Shows / The World Class Leaders Show: The CEO leadership podcast for leaders who solve big problems and build better futures.
The World Class Leaders Show: The CEO leadership podcast for leaders who solve big problems and build better futures.
If you’re a CEO or senior executive, your challenges don’t sound like “I need more leadership tips.”
They sound more like:
“Why am I still carrying this company on my shoulders?”
“Why doesn’t my top team own the strategy the way I do?”
“How do I challenge the board or investors without blowing up the relationship?”
“How do we build a company that still matters in 10 years, not just hit this year’s numbers?”
The World-Class Leaders Show is the CEO leadership podcast built for those questions…
Episodes
- The World Class Leaders Show: The CEO leadership podcast for leaders who solve big problems and build better futures.
263 - How a CEO Builds Trust in a Family Business | Karlheinz Wex
He joined Plansee in 1991 and his first task was a consolidation project that had already failed twice. He finished it. 35 years later he leads the whole group…
- The World Class Leaders Show: The CEO leadership podcast for leaders who solve big problems and build better futures.
262 - The Identity Gap. Why Strong CEOs Break Under Pressure
Here’s the question I put to every CEO I work with, usually about an hour in, once the polished version of them runs out. Not what do you do. Who are you when…
- The World Class Leaders Show: The CEO leadership podcast for leaders who solve big problems and build better futures.
261 - Why 50% of New CEOs Fail in the First 18 Months (and What to Do About it)
Nobody tells you that the job you were promoted for is not the job you now have. You earned the corner office because you were excellent at something. Finance…
- The World Class Leaders Show: The CEO leadership podcast for leaders who solve big problems and build better futures.
260 - Why the Best CEOs Are the Quietest in the Room
In This Episode We've all been sold the same story about influence. Communicate more. Be more visible. Bring more energy into the room. The louder you are, the…
- The World Class Leaders Show: The CEO leadership podcast for leaders who solve big problems and build better futures.
259 - Most CEOs Don't Know What AI Really Is! Ft. Don Tapscott
📘GET YOUR COPY NOW My new book 'Reinvention at the Top: The Playbook for CEOs to Lead Under Pressure' (Wiley) is out. Order your copy now…
- The World Class Leaders Show: The CEO leadership podcast for leaders who solve big problems and build better futures.
258 - How Great CEOs Lead Their Board Instead of Managing It
Sunday night. A CEO I work with is still at his desk building the deck every chart, every question anticipated. By Monday he'll walk in armoured. And he told…
- The World Class Leaders Show: The CEO leadership podcast for leaders who solve big problems and build better futures.
257 - Confidence Kills CEOs Faster Than Bad Strategy!
Every CEO thinks they're supposed to have the answers. Jim Brown used to think so too, until he sat in on a leadership meeting and noticed something strange…
- The World Class Leaders Show: The CEO leadership podcast for leaders who solve big problems and build better futures.
256 - How Great CEOs Cut the Jargon and Lead With Clarity
"We need to operationalize efficiencies." I've heard that sentence in a dozen boardrooms. It always means the same thing: we're cutting costs and some roles…
- The World Class Leaders Show: The CEO leadership podcast for leaders who solve big problems and build better futures.
255 - Why the Best Innovation Comes From Employees, Not CEOs
Steve Jobs. Elon Musk. Mark Zuckerberg. We tell their stories like they invented the future alone in a garage. Kaihan Krippendorff says that the story is…
- The World Class Leaders Show: The CEO leadership podcast for leaders who solve big problems and build better futures.
254 - The Reinvention Every CEO Has to Make (And Why It's So Hard)
A CEO told Andrea, "I don't recognize my own calendar anymore." He built the company, the company outgrew him, and nobody around him would say it. This episode…
- The World Class Leaders Show: The CEO leadership podcast for leaders who solve big problems and build better futures.
253 - Amy Edmondson: Why "safe" doesn't mean "comfortable"
In this episode of The World Class Leaders Show, host Andrea Petrone sits down with Amy Edmondson, Novartis Professor of Leadership at Harvard Business School…
- The World Class Leaders Show: The CEO leadership podcast for leaders who solve big problems and build better futures.
252 - Why You're Losing Your Best Employees (and What It's Really Costing You)
Losing a top performer costs 2.5 times their annual salary and most leaders don't see it coming until it's too late. Andrea Petrone shares the seven things…
- The World Class Leaders Show: The CEO leadership podcast for leaders who solve big problems and build better futures.
251 - MIT Professor Reveals Why Imposter Syndrome Happens?
Even the most accomplished executives secretly feel like frauds. MIT Professor Deborah Ancona has spent over a decade studying why and the real cause has…
- The World Class Leaders Show: The CEO leadership podcast for leaders who solve big problems and build better futures.
250 - How to Build CEO Credibility in Your First 90 Days (Before It's Too Late)
Your credibility as a CEO isn't built over years, it's won or lost in your first 90 days. In this episode of World Class Leaders, executive coach Andrea…
- The World Class Leaders Show: The CEO leadership podcast for leaders who solve big problems and build better futures.
249 - Former Kraft Heinz CEO on the Loneliness of Leadership | Carlos Abrams-Rivera
When Carlos Abrams-Rivera became CEO of Kraft Heinz, the biggest challenge wasn't managing a global business, it was discovering how leadership changes you…
- The World Class Leaders Show: The CEO leadership podcast for leaders who solve big problems and build better futures.
248 - Why 72% of Executives Make Bad Calls - And How to Fix It | Cornelia Choe
A McKinsey study found that 72% of senior executives now make bad decisions as often as good ones and the world isn't slowing down to give them room to cat ch…
- The World Class Leaders Show: The CEO leadership podcast for leaders who solve big problems and build better futures.
247 - 6 Signs Your Leadership Team Is Failing You
Here's something I've learned after coaching hundreds of CEOs. When a company stalls, the strategy is rarely the first thing that fails. The top team failed…
- The World Class Leaders Show: The CEO leadership podcast for leaders who solve big problems and build better futures.
246 - Alain Bejjani on Leading Through Disruption, AI, and the New Realities
Most leadership models assume tomorrow will look like today. But what happens when war, a pandemic, economic shocks, or AI reshape your market overnight? In…
- The World Class Leaders Show: The CEO leadership podcast for leaders who solve big problems and build better futures.
245 - How CEOs Make High-Stakes Decisions When the Data Isn’t There
Every CEO faces this moment: a high-stakes decision with enormous consequences, real money on the line, thousands of people affected and not enough information…
- The World Class Leaders Show: The CEO leadership podcast for leaders who solve big problems and build better futures.
244 - Why Cultural Fluency Is The Future Of Leadership
Most leaders are trained to lead inside one system: one company, one market, one culture, one playbook. But what happens when your career requires you to move…
- The World Class Leaders Show: The CEO leadership podcast for leaders who solve big problems and build better futures.
243 - The Four Words Every CEO is Afraid to Say
There are four words that could rebuild trust on your team, surface the best thinking of the people around you, and lift a weight off your shoulders you've…
- The World Class Leaders Show: The CEO leadership podcast for leaders who solve big problems and build better futures.
242 - What a Near-Death Experience Taught a $500B CIO About Leadership
Most leaders are taught to push harder, move faster, and never give up. But what if that mindset is exactly what puts their health, judgment, relationships…
- The World Class Leaders Show: The CEO leadership podcast for leaders who solve big problems and build better futures.
241 - Why the Best CEOs Were Forged by Adversity
In this episode of The World Class Leaders Show, I unpack the pattern I've observed across more than a decade of coaching leaders at the top and that Adam…
- The World Class Leaders Show: The CEO leadership podcast for leaders who solve big problems and build better futures.
240 - Why Most CEOs Are Thinking About AI Wrong
Most CEOs are trying to figure out how to turn AI into real strategic value, not just productivity gains. In this episode, Andrea Petrone speaks with Charlene…
- The World Class Leaders Show: The CEO leadership podcast for leaders who solve big problems and build better futures.
239 - Why Great CEOs Fail Under Pressure (And How to Avoid It)
In this solo episode of The World Class Leaders Show, I unpack the pattern I've seen destroy more leaders than any market shift ever has. It's not uncertainty…
- The World Class Leaders Show: The CEO leadership podcast for leaders who solve big problems and build better futures.
238 - The Truth That Almost Cost This CEO Everything
AI is not going to destroy every software company — but it may expose the ones without a clear strategy. In this episode of The World Class Leaders Show, host…
- The World Class Leaders Show: The CEO leadership podcast for leaders who solve big problems and build better futures.
237 - What Tim Cook just taught every CEO about knowing when to change
In this solo episode of The World Class Leaders Show, I explore one of the most difficult leadership risks for CEOs to recognise: the moment when the operating…
- The World Class Leaders Show: The CEO leadership podcast for leaders who solve big problems and build better futures.
236 - She Leads 50,000 People. Here's What She Refused to Do on Day One.
Most leaders say they’re ready for change. Very few are ready to lead when the answers are incomplete, trust is not yet earned, and the pace keeps…
- The World Class Leaders Show: The CEO leadership podcast for leaders who solve big problems and build better futures.
235 - The 5 Mistakes New CEOs Make in Their First 6 Months
The first six months as a new CEO is where authority is decided, where the leadership team forms its view of you, and where the organisation calibrates to your…
- The World Class Leaders Show: The CEO leadership podcast for leaders who solve big problems and build better futures.
234 - Jeetu Patel: From Failure to President of 40,000 Cisco Employees
From stuttering waiter to President at Cisco, this is the real story behind world-class leadership. In this episode of The World Class Leaders Show, host…
- The World Class Leaders Show: The CEO leadership podcast for leaders who solve big problems and build better futures.
233 - What 11 CEOs Said When Nobody Else Was Listening
This episode goes inside a private CEO roundtable where the usual leadership script disappeared within minutes. What emerged wasn’t polished insight, but…
- The World Class Leaders Show: The CEO leadership podcast for leaders who solve big problems and build better futures.
232 - The Fears Every CEO Has Right Now (But Won’t Admit)
We're closing the founding member window for WCL21 at the end of March. If you're a CEO running a mid-market or growth-stage company and want a private space…
- The World Class Leaders Show: The CEO leadership podcast for leaders who solve big problems and build better futures.
231 - The 7 Sins Killing Leadership for CEOs to Build Trust & Lead with Humanity – Santiago Iñiguez de Onzoño
In this episode of The World Class Leaders Show, host Andrea Petrone is joined by Santiago Iñiguez de Onzoño, President of IE University, Author of book Dante…
- The World Class Leaders Show: The CEO leadership podcast for leaders who solve big problems and build better futures.
230 - The CEO Who Gave Every Manager an Executive Coach (For 1% of the Cost) - Jennifer Dulski
In this episode of The World Class Leaders Show, host Andrea Petrone is joined by Jennifer Dulski, CEO & Founder of Rising Team, Faculty Lecturer in Management…
- The World Class Leaders Show: The CEO leadership podcast for leaders who solve big problems and build better futures.
229 - Why Half of New CEOs Fail in the First 18 Months
Stepping into the CEO role is not simply a change in responsibilities. It is a profound psychological transition. Research shows that a significant portion of…
- The World Class Leaders Show: The CEO leadership podcast for leaders who solve big problems and build better futures.
228 - She quit her CFO job for this! This Female Executive Made a Bold Career Move | Cameron Drinkwater
We’re opening doors to WCL21. The first private and exclusive community for CEOs who want to grow their leadership, pressure-test decisions, and create…
- The World Class Leaders Show: The CEO leadership podcast for leaders who solve big problems and build better futures.
227 - The 3-Word Lie That's Costing Every CEO Millions
We’re opening doors to WCL21. The first private and exclusive community for CEOs who want to grow their leadership, pressure-test decisions, and create…
- The World Class Leaders Show: The CEO leadership podcast for leaders who solve big problems and build better futures.
226 - Rethinking Your AI Strategy: What Josh Bersin Knows Most CEOs Don’t
We’re opening doors to WCL21. The first private and exclusive community for CEOs who want to grow their leadership, pressure-test decisions, and create…
- The World Class Leaders Show: The CEO leadership podcast for leaders who solve big problems and build better futures.
225 - Crisis, Layoffs, and Reinvention: What Every CEO Can Learn from Dan Rosensweig
We’re opening doors to WCL21. The first private and exclusive community for CEOs who want to grow their leadership, pressure-test decisions, and create…
- The World Class Leaders Show: The CEO leadership podcast for leaders who solve big problems and build better futures.
224 - This Is the Moment the Year Starts Running You
We’re opening doors to WCL21. The first private and exclusive community for CEOs who want to grow their leadership, pressure-test decisions, and create…
- The World Class Leaders Show: The CEO leadership podcast for leaders who solve big problems and build better futures.
223 - From a Gas Station Job to a Billion-Dollar CEO with Shirin Behzadi
We’re opening doors to WCL21. The first private and exclusive community for CEOs who want to grow their leadership, pressure-test decisions, and create…
- The World Class Leaders Show: The CEO leadership podcast for leaders who solve big problems and build better futures.
222 - The Leadership Space CEOs Have Been Missing
We’re opening doors to WCL21. The first private and exclusive community for CEOs who want to grow their leadership, pressure-test decisions, and create…
- The World Class Leaders Show: The CEO leadership podcast for leaders who solve big problems and build better futures.
221 - How Great CEOs Are Leading the AI Tsunami with Nancy Duarte
We’re opening doors to WCL21. The first private and exclusive community for CEOs who want to grow their leadership, pressure-test decisions, and create…
- The World Class Leaders Show: The CEO leadership podcast for leaders who solve big problems and build better futures.
220 - The 2026 CEO Mindset - 7 Shifts Every Leader Must Make This Year
We’re opening doors to WCL21. The first private and exclusive community for CEOs who want to grow their leadership, pressure-test decisions, and create…
- The World Class Leaders Show: The CEO leadership podcast for leaders who solve big problems and build better futures.
219 - The 10 Leadership Lessons 2025 Taught Me
We’re opening doors to WCL21. The first private and exclusive community for CEOs who want to grow their leadership, pressure-test decisions, and create…
- The World Class Leaders Show: The CEO leadership podcast for leaders who solve big problems and build better futures.
218 - The CEO decisions you can’t share (and why I built WCL21)
Want to establish authority and lead with confidence from Day One as a CEO? Grab your FREE copy of “10 Foolproof Ways New CEOs Establish Authority From Day…
- The World Class Leaders Show: The CEO leadership podcast for leaders who solve big problems and build better futures.
217 - How Smart CEOs Turn Brand into a Real Business Asset (with David Aaker)
Want to establish authority and lead with confidence from Day One as a CEO? Grab your FREE copy of “10 Foolproof Ways New CEOs Establish Authority From Day…
- The World Class Leaders Show: The CEO leadership podcast for leaders who solve big problems and build better futures.
216 - Trust Is Collapsing in Leadership — Here’s How to Rebuild It
Want to establish authority and lead with confidence from Day One as a CEO? Grab your FREE copy of “10 Foolproof Ways New CEOs Establish Authority From Day…
- The World Class Leaders Show: The CEO leadership podcast for leaders who solve big problems and build better futures.
215 - The CEO’s New Playbook for Digital Transformation with Alex Adamopoulos
Want to establish authority and lead with confidence from Day One as a CEO? Grab your FREE copy of “10 Foolproof Ways New CEOs Establish Authority From Day…
- The World Class Leaders Show: The CEO leadership podcast for leaders who solve big problems and build better futures.
214 - The False Hope of Stability: How Great CEOs Build Real Resilience
Want to establish authority and lead with confidence from Day One as a CEO? Grab your FREE copy of “10 Foolproof Ways New CEOs Establish Authority From Day…
- The World Class Leaders Show: The CEO leadership podcast for leaders who solve big problems and build better futures.
213 - Amy Edmondson: The Truth About Psychological Safety for CEOs to Drive Perfomance
Want to establish authority and lead with confidence from Day One as a CEO? Grab your FREE copy of “10 Foolproof Ways New CEOs Establish Authority From Day…
- The World Class Leaders Show: The CEO leadership podcast for leaders who solve big problems and build better futures.
212 - The CEO Trap: How Over-Delegation Erodes Credibility and Connection
Want to establish authority and lead with confidence from Day One as a CEO? Grab your FREE copy of “10 Foolproof Ways New CEOs Establish Authority From Day…
- The World Class Leaders Show: The CEO leadership podcast for leaders who solve big problems and build better futures.
211 - The Rise of Fear-Based CEOs and What It Means for Your Career and Company Culture with Kate Lowry
Want to establish authority and lead with confidence from Day One as a CEO? Grab your FREE copy of “10 Foolproof Ways New CEOs Establish Authority From Day…
- The World Class Leaders Show: The CEO leadership podcast for leaders who solve big problems and build better futures.
210 - How to Win Your First 90 Days as CEO
Want to establish authority and lead with confidence from Day One as a CEO? Grab your FREE copy of “10 Foolproof Ways New CEOs Establish Authority From Day…
- The World Class Leaders Show: The CEO leadership podcast for leaders who solve big problems and build better futures.
209 - Think Like a Top 1% CEO – Adam Bryant Tells You How
Want to establish authority and lead with confidence from Day One as a CEO? Grab your FREE copy of “10 Foolproof Ways New CEOs Establish Authority From Day…
- The World Class Leaders Show: The CEO leadership podcast for leaders who solve big problems and build better futures.
208 - When Ego Becomes Louder Than Purpose (And Kills the Best Teams)
Want to establish authority and lead with confidence from Day One as a CEO? Grab your FREE copy of “10 Foolproof Ways New CEOs Establish Authority From Day…
- The World Class Leaders Show: The CEO leadership podcast for leaders who solve big problems and build better futures.
207 - The CEO Pressure for Executives to Master High-Stakes Decisions with Brian Melka
Want to establish authority and lead with confidence from Day One as a CEO? Grab your FREE copy of “10 Foolproof Ways New CEOs Establish Authority From Day…
- The World Class Leaders Show: The CEO leadership podcast for leaders who solve big problems and build better futures.
206 - The Hidden Price of Loneliness at the Top (And What to Do About it)
Want to establish authority and lead with confidence from Day One as a CEO? Grab your FREE copy of “10 Foolproof Ways New CEOs Establish Authority From Day…
- The World Class Leaders Show: The CEO leadership podcast for leaders who solve big problems and build better futures.
205 - From Two Duffel Bags to 15,000 Employees: How the CEO of Greif Built a World-Class Company
Want to establish authority and lead with confidence from Day One as a CEO? Grab your FREE copy of “10 Foolproof Ways New CEOs Establish Authority From Day…
- The World Class Leaders Show: The CEO leadership podcast for leaders who solve big problems and build better futures.
204 - Strategy Without Execution Is Corporate Theatre (Unless You Do This)
Want to establish authority and lead with confidence from Day One as a CEO? Grab your FREE copy of “10 Foolproof Ways New CEOs Establish Authority From Day…