エピソード

  • Engineering Luck & Leading with Curiosity with Marianne Abib-Pech

    Engineering Luck & Leading with Curiosity with Marianne Abib-Pech
    2026/02/02
    In this captivating episode, Andy Lopata sits down with the remarkable Marianne Abib-Pech. A dynamic leader, Marianne transitioned from a highly successful corporate finance career—culminating as CFO of Shell Aviation at just 34—to launching an M&A advisory practice for frontier markets in 2014. In 2022, she co-founded Transitions First, an international industrial venture fund dedicated to scalable start-ups rebuilding net-zero-compliant supply chains. Recognised for her leadership and visionary thinking, Marianne is driven by a belief that value creation stems from thinking differently, communicating authentically, and driving transformation. In this discussion, Marianne shares the pivotal moments, lessons learned, and unique mindset that propelled her forward. Andy and Marianne consider her extraordinary journey, exploring the nuances of cultural navigation (both national and functional), the power of curiosity, the art of strategic risk-taking, and the often-overlooked strength in asking for help. Marianne also provides fascinating insights into the "multidimensionality" of leadership, blending creative and structured thinking, and the critical role of neuroscience in understanding human connection and trust. What we discussed: The "Unconventional" Path to Rapid Executive Ascent: Ever wonder how someone becomes a Global CFO of a major corporation by their mid-thirties? This episode reveals the mindset and strategic moves that defy traditional career ladders. Luck: Is it Just Chance, or Something You Create? Examine a powerful, ancient definition of luck that challenges common perceptions and uncovers how you might be missing opportunities to "engineer" your own fortunate breaks. Beyond Borders: The Hidden "Cultures" You Need to Navigate: Discover how mastering not just national but also functional and organisational cultural differences can unlock unparalleled connection and influence in any environment. The Surprising Power of Your Brain's Chemistry in Leadership: What if building trust and achieving results was less about strategy and more about triggering the right neurochemicals? Explore the cutting-edge intersection of neuroscience and effective leadership. Risk-Taking & Asking for Help: Are Your Fears Holding You Back? Learn why embracing bold risks and humbly seeking assistance are not signs of weakness, but rather crucial accelerators for growth that most leaders overlook. SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE Connect with Andy Lopata: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | X/Twitter | YouTube Connect with Marianne Abib-Pech: Website |LinkedIn | The Financial Times Guide to Mentoring Book: "The Financial Times Guide to Leadership" (Second Edition) Book: “The Artist's Way” By Julia Cameron
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    55 分
  • The Network Playbook for Your Next Career Move with Luca Signoretti

    The Network Playbook for Your Next Career Move with Luca Signoretti
    2026/01/26
    Are you feeling stuck? Have the last few years left you with itchy feet, questioning your career path and wondering what's next? You are not alone. Many professionals are currently re-evaluating their futures, but making a major career pivot is terrifying and fraught with risk. In this episode from the archive, Andy Lopata is joined by his regular guest Luca Signoretti to provide a practical playbook for navigating this critical transition. They reveal why the very first thing most people do—telling their network "I'm looking for a job"—is the biggest mistake you can make. This is a masterclass in leveraging your relationships the right way. Discover how to use your network for strategic research, identify roles you've never considered, and get the honest feedback you need (not just the validation you want). Learn how to manage the transition, rebrand yourself, and ensure your next step is a leap forward, not a leap into the unknown. Key Takeaways What is the simple three-list exercise that can reveal the perfect job for you in an industry you've never even considered? Why might your closest friends and colleagues be the worst people to ask for advice when you're considering a major change? What is the crucial role your personal values play in screening out bad career options before you waste time on them? What is the "one step ahead" strategy for building a network that pulls you forward into your new role after you've made the leap? 3 Actionable Insights Conduct a "Blind Spot" Audit with Your Network: Create three lists: What you're good at, What you love doing, Your ideal work environment. Share these lists with a diverse range of contacts and ask them, "What roles in your world look like this?" This uncovers hidden opportunities you would never have found on your own. Align Your Options with Your Values: Before making any decision, be crystal clear on your top 5-7 core values (e.g., family time, autonomy, creativity). When an opportunity arises, ruthlessly check if it aligns with those values. Build a Network That's One Step Ahead: Intentionally cultivate relationships with people who are already where you want to be. These individuals provide invaluable role modeling, support, and context, making your transition into a new field smoother and more successful. SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE Connect with Andy Lopata: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | X/Twitter | YouTube Connect with Luca Signoretti: Website |LinkedIn | The Financial Times Guide to Mentoring Episode 111 Featuring Luca Signoretti
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    19 分
  • What's Your Bad Boss's Currency? with Andrew Bryant

    What's Your Bad Boss's Currency? with Andrew Bryant
    2026/01/19
    As a leader, your instinct is to be nice. You avoid tough conversations to keep the peace and offer vague praise to maintain morale. But what if this well-intentioned kindness is the single most damaging thing you can do for your team? In this thought provoking episode from the archive, Andy Lopata is joined by self-leadership expert and author of The New Leadership Playbook, Andrew Bryant. Andrew delivers a powerful masterclass on why being "nice" is a trap of inexact communication that prevents growth, and why being "accurate" is the ultimate sign of respect. This is an examination into the psychology of high-performance leadership. Discover the critical difference between values and principles, and why most leaders confuse responsibility with accountability, leading to micromanagement and disengagement. Get the playbook for being a humane leader who successfully delivers accelerated results by choosing clarity over comfort. Key Takeaways What is the crucial difference between values, principles, and behaviours (and why do most leaders get this disastrously wrong)? Are you responsible for your team or accountable to them? Getting this distinction wrong is the root cause of micromanagement. Why is "being nice" one of the most damaging things you can do for your team's growth and performance? What is your bad boss's "currency," and how can you learn to identify it effectively? Actionable Insights Stop Being Nice, Start Being Accurate: Reframe your approach to feedback. Being "nice" and avoiding difficult truths prevents your team from adjusting their behaviours to meet targets. Instead, be "accurate." Describe the specific, observable behavior and clearly explain how it impacts the goal. This shows you care enough to help them improve. Clarify Responsibility vs. Accountability: Immediately clean up your language. You are responsible for your own thoughts, feelings, and actions. You are accountable to an agreement or a person. By empowering your team to be responsible for themselves while holding them accountable to shared goals, you eliminate micromanagement and foster ownership. Discover and Use "Currency": Every person you work with has "currency"—what truly motivates them (e.g., recognition, security, influence). Instead of retreating from difficult colleagues or bosses, lean in. Observe what drives them and what they fear. Frame your communication in their currency to build influence and create a shared understanding. SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE Connect with Andy Lopata: Website |Instagram | LinkedIn | X/Twitter | YouTube Connect with Andrew Bryant: Website |LinkedIn | The Financial Times Guide to Mentoring Episode 155 Featuring Andrew Bryant
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    20 分
  • Erasing the Line Between Personal & Professional Self with Bernard Savage

    Erasing the Line Between Personal & Professional Self with Bernard Savage
    2026/01/12
    Is the strict, invisible line between your ‘work self’ and your ‘real self’ the biggest thing holding your career back? In a world obsessed with maintaining a polished, professional veneer, being truly authentic can feel like a massive risk. But what if it’s your greatest asset? In this fascinating episode from the archive, Andy Lopata is joined by Bernard Savage, a business development expert who built a successful company with the unconventional name "Size 10 and a Half Boots." Andy and Bernard look into the power of blurring the lines between the personal and professional to build stronger, more meaningful connections. From the surprising business development power of a weekly music playlist on LinkedIn to a powerful story of how a senior partner's career skyrocketed after sharing a deeply personal secret, this conversation is a masterclass in authentic leadership. Discover why your hobbies are your best networking tool and how being unapologetically yourself is the ultimate client filter. Key Takeaways From This Episode What is the incredible football story behind a company called "Size 10 and a Half Boots" and how does the name itself act as a perfect client filter? How did a senior partner's career transform the moment she was encouraged to stop hiding a core part of her identity from her colleagues? Why is posting a weekly music playlist on LinkedIn a surprisingly powerful strategy for deepening client relationships and generating new business? What can a football stadium teach leaders about building a truly diverse network that transcends job titles and social status? How do you build a connection when you have nothing in common, and when is it right to simply stop trying? 3 Actionable Insights Use Your Personality as a Filter Stop trying to be all things to all people. Be authentically yourself—whether through your company's name, your sense of humour, or your opinions. Share Your Passions Professionally: Don't hide your hobbies. Bernard's weekly music playlist on LinkedIn became a major relationship-building tool. Start sharing something you're passionate about—a book you're reading, a concert you attended, a sport you love. It provides more "hooks" for people to connect with the real you. Seek Connection in Unexpected Places: Actively build a more diverse network by leveraging your personal interests. A shared passion, like sport or music, can be a powerful bridge to connect with people from completely different backgrounds, industries, and levels of seniority, enriching your perspective and expanding your influence. SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE Connect with Andy Lopata: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | X/Twitter | YouTube Connect with Bernard Savage: Website |LinkedIn | The Financial Times Guide to Mentoring Episode 152 Featuring Bernard Savage
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    23 分
  • The Art of Ethical Persuasion with Paul du Toit

    The Art of Ethical Persuasion with Paul du Toit
    2026/01/05
    How do you change someone's mind without being manipulative? In a world where influence is a key leadership currency, the line between ethical persuasion and unethical manipulation can seem blurry. To navigate this complex territory, Andy Lopata is joined by an expert in the art of communication, Paul du Toit. Paul is a 27-year speaking veteran, Africa’s first Certified speaking professional this century, and the author of three business books, including the timely "The Book of Persuasion." As an inductee into both the Southern African Speakers Hall of Fame and the Southern African Educators Hall of Fame, Paul brings decades of experience to the conversation. Together, Andy and Paul dissect the crucial difference between persuading someone for mutual benefit and coercing them for personal gain. Paul emphasises that true persuasion is an art that strengthens relationships by ensuring decisions are made with free will and are built on a foundation of trust. This conversation is a masterclass in the practical techniques of ethical influence. Discover why "engaged listening" is more powerful than active listening, how to ask questions that build rapport instead of feeling like an interrogation, and the four-step "Agree and Switch" method for overcoming resistance. Paul also shares powerful insights on the role of confidence, the impact of non-verbal cues in a virtual world, and what we can learn from charismatic figures. What we discussed: Persuasion vs. Manipulation: The critical distinction lies in intent and outcome. Persuasion aims to change minds while honouring free will and building long-term trust. Manipulation is coercive and often unethical, prioritising a short-term win over the relationship. The Power of "Engaged Listening": Go beyond simply hearing words. Engaged listening involves focusing on the person, understanding the context behind what they're saying, and making them feel truly heard, which is the foundation of any persuasive conversation. Asking Questions Strategically: The most effective persuasion comes from the information you gather. Learn how to ask for permission to ask questions, creating a dynamic where the other person willingly shares without feeling interrogated. Charisma: Charismatic figures like Steve Jobs, Oprah, and Muhammad Ali weren't just born with it. Their incredible ability to persuade was often forged by overcoming immense adversity, combined with excellent oratory skills and a laser-focused vision. SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE Connect with Andy Lopata: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | X/Twitter | YouTube Connect with Paul du Toit: Website |LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube The Financial Times Guide to Mentoring
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    40 分
  • The Crisis Leader Trap with Heather Wright

    The Crisis Leader Trap with Heather Wright
    2025/12/29
    Is there a time and a place for command and control leadership Absolutely. But what happens when the leaders we promote for their crisis-management skills start treating every single day like an emergency? In this fascinating episode from the archive, Andy Lopata is joined by neuropsychologist and leadership expert Heather Wright to dissect the critical difference between a "crisis leader" and a "daily leader." Drawing on her extensive work with organisations from Coca-Cola to the emergency services, Heather reveals the neurological reasons why top-down authority fails in day-to-day operations, crushing creativity and engagement. This is a deep dive into the science of trust, the leader's own ego, and the emotional habits that dictate our management style. Discover why the most important leadership work you can do is on yourself, and learn how to build a team that will follow you in a crisis because they trust you every other day of the year. Key Takeaways What is the critical difference between a crisis leader and a daily leader (and why are most organisations promoting the wrong one)? Why is your leadership style not a conscious choice, but a deeply ingrained "emotional habit" (and how can you rewire it)? What are the "rules of engagement" every team must agree on before a conflict arises to ensure trust is maintained? Is your "need to be needed" as a leader secretly preventing your team from taking ownership and growing? What is the psychological trap that makes leaders focus on proving an employee is "wrong" instead of actually changing their behavior? Actionable Insights Lead Yourself First, Then Your Team: Before you can effectively lead others, you must understand yourself. Define your core values, recognise your emotional habits and ego-driven triggers, and get clear on the legacy you want to leave. True leadership starts with personal performance. Establish "Rules of Engagement" in Peacetime: Don't wait for a conflict to figure out how to handle it. Proactively sit down with your team and agree on how you will communicate, give feedback, and handle disagreements. Discussing this when things are calm builds the trust needed to navigate future challenges. Reframe Difficult Conversations Around Solutions: When addressing poor performance, shift your focus from pointing out what's wrong to clarifying what you want instead. Ask yourself: "Could I change this person's behaviour without them ever knowing they were wrong in the first place?" This moves the conversation from accusation to a collaborative focus on future success. SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE Connect with Andy Lopata: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | X/Twitter | YouTube Connect with Heather Wright: Website |LinkedIn | The Financial Times Guide to Mentoring Episode 151 Featuring Andy Woodfield and Heather Wright
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    20 分
  • You Don't Have to Be Funny, You Have to Be Likable with Athena Kugblenu

    You Don't Have to Be Funny, You Have to Be Likable with Athena Kugblenu
    2025/12/22
    What happens when a leader faces a heckler? In the high-stakes world of stand-up comedy, your reputation is made or broken in the seconds it takes to respond. The same is true in the boardroom. In this special Christmas week episode from the archive, Andy Lopata revisits his interview with rising comedy star Athena Kugblenu (Mock the Week, The News Quiz) to uncover the surprising leadership lessons hidden in the comedian’s playbook. This isn't just about telling jokes; it's a masterclass in resilience, adaptability, and the art of winning over a tough room. Athena shares her journey from a full-time project manager to a celebrated comic, revealing why the single most important skill for success isn't being funny—it's being likable. Discover how to handle difficult audiences with grace, use improvisation to your advantage, and why building a supportive network is the ultimate career hack, even in a fiercely competitive industry. These are the raw, real-world skills every leader needs to command a stage, and a team. Key Takeaways From This Episode What is the #1 skill you need to succeed as a performer that has nothing to do with being funny (and everything to do with leadership)? How do you handle a "heckler" when you realise they aren't trying to be malicious, but are just enjoying your performance too much? What is the simple two-part formula—Acknowledge & Improvise—that can win over any cold or distracted corporate audience? Why is the best feedback you can give not "feedback" at all, but something far more powerful called "feed forward"? What's the hard truth about transitioning to a creative career that the "just believe in yourself" gurus never tell you? 3 Actionable Insights Prioritize Likability Over Everything: Before people will laugh at your jokes or listen to your ideas, they have to like you. In any presentation or meeting, focus first on building genuine rapport and being approachable. Once you’re likable, your message has a much greater chance of landing. Acknowledge the Room, Then Improvise: When facing a tough or disengaged audience (like at a corporate awards dinner), don't ignore the situation. Acknowledge what's happening—the dress code, the food, the energy—to show you're present with them. This builds instant connection and gives you permission to improvise, which audiences reward highly. Give "Feed Forward," Not Just a "Sh*t Sandwich": When mentoring someone, avoid the clichéd praise-criticism-praise model. Instead, focus on encouraging potential. Rather than saying "what you did was wrong," try "what you could be doing is even better; talk more about X." This inspires growth without damaging confidence. SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE Connect with Andy Lopata: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | X/Twitter | YouTube Connect with Athena Kugblenu: Website |Facebook | Instagram The Financial Times Guide to Mentoring Episode 150 Featuring Athena Kugblenu
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    24 分
  • Is Command & Control Finally Dead? with Myles Downey

    Is Command & Control Finally Dead? with Myles Downey
    2025/12/15
    The age of the top-down, "do as I say" leader is obsolete. We all know it, yet many organisations are still clinging to the old command and control model. Why? Because most leaders are terrified of what comes next. The fear of relinquishing control is real, and a vague "coaching culture" isn't a strong enough replacement. In this powerful episode from the archive, Andy Lopata is joined by globally recognised leadership coach and author of The Enabling Manager, Myles Downey. Myles argues that the solution isn't to abandon control, but to transform it. He unveils his practical and humane "Align and Enable" framework—a model that replaces outdated authority with a dynamic balance of "Will" (clarity, accountability) and "Love" (trust, nurturing). Discover how to lead, manage, and coach effectively to unlock true team engagement and high performance. This is the practical blueprint for the future of leadership you've been waiting for. In this episode you will learn Why is simply creating a "coaching culture" a dangerous trap that leaves many managers feeling fearful and ineffective? What can leaders learn from the US military's "mission command" about empowering teams to make decisions without losing control? How can balancing the two essential human drives of "Love" (enabling) and "Will (accountability) transform you from a boss into a true leader? What are the three simple pillars—the Why, What, and How—that create true team alignment and unlock extraordinary performance? How are Millennials and Gen Z forcing a leadership revolution, and what happens to the leaders who refuse to adapt? 3 Actionable Insights Adopt the Lead, Manage, Coach Framework: Understand that your role is multifaceted. Build a Trust-Based Relationship First: The "Align and Enable" model only works on a foundation of trust. Before you can effectively lead, manage, or coach, you must invest time in understanding your team members. This trust is what gives you the permission to switch between the different modes of leadership. Don't Just Delegate Tasks, Communicate the Mission: Ensure every team member understands the overarching business objective and exactly how their role contributes to it. SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE Connect with Andy Lopata: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | X/Twitter | YouTube Connect with Myles Downey: Website |LinkedIn | The Financial Times Guide to Mentoring Episode 149 Featuring Myles Downey
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    19 分