The World Class Leaders Show: Master High-Stakes Leadership: Learn from Top CEOs and World-Renowned Leaders

Want to establish authority and lead with confidence from Day One as a CEO? Grab your FREE copy of “10 Foolproof Ways New CEOs Establish Authority From Day One” 👉 Download Now ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Most CEOs obsess over strategy design — the off-site, the big slide deck, the bold direction. But the truth is, strategy rarely fails in design. It fails in execution. In this episode, I’ll explain why execution is the graveyard of strategy, the mistakes that derail it, and the three practices that separate companies who execute brilliantly from those who don’t.   - Like my work? Follow or connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreapetrone/ - Want to become a world-class leader? Join 128,000+ leaders who read my weekly insights here: https://www.andreapetrone.com/newsletter/

Want to establish authority and lead with confidence from Day One as a CEO? Grab your FREE copy of “10 Foolproof Ways New CEOs Establish Authority From Day One” and start leading with confidence today! 👉 Download Now - https://bit.ly/10-foolproof-ceo-strategies __________________________________________ In this episode of The World Class Leaders Show, host Andrea Petrone speaks with Chris O’Neill, Chief Executive Officer of GrowthLoop. Chris is a board director at Gap Inc. and an advisor to several AI companies. He is also the founder of Bobcaygeon Capital LLC & has over 25 years of leadership experience at companies like Google, and believes in using AI and data to drive business growth. Chris shares lessons on leadership, change, and innovation, and how CEOs can lead with clarity and confidence during this fast AI transformation. Chris shares how CEOs can lead better in the AI era by staying curious, embracing change, and thinking big. He explains how leaders should focus on solving real problems, building strong teams, and using AI to move faster. With clear advice and real stories, Chris shows how a learning mindset, open thinking, and smart risk-taking can help leaders grow, adapt, and lead with purpose in fast-changing times. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why AI is changing how leaders think and act in today’s fast world. How to build strong teams that grow with speed and purpose. Why mindset and curiosity matter more than tech skills in AI. Ways CEOs can lead change without knowing all the answers. How to test new ideas fast and build better habits at work. Timestamps: [00:00] - Teaser & Introduction of Chris O’Neill [03:32] - What GrowthLoop does and how AI powers it   [06:12] - Why Chris still believes in the Bay Area for innovation   [09:09] - How AI changes product fit and team roles   [13:06] - Why mindset shift is key to working with AI   [16:51] - How non-tech CEOs can lead in the AI era   [22:00] - Facing fear and helping teams embrace change   [29:50] - What skills and habits leaders now need to grow   [34:34] - Smart risk-taking and testing with AI tools   [39:52] - Building a fast culture without losing direction   [44:13] - Where to follow and learn more from Chris O’Neill Follow Our Guest Chris O’Neill: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/croneill/  GrowthLoop: https://www.linkedin.com/company/growthloop-co/  Gap Inc.: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gap-inc-/  Follow our Host Andrea Petrone on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreapetrone Website: https://www.andreapetrone.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andreapetrone_x/ Follow The World Class Leaders Show and Stay updated: Subscribe to The World Class Leader Show: https://shorturl.at/E9WE7 Newsletter: https://shorturl.at/dMRp6 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-world-class-leaders-show/ Website: https://www.andreapetrone.com/podcast/ Spotify: https://shorturl.at/DSHUl Apple: https://shorturl.at/JZAmQ ⭐If you're leading in fast-changing times, exploring AI, or rethinking how to grow your team, this talk with Chris O’Neill shares clear ideas, smart tools, and real lessons to lead with speed, focus, and confidence. #Leadership #AITransformation #CEOMindset #TeamGrowth #ChrisO’Neill #GrowthLoop #WorldClassLeadersShow

Want to establish authority and lead with confidence from Day One as a CEO? Grab your FREE copy of “10 Foolproof Ways New CEOs Establish Authority From Day One” 👉 Download Now ------------------------------------------------------------------------- For decades, CEOs have relied on the same leadership playbook: stability, control, hierarchy. But in 2025, that playbook is broken. In this episode, I’ll explain why the old rules no longer work, the traps leaders fall into by following them, and the three leadership shifts every CEO must make to stay relevant and effective today.   - Like my work? Follow or connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreapetrone/ - Want to become a world-class leader? Join 126,000+ leaders who read my weekly insights here: https://www.andreapetrone.com/newsletter/

Want to establish authority and lead with confidence from Day One as a CEO? Grab your FREE copy of “10 Foolproof Ways New CEOs Establish Authority From Day One” and start leading with confidence today! 👉 Download Now - https://bit.ly/10-foolproof-ceo-strategies ---------------------------------------------------------------------- In this episode of The World Class Leaders Show, host Andrea Petrone talks with Rebecca Macieira-Kaufmann, Founding Member of RMK Group, LLC &  Board Member at Fifth Era Acquisition Corporation (NASDAQ Ticker: FERA). Rebecca is Executive Mentor at The ExCo Group, Advisor to Notabene, Advisory Board Member at DigitalDx Ventures, International Advisory Board Member at idclear, Advisor at Limitless Bridge Capital, and a leadership advisor. She led Citi California during the 2008 crisis and is co-author of the book FitCEO. She now helps CEOs and founders build strong cultures and reinvent their leadership for long-term growth, health, and impact. Rebecca shares how CEOs can lead better by focusing on culture, self-awareness, and reinvention. She explains how leaders must build strong teams, set clear boundaries, and care for their health to stay effective. With honest advice and clear steps, Rebecca shows how small changes in habits and mindset can help leaders handle stress, inspire others, and grow with purpose and balance. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why culture is key in times of crisis and how it drives real change. What stops CEOs from making bold moves, and how fear and ego play a role. How leaders can reinvent themselves and lead with more clarity. Ways to build healthy habits that make leadership more sustainable. Simple tools from Rebecca’s book FitCEO to manage stress and grow. 📘Lead with balance and purpose with Rebecca Macieira-Kaufmann’s best-selling book FitCEO: Be the Leader of Your Life! Order your copy now! Visit: https://a.co/d/5308Cgv  Episode Highlights: [00:00] - Teaser & Introduction of Rebecca Macieira-Kaufmann [04:09] - Lessons from leading Citibank through a crisis [08:21] - What scares CEOs about changing culture? [14:25] - How ego and fear hold leaders back [16:21] - Reinventing yourself as a CEO [22:44] - Moving from doing to inspiring as a leader [25:39] - How CEOs can lead with more balance? [31:17] - Building healthy routines and boundaries [39:33] - Simple tips for long-term leadership success [42:47] - Where to follow and learn more from Rebecca   Follow Our Guest Rebecca Macieira-Kaufmann: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/r-m-k/ Website: https://rmkgroupllc.com/   RMK Group, LLC: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rmk-group-llc/  The ExCo Group: https://www.linkedin.com/company/excoleadership/  DigitalDx Ventures: https://www.linkedin.com/company/digitaldx/  idclear: https://www.linkedin.com/company/idclear/  Citi: https://www.linkedin.com/company/citi/  Follow our Host Andrea Petrone on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreapetrone Website: https://www.andreapetrone.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andreapetrone_x/ Follow The World Class Leaders Show and Stay updated: Subscribe to The World Class Leader Show: https://shorturl.at/E9WE7 Newsletter: https://shorturl.at/dMRp6 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-world-class-leaders-show/ Website: https://www.andreapetrone.com/podcast/ Spotify: https://shorturl.at/DSHUl Apple: https://shorturl.at/JZAmQ ⭐If you're leading through a crisis, facing burnout, or looking to build a stronger team culture, this talk with Rebecca Macieira-Kaufmann offers real tools, smart habits, and fresh ideas for lasting leadership success. #Leadership #CultureShift #CEOWellbeing #Reinvention #FitCEO #RebeccaMacieiraKaufmann #WorldClassLeadersShow

Want to establish authority and lead with confidence from Day One as a CEO? Grab your FREE copy of “10 Foolproof Ways New CEOs Establish Authority From Day One” 👉 Download Now ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ever wonder why your team isn’t hitting the performance levels you know they’re capable of? It might not be about them—it could be about you. Leadership mistakes can quietly sabotage your team’s effectiveness, productivity, and morale. In today’s episode. I’ll break down three common leadership mistakes that could be killing your team’s performance and, more importantly, how to fix them right away. - Like my work? Follow or connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreapetrone/ - Want to become a world-class leader? Join 122,000+ leaders who read my weekly insights here: https://www.andreapetrone.com/newsletter/

Want to establish authority and lead with confidence from Day One as a CEO? Grab your FREE copy of “10 Foolproof Ways New CEOs Establish Authority From Day One” 👉 Download Now ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Loneliness at work isn’t just a mental health issue. It’s an organizational risk. And if you think it only happens to remote employees or introverts… think again. It’s showing up in leadership teams, high performers, and boardrooms. In this episode, I’ll break down the hard link between workplace loneliness and burnout—and give you five moves to redesign connection at scale. - Like my work? Follow or connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreapetrone/ - Want to become a world-class leader? Join 122,000+ leaders who read my weekly insights here: https://www.andreapetrone.com/newsletter/

Want to establish authority and lead with confidence from Day One as a CEO? Grab your FREE copy of “10 Foolproof Ways New CEOs Establish Authority From Day One” and start leading with confidence today! 👉 Download Now - https://bit.ly/10-foolproof-ceo-strategies ---------------------------------------------------------------------- In this episode of The World Class Leaders Show, host Andrea Petrone speaks with Lynda Gratton, Professor of Management Practice at London Business School and a global authority on the future of work. She is the CEO & Founder of HSM Advisory. Lynda is Fellow at the World Economic Forum, and the author of 11 books including Redesigning Work and The 100-Year Life. Her work has supported over 90 companies in adapting to changing workforce dynamics, hybrid models, and evolving leadership demands. Lynda shares how leaders can navigate uncertainty by reshaping how work is structured and how culture is lived. She discusses the emergence of a new kind of CEO, globally minded, emotionally aware, and focused on sustainable performance. With clear & experienced insights, Lynda Gratton highlights how leaders can move beyond outdated practices and embrace more flexible, people-centered strategies to foster growth and resilience. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: The key forces reshaping the future of work and their impact on CEOs. How the pandemic reshaped organizational norms and how CEOs are navigating hybrid work. Why a new breed of CEO is emerging, and how they approach leadership differently. Insights from Lynda’s book Redesigning Work on task-based thinking versus job-based thinking. How talent strategies are evolving, with a focus on flexibility, innovation, and lifelong learning. 📘Transform the way you lead and work with Lynda Gratton’s bestselling books Redesigning Work and The 100 Year Life! Order your copies today! Visit: https://www.lyndagratton.com   Episode Highlights: [00:00] - Teaser & Introduction of Lynda Gratton [02:53] - Forces reshaping the future of work [06:17] - The rise of a new kind of CEO [11:02] - Rethinking work through tasks and skills [13:46] - Hybrid work and evolving workplace norms [20:46] - Rethinking career paths in a longer work life [27:25] - New talent strategies: Build, Buy, Borrow & Bridge [27:59] - What people-centered organizations do differently [32:06] - Culture and leadership integrity [36:29] - Identity and its impact on leadership [42:47] - Lynda’s personal turning point and life philosophy [45:16] - Where to follow Lynda Gratton   Follow Our Guest Lynda Gratton: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynda-gratton-3b179813/  Website: https://lyndagratton.com/  Instagram:  X: https://x.com/lyndagratton  London Business School: https://www.linkedin.com/school/london-business-school/  HSM Advisory: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hsm-advisory/  Roleshare: https://www.linkedin.com/company/roleshare/    Follow our Host Andrea Petrone on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreapetrone Website: https://www.andreapetrone.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andreapetrone_x/ Follow The World Class Leaders Show and Stay updated: Subscribe to The World Class Leader Show: https://shorturl.at/E9WE7 Newsletter: https://shorturl.at/dMRp6 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-world-class-leaders-show/ Website: https://www.andreapetrone.com/podcast/ Spotify: https://shorturl.at/DSHUl Apple: https://shorturl.at/JZAmQ ⭐If you're leading through change, navigating hybrid teams, or rethinking your career and culture strategies, this conversation with Lynda Gratton is packed with clarity, vision, and actionable guidance for the future of work. #Leadership #FutureOfWork #HybridWork #OrganizationalCulture #TalentStrategy #LyndaGratton #WorldClassLeadersShow

Want to establish authority and lead with confidence from Day One as a CEO? Grab your FREE copy of “10 Foolproof Ways New CEOs Establish Authority From Day One” 👉 Download Now ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The 9–5 is gone—and what replaced it is worse. Microsoft calls it the infinite workday: emails at 6 a.m., meetings after 8 p.m., weekend check-ins, and no room to think. According to Microsoft’s 2025 Work Trend Index, we’re now living in an infinite workday. Here’s what they found across 31 countries and 31,000 employees: 42% check emails before 6 a.m. 29% return to their inbox after 10 p.m. 20% of employees log on during weekends Late-evening meetings are up 16% year-over-year The average employee faces nearly 300 notifications daily This isn’t just about workload. It’s a culture problem—and it’s crushing focus, energy, and performance. Here’s what you’ll take away today: Why the infinite workday is the real productivity crisis What message your behavior sends (even when you say nothing) Five smart interventions to protect performance and people - Like my work? Follow or connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreapetrone/ - Want to become a world-class leader? Join 116,000+ leaders who read my weekly insights here: https://www.andreapetrone.com/newsletter/

Want to establish authority and lead with confidence from Day One as a CEO? Grab your FREE copy of “10 Foolproof Ways New CEOs Establish Authority From Day One” and start leading with confidence today! 👉 Download Now - https://bit.ly/10-foolproof-ceo-strategies ---------------------------------------------------------------------- In this episode of The World Class Leaders Show, host Andrea Petrone  speaks with James Keyes, a globally recognized business leader, bestselling author, and philanthropist. James has also served as the former CEO of two Fortune 500 companies, 7-Eleven and Blockbuster. With a wealth of experience across diverse industries, James shares his transformative leadership insights, lessons on overcoming challenges, and the importance of education in personal and professional growth. He is also the author of Education is Freedom By James W. Keyes, a book that explores the power of knowledge as the antidote to fear and societal challenges. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How James transformed 7-Eleven and Blockbuster using technology and data. The key leadership elements James believes are essential: Change, Confidence, and Clarity. The role of education in overcoming fear and pushing through challenges. Why fear-driven leadership doesn't work in the long run and how to lead with inspiration instead. Jame’s vision for his legacy: using knowledge as a tool to solve society’s challenges. 📘Unlock the secrets to transformational leadership with James Keyes’s book Education Is Freedom: The Future Is in Your Hands! Order your copy today! Visit: https://www.amazon.com/Education-Freedom-Future-Your-Hands/dp/B0CH6X6BVB  Episode Highlights: [00:00] - Teaser & Introduction of James Keyes [02:51] - Humble beginnings and the power of education [04:29] - Transforming 7-Eleven & Challenges at Blockbuster [08:56] - Dealing with the pressure of short-term results [14:14] - Inspiring leadership vs. Leading with fear [17:38] - Why fear-driven leadership is dangerous [20:35] - Importance of Critical thinking & leadership [23:10] - Lessons from Blockbuster's decline [35:20] - Education is Freedom: James’s book and legacy [45:36] - How to connect with James Keyes Follow Our Guest James Keyes: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-keyes-a0947215/  Website: https://www.jameswkeyes.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jkeyesauthor/  Twitter: https://x.com/jkeyesauthor  Book: https://www.amazon.com/Education-Freedom-Future-Your-Hands/dp/B0CH6X6BVB  Blockbuster: https://www.linkedin.com/company/blockbuster/   7-Eleven: https://www.linkedin.com/company/7-eleven/  Follow our Host Andrea Petrone on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreapetrone Website: https://www.andreapetrone.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andreapetrone_x/ Follow The World Class Leaders Show and Stay updated: Subscribe to The World Class Leader Show: https://shorturl.at/E9WE7 Newsletter: https://shorturl.at/dMRp6 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-world-class-leaders-show/ Website: https://www.andreapetrone.com/podcast/ Spotify: https://shorturl.at/DSHUl Apple: https://shorturl.at/JZAmQ ⭐ The story of James Keyes is a powerful reminder that leadership is about more than just results, it’s about inspiring change, leading with confidence, and creating an environment where people can thrive. Listen in for key takeaways on how you can transform your leadership style and have a lasting impact on your organization. #Leadership #Inspiration #CEO #BusinessTransformation #Education #LongTermSuccess #JamesKeyes #WorldClassLeadersShow

Want to establish authority and lead with confidence from Day One as a CEO? Grab your FREE copy of “10 Foolproof Ways New CEOs Establish Authority From Day One” 👉 Download Now ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Remote work isn’t dead. But it’s being rebranded… as an executive perk. While CEOs log in from their countryside homes, frontline teams are herded back to their desks. This isn’t just a bad look. It’s a culture killer. In this episode, I’ll break down the growing leadership gap around remote work and why ignoring it could cost you your best talent in 2025.   - Like my work? Follow or connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreapetrone/ - Want to become a world-class leader? Join 110,000+ leaders who read my weekly insights here: https://www.andreapetrone.com/newsletter/