Super Powered: Leadership, Strategy, Decision Making & Peak Performance - Stories & Strategies from World-Class Performers for Executive Success

Super Powered: Leadership, Strategy, Decision Making & Peak Performance - Stories & Strategies from World-Class Performers for Executive Success

By Rob D. WillisBusinessEducationSelf-ImprovementCareersManagement
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Super Powered: Leadership, Strategy, Decision Making & Peak Performance - Stories & Strategies from World-Class Performers for Executive Success episodes

  • How to Spot Opportunities Like a Serial Founder - Luke Tobin

    Ever walked past a business and thought "I could do that better"? Luke Tobin turned that exact instinct into three business exits. He spots gaps others miss - whether that's revolutionising how marketing agencies work with clients or discovering untapped revenue in the experience day industry.

    From a £6-figure exit of his festival bar company in his early twenties to building the UK's fastest-growing marketing agency (sold for 8-figures in 2022), Luke's track record speaks for itself. Now Co-CEO of Cadastra EMEA with 900+ employees and $50M revenue, he continues to scale companies through his £5M+ investment firm.

    This episode isn't just one big "success story" though. Luke openly shares his failures - the flopped modelling agency, the web design company that never launched - and reveals how burnout forced him to completely rethink his approach. His practical frameworks and hard-won insights will transform how you view the market around you.

    Key Talking Points:

    • The counter-intuitive approach that achieved 95% client retention in an industry averaging 30%
    • Why successful exits require 100% focus, and how to avoid the "multi-business trap"
    • The hidden challenges of graduating from SME clients to global brands like Unilever and Samsung
    • How drama school techniques still influence million-pound business deals

    Links & Resources:

    • Luke's LinkedIn
    • Entrepreneurial Edge Blog
    • Tobin Capital
    • Book Recommendation: Blair Enns - "The Win Without Pitching Manifesto"
    • Vocal Warm-Up

    Today's Exercise: The Control Filter

    This process helps you identify where to focus your energy by filtering out uncontrollable factors. It brings immediate relief from overwhelming situations and creates clear action steps for progress.

    Steps to Apply

    • Write down all current problems, challenges, or stressors that are causing concern
    • Review each item and mark which ones are directly within your control
    • Cross out everything you cannot personally influence or control
    • Focus immediately on solving the controllable items
    • Review remaining items the next day - many will have resolved themselves
    • For persistent uncontrollable items, develop strategies to manage your response rather than trying to control the situation

    38 min
  • 21. Navigating Crisis Management | Nadia Pace - NED and Executive Mentor

    In this episode, I talk to Nadia Pace, a non-executive director from Malta who serves on various boards and is also an executive mentor and BPO advisor. We dive into her time as CEO of World Aviation Group, where she had to relocate her entire operation in under eight weeks due to safety concerns. Nadia shares the strategic decisions she made, the importance of alignment among stakeholders, and the critical role of communication in overcoming the crisis. Her story offers valuable insights into effective leadership during turbulent times.

    Guest Links

    • LinkedIn
    • Website

      • Timestamps

      00:00 Introduction to Nadia Pach

      01:09 A Leadership Challenge: Relocating Operations
      03:40 Navigating Safety and Cultural Concerns
      05:10 Logistical Hurdles and Solutions
      09:45 Project Management and Team Coordination
      16:34 Communication and Reputational Management
      21:00 Reflections and Lessons Learned
      25:28 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

      29 min
    • 20. Leadership Lessons from Amazon and Google | Richard Russell - Founder at Scaleup Leaders

      In this episode, I talk to Richard Russell who talks about his first time managerial role amid the cultural and operational transition during Google's acquisition of DoubleClick.

      He shares the crucial lessons he learned about adapting to different business models and the need for respecting established processes before driving change. Richard also talks about the importance of being coachable, picking your battles wisely, and executing with commitment.

      Guest Links

      • LinkedIn

        • Timestamps

        [00:00] Introduction to Richard Russell

        [00:59] Richard's Early Career and Management Aspirations

        [01:19] Challenges at Google and DoubleClick

        [02:49] Learning to Adapt and Manage

        [04:10] Realizations and Managerial Growth

        [05:33] The Importance of Metrics and Adaptability

        [07:16] Lessons in Leadership and Management

        [08:02] Applying Lessons to New Contexts

        [10:41] Navigating Company Cultures and Business Models

        [11:47] Balancing Product Improvement and Service

        [13:16] Navigating Customer Behavior and Organizational Change

        [14:12] Developing Leaders in Top Companies

        [14:41] The Evolution of Google's Strong Culture

        [15:06] Google's Product Philosophy and Market Success

        [16:26] Challenges in Adapting Google's Beliefs to New Markets

        [17:20] Misconceptions About OKRs and Business Success

        [18:23] Preparing First-Time Leaders for Success

        [18:58] Personal Reflections on Leadership Transitions

        [19:36] The Importance of Incremental Change in Business Strategy

        [20:44] Lessons from Amazon and Google on Leadership

        [22:44] Executing Well to Learn and Adapt

        [25:38] Final Thoughts and Advice for Leaders

        29 min
      • 19. Learning how to let go as a founder | Tom Pennings, CEO at Salesnudge

        Your startup might feel like your baby, but there comes a point where you need to let go.

        In this episode, I talk to Tom Pennings, CEO of SalesNudge. Tom has founded three startups and has taken one to exit, working both in Europe and Silicon Valley.

        Tom reveals the moments he realized the importance of stepping back, even when the stakes were high. It’s a difficult but essential step in letting your team take ownership, ensuring your product fits market needs, and scaling to exit.

        Learn about this and other valuable lessons Tom received from his mentor, as well as discovering what “gezond boerenverstand” means and how it can help you as a founder.

        Guest Links

        • Tom Pennings on LinkedIn
        • Salesnudge

          • Resources Mentioned

          • Ben Horowitz, The Hard Thing About Hard Things
          • Donald Miller, Building a StoryBrand
          • Geoffrey A. Moore, Crossing the Chasm

            • 24 min
          • 18. Dora Nagy - CEO Coach & Advisor, Ex Google and SoftBank

            Dora Nagy is CEO Coach & Advisor, who helps CEOs typically at series A and beyond step up their game in how they lead and execute, using tried-and-tested toolkits, approaches, and frameworks.

            In this episode she discusses the impact of feedback on individuals and the manipulation that can be associated with it. She shares personal experiences of receiving unfair evaluations and highlights the importance of seeking feedback with specific examples.


            Guest Links

            • LinkedIn
            • Website


              • 31 min
            • 17. It Takes A Village - Katharina Lueth - Chief Client Officer and Managing Director at Raisin

              In this LFU Podcast episode, Katharina Lueth (CCO & Managing Director at Raisin) discusses the challenges faced during a major project migration. She highlights the importance of over-communicating and supporting team members during high-pressure situations. She also emphasises the need for post-migration cleanup and planning for the weeks following the project. The episode concludes with the idea that teamwork and collaboration are essential for successful project execution.


              Guest Links

              • ⁠LinkedIn⁠
              • ⁠Raisin/ Weltsparen⁠

                • 29 min
              • 16. When it's too good to be true, it's too good to be true - Isabel Strijland, Chief Growth Officer & Co-founder at Acelr8

                In this episode, Rob is joined by Isabel Strijland, the Chief Growth Officer & Co-founder at Acelr8. They discuss the topic "When it's too good to be true, it's too good to be true," diving into the challenges and lessons learned in building a business. From adapting to major disruptions to the importance of overcommunication, Isabel shares valuable insights for leaders in tech. Tune in to gain inspiration and learn from real-world experiences!

                Guest Links

                • LinkedIn
                • Acelr8

                  • Resources Mentioned

                  • Notion
                  • Slack
                  • Loom

                    • 33 min
                  • 15. How to be vulnerable at work - Kritika Singh, Head of Account Development at TWAICE

                    Kritika Singh, Head of Account Development at TWAICE, explores the topic of being vulnerable at work. She shares her personal experience of facing a major life disruption while starting a new role and discusses the value of embracing vulnerability in the workplace. Join us as we delve into how she navigated the challenges, what she brought to work during this time, and the positive impact it had on her professional journey.

                    Guest Links

                    • LinkedIn
                    • The Humble Expat

                      • Resources Mentioned

                      • Never Split The Difference by Chris Voss
                      • Ed Myllett Show

                        • 45 min
                      • 14. What got you there is not gonna keep you there - Kevin Goldsmith - CTO at Distrokid, ex-Adobe, Spotify and Microsoft

                        Ever wondered why some leaders effortlessly climb the corporate ladder while others get stuck? It’s not always about skill; it's about evolving with your role.

                        Tune in to Episode 14 as we chat with Kevin Goldsmith, the CTO at Distrokid. Kevin opens up about his challenging transition from being a developer to managing a rapidly scaling team at renowned companies like Adobe, Spotify, and Microsoft.

                        We dissect the dangers of being a bottleneck, the importance of self-awareness, and how you can escape the trap of your own making. This episode is your guide to navigating the often-unspoken challenges that come with the responsibilities of scaling teams and companies. Whether you’re a seasoned executive or an aspiring leader, we’ve got insights that can help you level up.

                        Links to the Guest

                        • Website: Kevin Goldsmith
                        • LinkedIn Profile

                          • Resources Mentioned

                          • Thanks for the Feedback: The Science and Art of Receiving Feedback Well by Douglas Stone and Sheila Heen
                          • Management 3.0: Leading Agile Developers, Developing Agile Leaders by Jurgen Appelo
                          • VS Code
                          • Miro
                          • Mastodon
                          • Problem Solving Leadership by Gerald Weinberg

                            • 47 min
                          • 13. Move Fast and Move On - Patrick Stal - CMO at Zepz, ex- Uber, N26 & TomTom

                            What can today's leaders learn from a wartime CMO? Patrick Stal, CMO at Zepz, joins us to share his battle-tested tools for guiding teams through disruption. Having steered marketing at TomTom, Uber, N26, and now Zepz, Patrick unveils his approach to rapid decision making, empathy-driven change, and measuring progress. Learn how this marketing veteran develops a bias for action, the power of product velocity, and why you must "move fast and move on" to lead your team to the next growth curve.


                            Links

                            • Patrick's LinkedIn

                              • Resources Mentioned

                              • Erica Dhawan - Digital Body Language
                              • How minds change - Dave McRaney
                              • Intelligence Matters Podcast with Michael Morell

                                • 41 min

                              About Super Powered: Leadership, Strategy, Decision Making & Peak Performance - Stories & Strategies from World-Class Performers for Executive Success

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