The Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving

FirmsConsulting.com & StrategyTraining.com
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Oct 27, 2025 • 48min

597: McKinsey Senior Partner, Vik Malhotra, on What Distinguishes the Best Leaders

Vic Malhotra, a former McKinsey senior partner and coauthor of influential leadership books, dives into the challenges modern CEOs face, including the tech revolution and shifting consumer behavior. He emphasizes the importance of setting bold aspirations and making tough resource allocation choices. Malhotra highlights the successful transformation of Microsoft under Satya Nadella, advocating for a culture of continuous reinvention and adaptability. With the rise of AI, he argues every leader must integrate technology deeply into their strategy.
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15 snips
Oct 22, 2025 • 1h 2min

596: Ex-Siemens & Alcoa CEO Klaus Kleinfeld on AI, Energy & Leading at the Highest Level

Klaus Kleinfeld, former CEO of Siemens and Alcoa, shares insights from his 40-year leadership career. He argues that energy management surpasses time management for performance. Leaders must embrace AI or face obsolescence, with skills like creativity and relationship-building remaining vital. Klaus highlights the importance of purpose in focusing energy and discusses practical steps for staying current with AI. He offers techniques for overcoming burnout and warns about the societal disparities widening between those who leverage AI and those who don't.
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9 snips
Oct 20, 2025 • 60min

595: What AI Can’t Replace: Former design lead at IDEO on Safe Danger, Trust, and the Future of Work

In a thought-provoking conversation, Ben Swire, former design lead at IDEO and founder of Make Believe Works, unpacks how psychological safety can be intentionally designed in teams. He contrasts experiential culture with traditional methods, emphasizing that trust grows through practice, not just theory. Ben introduces the concept of 'safe danger'—a balance of safety and risk-taking essential for innovation. He also discusses how AI enhances human capabilities rather than replacing them, urging leaders to leverage empathy and creativity in an AI-driven future.
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Oct 15, 2025 • 52min

594: $2 Billion NYC Real Estate Broker on the Strategy of Homeownership

Scott Harris, a New York City real estate broker with over $2 billion in sales, shares insights from his book, The Pursuit of Home. He reframes homeownership as an emotional journey, emphasizing clarity and empathy. Harris discusses the importance of hiring the right real estate agent to enhance client connections and how small offers can reveal true buyer motivations. He warns against common buyer and seller mistakes, illustrates the need for systematic approaches in business, and highlights community-focused leadership during crises.
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Oct 13, 2025 • 52min

593: New York Times Bestselling Author on How to Overcome Fear & Build Emotional Resilience (with Jim Murphy)

Jim Murphy, a New York Times bestselling author and performance coach, discusses how leaders can cultivate resilience and reframe fear. He explains that fear often stems from self-centeredness, undermining peak performance. By anchoring identity in deeper values, individuals can find long-term stability. Murphy also offers methods to rewire trauma using neuroplasticity, emphasizing the journey of facing fears through willingness questions. His insights encourage a balance of joy and suffering, leading to a purpose-driven life.
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18 snips
Oct 8, 2025 • 55min

592: London School of Economics Lecturer on AI, Strategy, and the Future of Marketing

Jenna Tiffany, a marketing strategist and lecturer at the London School of Economics, shares her expertise on AI's impact on marketing. She highlights the pitfalls of adopting AI without a clear strategy and the importance of aligning organizational objectives. Jenna discusses how to maintain creativity amid AI's influence and emphasizes critical thinking as a vital skill for marketers. She provides practical approaches for using generative AI, tools to enhance strategy, and actionable advice for small businesses looking to leverage AI effectively.
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Oct 6, 2025 • 49min

591: Founder and CEO of Xenopsi Ventures on Behavioral Science That Sells

Michael Aaron Flicker, founder of Xenopsi Ventures and coauthor of Hacking the Human Mind, discusses how behavioral science drives business success. He emphasizes the power of focusing on a single persuasive benefit, using Five Guys as a case study. Flicker highlights concrete messaging's effectiveness, like Apple's '1,000 songs in your pocket,' and explains the peak-end rule for creating memorable experiences. He warns against using behavioral insights to manipulate, advocating for ethical applications that enhance rather than exploit consumer behavior.
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Oct 1, 2025 • 52min

590: Wall Street Journal Best Selling Author on What Good Leaders Can Learn From Bad Bosses

Mita Mallick, a Wall Street Journal bestselling author and workplace strategist, explores the implications of everyday managerial choices on organizational resilience. She emphasizes the importance of using silence as a powerful tool for reflection and negotiation. Mita discusses the complexities of leadership, urging empathy for those who falter under pressure. She also highlights the dangers of promoting individuals without support and the need for honest communication to rebuild trust. Discover her insights on creating high-trust environments and balancing performance with humanity.
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Sep 24, 2025 • 51min

589: CEO of FCLT Global and Former Senior Engagement Manager at McKinsey & Company on Turning Investor Dialogue into Strategy

Sarah Keohane Williamson, CEO of FCLT Global and author, shares her extensive expertise in investor engagement and corporate strategy. She emphasizes that investors aren't a monolith and how their varied incentives influence corporate outcomes. Williamson advocates for treating investor relationships like customer relationships, prioritizing trust with long-term shareholders over short-term metrics. She also urges CEOs to present a clear long-term roadmap while navigating the complexities of modern markets and shifting capital dynamics.
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Sep 22, 2025 • 43min

588: Former CEO of Jamba Juice on Leading with Culture

James D. White, former CEO of Jamba Juice and coauthor of Culture Design, dives into how to transform corporate culture into a structured discipline. He highlights the importance of starting with stakeholder listening, gathering nearly 200 inputs to drive change. Intentional culture and reducing the say-do gap are crucial themes. White emphasizes investing in people individually and fostering transparency in communication. His insights reveal that a strong, values-driven culture can propel sustained performance and unlock employee potential.

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