Leadership Listening

Why traditional leadership playbooks no longer apply - with Nik Gowing

Lawrie Philpott of Philpott Black and host of Leadership Listening talks with Nik Gowing, veteran BBC World News presenter and author of Thinking the Unthinkable, about leadership, disruption, and a darkening world.
Nik shares his core research findings — that most leaders are dangerously unprepared for the speed and complexity of modern disruption — and maps out his prescient warnings from 2009 and 2018. He argues the world is entering a period of fundamental instability driven by AI-driven unemployment, geopolitical rupture, weakened institutions, and the collapse of long-held assumptions about prosperity. He calls on leaders to think the unthinkable, break from zombie orthodoxies, and upskill for an era where traditional playbooks no longer apply.
Together they examine why politicians and civil servants struggle to speak truth to power, how Trump has distorted truth and inspired imitators globally, the concept of corporate mendacity, and the leadership lessons embedded in Nik's most memorable journalistic moments — including the fall of the Berlin Wall and the announcement of Princess Diana's death. They close with what universal leadership traits will matter most for the rest of this decade.
00:00 Intro00:53 Introducing Nik Gowing03:21 A Dark And Sinister Prognosis07:44 The End Of Stability And The Pinball World10:19 Leaders Failing To Grip The Enormity13:19 Upskilling For A New Reality16:24 Civil Service And Public Sector Failure17:26 Thinking The Unthinkable In Government20:11 Trump, DOGE And Decimated Public Life22:39 Zelensky As A Leadership Model24:35 Leaders On Camera — Credibility Under Pressure27:12 Media Adversarialism And Being First Fast Flawed29:13 Leadership Fitness And The 2500-Hour Year33:08 Bravery, Opportunism And Real-Time Leadership36:16 Flattery As Diplomacy — The Washington Weekend37:09 Post-Truth And The Distortion Of Facts41:39 Corporate Mendacity And Deliberate Distraction45:28 Most Memorable Journalistic Moments47:32 The Fall Of The Berlin Wall48:56 Announcing The Death Of Princess Diana52:28 Universal Leadership Traits Across Cultures57:37 Cynical Or Hopeful About The Future59:25 Closing Questions
 
Since 2014 Nik has been founder and director of the Thinking the Unthinkable project - https://thinkunthink.org/ Using interviews with, and access to, the highest levels of business, public service and governments the ongoing and dynamic project reveals candidly why so many leaders at every level face new difficulties adapting to the scale of unthinkables and unpalatables.
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Podcast episode: 16
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Leading with resilience and purpose in the charity sector - with Julie Bentley

Lawrie Philpott of Philpott Black and host of Leadership Listening talks with Julie Bentley, Chief Executive of Samaritans.
 
Julie shares her journey from a working-class upbringing in Essex, to discovering her calling through charity work, and building a distinguished career leading the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, the Family Planning Association, Girl Guiding, Action for Children, and now Samaritans. She reflects on what changes across different organisations and what stays constant in her leadership style, how to handle intense media scrutiny and online trolling as a woman in public life, and why the hardest weight in leadership is always the people — staff, volunteers, and service users. Julie explores what the CEO of Samaritans learned about truly listening, why leaders rarely admit what support they actually need, how to lead with moral compass under public scrutiny, and the delicate balance between transparency and necessary boundaries. She discusses the relentless financial pressures facing the charity sector, what shaped her leadership through mentors and feedback, and a pivotal lesson about power that changed how she leads.
 
00:00 Intro
03:51 Early Life and Background
05:21 Finding A Calling Through Charity
06:54 Leading Across Different Charities
08:16 What Has Changed in the Workplace
09:20 What Stays Constant in Leadership
11:32 Media Scrutiny and Public Life
12:58 Online Trolling and Resilience
16:14 What Feels Heaviest in Leadership
18:58 Connecting the CEO With Volunteers
23:48 Why Volunteers Are the Backbone of Society
25:27 Supporting Volunteers Through Difficult Work
26:15 Learning About Listening
26:50 Listening to Hear, Not to Respond
29:10 The Power of Leaving Space
30:40 What Support Leaders Need but Rarely Admit
32:31 The Importance of Praise for Leaders
35:38 Leading When Every Decision Is Judged Publicly
36:02 Anchoring Leadership to a Moral Compass
38:28 Are we in a Post-Moral-Compass World?
40:09 Sensitivity, Transparency and Necessary Boundaries
42:25 Bounded Transparency in Practice
44:07 Hard Financial Decisions in the Charity Sector
46:32 What Has Shaped How Julie Leads
47:02 Mentors, Peers and Feedback
48:42 The Power CEOs Hold and What to do with It
49:33 Closing Questions
 
Contact the show! Email: podcast@leadershiplistening.com
 
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Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/RKq07VFBicc
 
Podcast episode: 14
 
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Strategy, Competitive Differentiation and Leading at Pace - with Chris Outram

Lawrie Philpott of Philpott Black and host of Leadership Listening talks withChairman Emeritus and co-founder of OC&C Strategy Consultants Chris Outram, about leadership and modern strategy.
Chris recounts his early life in RAF postings, boarding school, Atlantic College, a dual degree in engineering and economics, early roles including BCG and corporate strategy, then founding OC&C, now a global specialist firm. He argues strategy is fundamentally about competitive differentiation, made harder by abundant data, faster competitor reactions and shorter strategy lifespans, with CEOs needing to own strategy and review it every six months alongside team capability. He discusses why strategies fail (poor analysis/design, weak commitment/execution), CEO strengths, board agenda gaps, and strategic risks including geopolitical uncertainty, competition, talent, and pace. Chris outlines where AI will first affect strategy work and closes with his pet hate and secret passions.
00:00 Intro01:42 Early Life And Education04:27 Career Turns And Founding OC&C07:28 What High End Strategy Means08:52 How Strategy Has Changed14:06 Shorter Horizons Long Term Markets16:08 Six Month Strategy And Talent Reviews18:40 Why Strategies Fail21:03 CEO Skills Vision Analysis Execution22:58 Commitment Execution And Common Traps25:46 Focus And Top Team Belief27:37 Purpose And Success28:49 Uncomfortable Board Truths31:41 Holding Strategy Accountable33:00 AI And Strategy Work38:01 First Mover Or Moat42:38 Risks Boards Underweight45:37 AI In Professional Services47:33 Futurology With Data52:14 Closing Questions
Contact the show! Email:podcast@leadershiplistening.com
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Collaboration is the new leadership - with René Carayol MBE

Lawrie Philpott of Philpott Black and host of Leadership Listening talks with renowned global leadership coach René Carayol about the complex world of modern leadership.
They delve into the qualities that make great leaders, the importance of inclusive environments, and the challenges faced by today's leaders. René shares his personal journey, including anecdotes from his time at Pepsi and his coaching experiences with prime ministers, professional boxers and CEOs.
Together, they explore themes such as vulnerability, accountability, and the future of leadership in an ever-changing, fast-paced world. This engaging discussion is packed with valuable insights and practical advice for aspiring and current leaders alike.
00:00 Intro02:00 René's Career Journey03:22 The PepsiCo Experience06:24 Transition to Coaching09:57 The Essence of Leadership13:23 Global Perspectives on Leadership21:44 Challenges of Modern Leadership28:53 The Power of Vulnerability in Leadership29:31 Understanding Accountability vs. Responsibility31:08 Empowerment Over Delegation33:20 The Concept of Primary Team37:31 Leadership in a Fast-Moving World44:34 Balancing Work and Personal Life46:47 Challenges in Public Sector Leadership50:51 Future of Leadership: Embracing Diversity and Inclusion53:51 Closing Questions
Contact the show! Email:podcast@leadershiplistening.com
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ri-KcJCVXzM
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From Arrogance to Accountability: Lessons in Leadership Failure - with Suzanne McKie KC

Lawrie Philpott of Philpott Black and host of Leadership Listening chats to Suzanne McKie KC about critical legal challenges faced by senior executives.  Suzanne specialises in employment, diversity law, regulatory law and high court litigation. Her law firm Farore Law - http://www.farorelaw.co.uk specialises in discrimination, whistle-blowing and misconduct and partnership law - in the workplace.
 
Together they talk about a range of topics, including: the intricacies of leadership failures, whistleblowing, misconduct issues, and the importance of effective communication. The conversation also highlights Suzanne's experiences with cases involving sexual harassment, drug use, and the vital role of good leadership in preventing disputes. The dialogue emphasises the significance of training for C-Suite executives, maintaining emotional control, and understanding the legal aspects of their actions. Additionally, they discuss the necessity of agreed exit statements, the impact of media interactions, and how leadership dynamics influence organisational behaviour. This enlightening session aims to demystify the legal perspectives for leaders and underscores the importance of empathy, proper training, and strategic communication in leadership roles.
 
00:00 – Intro
02:49 – Types of Cases: Whistleblowing, Misconduct, and More
03:56 – Leadership Failures: Behind the Curtain
05:27 – Emotions in the C-Suite
06:45 – Communication Breakdowns
08:08 – Arrogance and Policy Blind Spots
09:45 – Ignorance of the Law & Arrogance in Leadership
11:00 – The Role of HR and Legal Advice
12:00 – CEO Missteps: When Success Breeds Blindness
13:20 – Everything is Discoverable: Digital Evidence
14:30 – The Importance of Feedback and Training
16:50 – Resignation vs. Battle: Navigating Exits
19:00 – Bullying, Harassment, and Strong Leadership
21:10 – Difficult Conversations: Best Practices
24:00 – Record Keeping and E-Discovery
26:00 – Coaching and Supporting C-Suite Through Investigations
29:00 – Whistleblowing: Leadership’s Response
32:00 – Exit Statements and Managing the Narrative
34:00 – Preventing Disputes: The Power of Good Leadership
36:00 – Founder Syndrome and External HR
38:00 – The Big Ask: What Makes a Great CEO?
40:00 – Lessons Learned: Personal Growth in Leadership
43:00 – HR Phrases to Outlaw
45:00 – Growth, Happiness, and the Future of Leadership
48:00 – Closing questions
 
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/iTMF1g6wFfw 
 
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From Trading Floor to Boardroom: A Banking CEO’s Leadership Journey - with Keith Meekins

Lawrie Philpott of Philpott Black and host of Leadership Listening chats to Keith Meekins, a seasoned investment banker who rose from the ground floor of the financial services industry to become the Chief Executive of Daiwa Capital Markets Europe.
In this episode, Keith shares insights from his 40-year career, detailing his early life influences, his rise through the ranks, and the challenges and triumphs he experienced along the way. They discuss the demanding environment of investment banking, the importance of having strong leadership qualities, and how Keith managed various cultural dynamics between the UK and Japan. The conversation covers Keith's approach to leadership, especially during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. The episode concludes with Keith revealing his pet hate—lateness—and his secret passion for fly fishing and supporting Deal Football Club. This episode provides a comprehensive look at the complexities of leadership in the high-stakes world of investment banking.
00:00  Intro01:39  Keith's Early Life and Career Beginnings in Investment Banking07:00  Challenges and Learning in Settlements10:35  Transition to Trading and Early Success14:48  Navigating Japanese Banking Culture18:38  Commerzbank and Electronic Trading23:43  Joining Daiwa and Leadership Insights32:00  From Trading to Chief Executive33:00  Cultural Differences in Business Practices34:00  Regulatory Challenges and Leadership Changes36:01  Navigating the Role of CEO40:40  Building an Executive Team45:49  Impact of COVID-19 on Business Operations49:56  The Importance of Board Relationships55:53  Reflections on Leadership and Retirement01:01:32  Closing questions
 
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Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/tikNIC-gFCE
Podcast episode: 10
 
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Leadership and workplace culture from a generation Z perspective

Lawrie Philpott of Philpott Black and host of Leadership Listening chats to Calypso Kulasegram, Eugene Rotherham and Lucas Pepper about leadership and workplace culture from a generation Z perspective.
Together they talk about a range of topics, including: stereotypes of Gen Z in the workplace, opportunities and barriers of using AI at work, mentoring for graduates, the use of  the term “snowflake”, if universities are doing a good job of equipping graduates for the world of work, are Gen Z more ethically and morally minded when it comes to decisions about who they will work for?  Are Gen Z workers “entitled”?  Are Gen Z afraid of feedback? Neurodiversity and inclusion, trust, values, behaviours, social media, workplace culture and change.
 
00:00  Intro
07:02  Gen Z in the workplace – are the stereotypes true?
12:26  Adjusting to the use of AI in the workplace
13:48  Mentoring for graduates
14:15  Are young people really “snowflakes”?
16:02  Are universities equipping graduates for the world of work?
16:38  Gen Z making ethical decisions about work
19:10  Are Gen Z workers “entitled”?
21:04  Getting communication right – Are Gen Z afraid of feedback?
24:30  Neurodiversity and Inclusion – Meeting different needs
30:15  What does Gen Z want from its leaders?
32:15  Trust as a leadership value
36:00  Values in organisations
38:25  Behaviours and values – Walking the talk
41:11  Social media, Gen Z and workplace culture
44:59  What would Gen Z change about leadership?
50:06 Closing questions
 
Contact the show!  Email: podcast@leadershiplistening.com 
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Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Z3dgtDgOktE
Podcast episode: 9
 
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Stress, burnout, mental health and narcissism in the workplace - with Dr Daksha Hirani

Lawrie Philpott of Philpott Black and host of Leadership Listening chats to chartered clinical psychologist Dr Daksha Hirani (DClinPsy, AFBPsS), all about stress, burnout, mental health and narcissism in the workplace.
Together they talk about a range of topics, including: Workplace culture, safety and feeling unsafe at work, burnout, feeling trapped in your job, stress, holistic mental health, numbing and self-medication, bodily sensations, thoughts, urges and feelings, re-entering work or leaving a toxic workplace, knowing yourself and your needs, narcissism and bullying in the boardroom, coping skills, tools and strategies, therapy, occupational health, motivation, the character and morals of senior leaders, trust in leaders, leadership values and behaviours, mental health challenges for start-up leaders, narcissists, recovering from being affected by a narcissist, how to spot the signs of a narcissistic boss, gaslighting, leaders acting with awareness of their intention.
00:00  Intro03:23  Workplace cultures04:44  Feeling unsafe at work05:33  Burnout06:11  Feeling trapped in your job07:55  The differences between stress and burnout10:04  Signs of burnout10:47  Thinking about your mental health holistically12:12  Numbing and self-medication13:45  Sensations, thoughts, urges and feelings14:29  Re-entering work or leaving a toxic workplace17:11  Knowing yourself and your needs18:20  Narcissism and bullying in the boardroom19:44  Coping skills, tools and strategies22:10  The difference therapy can make23:50  Occupational health, therapy and motivation25:27  The character and morals of senior leaders27:15  Being able to trust your leaders27:49  Leadership values and behaviours28:46  Specific challenges for start-up leaders29:36  Narcissism in the workplace31:53  Do narcissists change?32:53  Recovering from being affected by a narcissist33:41  How to spot the signs of a narcissistic boss36:35  Why are some people narcissists?39:59  Gaslighting43:17  Advice to leaders – what’s your intention?44:47 Closing questions
 
Contact the show!  Email: podcast@leadershiplistening.com 
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Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ZiFtUUR37ic
Podcast episode: 9
 
Further information about pre-ordering Dr Daksha’s upcoming book “Healing from Narcissistic Abuse: How to Cope, Survive and Thrive”: https://www.parmi.co.uk/ 
 
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Being a CEO that builds trust and empowers teams - with Chloe Straw

Lawrie Philpott of Philpott Black and host of Leadership Listening chats to Chloe Straw, CEO of Audio UK, all about becoming a CEO. 
Together they talk about a range of topics, including: the impact of education, personal aspirations and early careers on becoming a leader, the journey to becoming a CEO, the role of a CEO, leadership challenges and strategy, developing your team, board relationships and governance, strategy implementation and adaptation, culture, values, and organisational growth, AI in the creative industries, leadership advice and insights, building trust and empowering teams.
00:00  Intro02:18  Early Career and Education03:06  Journey to CEO Position06:27  Entry into Media Production13:48  The Role of a CEO16:52  Leadership Challenges and Strategy18:30  The Role of the CEO and Team Building21:10  Board Relationships and Governance23:30  Strategy Implementation and Adaptation25:00  Culture, Values, and Organisational Growth26:59  AI in the Creative Industries35:10  Culture and Values35:48  Leadership Advice and Insights37:01  Building Trust and Empowering Teams40:59  Personal Reflections
 
Further information about Alex Mahon referenced at 31:02 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Mahon 
Further information about Melanie Perkins referenced at 32:40 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melanie_Perkins 
Further information about the book Father Figure by Emma Forrest referenced at 43:04 - https://www.weidenfeldandnicolson.co.uk/titles/emma-forrest/father-figure/9781474620611/ 
 
Contact the show!  Email: podcast@leadershiplistening.com 
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Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/vVPY1dT31_s
Podcast episode: 8
 
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HR as a leadership function - with John Scott

Lawrie Philpott of Philpott Black and host of Leadership Listening chats to John Scott, about Human Resource Management - a fundamental success factor of any organisation that is so often left out of the boardroom.John is a CEDR-accredited mediator with over 30 years' experience in and around HR and significant experience in investigations and resolving disputes including employment, company founders, partnerships and shareholders.Together they talk about a range of topics, including the HR function in an organisation, the right to be well led, HR in the public sector, HR as a consulting function, HR as a business advisor function, what happens when HR doesn't have a seat at the top table or in the c-suite, people at the heart of almost all organisations, power and influence, HR and line management, having difficult conversations, leadership and taking accountability, HR being treated as a secret garden, the relationship between CEOs and HR directors, working in and on the business, AI, the value of having independent or external HR advisors, teamwork, collaboration, the HR role - expert / advisor / coach / mentor, the CIPD, real world HR skills, public and private sector HR failures, the prison sector, and HR in the future.For more information about John's book “To The Woods: A Journey Along The Appalachian Trail” take a look at https://amzn.eu/d/7PiTUMR 00:00 Intro03:32 Why do HR?06:19 The evolution of HR functions or approaches11:12 What happens when HR doesn't have a seat at the top table or in the c-suite13:56 People at the heart of an organisation15:19 Power and influence17:18 HR and line management - a support function?18:49 Having difficult conversations19:40 Taking accountability22:06 HR disconnected - the secret garden24:14 Joining up the HR function across an organisation25:44 The relationship between the CEO and the HR director27:13 Working in and on the business32:48 The impact of AI36:44 The value of having independent or external HR advisors38:40 The relationship between the CEO and the HR director43:03 Teamwork in the c-suite - honest conversations45:20 The HR role - expert / advisor / coach / mentor50:36 Is the CIPD still relevant?53:16 Real world HR skills55:27 Public and private sector HR failures01:00:43 HR in the future01:01:43 3 final questionsContact the show!  Email: podcast@leadershiplistening.comHead to https://www.leadershiplistening.com/ to explore more videos and search for key topicsWatch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/tqe66JIs_aAPodcast episode: 7✅ Subscribe on YouTube Here: www.youtube.com/@LeadershipListening?sub_confirmation\=1 📱 Follow Us On Socials:Instagram: / https://www.instagram.com/leadershiplisteningLinkedIn: / https://www.linkedin.com/company/leadershiplistening/Bluesky: / https://bsky.app/profile/leadershiplisten.bsky.socialSUBSCRIBE, SHARE & JOIN US IN TAKING LEADERSHIP TO A BETTER PLACE