In this episode of Lead to Soar, Susan Colantuono interviews Anne Mulcahy, former CEO of Xerox, about leading through crisis and the realities of enterprise-level leadership.
Anne became CEO during one of the most turbulent periods in Xerox’s history. The company was facing severe financial distress and the real prospect of bankruptcy. Under her leadership, Xerox stabilised, rebuilt credibility with stakeholders, and returned to a positive revenue trajectory.
Rather than focusing on heroic narratives, the conversation examines the practical leadership judgement required when the stakes are high and the margin for error is narrow.
Key themes include:
Leading when financial survival is at stake
How credibility is established with boards, investors, and employees
Decision-making under pressure and with incomplete information
Accountability at the enterprise level
What senior leaders must prioritise when trust has been broken
This episode is relevant for women aspiring to executive leadership, senior leaders operating in complex organisations, and anyone interested in how leadership actually works in unstable conditions.
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