Let's talk Transformation : The business leaders podcast

Finance leaders often find themselves measuring the past, but what if finance could drive future decisions?

Jasmine and I discuss transforming finance from a transaction-focused department to a value-driven decision enabler.

This episode explores how finance leaders can leverage EQ, rethink ROI in a platform-driven economy, and overcome traditional mindsets to drive organizational growth and stay relevant.

We explore the challenge of moving finance teams away from rigid adherence to spreadsheets and past data, advocating for a more holistic, forward-looking approach.

This discussion centers on the overlooked power of finance in...

"If you truly want a competitive advantage, you have to start looking at the human systems involved, and make sure you understand your customer”

Remember when agile and lean felt like the magic bullet for every organizational issue? We embraced them, hoping to cut waste and move faster. For a while, they really did change things, but the frameworks became the main point, and many companies ended up with sticky notes and stand-ups that went nowhere. It’s a story I’ve seen play out too many times.What happens when the tools designed for change become barrie...

"Burnout is a choice"

This bold statement by Melanie challenged my perspective. We often see burnout as an inevitable outcome of ambition, and performance.

Melanie and I unpack why so many leaders are experiencing burnout, not just as “overwork,” but as nervous system overload. We explore the invisible rules about success and how they impact leadership. Are you silently running on empty, normalizing exhaustion as excellence? Many high-achieving professionals find themselves in this cycle.

We discuss practical strategies for regulating your nervous system, reframing your identity beyond performance, and designing organisational cultures that prio...

" Innovation is not just technology, systems and strategy, it is also about energy and embodied behaviour."

Bruno and I discuss the human side of innovation and the strategic role of AI. We explore how leaders can foster creativity and manage uncertainty by adopting principles from martial arts and leveraging AI for better decision-making.

Bruno brings a unique perspective, combining engineering rigour, martial arts mastery, and deep reflection on embodied leadership. We explore different perspectives on how to master generative conflict for Innovation success and making strategy an embodied practice. The insight on the intersection between...

A crisis is not a dramatic event, but is any situation where circumstances exceed a person’s ability to cope..

What does this mean for leadership behaviour and psychological safety in teams ?

Jessi and I discuss what trauma actually is and why it is present in organisations. We explore burnout, disengagement, and toxic culture, emphasizing the importance of intentionally designing leadership to counter these issues. Our discussion goes beyond typical well-being perks to explore the invisible dynamics of trauma at work and how leaders can unknowingly amplify it.

Jessi Beyer, a crisis mental he...

Implementing technically perfect solutions often meets unexpected resistance.

Even with vast amounts of data and advanced AI, organizations struggle with decision-making.Russell and I explore why this is so. Because the problem isn’t always technical; it’s systemic. We discuss case studies where this happens and we see this pervasive structural issue. Dropping an amazing gadget into an ecosystem without addressing “structural changes” like incentives, rewards, and identity within the organization can lead to rejection. It’s not just about changing tech; it’s about changing the “collective habit of the system.” This idea of small impactful experi...

A special edition episode as part of Podcasthon, the world’s largest charity podcast event. This is dedicated to the Freedom and Justice partnership charity, which aims to bring education and inclusion to child miners in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Mark Preston’s journey began in January 2023 after reading “Cobalt Red,” a book that exposed the horrific conditions of artisanal cobalt mining in the DRC. Cobalt, a critical mineral used in modern technology, primarily comes from the DRC, with a significant portion sourced from artisanal mines where an estimated 200,000 children work in dangerous conditions. This realizat...

"Leadership is an art, it’s not just something we do"

Research indicates over 75% of leaders remain in reactive behaviour, often avoiding difficult conversations and triggering hyper-vigilance within their teams. This creates an “intention-impact gap,” where good intentions don’t translate into desired outcomes.

Susanne and I discuss the antidote to this 'immediacy' and presence. Sounds simple right ? A surprising fact from executive coaching: many powerful leaders struggle with authentic self-expression. Suzanne shares a compelling anecdote from her mother’s barbershop, where high-profile clients found solace in being treated as simply “people,” not titles.

This highlig...

If you allow people to discover their voice, to claim their space, to set their boundaries… they will speak up

Meggi and I discuss the concept of mindful rebellion - which isn't about anarchy, but about strategic influence and finding your voice in complex environments. This discussion explores the psychological impact of organizational identity on personal well-being, the challenges of reinvention, and the power of strategic, quiet disruption within established systems.

An interesting take on mindfulness as an antidote to the potential pitfalls of AI. While AI can augment human capabilities, it risks making people “cognitively lazy...

"What if the secret to leading change was simpler than you think?"

Most change models are built for organizations, not people. They're layered, complex, and quietly ignore the messy, human reality of what it actually takes to shift human behaviour at scale.

The journey of leadership in an era of constant change demands a shift from traditional, often performative models to a more human-centered approach. By integrating insights from high-performance environments like adaptive sports, leaders can cultivate clarity, provide genuine support, and leverage the undeniable power of encouragement.

The three pillars of information...

The future of digital marketing isn’t about more content; it’s about deeper connections.

In an age saturated with AI-generated content, how do businesses ensure their message resonates and builds trust?

Wes and I discuss this shift, and that artificial intelligence is forcing us to be more human. For founder-led businesses, this means reflecting the founder’s values and convictions. Small businesses have a distinct advantage here, and large corporations struggle to replicate this personal touch but as AI models become more sophisticated, the challenge for businesses shifts from mere content quantity & quality to genuin...

Leadership isn’t about a position; it’s a lifelong practice.

This perspective highlights the strategic use of informal networks and collaboration to drive systemic change. For decades, we have had the narrative focused on “fixing women” to fit leadership moulds rather than addressing systemic biases and looking at how to fix the system.

In this conversation we explore how the very skills often dismissed as "soft"—context awareness, emotional agility, adaptive thinking, collaborative workload management—are exactly what drives systemic change. Research backs this up: women managers disproportionately champion DEI initiatives and build stronger teams. Yet t...

Is complexity really complex of Productivity pretending to be complex ?

Simon and I discuss why this is often observed in organizations. What appears as insurmountable complexity is often rooted in inefficient processes and workflows. The key is distinguishing between inherent complexity and self-imposed inefficiency. Complexity often feels like the default in organizations, making simplicity seem impossible. Given the blurring of boundaries, the shifting paradigms and the need for constant change, we need to review our capacity to manage complexity.

Reinvention is key and all transformation shares the same human map – parenting can sharpen leadership skills gi...

Empathy is no longer a “soft skill”; it is a hard skill, a disciplined practice, and a foundational architecture for organizational success

Research shows that leaders effectively employing empathy boosted productivity by 87%, innovation by 86%, and profit by 84%. These aren’t just “soft skills”; they’re hard metrics that directly impact your bottom line.

Melissa and I talk about why leaders often underestimate empathy and how to move past that. If you’ve ever felt like you’re hitting a wall in your leadership, or that your team isn’t as connected as they could be, this may be part o...

The biggest illusion organisations have about being product-centric is that adopting buzzwords or frameworks alone guarantees success.

What does it mean to move from KPIs to outcomes, from silos to more interconnected ecosystems of teams ?

Moving from project to product is more than a process change; it’s a mindset shift. Tim and I discuss who to help organizations connect their outcomes, their work and their teams into living value streams so that they stop measuring activity and start measuring impact.

Our discussion highlights a crucial point: “When work is still being organized as p...

"the microphone is a mirror for our culture – when leaders start listening, cultures start changing..."

What if your voice, not just your words, could build deeper trust and connection? Tom highlights that audio communication activates the brain’s pleasure centre. People often trust what they hear more than what they see.This trust mechanism is invaluable for leaders aiming to foster genuine two-way communication. It moves beyond formal messaging, making leaders more relatable. Human trust is becoming more and more important as we move into an AI generated era.

AI will not replace humans enjoying each...

Collective intelligence is the most important intelligent asset an organization has.

The conventional wisdom of “command and control” in leadership is crumbling. A rapidly changing world demands a different management model, one built on “power with” rather than “power over.”

Rod and I dig into why nobody is smarter than everyone and explore the power of collective intelligence in organisations. In a fast-moving world, a top-down hierarchy stymies progress and innovation; networks require different leadership that is not based on levels or departments, i.e. not horizontal or vertical in structure. In fact, networks are the lever fo...

AI is changing work faster than people can change how they work

This requires a new approach to human adaptation, not just technology deployment.

A rich discussion with Nikki about how to move past chaotic AI adoption to focused, fast-paced organizational learning cycles, understanding at the same time that AI speed is unprecedented. We explore how leaders can transform, innovate, and amplify their impact in the AI age.

Many organizations are grappling with the “Shiny Object Syndrome” in AI adoption. It is vital to keep business fundamentals in sight given that AI is ‘just’...

"The way we talk about change is more important than how we plan it.."

88% of organizational change efforts fail to produce lasting results. What if the solution isn’t a new framework, but a new conversation?

This episode challenges leaders to reconsider why change efforts fail, pointing to a surprising culprit: a lack of listening and communication. Jeff and I explore how shifting our approach to conversations can transform outcomes and build stronger, more adaptive organisations.

We literally change the conversation, digging into the fact that individuals are often ambivalent about change, possessing bo...

"Leadership is a collective ability. It’s not an individual skill set."

Now more than ever this phrase rings true for leadership in teams, organisations and society as a whole. The inherited leadership model is destructive, not productive in today's interconnected world.

Never has it been more important to challenge the status quo, to unlearn old formatting and build new patterns so that organisations and teams can thrive. The best way to avoid risk is to actually do nothing.- Celine's observation highlights a critical issue in modern leadership. Many organizations inadvertently foster environments where in...

"If my top talent walked out tomorrow, or AI shook things up overnight, would I still know how to win with people ?"

This is the question Kate and I discuss - the urgent need to rewire work and change the way we view talent, skills and the workplace. One of the shifts is moving from viewing individuals as mere “employees” to recognising them as “contributors.” This change fosters a sense of agency within any organizational system.

The topic of agency highlights a crucial shift: workers have agency to choose and the long time loyalty contracts are gone...

“Most organisations don’t fail through lack of strategy, but because the strategy never reaches the front line.” 

How do we ensure that our organisational strategy truly reaches the front line of operations, preventing it from remaining solely at the board level?

Matt & I delve into this critical challenge facing leaders today. We uncover how to bridge this gap, ensuring your strategic vision translates into frontline execution and sustained growth.

The tension between “explore” (innovation) and “exploit” (business as usual) is a constant balancing act for organisations. and we need to inherently foster both. But how ? <...

"Think about how stretchy you are and what you accept. Where are your breaking points?"

One particularly striking data point: 70% of people face obstacles asking questions at work. 

This statistic underscores a core issue. Curiosity is often cited as a value, yet many environments make it unsafe to ask for clarification or challenge ideas. Fear of looking incompetent, challenging authority, or slowing down progress often silences valuable input.

Julie and I discuss how curiosity, respect, and self-awareness can transform organisational life. We explore practical strategies for leaders to foster psychological safety and inclusive co...

"it’s faster to implement a piece of technology than it is to get 10,000 people to stop doing what they’ve been doing for a decade and start to do new things and work in new ways"

Hilton and I unpack the hidden dynamics of organizational change, and the influence of informal power dynamics on transformation. Most change programs falter, not due to strategy, but because leaders often overlook the invisible power of trust and connection networks. Amidst the 'talent' lists and org charts, do you know where your powerful influencers are in your organisation ?

Hilt...

"The future won’t belong to humans or machines, but to those who master the hybrid skill set combining AI literacy and human literacy."

The future of work is not about humans versus machines. Instead, it belongs to those who master a unique hybrid skill set. This blend combines AI literacy with essential human capabilities. Literacy in today's world lies in the ability to learn, unlearn and relearn - this has never been more true as it is in today's partnership with Agentic AI.

Andréa and I delve into the what these combined forces cou...

"Any AI you use today will be the worst AI you will use. You need to really learn how to challenge AI and learn how to have AI challenge you."

Rasmus and I delve into the research and questions of how leaders can embrace AI to become more human in their leadership, and how can this accompany them on the journey of navigating uncertainty and a more transactional workplace.

Currently less than 20% of leaders are ready for AI, despite it being a strategic necessity – it is an uncomfortable prospect that AI will take our jobs, bu...

"Holistic transformation is not just how are you implementing a piece of software, AI is a really good opportunity for us to start to explore this"

Lindsay and I have a rich conversation diving deep into holistic transformation, the impact of AI, and how to navigate change in today’s rapidly evolving world. Organisational change management is often deployed too late, which speaks in favour of taking a holistic approach to transformation and asking from the outset: How do people change? How do they view themselves and their work?

Digital transformation is not just about im...

"What if the key to economic transformation lies not in bigger budgets or top-down directives, but in fostering community ownership and equitable systems?"

Alfredo and I discuss the need for more regenerative financial models and to start really working in small communities and joining together into a network of networks. Current models are very redistributive (e.g. taxing success, subsidisation for those with no access) but pre-distribution gives everyone a stake; if communities win, everyone wins and gains autonomy and agency.

We discuss the need for more diverse thinking and more equitable access to funding...

“Everything we know, do, & think is already out of date because the world moves so quickly.”

Allister and I discuss what being future ready really means in today's workplace. Everything we know, do and think is already obsolete – whilst a scary concept, it is also an empowering way to look at the world and identify what we can improve, a paradigm shift from the old adage of ‘if it ain’t broke’ …

Curiosity is highlighted as one of the 3 leadership superpowers. It involves challenging and questioning the status quo, similar to a child constantly asking “why.” This can h...

"Whatever we have achieved as a species has nothing to do with one person alone."

Why start a leadership book with a mammoth hunt?

Nicolas and I delve into the human dimension of leadership and what it brings to society.

Human behaviour is the most unmeasured risk in strategy implementation. To avoid pitfalls, be aware of evolutionary biases such as the false positive decision-making bias. Companies build echo chambers, where people raise a view that is not the same as their boss’s, and then avoid talking about it.

A crucial po...

"Transformation isn’t about control, its about letting go… teams that breathe together thrive together"

Anthony and I explore the power of stillness and breathing into the present moment.

The constant pressure to keep going and keep busy means we never find (the time to find) calm and we ignore the innate wisdom in our body. Bringing inner work to the outside world means being enough and understanding this.

How can cultivating inner calm help us to navigate uncertainty and ground ourselves and our teams in purpose, presence and ultimately allow us all to p...

"Code doesn't transform organisations : people do ..."

What truly drives innovation in the fast-paced world of technology? Is it solely the code, the algorithms, and the software?

Michel and I discuss this and more and the answer is a resounding no. It’s people.

We discuss how leaders can navigate the complexities of the tech world by prioritizing, understanding and nurturing the human element, as well as leading with context and clarity. Leaders must take advantage of the foresight and learning that comes from huge market shifts, and iterate on their blueprint for transformation.

"Personal agency is key, even within big systems. Ground yourself in self-assurance. and intentionally use your voice."

Have you ever wondered what it takes to truly understand and drive transformation within your organization? Rethinking leadership itself. Prioritizing coherence, clarity, impact, and purpose can unlock potential you never knew existed.

A great conversation with Erin Herman on rethinking leadership itself. Prioritizing coherence, clarity, impact, and purpose can unlock potential you never knew existed.

Only 14 - 16% of leaders can articulate their 'why' : is this your biggest leadership challenge ? 

One of the ways of a...

"In order to transform successfully, you need to take an intentional and deliberate approach above ground with the things you can see as well as below ground with the things you can't see to drive transformation"

Matt and I delve into the world of digital transformation, and how to design an operating model that allows adaptability, impact and sustainable transformation. Digital transformation is often misunderstood. It’s best defined as working in new ways with new technology. Technology has rapidly advanced, but organisations need to focus now more than ever on aligning people and processes to leverage th...

"Music is a unifier, and anything that can or could divide us, music can break through."

Imagine a world where music transcends borders, uniting people through a shared experience of harmony and rhythm.

Rick and I explore the unifying and transformative power of music and how it can be used to transform situations. We delve into the power of collective intelligence , transformational leadership, the unifying power of music and raising human consciousness through performance;

Creative intelligence, something we’re all born with, plays a crucial role. The industrial era favoured hierarchical structures, a “powe...

"when you have this amount of change, we’re calling it the fog of change.”"

Are you struggling to create lasting growth? 

In today’s interconnected world, the value creation process is no longer confined to individual departments or silos. The unit of value has become smaller, often residing within teams or even individuals. This shift requires a holistic, end-to-end view of the entire value chain.

Tom and I explore how to create growth that truly matters. We explore the myths that leaders need to unlearn, particularly the idea that they can accurately plan fo...

"My quest always has been how to make peace more profitable than war… I think it’s going to be my life legacy..."

Imagine a world where creating peace is more profitable than engaging in conflict. A world of 'tech for good' , where technology bridges divides, fosters collaboration, and drives equitable solutions. This vision isn’t just a dream; it’s the driving force behind innovators like Yip, a leader in promoting peace, purpose, and equitable collaboration within the AI and Web3 spaces.

A brilliant conversation full of purpose, curiosity, hope and opportunities. We explore the conc...

The greatest gift you can give your organization is that you show up with your own cup full, so you don’t need anything from anyone

Pallavi and I delve into the world of self leadership and empowering yourself for joy, fulfilment and better results. Leadership essentially comes from the inner experience not the outer experience. incredible insights on self-leadership ; defining it as having inner clarity, knowing what truly matters to you, and intentionally guiding yourself without needing this external validation. Think about it: How often do we look outside ourselves for answers when we already have th...

"The secret to great EQ is to follow the platinum rule, not the golden rule."

A fun conversation with Faris about leadership, life and sustainable impact. What is the magic formula to success and does it look the same for everyone ?

Whilst EQ may be where all attention lies, FQ can be just as important and impactful. To achieve success, balance a strong strategy (IQ) with emotional intelligence (EQ) for team buy-in, and focused prioritization (FQ) to avoid spreading resources too thin.

To be successful, it’s critical to have a balance of thr...

"In Digital transformation the disconnect that exists across teams, frameworks and deliverables is always very clear."

Michael and I discuss this trio and what it means for successful transformation. Digital transformation initiatives often suffer from disconnects across teams, frameworks, and deliverables, and many organisations face complexities arising from disparate people, technologies, and data that have evolved without a unified plan. This confusion inhibits effective collaboration and knowledge sharing among teams, with employees often lacking a comprehensive understanding of the broader organisational landscape.

We discuss Michael’s Process Inventory Framework which ensures that even seemingly non-core pr...