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

The roles are reversed in this episode as Andrea is interviewed on the X-Factor podcast. Andrea dives deep into the high-stakes world of private equity leadership and shares invaluable insights on thriving under pressure, mastering mindset, and balancing strategy with execution.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Performance coaching is not about fixing weaknesses but enhancing abilities to succeed at a higher level, focusing on the connection between mindset, action, and performance. Successful leaders in uncertain environments must balance short-term results with long-term vision, dealing with ambiguity and creating a bold future while managing current challenges. In private equity-backed companies, leaders must make decisions quickly with limited information, trusting instinct and simplifying processes to avoid unnecessary complexity. Effective CXOs strike a balance between respecting their private equity board and confidently advancing their own ideas, fostering open communication and transparency. Execution is crucial in private equity environments, with boards expecting management teams to implement strategies effectively rather than just focusing on planning. Leaders must clearly communicate strategy throughout the organisation, ensuring collective ownership and empowering teams to execute efficiently. Mindset shifts are essential for high performance, allowing leaders to change their frame of reference and achieve extraordinary results. Building strong relationships with board members, including one-on-one connections, can lead to better support and involvement in strategic decisions. BEST MOMENTS "The only way to drive performance in any organisation, either for ourselves, for the business, is by, of course, changing our actions. But the only way to change our actions is by shifting our mindset." "Those leaders that will be able to work on a burning platform, meanwhile creating that future that is ambitious, is bold, is important for investors, is important as well for employees, they're going to succeed." "Good news [travels] fast, bad news [travels] faster. So transparency, openness, you're not going to do yourselves any favours by delaying shared information." "The reason why most of the time organisations really struggle to execute a strategy is because the strategy is not clear or because there are so many contradictory points in the strategy." "There is an expectation strategy is defined by the board, but the reality is the board is just waiting for the organisation to execute." VALUABLE RESOURCES Like the show? Please leave or write a review on your favourite podcast platform! The World Class Leaders Show YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC59dect0RJ5cuxIXsX7hCRw 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: 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 interviews Bob Neville, a global retail business expert with over 30 years of experience working with iconic brands like Adidas, New Balance, and Under Armour. Bob shares invaluable insights on creating emotional connections with consumers, the power of storytelling in branding, and the importance of leadership in shaping brand identity and culture. KEY TAKEAWAYS Emotional connection with consumers is crucial for brand success, going beyond superficial community-building to create genuine relationships. Storytelling is a powerful tool for brands to differentiate themselves and create meaningful connections with their target audience. Leadership plays a vital role in shaping brand identity and culture, with leaders needing to visibly embody the brand's values and purpose. Frontline employees are the true face of the brand, making it essential to empower and engage them in the company's mission and values. Understanding the "why" behind a brand's existence is crucial for creating authentic connections and standing out in a crowded marketplace. BEST MOMENTS "If you don't have a story to talk about, what do you have to talk about? It comes down to price. And then you, if you haven't got a story, it's discount. And that doesn't take you anywhere." "The CEO is not the most important person in the company. It's the person interacting with your consumer." "As a servant leader, we're there to create environments for success, both for your staff and for the consumers and your board." "If you're not growing, you know, was it, they say, if you're not growing, you're dying." "Process, operational efficiency, combined with emotional engagement, equals success." ABOUT THE GUEST BOB NEVILLE - GLOBAL RETAIL BUSINESS EXPERT WHO DRIVES PROFITABLE GROWTH Bob Neville has for the last 32 years worked all over the world with leading sports and footwear brands including amongst others adidas, New Balance and Under Armour. From redefining operational processes to increase profits, to building high performance and highly engaged teams, Bob really understands the customer experience. The strategic global retail leader has made a name for himself driving growth and innovation, whilst transforming the retail landscape.  Born in France, educated in the United Kingdom, currently residing between the United Kingdom and Hong Kong Bob has launched over 10,000 store concepts around the world. This experience has developed Bob’s keen understanding of global markets, and the specific nuances within cultures, worldwide. This wisdom only comes from spending extensive time physically immersed in various markets and sectors, gaining a global perspective of what it truly takes to drive growth and lead profitable businesses. Along with being a global business leader, Bob is also an active participant in creating a inclusive environment within the fashion apparel industry. Bob is a board member of Pride in Fashion (PIF), an NGO dedicated to supporting the LGBTQIA+ community. VALUABLE RESOURCES Like the show? Please leave or write a review on your favourite podcast platform! The World Class Leaders Show YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC59dect0RJ5cuxIXsX7hCRw 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: 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.

This week Andrea revisits a past episode, How To Preserve the Entrepreneurial Mindset in Your Organization. Andrea shares ‘the thing’ that keeps most CEOs he has had on the show up at night! He then discusses the four pieces of advice he would give to help tackle it. Andrea also gives an update on a network he is creating, drop him an email if you are interested in getting involved. KEY TAKEAWAYS As a company develops and grows, entrepreneurial spirit can be lost. Flexibility, agility and speed are all attributes of entrepreneurship that can get lost over time. Innovation can easily be downgraded as a priority as a company grows, looking to protect what already exists rather than generating new ideas and opportunities. Creating a culture that encourages risk and operates like a start-up is a way to continue to have an entrepreneurial spirit within your organisation. If you encourage employees to question existing ways of working then you will foster a culture focused around innovation. Try and identify one area in your organisation that if transformed, will have a big impact on your results. BEST MOMENTS "There is one thing that is quite consistent across the board” “As companies grow there’s definitely a tendency to get complacent” “You need to promote a culture that encourages risk taking” “There must be something somewhere that can be an incredible transformational element for the organisation” "That's what start-ups do, put the customer at the centre of their work...they have this relentless interest of creating value for the customers" VALUABLE RESOURCES Like the show? Please leave or write a review on your favourite 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.

In this episode, Andrea highlights the issue of double standards and their impact on your team. He talks about why double standards kill culture and how to prevent double standards from happening, talking about what you can do as a leader to foster a positive and respectful culture for all. KEY TAKEAWAYS Double standards occur when different sets of principles are applied to similar situations, particularly in regards to behaviour. Double standards erode trust in leadership and demoralise teams. Define clear behavioural expectations for your entire team. Leaders have to adhere to the highest standard of behaviour, leading by example always. Organisations can find it difficult to focus on behaviours, instead favouring performance and short-term goals. Creative an environment where people feel like they can come to you to talk about poor behaviour. Reward the right behaviours in your team, don’t take it for granted. BEST MOMENTS "Bad behaviour is bad behaviour, no matter who does it” “Double standards really kill culture” “Leaders must model the behaviour they expect from their team” VALUABLE RESOURCES Like the show? Please leave or write a review on your favourite podcast platform! The World Class Leaders Show YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC59dect0RJ5cuxIXsX7hCRw 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: 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 engages in a thought-provoking discussion with Ken about the challenges and opportunities faced by CEOs in today's corporate landscape. Andrea shares valuable insights from his extensive experience coaching senior leaders, revealing the secrets to breaking silos, building trust, and becoming a visionary leader. KEY TAKEAWAYS CEOs must create a bold future by design, envisioning a purpose-driven future that goes beyond incremental improvements to make a significant impact on society and leave an extraordinary legacy. Breaking silos requires bringing different perspectives together, creating an environment of trust and transparency, and fostering a sense of collective ownership among team members. Successful CEOs act as orchestrators and integrators, focusing on the human element of business and understanding the psychology of their team members to drive performance. Mindset is crucial for effective leadership; instead of pushing people to change their actions, leaders should focus on shifting people's frames of reference to enable them to see new possibilities. Transparency and authenticity are essential for building trust and getting people to buy into the leader's vision, even in the face of ambiguity and uncertainty. CEOs must be willing to make faster decisions, especially when it comes to changing people in the leadership team, rather than waiting for perfect information. Financial performance is the primary driver for replacing CEOs, but those with strong people skills may be given more time to turn things around. The future of leadership requires a different approach, focusing on empowering people, dealing with the human element of business, and creating an environment where people can thrive. BEST MOMENTS "Business is made by humans. So, if you really want to be a great leader, you need to understand how psychology works. You need to understand how dealing with humans, which again, it sounds like banal, right, but it's just the basics." "When you work in a unit, it's in that way when people are so much, you know, committed with each other and had their own back. Gosh, it's an amazing place to work for exactly." "Trust your gut feeling sometimes because you are experienced, you know, if you have been a leader for many, many years, as most of CEOs had as an experience." "Human CEOs or people-centred CEOs, they're running the risk of over, again, talking about bias or dealing with their own optimism bias that people can, can achieve at some point." "I know it's unbiased, but to me, I have a really compassionate about their life and what they're, what they're doing. Again, writing my book, it's early days, but will be available end of the 2024." VALUABLE RESOURCES Like the show? Please leave or write a review on your favourite podcast platform! The World Class Leaders Show YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC59dect0RJ5cuxIXsX7hCRw 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: 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.

Europe. Giorgia shares her fascinating insights on leadership in times of uncertainty, the importance of adaptability, and fostering a culture of trust and inclusivity. With her extensive experience leading global teams, Giorgia offers valuable advice for current and aspiring leaders looking to navigate the challenges of the modern business landscape. KEY TAKEAWAYS Effective leadership in times of uncertainty requires anticipating change, reading market signals, and being mentally prepared for surprises while maintaining a clear vision and purpose. Fostering a culture of trust, empathy, and authenticity is crucial for attracting and retaining top talent in today's competitive market. Consistently achieving small goals and celebrating successes helps build resilience and momentum towards a long-term vision. Embracing diversity of thought and actively listening to different perspectives leads to better decision-making and understanding in multicultural teams. Encouraging people to step out of their comfort zone and supporting them through challenges can lead to extraordinary growth and performance. Senior leaders must challenge their unconscious biases and promote this practice throughout their organisation to create a fair and respectful work environment. The energy transition and digital transformation are reshaping the job market, requiring leaders to embrace new skills and adapt their business models accordingly. Empowering and trusting teams, even when facing uncertainty, can lead to outstanding results and a willingness to go the extra mile. BEST MOMENTS "Being a senior leader in a global or in a big organisation requires the ability to anticipate, the ability to read the signals of the market from multiple angles and multiple dimensions." "If you force yourself, and then after a while, it becomes like an addiction, I'm really curious. And so I ask myself a lot of questions, and then I read, but also I ask opinion to people, and I really listen." "People, any people, including already CEOs, they need to think about themselves and their organisation as in transition, and now more than ever." "When I'm able to trigger in people an extra, the willingness to go the extra mile, the willingness to really apply themselves to a level that they don't even know themselves they are capable of, and when I'm able to do that, I'm super proud." "All of us have unconscious bias. [...] Senior leaders again have an important role to equip leaders, middle management, to make sure that they protect themselves from unconscious bias because it can really [hurt] people." ABOUT THE GUEST Giorgia Arnaboldi is Vice President of Shell Energy Europe, the division within Shell Group that is focused on developing and growing fully integrated lower carbon energy offerings to help customers and Shell to decarbonise and meet their net-zero emissions targets. Before, she has been CEO of Shell Energy Deutschland, based in Hamburg, where she successfully led the end to end in country activities and spearheaded the development of a renewed Northwest Europe strategy and transformation program. Being in Shell since 2001, she has covered several commercial, marketing & strategy, business development roles in Shell Lubricants, Commercial Fuels and Shell Energy Trading. Giorgia holds a master’s degree in Management Engineering from Polytechnic of Milan and the OUBEP Programme certificate from Oxford University. She has a family with 2 children and has lived with them in Madrid, Hamburg and London while performing business for Shell. VALUABLE RESOURCES Like the show? Please leave or write a review on your favourite podcast platform! The World Class Leaders Show YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC59dect0RJ5cuxIXsX7hCRw 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: 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.

Complacency is a risk for any CEO. In this episode, Andrea discusses how CEOs can prevent themselves from becoming complacent. He talks about how to identify signs of complacency and what steps can be taken to prevent or reverse it. KEY TAKEAWAYS Success can breed complacency, being competent can mean you become too comfortable with your existing knowledge and routine Every leader should be aware of the risks of becoming complacent You need to create a learning agenda for yourself with a plan and goals to keep you motivated and to continue growth An insular perspective can drive complacency. An outside perspective can allow leaders to see their role differently. Plan for the future and growth to prevent complacency. BEST MOMENTS “Complacency really often arises when leaders become too comfortable with their existing knowledge and routines” “Do you have a learning agenda?” “When leaders become too focused on internal processes, conditions and culture they often miss external opportunities” “Complacency can set in when an organisation becomes overly reliant on its current success” VALUABLE RESOURCES Like the show? Please leave or write a review on your favourite podcast platform! The World Class Leaders Show YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC59dect0RJ5cuxIXsX7hCRw 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: 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.  

In this episode, Andrea introduces a different mindset to help your people execute your strategy. He talks about the difference between accountability and ownership and how to implement lasting changes in how your team works. KEY TAKEAWAYS Accountability doesn’t always mean people are doing what they should be. Decisions are avoided, information isn’t shared and opportunities are missed when there isn’t proper ownership. The key to getting results is having people own those results. Ownership is driven by intrinsic motivation, so it is something that is a personal choice that is purpose driven by the individual. The key is to get your team motivated and to buy into the results you want to achieve. Results are a by product of how people talk, the language they use and how things are communicated.  BEST MOMENTS “Accountability is a bit of a lip service” “Part of performance is to some extent, make sure you do what you’re supposed to do” “I don’t believe results is actually making people accountable” “Ownership is driven by intrinsic motivation” “It’s rewarding behaviour it’s not rewarding goals” VALUABLE RESOURCES Like the show? Please leave or write a review on your favourite podcast platform! The World Class Leaders Show YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC59dect0RJ5cuxIXsX7hCRw 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: 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.

Do you struggle to step out of your comfort zone? Join Andrea in this episode as he reveals the most impactful strategy to help you become ‘powerfully uncomfortable!’ He explores the science behind comfort zones, feelings of panic and how to overcome your brain’s automatic response to comfort and stress. KEY TAKEAWAYS Staying in your comfort zone feels good. Your brain wants you to remain in situations that are low risk, that feel known and comfortable. If you don’t step outside your comfort zone then you are limiting your potential and you cannot grow. People often stay within their comfort zone or take big leaps and end up in the ‘panic zone’ where they are unable to sustainably reach their goals. Operate in a learning zone of a 25% increase. This means you do tasks that are 25% more challenging than what you are already doing. This makes the task achievable whilst still stretching your abilities. If you continue to operate at this 25% increase, you will continue to grow. BEST MOMENTS "It feels to stay where we are, it’s good to be in a comfort zone” “Our old brain, It prevents us from taking risks, it’s trying to protect us” “Rather than calling them as possibilities we see them as just impossible dreams” “You are trying to do something that is possible, achievable and requires a good level of stretch” VALUABLE RESOURCES Like the show? Please leave or write a review on your favourite podcast platform! The World Class Leaders Show YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC59dect0RJ5cuxIXsX7hCRw 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: 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 Petrone shares his 10 life principles that have guided him on his personal and leadership journey. These principles, ranging from being unapologetically yourself to embracing gratitude, are not only essential for personal growth but also for becoming an authentic and impactful leader. Join Andrea as he explores each principle, offering insights and inspiration to help you become the best version of yourself. KEY TAKEAWAYS Authenticity is your superpower as a leader; don't hide behind a mask, and be proud of who you are. Integrity is crucial for building trust. Honour your commitments and be a person of your word. Purpose creates passion and accelerates motivation so align your actions with your purpose to stay on track. Kindness is a rare but valuable trait in leaders. Small acts of kindness create joy and fulfilment for others. Pursue knowledge relentlessly; leaders who stop learning become complacent and stop winning. Empathy fosters connection and compassion. It’s important to strive to understand others' perspectives to build stronger relationships. Resilience enables you to bounce back stronger from challenges. View setbacks as opportunities for growth. Embrace ambiguity and uncertainty; develop the ability to thrive when things get muddy. BEST MOMENTS "Be unapologetically yourself. Who you are is a result of, to me, a deliberate choice you made along the journey." "Trust is earned through unwavering honesty and moral values, but more importantly, when you really honour your commitment, your word." "Seek real meaning in what you do. Cause purpose really creates passion, accelerates your motivation." "We live in a world where kindness is not, is a given, but it's not there. There are many people, especially in a leadership role, that are not kind with people." "Whatever you see in front of you, it's a world of possibilities if you approach it with the right mindset." VALUABLE RESOURCES Like the show? Please leave or write a review on your favourite podcast platform! The World Class Leaders Show YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC59dect0RJ5cuxIXsX7hCRw 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: 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.