The Leadership Spark

In this episode of the Leadership Spark Podcast, Sylvain interviews Roch Parayre, founder and CEO of Strategique. Drawing on his global experience in executive education and consulting, Roch discusses scenario planning, innovation, and strategic leadership. He explains how scenario planning helps organizations prepare for multiple possible futures, emphasizing adaptability over prediction. The conversation explores the challenges of adopting this mindset, the role of AI, and the importance of resilience, curiosity, and sensemaking in leadership. Roch shares practical examples and insights on how leaders can navigate uncertainty and drive effective, agile strategies in today’s fast-paced environment.

Show notes:

• Roch Parayre LinkedIn profile
• Book: "Lean Start-up“ from Eric Ries
• Book: "Essence of Decision" by Graham Allison and Philip Zelikow
• Article “Strategic thinking is like a golf swing” by Roch Parayre
• PESTEL framework

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In this episode of the Leadership Spark Podcast, Sylvain interviews Peter Salzer, an accomplished CEO, chairman, and private equity partner. Peter shares insights from his 30-year leadership journey across multiple industries, discussing his shift from corporate roles to private equity with a focus on operational value creation. He emphasizes the importance of clarity, inclusive leadership, and “relaxed resilience.” Peter recounts navigating crises, fostering communication during organizational challenges, and adapting to technological disruption like AI. The conversation offers practical advice on career development, people management, and building sustainable, high-performing organizations through hands-on leadership.

Show notes:

• Peter Salzer LinkedIn profile
• Book: "The Big Short"
• Book: "The Endurance: Shackleton’s legendary Antarctic expedition”
• Book: “Why nations fail”
• Thomas Malone at the MIT

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In this episode, Steve Sargent, a seasoned Global CEO with over 20 years at GE and current non-executive director, shares his leadership learning and philosophy. He discusses the importance of structured time management, continuous learning, and emotional intelligence in effective leadership. Steve reflects on the influence of leaders who have impacted him, the value of making people feel appreciated, and the need for adaptability in today’s volatile world. He also highlights practical habits, such as weekly reflection on priorities and time spent with people and customers, to ensure leaders focus on what truly matters.

Show notes:

• Steve Sargent LinkedIn profile
• Book “Winning” by Jack Welch
• Book “Jack - Straight from the gut” by Jack Welch
• Book “Good to great” by Jim Collins
• Book “Start with why” by Simon Sinek
• Book “The infinite game” by Simon Sinek
• The Great Barrier Reef Foundation

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In this episode of the Leadership Spark Podcast, Sylvain interviews Nick Binedell, an academic originally from Zimbabwe and founding director of the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) in South Africa. Nick shares how his multicultural upbringing shaped his worldview and curiosity, discusses his transition from corporate leadership to academia, and recounts the founding of GIBS. He offers insights on business education, leadership challenges in Africa, the impact of emerging technologies like AI, and the integration of strategy and operations. The conversation highlights the importance of curiosity, adaptability, and authentic leadership in navigating complex, rapidly changing environments.

 Show notes:

• Gordon Institute of Business Science, University of Pretoria
• Professor Nick Binedell
• HBR article: “Evolution and Revolution as Organizations Grow” by Larry E. Greiner
• Book “Winning” by Jack Welch
• Book “Life and Death in the Executive Fast Lane” by Manfred F. R. Kets de Vries

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In this episode of the Leadership Spark Podcast, Sylvain interviews Julian Birkinshaw, Dean and Professor at the Ivey Business School in Canada, and co-author of "Resurgent." They discuss how established companies are better positioned to navigate the digital transformation than new market entrants. Burkinshaw shares lessons from companies like Disney, GE, Pearson and Nokia and explores the challenges of AI and productivity. Additionally, they explore the Leadership capabilities required to successfully navigate the Digital Transformation. This episode offers practical insights for leaders facing rapid technological and organizational change.

Show notes:

• Julian Birkinshaw‘s website
• Book “Resurgent” by Julian Birkinshaw and John Fallon
• Book "Only the Paranoid Survive" by Andrew Grove
• Book "The Age of Unreason" by Charles Handy
• Book "Team of Teams" by General Stanley McChrystal
• Book "Emotional Intelligence” by Daniel Goleman
• Book "Megatrends" by John Naisbitt

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In this episode of the Leadership Spark Podcast, Sylvain interviews INSEAD professor Subramanian Rangan about the intersection of economic performance and societal progress. Rangan discusses his book, "Core Assumptions in Business Theory," and highlights how businesses can integrate profit, people, and planet through practical examples like the Linden Group’s True Value Method. The conversation explores the importance of moral reasoning in leadership, the challenges of measuring intangible impacts, and the need for companies to balance financial success with ethical responsibility and sustainability for lasting progress.

Show notes:

• Society for Progress
• Book “Core Assumptions in Business Theory” by Subramanian Rangan
• Book "Dreams and Details" by Jim Hagemann Snabe
• Book "The Wealth of Nations" by Adam Smith
• Book "The Great Transformation" by Karl Polanyi
• Book "Passions and Interests" by Albert O. Hirschman

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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 Wreschniok
• QuickMBA website
• Book “Das große Buch der Strategie“ by Robert Wreschniok
• Book „Leading Change“ by John Kotter
• Book “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen R. Covey
• Gallup Strengths Finder

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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 Kellerman

Book  “Followership” by Barbara Kellerman

Book  “LEADERSHIP: Essential Selections on Power, Authority, and Influence” by Barbara Kellerman

Book  “The end of Leadership” by Barbara Kellerman

Book  “Professionalizing Leadership” by Barbara Kellerman

Book  “Leadership from bad to worse” by Barbara Kellerman

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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 Burkeman

Book “Meditation for mortals”  by Oliver Burkeman

Book “Slowing down to the speed of life” by Richard Carlson and Joseph Bailey

Book “Meditations” by Marcus Aurelius

Book “Finding Meaning in the Second Half of Life” by James Hollis

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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 Useem

The concept of “After Action Review”

Book “Good to Great” by Jim Collins

Book “Good Power: Leading Positive Change in Our Lives, Work, and World” by Ginny Rometty

Book “Act Like a Leader, Think Like a Leader” by Herminia Ibarra

Book “Jack, straight from the gut” by Jack Welch

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