Are you feeling the weight of high-stakes decisions? Do you struggle to stay resilient when the pressure rises? In this episode, we’re diving into what sets great CEOs apart when it comes to thriving under pressure. For CEOs, pressure is a privilege. It’s a sign that you’ve reached a place where your actions matter—and where the stakes are high. But not every leader knows how to turn that pressure into progress. By the end of today’s episode, you’ll learn how to: Lead with purpose to keep yourself grounded Set boundaries to focus on what matters most Communicate honestly and promote a culture that values both performance and well-being. Listen now and learn how to lead in a high-pressure environment. - Like my work? Follow or connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreapetrone/ - Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.andreapetrone.com/newsletter/

Are you struggling to balance high performance with strong relationships in your workplace? Could you be overlooking key elements that are vital for a thriving culture? If you're seeking to create a workplace where success doesn’t come at the cost of people, you’re not alone. Many leaders aim to foster environments that support both individual and team achievements. This episode explores how to create a culture that values high performance while ensuring that every team member feels valued and respected. By tuning in, you will learn how to: Recognize people who make your workplace better by building strong relationships. Lead in a way that puts kindness and respect first. Define success as a team effort, not just individual achievements. Listen now and unlock the strategies you need to build a successful and supportive workplace where everyone can thrive! - Like my work? Follow or connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreapetrone/ - Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.andreapetrone.com/newsletter/    

Staying resilient as a leader isn’t just a skill, it’s a necessity. So how do you keep moving forward when everything around you seems uncertain? In today’s episode, I’m going to share five powerful strategies to help you stay resilient, focused, and confident when the going gets tough. Hi, I’m Andrea Petrone, and welcome to The World-Class Leaders Show. Over the past 20 years, I’ve worked closely with Fortune 500 CEOs and their leadership teams, helping them navigate uncertainty and lead through times of transformation. This podcast is all about giving you practical insights to help you lead better, perform better, and create a winning culture. If you’re serious about building resilience and leading through uncertainty, don’t forget to leave a review and subscribe so you never miss an episode. Now, let’s dive into the strategies that will keep you strong, no matter what comes your way. Episode Highlights ⤵ 00:00 Trailer 00:47 Introduction 01:46 1. Focus on what you can control 02:48 2. Cultivate a growth mindset 03:42 3. Prioritise your well being 04:41 4. Stay flexible and adaptable 05:42 5. Lean on your support network   Stay Updated: Subscribe to The World Class Leader Show https://shorturl.at/dMRp6   About Andrea Petrone: Andrea Petrone is a Performance and Executive Coach, Facilitator, and Speaker. He helps CEOs and their Leadership Teams to achieve breakthrough performance and build healthy organizations. Connect with Andrea Petrone: - Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreapetrone/   #Leadership, #CEO, #Advice, #Business, #Leadership, #Executive, #Tips, #Leadership, #Pitfalls, #CEO, #Challenges, #Business, #Success, #Leadership, #Skills, #Executive, #Leadership, #Leadership, #Development, #Business, #Growth, #Leadership, #Strategy, #Successful, #Leaders, #Leadership, #Mindset, #Success, #Insights, #Tips, #Journey, #Coaching, #Business, #Leaders, #CEOLife, #CEO, #Leadership,  #Ideas, #CEO, #Interviews, #Business, #Executive, #Mindset

In this episode of The World-Class Leader Show, Andrea Petrone sits down with Lindsey Ruth, an award-winning CEO who led a groundbreaking transformation at RS Group, pushing the company from the FTSE 250 to the FTSE 100 in record time. Known for his unique approach to leadership, Lindsey dives into the strategies that helped him turn a struggling business into an industry leader. But what exactly was his secret? For CEOs and aspiring leaders, Lindsey's story offers a fresh perspective on navigating high-stakes challenges. He shares surprising insights about why traditional CEO roles are evolving and reveals what it really takes to build a team that drives massive growth. Why does he believe that culture, not performance metrics, is at the heart of success? And how did he rally his team to embrace continuous improvement, even in uncertain times? This episode also explores a question many leaders face: how do you keep pushing boundaries when success is already within reach? Lindsey hints at the mindset and actions that kept him striving for more, never accepting the status quo. Could his approach to leadership inspire a new path forward in your own organization? Additionally, Lindsey opens up about the often-overlooked toll of leadership on health and family life. As CEOs deal with intense pressure, how do they protect their personal well-being and relationships? Lindsey offers candid reflections on the sacrifices made and how he found ways to balance it all. For leaders feeling the strain, his insights could reveal a path to not just success, but a sustainable and fulfilling leadership journey. Episode Highlights ⤵  Get out from behind your desk early on. Go meet frontline staff and ask for unfiltered perspectives on the business to inform your strategy. Culture change must come from within, not top-down mandates. Help people see the why before dictating the what. Buy-in beats forced compliance. Your staff are your top stakeholders. Tend to their wellbeing and engagement first so they can deliver for customers. Loneliness comes with the CEO job. Have an executive coach you trust as a sounding board for advice and accountability. Take smart risks when complexity abounds. Stay open to opportunities along with self-awareness to thrive. Reflect regularly by journaling pivotal leadership lessons. Review for continuous improvement. Stay Updated: Subscribe to The World Class Leader Show https://shorturl.at/E9WE7 Newsletter: https://shorturl.at/dMRp6 Follow Us for More Insights: - LinkedIn: https://shorturl.at/OUEwy - Spotify: https://shorturl.at/DSHUl -Apple: https://shorturl.at/JZAmQ About Andrea Petrone: Andrea Petrone is a Performance and Executive Coach, Facilitator, and Speaker. He helps CEOs and their Leadership Teams to achieve breakthrough performance and build healthy organizations. Before launching his advisory firm, Andrea held C-suite executive roles in energy, industrial and consulting for more than 20 yrs at the international level. He worked in six countries and three continents. Andrea works with clients from all over the world, from North America to Saudi Arabia. Andrea hosts the popular podcast "The World Class Leaders Show". In his podcast and YouTube channel, Andrea and his guests deconstruct the success of high-performance leaders, share their stories and teach the most effective strategies to move from average to greatness. Andrea is originally Italian and he lives in London, UK. Connect with Andrea Petrone: - Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreapetrone/ About Lindsley Ruth CEO & Board Member, Global Business Transformation Award-winning CEO and highly qualified industrial distribution executive Lindsley Ruth was most recently CEO of RS Group plc (formerly Electrocomponents plc), a global omni-channel solutions partner for industrial customers and suppliers, where he was responsible for improving the financial performance of the Group and instilling a renewed focus on putting the customer and supplier back at the heart of the business. He led the turnaround of the underperforming business and, working with the broader team, created a strong vision and purpose for the company leading the company from the FTSE250 to the FTSE100 in six years.   Lindsley increased sales by more than 300%, profit by more than 500% and increased the share price by more than 6X. #WorldClassLeaderShow #LeadershipInsights #LearningOrganizations #LeadershipExcellence #StrategicGrowth #ResilientLeadership #SmartRiskTaking #GlobalTalent #CEOInsights #IndustryInnovation #Cultureatwork

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 video, 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. Hi, I’m Andrea Petrone, and welcome to The World-Class Leaders Show. I’ve spent over 20 years helping CEOs and leadership teams from Fortune 500 companies navigate challenges and unlock their full potential. This podcast is all about sharing actionable insights to help you become a stronger, more effective leader. If you want to take your leadership and your team’s performance to the next level, don’t forget to like and subscribe to the channel. Let’s dive into the top leadership mistakes and how you can turn things around. Episode Highlights ⤵ 00:00 Trailer 00:28 Introduction 01:40 Micromanaging 03:38 Focusing on tasks, not people 05:25 Lack of clear direction 07:17 Episode summary   Stay Updated: Subscribe to The World Class Leader Show https://shorturl.at/E9WE7 Newsletter: https://shorturl.at/dMRp6 Follow Us for More Insights: - LinkedIn: https://shorturl.at/OUEwy - Spotify: https://shorturl.at/DSHUl -Apple: https://shorturl.at/JZAmQ About Andrea Petrone: Andrea Petrone is a Performance and Executive Coach, Facilitator, and Speaker. He helps CEOs and their Leadership Teams to achieve breakthrough performance and build healthy organizations. Before launching his advisory firm, Andrea held C-suite executive roles in energy, industrial and consulting for more than 20 yrs at the international level. He worked in six countries and three continents. Andrea works with clients from all over the world, from North America to Saudi Arabia. Andrea hosts the popular podcast "The World Class Leaders Show". In his podcast and YouTube channel, Andrea and his guests deconstruct the success of high-performance leaders, share their stories and teach the most effective strategies to move from average to greatness. Andrea is originally Italian and he lives in London, UK.   Connect with Andrea Petrone: - Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreapetrone/   #Leadership, #CEO, #Advice, #Business, #Leadership, #Executive, #Tips, #Leadership, #Pitfalls, #CEO, #Challenges, #Business, #Success, #Leadership, #Skills, #Executive, #Leadership, #Leadership, #Development, #Business, #Growth, #Leadership, #Strategy, #Successful, #Leaders, #Leadership, #Mindset, #Success, #Insights, #Tips, #Journey, #Coaching, #Business, #Leaders, #CEOLife, #CEO, #Leadership,  #Ideas, #CEO, #Interviews, #Business, #Executive, #Mindset

Andrea interviews Ujjwal Kumar, Group President of Teradyne Robotics, in an insightful conversation about turning organisations into powerful learning machines that drive performance. They discuss how past experiences at companies like General Motors and GE shaped Ujjwal's leadership approach centred on resilience, execution, and staying relentlessly focused on solving bigger problems. Ujjwal shares his vision for accelerated growth at Teradine through customer adoption, strategic investments in startups, and potential acquisitions. He stresses the importance of building a culture that encourages smart risk-taking and frames failures as learning moments rather than personal shortcomings. Episode Highlights ⤵  Draw talent with diverse perspectives from around the world to solve complex issues that benefit societies Transfer learnings across industries to spot patterns and common links between end markets Cultivate resilience through open communication and regularly confronting weaknesses or blind spots Avoid complacency even in market-leading positions by staying attuned to inevitable disruption Focus your career on depth of learning over job titles to build capabilities as an effective CEO Lead with humility and executive stamina to calmly connect with all stakeholders Stay Updated: Subscribe to The World Class Leader Show https://shorturl.at/E9WE7 Newsletter: https://shorturl.at/dMRp6 Follow Us for More Insights: - LinkedIn: https://shorturl.at/OUEwy - Spotify: https://shorturl.at/DSHUl -Apple: https://shorturl.at/JZAmQ About Andrea Petrone: Andrea Petrone is a Performance and Executive Coach, Facilitator, and Speaker. He helps CEOs and their Leadership Teams to achieve breakthrough performance and build healthy organizations. Before launching his advisory firm, Andrea held C-suite executive roles in energy, industrial and consulting for more than 20 yrs at the international level. He worked in six countries and three continents. Andrea works with clients from all over the world, from North America to Saudi Arabia. Andrea hosts the popular podcast "The World Class Leaders Show". In his podcast and YouTube channel, Andrea and his guests deconstruct the success of high-performance leaders, share their stories and teach the most effective strategies to move from average to greatness. Andrea is originally Italian and he lives in London, UK. Connect with Andrea Petrone: - Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreapetrone/ About Ujjwal Kumar Ujjwal Kumar is the Group President of Teradyne Robotics. The Teradyne Robotics Group includes Universal Robots (UR) and Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR), which build human-scale robotics, designed to work alongside people doing tasks that are dull, dirty, and even dangerous. Ujjwal has a 25-year career spanning multiple industries and major multi-national corporations, including General Motors, General Electric, and Honeywell. He has a Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business, a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maryland and Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology. #WorldClassLeaderShow #LeadershipInsights #RoboticsRevolution #LearningOrganizations #LeadershipExcellence #StrategicGrowth #ResilientLeadership #FutureOfWork #SmartRiskTaking #CustomerDrivenSuccess #GlobalTalent #CEOInsights #Teradyne #IndustryInnovation #HumilityInLeadership

If your team isn’t speaking up, don’t blame them—look in the mirror. The truth is, leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room. It’s about creating space for others to contribute and feel heard. In today’s video, I’m going to share five simple but powerful strategies to help you create an environment where your team feels encouraged to speak up and take ownership. These strategies start with you, not them. Hi, I’m Andrea Petrone, and welcome to The World-Class Leaders Show. I’ve spent over 20 years working with Fortune 500 CEOs and their leadership teams, helping them perform better and lead through transformation. In this podcast, we break down what makes world-class leaders successful and provide actionable insights to help you become a better leader. If you enjoy the content, don’t forget to like and subscribe so you don’t miss any of the practical leadership tips we’re sharing.   Episode Highlights ⤵ 00:00 Trailer 00:31 Introduction 01:08 Stop Dominating the Conversation 01:48 Ask Open-Ended Questions 02:28 Actively Listen 03:08 Create a Safe Environment 03:45 Step Back and Let Them Lead Stay Updated: Subscribe to The World Class Leader Show https://shorturl.at/E9WE7 Newsletter: https://shorturl.at/dMRp6 Follow Us for More Insights: - LinkedIn: https://shorturl.at/OUEwy - Spotify: https://shorturl.at/DSHUl -Apple: https://shorturl.at/JZAmQ About Andrea Petrone: Andrea Petrone is a Performance and Executive Coach, Facilitator, and Speaker. He helps CEOs and their Leadership Teams to achieve breakthrough performance and build healthy organizations. Before launching his advisory firm, Andrea held C-suite executive roles in energy, industrial and consulting for more than 20 yrs at the international level. He worked in six countries and three continents. Andrea works with clients from all over the world, from North America to Saudi Arabia. Andrea hosts the popular podcast "The World Class Leaders Show". In his podcast and YouTube channel, Andrea and his guests deconstruct the success of high-performance leaders, share their stories and teach the most effective strategies to move from average to greatness. Andrea is originally Italian and he lives in London, UK.   Connect with Andrea Petrone: - Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreapetrone/ #Leadership, #CEO, #Advice, #Business, #Leadership, #Executive, #Tips, #Leadership, #Pitfalls, #CEO, #Challenges, #Business, #Success, #Leadership, #Skills, #Executive, #Leadership, #Leadership, #Development, #Business, #Growth, #Leadership, #Strategy, #Successful, #Leaders, #Leadership, #Mindset, #Success, #Insights, #Tips, #Journey, #Coaching, #Business, #Leaders, #CEOLife, #CEO, #Leadership,  #Ideas, #CEO, #Interviews, #Business, #Executive, #Mindset

Have you ever wondered why some CEOs seem to effortlessly lead high-performing teams, while others struggle with endless meetings, stagnation, and frustration? The secret lies in how they build their executive teams. In this video, I'm going to share with you the key mistakes average CEOs make when structuring their leadership teams—and how great CEOs do it differently to drive results. If you’re a CEO looking to take your team and company to the next level, you can’t afford to miss this. Hi, I’m Andrea Petrone, and welcome to The World-Class Leaders Show. For over 20 years, I’ve worked closely with Fortune 500 and mid-cap companies, guiding leaders through times of uncertainty and transformation. In this podcast, I deconstruct the success of world-class CEOs and brilliant minds, sharing stories, lessons, and practical strategies to help you lead better and drive performance. If you’re serious about improving your leadership and building a high-performing team, make sure to subscribe to this channel so you don’t miss any of the actionable insights we share.   Episode Highlights ⤵ 02:18 – Introduction to How Great CEOs build winning Executive teams 02:40 – Mistakes CEOs make 02:50 – 1. Hiring people just like you 04:00 – 2. Surrounding Yourself with “Yes Men” or Old Friends 05:06 – 3. Rewarding Status Over Contribution 06:10 – 4. Making Your Team Too Big 07:15 - 5. Ignoring Cultural Fit for Skills 08:14 - Final thoughts   Stay Updated: Subscribe to The World Class Leader Show https://shorturl.at/E9WE7 Newsletter: https://shorturl.at/dMRp6 Follow Us for More Insights: - LinkedIn: https://shorturl.at/OUEwy - Spotify: https://shorturl.at/DSHUl -Apple: https://shorturl.at/JZAmQ About Andrea Petrone: Andrea Petrone is a Performance and Executive Coach, Facilitator, and Speaker. He helps CEOs and their Leadership Teams to achieve breakthrough performance and build healthy organizations. Before launching his advisory firm, Andrea held C-suite executive roles in energy, industrial and consulting for more than 20 yrs at the international level. He worked in six countries and three continents. Andrea works with clients from all over the world, from North America to Saudi Arabia. Andrea hosts the popular podcast "The World Class Leaders Show". In his podcast and YouTube channel, Andrea and his guests deconstruct the success of high-performance leaders, share their stories and teach the most effective strategies to move from average to greatness. Andrea is originally Italian and he lives in London, UK.   Connect with Andrea Petrone: - Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreapetrone/   #Leadership #CEOAdvice #BusinessLeadership #ExecutiveTips #LeadershipPitfalls #CEOChallenges #BusinessSuccess #LeadershipSkills #ExecutiveLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #BusinessGrowth #LeadershipStrategy #SuccessfulLeaders #LeadershipMindset #ExecutiveSuccess #CEOInsights #LeadershipTips #LeadershipJourney #LeadershipCoaching #BusinessLeaders #CEOLife #CEOLeadership #Leadership Ideas #CEOInterviews #Business#ExecutiveMindset #Leadership 

In this episode, Mike Soutar, former CEO of the Evening Standard and renowned interviewer on BBC's The Apprentice, shares his career journey from journalism to executive leadership. Mike reflects on his early rise as editor of Smash Hits at 22 and how his adaptability and curiosity have driven his success. Mike opens up about how ego influenced his decision to take the CEO role at the Evening Standard, admitting that the allure of the title led to misalignment with the company's vision. This decision taught him the importance of aligning career choices with personal values rather than chasing status. Mike also discusses the pivotal role mentorship played in his growth, helping him navigate key transitions and develop as a leader. His story is a reminder that clarity, adaptability, and guidance are essential for long-term fulfillment. Episode Highlights ⤵  02:26 – Introduction to Mike Soutar  04:49 – From Journalism to CEO: Mike’s Early Career Journey  13:01 – Leadership and Decision-Making During the COVID-19 Crisis  16:01 – The Ego Trap: Why Mike Took the CEO Role  29:49 – Adapting to Change: Why Mike Stepped Down as CEO  34:39 – Finding Purpose Beyond Titles: Leadership Advice for CEOs Stay Updated: Subscribe to The World Class Leader Show https://shorturl.at/E9WE7 Newsletter: https://shorturl.at/dMRp6 Follow Us for More Insights: - LinkedIn: https://shorturl.at/OUEwy - Spotify: https://shorturl.at/DSHUl -Apple: https://shorturl.at/JZAmQ About Andrea Petrone: Andrea Petrone is a Performance and Executive Coach, Facilitator, and Speaker. He helps CEOs and their Leadership Teams to achieve breakthrough performance and build healthy organizations. Before launching his advisory firm, Andrea held C-suite executive roles in energy, industrial and consulting for more than 20 yrs at the international level. He worked in six countries and three continents. Andrea works with clients from all over the world, from North America to Saudi Arabia. Andrea hosts the popular podcast "The World Class Leaders Show". In his podcast and YouTube channel, Andrea and his guests deconstruct the success of high-performance leaders, share their stories and teach the most effective strategies to move from average to greatness. Andrea is originally Italian and he lives in London, UK. Connect with Andrea Petrone: - Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreapetrone/ About Mike Soutar Mike Soutar started his journalistic career at age 17, writing horoscopes for the elderly readers of a romantic fiction magazine in Dundee. In a turnaround of fortunes that not even he could foresee, Mike is now a portfolio director, investor and adviser, focused on technology, media, sport and the arts. Mike is the Non-Executive Director of Scotland’s leading design museum, the V&A in Dundee, and an Independent Director of SRL, the Board of the Scottish Rugby Union. He has served on the Boards of non-profit organisations including Comic Relief and IPSO, the Independent Press Standards Organisation. He is also a familiar face to viewers of BBC One’s The Apprentice where he has been an on-screen interviewer of the final candidates since 2011. This work led to the development of the team's concept, which is crucial for driving innovation in large organizations.  #LeadershipLessons #ExecutiveLeadership #CareerGrowth #MentorshipMatters #EgoInLeadership #Adaptability #CEOJourney #LeadershipClarity #BusinessLeadership #MikeSoutar #TheApprentice #CareerReflections #LeadershipInsights #PersonalGrowth  

Join us as we explore the transformative impact of executive coaching with Andrea Petrone. Gain essential strategies for navigating key leadership moments—from defining your direction to mastering transitions and overcoming performance challenges through mindset shifts. Whether you're focused on leadership development or enhancing your executive coaching knowledge, this episode offers powerful takeaways. Andrea shares how he helps leaders achieve breakthroughs with his unique approach, emphasizing the crucial role of mindset and self-awareness in leadership success. Episode Highlights ⤵ - 00.30 – Importance of Executive Coaching - 02:31 – Clarifying Future Direction - 06.16 – Transitioning into a New Leadership Role - 10:46 – Managing Personal Transition and the First 90 Days - 16.31 – Addressing Underperformance and Shifting Mindsets Stay Updated: Subscribe to The World Class Leader Show https://shorturl.at/E9WE7 Newsletter: https://shorturl.at/dMRp6 Follow Us for More Insights: - LinkedIn: https://shorturl.at/OUEwy - Spotify: https://shorturl.at/DSHUl -Apple: https://shorturl.at/JZAmQ About Andrea Petrone: Andrea Petrone is a Performance and Executive Coach, Facilitator, and Speaker. He helps CEOs and their Leadership Teams to achieve breakthrough performance and build healthy organizations. Before launching his advisory firm, Andrea held C-suite executive roles in energy, industrial and consulting for more than 20 yrs at the international level. He worked in six countries and three continents. Andrea works with clients from all over the world, from North America to Saudi Arabia. Andrea hosts the popular podcast "The World Class Leaders Show". In his podcast and YouTube channel, Andrea and his guests deconstruct the success of high-performance leaders, share their stories and teach the most effective strategies to move from average to greatness. Andrea is originally Italian and he lives in London, UK.   Connect with Andrea Petrone: - Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreapetrone/   #ExecutiveCoaching #LeadershipDevelopment #AndreaPetrone #LeadershipTransitions #MindsetShift #PerformanceImprovement #SelfAwareness #LeadershipJourney #PetroneAndPartners #CoachingInsights #CareerGrowth #BusinessLeadership #LeadershipTips #ProfessionalGrowth #LeadershipMindset