Executiveland

Enjoy this encore release of an early season episode! Give it another listen and take a few notes! In this solo episode, Elizabeth Freedman breaks down a surprising pattern she sees in even the most capable senior leaders - a mismatch in terms of the value they may be giving and getting back. Using the “give and get” equation, Elizabeth shares how healthy, high-performing leaders and organizations...

In this episode of Executiveland, Elizabeth Freedman explores a hidden leadership blind spot: the assumptions and beliefs that shape how leaders approach problems. Drawing on executive coaching, life coaching, and real-world examples, she explains why the quality of your thinking directly determines the quality of your results. She introduces “Part X,” a term from Dr. Phil Stutz for the part of us...

On this episode of Executiveland, Elizabeth Freedman sits down with Roanne Neuwirth, former Global Chief Marketing Officer for BTS. They explore the evolving role of marketing in the C-Suite and how executives can drive credibility in an AI-driven world. Key takeaways: How CMOs balance functional expertise, people leadership, and executive team membership Why strategic marketing is critical for di...

Enjoy this encore release of an early season episode, that is just as valuable to listen to for a second time! Strong leadership teams do not happen by accident. In this episode of Executiveland, Elizabeth Freedman focuses on why even smart, experienced senior leaders can find themselves on teams that underperform, and what it actually takes to build teams that deliver real enterprise value.  With...

On this episode of Executiveland, Elizabeth Freedman sits down with Melisa Liberman, founder and CEO of Melisa Liberman Coaching. They explore how corporate leaders can successfully transition into independent consulting. You’ll hear: How to navigate the identity shift from corporate executive to business owner and rebuild confidence independent of past titles Why starting simple with “foot in the...

In this episode of Executiveland, Elizabeth Freedman talks with Maia Josebachvili, Chief Revenue Officer for AI at Stripe, about what it really takes to lead at the frontier. Maia shares why authority is never handed to you and why the best leaders surround themselves with people who know more than they do. You’ll learn:  Why leadership is about creating followership, not giving orders from a boar...

In this episode of Executiveland, Elizabeth Freedman explains why even highly capable leaders can lose the confidence of senior executives, not because they lack talent, but because trust is built on whether senior leaders believe you can consistently deliver meaningful outcomes.  Key takeaways from this episode: Why executive confidence is built on outcomes, not effort, activity, or being busy Th...

On Executiveland , Elizabeth Freedman sits down with Dr. DeRetta Rhodes, EVP and Chief People and Culture Officer for the Atlanta Braves, to talk about resilience, self-worth, and intentional leadership. DeRetta shares how she pushed past doubt, defined her value, and stayed committed to her vision through career pivots, personal adversity, and earning her doctorate. Key themes you'll hear: H...

In this episode of Executiveland, Elizabeth Freedman talks with Ricky Hopson, Group President, Clinical and Specialty Services at Catalent and Chief of Staff. With over 25 years at Catalent, Ricky has navigated roles across finance, operations, and executive leadership in pharmaceutical manufacturing. You'll learn: How Ricky's finance background shaped his leadership across multiple func...

In this episode of Executiveland, Elizabeth Freedman speaks to Deborah Borg, EVP, Chief People and Culture Officer at IFF. Deborah shares her insights on navigating the C-Suite, balancing leadership roles, and the power of clear communication. They dive into the evolving role of HR, how to influence the C-Suite as an HR executive, and the tension between business needs and people-first leadership....

In this episode of Executiveland, Elizabeth Freedman uses the analogy of landing in Paris after expecting a perfect trip to reveal why executive leadership feels so different today. The job changes while you are in it, leaving even seasoned leaders caught off guard. Leaders now face shifting macroeconomic conditions, geopolitical pressures, and AI driven disruption. Traditional preparation from bu...

On this episode of Executiveland, Elizabeth Freedman sits down with Dr. Mitch Stevenson, President and CEO of Frontgrade Technologies, to explore what it really takes to lead through constant change. Drawing from his military background, Mitch shares why transformation is no longer a long term initiative, it is happening in real time. He offers a grounded perspective on navigating uncertainty, man...

In this episode of Executiveland, Elizabeth Freedman explores the subtle forms of negative executive energy that quietly undermine trust and performance. She breaks down how even high-performing leaders can unintentionally shift into self-protective behaviors that hold them back. From proving your worth to perfecting every detail, these tendencies often come from a good place. This conversation of...

On this episode of Executiveland, Kevin Campbell, CEO of Insights and Data at Capgemini and former CEO of Syniti, joins Elizabeth Freedman to share the unspoken realities of stepping into the top job. Drawing on decades of experience leading global data and transformation businesses, Kevin offers a candid look at how senior executives balance instinct, influence, and accountability while navigatin...

In this episode of Executiveland, Elizabeth Freedman tackles a high-stakes challenge for senior leaders: rebuilding lost credibility in the C-Suite. She shares actionable strategies for navigating this, focusing specifically on how to deliver bad news to your CEO without escalating the damage. Key takeaways include: How to leverage clear and concise communication when things go wrong, taking owner...

CFO Neal Sheorey joins Elizabeth Freedman to share what it really takes to step into the C suite when there is no playbook to follow. As a first time CFO at Albemarle, a global specialty chemicals company and one of the world’s largest lithium producers, Neal reflects on his three year journey navigating change and making the role his own. Neal offers an honest look at how senior leaders actually...

Followership is often framed as something your direct reports give to you. In this solo episode of Executiveland, Elizabeth Freedman challenges that view, reframing followership as a core skill for senior leaders. At the highest levels, impact depends not just on leading well, but on creating conditions that make others willing to commit time and energy to your agenda. Drawing from an excerpt from...

In this episode of Executiveland, Elizabeth Freedman reconnects with her former CEO and mentor, Suzanne Bates. Suzanne, founder of Bates Communications, shares her journey of selling her company to BTS and reflects on the leadership transitions that shaped her career. Together, they explore the difference between managing and truly leading, offering a masterclass in the soft skills that drive hard...

In this episode of Executiveland, Elizabeth Freedman explores two subtle leadership styles that quietly undermine trust at the senior executive level. She unpacks patterns that often come from a place of integrity and commitment, yet can stall followership and enterprise impact: the Debate Gladiator and the Deflector. Drawing on real executive coaching insights, Elizabeth explains why some senior...

In this episode of Welcome to Executiveland , Elizabeth Freedman is joined by Mark Berthiaume, former CIO and Chief Admin Officer at Hanover Insurance. With a career spanning over four decades, Mark has a unique perspective on the evolution of leadership. He shares his journey from early days as a computer programmer to navigating executive roles, and his ultimate transition from an IT-focused lea...

Too many smart, capable executives find themselves blindsided when change hits, whether it's a reorg, a new CEO, or a shift in market strategy. Suddenly, their roles are vulnerable. In this episode, Elizabeth Freedman explains why even top-performing leaders need to invest in their careers before they need to, and what high-impact executives do differently to stay ready, relevant, and in cont...

Strong leadership teams do not happen by accident. In this episode of Executiveland, Elizabeth Freedman focuses on why even smart, experienced senior leaders can find themselves on teams that underperform, and what it actually takes to build teams that deliver real enterprise value.  With teams under extraordinary pressure in 2026, Elizabeth explains why old meeting habits, misaligned agendas, and...

Robert Clarkson, former Chief Revenue Officer (Americas) at Stripe, joins Elizabeth Freedman to unpack what it really means to lead revenue at scale. With a career that spans public, private, and high-growth tech companies, Robert shares the mindset and habits that separate effective CROs from the rest and why great sales leadership has little to do with charisma and everything to do with consiste...

Dr. Nadya Zhexembayeva, founder of the Reinvention Academy and seasoned corporate executive, joins Elizabeth to unpack what it really means to reinvent, personally, professionally, and organizationally. In a world where 1 in 5 companies now reinvents faster than the annual budget cycle, change is no longer a one-time event. It’s a continuous, strategic capability that separates the organizations t...

Mary Lou Andre, founder and CEO of Dressing Well, joins Elizabeth to explore the often-overlooked power of executive image. Drawing from decades of experience coaching senior leaders, Mary Lou shares how clothing, grooming, and etiquette are not just surface-level details, they’re strategic communication tools that support leadership performance and presence. Together, they unpack what executive i...