Lancefield on the Line

Immigrant entrepreneurs have an outsized impact in business and society.80% of billion dollar startups have founders or senior executives who are first or second generation immigrants. So, what can we learn from them?In this episode I am joined by Neri Karra Sillaman, author of Pioneers: 8 Principles of Business Longevity from Immigrant Entrepreneurs. Neri’s research shows that immigrant entrepreneurs have a unique ability to reframe failure. Something she has done herself as a refugee turned entrepreneur.Neri shares how constraints can be turned into an advantage for entrepreneurs as they look to blend their home and new cultures in the services and products they create.She underscores the importance of quality, community, and a focus on impact rather than personal gain. Lessons many leaders could learn to improve their organisations.“Immigrant entrepreneurs don’t hear “no” the way that you do” – Neri Karra SillamanYou'll hear about:• How immigrant entrepreneurs reframe failure as fuel for growth.• The role of community in building resilience and drive.• Why a clear, long-term vision sustains entrepreneurial momentum.• Why integrity and quality matter more than rapid scale.• The personal sacrifices behind building a meaningful business.• How cross-cultural identity becomes a strategic advantage.• The mindset shifts needed for true business longevity.About Neri Karra Sillaman:Neri Karra Sillaman is an author, advisor, and entrepreneur whose work focuses on business longevity, innovation, and impact. She is the author of Pioneers: 8 Principles of Business Longevity from Immigrant Entrepreneurs, recognized as one of Thinkers50’s Top 10 Best New Management Books in 2025. Neri was also named to the Thinkers50 Radar List as one of the 30 management thinkers shaping the future of work.As the founder of her luxury leather goods brand, a company established more than 25 years ago, she combines entrepreneurial experience with research-driven insight. Neri is an Entrepreneurship Expert at the University of Oxford and holds a PhD from the University of Cambridge.As a child refugee, she draws on her journey of resilience and adaptation to advise leaders on purpose, culture, and long-term success.Resources:Website: www.nerispeaks.comBook: https://amzn.to/45T5p4CProfile: https://tinyurl.com/34rf2rrxInstagram: https://tinyurl.com/3dupup2mMy 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)

Given the chance, how would you design an organisation from scratch?I bet it wouldn't look close to what we see in many established organisations. You’d want more autonomy, greater transparency and less bureaucracy. Well, what if that were possible?In this episode I am joined by Pim de Morree, Co-founder of Corporate Rebels, to explore self-managed organisations. Pim shares insights from his experience creating environments where employees thrive, and organisations excel, with not a manager in sight.Pim's expertise offers a masterclass in rethinking traditional management and embracing a future where work is both meaningful and impactful for all involved.So, are you ready to revolutionise how you lead and run your organisation?“Decentralised decision-making fosters innovation and agility in modern workplaces” – Pim de MorreeYou'll hear about:●      How self-managed organisations prioritise autonomy.●      The ways employees take ownership and lead without traditional hierarchical constraints.●      Why self-managed organisations see higher levels of employee engagement and satisfaction.●      Full transparency and accountability are critical.●      How decision-making distributed across teams can foster innovation and agility.●      The cultural shifts required to transition to a self-managed organisation. About Pim de Morree:Pim de Morree, co-founder of Corporate Rebels and Krisos, embarked on an entrepreneurial journey after leaving a frustrating corporate job. His passion for reimagining the workplace drove him to travel worldwide, studying pioneering organisations. He shares his insights on the Corporate Rebels blog, in books, and through their global platform for self-managing organisations.At Krisos, an impact fund, Pim and the team acquire traditional companies and transform them into forces for good. The award-winning firm is recognized for its innovative approach in combining self-management with alternative ownership structures, creating better jobs, more equality, and a systemic change in the role of business in society.Resources:• Profile: https://tinyurl.com/arv7c668• Masterclass: https://tinyurl.com/2kbmk56n• Newsletter: https://tinyurl.com/47r3tenc• Books: https://tinyurl.com/msfvwxtpMy 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)

Are you a night owl or a morning lark?For many of us the traditional working day just doesn’t suit our circadian rhythms. We’re called into a meeting or slumped over a desk at 8am but hyper focused as we’re about to leave the office and head home. What if work took our biological clocks into account?In this episode I am joined by Camilla Kring, author of Chrono leadership. We talk about the costs of rigidity in work patterns, and what it takes to develop smarter, more flexible arrangements.Camilla’s ideas are revolutionary; she talks about taking the bias away from the 5am club and creating better conditions in the workplace for all. Surely that is something we would all want to get behind.So, when do you perform at your best during the day?“Synchronise your work, family, and biological rhythms for real performance.” - CamillaYou'll hear about:·      How circadian rhythms dictate our natural sleep and wake cycles.·      Why understanding your chronotype can enhance productivity.·      The fact most people are not morning persons, yet workplaces favour early risers.·      How living out of sync with your internal clock can harm health.·      Flexibility in work hours can lead to higher productivity and well-being.·      Trust in employees being crucial for implementing flexible work schedules.·      Why synchronising work and family rhythms can improve life quality. More about Camilla:Camilla Kring, as the founder of Super Navigators, has dedicated the last 20 years to helping individuals navigate their lives and organisations create flexible and inclusive work cultures that accommodate different chronotypes and family structures. She has worked across Europe, China, Latin America and the Middle East with companies including Abbott, Medtronic, Roche and Novo Nordisk.Camilla's insights have been featured in the New York Times, the BBC and the Guardian. She is the author of six books and a TEDx speaker. She holds a Master of Science in Engineering and a PhD in work-life balance from the Technical University of Denmark (DTU). Resources:• Profile: https://www.camillakring.com/about-camilla/ • Book - Chronoleadership: https://www.camillakring.com/books/ • Supernavigators services: https://www.supernavigators.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)

So, picture this. You've just landed a new role at work, and you might have some transition time beforehand.How do you best prepare to start?In this episode, I am joined by Michael Watkins, author of The First 90 days and The Six Disciplines of Strategic Thinking. He provides insights into the intricacies of leadership transitions, emphasising the importance of understanding organisational culture, how to use strategic thinking, and look after yourself as you do.We also explore the demands of operating in a world of ecosystems and AI. I bet you'll find a treasure trove of stimulus right here, including practical tips, frameworks and real-life examples to help you in your first 90 days and beyond.“The best predictor of what people do in organisations is incentives” - Michael WatkinsYou'll hear about:·      Transition periods being a crucial time to prepare and plan your approach.·      Why understanding the organisational culture is essential for effective leadership.·      How culture transformation can be initiated quickly, but reshaping values takes time.·      Strategic thinking being vital, especially in challenging situations.·      The fact leaders must balance tactical and strategic thinking during transitions.·      How creating early wins can help establish momentum in a new role.·      Why organisations must adapt to operate effectively within ecosystems.About Michael Watkins:Michael D Watkins is Professor of Leadership and Organizational Change at IMD. He is a globally recognized leadership transitions expert and author of the best-selling book The First 90 Days: Proven Strategies for Getting Up to Speed Faster and Smarter. A Thinkers50-ranked management influencer, Watkins has developed proven frameworks and tools to help professionals navigate personal and organizational change challenges.He has spent the past two decades working with leaders as they transition to new roles, build their teams, and transform their organizations. In 2023, Watkins was inducted into the Thinkers50 Management Hall of Fame, which recognizes remarkable contributions to the realm of management concepts and ideas spanning many years.• Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldwatkins/ • Publications: https://www.imd.org/faculty/professors/michael-watkins/ • Services: https://www.genesisadvisers.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/36XavN

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)