In this episode, I talk to Nadia Pace, a non-executive director from Malta who serves on various boards and is also an executive mentor and BPO advisor. We dive into her time as CEO of World Aviation Group, where she had to relocate her entire operation in under eight weeks due to safety concerns. Nadia shares the strategic decisions she made, the importance of alignment among stakeholders, and the critical role of communication in overcoming the crisis. Her story offers valuable insights into effective leadership during turbulent times.

Guest Links

• LinkedIn
• Website

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Nadia Pach 01:09 A Leadership Challenge: Relocating Operations 03:40 Navigating Safety and Cultural Concerns 05:10 Logistical Hurdles and Solutions 09:45 Project Management and Team Coordination 16:34 Communication and Reputational Management 21:00 Reflections and Lessons Learned 25:28 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode, I talk to Richard Russell who talks about his first time managerial role amid the cultural and operational transition during Google's acquisition of DoubleClick.

He shares the crucial lessons he learned about adapting to different business models and the need for respecting established processes before driving change. Richard also talks about the importance of being coachable, picking your battles wisely, and executing with commitment.

Guest Links

• LinkedIn

Timestamps

[00:00] Introduction to Richard Russell

[00:59] Richard's Early Career and Management Aspirations

[01:19] Challenges at Google and DoubleClick

[02:49] Learning to Adapt and Manage

[04:10] Realizations and Managerial Growth

[05:33] The Importance of Metrics and Adaptability

[07:16] Lessons in Leadership and Management

[08:02] Applying Lessons to New Contexts

[10:41] Navigating Company Cultures and Business Models

[11:47] Balancing Product Improvement and Service

[13:16] Navigating Customer Behavior and Organizational Change

[14:12] Developing Leaders in Top Companies

[14:41] The Evolution of Google's Strong Culture

[15:06] Google's Product Philosophy and Market Success

[16:26] Challenges in Adapting Google's Beliefs to New Markets

[17:20] Misconceptions About OKRs and Business Success

[18:23] Preparing First-Time Leaders for Success

[18:58] Personal Reflections on Leadership Transitions

[19:36] The Importance of Incremental Change in Business Strategy

[20:44] Lessons from Amazon and Google on Leadership

[22:44] Executing Well to Learn and Adapt

[25:38] Final Thoughts and Advice for Leaders

Your startup might feel like your baby, but there comes a point where you need to let go.

In this episode, I talk to Tom Pennings, CEO of SalesNudge. Tom has founded three startups and has taken one to exit, working both in Europe and Silicon Valley.

Tom reveals the moments he realized the importance of stepping back, even when the stakes were high. It’s a difficult but essential step in letting your team take ownership, ensuring your product fits market needs, and scaling to exit.

Learn about this and other valuable lessons Tom received from his mentor, as well as discovering what “gezond boerenverstand” means and how it can help you as a founder.

Guest Links

• Tom Pennings on LinkedIn
• Salesnudge

Resources Mentioned

• Ben Horowitz, The Hard Thing About Hard Things
• Donald Miller, Building a StoryBrand
• Geoffrey A. Moore, Crossing the Chasm

Dora Nagy is CEO Coach & Advisor, who helps CEOs typically at series A and beyond step up their game in how they lead and execute, using tried-and-tested toolkits, approaches, and frameworks.

In this episode she discusses the impact of feedback on individuals and the manipulation that can be associated with it. She shares personal experiences of receiving unfair evaluations and highlights the importance of seeking feedback with specific examples.

Guest Links

• LinkedIn
• Website

In this LFU Podcast episode, Katharina Lueth (CCO & Managing Director at Raisin) discusses the challenges faced during a major project migration. She highlights the importance of over-communicating and supporting team members during high-pressure situations. She also emphasises the need for post-migration cleanup and planning for the weeks following the project. The episode concludes with the idea that teamwork and collaboration are essential for successful project execution.

Guest Links

• ⁠LinkedIn⁠
• ⁠Raisin/ Weltsparen⁠

In this episode, Rob is joined by Isabel Strijland, the Chief Growth Officer & Co-founder at Acelr8. They discuss the topic "When it's too good to be true, it's too good to be true," diving into the challenges and lessons learned in building a business. From adapting to major disruptions to the importance of overcommunication, Isabel shares valuable insights for leaders in tech. Tune in to gain inspiration and learn from real-world experiences!

Guest Links

• LinkedIn
• Acelr8

Resources Mentioned

• Notion
• Slack
• Loom

Kritika Singh, Head of Account Development at TWAICE, explores the topic of being vulnerable at work. She shares her personal experience of facing a major life disruption while starting a new role and discusses the value of embracing vulnerability in the workplace. Join us as we delve into how she navigated the challenges, what she brought to work during this time, and the positive impact it had on her professional journey.

Guest Links

• LinkedIn
• The Humble Expat

Resources Mentioned

• Never Split The Difference by Chris Voss
• Ed Myllett Show

Ever wondered why some leaders effortlessly climb the corporate ladder while others get stuck? It’s not always about skill; it's about evolving with your role.

Tune in to Episode 14 as we chat with Kevin Goldsmith, the CTO at Distrokid. Kevin opens up about his challenging transition from being a developer to managing a rapidly scaling team at renowned companies like Adobe, Spotify, and Microsoft.

We dissect the dangers of being a bottleneck, the importance of self-awareness, and how you can escape the trap of your own making. This episode is your guide to navigating the often-unspoken challenges that come with the responsibilities of scaling teams and companies. Whether you’re a seasoned executive or an aspiring leader, we’ve got insights that can help you level up.

Links to the Guest

• Website: Kevin Goldsmith
• LinkedIn Profile

Resources Mentioned

• Thanks for the Feedback: The Science and Art of Receiving Feedback Well by Douglas Stone and Sheila Heen
• Management 3.0: Leading Agile Developers, Developing Agile Leaders by Jurgen Appelo
• VS Code
• Miro
• Mastodon
• Problem Solving Leadership by Gerald Weinberg