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

Gian Luca Grondona is the Chief HR, Organization & Systems Officer of Webuild Group a global player specialized in the construction of large, complex infrastructures. He joins Andrea in this episode. Andrea initially interviewed Gian Luca via LinkedIn but wanted to share this incredibly valuable conversation with his podcast audience too! Andrea and Gian Luca delve deep into the role and purpose of HR and people in the transformation of an organisation. They discuss how you can improve decision-making in large organisations, how to develop and retain knowledge internally as well as how to create engaged people and teams to generate and inspire success. KEY TAKEAWAYS  The biggest lesson Gian Luca has learnt in his time at various global corporations is to give trust and responsibility to people, to teach others and delegate. The construction industry has embedded risk. This is one of the challenges Webuild has to contend with and one of the reasons they are trying to centralise their risk management. Sustainability is something Webuild are passionate about and is working towards in all of its projects. People are an integral part of a business so of course, they have a huge impact when a company is going through a transformation and the success of this transformation is underpinned by the individuals and teams within the organisation. Transforming its bidding process, to engage all necessary departments and dividing responsibility accordingly has allowed WeBuild to increase its contract conversion by 50% Innovation can be tricky to inspire in industries such as construction but you can facilitate it within teams by first engaging your leaders. If you can inspire them and challenge their thinking then you can begin to change the culture within teams too.  A lean way to make innovation easy, is by investing in innovation in core functions of the business, where it will have the biggest impact. People development is essential and something all leaders should have at the top of their agenda. Anticipating the future needs of a team is a great way to create a plan for the development of your people. How you communicate is one of the biggest ways you can have an influence on and impact the engagement of your people. BEST BITS “Giving trust to people, you lose sometimes, but you win the majority of the time” “We have and will continue to transform this industry” “If we keep thinking with the eyes of the past we cannot make this change” “The thing I am most proud of is 11 of the people that were working with me have become Chief Human Resources Officers in companies” “The fact we are doing iconic work helps a lot with the engagement of people” LEARNING MOMENTS  02:18: Gian Luca’s Career Journey 05:20: Gian Luca’s Biggest Lesson Learnt 11:50 The Future & Aspirations of WeBuild 16:10 The Role of Sustainability at Webuild 18:40 The Impact of People in Transformation 21:57 How WeBuild Increased their Contract Conversion 28:00 Managing Knowledge and Expertise in a Large Corporate Company 31:00 Inspiring Innovation within a Construction Company 38:38 Putting your Own People on the Top of your Agenda 43:49 How can we Engage our People More?   VALUABLE RESOURCES Like the show? Please leave or write a review on your favorite podcast platform! Let Andrea know your thoughts or share your comments via LinkedIn or via email For more information on Andrea’s work and access to other valuable resources, please visit the website    If you don’t want to miss any episode and receive the full article in your inbox, subscribe today to our blog Need more? Book a 30 min call here: https://calendly.com/andreapetrone/strategy-call-30. ABOUT THE HOST My name is Andrea Petrone. I'm a Human Performance and Leadership Advisor, Executive Coach and International Speaker. I help leaders and their teams to change their mindsets and master their leadership capabilities so they can achieve extraordinary performance. I've been in the corporate world for more than 20 years working globally - in 6 countries and 3 continents - for medium-large companies.

Are you happy with the way people talk and communicate in your organisation? In this episode, Andrea talks about how communication is directly linked to commitment and how the language you and your team impacts the results you see, revealing the do’s and don’t’s of communication if you want to see effective results. KEY TAKEAWAYS Many individuals struggle to take responsibility and be fully committed in work today. There’s a strong connection between the way we communicate with one another at work and the results we achieve. It’s comfortable to talk about the past, it doesn’t have expectations or usually any actions either. To create effective results we need to be in the present and look to the future. When people start talking about the past, stop them and change the conversation. This will allow you to create commitment-generating conversation instead. You need to use specific and direct language and communication to create success.   BEST BITS “The way people talk in organisations is so critical, it’s so important” “When people start talking about the past, they get really comfortable about talking about the past” “Start talking in a way that generates commitment” “Committed language is what really produces a different level of results” “A past-driven conversation usually involves a lot of words” LEARNING MOMENTS 01:49: Are we underrating the way we talk in our organisations? 03:10: The problem with talking about the past 05:00: Creating commitment-generating communication 06:00: The differences between wishful thinking and committed language VALUABLE RESOURCES Like the show? Please leave or write a review on your favorite podcast platform! Let Andrea know your thoughts or share your comments via LinkedIn or via email For more information on Andrea’s work and access to other valuable resources, please visit the website    If you don’t want to miss any episode and receive the full article in your inbox, subscribe today to our blog Need more? Book a 30 min call here: https://calendly.com/andreapetrone/strategy-call-30. ABOUT THE HOST My name is Andrea Petrone. I'm a Human Performance and Leadership Advisor, Executive Coach and International Speaker. I help leaders and their teams to change their mindsets and master their leadership capabilities so they can achieve extraordinary performance. I've been in the corporate world for more than 20 years working globally - in 6 countries and 3 continents - for medium-large companies.

Andrea has witnessed many organisations struggling with decision making and, in this episode, offers great insight into why this is and more importantly, what you can do to stop this happening to yourself, your team and your organisation and continue to lead effectively. KEY TAKEAWAYS Even team members who appear to be engaged can struggle with making decisions The uncertainty of the world, particularly economically adds complexity to decision making and this can impact individuals' confidence, even those who are experienced. It’s easy to make decisions when you are in your comfort zone but disruption and innovation never comes from comfort, you have to learn to make tough decisions. To eliminate the fear of decisions you need to eliminate blame culture If you put off making decisions, you still have to make them eventually but instead under more pressure and stress. Build a culture of openness, transparency and where people feel they can speak up and make mistakes, and then people will make fast and innovative decisions. Are there ways you can reduce the pressure your team is feeling from you? If you can reduce the pressure you are giving, your team will feel more at ease with making decisions BEST BITS “They participate, but when it’s time to make decisions, they step back” “It’s easy to make a decision in your comfort zone” “Think about the culture you build, there could be something there” “Culture and pressure have an important role in the ability of people to make decisions”  LEARNING MOMENTS  01:20: Why Team Members Are Struggling to Make Decisions 02:20: Staying Within Your Comfort Zone 03:01: Fear Stops Decisions 05:58: Are we helping our leaders operate in tough conditions? 06:55: The Two Ways to Stop The Fear of Decision Making VALUABLE RESOURCES Like the show? Make sure to leave a review on your favourite podcast platform! For more information on Andrea’s work and access to other valuable resources, please visit the website and connect with him on LinkedIn ABOUT THE HOST My name is Andrea Petrone. I’m a Human Performance and Leadership Advisor, Executive Coach and International Speaker. I help leaders and their teams change their mindsets and master their leadership capabilities so they can achieve extraordinary performance. I've been in the corporate world for more than 20 years working globally - in 6 countries and 3 continents - for medium-large companies.      

Organizations are unlearning how to think systematically. They face higher complexity than in the past but - instead of trying to make sense of their problems in terms of wholes - they split them down into parts. This is how they reinforce unconsciously silos over unity. They look at one problem without understanding the wider relationships of each part. In episode 077 of my podcast, 'The World Class Leaders Show,' I discuss about the ways organizations are learning to think as a system.    By listening to this podcast episode, you will learn more about: (02:12) The Problem With Silos-Driven Organizations (03:35) Iceberg Model of Michael Goodman (05:36) How Can You Apply the Iceberg Model in Your Organization? (09:04) Thinking Systematically     Let me know your thoughts or share your comments via LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/andreapetrone or via email at Andrea@andreapetrone.com.   Like my show? Please leave or write a review on your favorite podcast platform.   For more information on my work and access to other valuable resources, please visit the website at https://www.andreapetrone.com.   If you don’t want to miss any episode and receive the full article in your inbox, subscribe today to our blog here: https://www.andreapetrone.com/blog. Need more? Book a 30 min call here: https://calendly.com/andreapetrone/strategy-call-30.   Read the article related to this podcast: https://www.andreapetrone.com/how-to-think-systematically-in-silos-driven-organizations/

How do you stay focused on your new journey, take control of your future and be the business leader you strive to become? For episode 076 of my podcast, ‘The World Class Leaders Show,’ I invited Massimo Calvelli, CEO of ATP Tour ( Association of Tennis Professionals) and former professional tennis player. Massimo Calvelli began serving as ATP CEO in January 2020. The highly experienced Italian has been instrumental in driving a new strategic plan for the ATP that delivers some of the most radical reforms since the organization’s inception. Prior to ATP, Calvelli was employed by Nike, where he oversaw all aspects of global tennis sports marketing and led negotiations with many of the sport's global icons. By listening to this podcast episode, you will learn more about:   (02:50) Massimo’s Transition From Tennis to the Business World (05:00) Adapting to Change during the Pandemic (09:45) ATP Tour and its future (16:34) Important Aspect of Being an Effective CEO (20:01) Challenges as a CEO of an Organization (25:20) Formula of Changing Mindset in a Fast-Changing Environment (31:58) Similarities of Athletes and Business Leaders' Life (37:05) Mindset Element   Links: Website: https://www.atptour.com/en/players/massimo-calvelli/c372/overview LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/massimo-calvelli/?originalSubdomain=uk   Mentioned: The Memoirs of Adrian by Marguerite Yourcenar The Meditations by Marcus Aurelius    Let me know your thoughts, or share your comments via LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/andreapetrone or via email at Andrea@andreapetrone.com.   Like my show? Please leave or write a review on your favorite podcast platform.   For more information on my work and access to other valuable resources, please visit the website at https://www.andreapetrone.com.   If you don’t want to miss any episode and receive the full article in your inbox, subscribe today to our blog here: https://www.andreapetrone.com/blog Need more? Book a 30 min call here: https://calendly.com/andreapetrone/strategy-call-30     Read the article related to this podcast: https://www.andreapetrone.com/massimo-calvelli-ceo-of-atp-tour-on-staying-focused-during-change/

How do you ask people to change their behaviors?   In my experience, leaders often give feedback to people without being specific. They tend to say things like: "I want you to be less arrogant," or "I want you to have a more entrepreneurial spirit," and so on—without backing up their statements with any solid evidence of what they mean by those words. For this episode of ‘The World Class Leaders Show,’ I will share specific tips and actions on giving feedback to people and their wrong behavior. And hopefully, it can give you ideas on how to use these specific feedback tips in order to make positive changes in their behavior.   By listening to this podcast episode, you will learn more about: (01:53) Underestimating the Importance of Giving Clear Feedback (03:04) When It Comes to Behaviors, Specificity Is Important (04:33) How to Share Specific Feedback on Behavior? (05:14) Why Specificity Is Critical in Giving Feedback? (06:46) Why Leaders Need to Give Specific Feedback   Links: Let me know your thoughts, or share your comments via LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/andreapetrone, or via email at Andrea@andreapetrone.com. Like my show? Please leave or write a review on your favorite podcast platform. For more information on my work and access to other valuable resources, please visit the website at https://www.andreapetrone.com If you don’t want to miss any episode and receive the full article in your inbox, subscribe today to our blog here: https://www.andreapetrone.com/blog Need more? Book a 30 min call here: https://calendly.com/andreapetrone/strategy-call-30   Read the article related to this podcast: https://www.andreapetrone.com/how-to-ask-people-to-change-their-behaviours/

Some of the world’s most powerful businesswomen are quitting. Last week, YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki, announced she is leaving the company to start a new chapter and follow her passion. Likewise, Meta's chief business officer Marne Levine is stepping down after 13 years with the company in order to “recharge and prioritize some quality time with family” before beginning her “next professional chapter.”  As a huge sponsor of women sitting at the top table, I feel that gender equality might become just a wishful thinking. Something good only for corporate branding and PR stunt. For episode 070 of my podcast, ‘The World Class Leaders Show’, I invited Verona Frankish CEO of Yopa, an award-winning estate agency in the UK backed by some of the biggest names in the property industry, to discuss how a female CEO can thrive in a male-dominated industry. She also demonstrates that leading a purpose-driven organization isn’t only a case of setting goals and making tough decisions, but also of building trust with your team and customers.    By listening to this podcast episode, you will learn more about: (02:22) The Benefit of Having Careers in Different Industry ( 04:52) Things Every First-time CEO Should Hear (10:52 ) What Is Yopa & Its Future (17:48) Challenges CEO Faced in Leading Organization (26:56) How To Operate Better as a Team  (28:37) How To Succed as a Mother And A Leader  (30:41) A Female Ceo’s Tips to Success in a Male-dominated Industry (34:35) Misconceptions About CEOs (38:05) Verona’s Big Learning in Her Career (34:35) Things She Wish She Done Differently (34:35) Learning Source That Shaped Her Life and Career   Links: Website: https://www.yopa.co.uk LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronafrankish Twitter: Verona Frankish (@Verona_F)   Mentioned: The Chimp Paradox by Prof Steve Peters The Infinite Game - Simon Sinek The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett   Let me know your thoughts or share your comments via LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/andreapetrone, or via email at Andrea@andreapetrone.com. Like my show? Please leave or write a review on your favorite podcast platform. For more information on my work and access to other valuable resources, please visit the website at https://www.andreapetrone.com If you don’t want to miss any episode and receive the full article in your inbox, subscribe today to our blog here: https://www.andreapetrone.com/blog Need more? Book a 30 min call here: https://calendly.com/andreapetrone/strategy-call-30   Read the article related to this podcast:  

Success Always Leaves Footprints I had a lot of reflections lately about my personal career on how I became a CEO at 35 years old, which is honestly remarkable. It's been really a fast-track career. So many clients ask me How can I go further in my career? How can I step in? How can I elevate myself? How can I become a CEO myself? Here are some footprints to help you on your journey toward success. For this episode of ‘The World Class Leaders Show,’ I will share tips and pieces of advice, and I put them all together in one single episode and see whether they resonate with you. And hopefully, they can give you some ideas on how you can actually progress in your career because we all have blind spots. So maybe one of these five areas going to share with you today is going to be more useful than others.    By listening to this podcast episode, you will learn more about: (05:06) Lesson #1: I Didn’t Really Choose an Easy Path (07:07) Lesson #2: I Look For Challenges and Trouble (08:18) Lesson #3: I Help My Boss To Succeed (09:37) Lesson #4: I Build My Professional Network From Day One (11:21) Lesson #5: I Never Became Complacent   Links: Let me know your thoughts or share your comments via LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/andreapetrone, or via email at Andrea@andreapetrone.com. Like my show? Please leave or write a review on your favorite podcast platform. For more information on my work and access to other valuable resources, please visit the website at https://www.andreapetrone.com If you don’t want to miss any episode and receive the full article in your inbox, subscribe today to our blog here: https://www.andreapetrone.com/blog Need more? Book a 30 min call here: https://calendly.com/andreapetrone/strategy-call-30

The success of the company depends largely on how well its CEO creates a work environment that can drive innovation and productivity. Employees often look to the CEO for creating and maintaining the culture of their organization. So then, as a CEO, you have the power to make an impact. But how do you set your company on the right path? For episode 072 of my podcast, ‘The World Class Leaders Show’, I invited Jason Salfi. He is the Co-founder and CEO of Dimensional Energy, a revolutionary company that makes sustainable fuels and products from carbon dioxide and renewable energy.  Salfi has served as an Innovation Advisor for New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). In 1997 Salfi founded Comet Skateboards, a founding B Corporation he licensed in 2014. His experience as a manufacturer led him to consult on product design standards and acquisition strategy, building profitable and regenerative business models for a market-leading fortune 500 company from 2015-2017 before founding Dimensional Energy.   By listening to this podcast episode, you will learn more about: (01:51) Jason’s Definition of Impact (05:27) The Idea Behind Dimensional Energy  (10:48) How to build the Future of the Business  (14:25) How Jason’s Leadership Has Changed? (17:34) Dealing With the Transition From Founder to CEO (20:46) How To Protect Your Culture While Growing (26:25) Working With a Co-founder and the Importance of Collaboration (29:56) What Is the Biggest Misconception About Being a CEO? (35:39) Being Open to Mentorship and Mentors (38:35) What Would You Have Done Differently Across Your Career? Links: Website: http://www.dimensionalenergy.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonsalfi/  Book Mentioned: “The Ministry for the Future” by Kim Stanley Robinson “Parable of the Talents” by Octavia E. Butler Let me know your thoughts or share your comments via LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/andreapetrone, or via email at Andrea@andreapetrone.com. Like my show? Please leave or write a review on your favorite podcast platform. For more information on my work and access to other valuable resources, please visit the website at https://www.andreapetrone.com If you don’t want to miss any episode and receive the full article in your inbox, subscribe today to our blog here: https://www.andreapetrone.com/blog Need more? Book a 30 min call here: https://calendly.com/andreapetrone/strategy Read the article related to this podcast: https://www.andreapetrone.com/How to Make an Impact as a CEO with Jason Salfi/

As a Leader, you may have asked yourself, "why do some businesses achieve extraordinary results while ours don't?" If so, it's probably because the answer to this question lies in the gap between where we are today and where we want our business to be. In this episode of ‘The World Class Leaders Show,’ your host, Andrea Petrone, talks about what is needed to achieve extraordinary results in business and why we should focus on the gap. He also talks about how Leaders look at impossible things as an opportunity and shift it to build the future we want.   By listening to this podcast episode, you will learn more about: (03:13) Why do some Leaders don’t get extraordinary results? (06:50) How Bold Leaders Think (08:53) How to Become a Bold Visioner ( 10:21) Limitations of a SWOT Analysis   Links: Let me know your thoughts, or share your comments via LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/andreapetrone or via email at Andrea@andreapetrone.com. Like my show? Please leave or write a review on your favorite podcast platform. For more information on my work and access to other valuable resources, please visit the website at https://www.andreapetrone.com If you don’t want to miss any episode and receive the full article in your inbox, subscribe today to our blog here: https://www.andreapetrone.com/blog Need more? Book a 30 min call here: https://calendly.com/andreapetrone/strategy-call-30   Read the article related to this podcast: https://www.andreapetrone.com/The Gap to Impossible Results/