Leadership, Untangled
Leadership feels harder than it used to. Not because leaders have suddenly become less capable, but because many of the assumptions we've relied on for years no longer seem to hold. This podcast explores how to lead when AI is changing work, employees want something different, customers expect more, and the future feels unpredictable. Host Blaire Palmer, a four-times published author and authority on the future of work, talks with leaders navigating uncertainty, transformation, growth, and performance in real time. It's not leadership theory or hacks, but real people wrestling with real challenges inside real organisations.
Episodes
The Magic of Leadership | Mark Thurston
In this episode of Leadership Untangled, host Blair Palmer speaks with Mark Thurston, Chief Executive of Anglian Water, about the unique challenges of leadership in high-stakes environments. Thurston shares insights on the responsibilities that come with being a CEO, the importance of self-awareness, and the nuances of public scrutiny in infrastructure roles. He emphasizes the need for au
The Shift from Hard Work to Smart Work in Leadership | Cecilia Flatum
In this episode of Leadership Untangled, Blaire Palmer speaks with Cecilia Flatum, CEO of Deloitte Norway, about the complexities of leadership in times of disruption. Cecilia shares her journey of transitioning from a hard-working approach to a smarter, more strategic leadership style. They discuss the importance of integrating personal health practices into leadership, the necessity of
Preserving Legacy in Family Business | Alex Yakovyshenko
In this episode of Leadership Untangled, Blaire Palmer speaks with Alex Yakovyshenko, who leads a multi-generational family-owned business with a rich legacy. They discuss the complexities of leadership, the importance of preserving values while embracing change, and the unique challenges faced in family-run enterprises. Alex shares insights on navigating loneliness in leadership, fosteri
Unlocking Leadership Potential Through Questions | Philip Ponsonby
In this conversation, Philip Ponsonby discusses the importance of asking the right questions in leadership, embracing vulnerability, and building trust within organizations, especially during complex mergers. He emphasizes the need for engagement and open communication, particularly through listening groups, to foster a sense of belonging among employees. The unique dynamics of a member-e
Navigating Leadership in a Changing World | Jessie McGowan
In this episode of Leadership Untangled, Blaire Palmer speaks with Jessie McGowan, Managing Director for North America at PeopleScout. They discuss the evolving landscape of leadership and talent acquisition, emphasizing the importance of adaptability, trust, and open communication in navigating change. Jessie shares her personal journey from being a practitioner to a leader, the challeng
When AI Meets Insurance: Leading Transformation at Aviva | Michael Yabantu
In this episode of Leadership Untangled, Blaire Palmer speaks with Michael Yabantu, Managing Director of Mid Market at Aviva, about one of the most significant and human-centred transformation stories in commercial insurance. Michael leads a business responsible for over a billion pounds of premium, and since 2019 has been at the forefront of embedding AI and automation into the underwrit
When AI Makes a Five-Year Business Plan Impossible | Keith Mackay
Keith MacKay has spent 35 years inside the software economy as a CTO, founder, board advisor, and teacher, and now advises private equity and corporate clients as Managing Director of the Software Strategy Group at EY-Parthenon. In this conversation with Blaire, he breaks down what's actually happening when investors try to put a value on a software business in a world where AI capabiliti
