• 146: Life lessons at 49 that I wish I could tell my 29-year-old self
    Jul 25 2024

    How much time do you spend reflecting on your past? Do you wish you could go back and talk to your younger self? In this episode, Andrea shares five big lessons he has learnt in the past 20 years, in the hope that it can help and provide insight to those earlier on in their career.

    KEY TAKEAWAYS

    • Always stay curious, even when you feel you don’t need to do.
    • Power doesn’t equal influence, you can influence without power.
    • Be patient, don’t look for power, look for impact.
    • Question everything but do so respectfully. It is not wrong to challenge anything.

    BEST MOMENTS

    “I wanted to share with you what I really learnt in the past 20 years”

    “Power doesn’t equate to influences”

    “The bigger impact you make as an individual the more power people will see in you”

    “Speak up, raise your voice, raise your hand when you need to”

    “Learning, curiosity, patience, personal growth and questioning”

    VALUABLE RESOURCES

    Like the show? Please leave or write a review on your favourite podcast platform!

    The World Class Leaders Show YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC59dect0RJ5cuxIXsX7hCRw

    Let Andrea know your thoughts or share your comments via LinkedIn or via email

    For more information on Andrea’s work and access to other valuable resources, please visit the website

    If you don’t want to miss any episode and receive the full article in your inbox, subscribe today to our blog

    Need more? Book a 30 min call here: Need more? Book a 30 min call here: https://calendly.com/andreapetrone/strategy-call-30.

    ABOUT THE HOST

    My name is Andrea Petrone. I'm a Human Performance and Leadership Advisor, Executive Coach and International Speaker. I help leaders and their teams to change their mindsets and master their leadership capabilities so they can achieve extraordinary performance. I've been in the corporate world for more than 20 years working globally - in 6 countries and 3 continents - for medium-large companies.

    Show more Show less
    14 mins
  • 145: Guide to Navigating Uncertain Times with Carole Nakhle, CEO of Crystol Energy
    Jul 18 2024

    Andrea interviews Dr. Carole Nakhle, founder and CEO of Crystal Energy. Carole shares her inspiring journey from war-torn Lebanon to becoming a leading voice in the energy sector. She offers unique insights into navigating uncertainty, the future of energy, and the challenges facing CEOs in today's complex world.

    KEY TAKEAWAYS

    • Growing up during Lebanon's civil war taught Carole invaluable lessons in dealing with uncertainty and risk, shaping her approach to business and life.
    • The energy sector is facing a complex transition, with a disconnect between political rhetoric and practical realities, especially in developing countries.
    • Leadership in the energy industry requires adaptability, a deep understanding of global trends, and the ability to navigate policy uncertainties.
    • Attracting and retaining talent in the energy sector demands flexibility and an understanding of changing priorities among younger generations.
    • The future of energy will likely involve a complementary approach rather than a complete substitution of fossil fuels, contrary to some predictions.
    • Digital technologies and AI are flattening hierarchies in organisations, creating new opportunities for rapid career advancement.
    • Successful CEOs must balance long-term market trends with short-term policy uncertainties while motivating a diverse workforce.
    • Embracing ambiguity and viewing it as an opportunity rather than a threat is crucial for leadership success in today's rapidly changing business environment.

    BEST MOMENTS

    "If you grow up in a torn civil war country, you learn how to live with risk, you learn how to live with uncertainty, and you have to be able to adapt very quickly."

    "We are moving towards a greener, cleaner energy future. But for those who believe that fossil fuels are going to be dead within the next 10, 20 years, they are wrong. It's not realistic."

    "My philosophy in life is that any minute you just deal with the future, it's like sailing in the fog. You cannot wait for the fog to dissipate, but you have to continue sailing until you start seeing the other side of the lake."

    "When people really learn to deal with ambiguity and see ambiguity as an opportunity, rather than as an adversity, things change because you start seeing people taking more risk."

    "If I'm going to shy away from what could happen, what is this, what is that? Of course, you have scenarios. But what did COVID tell us? All of our scenarios, you know, we have to ditch them and then start from scratch."

    VALUABLE RESOURCES

    Like the show? Please leave or write a review on your favourite podcast platform!

    The World Class Leaders Show YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC59dect0RJ5cuxIXsX7hCRw

    Let Andrea know your thoughts or share your comments via LinkedIn or via email

    For more information on Andrea’s work and access to other valuable resources, please visit the website

    If you don’t want to miss any episode and receive the full article in your inbox, subscribe today to our blog

    Need more? Book a 30 min call here: Need more? Book a 30 min call here: https://calendly.com/andreapetrone/strategy-call-30.

    ABOUT THE HOST

    My name is Andrea Petrone. I'm a Human Performance and Leadership Advisor, Executive Coach and International Speaker. I help leaders and their teams to change their mindsets and master their leadership capabilities so they can achieve extraordinary performance. I've been in the corporate world for more than 20 years working globally - in 6 countries and 3 continents - for medium-large companies.

    Show more Show less
    35 mins
  • Balancing Board Relations and Bold Leadership in Private Equity | Andrea on X-Factor Podcast
    Jul 11 2024

    The roles are reversed in this episode as Andrea is interviewed on the X-Factor podcast. Andrea dives deep into the high-stakes world of private equity leadership and shares invaluable insights on thriving under pressure, mastering mindset, and balancing strategy with execution.

    KEY TAKEAWAYS

    • Performance coaching is not about fixing weaknesses but enhancing abilities to succeed at a higher level, focusing on the connection between mindset, action, and performance.
    • Successful leaders in uncertain environments must balance short-term results with long-term vision, dealing with ambiguity and creating a bold future while managing current challenges.
    • In private equity-backed companies, leaders must make decisions quickly with limited information, trusting instinct and simplifying processes to avoid unnecessary complexity.
    • Effective CXOs strike a balance between respecting their private equity board and confidently advancing their own ideas, fostering open communication and transparency.
    • Execution is crucial in private equity environments, with boards expecting management teams to implement strategies effectively rather than just focusing on planning.
    • Leaders must clearly communicate strategy throughout the organisation, ensuring collective ownership and empowering teams to execute efficiently.
    • Mindset shifts are essential for high performance, allowing leaders to change their frame of reference and achieve extraordinary results.
    • Building strong relationships with board members, including one-on-one connections, can lead to better support and involvement in strategic decisions.

    BEST MOMENTS

    "The only way to drive performance in any organisation, either for ourselves, for the business, is by, of course, changing our actions. But the only way to change our actions is by shifting our mindset."

    "Those leaders that will be able to work on a burning platform, meanwhile creating that future that is ambitious, is bold, is important for investors, is important as well for employees, they're going to succeed."

    "Good news [travels] fast, bad news [travels] faster. So transparency, openness, you're not going to do yourselves any favours by delaying shared information."

    "The reason why most of the time organisations really struggle to execute a strategy is because the strategy is not clear or because there are so many contradictory points in the strategy."

    "There is an expectation strategy is defined by the board, but the reality is the board is just waiting for the organisation to execute."

    VALUABLE RESOURCES

    Like the show? Please leave or write a review on your favourite podcast platform!

    The World Class Leaders Show YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC59dect0RJ5cuxIXsX7hCRw

    Let Andrea know your thoughts or share your comments via LinkedIn or via email

    For more information on Andrea’s work and access to other valuable resources, please visit the website

    If you don’t want to miss any episode and receive the full article in your inbox, subscribe today to our blog

    Need more? Book a 30 min call here: Need more? Book a 30 min call here: https://calendly.com/andreapetrone/strategy-call-30.

    ABOUT THE HOST

    My name is Andrea Petrone. I'm a Human Performance and Leadership Advisor, Executive Coach and International Speaker. I help leaders and their teams to change their mindsets and master their leadership capabilities so they can achieve extraordinary performance. I've been in the corporate world for more than 20 years working globally - in 6 countries and 3 continents - for medium-large companies.

    Show more Show less
    40 mins
  • Why Brands Are Failing Consumers Today with Bob Neville
    Jul 4 2024
    Andrea interviews Bob Neville, a global retail business expert with over 30 years of experience working with iconic brands like Adidas, New Balance, and Under Armour. Bob shares invaluable insights on creating emotional connections with consumers, the power of storytelling in branding, and the importance of leadership in shaping brand identity and culture. KEY TAKEAWAYS Emotional connection with consumers is crucial for brand success, going beyond superficial community-building to create genuine relationships.Storytelling is a powerful tool for brands to differentiate themselves and create meaningful connections with their target audience.Leadership plays a vital role in shaping brand identity and culture, with leaders needing to visibly embody the brand's values and purpose.Frontline employees are the true face of the brand, making it essential to empower and engage them in the company's mission and values.Understanding the "why" behind a brand's existence is crucial for creating authentic connections and standing out in a crowded marketplace. BEST MOMENTS "If you don't have a story to talk about, what do you have to talk about? It comes down to price. And then you, if you haven't got a story, it's discount. And that doesn't take you anywhere." "The CEO is not the most important person in the company. It's the person interacting with your consumer." "As a servant leader, we're there to create environments for success, both for your staff and for the consumers and your board." "If you're not growing, you know, was it, they say, if you're not growing, you're dying." "Process, operational efficiency, combined with emotional engagement, equals success." ABOUT THE GUEST BOB NEVILLE - GLOBAL RETAIL BUSINESS EXPERT WHO DRIVES PROFITABLE GROWTH Bob Neville has for the last 32 years worked all over the world with leading sports and footwear brands including amongst others adidas, New Balance and Under Armour. From redefining operational processes to increase profits, to building high performance and highly engaged teams, Bob really understands the customer experience. The strategic global retail leader has made a name for himself driving growth and innovation, whilst transforming the retail landscape. Born in France, educated in the United Kingdom, currently residing between the United Kingdom and Hong Kong Bob has launched over 10,000 store concepts around the world. This experience has developed Bob’s keen understanding of global markets, and the specific nuances within cultures, worldwide. This wisdom only comes from spending extensive time physically immersed in various markets and sectors, gaining a global perspective of what it truly takes to drive growth and lead profitable businesses. Along with being a global business leader, Bob is also an active participant in creating a inclusive environment within the fashion apparel industry. Bob is a board member of Pride in Fashion (PIF), an NGO dedicated to supporting the LGBTQIA+ community. VALUABLE RESOURCES Like the show? Please leave or write a review on your favourite podcast platform! The World Class Leaders Show YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC59dect0RJ5cuxIXsX7hCRw Let Andrea know your thoughts or share your comments via LinkedIn or via email For more information on Andrea’s work and access to other valuable resources, please visit the website If you don’t want to miss any episode and receive the full article in your inbox, subscribe today to our blog Need more? Book a 30 min call here: Need more? Book a 30 min call here: https://calendly.com/andreapetrone/strategy-call-30. ABOUT THE HOST My name is Andrea Petrone. I'm a Human Performance and Leadership Advisor, Executive Coach and International Speaker. I help leaders and their teams to change their mindsets and master their leadership capabilities so they can achieve extraordinary performance. I've been in the corporate world for more than 20 years working globally - in 6 countries and 3 continents - for medium-large companies.
    Show more Show less
    46 mins
  • 142: Keeping The Entrepreneurial Spirit Alive in Organizations
    Jun 27 2024

    This week Andrea revisits a past episode, How To Preserve the Entrepreneurial Mindset in Your Organization. Andrea shares ‘the thing’ that keeps most CEOs he has had on the show up at night! He then discusses the four pieces of advice he would give to help tackle it. Andrea also gives an update on a network he is creating, drop him an email if you are interested in getting involved.

    KEY TAKEAWAYS

    • As a company develops and grows, entrepreneurial spirit can be lost.
    • Flexibility, agility and speed are all attributes of entrepreneurship that can get lost over time.
    • Innovation can easily be downgraded as a priority as a company grows, looking to protect what already exists rather than generating new ideas and opportunities.
    • Creating a culture that encourages risk and operates like a start-up is a way to continue to have an entrepreneurial spirit within your organisation.
    • If you encourage employees to question existing ways of working then you will foster a culture focused around innovation.
    • Try and identify one area in your organisation that if transformed, will have a big impact on your results.

    BEST MOMENTS

    "There is one thing that is quite consistent across the board”

    “As companies grow there’s definitely a tendency to get complacent”

    “You need to promote a culture that encourages risk taking”

    “There must be something somewhere that can be an incredible transformational element for the organisation”

    "That's what start-ups do, put the customer at the centre of their work...they have this relentless interest of creating value for the customers"

    VALUABLE RESOURCES

    Like the show? Please leave or write a review on your favourite podcast platform!

    Let Andrea know your thoughts or share your comments via LinkedIn or via email

    For more information on Andrea’s work and access to other valuable resources, please visit the website

    If you don’t want to miss any episode and receive the full article in your inbox, subscribe today to our blog

    Need more? Book a 30 min call here: https://calendly.com/andreapetrone/strategy-call-30.

    ABOUT THE HOST

    My name is Andrea Petrone. I'm a Human Performance and Leadership Advisor, Executive Coach and International Speaker. I help leaders and their teams to change their mindsets and master their leadership capabilities so they can achieve extraordinary performance. I've been in the corporate world for more than 20 years working globally - in 6 countries and 3 continents - for medium-large companies.



    Show more Show less
    12 mins
  • 141: Why Double Standards Are Sabotaging Your Company Culture
    Jun 20 2024

    In this episode, Andrea highlights the issue of double standards and their impact on your team. He talks about why double standards kill culture and how to prevent double standards from happening, talking about what you can do as a leader to foster a positive and respectful culture for all.

    KEY TAKEAWAYS

    • Double standards occur when different sets of principles are applied to similar situations, particularly in regards to behaviour.
    • Double standards erode trust in leadership and demoralise teams.
    • Define clear behavioural expectations for your entire team.
    • Leaders have to adhere to the highest standard of behaviour, leading by example always.
    • Organisations can find it difficult to focus on behaviours, instead favouring performance and short-term goals.
    • Creative an environment where people feel like they can come to you to talk about poor behaviour.
    • Reward the right behaviours in your team, don’t take it for granted.

    BEST MOMENTS

    "Bad behaviour is bad behaviour, no matter who does it”

    “Double standards really kill culture”

    “Leaders must model the behaviour they expect from their team”

    VALUABLE RESOURCES

    Like the show? Please leave or write a review on your favourite podcast platform!

    The World Class Leaders Show YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC59dect0RJ5cuxIXsX7hCRw

    Let Andrea know your thoughts or share your comments via LinkedIn or via email

    For more information on Andrea’s work and access to other valuable resources, please visit the website

    If you don’t want to miss any episode and receive the full article in your inbox, subscribe today to our blog

    Need more? Book a 30 min call here: Need more? Book a 30 min call here: https://calendly.com/andreapetrone/strategy-call-30.

    ABOUT THE HOST

    My name is Andrea Petrone. I'm a Human Performance and Leadership Advisor, Executive Coach and International Speaker. I help leaders and their teams to change their mindsets and master their leadership capabilities so they can achieve extraordinary performance. I've been in the corporate world for more than 20 years working globally - in 6 countries and 3 continents - for medium-large companies.

    Show more Show less
    14 mins
  • 140: The Future of Leadership: Empowering People and Embracing the Human Element
    Jun 13 2024

    Andrea engages in a thought-provoking discussion with Ken about the challenges and opportunities faced by CEOs in today's corporate landscape. Andrea shares valuable insights from his extensive experience coaching senior leaders, revealing the secrets to breaking silos, building trust, and becoming a visionary leader.

    KEY TAKEAWAYS

    • CEOs must create a bold future by design, envisioning a purpose-driven future that goes beyond incremental improvements to make a significant impact on society and leave an extraordinary legacy.
    • Breaking silos requires bringing different perspectives together, creating an environment of trust and transparency, and fostering a sense of collective ownership among team members.
    • Successful CEOs act as orchestrators and integrators, focusing on the human element of business and understanding the psychology of their team members to drive performance.
    • Mindset is crucial for effective leadership; instead of pushing people to change their actions, leaders should focus on shifting people's frames of reference to enable them to see new possibilities.
    • Transparency and authenticity are essential for building trust and getting people to buy into the leader's vision, even in the face of ambiguity and uncertainty.
    • CEOs must be willing to make faster decisions, especially when it comes to changing people in the leadership team, rather than waiting for perfect information.
    • Financial performance is the primary driver for replacing CEOs, but those with strong people skills may be given more time to turn things around.
    • The future of leadership requires a different approach, focusing on empowering people, dealing with the human element of business, and creating an environment where people can thrive.

    BEST MOMENTS

    "Business is made by humans. So, if you really want to be a great leader, you need to understand how psychology works. You need to understand how dealing with humans, which again, it sounds like banal, right, but it's just the basics."

    "When you work in a unit, it's in that way when people are so much, you know, committed with each other and had their own back. Gosh, it's an amazing place to work for exactly."

    "Trust your gut feeling sometimes because you are experienced, you know, if you have been a leader for many, many years, as most of CEOs had as an experience."

    "Human CEOs or people-centred CEOs, they're running the risk of over, again, talking about bias or dealing with their own optimism bias that people can, can achieve at some point."

    "I know it's unbiased, but to me, I have a really compassionate about their life and what they're, what they're doing. Again, writing my book, it's early days, but will be available end of the 2024."

    VALUABLE RESOURCES

    Like the show? Please leave or write a review on your favourite podcast platform!

    The World Class Leaders Show YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC59dect0RJ5cuxIXsX7hCRw

    Let Andrea know your thoughts or share your comments via LinkedIn or via email

    For more information on Andrea’s work and access to other valuable resources, please visit the website

    If you don’t want to miss any episode and receive the full article in your inbox, subscribe today to our blog

    Need more? Book a 30 min call here: Need more? Book a 30 min call here: https://calendly.com/andreapetrone/strategy-call-30.

    ABOUT THE HOST

    My name is Andrea Petrone. I'm a Human Performance and Leadership Advisor, Executive Coach and International Speaker. I help leaders and their teams to change their mindsets and master their leadership capabilities so they can achieve extraordinary performance. I've been in the corporate world for more than 20 years working globally - in 6 countries and 3 continents - for medium-large companies.

    Show more Show less
    48 mins
  • 139: Building Resilience with Giorgia Arnaboldi, SVP of Shell Energy Europe
    Jun 6 2024
    Europe. Giorgia shares her fascinating insights on leadership in times of uncertainty, the importance of adaptability, and fostering a culture of trust and inclusivity. With her extensive experience leading global teams, Giorgia offers valuable advice for current and aspiring leaders looking to navigate the challenges of the modern business landscape. KEY TAKEAWAYS Effective leadership in times of uncertainty requires anticipating change, reading market signals, and being mentally prepared for surprises while maintaining a clear vision and purpose.Fostering a culture of trust, empathy, and authenticity is crucial for attracting and retaining top talent in today's competitive market.Consistently achieving small goals and celebrating successes helps build resilience and momentum towards a long-term vision.Embracing diversity of thought and actively listening to different perspectives leads to better decision-making and understanding in multicultural teams.Encouraging people to step out of their comfort zone and supporting them through challenges can lead to extraordinary growth and performance.Senior leaders must challenge their unconscious biases and promote this practice throughout their organisation to create a fair and respectful work environment.The energy transition and digital transformation are reshaping the job market, requiring leaders to embrace new skills and adapt their business models accordingly.Empowering and trusting teams, even when facing uncertainty, can lead to outstanding results and a willingness to go the extra mile. BEST MOMENTS "Being a senior leader in a global or in a big organisation requires the ability to anticipate, the ability to read the signals of the market from multiple angles and multiple dimensions." "If you force yourself, and then after a while, it becomes like an addiction, I'm really curious. And so I ask myself a lot of questions, and then I read, but also I ask opinion to people, and I really listen." "People, any people, including already CEOs, they need to think about themselves and their organisation as in transition, and now more than ever." "When I'm able to trigger in people an extra, the willingness to go the extra mile, the willingness to really apply themselves to a level that they don't even know themselves they are capable of, and when I'm able to do that, I'm super proud." "All of us have unconscious bias. [...] Senior leaders again have an important role to equip leaders, middle management, to make sure that they protect themselves from unconscious bias because it can really [hurt] people." ABOUT THE GUEST Giorgia Arnaboldi is Vice President of Shell Energy Europe, the division within Shell Group that is focused on developing and growing fully integrated lower carbon energy offerings to help customers and Shell to decarbonise and meet their net-zero emissions targets. Before, she has been CEO of Shell Energy Deutschland, based in Hamburg, where she successfully led the end to end in country activities and spearheaded the development of a renewed Northwest Europe strategy and transformation program. Being in Shell since 2001, she has covered several commercial, marketing & strategy, business development roles in Shell Lubricants, Commercial Fuels and Shell Energy Trading. Giorgia holds a master’s degree in Management Engineering from Polytechnic of Milan and the OUBEP Programme certificate from Oxford University. She has a family with 2 children and has lived with them in Madrid, Hamburg and London while performing business for Shell. VALUABLE RESOURCES Like the show? Please leave or write a review on your favourite podcast platform! The World Class Leaders Show YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC59dect0RJ5cuxIXsX7hCRw Let Andrea know your thoughts or share your comments via LinkedIn or via email For more information on Andrea’s work and access to other valuable resources, please visit the website If you don’t want to miss any episode and receive the full article in your inbox, subscribe today to our blog Need more? Book a 30 min call here: Need more? Book a 30 min call here: https://calendly.com/andreapetrone/strategy-call-30. ABOUT THE HOST My name is Andrea Petrone. I'm a Human Performance and Leadership Advisor, Executive Coach and International Speaker. I help leaders and their teams to change their mindsets and master their leadership capabilities so they can achieve extraordinary performance. I've been in the corporate world for more than 20 years working globally - in 6 countries and 3 continents - for medium-large companies.
    Show more Show less
    46 mins