
• Practice self-compassion
• Mental health equals performance, so put the right boundaries in place and communicate them
• Continuous learning, they challenge their thinking all the time and are always trying to learn and improve
• Build strong support networks and meaningful relationships
• Focus on what you can control, don’t spend too much time in the past
• Control your emotions and actions, resist impulsivity
• Learn how to live happily

BEST MOMENTS

"Companies are really desperate to find mentally strong leaders”

“Try to start planning regular solo activities to boost your self-reliance”

“To be mentally strong you need to be physically strong”

“They replace criticism with a positive attitude”

“These leaders find joy in their daily lives, they believe in the power of having fun”

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 is joined by Alain Bejjani, former CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Group, an international diversified conglomerate with ventures in shopping mall ownership and operation, hotel ownership and operation, retail stores, leisure and entertainment centers, and mixed-use residential communities, headquartered in the United Arab Emirates with operations in the Middle East and Africa. He served as CEO from February 2015 until January 2023. Alain shares his stories and learnings from his 8-year tenure as a CEO including revealing how he rallied teams through disruptive change and unprecedented crises. Listen in to this episode to learn how to drive digital innovation, empower your people, adapt in turbulent times, and align business with purpose. Alain distils profound lessons on authentic leadership, cultivating organizational culture, and finding opportunities amidst challenge!

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Communicate a compelling vision and create a burning platform to drive change even when times are good.
• Invest early in digital capabilities and customer experience to future-proof your business.
• Build an empowering, people-first culture that gives ownership and purpose.
• Stay resilient by focusing on progress over perfection.
• Walk the talk - tough decisions on people and resources show your commitment.
• Lead authentically; don't put on a mask at work. Merge your personal and professional values.

BEST MOMENTS "Rejection and failure are part of the entrepreneurial journey; persist through the no’s to get to the yes."

"If Plan A doesn't work, the alphabet has 25 more letters. Stay persistent."

"The way we lead our company is just as important as what our company does."

"A crisis represents opportunity hidden in the challenge. Seize the chance to make changes not possible in normal times."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

The Big Leap

Leaders Eat Last

Principles by Ray Dalio

Delivering Happiness by Tony Hsieh

Like the show? Please leave or write a review on your favorite 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 GUEST 

Alain Bejjani is a Lebanese business executive. He was the CEO of the Majid Al Futtaim Group, an international diversified conglomerate with ventures in shopping mall ownership and operation, hotel ownership and operation, retail stores, leisure and entertainment centers, and mixed-use residential communities, headquartered in the United Arab Emirates with operations in the Middle East and Africa. He served as CEO from February 2015 until January 2023.

Bejjani was born in Beirut, Lebanon in 1973. He studied law at the University of Paris XII Val de Marne and the Collège Notre-Dame de Jamhour. After graduating, he worked as a lawyer in Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates. In 2006, he joined the Majid Al Futtaim Group, where he held a number of senior positions. In 2014, he was appointed Chief Corporate Development Officer and Brand Officer. In 2015, he was appointed CEO.

As CEO, Bejjani oversaw the growth of the Majid Al Futtaim Group into a global leader in the retail, leisure, and hospitality sectors. He also led the company's expansion into new markets, such as India and China. In 2023, he was replaced as CEO by Ahmed Galal Ismail.

Bejjani is a member of the World Economic Forum's Global Future Council on the Future of Retail. He is also a board member of several companies, including the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

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.