From Sapling to Forest, Master Deliver and Develop: Nirav Tolia, CEO & Co-Founder, Nextdoor

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Founder's Mentality: The CEO Sessions

Bain & Company

5 episodes

3 hours ago

What does it take to lead - and live - when the world won’t sit still? Hosted by executive advisor and bestselling author Jimmy Allen, Founder’s Mentality: The CEO Sessions is a leadership development podcast that goes beyond the boardroom. Each episode features a conversation with a prominent CEO—from the likes of Audible, Walmart, and AWS—who reflects on the lessons that reshaped their business and their personal growth. But you won’t just hear from business leaders. Jimmy brings in artists, musicians, comedians, and other unconventional thinkers who explore the same lessons through a completely different lens. These conversations surface aha moments from some of the world’s most influential leaders and thinkers. Intensely curious and open to new experiences and perspectives, they seek inspiration in unexpected places as they constantly reinvent their businesses and themselves. In turn, you’ll walk away with a fresh take on how we all grow as individuals, what we are capable of building, and the legacy we leave behind. So, whether you’re a CEO, a rising executive, or simply passionate about leadership, influence, and business at scale, this podcast will challenge and inspire you—one story at a time. About the Host: Jimmy Allen is an Advisory Partner at Bain & Company with over 35 years’ experience advising leading organizations. He’s the author of multiple best-selling books on growth and leadership and the host and founder of Bain’s Global CEO Community Forum. James is a regular speaker at global business events, including the World Economic Forum, and serves on the Botswana Economic Advisory Council. Outside of consulting, James started his own record label (Abubilla Music) in 2008 and supports Singing Wells, a project dedicated to preserving Kenyan village music. Bain & Company: Founder’s Mentality: The CEO Sessions is brought to you by Bain & Company, a global consultancy trusted by the world’s most influential business leaders. With decades of experience guiding organizations through growth, transformation, and leadership development, Bain’s executive insights offer what it takes to lead at scale.

All content for Founder's Mentality: The CEO Sessions is the property of Bain & Company and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

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From Sapling to Forest, Master Deliver and Develop: Nirav Tolia, CEO & Co-Founder, Nextdoor

Founder's Mentality: The CEO Sessions

32 minutes

7 hours ago

From Sapling to Forest, Master Deliver and Develop: Nirav Tolia, CEO & Co-Founder, Nextdoor

What does it take to ‘refound’ a company that you started, this time in the public spotlight?

In this episode, Jimmy Allen sits down with Nirav Tolia, Co-Founder and CEO of Nextdoor, to explore the art of reorientating a company without losing momentum. From balancing the pressure of quarterly results with the need to reignite innovation, to radically shifting his own leadership style, Nirav shares the hard choices, personal lessons, and community-first mindset guiding Nextdoor’s next phase.

We’re also joined by Herman Spruit, CEO of 361 by FINCA and Advisory Partner at Bain & Company, who offers a practical lens on the difference between “delivery” and “development” meetings, and why confusing the two can stall progress. Together, these conversations reveal how leaders can honor the past while building for the future, why execution and innovation must coexist, and how the right mindset in the room can unlock creativity, culture, and growth.

Join the Conversation:

To learn more check out the Founders Mentality website or our CEO Insights hub: https://www.bain.com/founders-mentality/

https://www.bain.com/insights/topics/ceo-agenda

Learn More:

Deliver or Develop? Why CEOs Must Master Both - Blog (https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/deliver-develop-why-ceos-must-master-both-james-allen-wiuse)

Why the Systems That Helped You Grow Might Now Be Holding You Back - Blog (https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-systems-helped-you-grow-might-now-holding-back-james-allen-3bvce/)

How to Breathe New Life into Strategy (https://www.bain.com/insights/how-to-breathe-new-life-into-strategy/)

Leon: What If God Made Fast Food? - Video (https://www.bain.com/insights/leon-founders-mentality-video/)

Leading With Energy Through Turbulent Times - Video (https://www.bain.com/insights/leading-with-energy-through-turbulent-times-video/)

Bain & Company LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/bain-and-company/)

Bain & Company X (https://x.com/BainandCompany)

Jimmy Allen LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-allen-3442b/)

Nirav Tolia LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/niravtolia/)

Herman Spruit LinkedIn (https://www.abubillamusic.com/the-team)

About Founders Mentality

Founder’s Mentality: The CEO Sessions is a leadership podcast hosted by executive advisor and bestselling author Jimmy Allen.

Each episode features candid conversations with top CEOs, from Audible to Walmart to AWS, as well as artists, comedians, and other unconventional thinkers. Together, they share the lessons that shaped their growth, the “aha” moments that redefined their work, and the surprising ways reinvention happens at every level.

Whether you’re a CEO, an aspiring leader, or simply curious about leadership, influence, and business at scale, this podcast will challenge and inspire you, one story at a time.

About the Host:

Jimmy Allen is an Advisory Partner at Bain & Company with over 35 years’ experience advising leading organizations. He’s the author of multiple best-selling books on growth and leadership and the host and founder of Bain’s Global CEO Community Forum. Jimmy is a regular speaker at global business events, including the World Economic Forum, and serves on the Botswana Economic Advisory Council. Outside of consulting, Jimmy started his own record label (Abubilla Music) in 2008 and supports Singing Wells, a project dedicated to preserving Kenyan village music.

Bain & Company:

Founder’s Mentality: The CEO Sessions is brought to you by Bain & Company, a global consultancy trusted by the world’s most influential business leaders. With decades of experience guiding organizations through growth, transformation, and leadership development, Bain’s executive insights offer what it takes to lead at scale.

Founder's Mentality: The CEO Sessions