Lancefield on the Line

What if the person who raised you was also the one who stole your sense of self?Parents should nurture, protect and believe in you, not distort your reality, drain your self-esteem and leave wounds no one else can see.In this episode I sit down with Kathleen Saxton, psychotherapist, entrepreneur and author of My Parent the Peacock. We go beyond the surface-level label of narcissism to uncover the full spectrum of behaviours, from the overtly grandiose to the quietly manipulative.This is not a conversation about blame, but about liberation. It’s about recognising what’s been taken from you, understanding why trying to change the narcissist will never work, and learning how to reclaim your voice, your boundaries and your future.If you’ve ever been made to doubt your own reality, whether by a parent, a partner or a leader, this episode could be the turning point.“You absolutely can recover.” – Kathleen SaxtonYou'll hear about:• How narcissistic parenting shapes identity and self-worth.• The long-term impact of emotional neglect and control.• Why recovery starts with recognising patterns of manipulation.• How to rebuild boundaries and personal agency.• The role of therapy in healing from family trauma.• Why self-compassion is critical in breaking the cycle.• How to navigate relationships after narcissistic abuse.• Practical steps to reclaim your voice and autonomy.About Kathleen Saxton:Kathleen is a fully qualified and accredited psychotherapist, executive coach, author and advisor and a registered member of both the UKCP & BACP. Kathleen trained in Psychotherapy and Counselling at Regents University and continued a further 5 years of study in Integrative and Humanistic psychotherapy and supervision at the renowned CCPE in London.Kathleen has practised at The Grove, The Priory, and for the British Performing Arts in Medicine organisations. In 2016, she co-founded her clinical practice called Psyched Ventures in London and NYC. Kathleen has written and published research and spoken on her unique blend of business, performance and mental health across the last 10 years. She is also a regular columnist for Stylist Magazine on the topic of leadership and psychology.Profile: https://tinyurl.com/42aah3fy Psychoeducation channel: https://tinyurl.com/bd8vxfzvServices: https://psychedventures.com/Book: https://tinyurl.com/ykzwsjahMy resources:Try my High-stakes meetings toolkit (https://bit.ly/43cnhnQ) Take my Becoming a Strategic Leader course (https://bit.ly/3KJYDTj)Sign up for my Every Day is a Strategy Day newsletter (http://bit.ly/36WRpri) for modern mindsets and practices to help you get ahead.Subscribe to my YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/3cFGk1k) where you can watch the conversation.For more details about me:●      Services (https://rb.gy/ahlcuy) to CEOs, entrepreneurs and professionals.●      About me (https://rb.gy/dvmg9n) - my background, experience and philosophy.●      Examples of my writing https://rb.gy/jlbdds)●      Follow me and engage with me on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/2Z2PexP)●      Follow me and engage with me on Twitter (https://bit.ly/36XavN

When the world is breaking apart what kind of leader do you need to be?With the environmental, technological and societal challenges we face our systems and playbooks can no longer be fit for purpose. So, who must we become to tackle the most pressing problems we are facing?My guest in this episode, Caroline Stokes, author of AfterShock to 2030 is trying to answer these questions. Her book is a wakeup call for leaders, arguing that if we want to thrive in the next five years, we must rewrite, not just tinker with the operating system of leadership.We explore how CEOs can use AI as an enhancement, as a multiplier, rather than a mask, and why neuroplasticity might just be able to help us with the meaning of life.There couldn’t be a more prescient, deeply personal conversation that is essential for leaders of today and tomorrow.So, what kind of leader are you going to be?“Hope is the first step.” – Caroline StokesYou'll hear about:• Why leading in systemic shocks requires a new operating system. • How hope becomes an antidote to global complexity and despair. • Why radical listening can transform organisational awareness and action. • The role of AI as a leadership multiplier, not a mask. • How to regulate your nervous system to lead under pressure. • Why pattern recognition is essential for navigating uncertainty. • The importance of extreme accountability in leadership teams. • How to leave behind outdated mindsets and legacy systems.About Caroline Stokes:A global leadership strategist for the 5th Industrial Revolution, Caroline Stokes is the author of AfterShock to 2030: A CEO’s Guide to Reinvention in the Age of AI, Climate, and Societal Collapse, a radical roadmap for leaders navigating our disruptive new reality.A Sony alum who contributed to the launch of PlayStation, and a PCC-level, EQ 2.0–certified coach, Caroline has evolved from executive headhunter to one of the few global authorities on psychological and strategic leadership reinvention. She works with founders, boards, and executive teams to build intelligent, sovereign, and trust-based systems aligned with the complexity of our time.She is also the author of Elephants Before Unicorns: Emotionally Intelligent HR Strategies to Save Your Company (Entrepreneur Press, 2019), a co-author in the HBR Guide to Navigating the Toxic Workplace (2024), and contributor to Coach Me! (Wiley, 2022). Her insights have been featured in Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, Forbes, Entrepreneur, and The Globe and Mail.Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ocarolinestokes/Book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FB5BKFGLMy resources:Try my High-stakes meetings toolkit (https://bit.ly/43cnhnQ)Take my Becoming a Strategic Leader course (https://bit.ly/3KJYDTj)Sign up to my Every Day is a Strategy Day newsletter (http://bit.ly/36WRpri) for modern mindsets and practices to help you get ahead.Subscribe to my YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/3cFGk1k) where you can watch the conversation.For more details about me:●      Services (https://rb.gy/ahlcuy) to CEOs, entrepreneurs and professionals.●      About me (https://rb.gy/dvmg9n) - my background, experience and philosophy.●      Examples of my writing https://rb.gy/jlbdds)●      Follow me and engage with me on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/

Chris Fenning, an award-winning author and communications expert, shares invaluable insights on mastering everyday communication. He emphasizes the importance of preparation and structured messaging to enhance clarity, especially in high-stakes settings. Fenning discusses the growing role of AI in communication, urging professionals not to overlook personal skills. He highlights the critical need for listening and thoughtful pauses for clearer conversations. Additionally, he addresses barriers created by jargon in leadership and the dynamics of communication in hybrid workplaces.

Do you know what your digital footprint is?We all know that overusing digital devices isn't good for us. But do we know the full extent of what we leave behind when we use our phones or laptops?In this episode I am joined by Professor Sandra Matz to discuss the digital footprints we leave for companies and other individuals to use. Sandra talks about the misuse of digital footprints and the actions we can take to take back control of it.We also explore what can be done to create regulation change in regard to the use of our data. A quite shocking but essential episode for all of us as we leave our digital trail in the world.“Don’t stop at what’s legal. Think about what’s ethical.”– Sandra MatzYou'll hear about:·      Digital footprints encompassing both explicit identity claims and behavioural residue.·      How people are often unaware of the extent of their digital footprints.·      Ways machine learning can provide insights into mental health and behaviour.·      How data can be used ethically to improve individual well-being.·      Why data considerations must be ethical as well as legal.·      Federated learning can protect user data while still providing insights.·      Regulation being necessary to protect personal data.·      Why collective action is essential for meaningful change in data regulations.  About Sandra Matz:As a computational social scientist with a background in psychology and computer science, Professor Sandra Matz studies human behaviour by uncovering the hidden relationships between our digital lives and our psychology. Her goal is to make data relatable, and help individuals and businesses make better and more ethical decisions. Over the last 10 years, she has published over 50 academic papers in the world’s leading peer review journals, and her work has been frequently covered by many of the major news outlets. She lives in New York with her husband Moran Cerf and her son Ben Cerf.• Profile: https://sandramatz.com/• The book ‘Mindmasters’: https://www.mindmasters.ai/• Personality Test: https://www.mindmasters.ai/mypersonality My resources:Try my High-stakes meetings toolkit (https://bit.ly/43cnhnQ) Take my Becoming a Strategic Leader course (https://bit.ly/3KJYDTj)Sign up to my Every Day is a Strategy Day newsletter (http://bit.ly/36WRpri) for modern mindsets and practices to help you get ahead.Subscribe to my YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/3cFGk1k) where you can watch the conversation. For more details about me:●      Services (https://rb.gy/ahlcuy) to CEOs, entrepreneurs and professionals.●      About me (https://rb.gy/dvmg9n) - my background, experience and philosophy.●      Examples of my writing https://rb.gy/jlbdds)●      Follow me and engage with me on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/2Z2PexP)●      Follow me and engage with me on Twitter (https://bit.ly/36XavNI)

Is your way of thinking limiting fresh ideas in your organisation?That dominant way of thinking you’re so used to could be doing more damage than good. Perhaps it’s time to find another way to enable innovation and growth amongst your team.In this episode I am joined by Rohit Bhargava, the man behind non-obvious thinking. Rohit tells us what non-obvious thinking is, and why it matters. He also gives you practical ways to develop it and how to use it to your own advantage.Rohit advocates for a world filled with open-minded individuals who can see beyond the obvious and challenge the status quo.Now that sounds like a world and a work place we should all aspire to.“What would the world be like if the opposite was true?”– RohitYou'll hear about:Why non-obvious thinking is essential in a world of conventional ideas.How fresh perspectives can lead to innovation and growth.The SIFT framework and how it helps in developing non-obvious thinking.Creating space being crucial for generating new ideas.Leading with empathy allows for understanding diverse perspectives.The ways AI can be used with non-obvious thinking.Engaging with out of the ordinary topics can spark new insights.About Rohit Bhargava:Rohit Bhargava is on a mission to inspire more non-obvious thinking in the world. He is the 3-time WSJ bestselling author of ten books on marketing, innovation, diversity and trends including his #1 bestseller Non-Obvious Megatrends. Rohit has been invited as a “non-boring” keynote speaker to event in 32 countries. He writes a monthly column for Inc magazine on non-obvious ideas. On a personal note, he loves the Olympics, actively hates cauliflower and is a proud dad of boys.Resources:• Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohitbhargava/• Books: https://rohitbhargava.com/books/• Non-obvious newsletter: https://rohitbhargava.com/subscribe/• Non-obvious insights blog: https://rohitbhargava.com/blog/My resources:Try my High-stakes meetings toolkit (https://bit.ly/43cnhnQ) Take my Becoming a Strategic Leader course (https://bit.ly/3KJYDTj)Sign up to my Every Day is a Strategy Day newsletter (http://bit.ly/36WRpri) for modern mindsets and practices to help you get ahead.Subscribe to my YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/3cFGk1k) where you can watch the conversation.For more details about me:●      Services (https://rb.gy/ahlcuy) to CEOs, entrepreneurs and professionals.●      About me (https://rb.gy/dvmg9n) - my background, experience and philosophy.●      Examples of my writing https://rb.gy/jlbdds)●      Follow me and engage with me on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/2Z2PexP)●      Follow me and engage with me on Twitter (https://bit.ly/36XavNI)

Do you struggle to move the dial on your organisation’s culture?Perhaps, the answer to your problems lies in the use of a tool that breaks from traditional methods to measure culture: AI.In this episode I am joined by Charlie Sull, a pioneer in the use of AI to understand, measure and evolve culture in organisations. Charlie shares culture measurement methods you can use with AI, that use employee language to provide concrete, measurable insights.Charlie emphasises the importance of top-down prioritisation to facilitate cultural change, and gives interesting data led insights into the impact of remote work on culture.This episode is for leaders at all stages of their career that are looking to transform culture, supercharge performance in your team, and use pioneering techniques to do so.“Cultural measurement tells you how to fix things.” – CharlieYou'll hear about:Why culture is a critical ingredient in any organisation's performance.How AI can effectively measure and evolve organisational culture.Traditional cultural measurement methods being outdated and ineffective.Remote work can have varying impacts on organisational culture.Caring about employees is fundamental to a strong culture.The fact top leadership buy-in is essential for cultural transformation.There is often a disconnect between espoused values and actual culture.Cultural change can happen more quickly than traditionally thought.About Charlie Sull:Charlie Sull is a globally recognized expert in corporate culture and AI. He is the co-creator of the most-read series in MIT Sloan Management Review history, Measuring Culture, with a readership of millions. His work has been featured on Brené Brown, the Economist, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, TIME, and many other leading media outlets.Charlie is the co-founder of CultureX, where he helped develop a new kind of artificial intelligence to measure and improve culture. At CultureX, he works with the top teams of many of the world’s leading firms, like AB InBev, HSBC, and H-E-B, and helps them improve their cultures using artificial intelligence.Resources:• Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-sull/• Services: https://www.culturex.com/• Culture Champions Series: https://blog.culturex.com/My resources:Try my High-stakes meetings toolkit (https://bit.ly/43cnhnQ) Take my Becoming a Strategic Leader course (https://bit.ly/3KJYDTj)Sign up to my Every Day is a Strategy Day newsletter (http://bit.ly/36WRpri) for modern mindsets and practices to help you get ahead.Subscribe to my YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/3cFGk1k) where you can watch the conversation.For more details about me:●      Services (https://rb.gy/ahlcuy) to CEOs, entrepreneurs and professionals.●      About me (https://rb.gy/dvmg9n) - my background, experience and philosophy.●      Examples of my writing https://rb.gy/jlbdds)●      Follow me and engage with me on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/2Z2PexP)●      Follow me and engage with me on Twitter (https://bit.ly/36XavNI)

Can AI improve your company’s strategy?A question that is more and more prescient in the modern world of today.In this episode I am joined by Graham Kenny, a prolific author, consultant and professor in all things strategy. In recent years he has also been experimenting with how far AI can help organisations design and implement winning strategies.Graham discusses the transformative role of AI in strategy formulation and execution. He emphasises the importance of stakeholder perspectives in defining strategy and shares an excitement for AI in being a fundamental part of this.We also explore how AI can enhance the execution strategy, specifically by developing sharper KPIs and using digital twins.AI is a tool that can help you win against the competition, are you using it to its full potential?“If people aren’t using AI for strategic analysis, they are missing the boat.” – GrahamYou'll hear about:●      How AI can significantly improve strategic thinking and execution.●      Understanding stakeholders is crucial for effective strategy.●      How AI serves as a powerful tool for analysis in strategic planning.●      Digital twins simulating organisational changes before implementation. About Graham Kenny:Graham Kenny is an internationally recognised expert in strategy and performance measurement. He writes regularly for the Harvard Business Review with over 50 articles, has written more than 70 articles for international journals and has authored six books.He is passionate about helping boards, executives and managers lead successful organisations in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. He has also enjoyed a successful academic career having been a Professor of Management in universities in the US and Canada.Resources: • Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gkkenny/• Services: https://strategicfactors.com/• Articles: https://strategicfactors.com/articles/ My resources:Take my new Becoming a Strategic Leader course (https://bit.ly/3KJYDTj)Sign up to my Every Day is a Strategy Day newsletter (http://bit.ly/36WRpri) for modern mindsets and practices to help you get ahead.Subscribe to my YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/3cFGk1k) where you can watch the conversation.For more details about me:●      Services (https://rb.gy/ahlcuy) to CEOs, entrepreneurs and professionals.●      About me (https://rb.gy/dvmg9n) - my background, experience and philosophy.●      Examples of my writing https://rb.gy/jlbdds)●      Follow me and engage with me on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/2Z2PexP)●      Follow me and engage with me on Twitter (https://bit.ly/36XavNI)

Has your job become all-consuming as a leader in your organisation?Whether it’s organisational transformation, doing big M&A deals or handling a crisis, your health and relationships can be the things most impacted.In this episode I am joined by Klaus Kleinfeld, former CEO of Siemens, and author of "Leading to Thrive." He emphasizes the importance of energy management for sustainable success, highlighting four energy sources: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.Leaders need to balance both work and personal life to thrive in their roles, while maintaining their well-being. Klaus explores how to do this through dual mastery of the inner and outer game of leadership.This conversation challenges orthodoxy and sets out a manifesto for aspiring and experienced leaders alike.“Too many leaders ignore themselves for too long. Then they burn out.” – KlausYou'll hear about:●      Making sure leadership isn’t all-consuming and impacting your health.●      How mastering the inner game involves managing energy and mindset.●      Trust and conflict management being vital for high-performing teams.●      Diversity should be tied to performance, not just a goal.●      Effective leadership cascades practices throughout the organization. About Dr. Klaus Kleinfeld:Dr. Klaus Kleinfeld is the only leader to have successfully served as CEO of two Fortune 500 giants on different continents: Alcoa in the US and Siemens in Germany. With a nearly forty-year career spanning multiple industries, from established businesses to tech startups, he has advised US presidents and global leaders across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.As the founder of K2Elevation, he invests in North American and European tech and biotech firms. Actively engaged in private sector, public affairs, and cultural boards, Dr. Kleinfeld, a dual US and European citizen, enjoys work, life, and family near New York. Resources:• Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/klauskleinfeld/• Book ‘Leading to Thrive’: https://www.leading-to-thrive.com/ My resources:Take my new Becoming a Strategic Leader course (https://bit.ly/3KJYDTj)Sign up to my Every Day is a Strategy Day newsletter (http://bit.ly/36WRpri) for modern mindsets and practices to help you get ahead.Subscribe to my YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/3cFGk1k) where you can watch the conversation.For more details about me:●      Services (https://rb.gy/ahlcuy) to CEOs, entrepreneurs and professionals.●      About me (https://rb.gy/dvmg9n) - my background, experience and philosophy.●      Examples of my writing https://rb.gy/jlbdds)●      Follow me and engage with me on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/2Z2PexP)●      Follow me and engage with me on Twitter (https://bit.ly/36XavNI)

So here we are, 100 episodes of Lancefield on the Line.To celebrate I am taking the opportunity to reflect on my journey as a podcast host, sharing insights gained from interviewing a diverse range of brilliant guests. I discuss what I have learned it takes to be a good podcast guest and host, as well as key areas we have covered in strategy, leadership and self-development.For the first time I also have questions fired back at me by some of my esteemed guests over the 100 episodes, where I offer further reflections on leadership and personal growth.Thank you to everyone involved in the last 100 episodes, the guests, the audience, my friends, supporters.I do hope you enjoy this episode. “The art of conversation is alive and kicking.” – DavidYou'll hear about:·      The Lancefield on the Line stats·      What it takes to be a great podcast guest·      What it takes to be a great podcast host·      4 big themes from 100 episodes·      Amy Gallo: Difficult conversations leaders are avoiding·      Josie Thomson: Leadership blind spots·      Tony Martignetti: Surprises in the evolution of the podcast·      Dina Denham Smith: What being a father of disabled child has taught me·      Dan Pontefract: The most challenging podcast interview·      Steven Rogelberg: The guest I'd most like to interview·      Scott D. Anthony: The connections between topics.·      Scott D. Anthony: What my guests miss·      Scott D. Anthony: My power question·      Michael Bungay Stanier: My hardest strategy and leadership lesson·      Paolo Gallo: Three takeaways from 100 episodes·      Melody Wilding: How my leadership philosophy has changed over 100 episodes ·      Costas Markides: Why CEOs don't do what they know they should do·      The most surprising, moving, intimidating episodes·      The bloopers and mistakesAbout David Lancefield:David is the founder of Strategy Shift. He’s worked with more than 50 CEOs and hundreds of others C-Suite executives to design bold strategies, supercharge their leadership, and transform their culture in 20 countries. He’s a contributor to Harvard Business Review, MIT Sloan Review, and Strategy+Business, and a guest lecturer at the London Business School. He is a former senior partner in Strategy&, PwC.Resources:• Strategy Shift: https://strategyshift.co.uk/• Profile: https://strategyshift.co.uk/founder/• Newsletter: https://davidlancefield.com/newsletter/• Courses: https://strategyshift.co.uk/courses/• Writing: https://davidlancefield.com/writing/• YouTube: http://bit.ly/3cFGk1kFor more details about me:●      Services (https://rb.gy/ahlcuy) to CEOs, entrepreneurs and professionals.●      About me (https://rb.gy/dvmg9n) - my background, experience and philosophy.●      Follow me and engage with me on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/2Z2PexP)●      Follow me and engage with me on Twitter (https://bit.ly/36XavNI)

Does your boss value everything you do?They should see it, get it, and tell us they appreciate it. But they don’t.Managing upwards could be the solution you need. It will help you perform at your best, and importantly, progress your career.My guest in this episode Melody Wilding, author of Managing Up, shares her research and experience on how to do this skilfully. She emphasises the need for employees to align with their bosses, understand different management styles, and communicate effectively.Melody gives insights into how you can convey information deftly, and navigate difficult conversations, such as how to get that raise that you’re after.This episode is packed full of tips about situations you'll find yourself in every day. So get ready to take notes.“Managing up is not about sucking up” – MelodyYou'll hear about:Why managing upwards is essential for career progressionHow understanding your boss's priorities can enhance your work alignment.Building a support network is crucial for effective upward management.The best ways to handle compensation discussions.About Melody:Melody Wilding is the bestselling author of Trust Yourself: Stop Overthinking and Channel Your Emotions for Success at Work and Managing Up: How to Get What You Need from the People in Charge (March 2025).As an award-winning executive coach, for more than a decade she’s helped top performers at the world’s most successful companies — including Google, JP Morgan, and Verizon — to find their professional power position, the sweet spot where confidence and influence meet. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and dozens of other respected publications. She’s a regular contributor to Harvard Business Review, Forbes, Fast Company, and MSNBC.Resources:Book 'Managing Up' - https://managingup.com Scripts to say no at work - https://melodywilding.com/sayno My resources:Take my new Becoming a Strategic Leader course (https://bit.ly/3KJYDTj)Sign up to my Every Day is a Strategy Day newsletter (http://bit.ly/36WRpri) for modern mindsets and practices to help you get ahead.Subscribe to my YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/3cFGk1k) where you can watch the conversation.For more details about me:●      Services (https://rb.gy/ahlcuy) to CEOs, entrepreneurs and professionals.●      About me (https://rb.gy/dvmg9n) - my background, experience and philosophy.●      Examples of my writing https://rb.gy/jlbdds)●      Follow me and engage with me on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/2Z2PexP)●      Follow me and engage with me on Twitter (https://bit.ly/36XavNI)