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'Adult Innovation'
Many individuals and organizations wrestle with the question of how they can become more innovative, ... and Thomas Wedell-Wedellsborg has the answers!
Thomas Wedell-Wedellsborg is the author of What’s Your Problem? (Harvard Business Press, 2020), a book on how to solve the right problems. He is also the co-author (with Paddy Miller) of Innovation as Usual, a Harvard Business Review Press book on the art of driving innovation in regular organizations.
In the 34th episode of the Leadership 2.0 podcast, I interviewed Thomas Wedell-Wedellsborg about innovation, both at an individual, as well as on an organizational level.
During our conversation, we discussed the following topics:
► About Thomas Wedell-Wedellsborg
Thomas has worked with managers in nearly all parts of the globe, including China, India, Russia, Singapore, Britain, France and his native country, Denmark. His research has been featured in Harvard Business Review, The Economist, The Sunday Times, The Telegraph, BBC Radio, Bloomberg Businessweek and the Financial Times. His work on innovation led HR Magazine to recognize him as a “Top 20 International Thinker”.
As an executive advisor and keynote speaker, Thomas has addressed organizations such as Cisco, Microsoft, Citigroup, Time Warner, AbbVie, Caterpillar, Amgen, Prudential, Union Pacific, Credit Suisse, Deloitte, the Wall Street Journal, and the United Nations.
Thomas holds an MA in Media Science from the University of Copenhagen and an MBA from IESE Business School. Prior to his business career, Thomas served for four years as an officer with the Danish Royal Guards.
► Five nested strategies to reframe your thinking of a problem to make sure you're solving for the right things:
1. Look outside the frame. What are we missing?
2. Rethink the goal. Is there a better objective to pursue?
3. Examine bright spots. Where is the problem not?
4. Look in the mirror. What is my/our role in creating this problem?
5. Take their perspective. What is their problem?
► Key actions leaders who want others to act as innovation architects should take
1. Focus: Direct people to look only for ideas that matter to the business. (Focus beats freedom)
2. Connect: Urge people to connect to new worlds (customers, colleagues, external experts). (Insight comes from the outside)
3. Tweak: Challenge people to test, challenge, and reframe their initial ideas repeatedly. (First ideas are flawed)
4. Select: Guide people to filter and select the best ideas and discard the rest. (Most ideas are bad ideas)
5. Stealthstorm: Help people navigate the internal organizational politics of innovation. (Stealthstorming rules)
6. Persist: Motivate everyone to continue pursuing the other five keystone behaviors. (Creativity is a choice)
► Books
► Website
Any questions or comments? Press this link and send me a message!
'Eating radishes'
That is how, according to Matt Dixon, many 'doer-sellers' experience selling their services.
People do not become management consultants, executive coaches, accountants, lawyers, or engineers to sell. However, for those working in professional service firms or independently, selling is an integral part of their role.
At the same time, professional sales processes are changing. More and more professional services are sourced through RFPs, and buying committees are replacing traditional client relationships. This means that doer-sellers need to change their approach to sales in order to stay relevant.
Based on an extensive quantitative study of nearly three thousand partners across industries such as law, accounting, consulting, investment banking, executive search, and public relations, five distinct seller types within professional service industries were identified; however only one of them, the Activator, consistently drives growth.
In the 33rd episode of the Leadership 2.0 podcast, I interviewed Matt Dixon about 'The Activator Advantage - What Today's Rainmakers Do Differently.
During our conversation, we discussed the following topics:
00:00 Sales, Acquisition or Business Development
01:43 Why Doer-Sellers Do Not like Selling
04:28 What Inspired Matt To Write 'The Activator Advantage?'
07:24 The Five Types Of Professional 'Doer- Sellers'
20:19 The Three C’s of the Activator
28:22 Why The Purchasing Behavior Of Clients Is Changing
32:18 The Three Categories Of Stakeholders In The Buying Process
36:00 The Three Elements Of The Activator Mindset
39:24 Business Development Habits
44:19 Instilling An Activator Mindset In The Organization
50:15 Can I Learn To Like Eating Radishes?
52:38 Final Thoughts
► About Matt Dixon
Matt Dixon is one of the world’s leading experts on sales, customer service and customer experience. He is a Founding Partner of DCM Insights, The Customer Understanding Lab.
Prior to co-founding DCMi, he served as the Chief Product & Research Officer of Tethr, an AI venture in Austin, TX, that helps companies mine customer voice data for insights. And before that, he spent time as a Senior Partner and the Global Head of Sales Force Effectiveness Solutions at Korn Ferry Hay Group and as Group Leader of the sales, service and customer experience practices of CEB, now Gartner.
Matt is a sought-after speaker and advisor to corporate leadership teams around the world on topics ranging from sales effectiveness to customer service and customer experience. He also (co)authored a number of books:
Matt is also a frequent contributor to Harvard Business Review with more than 20 print and online articles.
Matt holds a Ph.D. from the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh as well as a B.A. in International Studies from Mount Saint Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, Maryland. He lives in Silver Spring Maryland with his wife and four children.
Visit DCM Insights at https://www.dcminsights.com/ and visit Matt on LinkedIn at http://www.linkedin.com/profile/edit?trk=hb_tab_pro_top or follow him on Twitter at @matthewxdixon
► Book 'The Activator Advantage'
► Website DCM Insights
Any questions or comments? Press this link and send me a message!
Why do people want to become CEO in the first place?" That was one of the first questions I posed to Ty Wiggins during our interview for the Leadership 2.0 Podcast.
After all, the statistics are sobering:
Being a CEO comes with immense responsibility. CEOs are ultimately accountable for the company's entire trajectory, from strategic wins like M&As to major setbacks like corporate scandals. Every day, CEOs must make tough decisions on issues that can't be resolved at lower levels. More often than not, these choices are a matter of picking the 'least unattractive' option.
The CEO’s decisions have a significant influence on the lives and financial well-being of all stakeholders. This broad group includes employees, investors (e.g., pension funds), consumers, suppliers, and government bodies.
In the 32nd episode of the Leadership 2.0 podcast, I interview Ty Wiggins about his book ‘The New CEO - Lessons from CEOs on How to Start Well and Perform Quickly (Minus the Common Mistakes)’.
During our conversation, we discussed the following topics:
► About Ty Wiggins
Ty Wiggins is the CEO & Executive Transition Advisor at Russell Reynolds Associates. He advises leading companies on leadership transitions and executive onboarding to ensure a more expedient path to effectiveness. Based in London, Ty is one of only a handful of people globally with a Ph.D. in senior leadership transitions. He harnesses his deep academic, consulting and coaching background to provide CEOs, boards, and senior leaders across industries with the advice, support, challenge and insight needed to start well and perform quickly.
Ty holds a BS in social sciences from the University of South Wales. He also holds a Master of Business Coaching, MBA, with honors, and PhD in leadership transitions from Sydney Business School at the University of Wollongong.
► Book: The new CEO
► Website Ty Wiggins (Russell Reynolds)
Any questions or comments? Press this link and send me a message!
I have always been quite cynical about ESG and CSR initiatives from companies. They always struck me as 'Do as I say, not what I do'.
My favorite examples include a 'Big Oil' company preferring suppliers with a 'green' supply chain, a Financial Services companies directly contributing to the Euro crisis but giving their employees an afternoon off to paint schools in derelict areas 'to give back to society', companies that started 'recalibrating' their DEI efforts in the aftermath of the last presidential election in the US, and ESG leaders flying en masse to conferences in New York to discuss how make the world a more sustainable place.
Sander Tideman is founder of Triple Value Leadership. A former international lawyer and finance executive, he is a specialist in leadership development and organizational transformation, motivated by building the capacity to address the unprecedented social and ecological challenges of this age.
In the 31th episode of the Leadership 2.0 podcast, I interview Sander about the question if and how organizations and our society should adopt ESG and CSR concepts.
During our conversation, we discussed the following topics:
► About Sander
Sander Tideman is a researcher, author, entrepreneur and executive coach in sustainable leadership. He works with leaders to build flourishing organizations equipped to address the unprecedented challenges of today. He has worked for and consulted with leading organizations on three continents.
A former international lawyer, senior finance executive and board member of companies and NGOs, he is the founding director at Triple Value Leadership. He is also executive director of Garrison Institute International and a Senior Faculty member of Mobius Executive Leadership in Boston and Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University, in the Netherlands.
Sander started his career in 1986 by practicing law at Baker & McKenzie (Amsterdam and Taipei office). In 1989 he turned to international finance by becoming Country Director for ABN AMRO Bank in China (responsible for offices in Beijing and Shanghai), Vice President Structured Finance at ABN AMRO Bank in Amsterdam and Regional Manager Eastern Europe and Asia for Triodos Bank. As a consultant he worked on assignments for UNDP, The World Bank/IFC and the Asian Development Bank.
He co-founded and managed Spirit in Business (Massachusetts), worked for Teleos Leadership Institute (Philadelphia), co-founded and managed the Global Leaders Academy (London/Amsterdam), co-founded the Bridge Fund Europe and served as CEO of Mind & Life Europe (Switzerland). He also served on the executive board of the Netherlands Council for Sustainable Development/NCDO. The government of Bhutan asked him to co-create the first international conference on Gross National Happiness in Bhutan, which spearheaded a global movement in well-being economies.
► Book: 'Triple Value Leadership: Creating Sustainable Value for Your Business, Your Customers and Society'
► Website: www.sandertideman.com
Any questions or comments? Press this link and send me a message!
'We live in the most Generationally Diverse Demographic' (Rebecca Robins).
Unfortunately, generational differences are often seen as a source of problems - sometimes misunderstood, and exaggerated by social media..
However, what would happen if we saw Generational Differences as Opportunities instead of Issues?
This is precisely the topic of the book 'Five Generations at Work: How We Win Together, For Good' by Rebeca Robins and Patrick Dunne.
In the 30th episode of the Leadership 2.0 podcast, I interview Rebeca Robins and Patrick Dunne about 'Maximising the business opportunity of generational diversity'
During our conversation, we discussed the following topics:
► About Rebeca Robins
Rebecca Robins is a global advisor and expert in brands, leadership and cultures of excellence, also advising on inter-generational collaboration in the five generational workplace. Her work spans leading brands and organisations across the world, including: AstraZeneca, British Airways, Burberry, HUGO BOSS, LEGO, LVMH, Reuters, alongside Universities, founder and family businesses. Rebecca is the author of two industry-leading books on brands and culture, and also writes for numerous leading publications. A postgraduate of Cambridge University, Rebecca is ever at the intersection of education and industry as lecturer and programme advisor, and is a Board Trustee at The EY Foundation.
► About Patrick Dunne
Patrick Dunne is an experienced Chair with extensive experience of working with boards in Europe, Africa, Asia and North America. Currently Chair of board consultancy Boardelta and the charities the Royal Voluntary Service and ESSA- Education Sub Saharan Africa.
He gained this experience with Air Products and FTSE100 3i Group plc where he was Communications Director, a member of its Operating Committee and Chairman of its Operational Risk forum.
Patrick is author of the award-winning book “Boards” and co-author of "Five Generations at Work", a member of the Higgs Review and Visiting Professor at Cranfield University.
He also has extensive experience of developing social enterprises, most notably with Leap Confronting Conflict, the EY Foundation and Warwick in Africa.
Patrick was awarded an OBE in the Kings Honours list in 2023 for services to charity and philanthropy in Africa and the UK.
► 'The Book: Five Generations at Work - How We Win Together, For Good'
https://www.amazon.com/Five-Generations-Work-Together-Good/dp/139425220X
Any questions or comments? Press this link and send me a message!
In many organizations Learning & Development (L&D) is seen as a 'Nice to Have'. Unfortunately, this is often reflected their (bland) L&D offerings, which, more often than not, are generic and fail to address the strategic issues organizations need to address
However, what would happen if organizations truly would treat Learning & Development as a strategic instrument?
In the 29th episode of the Leadership 2.0 podcast, I interview Nick van Dam about 'The Strategic Value of Learning & Development'.
During our conversation, we discussed the following topics:
► About Nick van Dam
Dr. Nick van Dam is an internationally recognized thought leader, advisor, executive coach, researcher, facilitator, and best-selling (co-) author of more than 29 books on Leadership, Organizational Behavior, and Corporate Learning & Talent Management. Dr. van Dam has over 30+ years of business experience as a former Partner, Global Chief Learning Officer, HR Executive, and Client Advisor at Siemens, Deloitte and McKinsey. As an advisor or faculty, he has served over 100 clients around the world.
He is (visiting) Professor at The University of Pennsylvania , Harvard Business School-
Corporate Learning, IE Business School, and Nyenrode Business University. Nick is
Director of the IE Business School, Center for Corporate Learning and Talent Management. He is the Director of the IE Business School, Global HR Leadership Program and Global L&D Leadership Program. He is a core faculty member of CEDEP. (INSEAD Campus, France) and a co-founder of Pathos Leadership Institute. Nick is an External Senior Advisor
and Faculty member at McKinsey & Company.
He has written numerous articles for various publications and has been quoted by Bloomberg Businessweek, The Financial Times, Fortune Magazine, Harvard Business Review, Times of India, Information Week, CLO Magazine, and The Wall Street Journal.
His lifelong learning journey has included studies in economics and business economics (BEd, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam), organizational sociology (MA), Universiteit van Amsterdam), psychodynamic psychology (EMC, INSEAD) and human capital development (PhD, Nyenrode Business University).
Nick has lived in the US, Spain and The Netherlands. Throughout his career, he has spent time in various countries, with significant periods in Asia, particularly in India.
Leaders around the world value his inspiring, engaging, and application-oriented
teaching/facilitation style tremendously.
► Books (selection)
Van Dam, N.H.M., et al. (April 2024) The Best Version of Me: Boosting Your Well-Being, Lulu Publishing.
Van Dam, N.H.M., Marcus, J. (2023). Handbook Organization & Management (5th edition), Noordhoff Publishers.
Brassey, J., van Dam, N.H.M., Van Witteloostuijn, A. (2022) Authentic Confidence. Vakmedianet.
Feser, C., Nielsen, N., Rennie, M., editors (2018) Leadership at Scale. HBG (Nick has co-authored 4 chapters)
Rogers, E., & van Dam, N.H.M. (2014). YOU! The Positive Force in Change: Leveraging Insightsfrom Neurosciences and Positive Psychology. Raleigh (NC): Lulu Publishing.
► Website
www.nickvandam.com
Any questions or comments? Press this link and send me a message!
Many people in the workplace wrestle with combining their ethical and spiritual convictions on the one hand, and what they feel is required of them to progress their careers or simply to stay in their roles.
For people who experience this tension and want to address it, 'Heroic Leadership - Best Practices from a 450-Year-Old Company That Changed the World' by Chris Lowney. ' will be a great read!
Chris Lowney, is a one-time Jesuit seminarian, who currently chairs the board of CommonSpirit Health, America’s largest not-for-profit healthcare system with 140 hospitals and more than 150,000 employees. Previously, he served as a Managing Director of J.P. Morgan & Co. in Tokyo, Singapore, London and New York.
In the 28th episode of the Leadership 2.0 podcast, I interview Chris Lowney about Heroic Leadership. During our conversation, we discussed the following topics:
► Resources
Chris has authored six books, including the bestselling Heroic Leadership, which has been translated into eleven languages and was named to the recommended reading list of the Commandant of the United States Marine Corps. His latest work, Make Today Matter: 10 Habits for a Better Life (and World), won an Independent Press Award.
You can find more information about his books (including the workbook on Heroic Leadership that was just published) here: https://chrislowney.com/wp/books/
Any questions or comments? Press this link and send me a message!
Most of us are acutely aware of the gap between how our organizations aspire to operate and the everyday reality of working within them.
In 'Badly Behaved People', executive coach Zena Everett describes many highly recognizable real-world cases illustrating how this discrepancy can manifest itself—and how it can be addressed. What I especially like about this book is how Zena Everett makes complex psychological concepts accessible (without oversimplifying them) and demonstrates how they can be applied in the workplace.
In our conversation about this book, Zena and I discussed the following topics:
► About Zena Everett
'Zena Everett has a global leadership coaching and speaking practice, with a reputation for evidence-based content and practical takeaways, delivered in a very entertaining way.
Originally a recruitment entrepreneur, Zena sold her business and studied an MSc in Career Management and Coaching and other post graduate qualifications in psychological coaching and leadership (MIT). She has coached on the Executive MBA Programme at Oxford University’s Saïd Business School and is a member of the Associate Faculty at Henley Business School. Her focus is on replacing bad behaviour and crazy busyness with productive, thriving and profitable team relationships.
Zena believes that real success comes from flipping our focus away from ourselves, and onto the problems that we, uniquely, can solve for others. It’s not about us and our egos: it’s what we can do for others that matters'.
► Resources
Email Zena Everett: [email protected]
Book 'Badly Behaved People': https://www.zenaeverett.com/badly-behaved-people/
Other books by Zena Everett: https://www.zenaeverett.com/books/
Website Zeba Everett: https://www.zenaeverett.com/
Any questions or comments? Press this link and send me a message!
Even though, for years, we have had a vast array of change management theories and methodologies at our disposal (Kotter, Lewin, Kubler-Ross, Bridges, ADKAR, etc.), it still proves to be very hard for us as leaders and consultants to implement real, sustainable change (transformation). Most change projects fail (70% according to McKinsey), or end with a superficial victory declaration, after which the organization often falls back to 'the way we DID things here'.
'Why is that?' That very question drove Daniël Wolfs, experienced change consultant and co-founder of The Change Studio, to write his thought-provoking book De Veranderfilosoof (The Change Philosopher) on how we can approach transformation in a deeper, more human, and more sustainable way.'
In our conversation about this book, we discussed the following topics:
► About Daniël Wolfs
Daniël Wolfs is co-founder and co-owner of The Change Studio, where he works with clients and colleagues on modern approaches to organizational change and leadership. The guiding principles: Lead. Inspire. Create.
He is the author of the book 'De Veranderfilosoof '- op zoek naar de kern van verandering ('The Change Philosopher - Searching for the core of change'), in which he explores both the visible and invisible dynamics of organizational change.
Drawing on philosophy, systems thinking, and real-world cases, he challenges conventional change management with fresh perspectives and provocative questions.
Daniël has spent his career helping leaders and organizations navigate complex transformations—by making change tangible in the day-to-day, and by creating space for the kind of conversations that actually move people.
Whether guiding leadership teams, designing change journeys, or deconstructing old patterns, his work is rooted in connection, reflection, and practical momentum.
Through writing, speaking, and advising, he continues to explore how we can make change not just possible—but meaningful.
PS: 'Publisher beware': the book has just been published in Dutch, so please contact the author in case your are interested to publish a translation (email below)!
► Resources
Email Daniël Wolfs: [email protected]
The Book
The Change Studio
Podcast episode Murray Stein
Any questions or comments? Press this link and send me a message!
Most organizations use complex tools and processes, and are often supported by external consultants to analyze and (re) shape their culture. When I heard Manuela Staub on a seminar describing the pragmatic, inclusive, and effective way the leadership team at Zurich Airport approached their culture change program (in the midst of the COVID19 pandemic!), I immediately knew I wanted to interview her for my Leadership 2.0 podcast...
In our conversation, we discussed the following topics:
00:00 About Zurich Airport
02:13 The Why of the culture change
06:50 The COACH values
08:39 Identifying the cultural values
10:08 Why no external consultants were used
11:41 Implementing the new values
17:21 Embedding the new values in HR processes
19:39 An example of the impact of these values
22:00 Are cultural values industry specific
► About Manuela Staub
Manuela Staub joined Flughafen Zürich AG as Head of Corporate Communications in 2020. In June 1st, 2022, she became a member of the management board and Head of the People & Communications. In this role she is responsible for People & Culture, Corporate Communications, Public Affairs, and Visitor Services & Events.
Manuela studied Communications Management (University of Lugano) and Strategic HR Management (University of Skt. Gallen). Prior to joining Zurich Airport, she worked in a number of different roles in Swisscom. Additionally, she is the co-founder of 'the Boardroom', an organization aiming to bridge the gender gap in the boardroom.
► Resources
Purpose and strategy Zurich Airport https://www.flughafen-zuerich.ch/en/company/flughafen-zuerich/about-us/strategy
Any questions or comments? Press this link and send me a message!
From the publisher's feed
Welcome to the 'Leadership 2.0' podcast!
I believe that leadership is very important for two reasons. First of all, the decisions leaders take, and their capabilities to implement…

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