#2 Carlos Hernandez: The Leadership Playbook

In this episode, Georgie sits down with Carlos Hernandez, whose extraordinary 37-year career at JPMorgan, took him from the firm’s investment banking training program to Executive Chair of Investment and Corporate Banking, as well as being a key member of the Operating Committee and the Corporate & Investment Bank Management Team.

Working almost every part of the business, Carlos earned a reputation as a trusted adviser to top executives and world leaders. A key member of Jamie Dimon’s inner circle, Carlos played a pivotal role in shaping JPMorgan’s strategy and future.

This is a masterclass in true leadership excellence!

Key Takeaways from This Episode:

Command Respect, Don’t Demand It: The best leaders inspire trust and loyalty through action, not authority.

Crisis Leadership 101: Why alignment and clarity of purpose are essential when leading through uncertainty.

Tough Decisions Require Fairness: Letting people go, restructuring teams, or making high-stakes calls should always be done with integrity.

 Transparency is Equity: Open, honest communication builds stronger teams, particularly in moments of crisis.

Balancing Big Egos: Great leaders know how to harness strong personalities while maintaining alignment and mutual respect.

The Power of Prioritization: The hardest decisions are often about what not to do—focusing on what moves the needle is key.

Memorable Quotes:

"A good leader makes people believe in themselves, realize their potential, and get the most out of the whole team.” 

“In a crisis, the worst thing you can do is have everyone pulling in different directions. Clarity and alignment make leadership easier.” 

“You can’t lead from a distance. People need to feel you’re in the foxhole with them.” 

“Prioritization isn’t about deciding what to do. It’s about making the hard choice on what not to do.” 

If you want to learn more practical lessons and real-world leadership insights from remarkable founder CEOs, you can ⁠order Georgie's book Stratospheric CEOs out now.