Call them changemakers. Call them rule breakers. We call them Redefiners. And in this provocative podcast, we explore how daring leaders from across industries and around the globe are redefining their organizations—and themselves—to create extraordinary impact in today’s rapidly changing world.
In each episode, Russell Reynolds Associates Leadership Advisor Hoda Tahoun and former CEO Clarke Murphy host engaging, purposeful conversations with leaders in and out of the business world who share their insights and perspectives on how they lead, boldly. You’ll come away with fresh ideas and tangible takeaways on how you can redefine your own leadership trajectory – no matter where you are on your journey.
Our Hosts:
Clarke Murphy
Clarke Murphy is the former Chief Executive Officer of Russell Reynolds Associates and serves on the Board of Directors. Prior to his appointment as CEO, he was the Global Leader of the firm's CEO/Board Services Practice.
While at Russell Reynolds Associates, Clarke has conducted a number of significant projects in the industry, including Fortune 100 board searches and CEO successions. In addition, he has led notable searches in the private equity industry including searches for the Carlyle Group and Warburg Pincus.
Hoda Tahoun
As a leadership advisor and leader of the global Leisure & Hospitality Practice at RRA, Hoda Tahoun identifies, assesses, and develops dynamic C-suite leaders for global hospitality, travel, and leisure companies. Based in Miami, Hoda helps clients solve their most pressing leadership issues at the CEO, C-suite, and other executive-levels. She also advises clients on customer-centric, go-to-market leadership roles such as chief marketing officers and chief experience officers. Hoda is committed to reshaping the hospitality and leisure landscape to ensure it is an industry that leads with purpose, value, and wellbeing and continues to attract and retain talent across all facets of diversity.
Hoda spent more than seven years working for a boutique executive search firm, rising to the title of principal where she worked closely with hotel management companies, cruise lines and private equity firms. Previously, Hoda was an assistant vice president at SHUAA Capital in Dubai where she led the firm’s investment banking efforts. She has also worked at American Express, Bank of America and Citi.
Call them changemakers. Call them rule breakers. We call them Redefiners. And in this provocative podcast, we explore how daring leaders from across industries and around the globe are redefining their organizations—and themselves—to create extraordinary impact in today’s rapidly changing world.
In each episode, Russell Reynolds Associates Leadership Advisor Hoda Tahoun and former CEO Clarke Murphy host engaging, purposeful conversations with leaders in and out of the business world who share their insights and perspectives on how they lead, boldly. You’ll come away with fresh ideas and tangible takeaways on how you can redefine your own leadership trajectory – no matter where you are on your journey.
Our Hosts:
Clarke Murphy
Clarke Murphy is the former Chief Executive Officer of Russell Reynolds Associates and serves on the Board of Directors. Prior to his appointment as CEO, he was the Global Leader of the firm's CEO/Board Services Practice.
While at Russell Reynolds Associates, Clarke has conducted a number of significant projects in the industry, including Fortune 100 board searches and CEO successions. In addition, he has led notable searches in the private equity industry including searches for the Carlyle Group and Warburg Pincus.
Hoda Tahoun
As a leadership advisor and leader of the global Leisure & Hospitality Practice at RRA, Hoda Tahoun identifies, assesses, and develops dynamic C-suite leaders for global hospitality, travel, and leisure companies. Based in Miami, Hoda helps clients solve their most pressing leadership issues at the CEO, C-suite, and other executive-levels. She also advises clients on customer-centric, go-to-market leadership roles such as chief marketing officers and chief experience officers. Hoda is committed to reshaping the hospitality and leisure landscape to ensure it is an industry that leads with purpose, value, and wellbeing and continues to attract and retain talent across all facets of diversity.
Hoda spent more than seven years working for a boutique executive search firm, rising to the title of principal where she worked closely with hotel management companies, cruise lines and private equity firms. Previously, Hoda was an assistant vice president at SHUAA Capital in Dubai where she led the firm’s investment banking efforts. She has also worked at American Express, Bank of America and Citi.
When it comes to global financial markets, the only certainty is the likelihood of uncertainty and change. The world is in a period of transformation on multiple levels fueled by AI and technology innovation, shifting economic policies, and infrastructure modernization. At the foundation of all of this transformation is the unrelenting need for long-term capital.
In today’s special in-studio episode, Clarke Murphy sits down with a leader who’s not only deftly navigating her organization through change in her role as Nasdaq CEO, but she’s doing it all at the speed of global capital. Adena Friedman talks about Nasdaq’s evolution from the world’s first electronic stock exchange to its current role as a global technology company serving the broader financial system and capital markets. She digs into her career journey from intern to CEO at Nasdaq, how Nasdaq stays on the leading edge of technology and innovation, and how to compete for and keep top tech talent. And she discusses the $80 trillion investment opportunity to bring every society in every economy forward to face the realities of the world that we're living in today.
We'll also hear from Tristan Jervis, a leadership advisor specializing in AI transformation, who will discuss the four critical steps CEOs can take to build AI-powered organizations.
Four things you’ll learn from this episode:
If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like these Redefiners episodes:
Today's board directors operate in a complex business landscape, balancing strategic guidance, technological innovation, and heightened governance expectations. They must provide critical leadership while navigating rapid change and increasing stakeholder scrutiny.
So, as an executive, do you have what it takes to thrive in a board role? And how can you maximize your impact once you're there?
In this episode of Leadership Lounge, we talk to some of our trusted advisors—Maggie Benkert, Edward Mason, and Rusty O'Kelley—who share their perspectives on:
"I advise clients and candidates to be really selective about taking a board role. You want to find an opportunity where you can add considerable value, but it's also developmental or stretching for you, and helps support you in your career."
Ed Mason, Leadership Advisor, Russell Reynolds Associates.
Four things you'll learn from this episode:
In this episode, we will cover:
A closer look at the research from this episode:
2025 Board Culture and Director Behavior Study, Russell Reynolds Associates
The global pet industry is expected to grow from $320 billion today to nearly $500 billion by 2030, as more pet parents treat their pets like their own children, often sparing no expense on their pets’ nutrition, health, and wellness.
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, today’s episode features a conversation with Simon, Hoda and Lyssa McGowan, CEO of Pets at Home, the UK’s leading pet care business. Lyssa will “shed” some light on how she’s “grooming” Pets at Home for growth by creating an omnichannel pet care platform in the UK. She talks about how she balances keeping what works in a purpose-driven organization while adding new capacity in data and technology. She’ll also share her insights on how and when she uses customer feedback to develop new products and services.
We'll also hear from Hetty Pye, leadership advisor and co-founder of RRA Artemis, a movement designed to accelerate the development of women from the world’s most influential organizations into the CEO seat. Hetty will discuss our latest research on the media’s representation of women CEOs.
Four things you’ll learn from this episode:
If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like these Redefiners episodes:
The world needs more metals, minerals, and natural resources to fuel the global economy, power the energy transition, and feed a growing population. As the CEO of the world’s largest mining company, BHP’s Mike Henry is redefining his business in a competitive industry which is projected to grow to $2.8 trillion by 2028.
In today’s episode, Clarke digs into Mike’s leadership lessons and insights, including his career journey, his CEO transition in the midst of two major crises, and the advantages of being a global citizen living and working in multiple countries. Mike shares how he balances growth alongside risk, safety, and respecting communities in the company’s mining efforts. He also talks about the BHP Operating System, which serves as the foundation for how BHP’s 90,000 employees continuously improve and make decisions in the face of uncertainty on a day-to-day basis.
Four things you’ll learn from this episode:
If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like these Redefiners episodes:
We explore how family enterprise leaders can strike the right balance between preserving their organization's legacy and adapting to an evolving business landscape.
How can family enterprise leaders stay ahead in a fast-changing world?
Family enterprises are the backbone of economies worldwide, but their leaders face an increasingly critical challenge: how to preserve their organizations' legacies in a fast-changing world.
What makes some family enterprises thrive across generations while others struggle to adapt? How can leaders maintain what made their organization successful while meeting the demands of a new business landscape? And what skills will the next generation of family enterprise leaders need to navigate an increasingly complex future?
In this episode of Leadership Lounge, we talk to some of our trusted advisors—Justus O'Brien, Anupama Puranik, Diego Esteban, and Peter Gramkov—who share their perspectives on:
"One key skill that leaders need is emotional intelligence. You need to understand what is going on in the family. You need to understand the values. But it's super important not only to understand potentially one generation, but several generations.”
Peter Gramkov, Leadership Advisor, Russell Reynolds Associates.
Four things you'll learn from this episode
In this 17-minute episode, we will cover:
(00:01:31) How successful family enterprises balance preservation and progress
(00:06:06) The role of independent board directors in driving change
(00:09:23) How to create personalized development paths for future leaders
(00:12:20) Why active listening skills are critical for transformation
(00:13:47) What the future holds for family enterprises globally
A closer look at the research from this episode:
Global Leadership Monitor H1 2024
Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a key topic in C-suite and board room discussions these days; one with the potential to redefine or at least impact every aspect of business and society. Leaders around the world and across industries are racing to figure out how to best implement the technology to gain efficiencies, increase productivity, and ultimately grow their business.
Today, Hoda and Simon talk with serial entrepreneur and Coveo Chairman and CEO Louis Têtu to help shed some light on how leaders can harness the power of AI in their business. With more than 25 years in the tech industry, Louis shares his perspectives on how leaders can take advantage of AI transformation and what mistakes to look out for. He’ll talk about the importance of AI ethics, and how leaders can navigate the culture change that AI brings to an organization. He’ll also share how AI and GenAI can create better experiences for their customers and employees. And as someone who’s worked with and served on several boards, he’ll talk about what goes into building a successful board and the power of optimism.
We'll also hear from Harpreet Khurana, Chief Digital and Data Analytics Officer at RRA. Harpreet will outline the risk when organizations don’t use AI ethically and sets out RRA’s people-first approach to responsible AI. Read more about our RRA’s Responsible AI Principles.
Four things you’ll learn from this episode:
If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like these Redefiners episodes:
In today’s fast-paced, competitive business landscape, hiring and developing future-ready, transformational C-suite leaders is critical to organizational success. Making the wrong hiring decision can often lead to higher costs, damage to workplace culture, or worse. So what are the key things to keep in mind as you think about the leaders who can help take your organization to the next level?
In our first episode of Season 5, Simon sits down with Russell Reynolds Associates’ own CEO, Constantine Alexandrakis, to talk about what to look for in transformational C-suite leaders and how to use leadership assessment tools – like RRA’s Leadership Portrait – to find them. He’ll reveal how to take the next step in building transformational teams and what makes them successful. He’ll also share tips from his own CEO journey and the steps he took to prepare for that transition to nail his first year in the role.
We'll also hear from Erin Zolna, a leadership advisor in our New York office, who will outline our latest research on the skills that leaders need in a fast-changing world.
Four things you’ll learn from this episode:
If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like these Redefiners episodes:
Leaders have to make tough decisions and overcome adversity, often navigating through uncertainty and challenges along their leadership journeys. In this final episode of 2024, we’ll take a look back at the conversations we’ve had with the incredible leaders who joined us on Redefiners this past season to share their leadership stories and insights.
Hoda and Simon dig into the Season 4 archives to highlight how guests have led, and in some cases redefined, their organizations in an unprecedented year of change. Topics include AI and tech transformation, CEO transitions, geopolitical uncertainty and national elections, boards, climate change and sustainability, and more. And continuing our end of year holiday tradition, Hoda and Simon put themselves in our guests’ shoes to answer some fun end of year rapid fire questions.
Redefiners will return with more conversations with global leaders in January 2025, so be sure to follow and subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss an episode!
In the meantime, you can listen to and watch all Redefiners episodes at https://www.russellreynolds.com/en/insights/podcasts/redefiners or wherever you get your podcasts.
Happy holidays!
Change is something all leaders deal with at various points in their careers. Whether it’s technological change, organizational change, or perhaps even changing careers or industries. Our guest today has managed through all of that change and more.
In today’s episode, Clarke and Hoda talk with Ruth Porat, President and Chief Investment Officer at Alphabet and Google. Ruth shares her story of career change, transitioning from her long-time role as CFO at both Morgan Stanley and Google to leading investments and philanthropic efforts at Google. Through it all, she talks about how she’s led through both business and personal change and uncertainty – including the financial meltdown in 2007-2008 when she was with Morgan Stanley, the fast-paced change that comes with technology transformation at Google, as well as her own personal battle with cancer. She’ll also talk about the promise of AI, especially in science, healthcare, education, climate, and other key areas.
We'll also hear from Robert Voth, a Managing Director in our Chicago office, who will discuss the critical challenge of CEO succession facing banking leadership today.
Four things you’ll learn from this episode:
If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like these Redefiners episodes:
We share how leaders can master the art of giving and receiving regular, effective feedback—and the benefits when they get it right.
As the end of the year draws closer, you’re likely reflecting on your team’s performance—and how to give feedback that helps your leaders develop and improve. But, these types of conversations aren’t always easy to navigate.
So, what skills are important to hone when giving feedback? And what are some of the common pitfalls you may encounter when having these honest conversations?
But it’s not just about giving feedback. It’s also important that you’re getting the feedback you need to develop. So, how can you encourage honest, upward feedback? And what benefits will you see when you act on it? In this episode of Leadership Lounge, we talk to some of our trusted advisors—Dee Fitzgerald, David Lange, and Silvia Lago—who share their perspectives on:
“If the direct report feels like there's an environment of psychological safety…upward feedback actually becomes something that a direct report will offer regularly and proactively to their leaders.”
David Lange, Leadership Advisor, Russell Reynolds Associates.
Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.
Four things you’ll learn from this episode
In this 17 minute episode, we will cover:
(1:32) How leaders can frame their feedback to ensure it’s delivered effectively.
(3:09) Why it’s critical feedback is a two-way conversation.
(5:06) What’s at the root of all effective upward feedback.
(7:18) The two key ways CEOs can generate constructive, unfiltered feedback.
(9:53) Why nothing should come as a surprise at an end-of-year review.
(10:33) Why active listening is such an important trait for leaders receiving feedback.
A closer look at the research from this episode:
Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.
It’s never been more important to get your personal leadership brand right as a leader. But, it isn’t easy to concisely articulate what you want to be known for and what your unique value proposition is.
So, what is a personal leadership brand and how can you begin crafting it? How can you activate your leadership brand in the market? And, what are some of the common mistakes leaders make when cultivating their personal leadership brand?
In this episode of Leadership Lounge, we talk to some of our trusted advisors—Jenna Fisher, Rafael Martinez Gallardo, Shoon Lim, and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer and Executive Producer of Redefiners Amy Scissons—who share their perspectives on:
“I think earlier in one's career, there’s a tendency to want to be well-rounded and to try to hone things that perhaps you're not as naturally good with, and that's great. But I also think what's really important is to do the self-reflection, to figure out what is it that I am uniquely good at? What can I opine on to others? What can I be an expert at?”
Jenna Fisher, Leadership Advisor, Russell Reynolds Associates.
Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.
Four things you’ll learn from this episode
In this 16-minute episode, we will cover:
(3.00) How a well-crafted personal leadership brand can differentiate you in a crowded marketplace.
(3.47) The importance of clarity, congruence, and consistency when building your brand.
(7.51) How much of what a leader shares should be personal.
(8.12) How to identify what topics you should speak on.
(11.17) One common mistake leaders make when creating their personal leadership brand.
(14.04) Why there are no quick fixes to establishing your brand.
A closer look at the research from this episode:
Global Leadership Monitor 2022, Russell Reynolds Associates
The New Leadership Portrait, Russell Reynolds Associates
Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.
Not many CEOs would roll up their sleeves and ride on the back of a waste truck at 2am once a week for seven years. But for today’s guest, it was the best way to get to know his employees and learn first-hand what impacts their productivity in the field.
In this episode, Waste Management President and CEO Jim Fish joins Simon and guest host Emma Combe – host of Redefiners’ sister podcast, Leadership Lounge – to dig into what it takes to run a $20 billion company working on the frontlines of sustainability. Jim shares his insights into the importance of putting people first and creating sustainable value through all phases of the waste cycle – from recycling and composting to producing renewable natural gas as a byproduct from landfills to running his waste fleet on natural gas. He also talks about his views on CEOs weighing in on social topics and the delicate balance leaders need to strike between having a personal opinion and the broader responsibility to shareholders.
We'll also hear from Justus O’ Brien, a Managing Director in our Stamford office, who will outline what it takes to transition from the CFO role to the top seat.
Four things you’ll learn from this episode:
If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like these Redefiners episodes:
Leaders today are operating in a business landscape with new issues, expectations, and pressures to contend with. This new world demands a new breed of leader.
So, how can you become a future-ready leader? What key skills will help you stand out and succeed in a fast-changing world? How can hiring managers identify whether leaders are ready for the role today—and are able to continue to develop and succeed in the role long-term?
In this episode of Leadership Lounge, we talk to some of our trusted advisors—Erin Zolna, Tobias Bothe-Hutschenreuter, and Dana Landis—who share their perspectives on:
Four things you’ll learn from this episode
A closer look at the research from this episode:
What does it take to transform a small regional traditional energy provider into a global renewable energy powerhouse? In today’s episode, Hoda and Simon are joined by the Chair of the Governance Board for Sustainable Energy for All and former Enel CEO Francesco Starace, who led the transformation of Enel from its start in electric generation in Italy to become a world leader in all renewable technologies, including wind, solar, hydroelectric, and geothermal, operating in 30 markets. Francesco shares his insights into how he scaled the business, while keeping everyone’s focus on their north star of purpose and vision. He also talks about how Enel used a three-year-out timeline to make key decisions on strategic investments and how he uses technology and digital transformation to better serve customers.
We'll also hear from Rich Fields, a Managing Director in our Boston office, who will outline how boards can leverage the transformational impact of AI while being mindful of the significant risks.
If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like these Redefiners episodes:
In the last year, AI has moved from a boardroom buzzword to a business imperative.
But, while some leaders have sprinted ahead in their AI adoption, others remain at the starting line.
So, what skills are important to help you unleash the potential of AI? Why is AI a leadership issue? And how do you overcome barriers that might be preventing you from acting?
In this episode of Leadership Lounge, we talk to some of our trusted advisors—Tuck Rickards, Dana Landis, and Dan Cullen—who share their perspectives on:
A closer look at the research from this episode:
Being a first-time CEO can be a daunting transition filled with risk and opportunity, something that TCW Group President and CEO Katie Koch has experienced firsthand. In today’s episode, Clarke and Hoda talk with Katie about her career journey in the financial industry, from her early years as an intern at Goldman Sachs to becoming a first-time CEO at TCW. She shares what it takes to be a good leader and the skills needed to make tough decisions and take people where they may not want to go, including empathy, asking questions and listening, discipline of process, and the importance of having a great coach. She also shares her thoughts on how to navigate volatile global markets and the inherent friction of AI and business transformation.
We'll also hear from Sean Dineen, a Managing Director in our Boston office, who will outline what it takes to succeed in the first few days and months as a new CEO.
If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like these Redefiners episodes:
No one is immune from burnout. Not even accomplished leaders. In fact, we often find that it’s the
highest performing, most passionate leaders who are most at risk from burnout.
So, what can you do to address this growing problem? What are the warning signs of burnout? And,
when a leader reaches burnout, what are the consequences for the individual and the organization?
In this episode of Leadership Lounge, we talk to some of our trusted advisors—Nic Cutts, Guylaine
David, and Henryk Krajewski—who share their perspectives on:
A closer look at the research from this episode:
When it comes to technology and transformation, the automotive industry is at the forefront of change. Government regulations, changing consumer demands, new technology and climate change have forced auto manufacturers to evolve their approach.
In today’s episode of Redefiners, Clarke and Hoda talk with Jim Rowan, President and CEO of Volvo Cars, about his career “shift” from consumer electronics to the automotive industry. Jim talks about Volvo’s ambitious goal of going fully electric by 2030, the intersection of design, collaboration and innovation, leading through disruption, and the power of curiosity and hard work to accelerate learning and solve big problems.
We'll also hear from Tristan Jervis, a Managing Director in our London office, who will outline what it takes to cultivate a tech-first culture—and how it can boost your organization’s resilience to face what’s next.
If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like these Redefiners episodes:
How well a leadership team performs can make or break an organization. But, given that market conditions are in constant flux, and C-suites are shouldering more responsibility than ever before, getting the balance right in your top team is far from easy.
So, what are some of the key characteristics of a high-performing leadership team? How do successful teams foster a culture of collaboration and trust? And, how do you go about having uncomfortable conversations with your team?
In this episode of Leadership Lounge, we talk to some of our trusted advisors—Emmy Melville, Nicholas Anderson, and Miriam Capelli—who share how CEOs can elevate their team’s performance and drive the organization forward.
Tune in to discover the importance of productive tension in your C-suite, how psychometric data can aid challenging conversations, and why T-shaped leaders are considered key to the success of an executive leadership team.
A closer look at the research from this episode:
When it comes to disruption, transformation, and change, perhaps no industry has experienced this more over the past decade than the financial services industry. From online and mobile banking, to FinTechs, to data analytics and AI, to changing regulations, leaders of banking and financial service institutions have had to navigate through a tremendous amount of change.
On this episode of Redefiners, President and CEO of Wells Fargo, Charlie Scharf, sits down with Clarke and Hoda to peel back the covers on how he’s managed through so much change over his more than 25-year career in financial services. Charlie talks about his leadership journey, from his early years working with banking legends Jamie Dimon, Sandy Weill, and Bob Lipp, to his first actions to restore trust and confidence as a new CEO at Wells Fargo during a tumultuous time for the company. He’ll share his insights on how he manages culture to balance the risk of change while protecting what’s working in the business, how he views FinTech companies, gaining new perspectives from board roles, and how technology and AI have transformed the financial services industry and where it’s going next.
We'll also hear from Tuck Rickards, a Managing Director in our San Francisco office, who will outline the barriers leaders face when implementing AI—and how to bridge them.
If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like these Redefiners episodes:
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