Borderless Executive Live: The Podcast

What if mastering multiple languages could unlock unparalleled success in the world of international headhunting? Join us as we explore the career of Bisimwa Kaite, a multilingual executive search expert whose cultural intelligence sets him apart in the industry. Raised in a multicultural household and fluent in seven—yes, seven—languages, Bisimwa’s ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds is nothing short of remarkable. He doesn't just speak many languages; he understands the cultural subtleties that can make or break executive deals. From his professional achievements to his profound understanding of cultural DNA, Bissema brings a whole new dimension to the headhunting game.

But Bisimwa’s talents extend beyond the corporate sphere. Discover how his personal passions for traditional Jordanian cuisine and Roman history inform his strategic approach to emerging markets. We dissect his LinkedIn activity, revealing a man who is as comfortable discussing industry trends as he is raving about the best Mansaf he’s ever had. Learn how Bisimwa’s holistic approach to cultural intelligence allows him to foresee opportunities and build genuine connections. This episode is a masterclass in leveraging cultural insights for professional and personal success—tune in to uncover the secrets behind Bisimwa’s unique headhunting prowess.

Ready to unravel the secrets behind successful executive leadership? Join us as we chat with Hervé Colleaux, a veteran with 30 years of experience across B2B and B2C sectors. Hervé shares his unique journey from leading diverse teams to his pivotal role at Borderless Executive Search. Here, he meticulously matches leaders with companies that resonate with their core values and culture. Hervé's philosophy transcends traditional recruitment; it's not just about the right skills, but about finding someone who will thrive in a specific environment.

Discover how Hervé's multifaceted career, spanning sales, marketing, HR, and supply chain management, has equipped him with unparalleled insights into leadership. We delve into his strategic approach, including the importance of personality and cultural fit. Hervé also sheds light on contemporary strategies like "shift left" in manufacturing, which he explores through his thought-provoking LinkedIn posts. From his extensive network to his ability to craft the perfect leadership symphony, Hervé’s conversation is packed with valuable lessons for anyone interested in the nuances of executive search and leadership.

What if your dream job isn't a job at all, but a calling you've yet to uncover? Meet Agnieszka Ogonowska, an extraordinary executive search consultant with over 15 years of experience, who peels back the layers of traditional career paths to reveal the hidden motivations that truly drive us. With stories of executives trading boardrooms for bakeries, Agnieszka's insights will transform how you view professional fulfillment. She doesn’t just match people with jobs; she guides them to careers that resonate with their core selves. Through her global journey from Poland to the UK and beyond, Agnieszka has developed a keen understanding of how different cultures and life stages affect our professional desires, offering a fresh perspective on what success means.

Join us as we explore Agnieszka's unique approach to recruiting and learn how to break free from autopilot career choices. Through her warm and curious questioning, discover the importance of autonomy and how it shapes work satisfaction. Get ready to rethink the traditional success metrics and start crafting a career path that aligns with who you are at your core. Whether you're in your 20s or 40s, Agnieszka's experiences and observations will inspire you to stop spinning the wheel of career choices and start following a path driven by true passion and personal fulfillment.

The episode delves into the concept of the Law of the Magic Third, which posits that when one-third of a team has diverse perspectives, transformative outcomes can occur. Through discussions of real-world examples, such as Borderless, the importance of true inclusion and its strategic advantages are emphasized, leaving listeners with actionable insights on improving their team dynamics.

• Exploring the Magic Third concept for team diversity
• Understanding the implications of real-world diversity
• True inclusion versus mere representation
• Strategic advantages of diverse teams during challenges
• Case study on Borderless and its commitment to diversity
• Encouragement for listeners to cultivate inclusive environments

In this episode, Aisha Jallow, Borderless consultant in executive search makes the case that the leaders who truly resonate, who move and shake things at a global scale, possess an emotional acumen that is as sharp as their intellect. They are self-aware, empathetic, and have social skills that can navigate through the complex human fabric of our diverse corporate world. 

In this episode of Borderless Executive Live, our host Andrew Kris, a founding partner at Borderless, welcomes Valerio Coppini, Vice President of Business Development at Neste, for a deep dive into sustainability in the chemical industry, focusing on Neste's approach to fostering a Circular Economy. This conversation uncovers the extensive measures Neste is implementing to steer the industry toward a more sustainable future. Valerio provides a wealth of knowledge and the statistical data that underscores the importance and feasibility of these initiatives.

Valerio highlights his pivotal role in driving Neste's renewable polymer chemicals business to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of the company’s customers through innovative, renewable solutions. With the chemical industry accounting for 15% of global CO2 emissions, this conversation highlights the unique challenges and groundbreaking strategies Neste has adopted to address this issue.

From examining the essential role of circularity in tackling the challenges for plastics, to exploring the transformative potential of hydrogen and bio-based materials in creating greener chemical processes, this episode provides an all-encompassing overview of efforts toward sustainable circularity in the chemical industry. Valerio's insights and expertise present a powerful vision of how Neste is leading the way to a greener, more sustainable future for one of the world’s essential industries.

Valerio Coppini, Vice President Business Development Neste: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerio-coppini-a416062/
Andrew Kris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewkris/ 

In this episode, Barbara Smet, Borderless consultant and a native Dutch/Flemish speaker fluent in English, French, and German celebrates her personal experiences of the profound impact of multilingualism on both her personal and professional life. Barbara illustrates that multilingualism is more than a skill; it's a gateway to understanding the intricate mosaic of human culture and thought. 

In this episode of Borderless Executive Live, our host Andrew Kris, founding partner of Borderless, is joined by Anthony Harling, founding partner of Harlschon Consulting. Anthony specializes in executive transition and coaching, particularly for those facing challenges in finding their passion and place over the age of 50 in a new career. 

It’s true that you’re never too old to reinvent yourself, and with both life expectancy and the retirement age ever increasing, we are living and working longer. But in reality, later in life we face a very different work environment and recruitment processes. 

Andrew and Anthony bring this issue to light in this episode and discuss how to navigate the challenges that many of us will inevitably face.

The Harlschon Consulting three-step approach (Rediscover, Reset, Re-engage) focuses on discovering the right path for executives looking to transition to a new role, in the latter stages of a career. 

Andrew Kris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewkris/ 

Anthony Harling: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-harling-executive-careers/?originalSubdomain=uk 

In this episode of Borderless Executive Live, our host Els De Cremer, founding partner of Borderless, is joined by Reshma Ramachandran, former Chief Transformation Officer at Adecco, and current Non-Executive Director of ISS A/S and Oxford Instruments. In her role at Adecco, Reshma specialized in driving digital and cultural transformation. She is especially committed to creating environments of inclusion, diversity and belonging, and is a staunch advocate for more women in STEM-related jobs. 

The annual celebration of International Women’s Day sees companies worldwide release statements on their progress regarding gender equity in the workplace. But how much progress has really been made when it comes to women in business and C-suite roles? And are we progressing in the right direction? 

With a background in engineering and one of the few women of color in a senior management position in Switzerland, Reshma knows firsthand about the topic. In this episode, she shares her experiences and discusses that work still needs to be done to bring more women into C-suite positions.