Being a first-time CEO can be a daunting transition filled with risk and opportunity, something that TCW Group President and CEO Katie Koch has experienced firsthand. In today’s episode, Clarke and Hoda talk with Katie about her career journey in the financial industry, from her early years as an intern at Goldman Sachs to becoming a first-time CEO at TCW. She shares what it takes to be a good leader and the skills needed to make tough decisions and take people where they may not want to go, including empathy, asking questions and listening, discipline of process, and the importance of having a great coach. She also shares her thoughts on how to navigate volatile global markets and the inherent friction of AI and business transformation. 

We'll also hear from Sean Dineen, a Managing Director in our Boston office, who will outline what it takes to succeed in the first few days and months as a new CEO. 

If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like these Redefiners episodes: 

• Unpacking Leadership Lessons with Marriott International President and CEO Tony Capuano 
• Leadership Lounge: How to nail your first year as CEO 
• In the Fast Lane: A Conversation with FIA CEO Natalie Robyn 
• Planting Long-Term Investment Seeds with Markel Group CEO Tom Gayner 
• Opening Hearts and Minds on Late Night News with MSNBC’s Stephanie Ruhle 

No one is immune from burnout. Not even accomplished leaders. In fact, we often find that it’s the

highest performing, most passionate leaders who are most at risk from burnout.

So, what can you do to address this growing problem? What are the warning signs of burnout? And,

when a leader reaches burnout, what are the consequences for the individual and the organization?

In this episode of Leadership Lounge, we talk to some of our trusted advisors—Nic Cutts, Guylaine

David, and Henryk Krajewski—who share their perspectives on:

• How leaders can spot the warning signs of burnout in themselves—and their teams.
• Why it’s important leaders reframe their attitudes toward burnout.
• How leaders can avoid creating a burnout culture in their organization.
• How toxic positivity can lead to burnout.

A closer look at the research from this episode:

• World Health Organization, Burnout: An Occupational Phenomenon
• Russell Reynolds Associates, Redefiners Podcast, Season 2 - Ep. 18 | From Burnout to Performance: Creating a Culture of Resiliency (Re-Release) with Annastiina Hintsa, CEO, Hintsa Performance
• Russell Reynolds Associates, Executive Assessment & Benchmarking
• Russell Reynolds Associates, The New Wellness at Work: Improving Culture via Employee Wellbeing
• AXA UK and Centre of Economic and Business Research, The true cost of running on empty: work-related stress costing UK economy £28bn a year
• The Mindful Business Charter
• BBC News Lloyds boss: Mental health issues can break lives
• BBC News Jacinda Ardern to quit: ‘I no longer have enough in the tank’
• The Negative Impact Of Toxic Positivity In The Workplace (forbes.com)
• Why Six Hours Of Sleep Is As Bad As None At All - Fast Company

When it comes to technology and transformation, the automotive industry is at the forefront of change. Government regulations, changing consumer demands, new technology and climate change have forced auto manufacturers to evolve their approach. 

In today’s episode of Redefiners, Clarke and Hoda talk with Jim Rowan, President and CEO of Volvo Cars, about his career “shift” from consumer electronics to the automotive industry. Jim talks about Volvo’s ambitious goal of going fully electric by 2030, the intersection of design, collaboration and innovation, leading through disruption, and the power of curiosity and hard work to accelerate learning and solve big problems.  

We'll also hear from Tristan Jervis, a Managing Director in our London office, who will outline what it takes to cultivate a tech-first culture—and how it can boost your organization’s resilience to face what’s next. 

If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like these Redefiners episodes: 

• The Necessity of Change with President and CEO of Wells Fargo Charlie Scharf 
• In the Fast Lane: A Conversation with FIA CEO Natalie Robyn 
• Leadership Lounge: How to nail your first year as CEO 
• Leadership Reimagined: Transformation Tips from Jim Hagemann Snabe  

How well a leadership team performs can make or break an organization. But, given that market conditions are in constant flux, and C-suites are shouldering more responsibility than ever before, getting the balance right in your top team is far from easy.

So, what are some of the key characteristics of a high-performing leadership team? How do successful teams foster a culture of collaboration and trust? And, how do you go about having uncomfortable conversations with your team?

In this episode of Leadership Lounge, we talk to some of our trusted advisors—Emmy Melville, Nicholas Anderson, and Miriam Capelli—who share how CEOs can elevate their team’s performance and drive the organization forward. 

Tune in to discover the importance of productive tension in your C-suite, how psychometric data can aid challenging conversations, and why T-shaped leaders are considered key to the success of an executive leadership team.

A closer look at the research from this episode:

• Bain & Company, At the Top, It’s All about Teamwork
• Forbes, Phil Jackson Brings NY Knicks ’Mindful Management
• Russell Reynolds Associates, CEO Turnover Index
• Russell Reynolds Associates, Indispensable Tensions: Leadership Span and the Science of C-suite Success

When it comes to disruption, transformation, and change, perhaps no industry has experienced this more over the past decade than the financial services industry. From online and mobile banking, to FinTechs, to data analytics and AI, to changing regulations, leaders of banking and financial service institutions have had to navigate through a tremendous amount of change.  

On this episode of Redefiners, President and CEO of Wells Fargo, Charlie Scharf, sits down with Clarke and Hoda to peel back the covers on how he’s managed through so much change over his more than 25-year career in financial services. Charlie talks about his leadership journey, from his early years working with banking legends Jamie Dimon, Sandy Weill, and Bob Lipp, to his first actions to restore trust and confidence as a new CEO at Wells Fargo during a tumultuous time for the company. He’ll share his insights on how he manages culture to balance the risk of change while protecting what’s working in the business, how he views FinTech companies, gaining new perspectives from board roles, and how technology and AI have transformed the financial services industry and where it’s going next. 

We'll also hear from Tuck Rickards, a Managing Director in our San Francisco office, who will outline the barriers leaders face when implementing AI—and how to bridge them. 

If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like these Redefiners episodes: 

• Leadership Lounge – Why even top leaders need a mentor 
• Unpacking Leadership Lessons with Marriott International President and CEO Tony Capuano 
• Front Row Seat to the Digital Revolution with Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith – Part 1 and Part 2 
• Private Investment Guru David Rubenstein Goes Public on How to Be a Successful Leader & Investor 

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When Tony Capuano took over as President and CEO at Marriott, the company was wrestling with the most significant challenge it’s ever faced as travel essentially shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Further complicating matters, Marriott’s beloved, iconic CEO, Arne Sorenson, had recently passed away and many in the company were dealing with the loss of their visionary leader, mentor, and friend.  

On this episode of Redefiners, Tony talks with Clarke and Hoda about leadership lessons he’s gleaned from almost 30 years at Marriott, including his top advice for leaders transitioning into the CEO role. He’ll also dig into Marriott’s Bonvoy customer loyalty program, sustainability at scale in the hospitality industry, and how technology and AI can help deliver high touch personal service.  

We'll also hear from Ty Wiggins, an Executive Director in our London office and author of RRA’s latest book, The New CEO: Lessons from CEOs on How to Start Well and Perform Quickly (Minus the Common Mistakes). Ty discusses why transitioning into the CEO role is one of the most challenging—and rewarding—moves of an executive’s career, and how new leaders can get off to a strong start. 

If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like these Redefiners episodes: 

• Leadership Lounge – How to nail your first year as CEO 
• The Business of Football with Los Angeles Rams COO Kevin Demoff 
• Planting Long-Term Investment Seeds with Markel Group CEO Tom Gayner 
• Reimagining Patient Care: A Conversation with Healthcare Innovator Ashley McEvoy 
• Sunscreen and Success: Supergoop!'s Winning Formula with CEO Amanda Baldwin 

Why are there so few women in the CEO seat? 

We know that diverse C-Suites are more resilient, innovative, and drive better financial performance. But in 2023, women accounted for only 12% of CEO appointments globally. Based on the current rate of progress, public companies are 81 years from gender parity in CEO appointments. 

Change needs to happen—and fast. So, how do you best develop high-potential women leaders? What does an optimal CEO succession plan within an organization need to look like to support the movement of women into the top seat? And, what can you do to retain women CEOs? 

In this episode of Leadership Lounge, we talk to some of our trusted leadership advisors—Margot McShane, Hetty Pye, and Shannon Knott—who share their perspectives on how to help close the gender gap. We also discuss RRA Artemis, our brand-new CEO accelerator program aimed at expediting more women to the top of organizations.  

Tune in to discover the importance of switching your succession planning from an opt-out to an opt-in approach, why assessing for potential rather than experience is critical when identifying future CEOs, and why organizations need to rethink the traditional route to the top seat. 

Unprecedented may be an overused word these days, but it certainly applies to the record number of national elections happening around the world in 2024. With more than 70 national elections and almost half the world’s population voting on their country’s leader, the results of this year’s elections could impact countries, business leaders, and perhaps the world for years to come. 

In today’s Redefiners episode, José Manuel Barroso – chair of Goldman Sachs’ International Advisors, former President of the European Commission, and former Prime Minister of Portugal – sits down with Simon and Hoda to try to make sense of these global elections and much more. José Manuel talks about his journey from academia to politics, and the multitude of insights he’s gained during his various leadership roles over the years. He digs into what’s at stake with the elections and the growing risk of misinformation/disinformation in the democratic process. And he shares his perspectives on globalization, the critical role of democracy around the world, the green energy transition, and the future of the European Union.  

We’ll also hear from Tom Handcock, the global lead of our Center for Leadership Insight team, based in London. Tom will highlight key findings from our latest Global Leadership Monitor—which tracks the top external business threats facing organizations and leaders’ preparedness to face them. 

If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like these Redefiners episodes: 

• Action Creates Hope: A Conversation with IRC President and CEO David Miliband 
• Thriving Through Adversity: How WTO’s Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is Solving Global Problems 
• Front Row Seat to the Digital Revolution with Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith – Part 1 and Part 2 

On today’s Redefiners episode, Simon and Hoda sit down with David Miliband, President and CEO of the International Rescue Committee (IRC). David oversees the agency’s humanitarian relief operations in more than 50 war-affected countries and its refugee resettlement and assistance programs in 28 United States cities.  

David shares the journey of how the IRC was founded by Albert Einstein and has since grown to help 33 million people in countries affected by crisis in 2023 alone. He talks about how the IRC prioritizes its limited resources to help those in need and how he manages through the complexities of not only providing aid to clients living in war-torn areas, but also of working with a host of partners often with competing agendas. He also digs into the importance of trust and what leaders can do to build or rebuild trust with their organizations, partners, and clients/customers. 

We’ll also hear from Dee Symons, a Managing Director in our London office, who will highlight why trust is such a critical component of an effective team, and how leaders can best foster a culture of trust. 

If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like these Redefiners episodes: 

• Leadership Lounge | Advice on when—and how—to weigh in on social issues  
• Doing Well by Doing Good: Feike Sijbesma, CEO Emeritus of Royal DSM, on the Power of Bold Change 
• Thriving Through Adversity: How WTO’s Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is Solving Global Problems 

It’s not easy being a CEO. In fact, it’s the most challenging role in business. The scope, gravity, responsibility, accountability, and exposure of the position are unparalleled. 

Despite its complexity, it's also often hailed as the most rewarding and life-affirming move of an executive’s career. It’s a time when you can truly execute your vision and put to use everything you’ve learned up until now.

But, to set yourself up for success, how do you approach your first few days and months in the role? 

What are the common surprises new CEOs experience? Why is it so important to get your CEO transition right, and what are the risks if you don’t? 

In this episode of Leadership Lounge, we put these questions and more to Ty Wiggins, leadership advisor and author of our latest book, The New CEO: How to Start Well and Perform Quickly (Minus the Common Mistakes), and two other RRA leadership advisors, Laura Sanderson and Justus O’ Brien, who partnered with Ty on the book. Here, our guests share lessons that will help any executive get off to a strong start as a new leader.

Tune in to discover why it’s so important to act fast when assessing and building your team, how you can avoid loneliness taking root as a new CEO, and why aiming for perfection isn’t sustainable.