The Leadership Spark

In this episode of the Leadership Spark Podcast, Sylvain converses with Robert Wreschniock, CEO of the Tatin Institute for Strategy Activation. They delve into Robert's book, "The Strategy Activation Canvas," focusing on bridging the gap between strategy formulation and implementation. Robert emphasizes the importance of mutual understanding and visual communication of strategy within organizations. He advocates for engaging, memorable formats over traditional presentations to ensure employees retain and act upon strategic goals. Additionally he shares his perspective on Change Management and Transformation and the necessity to embrace the “nay sayers” in the process. Show notes:Book “Strategy Activation Canvas” by Ansgar Thiessen and Robert WreschniokQuickMBA websiteBook “Das große Buch der Strategie“ by Robert WreschniokBook „Leading Change“ by John KotterBook “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen R. CoveyGallup Strengths Findersylvainnewton.com/podcast

In this episode of the Leadership Spark podcast, Sylvain converses with Barbara Kellerman, a renowned professor of public leadership at Harvard Kennedy School. They discuss particularly her book “Leadership: Essential selections” and explore the intricate dynamics between leaders and followers, emphasizing the importance of context. Barbara introduces her leader-follower-context triad, critiques the leadership industry's leader-centric focus, and discusses the distinctions between power, authority, and influence.Show notes:Book  “Bad Leadership” by Barbara KellermanBook  “Followership” by Barbara KellermanBook  “LEADERSHIP: Essential Selections on Power, Authority, and Influence” by Barbara KellermanBook  “The end of Leadership” by Barbara KellermanBook  “Professionalizing Leadership” by Barbara KellermanBook  “Leadership from bad to worse” by Barbara Kellermansylvainnewton.com/podcast

In this episode of the Leadership Sparks podcast, Sylvain engages with Oliver Burkeman, a renowned journalist and author, to explore our relation to time and productivity. Burkeman discusses the inherent limitations of traditional productivity methods and emphasizes the importance of making conscious choices about how to allocate time and attention. The conversation highlights the value of embracing limitations rather than striving for unattainable ideals. Burkeman shares practical strategies for managing time and how to foster a more meaningful and intentional approach to productivity.Show notes:Book “4,000 weeks” by Oliver BurkemanBook “Meditation for mortals”  by Oliver BurkemanBook “Slowing down to the speed of life” by Richard Carlson and Joseph BaileyBook “Meditations” by Marcus AureliusBook “Finding Meaning in the Second Half of Life” by James Hollissylvainnewton.com/podcast

In this episode of the Leadership Spark Podcast, Sylvain Newton converses with Mike Useem, director of the Center of Leadership and Change Management at Wharton Business School. They discuss leadership principles from Useem's book "The Leader's Checklist," emphasizing practical experience and informed intuition. They highlight key leadership traits like prioritizing common interests, honoring team contributions, and persuasive communication. Useem shares insights from his work with the U.S. Marine Corps and the New York Fire Department, and highlights the importance of servant leadership, strategic thinking, and personal connection in contemporary leadership.Show notes:Book “The Leader's Checklist” by Michael UseemThe concept of “After Action Review”Book “Good to Great” by Jim CollinsBook “Good Power: Leading Positive Change in Our Lives, Work, and World” by Ginny RomettyBook “Act Like a Leader, Think Like a Leader” by Herminia IbarraBook “Jack, straight from the gut” by Jack Welchsylvainnewton.com/podcast

In this episode of "The Leadership Spark," host Sylvain converses with Emilio Galli-Zugaro, co-author of the book "The Listening Leader", founder of the Orvieto Academy in Munich and chairman of Methodos in Milan. The discussion delves into leadership, communication, and trust in the corporate world. Emilio emphasizes the importance of engaging employees as credible sources of information and transforming them into brand ambassadors. He shares insights on the necessity of leaders listening to stakeholders, providing clear information, and fostering a sense of ownership. The episode highlights the impact of technology, the value of curiosity, and the future trend of cooperation in leadership. Show notes:Book “The Listening Leader: How to drive performance by using communicative leadership” by Emilio and Clementina Galli-ZugaroThe Orvieto AcademyThe Edelman Trust BarometerBook “Pensées” by Blaise PascalBook “Love 'Em or Lose 'Em: Getting Good People to Stay” by Beverly Kaye and Sharon Jordan-Evanssylvainnewton.com/podcast

In this episode of the Leadership Spark Podcast, Sylvain engages with Gay Hendricks, a renowned author and psychologist, to discuss his book "The Big Leap" and the concept of the "upper limit." Gay Hendricks shares personal anecdotes, including a transformative moment in his life that led to profound self-awareness. He explains how individuals often sabotage their own success and happiness due to deep-seated fears and limiting beliefs. The conversation highlights practical steps to recognize and overcome these barriers, encouraging listeners to embrace their "zone of genius" and achieve personal growth and fulfillment. Show notes:Book “The Big Leap” by Gay HendricksFoundation for Conscious LivingBook “Conscious Loving” by Gay Hendricks and Kathlyn HendricksBook “A Return to Love” by Marianne Williamsonsylvainnewton.com/podcast

In this episode of the Leadership Podcast, Sylvain engages with Bernie, an expert in management and leadership, who holds the Drucker Chair in Management and Liberal Arts at the Drucker School in Claremont, California. Bernie discusses his book, "Creating the Organization of the Future," which integrates the teachings of Peter Drucker and Confucius. The conversation centers on essential organizational choices regarding mission, vision, purpose, values, and culture, emphasizing the need for adaptability and alignment. Benny highlights the importance of making clear choices, time management, calmness in leadership, and the ability to learn and adapt in a rapidly changing market environment.Show notes:Book “The Innovator's Dilemma: When New Technologies Cause Great Firms to Fail” by Clayton M. ChristensenZappos Culture bookBook “Creating the Organization of the Future: Building on Drucker and Confucius Foundations” by Bernard Jaworski and Virginia CheungBook “The Concept of the Corporation” by Peter DruckerBook “Deep Purpose” by Ranjay GulatiLeadership Spark Podcast with Ranjay Gulati on his book “Deep Purpose”Book “The Effective Executive” by Peter Druckersylvainnewton.com/podcast

In this episode of the Leadership Spark Podcast, Sylvain interviews Jacques Neatby, a partner at MindLab, executive team advisor, author, and professor of leadership. The discussion delves into the dynamics of senior leadership teams, focusing on alignment, decision-making processes and the role of psychological safety. Key insights include the importance of power dynamics, the need for more structured meetings, the impact of team size on effectiveness, and the necessity of clear expectations. Jacques also highlights the value of process facilitation in leadership and shares practical strategies for fostering effective team interactions and decision-making.Show notes:Book “Leadership Team Alignment: From Conflict to Collaboration” by Frédéric Godart and Jacques NeatbyBook “Managing” by Henry MintzbergBook “Teams at the Top” by Jon R. Katzenbachsylvainnewton.com/podcast

In this episode of the Leadership Spark Podcast, Sylvain engages with Andy Stefanovich, a renowned speaker, best-selling author, and founding partner of “Life”, a consulting firm in Richmond, Virginia. Andy shares insights on leadership, innovation, and creativity, emphasizing the importance of seeking inspiration in unconventional places. He discusses how leaders can foster an environment that encourages creativity by focusing on the human aspect of leadership, engaging in reflective practices, and embracing curiosity. Andy also highlights the significance of self-inspiration for leaders to effectively inspire their teams, ultimately driving innovation and meaningful outcomes.Show notes:Look at More: A Proven Approach to Innovation, Growth, and Change by Andy StefanovichKaospilot school in DenmarkDanish Institute of TechnologyFast Company magazineZoom book by Istvan BanyaiPaola Antonelli, MOMA curatorDoris Kearns Goodwin, Biographer, Historiansylvainnewton.com/podcast

In this Leadership Spark podcast episode, host Sylvain Newton interviews Leandro Herrero, CEO of the Chalfont Project and author of "Viral Change". Together they discuss innovative approaches to change management. Herrero critiques traditional top-down methods, advocating for a behavior-focused, organic strategy. He emphasizes the importance of identifying and engaging highly connected individuals within organizations to drive scalable change. The conversation explores social network analysis and the dynamics of managing change champions.“Leandro Herrero and the Chalfont Project. His book “Viral Change”Fridtjof Capra (physicist and advocate of system thinking)Euler (mathematician known for his work on graph theory)Dr Iain McGilchrist and his book The Master and His Emissarysylvainnewton.com/podcast

In this podcast episode of the Leadership Spark, host Sylvain Newton interviews Jean-Claude Larréché, an emeritus professor at INSEAD Business School and founder of StratX. They discuss Jean-Claude's journey from mathematics to leadership, emphasizing the importance of balancing hard and soft skills. The conversation explores Leadership from the perspective of the Commercial function and particularly the drivers of corporate value creation. Finally, they explore the evolution of Leadership and key traits for leaders in a VUCA world.Jean-Claude Larréché, his book “Value Capture Selling.”, and his company StratXDale Carnegie's book "How to Win Friends and Influence People"“From Good to Great" by Jim Collins"Act Like a Leader, Think Like a Leader" by Herminia Ibarrasylvainnewton.com/podcast

In this podcast episode of the Leadership Spark, host Sylvain Newton interviews Hitendra Wadhwa, author of "Inner Mastery and Outer Impact." They discuss the integration of intuition and inner core strengths in leadership. Hitendra, a professor at Columbia Business School and founder of the Mentora Institute, emphasizes harmonizing rational and intuitive approaches. He shares multiple examples of practices for leaders to cultivate their inner core. They explore the quest for activating your highest potential, ways to improve your emotional mastery to avoid being triggered and how to find a greater congruence between your inner and outer worlds.Hitendra Wadhwa's website and his book “Inner Mastery outer impact”, and is company the Mentora Institute.Book “The autobiography of a Yogi”, by Paramahansa Yogananda.sylvainnewton.com/podcast

“In this episode of the Leadership Spark podcast, host Sylvain Newton interviews Ranjay Gulati, a Harvard Business School professor and author of "Deep Purpose." They explore the concept of purpose in business and leadership, emphasizing its role in creating alignment, motivation, and trust within organizations. Ranjay shares personal stories and examples from companies like Lego, Microsoft, Apple and Mahindra to illustrate the integration of purpose into corporate culture and strategy. The discussion also covers the connection between company and individual purpose, the evolving expectations of businesses, and the qualities of effective leaders.” Show notes:Ranjay Gulati's website and his book "Deep Purpose“Ranjay's “Deep Purpose” podcastHBR articles by Ranjay Gulati:The Messy but Essential Pursuit of PurposeStructure That's Not StiflingWhy Today's Startups Pursue Both Ideas and IdealsThe Soul of a Start-UpThe Bhagavad Gitasylvainnewton.com/podcast