Strategy Hero

I always love conversations that go beyond the usual strategy frameworks and dig into the human side of leading and this one with Jordanna Eyre does exactly that. Jordanna is a leadership and transformation expert known as the Chief Sorceress of Life & Business and founder of Spiral Growth Systems, where she empowers executives and organisations to integrate personal authenticity with strategic impact. Drawing on an eclectic career path that began in social work and education, Jordanna has developed and refined a distinctive framework for conscious leadership that blends metaphysical insight with practical business application, having guided more than 4,200 leaders across six continents and industries including technology, education, and enterprise. Her work focuses on helping individuals unlock deeper self-awareness, align inner purpose with professional performance, and cultivate meaningful fulfilment in both life and work. What We Explore - The Hidden Emotional Load: Why leaders often carry the weight of ambiguity, human complexity, and tough calls and how to share it without dropping the ball. - From "Making It Work" to "Letting It Flow": Jordanna's take on shifting from force-fitting solutions to creating space where things naturally align. - Building Human-Centred Organisations: Practical ways to weave empathy, vulnerability, and real connection into your team because strategy without heart doesn't last. Jordanna's wisdom is a quiet reminder that great leadership isn't about having all the answers – it's about holding the space for better questions. If you're feeling the weight of it all, this episode might just lighten the load.

If so much has changed around us, why does so much inside organisations feel stubbornly the same? In this special episode of Strategy Hero, we bring together three voices from Season One - Fredrik Fjellstedt, Pascal Dennis and Philippe Guenet to take stock of what has actually changed in strategy over the last two years, and what has not. Since we last spoke, AI has gone mainstream, decision cycles have accelerated, and uncertainty has become a constant. Yet as we explore together, many organisations are still struggling with the same internal challenges they faced in 2023. Rather than revisiting theory, we use this conversation to reflect honestly on lived experience: how strategy is really playing out inside organisations today, where AI is helping, where it’s actively getting in the way, and what leaders are still getting wrong when it comes to execution, engagement, and adaptability. What We Explore Has Anything Fundamentally Changed? We challenge the assumption that AI has transformed strategy itself, arguing instead that while tools have evolved rapidly, many organisations have yet to adapt their behaviours, structures and leadership practices. AI: Powerful Servant, Dangerous Master: We unpack the rise of “AI slop” - polished but meaningless outputs and contrast it with situations where capable teams use AI to accelerate learning and experimentation without outsourcing judgment or intuition. Strategy as an Infinite Chessboard: We reflect on why business strategy can’t be solved like a closed system. Unlike games with fixed rules, organisations operate on an infinite, multi-dimensional chessboard shaped by people, culture, power and constant change. Execution, Engagement and the Human Question: Again and again, we return to execution - not as a mechanical rollout, but as a human process. Strategy only works if people understand it, accept it, and can answer the question: what’s in this for me? As we close, one insight stands out clearly: strategy today is no longer a static plan or an annual exercise. It is a continual, living process - balancing direction with emergence, execution with creativity, and technology with deeply human leadership.

What do you do when the worst thing imaginable happens to your five-year-old, and the support you desperately need is 50 miles away? In this episode, Simon welcomes Odette Mould, founder of Harry’s Rainbow. When her son Harry died suddenly from an asthma attack, Odette didn’t set out to build a charity - she simply refused to let other families face the same lonely void. Fourteen years later, Harry’s Rainbow is a thriving Milton Keynes lifeline offering respite breaks, peer support, and emergency grants to hundreds of bereaved children and their families. We trace the journey from a mother’s heartbreak to an MBE at Buckingham Palace, the relentless focus on gratitude that keeps her going, and the quiet strategy that turned personal tragedy into systemic change. What You’ll Learn - From Heartbreak to Mission: How one family’s unimaginable loss became the driving force behind a charity that’s supported hundreds of grieving children. - Gratitude as Strategy: Why Odette chooses to “switch a positive from a negative” every single day and teaches her children the same discipline. - Building What’s Missing: The practical steps (and sheer determination) it took to create local, accessible bereavement support where none existed. Odette is living proof that the most powerful strategies aren’t born in boardrooms - they’re forged in the crucible of love, loss, and an unbreakable refusal to look away.

What if the key to driving lasting transformation isn’t more tools, but more belief? In this episode, Simon Crowther sits down with Patrick Kealey, Vice President of Global Operational Excellence and Quality at Benchmark’s Precision Technologies division. With decades of experience leading transformation across aerospace, energy, and electronics, Patrick shares how true operational excellence is built - not just through systems like Hoshin Kanri and lean frameworks, but through trust, data, and a clear vision of the future. What You’ll Learn Winning Hearts and Minds: Why trust, patience, and listening are essential to building credibility and inspiring change. Data as a Storytelling Tool: How data can paint a compelling picture of what’s possible and turn resistance into belief. Sustaining Improvement: How to build cultures that problem-solve naturally, avoiding tick-box lean and embedding transformation. Patrick’s journey is a powerful reminder that behind every great transformation are people - people who see, believe, and act. Data may light the way, but belief is what keeps everyone moving forward.

What if the real driver of strategy wasn't frameworks - but emotional intelligence? In this episode, Kate Leto - product leader, coach, and author of Hiring Product Managers: Using Product EQ to Go Beyond Culture and Skills joins us. With over 20 years of experience at startups, scale-ups, and global brands like Yahoo and Moo.com, Kate has seen first-hand how strategy often fails not from lack of plans, but from a lack of people skills. Together, Kate and Simon explore the human side of strategy - why self-awareness, empathy, and emotional intelligence are essential for leaders navigating ambiguity and conflict. What You'll Learn Product EQ in Practice: How emotional intelligence transforms hiring, team building, and leadership. Values That Work: Why co-created values matter-and how to make them live in daily decisions. Self-Awareness as a Meta-Skill: Why knowing yourself is the foundation for strategy, conflict management, and influence. Kate's insights remind us that the strongest strategies aren't just built on processes-they're powered by people who understand themselves and each other.

What if imagination was the ultimate competitive advantage in business? In this episode of the Strategy Hero Podcast, Simon Crowther is joined by Martin Reeves, Chairman of BCG Henderson Institute and a biology-trained strategist with over 36 years at BCG. Martin draws from his background to frame companies as adaptive systems, discussing strategy evolution, the role of imagination, AI's impact on advantage, and blending analytical rigour with creativity for long-term survival. What You’ll Learn We explore Martin's books, Your Strategy Needs a Strategy for contextual approaches and The Imagination Machine for cultivating corporate creativity, plus thought experiments on technology's limits. Practical tips include viewing strategy as an ongoing, imaginative process rather than static plans.

Ever wonder how to succeed in a world that’s always changing? Professor Rita McGrath from Columbia Business School is disrupting how many of us think about strategy. Rita shares why holding onto fixed plans or competitive edges doesn’t cut it anymore, with examples like Kodak’s missteps and how companies like Fujifilm stay agile by empowering small teams to innovate fast. Rita offers her take on how AI is here to boost human creativity rather than replacing it. She also shares practical tips from her upcoming book on navigating the digital economy, urging leaders to spot shifts early and embrace uncertainty to stay ahead in a constantly evolving world.

What does it take to lead with clarity in chaos? Neil Jurd OBE, former British Army officer, Sandhurst instructor, and LeaderConnect founder, shares how he guides global organisations. Shaped by high-stakes military operations, Neil’s philosophy hinges on connection and clear direction. In this episode, we unpack why leadership feels complex, how pausing sharpens decisions, and explore his five principles, including the OODA loop—a rapid decision-making tool. Through “behaviour labs,” Neil builds trust and purpose, empowering billion-pound firms. Discover how Neil Jurd’s insights can transform your leadership, bringing calm and focus to even the most turbulent environments.

What drives a project to transform an organization? In this episode, Ray Collis, co-founder of Growth Pit Stop, shares his “super projects” formula—blending ambition, confidence, alignment, complexity, and collaboration. You’ll learn how successful leaders manage bold initiatives by embracing uncertainty and fostering seamless team alignment. Ray’s “pit stop” strategy—pausing to regroup and refocus—offers a practical way to navigate challenges and keep momentum. From Big Pharma’s hidden innovators to boardroom successes, Ray’s insights reveal how to turn complexity into opportunity, celebrate small wins, and ask, “What does my team need to thrive?” empowering you to lead with clarity and unlock your team’s full potential. Listeners can get an advance copy of Ray's book, Super Projects, by clicking this link.

In this episode, Jim Longshore, Vice President at SBTI and author of The ABCs of Strategy Execution, shares insights from over 25 years of driving Lean Six Sigma deployments across manufacturing, healthcare, and insurance. Jim reflects on his early career experiences at American Standard and Trane, where the integration of Lean and Six Sigma first clicked, and how understanding measurement systems and capability analyses transformed his approach to strategic problem-solving. He outlines the key components of a successful deployment, from having a single project hopper and champion, to building infrastructure that aligns improvement work directly to business strategy. Drawing from real-world stories, like why recordable injury rates were misleading or how misjudged patient placement disrupted hospital staffing, Jim makes a compelling case for curiosity, clear metrics, and data-driven decision-making. He also weighs in on the future of Lean Six Sigma, the role of AI, and why leaders must resist rewarding heroics over consistency. For anyone involved in operational excellence or strategy execution, Jim’s advice is simple but powerful: stop fighting fires, start preventing them. Connect with Jim

In this episode, Hensley Sejour, Principal at Black Tech Nation Ventures, shares how a mindset rooted in curiosity and community has guided his unconventional path—from PhD chemical engineer and 14-year BP veteran to AWS product manager and now venture capital leader. Hensley reflects on pivotal career moments, including how a move to Alaska unlocked a journey toward an MBA at Carnegie Mellon and a transition into tech and investing. Drawing on experiences in process design, operations, and strategy, he unpacks lessons on stakeholder alignment, human-centered design, and the value of real-world execution before strategic planning. He also explores the parallels between oil refineries and startups, the role of mentorship in career growth, and how learning—whether from books, people, or setbacks—can be a lifelong competitive advantage. For aspiring leaders navigating career change, Hensley’s advice is clear: you’re capable of more than you think. Connect with Hensley

In this episode, Anthony Huffman, Enterprise Architecture Strategist at Koch Industries, discusses the transformation of manufacturing through Industry 4.0. With over 20 years of experience in operational excellence and smart manufacturing, Tony shares insights into lean principles, change management, and the integration of digital technologies such as Gen AI and predictive analytics. Tony outlines the four layers of Industry 4.0—smart assets, smart manufacturing, supply chain integration, and digital transformation—emphasizing the importance of aligning strategy with technology rather than simply adopting new tools. He also highlights common pitfalls in transformation efforts, the role of middle management in change adoption, and how Gen AI can enhance decision-making while avoiding hallucinations. For leaders looking to leverage Industry 4.0 technologies, Tony advises starting with capability maturity rather than technology-first approaches. He stresses that transformation requires balancing "run, improve, and transform" strategies while ensuring that digital tools augment rather than add complexity to existing workflows. Connect with Anthony

Roger Longden, founder and chairman of the UK's leading OKR consultancy There Be Giants, brings a wealth of experience in helping organizations excel in strategy execution. From his corporate IT background to a coaching qualification at Henley Business School, Roger's journey has spanned leading project management at Fujitsu, coaching in the North Sea oil rigs, and establishing an international consultancy that empowers businesses to thrive with OKRs. In this episode, Roger delves into the transformative potential of OKRs, emphasizing their role in fostering alignment, engagement, and cross-functional collaboration. He explains how OKRs offer an alternative to traditional "cascade" methods, empowering teams to devise solutions that connect directly to organizational objectives. Roger highlights the significance of psychological safety, trust, and inclusivity in OKR adoption, while also addressing challenges like maintaining agility in corporate settings. Connect with Roger

Featuring amazing guests such as Roger Longden of There Be Giants, Enterprise Architecture Strategist for Industry 4.0 at Koch Industries, Anthony Hoffman and Hensley Sejour, Investor at Black Tech Nation Ventures. Season Three also sees the departure of James Milsom as our host, with Simon Crowther coming in midway through the season as our new host. This season is packed with insights into the world of strategy, leadership and business transformation.

James Milsom, host of the Strategy Hero podcast, has spent two seasons uncovering the stories and strategies behind the world of business transformation, operational excellence, and strategy execution. As a seasoned marketer and thought leader at i-nexus, James has connected with practitioners, consultants, and unsung heroes to share their insights and experiences. In this special episode, James takes the guest seat, reflecting on his journey as a host and the evolution of the podcast. He reveals the inspiration behind the show: creating a platform that replaces the watercooler conversations lost in a remote-first world, while highlighting the voices of those on the frontlines of strategy execution. James shares lessons learned from the podcast, such as the importance of balancing structure with spontaneity in storytelling, building genuine relationships with guests, and capturing the humanity behind business strategies. He recalls standout moments, from deep conversations about leadership and culture to personal stories like the shared impact of family with Festus Akinbusoye.

In this episode, Wes Bush, CEO of ProductLed and author of the Product-Led Playbook, dives into the transformative approach of Product-Led Growth (PLG). Sharing his journey from a B2B SaaS marketer to a leading PLG advocate, Wes reveals how a free tool at Vidyard sparked his realization of the power of PLG as a scalable and user-centric go-to-market strategy. Wes explains how PLG flips traditional sales-led methods by using the product itself to acquire, engage, and monetize users, enabling a frictionless and efficient customer journey. He emphasizes the importance of understanding ideal users, creating a clear organizational strategy, and aligning product, marketing, and sales teams for long-term success. Listeners will learn how to avoid common pitfalls, from relying on surface-level tactics to underestimating the role of data in shaping user experiences. Wes also discusses the significance of fostering a product-led organization, addressing change management challenges, and continuously improving through experimentation and user feedback. This episode is packed with actionable insights for CEOs and leaders eager to embrace PLG and align their teams with a data-driven, user-first approach to strategy execution. Stay tuned for Wes's final advice on becoming the "obvious choice" in your market!

In this episode, Simon Wardley, creator of Wardley Maps, explores how mapping brings clarity to strategy and complex decision-making. Wardley shares how his frustration with vague corporate strategies led to his development of the Wardley Mapping methodology, inspired by a bookstore conversation about The Art of War. Wardley Maps visually map out an organization’s strategic landscape by illustrating user needs, capabilities, and how these evolve, helping organizations understand their context and make informed decisions. Simon emphasizes that most organizations miss optimization opportunities by relying on narratives and unstructured tools, whereas mapping reveals hidden constraints, avoids unnecessary investments, and fosters collaborative, objective dialogue. From national defense to healthcare, Wardley Maps have proven valuable across industries by providing a structured approach to understanding and acting within a competitive landscape. Connect with Simon on Linkedin

In this episode, we explore the 27-year career of Grant Elder, a seasoned change management leader, known for his expertise in fostering transformation through empathy and communication. Grant reflects on his experiences leading complex organizational change, emphasizing the critical role of strategic planning, environmental analysis, and the engagement of employees through processes like Catchball and Gemba walks. Grant outlines the importance of data-driven decision-making and how emerging technologies, particularly AI, are reshaping the landscape of change management and business transformation. He stresses that there is no universal strategy for successful change, advocating for a tailored approach that takes operational intricacies into account. Throughout the discussion, Grant explains the value of meticulous planning and sustained employee involvement as key drivers of successful transformation and execution in organizations. Connect with Grant on LinkedIn.

In this episode, we delve into the extensive career of Paul Niven, a renowned expert in strategy execution with a focus on the balanced scorecard and OKR (Objectives and Key Results) frameworks. Paul shares his journey from public accounting to pioneering the balanced scorecard in the early 1990s, leading to significant improvements in organizational performance. He has since authored several influential books and collaborated with over 500 organizations worldwide. Paul discusses the evolution of the balanced scorecard, particularly its application in Fortune 500 companies, and explores the transition to OKRs, which provide greater flexibility and autonomy for employees at all levels. He advocates for a hybrid approach that integrates both models, emphasizing the importance of setting specific, challenging goals and the need for internal champions to drive successful OKR adoption. The conversation also touches on the future of OKRs and their potential integration with broader management systems, as well as the importance of continuous learning for professionals in strategy execution. Connect with Paul Niven on LinkedIn.

In this episode, we explore the career of Jack Soos, whose diverse background spans sociology, biochemistry, and leadership. Jack has developed a keen understanding of the importance of empathy and active listening, which he applies to his leadership practices. He shares insights on fostering trust, promoting employee growth, and the necessity of ongoing learning. Jack has tackled the challenges of cross-functional collaboration, advocating for leadership that builds partnerships rather than imposing directives. He emphasizes the critical role of psychological safety in the workplace and the need to balance performance with employee well-being. Connect with Jack on LinkedIn