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,...
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Turning Adversity Into Leadership – with Ted Santos
The Executive Edge
Episode 221 Released November 13, 2025 Guest: Ted Santos, Business Strategist and Founder of Turnaround Investment Partners ----- In this episode, I sat down with Ted Santos, a business strategist who has pioneered a disruptive leadership model that challenges how executives think about change, adversity, and organisational transformation. Ted’s approach isn’t just theoretical – it’s forged from personal experience that would break most people. The Power of Early Adversity Ted’s story begins with tragedy. At just 21, he lost his mother and found himself responsible for his younger...
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Building Your Resilience Plan – with Dr. Marie-Hélène Pelletier
The Executive Edge
Episode 220 Released 2025-10-30 Building Your Resilience Plan with Dr. Marie-Hélène Pelletier Guest: Dr. Marie-Hélène Pelletier, Workplace Mental Health Expert, Psychologist, and Speaker If you're a busy, I suspect you've already spotted yourself in this scenario: demands are increasing, deadlines are looming, and your natural response is to lean in harder, work longer hours, and push through with the same tools that have got you here. In this conversation, I sit down with Dr. Marie-Hélène Pelletier to unpack why this instinct—whilst understandable—is precisely what leads...
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Mastering Salary Negotiation with John Gates
The Executive Edge
Episode 219 Released 2025-10-16 Guest: John Gates, Founder of Salary Coach Episode Summary I sit down with veteran recruiter , who shares over 30 years of insider knowledge on salary negotiation. With 75,000+ job offers under his belt, John reveals why 80% of people don't negotiate at all—and how much money they're leaving on the table. This episode is packed with practical techniques you can use immediately to maximize your compensation. Key Takeaways Why People Don't Negotiate Fear of losing the opportunity trumps everything else Most people lowball themselves at the first pay...
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Grasping Confidence with Tara Lafon Gooch
The Executive Edge
Episode 218 Released 2025-10-02 Episode Overview In this episode of The Executive Edge, host Sue Firth sits down with confidence coach and entrepreneur to discuss building authentic confidence, personal branding, and the transformative power of gratitude. Tara shares her journey from corporate burnout to becoming a TEDx speaker, author, and CEO, offering practical strategies for anyone looking to step into their power and purpose. Key Topics Discussed From Corporate Success to Personal Fulfillment Tara's 2022 turning point as a corporate sales director The difference between external success...
info_outlineReleased September 4, 2025 | Episode 216
Episode Summary
In this episode of The Executive Edge, host Sue Firth sits down with leadership and strategic change advisor Dan Roberts to explore the critical human element of organizational transformation. Drawing from extensive experience in change management and organizational development, Dan shares practical strategies for helping companies navigate change successfully while maintaining team engagement and momentum.
Guest Bio
Dan Roberts is a leadership and strategic change advisor with a background in behavioral psychology and business. His career has focused on helping companies achieve genuine growth through effective change management. Dan is the founder of Impactful Performance and author of "Optimize Your Leadership: An Impactful and Healthy Way to Lead in the New Age."
Key Takeaways
The Foundation of Successful Change
- Change management is fundamentally about the people side of change, not just technology and processes
- Companies often know what they want to achieve but struggle with how to get there
- Success requires asking the right questions rather than having all the answers
The "Slow Down to Speed Up" Principle
- Organizations need to be intentional and strategic about change implementation
- Creating a structured plan and process optimizes conditions for success
- Avoiding the rush to implement prevents setting up for failure
Essential Elements of Change Management
- Clear Communication: Explain the "why" behind changes, not just the "what"
- Resource Assessment: Ensure people, processes, and technology are in place
- Risk Management: Identify barriers and resistance points early
- Roadmap Creation: Develop step-by-step plans people can understand
- Training & Support: Provide adequate preparation and ongoing assistance
Making Change Less Scary
- Connect changes to existing pain points that employees recognize
- Frame changes to show "what's in it for them" (WIIFM)
- Use peer-to-peer champions rather than top-down mandates
- Introduce changes in digestible, bite-sized chunks
- Pilot programs can help problem-solve before full rollout
Leadership in Uncertain Times
- Focus on what you can control vs. the macro environment
- Create a calm, even-keeled leadership presence amid chaos
- Use the "win the day" approach: plan the work, work the plan
- Think in project-based cycles rather than rigid long-term plans
- Maintain focus on immediate, actionable steps while keeping the vision clear
The Power of Language
- How you phrase messages determines how they're received
- Use softer language (e.g., "fluid" instead of "volatile")
- Ensure consistent messaging across all leadership
- Balance transparency with avoiding unnecessary alarm
Memorable Quotes
- "It's not about having the answers. It's are we asking the right questions?"
- "You have to slow down to speed up"
- "Plan the work, work the plan, don't plan the results"
- "Looking too far in the future is anxiety, and looking in the past is depression"
Action Items for Leaders
- Conduct strategic planning sessions focused on your unit's value to the organization
- Develop clear, consistent talking points for all leaders to use
- Identify and empower peer champions within teams
- Break large changes into manageable monthly and quarterly goals
- Focus on "winning the day" rather than obsessing over long-term outcomes
Resources Mentioned
- Website: impactfulperformance.com
- Book: "Optimize Your Leadership: An Impactful and Healthy Way to Lead in the New Age" (available on Amazon)
- LinkedIn: Dan Roberts
Final Thoughts
Change is inevitable in today's business environment, but with the right approach focused on people, clear communication, and manageable implementation, organizations can navigate transformation successfully. The key is remembering that while you can't control the macro environment, you can control how your team responds to and moves through change.
The Executive Edge with Sue Firth provides practical skills for success in life and business. Subscribe on all major podcast platforms for more insights from leading experts.