The Thoughtful Leadership Podcast is back! In this episode, host Laura Lear sits down with Sam Oliver, Creative Director and former Apple leader whose career spans some of the world’s top agencies, including Ogilvy, BBH, and Wieden+Kennedy - and one of the most influential brands on the planet.

At Apple, Sam helped shape the creative culture behind some of the most iconic product launches in tech history. Leading a cross-functional team of 18 creatives inside Apple’s in-house agency, he worked at the intersection of design, strategy, and global storytelling, managing creative ownership, collaboration, and speed at scale.

In this conversation, Sam shares what it takes to build and lead high-performing teams in fast-paced, high-stakes environments.

Laura and Sam explore:

• What it’s really like to lead creative strategy inside Apple
• How to build high-performing teams in fast-paced environments
• Navigating ownership and ego in creative work
• Cultural contrasts between British and Silicon Valley leadership
• Why speed, trust, and clarity are vital to creative success

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Produced by AMBITIOUS