So here we are, 100 episodes of Lancefield on the Line. To celebrate I am taking the opportunity to reflect on my journey as a podcast host, sharing insights gained from interviewing a diverse range of brilliant guests. I discuss what I have learned it takes to be a good podcast guest and host, as well as key areas we have covered in strategy, lead…

Has your job become all-consuming as a leader in your organisation? Whether it’s organisational transformation, doing big M&A deals or handling a crisis, your health and relationships can be the things most impacted. In this episode I am joined by Klaus Kleinfeld, former CEO of Siemens, and author of "Leading to Thrive." He emphasizes the importanc…

Does your boss value everything you do? They should see it, get it, and tell us they appreciate it. But they don’t. Managing upwards could be the solution you need. It will help you perform at your best, and importantly, progress your career. My guest in this episode Melody Wilding, author of Managing Up, shares her research and experience on how t…

Success can be exhilarating, exhausting, even emotional. But even if you have it, you get a niggling feeling you could achieve more. In this episode I am joined by Laura Gassner Otting, author of Wonderhell. We talk about the complexities of success, fulfilment, and personal growth. Laura shares the importance of recognising the emotional challenge…

Strategy is a word that invokes many emotions. There are those that fear it, those excited by it, and those apathetic to it. To help me on my quest to develop millions of strategic people I am joined by Alex MH Smith, author of No Bullsh*t Strategy. Alex talks with clarity on what strategy should mean to companies and how to approach it. He shares …

Be honest, how much time do you spend looking at screens? It’s probably more than you’d care to admit. The bigger question is, what is all that screen time doing to your brain? In this episode I am joined by Richard Cytowic, author of Your Stone Age Brain in the Screen Age. We discuss the impact of screen addiction on the brain and body. Astonishin…

I am a carer to my son who's disabled. Which makes this episode discussing the often unrecognised role of carers in society and the workplace a very personal one. I am joined by Charlie Beswick, the author of Our Altered Life. Charlie is a mother and carer to her beautiful son, Charlie, and we discuss her hard-earned wisdom on the topic of carers i…

Are you finding out how the people around you really think and feel? Being able to do so will enable deeper relationships both at work and home. In this episode I am joined by Topaz Adizis, the creator of The Skin Deep, a powerful platform of curated conversations between partners, friends, relatives and strangers. We explore what it takes to creat…

Are emotions at work a sign of weakness? This is the view of many, but understanding and harnessing our emotions, and the emotions of others around us can be incredibly powerful. In this episode I am joined by Dina Denham Smith, to argue the case for a skilful use of emotions at work. Dina is the co-author of Emotionally Charged, where she explores…

How healthy is your organisation's culture? As a leader you play a crucial role in creating and sustaining a healthy culture. My guest in this episode, Tobias Sturesson, is the author of "You Can Culture" and co-founder of Heart Management. He outlines four critical habits leaders need to build a thriving culture: get humble, get clear, get listeni…

What makes you feel a sense of outrage? It’s everywhere we look. Be it directed at institutions, especially those in politics, geopolitical conflicts, business opposing communities, or different aspects of society. That’s why in this episode I am joined by Professor Karthik Ramanna, an expert and author on the age of outrage. We explore the impacts…

How have life’s struggles shaped you? We all go through hardships in our personal and professional lives that inform who we are. How we react to these big moments is often put down to our resilience. But what if we looked at resilience differently? In this episode I am joined by coach and author Luis Velasquez, who discusses how to reframe your per…

Do you use AI to its full potential? Knowing how AI can supercharge your work, and your business must be a priority for any C-suite executive. But there are also risks leaders must consider to be able to make informed decisions. So where do you start? My guest in this episode, Professor David De Cremer, is an author and business school Dean. He bel…

What does disruptive innovation really mean? It's a term that's widely misunderstood. But leading people using disruptive change can reinvent your organisation. In this episode I am joined by prolific author, advisor and teacher Scott D. Anthony. We talk about what it takes to search out weak signals of change and how to wonder intentionally as you…

What does it take to perform at your best in critical moments? It’s what differentiates the great from the good. Being at the top of your game requires years of courage, skill, and discipline. This is why some falter whilst others shine. In this episode I am joined by the multi-award-winning trumpet soloist, Alison Balsom. She shares what it takes …

What does it take to master innovation in companies? It takes a lot of grit, skill, savviness and convincing. My guest in this episode, Jayshree Seth, has been leading the way in innovation in 3M for more than 30 years. So listen for a window into the world of innovation at one of the most successful companies and innovators out there. We talk abou…

How does business really work? We need to cut through the myths and misconceptions to get to the true nature of it. To make people shine we need to understand how to navigate how work gets done, how people think and behave, and how decisions are made. In this episode I am joined by Liz Kislik, a management consultant and coach, who brings refreshin…

As a leader how well do you craft stories that influence people to change? Storytelling is one of the most critical skills a leader needs, but is so often done badly. Failing to have the desired impact. Done well it convinces people to listen, commit and change. My guest in this episode, Neil Bearden, is a master in crafting and using stories to he…

Do you know somebody with autism, ADHD, a development delay or Tourette's? If you do, how well are they doing at work or indeed are they at work? Leaders have a responsibility to ensure conditions are flexible and enabling in their organisation or the job market to people with all aspects of neurodiversity. My guest in this episode, Ludmila Praslov…

Be honest with yourself, how would you rate your meetings? More importantly how would those attending rate them? Too often executives and professionals have schedules full of them. They even see meetings as a sign of their status, their importance. Yet they still hate the thought of them. My guest in this episode, Steven Rogelberg, is a world-renow…

Are you able to execute the vision you have for your life? For many creating a vision is hard enough, to then take action to get closer to it can seem near impossible. But if you knew how to develop your vision from the inside out you would see that it is indeed possible. In this episode I am joined by Caterina Kostoula, a vision coach and author. …

Have you ever sat around a campfire? Sharing moments talking about what truly matters in life. No performance, no script, just being part of a community. My guest in this episode, Tony Martignetti's mission is to help people create these connections in work and life. Allowing people to feel part of the bigger picture and do their best work. Tony sh…

What can leadership learn from nature? And from fishing in particular? From operating in demanding, choppy waters with lives on the line to the individualised attention each catch needs, there are a great many similarities according to my guest in this episode, Oleg Konovalov. As you’ll hear it’s not just fishing but nature itself that can teach us…

How do you respond when you’re caught off guard? Imagine holding a meeting but you don’t know how to respond to a situation. The way you react to your anxieties can negatively impact the outcome you want to achieve. It doesn’t have to be this way; you can be prepared. In this episode I am joined by Matt Abrahams, an expert in communication. He says…

What impact do the biases you hold have on your work? Living and working in a more critical manner allows you to be more informed and less impacted by bias. This can have positive impacts on your work and those around you, just by challenging yourself to think differently. In this episode I am joined by Alex Edmans, author of May Contain Lies. He s…

How well do you ask questions? Asking questions can be more than a way to elicit an answer. They allow us to form connections. Used in the right way they are a powerful tool for us to learn from each other. In this episode I am joined by philosopher, Dr Pia Lauritzen, who spends her life researching the art and science of question-making. This is b…

Fixing problems is often seen as a slow, complex process but it doesn’t need to be this way. You can solve the hardest problems your organisation faces at speed; you just need to know how. In this episode I am joined by Harvard Business School professor Francis Frei. She talks about what it takes to build trust fast, and how to focus on the hard pr…

What is the culture in your organisation like? Culture is more popular and necessary for management to consider than ever. Talking about culture is one thing, improving it, evolving it into something better, more inclusive, and higher performing is quite another. In this episode my guest is Aga Bajer, a leading authority on culture. We talk about w…

What type of stimuli helps you to think? Leaders often shy away from using visual stimuli as it can be seen as gimmicky. But knowing where, when, and how to use it can transform how problems are solved. My guest in his episode is Holger Nils Pohl, one of the best at using visual thinking to tackle complex problems. He discusses how to apply it, and…

How do you create purposeful success? As a leader it can be challenging to define what success means to you. To achieve this, you need master your inner journey by reflecting, collaborating, and reinventing yourself. My guest in this episode, Paolo Gallo, is an expert in developing leaders who do just this. We talk about the importance of foundatio…

Are you considering a career transition? More people are. But it’s not an easy endeavour. It comes with a sense of excitement and fear. In this episode Herminia Ibarra gives insights into what it takes to transition careers. She discusses why having a grand plan is the wrong move, the importance of developing your own story and why practice makes p…

Is your company a responsible business? Taking the higher ground in business is integral to doing work ethically and with integrity. This is a necessity if you look at the systemic challenges we're facing, whether it's climate change, social inequality, or fragile geopolitics. My guest in this episode, Alison Taylor, shares her wisdom and recommend…

Have you ever suffered from anxiety? We all have anxiety. At best, it gives us energy, drive and ambition, but at its worst it can be debilitating. I haven't met or worked with a leader who isn't anxious. The problem is that not many talk about it privately or even publicly. My guest in this episode, Morra Aarons-Mele, is raising our consciousness,…

How do you rate your communication skills? Being able to communicate with creativity and conviction is something leaders need to encourage their teams to contribute more and give meaningful ideas. In this episode I am joined by Neil Mullarkey, comedian, actor and coach to senior executives. He is also a co-founder of the world-famous Comedy Store p…

How do you view work life balance? For some it's an indulgence or luxury, for others, it's an essential, non-negotiable aspect of work and life. Whatever your view being more aware of what you want in life is surely an important step for all. In this episode I am joined by Dan Pontefract, who redefines and refrains it by calling it work life bloom.…

How can you improve your customer and employee experience? People in the CSuite can forget customer and employee experience are linked. If you change how customers interact with products or services, your employees change the way they work too. In this episode I am joined by Tiffani Bova, a growth expert. Her research shows 80% of customer facing e…

How can you undergo digital transformation successfully? Too often, it is led without a clear vision by those at the top of the organisation who are just looking to launch technology pilots across the business. To do it well means you may have to challenge your thinking to inspire new ways of working. David Rogers is my guest in this episode, an ex…

What dictates meaning? Cultural engagement plays a critical role in influencing people to think and act differently. It can be the difference between meaningful or transactional relationships. To be successful in marketing we need to understand people's values and beliefs more deeply, and how we can then appeal to them. My guest in this episode is …

What does it take to be a successful entrepreneur? Discipline for a start. Not just in your work but how you stay true to your values and the way you lead your life. It’s one of the reasons why Keaton Hoskins, my guest in this episode, has successfully scaled a number of multi-million dollar businesses. Keaton discusses how he identifies unmet need…

Have you ever felt stale, overwhelmed or directionless? You might be performing well, but something's missing. The voice inside your head is getting louder, asking you questions about what your purpose is in life, what you are here to do, and who you are here to serve. My guest in this episode is Tammy Gooler Loeb and she helps people find answers …

How should we be using AI positively and constructively? AI is part of our lives both personally and professionally whether you like it or not. Any senior executive or entrepreneur should be learning more about how best to use AI in their organisation, but there are many implications of its use that need to be considered. In this episode Juliette P…

What can we learn from our childhood? Imagine sailing around the world for 10 years starting from the age of seven, covering more than 47,000 nautical miles. You experience different cultures and enjoy some amazing sights, whilst also dealing with many hardships, including isolation, hunger, and a lack of education. That was Suzanne Heywood's child…

What can we learn from Chinese entrepreneurs? China is home to some of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs and companies. Yet, much of the management thinking and practices we use comes from Western companies. This episode fills this gap by delving into what it takes for companies to thrive in this dynamic, unpredictable, and hyper-competitiv…

How do you connect in a virtual world? The virtual world was thrust upon us all with the pandemic and it has since become a way of working life. That doesn’t mean everyone makes their virtual work engaging, inspiring and thought provoking. Robbie Samuels is the perfect guest to talk to about creating virtual events people will remember. He talks ab…

How does nutrition impact strategic leaders? This episode is all about feeding your brain and body with the right stuff. In other words, how can you enjoy a good nutritious diet, and why it matters for our performance and wellbeing at work, and indeed in life. Dana Chapman, a leading nutritional therapist joins me to share her advice on how to do t…

How do you develop a reinvention mindset? Who better to talk with than Aidan McCullum, who's used this mindset as he's moved from being a professional rugby player, to commentator, to innovation leader, to transformational consultant, keynote speaker, and host of the successful Innovation Show. He talks about what it takes to reinvent yourself, how…

How do you stimulate innovation? In this episode, Alex Osterwalder, CEO and Founder of Strategyzer, talks about what it takes to stimulate and pursue innovation in a difficult and dynamic context. He talks about why CEOs need to invest at least 40% of their time on innovation activities, how they should use new measures (AKIs that complement OKRs),…

How do you lead creative people in a high profile organisation like the BBC? Tom Fussell is the CEO of BBC Studios, the BBC’s production and distribution business. Most recently, his team was responsible for the coverage of the King’s Coronation and the Queen’s Funeral. It doesn’t get much bigger or more under the spotlight than that. In this episo…

Do you let the little things get to you as a leader? Everyone has those moments of irritability that you regret afterwards. You were stressed. It happens, doesn’t it? But it doesn’t have to if you know how to manage your microstresses and what causes them. As a leader you can be more resilient and create a stronger, richer identity if you know how …

Why should companies encourage their employees to build their personal brand? A question that many companies shudder at the thought of. Individuals sharing their own ideas and opinions can’t be good for the company, right? Wrong. Personal branding can be used by companies to share values and ideas through the individuals that work for them with far…