Best Ajay Rob Podcasts (2025)

What separates truly exceptional leaders from the rest? According to Kurt Strovink, it’s not just strategy, execution, or decision-making—it’s the ability to lead from within. As a senior partner at McKinsey & Company and a global advisor to CEOs, Kurt has spent decades studying the patterns of the most successful executives. In his latest book, Th…

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411 Motley Fool Co-Founder David Gardner on Rule Breaker Investing, Long-Term Thinking, and Leadership That Lasts 1:15:00

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8d ago1:15:00

1:15:00

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with David Gardner—legendary investor, co-founder of The Motley Fool, and author of Rule Breaker Investing. Over the past three decades, David has not only beaten the market—he’s reshaped how long-term investing is understood and practiced. David’s track record is extraordinary: He rec…

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410 Ram Charan on Leading When Uncertainty Is Permanent: Strategy, Execution, and AI as the New Business Model 31:36

15d ago31:36

31:36

In this compelling episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli is joined by one of the most sought-after advisors to Fortune 100 CEOs and boards—Ram Charan. Named “the most influential consultant alive” by Fortune, Charan draws on decades of boardroom experience and over 30 books—Execution, What the CEO Wants You to Know, The Amazon Management…

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409 From Turn the Ship Around to Rethinking Decisions: David Marquet on Leading with Distance, Not Ego 44:37

22d ago44:37

44:37

In this thought-provoking conversation, former nuclear submarine commander and bestselling author David Marquet returns to the Partnering Leadership podcast to discuss the core ideas behind his new book: Distancing: How Great Leaders Reframe to Make Better Decisions. Known globally for Turn the Ship Around, Marquet once again challenges traditional…

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408 The Devil Emails at Midnight: What Good Leaders Can Learn From Bad Bosses with Mita Mallik 37:50

29d ago37:50

37:50

What if the “panic habits” leaders default to are the very things burning out their best people? In this Partnering Leadership episode, Mita Mallick—author of The Devil Emails at Midnight—joins Mahan to unpack practical ways senior leaders can replace performative urgency with clear operating rules that people can trust. You will hear why bad bosse…

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407 Thursday Refresh: Ann Hiatt on Trillion Dollar Leadership Secrets of Amazon’s Jeff Bezos & Google’s Eric Schmidt 52:14

1M ago52:14

52:14

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Ann Hiatt, Leadership Strategist & Consultant and Author of the book Bet on Yourself. Ann Hiatt shared the many lessons she learned while working alongside the world's top tech CEOs—Google's Eric Schmidt, Amazon's Jeff Bezos, Yahoo's Marissa Meyer. In addition to the story of her …

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406 Data as a Leadership Superpower: How to Fuel Strategy, Innovation, and AI with Justin Evans, Author of The Little Book of Data 39:03

1M ago39:03

39:03

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Justin Evans, a seasoned executive and author of The Little Book of Data. With a career spanning leadership roles at major media and tech firms including Microsoft, NBCUniversal, and Paramount, Evans brings a rare combination of commercial acumen and data fluency to the conversati…

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Great Bustards, Grey Partridge and Quail, Oh My! 38:34

1M ago38:34

38:34

Join me as I recount my recent birding adventure in Wiltshire and Hampshire. From impressive Great Bustards to the elusive Common Quail and the unexpected Grey Partridges, our weekend was filled with unforgettable moments. We share the excitement, challenges, and pure joy of birding in the beautiful landscapes of Wiltshire and Hampshire. Links Grea…

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405 [BEST OF] Jeremy Caplan on Beyond the Hype: AI-Powered Productivity Tools for Busy Executives 50:39

1M ago50:39

50:39

Welcome to the Best Of series on Partnering Leadership. While many of us take a bit of a breather in July and August, we’re revisiting standout episodes—conversations that are worth hearing again, especially as leadership challenges shift and new moments call for fresh thinking. I’ve also pulled together 12 of the leadership books I recommend most …

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404 [BEST OF] Jon Levy on How to Cultivate Your Influence and Build Powerful Connections 44:35

2M ago44:35

44:35

Welcome to the Best Of series on Partnering Leadership. While many of us take a bit of a breather in July and August, we’re revisiting standout episodes—conversations that are worth hearing again, especially as leadership challenges shift and new moments call for fresh thinking. I’ve also pulled together 12 of the leadership books I recommend most …

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403 [BEST OF] Todd Cherches on the power of visual leadership 30:28

2M ago30:28

30:28

Welcome to the Best Of series on Partnering Leadership. While many of us take a bit of a breather in July and August, we’re revisiting standout episodes—conversations that are worth hearing again, especially as leadership challenges shift and new moments call for fresh thinking. I’ve also pulled together 12 of the leadership books I recommend most …

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402 Refresh: Alain Hunkins on Cracking the Leadership Code: Three Secrets to Building Strong Leaders 49:58

2M ago49:58

49:58

Welcome to the Best Of series on Partnering Leadership. While many of us take a bit of a breather in July and August, we’re revisiting standout episodes—conversations that are worth hearing again, especially as leadership challenges shift and new moments call for fresh thinking. I’ve also pulled together 12 of the leadership books I recommend most …

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401 [BEST OF] Bob Johansen on Full Spectrum Leadership for a VUCA world 41:35

2M ago41:35

41:35

Welcome to the Best Of series on Partnering Leadership. While many of us take a bit of a breather in July and August, we’re revisiting standout episodes—conversations that are worth hearing again, especially as leadership challenges shift and new moments call for fresh thinking. I’ve also pulled together 12 of the leadership books I recommend most …

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400 [BEST OF] Michele McQuaid on using research-based positive psychology to become a better leader 37:41

2M ago37:41

37:41

Welcome to the Best Of series on Partnering Leadership. While many of us take a bit of a breather in July and August, we’re revisiting standout episodes—conversations that are worth hearing again, especially as leadership challenges shift and new moments call for fresh thinking. I’ve also pulled together 12 of the leadership books I recommend most …

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Focus on Birders: Amy Squire 35:08

2M ago35:08

35:08

Amy Squire is a passionate young birder and conservationist who has grown up exploring the wild spaces of Hampshire. With a childhood spent outdoors, Amy quickly became fascinated by all aspects of nature, but birds really captured her imagination. Amy combines her interest in field observation with artistic pursuits, often sketching the birds she …

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399 [BEST OF] Robert Rosenberg on Leading Dunkin Donuts from Around the Corner to Around The World 52:05

3M ago52:05

52:05

Welcome to the Best Of series on Partnering Leadership. While many of us take a bit of a breather in July and August, we’re revisiting standout episodes—conversations that are worth hearing again, especially as leadership challenges shift and new moments call for fresh thinking. I’ve also pulled together 12 of the leadership books I recommend most …

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Global BirdFair 2025 32:38

3M ago32:38

32:38

Global BirdFair has wrapped up for another year, and Suzy shares her experiences of this incredible festival of nature. The inspiring talks, interactive events, and vibrant community atmosphere made this year's event truly unforgettable (despite the searing heat)! To capture the essence of the event, Suzy spoke with several attendees about their ti…

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398 [BEST OF] Steve Robinson on How Chick-fil-A Became an Iconic Brand 47:52

3M ago47:52

47:52

Welcome to the Best Of series on Partnering Leadership. While many of us take a bit of a breather in July and August, we’re revisiting standout episodes—conversations that are worth hearing again, especially as leadership challenges shift and new moments call for fresh thinking. I’ve also pulled together 12 of the leadership books I recommend most …

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397 [BEST OF] Aidan McCullen on How to lead yourself and your organization to become Undisruptable 42:54

3M ago42:54

42:54

Welcome to the Best Of series on Partnering Leadership. While many of us take a bit of a breather in July and August, we’re revisiting standout episodes—conversations that are worth hearing again, especially as leadership challenges shift and new moments call for fresh thinking. I’ve also pulled together 12 of the leadership books I recommend most …

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Simon King: A lifelong love of nature 25:15

3M ago25:15

25:15

The celebrated naturalist and professional filmmaker, Simon King, recounts how he turned his childhood interest in wildlife into a successful career. Whilst he has travelled the world to bring us film of incredible wildlife encounters, Simon stresses the importance of local conservation efforts in protecting habitats and species. He emphasises the …

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396 Thursday Refresh: Emmanuel Daniel on Navigating the Great Transition - Personalization, Disintermediation, and the Future of Work 49:31

3M ago49:31

49:31

Welcome to the Best Of series on Partnering Leadership. While many of us take a bit of a breather in July and August, we’re revisiting standout episodes—conversations that are worth hearing again, especially as leadership challenges shift and new moments call for fresh thinking. I’ve also pulled together 12 of the leadership books I recommend most …

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395 [BEST OF] Greg Satell on How To Create A Movement That Drives Transformational Change 46:31

3M ago46:31

46:31

Welcome to the Best Of series on Partnering Leadership. While many of us take a bit of a breather in July and August, we’re revisiting standout episodes—conversations that are worth hearing again, especially as leadership challenges shift and new moments call for fresh thinking. I’ve also pulled together 12 of the leadership books I recommend most …

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394 Leading in the Exponential Era: Futurist David Espindola on AI, Strategy, and the Future of Work 49:51

4M ago49:51

49:51

In this compelling episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli is joined by David Espindola, a futurist and strategic advisor with deep expertise in technology, AI, and leadership. As the author of The Exponential Era and Soulful, Espindola brings a unique lens to the conversation—one that blends exponential technology insight with a deep unde…

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393 Embracing Infinite Possibilities in Leadership: Lessons from Astronaut, Physician, and CEO Dr. Bernard A. Harris 42:48

4M ago42:48

42:48

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Dr. Bernard Harris, a leader whose extraordinary career trajectory—from physician to NASA astronaut to CEO and venture capitalist—offers rare insights into the inner work of leadership. Dr. Harris is the first African American to walk in space, and the author of Embracing Infinite…

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Dr Ed Pullen - The Bird Banter Podcast 47:46

4M ago47:46

47:46

Suzy is joined by Dr Ed Pullen, a former family doctor turned keen birder and podcast host. During a trip to the Everglades with his late wife Kay, Ed found himself fascinated by the birds they saw. That trip led to a lifelong love of birding. Ed shares his evolving approach to birding, which now emphasizes experiences over bird listing, and how hi…

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392 Section CEO Greg Shove on Leading Through AI: Rethinking Business Models, Talent, and Strategy 56:57

4M ago56:57

56:57

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli is joined by Greg Shove, CEO of Section and a serial entrepreneur with a deep track record of leading transformative growth. Shove’s leadership journey includes multiple successful pivots, and in this conversation, he brings a uniquely grounded perspective on how AI is fundamentally changing …

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391 Thursday Refresh: Simon Bailey on Resilience and Brilliance: Unleashing Leadership Potential and Lessons from Disney 33:15

4M ago33:15

33:15

In this insightful episode of the Partnering Leadership podcast, Mahan Tavakoli engages in a deep and inspiring conversation with Simon T. Bailey, a renowned speaker, leadership expert, and author of Resilience@Work: How to Coach Yourself Into a Thriving Future. Simon is best known for his work on personal and professional brilliance, with a focus …

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390 Beyond Engagement: What Great Leaders Actually Do Differently to Earn Commitment with Dave Garrison, Author, The Buy-In Advantage 40:58

4M ago40:58

40:58

What if your employees appear engaged, but aren’t truly committed? In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Dave Garrison, an experienced CEO, board member, and author of The Buy-In Advantage: Why Employees Stop Caring and How Great Leaders Inspire Commitment. Drawing on his work with companies like Ameritrade and his ex…

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389 Small Shifts, Big Impact: Leadership Lessons from Mike Mears, Former CIA HR Chief and Founder of the CIA Leadership Academy 51:47

4M ago51:47

51:47

What happens when even the most powerful leaders pull every lever they’ve been taught to use—bonuses, metrics, training—and nothing changes? That’s the question that set Mike Mears, former CIA Chief of Human Capital, on a mission to rethink leadership from the inside out. In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mike joins Mahan Tavakoli to share …

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388 Mastering Uncertainty: Lessons from Former Navy SEAL Commander Rich Diviney on Leading Yourself and Your Team When Nothing Goes as Planned 45:40

5M ago45:40

45:40

In this timely and compelling episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli welcomes back Rich Diviney, retired Navy SEAL Commander and bestselling author of The Attributes. This conversation focuses on Rich’s latest book, Mastering Uncertainty, and delivers insights highly relevant to leaders navigating today’s volatile, complex environment. Wi…

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387 You Can’t Outsmart AI—But You Can Out-Human It: How Humans Win in an AI Marketing World with Mark Schaefer 51:20

5M ago51:20

51:20

In this compelling episode of the Partnering Leadership podcast, Mark Schaefer returns to share fresh, provocative insights from his latest book, Audacious: How Humans Win in an AI Marketing World. A globally respected marketing strategist, bestselling author, and deep observer of technological change, Schaefer brings sharp clarity to a pressing le…

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386 [BEST OF] Eduardo Briceno on The Performance Paradox: Turning the Power of Mindset into Action 50:47

5M ago50:47

50:47

In this Partnering Leadership conversation, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Eduardo Briceño, author of The Performance Paradox: Turning the Power of Mindset into Action. In the discussion, Eduardo dives into the transformative power of a growth mindset and how we can apply it to unlock our potential. He shares how a crippling physical injury early in hi…

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385 Thursday Refresh: Jim Detert on How to Choose Courage and Be Brave at Work 43:31

5M ago43:31

43:31

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Jim Detert, John L. Colley Professor of Business Administration at the University of Virginia's Darden School of Business and author of Choosing Courage: The Everyday Guide to Being Brave at Work. In this conversation, Jim Detert shares how we can become more courageous by develop…

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384 The Power of Culture: Bringing values to life at work with Laura Hamill 45:25

5M ago45:25

45:25

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Laura Hamill, organizational psychologist, startup co-founder, and author of The Power of Culture. Laura shares how her early experiences and leadership journey at Microsoft shaped her passion for understanding the hidden forces that drive organizational behavior and business outc…

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383 Designing What Lasts: How Great Leaders Reimagine Ownership, Innovation, and Legacy with Alfredo De Massis 45:41

6M ago45:41

45:41

What does it take to build something that lasts—not just for years, but across generations? In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli is joined by Alfredo De Massis, a globally recognized expert on family enterprise and author of The Family Business Book: A Roadmap for Entrepreneurial Families to Prosper Across Generations. As one of…

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382 Why Strategy Fails Without the Right Board: Didier Cossin on High Performance Boards & Decision-Making at the Top 47:32

6M ago47:32

47:32

What if the greatest risk to your organization isn't economic uncertainty, market volatility, or disruptive technology—but the decisions being made in your own boardroom? In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Didier Cossin, IMD professor and global expert in board governance, whose book High Performance Boards has bec…

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381 Reclaim the Moment: Building Clarity and Connection in a Chaotic World with Greg Bennick 42:16

6M ago42:16

42:16

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Greg Bennick, keynote speaker, humanitarian, and author of Reclaim the Moment: Seven Strategies to Build a Better Now. Greg shares how his upbringing in a small Connecticut town with nontraditional parents helped shape his views on purpose, disruption, and transformation. Through …

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380 Thursday Refresh: Mark Schaefer on Why Community is the Last Great Marketing Strategy in the Age of AI 56:10

6M ago56:10

56:10

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Mark Schaefer, a renowned bestselling author of popular marketing books. The conversation focuses on Mark Schaefer's latest book, Belonging to the Brand: Why Community is the Last Great Marketing Strategy. During the discussion, Mark Schaefer shares valuable insights on personal b…

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379 Unlocking AI: How Leaders Can Tap Into Generative AI’s Power with Rajeev Kapur 29:40

6M ago29:40

29:40

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Rajeev Kapur, a seasoned technology executive, AI innovator, and author of AI Made Simple. With decades of leadership experience, including his time as CEO of a leading B2B marketing and media technology company, Rajeev shares invaluable insights on how generative AI is reshaping …

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378 [BEST OF] Barbara Kellerman on How to Break Free from the Grip of Toxic Leadership and Cultivate a Thriving Organization 46:33

7M ago46:33

46:33

In this compelling episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli engages in a deep and insightful conversation with Barbara Kellerman, a renowned expert in leadership, Harvard Kennedy School Professor, and a prolific author. Kellerman's latest book, Leadership from Bad to Worse: What Happens When Bad Festers, serves as the focal point of this di…

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Birding Diary - February 2025 37:27

7M ago37:27

37:27

In this month's birding catch-up, Suzy chats with her husband John about the birds they saw in February. After a slower start to the year thanks to a holiday abroad, they were keen to get back out birding and boost their 2025 bird list. The conversation delves into the sites they visited, their top birding moments, and their respective bird counts …

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377 Leadership Lessons from Cyrus the Great: Timeless Principles for Modern Leaders with Darius Lahoutifard 38:28

7M ago38:28

38:28

What can today’s executives and business leaders learn from a ruler who lived 2,500 years ago? As it turns out, quite a lot. In this episode of Partnering Leadership, host Mahan Tavakoli welcomes Darius Lahoutifard, a seasoned entrepreneur, leadership expert, and the author of Leadership by Cyrus the Great: Unlocking Xenophon’s Cyropaedia. Drawing …

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376 Leading Through Complexity: Becoming Courageous, Wise, and Steady in an Anxious World with Jennifer Garvey Berger 39:52

7M ago39:52

39:52

In today’s fast-changing world, leaders are expected to navigate complexity, make high-stakes decisions, and provide clarity—even when certainty is impossible. But how can leaders embrace ambiguity without losing their strategic edge? In this episode of Partnering Leadership, host Mahan Tavakoli sits down with Jennifer Garvey Berger, a world-renown…

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Birding in Peru - Rob Williams 19:28

7M ago19:28

19:28

Conservationist and bird guide Rob Williams shares the wonder of birding in Peru. From the coastal deserts to the Amazon Basin, Rob highlights the diverse habitats that are home to over 1800 bird species. Rob also shares how he would spend a fantasy birding day. Recorded live at Global BirdFair 2024. Links PromPeru’s birding website is: https://bir…

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Celebrating Women Birders 30:52

7M ago30:52

30:52

For International Women’s Day 2025 we hear from women birders from around the world. They share the motivations behind their birding passion and provide insights into the impact of birdwatching on personal well-being. Participants: Emily, Nish, Sarah, Colette, Charlie - UK Kristina - Germany Kate, Kirsty - Australia Chiara - Italy Steph - USA Links…

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375 March Refresh: Andrea Sampson on the Power of Strategic Storytelling in Leadership 49:23

7M ago49:23

49:23

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli hosts Andrea Sampson, an expert in strategic storytelling and the co-founder of Talk Boutique. Andrea Sampson talks about the fascinating intersection of brain science and storytelling, emphasizing why humans are hardwired to respond to stories. As an experienced speaker's coach for TEDx Toro…

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374 The Viking Code: Redefining Leadership for the Exponential Age with Anders Indset 52:26

7M ago52:26

52:26

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli is joined by Anders Indset, a renowned business philosopher, leadership thinker, and author of The Viking Code. As organizations navigate the rapid rise of AI, economic volatility, and shifting workforce dynamics, Indset challenges leaders to rethink how they lead, make decisions, and create …

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In search of Hen Harriers at Wicken Fen - with Ajay Tegala 39:16

7M ago39:16

39:16

Suzy takes a late afternoon walk with conservationist and author Ajay Tegala at Wicken Fen nature reserve in Cambridgeshire. As they sit in a hide waiting to see Marsh and Hen Harriers coming in to roost, Ajay shares the captivating diversity of wildlife he encounters in his work, and the management techniques that preserve this internationally imp…

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373 Mastering Leadership from the Inside Out: Transformative Insights for CEOs with Kurt Strovink, Global Head of McKinsey's CEO Practice 53:39

8M ago53:39

53:39

What separates truly exceptional leaders from the rest? According to Kurt Strovink, it’s not just strategy, execution, or decision-making—it’s the ability to lead from within. As a senior partner at McKinsey & Company and a global advisor to CEOs, Kurt has spent decades studying the patterns of the most successful executives. In his latest book, Th…