Strategy and Leadership Podcast

How do you build a career and a leadership style rooted in people, culture, and curiosity? In this episode of the Strategy and Leadership Podcast, Anthony Taylor speaks with Jim Fielding, former CEO of Claire’s, President of Disney Stores Worldwide, and President of 20th Century Fox Consumer Products. Jim is also the author of All Pride, No Ego and host of the Jim Fielding & Friends podcast. With over 40 years of experience across retail, media, and entertainment, Jim shares lessons on adapting to revolutions in retail, leading teams through change, and why the future of business is all about human connection. Key Topics Covered Why the “future of retail” is really about people How to lead change when everyone adapts differently Why long-term planning beats “90 day transformations” How leaders can balance confidence and humility (All Pride, No Ego) Why culture, not money, is the key to attracting top talent Lessons from Retail’s Evolution Jim reflects on his career journey from department stores and catalogs to e-commerce, omnichannel, and experiential retail. He explains how consumer behavior has changed over decades and how leaders must constantly adapt to new shopping patterns. “The word now is omnichannel… you have to be omnipresent in people’s lives, both physical and digital.” – Jim Fielding For today’s brands, that means meeting customers everywhere: in stores, online, and increasingly, through social commerce on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Leading Change with Empathy One of Jim’s most impactful insights is his train analogy for change management. Some people jump aboard immediately, others wait for the first-class car, and some hesitate on the platform. As a leader, your role is to communicate, respect different adoption speeds, and bring people along without judgment. He stresses the importance of long-term planning and over-communication, noting that adult learners often need to hear something 10–14 times before it fully lands. Leadership Without Ego In his book All Pride, No Ego, Jim emphasizes that ego is not inherently bad — it must be controlled and used wisely. He argues that today’s leaders need humility, vulnerability, and the courage to admit when they don’t have all the answers. “Leadership today is harder than ever. To succeed, you need to be self-aware, surround yourself with strong people, and create safe environments where teams thrive.” – Jim Fielding Culture Over Compensation Jim shares that attracting and retaining top talent is less about money and more about culture, environment, and feeling respected. During his time at Disney, Fox, and Claire’s, he saw firsthand how competitive the market was for talent. The leaders who created supportive environments always had an advantage. “If I create a great work environment where people feel respected and trusted, they’ll bring their best. That’s how you attract and keep the brightest talent.” – Jim Fielding Call to Action Want to learn how to align your leadership team and create a culture that supports long-term strategy? Explore our strategy execution course Learn more about working with SME Strategy About the Guest Jim Fielding is a visionary leader with decades of experience leading global brands including Disney, Claire’s, 20th Century Fox, and DreamWorks. He is the author of All Pride, No Ego, host of the Jim Fielding & Friends podcast, and a keynote speaker and consultant helping organizations build human-centered strategies. Learn more about Jim Connect with Jim on LinkedIn Follow Jim on Instagram: @HiJimFielding About the Host Anthony Taylor is the CEO, Founder, and Senior Facilitator at SME Strategy. With over 14 years of experience, he helps leadership teams around the world create alignment, implement successful strategies, and drive results. Connect with Anthony on LinkedIn Helpful Resources & Contact: More from our online courses: https://courses.smestrategy.net/ Contact our team: https://www.smestrategy.net/contact Podcast produced by: https://www.rednyne.com/    

How do you build teams that truly work together instead of falling into dysfunction? In this Strategy and Leadership podcast, Dr. Colin M. Fisher—Associate Professor of Organizations and Innovation at UCL School of Management and author of The Collective Edge—shares two decades of research on group dynamics, creativity, and collaboration. Drawing from both his academic career and his background as a professional jazz musician, Colin reveals the science behind effective teamwork, why groups take on “a life of their own,” and how leaders can unlock their team’s hidden potential. ► Work with us to facilitate your strategic plan: https://www.smestrategy.net/strategic-planning-facilitator ► Learn more about our courses: https://courses.smestrategy.net/courses/Leading-Strategy-Execution In this podcast, you will learn: ☑️ Why groups are more than the sum of their parts. ☑️ How the first meeting sets lasting team norms. ☑️ The dangers of groupthink—and how to prevent it. ☑️ Why leaders must balance over-engaging vs. under-engaging teams. ☑️ Practical steps to structure tasks, roles, and communication effectively. This video is for: ▶️CEOs and executives looking to improve collaboration. ▶️Team leaders struggling with alignment and accountability. ▶️Managers navigating group conflict or lack of clarity. ▶️Anyone interested in the science of high-performing teams. About the Guest: Dr. Colin M. Fisher is one of the foremost experts on group dynamics. A former professional jazz trumpet player turned academic, he is Associate Professor at University College London’s School of Management, where he teaches leadership, creativity, and organizational behavior. His forthcoming book, The Collective Edge (Penguin Random House / Simon & Schuster), explores how to unlock the secret power of groups. Colin’s work has been published in leading journals and featured in outlets such as BBC, NPR, Forbes, and Harvard Business Review. He has also provided lectures and workshops to organizations worldwide, including IDEO, P&G, NHS, and BP. 🔗 Learn more about Colin: https://colinmfisher.com 🔗 Connect with Colin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colinmfisher/ About the Host: Anthony Taylor is the CEO, Founder, and Senior Facilitator at SME Strategy. With over 14 years of experience in strategy, he helps leadership teams around the world create alignment, implement successful strategies, and drive results. 🔗 Connect with Anthony on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyctaylor604/ About SME Strategy: SME Strategy is a management consulting firm specializing in helping organizations develop and implement strategic plans. We facilitate conversations around strategic direction so leaders can focus their energy on what drives results. 🔗 Learn more: https://www.smestrategy.net/strategic-planning-facilitator Helpful Resources & Contact: 📘 More from our online courses: https://courses.smestrategy.net/ 📩 Contact our team: https://www.smestrategy.net/contact 🎧 Podcast produced by: https://www.rednyne.com/ Subscribe for More: Get weekly episodes on strategy, leadership, and implementation. Subscribe so you never miss an update on how to grow your organization.    

How do you lead nonprofits like businesses while staying true to your mission? In this episode, Andy Price, CEO & Scout Executive of the Grand Canyon Council, shares lessons from over 30 years in nonprofit leadership. He reveals how to inspire volunteers, measure real impact, and turn around organizations in crisis. Watch the full conversation to learn strategies for aligning passion with purpose while driving sustainable growth. ► Work with us to facilitate your strategic plan: https://www.smestrategy.net/strategic-planning-facilitator ► Learn more about our courses: https://courses.smestrategy.net/courses/Leading-Strategy-Execution In this podcast, you will learn: ☑️ Why passion is the foundation of sustainable leadership. ☑️ The unique challenge of leading volunteers versus employees. ☑️ How nonprofits can operate like businesses with “dividends to society.” ☑️ The importance of measuring outcomes, not just inputs. ☑️ How to execute a turnaround during an organizational crisis. This video is for: ▶️ CEOs and executives leading mission-driven organizations. ▶️ Nonprofit leaders navigating growth and transformation. ▶️ Business leaders looking to align impact with strategy. ▶️ Anyone seeking to balance passion, purpose, and performance. About the Guest: Andy Price is the CEO and Scout Executive of the Grand Canyon Council of Scouting America. With more than 30 years of experience, he has led five local councils across three states, serving hundreds of thousands of youth. Andy has guided organizations through existential crises, implemented strategic turnarounds, and championed the belief that nonprofits must operate with the same discipline as businesses—while delivering dividends to society. 🔗 Learn more about the Grand Canyon Council: https://www.scoutingaz.org/ 🔗 Learn more about Scouting America: https://www.scouting.org About the Host: Anthony Taylor is the CEO, Founder, and Senior Facilitator at SME Strategy. With over 14+ years of experience in strategy work, he holds a BBA and is a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM). Based in Vancouver, Canada, Anthony helps leadership teams around the world create and implement successful strategic plans. 🔗 Connect with Anthony on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/anthonyctaylor604 About SME Strategy: SME Strategy is a management consulting firm specializing in helping organizations develop and implement strategic plans. We facilitate conversations around strategic direction so leaders can focus their energy on what drives results. Learn more: https://www.smestrategy.net/strategic-planning-facilitator Helpful Resources & Contact: ▶️ More from our online courses: https://courses.smestrategy.net/ ▶️ Contact our team: https://www.smestrategy.net/contact ▶️ Podcast produced by: https://www.rednyne.com/ Subscribe for More: Get weekly videos on strategy, leadership, and implementation. Subscribe so you never miss an update on how to grow your organization. Subscribe Now 🙏 / https://www.youtube.com/@SMEStrategyINC #smestrategy #anthonytaylor #andyprice #nonprofitleadership #strategicplanning #leadershipdevelopment #businessstrategy #turnaroundleadership #impactdriven #smePodcast

Why do the world’s leading brands increasingly act like startups? In this episode, Co-CEO of Cro Metrics, Gwen Hammes, shares her insights from working with global giants such as Mars, Kimberly-Clark, Stellantis, Clorox, Levi Strauss, Sargento, and SC Johnson. Drawing from her decades of experience at iconic agencies like Ogilvy, FCB, and DDB, Gwen explains how experimentation, data, and creativity combine to unlock growth and build lasting brand love. With a proven track record of helping Fortune 500 companies overcome unseen barriers and shift consumer behavior, Gwen offers invaluable lessons for leaders seeking to foster innovation, empower their teams, and deliver measurable impact. Watch the full conversation for actionable advice on how to lead with data-driven confidence while still embracing creativity and human connection. Work with us to facilitate your strategic plan: https://www.smestrategy.net/strategic-planning-facilitator Enroll your SLT in our: Management Training on Strategy Execution.  In this podcast, you will learn: ☑️ Why the biggest brands are adopting a “small business mindset.” ☑️ How data and experimentation fuel sustainable growth. ☑️ The role of creativity in driving profitable business outcomes. ☑️ How to assemble world-class teams that balance insights with innovation. ☑️ Why building brand love is essential to long-term success. This podcast is for: ▶️ CEOs and executives navigating growth and transformation. ▶️ Leaders seeking to balance creativity and analytics. ▶️ Marketing professionals aiming to inspire innovation. ▶️ Anyone responsible for scaling organizations in competitive markets. About the Guest: Gwen Hammes is the Co-CEO of Cro Metrics, where she leads teams that expand the impact of experimentation across marketing organizations. Her career has spanned leadership roles at Ogilvy, FCB, and DDB, partnering with global powerhouses like Mars, Kimberly-Clark, Stellantis, Clorox, Levi Strauss, Sargento, and SC Johnson. Gwen is recognized as a trusted advisor to CMOs navigating today’s complex marketplace, known for her ability to foster profitable growth while cultivating lasting consumer connections. She resides in Chicago with her husband and two sons. 🔗 Learn more about Gwen and Cro Metrics: https://crometrics.com 🔗 Connect with Gwen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gwen-hammes/ About the Host: Anthony Taylor is the CEO, Founder, and Senior Facilitator at SME Strategy. With over 14+ years of experience in strategy work, he holds a BBA and is a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM). Based in Vancouver, Canada, Anthony helps leadership teams around the world create and implement successful strategic plans. 🔗 Connect with Anthony on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyctaylor604/ About SME Strategy: SME Strategy is a management consulting firm specializing in helping organizations develop and implement strategic plans. We facilitate conversations around strategic direction so leaders can focus their energy on what drives results. Learn more: https://www.smestrategy.net/strategic... Helpful Resources & Contact: ▶️ More from our online courses: https://courses.smestrategy.net ▶️ Contact our team: https://www.smestrategy.net/contact ▶️ Podcast produced by: Rednyne Productions Subscribe for More: Get weekly videos on strategy, leadership, and implementation. Subscribe so you never miss an update on how to grow your organization. 

Why does fearless leadership matter more than ever? In this podcast, entrepreneur and author Brendan P. Keegan unpacks what it means to be a fearless leader and how to create environments that support high performance. With over 25 years as a CEO and now on a mission to build one million fearless leaders, Brendan shares lessons from business, motorsports, and his own life about courage, culture, and continuous growth. About the Guest: Brendan P. Keegan is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and author of Dare to Disrupt: The 8 Pillars of Transformation. He has served as CEO of six companies, invested in ventures spanning motorsports to technology, and is Co-Owner of Andretti Global. Brendan is also the founder of The Fearless Leadership Experience, with over 150,000 subscribers on LinkedIn, dedicated to his mission of building one million fearless leaders Listen to the full conversation to learn actionable leadership advice that will help you perform at your best and inspire others to do the same. Work with us to facilitate your strategic plan: https://www.smestrategy.net/strategic-planning-facilitator Learn more about our courses: https://courses.smestrategy.net/courses/Leading-Strategy-Execution  

Robyn Bolton, founder of MileZero and former P&G brand manager, dives into the intricacies of why so many innovation efforts stumble in successful companies. She explains how leaders often stifle creativity by clinging to past successes and highlights the need to balance instinct with innovative thinking. Robyn shares actionable stories, including the importance of flexibility within corporate constraints and cultivating a culture that embraces change. Prepare to rethink how you lead innovation in your organization!

In this episode of the Strategy and Leadership Podcast, our guest, Vanessa Druskat, author of "The Emotionally Intelligent Team: Building Collaborative Groups That Outperform the Rest," provides valuable insights into what makes some teams succeed while others fail. Vanessa discusses the importance of psychological safety, emotional intelligence, and team dynamics. She shares her journey from academia to developing a model for building emotionally intelligent environments where team members thrive. Discover how understanding team interactions and cultivating trust can transform the way teams function. Vanessa explains the role of empowerment, belonging, and the many-to-many relationships crucial for team success. Whether you're a leader looking to improve team performance or curious about the intricacies of team dynamics, this episode offers practical advice and thought-provoking perspectives.

Welcome to this exciting episode of the Strategy and Leadership Podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) with our expert guests, Josh Davis and Greg Promushkin. As authors of 'NLP and the Science of Positive Change,' they share their unique insights into how NLP can be practically applied in everyday life and leadership to foster significant and lasting changes. Our discussion highlights the importance of effective communication, understanding and meeting others mentally and emotionally, and practicing the art of influence. Whether you are looking to improve your leadership skills or personal development, this episode provides valuable strategies and real-world examples of how NLP can help you achieve your goals. Tune in and discover the difference that makes the difference, a step towards better communication and leadership. Subscribe for more insightful conversations like this one on the Strategy and Leadership Podcast.   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to NLP and Its Importance 03:09 Understanding Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) 07:33 Practical Applications of NLP in Everyday Life 11:07 How to Incorporate NLP in Communication 14:29 The Impact of Communication and Responsibility 19:35 Closing Thoughts on NLP and Communication   Learn more about our strategic planning services Elevate your strategic thinking skills

In this episode of the Strategy and Leadership podcast, Dr. Julie Wilson shares her journey as a family doctor and healthcare leader. She discusses her passion for ethical business practices, the importance of creating a positive workplace culture, and her vision for expanding healthcare access. Dr. Wilson emphasizes the need for effective communication and compassion in leadership, as well as the significance of fostering a supportive environment for employees. The conversation highlights her commitment to driving system-level change in healthcare and her excitement for future growth in her organization.   Access our courses to support your strategy leadership: https://courses.smestrategy.net/ Learn more about our Strategic Planning Facilitation Services    ► Contact SME Strategy: https://www.smestrategy.net/contact ► Connect with Anthony: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyctaylor604/

In this captivating episode of the Strategy and Leadership Podcast, host Anthony welcomes John D. Marvin, the esteemed CEO and President of Texas State Optical (TSO). Together, they delve into the fascinating history of TSO, a pioneering optometry practice founded in 1936 by the Rogers brothers, and its evolution into a respected brand across multiple states. John shares his unconventional journey to leadership, highlighting the challenges and triumphs faced while revitalizing TSO after decades of changing ownership. He provides insights into his unique leadership style, which emphasizes influence over control in guiding franchisees towards success. The episode offers valuable lessons on creating a resilient brand and business legacy, balancing autonomy with guidance, and the importance of starting with purpose and core values. Perfect for aspiring CEOs, business owners, and anyone interested in the dynamic interplay of strategy and leadership.