Better, Not Perfect
The Executive Edge
Episode 238 Released July 23, 2026 This week on Episode 238 of The Executive Edge, I talk to , founder of , CEO of healthcare content agency , and author of . Christy has built her business around an idea that rarely appears in a strategy document but shapes everything she does: kindness. Together, we explore why so many younger employees arrive at work technically capable but lacking the interpersonal skills employers quietly assume they already possess. We discuss why this isn’t a character flaw or a generational weakness—it’s a gap in how we’ve prepared people for work. With AI...
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The Reputation Advantage
The Executive Edge
Episode 237 Released July 9, 2026 This episode of my podcast sits a little outside my usual territory. Most weeks I’m here talking about the psychology behind performance, leadership and how we show up. However, this week I’m taking you somewhere more practical: my guest is of Solomon Turner PR. We talk about public relations, and how getting it right builds your reputation over time. It still fits everything I care about on this show, giving you an edge in life and business. Reputation is one of the quietest advantages you can have, so I think there’s plenty here worth your time. Steve...
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Lead With Clarity, Courage and Curiosity
The Executive Edge
Episode 236. Released June 25, 2026 This week I’m joined by , a global executive advisor, board member and author of . Louisa has spent more than two decades at the heart of some of the world’s biggest businesses, including Diageo, Maersk and Google. Change is everywhere right now, and Louisa sees it for what it really is. A genuine opportunity to add another valuable piece to your business. The encouraging part is that it starts with something you already have. Clarity about who you are, what you do well, and where you want to go. What we cover Why change is an invitation rather...
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Momentum Has Two Parts. Most Businesses Only Chase One
The Executive Edge
Episode 235 Released June 11, 2026 Everyone wants momentum. Move faster, scale quicker, get ahead. Yet very few businesses actually have it. This week I talk with , author of The Bizzics Way. Chip took one equation from physics, mass times velocity, and turned it into a refreshingly practical model for growth. His point is simple: we pour everything into velocity and ignore mass. You need both. Mass is weight, not size. A volleyball and a bowling ball can be the same size with very different mass. In business, your mass is your density. The calibre of your team, the clarity of your...
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Dealing with your inner critic (and what actually works!)
The Executive Edge
Episode 234 Released May 28, 2026 You know the feeling. You've read the books, done the therapy, tried the positive thinking. And yet. Same patterns. Same reactions. Same stuck points — just in slightly different circumstances. In this episode, Sue talks with — a psychotherapist and leadership coach with 30 years of experience and the creator of the Mind Method. Joanna's work starts from a simple but radical premise: you can't change your conditioned mind. But you can stop letting it run the show. This is a conversation about why high achievers often feel the least fulfilled, why the...
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The Gap Between Good and Great Isn't Technical
The Executive Edge
Released May 14, 2026 Episode 233 Fourteen years working with NBA players teaches you something most leadership books miss: the gap between good and great is almost never technical. It's psychological. This week I sit down with — 40+ years coaching elite athletes and business leaders, co-author of an Amazon bestseller with Joe Montana, and author of the new book Embrace Your Inner Coach. Tom’s central argument is deceptively simple: the gap between good and great is almost never technical. It’s psychological. And the tools that work in a locker room work just as well in a boardroom. ...
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Why Your Employer Brand Is Already Defined — Whether You Realise It Or Not
The Executive Edge
Episode 232 Released April 29, 2026 This week on The Executive Edge, I'm joined by , founder of and an employer brand strategist based in Melbourne. Sri works with leaders to close the gap between what their organisation says it stands for — and what talent actually experiences. It's a conversation that will make you look at your hiring process very differently. The big idea: Your employer brand is already being defined — by what you prioritise, what you fund, and what you tolerate. Whether or not you're paying attention to it. Three things that stood out for me: The talent...
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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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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, self-awareness, and sustainable success over relentless hustle culture. Drawing from his experience leading tech companies to successful exits and his work coaching executives across the globe, Andreas challenges conventional wisdom about what it takes to be an effective leader in today's business environment.
Key Topics Discussed
Work-Life Harmony vs. Work-Life Balance
- Why the traditional 9-to-5 model no longer reflects modern work reality
- The concept of "work-life harmony" and flowing in and out of work naturally
- Breaking free from guilt about checking emails after hours
- Compartmentalizing effectively to reduce stress
Cultural Perspectives on Leadership
- Differences between European and American work cultures
- Why Europeans often achieve more in fewer hours
- The role of social safety nets in reducing fear-based motivation
- Adapting leadership styles across different cultural contexts
From Fear-Based to Abundance Mindset
- Moving beyond the "insecure overachiever" mentality
- Why imposter syndrome might be the wrong label
- The importance of recognizing your daily achievements
- Building genuine confidence through self-awareness
The Power of Emotional Intelligence
- Why growing people creates growing organizations
- Understanding your inner child's influence on leadership decisions
- The role of vulnerability as a leadership strength
- Developing curiosity about your own behavioral patterns
Sustainable High Performance
- Setting realistic daily expectations based on your unique strengths
- The practice of journaling wins to build momentum
- Why working harder isn't the same as working effectively
- Recognizing when you've "crushed it" and celebrating those moments
Key Insights
"If you're not growing your people, you are not going to grow your organization."
"I think so many people let that insecure part be the narrative of who they were as a child. Instead, when you recognize that's what you're doing to yourself, you can change it."
"Vulnerability is a power. Once you can admit these things and you can talk about them, you are able to control yourself."
"It's not about the number of hours you put in. Europeans are more effective—it's a little bit less fluff and a little bit more 'let's get shit done.'"
About Andreas Pettersson
Andreas is a Swedish entrepreneur and leadership coach based in California. After a successful career as a tech CEO, including a lucrative exit where he was asked to stay on for two years, Andreas chose to follow his passion for developing other leaders. Through his company, Leaders Adapt, he works with entrepreneurs and executives to help them build the emotional intelligence and self-awareness needed to lead effectively without burning out.
Andreas's approach combines his international business experience across Europe, Asia, and the United States with deep personal work on overcoming fear-based leadership patterns. His mission is to help leaders transition from insecure overachievers to confident, emotionally intelligent executives who achieve sustainable success.
Connect with Andreas Pettersson
Instagram: @andreas.the.ceo (Andreas personally responds to all messages)
Website: Leaders Adapt
LinkedIn: Andreas Pettersson
Andreas welcomes questions and often responds with personalized voice memos. He also publishes leadership insights and solutions to common executive challenges on his blog.
Coming Soon from Andreas
Andreas is developing free leadership kcourses based on his 12 core leadership principles, which is available on YouTube . These courses address the most common patterns and challenges he encounters when working with executives.
Takeaways for Business Executives
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Reframe your definition of productivity – Focus on delivering your unique value rather than maximizing hours worked
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Develop your emotional intelligence – True leadership effectiveness comes from understanding yourself and adapting to others
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Identify your inner narratives – Recognize when childhood conditioning or others' voices are driving your decisions
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Celebrate your wins daily – Build momentum and confidence by acknowledging when you've "crushed it"
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Embrace work-life harmony – Stop feeling guilty about natural work flow and focus on compartmentalizing effectively
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Get curious about yourself – Self-awareness and vulnerability are strengths, not weaknesses
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Shift from fear to abundance – Let your achievements build confidence rather than letting insecurity drive overwork