Identifying and developing the next generation of leadership talent is critically important. No decision will have a bigger impact on the performance of an organization and its enduring legacy. Yet, many leaders struggle with effective succession planning.

In this episode of Leadership Lounge, we talk to three of our trusted advisors—James Diggines, Rebecca Slan Jerusalim, and Stacey Shapiro—who share their perspectives on:

• The critical first steps CEOs should take to build effective succession processes
• How to spot leadership potential beyond the obvious candidates
• Common succession planning mistakes that can derail organizations
• Strategies for keeping unsuccessful candidates engaged and motivated
• How succession decisions can transform organizational culture

"Too often succession is really a check the box exercise at a critical point in time, as opposed to having a long-term focus."

Rebecca Slan Jerusalim, Leadership Advisor, Russell Reynolds Associates

Four things you'll learn from this episode:

• Timing is everything in succession planning. Start succession planning as soon as you step into a new leadership role. The longer the duration, the easier it is to develop internal talent.
• Succession isn't replacement—it's development. Effective succession encompasses long-term talent development. Organizations must actively identify and invest in key talent year-over-year.
• Keep your talent pipelines broad and dynamic. Resist the urge to quickly converge on one or two candidates. Business conditions shift, and what you need in a leader today may differ dramatically from what you need tomorrow.
• Transparency builds loyalty. When succession decisions are made, providing clear feedback and development opportunities to unsuccessful candidates can retain crucial senior talent.

A closer look at the research from this episode:

• Board Culture and Director Behavior Study | Russell Reynolds Associates
• Global CFO Turnover Index | Russell Reynolds Associates Russell Reynolds Associates
• Global CHRO Turnover Index | Russell Reynolds Associates Russell Reynolds Associates
• SHRM Succession Planning ROI Study | Society for Human Resources Management

Many of us have heard the expression “doing good is good for business.” In this episode, Simon Kingston sits down with former MTV International Chairman and CEO Bill Roedy about how he put this concept into practice on a truly global scale.

Bill takes us on his journey of how he redefined broadcast television, launching the most channels in television history with more than 200 global channels and 20 brands, including MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, and numerous others. He discusses how and why he started MTV’s Staying Alive Foundation, Suga, and other social responsibility initiatives to realize the ethos of “doing good is good for business.” And Bill shares his journey from West Point to MTV to GAVI and beyond.

We'll also hear from Andrew White, a leadership advisor who specializes in executive assessment and development, who will discuss why curiosity and adaptability are essential leadership traits in today's business environment.

Four things you’ll learn from this episode:

1. Why doing good is good for business and how to achieve it at scale
2. How to navigate the various challenges when launching a media startup
3. How to deal with uncertainty and risk to realize global growth
4. How to adapt a business background to serve in global non-profits and NGOs

If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like these Redefiners episodes:

• Talking Transformational Leadership with RRA’s CEO Constantine Alexandrakis
• Leadership Lounge: Boardroom Bound: How to Navigate Your Journey from Executive to Board Director
• Action Creates Hope: A Conversation with IRC President and CEO David Miliband
• Leadership Lounge: How to develop your personal leadership brand
• The Business of Football with Los Angeles Rams COO Kevin Demoff
• Leadership Lounge: Advice on when—and how—to weigh in on social issues

Today's senior executives operate in an environment where trust has never been more critical, or more fragile. According to the latest Edelman Trust Barometer, trust in business leaders is at an all-time low, with people's fear that business leaders are dishonest increasing by 12% in the last year.

So, as a leader, how can you cultivate trust within your team and organization?

In this episode of Leadership Lounge, we talk to three of our trusted advisors—Henryk Krajewski, Emmy Melville, and Ilana Abramowicz—who share their perspectives on:

• How trust is evolving in today's fast-paced business environment
• The specific behaviors that distinguish highly trusted executives
• Practical strategies for building and rebuilding trust within teams
• How to accurately assess trust levels rather than relying on gut feeling

“Don’t take somebody else’s credit. If you make a mistake, you own it. You don’t bury somebody else.”

Ilana Abramowicz, Leadership Advisor, Russell Reynolds Associates

Four things you'll learn from this episode:

1. Trust is built on consistency. You need to demonstrate that you can follow through on your promises and commitments, no matter how small.
2. Trust isn’t something that’s nice-to-have in an organization. It needs to be intentionally built at a foundational level.
3. Transparent communication is vital for trust—sharing relevant information openly, explaining decisions clearly, and being forthright about challenges creates a culture where trust can flourish.
4. Trusted leaders give credit, own mistakes (even if minimal), and maintain confidentiality.

In this episode, we will cover:

• The four fundamental components that make up trust in the leadership context
• Why trust should be a foundational priority rather than an afterthought
• Why trust is critical for accelerating decision-making and enabling productive conflict
• The ‘1% rule’ for initiating trust repair when relationships have fractured
• The connection between trust and concrete business outcomes
• How differing trust languages can create unintended barriers within teams
• Why timing is critical in addressing trust breaches before they become permanent

A closer look at the research from this episode:

Edelman Trust Barometer

How CEOs Can Build and Maintain a High-Performing C-suite | Russell Reynolds Associates

The New CEO | Russell Reynolds Associates

When it comes to global financial markets, the only certainty is the likelihood of uncertainty and change. The world is in a period of transformation on multiple levels fueled by AI and technology innovation, shifting economic policies, and infrastructure modernization. At the foundation of all of this transformation is the unrelenting need for long-term capital.

In today’s special in-studio episode, Clarke Murphy sits down with a leader who’s not only deftly navigating her organization through change in her role as Nasdaq CEO, but she’s doing it all at the speed of global capital. Adena Friedman talks about Nasdaq’s evolution from the world’s first electronic stock exchange to its current role as a global technology company serving the broader financial system and capital markets. She digs into her career journey from intern to CEO at Nasdaq, how Nasdaq stays on the leading edge of technology and innovation, and how to compete for and keep top tech talent. And she discusses the $80 trillion investment opportunity to bring every society in every economy forward to face the realities of the world that we're living in today.

We'll also hear from Tristan Jervis, a leadership advisor specializing in AI transformation, who will discuss the four critical steps CEOs can take to build AI-powered organizations.

Four things you’ll learn from this episode:

1. Adena’s personal story, career and leadership journey, and advice on how to navigate change and uncertainty
2. What to do to take advantage of impending changes to the global economy
3. How to nurture and grow a culture of innovation to stay ahead of disruption
4. How Nasdaq competes for and keeps top tech and AI talent

If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like these Redefiners episodes:

• Talking Tough Decisions with TCW President and CEO Katie Koch
• Leadership Lounge: How to Future-Proof Your Leadership
• Elections, Geopolitics, and Global Business: A Conversation with Former President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso
• Leadership Lounge: Unleashing AI’s potential: Are you ready to lead the charge?
• Private Investment Guru David Rubenstein Goes Public on How to Be a Successful Leader & Investor
• Leadership Lounge: What do top-performing teams have in common?

Today's board directors operate in a complex business landscape, balancing strategic guidance, technological innovation, and heightened governance expectations. They must provide critical leadership while navigating rapid change and increasing stakeholder scrutiny.

So, as an executive, do you have what it takes to thrive in a board role? And how can you maximize your impact once you're there?

In this episode of Leadership Lounge, we talk to some of our trusted advisors—Maggie Benkert, Edward Mason, and Rusty O'Kelley—who share their perspectives on:

• How to evaluate whether a board opportunity is the right fit
• What board chairs are looking for in new directors
• The behaviors that set exceptional board directors apart
• How to build effective relationships with fellow board members

"I advise clients and candidates to be really selective about taking a board role. You want to find an opportunity where you can add considerable value, but it's also developmental or stretching for you, and helps support you in your career."

Ed Mason, Leadership Advisor, Russell Reynolds Associates.

Four things you'll learn from this episode:

1. Be strategic and selective when pursuing board opportunities. Ensures it aligns with your career goals, skills, and values.
2. Board selection committees value ‘T-shaped’ leaders who bring both breadth across strategic decision-making and depth in specialized focus areas.
3. The most effective board directors demonstrate five key behaviors: sound judgment, constructive engagement, integrity, asking the right questions, and bringing independent perspectives.
4. Don’t underestimate the importance of building strong connections with fellow board members. Small gestures can make a big difference.

In this episode, we will cover:

• What questions executives should ask themselves before pursuing board opportunities.
• Three key things boards look for when appointing new directors.
• The importance of speaking the language of governance rather than management during board interviews.
• Practical strategies for building relationships with fellow board members.
• How to maximize your contribution and stay effective throughout your board tenure.

A closer look at the research from this episode:

2025 Board Culture and Director Behavior Study, Russell Reynolds Associates

The global pet industry is expected to grow from $320 billion today to nearly $500 billion by 2030, as more pet parents treat their pets like their own children, often sparing no expense on their pets’ nutrition, health, and wellness.

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, today’s episode features a conversation with Simon, Hoda and Lyssa McGowan, CEO of Pets at Home, the UK’s leading pet care business. Lyssa will “shed” some light on how she’s “grooming” Pets at Home for growth by creating an omnichannel pet care platform in the UK. She talks about how she balances keeping what works in a purpose-driven organization while adding new capacity in data and technology. She’ll also share her insights on how and when she uses customer feedback to develop new products and services.

We'll also hear from Hetty Pye, leadership advisor and co-founder of RRA Artemis, a movement designed to accelerate the development of women from the world’s most influential organizations into the CEO seat. Hetty will discuss our latest research on the media’s representation of women CEOs. 

Four things you’ll learn from this episode:

1. What are the key barriers getting in the way of more women becoming CEOs and how to get past them
2. How to lead through rapid scaling and a subsequent slowdown
3. How a unified customer platform, data, and AI create consistent customer experience at scale
4. What role customer feedback plays in shaping product and service innovations

If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like these Redefiners episodes:

• Exploring the Art of Possible with Google and Alphabet President and Chief Investment Officer Ruth Porat
• Leadership Lounge: How to develop your personal leadership brand
• Talking Tough Decisions with TCW President and CEO Katie Koch
• Leadership Lounge: Why are there so few women in the CEO seat?
• Leadership Lounge: How to nail your first year as CEO
• Outwork the Competition: Jordan Brand’s Winning Strategy with President Sarah Mensah

The world needs more metals, minerals, and natural resources to fuel the global economy, power the energy transition, and feed a growing population. As the CEO of the world’s largest mining company, BHP’s Mike Henry is redefining his business in a competitive industry which is projected to grow to $2.8 trillion by 2028.

In today’s episode, Clarke digs into Mike’s leadership lessons and insights, including his career journey, his CEO transition in the midst of two major crises, and the advantages of being a global citizen living and working in multiple countries. Mike shares how he balances growth alongside risk, safety, and respecting communities in the company’s mining efforts. He also talks about the BHP Operating System, which serves as the foundation for how BHP’s 90,000 employees continuously improve and make decisions in the face of uncertainty on a day-to-day basis.

Four things you’ll learn from this episode:

1. How BHP is decarbonizing and becoming more sustainable while meeting growing global demand
2. How an Operating System can help ground company culture and drive continuous improvement across the organization
3. How to balance growth with risk, safety, and working with local governments and communities
4. How technology and an internal venture capital arm can power a culture innovation

If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like these Redefiners episodes:

• Talking Transformational Leadership with RRA’s CEO Constantine Alexandrakis
• AI or Die: A Conversation with Coveo Chairman and CEO Louis Têtu
• Leadership Lounge: How to develop your personal leadership brand
• Waste In, Shareholder Value Out: A Conversation with WM President and CEO Jim Fish
• Putting Sustainability Talk into Action with former Enel CEO Francesco Starace
• Leadership Lounge: What do top-performing teams have in common?
• How the Barely Possible Can Overcome the Barely Solvable with First Mode’s Chris Voorhees