The Leadership Enigma

Leading London is a series of interviews with founders, entrepreneurs, disruptors and leaders all making an impact in London and beyond. The interviews were filmed at Vorboss (the internet for London business) during Tech Week from their new offices overlooking Liverpool Street. In this episode I chat to Rob who is the co-founder of Bramwell Brown Clocks. www.vorboss.com www.bramwellbrown.com

Leading London is a series of interviews with founders, entrepreneurs, disruptors and leaders all making an impact in London and beyond. The interviews were filmed at Vorboss (the internet for London business) during Tech Week from their new offices overlooking Liverpool Street. In this episode I chat to Jose who is the Head of Operations for Streetscope www.vorboss.com www.streetscope.com

Leading London is a series of interviews with founders, entrepreneurs, disruptors and leaders all making an impact in London and beyond. The interviews were filmed at Vorboss (the internet for London business) during Tech Week from their new offices overlooking Liverpool Street. In this episode I chat to Ben who is the Founder of Fully Charged www.vorboss.com www.fullycharged.com

Leading London is a series of interviews with founders, entrepreneurs, disruptors and leaders all making an impact in London and beyond. The interviews were filmed at Vorboss (the internet for London business) during Tech Week from their new offices overlooking Liverpool Street. In this episode I chat to Sarah who is the Founder and Managing Director of Flourish www.vorboss.com www.helloflourish.com

Leading London is a series of interviews with founders, entrepreneurs, disruptors and leaders all making an impact in London and beyond. The interviews were filmed at Vorboss (the internet for London business) during Tech Week from their new offices overlooking Liverpool Street. In this episode I chat to Diptesh who is the Founder and CEO of UBDS www.vorboss.com www.ubdsdigital.com

In this powerful episode of The Leadership Enigma, I am joined by Iris Loew-Friedrich, former Chief Medical Officer at UCB and current global board advisor, for a deeply human and honest conversation about leadership in an uncertain, fast-moving world. Iris flew to London specially for this conversation — and it shows. Her insights are raw, real, and full of wisdom earned across decades of experience in global healthcare. From her early days growing up in post-war Germany to leading at the highest levels of the pharmaceutical world, Iris shares how human-centred leadership is not just nice to have — it’s essential. With humility, empathy, and purpose, she shows how putting people and patients first can be the most powerful business strategy of all. 🧠 Topics Covered: Leading through uncertainty & imperfection Building psychological safety and trust in teams Making ethical decisions in pharma Staying curious and becoming an enterprise leader The power of feedback and self-awareness Life after the C-suite — finding meaning in the next chapter 🔑 Key Takeaway: True leadership is not about perfection — it's about presence, people, and purpose. 💬 What resonated with you most? Drop your thoughts in the comments and don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this with someone who needs to hear it. #Leadership #HumanCentredLeadership #IrisLoewFriedrich #PharmaLeadership #TheLeadershipEnigma #AdamPacifico #PurposeDrivenLeadership #PsychologicalSafety

What does it take to raise a football star while staying grounded in love, learning and loyalty? In this powerful and personal episode, I sit down with Marcia Lewis, proud mum and agent to Myles Lewis-Skelly—Arsenal and England’s 18-year-old sensation and one of the most talked-about young players in football today. But this conversation isn’t about hype. It’s about humanity. Marcia shares the real journey behind the headlines—from getting her first agent call when Myles was just 11, to juggling grassroots joy with elite-level pressure. As the spotlight on Myles grew, so did Marcia’s determination to understand the system—and protect her son within it. So, she studied football business. Became a licensed agent. And created No.1 Fan Club, the UK’s first parent-led platform offering support, guidance, and community to parents navigating the intense world of youth football. We talk candidly about safeguarding wellbeing, making tough decisions, managing expectations, and the emotional rollercoaster of academy life. We also reflect on the good old days, like when Myles and my son Sam played together at Aldenham School—under the brilliant Mr Cornock. Whether you’re a parent, coach, fan or just curious about the world behind the beautiful game, this is a story of fierce love, big dreams, and the power of staying grounded—no matter how high the stakes. And yes, I do ask Marcia what her proudest moment has been so far… but you’ll have to listen to find out. www.no1fan.club

What happens when John Cleese personally selects you to play Basil Fawlty in the West End revival of one of the most iconic sitcoms in TV history? If you're Adam Jackson-Smith, you say yes… and then quietly panic. In this special episode of The Leadership Enigma, we go behind the curtain with the man trusted to resurrect Basil on stage. Adam shares the rollercoaster ride from virtual auditions (complete with tweed jacket and moustache) to 300+ physically demanding performances that quite literally sweated the weight off him. From Zoom auditions with Cleese himself to hilarious backstage stories (including what Jonny Vaughan whispered before curtain up), Adam lifts the lid on the resilience, leadership, and full-body slapstick needed to become a comedy legend — without simply mimicking one. 🎬 Hear about: The surreal moment John Cleese said, “You’re my Basil.” Why preview night made every nerve jangle. The hidden pressures of leading a West End cast. And why his most stressful performance wasn’t opening night. Whether you're a fan of Fawlty Towers, the theatre, or just love a tale of high-stakes transformation, this episode is a brilliantly funny and deeply human story about legacy, leadership, and living up to legends. 📺 Hit play, don't mention the war, and definitely don’t miss this one. #LeadershipEnigma #FawltyTowers #JohnCleese #BasilFawlty #WestEnd #ActingLife #BehindTheScenes #comedylegends This episode was powered by "Where The Evidence Takes Us" is available from Amazon Connect with Kevin O'Leary (Red Leadership) https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevoleary/ https://www.redleadership.co.uk/

In this powerful and timely episode, Adam sits down with Olivier Award-winning director-turned-writer Mark Rosenblatt, the creative force behind Giant, the searing and sensational play that explores the genius and the darkness of Roald Dahl. Starring the legendary John Lithgow—who also took home an Olivier for Best Actor—Giant dives deep into the tangled web of brilliance, grief, controversy, and antisemitism that surrounded one of the world’s most beloved and most complicated authors. Recorded in front of a live audience in central London to mark the 20th anniversary of The Heart Cells Foundation, this episode celebrates creativity, courage, and the quiet revolution of stepping into your truth. Just three days before filming, Mark received his own Olivier at the Royal Albert Hall, presented by Ewan McGregor and Elizabeth Debicki. In an emotional and honest conversation, he shares what it felt like to be recognised for his first-ever play and the journey that took him from self-doubt to centre stage. Mark reveals how the seed for Giant was planted when Sir Nicholas Hytner casually suggested he might try writing—an idea that sat dormant until lockdown gave him the space to bring it to life. Inspired by his own childhood love of Dahl’s stories, and compelled by the writer’s antisemitic remarks during the Lebanon War era, Mark began to unpick the moral complexity of Dahl’s legacy. Rather than cancelling Dahl, Mark chose to examine him—with empathy, intellectual honesty, and a dramatic lens that lets the audience grapple with their own beliefs. We talk about the emotional weight of writing as a British Jew exploring antisemitism, the tension of launching a controversial play amid the Israel-Gaza conflict, and how Dahl’s personal tragedies—from his daughter’s death to his son’s life-altering accident—informed both his work and Giant itself. With John Lithgow perfectly cast as Dahl (thanks to Hytner’s inspired suggestion) and Elliot Levey winning Best Supporting Actor, Giant has become one of the most talked-about plays in the West End. A Broadway transfer is on the cards. This episode is a tribute to the healing power of art, the bravery of reinvention, and the impact of asking bold questions in a world that often demands easy answers. Special thanks to The Heart Cells Foundation for their incredible work and for hosting this unforgettable live event. www.heartcellsfoundation.com admin@heartcellsfoundation.com

In this episode, I am joined by Tom Stevenson – Investment Director at Fidelity, respected columnist, and broadcaster – for a wide-ranging and brutally honest look at the global economic storm we’re all trying to navigate. From tariffs and Trump to inflation, war, and AI-driven disruption, Tom unpacks why we’re entering a new era of unpredictability – one where the calm of the past few decades has well and truly ended. For leaders and organisations, the message is clear: adapt fast or risk irrelevance. Tom shares three critical strategies every leader should focus on: 1. Plan for every scenario – hope is not a strategy. 2. Diversify everything – from supply chains to markets. 3. Maintain financial flexibility – cash is still king. We also explore: • The true cost of tariffs (spoiler: growth and inflation take a hit). • The dual nature of AI – a once-in-a-generation opportunity and a massive systemic risk. • Why ESG, infrastructure, and tangible assets like gold and land are gaining renewed attention. • What a second Trump term might really mean for global trade and China. • The growing concern over digital currencies in a fragile, outage-prone world. Above all, Tom reminds us that in a world out of our control, humility, emotional intelligence, and long-term thinking are more valuable than ever. "Where The Evidence Takes Us" is available from Amazon Connect with Kevin O'Leary (Red Leadership) https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevoleary/ https://www.redleadership.co.uk/