Let's talk Transformation : The business leaders podcast

"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-...

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. I...

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 thei...

"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...

"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 organisat...

" 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 agen...

“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...

"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 autho...

"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 i...

"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 relear...

" 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%...

"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 taki...

"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 f...

“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’...

" 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. Compan...

"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 understan...

"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...

"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 ret...

" 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...

"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, t...

" 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...

"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...

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...

"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 intelligen...

"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 d...