The World Class Leaders Show Podcast By Andrea Petrone cover art

The World Class Leaders Show

The World Class Leaders Show

By: Andrea Petrone
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Welcome to the World-Class Leaders Show. This podcast is designed for CEOs and Senior Executives who want to transform their organizations, lead change and build world-class teams. In this podcast, we deconstruct the success of world-class leaders and their transformational initiatives by sharing stories, insights, lessons, and the most effective strategies that can be implemented in the organization. This is your host. Andrea Petrone, an International Executive and Team Coach and Change Advisor to CEOs and Senior Executives, Facilitator and Keynote Speaker. He has more than 20 years of international and executive experience.© 2021 The World Class Leaders Show Economics Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • 225 - Crisis, Layoffs, and Reinvention: What Every CEO Can Learn from Dan Rosensweig

    225 - Crisis, Layoffs, and Reinvention: What Every CEO Can Learn from Dan Rosensweig
    Feb 5 2026
    We’re opening doors to WCL21. The first private and exclusive community for CEOs who want to grow their leadership, pressure-test decisions, and create meaningful connections with other peers in a trusted environment. 👉 Request your invitation: https://andreapetrone.com/wcl21 Want to establish authority and lead with confidence from Day One as a CEO? Grab your FREE copy of “10 Foolproof Ways New CEOs Establish Authority From Day One” 👉 Download - https://bit.ly/10-fool-proof-ceo-strategies __________________________________________ In this episode of The World Class Leaders Show, host Andrea Petrone is joined by Dan Rosensweig, CEO of Chegg Inc.. With a rich career spanning leadership roles at Yahoo, Dan shares his journey of reinvention in the face of challenges at Chegg Inc.. He discusses the importance of transparency, authenticity, and adaptability for CEOs, especially during times of crisis and transformation. Dan also highlights the evolving landscape of education and Chegg’s shift toward skilling, focusing on helping students become more employable in a rapidly changing world. Dan shares how CEOs must evolve their leadership style in response to changing times, focusing on authenticity, transparency, and the ability to lead through crises. He explains the challenges of leading in the tech industry, particularly when facing disruptions like AI and market shifts. Dan discusses the importance of clear communication with employees and stakeholders, especially during tough decisions like layoffs. He also highlights the need for CEOs to balance personal growth with company transformation, using real-world examples from his own career to illustrate key leadership lessons and strategies. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: - Why transparency and authenticity are crucial for CEOs, especially in times of crisis. - How leaders can evolve their approach to meet the demands of a rapidly changing market. - The importance of clear communication during difficult decisions like layoffs. - Why reinvention and adaptability are key to long-term business success. - How CEOs can balance personal growth with transforming their company’s future. Timestamps: [00:00] - Teaser & Introduction of Dan Rosensweig [02:24] - Why Dan returned as CEO of Chegg during challenging times [06:13] - What reinvention means for CEOs personally and professionally [12:20] - The challenges of leading in tech and balancing work with personal life [14:12] - Dan’s thoughts on leadership evolution and introspective work for CEOs [19:54] - The importance of consistency and clarity in CEO communication [24:06] - The impact of layoffs and transparent communication during difficult decisions [33:05] - The importance of empathy in leadership, especially during tough times [34:18] - Leadership and mental health: The personal impact of being a CEO [38:56] - Dan's vision for Chegg's future and the shift to skilling over homework help Follow Our Guest Dan Rosensweig: - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielrosensweig/ - Chegg Inc.: https://www.linkedin.com/company/chegg-inc-/ Follow our Host Andrea Petrone on: - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreapetrone - Website: https://www.andreapetrone.com - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andreapetrone_x/ Follow The World Class Leaders Show and Stay updated: - Subscribe to The World Class Leader Show: https://shorturl.at/E9WE7 - Newsletter: https://shorturl.at/dMRp6 - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-world-class-leaders-show/ - Website: https://www.andreapetrone.com/podcast/ - Spotify: https://shorturl.at/DSHUl - Apple: https://shorturl.at/JZAmQ ⭐If you're leading a company or navigating change, this conversation with Dan Rosensweig provides valuable lessons on evolving as a CEO, staying authentic, and making tough decisions to drive long-term success in a fast-changing business landscape.
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    40 mins
  • 224 - This Is the Moment the Year Starts Running You

    224 - This Is the Moment the Year Starts Running You
    Jan 29 2026

    We’re opening doors to WCL21. The first private and exclusive community for CEOs who want to grow their leadership, pressure-test decisions, and create meaningful connections with other peers in a trusted environment.

    👉 Request your invitation: https://andreapetrone.com/wcl21

    __________________________________________ Want to establish authority and lead with confidence from Day One as a CEO?

    Grab your FREE copy of “10 Foolproof Ways New CEOs Establish Authority From Day One” 👉 Download - https://bit.ly/10-fool-proof-ceo-strategies

    __________________________________________

    By the end of January, the holiday energy is gone, the pressure is back, and your momentum starts to slip. Decisions slow down, priorities blur, meetings pile up — and the year already feels suspiciously like last year.

    In this episode, I’ll explain why the “January dip” actually peaks in the last week of the month, the three forces that quietly collapse CEO momentum (over-activation, fragmentation, and leadership reversion), and why so many leaders enter February already tired and reactive.

    You’ll learn how world-class CEOs reset before February hits: how to redraw your attention map, reestablish a sharper decision rhythm, and design an environment that supports 30,000-feet thinking instead of dragging you back into the weeds — so the next 11 months compound in the right direction instead of the wrong one. I’ll also share more about WCL 21, my new CEO community for fast-growth and mid-size CEOs who want a stronger inner circle, better challenge, and a real space to think.

    - Like my work? Follow or connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreapetrone/

    - Want to become a world-class leader? Join 155,000+ leaders who read my weekly insights here: https://www.andreapetrone.com/newsletter/
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    13 mins
  • 223 - From a Gas Station Job to a Billion-Dollar CEO with Shirin Behzadi

    223 - From a Gas Station Job to a Billion-Dollar CEO with Shirin Behzadi
    Jan 22 2026
    We’re opening doors to WCL21. The first private and exclusive community for CEOs who want to grow their leadership, pressure-test decisions, and create meaningful connections with other peers in a trusted environment. 👉 Request your invitation: https://andreapetrone.com/wcl21 Want to establish authority and lead with confidence from Day One as a CEO? Grab your FREE copy of “10 Foolproof Ways New CEOs Establish Authority From Day One” 👉 Download - https://bit.ly/10-fool-proof-ceo-strategies __________________________________________ In this episode of The World Class Leaders Show, host Andrea Petrone is joined by Shirin Behzadi, Keynote Speaker, Bestselling Author, Board Director & Investor at Shirin Behzadi, LLC. She is also the author of the book “The Unexpected CEO”. Shirin shares her journey from working behind bulletproof glass at a gas station to becoming a billion-dollar CEO. She opens up about fleeing Iran, building resilience through adversity, and leading a company through major transformation. Shirin discusses the mindset shifts that helped her succeed, how she used empathy in leadership, and why setbacks can be powerful turning points for growth and reinvention. Shirin shares how leaders can turn adversity into a strength by changing their mindset and focusing on what is possible. She explains how her early challenges, from fleeing Iran to recovering from a life-threatening brain tumor, shaped her views on resilience and reinvention. Shirin introduces key lessons from her book, including the power of belief, the value of listening, and the importance of defining a clear vision. She also talks about how empathy helps leaders build stronger teams and make better decisions. Throughout the conversation, she offers honest stories and practical advice for growing as a leader and building a successful business. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: - How to turn adversity into a powerful tool for personal and business growth. - Why mindset and belief play a key role in achieving big goals. - Steps to move from financial insecurity to successful leadership. - How to use empathy to lead teams and make better business decisions. - Why defining your vision and listening to others can drive real transformation. 📘 Read “The Unexpected CEO” - Discover how Shirin Behzadi went from a gas station cashier to leading a billion-dollar company with lessons in resilience, leadership, and growth. 👉 Visit: https://shirinbehzadi.com/book/ Timestamps: [00:00] - Teaser and introduction of Shirin Behzadi [03:00] - Why Shirin wrote The Unexpected CEO and its impact [04:51] - Life before and after exile from Iran and key early lessons [06:26] - How mindset and belief helped shape her future [09:33] - Seeing adversity as a strength and growth opportunity [12:38] - Facing a near-fatal brain tumor and learning resilience [16:19] - Reframing setbacks and growing during the Great Recession [18:38] - From CFO to CEO and leading major business growth [24:02] - Key leadership principles that drove 70% company growth [28:19] - How empathy shaped her leadership and team success [33:58] - Why the book is a roadmap for decision-making and growth [37:01] - Final advice for CEOs facing uncertainty and adversity Follow Our Guest Shirin Behzadi: - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shirin-behzadi/ - Website: https://shirinbehzadi.com/ - Shirin Behzadi, LLC: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shirin-behzadi-llc/ Follow our Host Andrea Petrone on: - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreapetrone - Website: https://www.andreapetrone.com - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andreapetrone_x/ Follow The World Class Leaders Show and Stay updated: - Subscribe to The World Class Leader Show: https://shorturl.at/E9WE7 - Newsletter: https://shorturl.at/dMRp6 - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-world-class-leaders-show/ - Website: https://www.andreapetrone.com/podcast/ - Spotify: https://shorturl.at/DSHUl - Apple: https://shorturl.at/JZAmQ ⭐If you're leading through change or facing big challenges, this talk with Shirin Behzadi offers real guidance on turning setbacks into strength, leading with empathy, and building a business with purpose and vision.
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    39 mins
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