Redefiners

The world has gone through several technology transformations in the past 30+ years. From the launch of the Internet to the rise of mobile, cloud computing, digital transformation, and now AI transformation. In our second live recording of Redefiners, Clarke Murphy goes in-studio at Goldman Sachs to talk with someone who’s been through it all and continues to lead through change. 

As CIO at Goldman Sachs, Marco Argenti is redefining how business is done with the help of AI at one of the world’s leading financial services firms. Marco takes us through his career in tec...

Today, leaders are working side-by-side with up to five different generations. This creates both significant challenges and unique opportunities for building cohesive, high-performing teams. 

In this episode of Leadership Lounge, we talk to three of our trusted advisors—Kat Armstrong, Paco Ruiz-Maza, and Michelle Mion—who share their perspectives on: 

Born in France almost 50 years ago, Decathlon has grown into the world’s largest sporting goods retailer with over 1,700 stores in more than 70 countries. On today’s episode of Redefiners, Simon Kingston is joined by our new co-host, Marla Oates, as they sit down with former CEO of Decathlon Barbara Martin Coppola. 

Barbara takes us through her globe-hopping journey in leadership roles across several industries, including technology, home furnishings, food delivery, and consumer electronics before she came to the CEO role at Decathlon. She talks about the need for a clear North Star to enable transf...

Identifying and developing the next generation of leadership talent is critically important. No decision will have a bigger impact on the performance of an organization and its enduring legacy. Yet, many leaders struggle with effective succession planning.  

In this episode of Leadership Lounge, we talk to three of our trusted advisors—James Diggines, Rebecca Slan Jerusalim, and Stacey Shapiro—who share their perspectives on: 

Many of us have heard the expression “doing good is good for business.” In this episode, Simon Kingston sits down with former MTV International Chairman and CEO Bill Roedy about how he put this concept into practice on a truly global scale. 

Bill takes us on his journey of how he redefined broadcast television, launching the most channels in television history with more than 200 global channels and 20 brands, including MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, and numerous others. He discusses how and why he started MTV’s Staying Alive Foundation, Suga, and other social responsibility initiatives to realize...

Today's senior executives operate in an environment where trust has never been more critical, or more fragile. According to the latest Edelman Trust Barometer, trust in business leaders is at an all-time low, with people's fear that business leaders are dishonest increasing by 12% in the last year. 

So, as a leader, how can you cultivate trust within your team and organization? 

In this episode of Leadership Lounge, we talk to three of our trusted advisors—Henryk Krajewski, Emmy Melville, and Ilana Abramowicz—who share their perspectives on: 

When it comes to global financial markets, the only certainty is the likelihood of uncertainty and change. The world is in a period of transformation on multiple levels fueled by AI and technology innovation, shifting economic policies, and infrastructure modernization. At the foundation of all of this transformation is the unrelenting need for long-term capital. 

In today’s special in-studio episode, Clarke Murphy sits down with a leader who’s not only deftly navigating her organization through change in her role as Nasdaq CEO, but she’s doing it all at the speed of global capital...

Today's board directors operate in a complex business landscape, balancing strategic guidance, technological innovation, and heightened governance expectations. They must provide critical leadership while navigating rapid change and increasing stakeholder scrutiny. 

So, as an executive, do you have what it takes to thrive in a board role? And how can you maximize your impact once you're there?

In this episode of Leadership Lounge, we talk to some of our trusted advisors—Maggie Benkert, Edward Mason, and Rusty O'Kelley—who share their perspectives on: 

The global pet industry is expected to grow from $320 billion today to nearly $500 billion by 2030, as more pet parents treat their pets like their own children, often sparing no expense on their pets’ nutrition, health, and wellness.  

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, today’s episode features a conversation with Simon, Hoda and Lyssa McGowan, CEO of Pets at Home, the UK’s leading pet care business. Lyssa will “shed” some light on how she’s “grooming” Pets at Home for growth by creating an omnichannel pet care platform in the UK. She talks about how she balance...

The world needs more metals, minerals, and natural resources to fuel the global economy, power the energy transition, and feed a growing population. As the CEO of the world’s largest mining company, BHP’s Mike Henry is redefining his business in a competitive industry which is projected to grow to $2.8 trillion by 2028. 

In today’s episode, Clarke digs into Mike’s leadership lessons and insights, including his career journey, his CEO transition in the midst of two major crises, and the advantages of being a global citizen living and working in multiple countries. Mike shares how...

We explore how family enterprise leaders can strike the right balance between preserving their organization's legacy and adapting to an evolving business landscape. 

How can family enterprise leaders stay ahead in a fast-changing world? 

Family enterprises are the backbone of economies worldwide, but their leaders face an increasingly critical challenge: how to preserve their organizations' legacies in a fast-changing world. 

What makes some family enterprises thrive across generations while others struggle to adapt? How can leaders maintain what made their organization successful while meeting the demands of a new...

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a key topic in C-suite and board room discussions these days; one with the potential to redefine or at least impact every aspect of business and society. Leaders around the world and across industries are racing to figure out how to best implement the technology to gain efficiencies, increase productivity, and ultimately grow their business.  

Today, Hoda and Simon talk with serial entrepreneur and Coveo Chairman and CEO Louis Têtu to help shed some light on how leaders can harness the power of AI in their business. With more than 25 year...

In today’s fast-paced, competitive business landscape, hiring and developing future-ready, transformational C-suite leaders is critical to organizational success. Making the wrong hiring decision can often lead to higher costs, damage to workplace culture, or worse. So what are the key things to keep in mind as you think about the leaders who can help take your organization to the next level?  

In our first episode of Season 5, Simon sits down with Russell Reynolds Associates’ own CEO, Constantine Alexandrakis, to talk about what to look for in transformational C-suite leaders and how to use leadership assessm...

Leaders have to make tough decisions and overcome adversity, often navigating through uncertainty and challenges along their leadership journeys. In this final episode of 2024, we’ll take a look back at the conversations we’ve had with the incredible leaders who joined us on Redefiners this past season to share their leadership stories and insights.  

Hoda and Simon dig into the Season 4 archives to highlight how guests have led, and in some cases redefined, their organizations in an unprecedented year of change. Topics include AI and tech transformation, CEO transitions, geopolitical uncertainty and national elections, boards...

Change is something all leaders deal with at various points in their careers. Whether it’s technological change, organizational change, or perhaps even changing careers or industries. Our guest today has managed through all of that change and more. 

In today’s episode, Clarke and Hoda talk with Ruth Porat, President and Chief Investment Officer at Alphabet and Google. Ruth shares her story of career change, transitioning from her long-time role as CFO at both Morgan Stanley and Google to leading investments and philanthropic efforts at Google. Through it all, she talks about how she’s led th...

We share how leaders can master the art of giving and receiving regular, effective feedback—and the benefits when they get it right. 

As the end of the year draws closer, you’re likely reflecting on your team’s performance—and how to give feedback that helps your leaders develop and improve. But, these types of conversations aren’t always easy to navigate.  

So, what skills are important to hone when giving feedback? And what are some of the common pitfalls you may encounter when having these honest conversations?  

But it’s not jus...

It’s never been more important to get your personal leadership brand right as a leader. But, it isn’t easy to concisely articulate what you want to be known for and what your unique value proposition is.  

So, what is a personal leadership brand and how can you begin crafting it? How can you activate your leadership brand in the market? And, what are some of the common mistakes leaders make when cultivating their personal leadership brand?  

In this episode of Leadership Lounge, we talk to some of our trusted advisors—Je...

Not many CEOs would roll up their sleeves and ride on the back of a waste truck at 2am once a week for seven years. But for today’s guest, it was the best way to get to know his employees and learn first-hand what impacts their productivity in the field. 

In this episode, Waste Management President and CEO Jim Fish joins Simon and guest host Emma Combe – host of Redefiners’ sister podcast, Leadership Lounge – to dig into what it takes to run a $20 billion company working on the frontlines of sustainability. Jim shares his insights i...

Leaders today are operating in a business landscape with new issues, expectations, and pressures to contend with. This new world demands a new breed of leader.

So, how can you become a future-ready leader? What key skills will help you stand out and succeed in a fast-changing world? How can hiring managers identify whether leaders are ready for the role today—and are able to continue to develop and succeed in the role long-term?

In this episode of Leadership Lounge, we talk to some of our trusted advisors—Erin Zoln...

What does it take to transform a small regional traditional energy provider into a global renewable energy powerhouse? In today’s episode, Hoda and Simon are joined by the Chair of the Governance Board for Sustainable Energy for All and former Enel CEO Francesco Starace, who led the transformation of Enel from its start in electric generation in Italy to become a world leader in all renewable technologies, including wind, solar, hydroelectric, and geothermal, operating in 30 markets. Francesco shares his insights into how he scaled the business, while keeping everyone’s focus on their north star of purpose and visi...

In the last year, AI has moved from a boardroom buzzword to a business imperative. 

But, while some leaders have sprinted ahead in their AI adoption, others remain at the starting line. 

So, what skills are important to help you unleash the potential of AI? Why is AI a leadership issue? And how do you overcome barriers that might be preventing you from acting?

In this episode of Leadership Lounge, we talk to some of our trusted advisors—Tuck Rickards, Dana Landis, and Dan Cull...

Being a first-time CEO can be a daunting transition filled with risk and opportunity, something that TCW Group President and CEO Katie Koch has experienced firsthand. In today’s episode, Clarke and Hoda talk with Katie about her career journey in the financial industry, from her early years as an intern at Goldman Sachs to becoming a first-time CEO at TCW. She shares what it takes to be a good leader and the skills needed to make tough decisions and take people where they may not want to go, including empathy, asking questions and listening, discipline of process, and th...

No one is immune from burnout. Not even accomplished leaders. In fact, we often find that it’s the

highest performing, most passionate leaders who are most at risk from burnout.

So, what can you do to address this growing problem? What are the warning signs of burnout? And,

when a leader reaches burnout, what are the consequences for the individual and the organization?

In this episode of Leadership Lounge, we talk to some of our trusted advisors—Nic Cutts, Guylaine

David, and Henr...

When it comes to technology and transformation, the automotive industry is at the forefront of change. Government regulations, changing consumer demands, new technology and climate change have forced auto manufacturers to evolve their approach. 

In today’s episode of Redefiners, Clarke and Hoda talk with Jim Rowan, President and CEO of Volvo Cars, about his career “shift” from consumer electronics to the automotive industry. Jim talks about Volvo’s ambitious goal of going fully electric by 2030, the intersection of design, collaboration and innovation, leading through disruption, and the power of curiosity and hard work to accelerate...

How well a leadership team performs can make or break an organization. But, given that market conditions are in constant flux, and C-suites are shouldering more responsibility than ever before, getting the balance right in your top team is far from easy.

So, what are some of the key characteristics of a high-performing leadership team? How do successful teams foster a culture of collaboration and trust? And, how do you go about having uncomfortable conversations with your team?

In this episode of Leadership Lounge, we talk to some of...

When it comes to disruption, transformation, and change, perhaps no industry has experienced this more over the past decade than the financial services industry. From online and mobile banking, to FinTechs, to data analytics and AI, to changing regulations, leaders of banking and financial service institutions have had to navigate through a tremendous amount of change.  

On this episode of Redefiners, President and CEO of Wells Fargo, Charlie Scharf, sits down with Clarke and Hoda to peel back the covers on how he’s managed through so much change over his more than 25-year career in fi...

When Tony Capuano took over as President and CEO at Marriott, the company was wrestling with the most significant challenge it’s ever faced as travel essentially shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Further complicating matters, Marriott’s beloved, iconic CEO, Arne Sorenson, had recently passed away and many in the company were dealing with the loss of their visionary leader, mentor, and friend.  

On this episode of Redefiners, Tony talks with Clarke and Hoda about leadership lessons he’s gleaned from almost 30 years at Marriott, including his top advice for leaders transitioning into the CEO r...

Why are there so few women in the CEO seat? 

We know that diverse C-Suites are more resilient, innovative, and drive better financial performance. But in 2023, women accounted for only 12% of CEO appointments globally. Based on the current rate of progress, public companies are 81 years from gender parity in CEO appointments. 

Change needs to happen—and fast. So, how do you best develop high-potential women leaders? What does an optimal CEO succession plan within an organization need to look like to support the movement of women into the top seat...

Unprecedented may be an overused word these days, but it certainly applies to the record number of national elections happening around the world in 2024. With more than 70 national elections and almost half the world’s population voting on their country’s leader, the results of this year’s elections could impact countries, business leaders, and perhaps the world for years to come. 

In today’s Redefiners episode, José Manuel Barroso – chair of Goldman Sachs’ International Advisors, former President of the European Commission, and former Prime Minister of Portugal – sits down with Simon and Hoda to try to make sense...

On today’s Redefiners episode, Simon and Hoda sit down with David Miliband, President and CEO of the International Rescue Committee (IRC). David oversees the agency’s humanitarian relief operations in more than 50 war-affected countries and its refugee resettlement and assistance programs in 28 United States cities.  

David shares the journey of how the IRC was founded by Albert Einstein and has since grown to help 33 million people in countries affected by crisis in 2023 alone. He talks about how the IRC prioritizes its limited resources to help those in need and how he manages through the complex...

It’s not easy being a CEO. In fact, it’s the most challenging role in business. The scope, gravity, responsibility, accountability, and exposure of the position are unparalleled. 

Despite its complexity, it's also often hailed as the most rewarding and life-affirming move of an executive’s career. It’s a time when you can truly execute your vision and put to use everything you’ve learned up until now.

But, to set yourself up for success, how do you approach your first few days and months in the role? 

On today’s Redefiners episode, we talk with Natalie Robyn, the first ever CEO of the International Automobile Federation (or the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile or our French listeners). The FIA is the governing body for world motor sport, including Formula One, 24 Hours of Le Mans, and some of the world’s most exciting motorsports races on and off the track. Natalie shares her leadership story, shifting from auto production at Volvo, Nissan, and DaimlerChrysler, to auto racing. She talks about how she and the FIA team manage the challenges and complexity involved in managing 24 races in 21 countr...

Today’s CEOs are not just trusted to deliver on profits and lead their organizations forward. They’re also tasked with driving broader societal change.

For the past few years, Edelman’s Trust Barometer has consistently found that business leaders are the most trusted group in society, ahead of the media and government. But with great power comes great responsibility. 

Society has now come to expect leaders to take a public position on an increasing number of complex issues—from climate catastrophes and geopolitical flare-ups, to changes in legislation and socia...

Today’s guest grew up in a landlocked region of the UK, with more than a hundred miles separating her from the open ocean. Not your typical start for someone who went on to become a trailblazing, record-breaking yachtswoman. 

On today’s Redefiners episode, Clarke Murphy sits down with long-time sailing buddy Dee Caffari MBE—the only woman to have sailed solo while circumnavigating the world, in both directions. Throughout her career, Dee has continued to surprise and inspire others with her courage, grit, and determination to enter uncharted waters. 

Dee sh...

Today’s healthcare industry has gone from science fiction to science fact in a very short period of time. Gene editing, artificial intelligence (AI), and a host of medical innovations are helping researchers discover new life-changing solutions to target previously incurable diseases like sickle cell anemia, muscular dystrophy, and more. 

On today’s Redefiners episode, Clarke Murphy and Emma Combe talk with Paul Hudson, CEO of Sanofi, about how he’s transforming the practice of medicine in a highly competitive industry through new technologies and breakthrough science. Beyond drug discovery, Paul discusses how he’s embracing...

Leaders today are grappling with uncertainty on multiple fronts. And the quickening pace of change is leaving many feeling overwhelmed and underprepared.

It’s in high-stakes moments like these that mentoring can help leaders overcome loneliness, gain a new vantage point, or benefit from objective advice from someone who’s been there before. 

In fact, in our recent Global Leadership Monitor, 71% of the CEOs we surveyed felt that mentoring could have been better incorporated during their transition into the role.

But, when it comes to choosing a mento...

What does it take to win the Super Bowl? The obvious factors include drive, grit, determination, and excellence to make it to the championship level. But what else goes into the winning formula to propel teams through the ups and downs of an NFL season where only one team can be called the champion? 

Today on Redefiners, we talk with Kevin Demoff, Chief Operating Officer of the Los Angeles Rams football team, who won Super Bowl LVI in 2022. Kevin takes us into the locker room and the front office to share what it takes to be...

Great leaders at the top of their game have the audacity to continue to believe in themselves, to continue to work harder and keep trying, even when faced with failure. It’s a superpower that helps them redefine themselves, their companies, their industries, and ultimately be successful. 

Today, we sit down with one of those audacious leaders. Sarah Mensah is the first female president of Jordan Brand, which revolutionized sports marketing in 1984 when Nike partnered with Michael Jordan to create the first Air Jordan basketball shoe. Sarah has broken barriers throughout her career at the Port...

In this final episode of 2023, we’ll take a look back at the conversations we’ve had with the incredible leaders who joined us on Redefiners this past season. We’ll dig into how these leaders are guiding and redefining their organizations through some of this year’s top issues, including sustainability, AI, technology and transformation, purpose and culture, and, of course, risk and uncertainty – perhaps the biggest topic of 2023.   

We’ll also be joined by Emma Combe, a Managing Director in our London office and host of our Redefiners spinoff podcast, Leadership Lounge, who will share som...

Technology has the power to redefine business and the world. The printing press. The telephone. The automobile. The personal computer. The Internet. These are just a few inventions that have transformed how we work and live. And each invention came with both the promise and peril of a new technology that had the power to uplift society while also threatening the way things had been done for years before. Today we find ourselves at a pivotal moment in the introduction of another world-changing technology – artificial intelligence (AI) – that has been the hot topic in boardrooms, captured the attention of lead...