Executive Presence — How to Command, Connect and Close with Dr. Laura Sicola
The Executive Edge
Episode 231 Released April 16, 2026 About this episode You know what you want to say. So why doesn't it land? I'm joined by executive communication expert and author to unpack the real meaning of executive presence — and why it could be the single biggest factor holding talented leaders back. We discuss: The gap between brain and mouth The biggest communication challenge isn't knowledge or expertise — it's the three inches between what you think and what comes out. If your message isn't clear, concise, and compelling to your audience, it doesn't matter how brilliant you are. The Three Cs...
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Breathing Easy: The Antiviral Technology That Could Change the Way You Work and Live
The Executive Edge
Episode 230 Released April 2, 2026 In this episode, I sit down with Gemma Borgert — a medical device specialist with over 20 years of industry experience and a deeply personal reason for championing this technology. Gemma introduces the e4life personal, a groundbreaking portable antiviral device that uses electromagnetic waves to inactivate airborne viruses in real time. Whether you're protecting a vulnerable family member, supporting staff reluctant to return to the office, or simply wanting an extra layer of defence against seasonal illness, this conversation will make you think...
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The Uncertainty Advantage: How Smart Leaders Turn Volatility into Growth
The Executive Edge
Episode 229 Released March 19, 2026 Guest: Rebecca Homkes (Economist, Growth Strategist, Lecturer at London Business School & Duke University) Episode Overview In this episode, I am joined by economist and growth strategist Rebecca Homkes for a conversation about leading through uncertainty. With macro volatility showing no signs of letting up, Rebecca shares a practical, no-nonsense framework for how executives can stop reacting to the noise — and start growing through it. Key Themes & Takeaways Build internal predictability You can't control the macro environment, but...
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Are you coping, surviving — or actually thriving?
The Executive Edge
Episode 228 / Released March 5, 2026 Are you coping, surviving — or actually thriving? In this episode, I talked with , speaker and coach, who has spent over a decade helping leaders build the kind of resilience that lasts. His background spans the NHS, BT, and years of leadership development work — and he brings a refreshingly practical lens to a word that can feel overused: resilience. What We Covered VUCA — and its antidote We unpacked VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous) — the environment most of us are operating in right now. Russell introduced me to VUCA Prime: Vision,...
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Act Like an Owner — How Culture Really Gets Built
The Executive Edge
Episode 227 Released February 19, 2026 With Greg Hawks, Corporate Culture Specialist What if the problem with employee engagement isn't the disengaged — it's the people you've been tolerating? That's the starting point for this week's conversation with Greg Hawks, corporate culture specialist, keynote speaker, and author of Act Like an Owner: Five Unlocks for Creating Culture People Love and Results People Need. Greg has spent 15 years helping organisations build environments where people genuinely buy in — and his framework is built around three types of employee. Owners, Renters,...
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Developing a Future-Ready Mindset with Allister Frost
The Executive Edge
Episode 226 Released February 5, 2026 In this episode, Sue Firth talks with about why cultivating a future-ready mindset is essential for leaders navigating constant change—and how to do it without feeling overwhelmed. About Allister Frost Allister spent ten years in traditional manufacturing before joining Microsoft, where Bill Gates' philosophy—"If it works, it's obsolete"—transformed his thinking about innovation. For the past 15 years, he has worked as a consultant, speaker and coach, helping individuals and organisations thrive amid relentless transformation. His mission: to...
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The Leadership We Need - with Maria Brinck
The Executive Edge
Episode 225 Released January 22, 2026 Episode Overview In this episode, I'm joined by , leadership consultant, public speaker, and author of The Leadership We Need. Maria shares her remarkable journey from corporate America to the rainforests of Cameroon, and explains why the leadership models we've relied upon for generations are no longer fit for purpose. This is an essential conversation for any leader ready to challenge conventional thinking and create meaningful, lasting change. About Maria Brinck Maria Brinck is the founder of Zynergy International and a certified StrengthsFinder...
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Selling Your Business: What Nobody Tells You About Letting Go
The Executive Edge
Episode 224 Released January 8, 2026 This week I’m joined by , a fellow Vistage member who’s been on quite a journey – from building a manufacturing business with his brother over nearly two decades, through its sale, to running a funeral director businesses in Kent. through acquisitions, post-acquisition challenges, and the transition out of businesses. What struck me most was James’s honesty about the emotional reality of selling a business. We hear the success stories – the champagne corks, the celebration – but rarely what comes next. James opens up about what he...
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Building Culture Through Strategic Internal Communication
The Executive Edge
Episode 223 Released December 11, 2025 Guest: Alejandra Ramirez, Founder of Ready Cultures Episode Overview In this episode, Sue is joined by Alejandra Ramirez, an internal communications specialist with nearly 20 years of experience helping service-driven businesses shape their culture from the inside out. Together, they explore why so many organisations struggle to turn their values into lived reality—and what leaders can do about it. The Culture Gap We've all seen it: values proudly displayed on office walls that bear little resemblance to how things actually work day-to-day....
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Leading with Emotional Intelligence
The Executive Edge
Episode 222 Released November 27, 2025 Audio Quality Note Please note: Due to technical difficulties with the host's microphone during recording, Sue's audio quality is below our usual standard. We've chosen to release this episode despite these challenges because the conversation offers valuable insights that we believe are too important to delay. We appreciate your understanding and patience. Episode Overview In this conversation, Swedish-born CEO and leadership coach Andreas Pettersson shares his transformative approach to leadership that prioritizes emotional intelligence,...
info_outlineEpisode 207
Released April 3, 2025
In this episode of The Executive Edge, host Sue Firth talks with Graham Wilson, a thought leader and author who founded The Success Factory. Graham shares insights from his military background and how those experiences shaped his approach to leadership.
Visit www.suefirthltd.com for more.
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Podcast editing & production: @jonbuscall