Shows
From Where I Sit With Tom McGeeBuilding Faster in America. James Gallagher, CEO & Co-Founder, GreenLitePermitting may be one of the most overlooked challenges in commercial real estate development, but it has an outsized impact on how quickly communities can build housing, retail, infrastructure and industrial projects. In this episode of From Where I Sit, ICSC President & CEO Tom McGee sits down with James Gallagher, CEO & Co-Founder of GreenLite, a real estate permitting platform that combines AI with human expertise.James breaks down why many permitting processes still rely on antiquated and inefficient workflows, despite growing demand for speed and efficiency across the development lifecycle. He explains how workforce shortages in planning...
2026-10-2146 min
From Where I Sit With Tom McGeeWhy Well-Located Retail Continues to Win. Ken Bernstein, President & CEO, Acadia Realty TrustWhat can decades of leadership through economic uncertainty teach us about the future of the built world?On this new video episode of From Where I Sit, ICSC President & CEO Tom McGee sits down with Acadia Realty Trust President & CEO Ken Bernstein for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, investment strategy, consumer behavior, and the evolving retail landscape.Having led Acadia Realty Trust through the dot-com bubble, 9/11, the Global Financial Crisis, COVID-19, inflationary pressures, shifting interest rate environments, and many more disruptive cycles, Ken shares the lessons he's learned about navigating inevitable market cycles and positioning...
2026-10-0754 min
The Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesFire yourself, make the business thrive without you in six months | Nick Hale (CEO, Movera) on CEO succession and scaling - S16E05Founders, CEOs: what if the energy holding your company together is you?
What if the gaps you keep filling are the exact ones your team never gets to grow into?
And what if the most valuable thing you could do for your business is prove it does not need you?
In this episode of The Defining Move, Richard Medcalf hands Nick Hale, Group CEO of Movera, a move he has not made yet: resign from the role, keep a stake in the outcome, and use the next six months to make sure the...
2026-09-1524 minThe Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesFire yourself, make the business thrive without you in six months | Nick Hale (CEO, Movera) on CEO succession and scaling - S16E05Founders, CEOs: what if the energy holding your company together is you?
What if the gaps you keep filling are the exact ones your team never gets to grow into?
And what if the most valuable thing you could do for your business is prove it does not need you?
In this episode of The Defining Move, Richard Medcalf hands Nick Hale, Group CEO of Movera, a move he has not made yet: resign from the role, keep a stake in the outcome, and use the next six months to make sure the...
2026-09-1524 minFrom Where I Sit With Tom McGeeThe Future of Retail Real Estate. Brian Finnegan, CEO & President, Brixmor Property GroupIn the season 3 premiere of From Where I Sit, ICSC President & CEO Tom McGee sits down with Brian Finnegan, CEO & President of Brixmor Property Group, one of the nation's largest owners and operators of open-air shopping centers.Brian shares his perspective on how retail real estate has transformed over the past decade, why reports of the "retail apocalypse" proved to be overstated, and how shopping centers continue to evolve alongside changing consumer behavior. Together, Tom and Brian discuss the resilience of brick-and-mortar retail, the growing importance of grocery-anchored and open-air centers, the impact of AI on business...
2026-09-0951 minFrom Where I Sit With Tom McGeeHow AI Data Centers & Electric Grid Strain Create Challenges & Opportunities for CRE. Gareth Evans, CEO & Co-Founder, VECKTAEnergy has long been treated as a necessary expense that businesses simply manage. But as demand for electricity rises and concerns about reliability grow, many companies are beginning to view energy through a different lens.In this episode, Tom sits down with Gareth Evans, CEO and Co-Founder of VECKTA, a platform that provides onsite energy solutions. Gareth spoke at the first ICSC+PROPTECH, co-located with ICSC LAS VEGAS this year, exploring how owners monetize solar in their grocery-anchored portfolios. VECKTA was also a recipient of the inaugural ICSC Tech Innovator Awards, recognized for the traction the company...
2026-08-0444 minFrom Where I Sit With Tom McGeeTech Innovator. Entrepreneur. Tony Award Winner. Randi Zuckerberg, Founder & CEO, Zuckerberg MediaHear this exciting conversation between Randi and Tom McGee, President & CEO, ICSC, as they discuss their mutual passions for endurance sports and Randi shares her experience running a 250-mile marathon.As an early employee at Facebook, Randi shares her unique insights about emerging technologies like AI, her role in the creation of Facebook Live and the lessons learned from scaling businesses from the ground up. Randi also highlights the challenges and opportunities that women face in male-dominated fields, revealing the surprising reason why she believes these environments can offer great potential.Randi is the keynote...
2026-03-1154 minFrom Where I Sit With Tom McGeeFrom A Bet to Billion-Dollar Ventures. David Adelman, CEO, Campus Apartments“You have to put a price and value on fun.” Beyond his storied role as CEO of Campus Apartments, a leader in student housing, David followed his passion for sports to become a partner in Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, whose portfolio includes the 76ers, New Jersey Devils and the Washington Commanders. David is also the chairman of the venture to build a new live entertainment and sporting events arena that will reimagine the live events experience in Philadelphia. Discover how losing a bet at 11 years old led to his interest in real estate and offered him th...
2026-01-0637 min
CEO Bros - After Hours#19 A CEO's Journey with Yannis Macheras, CEO of Harmoni TowersThis 'CEO Bros - after hours' podcast, episode 19, marks a significant milestone as it features the first guest, Yannis Macheras, CEO of Harmoni Towers. The podcast aims to "explore the journey to becoming a CEO, lessons learned along the way, challenges overcome, people who helped, stepping stones, etc." Yannis Macheras's professional journey is characterized by a significant transition from law to business, marked by a series of increasingly responsible leadership roles in the telecommunications infrastructure sector. Yanni Macheras: A Career Defined by Evolution and Leadership A. Early Career and Transition from Law Legal Aspirations and...
2025-06-2048 minThe Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesCEO Transformation: what enterprise change teaches the CEO the hard way | Mike Ettling (former CEO, Unit4) - S14E18What if your transformation is not stuck because the strategy is wrong, but because the organisation has not learned how to behave differently yet?In this episode, Richard speaks with Mike Ettling, former CEO of Unit4, about what it really takes to lead enterprise transformation when the stakes are high and the scrutiny is intense.Mike led Unit4 through a six-year shift from a federated, on-premise software business to a more unified, cloud-first organisation. But the deeper lesson is not about software. It is about the CEO work behind any serious transformation: changing behaviour, building...
2025-06-1241 minThe Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesCEO Transformation: what enterprise change teaches the CEO the hard way | Mike Ettling (former CEO, Unit4) - S14E18What if your transformation is not stuck because the strategy is wrong, but because the organisation has not learned how to behave differently yet?In this episode, Richard speaks with Mike Ettling, former CEO of Unit4, about what it really takes to lead enterprise transformation when the stakes are high and the scrutiny is intense.Mike led Unit4 through a six-year shift from a federated, on-premise software business to a more unified, cloud-first organisation. But the deeper lesson is not about software. It is about the CEO work behind any serious transformation: changing behaviour, building...
2025-06-1241 minFrom Where I Sit With Tom McGeeThe Future of New York City. Kathryn Wylde, President & CEO, Partnership for New York CityWhat is the outlook for office-to-housing conversions in NYC? Hear Kathryn Wylde’s insights about this topic in the latest episode of From Where I Sit, hosted by ICSC President & CEO, Tom McGee. Kathryn and Tom also discuss the origins of NYC’s culture of commercialism and tolerance, why NYC is the global capital of commerce, the value of public-private partnerships, and more. Kathryn is an urban policy expert, representing the business community here in NYC on issues that impact the economy and public policy.Information mentioned in this episode:Transit Tech Lab public-private partn...
2025-05-1440 min
The Revenue Room™, by H2K LabsThe Revenue Room™ with Will Lee, CEO, AdweekWelcome to another episode of The Revenue Room™ Podcast! This week, Heather Holst-Knudsen sits down with Will Lee, CEO of Adweek, to discuss his journey from traditional media to leading one of the most influential brands in marketing and advertising. Will shares his vision for transforming Adweek from a trade publication into a cutting-edge business intelligence platform, and the role AI, data, and innovative thinking play in that journey.Key Takeaways:Will Lee's impressive career trajectory, from NPR to Adweek, and how his experiences shaped his leadership approach.The major industry news of the we...
2024-12-1955 minFrom Where I Sit With Tom McGeeWhat to Expect from Holiday Shoppers. Dana Telsey, CEO, Telsey Advisory GroupWhat can we expect from the holiday shopping season this year?In the first episode of From Where I Sit, Tom McGee, ICSC President & CEO, speaks to Dana Telsey, CEO of Telsey Advisory Group and one of the top retail analysts in the nation, about why and how changing consumer behaviors are driving a “more promotional holiday season than last year.” Dana and Tom also discuss the current state of the retail industry, the importance of physical stores, the value of innovation, the impact of technology and AI on retail, and more. Subscribe to Fro...
2024-10-3036 min
Rising Soulful CEO10. Embodying Your Soulful CEO 2.0 and what no-one talks about with messaging to have vibey DMsWelcome to our BRAND NEW 4-part Rebirth to Rise workshop style podcast series where we are going deeeep into each pillar of our Soulful CEO method to activate your Soulful CEO Breakthrough moments to RISE as the Soulful CEO.Each episode will activate a breakthrough moment to empower and elevate you to RISE as the Soulful CEO leading your movement + pioneering your programmes creating a bigger wave of impact Welcome to today's empowering episode! This is your invitation to step into the next level of your Soulful CEO journey, where we expand your v...
2024-10-1043 minThe Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesCEO Evolution: the skills CEOs need in an AI world | Tim Smeaton (CEO, Kubrick Group) - S14E10What skills will your business actually need in an AI world, and which tempting opportunities should you ignore?In this episode, Richard speaks with Tim Smeaton, CEO and co-founder of Kubrick Group, about the CEO evolution required when data, AI and cloud technology move faster than most organisations can absorb.Tim's story is not a generic AI conversation. It is about turning a structural bottleneck into a business model. Kubrick did not simply hire scarce AI talent. It built the missing bridge between education and enterprise demand. For CEOs scaling businesses, the lesson is strategic...
2024-08-2944 minThe Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesCEO Evolution: the skills CEOs need in an AI world | Tim Smeaton (CEO, Kubrick Group) - S14E10What skills will your business actually need in an AI world, and which tempting opportunities should you ignore?In this episode, Richard speaks with Tim Smeaton, CEO and co-founder of Kubrick Group, about the CEO evolution required when data, AI and cloud technology move faster than most organisations can absorb.Tim's story is not a generic AI conversation. It is about turning a structural bottleneck into a business model. Kubrick did not simply hire scarce AI talent. It built the missing bridge between education and enterprise demand. For CEOs scaling businesses, the lesson is strategic...
2024-08-2944 min
The Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesScaling Culture: why fast-growing companies start behaving like separate businesses | Michael Riedl (CEO, Team Internet) - S14E09Why do fast-growing companies so often start behaving like a loose collection of separate businesses?In this episode, Richard speaks with Michael Riedl, CEO of Team Internet, about scaling culture, integrating acquisitions, and turning a portfolio of businesses into a higher-performance operating system.Michael's story is a strong CEO transformation lesson. After a period of acquisition-led growth, the real work was not simply rebranding or forcing sameness. It was asking into the ugly truth, recognising the real divisions, giving each part a proper nervous system, and then building a shared identity strong enough to support...
2024-07-1841 minThe Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesScaling Culture: why fast-growing companies start behaving like separate businesses | Michael Riedl (CEO, Team Internet) - S14E09Why do fast-growing companies so often start behaving like a loose collection of separate businesses?In this episode, Richard speaks with Michael Riedl, CEO of Team Internet, about scaling culture, integrating acquisitions, and turning a portfolio of businesses into a higher-performance operating system.Michael's story is a strong CEO transformation lesson. After a period of acquisition-led growth, the real work was not simply rebranding or forcing sameness. It was asking into the ugly truth, recognising the real divisions, giving each part a proper nervous system, and then building a shared identity strong enough to support...
2024-07-1841 minRising Soulful CEO3. Your UNSEEN opportunities to be seen as the Soulful CEO, how to powerfully ditch what you’ve outgrown + craft soul changing experiences before you feel ‘ready’Bex dives deep into what can show up in your business when you’re actually not leading with the soul and how this can keep you stuck, repeating patterns and playing small and how the switch to lead with soul AND the leveraging with strategy will expand you into your evolution of becoming the leader, building a movement and feeling excited create group experiences that create bigger impact.We dive into what it feels like to be on the EDGE of your evolution and the big signs of how this is showing up in the surface of yo...
2024-04-1143 minRising Soulful CEO2. Your Soulful CEO Activation manifesto to embody who you’re becomingGet ready to have your Soulful CEO vision activated, shake out anything less than who you’re here to become and be reconnected straight back to your message, movement and soul changing experiences you’re here to lead.You’ll be taken on a visualisation to deeply connect to your soul lifestyle, Soulful CEO identity, vibe, energy and the experiences you’re here to bring to life. Then activate who you’re becoming as the Soulful CEO.You’ll leave with deep clarity and feeling excited and energised knowing your next aligned biz move!
2024-04-1125 min
The Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesCEO Transformation: how purpose becomes a restructuring and growth engine | Andy Morris (CEO, Cirencester Friendly Society) - S13E35How do you lead people through a hard restructuring, then later ask a 135-year-old organisation to make a leap into its next growth era?In this episode, Richard speaks with Andy Morris, CEO of Cirencester Friendly Society, about CEO transformation, purpose-led restructuring and the personal reinvention required when a technical expert becomes the leader of the whole business.Andy's story starts with a CFO role that was supposed to be about growth and quickly became a divestment and restructuring mandate. The leadership lesson is not theoretical: people followed a difficult path because the leaders had...
2024-02-2946 minThe Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesCEO Transformation: how purpose becomes a restructuring and growth engine | Andy Morris (CEO, Cirencester Friendly Society) - S13E35How do you lead people through a hard restructuring, then later ask a 135-year-old organisation to make a leap into its next growth era?In this episode, Richard speaks with Andy Morris, CEO of Cirencester Friendly Society, about CEO transformation, purpose-led restructuring and the personal reinvention required when a technical expert becomes the leader of the whole business.Andy's story starts with a CFO role that was supposed to be about growth and quickly became a divestment and restructuring mandate. The leadership lesson is not theoretical: people followed a difficult path because the leaders had...
2024-02-2946 min
The Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesScaling Culture: how impact brands become real inside the business | Brad Flowers (CEO, Bullhorn Creative) - S13E33What happens when the culture inside your business has changed, but the brand outside the business is still telling the old story?In this episode, Richard speaks with Brad Flowers, CEO of Bullhorn Creative, about impact branding, scaling culture and the leadership leverage that comes from aligning what the company says with how it actually works.Brad's work with impact brands starts from a simple but uncomfortable problem: when culture and brand fall out of sync, customers can feel the dissonance even if the mismatch is innocent. The brand assets lag behind the living organisation...
2024-02-0800 minThe Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesScaling Culture: how impact brands become real inside the business | Brad Flowers (CEO, Bullhorn Creative) - S13E33What happens when the culture inside your business has changed, but the brand outside the business is still telling the old story?In this episode, Richard speaks with Brad Flowers, CEO of Bullhorn Creative, about impact branding, scaling culture and the leadership leverage that comes from aligning what the company says with how it actually works.Brad's work with impact brands starts from a simple but uncomfortable problem: when culture and brand fall out of sync, customers can feel the dissonance even if the mismatch is innocent. The brand assets lag behind the living organisation...
2024-02-0800 min
CEO Podcasts: CEO Chat Podcast + I AM CEO Podcast Powered by Blue16 Media & CBNation.coIAM2003 - CEO and Co-Founder Experiences Rapid Growth Focusing on Making Legal Work Transparent & Accessible to StartupsIn this episode, we have Alexandra Isenegger, CEO and co-founder of Linky Law, the legal platform for startups and small to medium-sized enterprises.
Alexandra has been recognized for her outstanding work, including being featured on Forbes 30 Under 30 list.
We'll dive deeper into their conversation, exploring the unique offerings of Linky Law and Alexandra's insights as a CEO.
Linky Law was born out of Alexandra's desire to make legal work transparent and accessible to startups. The legal industry has been plagued by expensive lawyers and cumbersome processes. Linky Law aims to bridge this gap by providing easy-to-understand, transparent, and affordable legal s...
2024-02-0616 min
The Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesCEO Evolution: why seasoned CEOs still have to get better every day | Stan Middleman (CEO, Freedom Mortgage) - S13E31What does CEO evolution look like after decades of success, thousands of employees and a business that has already proved itself?In this episode, Richard speaks with Stan Middleman, founder and CEO of Freedom Mortgage, about credibility, contrarian preparation, shared purpose and the discipline of getting better every day.Stan's philosophy is deceptively simple: say what you mean, do what you say, keep your point of view dynamic, and never start buying your own nonsense. For CEO leadership for scaling businesses, this is a powerful reminder that experience does not remove the need to keep...
2024-01-2541 minThe Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesCEO Evolution: why seasoned CEOs still have to get better every day | Stan Middleman (CEO, Freedom Mortgage) - S13E31What does CEO evolution look like after decades of success, thousands of employees and a business that has already proved itself?In this episode, Richard speaks with Stan Middleman, founder and CEO of Freedom Mortgage, about credibility, contrarian preparation, shared purpose and the discipline of getting better every day.Stan's philosophy is deceptively simple: say what you mean, do what you say, keep your point of view dynamic, and never start buying your own nonsense. For CEO leadership for scaling businesses, this is a powerful reminder that experience does not remove the need to keep...
2024-01-2541 min
The Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesCEO Transformation: what severe decline teaches leaders about the next model | Matthew Guelke (CEO, The Plant Cafe Organic) - S13E29What if the crisis that shrinks your business also reveals the model that could multiply its impact?In this episode, Richard speaks with Matthew Guelke, founder and CEO of The Plant Cafe Organic, about purpose, severe business decline and the CEO transformation required to move from operating locations to scaling a concept.When the pandemic hit, The Plant Cafe Organic lost around 80% of its business and had to close locations and lay off much of the team. But the collapse also forced a strategic reset. Instead of continuing the heavy brick-and-mortar path, Matthew returned to...
2024-01-1132 minThe Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesCEO Transformation: what severe decline teaches leaders about the next model | Matthew Guelke (CEO, The Plant Cafe Organic) - S13E29What if the crisis that shrinks your business also reveals the model that could multiply its impact?In this episode, Richard speaks with Matthew Guelke, founder and CEO of The Plant Cafe Organic, about purpose, severe business decline and the CEO transformation required to move from operating locations to scaling a concept.When the pandemic hit, The Plant Cafe Organic lost around 80% of its business and had to close locations and lay off much of the team. But the collapse also forced a strategic reset. Instead of continuing the heavy brick-and-mortar path, Matthew returned to...
2024-01-1132 min
The Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesCEO Leadership: what CEOs need to understand about mental health | Jon Cohen (CEO, Talkspace) - S13E28What do CEOs need to understand about mental health if they want people to perform, decide and lead well under real pressure?In this episode, Richard speaks with Jon Cohen, CEO of Talkspace, about digital mental health, crisis leadership and the anti-permission culture required when a leadership team has to move without waiting for constant approval.Jon's Talkspace story is partly about platform scale: insurance coverage, covered lives and large populations can make therapy more accessible to millions of people. But the CEO leadership lesson is just as important. Every person in the room is...
2023-12-2844 minThe Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesCEO Leadership: what CEOs need to understand about mental health | Jon Cohen (CEO, Talkspace) - S13E28What do CEOs need to understand about mental health if they want people to perform, decide and lead well under real pressure?In this episode, Richard speaks with Jon Cohen, CEO of Talkspace, about digital mental health, crisis leadership and the anti-permission culture required when a leadership team has to move without waiting for constant approval.Jon's Talkspace story is partly about platform scale: insurance coverage, covered lives and large populations can make therapy more accessible to millions of people. But the CEO leadership lesson is just as important. Every person in the room is...
2023-12-2844 min
ABC to CEO: Preparing for the Possibility™ PodcastAndra Kidd- Journey to Becoming CEOWelcome back to ABC to CEO: Preparing for the Possibility Podcast. Today, Sharon Fiehler welcomes Andra Kidd to the show. Join us as we uncover the strategies and mindset shifts that could redefine your professional journey. When this episode was recorded, Andra was the Chief Growth and Strategy Officer for Verdantas, now she is the CEO of Spheros Environmental. Learn the moves that propelled her career forward, moves that you, too, can apply to navigate your own path to success.This episode is very special because Andra is the perfect example of taking the right steps and...
2023-12-1427 min
The Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesScaling Culture: why purpose has to change the business model | Jeff Grass (CEO, HUNGRY Marketplace) - S13E25What makes purpose more than a message on the wall?In this episode, Richard speaks with Jeff Grass, CEO of HUNGRY Marketplace, about building a purpose-driven marketplace, pivoting quickly when reality changes, and the CEO evolution required when the founder has to stop jumping into the middle of every problem.HUNGRY's model is not just corporate catering with a nicer story. The platform is designed to improve outcomes for chefs, clients, communities and the team. Independent chefs get a stronger entrepreneurial path, clients get better variety and reliability, communities receive meals, and the business builds...
2023-11-3027 minThe Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesScaling Culture: why purpose has to change the business model | Jeff Grass (CEO, HUNGRY Marketplace) - S13E25What makes purpose more than a message on the wall?In this episode, Richard speaks with Jeff Grass, CEO of HUNGRY Marketplace, about building a purpose-driven marketplace, pivoting quickly when reality changes, and the CEO evolution required when the founder has to stop jumping into the middle of every problem.HUNGRY's model is not just corporate catering with a nicer story. The platform is designed to improve outcomes for chefs, clients, communities and the team. Independent chefs get a stronger entrepreneurial path, clients get better variety and reliability, communities receive meals, and the business builds...
2023-11-3027 min
The Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesCEO Leadership: when servant leadership stops serving the business | Aaron Cruikshank (CEO, CTRS) - S13E23Can servant leadership go too far and start hurting the business it is meant to serve?In this episode, Richard speaks with Aaron Cruikshank, CEO of CTRS, about radical transparency, life-changing employment, market intelligence and the painful leadership lesson behind his line that servant leadership "bit me on the ass".Aaron built his agency with a deep commitment to treating people better than the employers he saw exploit workers earlier in life. But a difficult year taught him that serving employees cannot mean abandoning the needs of the CEO, the owner or the company itself...
2023-11-1631 minThe Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesCEO Leadership: when servant leadership stops serving the business | Aaron Cruikshank (CEO, CTRS) - S13E23Can servant leadership go too far and start hurting the business it is meant to serve?In this episode, Richard speaks with Aaron Cruikshank, CEO of CTRS, about radical transparency, life-changing employment, market intelligence and the painful leadership lesson behind his line that servant leadership "bit me on the ass".Aaron built his agency with a deep commitment to treating people better than the employers he saw exploit workers earlier in life. But a difficult year taught him that serving employees cannot mean abandoning the needs of the CEO, the owner or the company itself...
2023-11-1631 min
The Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesScaling Culture: what breaks when impact has to scale 10X in a year | Sebastian DiGrande (CEO, Plastic Credit Exchange) - S13E21What breaks first when your impact ambition moves from impressive progress to 10X scale?In this episode, Richard speaks with Sebastian DiGrande, CEO of Plastic Credit Exchange, about bending the curve on plastic waste, building trust in an impact marketplace and the CEO leadership required when the technology is only part of the challenge.PCX is trying to accelerate a circular economy where no plastic ends up in nature. The platform connects companies and individuals with verified plastic-waste diversion projects through a transparent marketplace and blockchain registry. But Sebastian is clear that the harder work...
2023-10-2639 minThe Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesScaling Culture: what breaks when impact has to scale 10X in a year | Sebastian DiGrande (CEO, Plastic Credit Exchange) - S13E21What breaks first when your impact ambition moves from impressive progress to 10X scale?In this episode, Richard speaks with Sebastian DiGrande, CEO of Plastic Credit Exchange, about bending the curve on plastic waste, building trust in an impact marketplace and the CEO leadership required when the technology is only part of the challenge.PCX is trying to accelerate a circular economy where no plastic ends up in nature. The platform connects companies and individuals with verified plastic-waste diversion projects through a transparent marketplace and blockchain registry. But Sebastian is clear that the harder work...
2023-10-2639 min
CEO Reflects by CEO CFCEO Reflects | Special episode with CEO CF Team - How to get the most of CEO CFStep behind the curtain of CEO CF with an exclusive behind-the-scenes episode featuring the dynamic duo, Stephanie d'Argenlieu and Fiona Bordet, from our CEO CF Team. Discover the magic that fuels CEO CF, our network and the CEO CF Summit, where minds meet and ideas collide, forging collaborations that redefine industries. Gain access to essential tips and strategies, carefully curated to maximize your CEO CF experience. Learn how trust is the cornerstone upon which the entire CEO CF network is built, empowering members to achieve unparalleled success together. 🌟 Don't miss this insider's peek into the heart of CEO CF! #CEOInsights #Net...
2023-10-2321 min
The Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesCEO Transformation: how rock bottom became a mission to create 1000 millionaires | Kerry Siggins (CEO, Stone Age Tools) - S13E19What if the real test of CEO transformation is not whether you can build a valuable company, but whether that value changes the lives of the people who helped create it?In this episode, Richard speaks with Kerry Siggins, CEO of StoneAge Tools, about the personal and organisational shift behind her mission to create 1000 millionaires through employee ownership.Kerry's story starts with a painful rock-bottom moment and becomes a lesson in ownership, accountability and scaling culture. StoneAge is not just trying to grow a manufacturing and technology business. It is trying to prove that capitalism...
2023-10-1241 minThe Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesCEO Transformation: how rock bottom became a mission to create 1000 millionaires | Kerry Siggins (CEO, Stone Age Tools) - S13E19What if the real test of CEO transformation is not whether you can build a valuable company, but whether that value changes the lives of the people who helped create it?In this episode, Richard speaks with Kerry Siggins, CEO of StoneAge Tools, about the personal and organisational shift behind her mission to create 1000 millionaires through employee ownership.Kerry's story starts with a painful rock-bottom moment and becomes a lesson in ownership, accountability and scaling culture. StoneAge is not just trying to grow a manufacturing and technology business. It is trying to prove that capitalism...
2023-10-1241 min
The Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesCEO Leadership: what changes when love becomes a leadership principle | Alper Utku (CEO, Amsterdam Tech) - S13E18What changes when love is not a soft value on the wall, but a real CEO leadership principle?In this episode, Richard speaks with Alper Utku, CEO of Amsterdam Tech, about building a new-generation university that links education, employment and leadership development.Alper's work is built around a practical impact problem: young people need skills, identity and a pathway into meaningful work. But his deeper leadership argument is more provocative. He believes business can use power in service of love, and that impact-led organisations need both connection and decisive action if they want to change...
2023-10-0535 minThe Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesCEO Leadership: what changes when love becomes a leadership principle | Alper Utku (CEO, Amsterdam Tech) - S13E18What changes when love is not a soft value on the wall, but a real CEO leadership principle?In this episode, Richard speaks with Alper Utku, CEO of Amsterdam Tech, about building a new-generation university that links education, employment and leadership development.Alper's work is built around a practical impact problem: young people need skills, identity and a pathway into meaningful work. But his deeper leadership argument is more provocative. He believes business can use power in service of love, and that impact-led organisations need both connection and decisive action if they want to change...
2023-10-0535 min
The Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesCEO Leadership: why impact principles matter before the big decision | Upkar Arora (CEO, Rally Assets) - S13E11What principles guide you before the big decision arrives?In this episode, Richard speaks with Upkar Arora, CEO of Rally Assets, about the personal and strategic principles behind impact investing, inorganic growth and long-term leadership conviction.Upkar moved from traditional finance into impact investing, then helped build Rally Assets into one of Canada's leading impact investment management and advisory firms. The episode is not just about the market. It is about how a CEO decides what kind of impact is meaningful enough to organise a business around.For scaling founders and CEOs, this...
2023-08-1740 minThe Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesCEO Leadership: why impact principles matter before the big decision | Upkar Arora (CEO, Rally Assets) - S13E11What principles guide you before the big decision arrives?In this episode, Richard speaks with Upkar Arora, CEO of Rally Assets, about the personal and strategic principles behind impact investing, inorganic growth and long-term leadership conviction.Upkar moved from traditional finance into impact investing, then helped build Rally Assets into one of Canada's leading impact investment management and advisory firms. The episode is not just about the market. It is about how a CEO decides what kind of impact is meaningful enough to organise a business around.For scaling founders and CEOs, this...
2023-08-1740 min
The Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesCEO Evolution: why the discomfort zone is where the bigger business begins | David Engel (CEO, Drake and Farrell) - S13E10What if the next stage of your business starts in the place you have been avoiding?In this episode, Richard speaks with David Engel, CEO of Drake & Farrell, about purpose, resilience and the discomfort zone that comes with multiplying impact.Drake & Farrell is a European leader in reverse logistics, working across telecoms, EV charging and other sectors to reduce electronic waste. David's leadership challenge is not just operational expansion. It is the inner work of staying clear, resilient and open to being challenged while the business moves into new markets.For scaling founders...
2023-08-1045 minThe Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesCEO Evolution: why the discomfort zone is where the bigger business begins | David Engel (CEO, Drake and Farrell) - S13E10What if the next stage of your business starts in the place you have been avoiding?In this episode, Richard speaks with David Engel, CEO of Drake & Farrell, about purpose, resilience and the discomfort zone that comes with multiplying impact.Drake & Farrell is a European leader in reverse logistics, working across telecoms, EV charging and other sectors to reduce electronic waste. David's leadership challenge is not just operational expansion. It is the inner work of staying clear, resilient and open to being challenged while the business moves into new markets.For scaling founders...
2023-08-1045 min
The Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesCEO Transformation: how leaders move from deal-driven to purpose-driven | Stuart Tragheim (CEO, Holloway Friendly) - S09E15What if your purpose is not what you say in the boardroom, but what happens when your customer is most vulnerable?In this episode, Richard speaks with Stuart Tragheim, CEO of Holloway Friendly, about moving from deal-driven growth to purpose-driven transformation.Stuart inherited a well-capitalised business that needed sharper direction. The work was not a cosmetic rebrand or a values exercise. It meant going back to first principles, deciding where a smaller specialist could genuinely compete, aligning the board behind a painful transformation, and making the customer claim moment the proof point of the whole...
2023-07-0635 minThe Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesCEO Transformation: how leaders move from deal-driven to purpose-driven | Stuart Tragheim (CEO, Holloway Friendly) - S09E15What if your purpose is not what you say in the boardroom, but what happens when your customer is most vulnerable?In this episode, Richard speaks with Stuart Tragheim, CEO of Holloway Friendly, about moving from deal-driven growth to purpose-driven transformation.Stuart inherited a well-capitalised business that needed sharper direction. The work was not a cosmetic rebrand or a values exercise. It meant going back to first principles, deciding where a smaller specialist could genuinely compete, aligning the board behind a painful transformation, and making the customer claim moment the proof point of the whole...
2023-07-0635 min
The Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesCEO Evolution: why greatness cannot always be planned | Wendy Strgar (CEO, Good Clean Love) - S13E06What if your next category does not come from a plan, but from the problem you cannot stop following?In this episode, Richard speaks with Wendy Strgar, CEO of Good Clean Love, about the messy founder journey from personal need to product science, biotech possibilities and category creation.Good Clean Love began with Wendy's own need for products that supported her body and relationships rather than harming them. Over time, that curiosity expanded into a broader biome-health thesis, practitioner education, FDA-related change and a deeper question about how founders hold a vision before the structure...
2023-06-2943 minThe Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesCEO Evolution: why greatness cannot always be planned | Wendy Strgar (CEO, Good Clean Love) - S13E06What if your next category does not come from a plan, but from the problem you cannot stop following?In this episode, Richard speaks with Wendy Strgar, CEO of Good Clean Love, about the messy founder journey from personal need to product science, biotech possibilities and category creation.Good Clean Love began with Wendy's own need for products that supported her body and relationships rather than harming them. Over time, that curiosity expanded into a broader biome-health thesis, practitioner education, FDA-related change and a deeper question about how founders hold a vision before the structure...
2023-06-2943 min
The Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesScaling Culture: what your team learns from you under pressure | Steve Bilt (CEO, Smile Brands) - S13E05What does your team learn from you when the pressure rises?In this episode, Richard speaks with Steve Bilt, CEO of Smile Brands, about purpose, transparency and the cultural precedent a CEO sets through everyday behaviour.Steve's work at Smile Brands is built around a simple mission: smiles for everyone. But the leadership lesson is not the wording of the mission. It is how consistently that mission appears in meetings, decisions, financial transparency, problem-solving and the way leaders respond when things go wrong.For scaling founders and CEOs, this is a Scaling Culture...
2023-06-2237 minThe Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesScaling Culture: what your team learns from you under pressure | Steve Bilt (CEO, Smile Brands) - S13E05What does your team learn from you when the pressure rises?In this episode, Richard speaks with Steve Bilt, CEO of Smile Brands, about purpose, transparency and the cultural precedent a CEO sets through everyday behaviour.Steve's work at Smile Brands is built around a simple mission: smiles for everyone. But the leadership lesson is not the wording of the mission. It is how consistently that mission appears in meetings, decisions, financial transparency, problem-solving and the way leaders respond when things go wrong.For scaling founders and CEOs, this is a Scaling Culture...
2023-06-2237 min
The Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesScaling Culture: when a 1.7M-person community becomes the growth engine | Haris Pylarinos (CEO, Hack the Box) - S13E03What happens when the community is not a marketing channel, but the growth engine itself?In this episode, Richard speaks with Haris Pylarinos, CEO of Hack The Box, about building the world's largest cybersecurity community from a hands-on training platform he first shared in a Facebook group.Hack The Box grew because Haris solved a problem the market felt but existing training did not answer: cybersecurity skills are built through practice, experimentation and out-of-the-box thinking. One link became a viral community because the experience matched how people actually wanted to learn.For scaling...
2023-06-0636 minThe Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesScaling Culture: when a 1.7M-person community becomes the growth engine | Haris Pylarinos (CEO, Hack the Box) - S13E03What happens when the community is not a marketing channel, but the growth engine itself?In this episode, Richard speaks with Haris Pylarinos, CEO of Hack The Box, about building the world's largest cybersecurity community from a hands-on training platform he first shared in a Facebook group.Hack The Box grew because Haris solved a problem the market felt but existing training did not answer: cybersecurity skills are built through practice, experimentation and out-of-the-box thinking. One link became a viral community because the experience matched how people actually wanted to learn.For scaling...
2023-06-0636 min
The Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesStrategic Leadership: why turnarounds fail when leaders push before they listen | Remco Samuels (CEO, EVBox) - S09E14What happens in a turnaround when the leader moves faster than the organisation can believe?In this episode, Richard speaks with Remco Samuels, CEO of EVBox, about rebuilding focus, trust and momentum after a difficult chapter.EVBox had to move past a failed IPO dream, diluted priorities, silos and morale damage. Remco's lesson is that strategic leadership in a turnaround is not only about making hard choices. It is about listening first, creating the management team, cutting scope, and repeating the purpose, vision, strategy and execution story until people can actually use it....
2023-02-2140 min
The Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesCEO Evolution: how founders turn bankruptcy scar tissue into hypergrowth | Chris Lee (CEO, Solgen Power) - S10E04What if the failure that made you wiser is also making you too cautious?In this episode, Richard speaks with Chris Lee, CEO of Solgen Power, about moving from bankruptcy and under-scaling to building one of the fastest-growing companies in the United States.Chris's story is a CEO Evolution lesson in scar tissue. After scaling too fast and filing bankruptcy at 26, he overcorrected into small, technician-led businesses. The breakthrough came when he treated the next chapter as an apprenticeship, studied high-growth CEOs from the inside, and then designed Solgen's culture, talent model and ownership structure...
2022-11-0137 min
The Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesCEO Bottleneck: why product-market fit is not enough to scale | Matthew Scullion (CEO, Matillion) - S10E02What happens after product-market fit, when the next bottleneck is the company itself?In this episode, Richard speaks with Matthew Scullion, CEO of Matillion, about building a consequential software company, scaling culture deliberately, and moving from product-market fit to go-to-market fit.Matthew's lesson is blunt: ambition only matters when it changes how you build. If you assume you are building something consequential, that belief has to show up in urgency, capital strategy, hiring standards, values, leadership upgrades and the commercial machine.For founders and CEOs, this is a CEO Bottleneck and CEO leadership...
2022-10-1847 min
The Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesCEO Evolution: what comes after 35 years in the top job | Adrian Weiler (Chair, Smart Freight Centre) - S09E09What does a CEO learn after 35 years in the top job, and what comes after that?In this episode, Richard speaks with Adrian Weiler, former CEO of Inform and Chair of Smart Freight Centre, about trust, subsidiarity, long-term culture and moving from company-building into a climate-focused next chapter.Adrian's leadership lesson is not about tighter control. It is about organisational leverage: pushing decisions to the lowest level where people understand the work, building deep customer relationships before problems arise, and trusting the culture enough for the company to keep growing beyond one leader's direct grip.
2022-09-1341 min
WALKING THE TALK W/Terry Dwayne AshfordDatguyRadio Airplay Tuesday RM347 CEO, Terry Dwayne Ashford - September 6th, 2022, a TatMedia WilmaWaine Co, IncDatGUYRADIO, RM347, CEO Terry Dwayne Ashford, http://www.terryashford.com - LINK: https://anchor.fm/tweetstationnews/episodes/DatguyRadio-Airplay-Tuesday-RM347-CEO--Terry-Dwayne-Ashford---September-6th--2022--a-TatMedia-WilmaWaine-Co--Inc-e1nfij9 ------- Youtube LINK: https://youtu.be/7t24lQWpbY4 ---- DATGUYRADIO AIRPLAY - CEO Terry Dwayne Ashford RM347-DatguyRadio Airplay Sept6, 2022 This Link: https://youtu.be/7t24lQWpbY4 Terry Dwayne Ashford, CEO of DatguyRadio Mix of DatguyRADIO exclusive from RM347 Extended Stay America Hotel Tysons Corner at 8201 Old Courthouse Road, Vienna Virginia USA zip code 22182 - click here for the song credits used for today's "Bonafide Love Remix" by Terry Dwayne Ashford, Indacarseat Datguy, CEO of DatguyRADIO and...
2022-09-061h 45
The Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesCEO Leadership: why leadership has to be practised as a craft | Joshua Lachs (CEO, Moneythink) - S09E08What if leadership is not a set of answers you collect, but a craft you keep practising in the grey?In this episode, Richard speaks with Joshua Lachs, CEO of Moneythink, about leading self, people and an organisation through uncertainty.Joshua's work with Moneythink gives a practical CEO leadership lesson: the leader does not always need to have the perfect answer. Often the real work is creating enough clarity in the process, communication and decision rights that the team can move, learn and recalibrate.For scaling founders and CEOs, this is about expanding...
2022-09-0648 minThe Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesCEO Leadership: why leadership has to be practised as a craft | Joshua Lachs (CEO, Moneythink) - S09E08What if leadership is not a set of answers you collect, but a craft you keep practising in the grey?In this episode, Richard speaks with Joshua Lachs, CEO of Moneythink, about leading self, people and an organisation through uncertainty.Joshua's work with Moneythink gives a practical CEO leadership lesson: the leader does not always need to have the perfect answer. Often the real work is creating enough clarity in the process, communication and decision rights that the team can move, learn and recalibrate.For scaling founders and CEOs, this is about expanding...
2022-09-0648 min
The Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesStrategic Leadership: when transformation has a 20-month deadline | Enrique Sacau (CEO, Kneip) - S08E20When everything is urgent, how do you know which problem can actually kill the business?In this episode, Richard speaks with Enrique Sacau, CEO of Kneip, about leading a turnaround and sale in 20 months.Enrique's most useful lesson is crisis focus. In a turnaround, the most dramatic issue is not always the decisive constraint. Blood gets attention, but if the airway is blocked, the patient dies. The CEO's job is to identify A, B and C, communicate clearly, fix the system and let less important balls fall.For scaling founders and CEOs, this...
2022-08-0241 min
The Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesCEO Evolution: why COO-to-CEO leaders must stop doing the old job | Rory McKeand (CEO, TSG) - S08E19What really changes when the COO becomes CEO, even if they already know most of the business?In this episode, Richard speaks with Rory McKeand, CEO of TSG, about the identity shift from operator to chief executive, and the decision to move from a sales-led model toward customer success.Rory's story shows that the CEO leap is not just more scope. It is 360-degree accountability, a wider stakeholder field and a new relationship with the organisation. The leader has to stop doing the old job, create the right transparency bargain, and role-model the behaviours people...
2022-06-0736 minThe Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesCEO Evolution: why COO-to-CEO leaders must stop doing the old job | Rory McKeand (CEO, TSG) - S08E19What really changes when the COO becomes CEO, even if they already know most of the business?In this episode, Richard speaks with Rory McKeand, CEO of TSG, about the identity shift from operator to chief executive, and the decision to move from a sales-led model toward customer success.Rory's story shows that the CEO leap is not just more scope. It is 360-degree accountability, a wider stakeholder field and a new relationship with the organisation. The leader has to stop doing the old job, create the right transparency bargain, and role-model the behaviours people...
2022-06-0736 min
The Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesExecutive Team Ownership: why distributed leadership multiplies professional-service scale | Stephen Foreshew-Cain (CEO, Scott Logic) - S08E18Are you giving your team context, or just giving them answers?In this episode, Richard speaks with Stephen Foreshew-Cain, CEO of Scott Logic, about creating leadership across the organisation instead of becoming the CEO answer machine.Stephen's core lesson is that giving orders trains dependency. The CEO can make many decisions, but every unnecessary decision teaches the organisation to wait. The alternative is to create shared context, focus, momentum and relationships so more decisions can move closer to the work.For scaling founders and CEOs, this is Executive Team Ownership and CEO leadership...
2022-05-3147 minThe Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesExecutive Team Ownership: why distributed leadership multiplies professional-service scale | Stephen Foreshew-Cain (CEO, Scott Logic) - S08E18Are you giving your team context, or just giving them answers?In this episode, Richard speaks with Stephen Foreshew-Cain, CEO of Scott Logic, about creating leadership across the organisation instead of becoming the CEO answer machine.Stephen's core lesson is that giving orders trains dependency. The CEO can make many decisions, but every unnecessary decision teaches the organisation to wait. The alternative is to create shared context, focus, momentum and relationships so more decisions can move closer to the work.For scaling founders and CEOs, this is Executive Team Ownership and CEO leadership...
2022-05-3147 min
The Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesCEO Leadership: the job description that makes the CEO role less lonely | Kelly Schmitt (CEO, Benevity) - S08E16What if the CEO role feels lonely because you are using the wrong job description?In this episode, Richard speaks with Kelly Schmitt, CEO of Benevity, about stepping into the CEO role after CFO and COO experience, and realising that the job is not to be the best salesperson, product visionary or functional expert.Kelly's contribution is a powerful CEO leadership reframe: the work is people, team, culture, stamina and purpose in practice. The CEO has to build the executive team and cultural conditions that let the company outgrow the leader's old self-image....
2022-05-1731 minThe Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesCEO Leadership: the job description that makes the CEO role less lonely | Kelly Schmitt (CEO, Benevity) - S08E16What if the CEO role feels lonely because you are using the wrong job description?In this episode, Richard speaks with Kelly Schmitt, CEO of Benevity, about stepping into the CEO role after CFO and COO experience, and realising that the job is not to be the best salesperson, product visionary or functional expert.Kelly's contribution is a powerful CEO leadership reframe: the work is people, team, culture, stamina and purpose in practice. The CEO has to build the executive team and cultural conditions that let the company outgrow the leader's old self-image....
2022-05-1731 min
The Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesScaling Culture: why inspiration gets harder across 30 markets | Timo Buetefisch (CEO, Cooltra) - S08E13How do you keep a team inspired when the business has outgrown the founder's direct reach?In this episode, Richard speaks with Timo Buetefisch, founder and CEO of Cooltra, about scaling from one scooter-rental garage in Barcelona into an international mobility business across dozens of markets.Timo's story is a useful reminder that growth does not fix a weak model. If the unit economics, product, technology, payments, operations and team are not ready, scale simply multiplies the losses and stress. The CEO leadership challenge is to incubate the model long enough to make it repeatable...
2022-04-2630 min
The Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesOrganizational Leverage: how four co-CEOs can scale one company | Matthias Berlit (CEO, Inform GmbH) - S08E12Can a company scale better with four CEOs instead of one?In this episode, Richard speaks with Matthias Berlit, co-CEO of Inform GmbH, about succeeding a long-serving founder CEO and building a leadership model based on autonomous business units, shared principles and distributed ownership.The central idea is cell division. When a unit becomes too large for fast decisions and customer closeness, Inform splits it into smaller accountable businesses rather than forcing every decision through a central bottleneck. That only works when the top team has enough trust, role clarity and strategic discipline to make...
2022-04-2031 minThe Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesOrganizational Leverage: how four co-CEOs can scale one company | Matthias Berlit (CEO, Inform GmbH) - S08E12Can a company scale better with four CEOs instead of one?In this episode, Richard speaks with Matthias Berlit, co-CEO of Inform GmbH, about succeeding a long-serving founder CEO and building a leadership model based on autonomous business units, shared principles and distributed ownership.The central idea is cell division. When a unit becomes too large for fast decisions and customer closeness, Inform splits it into smaller accountable businesses rather than forcing every decision through a central bottleneck. That only works when the top team has enough trust, role clarity and strategic discipline to make...
2022-04-2031 min
The Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesCEO Leadership: the difficult decisions that unlock hidden talent | Thomas Crary (CEO, Pond5) - S08E10What if the hard decision is also the moment that reveals who is ready to lead?In this episode, Richard speaks with Thomas Crary, CEO of Pond5, about moving from CFO to CEO and leading through the early shock of COVID.Thomas's story shows that difficult decisions are not just cost-control moments. When a CEO communicates the reality clearly, connects the decision to the direction of the business and trusts people with responsibility, hidden talent can surface quickly. The leadership curve is not only about making the call; it is about creating the conditions where...
2022-03-2934 minThe Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesCEO Leadership: the difficult decisions that unlock hidden talent | Thomas Crary (CEO, Pond5) - S08E10What if the hard decision is also the moment that reveals who is ready to lead?In this episode, Richard speaks with Thomas Crary, CEO of Pond5, about moving from CFO to CEO and leading through the early shock of COVID.Thomas's story shows that difficult decisions are not just cost-control moments. When a CEO communicates the reality clearly, connects the decision to the direction of the business and trusts people with responsibility, hidden talent can surface quickly. The leadership curve is not only about making the call; it is about creating the conditions where...
2022-03-2934 min
The Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesCEO Evolution: what changes when corporate leaders enter high-growth specialists | John Maynard (CEO, Adarma Security) - S08E09What changes when you move from a large corporate machine into a high-growth specialist business where the machine has to be built around you?In this episode, Richard speaks with John Maynard, CEO of Adarma Security, about leaving Fortune 100 scale for a private-equity-backed cybersecurity company.John's lesson is that CEO evolution often shows up first in the leader's calendar. In a larger corporate environment, many support systems already exist. In a specialist scale-up, the CEO has to consciously build the operating team, investor rhythm, customer relationships, partner ecosystem and long-term capacity that make the business...
2022-03-2239 minThe Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesCEO Evolution: what changes when corporate leaders enter high-growth specialists | John Maynard (CEO, Adarma Security) - S08E09What changes when you move from a large corporate machine into a high-growth specialist business where the machine has to be built around you?In this episode, Richard speaks with John Maynard, CEO of Adarma Security, about leaving Fortune 100 scale for a private-equity-backed cybersecurity company.John's lesson is that CEO evolution often shows up first in the leader's calendar. In a larger corporate environment, many support systems already exist. In a specialist scale-up, the CEO has to consciously build the operating team, investor rhythm, customer relationships, partner ecosystem and long-term capacity that make the business...
2022-03-2239 min
The Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesCEO Leadership: how personal energy becomes a scaling constraint | Gurjodhpal Singh (CEO, Tide India) - S08E08What if the bottleneck in the business is not strategy, market or capital, but the CEO's personal energy system?In this episode, Richard speaks with Gurjodhpal Singh, CEO of Tide India, about building both a development centre and SME banking business while navigating the pressure of a first country-CEO role.Gurjodhpal's story makes personal energy concrete. Long hours, constant responsiveness and Sunday-night dread are not badges of honour; they are warning lights. The CEO leadership work is to create boundaries, thinking time and a team strong enough that every important decision does not have to...
2022-03-1537 minThe Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesCEO Leadership: how personal energy becomes a scaling constraint | Gurjodhpal Singh (CEO, Tide India) - S08E08What if the bottleneck in the business is not strategy, market or capital, but the CEO's personal energy system?In this episode, Richard speaks with Gurjodhpal Singh, CEO of Tide India, about building both a development centre and SME banking business while navigating the pressure of a first country-CEO role.Gurjodhpal's story makes personal energy concrete. Long hours, constant responsiveness and Sunday-night dread are not badges of honour; they are warning lights. The CEO leadership work is to create boundaries, thinking time and a team strong enough that every important decision does not have to...
2022-03-1537 min
The Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesCEO Evolution: the two challenges every new CEO has to face | Miguel Giribet Giral (CEO, Cash Converters España) - S08E07What are the two pieces of homework every new CEO has to do at the same time?In this episode, Richard speaks with Miguel Giribet Giral, CEO of Cash Converters España, about stepping into the CEO role, aligning with owners and founders, and leading retail and digital transformation through COVID.Miguel's lesson is that CEO evolution starts in two directions at once. The new CEO has to build trust with the team below while also aligning with the owners, founders or board above. Without that double alignment, execution becomes noise. With it, the leader c...
2022-03-0839 minThe Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesCEO Evolution: the two challenges every new CEO has to face | Miguel Giribet Giral (CEO, Cash Converters España) - S08E07What are the two pieces of homework every new CEO has to do at the same time?In this episode, Richard speaks with Miguel Giribet Giral, CEO of Cash Converters España, about stepping into the CEO role, aligning with owners and founders, and leading retail and digital transformation through COVID.Miguel's lesson is that CEO evolution starts in two directions at once. The new CEO has to build trust with the team below while also aligning with the owners, founders or board above. Without that double alignment, execution becomes noise. With it, the leader c...
2022-03-0839 min
The Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesCEO Leadership: how radical transparency changes a CEO transition | Thomas Zanzinger (CEO, inriver) - S08E02How can a new CEO make faster decisions when the team is remote, the company is growing fast and context is trapped at the top?In this episode, Richard speaks with Thomas Zanzinger, CEO of inriver, about stepping from commercial leadership into the CEO role during COVID and learning to lead a high-growth SaaS business without the normal face-to-face signals.Thomas's strongest lesson is radical transparency. If people only have department-level context, every strategic decision escalates. By sharing more board-level context with the organisation, the CEO can increase autonomy, speed and trust without pretending every...
2022-01-2528 minThe Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesCEO Leadership: how radical transparency changes a CEO transition | Thomas Zanzinger (CEO, inriver) - S08E02How can a new CEO make faster decisions when the team is remote, the company is growing fast and context is trapped at the top?In this episode, Richard speaks with Thomas Zanzinger, CEO of inriver, about stepping from commercial leadership into the CEO role during COVID and learning to lead a high-growth SaaS business without the normal face-to-face signals.Thomas's strongest lesson is radical transparency. If people only have department-level context, every strategic decision escalates. By sharing more board-level context with the organisation, the CEO can increase autonomy, speed and trust without pretending every...
2022-01-2528 min
The Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesCEO Evolution: what the CEO learning curve really demands - S08E01What really changes when someone steps into the CEO role for the first time?This short season introduction opens the CEO Learning Curve series: a set of conversations with relatively new chief executives facing rapid growth, fraud discovery, new offices, ambitious revenue goals and pandemic disruption.Richard's promise for the season is to go beneath generic CEO advice. The interesting question is not whether leaders should build a great team or get the strategy right. It is what the top job actually demanded from them, what helped them make the leap, what went wrong, and...
2022-01-1803 minThe Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesCEO Evolution: what the CEO learning curve really demands - S08E01What really changes when someone steps into the CEO role for the first time?This short season introduction opens the CEO Learning Curve series: a set of conversations with relatively new chief executives facing rapid growth, fraud discovery, new offices, ambitious revenue goals and pandemic disruption.Richard's promise for the season is to go beneath generic CEO advice. The interesting question is not whether leaders should build a great team or get the strategy right. It is what the top job actually demanded from them, what helped them make the leap, what went wrong, and...
2022-01-1803 min
The Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesCEO Bottleneck: how founders avoid becoming the curse of their own business | Janus Nielsen (CEO, AnyTech365) - S06E08What happens when the founder's decisiveness starts to limit the very business it created?In this episode, Richard speaks with Janus Nielsen, CEO of AnyTech365, about building one of Europe's fastest-growing tech-support businesses and avoiding the entrepreneur's curse.Janus's lesson is that founder judgement can be a powerful early advantage, but it becomes a CEO bottleneck when every decision still routes through the founder. Scaling requires strong people, clear values, real rewards for commitment and enough space for leaders to own their areas without being overruled by default.For scaling founders and CEOs...
2021-09-2133 min
The Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesCEO Bottleneck: the structural changes that finally let your business scale | Matthijs Welle (CEO, Mews) - S06E02What structural changes have to happen before growth can become scale?In this episode, Richard speaks with Matthijs Welle, CEO of Mews, about building a hospitality software company from nothing, surviving the shock of COVID and returning to growth with a clearer operating model.Matthijs's story shows that scale is not only about more demand. The business had to shift from early passion and improvisation into stronger systems, clearer planning, better leadership capacity and a more holistic view of the company. Even crisis became a forcing function for structural clarity.For scaling founders...
2021-08-1036 min
The Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesCEO Leadership: where corporate CEOs make their biggest contribution | Helene Barnekow (CEO, Microsoft Sweden) - S04E17What if your biggest contribution as a corporate CEO is being quietly crowded out by governance, meetings and matrix noise?In this episode, Richard speaks with Helene Barnekow, CEO of Microsoft Sweden, about CEO leadership inside large, complex organisations. Helene shares how she built her impact through customer obsession, diverse teams, inclusion, and a clear contribution model for where her time should go.For scaling founders and CEOs, the lesson is not only about corporate life. As the business grows, your calendar becomes your operating strategy. If you do not deliberately protect external focus, team...
2021-07-2738 minThe Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesCEO Leadership: where corporate CEOs make their biggest contribution | Helene Barnekow (CEO, Microsoft Sweden) - S04E17What if your biggest contribution as a corporate CEO is being quietly crowded out by governance, meetings and matrix noise?In this episode, Richard speaks with Helene Barnekow, CEO of Microsoft Sweden, about CEO leadership inside large, complex organisations. Helene shares how she built her impact through customer obsession, diverse teams, inclusion, and a clear contribution model for where her time should go.For scaling founders and CEOs, the lesson is not only about corporate life. As the business grows, your calendar becomes your operating strategy. If you do not deliberately protect external focus, team...
2021-07-2738 min
The Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesCEO Bottleneck: when strong relationships stop being enough to scale | Abhishek Rungta (CEO) - S04E06What if the relationship strength that built the business is also part of what now limits its scale?In this episode, Richard speaks with Abhishek Rungta, founder and CEO of Indus Net Technologies, about partnership-led growth, founder evolution, customer understanding, and building a company of entrepreneurs. Abhishek shares how strong relationships became a source of trust and growth, but also why the next level required more timely feedback, bigger bets, and a system beyond one founder's operating grip.For scaling founders and CEOs, this is a CEO Bottleneck conversation about turning personal relationship capital into...
2021-03-3026 min
The Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesCEO Operating System: why every CEO needs a personal leadership framework | Keri Gilder (CEO, Colt Technology) - S04E02What language does your organisation hear from you so often that it becomes a way to make decisions?In this episode, Richard speaks with Keri Gilder, CEO of Colt Technology Services, about the power of an explicit personal leadership framework. Keri frames her impact around connection and four human elements: health, happiness, harmony and hope. The power is not in the words alone, but in how they show up through strategy, wellbeing, sustainability, inclusion and industry ambition.For scaling founders and CEOs, this is a CEO Operating System episode about values becoming usable. A leadership...
2021-03-0237 minThe Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesCEO Operating System: why every CEO needs a personal leadership framework | Keri Gilder (CEO, Colt Technology) - S04E02What language does your organisation hear from you so often that it becomes a way to make decisions?In this episode, Richard speaks with Keri Gilder, CEO of Colt Technology Services, about the power of an explicit personal leadership framework. Keri frames her impact around connection and four human elements: health, happiness, harmony and hope. The power is not in the words alone, but in how they show up through strategy, wellbeing, sustainability, inclusion and industry ambition.For scaling founders and CEOs, this is a CEO Operating System episode about values becoming usable. A leadership...
2021-03-0237 min
The Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesCEO Evolution: when your success formula becomes your ceiling - S04E01What if the formula that made you successful is also the thing that will stop you reaching the next level?In this short season opener, Richard introduces the idea of a CEO success formula: the habits, strengths, beliefs, disciplines and ways of working that create your current results. The challenge is that when a formula works, changing it can feel risky. But the next level often requires adjusting the very mechanism that got you here.For scaling founders and CEOs, this is a CEO Evolution prompt. High performers do not usually need more effort. They...
2021-02-2306 min
The Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesCEO Bottleneck: why every decision still orbits you - S03E02What if the thing holding your executive team back is not the team, but the gravitational pull of the CEO?In this episode, Richard and Davina Stanley discuss how to diagnose what is really limiting a leadership team. The key is to define what the team is trying to become before deciding what is holding it back, then use stakeholder input, team self-perception and focused improvement themes to move the system.For scaling founders and CEOs, this is a CEO Bottleneck episode about the top team's next level. CEO leadership for scaling businesses means noticing...
2020-12-0827 minThe Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesCEO Bottleneck: why every decision still orbits you - S03E02What if the thing holding your executive team back is not the team, but the gravitational pull of the CEO?In this episode, Richard and Davina Stanley discuss how to diagnose what is really limiting a leadership team. The key is to define what the team is trying to become before deciding what is holding it back, then use stakeholder input, team self-perception and focused improvement themes to move the system.For scaling founders and CEOs, this is a CEO Bottleneck episode about the top team's next level. CEO leadership for scaling businesses means noticing...
2020-12-0827 min
The Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesStrategic Leadership: when demand, regulation and fear all move at once | Michel Emelianoff (CEO, Visiomed) - S02E09How do you lead when demand surges, regulation shifts, and fear is spreading through the organisation at the same time?In this episode, Richard speaks with Michel Emelianoff, CEO of Visiomed, about strategic leadership during the first shock of COVID-19. Visiomed was operating in healthcare and telemedicine at exactly the moment when speed, evidence, duty of care and business continuity all became urgent at once.For a scaling founder or CEO, the lesson is not only about crisis management. It is about CEO leadership when the executive team has to make decisions before the data...
2020-11-2429 min
The Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesCEO Evolution: what first-time CEOs learn when growth pressure rises | Bhavesh Vaghela (CEO, Singula Decisions) - S02E08What does a first-time CEO learn when the plan changes overnight and the team still needs to feel close, clear and cared for?In this episode, Richard speaks with Bhavesh Vaghela, CEO of Singula Decisions, about leading a subscription-growth business through the first COVID shock. The company moved fully remote almost overnight, while still helping subscription businesses use technology, data, insight and people to find growth.For scaling founders and CEOs, this is a practical lesson in CEO evolution. Growth pressure does not remove the human work of leadership; it makes it more important. Bhavesh...
2020-11-1735 min
The Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesStrategic Leadership: why crowded markets punish vague leadership | Alun Baker (CEO, Clario Tech) - S02E07How do you lead in a crowded category when customers do not want more features, they want someone to make the problem feel clear?In this episode, Richard speaks with Alun Baker, CEO of Clario Tech, about leading a consumer cybersecurity challenger in a market full of technical language, incumbent habits and confused buyers. Clario's opportunity was not simply to build another security product; it was to reframe the category around the everyday risks people actually feel.For a scaling founder or CEO, this is a CEO leadership lesson in clarity. Crowded markets punish vague...
2020-11-1138 min
The Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesCEO Bottleneck: what founders do when demand disappears overnight | Christophe Collet (CEO, S4M) - S02E06What do you do when the market your company serves almost disappears overnight?In this episode, Richard speaks with Christophe Collet, CEO of S4M, about leading a drive-to-store technology business when COVID-19 abruptly shut down large parts of physical retail. S4M had built its proposition around helping retailers turn digital advertising into store visits, then suddenly had to rethink how that capability could serve a new reality.For scaling founders and CEOs, this is a CEO leadership and CEO bottleneck moment: the business cannot wait for perfect visibility, but the wrong decision can...
2020-11-0335 min
The Defining Move | Leadership and CEO Evolution for Scaling BusinessesCEO Decision Making: why optimism is risky when the future is unclear | Ben Page (CEO, Ipsos MORI UK) - S02E02What happens when your optimism as a leader becomes one of the risks you have to manage?In this episode, Richard speaks with Ben Page, CEO of Ipsos MORI UK, about CEO decision making in a crisis where visibility is low, public behaviour is shifting, and the recovery may not look like the optimistic forecasts. Ben brings the perspective of a research leader who has lived through multiple downturns and understands how easily leaders can mistake hope for evidence.For scaling founders and CEOs, this conversation is a reminder that visible leadership is not the...
2020-10-0635 min